Chapter Four: Final Revelation

 ~~/*\~~ Ryder ~~/*\~~

The newsroom held rundown meetings every day, breaking down the daily news before they decided what to report on. The Coalition had been making headlines every day, moving with incredible speed.

“The ‘Secure In Peace’ Campaign has settled the global energy market already. All the talk about how the Oil Companies wouldn’t be able to survive, or how the shift to renewables would cause global chaos… Turns out it’s a lot harder to talk about once it’s done.” Otto said with a wry grin.

“How are they doing this so fast?” Dion asked, amazed.

Otto nodded. “Global authority. Suddenly there’s no such thing as a ‘non-extradition country’, or an ‘off-shore account’. Fighting Climate Change, or Human Rights Violations? All that stuff was limited, because even the most well-intentioned Human Rights group could never affect policy in someone else’s country. The U.N. finally getting some teeth? It’s actually made the difference.”

Sentimental beat.

Gordon finally spoke. “Boss, I’ve been covering things like income inequality and price gouging for years. The biggest injustices being righted are the ones where no laws are being broken.” He had notes of his own. “For example, countries which charge high prices for medicine or food? The U.N. would have the right to overrule the national level trade laws; and force them to accept international standards.” He spread his hands. “They haven’t done that.”

“Not yet.” Karla put in. “The ‘Secure In Peace’ Campaign is only a few weeks old. I’m betting they’ll get to things like that.”

Dion smiled again. It was noted among the others in the newsroom that he had been smiling more and more often at the news lately. “Ahh, I’d like to think so. Global problems, global solutions. Seems like the most obvious thing in the world, but it was never going to happen…”

“The world was too divided.” Ryder offered. “By definition, Democracies can only act by consent. Other countries didn’t care about what people thought. How could that ever come together? It’s like mixing oil and water. Or iron and clay.” He twitched. Where did that thought come from?

“And yet it’s happening.” Dion breathed. “Some days, I am actually proud of my species.” He shook it off. “Alright, back to work. Other news?”

As one of the others started breaking down how floods and hurricanes were wiping out crops and food stores in several nations, an intern came in and tapped Ryder’s shoulder, giving him a slip of paper. Ryder read it, and quickly jumped up, heading out to take a phonecall.

~~/*\~~

The meeting broke up, and Karla came out to see Ryder waving her over. As she approached, he covered the mouthpiece of his phone. “What was that guy on Wall Street who kept sending you flowers last year?”

Karla blinked. “Johan?” She scoffed. “He was married, but he didn’t let that stop him.”

“Well he’s divorced now, and he’s on line two, refusing to go on the record.” Ryder told her. “I’ve got an off-the-record source saying that money’s moving among the Churches, in a major way. Can you get him to admit it?”

Karla nodded, and picked up the extension. “Johan!” She broke in playfully. “You were a free man at last, and you never called me?”

Ryder put his own phone down carefully, so as not to interrupt, and left her to it, hurrying up to Dion’s office. “Boss? I have a story that’ll break in a few days.”

“There’s a breaking story I don’t know about yet?” Dion smirked. “Tell me.”

“What Otto said in the rundown meeting about how there was no such thing as an ‘offshore account’ anymore? Well, I’ve got an off-the-record source that says that several members in the Council of Churches have found one, and they’re moving huge amounts of money around.”

Dion looked up at him sharply. “Why?”

“Not sure, but it looks like there’s a huge audit being done by the U.N., and suddenly it’s important that the Churches have as little cash on hand as possible.”

Dion scoffed. “No, I mean: Why is there anyone looking? Long before the Coalition, or the U.N. itself even existed, the Churches were an international authority. They were the strongest voice of support for the Restructure. The Coalition was recruiting their military and support staff out of Churches all over the world. Why is anyone looking into them?”

“Not sure, but I’ve got word it’s happening.” He gestured out at the newsroom. “Karla has a source on Wall Street, and she’s getting him to go on the record now. But you should know I'm not the only one sniffing around. Other networks are on it too.”

Karla appeared at the doorway, and knocked. “I got him to admit it, but I had to promise that we wouldn’t report it until Wednesday.”

“You gave that away to a source?” Dion scowled. “Better be something good.”

“Word is, the Churches are divesting as much of their liquid assets as possible.” Karla reported. “All of them. At least, the ones Johan can talk about. The Megachurches and televangelists especially, have loose cash to invest in a hurry.”

Ryder thought of his conversation with Del. “I met a guy at the airport a few days ago. He’s trying to get his mom out of one of those Churches. Apparently they’ve put out a call for ‘all loyal parishioners’ to come to their newly purchased property and pray for something.”

Karla nodded. “It’s not just the new players. All of them are trying to move their assets to someplace they can’t be seized.” She took a breath. “Johan admitted to me that Switzerland will not be accepting their money. They’re turning over all their account data to the Coalition's investigative branch. All of their books.”

“Swiss Banks are making their records public to international authorities? Someone on Wall Street admitted that to a reporter?” Dion was stunned. “Dang, Karla. Forget journalism, you’re a hypnotist.”

Karla blushed, just a little, but hid it behind a coy smile. “Everyone’s good at something.”

“Wednesday.” Dion considered that carefully. “Well, we’ll need that long to get our report ready. We need experts who can break it down, financial wizards who can explain the ramifications…”

“To say nothing of figuring out why the world’s religions are suddenly trying to bury their gold.” Ryder put in.

Dion suddenly remembered they were there. “Right. We crack that, and it’s a better story. Stay on it. This was some good work, you two. I won’t forget it. In the meantime, we still have news to report. Karla, there are a few places where your relentless optimism will play well. But with so many global question marks being fixed, we have to keep you moving for a while.”

“It’s what I do.” Karla agreed lightly.

~~/*\~~ Takarut ~~/*\~~

Takarut and Tzioni came running to collect Leahe as Satau rode up to her door. She hugged her father gratefully with her good arm.

Takarut thanked Satau profusely, leading him away from the small dwelling. “The other Hebrews aren’t quite sure what to make of us yet. They’ve known Tzioni their whole life, but they know I was on the ‘other side’ until recently. Tzioni has been tutoring me the whole time Leahe was in recovery. But for the most part, the only Egyptians who spend any amount of time with Hebrews are masters, or foremen.”

“Unless the Hebrews in question are informants?” Satau finished the unspoken thought. “Leahe was worried about that the entire time she was being tended by the Healers. They couldn’t figure out why I was putting so much expense into a slave, so they assumed she must be an agent for the Priests. She was terrified that her neighbors would assume the same.”

“If you’re spending more time on the slaves than you do in Court; you have more to lose than she does.” Takarut warned. “Your father has surely noticed by now.”

Satau shook his head. “I’m still technically an Acolyte, even if I'm my father's assistant. If I was anyone else’s son, I wouldn’t be in Court at all. The Court is about Pharaoh. As long as one of us is there, the Temples are represented. And if Father ever wanted me to drop everything and attend, I would have done so immediately.”

