The Promised Land

By Patrick E. Thomas

The Promised Land tells of a warrior angel, anointed by God to punish those who have turned to evil and save those who suffer but whose faith never falter.

Vengeance will rain down on those who do the bidding of the evil one.

The land that God created has lost its purity and splendor due to the plague of filth and corruption brought by man. God is deeply hurt and disappointed by what Satan has done to Gods most precious creations and by these creations choice to embrace evil and turn their backs against the Lord. To stop evil from shrouding the world in its gloomy veil, God summons his warrior named Zorra. Armed with his faith and the power given to him by God, Zorra enters the world of mortals to destroy the evil that threatens to bring mankind apart.

Zorras entry to the world leads him to Hampshire, England. He immediately notices the suffering of the Jews and the cruelty of the rich and powerful with King Richard, the ruler of England, as the worst of them all. Zorra knows King Richards demise is the key to restore peace in the kingdom. But God does not want King Richard to die; the former still wants to give the latter a chance to repent and change his ways. King Richard might resist, but Zorra is determined to end the kings cruelty to the Jews and save Gods chosen people from the rulers cruel hands. To do this, Zorra must return the Jews to Jerusalem, The Promised Land.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479788460

Patrick E. Thomas

Patrick E. Thomas attended Arizona State University and graduated magna cum laude with degrees in business administration and criminal justice. He worked for Lockheed Martin Corporation for twenty-nine years where he became very knowledgeable about airborne weapon systems. This is Patrick’s third novel.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

T he sky in the highlands turned black as coal. It’s midday, and the only sound was a deafening roar from the heavens above. A lightning bolt burst out from above and struck a low-lying hill, splitting it into two. Lava from the depths below spewed out of the crater where the hill was once, glowing brightly red. From the darkness down a narrow road came a huge white warhorse wearing a breastplate of solid gold. A cross was embossed on the breastplate. Her eyes were bright blue, and her long white mane was flowing in the wind. She stood forty hands high and weighed over three thousand kilograms. Her name was Faith. Mounted on the horse was a man who looked like a god. His chest, shoulders, and arms were heavily muscled, and his skin was colored bronze. Every muscle fiber and vein was clearly defined in his physique. His legs were long and the size of tree trunks, and his calves were shaped like huge diamonds. His eyes were as black as shiny orbs of onyx. His hair was as black as a raven’s and flowed down to his shoulders. He weighed over four hundred kilograms. Two straps of black leather crossed his chest and back and were attached to a skirt of leather cut into overlapping pleats. On each overlapping pleat of leather were attached shiny plates of solid silver. He wore a large golden cross attached to a golden chain around his neck. He carried two large double-edged broadswords at least four meters long. The shafts of the swords glittered in elaborate engraved patterns in the lava light, and the hilts were made from gold encrusted with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. One was carried in a scabbard attached to the right side of his leather skirt, and the other was in a scabbard mounted on the left side of his saddle. Sitting on his right shoulder was a large golden eagle. Its talons were a foot long and as sharp as razors. Its plumage was a beautiful mixture of gold and black feathers on its ten-foot wingspan. Its chest was covered with brilliant white feathers. Her name was Hope.He guided his horse to the edge of the flowing lava and removed the sword from his right scabbard. He then dipped the tip of the sword into the flowing lava and raised it to the sky. At that moment, a large bolt of lightning struck his sword. The powerful current of electricity flowed from the tip of his sword and throughout his body. His sword and body glowed like the sun as every electron in the lightning bolt flowed through his veins. A thunderous voice from the heavens came down and said, "In the glory and power of God almighty, I anoint you, Zorra, as my avenger of evil. Go forth through the world and destroy evil wherever you find it. Covent the good and care for the downtrodden. You shall not fail, for I am with you. I want you to build a fantastic city. It shall be a city like no other. It will be impregnable from attack. It shall shine throughout the land. It will be home to thousands of peace-loving people of all faiths who will prosper there.

It will be your home, Zorra. Build a splendid palace for yourself. Now go and get started. Report your progress back to me in six months’ time, directed God.

