Before the Fall (21 page)

David had volunteered within moments of Caleb. His beard was thick with a streak of white that ran through the center. He reminded him of an ox, strong and bulky. David’s face was dark and wrinkled, weathered by the sun. If David’s eyes weren’t such a vivid green, they would never be seen under his thick bushy eyebrows.

Although they spoke little as they traveled to Ai, Uriel discovered that at fifteen, Caleb had barely lived enough of a life to have it taken away so quickly should they be caught. David had five daughters and a newborn son waiting for his return.

“What is your purpose?” Uriel mumbled, asking his question to the stars. It was dark now. The only light in the city came from the torches that hung along the building walls.

There had to be a reason why he had specifically been sent when another angel could have taken on this duty and placed less risk on the mission.

“Naomi, are you sure about this?”

Uriel flattened himself against the wall when he heard Lahash’s voice. He looked around. No one else had heard the voice. Underneath the arch that marked the entrance to the alley, he saw Lahash with a beautiful woman.

“Yes, I am sure. Where you go, I go. I want to be with you.”

Uriel watched as they spoke in hushed whispers, planning to leave the city in secret. He smiled, thankful that at least Lahash would be gone. Though he wondered what Jeremiel would do when he found that the woman he was betrothed to had left with his brother.

The clouds lifted and the moonlight shone on Naomi’s face. Her eyes gazed at Lahash as if he were the only person in the world.

Rachel looks at me like that,
he thought.

Now that his eyes and heart were open to what true love looked like, he ached for it.

He looked around for Caleb and David. They should leave now before the night watch began their walks around the city.

“Then meet me on our hill tomorrow night.” Lahash gave her a kiss. “Soon you will be with me. We shall leave this place and you, my love, will become my wife. No one will ever take you away from me.”

“Wait, Lahash. Before you go, please do something for me,” Naomi said.

“You know I will do anything you ask.” He kissed the palm of her hand.

“Do not leave without saying goodbye to your mother.”

Uriel could see Lahash's face grow sad. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed thickly.

“She will keep our secret. I know she will.”

“Yes. She will. It is just so hard to say goodbye to her. I don’t know when or if we shall ever return.”

“I know it is painful but it is something we must do for those we love.” She gently touched his cheek. “My father told me that Jeremiel and your father will come to the inn to meet with him in the morning.”

He looked at her and let out a breath. “Then that is when I will go to her.”

“I have faith, Lahash, that someday we will all be together as one family. I can feel it.”

“I wish my faith were as strong as yours.” Lahash threw a cloak over his head. “This I know for sure, you will be my wife tomorrow.”

He gave her one final kiss.

Uriel watched as Lahash ran down the alley toward the south of the city. When he disappeared, Naomi leaned back against the wall, her fingers touching her lips.

“Lahash, my husband to be. The warmth of your lips lingers on mine and yet I still ache for you.”

“Who goes there?” A voice yelled in the distance.

No!

Uriel jumped to attention, hoping Caleb and David had not been spotted. He had a sinking feeling that they had. He needed to get them out of the city. Now!

Naomi turned in the direction of the voice. Her eyes widened at the sight of him.

“Do not be frightened,” he said. “I’m Uriel, a friend to Lahash’s family.”

Her face turned pale. “Then you know that I am betrothed to Jeremiel.”

He nodded. “Yes, I was told of your betrothal.” He left out the part that it was Lucifer that told him.

“How much did you hear?”

“You have nothing to fear from me. I see the love between you and Lahash.”

“Perhaps you can speak for us on our behalf.” Her face looked hopeful. “I cannot marry Jeremiel, for I only love him as a brother. If Raphael does not change his mind, neither will my father. We will have no choice but to leave.”

He was about to answer her when there was a loud chorus of voices and one voice that cried out. “Spies in the city!”

There was a sudden stomping of feet and clanging of swords. Then, from the distance, he saw Caleb and David fleeing in his direction.

“Hurry!” He called out to them. “We must leave before the city gates are closed.”

“What is wrong?” Naomi looked frantic. “Are you in danger?”

“Yes,” he said as his heart pounded over the sound. “Baka’s army seeks us.”

