The_ORDER_of_SHADDAI Read online

  Mordecai instantly took up his line of thought. “Yes, to lure the angels from their posts.â€�

  “If they are distracted, then a lone assassin might just be able to enter the Temple. You will have at least a three-week head start before Mordred orders his patrols into the region. His messenger knows about the priest in Millertown, but they have been delayed for the time being.â€�

  “I’ll need longer than that,â€� Mordecai said. “If you want this done right, then let me do it my way. Besides, the journey from here to the Thornhill Mountains is over a month easily. I’m not so well endowed with power as your kind.â€�

  Jericho scowled at the priest. “I want this matter handled quickly, before the prophecy can come to pass.â€�

  “Like I said, I’ll need more time to get there, and this must be handled delicately. I’ve never failed you before, Jericho. I’ll have to get the boy away from the others.â€�

  “And you boast of your skills?â€� Jericho said sarcastically.

  “You’re not the one who’d be facing three hundred warrior-priests if I’m discovered,â€� Mordecai rebutted. “The boy must be drawn away from the others. Then, I will deal with him. You just give me what I need to get to Millertown, and I’ll call for you when I’m ready for the diversion. Leave the rest to me.â€�

  Jericho stood and began to dissipate. “Train well, Mordecai. I won’t accept failure in this matter. You had better be as good as you claim.â€�

  “Oh, I will be.â€�

  SERVANTS OF SHADDAI

  The path from the garden passed through a dense area of tall trees, so much that they seemed to become a wall on either side. The branches hung low overhead, criss-crossing, sewing up the area above them into a tunnel that obscured most of the sunlight. The path was a mixture of pea gravel and cobblestones, becoming pure stone as it reached the end of the tree tunnel.

  Beyond, the path fell onto a large stone terrace chiseled from the very rock of the mountainside. A network of staircases and stone terraces proceeded all the way up, down, and around a massive cylindrical gorge in the mountain. A courtyard spread out across the ground, dividing into areas of stone, grass, sand, and dirt.

  The walls of the gorge rose up around them nearly a thousand feet with the staircase network following it all the way up. It was a beautiful sight, but even more interesting to Ethan were the hundreds of warrior-priests training in the courtyard below them.

  “I never imagined it would be like this,â€� Levi said as he tried to search the upper levels of the gorge. “This must be right inside of the mountain.â€�

  “It certainly is, though I can’t tell you which mountain it is,â€� Gideon said. “But rest assured this place is not visible from above or from anywhere in the mountains a man may venture. You might also notice the sunlight is diffuse down here?â€�

  “Yes,â€� Ethan noticed. “What’s the reason for that?â€�

  “Clouds covering the mountains,â€� said Gideon. “And they always cover this place. Come on, let’s go down to the courtyard and let you see where you’ll soon begin training as a priest of Shaddai.â€�

  Ethan smiled, falling in behind Gideon as they walked across the terrace to the stairs leading down. Another stairway ascended, following the rock wall, leveling out in different places where people entered and exited through carved stone archways, promising untold mysteries beyond.

  They descended three levels to get to the very bottom and the courtyard beyond. Ethan sensed every eye upon them, though no one was obvious about it. When Gideon led them onto the first practice field, where ten priests were sword fighting, the first of many people came to welcome them. Rather, they welcomed Gideon, and he introduced the priests to his friends.

  Everyone appeared friendly and not the least bit threatened by the presence of outsiders. Ethan supposed there was no reason they should be. After all, the warrior-priests of Shaddai were some of the most dangerous men in the world, and everyone knew it. Who could possibly threaten them here?

  The priests varied in age from quite old to many who were younger than Ethan. They were paired older to younger, masters to pupils, training in the ways of The Order. Younger combinations fought and trained with wooden Bokkens while the more experienced students sparred against their mentors with battle ready, steel weapons.

