Unholy Empire: Chronicles of the Host, Vol 2: Chronicles of the Host, Book 2 (5 page)

“Cain!”

“Cain!”

“Yes, Father,” came the response from the field of barley below.

A’dam watched his son bounding through the grain toward him. How his son loved the earth. He would make a great farmer. His eyes drifted to the side of the hill where Abel sat, watching over a group of sheep.

A’dam often wondered at the difference between his two sons. Cain was a natural fieldsman—he could grow wheat out of a rock, he and Eve would say. A bit of a temper, but that was to be expected from one who wrestled with the ground itself and won. Abel was much more at home among the flocks. The sheep came to him as if he were their parent. It was quite amusing.

Eve had recognized something else about Abel—he had a rather strange, melancholy attitude at times. He often preferred the solitude of the hills where he watched over the flocks or sometimes slept under the stars. A’dam thought that he was simply being obstinate. But Eve knew differently. She knew that Abel heard from God.

“What is it, Father?” said Cain, finally reaching A’dam.

“My son, it is time for eating,” said A’dam. “Your mother has prepared the meal.”

“What about Abel?” asked Cain, looking at his brother on the distant hill.

“He will be along shortly,” said A’dam, also looking at Abel. “As soon as he finishes with the flocks.”

The family sat down to eat. A’dam offered thanks to the Lord for the meal and Eve served some robust stew made from some of Cain’s produce and one of Abel’s lambs that had been trampled by its mother. The family enjoyed the food and fellowship at the entrance to the cave where they lived. A’dam had secured a natural opening in a cavern wall that also allowed smoke from a fire to be pulled up so they could have warmth inside the cave at night. It wasn’t Eden, but it was home.

“Another lamb was born,” said Abel, as he sat down to eat. Eve handed some of the rich stew to her son. “That makes five this month!”

“Wonderful, son,” said A’dam. “The Lord is good to us.”

“He’s even better to Abel’s sheep,” said Cain, snickering. Abel laughed.

“God is very good to us,” continued A’dam. “He has watched over us all these years, fed us, kept us, provided a place that is safe and warm…”

“Tell us about Eden again,” said Cain. The boys loved to hear stories told and retold of life in Eden before the banishment. Abel settled himself next to Eve, his head in her lap as he slurped up the remainder of the stew.

A’dam looked at his little family, their faces dancing in the reflection of the evening fire. They all looked forward to these moments in the stillness of the night, with all the day’s work done. Stories helped break up the long, hard day before another one just like it started. His sons each had their favorite stories about Eden—Eve and the monkey who would not leave her alone until she finally threw a melon at it; A’dam and the first time a hawk actually landed on his shoulder. Cain always enjoyed the humorous stories of life in Eden. Abel liked hearing about the Lord. Inevitably, though, the stories always ended up at their disobedience.

“It is very important that you know that we might still be in Eden today, had we honored God rather than ourselves. Always remember this. We were without excuse, and neither do you have an excuse to fail Him. In fact, it’s time you began to worship Him.”

A’dam looked tenderly at Eve, who took her cue and went inside the cave. The two boys looked at their father, not knowing exactly what he meant. A’dam seemed to be trying to find the words. His sons sat quietly before him, waiting on their father. Finally A’dam spoke.

“When I was in Eden, even before your mother was around, the Lord had fellowship with me, just as we are sitting by this fire together,” he began. “It was a wonderful time when I walked with God.” He looked at his boys. “I walked with God. You understand?” They nodded. “I sat next to Him, as we are seated. I knew Him…and I betrayed Him. I want you to understand this, because you must make your own way with the Lord. You must seek to please Him and obey Him always.”

“Yes, Father,” the boys said in unison.

“You don’t understand, I know,” said A’dam. “But your mother and I have brought you into a world that is not simply a place of shepherding and raising crops. It is a beautiful world but a dangerous one…”

A’dam looked around as if he were being watched by an unseen observer. He motioned to his sons, who leaned in to hear him whisper. “There is a promise. A promise that will avenge the damage your mother and I caused by our disobedience in Eden. One will be born who will overcome the evil that the serpent brings to this world.”

