Chapter 26 ( Valudaz and the Armor of God )

Hadassah and Richard walked hand in hand to her mother's tent and knocked on the pole.  Rahnyah spoke softly," Come in." Looking up from her scribing work, she saw her daughter and Richard come inside. Richard lowered the mask off his face and smiled at her." How are you, Your Majesty?" Rahnyah , smiled and said," I am well." as she came forward and hugged her daughter. " We obtained the medallion and the idol  from the temple of Supay." she said as she pulled it out for her mother to see. Looking over it Rahnyah touched it and it stung her hand." How does this not sting you?" Hadassah said," I think my fur keeps it from stinging. Now we have a way to control the mindless drones out there and use them against the angel." Rahnyah nodded then spoke, We are waiting for a few more artifacts to show up. The encampment is getting larger. I am hoping Drow's people will begin to start showing up shortly." Hadassah smiled at her mother and said," Mom, you know he will come he can't ever tell Ishellia no and, well, the fate of the world depends on his people helping us defeat Lucifer and his army."

Meanwhile in Calais:

Valudaz, Kerari, Betherina, Veldron and Lord Brennan worked hard to get the boat into the water and in working order and loaded it down with all the components everyone would need to do their jobs. As soon as everyone boarded the boat they pushed off the shore and Betherina tossed silver dust into the air saying," Shemanch Rhie Rhom St. Peter's Basilica, Rome." The portal opened infront of the boat and it slipped through into the wormhole without incident. The other side opened and they slid right out onto the water just outside the chapel. 

Veldron guided the boat closer and dropped anchor and said ," Well, get to work. I have to get this bilge done and ready for when you find the top of the vault. Did you happen to grab a map of the church? Daz looked at him and said," Actually my mother happened to find the blueprints in some ancient library of her mentor Robelaire." He said as he pulled the diagram out of his satchel and laid it on top of the birth roof. He rolled it open and tapped his finger lightly. "Here, here is where we need to go in. It's really pretty much a straight shot to the vault from here." I can go back and forth with Lord Brennan and bring the loads he needs. You all mix the cement and send it down in bags. 

I will come back and forth for them , just fill them up." They all nodded and Daz and Brennan swam down to the spot where they had decided to start building the coffer wall. Both swam back up and noticed that there was a nice pile of bricks on the roof of one of the buildings nearby waiting for them to start. Brennan said , " OK now teleport those down to the floor of the basilica please." Bethrina nodded and cast her portal and they all pushed the pile of bricks through to the other side and Brennan dove down and began forming the first row of bricks while Daz went to get the bags of cement. this went on for several hours and they finally got the wall to the surface when they called it a day and crawled back into the boat. They saw lights in the distance and began rowing that way. The closer they drew to the light they could hear Italian music playing and smell fresh baked bread and the smells of cooking on the air. Veldron navigated to the dock and Daz jumped out and tied the boat to the mooring post with a thick line. 

Once they had all exited the craft they all began walking on the floating walkways looking at what they had built over the city of Rome after the moon incident. 1,000 years later, and they had built upon the ruins of the old city kind of like Venice did each time the water levels rose. they just kept building the buildings taller and stronger. They had bridgeways and  walkways all through the city.. They followed their noses to the Tavern of the Crazy Pony. Daz looked up and laughed. The Ferrari horse logo and old yellowed sign *hung above the door. " Well, they were a crazy ride for sure." He said as he opened the door. When they walked in a large fire was roaring in the cast iron and stone fire place. There were servers running around with long black aprons and trays carrying, Mamma Brugio's quatro formagio spinach manacotti. Veldron began to drool and said in a deep Irish brogue," Come on lass come over here I hunger" He said to a rather cute, portly server Wench. " what's your name lass?" he asked as he tapped the seat next to him, inviting her to sit for a moment. " I'm Izabella." She said as she batted her dark brown eyes at the old dwarf. He looked at her and said," What have you got to eat? It smells so good in here?"

The young lady said," We have Rib roast with roasted vegetables, Lasagna, Spaghetti Bolognese, Manicotti, Steak Vesuvius over Fettucine, Chicken, Spinach, artichoke Fettucine  alfredo and Chicken Marsala. What can I get you?"  He thought for a moment and said, I'll take the manicotti and the chicken marsala, maybe a antipasto salad and three bottles of wine." She brightened up because this table alone was going to pay for her rent tonight. She ran to get him the food while the others were still talking and munching on some bread Izabella brought to the table. Thirty minutes later she came back to the table laden with food and wine. She took everyone else's order and disappeared into the kitchen.

