The Tree of Life (Lost Civilizations: 3) (18 page)

“You may yet turn back,” said the guardian Cherub.

“You speak vainly,” Tarag said. “The prize lies before me. All I must do is defeat you.”

The Cherub drew a flaming sword.

Awed, and afraid of the fiery sword, Joash stepped away from the Cherub.

Tarag unlimbered his adamant shield and lowered a visor from his adamant helmet. He clanked closer to the East Gate and immortality.

“You may not pass, son of Moloch,” the Cherub said.

Tarag rumbled laughter. “Do you think, O guardian, that I would attempt this thing unless I was assured of success? No, Tarag is not so foolish. I lived through the Accursed War. I saw the vain striving of my father and his brethren. Yet I also saw defeated Shining Ones. For centuries, I’ve planned for this moment. O guardian, Tarag is no fool. I can defeat you, and you know it.”

“You will never gain the Tree of Life,” the Cherub said.

“O, but I will,” Tarag said, stepping closer still. “Yes, indeed I will. Mimir! Be ready!”

Mimir the Wise, his huge axe in his hands, shuffled forward to help his ally.

Tarag roared his battle cry, and charged the guardian Cherub of Eden. Incredibly, the huge First Born, with the awesome strength of sabertooths in his veins, and the courage of his father, Moloch the Hammer, the strongest
bene elohim
ever to have walked the Earth, Tarag forced the guardian Cherub back step by step. The mighty Cherub, who seemed weaker than Tarag, nevertheless used his flaming sword with skill. Still, no matter how hard he tried, the Cherub retreated before the dreadful First Born.

“Now, Mimir!” Tarag roared. “Strike now!”

Mimir dared to advance.

The Cherub shouted in a mighty voice. His sword crackled with greater heat. The fur on Tarag’s sword arm curled and smoked.

Mimir paused.

Roaring in fury, Tarag increased the rate of his blows. The Cherub was forced to duck once and step back again.

“Strike, Mimir!” Tarag roared. “Earn your immortality!”

Mimir dared advance, his eyes narrowed and his face tight with fear.

Joash quailed. Tarag was winning! What could he do? Then, Joash remembered the lion-skin sling wound around his waist. Quickly, he unwound it, and dropped a smooth stone from his pouch into it. He twirled, as Mimir strode toward Tarag’s side. The guardian Cherub, a celestial, almost stood under the East Gate.

Tarag roared in triumph, as the point of the adamant sword sliced through the Cherub’s forearm. Golden ichor dripped from the wound. The Cherub switched hands, using the flaming sword left-handed, and with equal skill as before.

“I shall defeat you,” Tarag boasted.

Mimir rushed to the attack.

Joash released one end of his sling. The stone shot true and caught Tarag under the visor and beside his sabertooth-like snout. Tarag flinched, as he roared in rage. The Cherub, a master swordsman, parried aside the adamant sword. The Cherub thrust his flaming weapon. Tarag roared again, as blood spurted from his side, the adamant mail sheared through.

Mimir appeared appalled at this change of fortune, and backed away in fear.

The guardian Cherub spoke another word. His sword grew hotter yet, as the flames crackled with new intensity.

Joash stepped back, throwing his hands before him. The heat was unbearable.

“Blasphemer!” the Cherub thundered. He struck the adamant shield, as Tarag shifted it before him. A black mark scotched it.

In that instant, Joash looked into Eden. He saw, deep within the garden, a most wonderful tree with golden fruit. “The Tree of Life,” he whispered. Joash darted a glance at the battle. It was fierce, titanic. He realized, with a shock, that he could dash in, pluck the golden fruit and eat it. He’d never die. Joash’s heart beat hard. He bit his lip. Then, he knew shame. No, it was forbidden. He was not the enemy, nor would he join the enemy’s ranks.

“I am a Seraph,” he whispered.

Joash turned. With a mighty
CLANG
, the Cherub smashed the adamant sword from Tarag’s grasp.

“No!” Tarag howled. He leaped at the Cherub.

The guardian Cherub avoided the rush. He stabbed at the First Born’s face.

The awful stench and gore made Joash look away. When he looked again, Tarag was on the ground, unmoving, un-breathing, dead after more than two thousand years of life.

The flame on the Cherub’s sword dwindled, until it was only torch-strong. “What of you, giant?” asked the Cherub.

