Furthermore, Jewish Kabalists believe that the Old Testament’s language contained coded secrets, so they created an esoteric system of interpretation known as gematria, by assigning a number to each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, originally taken from the Phoenician Alphabet. No matter how one goes about it, the Jewish Kabala is a composed element of the Chaldean Kabala, and includes, at the same time, much of the Persian magic, or the dualist principles of Nature. Along with that, it takes into account the main Pythagorean idea of restoring the Unity between God and man, however, the Pythagoreans believed in the Universal Mind as God, and not as a Negation.
After the professor concluded his narration at the Round Table, there was a feeling of expectation in the air, and eagerness made Paul urge for more. With an inviting smile and a hand gesture, Dr. Najem asked the four Keepers to lay their attention on the wooden box in the center of the table.
“Have a clear mind, gentlemen. We are about to begin,” he announced, his eyes glittering, and as they abided in agitated suspense, he opened the box to retrieve a papyrus—rolled and tied with a golden ribbon. Dr. Najem untied the bow, unfolded the manuscript, and placed it in front of Paul’s eyes for him to see the golden words. Blushing somewhat at the honor, Paul read aloud:
Cycle I
1- Aleph () is the Father, the Creative Force, connected to the Fire element.
2- Bet(h) () is the Hermaphrodite dual-nature of the created Kosmos. It is the Body, or the Temple that holds the Spirit, associated with planet Saturn.
3- Gimel () is the wandering in Nature, connected to planet Jupiter.
4- Dalet(h) () is the Door and Path to the constellation of Taurus (the Bull).
5- He(h) () is the window of Revelation and Inspiration, related to the Aries constellation (the Ram).
6- Waw () is the material gain and attracting the physical, nailing man to Earth.
7- Zayin () is glory taken by the sword, war, connected to Planet Mars.
8- Het(h) () is the Sexual Instinct, binding humanity to Gemini (the Twins).
9- Tet(h) () is the Serpent of Foundation. It is the mud; the Organic Earth that blossoms into Life, linked to the Cancer constellation (the Crab).
Cycle II
10- Yod(h) () is the Hand, connected to the Water element.
11- Kaph () is the Palm of the Hand, a sensible creator under the Sun.
12- Lamed(h) () is the Teaching and Learning by the power of the Scepter, under the constellation of Leo (the Lion).
13- Mem () is the Water of Intuition and Intelligence ruled by the Virgo constellation (the Virgin).
14- Nun () is the Fish springing out of the Water, like the Child of Prophecy for the continuation of Time, manifested under Libra (the Scales).
15- S(h)amekh () is the Help and Support given to escape the pointed arms of the Scorpio (n).
16- Ayin () is the Eye of Providence and the Source of thinking that protects humanity from the danger of Sagittarius (the Archer).
17- Pe(h) () is the Mouth uttering Words that make changes under planet Venus.
18- Sadhe (Tsade) () is the other side, the Dark Side, Lucifer. It would hit like an Arrow, or capture Humanity with a Fishing hook under the power of the Capricorn.
Cycle III
19- Qoph () is the Keeping of secrets inside the Back of the Head, under the constellation of Aquarius (the Water Bearer).
20- Resh () is the Head that lives in Poorness, and challenges Misery for the work of Sacrifice under planet Mercury.
21- Shin () is the abode of Mystery where Secrets are kept close to the Light under the constellation of Pisces.
22- Tau (Taw) () is the Sign of the Cross, the Initiate, and the Elected to the great Power, up in the sky, when the light of the Moon fades out.
When Paul finished reading, he looked at them in awe. Their eyes met with his on a higher level of understanding and commitment.
“These letters represent the Alphabet’s Occult Doctrine; the Kabala,” Dr. Najem acknowledged. “They are the secret keys of the Universe and its absolute principles. If you know how to use them by will, since you can now identify their codes, you will be able to obtain wisdom and power.”
He signaled discreetly to Dr. Bechara, who nodded calmly, and proceeded, “The letters are divided as follows: three of them represent the elements: Earth, Water, and Fire, whereas the fourth, the Air element, is considered the link and the mover of the other elements.” He stopped to read the awareness in Paul’s and Nabil’s stares then continued with diligence, “There are also seven planets that influence Earth and its inhabitants: the Sun, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, and Mars. They appear in seven letters. The remaining twelve letters are images of the twelve signs of the Zodiac.”
