Exile of Lucifer (22 page)

170           CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile             of Lucifer
"Pratia tells me that Gabriel just returned from the Temple
complex--not the Host Temple, mind you--the Temple on the
Mount."
"And?" asked Lucifer. "What are we to infer from this visit?"
"Well, one might assume that an announcement of some
importance is forthcoming," said Kara. "But the fact is that Gabriel
entered the complex unannounced--he was not summoned--and
that goes against all protocol and tradition."
"And how do we know this?" asked Lucifer, mildly concerned
but collected.
"Because Pratia has been engaged by me to make certain of
Gabriel's activities and movements," Kara answered, rather proud-
ly. "Your angels are not the only ears in Heaven, my lord. Also the
Temple warden is, as you know, favorably disposed to joining us
one day on earth. He gave the information to Pratia."
"Oh yes, Kreelor, the Temple steward," remarked Lucifer.
"One of the most prattling angels in Heaven--perfectly suited to
his task--which as Temple warden does not entail very much at
all!"
"Nevertheless if Gabriel did in fact have conversation with
someone at the Temple we must know if at all possible the nature
of the conversation," Kara said.
"And therefore, brother angels, it is with great anticipation that we
meet together--not as feuding brothers--but as truth seekers...not as
angels in conflict but as fellow travelers on an academic excursion..."
"That would be up to you to discover then, Kara," said
Lucifer, "you being the sympathetic advisor for Gabriel and his
group. But since all of the important angels are here I must believe
that he sought an audience with the Zoa."
"That would not be good," said Kara, himself considering the
possibility.
"All the more reason why you must find out with whom he
spoke," said Lucifer.
"The Zoa are incredibly loyal to the Most High and will never
turn from Him. I must however believe that their reputation for
wisdom is exaggerated."

"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!"              171
"How so?" asked Kara.
"Because, Kara," Lucifer continued, "if the Zoa were truly
these curiously bizarre and completely wise creatures they would
have been aware long before now and we ourselves would have
been summoned. The fact that Gabriel went begging to them for
information tells me that our movements are unknown in even the
highest circles." Lucifer smiled and added, "Ignorance under the
very Throne, Kara. I rather wonder sometimes how our Lord main-
tains that Throne with such colossal ignorance in support of it."
Lucifer saw Gabriel walking in his line of vision over and behind
Kara's left shoulder. "Nevertheless, caution is always the byword.
Investigate this at once and find out what information was
exchanged with the Zoa. We must know."
"Agreed," said Kara, as they both turned to listen to Polias'
concluding remarks.
"And now we come to the event itself. May the Most High receive
all of the glory and honor from these proceedings...may His truth prevail
as always...and may we leave here as we came--brothers of the Host, ser-
vants of God, one in mind, one in action!"
----------------
Michael didn't know what to think about Serus. The angel
seemed contrite enough, even pitiable. Yet there was something
that Michael did not trust about him. Perhaps the long association
with Lucifer had so damaged his credibility that Michael could not
see clearly. He wanted to be fair with Serus if this was a true repen-
tance. Yet Serus still displayed the old defiance from time to time,
especially where Lucifer was personally mentioned.
"What exactly do you find yourself questioning, Serus?"
asked Michael. "I mean about your service to Lucifer?"
Serus looked about him nervously, as if unseen assailants
were closing in upon him. Michael looked around again, alert to
any presence around him but sensing none. He looked quizzically
at Serus, who began speaking in hushed tones.
"I believe in Lucifer, Michael," he began. "I believe that he is
the greatest angel in Heaven. I believe that the Most High created