  As Ethan shook hands with many of the young men, he could not take his eyes off those conducting their training exercises around the courtyard. There were sword fights and hand-to-hand sparring. Still, in other areas, a single pupil faced down up to ten attackers at once. And in one instance, Ethan noticed the mentor was blindfolded and empty handed as the aggressors, most likely pupils, came at him with weapons. He successfully disarmed them all. “Wow,â€� Ethan said under his breath. I’m going to be trained to fight like that?

  Ethan wondered if Levi felt somewhat out of place here. After all, Bonifast was not here to join the priestly order, so he seemed more like a fish out of water—a captain without a ship.

  A water wagon came out onto the vast courtyard and began to make its rounds among the various training yards. Students and mentors alike took their fill from the wagon’s side spickets, refreshing themselves. “Let’s get you two settled into some sleeping quarters, a hot bath, and a meal,â€� Gideon said. “Then we’ll go and see the High Priest of The Order, Isaiah.â€�

  As promised, Gideon treated Ethan and Levi to the hospitality of The Order. A bath fed by one of the hot springs in the mountain and a meal of chicken and vegetables grown in the temple gardens. When they were dressed again, Gideon found them and led them to an anteroom of the High Priest’s quarters. “Isaiah will be with us in a few moments,â€� Gideon said, opening the door to let them walk in before him.

  “I’m already here, Gideon,â€� said a deep voice near the fireplace.

  Other than the fire, the room was lit entirely by candlelight, despite it still being light outside. The chamber was stone like all of the rooms they had seen so far, cut from the very mountain itself. But here intricately carved paneling adorned every wall.

  A tall man sat in a finely crafted leather chair next to the hearth. Isaiah motioned for them to sit next to him. “Please sit, gentlemen. We have much to discuss,â€� he said.

  Ethan, Gideon, and Levi each took a seat in front of the High Priest of Shaddai. He had white hair, thinning but not bald and a neatly trimmed white beard. His robe was different from the others, sand colored with a matching sash at the waist and breeches. All of the priests wore the same flexible leather shoes with a short tie at the back of the ankle to tighten it on the foot. He sipped tea from a plain cup. “Gideon, pour for our guests, please,â€� he said.

  Gideon bowed to the High Priest and poured a cup of the light colored tea for each of his friends. Despite the obvious quality, Ethan noticed that the rooms in the temple complex were all rather plain. There was a simple elegance to everything—a practical aspect to all he surveyed. Everything had its use. Somehow, he already felt at home being here.

  Ethan sipped on the tea. It tasted very good: a hint of cinnamon and not too hot.

  “Young man, Gideon tells me that you are the Deliverer of prophecy,â€� Isaiah said.

  Ethan nearly spit the tea back into his cup. This Isaiah was certainly abrupt. “That is what Gideon has told me as well.â€�

  “And what do you think?â€� Isaiah sipped again from his cup.

  “Well, I do have special abilities which allow me to shift from the spiritual to the physical and I was born in Salem as the prophecy says the Deliverer must be. But honestly, sir, I think the Lord could have picked someone more capable than I am.â€�

  “Really, what do you mean?â€�

  “Iâ�
�™ve failed the Almighty. Despite the power He’s given me, Mordred still lives.â€� Ethan hung his head in shame before the High Priest’s gaze.

  “Indeed,â€� Isaiah said, then he laughed—something Ethan hadn’t expected.

  Ethan glanced at Gideon, trying to gauge Isaiah’s reaction. “Sir, I’m not sure I understand what is so funny.â€� Did this man not realize all was lost?

  “My dear young man, you have not failed,â€� Isaiah said. “Shaddai has taught you a lesson in humility and nothing more, though that is certainly worth more than gold. Mordred lives only because it is not yet time for the prophecy to be fulfilled.â€�

  “I don’t understand,â€� Ethan admitted.

