Free Realm of the Dead by Donovan Neal Page B

moment, the relationship between him and his brother could not be worse.
     

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    Raziel, head of the Great Library, traveled through the burbs of Jerusalem and arrived at a home that was sealed with the royal clay seal. A seal that could only be broken by the hand of the Lumazi.  Anticipating the barrier, Raziel had asked Jerahmeel to meet him at the home of Eskalion.  He did not have long to wait, and he bowed in greeting to the Prince of House Harrada.
    "My apologies, my Prince, but I saw no choice but to request a member of the Lumazi witness what I suspect."
    "Thy report said thou didst believe Eskalion could be healed. That was all I needed to know."  Jerahmeel then cracked the seal that was bonded to the door and opened it.  "After you, my friend."
    "My thanks, High Prince."
    The door opened, and light burst into the street and through the windows. Both angels covered their eyes, for standing in the center of the room was the Holy Spirit, and the Shekinah was aglow and lit the interior. 
    "My King!" Jerahmeel exclaimed.  Both he and Raziel immediately knelt in the presence of God.
    El Pnuema motioned for them to rise and spoke, "Rise, my children." His voice reverberated as if multitudes were speaking.
    Both angels stood to their feet and Jerahmeel was first to respond. "We are here to speak to Eskalion, my King.  We apologize for disrupting thy work.  We will return at another time."
    "Nay, my son. Yet when thou doth journey, thou shalt take Eskalion with thee."  A flash of light then ensued, and El Pnuema was gone. The angels shielded their eyes and when they looked again, Eskalion had entered from the back room of his home towards them.
    Raziel was first to speak. "Eskalion of House Arelim, thou champion during the war, we know through scrolls that this thing called grief hath befallen thee.  I bring to you one of the Lumazi, whom the Holy Spirit hath commanded to speak to thee,"
    Eskalion looked upon them in silence.  His eyes vacant as if his mind were elsewhere.
    Jerahmeel spoke. "Thy valor during the war is known to me and to all of the Lumazi.  I am on a mission to strike at the heart of Lucifer's power.  He builds a forge deep within the confines of Earth and Hell.  It is my charge to destroy this creation."
    Eskalion addressed Jerahmeel. "And what of Talus?"
    Jerahmeel was taken aback not expecting his brother to come up in conversation.
    "I do not understand...what of him?" asked Jerahmeel.
    Eskalion walked closer to Jerahmeel and studied his face. "Will you be going to rescue our brother from the Enemy?"
    Jerahmeel frowned. "Though it grieves me to say it, I am forbidden to hamper the cause of the Hell-forge's destruction.  To secure Heaven's security must take precedence over rescue of our brother. This is the direct order of the Chief Prince."
    Eskalion thought on the words of Jerahmeel and spoke, "The Chief Prince is right in his judgment.  You cannot sacrifice the destruction of the Hell-forge to save Talus. Yet no such prohibition hinders me.  I shall find Talus. This, God by His Spirit hast commanded me, this, God by His Spirit I will do."
    Jerahmeel immediately came to realize the provision of the Lord. For Michael had forbidden him to move to rescue Talus, if in doing so, it might weigh against the successful destruction of the Hell-forge.  And now Eskalion stood before him, charged by the Lord Himself, to undertake what he could not.  Jerahmeel smiled, and whispered, "I thank you, Lord."
    Eskalion looked at Raziel, "You have been in continuous ministry to me.  You and the Word of the Lord have strengthened me, and I stand returned to wholeness.  You have my thanks, Grigori."  Eskalion bowed, and Raziel returned his respect in kind.
    "It is settled then," said Raziel.  "When will you leave Heaven?"
    Both Raziel, and Eskalion looked at Jerahmeel, who replied, "As soon as I can muster enough restraint to not choke the life from Iblis."
     

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    Michael