Carissa watched carefully as everyone on the stage cheered, except Horus and Isis. They seemed jealous . . . even outraged. Isis rolled her eyes at Carissa before storming down the platform stairs and into the palace. Horus gave the same dismissive look and followed his mother. Carissa leaned back. Something is amiss here and I mean to discover what it is she thought.
15
ASSASSINS
Caelan ordered Varus, the Captain of the Royal Guard to investigate where the snake had come from, but Carissa insisted that Athena lead the investigation. She suspected someone in the palace was behind the incident and wanted someone she trusted leading the investigation. Several hours passed and Athena stood in the center of the square examining the carcass. Athena was the daughter of Caelan's second wife Rachael, but she and Carissa had grown very close. Carissa discovered the girl was a child prodigy at twelve and enrolled her in Egypt's finest learning institutions. Athena had an eidetic memory, able to memorize virtually everything she read. She learned from the kingdom's greatest scholars and showed unsurpassed knowledge in mathematics, chemistry, architecture, and her favorite subject, warfare.
Her enrollment was contentious at the time because the higher learning academies did not accept female students. Carissa urged Caelan to make a special exception for Athena and not waste her talents. She did not want the girl resigned to being a princess and married off to sire royal heirs. It helped that Athena was Caelan's favorite daughter and he doted on the girl. Athena entered the academy at sixteen and was the first student to graduate in only two years. She went on to train at a special military academy for children of the Son's of God and surpassed every student. Athena soon became known as one of the wisest and most intelligent people in the kingdom.
Each of the Nephilim, or first-generation children born to the Sons of God, had a unique or supernatural ability. Athena had several. At seven feet tall, she was gifted with strength, speed and endurance twice that of a normal person. Naturally beautiful, with waist-length black hair, olive eyes, and full red lips, she downplayed her feminine qualities and dress in a soldier's uniform, wearing a bronze helmet and plate armor over a knee-length white robe. With so many impressive attributes, it was no wonder she was the first woman to be worshipped as a goddess.
After graduating from the military academy, she led a half dozen campaigns against city-states in Northeastern Africa and became famous for tactics and strategy. Her experience in the jungles of Africa helped confirm the dead snake was a mutated African python. It could not have grown so large naturally. More important to her was how it had gotten here.
“Your Majesty, there is new evidence at the port,” a Royal Guard yelled from behind.
“What do you have Sergeant?” she yelled, still examining the dead snake.
“Majesty, you need to see this.”
Athena whipped around. “I am busy soldier. Your orders are to investigate. Do so,” she said with authority.
The sergeant scanned the area, then stepped closer and leaned down. “Your Majesty, there was a letter found with a royal seal and gold coins from the treasury,” he whispered.
Athena perked up. “Where did you find these things?”
“Inside the bag of a dead body near the port. He must have—”
“Been killed as the snake broke through the hold of one of the tribute ships,” she interrupted.
“If this is true Your Majesty, then—”
“Treason," Athena said. "I sense a royal plot. Take me to the body.”
_____
“At this rate your father will never become king!” Isis screamed at Horus. She grabbed a vase and smashed it into the bedchamber wall.
“Mother, it was not my fault," Horus pleaded. "The snake woke early and broke free from the ship.”
Isis huffed. “Are there any witnesses? What of the ship’s crew?”
“All loose ends are being taking care of as we speak,” Horus said.
Isis stepped forward, cupped Horus’ cheeks, and smiled. “Good. We cannot have Athena find evidence of our plan. Is everything in place for tonight?”
“Yes mother.”
“Excellent. We must move quickly before suspicions are aroused. Tonight, we strike the final blow.”
_____
Athena raced on horseback to the port used for unloading ships with the Sergeant. While examining the wreckage, she noticed that there was not a person in sight. “Sergeant, where are your men?” she asked.
“I do not know You Majesty. They were here when I left.”
Athena jumped from her horse to the dock and continued surveying the area. “Where is the body?” she asked, sensing something was not right.
“We found him down there,” the sergeant said, pointing to an area under the wooden dock . . . his body was . . .”
Athena heard a sudden thud. She turned to see the sergeant slump forward on his horse with an arrow protruding from his back. She dropped to her knee just before an arrow flew over her head, then quickly rolled over the side of the dock and into the water. Athena crouched and drew her bow. Five figures dressed in black with covered faces moved behind the buildings to her left as another five ran down the street. Athena stood and fired, striking the first man in the throat and sending him backward into the man behind him. A third person shot at her, just before she fired again. An arrow pierced the wood pillar to her right, just before Athena's arrow struck the man's chest and knocked him off his feet. The remaining assassins withdrew to cover.
“Come out princess,” a voice shouted.
“Varus you traitor, you are going to hang for this treachery,” Athena shouted as she took cover behind a pillar.
“Give us the letter and we will spare your life!” Varus shouted.
“You are supposed to be one of us," Athena said. "Is this how you reward my father for treating you as a son and making you Captain of his Guard?”
“One last chance to save your life princess!” Varus said coldly.