“Baka? What does he—”

There was the loud sound of a ram’s horn.

“What is that?” Caleb asked breathlessly when he and David reached them.

“That is the alarm. It is too late. The gates are being closed now. They will be looking for you,” she said.

“Is there another way out?” Uriel asked.

“If you can leave from the south side of the city, you can run through the fields unseen.”

“Are you sure?”

“Lahash left in that direction,” Naomi’s cheeks turned pink.

“We were at the south gate. There are a pair of soldiers there,” David said gruffly. “There are only two but I fear there is no way we can take them. They stand like giants with fierce black eyes. They do not look to be human.”

“Jether and Joab,” Uriel muttered under his breath. It was as if Lucifer had known they would be there.

The chorus of angry voices grew louder, heading in their direction.

“Go to the inn,” Naomi said as she tugged on Uriel’s arm. “My father is at the governor’s home, and the rest of my family sleeps.”

“They will search every building until they find us,” Caleb said breathlessly as they approached the inn.

“Go to the rooftop,” she said as she opened the door. “There you can hide under the stalks of wheat.”

“A bed of wheat won’t stop a soldier’s sword, woman,” David grumbled.

“No, but I will,” she said, her chin jutting out.

“I believe you will,” Uriel said, admiring her bravery.

“If Uriel trusts you, then so shall I, but let me ask this of you. Why are you doing this for us?” David asked.

“An enemy of Baka and his army is a friend of mine.”

H
idden underneath the bushels of wheat, Uriel listened as the soldiers went from building to building looking for them. He held his breath when the soldiers banged on the inn’s door.

Naomi’s voice was calm as she invited the soldiers in and offered to serve them drinks. He was surprised by the sound of her flirtatious laughter and the lilt in her voice. Then he realized what she was doing when he heard the clatter of chairs moving and the thump of goblets hitting the table.

Then the hairs on the back of his neck stood up when he heard the door open again and the voices of Baka and Gideon.

“What is this?” Baka roared. “I sent you to hunt down the spies!”

There was a loud crash and a begging of forgiveness.

“On your feet! Search this place. Now!”

This is it,
Uriel thought. Any minute now the soldiers would storm up onto the roof and find their hiding place.

“Naomi, raise your mother and sisters,” Gideon said. “You will see that we have no secrets here, oh Great Baka. All are loyal to the governor and Lucifer here.”

“Father, I have seen the spies of which Baka speaks,” she said. “I-I was at the well when they rushed past. They spoke of escaping to the stream.”

“What a fine daughter I have,” Gideon’s voice was filled with pride. “You see Baka, my family is devoted to you. Hand me my sword, daughter. I shall go and hunt down these spies with Baka.”

There was a rustling of material. “Who are they, Father? Are we in any danger?”

“There is word that a man by the name of Joshua has built an army in search of fallen angels that have come down to Earth,” he said. “He has spread lies so that others would follow him. He has even said that these angels have produced offspring . . . some as big as giants.”

There was chorus of laughter.

“I heard that Joshua was shunned by his own family for his madness,” said a soldier.

“He even claims to speak to the most high of archangels, Michael,” said another. “And Joshua claims he was told to destroy our city because we harbor the wicked angels and their offspring.”

There was another roar of laughter.

“Who would believe such nonsense?” the voice continued.

“There is nothing for you to worry about, daughter. Your wedding to Jeremiel will take place as planned. Baka will quash Joshua’s pitiful army, no doubt that it is small for I cannot imagine many would believe such falsehoods. Isn’t that right, Baka?”

“Of course,” Baka’s voice was gruff. “Sound the alarm. We will capture the spies soon enough.”

There was another sound of the ram’s horn followed by a chorus of yells. There was a loud pounding of feet that moved away from the inn.

When the inn was silent, he heard the pattering of feet running up the stairs and onto the roof.

“They’re gone,” Naomi whispered as she helped remove the stalks from over them. “There’s one soldier standing guard at the front entrance. Here, take this rope. You can climb down from the side.”

David looked down at the rope for a moment and gave her a grunt. “You are brave to defy your kinsmen . . . and your father.”

“I saw it in Baka’s face. He lies. My father, he...” she swallowed thickly. “He is blinded by their power and what they can give to him. Tell me, will there be battle soon?”

