by Summer Lee
Sarah stared at her, her face unreadable. Finally, she nodded. “I believe you, madam. My grandmother was a mystic, who often had visitations from angels. She said they are to be treated as holy, because they bring pure messages from El.”
Kenana pursed her lips. “This one seems to have a different task. He has his own ideas about things. Maybe he’s a more powerful angel.”
“Angels of higher order are wise and bring messages to prophets, but the rest have special duties to perform. One thing I know, however, is that it would be wrong for you to tempt one of them.” Sarah sat back on her stool. The moonlight touched her fine features, and once again Kenana was struck by Sarah’s regal beauty.
“What would happen if I did?” Kenana dared to ask.
“Heavenly angels were once ruled by love, until a high angel named Lucifer rebelled against El and was cast out of heaven. Any angel who breaks El’s rules is considered defiant and is cast out of heaven. I believe by revealing himself to you, your angel has already defied El.”
“But he’s not defiant! He’s full of love. For me!”
“The Watchers who have taken human wives will be punished in the abyss. You don’t want that to happen to your friend.”
“But Lucifer is evil, and is surrounded by darkness and hatred. My angel is good.”
“Then keep him that way. Do not tempt fate or encourage untoward behavior.”
Kenana bit her lip. “Will you take me to your grandmother? I wish to speak with her.”
“My grandmother passed, but she had a friend who has seen many angels, a holy prophet who is revered by all who know him. His name is Enoch.”
Kenana laughed and clapped her hands. “Enoch! But he is my own grandfather!”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “You are from a most holy bloodline, madam! There is no one more honored than your grandfather.”
“So I have heard.”
Sarah stared at her some more, looking at Kenana as if in a new light.
“Why does Jubal want me to tell him about my grandfather?”
Sarah replied, “Watchers have revealed mathematical secrets of the universe to your grandfather Enoch. The prophet has spoken of a place where past, present and future merge, a place outside our universe where time and space merge into one.”
“Tell me more about these Watchers.”
Sarah thought about it. “I do not know much, only what my grandmother has told me, and most of what she knows she learned from your grandfather. Watchers have advanced knowledge of the universe, and may have been part of another complex civilization that was completely destroyed before Adam.”
“But how?”
Sarah shrugged. “Has not the prophet Enoch spoken of the supernatural to you?”
“I’ve never met him, or I did when I was very young.”
“Then you must see him soon. Perhaps he can tell you if your angel has good intentions or bad. But I do not think Prince Jubal will let you go see him.”
“We’ll see about that. He thinks that Grandfather holds the key to unlocking a devastating future mystery. Jubal wants that secret more than this marriage.” Kenana thought about it. “No, he will let me see my grandfather. I am sure of it. He just doesn’t have to know the reason behind my visit.”
Sarah was about to open her mouth in response, when they both heard a noise outside Kenana’s door. It was the sound of a clicking cane.
Chapter Thirteen
As the days wore on and Kenana became more comfortable into her role as Princess of Adah, she decided it was time to enjoy her wedding gifts.
The north wall of the main dining hall had been reserved for Kenana’s wedding gifts. And there were hundreds, all stacked neatly on tables and across the floor, a great swath of riches and beauty. Kenana’s eyes widened with pleasure. She had previously averted her eyes from the gifts, feeling unworthy of such riches. After all, was she not but a farmer’s daughter?
Now, head held high, she walked over to a fluted tumbler and pick it up gently. It was so light and delicate, so smooth to the touch. Truly priceless.
She smiled. Perhaps, just perhaps, there are some advantages to being princess.
There were more gifts, hundreds upon hundreds more. She didn’t know where to begin. Next to her was a blue ceramic cup with a trough spout, a cosmetic container made of two connecting cockleshells with green and black pigments, and tumblers of electrum, gold drinking mugs, zebra and leopard pelts, and intricate patterns woven into mohair rugs. The list went on and on. Some of the gifts were worth more than her entire farm back home.
