The Requiem Collection: The Book of Jubilees, More Anger than Sorrow & Calling Babel: Novel Set

by Eric Black

  As the evening moved into night and the night moved into early morning, the drinking and fighting slowed and eventually came to a halt. Men passed out in their chairs or wherever they could find a place. The fires died down and the room, with the exception of drunken snoring, grew silent.

  The window showed a pink morning sky and Juan found that Solomon and he were the only ones still awake (with the exception of the king’s personal guards who stood soberly against the wall).

  Solomon had been talking to one of the elders from a nearby village when the elder’s chair fell over backwards dragging him with it. Juan expected the elder to rise up in embarrassment but instead he remained where the upturned chair placed him.

  “Either he’s dead or he passed out. I guess we’ll see in the daylight,” Solomon commented and motioned for Juan to join him.

  Juan brought his chair with him and planted it next to Solomon.

  “You can handle your ale,” Solomon said approvingly as Juan sat down.

  “As can you, King. Men such as us did not reach the age we are without being able to outlast everyone else.”

  “How true,” Solomon laughed. “So, have you enjoyed your time in my kingdom?”

  Juan thought for a moment before answering. He knew that precedence called for a standard gracious answer. He also knew that Solomon was one who did not care much for people telling him what he wanted to hear; he respected men who spoke their mind.

  “The land is beautiful,” Juan answered honestly. “The people of the kingdom, however, are what make a nation.”

  Solomon appreciated that Juan was willing to speak outside of the customary. “And what do you think of the people?”

  “Many years ago, I was an ambassador to people who lived very far to the north. The people of this land remind me of these people.”

  “You have fond memories of these people?”

  “I do. They were a great people. Some of my best years were spent among them.”

  Solomon looked at Juan for a moment and then turned his head to stare off into the dying fire. He was silent for a brief period. “Why are you here?” he asked turning back to Juan. “You spoke what needed to be said at my throne to appease those in presence of our conversation. But I know for a fact that the King of Tarshish does not worship the same God and the Ark means nothing to him.

  “Now, it’s just the two of us. So tell me, why are you here?”

  Juan inhaled and knew this was his moment. “We are here for the Ark, as I said.”

  “You wish to take the Ark?”

  “We do not. We wish for you to hide the Ark.”

  Solomon studied Juan. “You already know I plan to send the Ark with Menelik to his new kingdom?”

  “I do.”

  “You are asking me not to send the Ark with him?”

  “I am. I cannot think of how to explain this to you other than just tell you.” Juan paused for a moment, ensuring he had Solomon’s full attention. “You are a man of God?”

  “I am.”

  “I am as well. Now, there are those in history who are chosen by God to serve a purpose. Your father was such a man. The effects of that service impact all of creation. I am also one of those people. Diego is as well. We have come here as part of that service.”

  “I’m not sure I follow.”

  “You know of the struggle between good and evil?”

  “You are speaking of good and evil as it pertains to God?”

  “I am.” Juan’s expression became serious and Solomon noted the change. “There will be a time that God will allow the free will of man to decide the outcome of existence. The struggle between good and evil will reach a climax. It will be placed upon man to choose which side will be victorious.”

  “The Ark has something to do with this?”

  “It does.”

  “How do I know what you speak is true?”

  Juan looked at Solomon. “You know it is.”

  Solomon looked into the fire. He paused for a moment before speaking. “There are many legends and stories of my life. Some are true and some are not and some did not happen exactly as they were written.

  “I am considered wise by many but in truth I’m just a good listener. Most of the wise decisions actually come from the person making the request. They speak and I listen. At the end of the conversation, they have discovered the answer for themselves but because it came in my presence, I am given the credit. The actual advice I do give comes from trusting my instinct. I know certain items about people. I’ve had those from far-off nations tell me that an aura exists around each man. If this is true, then I can see and read a man’s aura. I tell you this because I can read your aura.”

  “What does it say?”

  “It says you speak the truth. It says that I can trust you and that what you desire more than anything is to serve the greater good.” Solomon looked at Juan. “Now that you have my trust, what would you like me to do with the Ark?”

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  “Have you seen the Ark before?” Solomon asked.

  “I have seen the Ark but not in a physical sense,” Juan replied.

  The answer confused Solomon. “Who are you really? Are you an angel?”

  Juan smiled. “I’m no angel. And I don’t see how anyone could mistake Diego for an angel. I’m a man just like you. But at the same time, I’m not a man. I’m not an angel but I guess you could say I’m similar.”

  “Who sent you?”

  “That’s kind of hard to explain. It wasn’t exactly just one person…”

  “You’re rambling.”

  Juan looked sharply at Solomon. The directness of the accusation surprised him but he realized Solomon was right and his gaze softened. “We were sent here by Enoch. The Morning Star has taken over creation and we’re here to change that.”

  Now it was Solomon’s turn to be taken aback. He searched Juan’s face to ascertain the truthfulness of what he said. He found Juan’s face to be somber and honest. “What must we do?”

  “First, I need to see the Ark.”

