“An ancient name,” Gideon said.
“An ancient foe,” Isaiah added. “He is the chief of demons, according to Shaddai’s Word, and he is worshipped in many different forms by the heathen. No wonder you could not defeat him in battle. Only Emmanuel himself can defeat this foe.”
“But I thought all of the demons served Mordred and his Wraith Riders,” Levi said, puzzled.
“You can be sure of this, Captain Bonifast, Jericho serves no one. Mordrid is simply a tool in his hand no matter what it may appear. Using Mordred and the Wraith Riders allows Jericho and his fellow angels to work in this physical realm in a way they otherwise could not.”
“Perhaps that is the reason for Ethan’s particular abilities?” Gideon said, feeling a sudden epiphany.
“Perhaps. We must do everything we can to help Ethan hone these gifts and many more he will learn here. And the sooner the better to begin the training, I think.” Isaiah closed the book and laid it on the table again as he stood up.
The other men followed, standing before the fire. “Welcome to The Order of Shaddai, my boy.” Isaiah smiled, placing a firm hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “You are now a priest in training. Gideon will see that you are fitted with robes, along with all you will need. I’m going to assign Gideon to be your mentor during your training. He’s the best we have.”
Ethan smiled, but Levi interjected. “I see that you’re going to have a lot to do here, boys. Therefore, I think it would be best if I did not remain. After all, I’ve lost my ship, and technically I’m still under the commission of King Stephen.”
“Captain Bonifast, I wonder if I might speak to you in private.” Isaiah said.
“Of course, sir.”
“Gideon, if you would, please take Ethan and get him settled in his quarters. Then show him around the Temple. There’s a lot for him to learn and very little time to do so.”
“Yes, Master Isaiah.” Gideon and Ethan left the anteroom the way they had entered, closing the door behind them, leaving Levi with the High Priest of Shaddai. Levi forced a queer smile.
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT
When the door closed, Levi suddenly felt a bit claustrophobic. The High Priest exuded authority and vast wisdom, and it simply made him uncomfortable that he was singled out to stay and speak with the man.
“Captain Bonifast, I truly appreciate your help in bringing Ethan to us here at The Order. Gideon has shared some of the more harrowing details of your brief acquaintance and his gratitude toward you for saving their lives on several occasions. I know that it cost you dearly to do so.”
“Well, that ride in here was pretty harrowing; I don’t mind telling you…” Levi coughed, abandoning his joke. “I appreciate the sentiment, Master Isaiah, but thanks are not necessary. It’s been my privilege to know these two young men. I count them as true friends. And if these things were meant to happen in Shaddai’s will, then I accept them.”
Isaiah smiled. “Gideon said that you were a man of strong faith. I can see he did not misjudge you.” The High Priest took his own seat again next to the fireplace. “Please, let’s sit for just a moment.”
Levi obliged the man, though uncertainly.
“It is concerning the will of the Almighty that I wish to speak to you about,” Isaiah said. “I can understand your desire to leave the Temple and to report back to Stephen, as there is still a war going on. And I fear it is only the beginning. But consider that Stephen’s army is defeated, and he has barely been able to cross back into his own country of Wayland.”
The news surprised Levi, shown plainly on his face. The elder man laughed. “Did you think that we are so secluded from the outside that we know nothing of the world in here? We, in fact, receive regular reports from all over Nod. Right now, Mordred is personally searching for the Deliverer, punishing those villages and towns which have given aid to Stephen’s army. You might go to Wayland as you said, or you could remain in Nod and perform a task that was given to me by Shaddai himself in a vision.”
Now Levi became intrigued. “You’ve got my ear, sir.”
“Shaddai has revealed to me that the Isle of Macedon is sending an emissary to us requesting the Word be sent to them.”
“But they aren’t part of Nodian territory.”
“We send the Word to anyone who asks, Captain, regardless of their affiliation. This is our task. We copy the manuscripts and prepare the volumes for transport. Our warrior-priests escort the Word to its destination, often remaining to play a role in the teaching and preaching of its contents. The heathen occupy Macedon to this day, but ten years ago, we sent two priests charged with preserving the Word already there. Both of them are missing and presumed dead.”
“So, where do I fit into this?” Levi asked.
“We are preparing to send the Word by ship to the Island. I am hoping you, Captain, will be willing to provide transport for the priests who are chosen to go.”
“But my ship is gone, blown to bits trying to escape with our lives from Mordred’s navy.”
“I understand, but I’m offering to give you a new ship and the means to outfit it as you please with crew and weaponry,” Isaiah said.
Levi’s right eyebrow cocked up. “Really? Now you’re talking.”
“I thought you might be interested.”
“And when this voyage is concluded?”
“The ship is yours, of course,” Isaiah said.
It seemed like too sweet a deal to pass up. Stephen was running for his life back to Wayland. He would not return to Nod anytime soon-if he ever did. What else did he have to do, but take the High Priest up on his generous offer?
“How long until we go to Macedon?” Levi asked.
“As I understand it, the emissary from Macedon is already on his way to Millertown where he can get a message to us directly. But it will take him some time to arrive. It will likely be several months from now before we send our priests with the Word. In the meantime you can take provisions and money and go to Hopple where you’ll find the ship waiting for you.”
“Hopple?” Levi asked. “But Hopple is just a small fishing village on the northern coast.”
“It is indeed and generally goes unnoticed by Mordred. Nevertheless, we have the ship stored there for just such emergencies. And it’s not been discovered yet.”
“I’ll depart tomorrow for Hopple if it pleases you,” Levi said with a grin on his face. He was going to get back to the sea, the one place he loved more than any other.
“Very good, Captain,” Isaiah said. “I’m sure it goes without saying that should you deceive us in some way- take the ship and the money-and leave off from the task we’re sending you for, it would not go well for you.”
“It does…but you just said it.”
Isaiah took a sip of his tea, grinning over the brim of his cup at the sea captain. “Yes, I did.”
CUNNING TRAP
“I still don’t understand why you don’t just stay here with us at the Temple,” Ethan said. The boy was dressed in his new robes. They were blue with a red sash indicating his status as a pupil under the tutelage of a mentoring warrior-priest.
“I’m not a priest, Ethan,” Levi said. “This just isn’t where Shaddai wants me to be. I’m a man of the sea and the Almighty will make a way for me to get back to serving him in that way-I’m certain of it.”
“Joseph will escort you back to the river and you’ll be able to leave through a different way than we came in,” Gideon said. He offered his hand to the sea captain. “I have a feeling we’ll meet again, but if not, then I’m sure
