Guardians of the Herald: The Templars' Return

By Mark Malcolm

While searching for the terrorist Robert Dante the Guardians discover he can completely disappear off the face of the Earth and no one can figure out how he does the impossible. That is until two Frenchmen arrive claiming to be friends, but knowing far too much about the Ether, Billy, and even the existence of the Guardian's hidden base. Billy must find Robert Dante before he can kill again, protect those he cares about, and sort out friend from foe or his may be the next soul lost in the ongoing battle between Heaven and Hell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Malcolm
• Release date: Jun 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370199822

Mark Malcolm

Mark Malcolm is a child of God, husband, father, project manager, technical writer, gamer, fiction writer, Marine ('87-91), has practiced Shao Lin Kung Fu and Tai Chi, been published in magazines and newspapers (editorial anyway), and seen the Southern Cross.The goals he has currently are to more accurately identify the path God has for him to walk, continue to provide for his family, establish a solid web presence, and learn to better relate to the people around him.

Book preview

Guardians of the Herald: The Templars’ Return

by

Mark E. Malcolm

The story continues as often as the author posts an issue at

http://www.firstchevalier.com/category/serial/guardians_of_the_herald/

Copyright Mark Malcolm 2013-14

Smashword Edition

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing by Mark Malcolm and Firstchevalier Books, Atlanta, GA. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to Mark Malcolm; 4571 Kings Crossing Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30144 or via email to [e-mail].

All scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 1

Rabdos stood on the second floor of his tower, leaning against the third course of stones comprising that story’s walls and looked down on the holding pens. There in the corral stood a naked Robert Dante, chained to a center stone and thrashing about like a wild stallion fighting domestication. Dante struggled with the chain, lashing it against the stone in rage trying to break free. He wouldn’t. They never did.

The low stone fences of the corral were covered in lemurs and a few imps Rabdos didn’t recognize. Normally he’d run off the interlopers, but he had not in this instance as they did not bear the brand of an overlord. He’d try and recruit them later but he’d have to be careful. Not many in Hell still used the old ways of concealing their mark, but some did. He didn’t want a spy or saboteur in his new crop of minions. He wasn’t worried about a spy. Lord Malphas had been quite clear on how to ensure that didn’t happen.

Rabdos leisurely strolled down the winding steps of his tower under construction, exiting at the ground floor right before the corral. Dante saw his approach and croaked out a horse howl of rage, thrashing hard enough to draw blood from the manacles that held his wrists. The gathered lemurs and imps chuckled quietly as they looked from Rabdos to Dante and back. Dante’s chest heaved with every breath but he didn’t speak.

Fight all you want, but this is your home now, Rabdos said. The demon snapped his fingers and an official looking document on parchment appeared floating next to him. And this says you are my property here.

Dante growled.

Yes, well as you can see we are building our stronghold and you have the opportunity to be on the ground floor of power here, so to speak. I don’t actually have to do all this, he said waving his hands at the stone and chain that held Dante. But that would leave you without the proper motivation, and I’ve found that to be, well, inconvenient to say the least.

Dante just stared at Rabdos.

You see, I could compel you to do anything I want. Like this; bark like a dog, Rabdos said.

Bark, bark, bark, Robert Dante yelled with the scratchy throat.

Good boy. Howl as though you’re a werewolf and you’ve just seen the full moon.

Ooooooowwwwwwww.

Bray like a jackass.

Hee haw, hee haw.

Excellent. You see? I can make you do anything I want, Rabdos stated, spreading his arms. The lemurs and imps chuckled loudly. But that means I have to be there watching you every moment of every day to ensure you do exactly what I want and that just will not do.

Rabdos moved in close enough to Robert Dante so the man could reach out and grab him but he didn’t. What I need from you, my first recruit, is that vaunted free will and spirit working for me because you want to. This, this demonstration is merely a show of power to entrench in your mind that I am the one to be obeyed.

Rabdos held the chain for a moment more and then snapped his fingers. Instantly the chain vanished leaving Robert Dante standing on the rocky ground free but naked and covered in his own blood. He stood tall for the first time in several days and stretched, flexing his fingers and looking at Rabdos with a questioning glance.

