Michael, it might even be discovered that the real peril to the
integrity of the Academy comes from the unwillingness within to
grow in knowledge. Pellecus has borne brutal reaction from the
Academy. But enlightenment comes at a price for those willing to
birth it."
Michael thought about Lucifer's suggestion. He didn't neces-
sarily agree that a debate would lay matters to rest. But he did feel
that by opening up the issue in such a setting it would at least clar-
ify the positions of the angels involved, both students and teachers.
He liked the idea.
"I'll speak to Crispin about it," said Michael.
"And I Pellecus," said Lucifer. "What a discourse that will be!"
144 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
As they continued talking Lucifer batted down Michael's
arguments one by one with great skill: Sangius? He was upset with
Lucifer because he wanted to become more highly placed within
the Kingdom and Lucifer felt that his request was untoward. He
did propose that Sangius take less of a role in the Council of Wor-
ship until an appropriate response to Sangius' request could be
engineered. But Lucifer was "shocked" that he would take his
anger to such extremes and actually accuse him of some malevolent
purpose.
The Council of Worship? Indeed there were a number of
angels from the various ministries involved in regular meetings
with Lucifer. What better way to infuse all of Heaven with the wor-
ship of the Most High than by selecting high officers from each
order and instructing them in the praises to Him?
Pellecus' teaching? The debate should settle that issue.
"Now we must come to something which I must concede is
true and for which I am ashamed: my attitude of late," Lucifer con-
tinued. "I must admit it's a bit of a mystery even to myself,
Michael. I have felt withdrawn lately and quite alone. I am no
longer satisfied with the performance of my duties...it's as if I have
lost touch with the Lucifer I once was..." He looked lovingly at
Michael, his bluish aura reflecting off Michael's face. "How very
proud I am of your rank, my brother. Indeed I should have shared
in your joy instead of retreating from it."
Michael felt a stirring of compassion for Lucifer--something
that he had not felt sincerely for quite some time. "Lucifer, I am
here to help you in any way I can. I wish to have you for my friend
and brother. As an archangel I am obliged to seek out any potential
disturbances to the Kingdom and this is what has brought me here.
Will you give me your promise, Morning Star, my once and always
brother, whose sacred office lifts praises on high, that your purpos-
es in this realm are pure?"
"I swear that, Michael. I have no intention in mind except
that which I believe to be best for this or any kingdom that our Lord
has devised."
"I fear you are making a grave mistake placing yourself in Lucifer's hands." 145
"Then I must believe you, Lucifer. And I must report to the
others that I do so believe." Lucifer started to embrace Michael,
who held up his hand to stop him. "But hear me now, brother.
Should you or any other angel prove false to this Kingdom, I will
avenge the honor of the Lord."
"May you have the better of me, Michael, should I prove
false," Lucifer said, grasping Michael's strong hands. "May you
cast me out of Heaven, never to return, should I prove a liar."
Michael looked at Lucifer and softened his features. He
laughed aloud and added, "May it never be!"
"My lord!" came Serus' voice from somewhere in the garden.
He appeared from the direction of Lucifer's dwelling. "My lord. A
delegation from the Chief Elder has arrived on urgent business!"
Lucifer looked perplexed and turned to Michael. "Michael,
certainly you did not report these suspicions to the Elders?"
"No," answered Michael, who thought to himself that Kara
certainly made short work of it. "I came straight to you!"
"In any case I would like you to receive the delegation with me.
If perchance this issue has come to light I would like you to allay
their fears with the words we have just shared here in my garden."
"Of course," said Michael as they made their way toward the
house. Lucifer certainly didn't appear to have prior knowledge to
the news he was about to receive. If in fact this were the delegation
naming him steward, would he truly have asked Michael to accom-
pany him?
----------------
The Elders had assembled in the massive entryway of
Lucifer's house. Michael could see Kara talking with some of the
others as Lucifer led the way into the room. Lucifer and Kara
looked at each other for a brief moment and exchanged knowing
glances. Serus also saw the exchange between the two and was a lit-
tle repulsed by the fact that Lucifer's plans seemed to be working
out so splendidly.
"There he is," Kara announced. "Greetings, brother Lucifer."
Kara rushed to embrace Lucifer and then stopped quite suddenly
146 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
upon seeing Michael enter the room behind the worship angel.
Kara gave Lucifer a wondering look and then added, "And the
archangel Michael! How marvelous that you are here as well!"