Caleb and David looked to Uriel. He nodded. There was no danger in warning Naomi of what was to come. Maybe she could help make sure that Raphael and his family remained outside the city.

“Joshua has received word that all in the city are to be destroyed,” David said. “Ai’s citizens harbor fallen angels and demons that spit on the face of The Most High.”

Her face paled. “D-demons? I’ve heard rumors of such but I never thought it to be true.”

“It is true, and those that know have turned a blind eye.”

Uriel’s stomach churned at David’s words. He was one of those of whom David spoke.

“But many here are innocent. Surely, they will not be harmed,” she said.

“There is still time, Naomi,” Uriel said. “Warn others who you know to be innocent. Have them leave this place.”

“I shall try. I fear no one will believe me.”

Uriel shook his head. More than likely they wouldn’t.

“When will they attack?”

“We know not. Take great care, Naomi. Go with Lahash as soon as you can.”

“No, wait! My family. I won’t be able to get them out of the city. My father will never let my mother and sisters leave. Please ask your leader to spare their lives.”

“It is not in my hands to choose who lives or dies,” he said. “I’m sorry, Naomi. I can’t promise you that.”

“I can.”

He turned at the sound of the voice. Michael stood at the edge of the rooftop, his feet hovering over the surface. His majestic wings were spread open. His glorious face gazed down upon Naomi.

She gasped at the sight of him then dropped to her knees, bowing her head. “My Lord.”

Caleb and David looked at her in bewilderment.

“What is she doing?” Caleb asked David.

He shrugged.

“You don’t see him?” Uriel asked them.

“See who?” Caleb looked in the spot where Michael stood.

“My appearance is for Naomi and her alone. The others cannot see,” Michael said in a deep voice. “Rise, Naomi.”

She lifted her head. “Who are you?”

“I am the Archangel Michael. Your pleas to save your family have been heard. For what you have done this night, for your faith in others, your pleas will not be forgotten.”

“Anyone within these walls”—his arm swept over the inn’s rooftop—“shall be spared. They must stay within them for the chorus of the rams’ horns, or its third call shall be the last they hear.” He tilted his head to the side as if hearing something. “A young girl calls out for you.”

“Lilia,” she said, looking behind her and then back to him with tears in her eyes.

“Go to her, my child. And take care that you heed what I say.”

“Yes. I shall. Thank you.”

When Naomi was safe back inside the inn, Michael turned to Uriel. “You have done well, Uriel. One day, you will be rewarded for your work here. Now, you and the others must return to Joshua’s camp. Go quickly.”

With a flap of his wings, Michael took off into the sky. He hovered for a moment as he gazed at Uriel with a sad expression on his face. Then, with another flap of his wings, he flew into the darkness.

Uriel grabbed the rope and quickly secured it to the roof.

“Caleb. Go quickly. David will follow,” he instructed.

When David was safe on the ground, Uriel took hold of the rope. A dark shadow flew overhead blocking the moonlight. At first, he thought it was Michael returning. Then half way down the wall, he heard the flapping of wings. There were more than one pair.

He watched David and Caleb run across the fields. In the distance, he saw Michael. It was as if David and Caleb were being drawn in Michael’s direction. Away from the dark shadow that loomed above him. Away from the wings that grew closer to him.

He didn’t have to look up to know who it was. When he did, he knew it would be his end. He closed his eyes and thought of the one person who could calm his fears.

“Rachel,” he whispered.

When he opened them, the last thing he saw was Lucifer’s face as it swept down from the sky.

N
aomi tugged the rope, lifting the bucket of water from the well. She sighed as she looked up into the cloudless sky. It was a beautiful day . . . a great day to be married. This was the day she was to leave with Lahash to be bound to him for the rest of her life. And now, when she met with him tonight, she had to tell him that she couldn’t.

She looked around the city square. It was early but already there were a number of people at the well. The gates were open and a number of merchants lined the city streets readying their tents with goods to sell. Everywhere she looked, people wore smiles on their faces. If only she could take back last night and make it all disappear and erase the knowledge that soon Ai and all who lived within its walls would be destroyed.