Mimir no longer held his axe. He’d fallen to one knee and bowed his head. “I will not challenge you.”

“You are wise,” the Cherub said.

“High One,” Mimir said, when he found that his head was still attached to his body, “will you permit me to take my brother’s arms back for proper burial?”

“You wish for the adamant arms and armor?”

“With your permission, High One.”

“Flee, Mimir. Go back to your father and to your brethren. Tell them that Eden is forbidden them.”

“What of the Seraph?” Mimir asked.

“Until he returns to his own people, he will be well guarded.”

“By your leave,” Mimir said. He hurried from view.

“What of me?” Joash whispered.

“You will help Adah return to the pass and to Lord Uriah.”

“What must I do then?”

“Rejoice, Seraph, that Tarag’s evil plan was thwarted. Engage in a holy holiday. Then ready yourself for the coming war.”

“Against the First Born and Nephilim?”

“Go, Joash. Tell those you see that Eden is not a place to journey. This is holy ground, and is forbidden to man.”

Joash looked up. “Please thank Elohim for all that He’s given me.”

The guardian Cherub of Eden smiled, throwing up his arms. From the heavens rolled thunder and flashed lightening. Joash fell to his knees in awe.

“He has heard you, Joash of Elon. He is well pleased with you.”

Joash rose and turned away from Eden, never to return.

The End, Book #3

Please email me at [email protected] if you find any errors, missing words, etc, in this manuscript.

The epic adventure continues with

Gog

(Lost Civilizations: 4)

Read on for an exciting excerpt from the next book in Lost Civilizations.

First are the Glossary and the Appendix.

GLOSSARY

Abaddon the Destroyer
: One of the most hated
bene elohim
. He delighted in rapine and slaughter. After sacking his first city, he herded 25,000 captives into a valley and sacrificed them to himself. Abaddon was the father of Yorgash, thus he is the grandsire of the Gibborim.

Adah
: A singer from Poseidonis.

Adamant
: A special metal mined in the Celestial Realm. The Shining Ones and
bene elohim
used it for their arms and armor. It shines like bright silver, but it is stronger and holds a better edge than even Bolverk-forged iron.

Amery
: A chariot-runner of Elon.

Anak
: A huge and mighty
bene elohim
. He wielded a stone maul, and could call lightning from the sky. He was the father of Jotnar, thus he is the grandsire of giants.

Arioch the Archangel
: One of the chief Shining Ones who fought in the Thousand Years War. His most noted victory occurred on the steppes of what came to be known as Jotunheim. There, he defeated Draugr Trolock-Maker and his allies.

Arkite
: A hardy mountain folk who have slipped into savagery. They’re skilled hunters and trackers.

Arkite Land
: A mountainous country to the south of the Suttung Sea and Nebo Land. It has predatory orns and fast-flowing streams. A spring hidden in Arkite Land is said to be a veritable fountain of youth.

Asvarn Horses
: A swift breed of chariot horses. First bred in Caphtor, but now primarily raised in Elon.

Asvarn the Prophet
: He foretold the coming of the Shining Ones during the Seven Years of Darkness. He also gave a terrible prophecy that foretold the end of the Age. Born in Caphtor.

Atlas
: The only city on the Isle of Poseidonis.

auroch
: A long-horned breed of cattle. Powerful and fiercely tempered.

Auroch; Lord Auroch of Shamgar
: A pirate-lord of Shamgar, whose banner is the red silhouette of an auroch on a black field.

Azarel Dogs
: The line was said to have been bred by Arioch the Archangel, to war against the
bene elohim
. Brave, noble, fierce, their line is said to have died out.

Azel the Accursed
: The leader of the
bene elohim
. Once, an archangel of the Celestial Realm. It was he who stole Elohim’s Rod of Creation, and he who defeated many of the Shining Ones when they came to war against him on Earth. Prophets say he sits in a dark and silent off-world prison, shackled by adamant chains. There, he ponders his rebellion as he awaits the Final Judgment.

Babel the Mighty
: The northern capital of the Accursed Lands. It was the last stronghold to fall, and its razing led to the end of the Thousand Years War. An ancient poem was composed of its fall. Only these verses remain:

Woe! Woe, O great city,

O Babel, city of power!

