Son of Perdition (Chronicles of Brothers) by Wendy Alec Page B

defeated by Michael.’
    ‘But today only Zalialiel and a battalion of two hundred guard the gates,’ Mulabalah reported.
    ‘You are certain of this?’
    ‘It is corroborated by Darsoc and by the Vulture Shaman Scouts, sire. I am certain.’
    Marduk rubbed his pock-marked chin in agitation.
    ‘Your Majesty. It is my solemn duty as Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to bring to your attention that the Tenets of Eternal Law as pertaining to the Portal of Shinar carry dire consequences to us, the Fallen, if they are broken.’ Marduk lifted his hood, his sallow features clearly visible. ‘ Dire consequences.’
    ‘I am well versed in Eternal Law, Marduk. The penalty is not expressly spelt out in the tenets,’ Charsoc hissed. ‘It is nebulous at best.’
    Marduk stared coldly at Charsoc. ‘I warn you, Charsoc, do not be deluded. My sources reveal that an addendum has been added, by decree of Yehovah to Jether of the High Council, in order to protect the Race of Men from the Fallen. The rumours are that the severest of penalties will befall those of the Fallen who violate the tenets.’
    ‘Jether and his rumours!’ Charsoc hissed.
    Maelageor shook his two shrunken heads. ‘The genome,’ he said. ‘We run out of time, Your Excellency.’
    Lucifer strode up the steps towards the Whispering Gallery. The Black Murmurers fell prostrate.
    ‘The Portal of Shinar is our only means of getting the genome into the Race of Men in time. The plan must be activated without delay! We must get the Portal back under our control long enough to get Charsoc and the Vial of Sacred Progeny through.’
    Lucifer stared down a hundred feet towards Marduk and Charsoc.
    ‘Charsoc, you will leave at once for the Portal of Shinar. I have entered their world in past aeons as a priest of high standing. You, Charsoc, shall arrive in the world of the Race of Men as my emissary. In human form. You will convey to the Council of Thirteen my choice of the family. Ensure that every part of our strategy is executed with ultimate precision. We can afford no human error. When the plan is set, at the appointed time of my son’s exchange, I myself shall enter the World of Men through the Time Gates. Astaroth! Escort Charsoc without delay.’
    He raised his sceptre.
    ‘Instruct Sargon the Terrible – the great Prince of Babylonia – and his hordes to meet you at the Portal and to hold it until Charsoc is through. By the time my brother Michael realizes our diabolical strategy it will be too late. Zalialiel and his guard will be overrun.’
    ‘It will be done, my Lord.’ Charsoc bowed deeply.
    Lucifer watched as Astaroth strode through the gates followed by Charsoc and the Dark Cabal Wizards bearing the casket that held the Vial of Sacred Progeny.
    ‘Sire,’ Marduk murmured, an evil glint in his jaundiced eyes, ‘once Charsoc enters the world of the Race of Men through the Portal of Shinar, he cannot get back.’
    Lucifer held Marduk’s gaze.
    ‘He will find out soon enough.’
    * * *
    Michael stood on the glistening Pearl Sands of the First Heaven’s white beaches. He stared out towards two immense gates that towered far in the distance – the entrance to Eden. Yehovah’s lush Hanging Gardens and waterfalls that dropped a full mile down were faintly visible through Eden’s swiftly descending indigo mists.
    Michael had ridden straight to the Pearl Sands after inspecting his battalions on the vast Onyx Plains. He was still dressed in his ceremonial war armour.
    His thick flaxen mane was unbraided and fell down his broad shoulders onto his silver armour. The Sword of State hung at his side.
    Michael closed his eyes and inhaled the soft fragrance of spikenard that wafted from the plains of the White Poplars in Eden, an unusual tranquillity on his features.
    Jether stood at the top of the gilded stairs studying the imperial warrior.
    Michael. Chief Prince of the Royal House of Yehovah and commander of the First Heaven’s armies. Jether smiled.