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January 23, 2009

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Book 01        Genesis

01:001:001 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

01:001:002 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was
           upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon
           the face of the waters.

01:001:003 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

01:001:004 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the
           light from the darkness.

01:001:005 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called
           Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

01:001:006 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the
           waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

01:001:007 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were
           under the firmament from the waters which were above the
           firmament: and it was so.

01:001:008 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the
           morning were the second day.

01:001:009 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered
           together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it
           was so.

01:001:010 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together
           of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

01:001:011 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb
           yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his
           kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

01:001:012 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed
           after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in
           itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

01:001:013 And the evening and the morning were the third day.

01:001:014 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the
           heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for
           signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

01:001:015 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to
           give light upon the earth: and it was so.

01:001:016 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the
           day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars
           also.

01:001:017 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light
           upon the earth,

01:001:018 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the
           light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

01:001:019 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

01:001:020 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving
           creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth
           in the open firmament of heaven.

01:001:021 And God created great whales, and every living creature that
           moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their
           kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that
           it was good.

01:001:022 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
           fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the
           earth.

01:001:023 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

01:001:024 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature
           after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the
           earth after his kind: and it was so.

01:001:025 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle
           after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth
           after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

01:001:026 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
           likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
           and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over
           all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth
           upon the earth.

01:001:027 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God
           created he him; male and female created he them.

01:001:028 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
           multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have
           dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the
           air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

01:001:029 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing
           seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree,
           in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it
           shall be for meat.

01:001:030 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air,
           and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there
           is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was
           so.

01:001:031 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was
           very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

01:002:001 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host
           of them.

01:002:002 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made;
           and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he
           had made.

01:002:003 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because
           that in it he had rested from all his work which God created
           and made.

01:002:004 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when
           they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth
           and the heavens,

01:002:005 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and
           every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had
           not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man
           to till the ground.

01:002:006 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole
           face of the ground.

01:002:007 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
           breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became
           a living soul.

01:002:008 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there
           he put the man whom he had formed.

01:002:009 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree
           that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of
           life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of
           knowledge of good and evil.

01:002:010 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from
           thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

01:002:011 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth
           the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

01:002:012 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the
           onyx stone.

01:002:013 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that
           compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

01:002:014 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which
           goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is
           Euphrates.

01:002:015 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of
           Eden to dress it and to keep it.

01:002:016 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of
           the garden thou mayest freely eat:

01:002:017 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
           not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou
           shalt surely die.

01:002:018 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be
           alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

01:002:019 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the
           field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam
           to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called
           every living creature, that was the name thereof.

01:002:020 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air,
           and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not
           found an help meet for him.

01:002:021 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he
           slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh
           instead thereof;

01:002:022 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a
           woman, and brought her unto the man.

01:002:023 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my
           flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of
           Man.

01:002:024 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and
           shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

01:002:025 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not
           ashamed.

01:003:001 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field
           which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea,
           hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

01:003:002 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit
           of the trees of the garden:

01:003:003 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the
           garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall
           ye touch it, lest ye die.

01:003:004 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

01:003:005 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your
           eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good
           and evil.

01:003:006 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and
           that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to
           make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and
           gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

01:003:007 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they
           were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made
           themselves aprons.

01:003:008 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden
           in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves
           from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the
           garden.

01:003:009 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where
           art thou?

01:003:010 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was
           afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

01:003:011 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou
           eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou
           shouldest not eat?

01:003:012 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me,
           she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

01:003:013 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou
           hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I
           did eat.

01:003:014 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done
           this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast
           of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt
           thou eat all the days of thy life:

01:003:015 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between
           thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou
           shalt bruise his heel.

01:003:016 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and
           thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and
           thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over
           thee.

01:003:017 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the
           voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I
           commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is
           the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all
           the days of thy life;

01:003:018 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and
           thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

01:003:019 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou
           return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for
           dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

01:003:020 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the
           mother of all living.

01:003:021 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of
           skins, and clothed them.

01:003:022 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us,
           to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand,
           and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

01:003:023 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden,
           to till the ground from whence he was taken.

01:003:024 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the
           garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned
           every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

01:004:001 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain,
           and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

01:004:002 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of
           sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

01:004:003 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of
           the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

01:004:004 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and
           of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to
           his offering:

01:004:005 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain
           was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

01:004:006 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is
           thy countenance fallen?

01:004:007 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou
           doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be
           his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

01:004:008 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass,
           when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel
           his brother, and slew him.

01:004:009 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he
           said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

01:004:010 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's
           blood crieth unto me from the ground.

01:004:011 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her
           mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;

01:004:012 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield
           unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou
           be in the earth.

01:004:013 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I
           can bear.

01:004:014 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the
           earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a
           fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to
           pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

01:004:015 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain,
           vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a
           mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

01:004:016 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in
           the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

01:004:017 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and
           he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the
           name of his son, Enoch.

01:004:018 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and
           Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

01:004:019 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was
           Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

01:004:020 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in
           tents, and of such as have cattle.

01:004:021 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all
           such as handle the harp and organ.

01:004:022 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructor of every
           artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was
           Naamah.

01:004:023 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my
           voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have
           slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

01:004:024 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and
           sevenfold.

01:004:025 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called
           his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another
           seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

01:004:026 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called
           his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the
           LORD.

01:005:001 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that
           God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

01:005:002 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called
           their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

01:005:003 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in
           his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name
           Seth:

01:005:004 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight
           hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:

01:005:005 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty
           years: and he died.

01:005:006 And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:

01:005:007 And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven
           years, and begat sons and daughters:

01:005:008 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years:
           and he died.

01:005:009 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:

01:005:010 And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen
           years, and begat sons and daughters:

01:005:011 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and
           he died.

01:005:012 And Cainan lived seventy years and begat Mahalaleel:

01:005:013 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and
           forty years, and begat sons and daughters:

01:005:014 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years:
           and he died.

01:005:015 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:

01:005:016 And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and
           thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:

01:005:017 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and
           five years: and he died.

01:005:018 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat
           Enoch:

01:005:019 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and
           begat sons and daughters:

01:005:020 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two
           years: and he died.

01:005:021 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:

01:005:022 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three
           hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

01:005:023 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five
           years:

01:005:024 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

01:005:025 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and
           begat Lamech.

01:005:026 And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred
           eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:

01:005:027 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and
           nine years: and he died.

01:005:028 And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a
           son:

01:005:029 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort
           us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the
           ground which the LORD hath cursed.

01:005:030 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and
           five years, and begat sons and daughters:

01:005:031 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and
           seven years: and he died.

01:005:032 And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham,
           and Japheth.

01:006:001 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of
           the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

01:006:002 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were
           fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

01:006:003 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,
           for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred
           and twenty years.

01:006:004 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after
           that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men,
           and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men
           which were of old, men of renown.

01:006:005 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
           and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was
           only evil continually.

01:006:006 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth,
           and it grieved him at his heart.

01:006:007 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from
           the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping
           thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I
           have made them.

01:006:008 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

01:006:009 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and
           perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

01:006:010 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

01:006:011 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was
           filled with violence.

01:006:012 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt;
           for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

01:006:013 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before
           me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and,
           behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

01:006:014 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the
           ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

01:006:015 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The
           length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth
           of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

01:006:016 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou
           finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the
           side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou
           make it.

01:006:017 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the
           earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life,
           from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall
           die.

01:006:018 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt
           come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy
           sons' wives with thee.

01:006:019 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort
           shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee;
           they shall be male and female.

01:006:020 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of
           every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every
           sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

01:006:021 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou
           shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee,
           and for them.

01:006:022 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did
           he.

01:007:001 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into
           the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this
           generation.

01:007:002 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the
           male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two,
           the male and his female.

01:007:003 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female;
           to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

01:007:004 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth
           forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I
           have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

01:007:005 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

01:007:006 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters
           was upon the earth.

01:007:007 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons'
           wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the
           flood.

01:007:008 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of
           fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

01:007:009 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and
           the female, as God had commanded Noah.

01:007:010 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the
           flood were upon the earth.

01:007:011 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month,
           the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the
           fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of
           heaven were opened.

01:007:012 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

01:007:013 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and
           Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three
           wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

01:007:014 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after
           their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the
           earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every
           bird of every sort.

01:007:015 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all
           flesh, wherein is the breath of life.

01:007:016 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh,
           as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

01:007:017 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters
           increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the
           earth.

01:007:018 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the
           earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

01:007:019 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all
           the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were
           covered.

01:007:020 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the
           mountains were covered.

01:007:021 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl,
           and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that
           creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

01:007:022 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was
           in the dry land, died.

01:007:023 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the
           face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping
           things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed
           from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that
           were with him in the ark.

01:007:024 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty
           days.

01:008:001 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the
           cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to
           pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

01:008:002 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were
           stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;

01:008:003 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and
           after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were
           abated.

01:008:004 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth
           day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.

01:008:005 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in
           the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops
           of the mountains seen.

01:008:006 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened
           the window of the ark which he had made:

01:008:007 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until
           the waters were dried up from off the earth.

01:008:008 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were
           abated from off the face of the ground;

01:008:009 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she
           returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the
           face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took
           her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.

01:008:010 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth
           the dove out of the ark;

01:008:011 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her
           mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the
           waters were abated from off the earth.

01:008:012 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove;
           which returned not again unto him any more.

01:008:013 And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in
           the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were
           dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of
           the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was
           dry.

01:008:014 And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the
           month, was the earth dried.

01:008:015 And God spake unto Noah, saying,

01:008:016 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy
           sons' wives with thee.

01:008:017 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of
           all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping
           thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed
           abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon
           the earth.

01:008:018 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons'
           wives with him:

01:008:019 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and
           whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went
           forth out of the ark.

01:008:020 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every
           clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt
           offerings on the altar.

01:008:021 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his
           heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's
           sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his
           youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living,
           as I have done.

01:008:022 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and
           heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not
           cease.

01:009:001 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be
           fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

01:009:002 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every
           beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all
           that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the
           sea; into your hand are they delivered.

01:009:003 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as
           the green herb have I given you all things.

01:009:004 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof,
           shall ye not eat.

01:009:005 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the
           hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man;
           at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of
           man.

01:009:006 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed:
           for in the image of God made he man.

01:009:007 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly
           in the earth, and multiply therein.

01:009:008 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

01:009:009 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your
           seed after you;

01:009:010 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl,
           of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from
           all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

01:009:011 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all
           flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither
           shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

01:009:012 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make
           between me and you and every living creature that is with you,
           for perpetual generations:

01:009:013 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a
           covenant between me and the earth.

01:009:014 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the
           earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

01:009:015 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you
           and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall
           no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

01:009:016 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it,
           that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and
           every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

01:009:017 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant,
           which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon
           the earth.

01:009:018 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem,
           and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.

01:009:019 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole
           earth overspread.

01:009:020 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:

01:009:021 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was
           uncovered within his tent.

01:009:022 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his
           father, and told his two brethren without.

01:009:023 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both
           their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness
           of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw
           not their father's nakedness.

01:009:024 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son
           had done unto him.

01:009:025 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he
           be unto his brethren.

01:009:026 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall
           be his servant.

01:009:027 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of
           Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

01:009:028 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.

01:009:029 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years:
           and he died.

01:010:001 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham,
           and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.

01:010:002 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan,
           and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

01:010:003 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.

01:010:004 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and
           Dodanim.

01:010:005 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their
           lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in
           their nations.

01:010:006 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.

01:010:007 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and
           Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and
           Dedan.

01:010:008 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the
           earth.

01:010:009 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said,
           Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

01:010:010 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and
           Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

01:010:011 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and
           the city Rehoboth, and Calah,

01:010:012 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.

01:010:013 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and
           Naphtuhim,

01:010:014 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and
           Caphtorim.

01:010:015 And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth,

01:010:016 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,

01:010:017 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,

01:010:018 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and
           afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.

01:010:019 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou
           comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and
           Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.

01:010:020 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their
           tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.

01:010:021 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the
           brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

01:010:022 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud,
           and Aram.

01:010:023 And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.

01:010:024 And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.

01:010:025 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg;
           for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name
           was Joktan.

01:010:026 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and
           Jerah,

01:010:027 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,

01:010:028 And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,

01:010:029 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of
           Joktan.

01:010:030 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a
           mount of the east.

01:010:031 These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their
           tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

01:010:032 These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their
           generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations
           divided in the earth after the flood.

01:011:001 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

01:011:002 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that
           they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt
           there.

01:011:003 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and
           burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime
           had they for morter.

01:011:004 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower,
           whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name,
           lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

01:011:005 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which
           the children of men builded.

01:011:006 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have
           all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing
           will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

01:011:007 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that
           they may not understand one another's speech.

01:011:008 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of
           all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

01:011:009 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did
           there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence
           did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the
           earth.

01:011:010 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years
           old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:

01:011:011 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and
           begat sons and daughters.

01:011:012 And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

01:011:013 And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three
           years, and begat sons and daughters.

01:011:014 And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:

01:011:015 And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three
           years, and begat sons and daughters.

01:011:016 And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:

01:011:017 And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty
           years, and begat sons and daughters.

01:011:018 And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:

01:011:019 And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years,
           and begat sons and daughters.

01:011:020 And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:

01:011:021 And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven
           years, and begat sons and daughters.

01:011:022 And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:

01:011:023 And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and
           begat sons and daughters.

01:011:024 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:

01:011:025 And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen
           years, and begat sons and daughters.

01:011:026 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and
           Haran.

01:011:027 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram,
           Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

01:011:028 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his
           nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.

01:011:029 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife
           was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter
           of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.

01:011:030 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.

01:011:031 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his
           son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's
           wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees,
           to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and
           dwelt there.

01:011:032 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and
           Terah died in Haran.

01:012:001 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country,
           and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land
           that I will shew thee:

01:012:002 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee,
           and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

01:012:003 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
           curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be
           blessed.

01:012:004 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot
           went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when
           he departed out of Haran.

01:012:005 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and
           all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that
           they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the
           land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

01:012:006 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem,
           unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the
           land.

01:012:007 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will
           I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD,
           who appeared unto him.

01:012:008 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of
           Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and
           Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD,
           and called upon the name of the LORD.

01:012:009 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

01:012:010 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into
           Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the
           land.

01:012:011 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into
           Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know
           that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

01:012:012 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see
           thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will
           kill me, but they will save thee alive.

01:012:013 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with
           me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

01:012:014 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the
           Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

01:012:015 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before
           Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

01:012:016 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep,
           and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and
           she asses, and camels.

01:012:017 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues
           because of Sarai Abram's wife.

01:012:018 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast
           done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy
           wife?

01:012:019 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her
           to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go
           thy way.

01:012:020 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent
           him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

01:013:001 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that
           he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

01:013:002 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

01:013:003 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel,
           unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning,
           between Bethel and Hai;

01:013:004 Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the
           first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

01:013:005 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds,
           and tents.

01:013:006 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell
           together: for their substance was great, so that they could
           not dwell together.

01:013:007 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle
           and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the
           Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

01:013:008 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee,
           between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen;
           for we be brethren.

01:013:009 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray
           thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go
           to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will
           go to the left.

01:013:010 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of
           Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD
           destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD,
           like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

01:013:011 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed
           east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

01:013:012 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the
           cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

01:013:013 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD
           exceedingly.

01:013:014 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated
           from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place
           where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and
           westward:

01:013:015 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and
           to thy seed for ever.

01:013:016 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if
           a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed
           also be numbered.

01:013:017 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the
           breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

01:013:018 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain
           of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto
           the LORD.

01:014:001 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar,
           Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal
           king of nations;

01:014:002 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha
           king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of
           Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

01:014:003 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is
           the salt sea.

01:014:004 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth
           year they rebelled.

01:014:005 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings
           that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth
           Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emins in Shaveh
           Kiriathaim,

01:014:006 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by
           the wilderness.

01:014:007 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and
           smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the
           Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

01:014:008 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of
           Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and
           the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle
           with them in the vale of Siddim;

01:014:009 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of
           nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of
           Ellasar; four kings with five.

01:014:010 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of
           Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that
           remained fled to the mountain.

01:014:011 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all
           their victuals, and went their way.

01:014:012 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom,
           and his goods, and departed.

01:014:013 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the
           Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite,
           brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were
           confederate with Abram.

01:014:014 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he
           armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three
           hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

01:014:015 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by
           night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is
           on the left hand of Damascus.

01:014:016 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his
           brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the
           people.

01:014:017 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return
           from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were
           with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

01:014:018 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine:
           and he was the priest of the most high God.

01:014:019 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most
           high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

01:014:020 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine
           enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

01:014:021 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons,
           and take the goods to thyself.

01:014:022 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand
           unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and
           earth,

01:014:023 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and
           that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou
           shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

01:014:024 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion
           of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let
           them take their portion.

01:015:001 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a
           vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy
           exceeding great reward.

01:015:002 And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go
           childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of
           Damascus?

01:015:003 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and,
           lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

01:015:004 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This
           shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of
           thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

01:015:005 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward
           heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them:
           and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

01:015:006 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for
           righteousness.

01:015:007 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of
           Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

01:015:008 And he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall
           inherit it?

01:015:009 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old,
           and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years
           old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

01:015:010 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst,
           and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided
           he not.

01:015:011 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove
           them away.

01:015:012 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram;
           and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

01:015:013 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall
           be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve
           them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

01:015:014 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and
           afterward shall they come out with great substance.

01:015:015 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be
           buried in a good old age.

01:015:016 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for
           the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

01:015:017 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was
           dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed
           between those pieces.

01:015:018 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,
           Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt
           unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

01:015:019 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,

01:015:020 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,

01:015:021 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and
           the Jebusites.

01:016:001 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an
           handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

01:016:002 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath
           restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid;
           it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram
           hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

01:016:003 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after
           Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her
           to her husband Abram to be his wife.

01:016:004 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw
           that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

01:016:005 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given
           my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had
           conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between
           me and thee.

01:016:006 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand;
           do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly
           with her, she fled from her face.

01:016:007 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in
           the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

01:016:008 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and
           whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my
           mistress Sarai.

01:016:009 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy
           mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

01:016:010 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy
           seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

01:016:011 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with
           child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael;
           because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

01:016:012 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man,
           and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the
           presence of all his brethren.

01:016:013 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou
           God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him
           that seeth me?

01:016:014 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is
           between Kadesh and Bered.

01:016:015 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name,
           which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

01:016:016 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare
           Ishmael to Abram.

01:017:001 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD
           appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God;
           walk before me, and be thou perfect.

01:017:002 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will
           multiply thee exceedingly.

01:017:003 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

01:017:004 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be
           a father of many nations.

01:017:005 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name
           shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made
           thee.

