Exile of Lucifer (9 page)

"What are they searching for that they must go to Lucifer to find?"   65
"Lucifer, since we both got out of the Academy and have been
serving in our places of ministry--what is the one thing you have
always aspired to do?" asked Kara.
"Why, to serve the Most High with all my heart," answered
Lucifer.
"Yes. But it wouldn't hurt your feelings if the Lord gave you a
more, shall we say, authoritative role in the Kingdom, hmm?" Kara
looked at him with a penetrating gaze. "I know you. And the first
thought which crossed your mind after the pronouncement was,
Who will rule over this new creation? Am I right?"
"And what were your first thoughts?" asked Lucifer. "Go on.
I'm listening."
"From what I gathered at our meeting the person responsible
for ruling will be called a steward," said Kara. Lucifer tried the
word himself, saying "steward" several times under his breath to
see how it sounded. Kara continued, "The Lord intends to turn the
new world, which will be called earth, over to this `steward' who
will be responsible for all of its resources--wealth, creatures, every-
thing! Who the steward shall be nobody knows."
"So you believe that the Lord will select an angel to steward
...what was it called, earth? Is that what you are telling me?" asked
Lucifer.
"Yes, but I have no idea whom He will select. But He must
choose an angel since there are no other creatures capable of such a
task," said Kara. "And I presume He will allow the Elders to delib-
erate with Him as to which angel is most capable and deserving of
the task. Perhaps He will even consider a recommendation from
us." Kara watched with interest to see what effect his words had on
Lucifer.
"Really?" said Lucifer. "Well, my interest in all of this is a sim-
ple curiosity and nothing more. What with all the rumors flying
about on the street already I am only attempting to divide the real
from the ridiculous."
"I'm afraid that is all I can tell you right now," said Kara. "And
any future knowledge I come upon will put me at tremendous risk

66           CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
personally if I am too...casual with it. At least until the Chief Elder
allows us to speak freely. You understand, don't you?"
"Of course," said Lucifer, patting his friend on the back. "I
would never want you to violate your office simply to satisfy my
idle curiosity. Think nothing of it."
"Now," said Kara, "it seems you are in for a great honor!"
"Yes," said, Lucifer, "the Chief Elder has asked me to compose
the music for the Creation."
"Correct!" said Kara. "That's what I was coming over to tell
you. I am the one who suggested the idea to him."
"As if I was not burdened enough," fumed Lucifer. "Why did
you do that?"
"Because my friend, this will be a great opportunity for you to
demonstrate your ability to...steward your talent. Understand?"
"Yes," said Lucifer. "I believe I do understand." He thought to
himself for a moment and then said, "I would imagine that a great
many angels will be displaying their ministries in innovative and
enthusiastic ways while the Lord decides who will govern earth.
And I would also think that if a certain angel were selected he
would be free to appoint certain other angels to accompany him
and help administer. Particularly if that angel was well placed and
able to...shall I say...motivate interested parties in the decision. Is
that what you had in mind?"
Kara was lost in thought, feeding upon Lucifer's words.
"Yes," he said, as if in great relief, "of course." He looked around
carefully to make certain they were alone. "You alone know that I
desire a new work. Something that will take me away from the end-
less drudgery that comes with serving as an elder. Please under-
stand I love my office. But the possibility of something completely
new...something I have control over..." He looked at Lucifer for
some hint. "So you would take me to earth with you! You can be
Chief Steward and I can..."
"Quiet!" said Lucifer, looking around. "Kara, I admire your
ability to sway an argument in the Council. But your ambition will
get the better of you one day. You're dreaming much too far in
advance. You have us on the earth and it has not even been created

