Sons of God Daughters of Men

by Benjamin Reynolds

Isis smiled and then stood. She made her way to Azazel and wrapped her arms around his waist. He feigned a smile and pulled her closer. Her jealousy and ambitions were trite, evil at times, but he never thought her capable of murder. For better or worse, they were in it together now. If her plan failed, they were certain to be executed. “Order Varus to lock down the palace, then have he and Horus meet me here." He kissed Isis on the forehead. "Others must die if we are to live.”

  _____

  In the banquet hall, Caelan's family was still gathered around him. Athena had managed to get inside the palace before it was locked down. She knelt beside Caelan and put her hand under his nose. She pressed her ear to his chest and listened carefully. “Father is alive," she whispered to Carissa.

  Athena grabbed Carissa's arm and pulled her close. "Assassins are everywhere. We will take father to his bedchamber and let them believe that he is dead."

  Carissa nodded and waved Thoros over.

  Thoros came and leaned over.

  “You and your brothers take your father to his bedchamber,” Carissa said calmly.

  “Mother, someone must pay for this treach—”

  Carissa grabbed his leather vest and jerked him downward. “For once, listen and do as I tell you.”

  Dismayed, Thoros agreed. He walked quickly to Noah.

  “I am sorry for your loss Thoros," Noah said. "If there is any—”

  “Go home Noah,” Thoros interrupted. "Leave quickly my friend. War is coming.”

  17

  EXODUS

  Caelan's family gathered at separate places in his bedchamber. Athena's mother Rachael stood in a corner trying to console her three crying children. Thoros paced the room, occasionally stopping to punch a wall. His stepbrothers, Jared, Tyreus and Samuel guarded the door and plotted revenge. Carissa’s twin daughters, Camilla and Bernice sat next to their mother as she watched over Caelan. Carissa had dismissed anyone who were not family, so the daughters of Caelan's third wife Sareah, Beatrice, Samantha and Helia, served food and wine.

  “I have a plan,” Athena announced.

  “We kill them all!” Thoros shouted. He raised his hammer and drew cheers from his brothers.

  “Come to your senses Thoros,” Carissa said.

  Thoros huffed and walked away.

  “If this family is to survive, we must have a better plan than those who betrayed us," Athena said. She produced the letter she found at the port. “This letter is a contract with the African traders who brought the mutated snake. It has the seal of Horus and was found on a body at the port with gold coins from the Egyptian Royal treasury. I was nearly assassinated trying to bring it back."

  Thoros was enraged. “There you have it!" he said. "They tried to assassinate—”

  “Thoros!” Carissa yelled.

  Thoros huffed, folded his arms, and leaned against the wall.

  Athena continued, “Varus is a traitor. He and the Royal Guard have turned against us. We must assume that Azazel has locked the palace down and plan to move against us soon.”

  “So what do we do Athena?” Thoros asked.

  "The Captain of the Royal Navy is still loyal to us." Athena said. "I spoke with him before leaving the port and made plans for us to sail to Greece.”

  “And how do we leave the palace?” Thoros asked. “We have women and children with us. If we try to fight our way out, we risk their safety.”

  “We will not have to,” Athena said. “When I designed this palace, I planned for something like this. Each Royal bedchamber has a secret passage leading to the forest outside the palace walls. From there, we can make our way to the ship.”

  “And where is this passage sister?” Thoros asked.

  Athena pointed to the wall behind him.

  Thoros took his hammer and smashed the wall until a large hole appeared. The Sergeant of the Guard banged on the door. “What is going on in there?” he demanded.

  “Let us grieve in peace!” Tyreus shouted.

  “Open this door!” the Sergeant demanded.

  Tyreus motioned Thoros to stop. He flung the door open and glared at the Sergeant. At eight feet, he towered over the smaller man, who stepped back and tried to compose himself. “Forgive me Your Highness, but—”

  “But nothing Sergeant," Tyreus said. "How dare you give orders to a royal prince?”