  Solomon nodded and led him to a surreptitious room within the temple. The doorway to which was a statue in a corner of the temple which slid to reveal a stairway. Those stairs led to the room that held the Ark.

  Juan followed Solomon down and in the center of the small room was the Ark. There was an eternal presence about the Ark and Juan was mesmerized. Within were the stones with words hand-carved by Moses.

  Although touching the Ark was forbidden, Juan placed his hand on the Ark. Solomon held his breath waiting for the Wrath of God to fall upon his visitor but nothing happened.

  “I’m going to tell you something that you will not understand,” Juan said. “The fact that you do not understand doesn’t matter. What matters is that at the end of what I’m about to tell you, you will listen and do as I ask. If you do not, evil will prevail over good.”

  “God will be defeated?” Solomon asked.

  Juan did not answer the direct question. Instead, he began telling Solomon his personal story. “I was born twenty-five hundred years from now.” Solomon sharpened his gaze at Juan but did not speak.

  Juan told of his discovery of the fountain, of his time in the garden and of the defeat of the Nephilim. “You have heard of the Nephilim?”

  “I have. It was said they were killed in the Great Flood.”

  “Many were but some survived. Now they are all dead.”

  Juan spoke of the New World and the founding of a great nation. He told of the Ark many years from Solomon’s time and of the Watcher’s taking the Ark, resulting in their ascension.

  When he finished, he looked at Solomon. He expected skepticism.

  Instead, Solomon looked at him soberly. “How do we stop this?”

  “You must build two more Arks. Exact replicas of the original. Inside you will place the same items contained within the original Ark.”

  “When do you need them built?”

  “We need Menelik to ta
ke one with him to Sheba.”

  “Will his kingdom be blessed without the Ark?” Solomon asked, deep in thought.

  Juan looked at Solomon with a reassuring smile. “King, your son will build a lasting nation. His line will continue for nearly three thousand years.”

  Solomon smiled at that thought. “My son leaves tomorrow. How can an ark be built in less than a day?”

  “You must promise to build the two arks. Menelik’s ark will not be completed when he leaves but he will leave with his ark.”

  Solomon shook his head to show that he did not understand.

  “I will explain later,” Juan said. “Don’t worry about Menelik’s ark. I will make sure he has an ark to take with him. You must promise to build the ark or there will not be one for him to take.”

  Solomon still did not understand but he let it go. “What of the original Ark?”

  “We will take the original Ark with us.”

  Solomon thought about Juan taking the Ark. “You mean to hide the original Ark so that it cannot be found? When Menelik’s ark is found by the Watchers, it will not be the original and will undo what has been done.”

  Juan smiled. “King, your reputation as a wise man is warranted.”

  “Why am I making a second ark?”

  “The second ark will be a decoy. That ark will travel to many lands and generate rumors. The Watchers will be angry once they realize Menelik’s ark is a fake and they will come searching for the true Ark. With the legend of the Ark spreading through many cultures, that will keep them distracted.”

  “And I’m to make sure the second ark travels the world?” Solomon asked.

  “It will be the responsibility of your House.”

  Solomon thought about all that had been said. It was a great task but he agreed.

  The next day, the first replica ark was sent with Menelik to Sheba. Only Juan, Diego and Solomon knew the truth.

  The second replica ark was placed under the protection of Rehoboam. Solomon asked him to travel the known world, wielding the ark as a demonstration of the power of Israel through God and the faith of their people.

  Afterwards, Juan, Diego and Solomon gathered in the room the held the original Ark. Juan started to ask Solomon about the Elioud who were spoke of in the Book of Jubilees, but before he could, Baraqiel appeared in the room.

  “They found us!”

  “Go!” Diego shouted and Juan disappeared with the original Ark. Diego followed, leaving a dazed Solomon in an empty room.

  CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

  He had not always been called Priest. Certainly that was not the Christian name his mother gave him. But that had been his name now for many decades. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time someone actually used his first name. Even when the police interviewed him, they called him High Priest.

  He had been filled with doubt on several occasions. But nothing like this. And not for the first time since this trial began did he ask, “Where is God? Why doesn’t he stop this?”

  His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Diego and the priest had to admit he had interesting timing. He recalled back to the first time he met Diego:

  He had been sitting at his desk when a bell rang inside of the small chapel he called home. He went to the front door and faced Diego, whom the priest was expecting.

  Diego had called days prior to arrange a meeting and offered to provide unique information on the Ark. The priest was curious as to how he knew so much when no one else except him had been near the Ark.

  Diego and he spoke for many hours and the priest invited him back the next day. After Diego left, the priest decided he would like to know more about the man who was so well acquainted with the Ark.

  He started his computer and searched Diego Columbus. There were very few articles about Diego and all of the social media one would expect did not exist. Diego was not noted for publishing anything and there was no mention of any credentials. In fact, almost all of the information on Diego was provided by someone else.

  He searched images and found only a few pictures of Diego. As he scrolled down, he noticed most of the images were of the son of explorer Christopher Columbus, Diego Colon Columbus.

