The_Sword_of_Gideon Read online

  Gideon ground his teeth behind taut lips, his face flushing scarlet. The noose had been tightened. Had they merely been threatening his own life, Gideon would have fought them bravely to his death, but he could not do it to their child—not after he had caused her death already. Sarah’s tortured expression, longing after the baby when Mordred had taken him from her arms and her groping for him as the lifeblood ebbed from her body, replayed in Gideon’s mind. He forced himself to nod in agreement with Grimwald’s terms.

  “Very good,â€� Grimwald said. The other Wraith Generals observed the priest intently, impressed with Grimwald’s control over the man reputed to be so dangerous. “Now, Gideon, where do you suppose the boy is right now? Perhaps he is coming to rescue his old friend and mentor?â€�

  Gideon hesitated a fraction of a second. “I suppose, General, that it’s possible Ethan would attempt a rescue, though I’d honestly be surprised if he did.â€�

  Grimwald’s eyes narrowed. “And why is that?â€�

  Gideon spread his arms to the chamber. “Look at this place.â€� And the men did briefly look around. “I don’t mean this room, but this palace, the city. It’s fortified beyond anything I’ve ever seen. There are giants ten feet tall pummeling each other in the courtyard. Guards prowl everywhere within Emmanuel City not to mention demonic hordes that fight for Mordred.â€�

  Gideon paused for effect. “It would be suicide for Ethan to try and get to me in here. He has a prophecy to fulfill.â€�

  The other Wraith Generals seemed pleased by the priest’s acquiescence to the power and might of the Wraith Riders and their demon allies. Grimwald appeared unconvinced. Gideon headed off the next question quickly. “I know you think he’s just a reckless boy, but Ethan has been trained by The Order of Shaddai. According to our protocols, the fulfillment of the prophecy must take precedent.â€�

  Grimwald smiled. “So, you believe he will come here in order to attack Lord Mordred rather than rescue you?â€�

  Gideon had failed to see where Grimwald might take his assumptions, but he didn’t attempt a feeble backtrack. “General, Ethan knows that he must remain alive and wait upon Shaddai in order to fulfill the prophecy.â€� Gideon remembered Ethan’s initial mistake and drove his point home. “Ethan learned his lesson all too painfully the first time, when he broke into the throne room alone, finding Mordred in hiding and the demon Jericho there in his place. Those wounds may never heal, and they are a constant reminder not to act impetuously.â€�

  Grimwald did not immediately counter. He appeared to consider Gideon’s sound logic in the hopes of finding its flaw, but could not. He simply said, “Perhaps.â€�

  Gideon sighed with relief within himself. His mind raced for a way to provide convincing information without giving away some crucial fact that might allow them to find or kill Ethan. All the while, images of Sarah and his child marched through his mind, reminding him of the razor’s edge he now walked.

  “Tell us about the boy’s power,â€� General Cinderfall said from across the table.

  “Yes,â€� Grimwald added, “and be very specific—strengths, weaknesses—anything that will help us to kill him.â€�

  Gideon looked around the table at the Wraith Generals. They sat transfixed upon him, waiting with baited breath for this information. If he refused to be honest, Grimwald might know things about Ethan already. He would then perceive the lie and give the death order.

  Gideon choked down the lump in his throat. “Ethan has the power to shift from the physical world to the realm where spirits dwell. While in the spirit world, he has the use of weapons that only manifest there. Ethan can not only do battle with demons while in this form, but he also has the ability to penetrate the physical world as I’ve also seen demons do.â€�

  Gideon supposed they must already know these things. He actually wondered what he might know that they didn’t. He had some comfort in the thought that, of all that he had seen Ethan do, none of it was really secret knowledge.

  Demons could have told them any of these things and more. And as far as the extent of his power, Gideon wondered if Ethan even understood it.

  “Yes, yes,â€� Grimwald interrupted. “We know those things already. Get on with it, Gideon.â€�

  Gideon paused. “I’m telling you all I know, General. I can’t help the fact that you already know all of these things. I’m not privy to any sort of secret knowledge just by being his friend. The truth is that even Ethan doesn’t fully understand the power he has.â€�

  Grimwald grinned maniacally and Gideon wondered if he’d just made some crucial error by telling them Ethan’s novice understanding of his gifts.

  If Grimwald possessed an advantage now, he did not press it. “Tell me why you and the boy were on the Island of Macedon.â€�

  “You should know perfectly well,â€� Gideon laughed. “You people are the ones who lured us there with a call for the Word of Shaddai.â€�

  Grimwald switched gears again. “If you don’t believe the boy would come here to the city, then where do you suppose he might go?â€�

  “I’m sure I don’t know,â€� Gideon said. “I’m not him, after all. Any guess I could make would only be rudimentary.â€� He knew what might be coming and Gideon did not want to guess. The answer, as to where Ethan might go other than here to rescue him, seemed obvious.

  Grimwald did not ask, but forged ahead with his own assumptions instead. “I think any priest of The Order would naturally return to The Order,â€� he said. Gideon didn’t answer.