  “Learn this one thing now, Ethan, and never forget it: nothing can prevent the Almighty’s purposes from being accomplished. And for you to realize you cannot perform this task without the Lord is vitally important. None of us can do any truly good thing without Him, Ethan. The things you’ve seen, so far, should lead you to understand that we are totally dependent upon Shaddai. And that is how He desires it to be. Mankind’s great failure has always been to seek independence from our Creator.â€�

  Hope rose in Ethan’s heart. He had not failed—all was not lost. He thought about what he had been through, how he had tried to go it alone. Isaiah was right. Ethan’s failure now turned to understanding and even victory. He had learned something valuable Shaddai wanted him to know.

  “Master Isaiah, am I the Deliverer then, as Gideon has said?â€�

  “From what Gideon told me, with reference to the prophecy, I was inclined to believe exactly that. But the mark upon your arm confirms it, undoubtedly. I trust we’ll see this power manifested even more in your training as a warrior-priest.â€�

  “I’m to be trained then?â€�

  “Yes. And what you’ve already learned from your experiences has given you a good start. Your training here will be mentally and physically challenging, but always remember this one thing and never forget it—without Shaddai, we can do nothing.â€�

  It was a statement Ethan had heard all of his life. From his parents when he was little to Elspeth and their years spent at Howinger’s farm, it had been engrained into his mind. But perhaps only now did he really understand the depth of its meaning.

  Ethan remembered Elspeth. She was still somewhere in the city of Emmanuel as far as he knew. He only hoped she could manage to stay alive until he fulfilled his purpose and destroyed Mordred. His sister was tough, a fighter and she could bear whatever she had to in order to survive—she always had.

  Isaiah picked up a leather-bound book from the table next to his leather chair and opened it to a place he knew well. After a moment, Ethan recognized it. This was the Word of Shaddai. In the days before Mordred’s takeover in Nod, it had been found everywhere. At least that’s what Elspeth had told him.

  Since those days, Mordred had taken it from the people. If they found someone with a copy of its manuscripts, the penalty was death. Elspeth had told him of the days, when he was still too young to remember such things, about Wraith Riders entering into the villages and towns—into the homes of the people and the places of worship to take the Word and burn it in piles in the streets.

  Isaiah began reading from the book. “When the demon born conqueror rises to power, and darkness rules in the land of Shaddai, then shall come the Deliverer walking seen and unseen. Salem’s son who shall be a rod in the hand of the Lord to smite the wicked—and Shaddai’s priest shall be a sword of judgment and a king to bring the hearts of the people back to their God.â€�

  “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard the prophecy read from the Word,â€� Ethan said.

  “See? I told you, Ethan, you are Salem’s son, the Deliverer who walks seen and unseen!â€� Gideon said.

  “But what about the other part,â€� Levi said, “Where Shaddai’s priest is a sword of judgment and a king?â€�

  “Well, obviously it refers to Ethan being trained as a priest of Shaddai. That’s why he’s been brought here, after all. And we’re not sure, but the Word seems to suggest that the Deliverer will be the next king of Nod,â€� Gideon said.

  Levi looked at Ethan and then at Isaiah. “Is that what it means? The boy will be the next king?â€�

  “Well to be honest, we aren’t exactly sure,â€� Isaiah confessed, “But that does appear to be the implication.â€�

  Ethan sat astonished. Could this possibly be meant for him? Was he to be a king? Gideon placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’d gladly serve under you, if it’s the Shaddai’s will, Ethan.â€�

  “Well, you’ve a long way to go before you can become a king,â€� Isaiah said. “It takes training to be what Shaddai would have you to be, king or no. And let’s not forget that Mordred will not give up his reign so easily, as you have seen. He commands a great host of demons who have allied with him.â€�

  Ethan leaned toward Isaiah. “There’s one in particular.â€�

  Isaiah stopped short of sipping the tea again. “What do you mean?â€�

  Ethan raised his shirt to reveal the scars from the battle in the palace, throne room. “The one who did this to me seemed to be in charge of the others. He told me his name—Jericho.â€�

  Isaiah’s complexion blanched at the name. He looked at Gideon.