  “No my lord, I—”

  “Silence!" Tyreus said. He looked at the other half dozen guards in the hall. "The gods will not consent to mortals in this hour of grief. Be gone.”

  The Sergeant looked nervously at his men, then back at Tyreus. “But sir, Lord Azazel has ordered us to—”

  Tyreus stepped from the room and pressed the Sergeant against the opposite wall. He clenched the hilt of his sword and leaned close to the man's face. “If more words come from this head, it shall be severed.”

  Tyreus looked down the hallway at the other guards, “The same for the rest of you.” Cautiously, the Sergeant took several steps sideways and then motioned his men to leave. He backed down the hallway eying Tyreus until he reached the corner then turned and ran. Tyreus went into the bedchamber and locked the door.

  “This is not over," Athena said. "We do not have much time until they return with more soldiers."

  Thoros battered the wall until a four-foot hole appeared. He and his brothers then kicked out a five by three-foot wide opening. Athena took a torch and walked to the entrance. “Tyreus and Thoros, guard the door," she said. "Jared and Samuel, bring father. Everyone else, follow me." Athena turned made her way through the passage and down the steps.

  Just as Jared and Samuel carried Caelan's unconscious body through the passage, there were several bangs at the door.

  “Open this door. Open in the name of the king!” a voice shouted.

  The door suddenly smashed open and Varus stepped through. Thoros and Tyreus stood in the center of the room with weapons drawn

  “Where is the rest of your family? Varus asked.

  Thoros and Tyreus said nothing.

  “King Azazel demands that your family follow me,” Varus said.

  “King Azazel? The Council has not voted for a successor," Thoros said. And when they do, it will be—”

  “Dead men do not vote. Azazel now reigns,” Varus said and then smiled.

  Thoros and Tyreus looked at each other in shock.

  “Your treachery knows no end Varus.” Thoros said.

  “You are wrong prince. It ends tonight with your death,” Varus countered.

  Soldiers from the Royal Guard flooded into the room and stood on each side of Varus.

  “You only brought ten men for my brother and I?” Thoros quipped.

  “Kill them,” Varus ordered.

  The first soldier charged. Thoros quickly stepped forward and swung, driving his hammer into the man's bronze shield and shattering his arm. He flew back into the two soldiers behind him. Tyreus screamed and leaped forward. He swung at the man on Varus' right, striking his shield and driving him backward. He kicked the man next to him into two others and drove his sword through his heart. Tyreus pulled the sword out and swung at the soldier next to him, cutting the man's spear and throat in half. The guard fell to his knees as blood spurted around the room.

  Varus ordered the guards to charge. Thoros spun and smashed the sword of the next attacker, sending shards of bronze into the man's face. He swung again, crushing the guard's helmet and breaking his neck. Thoros ducked as another guard swung his sword. He then drove his hammer into the man's chest, sending him flying across the room and into the wall. Tyreus avoided the spear of one guard, grabbed it and then knocked the man unconscious with the butt of his sword. As he turned, a guard speared him in the left side.

  “Tyreus!” Thoros shouted.

  Tyreus grabbed the spear and then struck the soldier in the throat with his sword. “Get out of here and seal the passage,” he yelled to Thoros.

  Thoros stood motionless.

  “Get out of here and save the family!”
Tyreus screamed. He pulled the spear from his side and threw it into a guard's belly.

  More guards rushed into the room. Thoros watched as Tyreus fought and drove the guards back to the door.

  Thoros turned and ran to the passage. Just as he made it inside, a spear landed in the wall to his right. He looked back to see a guard drive his spear into Tyreus' shoulder. Another speared him in the stomach. Tyreus fell to his knees. Varus looked at Thoros, then plunged his sword into Tyreus chest.

  “No!” Thoros shouted.

  The rest of the guards ran toward the passage. Thoros yelled and then pounded the ceiling with his hammer, causing it to collapse. He battered the walls and ceiling until the tunnel was filled with enough rubble to prevent the guards from following. He then turned and proceeded through the darkness.