  The other generals voiced the same opinion across the table to one another. Gideon became as still as stone in his oversized chair—willing Grimwald not to pursue his obvious course.

  Grimwald smiled at Gideon as though relishing his next words. “Gideon, I want you to tell us where the Temple of Shaddai is located.â€�

  He knew it had been coming, but Gideon’s heart still skipped a beat. He answered reflexively, if not a little evasively. “It’s located in the Thornhill Mountains.â€�

  Grimwald’s smile turned wan. “Allow me to clarify. You will direct our army to the Temple’s location and then you will lead my men through the secret entrance into the Temple itself. Then, you will kill the High Priest, Isaiah, personally.â€�

  The generals jeered around the table, very pleased with Grimwald’s plan and Gideon’s role in it. Gideon swallowed against a lump caught in his throat. He thought of Isaiah—shock on his face, watching Gideon lead Mordred’s soldiers into the inner sanctum of their Order. He imagined the bewilderment and rage of his fellow priests when they realized who had betrayed them, but never knowing why. He tried to close his mind to the images, but like his sorrow they would not go away.

  DIVERSIONS

  Mordred descended the stone stairway into the dank odor of the dungeons. Two soldiers, acting as personal escorts, followed him down into the depths of the white palace. Lichen clung to the stones while rats skittered along the walls, hoping to find something edible. Torches, mounted every ten feet, provided ample light.

  When he reached the bottom landing, Mordred strode down the long corridor toward the barred cell at the end. There, four guards stood at attention. He gave them all a cursory glance and then went to the bars of the prison cell.

  Inside, a young man in priestly robes lay upon the cell floor among scattered handfuls of dirty straw. The smell of feces assaulted Mordred’s senses as he peered within. The torn robes bore filthy blood stains. The man himself appeared gaunt. Bruises covered his exposed skin.

  Mordred smiled. “That’s very impressive, Scar. The boy should be convinced—only, remember to keep your fa
ce hidden until you strike.�

  The pale, young man sat up on the floor, revealing his face. “Oh, don’t worry, my lord. I’ve made preparations there as well.â€�

  Indeed, he had. Scar’s face was swollen and purple, one eye unable to open at the moment. His head had been shaved in the same way Gideon wore his hair. “I see,â€� Mordred said, clearly pleased. “You’ve always done excellent work, Scar. I should have expected nothing less this time.â€�

  Scar stood and bowed to Mordred from within the cell. “I only live to serve your interests, Lord Mordred.â€�

  Mordred smiled devilishly. “And if you can kill the Deliverer for me, a king’s ransom will be yours.â€�

  “I don’t understand,â€� Gideon said, frustrated. “I didn’t agree to destroy the Temple, or kill the High Priest. I only agreed to stop Ethan.â€�

  General Grimwald mounted his black stallion, wearing his crimson and black armor. “You agreed to kill the boy and you will serve my master by doing exactly what he requires of you,â€� Grimwald said coldly. “I will do you the courtesy of explaining your situation to you, Gideon. If you value the life of your child, then you will do everything asked of you without any further arguments or questions. Do you understand?â€�

  Gideon nodded, then mounted his horse, his indignation burning. Grimwald was right. Mordred had him. He could and would ask anything he wanted, and maybe when the warlord was satisfied, they would be released.

  Grimwald pulled the reins to steady his animal. “Frankly, Gideon, Hevas Rommil was a friend of mine. After what you did to him, I’d be all too happy to put the blade to your whimpering brat myself.â€�

  Gideon fumed, but held his temper. â held h€œThat’s what got Hevas Rommil killed,â€� he said. “I’d hate to see the same, or worse happen to you, General.â€�

  Grimwald stared at him in disgust, perhaps hoping to turn the comment around to his advantage. Instead, he snapped the reins, goading his horse out of the stalls. Gideon grimaced and followed.

  When the two men emerged onto the staging field, Gideon’s mouth nearly dropped open. Before him stood an army of five hundred heavily armed men on horses. The number nearly doubled those present at the Temple of Shaddai. His immediate thought had been discouragement, but then Gideon realized Grimwald wouldn’t have enough men.

  Grimwald must have guessed what he had been thinking. “Not as many as you would have thought, priest?â€� Grimwald asked. Gideon looked at him, but gave no answer. “Don’t worry, Gideon, these five hundred men you see here, will each have the strength of ten soldiers.â€�

  “Why is that?â€� Gideon asked.

  “Our allies will be joining us before we assault the Temple,â€� Grimwald boasted.

  Gideon gave the man a curious look. “No demon has ever penetrated the Temple compound.â€�

  “True enough,â€� Grimwald admitted, “but they will now enter through my men.â€�

  Gideon wanted to laugh at the General’s plan, but he wasn’t sure it would fail. The technical aspects of the relationship between spiritual and physical realms eluded him. Still, the possibility of demons breaching the Temple defenses seemed horrifying. Even a possessed old woman had been a surprisingly difficult opponent. Gideon could only imagine the result of five hundred battle-hardened soldiers empowered by demons.