  “An ancient name,â€� Gideon said.

  “An ancient foe,â€� Isaiah added. “He is the chief of demons, according to Shaddai’s Word, and he is worshipped in many different forms by the heathen. No wonder you could not defeat him in battle. Only Emmanuel himself can defeat this foe.â€�

  “But I thought all of the demons served Mordred and his Wraith Riders,â€� Levi said, puzzled.

  “You can be sure of this, Captain Bonifast, Jericho serves no one. Mordrid is simply a tool in his hand no matter what it may appear. Using Mordred and the Wraith Riders allows Jericho and his fellow angels to work in this physical realm in a way they otherwise could not.â€�

  “Perhaps that is the reason for Ethan’s particular abilities?â€� Gideon said, feeling a sudden epiphany.

  “Perhaps. We must do everything we can to help Ethan hone these gifts and many more he will learn here. And the sooner the better to begin the training, I think.â€� Isaiah closed the book and laid it on the table again as he stood up.

  The other men followed, standing before the fire. “Welcome to The Order of Shaddai, my boy.â€� Isaiah smiled, placing a firm hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “You are now a priest in training. Gideon will see that you are fitted with robes, along with all you will need. I’m going to assign Gideon to be your mentor during your training. He’s the best we have.â€�

  Ethan smiled, but Levi interjected. “I see that you’re going to have a lot to do here, boys. Therefore, I think it would be best if I did not remain. After all, I’ve lost my ship, and technically I’m still under the commission of King Stephen.â€�

  “Captain Bonifast, I wonder if I might speak to you in private.â€� Isaiah said.

  “Of course, sir.â€�

  “Gideon, if you would, please take Ethan and get him settled in his quarters. Then show him around the Temple. There’s a lot for him to learn and very little time to do so.â€�

  “Yes, Master Isaiah.â€� Gideon and Ethan left the anteroom the way they had entered, closing the door behind them, leaving Levi with the High Priest of Shaddai. Levi forced a queer smile.

  SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

  When the door closed, Levi suddenly felt a bit claustrophobic. The High Priest exuded authority and vast wisdom, and
it simply made him uncomfortable that he was singled out to stay and speak with the man.

  “Captain Bonifast, I truly appreciate your help in bringing Ethan to us here at The Order. Gideon has shared some of the more harrowing details of your brief acquaintance and his gratitude toward you for saving their lives on several occasions. I know that it cost you dearly to do so.â€�

  “Well, that ride in here was pretty harrowing; I don’t mind telling you…â€� Levi coughed, abandoning his joke. “I appreciate the sentiment, Master Isaiah, but thanks are not necessary. It’s been my privilege to know these two young men. I count them as true friends. And if these things were meant to happen in Shaddai’s will, then I accept them.â€�

  Isaiah smiled. “Gideon said that you were a man of strong faith. I can see he did not misjudge you.â€� The High Priest took his own seat again next to the fireplace. “Please, let’s sit for just a moment.â€�

  Levi obliged the man, though uncertainly.

  “It is concerning the will of the Almighty that I wish to speak to you about,â€� Isaiah said. “I can understand your desire to leave the Temple and to report back to Stephen, as there is still a war going on. And I fear it is only the beginning. But consider that Stephen’s army is defeated, and he has barely been able to cross back into his own country of Wayland.â€�

  The news surprised Levi, shown plainly on his face. The elder man laughed. “Did you think that we are so secluded from the outside that we know nothing of the world in here? We, in fact, receive regular reports from all over Nod. Right now, Mordred is personally searching for the Deliverer, punishing those villages and towns which have given aid to Stephen’s army. You might go to Wayland as you said, or you could remain in Nod and perform a task that was given to me by Shaddai himself in a vision.â€