  One image in particular the priest found striking was a painted portrait of Diego Colon Columbus from the 16th Century AD. He had always been interested in famous explorers which is what caught his eye in the first place.

  He followed the link and read on the life of Columbus. The article detailed the tumulus relationship between Columbus and Juan Ponce de Leon, something he had not previously known. The portrait of Columbus was as the top of the page and showed him in full armor complete with a plumed helmet.

  He studied the portrait and something about the eyes made him pay closer attention. The man in the portrait was very similar to the Diego Columbus he had just met.

  Could it be that his ancestry is tied to Christopher Columbus?

  He changed direction and searched Christopher Columbus Ethiopia. The search did not yield anything on Christopher but Columbus and Ethiopia brought up articles containing quotes from Diego Columbus on various historical matters in Ethiopia.

  The articles were fairly recent. All except one – an article transcribed from an editorial dated December 12, 1922. In this editorial, a Diego Columbus had been interviewed on the finding of King Tutankhamen’s tomb. There were no photos. It was odd to the priest that two local historians were named Diego Columbus. He assumed that the 1922 Diego Columbus had been Diego’s great-grandfather.

  For the next several hours, he browsed through other articles. Finally, he came across a forum on Ethiopian history in which someone had scanned a century-old newspaper article. In the article, a man named Diego Columbus had been interviewed on February 5, 1897 about Ethiopia’s defeat of Italy to maintain their independence. This article included a photo of Diego Columbus. The picture was old and slightly fuzzy but as the priest looked closer, the man in the photo had an uncanny resemblance to Diego.

  The priest printed the photo from the 1897 article and then went back to the painted portrait of Diego Colon Columbus. He printed that image as well. Lastly, he open the photo of Diego and him on his phone from that morning and printed that.

  He placed the three photos next to one another and looked in disbelief. The three images appeared to be the same man over a period of four hundred years.

  Looking back on that moment, the priest understood now what had seem improbable before. He looked at Diego and wondered where exactly he had been. He knew Diego’s task and hoped his appearance was a positive sign.

  To Diego, the moment was surreal. Only hours before, he had been pleasantly intoxicated in the arms of a naked woman. Then, Juan entered the room and told him he must come and help with preparations for the Ark.

  Diego had paused to gaze at the woman and she conflicted his duty by sliding the blanket down to expose her full breasts. Diego turned to tell Juan that he needed a little while longer but knew by Juan’s expression that any discussion was fruitless. Reluctantly, he slid from the bed and told his affair that he would be back, even though he knew he wouldn’t.

  Now, he had returned to face the Watchers. As he took in his new surroundings, he hoped Juan was okay.

  Enoch stood to the side and watched the approaching army. As the Voice of God, he knew many things; he had known this time would come. What he didn’t know was how it would end. The free will of man had the ability to change everything or keep everything the same.

  He spotted the priest in the crowd and knew his doubts. If Enoch had been in the priest’s shoes, he would have wondered the same thing: Where is God?

  But Enoch knew the truth. God could end the Watchers but that would eliminate free will. It had to come down to free will.

  Enoch turned his attention to Diego. Diego was always the instigator in a skirmish and Enoch expected no different now. Diego did not disappoint; he caught Enoch’s gaze and winked.

  Diego drew the sword given to him
as a gift by Rehoboam and charged the throne. As he ran, his soul awoke and he called for blood and death.

  He reached the Morning Star and smashed into him. The others took Diego’s cue and attacked. Swords and spears were thrust and thrown and the air was filled with the resonance of combat.

  Soon the sounds of dying men joined the timbre as the Watchers began to slaughter the Sons of Cain. Shamsiel and the angels slowed the human carnage with their ire. Enoch was mesmerized, watching the waves of opposing angels colliding into each other. Until this moment, he had never seen another angel die. God had always forbidden the killing of angels but it seem the Watchers had changed that.

  The result of an angel’s death was unique: the body would simply evaporate back into the matter of existence.

  Even so, Enoch knew it would not be enough. Total victory fell on Juan and Enoch knew he couldn’t do it alone. He made sure the Watchers were distracted and disappeared.

  CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

  If Juan was going to lose Baraqiel, it would have to be in Dudael. Plus, as long as the Morning Star was distracted by Diego, Juan could move and conceal the Ark deep within Dudael as planned.

  Baraqiel arrived a moment after Juan. Juan had prepared for Dudael and knew the direction he would take the Ark but would delay so Baraqiel couldn’t follow him.

  He watched Baraqiel and waited for the disorientation to set in. Baraqiel came towards Juan, his face twisted with rage and of a single murderous notion. Then suddenly, Baraqiel stopped and the expression of rage turned to confusion. He meandered aimlessly, unsure of his setting and purpose.

  That is exactly what Juan anticipated. Dudael was a prison for angels so Juan was not impacted but Baraqiel definitely was. He walked towards Baraqiel and motion caught his eye. He turned, prepared to face more Watchers but saw Enoch instead.

  Juan smiled at Enoch; they had accomplished what was necessary. Now Juan could take the Ark where it would not be found. He picked up the Ark and changed direction towards Enoch.