The two boys looked at their father solemnly. They had never seen him in such a serious frame of mind before. “Your mother and I live for the day that you will undo the horrible damage we have done. The Lord told us and the serpent that one of our children would accomplish this.” A’dam looked at Cain and put a hand on his shoulder. “You are our firstborn. We believe this to be your task.” Cain swallowed hard, eyes wide. “And that is why you must both begin to worship the Lord in ways that demonstrate your loyalty to Him. To give back to Him of those things that you love most. To offer Him of your very best.”

“You mean we are to bring an offering to the Lord?” asked Cain.

“Yes,” said A’dam. “But you must not think you are offering to God from your own ability or strength. There is nothing worthwhile that we can present to Him. It must be done in simple belief and trust. That is how you worship God. That is how you overcome the evil in this world. And that is how the promise can be realized.”

Abel looked at his father with a new understanding and compassion. The fire cast a glow on him that made him seem suddenly years older. In an instant, Abel’s mind flashed back to glimpses of growing up and watching his father’s passionate hope to recapture something he had thrown away. He remembered A’dam in worship, talking to God and offering Him the firstlings of the sheep. He also remembered the frustration and bitterness that sometimes rose up, as A’dam scorned the very earth he had himself brought a curse upon. Abel thought that he understood his father much better now.

“The next time the moon is complete in the sky,” A’dam, continued, “it will be time for both of you to begin making your own offerings to the Lord. And remember, these gifts must be from your heart, complete acts of submission.” He pointed his finger at both of his sons. “If you think for a moment that your offering is in and of itself worthy, you are in sin. You must offer something that does not smack of pride or self. It must be sincere and from your innermost being or it will not be accepted.”

Abel turned to his brother after A’dam left them to join Eve. “Cain. We are going to begin offering to the Lord. Think of it!”

“And think of the promise!” said Cain excitedly. “But what am I to do about it? How am I supposed to make this happen?”

“You heard father,” answered Abel. “By worshiping God and loving Him.”

Cain had a concerned look upon his face. “Yes, that is wonderful. For you that will be easy. You already know the Lord, you talk to Him often.”

“You know Him too,” responded Abel. “You just have to listen to Him. Your problem is that you are always trying to please Him through what you do. I have learned that He is not interested in what we do, but who we are.”

“Yes, but I sometimes feel that He loves you more than He loves me,” said Cain. “And that is the truth of the matter. That is why he accepts you.”

“Perhaps, brother,” said Abel, “it isn’t a matter of how much He loves you, but of how much you really love Him.”

“So be it,” sneered Cain. “I will make an offering to Him that is so worthy that yours will be like ashes in comparison.” Cain stood up, holding a stick and pointing in the direction of the flocks. “All you do is raise the sheep and watch them. What kind of offering can come of that? I till the earth—a cursed earth at that—and force its harvest. I sweat, brother, and create from nothing! We’ll see whose offering is acceptable and whose is not!”

Abel watched his brother storm off into the darkness. He had tried to better understand Cain, but the two had always been opposite sorts. “Someday, my brother,” called out Abel, “your anger will destroy you!”

“I would say it is destroying him already,” came a voice from the darkness.

C
HAPTER
3

“Cain is a fool!”

Several of the fallen angels had assembled near Cain’s field, awaiting the arrival of their commander, Kara. They spied Cain, who was working the earth and at times cursing it. Whenever he uttered an oath they laughed hysterically.

“Poor fellow,” one of the angels, named Sellus, said. “Humans are so completely stupid. And so easily flustered.”

“Particularly this one,” agreed the other.

“Not so stupid that he doesn’t understand the importance of bringing the Lord an offering,” came Kara’s voice.

The angels suddenly came to order and awaited Kara’s appearance. He came gliding in and landed in their midst. He looked at Cain and smirked. “This one is a bit of a brute, to be sure,” Kara said. “But he and his brother still pose a real threat.”

“This temperamental beast?” said Sellus. “I can see the threat Abel poses simply because he seems sensitive to the Lord. But Cain?”