01:017:006 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make
           nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

01:017:007 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy
           seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting
           covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

01:017:008 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the
           land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for
           an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

01:017:009 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant
           therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

01:017:010 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you
           and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be
           circumcised.

01:017:011 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it
           shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

01:017:012 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you,
           every man child in your generations, he that is born in the
           house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of
           thy seed.

01:017:013 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy
           money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in
           your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

01:017:014 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is
           not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people;
           he hath broken my covenant.

01:017:015 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt
           not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

01:017:016 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I
           will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of
           people shall be of her.

01:017:017 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his
           heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years
           old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

01:017:018 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before
           thee!

01:017:019 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and
           thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my
           covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his
           seed after him.

01:017:020 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed
           him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him
           exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make
           him a great nation.

01:017:021 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall
           bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

01:017:022 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from
           Abraham.

01:017:023 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in
           his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male
           among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of
           their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

01:017:024 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was
           circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

01:017:025 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was
           circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

01:017:026 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his
           son.

01:017:027 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought
           with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

01:018:001 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he
           sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

01:018:002 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood
           by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the
           tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

01:018:003 And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight,
           pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

01:018:004 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your
           feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

01:018:005 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your
           hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come
           to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

01:018:006 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make
           ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make
           cakes upon the hearth.

01:018:007 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and
           good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

01:018:008 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had
           dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under
           the tree, and they did eat.

01:018:009 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said,
           Behold, in the tent.

01:018:010 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to
           the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.
           And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

01:018:011 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and
           it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

01:018:012 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am
           waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

01:018:013 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh,
           saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

01:018:014 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I
           will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and
           Sarah shall have a son.

01:018:015 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid.
           And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

01:018:016 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and
           Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

01:018:017 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which
           I do;

01:018:018 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty
           nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in
           him?

01:018:019 For I know him, that he will command his children and his
           household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD,
           to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon
           Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

01:018:020 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is
           great, and because their sin is very grievous;

01:018:021 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether
           according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not,
           I will know.

01:018:022 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward
           Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

01:018:023 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the
           righteous with the wicked?

01:018:024 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt
           thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty
           righteous that are therein?

01:018:025 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the
           righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as
           the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all
           the earth do right?

01:018:026 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within
           the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

01:018:027 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon
           me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes:

01:018:028 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous:
           wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said,
           If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

01:018:029 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there
           shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for
           forty's sake.

01:018:030 And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will
           speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he
           said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

01:018:031 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto
           the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And
           he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.

01:018:032 And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak
           yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And
           he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

01:018:033 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing
           with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

01:019:001 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the
           gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and
           he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

01:019:002 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into
           your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet,
           and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they
           said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

01:019:003 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him,
           and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did
           bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

01:019:004 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of
           Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the
           people from every quarter:

01:019:005 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men
           which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that
           we may know them.

01:019:006 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door
           after him,

01:019:007 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

01:019:008 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let
           me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as
           is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for
           therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

01:019:009 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one
           fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now
           will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed
           sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

01:019:010 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the
           house to them, and shut to the door.

01:019:011 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with
           blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied
           themselves to find the door.

01:019:012 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in
           law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast
           in the city, bring them out of this place:

01:019:013 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is
           waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath
           sent us to destroy it.

01:019:014 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which
           married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this
           place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as
           one that mocked unto his sons in law.

01:019:015 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot,
           saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are
           here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

01:019:016 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and
           upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two
           daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought
           him forth, and set him without the city.

01:019:017 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad,
           that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee,
           neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain,
           lest thou be consumed.

01:019:018 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my LORD:

01:019:019 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and
           thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me
           in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest
           some evil take me, and I die:

01:019:020 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little
           one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and
           my soul shall live.

01:019:021 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning
           this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the
           which thou hast spoken.

01:019:022 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou
           be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called
           Zoar.

01:019:023 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

01:019:024 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone
           and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

01:019:025 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the
           inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the
           ground.

01:019:026 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a
           pillar of salt.

01:019:027 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he
           stood before the LORD:

01:019:028 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the
           land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the
           country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

01:019:029 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the
           plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the
           midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the
           which Lot dwelt.

01:019:030 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and
           his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar:
           and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

01:019:031 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old,
           and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after
           the manner of all the earth:

01:019:032 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with
           him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

01:019:033 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the
           firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived
           not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

01:019:034 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said
           unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father:
           let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in,
           and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

01:019:035 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the
           younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she
           lay down, nor when she arose.

01:019:036 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their
           father.

01:019:037 And the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the
           same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.

01:019:038 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name
           Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto
           this day.

01:020:001 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country,
           and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

01:020:002 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and
           Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

01:020:003 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to
           him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou
           hast taken; for she is a man's wife.

01:020:004 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt
           thou slay also a righteous nation?

01:020:005 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she
           herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart
           and innocency of my hands have I done this.

01:020:006 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst
           this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee
           from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to
           touch her.

01:020:007 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet,
           and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou
           restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou,
           and all that are thine.

01:020:008 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all
           his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the
           men were sore afraid.

01:020:009 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast
           thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou
           hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast
           done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

01:020:010 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou
           hast done this thing?

01:020:011 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is
           not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

01:020:012 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my
           father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my
           wife.

01:020:013 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my
           father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness
           which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall
           come, say of me, He is my brother.

01:020:014 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and
           womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him
           Sarah his wife.

01:020:015 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell
           where it pleaseth thee.

01:020:016 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a
           thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of
           the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other:
           thus she was reproved.

01:020:017 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his
           wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

01:020:018 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of
           Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

01:021:001 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did
           unto Sarah as he had spoken.

01:021:002 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at
           the set time of which God had spoken to him.

01:021:003 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him,
           whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

01:021:004 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as
           God had commanded him.

01:021:005 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was
           born unto him.

01:021:006 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that
           hear will laugh with me.

01:021:007 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah
           should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in
           his old age.

01:021:008 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great
           feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

01:021:009 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had
           born unto Abraham, mocking.

01:021:010 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and
           her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with
           my son, even with Isaac.

01:021:011 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of
           his son.

01:021:012 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight
           because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that
           Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in
           Isaac shall thy seed be called.

01:021:013 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation,
           because he is thy seed.

01:021:014 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and
           a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her
           shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed,
           and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

01:021:015 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child
           under one of the shrubs.

01:021:016 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way
           off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the
           death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up
           her voice, and wept.

01:021:017 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God
           called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth
           thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad
           where he is.

01:021:018 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will
           make him a great nation.

01:021:019 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she
           went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad
           drink.

01:021:020 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the
           wilderness, and became an archer.

01:021:021 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took
           him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

01:021:022 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol
           the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God
           is with thee in all that thou doest:

01:021:023 Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not
           deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son:
           but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou
           shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

01:021:024 And Abraham said, I will swear.

01:021:025 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water,
           which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

01:021:026 And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing;
           neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to
           day.

01:021:027 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech;
           and both of them made a covenant.

01:021:028 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

01:021:029 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe
           lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

01:021:030 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my
           hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged
           this well.

01:021:031 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they
           sware both of them.

01:021:032 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose
           up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they
           returned into the land of the Philistines.

01:021:033 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on
           the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

01:021:034 And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.

01:022:001 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt
           Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here
           I am.

01:022:002 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou
           lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him
           there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I
           will tell thee of.

01:022:003 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass,
           and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and
           clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went
           unto the place of which God had told him.

01:022:004 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the
           place afar off.

01:022:005 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the
           ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come
           again to you.

01:022:006 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it
           upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a
           knife; and they went both of them together.

01:022:007 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father:
           and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire
           and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

01:022:008 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for
           a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

01:022:009 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and
           Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and
           bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

01:022:010 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to
           slay his son.

01:022:011 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and
           said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

01:022:012 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou
           any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God,
           seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

01:022:013 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind
           him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went
           and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in
           the stead of his son.

01:022:014 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it
           is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be
           seen.

01:022:015 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven
           the second time,

01:022:016 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because
           thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son,
           thine only son:

01:022:017 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will
           multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand
           which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the
           gate of his enemies;

01:022:018 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
           because thou hast obeyed my voice.

01:022:019 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and
           went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

01:022:020 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told
           Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children
           unto thy brother Nahor;

01:022:021 Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father
           of Aram,

01:022:022 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.

01:022:023 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to
           Nahor, Abraham's brother.

01:022:024 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah,
           and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

01:023:001 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these
           were the years of the life of Sarah.

01:023:002 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land
           of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep
           for her.

01:023:003 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the
           sons of Heth, saying,

01:023:004 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession
           of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my
           sight.

01:023:005 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,

01:023:006 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the
           choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall
           withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury
           thy dead.

01:023:007 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the
           land, even to the children of Heth.

01:023:008 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I
           should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for
           me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

01:023:009 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath,
           which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is
           worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace
           amongst you.

01:023:010 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the
           Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of
           Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city,
           saying,

01:023:011 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave
           that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons
           of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.

01:023:012 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.

01:023:013 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the
           land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me:
           I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I
           will bury my dead there.

01:023:014 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

01:023:015 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred
           shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury
           therefore thy dead.

01:023:016 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to
           Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the
           sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money
           with the merchant.

01:023:017 And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was
           before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and
           all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the
           borders round about, were made sure

01:023:018 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children
           of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

01:023:019 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of
           the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the
           land of Canaan.

01:023:020 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure
           unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of
           Heth.

01:024:001 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD
           had blessed Abraham in all things.

01:024:002 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that
           ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under
           my thigh:

01:024:003 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and
           the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my
           son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

01:024:004 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take
           a wife unto my son Isaac.

01:024:005 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not
           be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy
           son again unto the land from whence thou camest?

01:024:006 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my
           son thither again.

01:024:007 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house,
           and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and
           that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this
           land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take
           a wife unto my son from thence.

01:024:008 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou
           shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son
           thither again.

01:024:009 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his
           master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

01:024:010 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master,
           and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his
           hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of
           Nahor.

01:024:011 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a
           well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that
           women go out to draw water.

01:024:012 And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send
           me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master
           Abraham.

01:024:013 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters
           of the men of the city come out to draw water:

01:024:014 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say,
           Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she
           shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let
           the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant
           Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness
           unto my master.

01:024:015 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that,
           behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of
           Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher
           upon her shoulder.

01:024:016 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither
           had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and
           filled her pitcher, and came up.

01:024:017 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray
           thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

01:024:018 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her
           pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

01:024:019 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw
           water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

01:024:020 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and
           ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his
           camels.

01:024:021 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether
           the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

01:024:022 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the
           man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two
           bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;

01:024:023 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is
           there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?

01:024:024 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of
           Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

01:024:025 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender
           enough, and room to lodge in.

01:024:026 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

01:024:027 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who
           hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth:
           I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my
           master's brethren.

01:024:028 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these
           things.

01:024:029 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban
           ran out unto the man, unto the well.

01:024:030 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets
           upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of
           Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that
           he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at
           the well.

01:024:031 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore
           standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room
           for the camels.

01:024:032 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels,
           and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash
           his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.

01:024:033 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will
           not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.

01:024:034 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.

01:024:035 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become
           great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver,
           and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and
           asses.

01:024:036 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she
           was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

01:024:037 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a
           wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose
           land I dwell:

01:024:038 But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred,
           and take a wife unto my son.

01:024:039 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not
           follow me.

01:024:040 And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send
           his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take
           a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:

01:024:041 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest
           to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be
           clear from my oath.

01:024:042 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my
           master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

01:024:043 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to
           pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I
           say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy
           pitcher to drink;

01:024:044 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for
           thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath
           appointed out for my master's son.

01:024:045 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah
           came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down
           unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me
           drink, I pray thee.

01:024:046 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her
           shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink
           also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.

01:024:047 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she
           said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare
           unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the
           bracelets upon her hands.

01:024:048 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed
           the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the
           right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

01:024:049 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell
           me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or
           to the left.

01:024:050 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth
           from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

01:024:051 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her
           be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

01:024:052 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their
           words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

01:024:053 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of
           gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to
           her brother and to her mother precious things.

01:024:054 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him,
           and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he
           said, Send me away unto my master.

01:024:055 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with
           us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.

01:024:056 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath
           prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

01:024:057 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her
           mouth.

01:024:058 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with
           this man? And she said, I will go.

01:024:059 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and
           Abraham's servant, and his men.

01:024:060 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our
           sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let
           thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

01:024:061 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the
           camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah,
           and went his way.

01:024:062 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt
           in the south country.

01:024:063 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide:
           and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels
           were coming.

01:024:064 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she
           lighted off the camel.

01:024:065 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that
           walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It
           is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

01:024:066 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.

01:024:067 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took
           Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac
           was comforted after his mother's death.

01:025:001 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

01:025:002 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian,
           and Ishbak, and Shuah.

01:025:003 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were
           Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

01:025:004 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and
           Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

01:025:005 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

01:025:006 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had,
           Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son,
           while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

01:025:007 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he
           lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

01:025:008 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an
           old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

01:025:009 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of
           Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the
           Hittite, which is before Mamre;

01:025:010 The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there
           was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

01:025:011 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God
           blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

01:025:012 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom
           Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

01:025:013 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their
           names, according to their generations: the firstborn of
           Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

01:025:014 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

01:025:015 Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

01:025:016 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by
           their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to
           their nations.

01:025:017 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and
           thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and
           was gathered unto his people.

01:025:018 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt,
           as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of
           all his brethren.

01:025:019 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham
           begat Isaac:

01:025:020 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife,
           the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to
           Laban the Syrian.

01:025:021 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was
           barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his
           wife conceived.

01:025:022 And the children struggled together within her; and she said,
           If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the
           LORD.

01:025:023 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and
           two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and
           the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and
           the elder shall serve the younger.

01:025:024 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold,
           there were twins in her womb.

01:025:025 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment;
           and they called his name Esau.

01:025:026 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on
           Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was
           threescore years old when she bare them.

01:025:027 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the
           field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

01:025:028 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but
           Rebekah loved Jacob.

01:025:029 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he
           was faint:

01:025:030 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same
           red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called
           Edom.

01:025:031 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

01:025:032 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what
           profit shall this birthright do to me?

01:025:033 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him:
           and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

01:025:034 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did
           eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau
           despised his birthright.

01:026:001 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine
           that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech
           king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

01:026:002 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into
           Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

01:026:003 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless
           thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these
           countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto
           Abraham thy father;

01:026:004 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven,
           and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy
           seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

01:026:005 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my
           commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

01:026:006 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:

01:026:007 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said,
           She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest,
           said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah;
           because she was fair to look upon.

01:026:008 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that
           Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and
           saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

01:026:009 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she
           is thy wife; and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac
           said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

01:026:010 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one
           of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou
           shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.

01:026:011 And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth
           this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

01:026:012 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year
           an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

01:026:013 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he
           became very great:

01:026:014 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and
           great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

01:026:015 For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in
           the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped
           them, and filled them with earth.

01:026:016 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much
           mightier than we.

01:026:017 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley
           of Gerar, and dwelt there.

01:026:018 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had
           digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines
           had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called
           their names after the names by which his father had called
           them.

01:026:019 And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a
           well of springing water.

01:026:020 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen,
           saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well
           Esek; because they strove with him.

01:026:021 And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he
           called the name of it Sitnah.

01:026:022 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for
           that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth;
           and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we
           shall be fruitful in the land.

01:026:023 And he went up from thence to Beersheba.

01:026:024 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am
           the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee,
           and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant
           Abraham's sake.

01:026:025 And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the
           LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants
           digged a well.

01:026:026 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his
           friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.

01:026:027 And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye
           hate me, and have sent me away from you?

01:026:028 And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee:
           and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt
           us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;

01:026:029 That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and
           as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee
           away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the LORD.

01:026:030 And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.

01:026:031 And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to
           another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him
           in peace.

01:026:032 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came,
           and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and
           said unto him, We have found water.

01:026:033 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is
           Beersheba unto this day.

01:026:034 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the
           daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of
           Elon the Hittite:

01:026:035 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

01:027:001 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes
           were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest
           son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold,
           here am I.

01:027:002 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my
           death:

01:027:003 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and
           thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

01:027:004 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me,
           that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

01:027:005 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau
           went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

01:027:006 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard
           thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

01:027:007 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat,
           and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

01:027:008 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I
           command thee.

01:027:009 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of
           the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father,
           such as he loveth:

01:027:010 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and
           that he may bless thee before his death.

01:027:011 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother
           is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

01:027:012 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him
           as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a
           blessing.

01:027:013 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son:
           only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

01:027:014 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and
           his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

01:027:015 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which
           were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her
           younger son:

01:027:016 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands,
           and upon the smooth of his neck:

01:027:017 And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had
           prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

01:027:018 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said,
           Here am I; who art thou, my son?

01:027:019 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I
           have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit
           and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

01:027:020 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it
           so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God
           brought it to me.

01:027:021 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may
           feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

01:027:022 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him,
           and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the
           hands of Esau.

01:027:023 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his
           brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.

01:027:024 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

01:027:025 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's
           venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near
           to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank.

01:027:026 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss
           me, my son.

01:027:027 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of
           his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my
           son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

01:027:028 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness
           of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

01:027:029 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord
           over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee:
           cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that
           blesseth thee.

01:027:030 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of
           blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the
           presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in
           from his hunting.

01:027:031 And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his
           father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat
           of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.

01:027:032 And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said,
           I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.

01:027:033 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is
           he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have
           eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea,
           and he shall be blessed.

01:027:034 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a
           great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father,
           Bless me, even me also, O my father.

01:027:035 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken
           away thy blessing.

01:027:036 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath
           supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright;
           and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said,
           Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

01:027:037 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him
           thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for
           servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and
           what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

01:027:038 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my
           father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted
           up his voice, and wept.

01:027:039 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy
           dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of
           heaven from above;

01:027:040 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother;
           and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion,
           that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

01:027:041 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his
           father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of
           mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my
           brother Jacob.

01:027:042 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah:
           and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto
           him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort
           himself, purposing to kill thee.

01:027:043 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee thou to
           Laban my brother to Haran;

01:027:044 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn
           away;

01:027:045 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget
           that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch
           thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in
           one day?

01:027:046 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of
           the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters
           of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land,
           what good shall my life do me?

01:028:001 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and
           said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of
           Canaan.

01:028:002 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's
           father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughers of
           Laban thy mother's brother.

01:028:003 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and
           multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

01:028:004 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy
           seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou
           art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.

01:028:005 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto
           Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah,
           Jacob's and Esau's mother.

01:028:006 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away
           to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he
           blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take
           a wife of the daughers of Canaan;

01:028:007 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone
           to Padanaram;

01:028:008 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac
           his father;

01:028:009 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he
           had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister
           of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

01:028:010 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

01:028:011 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all
           night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of
           that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that
           place to sleep.

