Chapter Eighteen

Michael walked into the guard tower on the east wall of the fortress. Tow guards immediately stood and faced him.

“Where are Nathan, DeRick and Jameson?” Michael asked.

The first guard picked up a duty log.

“Nathan and Jameson are in the armory. DeRick is…”

The guard turned a few pages reviewing the log.

“Ahh, yes. He is at the Barnlum out post.”

“Send someone to Barnlum and have DeRick report to the Captains immediately. I will be pulling all three for a special mission. Assign some others to cover for them. They may be gone for a few weeks.”

“Yes sir,” the guard said as he put the log back on the desk.

The guard went to the door and called for a messenger and sent him the Barnlum with the message for DeRick.

“Sound a level five alert. It is time for Gabriel and Jeremy to leave for Jerusalem,” Michael said.

“Yes sir,” both guards said at the same time.

Michael left and headed for the armory.

***

Jeremy entered the bunk house to collect his armor. Jabon, sitting in the courtyard playing clouster with some friends, watched him enter.

“Hey guys, I’ll be back in a bit,” Jabon said.

“You always leave when you are just about to lose,” Denbare said.

“Sorry, I think Jeremy is getting ready to leave for Jerusalem.”

“That’s what they were saying over at the gates a little while ago,” Denbare replied.

The sound of a level five alert sounded throughout the fortress.

“Here we go,” said Denbare.

Jabon quickly crossed the courtyard and enetered the bunk house. He briskly walked to Jeremy’s bunk and found his friend putting on his armor.

“So, this is it,” Jabon said.

“This is it,” Jeremy said.

“New armor Elizabeth,” Jabon said.

“Yeah. After I got anointed, nothing fit anymore.”

“Can I look at your sword? I have never handled an Archangels sword before.”

“Sure,” Jeremy replied.

He pulled his sword out of its scabbard and handed it to Jabon.

Jabon grasped it with both hands. He nearly dropped it when Jeremy released it into his grip.

“Heavy,” Jabon said.

Jeremy smiled at his friend. “Not really. Feels just right to me.”

Jabon stepped over to an open spot and hoisted the sword above his head. He slashed the air in front of him a couple of times.

“Awesome. This is the most balanced sword I have ever handled.”

“Gabriel gave it to me. I don’t know where he got it, said he would tell me when the time was right, when knowing it’s history would mean something. He did say that it affects demons very differently than the swords I have been used to.”

Jabon handed the sword back to Jeremy. He looked at his friend. His heart weighed heavy in his chest.

“This is the real McCoy isn’t it?”

Jeremy paused and looked at Jabon.

“Yeah. From what Gabriel and Michael have been saying, there won’t be any fooling around with this stuff. I guess we’ll be dealing with some pretty nasty demons.”

“Ya know Jeremy, there’s something I been meaning to say to you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. You being my best friend and all, well, you know. Matters what happens to you. Wish I was going to be there to watch your back for you.”

Jeremy put his sword back in its scabbard and lay it on his bunk. He pulled Jabon close and hugged his friend.

“Matters to me too Jabon. We’ve been buds since we got here. Isn’t gonna be the same being on a patrol without you.”

***

Michael entered the armory. Nathan and Jameson were polishing some swords. They stood as soon as they saw him.

Warriors, I have work for you. Get your armor on and come to the Captains barracks as soon as you can.

“What’s up Michael?” Nathan asked.

“Gabriel needs you. There is going to be a demonic attack on one of God’s chosen. I’ll tell you more when DeRick joins us at the Captains barracks.”

“Yes sir,” Nathan said.

Michael turned to leave then stopped.

“Be sure to put on your whole armor gentlemen. A great battle is about to be fought. You will be in a hornets nest.”

“Yes sir,” they said together.

Michael quickly left and hurried to get his armor.

***

Jeremy entered the Captains barracks and poured himself a chalice of wine. He went to the map and began studying it. He pushed it around surveying the activity. Red lights were moving in all directions. There was still a large red mass coming from the north. He took a drink of wine and set his chalice down.

He placed both hands on the table and leaned over the map. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He reached out with his right hand and placed it on the map. He could feel them. The vileness of their presence. Their hatred, their defiance. He opened his eyes. There were many more colors moving about now besides the red and green he saw the last time he had observed the map.

