Truth and Consequences

Jacob adjusted the saddle of his horse, yet he was constantly watching Elena as she slept. She had cried shortly after receiving the news of her father, yet in an instant she was able to act as though nothing happened. Tisha lay next to her as they were guarded on all sides by the Archangels; the lost exiles of a long forgotten era.

"Lilith's Seed." Jacob mumbled in thought. He knew who they were, the Archangels, everyone within the world of the Watchmen knew.

The Archangels, or Lilith's Seed as they have been often called, were the descendants of Lilith, the first Reclaimer born on Earth. Lilith had turned against her parents wishes, and ultimately wanted to share the Ark with the rest of the world. She had accepted her parents orders, however she betrayed them and told all of the first humans where the Ark was. Luckily, Lilith's father was able to move the Ark and his family, leaving Lilith and her followers behind. Many years later, Lilith's father returned to her and begged her to reconsider her actions. Lilith refused, swore to find the Ark, and she even challenged her father in combat. She was easily defeated due to her lack of training and experience.

After her defeat at the hands of her father, Lilith was exiled from every town she visited. Shunned and mocked as a 'liar', Lilith walked the known areas of Earth alone. She eventually met a man who saw passed her youthful ambitions, they married and had and began their family. After many years of raising children, Lilith still bore a deep hatred toward her family secret, and she told her children everything she knew of the Ark. Her young grew up with their mother's pain and sought out the Ark over hundreds of generations. There was even a rumor that Lilith's last words upon her death bed were: "Free the Ark."

Jacob shook the thoughts from his mind.

"Do you know why we adopted the term 'Archangel'?" One of the massive men questioned as he walked close to Jacob.

"Because you believe you are some form of avengers, correcting a wrong that was started thousands of years ago." Jacob coolly stated.

"However, the word means more than just that, but I will not go into details." The man looked to the horse and then back to Jacob. "We believed our ancestors stories about the Ark, that finding it would change the world and open up a new glory for all humanity. Yet, it took the word of a young girl to sway our loyalty to that of the Reclaimer."

Jacob suddenly paused from fixing the saddle. "Her word? How so?"

The Archangel smiled as if eager to share. "For many years I have sought a purpose. We were all born with this strength, this power that makes us more powerful than normal men. While we can not compare to the Reclaimer's abilities, we are strong. But what is the purpose of strength if you have no direction in which to use it? She came to us many months ago, telling us that she needed our help. Our clan has sought purpose for generations. We, the descendants of Lilith, knew of the Reclaimers and their goals. Yet for the first time in my life, I found a use for my abilities."

He turned and looked at Tisha's sleeping form. "Perhaps she is right, and the Reclaimer's ways are correct. Or, perhaps she is wrong, and the Ark should be shared. Should we care? Does it matter who is right and wrong? All I know, as well as my clan, is that for thousands of years we have been watching without a purpose, and training without a cause. Who is right and wrong is irrelevant. We now have a purpose and that purpose is to protect the last of the Reclaimers."

Jacob spoke, "I find it interesting that the Watchmen have betrayed the Reclaimers, and suddenly Lilith's Seed show themselves. It is most interesting that such a coincidence is possible. After all, the clan of Lilith was exiled by the very bloodline you have chosen to protect."

The Archangel thought for a moment. "Yes. But our bloodline is the same. Lilith was the child of Bitran and Litran, meaning we are their descendants as well. All that maters is that we now have a chance to rejoin the Reclaimers. A chance to correct the mistake Lilith made. Perhaps, after thousands of years of exile, we can once again be reunited with our kin."

"That is our purpose now." The Archangel added as he folded his arms. "She told us that once again the Reclaimer tribes can be reunited. It can start over. We can forget the past mistakes caused by division, and focus on a new beginning. Once the lady Elena accepts us into her group, we will be able to forget the title of 'Lilith's Seed'. We will no longer be exiled, outcasts, and we can stand tall once again."