Athena knew that if Varus had killed his sergeant and tried to assassinate her, there must be evidence linking him and someone else in the palace to treason. She suspected a coup. “You are a liar Varus!” she shouted just before peaking around the pillar. Varus motioned several men to move forward. Athena aimed, but heard the creaking noise of footsteps above. She looked up to see a figure lean over the side of the dock. She fired, striking the man in the neck. The body slumped and fell into the water.
Three of the other assassins drew closer and neared the water. Athena reached for another arrow, but found none. The rest were lost when she tumbled into the water. She drew her long sword and rushed toward the assailants. She met them at the shoreline and swung at the head of the first. He ducked and turned. Athena spun and swung at the second person, who stepped to the left and dodged her. She then turned and faced all three. One of the assailants was, thin with long hair and feminine features." A woman," Athena said angrily under her breath.
The attackers formed a triangle around Athena in the water. She raised her sword with both hands and took a stance her father had taught her. The attacker on her right swung at her head with a scimitar. Athena blocked the strike and as the attacker in front swung; she spun left and cut down the first attacker, then thrust her sword into the other's belly. The female attacker paused. Athena withdrew her sword from the other man's body, spun quickly, and beheaded the woman. Her body splashed into the water and reddened it with blood.
Athena walked to the shoreline and flicked the blood from her sword. The four remaining attackers stood in front of a building one-hundred feet in front of her. Two of them had their bows trained on her.
“Last chance princess. Give us the documents or die!” Varus shouted.
Athena wiped the hair from her face and then smiled.
“Have it your way. We will take it off your dead body—” Varus stopped when blood splashed across his face. The man on his right grabbed his throat and fell to his knees, struggling to remove the arrow from his n
eck. To the left, the man spat blood, and then grabbed the arrow in his back. Varus turned and ran. The other attacker started to follow, was struck in the chest, and fell. Arrows flew past Varus until he disappeared into an alley.
Three women, more than six feet tall each, emerged from behind a building near the street. They were Athenians, warriors from an all-female village in Western Greece who had volunteered for military service with Athena during her North Africa campaign. Known for their ferocity and bravery, five hundred were trained by Athena to serve as her personal guard, spies, and assassins. They were given the island of Kasos in the Aegean as a reward for heroic military service. There, they lived as a closed society of citizen-warriors with Athena as their patron goddess. The women stood before Athena and then bowed to one knee.
“My lady, are you okay?” the leader, Phaedra asked.
“I am fine, due to you my ladies,” Athena said. She wiped the blood from her face and neck.
Phaedra stood and stepped forward. She was six feet tall, with shoulder length black hair, tanned skin and dressed similar to Athena in bronze armor. “Your Majesty, we have watched the rebels who fled into Central Africa after the war as you requested. You were right, they are breeding and mutating wild beasts . . . creating monstrosities of apes, reptiles, elephants, and . . . snakes.”
“Abomination,” Athena said.
“We followed them here and waited for a chance to speak with you," Phaedra said. "Phaedra shook her head. "What we saw is terrifying."
“You have done well my ladies," Athena said. "We must go to the palace and warn the royal family. I fear for their lives.
_____
In the evening, a banquet was held at the palace for the royal family, Council members, visiting dignitaries, and nobles from the province. Musicians played as scantily clad women danced and beer and wine flowed generously. Azazel made it clear to his servants that they were to ensure the night was festive and everyone forget this afternoon's attack.
“So old friend, I hear you are here buying African beasts?” Thoros asked the man sitting across from him.
“Yes,” the man replied with a gentle smile.
Thoros laughed so hard wine spilled on his shirt. “So now you're building a zoo? First a ship, now a zoo? You have lost your mind Noah.” Thoros laughed again and took a gulp from his oversized cup.
Noah smiled and looked nervously around the hall. The Nephilim and their parents made him uncomfortable. Other than Thoros, most were brutes; tyrants who took what they wanted, whenever they wanted. Noah knew well the stories of Nephilim coming into the cities and slaughtering innocents and their own in drunken tirades. And here he was, surrounded as they gorged themselves with liquor. Noah hated the cities and wanted desperately to get the animals he came for and leave Egypt. If not for a chance meeting with Thoros in the marketplace the day before, he might be gone. The young prince insisted that Noah come to the banquet as his guest. He did not want to attend, but also did not want to offend the man who had done so much to protect him and his family from other Nephilim.
“Do you still think the world is ending Noah?” Thoros asked sarcastically.
“You know that I do,” Noah said.
“How many years left now old man?” Thoros asked.
“Not many Your Majesty.”
Thoros laughed loudly. “You have been preaching this for seventy years and nothing has happened. Look around friend, the world has not gotten worse, we have made it better.”
“Better?” Noah replied sarcastically. “Forgive me Your Majesty, but our world has become more violent. We now have endless wars and genocide.”
“We fight for a better world Noah. Do you see the buildings we have built? The pyramids and temples? We have built dams, canals, and harnessed the power of the sun and given humanity calendars. Our latest project, Mount Olympus, will be the greatest of them all. It will be heaven on Earth.”