01:028:012 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and
           the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God
           ascending and descending on it.

01:028:013 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD
           God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land
           whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

01:028:014 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt
           spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north,
           and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the
           families of the earth be blessed.

01:028:015 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places
           whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land;
           for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have
           spoken to thee of.

01:028:016 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the
           LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.

01:028:017 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this
           is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of
           heaven.

01:028:018 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone
           that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar,
           and poured oil upon the top of it.

01:028:019 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of
           that city was called Luz at the first.

01:028:020 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and
           will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to
           eat, and raiment to put on,

01:028:021 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall
           the LORD be my God:

01:028:022 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's
           house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give
           the tenth unto thee.

01:029:001 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the
           people of the east.

01:029:002 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there
           were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well
           they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's
           mouth.

01:029:003 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the
           stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put
           the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.

01:029:004 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they
           said, Of Haran are we.

01:029:005 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And
           they said, We know him.

01:029:006 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well:
           and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

01:029:007 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that
           the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep,
           and go and feed them.

01:029:008 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered
           together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth;
           then we water the sheep.

01:029:009 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her
           father's sheep; for she kept them.

01:029:010 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of
           Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his
           mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone
           from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his
           mother's brother.

01:029:011 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

01:029:012 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and
           that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.

01:029:013 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his
           sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and
           kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban
           all these things.

01:029:014 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh.
           And he abode with him the space of a month.

01:029:015 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother,
           shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what
           shall thy wages be?

01:029:016 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah,
           and the name of the younger was Rachel.

01:029:017 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well
           favoured.

01:029:018 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven
           years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

01:029:019 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than
           that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

01:029:020 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto
           him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

01:029:021 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are
           fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

01:029:022 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made
           a feast.

01:029:023 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his
           daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

01:029:024 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an
           handmaid.

01:029:025 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah:
           and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did
           not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou
           beguiled me?

01:029:026 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give
           the younger before the firstborn.

01:029:027 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the
           service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

01:029:028 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him
           Rachel his daughter to wife also.

01:029:029 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to
           be her maid.

01:029:030 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more
           than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

01:029:031 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb:
           but Rachel was barren.

01:029:032 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name
           Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my
           affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

01:029:033 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the
           LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this
           son also: and she called his name Simeon.

01:029:034 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this
           time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born
           him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

01:029:035 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now
           will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah;
           and left bearing.

01:030:001 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel
           envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or
           else I die.

01:030:002 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am
           I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the
           womb?

01:030:003 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she
           shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by
           her.

01:030:004 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went
           in unto her.

01:030:005 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.

01:030:006 And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my
           voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name
           Dan.

01:030:007 And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a
           second son.

01:030:008 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my
           sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name
           Naphtali.

01:030:009 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her
           maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.

01:030:010 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son.

01:030:011 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.

01:030:012 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.

01:030:013 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me
           blessed: and she called his name Asher.

01:030:014 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found
           mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah.
           Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's
           mandrakes.

01:030:015 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast
           taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's
           mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with
           thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.

01:030:016 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went
           out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for
           surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay
           with her that night.

01:030:017 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob
           the fifth son.

01:030:018 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given
           my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

01:030:019 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

01:030:020 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will
           my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons:
           and she called his name Zebulun.

01:030:021 And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

01:030:022 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and
           opened her womb.

01:030:023 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken
           away my reproach:

01:030:024 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add
           to me another son.

01:030:025 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob
           said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own
           place, and to my country.

01:030:026 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee,
           and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done
           thee.

01:030:027 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour
           in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that
           the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

01:030:028 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.

01:030:029 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and
           how thy cattle was with me.

01:030:030 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is
           now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee
           since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own
           house also?

01:030:031 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou
           shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for
           me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.

01:030:032 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence
           all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle
           among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats:
           and of such shall be my hire.

01:030:033 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when
           it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is
           not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the
           sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

01:030:034 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy
           word.

01:030:035 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and
           spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted,
           and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown
           among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

01:030:036 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and
           Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

01:030:037 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and
           chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the
           white appear which was in the rods.

01:030:038 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in
           the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to
           drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.

01:030:039 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth
           cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

01:030:040 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the
           flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock
           of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put
           them not unto Laban's cattle.

01:030:041 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did
           conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the
           cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the
           rods.

01:030:042 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the
           feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

01:030:043 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and
           maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

01:031:001 And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath
           taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was
           our father's hath he gotten all this glory.

01:031:002 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was
           not toward him as before.

01:031:003 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy
           fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

01:031:004 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto
           his flock,

01:031:005 And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it
           is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been
           with me.

01:031:006 And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

01:031:007 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten
           times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

01:031:008 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the
           cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked
           shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

01:031:009 Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given
           them to me.

01:031:010 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived,
           that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold,
           the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked,
           speckled, and grisled.

01:031:011 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob:
           And I said, Here am I.

01:031:012 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams
           which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and
           grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

01:031:013 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and
           where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from
           this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

01:031:014 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet
           any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

01:031:015 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and
           hath quite devoured also our money.

01:031:016 For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that
           is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath
           said unto thee, do.

01:031:017 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon
           camels;

01:031:018 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he
           had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in
           Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of
           Canaan.

01:031:019 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the
           images that were her father's.

01:031:020 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he
           told him not that he fled.

01:031:021 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed
           over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

01:031:022 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

01:031:023 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven
           days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

01:031:024 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said
           unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good
           or bad.

01:031:025 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in
           the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of
           Gilead.

01:031:026 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast
           stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as
           captives taken with the sword?

01:031:027 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from
           me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away
           with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

01:031:028 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters?
           thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.

01:031:029 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of
           your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed
           that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

01:031:030 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore
           longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou
           stolen my gods?

01:031:031 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid:
           for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy
           daughters from me.

01:031:032 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live:
           before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and
           take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen
           them.

01:031:033 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and
           into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then
           went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

01:031:034 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's
           furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent,
           but found them not.

01:031:035 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that
           I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon
           me. And he searched but found not the images.

01:031:036 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered
           and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that
           thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

01:031:037 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found
           of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and
           thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

01:031:038 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she
           goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock
           have I not eaten.

01:031:039 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare
           the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether
           stolen by day, or stolen by night.

01:031:040 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost
           by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

01:031:041 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee
           fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy
           cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

01:031:042 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear
           of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now
           empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my
           hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

01:031:043 And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my
           daughters, and these children are my children, and these
           cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and
           what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their
           children which they have born?

01:031:044 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou;
           and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

01:031:045 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

01:031:046 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took
           stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the
           heap.

01:031:047 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it
           Galeed.

01:031:048 And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee
           this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

01:031:049 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee,
           when we are absent one from another.

01:031:050 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take
           other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God
           is witness betwixt me and thee.

01:031:051 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this
           pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:

01:031:052 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will
           not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass
           over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

01:031:053 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their
           father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his
           father Isaac.

01:031:054 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his
           brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all
           night in the mount.

01:031:055 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons
           and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and
           returned unto his place.

01:032:001 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

01:032:002 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he
           called the name of that place Mahanaim.

01:032:003 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto
           the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

01:032:004 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my
           lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with
           Laban, and stayed there until now:

01:032:005 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and
           womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may
           find grace in thy sight.

01:032:006 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy
           brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four
           hundred men with him.

01:032:007 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided
           the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and
           the camels, into two bands;

01:032:008 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then
           the other company which is left shall escape.

01:032:009 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my
           father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy
           country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

01:032:010 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all
           the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with
           my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two
           bands.

01:032:011 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the
           hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me,
           and the mother with the children.

01:032:012 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed
           as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for
           multitude.

01:032:013 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which
           came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

01:032:014 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes,
           and twenty rams,

01:032:015 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten
           bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

01:032:016 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every
           drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over
           before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

01:032:017 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother
           meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and
           whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

01:032:018 Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a
           present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind
           us.

01:032:019 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that
           followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak
           unto Esau, when ye find him.

01:032:020 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us.
           For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth
           before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he
           will accept of me.

01:032:021 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that
           night in the company.

01:032:022 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two
           womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford
           Jabbok.

01:032:023 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over
           that he had.

01:032:024 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him
           until the breaking of the day.

01:032:025 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched
           the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was
           out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

01:032:026 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I
           will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

01:032:027 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

01:032:028 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but
           Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men,
           and hast prevailed.

01:032:029 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name.
           And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name?
           And he blessed him there.

01:032:030 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen
           God face to face, and my life is preserved.

01:032:031 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he
           halted upon his thigh.

01:032:032 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which
           shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day:
           because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew
           that shrank.

01:033:001 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau
           came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the
           children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two
           handmaids.

01:033:002 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah
           and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.

01:033:003 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the
           ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

01:033:004 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his
           neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

01:033:005 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children;
           and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children
           which God hath graciously given thy servant.

01:033:006 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and
           they bowed themselves.

01:033:007 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed
           themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they
           bowed themselves.

01:033:008 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met?
           And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

01:033:009 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast
           unto thyself.

01:033:010 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in
           thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I
           have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and
           thou wast pleased with me.

01:033:011 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee;
           because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have
           enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

01:033:012 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I
           will go before thee.

01:033:013 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are
           tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and
           if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

01:033:014 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I
           will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before
           me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my
           lord unto Seir.

01:033:015 And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk
           that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find
           grace in the sight of my lord.

01:033:016 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.

01:033:017 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and
           made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is
           called Succoth.

01:033:018 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the
           land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his
           tent before the city.

01:033:019 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his
           tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father,
           for an hundred pieces of money.

01:033:020 And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.

01:034:001 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob,
           went out to see the daughters of the land.

01:034:002 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the
           country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled
           her.

01:034:003 And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he
           loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

01:034:004 And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this
           damsel to wife.

01:034:005 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now
           his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his
           peace until they were come.

01:034:006 And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune
           with him.

01:034:007 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard
           it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth,
           because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's
           daughter: which thing ought not to be done.

01:034:008 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son
           Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to
           wife.

01:034:009 And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto
           us, and take our daughters unto you.

01:034:010 And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you;
           dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.

01:034:011 And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me
           find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will
           give.

01:034:012 Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according
           as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

01:034:013 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father
           deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their
           sister:

01:034:014 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our
           sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach
           unto us:

01:034:015 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be,
           that every male of you be circumcised;

01:034:016 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take
           your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will
           become one people.

01:034:017 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then
           will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

01:034:018 And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.

01:034:019 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had
           delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than
           all the house of his father.

01:034:020 And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their
           city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

01:034:021 These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in
           the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large
           enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives,
           and let us give them our daughters.

01:034:022 Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us,
           to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as
           they are circumcised.

01:034:023 Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of
           their's be our's? only let us consent unto them, and they will
           dwell with us.

01:034:024 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that
           went out of the gate of his city; and every male was
           circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

01:034:025 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore,
           that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's
           brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city
           boldly, and slew all the males.

01:034:026 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the
           sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.

01:034:027 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city,
           because they had defiled their sister.

01:034:028 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and
           that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,

01:034:029 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their
           wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the
           house.

01:034:030 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make
           me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the
           Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they
           shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and
           I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

01:034:031 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an
           harlot?

01:035:001 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell
           there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto
           thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

01:035:002 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with
           him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be
           clean, and change your garments:

01:035:003 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there
           an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress,
           and was with me in the way which I went.

01:035:004 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in
           their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears;
           and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

01:035:005 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities
           that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the
           sons of Jacob.

01:035:006 So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is,
           Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.

01:035:007 And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel:
           because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the
           face of his brother.

01:035:008 But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath
           Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called
           Allonbachuth.

01:035:009 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of
           Padanaram, and blessed him.

01:035:010 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not
           be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he
           called his name Israel.

01:035:011 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and
           multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee,
           and kings shall come out of thy loins;

01:035:012 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will
           give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

01:035:013 And God went up from him in the place where he talked with
           him.

01:035:014 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with
           him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering
           thereon, and he poured oil thereon.

01:035:015 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with
           him, Bethel.

01:035:016 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way
           to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard
           labour.

01:035:017 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the
           midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son
           also.

01:035:018 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she
           died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called
           him Benjamin.

01:035:019 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which
           is Bethlehem.

01:035:020 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of
           Rachel's grave unto this day.

01:035:021 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of
           Edar.

01:035:022 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that
           Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and
           Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:

01:035:023 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and
           Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

01:035:024 The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:

01:035:025 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:

01:035:026 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid: Gad, and Asher: these
           are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.

01:035:027 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city
           of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

01:035:028 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.

01:035:029 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto
           his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and
           Jacob buried him.

01:036:001 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.

01:036:002 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the
           daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of
           Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;

01:036:003 And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

01:036:004 And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;

01:036:005 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are
           the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of
           Canaan.

01:036:006 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and
           all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his
           beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of
           Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother
           Jacob.

01:036:007 For their riches were more than that they might dwell
           together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not
           bear them because of their cattle.

01:036:008 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

01:036:009 And these are the generations of Esau the father of the
           Edomites in mount Seir:

01:036:010 These are the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah
           the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.

01:036:011 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam,
           and Kenaz.

01:036:012 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to
           Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.

01:036:013 And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah,
           and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

01:036:014 And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah
           the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and she bare to Esau
           Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.

01:036:015 These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the
           firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke
           Kenaz,

01:036:016 Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes
           that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons
           of Adah.

01:036:017 And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke
           Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that
           came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of
           Bashemath Esau's wife.

01:036:018 And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush,
           duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of
           Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.

01:036:019 These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their
           dukes.

01:036:020 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land;
           Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,

01:036:021 And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the
           Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.

01:036:022 And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's
           sister was Timna.

01:036:023 And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath,
           and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.

01:036:024 And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah:
           this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as
           he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.

01:036:025 And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah
           the daughter of Anah.

01:036:026 And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and
           Ithran, and Cheran.

01:036:027 The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.

01:036:028 The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran.

01:036:029 These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke
           Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,

01:036:030 Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that
           came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.

01:036:031 And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom,
           before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.

01:036:032 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his
           city was Dinhabah.

01:036:033 And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in
           his stead.

01:036:034 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in
           his stead.

01:036:035 And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian
           in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of
           his city was Avith.

01:036:036 And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

01:036:037 And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in
           his stead.

01:036:038 And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his
           stead.

01:036:039 And Baalhanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his
           stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name
           was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of
           Mezahab.

01:036:040 And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau,
           according to their families, after their places, by their
           names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,

01:036:041 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,

01:036:042 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,

01:036:043 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according
           to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is
           Esau the father of the Edomites.

01:037:001 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger,
           in the land of Canaan.

01:037:002 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen
           years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the
           lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah,
           his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their
           evil report.

01:037:003 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he
           was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many
           colours.

01:037:004 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more
           than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak
           peaceably unto him.

01:037:005 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and
           they hated him yet the more.

01:037:006 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I
           have dreamed:

01:037:007 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my
           sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves
           stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

01:037:008 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us?
           or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him
           yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

01:037:009 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren,
           and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold,
           the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to
           me.

01:037:010 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his
           father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that
           thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren
           indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

01:037:011 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the
           saying.

01:037:012 And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.

01:037:013 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the
           flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he
           said to him, Here am I.

01:037:014 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well
           with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word
           again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came
           to Shechem.

01:037:015 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in
           the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

01:037:016 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where
           they feed their flocks.

01:037:017 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them
           say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren,
           and found them in Dothan.

01:037:018 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto
           them, they conspired against him to slay him.

01:037:019 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.

01:037:020 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into
           some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him:
           and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

01:037:021 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands;
           and said, Let us not kill him.

01:037:022 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into
           this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him;
           that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to
           his father again.

01:037:023 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren,
           that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many
           colours that was on him;

01:037:024 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was
           empty, there was no water in it.

01:037:025 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes
           and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from
           Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh,
           going to carry it down to Egypt.

01:037:026 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay
           our brother, and conceal his blood?

01:037:027 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our
           hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his
           brethren were content.

01:037:028 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and
           lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the
           Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought
           Joseph into Egypt.

01:037:029 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not
           in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

01:037:030 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not;
           and I, whither shall I go?

01:037:031 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats,
           and dipped the coat in the blood;

01:037:032 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to
           their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether
           it be thy son's coat or no.

01:037:033 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast
           hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

01:037:034 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins,
           and mourned for his son many days.

01:037:035 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him;
           but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go
           down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept
           for him.

01:037:036 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an
           officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.

01:038:001 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from
           his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose
           name was Hirah.

01:038:002 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose
           name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

01:038:003 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.

01:038:004 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his
           name Onan.

01:038:005 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his
           name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

01:038:006 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was
           Tamar.

01:038:007 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the
           LORD; and the LORD slew him.

01:038:008 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and
           marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

01:038:009 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to
           pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled
           it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his
           brother.

01:038:010 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he
           slew him also.

01:038:011 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow
           at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he
           said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And
           Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

01:038:012 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife
           died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his
           sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the
           Adullamite.

01:038:013 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth
           up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

01:038:014 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her
           with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place,
           which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was
           grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

01:038:015 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because
           she had covered her face.

01:038:016 And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray
           thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was
           his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me,
           that thou mayest come in unto me?

01:038:017 And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she
           said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?

01:038:018 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy
           signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine
           hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she
           conceived by him.

01:038:019 And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her,
           and put on the garments of her widowhood.

01:038:020 And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the
           Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but
           he found her not.

01:038:021 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the
           harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There
           was no harlot in this place.

01:038:022 And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and
           also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in
           this place.

01:038:023 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed:
           behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

01:038:024 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told
           Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the
           harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And
           Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

01:038:025 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law,
           saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she
           said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and
           bracelets, and staff.

01:038:026 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more
           righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my
           son. And he knew her again no more.

01:038:027 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold,
           twins were in her womb.

01:038:028 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out
           his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a
           scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

01:038:029 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold,
           his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken
           forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called
           Pharez.

01:038:030 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet
           thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

01:039:001 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer
           of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of
           the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down
           thither.

01:039:002 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and
           he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

01:039:003 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the
           LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

01:039:004 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he
           made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put
           into his hand.

01:039:005 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him
           overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD
           blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the
           blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house,
           and in the field.

01:039:006 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not
           ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was
           a goodly person, and well favoured.

01:039:007 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife
           cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

01:039:008 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my
           master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath
           committed all that he hath to my hand;

01:039:009 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he
           kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his
           wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against
           God?

01:039:010 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that
           he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

01:039:011 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the
           house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the
           house there within.

01:039:012 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he
           left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

01:039:013 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment
           in her hand, and was fled forth,

01:039:014 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto
           them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to
           mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a
           loud voice:

01:039:015 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice
           and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got
           him out.

01:039:016 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

01:039:017 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The
           Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto
           me to mock me:

01:039:018 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that
           he left his garment with me, and fled out.