Zorra looked up to heaven and said, Dear God, I am but one against many. How shall I succeed against such odds? Another bolt of lightning struck Zorra’s sword, and he glowed with a brilliance that was blinding.

God spoke again, Zorra, you are my servant, an angel of the Lord. Do you question my powers? I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the here and now. I am what was and is and will be forevermore. I can move heaven and earth. I can turn the seas into boiling cauldrons. Satan trembles with fear in my presence. You are a mortal man, but a man that possesses the powers of his God. You will not be alone. You will build the most beautiful city in the world. You will employ hundreds of men and women to help you build this city. They will love you and die for you to keep you safe from harm. You will love them and show them the goodness in this world. Now do as I command so that I will not have to destroy my creation again. Satan has imposed his will on many men who dwell in my world. It is your duty to destroy what Satan has corrupted. Now off with you, and question my commands no more.

I will do as you commanded, dear Father. I will not fail you. Vengeance will rain down on those who do the bidding of the evil one. With that, Zorra turned his horse around and rode as swift as the wind through the darkness.

CHAPTER 1

1 183 Hampshire, England A haggard-looking man was walking down the trail leading to Hampshire. Suddenly, he heard what sounded like a herd of cattle charging down the trail. He looked back and saw a rider on a huge white horse charging toward him, its golden breastplate glistening in the sun. The horse stopped in full stride right beside him. The man looked up and was amazed and frightened by what he saw. Sitting on the horse was a large muscular man. When he looked into the dark black eyes of this man, he felt a jolt of electricity run through his body from head to toe. He stood there, too frightened to move or speak. The man on the horse dismounted and came toward him. He was a giant of a man, standing at least seven feet tall, and was as broad as the trail. He took hold of the man’s hand and said in a deep, thunderous voice, What is your name, brother? The man was so choked up with fear that he just trembled in his shoes. The large man squeezed his hand gently, for he could have easily crushed it, and said, Do not be frightened. I mean you no harm, for I am your salvation. Now tell me your name.

As quickly as he was frightened, the man felt a sudden sense of calm and peace. My name is Trill of Hampton.

After a moment, the large man said, Why are you walking alone, and where are you headed?

I am a stonecutter on my way to Hampshire, looking for work, said Trill.

I am Zorra, and this is Faith, my good companion of a horse, and this is my loyal friend Hope, said Zorra, pointing to the wondrous eagle sitting on his shoulder. You look hungry, said Zorra, as he reached into his saddlebag and pulled out some bread. Here, eat some bread and drink some wine, and you will feel refreshed, said Zorra. Trill eagerly took the bread and ate it and drank some wine. It had been two days since he had last eaten.

Thank you, my lord. You are very generous. I thought I was going to die of hunger, said Trill.

It is God’s will that will keep you going, not me. Do not forget that. Now follow me. We have much work to accomplish, said Zorra.

CHAPTER 2

A s Zorra and Trill approached Hampshire, the gate to the city was closed and locked. There were two knights in spires rising above each side of the gate. Zorra rode up to the gate and told the knights to open it. Weapons are not allowed inside the city walls. Hand over your swords, said one of the knights.

My swords are sacred. No one touches them but me. Now open the gate, Zorra thundered.

Be on your way, fool. And take that scum you have with you, said the knight. Zorra removed his sword from his right scabbard.

