"A lot of the stories, myths, or whatever you want to call them, are corruptions of older Sumerian legends. Noah’s Ark is the most well known but the Tower of Babel, The Creation, even Cain and Abel can be attributed to Sumerian legends, although the Sumerian version manages to avoid murder. Many of the characters in the Old Testament can be found in far more ancient texts, only under different names. Do you understand what I’ve just told you? It really is quite important. I belong to an order of Christian Knights who have dedicated themselves to the cross. We have access to records that span thousands of years. We have, over the years, amassed a library of ancient scriptures that dwarves that of any other library or museum in the world.”
"Christian knights, you say? You mean like the Templar Knights? Weren’t they wiped out by the church? I’m sorry, what has this to do with the Germans, Maria, my brother and anything else we’ve discussed tonight?” The potent drink had snaked through Smith's veins and he was feeling the full weight of his fatigue pulling his eyes shut.
"Everything. Please bear with me. It’s important that you know the background. The orators and the writers of the Old Testament edited the stories to make them more pleasing to the masses. Many of the stories that were originally part of the ancient oral tradition were not included in the written texts. Perhaps they clashed with the message the writers were trying to put across or they were too sordid for the Jewish audiences of the time. Whatever the reason, there is a whole second Bible of lost legends and myths that have never been put down in writing.”
Smith was beginning to lose his patience. He yawned. "Michael, for pity’s sake, tell me what I need to know. This bunk about the Bible is not important right now. Don’t you, or can’t you, understand that?"
"English … Major Smith, I swear to you that this has everything to do with why you’re here, your family, Maria, the Book of Blood, everything. Please listen to me. I can’t help you if you don’t know what this is all about and, more importantly, you can’t help me.”
Smith finally gave in to his body. "I’ve had it, Michael, I need to sleep. Let me get some sleep and I’ll listen with one hundred per cent concentration when I wake up. Is that fair?"
"Sleep here, then,” Michael said, pointing to the bed. "I’ll keep watch. It’ll be daylight soon so there shouldn’t be any problems." He moved to snuff out the candle on the windowsill. "But later, English, we must talk. This is far bigger than you against the Germans. This is a war against another species … ” He turned back to see Smith hadn’t heard him for he was already asleep in his chair. Michael put the glasses and the bottle away and knelt down by his bed to pray.
Outside, as the sun’s clawing rays touched his window, Michael caught the agonised howling of the vampire soldiers caught in the morning sun. He knew all about them and, on hearing their fiery death, he clasped his hands and prayed harder.
Chapter 16
The men were woken at dawn and, as they washed and had breakfast, Von Struck went over to find Rasch. There was no answer at the front door, so he walked in and went up the stairs. As if by magic, Marik appeared and led him to Rasch’s room.
"Rise and shine, Herr Doctor. What’s the agenda for today?” Von Struck said, startling Rasch awake.
Rasch hurried to put on his wire framed glasses. "… Er, I don’t think we need the men today, Standartenführer. We’re not meeting the Count until later this evening and I don’t have anything for them."
Von Struck could hardly suppress the smile that rose to his lips as Rasch stumbled around in his night shirt, bed socks and night cap, trying to find his uniform. He turned to leave him but was stopped by Rasch.
"Just a minute, Standartenführer, I need to talk to you about, er, well about what we’re going to do tonight.”
Von Struck looked for a seat and sat down. "I’m all ears, Herr Doctor.”
Rasch sat down on the end of his bed, took his glasses off and polished them. "Standartenführer … Markus, there are some things on this earth that no man can explain. I have seen things recently that have turned everything I believed on its head. Before we continue with the mission, I need to give you all the facts, and I mean all the facts. I’m not sure how I can put this to you without making myself sound ridiculous, so I’ll just tell you the whole story and, if you want, we can discuss it. How does that sound?” He’d slipped his trousers on while talking and had regained a bit of his poise.
Von Struck was taken aback by the doctor’s use of his Christian name. He nodded, "I’m listening, Herr Doctor. Please continue.”