01:039:019 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his
           wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did
           thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

01:039:020 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a
           place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there
           in the prison.

01:039:021 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave
           him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

01:039:022 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all
           the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did
           there, he was the doer of it.

01:039:023 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was
           under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which
           he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

01:040:001 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the
           king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king
           of Egypt.

01:040:002 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the
           chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

01:040:003 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the
           guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

01:040:004 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he
           served them: and they continued a season in ward.

01:040:005 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in
           one night, each man according to the interpretation of his
           dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which
           were bound in the prison.

01:040:006 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon
           them, and, behold, they were sad.

01:040:007 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward
           of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to
           day?

01:040:008 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is
           no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not
           interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

01:040:009 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to
           him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;

01:040:010 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it
           budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof
           brought forth ripe grapes:

01:040:011 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and
           pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into
           Pharaoh's hand.

01:040:012 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it:
           The three branches are three days:

01:040:013 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and
           restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's
           cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his
           butler.

01:040:014 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew
           kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto
           Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

01:040:015 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews:
           and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into
           the dungeon.

01:040:016 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he
           said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had
           three white baskets on my head:

01:040:017 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of
           bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the
           basket upon my head.

01:040:018 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation
           thereof: The three baskets are three days:

01:040:019 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off
           thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat
           thy flesh from off thee.

01:040:020 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's
           birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he
           lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker
           among his servants.

01:040:021 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again;
           and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

01:040:022 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to
           them.

01:040:023 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

01:041:001 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh
           dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

01:041:002 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well
           favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.

01:041:003 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the
           river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other
           kine upon the brink of the river.

01:041:004 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven
           well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

01:041:005 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven
           ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.

01:041:006 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind
           sprung up after them.

01:041:007 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears.
           And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.

01:041:008 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was
           troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of
           Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his
           dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto
           Pharaoh.

01:041:009 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do
           remember my faults this day:

01:041:010 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the
           captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:

01:041:011 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each
           man according to the interpretation of his dream.

01:041:012 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to
           the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted
           to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did
           interpret.

01:041:013 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he
           restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

01:041:014 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him
           hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed
           his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

01:041:015 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and
           there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of
           thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.

01:041:016 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God
           shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

01:041:017 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood
           upon the bank of the river:

01:041:018 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine,
           fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:

01:041:019 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and
           very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all
           the land of Egypt for badness:

01:041:020 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first
           seven fat kine:

01:041:021 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that
           they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at
           the beginning. So I awoke.

01:041:022 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one
           stalk, full and good:

01:041:023 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the
           east wind, sprung up after them:

01:041:024 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told
           this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare
           it to me.

01:041:025 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God
           hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

01:041:026 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears
           are seven years: the dream is one.

01:041:027 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after
           them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with
           the east wind shall be seven years of famine.

01:041:028 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God
           is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

01:041:029 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all
           the land of Egypt:

01:041:030 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and
           all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and
           the famine shall consume the land;

01:041:031 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of
           that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.

01:041:032 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is
           because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly
           bring it to pass.

01:041:033 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise,
           and set him over the land of Egypt.

01:041:034 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the
           land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the
           seven plenteous years.

01:041:035 And let them gather all the food of those good years that
           come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them
           keep food in the cities.

01:041:036 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven
           years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the
           land perish not through the famine.

01:041:037 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes
           of all his servants.

01:041:038 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as
           this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

01:041:039 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed
           thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

01:041:040 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall
           all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater
           than thou.

01:041:041 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all
           the land of Egypt.

01:041:042 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon
           Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and
           put a gold chain about his neck;

01:041:043 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had;
           and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler
           over all the land of Egypt.

01:041:044 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee
           shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of
           Egypt.

01:041:045 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave
           him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On.
           And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

01:041:046 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh
           king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of
           Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

01:041:047 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by
           handfuls.

01:041:048 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were
           in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the
           food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he
           up in the same.

01:041:049 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much,
           until he left numbering; for it was without number.

01:041:050 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine
           came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On
           bare unto him.

01:041:051 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God,
           said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's
           house.

01:041:052 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath
           caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

01:041:053 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of
           Egypt, were ended.

01:041:054 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as
           Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all
           the land of Egypt there was bread.

01:041:055 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried
           to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians,
           Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.

01:041:056 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph
           opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and
           the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

01:041:057 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn;
           because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

01:042:001 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said
           unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

01:042:002 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt:
           get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may
           live, and not die.

01:042:003 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

01:042:004 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his
           brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

01:042:005 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came:
           for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

01:042:006 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that
           sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren
           came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to
           the earth.

01:042:007 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made
           himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he
           said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land
           of Canaan to buy food.

01:042:008 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

01:042:009 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and
           said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land
           ye are come.

01:042:010 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy
           servants come.

01:042:011 We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are
           no spies.

01:042:012 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the
           land ye are come.

01:042:013 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of
           one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is
           this day with our father, and one is not.

01:042:014 And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you,
           saying, Ye are spies:

01:042:015 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not
           go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

01:042:016 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall
           be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether
           there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh
           surely ye are spies.

01:042:017 And he put them all together into ward three days.

01:042:018 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live;
           for I fear God:

01:042:019 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the
           house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your
           houses:

01:042:020 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words
           be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

01:042:021 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning
           our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he
           besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress
           come upon us.

01:042:022 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you,
           saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear?
           therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

01:042:023 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake
           unto them by an interpreter.

01:042:024 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned
           to them again, and communed with them, and took from them
           Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

01:042:025 Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to
           restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them
           provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

01:042:026 And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.

01:042:027 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender
           in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his
           sack's mouth.

01:042:028 And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo,
           it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they
           were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath
           done unto us?

01:042:029 And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan,
           and told him all that befell unto them; saying,

01:042:030 The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and
           took us for spies of the country.

01:042:031 And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

01:042:032 We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the
           youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

01:042:033 And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby
           shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren
           here with me, and take food for the famine of your households,
           and be gone:

01:042:034 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know
           that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I
           deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.

01:042:035 And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold,
           every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both
           they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were
           afraid.

01:042:036 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of
           my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will
           take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.

01:042:037 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if
           I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will
           bring him to thee again.

01:042:038 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his
           brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him
           by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my
           gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

01:043:001 And the famine was sore in the land.

01:043:002 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which
           they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go
           again, buy us a little food.

01:043:003 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest
           unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother
           be with you.

01:043:004 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy
           thee food:

01:043:005 But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the
           man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your
           brother be with you.

01:043:006 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell
           the man whether ye had yet a brother?

01:043:007 And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of
           our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another
           brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these
           words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your
           brother down?

01:043:008 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me,
           and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both
           we, and thou, and also our little ones.

01:043:009 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him:
           if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then
           let me bear the blame for ever:

01:043:010 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this
           second time.

01:043:011 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now,
           do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels,
           and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little
           honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

01:043:012 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was
           brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in
           your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

01:043:013 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

01:043:014 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may
           send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved
           of my children, I am bereaved.

01:043:015 And the men took that present, and they took double money in
           their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt,
           and stood before Joseph.

01:043:016 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler
           of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready;
           for these men shall dine with me at noon.

01:043:017 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men
           into Joseph's house.

01:043:018 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into
           Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was
           returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in;
           that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and
           take us for bondmen, and our asses.

01:043:019 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they
           communed with him at the door of the house,

01:043:020 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy
           food:

01:043:021 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened
           our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of
           his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it
           again in our hand.

01:043:022 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food:
           we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.

01:043:023 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God
           of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had
           your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

01:043:024 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them
           water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses
           provender.

01:043:025 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon:
           for they heard that they should eat bread there.

01:043:026 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which
           was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him
           to the earth.

01:043:027 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father
           well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

01:043:028 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health,
           he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made
           obeisance.

01:043:029 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his
           mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom
           ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my
           son.

01:043:030 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his
           brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his
           chamber, and wept there.

01:043:031 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself,
           and said, Set on bread.

01:043:032 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by
           themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by
           themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the
           Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

01:043:033 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his
           birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the
           men marvelled one at another.

01:043:034 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but
           Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of their's. And
           they drank, and were merry with him.

01:044:001 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the
           men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put
           every man's money in his sack's mouth.

01:044:002 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the
           youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word
           that Joseph had spoken.

01:044:003 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they
           and their asses.

01:044:004 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off,
           Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and
           when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye
           rewarded evil for good?

01:044:005 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed
           he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

01:044:006 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.

01:044:007 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words?
           God forbid that thy servants should do according to this
           thing:

01:044:008 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we
           brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then
           should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

01:044:009 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die,
           and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

01:044:010 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he
           with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be
           blameless.

01:044:011 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground,
           and opened every man his sack.

01:044:012 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the
           youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

01:044:013 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and
           returned to the city.

01:044:014 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was
           yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

01:044:015 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have
           done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

01:044:016 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we
           speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the
           iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants,
           both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.

01:044:017 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in
           whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as
           for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

01:044:018 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy
           servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let
           not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as
           Pharaoh.

01:044:019 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a
           brother?

01:044:020 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a
           child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead,
           and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

01:044:021 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me,
           that I may set mine eyes upon him.

01:044:022 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for
           if he should leave his father, his father would die.

01:044:023 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest
           brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

01:044:024 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my
           father, we told him the words of my lord.

01:044:025 And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.

01:044:026 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be
           with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's
           face, except our youngest brother be with us.

01:044:027 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife
           bare me two sons:

01:044:028 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in
           pieces; and I saw him not since:

01:044:029 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye
           shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

01:044:030 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the
           lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the
           lad's life;

01:044:031 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with
           us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the
           gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

01:044:032 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father,
           saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the
           blame to my father for ever.

01:044:033 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of
           the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his
           brethren.

01:044:034 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with
           me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my
           father.

01:045:001 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that
           stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me.
           And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself
           known unto his brethren.

01:045:002 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh
           heard.

01:045:003 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father
           yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were
           troubled at his presence.

01:045:004 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray
           you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your
           brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

01:045:005 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that
           ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve
           life.

01:045:006 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet
           there are five years, in the which there shall neither be
           earing nor harvest.

01:045:007 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the
           earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

01:045:008 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he
           hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house,
           and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

01:045:009 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith
           thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down
           unto me, tarry not:

01:045:010 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be
           near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's
           children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou
           hast:

01:045:011 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of
           famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast,
           come to poverty.

01:045:012 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother
           Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

01:045:013 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of
           all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my
           father hither.

01:045:014 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and
           Benjamin wept upon his neck.

01:045:015 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and
           after that his brethren talked with him.

01:045:016 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying,
           Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and
           his servants.

01:045:017 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do
           ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

01:045:018 And take your father and your households, and come unto me:
           and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye
           shall eat the fat of the land.

01:045:019 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the
           land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and
           bring your father, and come.

01:045:020 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of
           Egypt is your's.

01:045:021 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them
           wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them
           provision for the way.

01:045:022 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to
           Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five
           changes of raiment.

01:045:023 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden
           with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with
           corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

01:045:024 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said
           unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

01:045:025 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of
           Canaan unto Jacob their father,

01:045:026 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor
           over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he
           believed them not.

01:045:027 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said
           unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to
           carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

01:045:028 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I
           will go and see him before I die.

01:046:001 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to
           Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father
           Isaac.

01:046:002 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and
           said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

01:046:003 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go
           down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

01:046:004 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely
           bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine
           eyes.

01:046:005 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel
           carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their
           wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

01:046:006 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had
           gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and
           all his seed with him:

01:046:007 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his
           sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into
           Egypt.

01:046:008 And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came
           into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

01:046:009 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and
           Carmi.

01:046:010 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and
           Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.

01:046:011 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

01:046:012 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez,
           and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the
           sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.

01:046:013 And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and
           Shimron.

01:046:014 And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.

01:046:015 These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in
           Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons
           and his daughters were thirty and three.

01:046:016 And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon,
           Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.

01:046:017 And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and
           Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber,
           and Malchiel.

01:046:018 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his
           daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.

01:046:019 The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.

01:046:020 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and
           Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On
           bare unto him.

01:046:021 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel,
           Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.

01:046:022 These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all
           the souls were fourteen.

01:046:023 And the sons of Dan; Hushim.

01:046:024 And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and
           Shillem.

01:046:025 These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his
           daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were
           seven.

01:046:026 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out
           of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were
           threescore and six;

01:046:027 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two
           souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into
           Egypt, were threescore and ten.

01:046:028 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face
           unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.

01:046:029 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel
           his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he
           fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

01:046:030 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen
           thy face, because thou art yet alive.

01:046:031 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's
           house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My
           brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of
           Canaan, are come unto me;

01:046:032 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed
           cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds,
           and all that they have.

01:046:033 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and
           shall say, What is your occupation?

01:046:034 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle
           from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers:
           that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is
           an abomination unto the Egyptians.

01:047:001 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my
           brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they
           have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they
           are in the land of Goshen.

01:047:002 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented
           them unto Pharaoh.

01:047:003 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation?
           And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both
           we, and also our fathers.

01:047:004 They said morever unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are
           we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks;
           for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore,
           we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

01:047:005 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy
           brethren are come unto thee:

01:047:006 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make
           thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let
           them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among
           them, then make them rulers over my cattle.

01:047:007 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before
           Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

01:047:008 And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?

01:047:009 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my
           pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have
           the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained
           unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the
           days of their pilgrimage.

01:047:010 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

01:047:011 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a
           possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in
           the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

01:047:012 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his
           father's household, with bread, according to their families.

01:047:013 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was
           very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of
           Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.

01:047:014 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the
           land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which
           they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's
           house.

01:047:015 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of
           Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us
           bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money
           faileth.

01:047:016 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for
           your cattle, if money fail.

01:047:017 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave
           them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for
           the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them
           with bread for all their cattle for that year.

01:047:018 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year,
           and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that
           our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle;
           there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our
           bodies, and our lands:

01:047:019 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our
           land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will
           be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live,
           and not die, that the land be not desolate.

01:047:020 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the
           Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine
           prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.

01:047:021 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end
           of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.

01:047:022 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests
           had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their
           portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their
           lands.

01:047:023 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you
           this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you,
           and ye shall sow the land.

01:047:024 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give
           the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own,
           for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your
           households, and for food for your little ones.

01:047:025 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in
           the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.

01:047:026 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day,
           that Pharaoh should have the fifth part, except the land of
           the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's.

01:047:027 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of
           Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and
           multiplied exceedingly.

01:047:028 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the
           whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.

01:047:029 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his
           son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in
           thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal
           kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

01:047:030 But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of
           Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will
           do as thou hast said.

01:047:031 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel
           bowed himself upon the bed's head.

01:048:001 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph,
           Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons,
           Manasseh and Ephraim.

01:048:002 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh
           unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the
           bed.

01:048:003 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at
           Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

01:048:004 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and
           multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people;
           and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an
           everlasting possession.

01:048:005 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born
           unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into
           Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

01:048:006 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be
           thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in
           their inheritance.

01:048:007 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in
           the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little
           way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of
           Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.

01:048:008 And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?

01:048:009 And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God
           hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray
           thee, unto me, and I will bless them.

01:048:010 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not
           see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them,
           and embraced them.

01:048:011 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy
           face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.

01:048:012 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he
           bowed himself with his face to the earth.

01:048:013 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward
           Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward
           Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.

01:048:014 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon
           Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon
           Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was
           the firstborn.

01:048:015 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers
           Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life
           long unto this day,

01:048:016 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and
           let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers
           Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the
           midst of the earth.

01:048:017 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon
           the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his
           father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto
           Manasseh's head.

01:048:018 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this
           is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

01:048:019 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know
           it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great:
           but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and
           his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

01:048:020 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel
           bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and
           he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

01:048:021 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be
           with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

01:048:022 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren,
           which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and
           with my bow.

01:049:001 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves
           together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in
           the last days.

01:049:002 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and
           hearken unto Israel your father.

01:049:003 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of
           my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of
           power:

01:049:004 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest
           up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to
           my couch.

01:049:005 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in
           their habitations.

01:049:006 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their
           assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger
           they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a
           wall.

01:049:007 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for
           it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in
           Israel.

01:049:008 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand
           shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children
           shall bow down before thee.

01:049:009 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone
           up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion;
           who shall rouse him up?

01:049:010 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from
           between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the
           gathering of the people be.

01:049:011 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the
           choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes
           in the blood of grapes:

01:049:012 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with
           milk.

01:049:013 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be
           for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.

01:049:014 Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

01:049:015 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was
           pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant
           unto tribute.

01:049:016 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

01:049:017 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that
           biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

01:049:018 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

01:049:019 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the
           last.

01:049:020 Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal
           dainties.

01:049:021 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

01:049:022 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well;
           whose branches run over the wall:

01:049:023 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and
           hated him:

01:049:024 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were
           made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from
           thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

01:049:025 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the
           Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above,
           blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the
           breasts, and of the womb:

01:049:026 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings
           of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting
           hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown
           of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

01:049:027 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour
           the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

01:049:028 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that
           their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one
           according to his blessing he blessed them.

01:049:029 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered
           unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in
           the field of Ephron the Hittite,

01:049:030 In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before
           Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the
           field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a
           buryingplace.

01:049:031 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they
           buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.

01:049:032 The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was
           from the children of Heth.

01:049:033 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he
           gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost,
           and was gathered unto his people.

01:050:001 And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and
           kissed him.

01:050:002 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his
           father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.

01:050:003 And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled
           the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians
           mourned for him threescore and ten days.

01:050:004 And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto
           the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in
           your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,

01:050:005 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which
           I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou
           bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my
           father, and I will come again.

01:050:006 And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he
           made thee swear.

01:050:007 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up
           all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all
           the elders of the land of Egypt,

01:050:008 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his
           father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and
           their herds, they left in the land of Goshen.

01:050:009 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it
           was a very great company.

01:050:010 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond
           Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore
           lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

01:050:011 And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the
           mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous
           mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called
           Abelmizraim, which is beyond Jordan.

01:050:012 And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:

01:050:013 For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried
           him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham
           bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of
           Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

01:050:014 And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all
           that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried
           his father.

01:050:015 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead,
           they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will
           certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

01:050:016 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did
           command before he died, saying,

01:050:017 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the
           trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto
           thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the
           servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they
           spake unto him.

01:050:018 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and
           they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

01:050:019 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of
           God?

01:050:020 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it
           unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much
           people alive.

01:050:021 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little
           ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

01:050:022 And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and
           Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.

01:050:023 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the
           children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up
           upon Joseph's knees.

01:050:024 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely
           visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which
           he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

01:050:025 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God
           will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from
           hence.