Izabella took care of them well and both Daz and Veldron handed her 16 gold coins and four rubies. " She looked at Veldron and said," The big guy already paid me." Veldron closed her hand over the money, " No, you keep this. It will pay your bills." Her eyes misted over and said," Do you all have a place to stay tonight?" My brother and I have many rooms in our house . You are welcome to stay with us." She said as she grabbed her cloak and told old Mary she was going home. They all followed her out the door and down the walk way to her house. Three walkways down and a right, then two alley ways up on the left. There stood a huge building she opened the door that was apparently where a window used to be . It opened up into a very spacious living area with fur rugs and ancient tapestries of eras long gone. the stairwell went up the center and separated going across the top of the room. There was a large landing that opened up on both ends leading to many rooms. She looked at them and said," Take your pick of the rooms some have one bed others have two. There is no charge as well as you took care of me for your dinner service. Breakfast is laid out at 7 am and we will keep it up until you have eaten."

Kerari ran her hand along the banister as she went up the stairs and looked from room to room when she found a large open space with racks and racks of clothes. Some looked to be a thousand years old because the white was deepened to a creamy yellow hue. Most were in garment bags preserved so they would not rot through the years. She slid one out and it said on the label , " House of Versace". Humans were very vain in eras gone by about the clothes they wore. They called it Couture and while some of the clothes were exquisitely beautiful, others she would not dress her cat in they were so awful. She mused silently as she fingered this full length gown that would come to her ankles as tall as she was but she tried it on anyway. She unzipped the bag and then took off her clothes and stepped into the dress. she pulled it up and looked into the full length mirror and sighed. She looked breathtakingly beautiful and she spun side to side when she saw Daz coming up behind her and gently zipped up the gown. He gently turned her to face him and nodded his approval and took her hand and helped her down the stair that was there.

" Do you like the dress?" He asked her and she smiled brilliantly and spoke," I don't normally like human clothes but this one is just so silky and smooth and soft. Versace tended to have long sleek lines and was geared towards the more slender females. She looked down and chuckled," Even if it is a little short." She sighed. then threw her hands up and said like a human," I just have such a hard time trying to find clothes.!" they both laughed and she turned for him to unzip the dress. He unzipped the dress and she let it fall in a puddle on the floor and turned to him with her breasts covered by her arm. " Your Majesty, could you please hand me my clothes it's a bit drafty in here." She said softly. Daz turned and gathered her clothes and handed them to her and leaned in to kiss her gently. " You are beautiful no matter what you do or do not wear woman." he said and watched a smile light up her beautiful face. She reached down and hung up the dress and placed it back in the bag.' You know, this dress is over a thousand years old?" He looked at her and nodded and said," When we came to this realm after the rifts happened I was introduced to many things in the human world, that we as elves do not regularly encounter. Come on, let's go to bed. It has been quite a long day. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

The next morning dawned brilliantly and everyone headed back to the basilica. Lord Brennan finished the wall and Veldron began to sump out all the water with the bilge pump. As soon as the water was gone they all set to work with the cement to ensure that no water came in anywhere. The artifacts below were priceless. The day waxed long and they finally finished with the concrete and began to discuss the best way to cut the hole in the floor. Brennan had many things in his satchel that would be caustic if they were mixed with things from Kerari's medicine bag. Then Veldron gasped sharply," Why don't we just use my roll of Detonation cord.It's simple, fast and pretty concise. that spot will drop through so we can all get down there. Brennan here had the insight to build little steps going around the wall to get us out from here. We will need Bethrina to get us back up to this point." The mage nodded and Veldron and Daz ran the cord and Veldron said in his thick Irish brogue," Fire in the hole!" as he hit the cord with a charge. it flash banged and they all held their ears until the ringing stopped . Daz leaned over the hole and dropped down and lantern to see . His eye beheld treasures beyond belief. He reached up to help Kerari  and Bethrina down and they were followed by Veldron and Brennan.

