this."
"Of course They are," said Lucifer. "They wouldn't have it
any other way. As to the other matter...the question of stewardship.
Any indication from the Elders on that?"
"I have been discreetly but firmly urging your name to vari-
ous members of the body. Some of them, Pratia and Belron for
example, were talking about you before I ever even mentioned the
possibility. I'd say you have fairly wide support among the group."
"I need overwhelming support," said Lucifer. "You know the
Lord will not select anyone to an office without agreement within
the body. They must all be won over if possible."
"All I need is a show of strength--something impressive!" 79
"Your music will take care of that," said Kara. "There is one
rather awkward development. You know Rega, the assistant to the
Chief Elder?"
"Oh yes," said Lucifer. "He and I have had some interesting
talks from time to time."
"Well, he remembers some of those `talks.' He told me that he
will only support you if you pledge to appoint him to some office
after you begin governing."
"Rega always has had an appetite," said Lucifer. "But I need
his support. Tell him that I will do what I can, but that I can do
nothing until the appointment becomes official."
"Very well. I will report back to the Elders that you are work-
ing devotedly on the music and that you will have it completed
within...how long shall I say?"
"Actually I have been finished with the project for some
time," said Lucifer.
Kara looked at him in shock.
"It's quite true," said Lucifer. "I have needed this time of iso-
lation to garner support in other areas which may play an impor-
tant part in the future of the Kingdom. You see, Kara, there are
larger issues at risk than the appointment of earth's steward--
much larger. I will tell you everything when the time is right. I
wrote the music quite rapidly and have sent Serus out with bits and
pieces to whet the Elders' appetite--you know, keep them interest-
ed. Your appointment as liaison was critical at this point, though
poor Serus was enjoying himself as go-between."
"But what are these other issues?" asked Kara. "You can trust me."
"I do trust you," said Lucifer, placing his hand upon Kara's
shoulder. "And you are doing a splendid job. Keep up the excellent
work and I promise you that your efforts will be rewarded. I am
simply not at liberty to disclose these things right now. It is enough
for you to know that as always I have the Kingdom's best interest
at heart."
----------------
Kara left Lucifer's house feeling encouraged. For the very first
time he was beginning to believe that Lucifer would be appointed
80 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
steward and that together they would lead the new world. As he
walked down the street he saw two angels coming toward him: Pel-
lecus and Rugio.
"Greetings, brothers," said Kara.
"Greetings, Kara," said Pellecus, who had seen Kara just
depart from Lucifer's house. "What takes you away from the
Elders?"
"Some rather urgent business with Lucifer," said Kara proud-
ly. "We meet together occasionally. As do you."
"Really?" said Pellecus. "That's quite interesting."
"Yes," said Kara. "We're really quite close. I am the liaison
between the Elders and Lucifer on the matter of the Creation music.
Exciting times ahead, hmm?"
"I'd say revolutionary," said Rugio.
"I suppose they are," said Kara. "And where are you two hon-
orable angels headed?"
Rugio began to answer, "We're meeting with..."
"Gabriel!" interrupted Pellecus. "And I believe we best be on our
way. Never good to keep an archangel waiting. Farewell, brother."
"My regards to Gabriel," said Kara as they parted company.
Kara watched as the two continued down the street and slowed in
front of Lucifer's house. He stood behind a large tree and watched
them enter Lucifer's house, wondering why they had lied to him.
Or perhaps they thought of some urgent business that they needed
to conduct with Lucifer. It didn't
"Of course They are," said Lucifer. "They wouldn't have it
any other way. As to the other matter...the question of stewardship.
Any indication from the Elders on that?"
"I have been discreetly but firmly urging your name to vari-
ous members of the body. Some of them, Pratia and Belron for
example, were talking about you before I ever even mentioned the
possibility. I'd say you have fairly wide support among the group."
"I need overwhelming support," said Lucifer. "You know the
Lord will not select anyone to an office without agreement within
the body. They must all be won over if possible."
"All I need is a show of strength--something impressive!" 79
"Your music will take care of that," said Kara. "There is one
rather awkward development. You know Rega, the assistant to the
Chief Elder?"
"Oh yes," said Lucifer. "He and I have had some interesting
talks from time to time."
"Well, he remembers some of those `talks.' He told me that he
will only support you if you pledge to appoint him to some office
after you begin governing."
"Rega always has had an appetite," said Lucifer. "But I need
his support. Tell him that I will do what I can, but that I can do
nothing until the appointment becomes official."
"Very well. I will report back to the Elders that you are work-
ing devotedly on the music and that you will have it completed
within...how long shall I say?"
"Actually I have been finished with the project for some
time," said Lucifer.
Kara looked at him in shock.
"It's quite true," said Lucifer. "I have needed this time of iso-
lation to garner support in other areas which may play an impor-
tant part in the future of the Kingdom. You see, Kara, there are
larger issues at risk than the appointment of earth's steward--
much larger. I will tell you everything when the time is right. I
wrote the music quite rapidly and have sent Serus out with bits and
pieces to whet the Elders' appetite--you know, keep them interest-
ed. Your appointment as liaison was critical at this point, though
poor Serus was enjoying himself as go-between."
"But what are these other issues?" asked Kara. "You can trust me."
"I do trust you," said Lucifer, placing his hand upon Kara's
shoulder. "And you are doing a splendid job. Keep up the excellent
work and I promise you that your efforts will be rewarded. I am
simply not at liberty to disclose these things right now. It is enough
for you to know that as always I have the Kingdom's best interest
at heart."
----------------
Kara left Lucifer's house feeling encouraged. For the very first
time he was beginning to believe that Lucifer would be appointed
80 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
steward and that together they would lead the new world. As he
walked down the street he saw two angels coming toward him: Pel-
lecus and Rugio.
"Greetings, brothers," said Kara.
"Greetings, Kara," said Pellecus, who had seen Kara just
depart from Lucifer's house. "What takes you away from the
Elders?"
"Some rather urgent business with Lucifer," said Kara proud-
ly. "We meet together occasionally. As do you."
"Really?" said Pellecus. "That's quite interesting."
"Yes," said Kara. "We're really quite close. I am the liaison
between the Elders and Lucifer on the matter of the Creation music.
Exciting times ahead, hmm?"
"I'd say revolutionary," said Rugio.
"I suppose they are," said Kara. "And where are you two hon-
orable angels headed?"
Rugio began to answer, "We're meeting with..."
"Gabriel!" interrupted Pellecus. "And I believe we best be on our
way. Never good to keep an archangel waiting. Farewell, brother."
"My regards to Gabriel," said Kara as they parted company.
Kara watched as the two continued down the street and slowed in
front of Lucifer's house. He stood behind a large tree and watched
them enter Lucifer's house, wondering why they had lied to him.
Or perhaps they thought of some urgent business that they needed
to conduct with Lucifer. It didn't
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