----------------
One angel in particular wondered what all this meant for his
own future. Serus slowly made his way back toward Lucifer's
house. He watched as the other angels walked by in groups, laugh-
ing and talking, genuinely enjoying each other's fellowship. Serus
had long ago resigned himself that to serve with Lucifer meant sac-
rificing some aspects of one's communal life. After all, it was
Lucifer who took him in after his poor showing at the Academy
and gave him a position of real prestige. So what if he didn't do
well? Let others like Michael and Gabriel be adored. Serus shined
in service to Lucifer--the greatest angel in Heaven.
This was the reasoning that Serus had been entertaining late-
ly. And still sometimes he missed the company of others, particu-
larly in joyous seasons such as this one. He now wondered what
this new season would bring to him. He looked up at the imposing
house in the distance--Lucifer's palace--and could see the magnif-
icent gardens in front and his master standing on the balcony. No
doubt he would be in a foul mood about something. This was the
angel in whom Serus had placed his trust and his future. He had
long given up the idea of serving in the House of the Lord, as the
greatest positions had been assumed.
He decided that the greater angels would not welcome him as
he wasn't gifted musically, wasn't wise enough to be a scribe, and
didn't have the ability of a warrior. And so he served in the shad-
ow of one greater, hoping some day to cast a shadow of his own.
----------------
Kara looked uncomfortable as he sat across from Michael and
the others in the room. He had never been invited to Michael's
home before, and now, in the presence of Gabriel, Crispin and
Sangius, he could not help but be suspicious as to their intentions.
As an elder who sat upon the Council it was not unusual to have an
audience with other angels, but usually the circumstances were
102 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
much more official, much more public. This invitation came quiet-
ly and begged discretion until the meeting was over.
"Quite a remarkable demonstration of our Lord's plans for Cre-
ation," said Crispin to nobody in particular, trying to break the awk-
ward tension that hung in the room. Everyone agreed generally.
"Lucifer 's music was outstanding," added Gabriel. "As
always." Kara was dispassionate at the mention of Lucifer, only
nodding in agreement with the statement.
"Yes," chimed in Sangius. "It was a brilliant stroke of the
Council to recommend that the Creation be accompanied by his
music. That was your idea, wasn't it, Kara?"
"Oh, I think several of us came to the conclusion than an
angelic influence was in order," said Kara.
"After all, it is we who will serve the Lord in the new world,
is it not?" asked Crispin.
"I have no idea what the Lord's ultimate intentions are for the
new world," answered Kara. "Far wiser angels have been speculat-
ing that one ever since I can remember. But tell me, Michael, it was
not to discuss the Lord's plans, which none of us know anything
about, that you brought me here, was it?"
Michael looked around the group and started to speak, look-
ing rather uncomfortable.
"Well, not exactly," he said.
Kara studied the faces of the angels in the room. All of them
were respected and completely loyal, and represented the various
angelic ministries in the Kingdom. Had they heard about his meet-
ings with Lucifer?
"Kara," Gabriel began gently. "We know that you are an angel
who can be trusted. We asked you here because of all the angels on
the Council, you were the one whom we believe we can entrust with
some very important and volatile information. This is regarding mat-
ters which call for utmost discretion and confidence, but which we
felt proper to bring to a Council Elder before going further with it."
"I'm delighted and honored that you would select me for such
a role," Kara answered, relieved that they only had some Kingdom
matters to discuss. This was turning out to be much more ordinary
than he thought. "If there is anything I can do to resolve an urgent
matter, I am certainly at your service. Now what exactly can I do
for you?"
Little by little the group began to divulge the story of their
collective discoveries; of whispered conversations and petty jeal-
ousies; of the impure doctrines finding their way into the Academy;
of the smugness of the Council of Worship and the nature of the
recent meetings; of Lucifer's change in attitude toward his former
friends; of whisperings of references to the Lord's inability to main-
tain the Kingdom; and of the possibility that hidden within this
morass was a systematic plan of some sort which threatened the
very peace of the Kingdom--all pointing to Lucifer as its source
and strength.