Noah leaned forward. “Thoros, my friend, people worship your family more than the true God. This is not right.”
Thoros leaned forward. “Noah, only gods could have accomplished all that we have. Ought we not to be worshipped?”
“I love you for all that you have done for my family Thoros, but you should turn to the true God before it is too late.”
“Hah!” Thoros laughed. “Save a place for me and my family then, right by the elephants.” Thoros laughed again.
Noah shook his head and smiled.
Thoros turned serious. “Noah, you have to tone down the preaching. The Council is beginning to tire of you. I may not always be able to protect you.”
“God will protect me my friend. Of that I am sure,” Noah said confidently.
Thoros slapped Noah across the arm. “Yes, Thoros the god of Thunder will protect you,” he said, then laughed.
Sitting in the front of the hall at the main table with the Council members, Caelan was merry and enjoying the party. He took a large gulp from his golden goblet, wiped his face, and continued laughing. A few seconds later, he began blinking his eyes rapidly, and then held his stomach. He shook his head, appearing dazed and slightly confused.
“Are you okay?” Carissa asked.
“Yes. I am fine,” he answered with slurred words.
Carissa wondered if he were drunk, but remembering earlier events, was suspicious.
“Caelan!” she yelled and then shook his arm.
His eyes were distant and his breathing became erratic. Carissa stood and shook him by the shoulders.
The cup fell from his hand as Caelan's eyes widened and he grabbed his throat. Carissa screamed.
Azazel was sitting to his right with two women on his lap. He stopped laughing, brushed the women aside and jumped out of his chair.
Caelan stood and then fell back into the chair. He held his throat, unable to breathe. Azazel rushed to Caelan and grabbed him under the arms to prevent him from falling out of the chair. Caelan clenched Azazel's shirt and pulled him down. “Wh—Why brother? Why?” he managed to say before passing out.
“The king has been poisoned!” Carissa screamed.
“Bring the physician now!” Azazel shouted.
Carissa pried Azazel's arms from Caelan and pushed him aside. "Get your hands off him you monster!" she said, then pointed at him. "You did this!”
Azazel looked at her. He turned slowly and looked around the hall and all eyes staring at him. He saw Isis, his wife and Horus standing in a corner. Horus smiled and then quickly left the hall.
Azazel began to piece together a series of prior events. Secret meetings at night between Horus and Isis . . . the intense jealousy Isis had of Carissa . . . the constant urgings by his wife that he should be king instead of Caelan . . . Horus' newfound closeness with Varus. Now it made sense. Azazel did not want to believe it, but his family had just tried to assassinate Caelan.
He looked down at Carissa as she held Caelan's head close to her chest. Azazel opened his mouth, but Carissa spit in his face. "Traitor," she said as tears flowed down her face. “You knew. You knew all along.” She closed her eyes and screamed, “Treason!”
Azazel furled his lips. Spittle ran down his face and to the floor. The royal physician ran past him and to Caelan. He was semiconscious and his arms and neck occasionally twitched.
“We need to move him,” the physician said frantically.
“Guards!” Azazel called.
Ten Royal Guards approached the table. Carissa pulled a knife and spread her arms. Thoros jumped across the table and stood next to Carissa. He drew his hammer and crossed his arms. Caelan's sons, daughters and all three of his wives surrounded him. The children drew swords and the wives their knives. Caelan's lips were purple, his face pale. Then, he stopped breathing. The physician pressed his ear to Caelan's heart. He swallowed, and then lifted his head. “My lords, the king is dead.”
16
WAR IS COMING
“What have you done woman!” Azazel shouted, his right hand clenched tightly around his wife
's neck. He lifted Isis and pinned her against the bedroom wall. Her eyes bulged and faced turned purple as she clawed Azazel's arm. Gold necklaces snapped and fell from her neck as Azazel squeezed tighter.
“Caelan was my friend," Azazel said. His eyes filled with rage, he gritted his teeth and leaned closer. "And now they suspect me!”
Isis' eyes rolled back. Just before she fainted, Azazel dropped her to the floor. She held her throat and took several long, gasp of air. Azazel looked down and raised his fist.
“Wait!” Isis begged. “It . . . should have been . . . you my lord. It should have always been you.”
Azazel raised his fist higher.
“Caelan was a fool, and—and you know it," Isis shouted. "He was ruining the kingdom you built.”
Azazel screamed and kicked over a table. He drove his fist into a mirror. “Do you know what you have done? This is treason.”
“It needed to be done my lord.”
“Caelan was soft on humanity and let too many of our brethren leave, but he kept the kingdom and the Council in order. He unified us. Without him, civil war will follow.”
“Horus has assembled the army," Isis said. "The first legion is marching from Bethyir and the second is outside the city waiting for our orders. Varus and the Royal Guard are with us. If we move now, the kingdom is ours.”
Azazel looked down at her. He took a deep breath and then shook his head. “You have gone too far. Now, I have no choice.”
Isis closed her eyes.
“Where is Horus? Azazel asked.
Frightened, Isis said nothing.
“If your plan is to work, we must finish them now,” Azazel said.
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