It was around 10:48 PM when suddenly, a beep sounded in alert around the living room. Surprised, Paul looked at Dr. Bechara, and followed the direction of his attention. Beneath the painting of the wooden cottage over the fireplace, a red light flashed rapidly and repeatedly.
“A message from Gabriel!” Dr. Najem exclaimed in alert, and jumped out of his erstwhile comfy seat.
“An urgent one,” Dr. Bechara gasped in reply, veering to glance at them.
The antique chandelier swayed. Professor Michel sprinted to the window and closed it tightly. Dr. Najem pushed the red button, and the beep went silent. Without a second thought, or a word, he turned the television on, switched the cables, grabbed the remote control from the side table, and pressed number six. Five pairs of attentive eyes hooked on the screen.
A live scene unfurled in front of their eyes inside a cafeteria, probably owned by Gabriel, Paul thought in a brief moment. Gabriel stood behind the bar counter, apparently closing for the night, when two men in black suits marched into the place and straight towards him. From the look in his eyes, it appeared that he had never seen them before.
“Sorry, we are closed for tonight,” he dismissed them politely. Yet, anger flashed from their dark eyes. They approached him, getting closer than politeness would warrant. Gabriel stared at one then the other in confusion. Looking pale, he stepped back.
Paul swallowed, trying to dislodge something that seemed to have taken hold of his throat when he’d seen that, and leaned forward, clutching his hands together tightly.
“Don’t move!” The man with the thick moustache snapped dryly. “Cooperate, or you will die.”
“What is this? Some kind of joke?” Gabriel countered, but Paul could sense his hidden fear, the way he felt an invisible iron grip on his own shoulders.
His bravado provoked the intruders. They took out their guns, and aimed at him. He stood still. There was no way out. The door of the cafeteria then opened on a bald, bulky man. Calmly and unconcerned he locked the door behind him, dragged a chair to him, and sat with a Colt on his lap.
“We know who you are,” he barked at Gabriel, and Nabil gasped at Paul’s side. “We have been watching you. Tell us, now, where the other members of the Fraternity are hiding. Tell us, and you shall live.”
Gabriel, the Guardian of the Chamber, the man who came from that great lineage of Scribes, was now under a violent threat. He knew well he could not expose the Keepers and their sanctuary. He had to think fast. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” he uttered with an impressive calmness, “I don’t really know what you’re talking about.”
“Your last chance…” the man with the moustache edged his gun closer to Gabriel’s forehead. On an impulse, Paul’s heart screamed for help, for he knew he was about to lose the friend who had saved his life, right there—in front of his eyes. Numbness raided his forearms and legs. He could barely breathe… barely swallow. The brothers got on their feet in slow motion, and stood in wait. Paul could not budge, nor could Nabil.
Gabriel must have sensed that his hour had fatally come. My life or the lives of the Keepers, he probably thought. It was something he could not bargain with, not now… not ever! “I think you are mistaking me for someone else.” The determination in
his eyes was unmistakably firm, yet his voice came out downy, as if sending the Keepers a message of reassurance, a pledge of loyalty.
In the cover of the night, a rasping sound shattered the silence with a cry of pain that echoed in Paul’s soul.
Strangled to death, Gabriel fell motionless to the ground. The bald man checked his pulse, sliced his throat with a swift movement of his knife, and then tore his shirt open. With the undaunted coldness of a professional killer, he dipped his fingers—covered with white gloves—in the streaming blood, and marked the letter Tsaddi on his victim’s chest, very close to the heart. As if more damages were required for their criminal deed, they turned the place upside down, crashing and smashing everything they had laid their hands on, then they broke open the cash register to simulate a robbery, and left unhurriedly.
The Keepers stepped back, and bowed their heads for a long moment, out of respect for Gabriel’s valiant sacrifice. When they lifted their heads, their eyes conveyed a tumult of shock, grief, anger, and determination. Thunderstruck, Paul gawked at them. Cold and heat fought inside of him. The collar of his shirt felt soggy on his neck, just as it did in his armpits and back. The screen went blank…
Moved by a mute general need, they finally stood up after exerting an extraordinary effort, headed slowly to the Round Table, and took their respective places. One thought dwelt in Paul’s mind at first. Everything had been recorded, a smart last move from Gabriel, activating the hidden camera the moment the three men in black had entered the cafeteria.