Kara sat back in his chair in a long silence. He looked gravely
at each angel who sat around him. He sat quietly for a few
moments and then spoke. "It was very wise of you to bring this to
my attention. There certainly seems to be something worthwhile
here to investigate further. Tell me, have you mentioned any of this
to any other angel?"
"Not one," said Michael. "We wanted to speak with you
before we brought anyone else in on this."
"Excellent! Well did the Most High proclaim you archangel,
Michael," said Kara. "You are certainly correct in not allowing this
to go any further than this room. More damage can be done with
information that is recklessly tossed about than when it is handled
discreetly. And this certainly calls for discretion."
"So what do you intend to do?" asked Crispin pointedly.
Everyone looked at Kara.
"To act," he responded. "But not in an obvious and public
manner. You all have done your duty. It is now up to me to take this
further. There are certain parties to whom I will give this informa-
tion. In fact I'm sure one party will be extremely interested. And
hopefully we can deal with all of this privately and perhaps even
redeem the situation. Naturally, I will pose an investigation of my
own as well."
"But what are we to do in the meantime?" asked Michael who
wanted to begin some sort of proceedings right away.
104 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"Nothing. I know it is much to ask of you, my friends. But as
you know, there is an authority structure within the Kingdom in
which we must operate. You have done your duty in bringing me
this information. Now it is up to me to carry it on to the next step.
I will of course keep you informed of my findings, as I am sure you
will update me as you gather any other information. But at this
point what I am asking you to do is to remain silent about this.
These reports must not go beyond this group. The time may come
when I will cal
l upon you to act. But until then, you must refrain
from reacting."
The group sat silently for a moment or so after Kara left. Final-
ly Michael spoke up: "What does he mean, we must do nothing?
There is too much at stake to do nothing!"
"That is precisely the reason that Kara is asking for discre-
tion," said Crispin. "Excuse me for saying so, Michael, but your
strong-headedness is liable to make this whole affair much more
confusing and hurtful than it might have to be."
"Crispin's right, old friend," added Gabriel. "I'm afraid I
must agree with Kara at least for now. We have done what we
agreed to do. Now we must let it rest with him."
"I cannot believe any of this," fumed Michael. "We are just
supposed to walk away from this as if nothing is happening?"
"Just until Kara calls upon us for assistance," said Crispin.
"He probably will want us to testify someday. But like Kara we can
continue discreetly to investigate the matter. I believe he would
expect that much from us."
It was not Michael's nature to do nothing. He longed for a
fight--a showdown that would end the matter once and for all. But
he knew that he must honor the decision of the group. He looked
at them and dramatically said, "For now I'll go along with this. But
the day will come when we will have to fight Lucifer. And when
that happens..."
"You'll be leading the way," interrupted Gabriel, "with all of
Heaven behind you!"
Everyone began laughing at the image of Michael bearing the
Lord's standard with thousands of angels behind charging a
"We know that you are an angel who can be trusted." 105
bemused Lucifer and a terrified Serus, holding Lucifer's cup in one
hand and a scroll of music in the other. Even Michael had to laugh.
"Here's to Michael," said Gabriel in mock toast, "vanquisher
of Lucifer!"
They all raised their arms in feigned toast to their future
general.
----------------
The Chronicles of the Host
Days Two and Three
With the creation of light, the unfolding of the plan for which
every angel had held possibilities came together. Long had
there been speculation and discussion among the more learned
angels that the Lord might create another realm in which He
would vest His love.
Thus with earth had God laid out a place where He could truly
demonstrate to all of creation His glory and righteousness.
The angels watched in complete awe as their Lord commanded
and the misshapen, chaotic mass slowly became an intricately
designed world, more and more complex with each creative
episode.
Then God said,
"Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters,
And let it separate the waters from the waters..."
And God made the expanse and separated
The waters below the expanse from the waters above the expanse;
And God called the expanse Heaven
And there was evening and morning, a second day.
And so it was that the Lord commanded the waters of this
murky planet on the second day to separate themselves into two
bodies, being forced apart by a vast firmament that God called
Heaven. Many angels thought this curious as the Kingdom in
106 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
which they lived was also called Heaven, but it was later
explained to them by the sages that this was a Heaven unique
to the earth, a physical Heaven and part of the material nature
of all of the new creation. (In the interest of clarification I shall
refer to the earthly Heaven thus, and the Kingdom of Heaven
thus.)