Yes, I can see you thinking about trying to kill me, and you could try. That would be a waste though, Rabdos said. You’re smart, so you figure out what would happen, but I’ll tell you this. If you willingly follow me I will make you my lieutenant and grant you power over all my minions as though I were speaking myself.

The gathered lemurs and imps marveled at that offer, knowing full well what it entailed. Rabdos noted two of the smarter imps slowly slipped off the stone fence and out of reach of Robert Dante. Dante thought just for a moment and then his face cracked into the kind of grin the axe murder carries just before he chops up the couple making love in the horror movie.

Before any of the imps on the stone wall could react Dante was on them, grabbing one in each hand by the throat. He snarled in feral rage, smashing their heads together over and over until their limp bodies thrashed about no more.

Rabdos saw his opening and took it. You two. Serve me and I will assign you to my lieutenant as his personal servants. You will be first amongst his cadre. Rabdos said offering the two lowly imps power for their service. Both leapt off the stone wall and groveled before Rabdos who instantly marked them with his symbol. The imps thrashed about in blissful agony as the mark burned into their flesh then faded from view. As the mark faded they both scampered about snatching up as many lemurs as they could grab and offered them to Rabdos. He repeated the ritual, marking the captured lemurs and then faced Dante.

Had you attacked me I would have burned you to a cinder. As it is these will serve you and communicate with you via these lemurs once you’ve returned to Eden. Go now. I return you to your home, Rabdos said, calling up his axe and striking it on the ground. A crack formed and snaked out toward Robert Dante.

To guard you against your worldly authorities we will have to change one minor detail about you, Rabdos said lifting his axe as the oily smoke began to roll up from the crack. He spoke some words and a broad stream of hellfire shot out of the axe head engulfing Robert Dante’s face. Dante screamed in pain. Immediately, Rabdos dropped his axe and leapt onto Dante, grabbing the naked man by the face with both clawed hands. Dante tried to reach up and rip the demon from him but found his arms pinned at his sides. Rabdos began massaging the man’s face in a practiced motion just as Lord Malphas had instructed him. Dante screamed with every bit of pressure applied by the demon’s fingers but couldn’t move or do anything to stop him. Slowly the fires subsided as Rabdos molded and massaged the flesh under his fingers as though it were clay. Finally, the demon coughed up a wad of saliva from deep inside his chest and spat it directly onto Robert Dante’s face.

Do not worry about your worldly authorities now. They will not recognize you at all. I will arrange for you to be hired to replace yourself at your old job and they too will not recognize you. I need you inside that company doing exactly what you were doing before. These minions of yours will go out and influence things to provide for your maintenance and care until I call for you. Until then you are to find out as much as you can about The Evangelist Project and what the creature Paul Thomas has planned. Rabdos jumped off his minion and Dante found he could move again just as the oily black smoke engulfed him. Once Dante vanished, Rabdos turned and spoke to the newly acquired imps.

You are to obey him as you would me but understand that I am your true master, not he. Only I hold the power of life and death over you, not that sniveling little mortal soul. Find us more weak souls that have money and shelter for our man. There are several inside his company. Guide them to him and see that he is cared for and comfortable. He is important as will you be if you guard him well.

Chapter 2

The two imps scampered off to find their own paths back to the world of Men. Rabdos waited until they were out of sight and snatched up two lemurs close at hand. He marked them quickly and then stared hard at them uttering several arcane words at each as he did.

Now, you are mine. Follow those two imps who just left. When they’re occupied join with them and keep me apprised of all they do in the next three days. Go.

The lemurs each licked Rabdos’ hand before leaping to the ground and following after the two imps. Satisfied he had things well in hand, Rabdos turned to face his tower and watched as another new course of stone was mortised in place.

Movement of the line of slaves caught his attention and he began to circle the tower. The line stretched to the rocks roughly one hundred yards away and disappeared there. Presumably the quarry where the stones were cut was somewhere beyond but he wasn’t exactly sure. Perhaps he’d pay that area a visit shortly. Maybe he could find another few imps to commandeer over there.

You have done well, young demon, a familiar throaty voice said from behind Rabdos.

Radbos didn’t turn around. My Lord Malphas. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?

