Abraham Allegiant (Chronicles of the Nephilim Book 4) Read Free

he began charting the heavens for horoscopic portents. It was believed that the heavens and earth were united in cosmic oneness and that celestial events were signs that foreshadowed earthly events of kings and kingdoms. Mesopotamians also believed that the stars and planets in the heavens were interchangeable with the gods in a mystical union of being. Thus the term “heavenly host” carried a double meaning reference to both the stars in the heavens and the assembly of gods. The study of the heavenly host, and their movement through the heavens was ultimately religious devotion.
    Urnanna had appointed Terah head sorcerer because of his vast knowledge of heavenly secrets. But Terah was also a strong asset because he had been very amenable to the king’s wishes. Terah sought to please Urnanna at all costs. This was why Urnanna was concerned as he led Nimrod and Marduk to meet Terah up the long ramp of steps that approached the Great Ziggurat’s temple of Nanna at the top. He suspected Nimrod was interested in building his own institution of magicians and sorcerers and Urnanna was about to lose his treasured Terah.
    Either that or lose his head.
    They entered the temple at the top. It was a white marble structure lined with pillars and hosting an exquisite black obsidian idol of the moon god Nanna before an altar in the center of the temple. Over in the corner Terah was engrossed in reading an astrolabe, a mathematical text of astronomical observations and calculations. Rather, he was apparently reading the astrolabe, because he had fallen asleep in his reading position and was currently snoring away, oblivious to his new visitors.
    Urnanna cleared his throat loudly and Terah snapped awake. He noticed the king and stood with a bow. “My lord,” Terah blurted.
    “Terah, you need to go home and get some rest,” said Urnanna. “You cannot live, eat, and sleep in the temple. You have a family and a life.”
    “Yes, your eminence,” said Terah. And then he noticed the very large hooded muscleman, and the king looking closely at the statue of Nanna.
    Urnanna announced, “Terah, meet King Nimrod, your suzerain.”
    “Your high majesty,” said Terah and bowed again.
    Nimrod did not look at Terah, but continued to examine the idol as he spoke.
    “You have quite the reputation for a diversity of talents,” said Nimrod.
    “At your service, my king,” said Terah.
    Urnanna winced. That was most likely indeed going to happen.
    Nimrod said, “You may leave us, Urnanna.”
    Urnanna bowed and left the temple for the stairway descent. It was humiliating to be ordered around like a servant. But he knew that any show of pride or independence would result in punishment, if not instant death by the blade of Nimrod himself.
    Once Urnanna was gone, Nimrod returned to his examination of the idol and said, “You have crafted an amazing likeness out of this black obsidian.”
    “Thank you, my lord,” said Terah.
    Nimrod said, “Your terra cotta house idols are known all over Mesopotamia. One could say you have cornered the marketplace with your expertise.”
    “I pray my excellence honors the gods,” Terah replied.
    “How are your skills with coarse stone?” asked Nimrod. “Sedimentary or igneous rock.”
    “Competent, your majesty.”
    Nimrod said, “How would you like to have your own institute of astrologers, sorcerers, and magi?”
    Terah said, “Well, I, uh – that would be – an undeserved honor, my lord.”
    Nimrod continued, “I want you to be my head sorcerer, Prince of the Heavenly Host. You would be fully supplied with everything you need and would answer only to me.”
    Terah could not think of what to say, so he repeated himself, “I am at your service, my king.”
    He paused and added, “Shall I gather my wife and belongings to return with you to the north?”
    “Not yet,” said Nimrod. “Your first duty will be to accomplish a secret task for me down here and then travel up to Babylon at an arranged