Takarut sighed. “Yes. You should probably know, after the Frogs died, we waited for the order, but we all knew Pharaoh would go back on his word again. Moses went back to the Palace this morning. He warned us last night that the next plague will be gnats.”

(Author’s Note: Not all the conversations and/or meetings between Pharaoh, Moses, and Aaron are detailed. Most of the Plagues came with warnings, not just to give Pharaoh a choice, but to demonstrate that these were not random natural disasters. In the case of the gnats, the warning was not specifically recorded, but I added it here. It stands to reason there would have been another confrontation when Pharaoh went back on his word.)

“Gnats…” Satau tried to picture that. “Can’t be worse than frogs, right?” He sighed. “Pharaoh has ordered that the bodies be collected and brought to Goshen to burn. Any Plague Moses brings next will be their problem too.”

“My problem.” Takarut corrected. “I live here now.”

Satau winced. “Takarut, we’ve known each other our whole lives. I get along better with you than I do my own brother. How long is this… shame in your grandfather’s sins going to last?”

“My grandfather threw a whole generation of babies into the Nile.” Takarut bit out.

“Not single-handedly. And they were only-.”

“Only slaves? Like Leahe?” Takarut cut him off. “Maybe when I came here it was because I was trying to process the sins of my family, but I’ve lived in Goshen for weeks now. Satau, the only reason we can tolerate treating slaves this way is because we don’t have to think about it too hard. I’ve lived in their community, met their people, learned their names, eaten their food; sung along with their songs. And the way…” He shook his head in disgust. “If Pharaoh treated your horse the way he treated Leahe…”

Satau said nothing, but inwardly he had to admit that much was true.

“The law considers slaves to be something akin to pack animals, but animals don’t get treated this way.” Takarut said, and Satau could feel the rage building. “I’m staying right here. Pharaoh and your father are wrong. Moses and Jehovah are right. And I don’t care if I get the whip for saying that.”

“This isn’t a moral debate, Takarut.” Satau warned. “Moses has challenged all the gods of Egypt, including the one on the throne. Not once, in the entire Dynasty, has Pharaoh’s line suffered a defeat. We can argue about ‘right and wrong’ for a hundred years. You know the side that wins? The one that’s left when the fight is over.”

“Yes.” Takarut agreed.

Satau shook his head, sad for him. “When you’re ready to come home, I can help.”

~~/*\~~

Tzioni tucked Leahe safely into bed. She couldn’t stay there for long, and they both knew it, but she let her father baby her again, just this once. He hadn’t seen her injury before. He took it well. She was hardly the first one to be dismembered because an Egyptian was annoyed about something.

“That Acolyte saved my life.” She admitted to her father. “They would have tossed me out with the refuse if he hadn’t ordered them to save me.”

“I’m grateful to him, daughter. But I’ll admit I don’t understand why.” Tzioni admitted.

“He was the one sent to find Moses, after the Nile turned to blood.” Leahe offered. “He knew me. Knew my name. When Takarut left home, he introduced us so that his friend would have somewhere to go… Maybe he did it because I was the only slave he’d had to think of like a person.”

Tzioni made a sound of disgust.

Leahe lay back, exhausted by the ride. She drifted for a few minutes. “I dreamed about mother.”

Tzioni reacted. “Really?”

“I know I can’t possibly remember her.” Leahe admitted. “But sometimes, I feel like I can remember the sound of her voice…” She sighed hard. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t like talking about her.”

Tzioni lowered his voice. “I don’t mind talking about her. We don’t speak of her often, because I know you feel guilty. Which is ridiculous, by the way.”

Leahe sighed. “I know. I’ve understood what death was since I was old enough to watch my first execution. When I was little, I understood that everyone I loved hated the people who brought death to our people…”

Tzioni winced. “And since your mother died in childbirth…”

“I heard the other Elders talking about how sometimes the Egyptians would maim the criminals, so that their families would have to spend their lives looking after a cripple.” Leahe started to cry. “You had to look after me without my mother… And now you’ve got to look after me again.”

“I am your father. Looking after you is not a burden to me.” Tzioni assured her, knowing it would not assuage her guilt. “I wish I had something of your mother to give you. You’re so much like her.” Tears formed in his eyes. “We don’t even have a marker.”

“I’m glad we don’t.” Leahe grit out, swallowing her own tears. “If they let us have tombs for our own, we’d never leave Egypt. Having nothing that is ours means that when we leave, we’re taking everything we care about with us.”

“Amen.” Her father could take no more and wrapped her in a tight hug. It hurt, but she hugged him back, father and daughter weeping over all they had lost.

~~/*\~~

With Satau knowing what the next plague would be, and Leahe delivered safely home, the Acolyte dug his heels lightly into Sari’s flanks, the horse taking off at a steady trot, moving to leave Goshen. On the way out, he passed wagon after wagon of dead frogs, piled high. The smell was enough that the slaves hauling the wagons were covering their faces.

Like any population center, there was a main square, where the roads split off to go through the community. In this natural public square, the slaves were piling the frogs for burning. Satau could hear the grumbling. None of them wanted the slimy things, or the stench of them filling up their homes.

There was one man standing on the edge of one of the wagons,

“Hope is the greatest terror to a slave owner!” Ohad-Ittai shouted. “Hope is our ultimate weapon! Even when they’ve taken everything from us, hope is still there.” He waved at the piled frogs. “Pharaoh thinks that this is a hardship for us because he’s never had to live under real hardship. He’s never had to face an indignity with calm patience. He’s never had humiliation used on him as a deliberate tactic. And he thinks he’s sending us a message by piling up the frogs that have Plagued him for weeks? We’ve handled worse than this, and we’ve handled it every day of our lives.”

~~/*\~~ Del ~~/*\~~

“We have had to endure the state of this world, every day of our lives. Given the stakes of what comes next, some apprehension is to be expected, but are we really going to lose our nerve now, just as that lifetime of faith and loyalty is about to be justified with eternal life in paradise?”

Del’s flight had landed, and he rented a car. Once he had the relative privacy of his own vehicle, he took out his headphones and began playing a new talk from the Organization via his phone. He’d been listening to them during the entire flight.

“When Jesus foretold the end of the Last Days, there were only two parts that focused on his followers. The first, was the Preaching Campaign, which is now completed. The second part was a direct instruction to us: ‘But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near’.” The speaker continued. “Now, as we see that deliverance is not only near, but actually at hand, what could be worth giving up now?”

Del had gone straight from his flight to his mother’s place, and found it empty. She’d already left to be with the rest of her new Church at their newly built retreat. He had called her, and asked to meet. She had told him shortly that she couldn’t leave at the moment, and hung up on him. He’d given it a few hours, and called back. She sent his call to voicemail.

He had asked her former neighbors, and they all agreed that his mother had spent the last day and a half selling everything she had, and giving the rest away, before she got in her car and drove off to be with her church group. She’d made no secret of where she was going; and hadn’t been under any duress.

It was exactly what Del had been afraid would happen. He sent text messages, and emails. Nothing argumentative, nothing confrontational. Just a request to speak, in person, with his mother.