Jacob smiled as he brushed the horse's mane. "So that is how she gathered your allegiance? By telling you that you may be able to rejoin the clan? I hope it is true, that it is possible for Elena to lift the exile from you, but she must first learn to forget the past. And I don't think she will do that easily." Jacob mounted the horse and looked down to the Archangel before him. "What is your name?"

"Gabriel."

Jacob nodded. "Gabriel. Tell Elena that I am going ahead. I must go and speak with the Grand Master."

"What do you mean?" Gabriel was shocked at the words. "He will kill you because you have sided with the Reclaimer."

Jacob smiled. "The Grand Master will not act so aggressively. And he is actually a she. This is something that only a few people know."

"The Grand Master is a woman?"

"Don't be so alarmed. Women have always been the corner stone of our tribe. It should not be surprising that the leader of all Watchmen is in fact a female. But give Elena and Tisha a message. Tell them I am an Emissary. They will know what it means." Jacob turned his horse and sped away.

- - - - - - - -

Elena sprung up from her rest and looked around nervously. Tisha had shaken her violently to awaken her. Elena hadn't slept that well in many days, and was momentarily disoriented. She quickly fell into a defensive posture, reaching for her swords and glaring at anything that moved.

"Elena, it's okay!" Tisha quickly gripped her, motioning for Elena to relax. "I didn't mean to wake you so soon, but Gabriel has told me something troubling."

"How long was I asleep?" Elena grumbled.

"A half day."

Elena snarled, "What? A half day?"

"You seemed as though you needed the rest, so I let you sleep. But Jacob has gone ahead of us. He went to the Grandmaster."

Elena sighed as she slumped backward. "Something told me not to trust him."

Gabriel stepped forward and knelt at Elena's side. "He informed me that he was an Emissary. What does this mean?"

Tisha looked to Gabriel in thought. "This would explain why he kept his identity secret. Emissaries are those that the Watchmen select to sit at the side of kings and rulers. This way, we will always know what is going on with the rest of the world. I considered the role, but as an Emissary I could not interfere with Watchmen duties. Therefore I remained a Watchmen, so that I could interact more with the world."

Elena sat up in thought. "The only thing an Emissary is good for is spying on the normal humans, and advising their rulers on what to do win something strange happens; like when a Reclaimer kills hundreds of warriors in battle. The real question is; who is he an Emissary to?"

Gabriel quickly added. "Perhaps he had a seat within Egypt. Our information told us that he is originally from Lower Egypt."

"That's where I met him the first time." Elena added. "It was several years ago, back when I was exploring the world."

"Lower Egypt, the home of the Pharaoh?" Gabriel questioned to himself.

Tisha looked to him curiously. "Gabriel, what are you thinking?"

"If Jacob is the Emissary to the King of Lower Egypt, then this would put some things into clear view. The King of Lower Egypt is attempting to unify all of Egypt. Perhaps he is also trying to gain the allegiance of the Watchmen."

Tisha smirked. "No. King Narmer is very wise to unify Egypt, but there would be no point in …" Tisha halted her statement as a chill ran along her back.

Elena gripped her satchel and quickly packed. "No matter." She shouldered the satchel and walked toward the camels. "I'm going after him."

Tisha nodded. "Gabriel, gather the Archangels. Jacob has a small head start, we'll need to…"

"You're not coming." Elena sternly stated. "I haven't forgotten your place in all of this, Tisha. You've been holding information from me since we meet, and right now I'm wondering if you are still holding back information."

"Elena, you can't go alone! The Grandmaster's army will most likely be waiting. He'll send them to kill you!"

Gabriel spoke up, "The Grandmaster is a woman. Jacob told me this before he departed."

Tisha looked at Gabriel curiously, almost as if she was mortified by the news. "That… can't be."

Elena noticed the shock on Tisha's face. "What? Tell me everything."

Tisha, still shocked, turned toward Elena. "If the Grandmaster is a woman, then that would mean we have all been lied to. The one with the knowledge of the Reclaimers, and the leadership of the Watchmen, has always been mentioned as a man, but if it's a woman… Elena, the Grandmaster is supposed to be the Father of the current line of Reclaimers. But…"

"What do you mean, Father of the current line?"