"Yes," Lucifer quickly responded, taking Kara's hand. "I am
glad to report to you and the other Elders that all is well in Heav-
en, though I am sure that is not what brought you here!" They
laughed. He looked intently at Kara and repeated in a lower tone of
voice, "All is well." Kara glanced again at Michael and nodded in
acknowledgment.
Assuming his role as chief delegate of the Council, Kara
solemnly said, "We are here, my lord, in an official capacity to
announce that the Elders would have your name placed before the
Most High as the greatest angel in Heaven and the most worthy
subject to become governor of the new world! Brother Lucifer, we
desire to see you become the steward of earth!"
Lucifer looked completely surprised. He turned to Michael
who himself was watching Lucifer's reaction. "My dear brothers,"
Lucifer responded, "thank you for such an honor. I am deeply
moved." He motioned for everyone to move into the receiving
room where they gathered in the center.
"Noble honor fitting for so noble an angel," added Plinus.
"Thank you again. It's quite embarrassing really. The
archangel and I were just now discussing issues which found me
rather compromised. I hope, Michael, that this coincidence does
not change your conclusion about me. I was not expecting this!"
"Lucifer, I honor you as always," Michael said, still astonished
by it all but willing to go along discreetly.
"But surely we all recognize that the plans of the Most High
cannot be anticipated by us mere angels," Lucifer said. "Who are
we to bring this before Him?"
The Elders looked at each other somewhat confused, as Kara
implored Lucifer as to the reasons that he must accept their recom-
mendation of him to the Lord.
Michael could not believe what he was hearing. Lucifer and a
few "malcontents" as Crispin called them was one thing. They
could be explained and handled. But the Elders? The ruling angels
"I fear you are making a grave mistake placing yourself in Lucifer's hands." 147
who presided over all the angels in the court of the Most High, who
sat in proximity to His Holy Person...the custodians of all angelry
in the Kingdom recommending Lucifer to become the steward of
earth? He had hoped that somehow within that body a voice of rea-
son would prevail and dismiss this proposition out of hand.
Michael began feeling a sense of despair for the first time--either
he had completely misunderstood Lucifer in this entire affair, or
Lucifer's influence had somehow crept into the sacred chambers of
the Elders and deceived or corrupted even these most holy angels!
Could one angel hold such persuasive ability? Could one choice
divide a kingdom?
"And what does the archangel think of this?" Kara's voice
boomed. He knew that Michael was bound by honor not to publicly
reveal his prior conversation with Kara.
"I'm sorry," said Michael, a little dazed. "What did you ask?"
"It is quite astonishing, isn't it?" said Kara. "To think that an
angel should be so honored. It will truly be a great day for all
angels when Lucifer is made governor!"
"I should think that we must be sensible in this," answered
Michael finally. "Lucifer said it himself: Who can know the plans of
the Most High? If the Lord agrees that Lucifer should be named
governor then I will naturally support my brother with all my
heart."
"You have your doubts then?" asked Plinus, whose own mea-
ger influence was tied to Lucifer's success in this issue. "You think
the Lord will name another?"
"I have no thought on the matter at all, Plinus," said Michael.
All the Elders were listening to him. Kara looked at Lucifer who
remained impassive. "I only suggest that until Lucifer or any angel
is named by the Most High..."
"How true," Lucifer interrupted. "I would never assume such
a position. Perhaps the honor will go to Michael...or Kara...or
some other angel. You're quite right, Michael, nothing is settled
until the Lord declares it so."
148 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"Nevertheless," interjected Kara, "the Council has deter-
mined to place your name before the Most High and begs you to
accept this honor."
Various voices in the room began speaking to Lucifer, who
looked deep in thought as if wrestling the matter over in agonizing
fashion. "You must!" "It is your duty." "Service requires it!" Lucifer
held up his hands to silence the room.
"Brothers," he began. "Honor is for gods and we are only
creatures. I cannot think of any reason why I should be so named.
But if the Council urges me on in this regard, then I must out of
respect for the Council accept their nomination and allow my name
to be set with all humility before the Lord!"
And with all speed, I'm sure, thought Serus, listening at the
door.
The room erupted in cheery congratulations. Kara read the
official petition that would be brought before the Lord so all could
hear it. Lucifer could only shake his head in mock disbelief as Kara
finished reading the scroll.
"Thank you, dear brother," Kara said, "for taking up duty
once more. We shall retire now and leave you to your business."