Nearby was a stack of clay tablets. Her father had taught her how to read at a young age, a rare and precious skill for a woman to have. She glanced over the tablets. These were the writings of her grandfather, Enoch. Perhaps Jubal had been studying them in search of her family’s secret.
On the opposite wall of the dining room, Debra was setting up Jubal’s midday meal. Kenana, feeling hungry, sat to the right of her husband’s chair and advised the servant that she would like to eat with the prince.
Debra shot a brief look of hate in her direction, then left quickly without speaking, returning only to place a setting before her.
Jubal appeared next, his cane clicking on the floor.
They exchanged some pleasantries, and then Kenana announced, “Perhaps it is time I visited my grandfather.”
Jubal looked up quickly, spilling his juice over the rim of his clay cup and onto his chin. “The prophet Enoch, you mean?”
She nodded. “You still want me to obtain information on your sacred secret, do you not, my love?”
“Yes, my dear. Yes. This is good news, indeed, very good news.” Jubal stroked his chin, briefly lost in thought, somehow managing to miss the dripping juice. “But you will need protection, and now is not a good time. I can ill afford to lose Asher or Tall, especially now that it’s harvest time. And I need my guards, every last one of them, to protect the palace.”
“Perhaps, my lord, I can offer a suggestion.”
“Of course.”
“My friend, Malluch, could escort me. He is a warrior and a gentleman. I would be safe with him.”
Jubal’s eyes flared with jealousy. “The man you danced with at our wedding?”
“The same, but he is an old friend, and nothing more.” Kenana could not be sure if she were lying or not. What exactly Malluch meant to her was still a mystery. “My heart and my body belong only to you, my husband. My intent is to seek the information you desire from my grandfather.”
The jealousy ebbed, and the old man opened and closed his withered hands as if in anticipation of grabbing hold of her family’s secret, whatever it may be. Kenana knew her husband’s desire for the sacred secret outweighed his jealousy for Malluch. And it even outweighed her own safety.
“Very well,” said Jubal. “I will trust your good judgment on the timing of this. The warrior Malluch shall escort you to Alalakh. Once there, you are to stay with your grandfather until you hear from me. Asher, once he oversees the slaves and the harvesting of this year’s crops, shall meet you in Alalakh. You’ll return with him, along with your family’s secret.”
“I’ll be in good hands with Malluch.”
Jubal picked up his goblet and turned away from her. “Perhaps too good. I don’t completely trust you, my child, if the truth be told. You are wild and tempestuous, young and foolish. Malluch is a remarkably beautiful man, for even I can see that. Ultimately, you are idealistic and naive, and because of that I will make sure you are not with this Malluch a second longer than need be.”
Kenana wondered again if Jubal had been listening outside her door, had listened to the secrets shared between Kenana and Sarah. She summoned a stoic face. “Thank you for this opportunity, sire.”
“Malluch will have explicit instructions not to touch you.” He waggled a finger in her direction, and grinned, lightening the mood. “And you’re not to flirt with him either. Do you understand?”
“I shall do my best to respect
you.”
“Despite your promise, Asher is a cunning slave. He’ll find you and bring you home safely. But you must return with your family’s sacred secret. Do you understand?”
I understand that you are a greedy old man, she thought. Instead, she bowed her head slightly and said demurely, “Yes, my lord.”
“Go. Prepare immediately for your journey.”
She bowed again and left. Her heart felt light and happy for the first time in a long time. She was leaving this vile place, hopefully, for many months on end. She wanted to dance and sing! It was all she could do not to skip to her room!
As she stepped out into the morning sunlight, inhaling deeply the sweetness of the fresh morning air, she spied Asher moving through the courtyard, his long strides covering a lot of ground quickly. Kenana was about to smile at the servant until she saw his grim expression. Something was wrong.