“Either of these humans could be the One who was foretold,” said Kara. “Lucifer is quite clear on that point. I have my doubts about Cain, nevertheless we must beware. I have Abel watched as well, although we cannot get in as close to him.” He scoffed. “The prophecy is quite clear that it will be an offspring of Eve.” Cain uttered another oath. “I must admit that this one’s unhealthy attitude of praise to the Most High provides a bit of comfort. Maybe even distances him some from the protection of Michael.”

Sellus and the others shuddered at the mention of the archangel. Kara saw their fear and continued. “Ah, Michael. Of all the angels in Heaven, Michael is the most feared by us. And for good reason. His loyalty to the Most High can never be compromised. And for that I envy him and hate him all the more. “

“I dread the day of confrontation with him,” said Sellus.

“As does every angel on earth,” admitted Kara.

“Except for me,” came a rough voice.

“Oh yes, Rugio,” said Kara, not looking up. “I had forgotten how the sting of being bested by Michael has inflamed you.” He smirked as Rugio appeared before them. “Given you a sense of motivation, hmm?”

“Don’t test me, Kara,” said Rugio, the chief of Lucifer’s warrior angels. “I had Michael’s sword once. I shall have it again.”

“Perhaps this time you’ll learn how to handle it,” purred Kara. The other angels remained uncomfortably silent or slowly eased back into the darkness of cover. They all turned as Cain walked across the field, carrying a large stone to the side. Kara laughed as Cain threw the rock down on a pile of similar-sized stones.

“I honestly believe Cain is a bigger threat to the promise than we are,” said Kara. “If
that
is the best the Most High can muster, we have little to fear.”

“That is what brought me to you,” said Rugio, as they watched Cain sit down on the side of the field on a fallen tree, wiping his brow. “Even beasts like Cain can change.”

Kara looked at Rugio suspiciously. “What have you heard?” he asked.

Rugio smiled. “Apparently your teams are not as thorough as you believed,” said Rugio with an acid tone, “or else you would know that both Cain and Abel will begin bringing offerings to the Lord very soon. Fortunately for our side we are not completely dependent upon your little spies for all of our intelligence. I have some ‘ears’ of my own, so to speak.” Rugio enjoyed the effect of his words on Kara, who glared at Sellus and the others.

“Congratulations,” said Kara. “Yes, my angels are still learning the craft of subtlety and spying,” he said with forced good nature. “Just as your warriors are still learning the art of war.” He looked at Sellus with icy eyes. “I see that I need to discipline my charges a bit more.” Sellus slowly vanished into the darkness. Kara turned back to Rugio. “So, it’s come to offerings to the Lord?”

“Yes,” said Rugio. “That can only mean that they are growing closer to Him…”

“And the closer they grow to the Most High, the greater the chance for the Seed to emerge,” Kara mused. “Interesting assumption, but it makes sense.”

“Lucifer has assigned me personally to see that Cain doesn’t become too close to the Lord,” said Rugio. “I’ll make sure his worship doesn’t create any problems for us. He’ll mourn the day he was born to Eve.”

“Cain is a fool,” said Kara. “All he needs is a little encouragement and he becomes enraged. A stone in a field can bring him down as easily as one of your warriors. I prefer the more subtle approach, something that requires thought and contests their minds—such as we are using with the parents. You know, ongoing accusations that keep them steeped in guilt and bitterness and consequently, alone.”

“Do as you like with his parents,” said Rugio. “And with Abel. But leave Cain to me. He’ll be my first trophy of the war.”

“And your last, I hope,” said Kara. “Lucifer wants these passionate feelings for the Most High dampened before they become troublesome. Then we can be done with it once and for all. Offerings from the children of Eve are not a good sign.” He glanced over at Sellus, barely perceptible to the side. “We are all depending upon you. It’s your game now—to win or to lose.”

“I will see to it,” said Rugio.

He gave Kara a resolute look, then vanished. Sellus emerged from the darkness, with a curious expression on his face. Kara smirked at Sellus.

“Rugio will never be clever enough to handle this task,” Kara finally said. “It requires subtlety, not brutality. This I know. And Lucifer will know this as well.”