With nothing else to do until she responded, Del had looked up the local congregation and gone to a meeting.

There was an undercurrent of electricity in the Congregation. There had been no official change to the meeting schedules, though the announcements were given more time to talk about congregation support for those who lived alone. There were extra notices pinned up on the notice boards regarding particular articles to read, or particular Bible examples to study and meditate on. Del was a stranger to these brothers, and could feel eyes on him every second. People were wondering who he was.

~~/*\~~

As the final song was sung, Alvin stood at the back of the hall, watching their newcomer carefully. Sitting in the back row, Nate noticed his attention and went over. “Problem?” He asked quietly.

“New face in the Hall.” Alvin commented. “I’ve been quietly advised that several Congregations have had strangers taking pictures of cars, license plates, faces…”

“Nothing we can do about it if he’s one of the Authorities.” Nate offered. “We don’t have anything to hide, and it’s not like any of us try to keep our religion a secret. We go door to door telling people about it.” He followed Alvin’s gaze, and his face changed. “I know that man.”

“You do?” Alvin was about to ask for more, when the song ended, and everyone paused for prayer.

~~/*\~~

The meeting broke up into conversation, and Del looked around, a little lost. He was a stranger here. Maybe I should just go back to the Motel?

The choice was made when a familiar face came over and offered a handshake. “Hi there. I’m sorry, but I can’t remember your name.”

Del’s head tilted. “Yes, I remember you. You were at Martine’s funeral. You brought her ashes, as I recall.” He returned the handshake. “Del. Martine was the one that studied with my wife, and with me.”

“That’s right.” Nate nodded suddenly in remembrance. “Good to see you again, though I’m a little amazed that you managed to make it here. The airlines are now under Coalition Control, and apparently the logistics are causing major disruptions. Almost everyone has to wait it out where they are.” Alvin had come over with him, and Nate made introductions. “This is Alvin. He’s one of our Elders. Alvin, this is Del. He’s from my mother’s old Congregation. My brother texted that he would be in town.”

Del introduced himself promptly, suddenly realizing what they were worried about. “Mount Morgan Congregation. I’ve been in town a few days, and… well, now isn’t the time to miss meetings, right?”

“Indeed.” Alvin nodded. “I hate to have to ask, but times have changed very swiftly.”

“I know. I was speaking to my wife the other night, and she says that our own Cong has had their accounts reports subpoenaed by the authorities. They want a breakdown of all our assets. Our local Elders have been brought in for questioning about various things. They want any membership records we have.”

Nate shivered hard. “Ohh, it’s coming.”

“It is.” Del agreed, looking nervous, checking his phone again automatically.

“Which begs the question, why do you find yourself so far from home?” Alvin commented lightly to Del. “It’s none of my business, of course-”

“No, it’s not a secret.” Del shook his head. “My mother… She was heavily involved with the televangelists when I was a kid. When the Financial Crash happened, she donated almost everything we had left, and the resulting fight destroyed her marriage. They split up, and mom spent the last few years migrating from televangelists to the megachurches. When my wife started studying with the JW’s, I was horrified, but… Well, it’s years later, and now I’m a Witness myself.”

“You came to try and convince your mom?”

“I’ve tried to convince her at intervals over the last few years, with no success.” Del admitted. “But we had conversations about what we thought the future would hold. I was hoping that the ‘Secure In Peace’ Campaign might be convincing enough a sign.”

“I’ll be honest with you, Del.” Alvin said gently. “There’s no sign that there’s been some global influx of new believers in response to the times. But there have been a few who were on the fence. Five in our area, asked to be baptized immediately.” He took a breath. “But if your mother is heavily-”

“I know.” Del agreed. “It’s a longshot. But my mother is the type for a sudden ‘Road To Damascus’ type of change. I just… can’t seem to get in touch with her. Her new megachurch has purchased a plot of land outside your town and have apparently fortified it-”

“The New Believers?” Nate commented. “I’ve seen them on the news. My brother works at KPXQ, and he’s saying that there are rumors about the Churches trying to divest themselves of cash very quickly with land purchases. Can't repossess property as easily as you can seize liquid accounts.”

(Author’s Note: ‘The New Believers’ is a group I made up for plot purposes. Any similarity to any real group is entirely coincidental.)

Alvin looked worried suddenly. “Be careful, Del. I understand wanting to try and save a loved one, but you could very quickly get yourself in real danger.”

Del nodded. “I know. It might be a crazy move, but I know that if I don’t, I have to spend eternity wondering what might have happened differently.”

“Do you want someone to go out with you when you try to talk to her?” Nate asked. “Someone to watch your back?”

Del thought about it for a moment, and shook his head. “So far, I haven’t been able to get her on the phone. Going out there is my last ditch effort to get her to talk to me at all… And honestly, if it’s dangerous, I’d rather not risk anyone else.”

~~/*\~~

Alvin woke up at dawn the next morning, with the phone ringing beside his bed. Thought I set you to silent. He thought distantly as he answered it, not even checking the number. “H-Hello?” He yawned.

“I should have gone with him.” It was Nate’s voice. “Del. Last night. I should have insisted.”

Alvin sat up. “What happened?”

“Half an hour ago, I suddenly woke up with this feeling that I couldn’t let go of.” Nate sighed. “I tried to find Del, so I could insist that I go along. I didn’t have his number. Finally, I took to calling motels around the airports? I found him… But apparently he left ten minutes sooner.”

“Checked out?”

“He mentioned last night that he was booked on a flight home tomorrow. That’s at least one more day… Maybe he decided to go up to the retreat in person?”

“Maybe his mother finally called him back and agreed to meet him somewhere.” Alvin offered. “Unless we talk to him, we can’t know.”

“My brother texted me that he was coming so I’d be ready if he needed a local friend to call on… But I don’t have Del’s contact details. How much worry would we be putting his wife through if we called Mount Morgan and asked for his phone number?”

Alvin let out a breath between his teeth. “I don’t know. Let me pray about this for a bit. I’ll bring it up this morning with the other Elders… If they agree with you, then we’ll contact the Elders at Mount Morgan ourselves.”

Del agreed, and they ended their conversation. Alvin sent a text message to the other Elders in their congregation, asking for a quick conference, and then got up to make breakfast.

Before his toast was done, he got a message back from one of them.

Babylon is falling.

~~/*\~~

The ‘New Believers’ Megachuch had consolidated their resources to purchase a big piece of land. They had closed gates on all the roads leading to their retreat.

Early in the morning, Del had driven his rental car up to the edge of the property, getting his first look at the place. There had been a few cars heading in. There was a guardpost at the gates. The man met the cars, checked their ID’s, and opened the gates for them to enter. Del had parked a fair distance back and walked up to the gate, praying for success.

~~/*\~~

“I’m sorry, sir. Attendance is for members only.” The guard at the gate said seriously.

“I don’t want to make any trouble, or disrupt anything going on in your campus.” Del promised, as politely as he could. “But my mother is a member, and I would like to speak with her.”

“You could just call her on the phone.” The guard offered.

“I’ve tried.” Del explained. “She hasn’t returned any of my calls.”

