Exile of Lucifer (32 page)

"You must never eat of this tree."                  247
Kara looked the scroll over. "Well, it certainly looks official,"
admitted Kara. "I still am confused as to why none of the other
Elders were notified that such a summons was forthcoming."
"Perhaps this is an issue deemed too important even for you,
Kara," said Pellecus with a hint of delight in seeing Kara somewhat
compromised in his position.
"Nonsense!" said Kara. "I am privy to everything that hap-
pens at Council."
"So I see," sneered Pellecus. Berenius snickered also.
"It doesn't matter," interrupted Lucifer, as he snatched the
scroll out of Kara's hands. "I understand that the Chief Elder
received it from the Zoa. None of the Elders knew except him. I am
less concerned that you are offended in this, Kara, than I am that
we are finally seeing movement on this." Kara averted his eyes to
others in the room, feeling quite uncomfortable.
Lucifer continued, "What matters is that a steward shall short-
ly be named and we shall all benefit from it. A new age is dawning,
brothers, wherein angels will take the primary role--set the tone as
it were." He smiled, thinking of his previous illustration. "I would
say our star is on the rise."
"I would say that the Morning Star is on the rise," said Rugio.
He stood up and raised his goblet toward Lucifer. "Glory to the
Morning Star!"
The others stood to their feet and raised their glasses as well:
"Glory to the Morning Star!" they all said.
Lucifer stood to acknowledge their salutes. As he did a long,
low, trumpet blast rang out. Lucifer looked at the Council and
said, "It is time. I will see you all at the assembly. Kara, you will be
seated with the Elders of course. I want you as near to the Chief
Elder as possible. Pellecus, I want you with the teaching angels--
especially near Crispin. The rest of you I want interspersed among
the more important angels to glean their reactions. Farewell all.
Rugio, please stay for one moment."
The room was soon empty except for Lucifer and Rugio.
"Rugio, my valiant fighter," said Lucifer, putting his hand on
Rugio's shoulder. "I don't anticipate any deviation from the scenario

248           CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile             of Lucifer
which we just outlined. However, should there be the need for
more strident action, have your body of angels ready to act on my
command. Just as we discussed, understand?"
"I will, lord," said Rugio. "The archangel will not cause you
any difficulties."
----------------
One angel remained behind in Lucifer's house. Serus watched
out the window as uncountable numbers of angels came in all
directions toward the place of summons. He wondered if Lucifer,
the worship minister to the Most High, would return as steward of
earth. It certainly seemed likely. What would that mean to him
though? he wondered. His recent meetings with Michael and the
others angels had reignited some of the old feelings of passion he
once held so strongly for the Lord. Michael had insisted that it was
not too late to abandon this nightmarish course Lucifer had
embarked upon and return completely to the loyal side of the Host.
He looked over the skyline of the City, toward the ever-
shimmering north. The dome seemed more brilliant today, as if beck-
oning Serus with an even greater urgency than normal. Always you
call me, he thought to himself. Not with voice, maybe, but still you call.
He smiled wanly. I'm afraid I have answered a call already.
----------------
Chronicles of the Host
Stewardship
All of Heaven was summoned to the great assembly in which
the Lord would announce His plans for the stewardship. The
Host waited anxiously to see if one of their own, an angel,
would be made the governor over earth and man. Most felt
that Lucifer would be so named, and quietly spoke as much in
the crowded fields and skies of the Kingdom.
And yet, how could any angel have known the mind of God?
How could any angel have divined that he who came from the

"You must never eat of this tree."                       249
stuff of earth would also steward it? A great cheer went up
upon the proclamation, that A'dam, the man, would be given
full authority over earth, to keep it for the Lord Most High; to
nurture it; to care for it; to steward it together with the newly
created woman.
As the angels left the assembly, a new sense of mission and
purpose was realized. They knew now that theirs was not
merely to serve the Lord in Heaven, but also serve Him on
earth. They knew that A'dam was forever bonded to the Lord
in a special, mysterious plan, and there would now be oppor-
tunity to serve God by helping the man and woman. But
among most, the greater question was not what the naming of
A'dam as steward would mean for earth, but what the rejection
of Lucifer would mean for Heaven...