“Gabriel is gone,” uttered Dr. Najem, his voice leaden. “He has sacrificed himself for the sake of the Fraternity.” Tears ran down his cheeks like a waterfall.
Dr. Bechara emitted a hoarse moan, clearing his throat, or perhaps trying to swallow his tears. In fact, the pressure heightened, as a profound grief took hold of the circle of five. Dr. Najem gave in. He stood up, and walked out, broken. The remaining four heard the door of the Fortress opening and closing, and then the sound of his heavy steps faded away. Professor Michel looked suddenly older, withdrawn, his features sagged. He removed his eyeglasses, brought his handkerchief to his eyes, and left it there for a long moment, hiding his weakness and pain in silence. Paul glanced at Nabil’s head, bent over his crossed arms on the table. His shoulders trembled. Paul knew him to be weeping in stillness, so he veered to the window. The dark night outside induced a mood—for mourning the Guardian of the Chamber. Suddenly he saw Mariam, the beautiful woman, her head swathed by a blue veil of dignity. He saw her tender smile and kind gestures towards the husband she had loved so much. His eyes burned painfully. How would the poor woman handle the terrible loss?
The vision of Mariam faded, giving way to the intense blaze of Tsaddi, the eighteenth letter, whirling and storming forcefully into his mind. Tsaddi: the other side… the dark side, darting like an arrow and striking lethally… the habitat of Lucifer had ensnared Gabriel with the hook of the powerful Capricorn constellation.
Paul remembered the two men in black who had pursued him in Montreux, during his escape to Munich. He recalled the Architect and the Archaeologist. Seth Servitors had struck again, he thought in dread. They were very close this time, he reasoned, aching for fresh air, away from the unbearable mood of the living room. He, therefore, walked to the door, turned to look at the broken stance of his Brothers, and with a deep sigh walked away wordless, out of the Fortress. His instincts led him straight to the garden and right to the Cedar tree, shadowing a wooden bench where Dr. Najem sat motionless. The eyes that met his for a brief moment conveyed an immense sadness. Paul drooped at his side without a word, and thus remained, until Dr. Najem decided to talk.
“The Dark Side has just launched a wider operation to reach us,” he said. “Satan has decided to hit again, and hunt us down… all of us. His servants have just delivered a clear-cut message, but they shall not terrorize us… ever!”
“I’m sorry for Gabriel,” Paul offered genuinely, trying to console him, and ease his pain. At his lack of response, Paul asked him in an anxious tone, “Do they know about us? I mean, do you think they know where we are?”
A couple of minutes passed before Brother John looked at Paul, and the latter sensed something strange in his eyes, as if a bright line of energy had shot through them. “Gabriel is a martyr. He sacrificed himself for the Fraternity,” he stated. “We should all remember his sacrifice, but do not worry, they know nothing. He kept the Secret—the word—in the abode of Mystery, close to his heart and close to the Light… He was a true Keeper, never forget that!” He stood up, looked at Paul, and smiled through his tears.
Now Paul fully understood. The heart is the place where the word should reside, even at the cost of sacrifice.
Silent was the night…
Part V
.37.
The Babylonian Brotherhood
Friday, November 12, 09:28 AM
Early the next morning, they sat for breakfast in a sad mood, of course, at the tragic loss that befell them with the assassination of their Brother. Paul felt personally involved in this forfeit. Gabriel had saved him before, and had taken care of him in his house until he’d been fully recovered. Now, once again, his personal sacrifice for the Fraternity had saved Paul! The thought of his brutal murder killed his appetite. He pushed aside his omelet in disgust, and forced the fresh orange juice down his throat.
“We will rest for the day,” Dr. Najem proposed hoarsely, and Paul noted his intact meal and the ones barely consumed of the others. “Under such dire circumstances, we must meet tomorrow in the afternoon and reveal to you, Brother Paul, some basic information you may need to know about the Babylonian Brotherhood.”