“Sounds like she doesn’t want to talk to you.”

Del had no answer to that. Not one that wouldn’t make it worse.

“Look.” The guard said, and the formal tone dropped easily, becoming more personal, more sincere. “I get what you’re worried about. But every single person in there? They all came by themselves, in their own cars. Nobody got rounded up. Nobody got forced to come. They were told that the whole church was going to this place, and that the gates would be shut behind them. They all came. Some didn’t. The ones that are here? It’s because they decided that this was where they wanted to be. That’s still their choice, isn’t it?”

Del sighed. “It is.” He conceded. “I just… wanted to talk to my mom.”

“Take it up with the people running this country.” The guard said lightly. “They’re the ones that are forcing the issue.”

Del’s head tilted. “You know something I don’t?” He asked, though he kept his thoughts to himself. I know what we think comes next. What do these people know?

The guard’s face changed, and he stepped back from Del. “Well, it looks like our time is up.”

Del followed his gaze, and looked down at himself. He spotted a bright red dot dancing back and forth over his chest. A targeting laser. Feeling his heart speed up, Del immediately raised both hands. “I… I don’t want trouble.” He said automatically, looking at the trees, the bushes... He had no idea where, but someone had a gun on him. One of his mother’s new friends was getting ready to shoot him down.

“Then you’d best get outta here.” The guard said cheerfully, still smiling. “And don’t come back. Just a little friendly advice.”

Del looked back to his rental, then forward up the street, past the gates. They weren’t opening. He walked back a bit, slowly, pulling out his phone and sending his mother one more text. It didn’t deliver. She’d blocked his number.

Or someone else did. He thought to himself, but dismissed it. As much as he wanted to believe his mom was a prisoner, waiting for him to storm the gates and rescue her, she was there by her own choice. People were flocking to the Coalition for hope. The Fringe groups were getting more extreme. There were rumors on social media about a major announcement coming. There were stories suggesting that the world’s religions were all scrambling to hide their wealth; but nobody seemed to know why.

Del knew why. The website had changed to advertise a breakdown of the ‘Secure In Peace’ Campaign from a Biblical perspective, and what it meant for the world. They all knew there wouldn’t be a long interval. Every day that Del spent here was one more roll of the dice. He wanted to be with his family when the next part began.

Such thoughts chased him all the way back to the car. He was so deep in his thoughts, that he never heard the steps coming up behind him.

Del was almost to his car when he suddenly noticed the stride of someone charging him. Del barely had time to let out a sound of shock before something stuck into his spine, and he seized, the sharp buzz of the taser barely audible over his own estranged grunt of agony.

Paralyzed, Del didn’t even have time to pray before the black bag went over his head, and his arms were suddenly pinned from opposite sides. He was off his feet, being dragged.

Jehovah God! He cried out in prayer, unable to make sounds. What’s going on?!

~~/*\~~ Satau ~~/*\~~

Satau made the report to the whole Royal Court. “They appear to be a minority, but there’s a group that see Moses’ campaign as the start of an uprising against Egypt. I should point out that Moses and Aaron were not present. They aren’t organizing people into opposition.”

Aadesh, who commanded the Pharaoh’s Chariots, shook his head. “Even worse, if this thinking is springing up organically. I don’t know how Moses is doing these tricks, but I do know that a slave population shouldn’t be emboldened.”

Pharaoh spoke to Aadesh. “General, do you think that Moses is using these magic tricks as a way to ‘overthrow’ Egypt?”

“It’s the only conclusion that makes sense.” Aadesh said with certainty. “The whole story about going into the wilderness isn’t a possibility. The journey would take months. There’s not enough wagons in Egypt to carry that many people, there’s no drinking water… Nobody thought Moses would survive alone, let alone with a million more mouths to feed.” He shook his head. “No, this is an uprising, pure and simple. But he’s found a way to fight with sorcery instead of arms, so our soldiers can’t put it down like a normal rebellion. Our swords can’t force the Nile to flow clean.”

Pharaoh turned to Jambres. “Your assessment?”

“Assuming it happens? The magic tricks that Moses is performing are… lessening.” Jambres said plainly. “His first attack was devastating. A week without the Nile was the best attack he could have made, but he clearly couldn’t sustain it longer than a week. Whatever power he has, it’s finite.”

“How do you know that?” Prince Nem-ur asked.

“Because if he could have kept the Nile dead for another few days, Egypt would be conquered.” Jambres said simply. “But his next move is frogs? And after that gnats? They’re becoming less about attrition, and more about annoyance.”

Pharaoh was apparently satisfied with that, and went on to a briefing about the replanting efforts. The High Priest drifted back to stand with Jannes and his son. “Annoyance? Tell that to the four servers who were put to death for feeding Pharaoh bread with ground frogs in it.” Satau retorted quietly to his father once attention went elsewhere.

“Granted, but frogs aren’t going to bring down the Empire.”Jambres mumbled back. “They might bring down Priest Muhyee, but we can survive that.”

~~/*\~~

Leahe had rested as long as she could stand it. She always had the duty of domestic work. They had few possessions to keep clean, but were responsible for their own food. Rations came in, and she prepared the food. Her arm was cut off below the elbow, so she still had most of her arm to work with. Tzioni had been doing most of it while she recovered, but his time was being taken up by meetings with Moses and Aaron, along with some of the other older men. Leahe had made a point of wanting to know what she could still do. She had to relearn all her old skills.

Preparing the dough for the next day’s bread was a challenge. Grinding the grain into flour was usually a two handed job. So was the kneading. So was the threshing, and building a fire, and pretty much every other part of life.

Leahe squeezed her eyes shut. I am not broken. She told herself. This will not defeat me. I can take this. I can take anything.

Her father walked in just as she gave up on domestic chores and went to collect her yoke. “You’re meant to be resting.” He told her, and when he saw what she was doing, he blanched. “Leahe!”

“I’m not going back to the ropelines.” She assured him, carefully standing up. Her balance was all off, trying to move around with only one arm. “I just need to know that I can still carry water. It’s the only thing I’ve ever been allowed to do with my life.”

“That is profoundly untrue.” Her father assured her, but he helped her anyway. Smaller than the kind that would be put on a horse, it allowed Leahe to carry a load of water while keeping her hands free. Except now she had only one hand, and had to relearn the balance all over.

~~/*\~~

Leahe had waited until the well was unattended, and went to draw water. She’d never tried to do so one-handed, and the bucket was too heavy for her. She worked the ropes for a while, figuring out how to loop it around her still-sensitive stump, or pin the rope against the side of the well with her hip, inching the bucket higher, until she could pour it into her waterskins. She was only half successful, unable to hold it upright, and half the water was lost.

Humiliation burned in her eyes. She couldn’t do it anymore. Yes, you can. She told herself, shifting into a prayer without realizing it. Jehovah God, who rules the universe, and conquers any Kings, You surely know that I am not the first slave to be punished in this way. You could make my arm grow back right now, if You wanted to. I’ve endured my entire life, and if we’re about to go free, I will not declare myself broken. If this makes me give up, now of all times, then I may as well go to the city and let them execute me now-

Takarut appeared beside her, as if by magic, and held the waterskin open for her. His face was careful not to show any pity. She wanted to slap him, embarrassed to be seen like this. She wanted to scream at him, and take revenge on every drop of his Egyptian blood.