I wanted to see how the construction of your stronghold was coming and if you were able to secure any new minions, Malphas said.

You know perfectly well I’ve secured my first soul and two new imps, Rabdos said.

I know nothing of the sort, having just arrived, Malphas lied.

Then you’ve not been keeping to the rules you taught me about how to manage a cadre, Rabdos said finally turning to face his benefactor.

Lord Malphas smiled at Rabdos as he turned to face his master. You are an exceptional imp. That’s why I recruited you.

Rabdos began to object to the reduction in rank having been newly raised to demon but Lord Malphas held up a hand and cut him off.

Yes, yes, you’re a full-fledged demon I know. But don’t let that go to your head. Others know you are newly promoted as well and will try to take advantage of your inexperience. I come to warn you, Lord Malphas said.

Warn me? Of what? Rabdos asked.

A high-ranking demon or direct servant even will be dispatching minions to pose as recruits very soon. Be wary of those who are too eager to please you, Lord Malphas said seriously. Those two you just bound…

Have had lemurs bound again to them, Rabdos interrupted. If they speak with another demon, overlord, or even a direct servant, I will know just as you taught me.

Just as I taught you, Malphas echoed but did not look convinced.

You have tasked me with opposing this man Paul Thomas at that company Tech Evangelists. I have remade Robert Dante and sent him back there to fill his own position again. This will put my man directly in contact with the money of the company. You and I both know following the money is the root of all information, and I will soon know everything there is to know about what Tech Evangelists is doing, Rabdos reported.

Indeed. Very good, Lord Malphas said, nodding his head. So tell me about your tower. How tall will it be and where is your stone coming from?

I haven’t decided yet how tall it shall be, though not overly tall. I’d like to have it done soon and get started on the inner walls before you have me make an enemy of one of those other demons or overlords, Rabdos said, deciding a change of subject was for the best.

Well, keep a sharp eye on the stone quarry. Much can be done to a cut piece of stone that can destroy the best laid plans, Malphas said. This statement peaked Radbos’ interest.

Done to it, how so? Rabdos asked frowning in confusion.

Have you not seen how they are cutting the stone or what they’re making the mortar with? Malphas asked. Rabdos shook his head. Malphas smiled a broad, toothy grin. Once you’ve seen how the stones are cut and mortar made, play around with what you know about binding a soul. You’ll figure it out. Call on me when you understand more.

Lord Malphas stared at Rabdos for a moment more. The silence drug on and after several seconds Malphas snapped his fingers. A giant scythe appeared in his hand. He tamped it on the ground and a deep bass boomed across the gravely plain. A familiar crack circled Lord Malphas and the inky black smoke rose up rapidly obscuring the large demon. Rabdos held his tongue, choosing to find out from experimentation what his benefactor had alluded to. As soon as Malphas was gone, Rabdos turned and strode purposefully toward the rocky crag where the line of slaves carrying the stones came from.

Chapter 3

The line of slaves parted, allowing Rabdos easy access to the open quarry where the stone for his fortress under-construction was being cut. He forwent his usual pleasure of whipping the naked men with a lash of fire from his axe. His interests lay more in finding out what Malphas had meant by investigating how the mortar was made or stone cut for his tower.

Rabdos emerged from the crag onto a short shelf with a path that wound down into the deep quarry. He didn’t bother with the long path, leaping lithely off the edge instead and twirling his axe to create a disc of fire under his feet. The disc supported his weight and rapidly spiraled down to the floor of the quarry. As he descended he could see the stone mason imps swinging their little rock hammers and cutters vigorously.

Once on the floor of the quarry, Rabdos hastened his steps to come near the masons but controlled his speed enough not to look too eager. He approached the masons from the rear but they all knew he was there. As soon as there was no question he was going to approach, the masons all stopped working and turned to face him, bowing respectfully. Rabdos surveyed their work.

Most of the masons worked to cut and shape one stone or another into the next piece needed for the current course being laid above. Off to the right the raw stones were produced by an army of imps and slaves from the side of the quarry. Rabdos turned and headed in that direction kicking at the scuttling lemurs who worked to clear the massive detritus of chipped stone lying on the quarry floor.