"Quite a while ago now, Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler ordered me to do some work for him. A lot of my work was done at a cellular level. That is, I worked at a microscopic level, trying to figure out why the Jews were subhuman and why we were above the Negroes and the Slavs, basically trying to prove our racial theories with science. I didn’t really think that all the measuring of skulls and other body parts would prove anything, so I decided to go deeper. Are you with me so far?”
Von Struck wasn’t one hundred percent with him, but he’d got the gist of what the doctor had tried to explain and he said so.
"Good. The work was hard but rewarding and I, that is my team and I, developed microscopes that could see into individual cells and much, much more. What I discovered is a state secret and will never be published but the meat of my report went to the Reichsführer SS. He was interested in our methods. No, that is not true, he was fascinated, and based on what I had achieved, he gave me a task to perform. This task, Standartenführer, is what I will now relate to you. I don’t need to have to tell you that this is all Top Secret.”
Von Struck was interested and nodded that he understood.
"The Count’s soldiers have a problem. They can’t fight in daylight." He paused to let that sink in and carried on. "At night they strike terror into Ivan’s heart and their successes have proved their usefulness beyond all doubt. Every mission they’ve been given has been a triumph for Deutschland and has invariably cost the head of one of Ivan's higher-ranking generals, literally. They have, up to now, brought back the heads of seven Russian generals and those of many other lesser ranked leaders. However, the daylight, unfortunately,” he sighed, "the daylight kills them. The sun’s rays quite literally burn them to a crisp. It seems that though they are perfectly adapted to the night, the day is lethal for them.”
"I take it that it was your job to find a cure for this disease? I can see why they call themselves ‘Vampires' now.”
"No, Markus, no, they call themselves ‘Vampires' because they are vampires. They feed on blood, Russian blood, and they all belong to the Count. He controls them with the power of his mind. They have no free will; they are simply slaves to his bidding and their own bloodlust. He truly is their Master and they are truly obedient to his every order.”
Von Struck looked at him in stunned disbelief. Was this what Himmler had been so excited about?
"Markus, we are here to help build a vampire army. Count Blestamatul is a vampire in the true sense of the word and he has taken the call of the Fatherland and promised, with our help, to build an army that will win the war in the East for us.”
Disbelief, anger and despair merged into one as Von Struck was struck dumb. How could that madman Himmler, and all his cronies, believe this drivel? Germany’s solution to the Russian onslaught was to indulge in Himmler’s childish fantasies and make-believe? It was madness. He slowly shook his head, appalled at the folly of it all.
"I see you have a problem believing my words, Herr Standartenführer," Rasch observed disdainfully.
"You think that Germany can be saved by a bunch of … "
"Standartenführer, the Count is himself German. He has offered his services and the services of the Siebenberger Saxons … " he noticed the look on Von Struck’s face and stopped to correct himself, "I mean his services and that of his soldiers to help fight the Bolshevik menace. Herr Standartenführer, let me tell you, I do know what the situation is at the front and
I can assure you I will do everything in my power to recruit all the help the Fatherland needs. Tonight, Herr Standartenführer, tonight you will see the Count’s soldiers. I urge you to be prepared and I urge you to prepare your men. The last thing we need is a squad of hysterical SS men acting like a class of school girls at the sight of the Count’s vampires.”
Von Struck had heard enough. "If this is all the Third Reich has to fight against Ivan, Rasch, then God help Germany. And, judging by the record of our deeds, I don’t think he will, Herr Doctor." With that, he stood up walked out.
"We don’t need a Jewish God, Von Struck … " Rasch shouted at his back. "We need soldiers who believe in the Third Reich. We need discipline, obedience and faith in our cause. We need heroes … ”
But Von Struck had already left, leaving the door open.
Chapter 17
Michael woke Smith up just before noon with a tray of black bread, salami and onions, and watched as Smith ate ravenously.
"Now we talk, English. Or, better said, you listen.”