172          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
him for great and holy service. I believe that he is called the Anoint-
ed Cherub because the Lord has lavished upon him a special grace
in the Kingdom. I believe that the Lord Himself could only surpass
his music. I believe that his destiny is assured and that the Lord cre-
ated him perfect in all of his ways. And yet," he remarked as he
looked at Michael intently, "the Lucifer I just described and the
Lucifer whom I serve are two different creatures."
"How so, Serus?" Michael asked almost tenderly.
"You knew Lucifer when he was different, Michael. You knew
him before his heart began to change. I began serving him after he
began to withdraw from the fellowship of the angels. Even so
Michael, I have seen his demeanor change even more drastically--
especially in the recent past."
"Since the Creation?" asked Michael.
"No. The Creation merely fits nicely into his plans," said
Serus. "I refer to the time you were named archangel. Since that
appointment was made Lucifer has been determined to make a
name for himself which is greater than any other name--save the
Most High's of course."
"Lucifer jealous?" said Michael almost laughing. "The
Anointed Cherub jealous of me? That's absurd!"
"Nevertheless true," said Serus. "And of Gabriel. Do you
recall when you saw me walking to the Elders with the music for
Gabriel's installation? You were with Gabriel at the time."
"Ah yes," said Michael. "I do remember that because I was
upset with the meeting I had just had with Lucifer."
"Well, that was not the only meeting held at the time," Serus
remarked.
"Oh really?" asked Michael.
Despite his personal fears, Serus was enjoying the interview.
Here he was--an angel of no reputation holding the attention of the
archangel Michael. Lucifer had often said that words were the most
powerful weapon one could use when used with discretion. Now
he was proving Lucifer right.
"Yes, Michael," he answered proudly. "I convened on behalf
of Lucifer a meeting of the Council of Worship shortly after

"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!"             173
Gabriel's ceremony. And there were some very interesting words
exchanged at that meeting."
"Such as...?" Michael responded.
"Mainly they were talking about the Most High," Serus said.
"Mind you although I am intimate with Lucifer I am seldom
included in the meetings. I just know that a couple of the angels
were offended by their manner toward the Lord."
"Was Sangius one of them?" asked Michael.
"Why yes," Serus remarked with a bemused look. "How did
you know?"
"He came to me, Serus," said Michael. "And told me why he
had been asked to leave the Council."
Serus smiled, remembering that he had secretly listened to the
conversation in the Grand Square. "Oh yes! I recall that. Sangius
never did see things the way Lucifer did. He's not at all like the oth-
ers on that Council--brutal, proud and blindly loyal to Lucifer. I
must say I honor him for standing up to Lucifer as he did--though
as you say, it cost him his seat in the Council as well as, I under-
stand, some trouble in the Temple services."
Serus shook his head in disbelief. "And now I am to under-
stand he is to be named the steward of the earth? Well that is what
he has been after. I pity the creatures on that world if he adminis-
ters earth in the same manner in which he treats the Council!"
"He has not been named yet," said Michael. "The Elders have
only sought to recommend him to the Lord."
"The Elders! Michael, do you realize the extent of Lucifer's
influence?" said Serus, shaking again in fear. "I was so ashamed for
Heaven the day they all arrived and Kara made his announcement--
as if Lucifer was hearing it all for the very first time. He is the most
cunning creature in Heaven."
"Serus," Michael said. "Lucifer assured me that he was hear-
ing these things for the first time that day. Are you telling me that
Kara is with Lucifer in all of this?"
"Of course," said Serus. "Kara has always loved Lucifer. But from
a distance. He sees in Lucifer a possibility for advancement--nothing

174          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile          of Lucifer
more. That is the extent of most of the love held for our dear wor-
ship minister!"
Michael began to replay in his mind the many confidences he
and the others had shared with Kara. How stupid of them! They
might as well have had Lucifer in on the meetings, too. He would
deal with Kara when the time came!
"I know that you are wrestling with yourself as to which mas-
ter you should serve, the one who holds you now, or the one who
never really let you go. The Lord Most High has never abandoned
you. He has never abandoned even Lucifer, although it sometimes
seems that Lucifer has abandoned Him. But that is between Him
and Lucifer. Serus, what about you? Will you allow Lucifer to take
you with him into this foregone catastrophe? He cannot win
against the Lord--you know this."
Serus looked at Michael and smiled a forced sort of smile--a
consigned look upon his face. "Don't you see it is too late for me?"
he said. "Me and the others who have fallen in with Lucifer. I know,
Michael, that you would say it is not too late. There are some angels
who have thrown in with Lucifer completely--particularly those
whom he has appointed leaders. And there are some angels who
have crossed over with Lucifer who really don't understand why."
He sighed. "And there is me...caught in the middle,
Michael--too afraid to leave Lucifer and too ashamed to come back
to the Most High. I don't deserve the mercy of the Lord, Michael.
That is why I choose to remain with Lucifer and suffer whatever
fate befalls him, which I know I deserve equally."
"Serus, you can still turn to the Most High. You don't have to
fall with Lucifer."
"Michael," Serus responded. "I have fallen already."
----------------
The hush that fell over the crowded hall at the Academy after
Polias' introductory remarks was in sharp contrast with the chatter
of the previous moment. All eyes were upon the two presenters--
Pellecus and Crispin. Though no one outwardly admitted it, the
debate was a microcosm of the larger disturbances that had taken