“The Babylonian Brotherhood,” he muttered under his breath. He truly needed that. He recalled Padre Joseph telling him, on his return from Montreux, that he would tell him everything he needed to know about them later on. He had only informed him that the ‘BB’ wasn’t simply a club for money and enjoyment, as most people around the world thought. That they could be very stern and cunning and that, in fact, nothing would stop them from carrying out their plans if they deemed it necessary.
“The Babylonian Brotherhood…” Nabil repeated thoughtfully.
“Yes,” Dr. Najem confirmed, looking straight at them both, “The main documented information cannot be found here. It was stolen before we moved to this Fortress, some seven years ago, unfortunately. However, we’ve kept it orally…”
Before Dr. Najem could continue what he was saying, Paul interrupted him with a question, “How did it happen? I mean, how was it stolen?”
“We had an intruder in our previous haven,” he replied with seriousness. “And, as a matter of fact, Paul, we will need you to travel to Iraq, and retrieve the missing information.”
“Iraq!” Paul exclaimed, a sudden energy sprinting through his veins.
“Yes, Paul,” Professor Michel interrupted, “This would be of great help to us in our efforts to protect ourselves against further attacks. However, it is not a matter of simply booking a flight and going to the airport. We think… ah! No, no! It is way too dangerous!” he then said, his eyes widening in alarm. “You’ll be taking the private route from here, we simply cannot risk letting you go to the airport by taking the main road!”
“A private route to the airport!?” Paul exclaimed.
“We believe Seth Servitors might be looking for you and may detect any activity you engage in,” Dr. Bechara clarified, in all seriousness, with a deep frown on his face. He turned his attention to Paul, and warned him, “If they ever caught you, you might expose the Fraternity, and besides that, we simply cannot afford losing another Keeper—especially the fifth element. The private route is safe. Nobody knows about it.”
All the other eyes turned to Paul. A frightening silence fell on him.
“Until tomorrow’s meeting, everyone, please stay focused, mainly you, Paul,” Dr. Najem suggested. At Paul’s nod of agreement, he commented in a broken voice, “It is indeed
a day of sorrow, and in observance of it, we shall remain silent, the way we always do when we lose a Keeper.”
Time passed…
On the second day, Saturday the 13th, at five, they assembled in the living room. Paul had never felt as anxious as on that day. His normal life as a man, specialized in ‘Ancient History & Religion’, had turned into a dangerous adventure he had not anticipated coming his way in such an engaging manner. He had to stay composed.
“Here it goes. At the time of the Persian Empire’s expansion,” Dr. Najem began, “the adjacent city of Babylon fell into the hands of the Persian King Cyrus II, around the year 539 BC, and became a province of the Great Persian Empire. The Persians, like the Assyrians before them, exercised a relocation program—for the subjugated populace—from one occupied land to another. After several years of controlling Babylon, Cyrus II and some Chaldean Priests might have established the Babylonian Brotherhood. In fact, Cyrus issued an edict: ordering the transfer of a group—composed of Chaldean priests and families, belonging to the Brotherhood—from Babylon to the Promised Land,” he said, and paused for a moment, adjusting his seating position.
“The Persians!” Paul exclaimed. “You mean to the Land of Canaan, as mentioned in the Old Testament,” Paul emphasized with an evocative glimpse at Nabil, who appeared stunned, his shoulders up drawn. Apparently, Paul had not taken this piece of information as smoothly as Nabil. Professor Michel came to sit by his side, and Dr. Bechara relaxed back on his chair, calm and absorbed, within the cloud of smoke formed by his cigar. For them, that statement stood for a certainty.
“Exactly. The Promise made by Cyrus II had a hidden agenda of some sort. It was a historical declaration, which stated that the power of the Persian Empire should not be comprised by any geographical boundary. The Persians reached the southern part of the land of Canaan-Phoenicia, including Jerusalem, and controlled it a few years later, after being in command of Babylon,” he explained. “Later—in 525 BC, under Cambyses II, the son and successor of Cyrus II—the Persians attacked Egypt, known traditionally as the land of Ham, and destroyed all its religious monuments. In time, Cyrus controlled most of western Asia,” he informed, taking a sip of his tea.
The Phoenician Code Page 32