01:050:026 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they
           embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Out of Darkness

December 20, 2008

For Ages the story of ‘The Beginning’ has gone through many births . The story’s have been told on every continent in every tong . And used to do good and bad . The ‘Holly Bible’ is the Most talked about in the World . And with Good reason. “To the victors goes the spoils of war”. If you trace the story’s in The Bible back . first you will find that the main controller is the Roman Catholic Church. And with good reason . they are the victors. and they get to spoil the teachings . The Bible was first put together in hopes to stop feuding . or so it is said. But in fact it was in Hopes that common ground would be found to aid in the Roman Conquest. With all the story’s floating around and all the different sects there was a common thread . And it wasn’t till the Romans Invaded those people and stole and destroyed everything in there path. They discovered this common thread . and seen that with all the fighting over who is right and who is wrong was pointless . They all told the same story . BUT! Over the Ages and mis translations and truly false teaching . The bible still holds true to the teachings of old . I will begin at the end .

Geneses .
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
////People assume that the beginning was just at that moment . But this was all done over ages not days as in 24hr periods . The planet existed ////for a long period in total darkness . There are those that say nothing can live in total darkness . But proof is here and now . Creatures deep ////in the oceans and deep in the earth exist without sunlight .

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
////Notice the term Waters . This is very important item. It is not what we know as H2O . And keep in mind the Deep .

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
////And there we have the big bang . And a new life in complete absence of dark .

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
////This division is nothing more than the point of were darkness ends and light begins.

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
The Era of dark is night and the new Era of light is Day .
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
////Most assessment of this is land rose from the seas . BUT. The Waters is not H2O it is space . Void nothing .

7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the

firmament: and it was so.
////The waters one above and one below . This firmament is an invisible fabric that divides our atmosphere from the vacuums of space.

8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
Evening and morning .

////You must forget what you think you know about life . If you try to apply what you know now to what was ,then you will miss out on the entire meaning of those story’s all together.

9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
////Heaven is the invisible fabric and the waters AKA space . Is now compacted into one area . And now you have land .

////Absolutely nothing but land . No air no H2O no life at least not the life you are acceptable to .

10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
////The seas is not H2O . It is air .

11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
////This is called Pioneer . You find it on volcanic soil the first growth .and again this took ages not hours .

12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after

his kind: and God saw that it was good.

13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and

for seasons, and for days, and years:
////Now comes the suns . YES the suns . Not one but 2 suns . but why a sun at all . if god said let there be light then why would we need any sun or suns .

15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
And again absence of dark.

16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

////many people apply what they think they know now to what was then . we know the moon as an object that reflects the sun light . but as we know from out trips to the moon it once was on fire.

Apollo to NASA

January 30, 2006: Moondust. “I wish I could send you some,” says Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan. Just a thimbleful scooped fresh off the lunar surface. “It’s amazing stuff.”

Feel it—it’s soft like snow, yet strangely abrasive.

Taste it—”not half bad,” according to Apollo 16 astronaut John Young.

Sniff it—”it smells like spent gunpowder,” says Cernan.

Later Schmitt says he has sensitive turbinates:(cartilage plates in the walls of the nasal chambers) “The petrochemicals in Houston used to drive me crazy, and I have to watch out for cigarette smoke.” That’s why, he believes, other astronauts reacted much less than he did.

” Gary Lofgren of the Lunar Sample Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. What is moondust made of? Almost half is silicon dioxide glass created by meteoroids hitting the moon. These impacts, which have been going on for billions of years, fuse topsoil into glass and shatter the same into tiny pieces. Moondust is also rich in iron, calcium and magnesium bound up in minerals such as olivine and pyroxene. It’s nothing like gunpowder.

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

////so now you have 2 suns and a brief period in between each that gives some darkness.
19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
////The sun and moon as we know today is a pail comparison to what they were in there youth. Both set a blazed as the face of God crossed the ////universe and burned everything in its path. But the earth was special unit all its own .

20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
/////The waters is not H2O, it is air . Rich in its new found cocoon . the foul is the first creatures made.

21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
////This whale figure is not the great beast we know of today . This one took flight.

22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
////Is “ in the earth literal or figurative. I think literal . Those fouls lived primarily in the earth seeking shelter from the hot suns and the whales were flight creatures but able to handle the blazing heat from the heavens

23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

////now we have evolution taking hold . and new creatures are thriving.

25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
////This is on the line of what you know as cloning . And remember each day was decades of unknown length .

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
////To those that say it is literal yet still claim there is only one god . I pray the Lord God forgives you. This section tells of 5 Gods in all . And the men they made and where they lived . This is why the map is good idea .

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
////This male and female is very literal . The beings the Gods made were both bale and female . Or as you know hermaphrodite .

////But these creatures are able to reproduce on there own and with one another. The common Christianic belief is that the world was populated through incest . This is only partially correct. Each of the men form each God did reproduce through incest . And self procreation. But that will soon change.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

////and replenish the earth,this suggest . NO it tells that man is to do it again. This is explained throught the bible . there was life before DARKNESS and that people died off . was it by Gods doing . or was it just because there Sun died off and the land was unable to sustain life . regardless . there was Life before dark .

////This ‘dominion’ gives you a grasp on the 5 gods mens place in life . The Adam strand is the head hauncho . he/she/it has dominion over everything . Think of Adam as the King . And the others have control over each mentioned {dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. }

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
////Mind yourself now! No eating of the animals. Your going to be eating from the trees like a monkey . And the beast wont eat you they are not to eat meat as well .

30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

////dont take for granted the areas that seem to repeat . there is a reason why it does.

Chapter 2

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

////dont for get Day is NOT 24 hr . and god will now step out and let his garden grow on its own.

3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
////Now that God has completed his task he leaves his creation to mature on its own. As you will see God does not keep a vigalent eye on his creation.

4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

////before it . again confirmation of a life before Darkness . those were seeds that still lived deep in the land . and there is no water . so no seas as in H2O .
6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
////Still in the recap of it all it tells that there is no H2O . No oceans or seas as we know them today remember the “seas: is the air .this H2O comes from out of a Geyser . and don’t think of it as some little thing like our Old Faithful . this sucker is huge .

7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
////Is this CPR !

8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
////This is the land of the Adam Strand . The Lord Gods creation. The Other Gods have made theres and they have been thriving for ages before the Adam strand was made .

9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
////Now is this tree of life the Adam strand or is it an actual tree . REGARDLESS THERE IS 2 TREES

10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
//////A moment to explore this Havilah some say it is the garden itself . But the Christianic it is .
////A land mentioned in Gen. 2:11 rich in gold and bdellium and onyx stone. The question as to the locality of this region has given rise to a ////great diversity of opinion. It may perhaps be identified with the sandy tract which skirts Babylonia along the whole of its western border, ////stretching from the lower Euphrates to the mountains of Edom.
////A district in Arabia-Felix. It is uncertain whether the tribe gave its name to this region or derived its name from it, and whether it was ////originally a Cushite (Gen. 10:7) or a Joktanite tribe (10:29; compare 25:18), or whether there were both a Cushite and a Joktanite Havilah. ////It is the opinion of Kalisch, however, that Havilah “in both instances designates the same country, extending at least from the Persian to ////the Arabian Gulf, and on account of its vast extent easily divided into two distinct parts.” This opinion may be well vindicated.
////One of the sons of Cush (Gen. 10:7).
////A son of Joktan (Gen. 10:29; 1 Chr. 1:23)
////I will go into greater detail later on but for now my cup runith over.

12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
////This Gold and Onyx is a entire book all its own. It is not as we know it today . What we know of today was named from this ancient story . ////Like the whales Water and more. Later in Revelations it tells of this Gold being transparent .

13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
////Lord God set the Adam strand to keep the land . NOT God to keep Adam. The land is more important than the man . His Job is to KEEP THE LAND or to till the land .

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
////This tree is mentioned again. But it is not just one tree it is two . As you will see shortly .

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
////Now remember the Gods made men and said go forth and multiply . Some say that Adam was not just one man it was a complex system of beings . But the Bible tells a different story all together.

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
////Remember each of the other gods creation of man held his own place as keepers of the foul seas beasts and creeptih things .

////But they all obeyed the king of man the Adam strand .

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found any help meet for him.
////Adam has his work cut out for him . He is the keeper of all things .

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
////Here is a part that has been cut apart . It was not just one single rib. If you look at the ribs it is not in sections it is one growth then joined at the breast . What actually happened is Lord God put the Adam to sleep and cut that little guy in half right down the middle . And like a starfish they each grew back. You can see where the cut was made . The butt , the stomach , the tung , the nose , chin, brow , and lungs , and the greatest part is the brain. There is a medical anomaly were a child is born without this separation. This child is more to the liking of the first man than we are . As well as the hermaphrodite and any other trait that popes up . Those that today is considered desolating once upon a time was treated as Gods.

22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
////Now keep in mind that the Adam strand is the only one that can only reproduce with two beings of the opposite sex.

Chapter 3

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
////This serpent creature . They say he or it is bad news this is the devil or Satan . I don’t think so . And some say it is about sexual ////reproduction. But as a classic line I like that. but I don’t see either one close to the truth .

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

////which is in the midst> this mist is the one that watered the land . The area around this Geyser that the mist ruled was off limits . within this area was 2 types of trees .

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
////This some say Adam Was with her . But later it tells she took the fruit to him . A great read is the Roman story of how Adam and Eve

////tended to the animals she got the female and he got the male and she met the serpent on Adams side . So you see the sexual view of this . ////But hay the Romans say that Eve and Seth went back to Eden and that Adam and Eve was immortal.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
////I know literal or figurative . Well guess what it is literal . But the manner of how you view the words is the problem. “ to sew fig leaves” they ////didn’t sit down with a needle and thread and stitch them together. To sew fig is to hide. You see hunters do it all the time . They call it ////camouflage .
////And to make apron is to hide behind or to cover up .

8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
////Cool of the day , I know what your thinking . BUT . If you have ever been in a sauna you would understand . And yes there is still 2 suns . ////And a no dark. But the suns are on opposite sides of the planet . So you have a brief period of shade when you are on the elips side .

////What gets me is the Wife . this is out of place with the rest of the storys . to be married is to have a child . so does this tell us that there was a child .

9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Christians say god knows and sees all . So is this like peek a boo. Or Marco Polo . No it is not . God does not watch over you all the time . He is ////not a vigalent God . They say God gave man free will . Wrong . Man took it .

10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
////This Guy is freaking out . Kind of like a drug addict peeping out a window.

11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
////Oh but God knows everything . And God was just testing Adam to see if he would not tell a lie . God did not know.

12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
////Great case of passing the buck . Meanwhile the serpent is in the back ground pointing to someone else .

14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
////First thing that comes to mind is Worms . Right. Well close .

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
////This puts me to mind of sitting in the Hospital a nervous wreck awaiting to find out if the baby is OK , is the wife OK . Pacing back and forth . ////Up and down on the seat . Head in hands elbows buried in the knees . but this was not directed to Adam . it was to the serpent .

16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
////Well if this was literal then some whear along the line the women retaliated.

17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
////Adam is going to have to learn a new trade . It wont be easy pickins from now on .

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
////if you recall the beasts will be eating of the herbs as meat . Now Adam will be as well . Grazing like a cow.

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
////This Bread . Not wounder bread . Bread in the bible has many meanings . And o this it is not bread you eat . It is more to the liking of eating ////crow. Or reaping what you sew .<man can not live by bread alone>

20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
////After all those years Eve finally got a name . < mother of all living . > again we go back to what a wife is . this tells she had a child .

21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
////Adam and the other men were made in the image of God . But . At this point Adam no longer looks like God . He now has flesh.

////Before Adam would have been almost transparent . And maby camilion like .

22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
////Here you have it . TWO trees . And now that Man has knowledge God must keep Man away from the other tree . Could you imagine Man as ////cruel as he is today being immortal .and note this is man not woman . woman was not to eat of any tree to start with . and only Adam was ////told not to eat of those trees . Eve was not . she was told not to eat of any .

23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Now you know Adam wasn’t made in the Garden or in Eden . He once had a land outside of Eden just like the other beings of men. And now ////Adam is cast out with them.

24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
////So one way in and one way out .

Chapter 4

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
////Adam knew Eve . Throught the text you will see this . You were not married like you are today . Today they say no premarital sex .

////But according to the text you are only married if a child is brought out from the union. And there is no divorce only death.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Cain saw his offering with no respect . Not God saw .

6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
////Cain working hard all day in the heat tilling the ground while his Bro just wonders around with the flock . .But what God was saying is if you ////done well why should you desire petting . Your hard work and diligence is your reward . So why do you need me to glorify you .

////It was you that done the work . And it is you that should reap the glory.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
////Romans have a funny story on this one .

9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
Father like son . The land will no longer yield to him .
12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

////Romans say the world was populated through incest . yet Cain fears death at everyones hands . He knows there is others out there . and ////they are not kinfolk .

15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
////This mark I doubt that it is a split nose or hairy body . That was the normal look those days . No the mark was a curse . And to me I think a ////very cool one . Cain was a big from birth and growing up tilling the land . He was a big sucker and strong . And Gods curse on Cain was a ////power of battle . No man could beat him in battle . And should any one ever get lucky enough to kill Cain then he would inherit the curse.
16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
This is were the Canaanites come from .
17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
////Cain has died at the hands of his own grandchild

25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

Chapter 5
////going to skip the family tree .
////OOPS that is a sin . OHHHH! Scary how the Christians think .

Chapter 6
1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

////this is referring to the men of the other gods . they still with the liking of there creator .

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
////This sons of God was not Gods . They were the beings created by the other Gods.
////Now the Other men of the Gods begin to mingle with the neighbor . A cross pollination.
////This is were Cain and Seth found there wives . And yes they were male and female in one .

3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
////Proof God is not always watching over your every move. SLOTH
4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

////those other men of the other gods did not just go after one they went after all . even the giants.

////some say the giants were result of those gods mating with the women . RIGHT > later the bible tels the truth .

////Most read the bible and think this just happened in a few years . But in fact this went on for a very long time . But keep in mind days are still not 24hr 7 days . There is still 2 suns in the sky and no rain . And every one is getting a little grumpy and seeking out greener pastures.

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
////Notice it doesn’t mention the Whales . Or the Sea . Not because it is a flood and how do you drown a fish . But this whale was not in water . Best the lands had was rivers and ponds . There was no oceans like we know today .

////now there seems to be something missing . God said i will destroy man . so did he or does god lie and sloth and just not keep his word .after all if god is so impatient to creat the world in 6 days then why wait to destroy man .
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

////take note that this is God . not Lord God .
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
////gopher wood is any wood available to do the task at hand . It is not a special tree. Remember this is a literal reading. And pitch I don’t think it is like HAY . Pitch is a lean or a tilt .

15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
/////This sucker is huge .
////And way to heavy to float. Even sealed it would be mostly submerged. And leaky . Even the ships to day have to be constantly pumped.

16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
////You see pictures of the ark with one door . But it had 3 doors . 3 decks and then the room on top of it all .

17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
////Could you Imagine a voice from no where telling you of a flood and to build this Ark . You have never seen waters to start with . And the neighbors are going nuts with you building this strange thing .

18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
////Now keep in mind there are no carnivores . Only herbivores. So you don’t have to worry about a hungry lion . There was no lions. There was no horses . The animals you know of don’t exist. After all you have an over population of people and giants to boot . If there is a animal that will kill , it will die fast.
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Chapter 7

1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
All of thy house he had many servant . They went with him .

2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
////Some say it was 7 pairs of 2 .Some say that it was only 2/2 they forget the other 7 . so much for Christian literal .

3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

////7 days after the ark is done there will be this flood. How long would it take you and 3 boys to build such a huge boat. It would take about 20 yrs . Only if the wood was available .

5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.
6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,
////notice the clean and unclean. this is important when you get to the offering on the mountain.

9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
////Pay close attention to the windows of heaven .

12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.
16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.
17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.
18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:
they ask what about the fish . If there was oceans then all that fresh water would have killed them and vice-a-versa . But as it says there was no Oceans no fish like we know of today ..the only fish spoken of is the whale and it is in the sky flying around.

22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

Chapter 8
1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;
2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.

Macanics of the flood
there was very little H2O on the face of the earth . It was all under the earth and in the air . The inviable fabric that made life possible in this vast cosmos that held back the waters of the heavens riped open. And all that precious oxygen nitrogen ECT . Rushed out creating a vacuum that literally sucked out the waters beneath the crust of the face of the earth . And with the air gone the planet was in a near zero gravity . This made the Ark float . Then it closed off . And all that H2O had time to replenish the oxygen in the air . Keep in mind that the earth took one hell of a beating during this . The continental plates broke in to several pieces like a clay pot dropped on the ground . And as they settled mountains were formed and valleys . But now the mountains were not nearly a high and the valleys not nearly as deep . Erosion leveled things out. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day we find bodys floating around in space that were sucked out . Or possibly we have and if so they wouldn’t tell us about it . Mostly because it would change the way religion has a grip on the people or the way people have a grip on religion. As the waters settled oceans were created . And new lands . So now the rivers and the places known before are all gone . Buried forever . When the Ark landed . The mountain was named in memory of the time before. And as the people spread out they came across lands that reminded them of the old world . So Euphrates as we know today is not the one told prior to the flood.

4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
it tells that they hit land . But that the birds found no land . So here you got a ship that is only being held above water because it is stuck on a Rock.
9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
after the ark was built 7 days later the flood began . Then for 40 days it rained . Then for 10 days they were adrift then after hitting land it all reversed itself . 40 days he waited then anther 7 days he sent out the birds . Later in Revelations you will see this reversal again. But there it is the deconstruction of the 6 days of creation.

11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
13 And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.

Not bad timing for 2 suns to dry things up .

14 And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.
15 And God spake unto Noah, saying,
16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
18 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him:
19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Chapter 9

1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
Again the world will be populated through incest. But don’t forget ALL OF HIS HOUSE . This includes his servants.
2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

In the beginning Adam was friend to the beasts . But for his sin he lost dominion over the beasts and the beings . And this caused havoc . Because the other beings no longer had there set place they were able to do as they willed .and now those beasts will no longer see man as good creature . They now are for food . Gone are the Green and the Fruit. So now the beasts are for meat.
3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
God is saying whats good for the goose is good for you . Not only will the beasts be for food but now so will man. And even man to man . For now man is food .
6 Whoso shedding man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Again mans place is to till the ground . And with no men no till. So God said for the earths sake God will not destroy all life again . And still there is no man to till the ground

14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

Later you will discover that Gods memory is not so good .
16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

Chapter 10

7 Churches of Revelations

December 4, 2008

The 7 churches of Revelations

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis , and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea,
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Asia

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1
Ephesus,

http://www.cogwriter.com/ephesuschurch.htm

http://www.cogwriter.com/era.htm

Tracing the history of the Christian church through the churches of Revelation 2 & 3 gives strong indications of who the descendants of the true church are today. This tracing provides information that demonstrates that the true Church of God (COG) is neither Protestant nor Eastern Orthodox nor Roman Catholic, but is truly the church that holds the same beliefs as the original apostles.

