Unholy Empire: Chronicles of the Host, Vol 2: Chronicles of the Host, Book 2 (37 page)

“What?” said Kephti, looking at the spot. “When did this happen?”

“And there! And there, another one!” said another priest, pointing to Kephti’s neck. The high priest recoiled. “Bring me a mirror at once!”

In the meantime the others began noticing similar outbreaks upon their own skins. Jannes and Jambres lifted each other’s tunics and found spots all over each other’s backs. Maret-men also was breaking out with unclean, festering boils.

“This is another offense by Moses’ god!” said Maret-men.

“We must leave this place before we offend the gods!” said Jambres, who left the room in the temple of Seti where they had met.

Jannes was soon behind Jambres, declaring before he left,” This is the work of God! We have offended Him! My lords, we cannot fight against this!”

Kephti looked at Maret-men, who had developed an ugly boil on his right cheek. They could hear the voices of other priests and temple workers discovering the boils upon their bodies and vacating the building.

“My lord,” said Maret-men finally, “we also risk offending the gods if we stay any longer in the temple.”

“Is there nothing the gods can do to help us?” Kephti pleaded in a whisper.

“Moses!”

“Yes, Aaron,” said Moses.

“The plague on the priests has shut them out of their own shrines,” said Aaron. “They can’t approach their temples or perform their duties.”

“I only wonder how much longer Rameses will persist in his stubbornness,” said Moses. “He is destroying his people because of his pride.”

“When are we to confront him next?” asked Aaron.

“Today, Aaron,” said Moses, looking at the sky. “Today.”

Chronicles of the Host

Pharaoh’s Hardness

Boils—a judgment against Thoth, god of sacred and mystical knowledge and the priesthood of Amen-Ra;

Hail—a judgment on the goddess of the sky, Nut

Locusts—humbling of the harvest god, Hapy

Three more terrible judgments fell upon Egypt and her gods, but Rameses refused to hear even his advisors, who begged that he send the people away before there was nothing left of the nation.

Kara was steadily losing face with Lucifer, as he saw his vaunted gods being cast down one by one in succession. He vowed to make his stand with Amen-Ra, where he himself would lead the fight against Moses. He vowed that the light of Amen-Ra, god of the sun, would shine upon the deeds of the evildoer Moses, and would destroy him. The Lord God answered Amen-Ra, god of the sun, with…

“Darkness…three days now, mighty Pharaoh!”

Rameses arose from his bed and went to a window, where his body servant stood with the linen drapes drawn. For the third day Thebes woke up to a world as black as the previous two days. Darkness had fallen upon Thebes, the great city of Amen-Ra!

“Where is my council?”

“They are awaiting your decision, Majesty,” said the chamberlain.

“Very well,” said Rameses grimly. “Send for Moses.”

“Finally we will get some satisfaction,” said Kara. “Rameses has sent for Moses.”

Kara and Pellecus were walking the darkened hallway of Rameses’ palace. The country had crawled to a virtual standstill, except in Goshen, where the light of God miraculously shined. The distinction between Egypt and Goshen had never before been so obvious. Kara was infuriated—and embarrassed.

“I certainly hope we have some satisfaction,” said Pellecus. “We have paid a terrible price for this contest. Egypt is already hard-pressed to recover.”

“Amen-Ra shall avenge this day,” muttered Kara.

“Amen-Ra?” said a voice in the darkness. “The temple of the great sun god has never been so dark!”

It was Lucifer.

“My lord,” said Kara. “Rameses has sent for Moses. Perhaps there shall now be an accounting!”

“Or a release,” said Lucifer gloomily. “Rameses’ council has grown weak of late. He is liable to begin listening to them and their demands that the Hebrews be driven out.”

“Not all of the council is vacillating,” said Kara. “Despite it all, the army is still intact. I feel that it will still come to blood!”

“Perhaps,” said Lucifer. “I only wish we could get to Moses himself. I sent several of Rugio’s greatest warriors to destroy him. One of them even assumed control of an asp and struck at his heel but the venom was useless.”

“So how can we defeat Moses?” asked Pellecus. “He is too well protected.”