In one hour your doom has come!

Balad the Blessed
: One of the chief Shining Ones who fought in the Thousand Years War. He gained Elohim’s permission to descend to Earth and fight the
bene elohim
.

Balak the Beastmaster
: A half-Nephilim pterodactyl egg-robber of Shamgar.

bene elohim
: Fallen angels driven from the Celestial Realm during the Great Rebellion. Many heeded Azel, who had stolen Elohim’s Rod of Creation. They joined Azel in his invasion of Earth. In order that they could sire offspring, Azel used the Rod of Creation to fashion earthly bodies. Alas, Azel was not mighty enough to wield the rod. Thus he chained each
bene elohim
to their mortal bodies.

Beke
r: A chariot-runner of Elon.

Beron
: An Arkite tribesman of the Snow Leopard Clan.

Bloodspillers
: A northern band of warriors who fought with Draugr Trolock-Maker during the Thousand Years War. Their banner was the bloody sickle. They never used swords, but wielded giant sickles. Their motto went: “They reaped souls for their lord.”

Bolverk the Giant Smith
: A mastersmith of the north. He is the son of Jotnar, and thus a Nephilim giant. He has created an extraordinary line of arms and armor. His swords are better than any made by men, and his armor is almost unbreakable by human weapons.

Bolverk-forged
: Any weapon or armor fashioned by the great Bolverk. No weapon is stronger, sharper or better made. No armor is better able to absorb blows.

Bomilcar
: A city on the southern shore of the Suttung Sea. It belongs to the League of Peace, and was colonized by Further Tarsh. Its people are known as the salt kings, and their salted herring is eaten all around the Suttung Sea.

bowshot
: A common term of distance, as far as one can shoot a bow, about two hundred paces.

Bondservant
: Not a slave, but not free. One is bonded to his master, and is thus obliged to serve him. But one can ask to be discharged, and the custom is for the master to let the bondservant leave.

Brand
: A chariot-driver of Elon.

Caphtor
: A city on the Great Sea, and once the capital of the Empire. Its founder is said to be Seth, son of Adam. The second city ever raised, it is the greatest and strongest yet standing. Whoever gains the rank of First Sword of Caphtor is said to be the best swordsman in the world.

Carthalo
: A city on the southern shore of the Suttung Sea. It belongs to the League of Peace, and colonized was by Further Tarsh. The city has been built in a hollowed out mountain. Arioch the Archangel was said to be the city’s founder. Citizens of Carthalo brag that their city could never be taken by storm.

Cave Bear Tribe
: An Arkite tribe whose totem is the cave bear.

Charioteer ranks
: A chariot is a complex piece of equipment. For a chariot team to run smoothly, there are four common and quite distinct ranks. The first, and lowest rank, is that of chariot-runner. This will be an Elonite youth. His task is to care for the chariot-dogs, pick up thrown spears and javelins, and do any of the hundreds of odd jobs his charioteer lord requires. The second rank is groom. His primary task is to care for the chariot-horses and to make sure the chariot itself is in working order. The third rank is chariot-driver. Drivers are usually second class nobility, but they are highly regarded for their skills. Drivers drive the chariots. The top rank is charioteer. This is an Elonite noble in the prime of life. He wields the long chariot lance, and hurls the deadly spears and javelins. He is the knight of his era.

Chosen, the
: The name that the children of the First Born Yorgash have given themselves. Commonly known as Gibborim.

Defender of the Oracle
: Normally, a child of the First Born, Gog. However, he has gathered other Nephilim and half-Nephilim to his service. Their residence is the pirate-lair of Shamgar.

Dinah
: A Paranite princess, now the grand Matriarch of Shur. Once a wife of Lord Uriah, she was driven from Elon by Queen Tamar, and raised her son, Shur, in Paran to be its ruler.

Dishon
: A city on the southern shore of the Suttung Sea. The leaping gray dolphin is the city symbol.

Draugr Trolock-Maker
: A craggy-faced
bene elohim
. Slow of thought and motion, none could dissuade him once he made up his mind. He created the trolocks.

East Gate, the
: Legend holds this is the only entrance into fabled Eden.

Eden
: The fabled Garden where humanity first lived. Legends hold that humans are barred from Eden, and that within it lies the Tree of Life.

Eber
: A groom of Elon.