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2
Smyrna,

http://www.bibleplaces.com/smyrna.htm

Smyrna was the second city to receive a letter from the apostle John in the book of Revelation. Acts 19:10 suggests that the church there was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey. Due to the fact that the port city of Izmir houses the second largest population in Turkey today, the site of ancient Smyrna has been little excavated. Excepting the agora, theater, and sections of the Roman aqueduct, little remains of the ancient city.
Smyrna sat 35 miles north of Ephesus, built near the ruins of an ancient Greek colony destroyed in the 7th century B.C. Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, rebuilt Smyrna as a new Hellenistic city in the 3rd century B.C. The city was later established as a Roman commercial center with a port on the Aegean Sea. Scholars believe the city grew to about 100,000 by the time of the apostles Paul and John.
Lysimachus

http://virtualreligion.net/iho/lysimachus.html

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3
Pergamos,

http://www.cogwriter.com/pergamoschurch.htm

They were not popular with the Roman Catholics because they considered them to represent forces that were anti-Christ. Actually, as a Catholic source suggested that the Paulicians first came up with the papal-antichrist theory in the fourth to seventh century:

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4
Thyatira,
’Thyatira’’ means “the castle of Thya”. western Asia Minor in the province of Lydia,
Nothing of the ancient city of Thyatira remains in the Republic of Turkey. Near the Turkish city of Akhisar the ruins of a Byzantine church bear witness to the presence of the gospel in this area. Nearby are the ruins of a castle, probably the castle for which Thyatira and Akhisar were named. In Turkish Akhisar means “white castle”.

http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Thyatira

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5
Sardis, Sardis,Presbyterian Church

http://www.bibleplaces.com/sardis.htm

The Acropolis
Known biblically as the home of the church that received the fifth of letters to the seven churches in Revelation, Sardis was the capital of the Lydian empire and one of the greatest cities of the ancient world.
Located on the banks of the Pactolus River, Sardis was 60 miles inland from Ephesus and Smyrna.  The city was home to the famous bishop Melito in the 2nd century.
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6

Philadelphia, Presbyterian

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7
Laodicea,
The city is located in the Lycus River Valley together with Hierapolis and Colossae.  This valley is a natural route of travel from east to west.
The city was founded by the Seleucid king Antiochus II and named for his wife Laodice about 260 B.C.

http://www.bibleplaces.com/laodicea.htm

Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
“First, Desirable”
“Bitter Affliction”
“Earthly Heighth”
“Sacrifice of Labor”
“Prince of Joy”
“Love of A Brother”
“Just People”
33-70 AD
70-313
313-1157
1157-1367
1367-1517
1517-1874
1874-?
Paul
35-64 AD
John
70-100
Arius
313-336
Waldo
1157-1217
Wycliffe
1367-1384
Luther
1517-1546
Russell
1874-1916
7 Golden Candlesticks
First & Last, Dead and Alive
Sharp 2-Edged Sword
Eyes like Fire, Feet like Brass
Livest and
Art Dead
Key of David
Amen, Faithful & True Beginning of Creation
Left 1st Love
Synagogue of Satan
Antipas
Jezebel
Come as Thief
Hast Little Strength
Lukewarm
Nicolaitanes
Tribulation 10 Days
Balaam & Balac, Nicolaitanes
Depths of Satan
Defiled Garments
Keep from Hour of Temptation,
Hold Fast Crown
Gold Tried, White Raiment Eyesalve, Knock at Door, Sup with Him
Tree of Life
Crown of Life, Not Hurt of 2nd Death
Hidden Manna White Stone, New Name
Rod of Iron, Potter’s Vessel Morning Star
White Raiment, Confess Name to Father
Pillar in Temple, Name of God, New Jerusalem, & New Name
Sit in Christ’s Throne
For more detail, click on individual Church name.

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-NrZJ9n8ifr4Jtr0l1Sae6Vm1a45FAWU.ugyQQ2snz4oE;_ylt=AvdCwX2_M5wfd1nIUeJ3u9HHAOJ3

March 16, 2008

” Even a blind jack ass has its usefulness “

March 16, 2008

There once was a man and he had a mule and land . And they tended to the land and it provided well for them . One day the man came out to tend to the land and found that the trusted mule was blind in its age . The man prepared to kill the beast and began to lead it out to a good place . The mule kept pulling away and the man saw that the mule was leading to the plow . So the man hooked up the mule to the plow and the mule began to pull . And for many years the mule done this and the land provided .

” Even a blind jack ass has its usefulness “

Tribes of Ashland

March 16, 2008

 

PHAETHON (Pay’the’on) A son of the sun-god Helius who attempted to drive his father’s chariot. He lost control and after scorching the earth was struck down by the bolta of Zeus.

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Eddy Soltic;;;;;Employee at Lab Tech Designs;;;;code name nest,,,,one lab set to Analise data;;;;;phoenix

Zorya Eddys dog m

Lupercus.;;; Name given to Eddy after his death

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James Edward Scott;;;;;;Supervisor to Eagle Eye

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Areon;;;;(Air’eon)NASA,,,Assigned to aid Eddy in his research

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Alice;;;;; Single pregnant Mormon from office — mother to Hestia — died giving birth

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Srg.Acuff ;;;;;;;Old superior officer in administrations

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Reddy ;;;;Irish butler ——to Giato

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Mr Giato ;;;(Ge’auto);;;;Japanese wealthy man

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Tokako;;;(Tow’ga’go);;Giatos translator

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COALEMUS (Coal’e'mass) The personification of stupidity. wine

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Harold;;;;;;;Father of- 3 -construction engineer

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Darla;;;;;Mother of- 3 -wife of Harold , house wife , member of PTA — THEA (The’a)

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Tim;;;;;10 yr old youngest son — Tims dog – f – Chukwu (Chook’whoo’) GALENE(G’a'lean’ey) goddess of calm seas.”ship”

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Meg;;;; ME!ME!– 19 –oldest daughter HORAE –(Horai)

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Dave;;;;; Oldest son- 25 -where bouts UNKNOWN

 

 

 

Hestia ;;;;; (Hes’t'ah)child found —-Xolotl (Zoult). –female runt given to Hestia—.. guards her during the night on her dangerous journey through the underworld.

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Akta;;;;;A thick black substance extracted from the mossy ash lying beneath rubble . That takes on a sweet taste as it ferments . Contains great nutritional value.

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Qiqirn;;;(Quick’ren);Newt ;although harmless , looses its tail for a predator , The tail when eaten renders the predator unconscious as the newts feed on it with leach like tong.

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Bagat ;;;Large dog like creature with cat like teeth and long hair

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Buelt;;;(Beau’let);;The stone on top of this pile is imprinted with a dog’s paw-print

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Barghest;;(Bar’gest);;A monstrous dog with huge teeth and claws … People believe that anyone who sees the dog clearly will die soon –night watch–

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Brigid;;;(Bri’G'ed);;;;;The dried remain’s of the mossy ash ;;; burns long with a blue flame

—————————————————————————————————————————- Nancy;;; “Thalassa” — (Thu’les’uh) female visitor from the water.

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Sirens,,,(Sa’reen),” The black waters ” without danger of temptation,,,,,,,the body of water on the edge of Ashland.

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Captain Corgis;;;(Cor’guss);; Ali from sirens;;;ventures out of Ashland trying to rejoin the human race

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mermaden;;(Merr’muh’dien);;” People of the black waters “

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Jodie;;;;Wife and mother of one

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Doc. Holiday;;;;The town Doctor

 

 

Doug ;;;; Mr. fix it ——chief of disaster reliefs , fireman and in training for his medical license

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Frank;;;;Sheriff —-postal worker

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Dick Randall;;;;;; Mayor ——buss driver

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Alexa;;;;foster parent —- Helper and defender of mankind.

father owned the land that the power station was on died in the fire and willed everything to her she was a kindagarden teacher .

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Ares ;;;;; computer —GOD OF WAR—Global 35 . One of many bilateral base hidden underground

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Fort Euros;;;;;;Home to the South Eastern tribe ;;;

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theadore;;;;Leo;;;;Leader of the South Eastern tribe

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My name is Elisabeth please not beth;;;;HEDONE ( Hay’den) The goddess of pleasure,

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Mary ;;;aid to Eddy

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HYPNOS ;;;;(Hip’nas) the drink made from the akta and quqrins tail

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Zhu -(Zoo) “pig”

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Tadaklan—(Naud’a'ken)—–people of the northern tribe

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Bosphorus–(Bos’fur’es)–”cow”

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Rodja –(Roza)- Speaker for the tribe

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Wendigo;;;;; -(Win’dig’oh)—tribe leader

 

 

 

 

 

Laelaps-(Lee’a'pass)–female-gift to the northern tribe leader

Chukwu (Chook’whoo’) —female—-gift to Tim

Xolotl (Zoult). –female runt given to Hestia—.

Zorya Eddys dog male

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Commander Garret of the United Federation of Common Wealth

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Agent Doyal ;;;;employee to Eagle Eye— studies of the sun

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Shirley;;;;;Garrett s friend

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April;;;;;Leader of new nation

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Nonnus, weapons in Global

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Jim Taylor;;;;;Weapons specialist in charge of 12 globals

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EURUS (Euros);;;;;; The god of the East Wind ;;; first ship of the northern tribe

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laopex;;;;smallest of the Zhu favors an Ant-eater / Porky-pine

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“Tityos,”MOUNTAIN—–ROCKY

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Simurgh;;;;; gigantic, winged creature THANATOS

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Spart ;;;;leader of the cave tribe

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Tethya ;;;;;name given to Areon by the leader of the cave people

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Teramis;;;;The third king of Ashland

Apertol;;;; Decedent of Leo leader of eastern tribe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gytrash;;;;;dog

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GALENE;;;;;; The Nereid goddess of calm seas. Tims ship

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EURUS (Euros);;;;;; The god of the East Wind (or more specifically the South-East Wind).

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EURYNOMUS (Eurynomos) ;;;;A blue-black skinned demon of the underworld who ate away the flesh of the dead.

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Black Shuck;;;;;;A large dog that roams the Norfolk area. It is about the size of a calf and has saucer-shaped eyes that blaze green in the dark . comes upon belated travelers.

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HORAE (1) (Horai);;;;; Goddesses of the seasons and the heavenly measures of time. They were also the goddesses of order, representing peace, justice and good governance.

 

HORAE (2) (Horai);;;;; The goddesses of the twelve hours of day.

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TETHYS;;;;; The Titan goddess of the subterranean sources of fresh-water and the nursing of the young. She was the wife of the Titan Oceanus and bore him three-thousand fresh-water Nymphs and innnumerable Rivers.

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CHRYSUS (Khrysos) gold. cry’sis

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CETEA (Ketea);;;;;; The monsters of the sea. tooth of the spear

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CARPO (Karpo) ;;;;The frute eaten for strength

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“Leuka [in Italia] is a small town, and in it is to be seen a fountain of malodorous water; the mythical story is told that those of the Gigantes who survived at the Kampanian Phlegra and are called the Leuternian Gigantes were driven out by Herakles, and on fleeing hither for refuge were shrouded by Mother Ge (Earth), and the fountain gets its malodorous stream from the ichor of their bodies.”

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“He [Zeus] laid his celestial weapons well hidden with his lightning in a deep cavern [while he lay with his lover Plouto]. From underground the thunderbolts belched out smoke, the white cliff was blackened; hidden sparks from a fire-barbed arrow heated the water-springs; torrents boiling with foam and steam poured down the Mygdonian gorge, until it boomed again. Then at a nod from his mother, the Earth [Gaia], Kilikian Typhoeus stretched out his hands, and stole the snowy tools of Zeus, the tools of fire . . . he [Typhon] leapt up [on hearing the music of Kadmos’ pipes] and dragged along his viperish feet; he left in a cave the flaming weapons of Zeus with Mother Gaia (Earth) to keep them.”

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Statius, Thebaid

“He straightway bids altars twain to be wreathed with living trees and well-grown turf, and on them, in honour of the goddess [Gaia], he flings countless flowers, her own bounty, and heaps of fruit and the new produce of the tireless year, and pouring untouched milk upon the altars he thus begins : `O eternal Createress of gods and men, who brings the seeds of life throughout the world, first gave nourishment and varied food to famished men, that encompass land and the sea; in thy power is the gentle race of cattle and the anger of wild beasts and the repose of birds; round thee, firm, steadfast strength of the unfailing universe, as thou hangest in the empty air the rapid frame of heaven and either chariot doth wheel, O middle of the world, unshared by the mighty brethren . Therefore art thou bountiful to so many races, so many lofty cities and peoples, while from above and from beneath thou art all-sufficient, and with no effort carriest thyself star-bearing Atlas who staggers under the weight of the celestial realm.’”

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HESPERIDES;;;;; The goddesses of evenings and sunsets. They were responsible for the tree of the golden apples which Gaea presented to the goddess Hera on her wedding day. HEMERA (Hemere) The Protogenos (Primeval goddess) of day. She was a daughter Night and Darkness and the sister of Light.

—————————————————————————————————————————-EPIONE;;;;; The goddess of soothing. She was the wife of the medicine-god Asclepius.

kynalopex, dog-fox,

 

SPARTI (Spartoi) A race of earth-born warriors, which sprang fully grown with armour and weapons from the sown teeth of the Dragon of Ares.

ASTRA PLANETA The gods of the Wandering Stars or Planets. The foremost of these were Hesperus (Venus) and Pyroeis (Mars).

 

The Legacy of Ashland

March 16, 2008

ASHLAND

March 15, 2008

ASHLAND

Patch of heaven

1

Patch of heaven” they called it ! It was the only part of the moon that seldom saw the earth , but what it did see was what made it so important . It made a perfect spot to set up “Eagle Eye”, a telescope , forever gazing into the heavens . Sheltered from the sun , it was able to look farther than man ever hoped to see . For years after it was given life . Eagle Eye was kept secret from the world below . Known only to a handful , those who kept its secret soon found it impossible to keep it that way .

Eagle Eye picked up an object in the distant heavens “PHAETHON,” stable for eons, a planet orbiting in its own Galaxy . For the distance and the time, the light from it reached Earth The time scale was ancient . So when it vanished , It brought a stain of curiosity with it and soon terror would follow .

The rouge planet was found again in its sister Galaxy a few years later . By this time Eagle Eye was no more than a myth , for those who knew of it were dead or just didn’t care . Eagle Eye was turned over to a hand full of treckys whom wouldn’t speak of it , even to one another outside of the lab . As time drew on and the planetary satellite moved from one Galaxy to another . The buzz around the office grew as they mapped its travels , crunching its numbers and readying a prototype simulator so they could get a better mental grasp on what it was that had their undying attention ,

a kind of a time lapse video, if you will .

This one over ages, not hours .

Time moved on, as did most of the treckys; moved on to better pay and more prestigious life . All but one .

James Edward Scott . He was married to the program. So dedicated to it that he would do it for free . And he might as well since he lived , ate and breathed it. Last time he saw daylight he was no more than a statistic. Thirteen years later he was more like the desk in the corner, bolted to the floor when the lab was built . No one ever used it for more than a good place to set the microwave and coffee maker. The drawers used only to hold napkins , plastic wear , straws and lost items found over the years . None the less, it was there. So was James, a permanent fixture, defiant to leave its confinement.

Order of things

2

Eddy , a new gazer , with fantasies of taking flight into the unknown to distant planets and beyond . He really didn’t fit in to the nerdy ways of those before him . He was a renegade , leather jacket all year round and a motor bike that he started building when he was twelve . Eddy like most kids in a single parent, low income family, wore his life on the sleeve of his dingy white tee shirt and the grease permanently embedded in his hands , signs of his only earthbound pleasures in life. Just one of the few things left behind , alongside a wife ,kids, and a stack of unpaid bills. ,

I guess that was his desk in the corner . I guess every one has a desk in the corner. Under all that hair was a mind of unlimited wonder. And behind that battered leather jacket beat the heart of a true scholar. Hell , he looked more like a janitor than a MIT, 3rd of 75 graduates . I wouldn’t be surprised if he would have been first if he looked more like a nerd than a hippie biker thug .

After all, it was he alone that foresaw the inconceivable , the phenomenal things of witch to come .

Alice , forty-five and single , got pregnant by the first guy she offed her virgin body to, and was never seen again. It’d be sure to change her life forever , as it would any strict Mormon family . Alice had to take early leave due to difficulty’s, handing off her assignments to the others as she saw fit .

Eddy , he got the turd load ! That was the reference describing the boring chore of tracking any abnormal movement . By now the planet that seemed to relocate every few years had become a drag that no one wanted to have on their desk assignment .

After a few days, Eddy started taking a closer look digging into files that had been poked atop a shelf, behind the old employee records . Thirty-five boxes of research that was nothing less than breath taking . Not so much because of the volumes , but of the ages of dust they harbored .

Eddy;;;;;”Excuse me , Mr. Scott ! I have a new assignment. And well , there’s quite allot of records to go through before I can get a firm grip on things. Would it be okay if I took it home with me to go over ?

James;;;; “What is it that you have there?”

Eddy;;;; “Well that’s just it , I really don’t know .”

James ;;;;; “Let me see what you have there.”

Eddy handed James the last transcript. James looked over it , then peered over his trifocals at Eddy then asked .

Degrees

3

James;;; “Do you have any idea what this is, son?”

Eddy nervously answered , not wanting to sound like he should be a janitor, “Well, Sir from what I can tell, its a meteor but,,,”

James interrupts Eddy’s silence with an encouraging,

“”WELL GO ON ! OUT WITH IT SON”.

Eddy;;; “Well according to the scale ! They show it . Well, it’s not small enough to be a commit , or meteor.”

James nods as he leans forward, still peering over his specks, handing the thick stack of papers to Eddy then refusing to let go when Eddy went to retrieve them .

James stood up and leaned over to Eddy saying to him in a reverent tone ,

You know that anything in this office stays in this office ! You will need clearance.”

Days passed. Nothing more than daily grind went on when MR. Scott walked up to Eddy , handing him a envelope and saying” Don’t let this get in the way of your roster. “Remember ! We are already light years behind ” smiles and walks away . Eddy eagerly opens the envelope, stops to take a look around to see if anyone is watching . He pulls out a laminated card baring A level 6 access .

Weeks passed, then months. Eddy was still the new guy, mostly because he kept to himself . Early to work, last to go home , always crunching at his desk with a yellow sticky on his monitor that reads

light years behind ” .

Eddy;;; “Mr. Scott ! If I may trouble you ?”

James replied with a surprised look on his face “You still here ?” then laughed .

Eddy chuckled;;; “ I have been going over the old files . I ran into a problem , according to the graph . It seems that the object is bouncing around like a pinball being sling shot by other planets gravity, to change its direction .

I converted the old files and made a new simulation and ,,,,well , It seems that the old records are wrong.

Think you could take a look at what I have so far, Its only about 30 min long.”

James;;; “Sure Eddy! Go ahead get it started in the dark room and ill take a look.”

Time for change

4

Eddy;;;; “Well, actually , I haven’t got that far . I only have it on my laptop .”

James;;; “Okay, Lets see.”

