The Jealous God Read online

  “Cheer up, Brother,” Mark whispered to him. “It could be worse. Lucifer, himself, could show up next.”

  Lucio closed his eyes and let out a ragged breath. His joy at seeing Meredith alive and well had been quickly overshadowed by the arrival of Nergal, Marduk and Ereshkigal. Most of the apprentices had never seen these people before and they sat staring openly at the dark Queen and the Lords of the Fifth and Sixth Gates. Marduk perched on the edge of the leather chair with his chin propped in one hand, smiling at Mark Andrew contemptuously. Nergal watched his wife nervously. He’d had to threaten her within an inch of her life to make her come here. Her regal, but oddly otherworldly appearance attracted much attention from the human audience in the back of the room.

  The silence was thick as lamb’s wool as they waited for the arrival of the errant members.

  ((((((((((((()))))))))))))

  Vanni rushed headlong up the walk toward the back door. He took the low steps two at a time and then bowled over the Tuathan healer as he stepped out of the back door carrying a large glass of milk. The glass flew from his hands and crashed to the walk at the foot of the steps as they tumbled back inside the house in a tangle. Selwig got up quickly and helped the boy to his feet.

  “Where are you going in such a hurry, my friend?” Selwig asked the son of the Golden Eagle in exasperation. He glanced forlornly at his lost drink. The healer had been quite proud of his accomplishment. He had finally learned to use the dispensers on the front of the refrigerator and the glass of milk had been his first success against the onerous machine.

  “I must find my father!” Vanni shouted at him and ran toward the front of the house.

  Selwig hurried after him.

  “He is not here! He is in the great council with the others.”

  Vanni stopped in the kitchen and looked about. Gil Pairaud was busy preparing a great meal for the members of the Council and their ‘guests’. He had enlisted the aid of Stephano Clementi and Planxty Grine and they were all bustling about the kitchen amidst a culinary disaster zone.

  “Watch yurself, laddie.” Planxty warned as he carried a pot of hot liquid to the big table.

  Vanni sidestepped the old man and watched as he poured the sauce into an ornate gravy boat.

  Selwig had only just been run out of the kitchen, and they were not happy to see him back with a companion so soon.

  “Shoo, shoo!” Gil fussed at them, and they continued on to the hallway.

  Selwig followed the elf-like child to the front doors and out onto the stoop.

  “You cannot go to the Council, my friend,” Selwig said breathlessly.

  “But I must tell my father what has happened!” Vanni made a terrible face. “It cannot wait.”

  “What could be so important?” the healer asked him as he sat down on the steps dejectedly. “Tell me and if I agree it is of grave urgency, then perhaps we could go into the hall and hope to get his attention by some means.”

  “I have been to the chapel where we go to worship our God,” Vanni said quickly. He propped his chin in his hand.

  “Ahhh. And what has happened? Is your god angry with you?” Selwig frowned. This did, indeed, sound serious.

  “No!” Vanni shook his head. “I don’t think so. But, I didn’t go there to speak to God. I went there to see what the others were up to. Thieves! They were trying to steal one of God’s decorations in the church. I think God was angry with them because he caused them much grief and foiled their attempt. My father says everything is God’s will, and so, I know since I felt the need to follow them, it was God’s will. God sent me there to help him guard His things from the thieves.”

  “I see.” Selwig nodded gravely. “And so did you help Him?”

  “I think so.” Vanni looked at him. “An angel spoke to me and hugged me. She told me where to hide the crystal so they could not return and take it. She was very nice, Selwig. Very soft and warm and I felt very safe with her. I believe she likes me.”

  “Ahhh. That would be nice,” Selwig agreed. “And so you feel you must tell your father this news?”

  “Yes. It was my first thought and I believe God put it there.” Vanni tapped the side of his head.