But she forced herself to remember Takarut wasn’t Pharaoh. Even if he was possibly the last person she wanted to have watching as she poured the half-bucket into the skin on her yoke. “I need to learn how to do this myself.”

“Why?” He asked, his tone reasonable. “Nobody in Goshen does anything alone. It takes half a million men to build a Pyramid. How many slaves stay behind at the end of the day so they can try hauling a stone block alone? How many farmers work a field without any farmhands? How many-”

“I get it.” She groused, face burning. “Our whole lives are burdens, Takarut. From birth, to death, a slave exists to do the work that nobody else wants because it’s too hard, or dangerous, or distasteful. I can’t turn to my people and say ‘can you do half my tasks for me, too?’.”

“They would say yes.” Takarut said plainly. “They would say yes, because you are their sister.”

Leahe had no answer to that, working the yoke back over her shoulders. “I sometimes wonder if Satau did me a favor, saving my life. I still don’t know why he did it.”

“He didn’t mention that to me.” Takarut admitted. “But I’m grateful that he did.”

Leahe looked around. Tzioni was watching, though keeping a distance. He wasn’t willing to let her out of his sight yet, but she knew he couldn’t hear them. “I could never say this to my father, but… There was a time I feared Satau wanted me as a consort.”

Takarut twitched hard. “Oh?”

“When I was recovering, I wondered if that was why he saved my life.” Leahe said, eyes fixed on the well so that she wouldn’t have to look at him. “But that’s clearly not it.” She held out her severed arm, as if to make the point. “I’m ‘damaged merchandise’ now. Nobody’s going to want me for that anymore.” She forced a smile. “It’s almost a relief. At least one lifelong fear no longer applies to me.”

He stared back at her, his unreadable face now stricken. “Leahe, in your soul, you’re more capable than anyone I’ve ever known, more willing than half the world, but-” He looked helpless as she felt. “There are plenty of people who are more than willing to support you.”

She met his gaze, eyes hard. “I’ve lived with worse than this ever since I was born. I’ve been ‘more capable’ to do many things, and ‘more willing than half the world’ to try a thousand different trades and skills; but a slave is not allowed to be more than a slave, under pain of-” She waved her severed arm at him. “-of this! Living half the life of a ‘real’ person with a ‘real life’ is nothing new to me.”

“I guess not.” Takarut’s eyes were red. “But… just so you know, I don’t think you’ve ever been more beautiful, Leahe.”

Leahe froze, but he was already walking away from her as fast as he could.

~~/*\~~ Ryder ~~/*\~~

“And she just… found these people?” Ryder asked in disbelief.

“She’s been talking with them online for years, but when the droughts started messing with the food supply, they stopped talking and started planning.” Karla said with a grin. “My sister’s been off-grid for months now. When the food trade started getting thrown out of whack by the flooding seasons, and the heatwaves, she and her friends set up their own micro-farming community. Mom joined her when the price hikes meant she couldn’t afford to stay where she was.”

Ryder actually laughed. “Wow. I’ve heard about those communes, but I’ve never known anyone who went for it.”

“Oh, they aren't hippies, or survivalists. It’s not a religious thing either.” Karla assured him. “It’s basically a micro-farm. My mom says it’s the happiest she’s ever been. She says she could never go back to the world after some time off-grid.”

Ryder smirked a bit to himself. “Real life.” He commented under his breath. See mom? Your cult doesn’t have a monopoly on real life.

Ryder checked his side mirrors, and let the Coalition convoy drive past. They were becoming a regular sight on the highways, though most people didn’t know what they were up to until it was announced.

“Mom’s been trying to get me to come by for weeks, but I’m just not a farmer.” Karla admitted. “Do you think that the Coalition might deal with things like shortages? We’re seeing the first major wars fought over water starting up… The Coalition doesn’t care if you’re a wealthy prosperous nation, since they get a lot of their soldiers from the hungry ones…”

“Going to be an interesting shift if they do.” Ryder agreed. “One thing I’ve learned from my career as a journalist: Everyone wants the world to change, but nobody wants to change first.”

Ryder and Karla had been touring most of the country, and now and then other nations, delivering news on what the Coalition was doing next. The moves were done without red tape, without warning, and were usually popular with the public. The world had been seeing the unfairness and cruelty of wealth and power long enough without being able to do anything about it. Someone had the authority and the will, and that made the Coalition one of the most popular forces on the planet. They opened their doors to recruit, and millions of people around the world joined up.

There had been violent action taken here and there, but the victories were decisive and swift. With the U.N. actively overruling the courts and governments of many nations for the first time, they acted with dispatch anywhere in the world.

Ryder set up the camera, and Karla took her post, ready to report on the next story, when his phone buzzed. He checked it, and sighed, taking the camera down again. “It’s Dion. He’s canceled the spot.”

“We just got here.” Karla sighed in annoyance. The news was a fast moving machine, and it was hardly the first time, but it never failed to annoy. “What happened?”

Ryder was staring at his phone. “Not sure. Apparently the Coalition is making an announcement. We’re going to Breaking News. So are the other networks.”

The two of them hurried into the Van, tuning one of the screens to their network, which was already talking about the announcement.

~~/*\~~

“...in a statement released on their website just twenty minutes ago, translated into almost thirty languages. It’s expected that there will be a press conference within the hour to clarify the details of how this new legislation will be enforced. Once again, for those just joining us, the Coalition has ratified the ‘Final Revelation Act’, which calls for the immediate closure of all public and private religious holdings. In the words of the announcement, ‘Faith is a personal choice, but when that choice becomes public, it causes only division and instability’.”

Stunned, Karla turned to Ryder “Is he saying what I think he’s saying?”

Ryder said nothing, staring at the screen.

“I mean, it doesn’t come as a surprise, with all the money being moved around by the Churches in the last week, but to be so… overt about it? The Coalition has been seizing ill-gotten funds from anyone they consider a problem for the world. It’s been working for them so far, but to put ‘Religion’ in that category…. Not even the fringe groups. He’s talking about ALL of them…”

Ryder still said nothing. It was hard to tell if he was even aware of her sitting beside him any longer.

~~/*\~~

Alvin could feel every cell in his body vibrating as the announcement played. He felt like he’d been struck by lightning. His phone chimed with text messages, urgent requests for information from brothers and sisters. Urgent alerts about what was happening, in case he’d not seen it yet. Finally, a blanket alert to the entire congregation announcing that there would be a special meeting that night; and all were encouraged to attend if at all possible; preceded by an immediate Elder’s meeting at once.

Alvin left his breakfast half prepared on the counter and quickly hurried to dress. While he did so, the radio carried the announcement, including a breakdown on what would happen, and when.