Now remove your other sword and throw them on the ground, said the knight. But Zorra raised his sword high over his head and swung it down with great force and struck the lock on the gate. There was a huge spark as the blade of Zorra’s sword struck the metal lock on the gate and shattered it to pieces. The spires on each side of the gate shook and swayed back and forth when the blade hit the gate. Zorra swung the gate open, and he and Trill entered the village. Back at the gate, the knights yelled at them to stop, but they kept going without looking back. Then ten knights in full armor with swords drawn came running up to Zorra’s horse. As they approached Faith, she turned quickly to face them. The knights kept approaching with their intentions clear; no man was going to ignore the commands of a royal knight. When they got within a couple of meters to Zorra, ready to strike with their swords, Faith raised her large front hoofs high into the air and with a roar like a lion and struck two of the knights on their heads, knocking them to the ground, their skulls crushed. Zorra took his other sword out of its scabbard and raised both swords in the air, facing the remaining eight knights. Red beams of light shot out of his black eyes as he stared at the eight knights. I came in peace to your village to buy supplies and find able-bodied workers. Now put away your swords and go back to your stations, and no one else will be harmed, Zorra told the knights. Six of the knights stood in a trancelike state, too afraid to move. Two of the knights, however, came charging at Zorra with their swords drawn, ready to strike at Faith and Zorra. Immediately, Hope flew off of Zorra’s shoulder and shot straight up into the air and out of sight. In seconds, a blur of movement that was Hope came shooting down from the sky and flared out in front of one of the knights. With her razor-edged talons drawn, Hope flew at great speed to one of the knight’s face, shredding it like it was paper. The knight screamed in pain as one eye came out of its socket, and he fell off his horse. Meanwhile, the other knight was raising his sword to strike down on Zorra’s right thigh. But before the knight’s sword could start on its downward arc, Zorra took the sword in his right hand and swung it at the knight, striking just below the knight’s right shoulder and slicing all the way through his arm. The knight’s arm was completely severed from his shoulder. The strike was so fast and the cut so clean that for a few seconds, the knight just stood there, wondering what happened. Then he saw his arm and sword lying on the ground beside him and quickly fainted. The other six knights turned and ran as fast as they could to get away from Zorra. The people on both sides of the street were speechless with amazement. Never before had they seen a force so powerful. Take this man and give him aid so he will not die, Zorra commanded to the crowd who witnessed what happened.Four men from the crowd came and picked up the injured knight and carried him into a building. Another man came up to Zorra and said, You should leave quickly. Harming the king’s knights is a capital offense. They will come for you and hang you from the gallows.

I fear no man. God is the only king I fear, responded Zorra. With these words, the man looked away with astonishment. No one has ever slandered the king and lived to tell about it. Zorra reached into his saddle pouch and brought out an apple and some salted fish. He gave the apple to Faith and the fish to Hope. Good girls. You fought valiantly back there and saved my life, said Zorra to Faith and Hope. They both eagerly took the food Zorra offered. Faith nodded her head, and Hope spread her great wings in thanks.

CHAPTER 3

C ome, Trill, we need supplies and good men, said Zorra.

Yes, my lord, as you say, said Trill.

There is only one Lord and I am not he. Call me Zorra from now on, Zorra told Trill.

As you wish, my great Zorra, said TrillThe first stop they came to was a carriage shop. Zorra dismounted and went inside. All around the shop were men building carriages, chariots, and two—and four-wheeled wagons. A small man wearing an apron came up to Zorra and said, What do you want? You must leave. I could find myself in great danger for associating with you. I saw what you did to those knights. They will kill you for that.

You have nothing to fear, brother, if you have faith. I came here to do business with you. I will pay your price for a good four-wheeled wagon and a harness, said Zorra.

If I sell to you, they will come for me and close down my shop, said the shop owner.

Then they will unleash my wrath. You have my word that I will protect you, said Zorra.

But what happens after you leave the village? You won’t be here to protect me, said the man.

O ye of little faith, hold out your hand, Zorra commanded. The shop owner looked away in fright. Come here and do as I say, said Zorra. Slowly, the shop owner approached him and stuck out his hand. Zorra removed the gold cross hanging from his neck and pressed it onto the back of the man’s hand. The man’s hand seared and smoked when the cross touched it, but he did not pull his hand away or cry out in pain. The air smelled of burning flesh, and on the back of the man’s hand was burnt an image of the gold cross. The man stared at his hand in confusion. You now have the mark of God upon you. If anyone tries to harm you, show them the cross burned into the back of your hand. That will protect you from all who wish you harm and from all that is evil, Zorra told the man.I have just built a sturdy four-wheel wagon. You may have it at no charge, said the shop owner.