  “Surely so.” Selwig nodded. The Tuathan looked strange in his modern clothes. A bright yellow and blue striped shirt and dark blue slacks. His threadbare, feathered cape and beads were packed away in his little trunk in the cellar. Mark Andrew had given him Paddy’s old quarters near the wine racks, and he was quite comfortable there. He still wore his old boots with the thin soft soles with newly sewn on patches. Mark had promised to get him a new pair as soon as possible. His long hair was pulled back and tied with a red ribbon and he wore several short feathers in it. His new yellow bag was carefully slung over his shoulder and fastened to the brown leather belt at his waist. He carried it with him wherever he went. “But the meeting has only just started. Perhaps, we should go over and wait in the hall. That way we can be the first to greet him when the meeting adjourns.”

  They got up and made their way down the walk toward the Administration building.

  “Who are these thieves? Do I know them?” Selwig asked him.

  “Oh, yes. Everyone knows them. Luke Andrew Ramsay, Galen Zachary Ramsay and Michael Ian Ramsay,” Vanni listed them.

  “Wait!” Selwig took his arm and stopped him. “These are relatives of Sir Ramsay!”

  “Of course! They have the same last name.” Vanni looked at him as if he were crazy.

  “But you cannot tell him his sons and nephews are thieves!” Selwig was beside himself. “It would not do at all. No, no. He will be most perturbed with you.”

  “But I am not a thief. He should be perturbed with them,” Vanni objected.

  “You do not know the ways of men.” Selwig shook his head. “He will not believe they are criminals. Are you sure they are thieves? Are you sure they were stealing this thing?”

  “They removed it from its place in the pillar and immediately their fortunes changed, and they began to be punished. They were injured many times as they attempted to hide it in another place. It was quite obvious God did not want them to move it. They had to put it back before they were killed, and I heard them say they would be back later to get it after the meeting. That is why I must tell my father before it is too late.”

  “I see.” Selwig chewed his lip.

  “And besides, I will not be telling Sir Ramsay at all. I am telling my father. He will believe me.”

  “Ahhhh. Yes! Of course. That is very wise.” Selwig smiled. “Let us go then and wait for him.”

  They started off again together and Selwig stopped to pluck up a handful of wild flowers beside the walk and stuff them in his bag.

  “Selwig, what was your mother like?” Vanni asked as they walked along.

  “She was very beautiful. Like flowers in the fresh sunshine after a rain, but that was long ago.” Selwig waved one hand in dismissal. “I was taken from her and given into the service of King Lugh. I never saw her again.”

  “That is very sad.” Vanni nodded his head slowly. “But at least you remember her.”

  “Yes. I will never forget her. Do you know who your mother is?” Selwig eyed him warily. Selwig knew who the boy’s mother was.

  “I have never known my mother. I was told she is a great and powerful Queen.” Vanni told him. “But no one will tell me her name.”

  “Not even your father?”

  “Not even my father.”

  A murmur of surprise and disapproval circulated through the Council room when Luke Andrew and his two companions arrived late for the meeting. They were covered with dust and debris and smeared with blood. They entered through the rear door near the apprentice chairs and then stumbled and mumbled their way apologetically to their chairs while everyone watched them intently.

  Luke sat down in the front row beside Omar and smiled crookedly at the Order’s newest apprentice. Omar raised one eyebrow slightly at his uncle’s disheveled appearance
. They looked like they were just returning from a heated battle. Everyone shifted in their seats and Barry called them to attention. They would forego the opening prayers and simply continue the meeting from earlier discussions. Considering the identities of the newcomers, Barry did not think it proper to pray to God in the presence of these creatures.

  “Since we have all gathered together,” Edgard d’Brouchart addressed them “our first consideration should be what steps we will take to bring about the destruction or capture of the one we will call Jozsef Daniel simply as a point of reference. He is not, I repeat, not, to be confused with our Jozsef Daniel. God have mercy on his soul. Reports from the western islands and continents have indicated he is already amassing a great following among the inhabitants there. There have been several outbreaks of civil unrest and in some places; actual acts of open warfare and rebellion are underway as he begins to usurp power from the governments of the countries involved. It is my opinion we should not consider confronting him in his new element, but rather should devise a means for bringing him out. Once we have him where we want him, we will unite to bring about his demise.”