“The Final Revelation Act will be carried out in stages. All stages are mandatory, and non-negotiable; and those who violate them or attempt to obstruct the enforcement of these rules will face the full consequences.” The radio also carried the announcement.

Alvin was already driving; praying aloud quietly. “Jehovah God, my father in heaven, who watches over His people in times of trial…”

“Stage One: The seizure and removal of all Religious icons, relics, and images used in public or private worship; or as symbols of a higher power. This stage is to begin immediately-”

Alvin was driving, praying with his eyes wide open, trying to follow the announcement too. “Father, we knew this was coming since before any of us were born. You are the one leading this charge on those who have slandered Your name-”

“Stage Two of the FRA will require the seizure of all assets that seek to influence public opinion, or alter the public will. Religious Interests will receive no further tax benefits, or be allowed to hold liquid assets, stocks, or property. As these institutions are to be disbanded, they are entitled to no legal representation, and can exert no influence over elected representatives, or the formation of laws.”

Alvin turned into the next street. “We know that all of this was promised by You long ago, and that what follows will be eternal life in Paradise, so I pray you’ll forgive my sudden nerves. What comes after is glorious, and wonderful. What comes before that will be hard. I know You won’t leave us to handle it ourselves. I pray for Your calm, and Your courage.”

“Stage Three will require all Citizens to publicly declare their accordance with the Law. This will require no dues, no cost. Signatories will be under no obligation or service, beyond accordance with the new rules for public behavior. All citizens under the U.N. will be required to Renounce their involvement with Illegal institutions.”

Alvin turned at the next street, on his approach to the Hall. “And most of all, I pray for my brothers and sisters, who may need my help to get through this. Help me to achieve all that You would have me do.”

By this time, he had arrived at the Hall, and the familiar cars suggested he wasn’t the first to arrive. The Hall door was unlocked, and the Elders were having a meeting, waving him in to sit down and join them. “So. How’s your day going?” He quipped as he sat down.

“Alvin, I was just reading through the new instructions from the Government. It’s a breakdown of the Final Revelation Act, and how we are ordered to respond.” Daryll said as he led the meeting.

“I’ve been hearing someone read it out on the radio while I drove over.” Alvin nodded. “Has there been any response from the Society yet?”

“I got the email, marked ‘Urgent’, just as you pulled up.” Russel reported. “I was about to read it, but we thought we should wait for you. Best if we all hear it together. I’m told that different regions, different nations are getting different instructions.”

“It would make sense. Different responses to different circumstances.” Alvin nodded.

(Author’s Note: Witnesses have been warning about this period in the future for longer than any of us have been alive. But the specifics of what will happen are still a mystery. We know the broad points, but none of the details. As a result, I’ve invented a lot for this story. I’ve written Tribulation scenes in other books, and always with a different approach to what Witnesses do in response. Differing instructions by Region is my own invention, so that I can explore different possibilities in the same continuity.)

The message was about to be read aloud, when things suddenly changed. “Uh oh.” Daryll was looking out the window. The others turned to follow his gaze. Two police cars were in the driveway. “That was fast.”

Outside, they could see one uniformed officer was already coming towards the door, as well as another man in sharp civilian clothes. “What do we do?” Someone asked as they got closer.

“Let them in.” Daryll said, as though it was obvious.

~~/*\~~

“Gentlemen.” The sharply-dressed man said as they opened the door. “I am Agent Mercer, representing the Coalition Forces in this area. I’m given to understand you don’t keep the doors open around the clock like other Church Groups do. Can I ask what you’re all doing here?”

“Discussing this morning’s extraordinary announcement.” Alvin said politely. “We’ve only had this news for an hour, you understand.”

“Indeed. All religious leaders were given the announcement simultaneously. I’m sure you’ll hear it through your own leadership soon enough. In the meantime…” Mercer pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Russel. “This is a warrant giving me permission to begin ensuring your compliance with the FRA. Stage One is underway.”

“Of course.” Daryll said respectfully, stepping aside from the door. “Please do.”

Mercer paused, surprised; though the other policemen went in right away. “Oh?”

“As I understand it, Stage One involves the seizure of all Images, and Icons. Feel free to search our properties thoroughly. You’ll find none. If you do happen to find something that fits such a description, please take it away immediately. We don’t want any illegal contraband here.”

Mercer regarded them, lip twitching in the barest hint of a smile. “Well. That’s very obliging of you. You understand, of course, that this is just a temporary measure. Stage Two will involve the seizure of all your organization’s properties in just a few weeks.”

“Of course.” Russel said promptly. “We’ve already alerted our entire congregation that there will be a special meeting tonight, so that we can inform all our people of the new rules.”

Mercer blinked slowly. “I… don’t understand what’s happening right now.”

“I don’t see why not.” Daryll said, holding up the warrant he’d just been handed. “Everything seems to be in order.”

One of the policemen came back out. “It’s clean.” He reported. “No crosses, no saints, no statues, not even stained glass pictures. Doesn’t look like they’ve done any remodeling lately, either. There’s just nothing here.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “There’s literature, but nothing that fits the definition of ‘icons’. At least, not the legal definition. The logo for their website is out front; but that’s it.”

“We don’t use that in our meetings.” Alvin assured him. “Merely advertising for the site.”

Short silence.

“Well.” Mercer said finally, a little bewildered by how swiftly they had been given the run of the Hall. “Shorter visit than I planned.”

Alvin raised a hand. “Question, sir? About our literature. The FRA requires people to keep their worship private, without any organization. How does that affect education and teaching?”

“In private? Not sure. I’ve only had this for an hour or two myself.” Mercer admitted. “In public? Your preaching work is over, as of Stage Two; which will begin in a few weeks.” He gave them all a flinty look, expecting a fight. “There is to be no attempts by any disbanded organization to exert influence on others. That’s the whole point of the FRA. I’m afraid door-to-door recruitment fits into that category.”

“One thing I can assure you, we won’t be trying to recruit any more members.” Daryll promised with barely noticeable emotion. “That part of our worship is over now.”

~~/*\~~

Paige was at work, unaware of all of this, when the phone buzzed in her pocket. It was her father-in-law. Your husband is worried about you after the announcement, but he doesn’t want to start another fight. He texted her.

Announcement? Paige opened up her phone’s web browser and started checking the news. It took her less than ten seconds to see what had happened, and she felt her hair stand on end.

Her father-in-law sent another text. He wants to be sure you’re going to stop studying with those people. It’s about to become illegal. Can I tell him to relax?

Paige was still reeling from the shift in reality that she’d just experienced; but even with that ripping through her, she knew she had to choose her words carefully. Her in-laws had been vocally against the study with Jannette. Having two brothers in the military, now with the Coalition, made the family dynamics difficult. The fact that her father-in-law was sending this message was as clear a warning as he could send. He was expecting a feud that would demolish his extended family.

“Hey, Paige!” Her boss hollered from across the store. “I don’t pay you to text.”