"The Grandmaster is the oldest living Watchmen that has fathered a Reclaimer child. It has always been a Male because men can not bare Reclaimer children. It is a trait only given to the females."

Gabriel suddenly seemed stunned. "A female Grandmaster could bare any amount of Reclaimer children, regardless of her mate. This is why men are Grandmasters, because they can not bare Reclaimer children."

Tisha continued, "We've all believed the Grandmaster was a man. Sixty years ago the Grandmaster gave her oldest daughter away to the Royal Family of Egypt. We believed she was a man… my father's knowledge, passed down to me, was that the Grandmaster was a man. Not only is the Grandmaster your great grandmother, she is also King Narmer's grandmother."

Elena snarled. "So King Narmer could be a Reclaimer?"

Tisha simply nodded. "It is … possible."

"Elena gritted her teeth. "Was my father… was he also… was he a descendant of the Grandmaster?"

Tisha lowered her head in shame. "Elena forgive me. I didn't know. How could I have known? The Reclaimers have been breeding beyond the current bloodline for thousands of years. When your father came into the tribe as a descendant of the west…"

"Damn it, Tisha! Yes or no!"

"Yes."

"So, it was her all along." Elena mounted her camel and sternly stared at Tisha and the Archangels. "If I have to fight, I will, but I want to know why she turned against us."

- - - - - - - -

Nearly a half day passed as Jacob and his horse trotted into the Grandmasters frontline of warriors. They were all Watchmen warriors; skilled and deadly in combat. He dismounted and approached the man at the front of the group.

"I am Jacob, Emissary of his highness King Narmer. I wish to speak with the Grandmaster."

The towering warrior nodded. "The Grandmaster has been awaiting you. My escorts will lead you to the master's tent." He waved Jacob passed and another man led him through the rows and rows of warriors. At the rear of the formation stood a lone tent, it was highly guarded and decorated with colorful fabrics. The guard stood at the tent's entrance and motioned for Jacob to enter.

Inside Jacob could smell the incense and perfumes filling his senses. As he walked deeper into the large tent, he noticed a man standing at the side of an aged woman. The two of them seemed pleased at his arrival.

Jacob knelt at the aged woman's feet. "Grandmaster. It has been many months since my last visit."

"Yes, it has. Do you require anything; food or water?"

"No. I am well."

"Well then, tell me everything." The Grandmaster sat up sternly, eager to hear Jacob's words. "Firstly, how is Narmer doing? I heard great things from Egypt recently."

"He is doing well. His health is wonderful, as is his family. He sends his regards. Politically, there is trouble. Upper Egypt, does not seem to understand the reason for unifying Egypt. Narmer has told them many times about the rise of foreign powers, and their aggressive natures, yet they still wish to remain as they are."

The Grandmaster thumbed her chin. "Much like the old Reclaimer ways, they do not understand the need for change. Under one rule they will best defend themselves from attacks. The Nile is a mighty river, and many will seek to claim it. In order to protect it Egypt must be united and led by one rule. We will need to show them why unification is best. Inform Narmer that we will 'sway' Upper Egypt into understanding the threats of the outside world. In three months he should speak to the leaders of Upper Egypt again, they will agree."

"I will tell him. Also, there has been much debate about the incident in Sinai. King Narmer has been most curious. He believed the Reclaimer to be dead."

"Well, tell him the truth." She smiled. "The Reclaimer lives and is coming to me. I will keep no secrets from Narmer."

"And how will you deal with the Reclaimer?" Jacob cautiously asked.

"The fate of Elena has not yet been decided. The young girl at her side will play a large role in this. She is from the house of Essra, and there is no telling how far her hatred will curl Elena's ears."

"You mean Tisha?" Jacob questioned. "She is a young Watchman, and quite intelligent, but what can she do?"

"My dear Jacob, words can lead thousands to their deaths. Words can bring down walls, and crush dreams. The right words spoken the right way can mean the difference in killing Elena, or sparing her. Tisha, the young child of Essra, has been living with the pain of her family's death for more then a year now. And Essra did not raise his children to be simple minded or weak."