The line of plodding slaves hid the cutting work from his view, but they woke from their stupor long enough to notice his approach and began to part like a sea of defeated naked men and women. As Rabdos approached, a demon about his size carrying an axe much like his own approached and bowed slightly but respectfully.

Young master Rabdos, you arrive at last. How may the Stone Masons of the Pit serve you this day? the demon said.

I have come to see how the stone and mortar for my tower are made and secured, Rabdos said, not entirely sure what he was looking for.

Ah, a wise decision indeed, though I should have made that visit much sooner were I you, the demon responded. Rabdos decided he didn’t like his tone. The Masons of the Pit were a caste unto themselves, directly serving Satan, but the Father of Darkness had given standing orders to follow the instructions of any demon or devil whose standing permitted him or her the luxury of the Mason’s services. This demon clearly believed he was above Rabdos.

I don’t like your tone, Mason. Who are you again? Rabdos inquired.

I am Nebiros, Master Mason of the Pit in charge of this work crew and I answer only to our Father Below, the Master Mason said placing his axe, the symbol of his power, directly between him and Rabdos.

Indeed. I am aware of the hierarchy here. You do not answer to me, true, but you serve me as long as it is within the realm of building my stronghold and are required by the laws of Hell to keep my interests at the forefront while you serve me, Rabdos said, knowing full well the laws of Hell were designed to be bent or broken so long as you weren’t caught.

Nebiros bowed deeply sweeping his hands to the sides but never taking his eyes off Rabdos. True young master, true. I have kept watch as required and none have tampered with the stone or mortar that I have seen.

That I have seen. That nuance was not lost on Rabdos. Show me the wards, he commanded.

As you wish, Nebiros said turning and striding purposefully toward the center of the quarry.

The two demons reached a point roughly a hundred yards from the working stone masons. There Nebiros raised his axe and whispered a few arcane words. The butt of the axe began to glow and Nebiros slammed the haft of the weapon firmly on the ground. The impact sent a shockwave spreading out across the floor of the quarry and up the walls. All along the edge of the quarry, in the air over the quarry, and on the floor of the quarry glowing runes appeared. Lord Malphas had spent countless hours drilling Rabdos in the runic alphabet. Rabdos had grown so bored with the drills he’d invented distractions to pass the time. Malphas had almost stopped tutoring him and Rabdos had worked very hard to convince him to stay. He was very glad of those drills now.

I realize a young demon such as yourself hasn’t been exposed to enough runic magic yet but these runes are complete to keep out all interlopers opposed to your goals, Nebiros said.

Rabdos worked hard to appear confused and not focus too much on the runes. Yes, yes. They will keep out everyone? No exceptions? Nothing gets in or out that is opposed to me?

Nothing, Nebiros confirmed. It was a lie and Rabdos knew it. He’d spotted the key inscription for the spell that was repeated everywhere. It did in fact ward the site from imp, demon, or direct servant who didn’t in fact work toward the goals Rabdos desired. He didn’t know how the spell knew what his goals were, but he did know two things had been cunningly omitted, lemurs and Nebiros himself.

Rabdos nodded his feigned satisfaction. Show me the stones and mortar.

Nebiros turned to lead Rabdos back to the quarry wall where the workers toiled. Several imps and a mob of slaves gathered around a large stone trough. As the two demons approached Rabdos began to hear screams coming from the area. He smiled. He hadn’t seen a good beating in an hour or so and thought perhaps he’d reward the imp administering the punishment if it turned out to be worthwhile. The mass of naked humans parted for their masters giving the two a good view of the workers and the trough.

Four of the imps held a screaming slave over the trough. A fifth demon flayed the man open with his claws, carving the flesh from the man’s very bones slowly and methodically while reciting the shaping incantation Rabdos already knew. Rabdos noticed the skin had been peeled away and dropped into the trough along with the bits of muscle as they were cut away. A sixth imp worked diligently to keep the man’s entrails contained but close enough so they could still function, keeping the man alive during the vivisection. The slurry in the trough transformed and flowed toward the opposite end as the sorcerous magic took effect.

As you can see, we extract as much pain as possible to give the mortar a good, strong bond, Nebiros said, waving at a bucket being filled by the spigot at the opposite end of the trough. "We then take what