"What are they searching for that they must go to Lucifer to find?"   67
yet." He placed his hand on Kara's shoulder, sensing that the con-
versation had shifted in his favor. "I am sure that whoever the Lord
and the Elders select will be a worthy angel. But if I were present-
ed with such an honor I assure you that I would want to bring with
me the most talented angels in Heaven." He looked intently into
Kara's deep green eyes. "You Kara, are remarkably talented."
Kara felt an excitement building within him--a sense of
warmness that one can feel brewing within their inner being when
a destiny is being realized. He then said very seriously and in a
hushed voice, "You asked me a moment ago what my first thoughts
were when I heard the news about the Creation. These were my
thoughts: Lucifer must be made steward. I must do whatever I can to get
him appointed. That's when I spoke to the Chief Elder about the
music. Lucifer, you must do well on this. You must exceed even
your own abilities this time. The Elders must be as completely
taken with it as I shall be!"
"And so they shall," said Lucifer. He looked up in thought, his
eyes scanning the Heavenly skies. "This work will be my greatest
triumph--one which I will invest with all my talents and abilities."
He laughed. "Actually I have been holding back a bit lately. But not
this time. The Hymn to the Creation must be my greatest achieve-
ment in all my service to the Lord. It will encompass everything I
know about music. I want all of Heaven singing my songs about
the Creation, humming my melodies about the Creation, hearing
my music even while the Creation itself is unfolding." He looked at
Kara boldly and said, "And throughout eternity whenever the
angels think of the Creation, they will not be able to do so without
Lucifer's music playing in their minds."
"Excellent work begets excellent reward, hmm?" said Kara. "I
understand. And when the Lord decides to reward such excellence
with the stewardship, and I lead a delegation of Elders to your
house and beg you to serve..." said Kara, already framing the pro-
ceedings in his mind.
"I would never object to any decision of the Elders or the Most
High," answered Lucifer. "I would reluctantly, but graciously take
on the task. And both of our situations would change drastically."

68          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile          of Lucifer
"So be it," said Kara, as they clasped arms and parted.
----------------
The Grand Square of the City was one of the most beautiful
and busy places in the Kingdom. The square itself was paved with
lovely precious stones that were polished and perfectly fitted,
forming a beautiful geometric mosaic. All of the impressive build-
ings which surrounded the square were the official buildings,
housing the various ministries of the Kingdom. To the north was
the Great Temple complex, where the presence of the Most High
resided; facing the Temple, from the south, stood the Hall of
Assembly where the Elders functioned in their service to the Lord
and the Heavenly Host.
On the east side was the House of Wisdom, where all the
archives of Heaven were stored, including a vast and mysterious
vault of sealed scrolls and books which had yet to be opened and
which were forbidden to all. On the west sat the enormous Great
Hall of Ceremony, where important occasions such as Michael and
Gabriel's installations occurred, or where special services unto the
Lord were held. Normally the square was brimming with angels
going about their daily business, but today the square was practi-
cally empty, except for a large figure sitting by himself and think-
ing deeply.
Michael's mind was absorbed with recent events. His talk
with Crispin, while confirming some of the things he was thinking
about Lucifer, had also opened a great door into a much larger,
much darker problem. If Crispin was correct, and there was a con-
certed effort on the part of Lucifer and a small number of angels to
introduce an independent attitude among the Host for their own
purposes, he needed to do something right away.
But what could he do? Crispin advised caution. But Michael's
nature was to attack problems headlong. He could speak with
Gabriel about it again, but he had promised his friend that he
would not bring up the subject until he had good evidence that
something was amiss. There had to be a different way to get at

"What are they searching for that they must go to Lucifer to find?"   69
Lucifer without arousing too much suspicion, and without treating
Lucifer unfairly.
As Michael sat in solitude where recently thousands of angels
had converged to celebrate the announcement of the Creation, he
saw Serus walking toward the Great Hall where the Elders met.
Since the announcement, Lucifer had cloistered himself in his
house, working feverishly on the music, receiving no visitors, and
conducting no business except for his occasional Council meetings.
Michael watched as Serus walked up the marble stairs holding
Lucifer's latest work and disappeared into the gigantic hall.
Michael wondered if there was a way to talk to Serus without
arousing too much suspicion. Perhaps he could get through to him.
"Blessings on you, Michael."
Michael turned to see Sangius, the Minister of the Holy Flame
walking toward him.
"Sangius!" said Michael. "Greetings in the name of the Most
High! How are you, my brother?"
"Quite well," said Sangius. "Excellent, in fact."
Sangius sat down next to Michael. The two had been much
closer friends at one time, but now the different directions in ser-
vice they had chosen had kept them from any meaningful fellow-
ship. Sangius sat back, closing his eyes in a very relaxed manner.
"You do look well," Michael remarked. "I have never seen you
looking so refreshed."
"That's because I am fresh from worship, Michael. I almost
forgot how to really worship our Lord, what with my official office
and serving on the Council. You know, Michael, as Minister of the
Flame, I am quite near the Lord's presence much of the time. I am
very privileged to hold such a position that places me so close to
His holiness. Yet even so I felt myself growing more and more dis-
tant." Sangius had a dreamy look in his eyes as if deep in thought.
"But today you are refreshed in His presence," said Michael.
"What happened?"
"Two things really," said Sangius. "A discussion we had at the
Council made me realize that I had to choose to worship the Lord
regardless--out of my will to do so and love for Him. I am a creature

