Exile of Lucifer

by D. Brian Shafer

  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 I have felt withdrawn lately and quite alone.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."