  _____

  Athena led the family under the palace and then up to a passage that opened inside the outer wall on the far side of the palace a short distance from a small grouping of trees. She motioned for Jared and Samuel to come and push the six-inch walls outward. They laid Caelan down and pushed the wall with all their strength but were only able to budge it slightly.

  “We are going to die here,” Sareah whimpered.

  Carissa came and stood in front of Sareah, then slapped her across the face. “You are the wife of Caelan, the world's greatest king. Behave as such.”

  A few seconds later, Thoros came running up the stairs.

  “Why are you still here?” he asked.

  “We cannot move the wall,” Athena said.

  Thoros dropped his hammer and leaned his back and shoulders into the wall. He motioned to Athena to join him. The four groaned and pushed as hard as they could.

  Jared rushed through the opening and looked at the twenty-foot wall behind him. Two soldiers watched from the tower and several strolled along the wall. Jared motioned the others to come out and pointed to the clump of trees. Athena emerged, followed by Samuel and then the wives and children. Thoros stayed to guard to Caelan. As they ran across the field, a soldier in the tower spotted them. “Halt. Halt in the name of—” he shouted before an arrow struck him in the neck. The guard next to him raised his bow and was instantly hit in the chest. Two Athenians stepped from the trees firing arrows. Several more soldiers fell from the wall after being struck. Athena stopped and fired, striking a soldier in the chest and knocking him off the platform. More soldiers leaned over the wall and began firing. Aryus, Sareah's eight-year-old son, was hit in the back and fell.

  “Aryus!” Sareah cried as she stopped to pick up her son. Samuel scooped up Aryus's body and tucked him under his left arm. He then grabbed Sareah and slung her over his right shoulder.

  “Forward!” he yelled to her other two children and then ran into the trees. Athena and her warriors continued firing as they withdrew backward.

  Thoros ran across the field carrying Caelan over his shoulder. A guard in the tower aimed and fired. The arrow spiraled through the air toward Caelan. Suddenly, Lucius appeared and knocked the arrow to the ground inches before it arrived. The confused guard looked at Lucius for a moment before loading another arrow. By the time he did, Lucius and Thoros were gone. Thoros entered the trees breathing heavily with Caelan sprawled over his shoulder. The Athenians, the rest of his family, and a dozen horses were there, but Thoros sensed an unusual presence. He looked around, unable to see Lucius standing next to him watching over Caelan. Lucius touched Caelan's shoulder. "Hold on my friend," he said.

  "My lady, we will stay and hold off any pursuers," Janus said to Athena.

  “Your loyalty will not be forgotten,” Athena said, then hugged Janus and her companion.

  “The safety of your family will be thanks enough,” Janus said.

  “Is the port secure?” Athena asked.

  “Yes my lady. Two dozen of my warriors have secured the road and the Royal Navy has secured the ports. We can make it safely there now.

  Athena looked at the palace. “Soon, we will have vengeance on these traitors," she said coldly.

  18

  VENGEANCE

  “Caelan, can you hear me?” Lucius asked.

  Caelan turned to see Lucius behind him, dressed in a long white robe and surrounded by a glowing, white aura. He hugged Lucius and laughed. “What are you doing here old friend?” he asked.

  “I have been trying to reach you for three days. I almost gave up.”

  “Three days?” Caelan said, wondering why Lucius looked so concerned.

  “Do you remember what happened?” Lucius asked.

  Caelan looked around. Everything was pale and gray. He realized that he was in the netherworld between life and death. His memory slowly returned. Caelan looked at Lucius, afraid to ask, but needing to know. “Am I . . . dead Lucius?”

  “Not yet, but close. I used my power to keep your body suspended in a coma between life and death. Caelan, your body cannot sustain itself much longer. You must fight your way back.”

  “You interfered for me Lucius?

  Lucius smiled. “If I am going to break the rules, it might as well be for my former teacher.” Lucius grabbed Caelan by his shoulders and looked into his eyes. “Caelan, I was assigned to protect you from the moment you . . . from the moment you left. You should know . . . that God is not pleased with what you have done.”