251
Chapter 17
"I don't intend to start a war in
Heaven--I intend to finish one."
"What a wonderful event!" said Crispin. "Glorious!"
Sangius nodded his head in agreement. He could barely hear
Crispin over the joyous celebration that was occurring in Heaven.
Among most angels the name A'dam could be heard in lively con-
versation. Some angels admitted complete surprise, while others
indicated that they had thought it possible but never dared suggest
such a notion. Most were simply joyful in the Lord's decision. Oth-
ers were completely astonished.
"Have you seen Lucifer?" Sangius asked.
"Not since the dismissal," said Crispin. "I must say that he
demonstrated great self-control when the words `A'dam the man'
were spoken in connection with the stewardship." He laughed.
"Every angel who sits on his Council looked at him as one when
that announcement was made!"
Gabriel came over to where Sangius and Crispin were talking.
"Greetings, brothers!" he said, embracing them.
"Ah Gabriel," said Crispin. "Remarkable time in Heaven,
hmm? The Zoa were quite correct, weren't they? Gabriel? Gabriel!"

252          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile          of Lucifer
Gabriel was looking intently at something behind Crispin.
Sangius and Crispin turned to see an angry looking Rugio staring
harshly at Gabriel. When Rugio saw the other two looking at him,
he scowled at them and immediately took flight. He disappeared in
a reddish streak across the Heavenly sky, buffeting several angels
as he went.
"Seems as if we have some work to do," said Gabriel sadly.
"Now that the question of the stewardship is settled we must mend
the breech in the Host."
"That should prove interesting," said Crispin, as a celebrating
angel merrily bumped into him and begged pardon.
"Nevertheless, it must be done," said Gabriel. "Where is
Michael?"
"Like Lucifer he disappeared as soon as the ceremony ended,"
said Sangius, looking around.
"I wonder what Lucifer's intentions will be now," said
Gabriel. "He will be the key to restoring good relations within the
Host. I hope he is prepared to do so."
"And so he shall," came the familiar voice of Michael. The
archangel glided in and landed next to Gabriel. "I have just had
words with the music minister!"
"Good words or ill?" asked Crispin.
"Good words," said Michael. "The best. Lucifer has accepted
the Lord's decision and will support Him wholeheartedly. In fact,
he has invited me to speak to his Council in a special meeting he is
convening on earth."
"On earth?" asked Gabriel. "That seems odd given the change
in his circumstances."
"I wonder if Lucifer will have to ask permission of A'dam to
hold a meeting there?" Crispin asked humorously.
Gabriel ignored Crispin's comment and said, "Do you really
believe there is a chance at reconciliation?"
"I can only try," said Michael. "I must!"
"Then I will go with you," said Gabriel.
"And I," said Sangius.

"I don't intend to start a war in Heaven--I intend to finish one."   253
"No, dear friends," said Michael with great compassion. "I
thank you. But Lucifer was quite clear in that he wanted only me
to attend. I think it will help him save face and ease back into the
relationship."
"Hmph! Save face indeed," said Crispin. "I think a little
humility is well in order for Lucifer and the whole Council." He
looked at the others. "But I believe that our Lord would have us
accept their overtures of reconciliation. If they can be gracious in
defeat, we can most certainly be gracious in our case as well."
"Then it is settled!" Michael said. "I will visit earth alone. I
feel that all will soon be well in Heaven once more. We will soon be
one as a Host again! This horrible spirit which has darkened Heav-
en for so long will soon be with us no more!"
----------------
No one dared look Lucifer in the face.
The Council met following the announcement as prearranged.
But instead of it being a victory celebration it was an awkward and
quietly tense scene around the table. Noticeably absent were the
warriors. Pellecus and the others looked at each other from time to
time. Tinius on more than one occasion began to speak but stopped
himself. Berenius simply looked down at the table. Lucifer sat
stone-faced at the head of the table, collecting his thoughts. A loud
cheer from the celebration which was still going on in the City
echoed through the room and seemed to awaken Lucifer.
"I have been a complete fool," Lucifer finally said.
The angels at the table began protesting but Lucifer held up
his hands to stop them. "Yes, I said a fool," he continued. "How
could I have ever believed that the Most High would take advice
from the Elders? I should have realized that He only takes council
with the Son and Spirit. And now He has done what He always
intended--He has named A'dam as the steward."
"Abominable!" said Pellecus.
"A disgrace to all angels," added Lenaes.
"And a fact with which we must now contend," said Lucifer.
"It certainly complicates matters but it does not mean that earth