He saw her and nodded courteously, but he could not hide the worry lines that creased his sweating forehead. He swept past her and into the dining room. He paused at the entrance, nodded at her briefly, and then promptly slammed the doors shut in her face, effectively sealing her out.
What was happening? Why had he looked at her so strangely?
As she stood there a moment, soaking in the warmth of the early morning, she came to a decision. Looking over her shoulder, seeing that she was alone, she followed a flagstone path around the dining hall. She saw no one along the way, which was just as well. Pushing aside the thick summer ivy, she descended the steps into the kitchen below. She paused briefly inside, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim light. The kitchen was immaculate. Frantic male chefs barked orders to scurrying female assistants. Steam hissed from boiling pots. One of the chefs, an older man with a white mustache, spied her. He quickly removed a black cotton headband and bowed.
“My lady, you honor the kitchen with your presence,” he said. Sweat dripped from his brow. The kitchen was hot and muggy, but smelled wonderful. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
“I am just taking a personal tour of the grounds. Please carry on, do not mind me.”
He nodded once, bowed, and then promptly snapped an order to a young servant, who turned and fled through the same door Kenana had just entered.
Ignoring the sidelong glances she had attracted, Kenana slipped through the kitchen and into a much cooler hallway. She followed a well-worn path to another doorway, and she could hear voices coming from the next room. She put her ear to the door, careful not to lean on it. The voices, speaking with hushed urgency, belonged to Jubal and Asher.
Asher said, “Our spies have been receiving some disturbing information concerning Princess Kenana.”
Jubal asked, “What information?”
“There is a band of Cainites, led by a massive warrior named Nod. They wish Kenana harm.”
“But why?”
“They do not agree with your marriage contract, sire. To them, the union between a Sethite and a Cainite is deplorable. Their hatred runs deep as well waters and thick as blood; they wish to make an example of Kenana.”
“By doing what?”
He paused. “Kidnapping, and perhaps murder.”
Kenana, ears straining, almost stumbled forward at these words. Kidnapping and murder?
Jubal and Asher had paused at the noise, but Kenana, determined to hear more, willed herself to remain quiet.
A moment later, Asher continued, “They are rallying men for a full assault on the palace.”
“Then we should crush them now, before an assault takes place.”
“They are too dispersed and cunning, my lord. They do not congregate in one place. They meet individually, passing along pertinent information, some of which our spies have intercepted.”
“What do you recommend, then, Asher? I trust you completely.”
“We fortify the palace. Add extra guards. There will be a battle, my lord. Of that, there is no doubt.”
“Will you lead my men, dear Asher?”
“As always, my Lord. Also, Kenana should not leave these walls. The Cainite men are waiting for just such an occasion to capture her.”
There was a long pause. “She will be journeying to Alalakh for me shortly.”
“With respect, I cannot recommend that, sire,” said Asher in surprise. “Her safety is assured within these walls. Away from here, something dangerous may befall her.”
“Unfortunately, it must be done.”
“Why, sire, is she going to Alalakh?”
“Some things, Asher, even you are not privileged to know.”
“Yes, sire. Then I would recommend she leave immediately, while the Cainites are still disbanded.”
“Thank you, Asher. You are a good and loyal servant. Perhaps someday I shall free you.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Kenana heard footsteps and voices behind her. She quickly backed away from the door, straightened her dress, and smiled at the two servants carrying bowls of porridge.
Her hands were slick with sweat, and suddenly, the sunlight did not appear so promising.
She exited the way she had come. Quietly.
Chapter Fourteen
The evening was a whirlwind of activity for Kenana as she worked together with Sarah preparing for her journey. Malluch had conveniently appeared and had been in a long meeting with Prince Jubal. She was sure that Jubal was interviewing the man, making sure he was a fit traveling partner. Little did Jubal know that Malluch was an angel, and with him, she was better protected than with all the armies on Earth.