"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!"            175
Heaven's center stage. Doctrinal differences were not what was
being contested here. This was a preview of the coming conflict--a
referendum on the recent movements by Lucifer and his group of
angels. Thus did Lucifer whisper to Pellecus, "There is more at
stake here than academic pride--remember that and do well."
Both of the esteemed angels were allowed an opening state-
ment that was to be followed by free debate between the two. Polias
was to be the coordinator--a task not relished by many who knew
the potential liveliness of the coming discourse. The gallery would
then be allowed to ask questions as well. Crispin looked to the
crowded room but saw fewer friendly faces than he had anticipated.
"Counting heads, brother?" asked a very calm looking Pellecus.
Crispin looked at Pellecus and said in good humor and loud
enough for all to hear, "If these angels are an indication of the
power of your teaching, dear Pellecus, I may indeed be in trouble!"
The room broke out in nervous laughter.
Pellecus was amused. "True teaching always makes an
impact."
Some of the angels in the hall burst out in support of Pellecus--
some even jeered Crispin, taunting him as he sat stone-faced. Ga-
briel read in Crispin's face a sure retort and waited for him to
speak. Lucifer too waited for the response.
"True teaching does indeed make an impact. But teaching
truth makes a difference," said Crispin in an offhanded way.
Crispin's supporters, though outnumbered, applauded loudly.
"I teach truth, Crispin. Something that the Academy has long
forgotten how to do effectively." Pellecus smiled at Crispin, who
returned the smile, albeit with difficulty.
"Brothers! Please!" interrupted Polias. "May we get to the
issues at hand before we start debating more personal items!"
Crispin rose to speak. He nodded at Polias. He then turned
toward Pellecus and indicated a curt acknowledgment. Finally he
surveyed the host surrounding him--a mixture of friends and
antagonists, and began speaking with the demeanor that made him
a legend at the Academy.

176          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
"Dear colleagues, brothers, honored ones and of course, my
worthy opponent. What a delight to appear before you in such a
setting. Where else could you expect to learn from the two finest
teachers in Heaven than in this very room at this very moment!?"
The hall exploded with laughter.
"One fine teacher at least," interjected Pellecus to the delight
of the crowd.
Crispin laughed and gave Pellecus a "well said" sort of look
and then continued. "In all seriousness, these issues which Pellecus
and I will touch on today are critical to the knowledge of all angels.
Critical to the extent that there are some who might take issue with
the sacred teachings and so redefine them that they are no longer
sacred. When one takes the sacred and profanes it, however noble
the intent, one places that which was sacred into the dangerous
position of becoming irrelevant and the personal tool of individual
angels."
Gabriel shot a glance at Lucifer, who remained fixed on
Crispin. Kara too glanced casually at Lucifer and then returned his
eyes to the dais.
"I submit rather, that these doctrines are for the community of
Heaven--which I believe is what the Most High intended them to
be. We teachers at the Academy have been given the honorable task
of teaching the Host the mysteries of God!" He laughed a little.
"Not of course that a mere angel could know anything about the
Most High save what He has revealed to us, but that is beside the
point. Such as He has revealed, so are we responsible to teach and
adhere to." This last statement he made forcefully to the delight of
Gabriel and the others attending him.
"Now all of us here know that the Academy is a place where
angelic ministry and service to the Most High is taught and
learned. The whole reason for the existence of the Academy of the
Host is to instruct angels in service to the Most High. All of you at
one time or another have been through the Academy, and one day
every angel in Heaven will have entered its doors. Why? Because
the Most High God is pleased to share with us a very small portion
of His knowledge. And I say praised be His name for that!"