Rise of the Fallen (19 page)

Commander Brandt leaned forward. “General Danick, we have seen how humanity falls prey to the evil of Apollyon. The more unified a center of population, the more opportunity there is for the Fallen to work their evil. Think of it—nearly all of the righteous that we have defended stayed clear of the influence of men so they could focus on Elohim. Of course there are exceptions, but as a whole, the more densely populated a region or a city becomes, the more prone the people are to the wicked ways of Apollyon.”

Danick put a finger near Nimrod’s city. “Yes, but how do we stop it?”

The silence in the tent gave Danick his answer.

“All the Plan needs is one heart with no guile.” Validus let the words slip from his lips without thinking. Ever since General Danick had shared his thoughts about the Plan, Validus couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The general and every commander turned to look at him, and he wished he had stayed silent. Commander Guilden looked as if he were ready to take a sword to him.

Danick walked over to Validus. A subtle smile lit on his face. “One heart indeed.” He turned back. “Gentlemen, whether Nimrod’s city and tower will rise or fall will be of the Lord’s doing.
We are here to protect those whose hearts are perfect toward Him, and that is what we will do
.” He walked back to the table and looked at each of his commanders. “All of you are correct, and it has affirmed a new strategy that I believe Elohim has revealed to me. If we are to win this war for the souls of humanity, we must realize that this is not a war of statistics but a war of hearts … or heart.”

General Danick looked directly at Validus. His eyes were sure. “Commander Guilden, prepare your men. We will march on Nimrod’s city and establish our own stronghold … no matter the cost. The maiden Tamaral is our focus. We must coordinate our strike with prayer support. Commander Kelandar, are there any people of Elohim who travel to the city on a regular basis?”

Kelandar was deep in thought. “Not on a regular basis, sir. But the man
Eber has been invited to meet with Nimrod. He is to be in the city in one week.”

Danick raised an eyebrow. “I know of him. What is the purpose of the meeting?”

“We have little knowledge of Nimrod’s plans, but we suspect it is to ask Eber to help build the Tower. He is enlisting the aid of all the men of wealth and influence in the region to participate. Most have agreed out of fear of Nimrod.”

Danick looked at Brandt.

“What do you think Eber will do?” Brandt asked.

Kelandar looked to the floor as he thought. “He is not the man Noah was, but he does have faith and his prayers are daily and intentional.” Kelandar looked up and shook his head. “Under threat, I don’t know.”

Danick nodded. “Shem’s line has been strong until now. I agree, the outcome is uncertain and we need to make every effort of support”—Danick raised a finger—“without jeopardizing the girl. She must remain our focus.”

Danick looked at Kelandar, and the commander nodded.

“We will strike in seven days’ time. Perhaps the Spirit of Elohim will be strong with Eber that day. Commander Porthan, ready your men to support the campaign against Nimrod’s city. Start by pulling back your farthest units. Any questions?”

There was no reply.

“Very well then. Dismissed.”

After the other commanders left, Brandt approached Danick. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? As devious as Desgard is, we should suspect a trap. He knows our movements, and I’m quite sure that he knows you were in the city today. The Fallen are very strong in Babel. We won’t catch them by surprise, and it will be costly. There’s great risk.”

General Danick thought for a moment. “There are some risks worth the sacrifice.”

Brandt didn’t look convinced. He turned and left the tent.

Danick walked toward Validus. “For many months I questioned whether I had heard Elohim correctly in developing a strategy for the Plan, but you have restored my confidence, Validus.” He put a hand on Validus’s shoulder. “I’ve
been looking for one such as Tamaral and for one such as you for a long time, and here I have found you both in the same day.”

Validus didn’t understand what General Danick was talking about. All he knew was that the angel warrior he had watched for sixteen hundred years stood before him. There was much to learn from him, and Validus was eager to do so.

16
 

Present Day

Your request to have Persimus transferred has been denied, sir.” Commander Malak handed a rolled parchment to Validus, his former and now exiting commander.

“What? Why?” Validus quickly unrolled the parchment to read the response for himself.

“Evidently Persimus is on special assignment and has been so for quite some time. When is the last time you saw him?”

The sound of Malak’s voice muddled its way through Validus’s thoughts until it formed a question. “Uh … it’s been some time, many years in fact. Special assignment …”

He rolled up the parchment. He couldn’t imagine his reluctant warrior friend on some secret mission of danger. It had to be an information-gathering duty, perhaps reconnaissance on some aspect of the Fallen’s objectives. Validus was curious, and in the corner of his mind, he was also concerned.

“Did the messenger say where he was assigned at least? Is he still in the Far East?”

Malak shook his head. “No, nothing … I’m sorry.”

Validus nodded. “I’ll make do.”

Malak had assimilated everything that Validus had thrown at him in the last few weeks and done it better than he had expected. Validus had in fact completed the transition ahead of schedule and had been only waiting for word back from headquarters regarding his request for Persimus’s transfer.

He looked Malak straight in the eye. “Are you ready, Commander?”

Malak nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Yes, you are,” Validus said. “Hulan will fill in any gaps I’ve missed. He’s a
good exec. When the time comes for you to fill a position, pick men who are better than yourself. A true leader is one who chooses the best men to serve with him.”

