That changed with the Men of Nod. They had humiliated him. But his voyage to Spain had changed that angry young man. It was the time on the open sea that taught him forgiveness.
He had never taken the time to know his enemy’s heart, having been more concerned with cutting it out. With Buono, he found a man who was his enemy but also a man he could respect. He had been Buono’s captive but Buono treated him with decency. Eventually, he came to regard Buono as a brother. The experience demonstrated that he could forgive and even love his enemy.
He thought on the Men of Nod and realized he had forgiven them for what they had done. He would survive the humiliation.
That was his past but it impacted his present. And his present was astounding: he was with the Nephilim in the Garden of Eden.
But while Antonio had forgiven the Men of Nod, there was one constant in his life and that was his word. He had given his word to the Nephilim that he would lead them to the garden and he could not go back on his promise.
He had not however, vowed to partake in the battle that would ensue. The Nephilim would be given their opportunity for revenge and once that opportunity was presented, it was in their hands.
Antonio looked up from his contemplation and saw Miguel watching. Miguel realized his actions and averted his eyes. “Forgive me, Antonio, I did not mean to stare. You just looked at peace and I wondered as to your thoughts.”
“No offence taken,” Antonio replied. “I was thinking of how much I have seen in so little time. This is truly a remarkable place.”
Miguel nodded. “Do you think Juan and Diego know we are here?”
“They know.”
“I agree with you. How could they not know? Where will they go, I wonder? I have no idea of the vastness of this garden. They could be anywhere.”
“Rephaim thinks he knows where they will go. I have seen the place he speaks of in a vision.”
Miguel looked at Antonio curiously. “Where is this place?”
“West of here. It’s the oldest part of the garden.”
“Was the garden not all created at once?”
“No. This place that I speak of is where creation began. The Nephilim are forbidden to enter there and that’s why they need me.”
“When you say where creation began…”
“The place where the first light of creation was spoken. The birthplace of the heavens and earth. The place where man first came to be.”
“And we are going there?” Miguel asked amazed.
“Unless you’d like to stay here warming yourself by the fire.”
Miguel looked at him sharply, thinking Antonio was calling him a coward. Antonio gave him a lighthearted smile and Miguel realized he was joking.
Miguel let down his guard. “I think probably not.”
The two men stared into the fire a few moments and Antonio changed the subject, “There is more to life than revenge.”
Miguel was surprised by the unexpected comment.
“La Florida is a new land with new possibilities,” Antonio continued. “You could leave all of this behind and do well for yourself in so-called New World.”
Miguel considered Antonio words before speaking. “Sometimes revenge is all that’s left.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Juan looked around at a land he had not seen in many years. They were in Ethiopia.
The King of Spain had sent him to Ethiopia many years prior as an ambassador and he had followed a great river south while passing through. The river brought him to Axum, the most sacred village in Ethiopia.
Christianity had come to Ethiopia in the 4th Century AD and it was said that the Ark of the Covenant lay within the chapel of that village. Juan investigated but was not given access.
Also near the village were the ruins of a vast palace. Juan made inquiries but no one knew of its origin. The elders used the word Sheba in describing the palace but could not explain the significance of that word.
Juan finally came to Debre Berhan, the royal capital of Ethiopia and met with the Emperor. As Spain was also Christian, the Emperor welcomed Juan and encouraged him to learn more of his land. He stayed in the capital for two months reading over ancient scrolls that gave history of Ethiopia and its people. It was at the royal palace among the scrolls, that Juan first saw the Book of Jubilees.
Juan had a knack for new languages and picked up the spoken language but the written language proved more difficult. He was pleased to have the assistance of the spiritual leaders in reading the Book of Jubilees, helping with translations as needed.
During those months, he read at his pleasure but time came for him to move on. His purpose was to learn more about the cultures of Ethiopia, not become a scholar.
Juan spent two years with the people of Ethiopia but only his time in the capital afforded him reading the Book of Jubilees. He stopped by Debre Berhan on his journey home but his second stint there was short and mostly formal. By the time he made his back way to Spain, Juan had forgotten the religious text. It was not until his conversation with Abuelo that the book was recalled.
Now, Juan was back in Ethiopia and he engaged his surroundings. In the distance, the palace of Debre Berhan rose from the dusty plain. It was there that they would find the Book of Jubilees.
“Is that where we’re headed?” Diego asked.
“Aye,” Juan answered. He looked up at the sky at the bright sun.
They set out and Juan thought of the Emperor as they approached the palace. They had been young when they first met and would now both be old men.