The young man at the master's side spoke, "Tisha is a formidable opponent. Her mind is well beyond that of a child. What she lacks in strength, she makes up for in intelligence."

"My young trainee is correct." The master added. "Tisha is his younger sister, and he knows her better than most. But what I need is more information. What has she been telling the Lady Elena?"

Jacob added, "She informed her of her Father's death and betrayal, but this was mostly information gathered by the Archangels."

"She has the followers of Lilith at her side?" Michael, the Grandmaster's guard, questioned.

The master shook her head, unconcerned. "It does not matter. None of us can predict what she is planning, nor can we guess what she needs with Lilith's Seed. For now, we will wait and see whom Elena will listen to."

The tent tarp opened suddenly and a guard entered. "Michael, scouts are saying that the Reclaimer is coming! She is coming alone, but she is moving quickly."

"She must have followed me when I left." Jacob stated. "Let me go to her, I can hopefully calm her down and ask her to speak with you."

The master looked at Jacob. "You obviously have no fear of the Reclaimers, do you? Do you understand their purpose, or even what their name means? They are the guardians of the great secret, the protectors of the Forerunners legacy, and the chosen to bring back the once great Empire. She knows this. Elena knows this. She understands her purpose in the Grand Design and if you believe that you can sway her from her path, then I can not stop you. However, I will tell you this. If she has decided to fight, then she will not give you a moment to speak. If you are seen as an enemy you will be cut down before you realize it. She is a weapon, Jacob, nothing more. A warrior created by a far superior race. If you think she cares for you, or that you can reason with her, you are wrong." The master stood from her chair and began to walk toward the exit of the tent.

Upon exiting the tent the Grandmaster was immediately respected by everyone nearby. Warrior Watchmen by the hundreds knelt toward her in respect. Jacob was in complete awe, to see so many warriors bow in a rolling body of respect. They soon stood and returned to their activities.

The master continued. "All of these men and women, those who have vowed their lives to my protection, will die if Elena chooses to fight. There are few who could match her strength and skill. However, if you believe you can stay her hand… then go. I will be standing at the front of this army. Though if you die, then so shall we, because it will be evident that she is here to kill me."

Jacob bowed his head in respect and raced through the warriors. After several moments he reached his horse and raced back toward Elena's approach. Ahead of him, he could see a trail of dust racing toward him. It was a camel running at full speed and upon its back was an unknown figure.

Elena no longer wore the men's clothing she had been dawning for several days; she had pulled on her warrior's garb. For the second time in her life she was wearing the custom tailored environment suit she created on the Ark. Her helmet once again gave her an air of mystery and the two capes attached to her back, floated behind her.

Jacob stopped and looked back; the army was ready and waiting. He then looked back to Elena as she stormed toward him with a spear in her hand. He climbed off of his horse and stood upon the sandy soil. The tall grass waved majestically as he waited, and suddenly he realized that he was the only thing standing between the Watchmen army, and an unstoppable killing machine.

Elena raised her legs and stood upon the Camels back. Battle was about to begin and the creature was much to slow for what she needed to do. She sprang forth, leaping over the camel's level head. She reared her spear level and no sooner had her foot hit the ground, she was in full stride. She ran toward Jacob and stopped several feet away from him.

She stood tall and gripped the spear in her right hand, planting one end of it into the sandy soil beneath her padded feet. She glared at Jacob and waited. She wasn't in a hurry, and knew what she needed to do. A breeze cut across the field and lifted her split cape, and gave the illusion of wings flapping upon her back.

From beneath the mask of her helmet, her voice resonated loudly. "Speak!"

Jacob took a half step back from the roar of her voice. This was a Reclaimer, she was frighteningly tall and power seemed to echo from her body. Jacob, in all of his Watchmen and Emissary training, had never known such fear. His body froze and he could barely summon the words to speak. He wasn't a warrior, and barely knew how to use his sword. He knew that he could defend himself from the average human, but to face a Reclaimer was suicide. He instantly recalled the Grandmaster's words; Elena would kill him if he proved to be an enemy but she stopped and that had to be a good thing.