Malak looked deep in thought, the weight of commanding a continent already beginning to weigh heavy on his shoulders. Validus put out his arm, and Malak grabbed it. His grip was firm, sure, and commanding. His eyes narrowed.

“Headquarters didn’t demote you, and it’s not in the general’s character to waste a great warrior. Wherever you are going there’s some great purpose in it.”

Validus allowed the corner of his mouth to curl up.

Malak continued, “If you ever need anything and I can help, just say the word.”

“Thank you, Commander Malak. Godspeed!”

Validus exited the church and headed due east toward his new mission, a young man in the plains of Kansas.

It was difficult to release his mind from the burden of command, but time and distance would help. He tried to focus on the mission ahead, but there seemed so little threat there. He wondered what changes Niturni would make in the tactics of the Fallen. Would he move his headquarters out of Los Angeles? Would Malak be able to adjust and counter before more ground was lost?

Validus shook his head to free himself from thoughts that did not concern him now. Instead he forced himself to focus on Drew Carter, but when he did, he could not help the sinking feeling in his chest.

17
 

2242 BC

Eber was a young man of great wealth and influence in the outer regions of the Mesopotamian Valley. He was the great-grandson of Shem, one of the only lines of descendants of Noah that seemed to honor the faith of their great forefather. At twenty-eight he was still content to enjoy the freedom of a life free from what he considered the entanglements of marriage. A man of common appearance but uncommon intelligence, Eber was careful not to squander the inheritance of his father. He was not averse to forging alliances with others of influence in order to preserve his family’s wealth and position.

He traveled with a company of nearly eighty armed men and a supporting entourage of servants, wholly intending to make his journey to Babel a profitable one. What he did not know was that an entire legion of angel warriors traveled with him, led by Primus Commander Kelandar. Validus had asked General Danick if he could join Kelandar’s force, but the general refused and instead assigned him as guardian warrior angel over Tamaral.

On the morning that Eber was to enter the city, Guilden’s forces were ready. It was one thing for one or two angels to access the city undetected, but two legions of warriors was quite another. In spite of the angels using Eber’s arrival as a distraction, Validus felt quite certain that the Fallen knew something else was up. Validus had to admit that this campaign had all the feelings of a trap, just as Commander Brandt had said.

Guilden and his warriors approached the city under the cover of trees from the northwest. Over the crest of a hill they could see Nimrod’s massive tower standing as a symbol of defiance to Elohim. It reminded Validus of Apollyon’s raised fist in heaven that fateful day of rebellion. Such beings of absolute power corrupted so absolutely. Validus had witnessed firsthand how power fed pride,
and he was grateful he was not in such a position. It was obvious to him that no one, not angel or human, was immune to the devastating consequences of prideful power should it fall on the brow of even the best of men.

Commander Guilden motioned for Validus. Over the past week, the commander had almost come to terms with the fact that General Danick saw something in Validus that he did not.

Validus hurried to stand beside the commander.

“Take two men in advance to find Tamaral. Stay out of sight and out of trouble.” Guilden squinted at Validus to make sure he understood his point. “Our goal is to establish a stronghold in the city’s western sector around her home, at least until we can extract her.”

Validus nodded. “Ral and Persimus know the city and her home.”

“Very well. Take them.”

Validus’s mind lit upon an idea. “Tamaral’s home lies near the western entrance to the city. Eber and his men will pass by on their way to Babel’s court.”

“I don’t see how that will help us, but if you see an advantage, take it. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”

Validus was already formulating a plan.

Guilden dismissed him, and soon Validus, Persimus, and Ral were on their way toward the city. They found Tamaral at her home having fierce words with Arphaz once again. He was demanding collection of the money or he would have Tamaral’s father cast into prison.

“We need to get rid of him,” Validus said.

Ral grinned. “I can do that.”

He reached into the man’s abdomen for a few seconds, and less than a minute later Arphaz was gone with no small measure of discomfort on his face. Tamaral looked relieved.

Validus eyed Ral. “You’ll have to teach me that trick.”

He scanned the area. The absence of the Fallen was too obvious for him to dismiss as inconsequential, but for now he was preoccupied with the task at hand.

“Keep an eye on her. I need to find Commander Kelandar to get Eber diverted.”

Validus made his way to the main thoroughfare leading into the western
sector of the city. He left the city and didn’t have to travel far before he found Eber and his convoy of mounted men and supply carts. He counted 132 men and servants. And traveling alongside them was Kelandar and three centuries of warriors. Validus knew that the rest of his legion was just beyond view, ready to engage at a moment’s notice.

Validus saluted Commander Kelandar and walked with him alongside Eber.

“What have you to report?” the commander ordered.

Validus admired Kelandar. He was a thinker and a risk taker, an unusual mix in a commander. What others might view as him throwing caution aside was actually a well-thought-out plan of action.

“Commander Guilden and his men are in position and awaiting your signal,” Validus replied. “We’ve located the maiden, Tamaral, but if you’ll allow me, sir, General Danick wants her safe, and I think I know of a way to make that happen.”