Elidad
: A charioteer noble of Elon.

Elohim
: The Creator.

Elon
: A son of Lord Uriah, and the present ruler of the Land of Elon.

Elon, the Land of
: The plains between Nearer and Further Tarsh, and the home of the Elonites.

Empire, the
: The common name for the former Empire of Man.

Enforcer
: Usually a grandson of Gog. One who enforces the dictates of Gog in Shamgar.

Falan
, the
: A lateen-rigged coastal trader of Dishon.

Fiends
: A Nephilim race. Tall, broad and hairy, like bears. They are berserk-like warriors and terrible foes. Of all the Nephilim races, they most respect physical prowess.

Fiery stone
: A precious stone that once sat on the Holy Mount in the Celestial Realm. Said to have been stolen by Azel when he was driven out of the Celestial Realm.

First Born
: Any child of a
bene elohim
, and conversely the father of various Nephilim.

flaming sword
: The legendary weapon of the guardian Cherub.

Further Tarsh
: The greatest trading city on the Suttung Sea, and the capital city of the League of Peace. The chief saying of the merchants of Further Tarsh has been coined as the Golden Rule: ‘He who has the gold makes the rules.’

Gandvik Rock
: A cursed island in the center of the Vergelmir Deep. It was made during the sea battle of Gomer. Necromon and his allies stored a vast among of spirit magic in ill-gotten skulls. When Balad the Blessed and his vassals rowed into battle, Necromon stirred the seas with magically raised waves. A third of Balad’s fleet perished in less than an hour. Then, Nidhogg rose and attacked, while Necromon and his necromancers plied their vilest spells. On the verge of defeat, Balad cried to heaven and Elohim. Storms rolled over the two fleets, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Jagged bolts flashed from heaven, and brimstone rained on the evil fleet. After the battle, the brimstone stirred the seas, and up rose Gandvik Rock, a fell and dangerous place, forever cursed.

Gens
: A chariot-driver of Elon.

giant
: The Nephilim race whose father is Jotnar. They are towering, long-lived beings known for their heroic deeds.

Gibborim
: The common term for the Nephilim children of Yorgash. Tall, lean and crafty, they are incredibly fast, hate the sun and usually practice necromancy. Known to feast on humans, they are greatly feared and hated by those they war against on the Isle of Poseidonis.

gift
: A unique and singular magical ability inborn to each descendent of a
bene elohim
unto the third generation.

gilik
: A derogatory Nephilim term for humans. It implies rank inferiority.

Gisgo
, the
: A large merchant ship of Further Tarsh.

Gog the Oracle
: The son of Magog the
bene elohim
, and thus a First Born.

Gort
: The name given to all the giants’ hereditary servitors.

Gort Six
: One of the hereditary servitors of Mimir the Wise.

Graz
: A sea captain of Dishon.

Great Sea, the
: A large body of water upon which tall-walled Caphtor sits, the delta of Iddo, and the northern opening to the Tarshish Sea.

Great Sundering, the
: The initial splintering of the Empire. It was begun by Ir’s vain king, and was the start of the War of Tears.

guardian Cherub
: The legendary being who guards the East Gate, and insures that no mortals enter Eden.

Gyr Falcon Banner
: The emblem of Lord Uriah, Patriarch of Elon. It shows a swooping falcon on a white field.

Hanun Mountains, the
: The range of mountains to the northeast of Shamgar. The mountains feed the Hanun River that creates the Hanun Swamps.

Harn
: a lion-colored dog.

Herrek
: A charioteer-noble of Elon. The youngest son of Teman, whose father was Amalek, whose father was Elon, whose father was Lord Uriah.

Himilco
: A marine commander of Carthalo.

Holy Mount, the
: A holy place in the Celestial Realm. On the mount, it’s said, lies a precious garden of fiery stones.

Hrungir
: A Nephilim giant.

Huri
: A loosely formed nation of primitive forest-dwellers. They are said to serve Elohim, but are wary of intruders. Many of them are splendid warriors, who either invade Elon from time to time, or sweep their coasts in pirate raids.

Huri Land
: The dense forestlands that surround Elon and grow northward to the edge of the Kragehul Steppes. Home to the Huri.

Iddo
: A far southern city first founded by Cain.

Ir
: The premier city of the Lands Between the Two Rivers.