"My business is to do the will of the Father," Lucifer said.
"But presently I shall go to the garden and meditate upon the great-
ness of our Lord. Let us never forget, brothers, how blessed we are
to serve in such a Kingdom with such a King!"
The angels began to leave, talking as they went about the
greatness of the occasion. Kara lingered behind and waited until all
had left except Michael. When he saw that Michael intended stay-
ing on Kara turned to leave himself. "Farewell then, brothers," he
said. "I shall personally take this to the Most Holy Place and
deposit it with the Fiery Ministers of the Holy Throne. They will
see it into the Lord's hands."
Michael watched as Kara left. He wondered what reception
would be awaiting Kara at the Throne. He turned to Lucifer, still
befuddled by it all and said, "Well, brother. This is quite a season
for you."
"I fear you are making a grave mistake placing yourself in Lucifer's hands." 149
"I'm still in disbelief," said Lucifer. "Though honored of
course."
"As I said I will report to the others that we have sorted out
some of the misconceptions that have been aroused. I'll also talk
with Crispin about the debate with Pellecus. I'm sure they will be
interested in the report from the Elders."
"I sincerely hope that because this was an issue that originat-
ed within the Eldership and not from the ministry of worship that
your friends will see that I am not involved in some nefarious plot.
It's quite absurd really."
"I'll report all that we have discussed," Michael repeated. The
two angels embraced one another as Lucifer escorted Michael out
of the room. As he turned to leave he caught a glimpse of Serus in
the hallway. Their eyes locked on to one another and for a brief
moment Michael the archangel stared into the eyes of Serus, the
servant of Lucifer. Serus began to motion as if to say something, but
stopped quickly when Lucifer turned to place his hand on
Michael's shoulder. "Good-bye, my friend," said Lucifer. "I'm so
very glad that we have cleared up this confusion."
"Good-bye, Lucifer," said Michael, still looking at Serus over
Lucifer's right shoulder. "Thank you for being so candid."
Michael was, as had been the case more and more, glad to
leave that place. It seemed that every time he chatted with Lucifer
in order to clarify things the picture became less clear. Now he had
to report to the group that he truly didn't know what he should
believe. Lucifer seemed sincere. And his story made sense on the
whole. But Sangius never indicated any jealousy toward Lucifer.
And to complicate matters further, what about the Elders recom-
mending Lucifer to the Lord?
All of these things swirled in Michael's mind in a cloudy puz-
zle. He looked toward the earth, now green with lush plants and
herbs and wondered as to its future ruler. One clear picture did
emerge, however--that of Serus indicating that he wanted to talk
secretly to Michael while Lucifer was shutting the door. That might
prove interesting!
150 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
Chronicles of the Host
Day Five
As the Lord continued in His wonderful plans, the earth became
more and more interesting to the angels. For now the mind of
God turned from the form of the planets to its creatures--and
all of Heaven waited in great anticipation as the earth brought
forth from the command of God something that had not
previ-
ously existed in material form before: life.
And the Lord said,
"Let the waters bring forth abundantly
The moving creatures that hath life
And fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of Heaven."
And God created great whales,
And every living creature that moveth,
Which the waters brought forth abundantly,
After their kind,
And the winged fowl after his kind:
And God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
151
Chapter 11
"If there is a rebel spirit in Heaven it
flows from the Throne, not toward it."
"Lucifer! Lucifer!"
The shrill, excited voice of Octrion could not be mistaken.
"Yes, Octrion," answered Lucifer, who was returning from the
Temple. "Must you bellow my name all over Heaven?"
"I'm sorry, lord," said Octrion, looking at some of the other
angels who were watching the exchange. "It's just that...have you
had occasion to visit the earth since the Fifth Day? Marvelous!"
"And noisy," said Lucifer. "Far too noisy to suit me." He nod-
ded in greeting to a passing angel. "I think I liked it better when it
was a floral world--a peaceful garden in the blackness of the uni-
verse. The place is now teeming with creatures of all sorts who
make it their home."
Octrion began drifting off as usual. "Well, I just thought that
you might be interested...that is...well since you might have a
voice in what will happen on that world."
Lucifer looked sharply at him and pulled him aside. "What
are you talking about, Octrion? What have you heard?"
152 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
Octrion looked rather timid and said, "I heard that you were
being considered as the Lord's steward for the earth. A wonderful
honor should it prove true."
Exile of Lucifer Page 18