254          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
will not yet be ours. It only means that we will have to move by
another route--perhaps the only route that was ever really open to
us. The Most High needs to understand that we will have this our
way!"
The Council looked at each other uncomfortably.
"Surely you don't intend to start a war in Heaven?" said Pel-
lecus, who was speaking for the Council in this matter.
"No, Pellecus," said Lucifer, "I don't intend to start a war in
Heaven. I intend to finish one!"
----------------
Michael glided down to earth at the place where Lucifer had
instructed him to meet with him. It was a barren spot, half a world
away from Eden, where snowy mountain peaks jutted out of fertile
valleys. He wondered how he should approach the Council. He
wanted to see them all restored, but he also knew he must point
them to their collective responsibility in this business.
"Michael!"
Michael turned and saw Serus.
"Serus!" Michael said. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to guide you to the meeting, Archangel," said Serus.
Michael was disappointed in Serus' attitude of late. It seemed
that for all their talks, Serus had stayed firmly aligned with Lucifer.
Perhaps the reality that Lucifer would never be named steward
would force Serus to draw some redemptive conclusions once and
for all.
"Where is Lucifer?" asked Michael. "And the Council?"
"They have begun meeting between those two jagged peaks,"
Serus said, pointing to twin rocky promontories. "Heaven is feeling
a bit uncomfortable for them right now, as you can imagine. I'll
show you."
Michael took flight and followed Serus to the mountainous
area that Serus indicated. As they landed Serus said, "Right over
here."
Before Michael could respond he felt himself set upon by
hundreds of warrior angels, who were pressing in, swords drawn,

"I don't intend to start a war in Heaven--I intend to finish one."   255
creating a belt of light around him which grew more and more
intense. Michael was able to draw his sword, but only for an instant
as a dozen strong hands pulled the sword out of his hands. A thou-
sand of the strongest warriors in Heaven were holding Michael,
and still their combined strength could just barely contain him.
Several times he almost broke out. At one point he managed
to snatch back his sword and began hacking away at the force that
was holding him back--but more and more angels continued pour-
ing into the battle. Soon he began growing weary. Michael recog-
nized most of the angels--some of whom were under his direct
authority. He commanded them to step back but they merely
sneered or laughed at him. And through all of the shouting and
excitement, Michael could make out the voice of one particular
angel who was barking orders: Rugio.
Rugio walked calmly to the scene of battle. His chief aids
Nathan, Vel and Prian followed closely behind. Michael glared at
Rugio and then at Serus. Rugio laughed at the sight of Michael,
trapped by his own legions. Serus did not look up at Michael.
"Well, Archangel," said Rugio. "It seems to me that I recall
your having told me that the next time I drew my sword in your
presence you would see me cast down." Rugio took out his sword
and came close to Michael. "Cast me down, Archangel!"
The warriors holding Michael began laughing and cajoling him.
"I will still see you cast down," said Michael, who continued
feeling out weak spots in the angelic prison which held him.
Nathan handed Rugio Michael's sword. Rugio held it next to him
as if he was wearing it. "I make quite a dashing archangel, hmm?"
Nathan and the other angels burst out laughing. "Quite so,
commander," said Nathan. "It suits you well."
"Good," said Rugio. "We'll just call it a trophy of war."
"What is the meaning of this, Rugio? Where is Lucifer?"
"I believe he is in Heaven," said Rugio. "In fact, we should
soon have word from him that we may set you free--that is, once
our business with the Lord is finished. So relax, Archangel, and it
will soon be over!"

256          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile          of Lucifer
Michael looked at Serus. "Serus, how could you betray me?"
he said. "How could you betray the Lord?"
"You can only betray one with whom you had trust," said
Serus. "You never trusted me, Michael."
"But I did," said Michael. "How else would I have ended up
here? I trusted you, Serus! Serus!"
Serus took flight and headed back toward Heaven. He turned
to Rugio. "My instructions are to meet Lucifer at the Temple and
report on your situation," he said. "I will send word from Lucifer
when Michael is to be freed!"
"Very good," said Rugio.
Serus disappeared into the sky. Rugio turned his attention
back to Michael. "Serus is a fool--but he's a useful fool. Don't
struggle, Michael. It will be over soon, I told you."
"What is Lucifer attempting?" Michael asked, still fighting
against the force of a thousand angels. "It can't possibly succeed,
you know!"
"You arrogant angel," Rugio snapped back. "You and Gabriel
and the rest who think that your example must be followed by the
entire Host! Well clearly that is not the case! Even now, Michael,
Lucifer marches on the Temple with upwards of one-third of the
angels to become steward. Yes, Michael. One-third of the Host
decided they had enough of you and the rest of your pandering
crowd!"
Michael suddenly lunged forward, just missing Rugio, before
a flood of angels who pulled him back buried him again. Vel and
Prian drew their swords. Rugio continued talking, relishing the
moment in having so important a captive.
"The remainder of the Host will give way," Rugio continued,
"especially when they have been told that the reason you are not
present is because you refuse to fight against a brother angel! Bril-
liant, hmm? So you see, in this instance your example-setting ways
will finally become useful, Michael, as you set the example to the
rest of the Host not to resist!"
"This cannot possibly succeed," Michael responded. "Stop
this nonsense before it is too late! For all of you!"