Then God said,
"Let the waters below the Heavens gather into one place,
And let the dry land appear...."
The waters on the surface of the planet quickly eased in their
violent movement while the waters above, separated by the fir-
mament, continued in a churning and volatile state. At this
time the attention of the Almighty was focused supremely
upon the earth, as the waters upon the surface began to abate,
exposing large masses of dry land (hence the name earth) while
the water which surrounded the dry land, and which again
became volatile and ever-moving, was now called seas.
Then God said,
"Let the earth sprout forth vegetation,
Plants yielding seed,
And fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind,
With seed in them on the earth,"
And it was so...
And there was evening and morning, the third day.
And then a truly spectacular event began to take place upon
the planet...one which almost every angel in Heaven wit-
nessed, as on the third day the earth began to produce from
itself grass and herbs and all manner of plants, turning the
once muddy brown land into a beautiful garden, second only
to Heaven itself in variety of flora and fruit.
Surely this would be a marvelous home for the future resi-
dents, whoever they might be. Many an angel speculated on
whom the Lord would choose to live on earth, and to whom
"We know that you are an angel who can be trusted." 107
would go the honor of being the governor of the new world, not
knowing of course that God in His wisdom had already chosen...
By the time the earth had sprouted the many plants that the
Lord God had made, most of the angels had already visited the
new world. They had seen God's wonderful design take shape
and shouted with joy as each step of the process came together
in perfect harmony. They watched as the Son and Spirit
worked together with the Father in a united effort of love, cre-
ating a world which would one day be enjoyed by...
109
Chapter 8
"I can tell that the
news is overwhelming."
"Angels, of course," said Pellecus, in a rather annoyed tone.
"Whom else would the Lord create such a realm for? Do you see
any other creatures capable of appreciating such a world?"
The group Pellecus was lecturing nodded in agreement,
whether or not they believed Pellecus knew what he was talking
about. The angel who had asked the question felt a little foolish and
determined not to ask any more.
"Look at these delicate flowers," said Pellecus, pointing to a
mass of flowery shrubs. "God has so devised them that they are
almost perfect, and yet they are made of simple material substance.
Incredible that the Most High should make such a world! It will be
interesting to see what creatures the Lord adorns the planet with."
Pellecus led the little group of angels through a meadow and
sat them down by a gently lolling stream. He had begun to take
such instructional tours with angels deemed by Lucifer as likely
future cohabitants of the earth after the most recent Council meet-
ing. Other angels were making trips to the new world as well, all of
them amazed at the Lord's creative imagination.
110 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
Pellecus looked up and saw Lucifer appro
aching through the
field. "All right. That's enough for now," he said, dismissing the
angels. Many of the angels vanished toward Heaven while some
disappeared into the woods to continue their exploration of the
earth. Pellecus watched them go and then addressed Lucifer.
"I had forgotten how much I miss teaching," he said.
"One always enjoys teaching when allowed to do so without
interference," said Lucifer, who sat down on a large rock next to
Pellecus. "I promise you, Pellecus, that one day you will head up
the greatest academy ever and without any constraints as to what
you may teach. Provided, of course, that you teach those things on
which we are in agreement."
Pellecus nodded silently as he dreamed of the day when he
would preside over such an academy.
"I must insist however," continued Lucifer, "that until we have
that luxury presented to us, you be careful in what you are teaching
the angels regarding their authority over this planet. Until the Lord
decrees my position as steward, we can only speculate publicly--like
every other presumptuous angel in Heaven is doing."
"Of course," said Pellecus.
"And you must particularly refrain from using my name in
connection with any of this. As far as all of Heaven is concerned I
am only interested in upholding the Lord's will in the matter of the
future governor. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. Now some news. Kara has come to me with quite an
interesting development. It seems that Michael and Gabriel and
some others have become suspicious of our activities."
"What!?" shouted Pellecus. "How could that be?"
"Fortunately," continued Lucifer, "Kara told them that he
would assume responsibility for the situation and set them on the