You are very generous and so will be blessed. But I will pay you the best price for it, replied Zorra.

No, no, please take it and leave. I want nothing for it, said the shop owner in a frightened tone. Zorra reached into his leather pouch and brought out fifteen gold bezants, twenty times what the wagon was worth. He laid them in the shop owner’s hand. The shop owner looked on with amazement at the coins in his hand. It was more than what he makes for six months of work.

Lord, you are too generous, said the shop owner.

Share it with your men so all will be happy. And call me Zorra from now on, said Zorra. Where may I buy two fine stallions for my wagon? asked Zorra.

Go down the main road outside and turn right at the first corner. There are stables at the end of that street. The man you want to speak to is Thomas. Tell him I sent you, and he will treat you fairly, said the man.From the carriage house, Zorra and Trill made their way down the main thoroughfare of the village. Zorra gave Trill twenty bezants. Go to the stables and choose two fine stallions. Then come back for the wagon and harness the horses to it. Make your way to the general store and buy provisions for twelve men for four weeks. Also, buy two large and ten smaller tents. I have some other business to attend to. I will meet you in front of the carriage shop at first dawn, said Zorra.

Will you be all right alone? I can get the horses and supplies and meet you in an hour’s time and come with you. I fear for your safety, said Trill.

Do not worry yourself about me. I will be fine. Now get everything I asked for, then find lodging for the night, and get yourself a good meal, said Zorra.

Yes, Zorra, your wish is my command, said Trill. Zorra then mounted Faith and trotted down the main thoroughfare until he came to the assessor’s building. He dismounted Faith and went inside. There was no need to tie Faith to the horse post as she would never leave without Zorra. Their spirits, along with Hope’s, were all in harmony. They could sense what each was thinking and would do anything to protect each other. Zorra went into the building and stepped up to the counter. A mousey-looking man with gray hair and a trimmed beard looked at Zorra and trembled with fear. You’re the man who attacked the king’s knights, the man said in a high-pitched voice.

Those fools made a terrible mistake by confronting me. They will live but never forget that transgression, said Zorra.

It is you that should be afraid, for surely, words of what you have done have gotten back to the head centurion of the village. He will come after you with his men, said the man.

What is your name, brother? asked Zorra.

I am Phillip, the county assessor, said the man.

Well, Phillip, there is some land I want to purchase. It is twenty leagues northeast of here beside a big lake, said Zorra.

Yes, I know that land well. It belongs to the earl of Hampshire, but I doubt that he will sell it to you, said Phillip.

I can be very persuasive. Where can I find this earl of Hampshire? asked Zorra.

He lives in a castle about fifteen leagues west of the village. You would go out the back entrance to the village and follow the road, and it will take you to the earl’s castle. But it is well guarded by the earl’s knights, and I don’t think they will allow you in to see him, said Phillip.

We shall see. What is a fair price for two thousand hectares of this land I am interested in? asked Zorra.

Let me look at the tax rolls, and I can give you a good estimate. Let’s see, the land you want is called Enchanta and was taxed at ten shillings per hectare last year. That would come to twenty thousand shillings, a large sum of money. But I am sure the earl will want more than that if he is willing to sell it to you, said Phillip.

I will pay double the tax if that’s what it takes, said Zorra.

That would certainly be a generous offer especially for a land that nobody wants, said Phillip.

And why does no one want this land, Phillip? asked Zorra.

Some say it is haunted and that men who have gone there have never returned. Besides, in the winter, the lake freezes, and it is impossible to fish. In summer, it is very hot there, so hot that men have passed out and never recovered, or if they did, they were insane, said Phillip.

That makes it all the more desirable to me, and in that case, the earl should be willing to sell it for a good profit. Now draft up a deed of trust that I can take to the earl and have him sign, said Zorra.

Okay, but I don’t think the earl will sign it. He is an evil and greedy man who thinks land gives him power. So the more land he owns, the more powerful he thinks he is, said Phillip.

Evil and greedy men have a way of disappearing if they do not do as I say, said Zorra.