  A general nodding of approval circulated the room.

  “I understand he is after certain artifacts in the possession of this Order. Those artifacts having been collected through the joint efforts of some of the members of this Council, and now, under tight security in an undisclosed place of safety.” He glanced at Mark Andrew and the Knight nodded slightly. “I will not ask the Chevalier to disclose the location of the artifacts for obvious reasons as certain parties here in attendance have also shown a great interest in them, but I believe we are all agreed on our reasons for wanting to keep them safe from possession of that… Jozsef Daniel. It is also agreed should they fall into his hands; we would witness the end of the world as we now know it. I do not believe any one of us can afford to allow this to happen or else we will all be lost. Whatever our differences may have been in the past, we are agreed to come together in word and deed to assure the success of this mission. If anyone has any objections to what I have said so far, now is the time to speak.”

  He looked about slowly, but none of them spoke. Simon was having a bit of a problem. He was bleeding quite freely, even though his hands and ankles were wrapped tightly with bandages. His apprentice, Andrew, was also having the same problem in the apprentices section.

  “We may have to excuse Brother Simon and his apprentice before the meeting is over. If either of them have anything to say or wish to leave at any time, I will permit them to do so.” Edgard frowned at Simon, but the Healer sat with his eyes closed, his back to the parties causing his discomfiture.

  His infirmity in the presence of the powers of the Abyss was not nearly as bad as it had been at one time. Edgard was appalled every time he thought about the terrible faux pas they had made when they had pulled Mark Andrew from an alternate time-line. They had thought that they were rescuing Mark, but they had actually disrupted the events transpiring in some alternate world and ended up with two Marks, two Simons, two very different Knights of the Golden Eagle, Mark's brother Luke Matthew and Mark's apprentice Christopher Stewart who had been dead for years prior to their efforts. D'Brouchart often wondered what had happened in the alternate time-line after they had changed it so radically.

  “Since we now know Catharine de Goth and her brother, Eduord, have been seeking the skulls for quite some time, we should also assume Jozsef Daniel may also know the Castle of Wewelsburg in Germany has a special connection with the skulls. Eduord de Goth has procured one of the skulls through trading with less than honorable members of your staff, Master Omar.” He directed his gaze at the Prophet and Omar frowned. “The skull you once had in your palace in New Babylon is now in his possession and has been for quite some time. It seems someone took several such things from your palace during one of your absences; I believe it may have been when you and Luke Andrew fell into the Abyss from the Temple in New Jerusalem. There was an interval when there was no one to take charge in New Babylon, and the palace was ransacked by your own army.”

  “Sir,” Mark Andrew spoke up. “I believe that to be an error. I took Omar’s relic personally. The skull in Germany is most likely the Skull of Sidon. I believe my son had that one in his keeping after he killed Michael Townsley.”

  Luke Andrew coughed loudly and his face turned red at the mention of his less than savory past.

  “Is that correct, sir?” D’Brouchart asked the apprentice.

  “Yes, Sir. I believe General Schweikert took the skull from my residence in New Orleans just before Omar and I ended up in the underworld together the first time.”

  “I see.” D’Brouchart nodded. “That is unfortunate. The Skull of Sidon is particularly powerful from what I understand. A product of the sorcery of Myrddyn?”

  “It is, Your Grace.” Mark Andrew said quietly. “I would say it is only surpassed by the skull that was responsible for the fall of my grandson, Jozsef Daniel.”

  At this comment, a general uproar erupted in the room.

  “What do you mean, Sir?” D’Brouchart frowned at the Knight of Death.

  “I have pieced together the sequence of events which occurred in the underworld after my brother and Sir Barry were lost along with Rachel d’Ornan and Merry Ramsay. If I am not mistaken, it was a crystal skull Anna knocked from the top of the fountain led not only to the destruction of the fountain and brought about the darkness to the underworld; but when Jozsef Daniel tried to catch it, he actually absorbed it through the golden hand which the Tuathan healer constructed for him when his hand was injured.”

