by Robert Ross
“Oh?” Said the vampire with a smile. “Just where do you think the turkey and ham on your sandwich came from?”
Juliet opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. “I’ll give you that one. I’m not vegan and I guess if we can raise animals to eat you can raise ‘em to drink.”
Ah’Anon sniffed. “I’m so glad that you are validating my life choices.”
Shannon laughed and pointed at Juliet. “Ha!”
“Shut up, highlander.”
“In any event,” continued Ah’Anon, “after Rome fell we became aware of the Cabal but didn’t know much about it. It was small at the time, perhaps less than ten in total, but it was the membership that struck us as dangerous.”
“Membership?” Asked Shannon.
“Yes, only two beings were members of the Cabal and those two should never be members of anything together.” He paused as both women looked at him without recognition. “Two beings that should never join anything together?” They each shook their heads. “Angels and demons,” the vampire exclaimed. “Angels and demons should never work together on anything and yet, they were exclusively part of the Cabal.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a warning sign,” said Juliet. Shannon nodded.
“Indeed,” agreed Ah’Anon. “Yet, while we were alarmed by this alliance, we had no insight into what their goals might be. It was impossible to infiltrate because in those days we had no angelic or demonic members within the Council. All we knew was that they seemed destructive and chaotic. We even thought they might have been aligned with the Sentinel of Chaos, but that was proven false.”
“Cut to the chase, Ah’Anon,” said Juliet. “You clearly know what they are up to now or you wouldn’t be here looking for Kellan’s help.”
“Yes, we have uncovered their end-game as it were. The information we gained was obtained at quite a cost, but it may be the most important thing the Council has ever done because now, at least, we are in a position to resist their plan.”
“Which is?” Asked Shannon.
Ah’Anon stared at each woman in turn, “The Cabal is a group of angels and demons who reject the antipathy between God and Satan. They seek to undo it. Undo the original war in heaven.”
“Well,” began Juliet, “That doesn’t sound so bad. Maybe it’s time the big guys got along a bit better?”
“You weren’t listening. I didn’t say that the Cabal sought to bring about an armistice between God and Lucifer. I said that they wanted to undo the original source of their antipathy.”
“Which was?” Asked Shannon
“Creation.” Answered the vampire. “Creation was the spark that lit the flames of war. The Cabal seeks nothing less than to breach time and undo Creation itself.”
“Done! Done! Done!” Came a booming voice causing them all to jump in alarm and then glare at Kellan who grinned at them all.
“You are an ass, Kellan Thorne,” yelled Shannon, “and I hope you enjoyed your piss.”
Juliet walked back from the front counter as they all heard the door jangle with the departing customer. She grinned broadly at Kellan.
“That was over $1,000 of first additions I just sold, boss. And she’s looking for the original World of Tiers novellas as well.”
Kellan glanced up from the floor where he, Shannon, and Ah’Anon had been sprawled as they poured over the large tome the vampire had been reviewing with them.
“I’m not your boss anymore, Juliet.” He saw her expression start to sour and quickly added, “But great job on that sale, seriously. I heard you discussing both the Asimov and the Emerson with her. That’s quite the eclectic taste she has. Add to that Farmer’s novellas and we may just have a customer for life.”
“I know, right?” Said Juliet becoming even more animated as she walked over and sat in one of the chairs. “Do you have any idea where we could get our hands on the original Tiers novellas? She already has the bound anthology, which is also out of print.”
Kellan had turned his attention back to the illuminated pages before him, but answered, “I might have a few ideas where you could start, assuming these Cabal guys don’t end the universe before then.”
Juliet sobered, “Uh, yeah. Sorry, I guess my priorities are a bit wacked, again.”
Kellan looked up again. “Not at all, Juliet. This is exactly why I wanted you to own the shop with me. You should focus on this. You should assume the world isn’t going to end. I’ve got this. You focus on finding The World of Tiers. For our newest wealthy patron.”
“We’ve got this, Kellan Thorne.” Said Shannon. “If you think you are going to head off on an adventure such as this without me, you have another think coming.”