"Elena… I …"

"What is your allegiance, Watchman?" Elena's voice roared sternly. She had a mission, her objective was clear to her. If Jacob was not willing to help her, then he was going to be an obstacle.

"Watchman? Elena… it's me, Jacob. Please … listen."

"Choose a side, Watchman!" Elena roared once again. "Stand with me, or against me."

She was ruthless. Was this the true Elena; an uncaring Reclaimer? She had always been cold, and she had always seemed distant to Jacob, but this was far worse then he imagined. She was an anomaly in Jacob's world and he could never understand her, even when he met her several years ago on the edge of Egypt's borders he was completely mesmerized by her beauty, and fearful of her power.

"I will not choose and make it easy for you!" Jacob returned; he had found a renewed sense of vigor. "You will hear my words and then you will choose what you will." He waited for Elena to respond, but she stood motionless and silent.

Jacob stepped closer. "The Grandmaster would like to talk to you. She wants to explain what has really been going on. She does not wish to fight. She knows that you are confused and angry. Will you talk with her? Please, Elena, there has been enough bloodshed."

Elena slowly began to walk toward Jacob, her cape softly flowing behind her. Jacob gazed at her deeply, looking through the mask and ignoring the spear she held tightly in her hand. He watched her walk, marveling at her long legs and the way the suit she wore seemed to roll across her form. It was the subtle hint of a skirt that seemed to catch Jacob off guard, yet the tight fitting arm and leg cloth seemed to echo her strength and power.

She stopped a few inches from Jacob, tilted up her mask and looked into his eyes. "I will talk to her, but I promise you Jacob that if she does not tell me what I need to know… then they will all die. And you will die with them."

Elena stepped passed Jacob as he could only watch her with a nervous gaze. She watched her back as she passed, the sword strapped to her back had not yet been stained with blood, and Jacob prayed it would stay that way. He continued to watch as she walked away, the grip upon her spear was tight and her walk was cautious. The army was still a great ways away, but she was not going to let her guard down. Jacob stayed behind.

A few moments passed and Elena could see the nervousness upon each of the Watchmen's faces. Though they were all trained to fight, none of them were ready to face a full Reclaimer. They were nervous, on edge, yet willing to fight at any moment. Elena pulled her mask back over her face and slowly approached the Grandmaster. She stopped less then fifty feet from the old woman.

Elena yelled in a blood curling roar, "Tell me everything!"

The Grandmaster stepped forward and smiled. "Elena, I know my son taught you to respect your elders. Yelling isn't the way to greet someone. And I always thought of you growing up and becoming a lady of high class."

Elena sulked, "And I told you that I was never going to be a lady."

"Yes you did." The master laughed. "You were so young, and you wanted to be just like your mother. I loved her so much. She was such an equal to my son. Of all my children, I loved your family the most."

"They're dead. So forgive me if I'm not in the mood to muse over the past."

"These past few months have not been good to you, I see. No need to fret, you have trusted me once, and you can trust me now. I've never lied to you, Elena, and I never will. You are my daughter, and I will speak with you, but not here. Let us go back to my tent."

Elena furiously roared. "Don't talk to me as if everything is fine! You and I both know why I'm here! I want answers, and depending on your answers, I will kill… I will have to kill. Again… I will have to kill again." There was a soft sob in Elena's voice. Something painful filled her mind and troubled her heart.

"My dear, everything can be fine. But first we must talk." The master approached, and placed her ageing hand upon Elena's shoulder.

"You brought an army to face me, grandmother!" Elena sobbingly shot back, pushing the master's hand away. "You wouldn't have done this if you didn't know what was going to happen here."

"My child, I did not bring the army here to face you. I brought them here to protect me from something far darker than your anger. They are here, because I feared the words that may have been falsely placed into your ears. I brought them to stop Tisha."

To Be Continued

Coming Soon: "Isolation, Secrecy and Death"