“Yes, Moses is too well protected,” said Lucifer. “The only way to get to Moses is through the people. The very people he seeks to deliver will ultimately be the weapon we shall use against him!”

“But what about now?” said Kara.

“Egypt is your charge,” said Lucifer. “I suggest that you make things very uncomfortable for Moses this time!”

Moses stood before Pharaoh, accompanied by Michael and several other angels. The council was silent, watching Rameses as he paced back and forth in front of the prophet. Michael glanced at Lucifer and Kara and the crowd of fallen angels that were attached to Amen-Ra and his priesthood.

“A bit dark in here…again,” said Michael. The angels with him smiled.

“Not as black as the end of this little episode shall be for Israel,” retorted Kara.

“Ah, Kara,” said Michael. “You who took the name and guise of Amen-Ra, greatest god of Egypt, whose glory is the sun! How difficult it must be for such a god to be imprisoned in darkness!”

“Gloating is not becoming to an archangel,” said Lucifer. “Besides, Michael, the game is not yet over.”

“I am not gloating, Lucifer,” said Michael. “I am feeling compassion for the people of this land who are deceived by fallen gods and led by prideful humans. I even feel compassion for these who advise Rameses.”

“Humans are naturally contrary,” said Pellecus. “The fact that they have fallen into rebellion and are susceptible to other voices besides the Most High is their own choice—not ours.”

“Yes, but you compel them,” said Michael.

“Ah, but they choose, Michael,” said Pellecus. “And that is all the difference. I suspect that, should Rameses allow the Hebrews their freedom to return to the land of their fathers, they will eventually fall into the same pattern of rebellion. If we don’t catch them on this side of the Red Sea, we shall catch them on the next!”

“The Most High shall decide that,” said Michael.

“Why don’t we let Pharaoh decide?” said Lucifer.

“Moses. You have been a vexation to me ever since you returned to my country,” Rameses began. “You have been an offense to me since you threw away the generosity of my father and fled to the desert. And now you and your witchcraft have devastated my country. I must admit that your magic is greater than ours. You have not been idle these years in the desert. You truly must have studied under a master of the black arts.”

“It is not by magic that you are vexed,” said Moses. “It is not witchcraft that blots out the sun. It is not black arts that disgraced your priests. It will not be something devilish that will secure the release of my people.” Moses held out his staff, causing several of Pharaoh’s entourage to jump back in fear lest something terrible come forth. “It is by the mighty hand of the living God that these things happen!”

Rameses was burning with anger. Kara sidled up to him as he paced. Rameses pointed to his council.

“These my royal council have urged me to give in to your demands,” said Rameses. “It is not for love of your people, nor is it with my consent that we do what we are about to do. Nevertheless, I am compelled by the wisdom of this council to agree to your demands.”

“What?!” said Lucifer. “Is he releasing the people?”

Kara smiled at Lucifer and said. “Have no fear, my lord. There is more.”

“But you must make a concession to me,” continued Rameses. “You have destroyed my land. You have ruined my crops. We are laid waste. I will let your people go, but they must leave behind the livestock of Goshen in payment for the damage you have done to my country. That is my demand!”

“Rameses, not one hoof is to be left behind in Egypt,” said Moses. “Every animal is to leave with us. We shall need them to worship our God.”

Rameses could not believe his ears. He looked at his council with complete shock. He threw down the wine cup he was holding.

“Not one hoof?” he said.

“Great king,” said Kephti, “let us consider our position…”

“Pharaoh, let me kill this devil here and now,” said General On.

Michael quickly became alert to the situation, and the angels protecting Moses closed in around him. Rameses turned and looked at the prophet.

“
He should not leave here alive
,” Kara spoke into Rameses’ mind. “
He has already robbed your children of their heritage. Shall he also…
”

“Moses! Get out of my sight. Your people shall rot in Egypt. They shall never leave here! You understand?!”

Moses turned to leave.

“One more thing, my one time brother,” Rameses continued. “Never come before me again! If I ever see your face again, you shall die!”

Michael could just make out the pleased look upon the faces of Lucifer, Pellecus, and Kara.
So that’s their game
, he thought.
Rameses has finally threatened Moses personally.