Read Online David Ascendant (Chronicles of the Nephilim Book 7) by Brian Godawa - Free Book Online Page B

to all of them. But every god had their own depravity and they wouldn’t judge him as long as he did not inconvenience them.
    Dagon said, “It is yours for the taking. But be available. We may need your help at any time.”
    “Of course,” said Molech. “Until then, I bid you all farewell.”
    Molech left. The others shared looks of good riddance.
    “We can all breathe without gagging now,” said Dagon to Ba’al’s approving grin.
    Asherah quipped, “I would not speak too quickly, my lord. The both of you are no less repugnant.”
    The male gods looked at each other with confused surprise.
    Dagon shrugged, and changed the subject. “I am feeling quite magnanimous,” he threw out. “Ba’al, I think I will give you your first city to rule, Ekron.”
    “Why, thank you, father,” said Ba’al gushingly. “That is very gracious of you.”
    “And you shall be called, ‘Ba’alzebul.’ It means, ‘Ba’al the prince.’ Under my kingship of course.”
    “Of course, my lord. I accept it willingly,” Ba’al said.
    Ba’al thought, But I will still gut you, skin you alive, and dance on your living carcass .
    Dagon’s tactic was an old one. Naming a person or place was an expression of authority or ownership over them. Dagon was simply reminding Ba’al who was boss.
    Dagon brushed a couple flies away from his face angrily. “These flies are truly annoying. If their presence persists, I may have to call you, Ba’alzebub.” Ba’alzebub meant “Lord of the Flies.”
    Dagon said, “Now let us call upon the Sons of Rapha.”
                  • • • • •
    Goliath and Ishbi came alone to the sanctuary later that night. Dagon limited his presence to the highest officials of the warrior cult. And Dagon alone of the gods was present. He felt that including the other deities would only dilute his authority in the eyes of his devotees.
    Goliath and Ishbi knelt before Dagon, eager for duty. He had told them of Israel’s new institution of monarchy, and their first king, Saul of Benjamin.
    Goliath said, “A king would unite their tribes and make their military formidable.”
    “Indeed,” pondered Dagon.
    “What is your command, my god?”
    “Continue organizing and training the Sons of Rapha. But begin gathering intelligence on this Saul. He is a mighty warrior king and you will be fighting battles against him. You will need to know how he thinks, his weaknesses, his strengths.”
    Dagon looked at Ishbi. He turned his head as if feeling something odd.
    Dagon said to Ishbi, “You are the son of an Ob?”
    Ishbi bowed. “Yes, my lord and god.”
    “I can see it in you: familiar spirits. You are a strong asset to our cause. I salute you, Ishbi ben Ob, and look forward to your contribution. You have my blessing.”
    Ishbi bowed low again, “Thank you, my lord.”
    “Stand up,” Dagon commanded.
    Ishbi obeyed.
    “Turn around.”
    Ishbi obeyed.
    Dagon groaned at the beautiful physique of this specimen.
    “I can already think of one contribution you will give me.”
    Dagon shook his head free from his lust and concluded, “Now, let us train this guild of yours to exterminate Israelites.”

Chapter 15
    25 Years Later
     
    Seventeen-year-old David ben Jesse played his lyre with skilled precision. The harp-like eight-stringed instrument felt heavenly in his practiced hands. He had quite a reputation in surrounding communities for being one of the most gifted musicians in the region. He could see that his singing plucked the heart-strings of his female companion, Miriam. She was sixteen and hauntingly beautiful to him. About as hauntingly beautiful as the last girl, Adah, or Adelah, or something like that – he could not remember – and the one before her, whose name had completely faded from his memory.
    He sang the lyrics of a royal marriage psalm. It was one of the best ways to woo a young girl’s heart. The female sex was easily spellbound with their romantic fantasies of royalty. He could