“The thought never crossed my mind, you ginger minx,” he said and leaned forward to give her a kiss which she accepted for the barest of moments before forcefully pushing him back.
“Well, good, because this seem like it is going to be tremendous fun,” she said as Kellan rocked back.
“You certainly have a strange definition for fun, Miss McLeod,” said Ah’Anon. “Extremely powerful celestial beings are bent on destroying reality itself and, I might add, have a very real chance of success. As I just pointed out, they have already acquired five of the seven artifacts we think they need.”
Shannon simply shrugged, but Juliet asked, “Did I miss something while I was selling those books to Rebecca? How do you know the seven artifacts they need. I thought you didn’t even know how they would use them.”
Ah’Anon stood and stretched in a very un-vampire like fashion and sighed, “We don’t know how they will be used and only know the seven because of an infiltrator who passed along the information before he was discovered and killed.”
“Well, you know that they will be used for some kind of temporal event,” said Kellan.
“Yes, but that could be almost anything.”
“Go over them again,” said Shannon. I want to make sure I have them clear in my head.
“Very well, but then I must leave. I have barely enough time to return to Havilah before my protection fails me.”
“Wait,” said Shannon raising a hand, “before you get back into the artifacts, I have a question about the Gospel itself. You said it was from the Gospel of Judas, right?”
“Yes? And?” Said the vampire.
“Well, I mean it is Judas. Not the most trustworthy of people, right?”
“That, Miss McLeod, is another whole kettle of fish. We could spend a fortnight debating the character of Judas, his actions, and motivations. Suffice it to say that while there is no debate about what he actually did in Gethsemane, there remains much that we do not know about why. What is relevant is that he claims to have acted in defense of creation and outlines how at some future date creation will once again be at risk by the assembly and usage of seven powerful artifacts. It wasn’t until three of them went missing that anyone began to take this Gospel seriously. Now that five are gone, there can be no debate that someone believes them to be the key to undoing God’s creative act.”
“Whatever, Judas was a traitor and I don’t trust him,” said Shannon as she leaned back against one of the chairs arms crossed.
Ah’Anon was about to respond when Kellan intervened. “Don’t waste your breath, Anon. When she has that look on her face and her arms crossed, nothing you can say will make a bit of difference. It’ll be like yelling at the wind for messing your hair.” She raised an eyebrow at Kellan and he hastily added, “That’s not to say she’s isn’t entirely justified in her opinion, mind you.” She smiled at him and winked.
The vampire merely gestured to his book, “May I?” He asked.
“Go ahead,” answered Shannon.
“The first item to go missing was the Ring of Gyges and that was almost a year ago. It was stolen from a Council member in France. A vampire who was found immolated but not from sunlight. We suspect angelic interference as they are capable of such things depending on the relative strength of both angel and vampire. The
ring belonged to Gyges of Lydia who founded the third Mermnad dynasty of Lydian kings and reigned from about 716 BC to 678 BC. His ring had the ability to make the wearer invisible.”
“Like Bilbo’s ring,” added Kellan helpfully, “but without the whole consuming your soul side effect.”
The vampire eyed him, “Yes, like Bilbo’s ring. Thank you Sentinel.”
Shannon snickered.
“Shut up, you!” grumbled Kellan.
“The second item was Lævateinn a norse sword that had the ability to wield itself once bonded to its owner. It was unclear to us how such bonding occurs since it never had done so once the sword came into our possession nearly five hundred years ago. We suspect that the sword has some base level awareness and chooses its bonded partners, but only does so with mortals. Since it has had no contact with mortals since our acquisition that would explain its inert nature.”
“Where was that one kept,” asked Juliet.
“Syria.”
“Well, that was a shitty place to put it,” said Kellan absently. “You know there’s been a war there for several years, right?”
Ah’Anon stared at Kellan, “Thank you again. We hadn’t noticed,” then turned back to Juliet. “We do not partake in mortal wars or conflicts. Both the sword and its guardian were far away from any populated targets, but a drone strike destroyed the facility. When we arrived to examine it, both the guardian and the sword were missing.”
