Free Realm of the Dead by Donovan Neal Page A

Jerahmeel to be seated. "I am come to discuss the situation of Iblis and Talus."
    Jerahmeel remained standing. "I am anxious to mount a rescue mission immediately.  I have consulted with Argoth, and our intelligence seems to indicate that he is deep within the creature.  Possibly somewhere near the bowels of the giant itself."
    Michael lowered his head.  "Talus is that which I wish to speak of."
    Jerahmeel looked upon his brother. "Wonderful, with thy permission I will take Iblis and two others and mount a rescue mission.  Iblis will no doubt have knowledge of the realm beyond what Argoth's scouts can tell us.  For since Hell's overturn by Lucifer, we have lost sight of its internal mappings and growth.  It is my intention, therefore, to also take one of the redactors.  Argoth believes he can remap the creature and monitor things from the Hall of Annals and will compare our journey to the last known coordinates we have of the creature's system."
    Michael looked away from Jerahmeel. "I see," he said.
    Jerahmeel's eyes narrowed and he studied Michael. "How soon am I given leave to return?"
    Michael sighed. "I grant thee leave for Hell with all those requested, but thy mission will not be to rescue our brother."
    Jerahmeel's eyes widened in appeal, "But, Michael, we have actionable information that might allow us to bring him home.  Wouldst thou leave him in the clutches of the enemy?  Hath my brother grown so cold in command that the Host are but trinkets to be moved about on game boards of skill?"
    Michael immediately recoiled and spoke, "How dare you impugn mine honor to think my love of Talus waxes cold.  Did I not seek a volunteer to misdirect Lucifer, and to seek out Chronos?  Was it I who held his hand aloft to undertake so dangerous a mission?  And who accompanied our brother that he returned alone?  The report of both he and his Grigori are silent to Argoth.  Tell me, Lord of House Harrada, did Talus not save thy life?  Did he not allow himself to be taken that ye might live?"
    Jerahmeel bowed his head. "I am shamed.  I meant no disrespect.  I...I am simply concerned about the welfare of our brother.  I seek but the authority to see the thing through."
    Michael walked over to Jerahmeel and placed his hands on his shoulder and sighed. "I miss him, too, but we are Lumazi. Our first order is to God, then to the people of the realm.  To this end, we cannot allow ourselves to succumb to desires of self-rule.  Therefore, leave quickly and take those whom would assist thee, but rescuing Talus shall not be thy cause.  Thou wilt search the bowels of the creature, Hell...not to rescue, but to destroy."
    Jerahmeel replied, "Do you aim to destroy the Hellforge that Iblis made mention of?"
    "Aye," replied Michael.  "Lucifer cannot be allowed to create a kiln.  Iblis has told me that he has taken the residue of my people's stones of fire along with others that have surrendered themselves to him and hath created a cache of weapons and monstrosities that will, in time, rival us in number.  We have seen that his plan to blend mankind's blood with our own to create abomination hast incurred the direct wrath of God. Have we not even seen El, Himself, leave to battle Lucifer in the realm of men in flesh?  We cannot rescue Talus whilst the threat of a kiln exists.  I did not destroy the womb of our birth to see our brother ignite another war against us. Until we can secure the Hellforge, nothing...not even the rescue of our brother, can stand in the way of this task.  Are you clear in your purpose?"
    Jerahmeel turned his back to his brother and groaned, "You ask a hard thing, but the Lord of House Harrada is clear in his purpose.  It shall be done as thou hast commanded.  But tell me..."
    Michael looked at his brother in deep intent. "Say on."
    "How many more of us will you let see dissolution before you see Lucifer destroyed?"
    Michael's eyes grew wide. He frowned and turned to leave, knowing that at that