Eddy opens his PC , places it on top of papers James was working on that partly covered the schedule for tomorrows horse race.

James watches the clip then sits back in his chair removing his glasses and rubs his eyes. He pauses a moment , looks at Eddy and asks if he could have a copy of his findings. Eddy reaches down, ejects the Cd, then pulls a protector from the inside pocket of his jacket and hands it to James. He closes his laptop, picks it up, pauses a moment looking into James blood shot eyes then heads back to his desk.

Few days later James comes into the office , late for the first time since his heart attack. A woman enters behind him. Her hair pined up and an outfit that looks like something from a 70s sitcom , wire rim glasses that kept sliding off her dainty nose . They approached Eddy , James introduced the lady as Areon Lukas from NASA. The woman stuck out her hand for a greeting , then pushed her glasses back onto her face hiding a coy smile. “Mr. Scott came to me with something you have been working on and I was hoping we could get together and see what else you can come up with.” covering her blush as she pushed her glasses back onto its perch and clearing her throat.

Eddy replied with a shy “ I’d love to. ” James interrupted “Well , I will let you kids get to it then. ” excusing himself to Areon then passing a wink to Eddy as he turns to walk away.

Eddy gets up and goes into the corner and swiping the chair from the desk that became a beverage counter, looks up to Areon, points to the coffee pot then returns as she nods. The room goes silent of its typing and shuffling of papers . Eddy gets the feeling that he is being watched and scans the room to confirm . He sets the chair down, wipes it off then swaps his chair a nice leather with lumbar support for the old oak stool, and asks Areon to please have a seat .

Eddy;;;; “Where would you like to start ?”

Areon;;;;;”Well ! Lets begin with where you got the info for the simulation.”

Weeks passed as Areon and Eddy pounded out the boxes from storage, cramming them into one program to simulate 40 billion years of travel through the vacuum of space into a 3 hour optical ride . Reluctantly , Eddy agreed not to disagree with Areon’s suggestion to add music to the program.

New order of things

5

Her reasoning was that the recording has sound, so why not use it?

Upon arrival to the office, Eddy was surprised to see that someone had taken over his desk . He was a large man, wearing a military suit, but had no markings as to his stature. As Eddy approached the man, Scott cut him off and informed him to report to administrations for his new assignment. when Eddy inquired about his work Mr. Scott assured him not to worry , that his new assignment will answer all his questions .

When he arrived at administrations he was relived to see a familiar face .

Areon was sitting in her best poise in the hall with her briefcase and a box at her feet . It to was a familiar sight . It was the box that they had been filling with the research of the many boxes at the office . She sees him , stands up composes herself, trying not to smile and hides what part of the smile she couldn’t contain with her hand as she pushed her glasses back onto its small perch. She then gave him a well good morning as she cleared her throat, then remarked how she felt as though she was in JR. high awaiting to see the Principal . Eddy thought little of this He couldn’t see her getting sent to the office unless she was delivering something for a teacher in confidence that she wouldn’t get nosy on the way . They both gave a nervous giggle as they were interrupted by the opening of a door across the hall .

A short, overweight secretary “Good you’re both here! Sgt . Acuff will see you now .” Then moved aside holding the door open , her girth left little room for entry . Areon and Eddy made due so not to offend the lady .

A small older man sat in the adjoining room, pressed between a huge desk and a over- stuffed book shelf that wrapped the room from top to bottom, leaving not enough room for the collection of books that scattered the floor . Some used as a table for a pipe and ashtray, and one provided a makeshift stand for an already dead plant beneath a small window, over -stuffed with frames . The little man insisted “ sit ” with a wrinkled smile styling his too white to be real teeth for his age and a smoker to boot . Eddy clear off one of the old leather chairs . Elegant in its time but badly battered for its use over the ages, then cleared one in the corner for himself . Taking the hefty box from Areon and placing it on his lap , trying not to look around at the mess .

Sargent;;; “Well , seems like the two of you have ruffled some feathers .”

No place like home

6

Eddy ;;;; “Sir. If I may, we didn’t mean to ”

Cut short of his response. Sargent interrupted with a hearty chuckle .

Its OK ! I was one of the first missioner’s of Eagle Eye . The object that you have been researching has been a skeleton in the closet for a long time and we need to know what more you have found . I’ve read over your report and I get the impression that you left out allot ! Am I wrong ?”

Eddy;;; “Well , Sir. there are a few things, but they are mostly theories with no suitable information to support it.”

Sgt.;;; “Well , I want to hear it all ,no matter how trivial it may seem.”

After A few hours of cramming everything into the little mans head, he excuses himself.

A half hour later, three men entered the room followed by the little man . The most decorated of them asked Eddy and Areon to follow them . They all walked outside to a set of suburbans waiting at the bottom of the stairs .

After opening the doors for Eddy and Areon , the three men got into the first truck . The drive was long but comfortable, not making any stops on the way . It seemed strange but they were too baffled to question anything .

Deep in the woods they arrived to a complex Fenced in with security guards fully armed protecting a lawn rolling out to meet what looked to be a castle from a medieval time. Adorned with ivy , plumed with blooming trees and an orchard of blooming plants that , together filled the air as its fragrance was carried gently by the wind .

The truck carrying the three men stopped in front but the truck carrying Eddy and Areon continued to the back towards a little cottage , placed on the edge of the property, both a mile or so apart. The cottage seemed a bit out of place , with the aerial antenna that stood towering above even the castle itself , barely swaying to the breeze with its cabling running six different directions.

It supported a dozen or so dishes, some looked like none the two had ever seen . The truck stopped in front of the cottage the driver and co-pilot opened the doors , then escorted the two in. Stopping to unlock the door with an odd shaped key , then turning to hand Eddy and Areon each one of their own . After giving the two a speedy tour through the cottage, the driver and his partner left .

Guests

7

Areon was quick to point out that the door locked as the men left and tried to open it , but it wouldn’t budge. She tried her key and it opened , she peeked out to see nothing but the massive manicured lawn that lay in view of the rear left side of the main building . Relieved, she closed the door, turned to Eddy and gave him a “whew !” of relief as she made her way to the kitchen to prowl through the fridge and cabinets, constantly pushing her glasses to their best behavior .

Satisfied , She asked Eddy if he’d like a drink. He agreed and they went into the living room and had a seat . Eddy picked up a remote from the coffee table and started discovering its potential . It seemed to do everything but flush the toilet . This concept took more of his attention than Areon was willing to sacrifice . She snatched the remote from his hands then hoped into a new position , with one leg in the couch facing him, smiling a big smile, then adjusting her glasses and responded with a

What is going on here ? Are we in trouble or what ?”

Eddy slumped down into the soft couch closing his eyes and propping his boots on the table in front of him saying .

I think we will know very soon! “

Areon gave a light toss of the remote onto Eddy’s crossed arms and turned herself into a slumped position , kicking off her heels and propping her feet on the table by her toes . They waited silently, resting before a knock on the door snapped them both up as thought they were doing something they were not suppose to be doing in the first place .

They stood, composed themselves as the door unlocked .

A jolly man waddled in introducing himself with a sluggish Irish accent as the butler “Just call me Reddy ! Everyone does , better that than the alternative .” He then bellowed a hearty laugh and asked if there was anything they required. Eddy and Areon both stood like children awaiting a lolly-pop from grandma, shrugged their shoulders with a nod. They both looked at one another and said . “We are fine thank you.”

Reddy;;;; “There will be someone to come out to clean on Fridays . During that time you may want to make yourself scarce. The ladies that clean are very feisty Greeks that speak no English, but you will know when they are complaining because they are talking . I for one make myself scarce often when they are around and if you require anything ,anything at all , just let me know. My number is on the phone , anytime , anytime at all , just give me a buzz .

early to rise

8

The master of the house sends his apologies, as he was called away at the last minute and will be back in a few days to see you . Until then, make yourselves at home and should you need to go anywhere, the drivers number is on the phone as well. However, if you prefer not to have a driver, he will bring a car around . There is a pool, use it if you like- and there is a gaming room. Do either of you play the Q ball ? I do so love to myself but sadly there is no competition at this lovely resort .” With a hearty laugh he excused himself and out the door he went

The next few days Eddy and Areon bides their time with their research, making use of the excellent accommodation that required so many dishes on the massive areal Antenna , witch was linked directly to Eagle Eye .

Four days later and not a moment to soon ! Friday came early when the two grumpy little maids from Greece arrived, ushering Eddy and Areon out the door as politely as they knew how ,which was indeed quite rude . But Eddy and Areon was starting to feel the bite of cabin fever and with such a warm day, they thought to make use of the rest of the property . After a botched game of billiards and a grand game of hit the tree with golf balls, they retired to the pool .

Eddy saw fit to dive in with his boots and his jacket on, as he came up for air trying to sling as much water Areon’s way as he could saying,” Guess this is laundry day”. Areon rolled her eyes and secured herself a sunny spot in a nearby sun chair .

The jolly butler that dubbed himself as “Reddy” came out to see if he was needed and offered a verbal list of drinks and snacks . Areon turned down the list, but Eddy seeing the mans eagerness to serve placed an order as though he was at a diner, but with a bit of sarcasm in it .

Eddy;;;” Yes ! I’d like one scotch , one Bourbon , one beer and a side order of chips! ” The butler responded with a ‘very well Sir ‘ and went back indoors, placing fresh towels on the bar as he went . Areon laughed , removing her glasses, telling Eddy ‘he should be ashamed ‘ then laid down to enjoy the sun . Eddy pulled off most of his clothing down to his looms then made a few laps, making sure to splash wildly when he came near Areon, but she never flinched .

Soon the butler returned caring a tray with one bottle and two glasses surrounding a bowl of chips , nuts, a variety of veggies and dip placing it on the table beside Areon

master invitation

9

Reddy called to Eddy “Your drinks Sir.” Areon laughed uncontrollably as Eddy climbed out of the pool shaking the water off like a dog . Aiming to saturate Areon, but mostly only succeeded in giving the butler a nice spritz. Eddy apologized , as Reddy wiped the breast and sleeve of his tailored jacket suit, accepting the apology and asking , “Will there be anything else?” Eddy gave a calm “Thank you , that will be all for now Reddy ! ” As he slugged back one shot chasing it with a swig of beer trying hard not to make a face, he then slugged the second one but couldn’t stomach a chaser . Eddy sat down with a forced exhale . Reddy said “There is bathing suits in the bungalow , for the Mrs !”

Areon replied without a look “Thank you, but no thanks and it is Miss. all the same . ” And with that the butler raised a fluffy eyebrow to Eddy as he headed back to the door .

Early the next morning , Eddy and Areon was awakened by the sound of a helicopter landing in the open grounds , then lifting off . With raised voices in the distance still muffled by the rotors. Soon their were footsteps at the door and a knock. By the time Eddy made it to the living room, still half undressed , Areon was opening the door . The voice behind it came a greeting, not in English, then an interpreter announced , “Good morning ! Sorry to wake you so early, but Mr. Giato is eager to get started . ” The foreign voice, either Chinese , Japanese or some Asian dialects, continued as the interpreter continued speaking over the voice . “I sincerely apologize for my absence and trust that you have been taken well care of . May we come in?”

Areon ;;;” Of course! It is after all your house . ” The interpreter translated, He and Giato both laughed and entered .

Areon, being the lady she was, offered them both a drink . They both declined and offered breakfast instead at the main house, stating that it will be ready by the time they strolled that direction. If Eddy and Areon will ready themselves, the men will wait .

Gathering themselves in a rush, Eddy and Areon readied themselves for a nice mile or so walk to the main house . Soon joining the men awaiting in the living room whom both stood as Eddy and Areon entered the room .

The sun was just past horizon behind them. A cool breeze to their face brought a sense of long forgotten pleasures of life they had missed out on for so long living in the big cities, always in a climate controlled building and long nights working and weekends recovering in bed .

food for thought

10

The stroll was brisk. The little foreigner wasted no time , like a child ready to return home .

They reached the rear of the house to a table that was not there the day before, but was placed eloquently to service four. A roller cart sat steaming in the cool morning air . The smell of blueberries and coffee filled the area with sweet remembrance .

The ladies of the house were out the door before the group could sit . Reddy was soon to join, with his tailored suit and a towel over his right forearm . As the ladies sat the feast before the group , Reddy followed with fresh juice, and then coffee , which he prepared, on the small wagon tray . Three different newspapers lay in the middle of the table . Eddy chose one and scanned through it. He noticed that all the fliers were removed and only the important stories remained . Since there were no cartoons, he placed the paper back returning it to the position he picked it up.

The talk was small, mostly between Mr. Giato and his translator till Giato spoke up in broken English but with great syntax. “How long have you been working on the program Mr. “… Eddy cut him off “Please , EDDY is fine ! “

Giato ;;;”Very well ,’ EDDY’ forgive me for my English “

Eddy :;;;;;”I will, so long as you get to the point of why we are here !”

Areon gives Eddy a kick to the shin .

Areon;;;;” Not to complain, it is lovely here , but this is quite unusual .”

The interpreter speaks to Giato, lifting his leg as he speaks Laughing . They both looked at Areon, and continued conversing between themselves, until the interpreter spoke to Eddy and Areon.

My name is Tokako. I am Mr . Giato’s liaison, or how you say his right hand . We are interested in your findings from Eagle Eye, and we are very concerned with your translation of the information . We have had many people going over your work , all of which is very impressing . What we are concerned about is its path. As far as we can tell from your model, it appears to be heading this way. However, we’re not sure how , when , or where .

Mr Giato responded to Eddy “You are sure ? YESS?”

Eddy stared at Tokako and replied with a nervous “Yes.”

Areon broke in “What are you talking about ?”

Eddy , still staring at Tokako, said, “Sorry Areon, there is something I didn’t tell you! I altered one part of the path.

News

11

I was hoping I was wrong , but the more we know, the closer it is .”

Areon;;;” Closer ? What is?”

MR.Giato;;;; ” THE END .”

Interrupted by a phone call , MR. Giato had to excuse himself. Eddy , Areon and Tokako retreated to the game room .

Tokako;; “So, why did you hide your true findings, even from your co-worker?”

Eddy;;; “Well , for one thing, I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure. I was afraid that if I did say something that the department of defense would take it from me .”

Eddy turns to Areon and apologizes

Areon accepts . “I understand, but that wasn’t why I was sent to you .There is something I didn’t tell you. I have been working on the same project ,but my field was mapping the systems that it had already passed through .”

Eddy ;;;”Bummer ! Wish you were mapping the ones it hadn’t passed through, that would be more helpful.”

Tokako ;;; “What do you mean? “

Areon cuts in, “If we had a mapping of the systems that it ‘will’ pass through, we could have a better idea were it will go . Will it hit in another Galaxy or continue to slide right on through to us ?”

Eddy ;;; “Yes , But that still doesn’t figure as to how much momentum it will gain, or loose .”

Tokako ;;;” You saying it is getting faster?”

Eddy ;;;”Yes. The last system it passed through it gained ten percent of its momentum .”

Areon:::”Ten percent , that puts it at… what, twice the speed of light ?”

Eddy ;;;”Yes, that’s why it is so hard to catch. As it gets caught in the gravitational field of a solar star, it makes a free trip around and jumps off. kind of like a child dangling his feet off the merry-go-round then trying to get off the ride, only there is nothing to stop this free ride .”

Tokako;;; “So , you need a mapping, we can take care of that .”

Tokako reaches into his breast pocket, pulling out a phone . He speaks in his native tongue, then hangs up and excuses himself .

Eddy looks at Areon and asks if she’s okay , but she just stares off into nothing , then walked slowly to the bar in the corner . She takes out a bottle, pours a drink and downs it ; then another and another, until she looses her breath .

Toast to the Gods

12

Eddy takes the bottle from her, puts his hand on Areon’s shoulder, and tells her to take it easy. She starts crying . Eddy holds her close, taking advantage of the chance to enjoy the smell of her hair. He noticed the perkiness of her body pressed against his . He then composed himself , cups his hands over her cheeks, smiles and says . “Its not the end. It might just be passing through, just like the rest of the cosmos, on its way to someplace else.”

Giato walks in With a embarrassed expression, ” Pardon me ! I don’t mean to intrude.” He turns to exit but Areon stops him sobbing “NO ! It’s okay ! I am just a bit moody. It’s a female thing. I will be okay !” She then excuses herself and leaves the room.

The day drew on and little was said as to what brought all of them together . Areon made herself scarce, which was for the best. She was in no mood to join three men cheering over shots of con yak and chasing it with whatever was handy .

The conversation was mostly overlooked with missed communications, but non the less was understood by all as they fought over who gets to pour the next round .The thought of Areons absence no doubt crossed the three sobering, loud and obnoxious drinkers but the thought fleeted with the next round of shots from a venting COALEMUS .

Lunch proved to be a big hit , not much was eaten most of the food went on the table , their laps and soon the floor . By diner time the men decided it would be best if they just rustled up something from the kitchen themselves , though not seemingly a grand idea for the cooks whom saw fit to escape the raid rather than to try beating the men out of the room like raccoons in a trash can after the Holiday feast .

Dawn did not see fitting to creep in the next morning, instead it came bursting through the glass wall Like a runaway train . Eddy was the first to stir , As he woke, the first thing brought to his attention was the light . The second, was the not nearly empty bottle that seemed to be using his finger as a cork, which he discovered as he threw his hands over his face shielding himself from the sun . ‘ Which seemed to be exceptionally brighter this morning after’ . Like a vampire from a rated B movie joined with the three stooges, he cold caulked himself in the head .

Eddy rose from his chair and made a bumbled dash to the door that became his crutch for a spell . Inside the game room he found Tokako , sprawled out on his back , legs dangling from knees down and one shoe missing .

Far from home

13

Eddy took aim and headed for the pool table , he noticed a retched smell in the air , checking himself to be sure , then noticed that Tokako , not only made good use of the table as a bed , but the side pocket to rid himself of his upset stomach as well .

Eddy headed on into the den were he found Giato , curled up on the floor with his thumb in his mouth ’so much for prestige’ Eddy thought as he made his way to the restroom , fumbling for the light like a blind man ‘he thought he might sit this one out ‘ when Eddy finished he started removing his shirt and jacket from over his head , with some difficulty , but not nearly as much as trying to get the bottle through the sleeve , till he remembered about the zipper , he then started kicking off his boots , witch landed him toward the tub , where he wanted to be just not head first . Eddy finally ready for a nice shower and strong hopes of getting the bottle free of his thumb .

After a few failed attempts to get the water just right , he settled on one setting , leaning in to it with his head just under the shower and his left arm to give support .

He fell into the pulse of the massage , till he had a sudden urge to scream in pain as the bottle released its claim of the thumb and fell to hit just the tip of Eddy’s smallest toe . Such a small thing , one that will make a man speak in a language unknown to even himself .

A knock at the door faded into Eddy’s cloud of pain “HAY! I need ” buaaaa , Never mind ” Eddy’s moment of pain just turned into a case of don’t laugh or you will never stop moment that worsened as he thought about the vase on the half round table just outside the door and wondering if Tokako was able to fill it .