~~/*\~~

“I’m watching the news. Biggest story in centuries, and I’m watching it on a six inch screen in a van.” Karla complained. “No offense, Ryder.” She sat back with an oddly satisfied sigh. “I would have given anything to be in the newsroom for this. Remember what Dion said when he was talking about how he wished he could report the world actually getting better…” She trailed off, looking over at her producer. “I… seem to be monologuing over here.”

Ryder was staring at the screen, but it was clear he wasn’t really seeing it anymore. She nudged him, and he finally spoke. “Sorry.” Ryder said slowly. “I… My mother was a Jehovah’s Witness. My father was Catholic. When she converted, it caused some serious tension at home. My dad was a lawyer to the local Diocese. And then the Child Abuse scandals came out, and suddenly being married to the Church’s lawyer was a much bigger deal… They never divorced, but the only reason they never fought was because neither of them were going to be convinced. Me and my brother were caught in the middle of every disagreement they were agreeing not to have.”

Karla winced. “How old were you?”

“Too young to be as certain as my mother was. It took years, but the second I went off to college, dad moved out. She never filed for divorce. She just… waited. Alone.” He admitted. “But here’s the thing… Before that happened, mom tried to teach me everything she was learning from the JW’s.” He pointed at the screen, where Gordon was madly trying to give intelligent discourse on the shock announcement. “Their version of the End Times? It starts with a global cry of ‘Peace and Security’, and then the governments of the world declaring war on all Religion.”

“Coincidence.” Karla dismissed instantly. “I’ve read Revelations. It’s all myth and metaphor. You can make those words fit any situation, and I know, because we’ve both covered the story when someone does.”

“...we have, haven’t we?” Ryder admitted.

“How many times have we reported on some cult proclaiming the end of the world?”

“At least once a year for as long as I can remember.” Ryder admitted. “And before you ask, no. I never felt a moment’s worry about any of them. But I also figured having the whole world turn on religion was about as likely as… well, as the Second Coming actually happening.”

Karla laughed.

“I know.” Ryder admitted ruefully. “It’s crazy.”

“You say it’s crazy. I say it’s long overdue.” Karla returned honestly. “How many ‘bad’ stories have we covered about Churches? How many interviews with victims, or-”

“I know, I know.” Ryder nodded before she could get too angry about it.

“Maybe I could have believed it was the End Times ten years ago, but the war in Europe is over, the Financial system is back on its feet, the Rogue Nations are in total disarray… The world is getting better for the first time since… well, as long as I can remember!”

Ryder hesitated. “Yeah. I guess so. Peace and Security.”

She gave him a look. “I got those pamphlets too, man. There’s nobody in the newsroom that didn’t. Your mom’s old Church thinks that the world being safer is proof that God’s about to smite us all?” She shook her head. “Is God really so offended that we might finally be getting it right?”

He stared at her. “That’s a pretty big statement to make so soon.”

Karla shrugged. “Maybe it is, but it feels like the first time I’ve heard the people running the world say something new. Something that might actually make a difference for the better. My whole life, the world has been begging their leaders to do something. The only thing I prayed for was that the powerful people never do something, because every time they make a move, they destroy something else.”

Ryder laughed.

~~/*\~~ Satau ~~/*\~~

Satau returned to his room. It was the first time in weeks he didn’t spend his free time hovering over Leahe’s bedside. The first time he hadn’t had to sweep frogs out of the way from every step he took. It was… oddly relaxing. He felt like he could finally stop to breathe. The silence was oddly noticeable. Not one croaking frog was audible, even at a distance.

Letting out a breath slowly, forcibly letting his shoulders relax, Satau called to his attendants for food and drink. Ashura brought him a tray of fruit and a water jug. “Welcome back.”

He smiled, despite himself. “Hey. Been a while.”

“You’ve been scarce. Khnem said you were on a project for your father, preparing something to take to Takarut in Goshen.”

Satau sighed hard. “Takarut has made his choice. I’m really worried about him, Ashura. He’s committed himself to the wrong side of this fight.”

Ashura looked sympathetic. “It’s hard to lose a friend. Especially when they haven’t gone anywhere. But it’s still his choice. Even Pharaoh cannot change someone’s mind, even if he can compel their actions.”

Satau poured himself a cup of water. “I know-” He took a sip and spat it out immediately, looking into his cup. The water was thick with black dots. Focusing his eyes closer, he saw the cup was full of insects.

Spitting out the grit, he went to the tray, looking for a sweet fruit to get the taste out of his mouth… and found the plate was crawling with insects too.

Ashura froze, noticing. “I… I brought that from the kitchens just now, there was no sign of anything being amiss.”

~~/*\~~

It continued all day. Practically everywhere someone put their foot down, step by step, a small cloud of gnats came emerging from the dust.

(Author’s Note: On the Topic of ‘Gnats’, the Insight Book defines them as: ‘Any of a variety of small two-winged insects, many of which are bloodsuckers. The Hebrew word kin·nimʹ, when used with reference to the third plague visited upon Egypt has been variously rendered “gnats” “mosquitoes” and “lice”. “Sand flies” and “fleas” have been given as alternate readings. Although there is uncertainty as to the particular insect or insects designated by the original-language word, the preference has generally been given to the renderings “gnats” and “mosquitoes.”’

There are two kinds of gnats. The kind that bites, and the kind that doesn't. I chose to make them the non-biting kind in this book, because of the next Plague. Exodus 8:22 has a footnote that describes ‘gadflies’ as “a type of fly that bites”. Since I’m using this book to explore various reactions, having two plagues that are very similar would be repetitive. Either the gnats that plagued Egypt were essentially mosquitoes, or they were there to pollute the water and food supply. Also, since there is such variation on the translation as to exactly what kind of insect is being described here (Five possible contenders in the Insight book alone), you’ll notice that I’ve added less depiction of the symptoms of this Plague, than there is on how the Priests reacted; which is far more clearly stated in the Bible record.)

On the first day it was an annoyance. By day two, it was another Plague. After only just getting used to the silence after the croaking of frogs, having gnats buzzing around constantly was a whole different kind of frustration. The animals took it harder. Satau was unable to calm Sari, the big horse bucking and shaking his head constantly, trying to keep the gnats out of his eyes and nose.

People had changed their food from bread to fruit and veg, trying to keep the frogs out, but the gnats were all over every pool of moisture in Egypt. Every reedy pool, every jug and animal trough, every drop of juice on a fruit platter. The usual diets changed again, trying to find something that would repel the insects, but they got into the bread again; harder to spot than frogs.

~~/*\~~

“Why couldn’t it have been frogs after gnats?” Satau complained as he came into the Shrine. “At least one of them would have solved the other’s problem quite nicely.”

His father made a sound of annoyance, but didn’t answer, hunched over his table. He had a tray of dirt, crawling with insects.

Satau came closer. “I’ve delayed Pharaoh as long as I’ve dared. He can be distracted with all the other people who are coming to complain. But he wants an answer. I tried telling him it was natural. A result of all the frog bodies piling up, but he didn’t agree. He had all the bodies moved to Goshen for exactly this reason, and there are no more gnats loose in Goshen than here. Besides, we burned the bodies, and smoke is meant to drive these little terrors away.”