"Whatever it is you want to tell me, it can’t be as shocking as what I’ve learnt these last couple of days." Smith carried on eating but kept his eyes on Michael.
Michael continued. "Throughout history there have been mythical figures that have cropped up time and time again. They seem to float from one civilisation to another, causing mayhem, fear and, more often than not, catastrophe. With each re-incarnation, they seem to get fiercer and fiercer. The names vary but they are always the same character, always the same evil." He paused to make sure Smith was listening and carried on. "The demon Lilith or Lilit, or Lilitu or Belit-ili or Baalat, is identified in several ancient texts. She is as old as the Bible, probably older, because she is mentioned in the Mishna, the scriptures that explain and define the old Jewish law as it’s found in the Pentateuch …”
"The what? I’m sorry but I didn’t follow you.”
"The Pentateuch are the first five books of Moses in the Old Testament, and the Mishna attempts to clarify the Laws that were laid down by Moses. Lilith is mentioned in the Mishna. She is mentioned in the Gilgamesh Epic and a whole … ”
Smith stood up, "Talk sense to me, Michael. You’re wittering on like an idiot. What the hell has this got to do with my situation? What are you … ?”
He was stopped in mid-sentence as Michael grabbed him by the shoulders. "Listen you, bloody fool. Don’t you see? Maria is Lilith. The entity known as Lilith has taken over Maria.”
A confused silence passed between them as they stood facing each other.
"What?”
"English, sit down. I know it’s a lot to digest, so just let me finish and then you can make up your own mind. You know that there’s something strange going on, don’t you?”
"Well, I … I’m not sure of anything anymore, to be honest.”
"Please sit down and hear me out. Please.”
Smith sat down, not convinced but, then again, not unconvinced. He nodded and Michael carried on,
"The entity Lilith has been recorded and described throughout time, as I’ve already said. According to ancient Hebraic folklore, she was Adam’s first wife. She was cast out of Eden - or she fled - because she was too dominant; sexually and socially. She was replaced by the submissive, and thus more acceptable, Eve.”
Smith raised his eyebrows and nodded for him to go on.
"She is said to have scorned God and fled Eden. She is immortal because she left Eden before the fall, that is before Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the forbidden tree. She is supposed to have flown to the shores of the Red Sea where she apparently mated with demons and gave birth a hundred times a day.”
"Good grief! I bet that hurt," Smith huffed.
If Michael detected Smith’s sarcasm, he didn’t let it show and he pushed patiently on, "Indeed. As I said, no wonder she wasn’t included in the Bible. Legend has it that she can only exist at night- it isn’t true but that’s the legend - and that she lives on the blood of children and animals. It was also said that she drank the blood of Abel after his brother slew him. So Lilith is the first recorded Biblical vampire and she’s also the first name in the Book of Blood.” Michael paused for effect before moving on. "Lilith is among us now, right here in the castle, and her powers are gathering strength. Do you or, better said, can you believe me?”
Smith sat in mute contemplation. How had he landed in this madhouse? How could he extract himself from this insanity with the least friction or fuss? "Go on. There must be more” he sighed.
"There is. But do you understand what I’ve said up to now?”
"Not really, no” Smith answered with the air of a man just marking time until he can get away.
"Major Smith I know it’s a lot not only to take in but to believe, but it really is important. I have traced the history, and I’ve studied scrolls and tablets and stone carvings to get this far. I have a mission and I need your help to see it through. I know it seems unreal but, believe me, you’re in it up to your neck and you need to choose a side before the side chooses you.” He sat back in his chair and looked at Smith frankly.
"You’ve got to admit, it’s all bloody queer, isn’t it?" Smith answered him defiantly, "What would you say if this was all suddenly thrown in your face, eh?”
"I never had that luxury, I was born to it. My father was in the Order, as was his father, ad infinitum.”
Smith looked at him and tried to puzzle him out. Why was he making such an effort? He didn’t seem mad but what he was saying was madness; complete and utter madness.
”Where are you actually from, then?" he finally asked.