70           CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile          of Lucifer
with freedom and I choose to worship the Most High!" Even as he
said these words a glow began to appear around Sangius' face. "I
choose, Michael! The other thing which refreshed me was that I
choose to no longer be a part of the Council of Worship." He laughed.
"Or perhaps the choice was made for me. Either way I am free."
"Really?" said Michael, quite interested.
"Yes. I suppose it was a mutual parting of the ways," said
Sangius. "One or two meetings after the Creation was announced
Lucifer asked me to step down." He laughed. "How I must have
disappointed him! I guess I was not the kind of angel he needs on
the Council. So he chose another angel to take my place and I feel
quite unburdened."
"Really? Do you know who he chose to replace you?" asked
Michael.
"Yes. An angel by the name of Berenius," said Sangius. "Ever
met him?"
"We met once," said Michael, remembering Berenius' conduct
at the Academy. Even as he answered Michael felt ashamed and
angry at the conduct of the angels in the classroom that day. "Tell
me, Sangius. What goes on in those meetings?"
"That's as suspicious a question as I have ever heard," said
Sangius. "I'll be glad to tell you. I have no more obligation to
them." He sat back, relaxed. "In the beginning, Michael, we would
discuss various aspects of the worship ministry in Heaven. You
know...how to involve more angels, whether or not a piece of music
suited the occasion. That sort of thing. It was truly a legitimate,
deliberative body functioning in the manner which had been
described to me when Lucifer asked me to serve on it."
"Excuse me for saying so...but you don't have any real musi-
cal gifts, do you?" asked Michael, as diplomatically as he could.
"Who, me?" said Sangius. "I have about as much musical abil-
ity as you, my friend. I have musical disability." They laughed.
"But I know worship."
"So why did Lucifer want you on the Council?" asked Michael.
"I never really knew," Sangius said thoughtfully. "And I never
asked. But I believe it had more to do with my position as Minister

"What are they searching for that they must go to Lucifer to find?"   71
of the Flame than anything else. You see, only a few of the mem-
bers, such as myself, have any real knowledge in matters of wor-
ship. Most of us...them...serve in other capacities. All highly placed,
capable angels for sure--but musical? Not really."
"So what you are telling me is that Lucifer's Council of Wor-
ship is seated with angels who have little ability in the worship
ministry. Doesn't that seem a bit strange?"
"Of course," said Sangius. "But Lucifer has his reasons. He
wanted a variety of angels so that the ministry could affect every
facet of the Kingdom--wisdom, warrior, and worship. At least that
is how he explained it to me. It made sense at the time."
"So why did he ask you to resign?" asked Michael.
Sangius shook his head at Michael. "I guess it was because I was
increasingly at odds with the rest of the group, or seemed to be. I just
wasn't comfortable with some of the discussions--especially
toward the end."
"What did they talk about, Sangius?" asked Michael pointedly.
"I am ashamed to tell you, Michael," said Sangius. "And I am
embarrassed for having sat on that Council for so long."
"It's very important that you tell me," said Michael, "much as
it causes you distress." He noticed Sangius' attention directed else-
where. "What's the matter?"
Sangius was staring out toward the square, with just the
slightest hint of anger in his beautiful brown eyes. His reddish aura
was slightly manifesting. Michael looked out onto the square and
saw Serus walking back across the square toward Lucifer's house.
Serus looked over and saw Michael and Sangius together but con-
tinued walking as if he didn't see them. Sangius watched him until
he turned out of the square down Lucifer's street. He turned
toward Michael.
"He certainly gets around!" Michael said, as he watched Serus
disappear.
"Now there's the angel you should talk with if you want to
know about Lucifer," said Sangius. "Of course you wouldn't get
anything from him. He's totally devoted to his master."