“Gnats aren’t like frogs.” Jambres said in frustration. “They’re too small to keep hidden until a ‘reveal’. And Moses has them exploding out of the dust. I can’t keep them still in a bowl of dust until they-dammit!” He swatted madly at the gnats that were crawling through his clothes. “They will not stay still!”

Satau bit his lip. “It’s not enough. Recreating the tricks in front of the King isn’t satisfying anyone. We need solutions. And we can’t make them go away.” He gave his father a look as he slapped at the gnats crawling on his face. “Believe me, I’ve tried praying to all the gods I could think of.”

“I know.” Jambres threw his props away in surrender. “And even if I admitted it, Jannes would be waiting to swoop in and take full advantage.”

“The problem is that generations under the whip have brought the Hebrews together. Egypt is a loose alliance of rival factions.” Satau commented. “And Moses? He’s been part of Goshen for less than three months, and he’s already their leader, thanks to his connection to their God.”

Jambres’s eyes flashed. “That might just be our angle.”

~~/*\~~

Every city and town in Egypt had a patron god, and a temple of their own. Each Temple had a High Priest. Jambres was their representative in the Royal Court, but there were still dozens of them. Since titles were often hereditary in the Temples, many of them were related. Gods rose and fell out of favor with the populace in response to circumstance, so the hierarchy of them was a competitive business.

Satau had met all these men at one time or another, but it wasn’t that common that Jambres would call a meeting with several of his highly ranked contemporaries. They all knew the reason why. Looking closely, Satau could see the signs. The Nile had denied them water for a week, but that time was forgotten. The frogs had gotten into the food, and the gnats had been the same way. There was irritation on their exposed skin; big dark circles under everyone's eyes. The twitchiness was universal in Egypt now, swatting everything that moved, second-by-second, worn out from lack of sleep.

And deep down, there was the fear. They all knew about the confrontation with the snakes. Countering Moses and Aaron’s snake act was relatively easy. But all of Egypt had felt it when the Nile turned to blood. All of Egypt had been overrun by frogs and gnats.

The Priests knew it in a way that the general public didn’t. Even Pharaoh believed in their own ‘magic’.

Jambres surely knew this too. He ran through the facts as quickly as he could. “I’ve tried every trick I know, every appeal I can make. I can’t recreate the trick with the gnats. And even if I could, it wouldn’t be worth much.”

“We all know how to turn a staff into a serpent, or water into blood.” One of the Priests said gently. “But the whole Nile? Enough Frogs to pile into pyres?”

“It would take a million conjurers to make it happen, all across our region at the same time.” Jambres agreed. “The Hebrews have that many people, but I don’t believe Moses has taught them all how to perform this kind of trick.”

“And even if he had, they’d need a million frogs to ‘conjure’.” Satau put in. “There’s no way they bred and hid that many from us. And if they snuck all over Egypt releasing them into our homes, into our beds, into our ovens; we’d know it. To say nothing of the gnats. We can’t control a small number enough to ‘conjure’ them.”

“I agree, it’s a masterstroke, and I have no idea how they pulled it off.” Nassor declared. “But clearly they have. Being able to replicate the trick isn’t enough anymore-”

“Nassor, I called this meeting because I think it’s time we discuss the one thing we’ve never been willing to say out loud where the soldiers can hear it.” Jambres took a deep breath. “Moses isn’t doing this. I don’t believe any man, or group of people can. I believe the secret of these Plagues is simple: It’s not a trick. It’s real.”

Satau watched the reactions. They all made their living by trading on the supernatural. Even so, none of them had been able to match what Moses and Aaron had done. He’d expected open denial, but there was resignation on some of their faces. Even a little relief.

“You understand the implications, right?” Nassor said darkly. “You go to the King and tell him this, it means that Moses suddenly becomes a major player. He goes from a rabble-rouser to a prophet. You tell the King that Jehovah is real, and overcoming our gods, it weakens us.”

“The Plagues are weakening us.” Neb-en-toneb put in. “We’ve come up with cover stories that make sense, but they aren’t convincing anyone. They certainly aren’t a solution. And what happens when Moses tries for another Plague? Something we can’t explain away?”

“You’ll be admitting that the gods of Egypt have lost in a showdown with the God of Slaves.” Jannes pointed out. “And multiple times, at that.”

“I’m under no illusions.” Jambres said seriously, and Satau could hear the tone of power and command begin to ring out. “That’s why we’re here. To do this, we need a united front. There will be no ‘lone voice of dissent’ from our Priesthood. Nobody will sneak off and tell the Royal Court that they’d ‘be more capable’ of stopping this sorcery if they were in charge. We do this together.” He glared at each of them in turn. “Let’s be totally honest: Our ability to agree on a story is what’s kept the gods at the heart of Egypt since the Dynasties began. After all, nobody’s ever come back to counter our opinions of the Otherworld. None of our gods have ever told the Pharaoh what we got wrong. We fracture now, and Moses is the least of our concerns.”

Everyone glanced at each other. This much was true.

“What… exactly, are you planning to tell Pharaoh?” Jannes asked finally.

“There are several hundred gods in Egypt’s pantheon.” Jambres said. “Other nations have more. Ones that we don’t observe. Admitting that there is one more than we thought is not going to change our lives too much. In fact, it’s something we can turn to our advantage. After all, if the Slaves have spent so long clinging to their worship, while we have ‘grown comfortable’ using their labors…”

“Our argument will be that we’ve not held the gods highly enough, so they’re weakening?”

“Or at least, allowing this to happen.” Jambres nodded. “Making this into an open war between the Gods means our side will have the support of everyone who lost out to the Plagues.”

“Unless they go to Jehovah’s side. You know that’s what Moses is counting on.” Nassor scorned. “Go through the wilderness? There’s no way that’s the goal. If Moses takes the Hebrews out there, they’ll starve or thirst before they get halfway to anywhere.”

Jambres nodded. “I’ve heard this from others in the Court. To be honest, I’m not sure. Moses is devout enough to try and hike the wilderness without food or water. After four tactical victories, he might just get his people whipped up enough to follow.” He shook his head. “Anyway, that’s a problem for the military commanders. Our problem is how to counter the magic tricks. If anyone has a way to do that without acknowledging the problem, speak now.”

Silence.

Jambres turned to Jannes. “You have a real shot of turning Pharaoh against me, at least enough to take my place. But once you do, you’ll have to deal with Moses. Have you got a solution that the King, and the Generals, and Myself put together haven’t come up with yet?”

Jannes was unreadable for half a minute. “No.” He conceded. “And… while I may give such a move a moment’s consideration… in truth, once you get a King used to the idea of replacing a High Priest, it makes the position of any replacement far more fragile. To have you killed would be unprecedented. Doing it to me next would be far easier.”

“We’ve always said the Hebrews were so limited by having one, single God. But it does have the advantage of putting them all on one side against us. What their faith didn’t unite was brought together by the whip.” Jambres nodded. “Hundreds of gods. One more won’t bring down the Empire.”

~/*\~~/*\~~/*\~

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