They all ooh and ahhed as they looked around at the artifacts. Kerari looked for a room off the side of the  main one that held some sort of seal to demarcate the actual vault that held the lance. Brennan and Veldron were lost in the library. they were so happy they were like giddy school boys. Brennan found books of demonology and may other things. It was odd that the papal library held such books on the occult and it made him question some things. He pulled as many ancient books from the shlves as he dared and continued to look around.

Daz and Kerari found the vault and called for Veldron to come there and blast the door open. Soon they heard ," Fire in the hole!" and a large blast. As the dust and smoke cleared they shined the light into the room. there were many things that they didn't understand and other things came into focus. There behind panes of glass sat the Lance and to the right behind some glass,was a small room that held none other than the ark of the covenant. All these year of searching and there it was. Daz broke the glass and walked forward. Kerari stilled him by placing a hand on his arm. " Valudaz, You know the legends, your father is an angel. Don't touch it." She said. He nodded and moved towards the lance when a brilliant light shone all around. When Daz turned back around he could see Kerari bowing down,face down on the floor palms down. There before him stood two angels. He stood shocked but nodded his head in respect. The angel on the left said," Fear not." And Daz smirked,' You always say," Fear Not"but it never turns out good for the mortals you say it too."

Gabriel and Uriel grabbed both of his arms and Uriel grasped Kerari's arm and they opened a passage way to the throne room of Yehovah. Brilliant light shone all around the angels shielded the other immortals eyes. When a voice came from the left." Oh, He's here already. Well the armor is almost done." The voice said. Daz turned towards the voice and tried to look over Gabriel's arm and wings only to be blocked by Michael's wings. Valudaz grew irritated." Remember it was you who brought me here." He said when he felt something grasp him around his middle and pull him up his arms splayed back. Kerari sat in rapture as the voice said," I will gird with my own armor." Michael, take that black armor off of him ." Michael did as he was instructed and removed Excalibur when Daz said," That is my weapon it's a good one, She saved my life." The voice boomed," It is I who saved your life through the aid of the sword." Daz struggled as he felt the cleansing fire of the Almighty burn through his body.

As each piece of armor was finished being smithed, it was applied to Valudaz's body.Hashem said in a great and mighty voice." Valudaz Plaguemyst, I bestow upon you the " Breast Plate of Righteousness." Michael and Bardiel clamped the chest piece on and buckled it. The purity of God poured through him and burst out his fingertips splaying incandescently upon the wall. Kerari gasped as Brelona, a beautiful Keruvim held her in place firmly with her wings in front of her. The angel said," Be still love, you are not an angel, even though immortal should you look upon his countenance you will surely die where you stand." Again they heard the voices of Elohim speak," We gird you with the Plate Sabotons of the Gospel of Peace. For without righteous vengeance, there can be no peace." Uriel slipped them upon Daz and the elf screamed one more time. Yehovah said softly," Yes, my son it is painful but you must be cleansed of Lucifer's essence. Your weapon could only do so much." Daz grit his teeth and sweat poured off his body. Again the Almighty spoke," I place upon your arm the shield of Faith. Without Emuna there can be nothing. I now gird upon you the Girdle of Truth. This will help you see the truth in all things. Michael wrapped it around Daz and his stomach tightened and his body wrenched violently and vomited in the container that the angel held there. Michael looked at him," It will get easier, you are doing amazing young prince." Daz nodded his head and grit his teeth for the last piece of armor. Hashem said loudly," I place upon your head the helmet of Salvation. Bardiel is fashioning Excalibur with extra imbuements, it will now be called the sword of Spirit. Do you understand this?" Daz was set down on the golden floor and he looked around and saw Hebrew etchings in the walls of the throne room. He looked over to the area where the Seraphim stood in a semi circle to block the view of GOD from him . The voice spoke and said," Bring the young one to me now." 

Brelona brought Kerari to stand in front of the throne and instructed her to only look upon his feet. The rogue did as she was told and Uriel came to her and said," Stretch out your hands young one." She did as she was told and God himself placed in her hands two beautiful Kriss daggers made of Timascuss dragon's breath blades with hilts emblazoned  with black onyx and silver filigree and ensconced with Rubies on the end. Tears fell from her eyes as she was stricken in the spirit and bowed low before the creator in respect and awe. When a hand came down and said," You are chosen as he gently touched her cheek. These daggers will make my son mortal. Michael, also loan Valudaz your sword. With both these swords your task is to kill my son. To release his soul from his body so it may be cleansed in my presence. Go now, Be brave. "