“The third item is another sword, this one called Nandaka.”
“That one is my favorite,” chimed in Kellan as he started to eat from a can of peanuts.
“I want some,” said Shannon reaching.
“These are Hubbs, you crazy highlander. Ask nicely.”
“Please may I have some peanuts—before I stab you with a knife.”
“That’s better, babe.” He handed the can over after grabbing a fistful, then looked back at the vampire. “Go ahead. Nandaka. The sword of Vishnu, who I totally thought wasn’t a real person.”
“Vishnu is not a person. He is a god.”
“There’s only one God, Ah’Anon,” said Kellan incredulously.
“As I have already mentioned to your friends, there is only one Creator, young Sentinel. There are many gods who are capable of manipulating creation. Some might call you a god”
Shannon spat, shooting a peanut across the room. “What fool would call him a god?”
“Hey!” Said Kellan, “I could see someone thinking I was kind of godly or at least demi-godly.”
“No, Kel. Just, no.” Said Juliet shaking her head. “Maybe from a very far distance, but as soon as they actually met you, no.”
“You both really suck, you know that?”
The two women shrugged in a fashion that clearly indicated that they had no concern for how Kellan took their comments.
Ah’Anon shook his head slightly in agitation. “Godhood has far less to do with personality and much more to do with the ability to bend or break natural laws. Vishnu can do that rather effectively, not to mention that he is blue with four arms and that makes an impression, I assure you.”
“That’s a fair point,” said Kellan, “What does Vishnu say about the sword being stolen?”
“Vishnu is not happy about it,” that much I can tell you for certain. “However, his sword was the first irrefutable evidence we had that the Cabal was behind these thefts. Vishnu told us his palace was attacked by a small force of both angels and demons who clearly were working together. He refused to give us any details around the attack and I suspect that is because it would demonstrate weaknesses in himself, his palace, or both.”
Juliet raised her hand, then lowered it, looking sheepish. “Uh, just out of curiosity, where exactly is Vishnu’s palace?”
“India of course,” said the vampire.
“Ok, where in India. I mean, does it have the repulser thingy that Eden has? Why don’t we hear about this palace of the four armed blue god-man?”
Ah’Anon sighed, “As I said before, several times, there are many things about which mortals are unaware. No, what protects Eden is of creation itself. Vishnu’s palace is much more simple to understand. It exists in a shadow dimension slightly out of phase with our own.”
Kellan stared at the young woman, “Yeah, Juliet, a shadow dimension. That’s much easier to grok than a psychological repulser field. Please try to keep up.” Kellan deftly caught the empty can of peanuts that she threw at his head. “Hey, you two ate all my peanuts!”
Shannon said, “Please ignore them, Ah’Anon. I’m listening, but am unclear about this shadow dimension.”
“It’s not really relevant—“
Shannon smiled and raised a hand waving it slightly, “Indulge me—“
Kellan fake whispered, “She just did an Eldon Tyrell, from Bladerunner. I taught her that!”
The vampire ground his teeth slightly trying to ignore the Sentinel. “Very well, a shadow dimension is simply this world but,” he paused as if trying to find the right words. “Hmm, maybe it’s not as easy as I thought. Let me put it this way. You know how radios work?”
Both women shook their head.
“What’s a radio,” asked Shannon.
“It’s how people used to listen to music before iPods,” answered Juliet and then added, “But I don’t remember actually seeing one. Oh, but XM is a radio, right?”
Kellan snorted but said nothing.
“No, XM is not that kind of radio,” said Ah’Anon, “It is digital from a satellite. I’m speaking of original radio. AM and FM.”
Shannon and Juliet started back blankly.
“Try WiFi,” offered Kellan, “May I?”
“Please,” said a clearly exasperated Ah’Anon
“You know how WiFi comes in 2.4 GHz and 5GHz?”
“I love WiFi,” said Shannon. “Meghan’s told me all about it.”
“I know you do,” said Kellan with a smile, “So, remember how each of those frequencies can be used by different devices but not all devices can see both?”