  “You will ride by me,â€� Grimwald commanded. Then he moved his horse to the head of the columns of soldiers. Gideon complied, following after the General on his black stallion.

  General Grimwald gave the order and the company began to march out of the city. The columns of soldiers thundered behind Grimwald and Gideon. Heavily armed Wagons, filled with provisions and weapons, followed after them.

  As their procession passed through the eastern gate in the white wall, Gideon looked back. He hoped that Ethan would not try to rescue him from Emmanuel. Any attempt would lead him into a trap and now Gideon wouldn’t even be there to be rescued.

  Gideon turned, watching General Grimwald bobbing in his saddle. He hated this man. With every fiber of his being, Gideon desired to kill him and stop this madness. His entire life’s work, the dedication of his whole existence had been betrayed. Gideon found himself the architect of his own ruin. He’d betrayed Ethan, betrayed The Order of Shaddai and even Sarah by his willingness to bring her into a dangerous association with himself.

  The Thornhill Mountains, with only the faintest glimmer of their snowcapped peaks visibl e, lay before him. Soon Gideon would be forced to kill the man who had nurtured him—his mentor and friend. If he was fortunate, the priests would kill this entire army before he ever got the opportunity. Perhaps he would simply falter on purpose and allow the High Priest to kill him instead.

  Gideon didn’t know if he could do it—to leave his and Sarah’s child in Mordred’s hands—left to be killed by the warlord. Worse still, was the thought that Mordred might spare the child and rather raise him to become some twisted pawn in his grasp. Gideon realized he might be condemning the soul of his son by that possibility. No, he had to return. He had to save their son from a fate worse than death.

  Gideon goaded his stallion, attempting to keep pace with General Grimwald. They had left at an unexpected hour, late in the day. Night would fall soon and Grimwald hoped to cover as much ground as possible before they made camp.

  Gideon watched the distant mountains. A knot formed in his stomach. His betrayal was hard enough to endure away from the eyes and understanding of his friends. Soon he would have to face them and be completely exposed to his shame.

  Purple and pink hues played across the approaching twilight sky as Ethan watched the guards at the gates of the city from his hiding place several hundred yards away. As soon as darkness fell completely, he and Levi would make their move. He spotted the place where they would enter the city, a long shadow draped over the white granite wall to the right of the guard post.

  Levi breathed heavy next to Ethan, lying on the ground among several tufts of monkey weed which dotted the plain before the city on either side of the Emmanuel Road. The smell of death and decay lingered from the slaughter of King Stephen’s army almost a year earlier. Ethan wondered, for a moment, how the monarch had been received by his people of Wayland after his failed attempt at a coup in Nod.

  The sun continued its slow descent toward the mountains in the west. Levi turned from his brass spyglass. “Do you see any demon activity out there?â€�

  Ethan had been watching, but everything spiritual seemed strangely quiet. “No.â€� But doubt lingered in his mind. He knew this might as well have been dubbed Demon Central, considering who ruled here, but he hadn’t spotted even one of the rebellious angels since they’d begun watching an hour ago. Ethan wondered if he and the others were somehow about to walk into a trap, but he didn’t voice his concerns. Trap or no, he intended to go into the city and then the palace in order to rescue his friend.

  Elspeth’s need of rescuing goaded him. He had no idea if she had been brought to Emmanuel, or even if she still lived. Somehow, Ethan believed she had survived though he had only his gut feeling to convince him. Gideon on the other hand had been seen. Ethan knew if the tables were turned, Gideon would certainly risk everything to save him.

  The pair waited patiently for the sun to dip beyond the horizon. When it had, they crept forward from their hiding place. The guards would have no way of seeing either of them until they got within the light cast by the torches mounted at their guard station beside the main gate.

  Ethan surveyed the area again for demonic activity. He couldn’t find anything. Even the tell tale tingling, so valuable to him in days gone by, told him nothing now. “I’m going to rush them,â€� Ethan said. “You start running now, and the
y’ll be down when you get there.� Levi only had time to look over at him before Ethan vanished.

  He had been very relieved to find his realm-shifting ability return after leaving Macedon. Whether he had been adversely affected by Jericho’s power or simply his overriding fear of failure, he never knew. But now, Ethan felt better and more capable with this power than ever. Seth’s revelation about the village he’d been working with for so many years, and the Word finding safe haven among its residents bolstered his lacking faith more than anything. Shaddai had truly been in complete control all along.

  In the spiritual realm, Ethan crossed the remaining one hundred yards in a second. He reached out from the ethereal plane to grab both men by the brain. They both jerked upright. Ethan squeezed in such a way that both seized and fell unconscious.

  Levi arrived panting a moment later. “Let’s get into their uniforms fast,â€� he said. Ethan reappeared and rolled one of the soldiers over, then began stripping off his armor. Levi did the same and soon they were dressed in the apparel of Mordred’s army. “How long will these two be out,â€� Levi asked.

  “I’m not sure,â€� Ethan said. “My guess is a good while—at least long enough that it shouldn’t matter.â€�

  Levi looked up at the white granite towering over them. “We’d better get over the wall quickly and start making our way toward the palace.â€