Michael shrugged and tiredly said, "I’m not important here. The important thing is for you to know who everyone is, so stop interrupting and let me get on with what I’ve got to say. Can you do that?" A smile flashed through his features as he said this and the tension was once again broken.
"Fair enough, I’ll listen. But I want answers when you’re done. Is that a deal?”
"That’s fine with me, that’s exactly what I want. I want you to know what’s going on," he answered, putting out his hand to seal the pact. Smith took it.
"Where was I? Ah, Lilith. Now this is where it starts getting complicated. Lilith is also to be found in the ancient Sumerian legends.”
"Sumerian, I take it that’s pre-biblical?”
"Indeed, Lilith was a spirit who lived in a willow tree, tended by the Goddess Inanna. Inanna was the Goddess of love but that’s not important. Lilith wasn’t a goddess; she was only a demon or a spirit. That is, she was of the spirit world but didn’t belong to the pantheon of the Gods. Demons are by nature greedy and evil, and Lilith was no different from the others. She wanted power. For that reason, she hatched a plan and seduced the mortal king who ruled at that time, a king named Szaran … ”
"I know this name. Maria told me about him yesterday.”
Michael nodded and ignored the interruption. " … and Szaran raised a mighty army to march on the Gods. It’s a bit more complicated than that, actually, but I wouldn’t want to bore you.”
"No, please, I want to hear this now.”
"It goes something like this, Szaran actually loved Inanna but he knew he didn’t stand a chance because he was only a mortal and she was already promised to Dumuzi who was a sort of divine shepherd. Lilith told Szaran that Inanna secretly desired him, not the shepherd, and all he had to do was raise a mighty army to crush the Gods and Inanna would be his for the taking."
Michael gave Smith a quizzical look to see if he had understood. Smith nodded for him to continue.
"Lilith in the mean time had slept with Szaran. She disguised herself as a beautiful maiden and, after a while, Szaran fell in love with Lilith, not Inanna, and he soon lost interest in waging a war. This obviously didn’t sit well with Lilith, who was only interested in power, so she gave Szaran an ultimatum: march on the Gods or lose her. So he raised his army and marched on the Gods.”
"Was she that beautiful?” Smith a
sked, thinking of Maria.
"Allegedly Solomon suspected the Queen of Sheba of being Lilith, but whether it was for her beauty I don’t know."
Michael gave Smith a waggish look. "No, I’m only joking. She was very hairy and apparently the Queen of Sheba also had very hairy legs, and that was a good example of Solomon’s wit. That she disguised herself as a beautiful young maiden is all the tablet says. How, I don’t know.”
"Aha, I see.” Though he didn’t.
"Anyway, the battle didn’t go too well for Szaran. At first they conquered the followers of the Gods. They decapitated all of their prisoners and impaled their heads on spikes. The legend has it that the ground ran red with their blood. But then the whole pantheon of the Gods brought their soldiers to the field. Chief among them was Utu, the Sun God, Inanna’s brother. Utu thought his sister was in danger and, according to legend, his rage was terrible. A mighty battle ensued, and when Szaran finally admitted defeat, after a battle that lasted seven years, Utu used his power over the sun to incinerate all Szaran’s followers. Szaran was cursed to forever hide from the sun and to only take sustenance from blood, be it human or animal. "
"Why the blood bit in the curse?” Smith asked.
"The battle raged for seven years, and in those seven years, a lot of people died. So you see, all that blood for Szaran’s greed … ”
Smith broke in. "But it was Lilith’s greed that started it, not Szaran’s.”
"The God’s didn’t recognise Lilith as a cause of the war. Lilith was a demon, so it was in her nature to create havoc. Szaran, on the other hand, was a king and he should have resisted Lilith and carried on paying homage to the Gods. That’s why they only saw Szaran’s greed as the cause of the bloodshed and why he was cursed to roam the earth as a vampire, so he would then understand how precious the life blood is. Lilith was banished but otherwise untouched”
"A vampire?” Smith pondered, "That can’t be right, though."
The Division of the Damned Page 8