  “But Lucius—”

  “Listen Caelan, you do not have much time!” Lucius shouted. He grabbed Caelan tighter and shook him. “You are my friend and mentor and I have taken a great risk for you because of that. Forget Azazel. Forget those who betrayed you. You do not have time for revenge. You must—”

  Caelan tore himself away. “I cannot!” he yelled.

  “Caelan, you are behaving like, like a—”

  “Like a mortal Lucius?”

  “You should know better Caelan. You cannot carry on much longer with your heart full of anger, waging war and dominating humanity.”

  “If you were a man, you would understand Lucius. Azazel and all those with him will answer for what they have done. And then—”

  “And then what Caelan? Where will it end? How many more must die to satisfy your lust for power? Do you know how many deaths you are responsible for? Do you know they worship you and your Council more than the Almighty?”

  Caelan shook his head. “This is necessary to bring peace.”

  "And how many have you killed in the name of peace?” Lucius asked.

  Caelan glared angrily. The words cut him to the heart. He knew of the atrocities . . . villages and cities burned to the ground . . . tens of thousands made homeless and many more into slaves. Hundreds of thousands had died, perhaps millions. He rationalized that everything he had done was for the greater good and betterment of humanity. But was humanity better off? Did the ends justify the means?

  “You are on the wrong path. Heed my warning,” Lucius said

  “It will all be fixed soon," Caelan said solemnly. "You will see.”

  Lucius was disappointed. “Then I have nothing else to say my friend. Live and be well,” Lucius said, and then vanished.

  Caelan stared into the dark void. He still had a chance to live . . . a chance at revenge.

  _____

  Azazel did not plan to poison Caelan, but needed to move quickly to avert civil war and preserve his life. Nervous servants brought water and wine as he and Isis sat in the throne room strategizing. Horus entered with news from the provinces.

  “Father, the rebels in the South of Egypt are with us.”

  “Excellent. And what of the rest?” Azazel asked.

  “Baraquel has not pledged his support yet," Horus said. "His caravan was a short distance from the palace when they received word of Caelan's death. Our spies say that he returned to his province immediately and mobilized his forces.

  Azazel leaned back and thought for a moment. “He and Caelan were not close. Baraquel questioned many of his decisions. Send another messenger, this time with a talent of gold and request an alliance. I will
allow him to remain governor of his province and will reduce his annual tribute by half. What of the Levant?”

  “The army has almost arrived at Bethyir and has begun the siege. Anubis sent word by raven that it should fall within the week.”

  “Is there news of—”

  “Of Caelan's family?” Horus said. “Yes. Our spies report them sailing to Greece with his body. The Greeks are loyal to his family, especially to . . . Athena”

  Horus said Athena's name with distaste. As a teenager, he longed to be with her and shared his feelings, but she rejected him. She told him that she cared more for her studies and wanted to pursue philosophy, science, and military strategy. She was honest about seeing nothing attractive in him, saying that he was gruff and unpolished. Horus took it hard. Handsome, athletic, and the son of an influential family, many women sought his hand in marriage but he wanted Athena. She was turned off by his arrogance and use of other Nephilim to intimidate and extort local businesses and merchants and amuse themselves by robbing, raping, and terrorizing the local population.

  Azazel knew of his son's behavior but dismissed the allegations, which only encouraged Horus to do worse. Athena and other nobles considered him void of compassion, with no desire to better himself, morally or intellectually. As time passed, Athena had no desire for male suitors then or now, preferring the company of women to men. This infuriated Horus even more. He could have almost any woman he chose, but he wanted Athena. Her rejection made him even crueler toward servants and people of lower status.

  Isis believed military service would be the perfect avenue for her son to make use his aggressive tendencies. He distinguished himself during the conquest of Egypt and earned his father's respect, something he had always longed for. He had also hoped to impress Athena, one last time, but her interest was not aroused. This made betraying her father Caelan easy. He wanted to punish Athena for her many years of rejection by destroying her family and forcing her to beg for his mercy.