Later, Jubal appeared in her bedchamber, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and wished her Godspeed on her journey to her grandfather.
“So you approve of Malluch?” she asked her husband.
“He is well-traveled and an adventurer at heart. You could have no better traveling companion—except, perhaps, Asher. You are in good hands with this one.”
“I agree,” said Kenana.
“You are to leave early in the morning. Even as we speak, Malluch is directing the servants and slaves, overseeing your transportation and provisions. It may be many months before I see you again, my dear.”
“I will…miss you,” she said hesitantly, to pacify him.
They were silent together, and Kenana actually sensed her husband’s deep regret at losing his young wife. But his regret was not so deep that he would not risk sending her out into the world, where murderous Cainites awaited to kill her. For that, she felt no sympathy for Jubal. After all, he was only using her to get what he wanted most: her family’s most sacred secret.
But wasn’t she getting what she most wanted: time alone with Malluch? Yes, she was. So, was she no different than Jubal? Self-centered and conniving? Was she not the one, after all, who suggested using Malluch as a traveling companion? Perhaps she was no better than Jubal.
“I will miss you, too, my husband,” she said. And a part of her, a small part of her, meant it when she saw the look of pain in his eyes.
“And I will miss you,” he said softy, and kissed her lightly on the forehead, and left her alone with her thoughts.
*
It was early in the morning and dark.
As Kenana kissed Sarah on the cheek, she was not surprised to see her servant was crying. As Kenana separated from Sarah, she caught Asher’s eye. The head servant looked apprehensive.
She pulled him aside. “I will be fine,” she said.
“I worry for you. Who is this Malluch?”
“He is my guardian angel.”
“Enough with your foolish fancies.” Asher looked deeply troubled, then shrugged resignedly. “He is a hard man to dislike, which is why I hate him even more. He says all the right things. He appears very knowledgeable of the land. By all intents and purposes, you should be quite safe in his hands. Still, he is a mystery. He has come in here and swept you away.”
“I will be back. Jubal is my husband. I will remain faithful.”
She reached up and kissed him li
ghtly on the cheek. She didn’t care if anyone saw the gesture. It was meant to comfort him. “I will miss you, Asher. Until we meet again.”
“Until then,” he said simply.
*
Jubal hadn’t been feeling well, and remained in bed. Kenana was concerned, but Jubal had insisted that she not delay her journey. And so, with some final goodbyes to the other staff, and waves to Asher and Sarah and Tall, Malluch and Kenana set out together. The young princess sat high atop her donkey, Mae, while Malluch kept in step next to them, leading the way. Provisions hung from saddlebags: changes of clothing, bladders of water, bread and sharp cheese. Malluch was confident that anything else they would need along the way, he would find. No one doubted his convictions.
The clouds dispersed and the full moon shone down upon the two travelers, lighting their path. The damp morning air was crisp on Kenana’s face. She followed Malluch across the palace fields as the sun began to rise. And to hide her identity, she was dressed in a boy’s dark wool cloak and heavy trousers.
“Why are you doing this?” Malluch asked, as they followed a heavily pitted dirt road. It was the first time he had spoken all day. Kenana noted there was no sweat on his brow.
“I am helping my husband. He seeks certain information from my grandfather.”
“Ah,” said Malluch. “He is using you to gain your grandfather’s wisdom, his powerful secrets.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not. Either way, I am his wife, and I must do as he says.”
“Are you sure that’s the only reason you agreed to this journey?”
They were alone on the road. In the east the sun continued to rise, illuminating the distant foothills in a golden glow. “Perhaps I have questions of my own to ask Grandfather.”
“What kinds of questions?”
Kenana flicked her gaze at him. He was walking comfortably, without signs of strain or fatigue.
I am going to ask him about you, she thought to herself. I am going to ask who, or what, you are: angel or demon?
“I do not wish to discuss it at this time.”
“Of course, my princess. Whatever you say, my princess.”