  “I saw no skull,” Luke Matthew said in an almost deadpan voice.

  “And you, Sir Barry? Did you see a skull at the fountain?” Edgard turned to the Seneschal.

  “I did not see the object after it struck the lower level of the fountain. In fact, until this moment, I had forgotten about it entirely. The urgency of the moment rather made it slip my mind,” Barry answered and shook his head slowly.

  “And where did you get the idea it may have been a skull atop the fountain, du Morte?” the Grand Master asked Mark.

  “It is well known among some of us the fountain is the source of power, if you will, that lights the underworld and gives it sustenance in place of Sol. The fountain was constructed in the time before time and atop the pedestal was placed a great and powerful jewel formed also in the time before time and set there by the angels. The pedestal was destroyed when Anna tried to remove the jewel. At this very moment, another of the skulls sits atop the reconstructed pedestal, providing light and warmth for the kingdom of the faeries. Selwig told me he saw a glittering object that looked like a crystal ball falling just before Jozsef fell. He thought Jozsef had tried to catch the thing. When they examined him, no such object was found. According to Selwig, it was because of the skull and the golden hand; he was expelled from his kingdom and made an outcast. It seems your beautiful son, Carlisle, blames everything on the misfortunate healer as if he intentionally designed the hand for this purpose,” Mark Andrew explained further.

  Edgard frowned at the mention of Carlisle Corrigan.

  “What Sir Ramsay says holds the ring of truth,” Semiramis spoke up and everyone turned to gaze at the extraordinarily beautiful woman. “I have spent much time at the fountain, Lord Nebo. Diana and I kept the vigil with Lord Adar for twenty-one of your years at that very fountain. Although I never climbed to the top, I know there was a very powerful entity there. To protect the fountain we helped to transform Lord Adar into the red dragon in order to battle Lord Marduk. Lord Marduk’s envy had so distorted his reason; we had to protect the fountain from destruction.”

  Marduk cleared his throat and then smiled slightly. “It was a glorious battle!” he said.

  “May I ask why you would wish to destroy the fountain?” John Paul turned his gaze on the dark Lord.

  “I do not see the relevance of answering that question!” Marduk frowned at him.

 
; “You will answer the question, Sir,” John Paul told him. “I believe these good people need to know what it is that helped to bring about the sequence of events which has brought us to this point.”

  Marduk cleared his throat and closed his eyes before leaning forward slightly to look at Semiramis accusingly.

  “Our Lady of the Hesperides knows the answer to that,” he said.

  “Tell them, Lord Marduk.” She smiled at him from under her golden brows.

  Marduk drew a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling.

  “I wanted to destroy the fountain in order so Semiramis would return to the Third Gate,” he said quietly. “I wanted her to go home.”

  “Home?” She wrinkled her nose and then laughed. “My home is not the Third Gate!”

  “No, it is not,” Mark Andrew spoke up, and she turned her clear blue eyes on him. “Your home is the Sixth Gate.”

  “What do you mean, sir?” Semiramis almost stood up. "The Sixth Gate is Marduk’s dark realm. I cannot live there."

  “You belong with Lord Marduk.” Mark shrugged nonchalantly. “And cursed was the day I took you from him.”

  “You took me from him?” She did stand up. “I fail to understand what you are talking about. I never belonged to him. He has been pursuing me for ages untold!”

  “The Third Gate belongs to Inanna,” Mark Andrew told her.

  “What?!” Luke Matthew jerked his head up at the mention of the amorous dragon.

  “How so?” Semiramis demanded.

  “Inanna was the watcher of the Third Gate. She was not always what she is today!” Mark also stood up and glared at the Lady. “I cast her out of the Third Gate and took her wings and exiled her to a watery prison in Loch Ness.”

  “Impossible!” Nergal spoke up. “Loch Ness is not nearly that old!”

  “Who are you calling old?” Semiramis turned on him and Ereshkigal cringed.

  “Sit down!” D’Brouchart slammed one fist on the table. “We will not reduce this meeting to a vain squabble!”