“Right,” said Juliet, “Like that stupid Samsung phone that could only use the 2.4 GHz”
“Exactly,” said Kellan. “If I’m right in where Anon here is going, our buddy Vishnu has his palace living in the equivalent of a 5GHz plane while we are all living in 2.4. Apparently Vishnu is able to do both.”
Shannon’s and Juliet’s eyes grew wide at the implication as they turned to Ah’Anon who nodded. “What Kellan describes is essentially correct.”
“So how many of these shadow dimensions are there?” Asked Juliet.
“Countless, I assume,” answered the vampire, nonplussed, but I am only aware of a few and each were created by one of the gods. This seems to be an ability they each share. This ability to shift their frequency as it were.”
“Gods?” Asked Juliet and Shannon simultaneously
“No,” said Ah’Anon sternly. “The only god we are discussing is Vishnu, and I would rather not have even had to discuss him.”
“Well that’s three of seven. How much more time you got before turning into a pillar of flame.”
“Not enough to go through the remaining ones in this much detail. If you have more questions, I suggest you research them yourself.”
“No problem; I’m familiar with them anyway,” said Kellan. “Tarnhelm, an ancient Teutonic helm that grants either invisibility or polymorph and Fafnir the Icelandic dragon’s Golden Coat of Chainmail, supposedly impenetrable to even god-forged weapons. I assume they both disappeared under circumstances similar to the first three.”
The vampire nodded.
“Any relevance to Tarnhelm also being invisibility based.”
“We think not, likely more the polymorph.”
“Ok, got it. And the remaining two artifacts that are still safe.”
“I wouldn’t describe them as safe, Sentinel. I would simply say they are well guarded. The Spear of Destiny and the Seal of Solomon remain outside the control of the Cabal.”
“Wait, Ah’Anon, don’t play semantics with me. Do you have those artifacts in hand or not.”
The vampire looked down. “We do not, nor have we ever. The Spear of Destiny lies in a vault beneath the Vatican and the Seal of Solomon in a North American crypt where nine ley lines meet to form a mystic prison of sorts.”
“Those sound rather, Biblical,” said Juliet.
“And dangerous,” added Shannon. “What do they do?”
Ah’Anon stood and picked up his book. “They are the two most powerful artifacts we’ve ever encountered. The seal of Solomon is actually an intricately embossed amulet, but any seal made with its engraving is empowered by the amulet itself. The seals take the form of a pentagram surrounded by a circle, although many would have you believe it a star of David surrounded by the circle. Such is not the case. The wearer of the amulet or possessor of a seal has the power to command demons and djinn once it has been imbued with Chaotic energy released by destroying such a demon. The wearer may do this without limit, but those who hold a seal can only do so until the seal breaks. Such a seal is only as strong as the material on which it is pressed. For example, paper and wax will fail long before wood, which will fail before iron or steel. As for the Spear of Destiny, well, that is the weapon Longinus used to pierce the chest of Jesus of Nazareth while on the cross. I’m not sure whether the spear itself can grant immortality or if it was a one time event, but Longinus would be the best one to ask”
“What?” All three asked in unison as they followed Ah’Anon toward the side door of the shop.
The vampire turned, confused, “Longinus. He is obviously the foremost expert on the Spear.”
“Yeah, I think we get that part,” began Kellan, “I think what caught us a bit off guard is the fact that a 2,000 year old Roman centurion is wandering around. What’s his deal?”
“Well, he wasn’t a centurion, just an unlucky soldier, who happened to pull the wrong duty shift and shoved his spear into the mortal incarnation of the Creator. Remember how the story has it that blood and water streamed out?”
“I remember that,” said Juliet.
“Well, that’s pretty forensically accurate,” said Ah’Anon. “The spear pierced the peritoneal sack surrounding the heart which had filled with fluid from the flogging. Because Jesus was already dead, more water than blood came out and some sprayed on Longinus, including some entering his mouth, or so he says. As that occurred, he says he heard a voice that said, ‘If you are so content with what you are soldier, so shall you remain until we meet again,’”