“He is filling his minions with jealously, with lust, with fear, bigotry. Everything evil and perverted,” Gabriel said.

“Why do they even try? They know they cannot defeat us, or the Lord. What is the matter with them?”

“It is who they are Jeremy. Once they gave their hearts over to it, it become them. Everything that The Lord is not, they have become.”

“Nathan and Jameson are getting their armor on and will be here shortly. DeRick is being called back from Barnlum. I may have to brief him on the run,” Michael said.

Gabriel turned to the map.

“It is time, Jeremy, what we are about to enter into I cannot prepare you for. But I trust you and I trust that you will prevail. Know this Jeremy, you, and I mean you, will prevail.”

“I know, I believe I will too. But why do I feel a sick dread in my spirit?”

“Because you should. It will become a source of strength for you when the battle begins,” Michael said.

“When a battle begins Jeremy, hold back nothing. There is to be no mercy. These are fallen angels, demons, who will have absolutely no mercy upon you. Not a drop of mercy. Either you will prevail or they will. There is no middle ground with this battle,” Gabriel said.

“I understand.”

Nathan and Jameson knocked on the door to the Captains barracks.

“Come in,” Michael said.

Gabriel turned to them.

“Nathan, Jameson, Have you heard of Qwantar?”

Jameson shook his head no but Nathan gasped and held his hand to his mouth.

“I have encountered him twice now,” Nathan said.

“Well, you are about to encounter him again,” Michael said.

“We don’t have much to go on, but what we do know is this. Qwantar has been sent by Satan himself to attack, to torment and afflict Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, the priest I am to speak with. The Lord is about to give them a son who will be a great prophet. He will be the prophet that goes before the Messiah to prepare the hearts of everyone in Israel,” Gabriel said.

“You two and DeRick are being sent to her. We know that Qwantar and a handful of demons are being sent there by Satan. Their goal is to destroy Elizabeth. There can be no child without her,” Michael said.

“They live in the village, Ein Kerem, about 5 miles from Jerusalem. We have sent others to watch over Zechariah. You are to go to Elizabeth and watch over her. Be aware the Qwantar will most certainly attempt to stir up all the other women in the village to afflict Elizabeth,” Gabriel said.

“Elizabeth has a young friend, Miriam. I am sure that Qwantar will try to isolate Elizabeth from her. Don’t let that happen. Elizabeth must not be allowed to believe she is alone in her struggle,” Michael said.

“Any questions?” Michael said.

“None,” Nathan said.

‘None here,” Jameson said.

“Good, then be on your way. We will send DeRick to catch up with you later,” Gabriel said.

Gabriel grasped the forearm of Jameson and looked him in the eye.

“For the Kingdom,” he said.

“For the Kingdom,” said Jameson.

Michael and Nathan locked forearms and did likewise. Then both angels did the same with Jeremy.

The two left to go to Elizabeth.

“Michael, are the legions ready to form the corridor?”

“They await you command.”

“It is time, Send them forth.”

Michael left for the guard tower to sound the alarm.

***

Jeremy and Gabriel met Michael at the gates. Jeremy watch in amazement as angels sped away from the fortress and began forming a corridor for them to travel through.

“Denbare,” Gabriel shouted over the noise of the legions moving out.

“Over here Gabe,” he replied.

Gabriel quickly approached him.

“Denbare, Berazel is sure to send a significant number of demons here to attack the fortress while we are gone. Be sure to secure the gates and the canopy. They and the walls will hold. Do not open them unless your someone asks you to wear the purple sash.”

“Got it covered Gabriel. God’s speed to ya.”

Gabriel rushed back to Jeremy and Michael.

“Ok Jeremy, this is it. Somewhere along the first part of our journey Krendal will attack. His purpose is to test us, to gather info to strategize with. You are his biggest unknown. After the attack we will regroup and assess the situation. But until Michael or myself tells you to hold up, fight with everything you’ve got. No mercy. Hold back nothing. Got it?”

“Got it,” Jeremy said.

“For the Kingdom,” he shouted and flicked his wings. He rose about ten feet above the watch platform. Michael and Gabriel flicked their wings and rose up beside him.

Together the three shot forward towards Jerusalem.
© 2011 John Pearson All Rights Reserved.