Eddy turned off the water , opened the shower curtain , looking around only to come to the assumption that the bath towels were in the closet across the room. Eddy sat down to prepare himself before taking such a perilous trip for such a trivial thing as a towel .

After a good drip dry , Eddy forgot all about the towel and got dressed .

Mr. Giato still in his fetal position , but Tokako was no wear to be found , Eddy decided to head home , thinking the walk will do him some good , then realizing after the walk was over that it done him absolutely no good. Just as he made it to the front door his stomach decided this is a good place to evacuate .

Morning after

14

The door was not locked , witch was a good thing , Eddy didn’t think he could manage the lock much less find the key , he made way to his room , took aim an made a crash landing .

Eddy woke to the smell of coffee, eggs , bacon and toast and wondered how such a wonderful smell could turn his stomach inside out

Areon;;; ” Well ! How was your night ?”

Eddy;;; “Oh!! it was fabulous ! Thank you ! And how was yours? “

Areon;;; with a loud voice ;; “Better than your morning ! “‘as she smashed a plate , cup and silverware onto the table . ‘

Eddy;;; “Gees ! whats gotten into you ?”

Areon;;;; “Just eat , we got work to do !”

After breakfast they went into the lab were a flashing light on fax machine indicating ‘ reload paper ‘, it had went through a full load dumping it neatly on the floor behind its desk. Eddy reloaded the fax with the paper hit ready then picked up the stack from the floor sat down looking through the long list of data . The next thing Eddy knew he was waking up on the floor , he took a look around , checking out the clock on the way, that read 7 :15 but no indication as to AM or PM .

Eddy dreaded to find out . If it was Pm. he had a very long night ahead of him . But if it was Am. then he had slept thought the day and night , leaving Areon to go through all the data from the fax by herself .

Which was flashing again , not just for paper this time , but for ink as well , Eddy filled them both , hit ready and carried the spent paper with him.

Following the sound of music and smell of coffee . Areon was at the diner table sitting on one leg , without looking up she used her coffee cup as a pointer toward the coffee pot saying . “Its fresh !”

Eddy poured himself a cup then topped hers off . Areon never took her eyes off the ejected papers from the fax machine . Eddy took a good notice that the room was cool by the protrusion in Areons silk night gown . He made sure to sit at the end of the table , so the papers that had her full attention did not obstruct his view.

Areon took a sip from her cup and said “You know ! I been thinking if this thing does come our way , what do we do with that knowledge , and is their anything we can do to prevent , what ‘might ‘ happen.”

After 2 weeks of crunching numbers into a visual concept the day came to soon , the board of defense wants to know what is going on ,outside of their reach and weather or not it will effect the world .

Moment to soon

15

Or so say the letter that was hand delivered by three very well dressed well armed and well built solders.

Aeron;;;;;;”Dam ! I cant believe they are going to push this before we have compiled all the data .”

Eddy;;;;” Well ! I guess they figured that with all the help we have it should be done by now . Maby if we cut out the music .

Areon;;;;”Oh ! do shut up !”

Eddy;;;”;I’m just kidding ! “with a laugh ‘ he walks up to Areon and hugs her from behind , whispers to her “All we can do , is what we can do , after all , we are already light years behind.”

Areon starts to cry as she turns in his arms and returns the embrace “But its not fair ! To be able to tell the future , but not change it !’

Eddy ;;;”Good thing we are not gods.”

Areon pulls back : “What is that suppose to mean?”

Eddy;;;”Well ! if we were gods , their wouldn’t be a hint of danger ! And were is the fun in that. ”

Areon pushes Eddy away ” You don’t take anything serious ! do you Eddy ?”

Eddy;;;”Oh ! Contrary , I do , I am just better at hiding it ! May be to good !”

Areon turns back to Eddy with a curious look .

Eddy;;;”Well ! If I wasn’t so good at it , I wouldn’t be sleeping alone!”

Areon steps closer “Are you trying to tell me something? “

Eddy starts to speak but his words came short as Areon closes the gap between with a kiss . A long ! Over due! kiss.

Back at their computers , crunching out the numbers , that might fortune tell of demise to all that is dear to mankind.

Eddy leans back in his chair running his fingers through the length of his hair . ” Its done ! or at least as done as we have time for .”

Areon ;;;”Hows that possible?”

Eddy;;;”Well ! Basically they want to see the important stuff , so ‘ I just skipped over a few dull moments , were the satellite just passes through , or by a Galaxy with little or no effect . ”

Areon;;;; “Smart thinking ! I knew their was a good reason For keeping you around .”

Eddy ;;;”Ha!!!Ha!! ” As he pulls Areon into his lap and plays back their hard work in high speed “:And I didn’t have to cut the music line out after all.”

Areon smiles , and Eddy suddenly realizes that she is no longer wearing glasses , just before she kisses him.

Admittance

16

Areon gets up , taking Eddy by the hand leading him out of the room , Eddy takes notice of the sun dress that replaced the drab uniform Aeron wore so sportingly when they first met .

All to early the next morning the two nesting birds woke to a familiar nagging of the maids , confused , knowing that today wasn’t Friday .

A small voice came from behind the jarred door. “Excuse me!” Ar’ you Decent ?” with its broken English .

The door crept open , and the small woman entered with two garment bags , she placed at the foot of the bed with its tossed sheet and no sign of top blanket . Eddy and Areon lay cuddled to one another as the woman continued.

Maid’;;;;;;”You get up now ! I fix you breakfast ! You like?”

Eddy and Areon looked to one another, nodded in agreement and responded with a .

Yes we like !”

The woman closed the door fully . As she left the familiar bickering began .

Eddy and Areon scrambled to the bath room to get first dibs , but since it was a Tye breaker , they decided to share the rewards.

Eddy and Areon arrived in the kitchen to a fragrance becoming of a fine meal .

After breakfast of 5 minute eggs bacon , French toast, fresh juice and coffee . Areon readied their findings and speech they so passionately made for the administrate of defense .

The sound of a helicopter filled the air and entered their body’s with the deep rumble mixed with the engine and propellers as it landed . This time much closer .

Eddy , didn’t take to air travel as well as Areon did . So to his relief the trip wasn’t long , but still to long for his liking .

The helicopter landed in what appeared to be an abandoned steal mill , but was well guarded . The soldiers waiting , adorned with their stripes , and armament , lead Eddy and Areon into an open area large enough the chopper could have landed in . Men swarmed the vacant area and above . All silent and poised in their best posture befitting a well seasoned soldier .

A small table sat in mid point of the massive structure , atop it a odd looking camera attached with an umbilical cord to a generator and the same odd dish that clung to the areal antanaa back at the cottage . A voice arose from the unit

Counsel

17

V;;;;”Testing ! Testing ! Will you confirm ! Stop! ” Areon spoke up firmly , as though she had done this before , “Yes ! We read you loud and clear ! Will you confirm”

V;;; ” I read you 5 by 5 ! ” Stop.”

A soldier approached with verbal instructions . ” when you finish speaking say ‘ STOP ‘ clearly after you are spoken to , wait a moment before speaking .” handing Eddy a small remote switch “Press the button before you address , if you address the whole group say “group” , if you address a single say the name of the single .” He then goes to the table and lowers a screen beneath it “This will tell you who is addressing you in the same manner . Their are 39 single members that you will address , one being the president and his vice . Speak clearly, for your words are being translated accordingly and you are being recorded so try not to make any sudden moves . Stand in this circle , the switch itself is also a microphone so hold it toward your chest . And I emphasize “Speak clearly and try not to run your words together or to fast “. we will begin in a few moment would you like a chair .

Eddy ;;; “Well ! will this take long ? If so just be ready with seats just in case .”

Areon asked for a stool to use for the laptop and asked if she could plug into the interface . The Officer complied readying her a high stool and a cord attached to the unit .

A voice came over the unit ” Will all parties confirm?” Stop”

Areon takes liberty of pushing the button in Eddy’s hand and pulling it toward their chest . The box complied ” All party’s are accounted for Master in chief ,

we are ready now . “Stop”

Silence filled the large hall as the Officer motioned for Eddy and Areon to proceed.

Eddy ;;;” group !’— Greetings all .—” I am Eddy Soltic and this is Areon Lucas.

We are assigned the task of mapping a traveling asteroid , but as it seems , is not after all an asteroid , but instead it is a planetary satellite , and make no mistake , it is heading this way . “,,,,,,,,”STOP”

As Eddy and Areon tell their biography of a lost star wondering the cosmos , along with their well played out visual casting with a eloquently chosen composition of music , the captive audience uttered not a word as the story line came to an end.

Denied

18

Areon asked in her tender sad voice ” Is their any questions?” Stop”. And with that the list of eager unknown holders of the same button that Eddy held , lit up the monitor with all the listeners .

Eddy looked at Areon and said “Now comes the fun part!”

Areon’;;;;; “Group! Lets start at the top with England ! ” England what is your question ? “Stop!”

After hours of deliberation of delegates trying to question the problem away , the president closed the meeting , till further notice.

Eddy and Aeron was glad it was over and wanted desperately to retreat back to their cottage at the end of the grassy knoll .

Eddy , not so eager for the trip back , still wasted no time on boarding the chopper even before it had warmed up .

Back safe and sound in their little love nest Eddy took to a shower while Areon took to the fridge .

After Eddy joined Areon in front of the TV hanging on the wall , showing an old movie , some western classic , were the maiden dies and the horse runs away with the best friend and everyone lives happily never after .

Eddy and Areon sat without a word as Eddy helped himself to a portion of the goodies that Areon had prepared .

A chirping from the phone drew Eddy and Areon out of their snacking slumber party , startling Areon to the point of nearly tossing the tray into Eddy’s lap. Eddy grabbed the phone , dropping it twice before answering it in a loud upset “Hello” then a calm tone brushed over him , and only agreement and Sir. came from him till a thank you .

Eddy leaned back into the well stuffed couch making fluttering sound with his lips , then looking at Areon and taking her hand .

Areon;;; “They didn’t by it ?” Eddy nodded in compliance then both stared back into the TV . The remainder of the day was spent uninterrupted feast and lounging duo , the computer room had not been entered , any time a news broadcast came on they switched to another channel .

Eddy got plenty of time to play with the special remote opening and closing shades , turning on and off lights throughout the cottage and some times having to get up walk around to try and find what this button controls.

Evening drew on Eddy and Areon slept in their own rooms not a word or a cross look between the two . Just a need to crawl into themselves .

Nesting

19

No sign of Giato or Tokako yet everything goes on as if nothing has changed the maids still bickering , the Butler still looking for something to butler , driver still waxing the cars that go no wear , often .

As for Eddy and Areon the computers having become a past time of games and the cottage no more than an elegant prison.

Three weeks passed with no word till a knock at the door . Eddy was surprised to see a young man no more than 25 holding two packages and judging from the uniform he was a Currier the young man handed Eddy the packages , got into his town car and left without a word.

Eddy called out for Areon “You got mail !”

Areon entered grabbing it up like a child on Christmas morning without looking to see who it was from . She riped off the yellowish wrapping then opening the box finding plain tickets , a check and her next assignment orders .

Eddy opened his and found it was the same all but the tickets . The tickets called for them both on opposite coasts Eddy , West . Areon , East .

Eddy;;;; ” I wonder why they are so eager to separate us ?”

Areon;;;”you think this is on purpose ?”

Eddy;;; “What! you don’t ? Do you honestly see this as a mere coincidence ? Come on Aeron ! Think about it ! We both came from the same place and now we are getting tossed to the winds. It doesn’t sound like a good thing , more like we are being punished.”

Areon;;;” You think it’s because we couldn’t give them a definite point of impact and ETA?”

Eddy;;;;”No ! I think that they actually bought it , they just want us to believe it is wrong , divide us up so we don’t do any more digging , this hole thing is more like a demotion I think ?”

Areon ;;;”Well my flight is in 10 days how about yours ?

Eddy ;;;”Five!”

Areon:;;;”Well ! we have seven days to figure out were the danger zone is . If it is a earth impact , Well ! I’m staying right here.

Eddy;;;”Sounds like a plane to me ” throwing his arm around her neck ” I like the way you think Lil’ lady.

They kissed and hugged one another as they walked into the computer room.

Homeward bound

20

Eddy’s transport has arrived , the driver loads what little belongings Eddy had into the car . He arrives at home , the driver insists on seeing him to the door then leaves . Eddy enters looking around at the small one bedroom efficiency apartment , he tosses his things on the couch , looks at his watch notes that it is not yet noon .

Eddy calls a cab thinking he will go to the office and retrieve his motorbike .

As the cab approaches the main drive Eddy was surprised that their was no guard .

He tips the cab-by then does a bit of a how low can you limbo under the red and yellow Candy Cane striped auto gait. He makes his way to the office , the parking lot is vacant , all but his bike and Areons jeep parked beside. Eddy pulls out his level 6 card , slides it through the lock “Nothing ” he slides it again ” Nothing ” third time the door unlocks .

Eddy enters , heads to his desk , but all his belongings are gone . He looks around and sees a box on the table in the corner . It had his name in black marker scribbled across it . He heads over to it then noticed a computer on the far wall was flashing “Ready to receive”

Eddy clicks the mouse on deliver . The screen pops open to a view form the Eagle Eye telescope . Eddy checks the time date of reception it showed 2 hrs ago . he adjusts the time to current position and gets a birds eye view of a climbing Eclipse . Eddy sees something else tho , so he changes the focus onto the object . The view makes the hair on his body stand up , it is the runaway planet . His phone rings causing him to jump from his mental state , as he fidgets through his jacket to find his phone .

With a eager “Hello!” the voice on the other end was sweet and anxious.

Hi their stranger its me”<

Eddy;;;”Areon?”

Areon;;;”Are you watching this eclipse ? its beautiful ! ” Reddy brought me a telescope to watch it with.”

Eddy;;;;” Yea ! you could say I’m watching it ! And how!”

Eddy wanting to tell Areon but at the same time not wanting to as his mind races.

Eddy cuts Areons Excitement and enthusiasm . ” Areon get some place safe ! The basement ! Quick ! you don’t have much time ! GO NOW ! before” . Eddy looks at his phone slaps it then says “HE ,,,HELLO,,,Areon , ,HELLO ” he returns his gaze to the monitor .

Count down

21

It,s going to hit the sun ” He said under his breath .

The object passes to close for the EYE to see then the reception is lost .

Eddy looks around the room as the lights start flickering and computers begin shutting down . Eddy notices a low sonic HUM that Pierced the filings on his teeth then enters his very bones “SHIT” he cried out as he pulls out his stop watch , giving a speedy calculation in his head then setting it . Eddy heads for the hefty desk / beverage counter /lost and found /soon to be hideout . He shoves the chair out from under the table removes his heavy leather jacket , ducks under the desk in a fetal position hanging his jacket over his left for-arm preparing himself for the worst.

Hunkered in his small security box Eddy ’s eyes affixed on his watch constantly trying to do the math running ramped through his mind .

Eddy begins to hyperventilate , being a swimmer with some diving experience , he readying himself for a prolonged dive into terror.

Time creeps by in seconds drawing the inevitable moment closer . Eddy’s mind racing but calm at the same time he thinks to himself . “I can hold my breath for 3 minutes easily , after 4 maby 5 my body will long for air , after 6 to 7 minutes I will start to black out , after 7 to 8 minutes it wont matter .

Tick , Tick, Tick seconds passing “the planet must have hit the sun by now , solar flairs are hitting the earth blacking out everything ” Tick, Tick” its time!

Eddy holds his breath , never taking his eyes off the clock . Eddy begins to hear what sounds like bats leaving their den to take flight into the open night . Pain reaches into his mind , not just pain of what is outside of him , but pain of not knowing if Areon got to safety , and the pain of his body trembling and struggling to take a breath , at the same time refusing to .

The sound intensifies , what once was a low rumble of base is now a high pitch ring that pierced through his hands cupped over his ears .

Now his body felling the sting of things to come ,the felling of hot needles piercing every pour of his body and coming in waves . The pins in his leg from a accident when he was 13 began to burn inside his body as a foul acidic taste overpowers his mouth as though the very fillings in his mouth were melting . Eddy now struggling with the overall constant pain.

He begins to meditate , focusing himself , letting the pain cover him like a warm blanket in the bitter cold night . A uncontrolled thought creeps into his mind of himself looking up at Areon , her soft fine hair with its loose curls streaming down her chest , with one lock curling just under the nipple of her perky breast , till she tossed her head back in moment of ecstasy .

The Decent

22

Then falling across him , he feels her body so light , so warm , so soft on him . Her hair caressing his face with the sweet smell of her sweat filling his lungs, her hot breath on his shoulder , the felling of her body as it rises and falls with her every breath till she rises up , looking at him with terror as her face turns to a black ash and blows away .

This vision snaps Eddy back into his own personal nightmare in the present , the pain intensifies as he struggles against his body , trying to contain the urge to breath . Eddy pushes his back against the desk , smashing his fist into the apposing side . Eddy grips his jacket tight as he curls up tighter into his fetal position before trying to stretch out in his confinement pressing his back harder against the desk and his feet against the apposing side , slamming his elbow against the front , not felling the blow only the sudden stop as he leans his head back the contained pain escapes him as no more than a squeal as a small amount of air escapes his lungs. The urge to exhale so intense , but not more than the pain of his outer body , nor the pain within his heart, mind, and soul . As darkness consumes him , he drifts off into blackness .

Eddy becomes aware . He asks himself “Am I dead , or alive?”

speak dam it, speak” He tries but his body betrays him , nothing comes out. He tries to focus on clearing his throat , first no more than a gurgle . The thought comes to him “I am alive!”. He becomes aware of a horrid taste in the back of his throat , as a well needed cough brings out the rancid bile that had crept into his body while he was unconscious . Up and out it came , he spits but most of it flew from his mouth on its own accord . Eddy tries again to make some form of comprehensible sound , but still no more than babble cut off by a fierce cough releasing more of the bile in the depth of his throat . Much more this time as he spat it out to his right felling the impact of it on his leg.

Eddy rolled out of his nest , less of a roll but more of a free fall . He lay their gaging with no more than a small cough . Concentrating on the idea of getting up , telling himself “Baby steps, just baby steps!”

Eddy mounted himself on his knees and fists , noticing his death grip on the Collar of the jacket that had became a shield . As he rose up hitting his shoulder on the desk , taking notice of the odd sound it made , he rose on , placing his hand on the desk for support , but the desk provided none of that , instead it fell through in the middle scattering the charred items on it to the floor.

Dawn of a new day

23

Eddy looked around into the blankness thinking “Am I blind ” he closed his eyes steadying his breathing , as best as he could with the smell of ash that consumed it .

Eddy tried to see the room in his mind , he placed himself at his desk looking at the corner desk . Eddy stood himself , queasy at first , then trying hard to force his body to forget its memory of the fetal position and remind it of an upright one . He focused seeing himself across the room from his own desk with all the bright lights overhead to guide him .

But his mind’s eye betrayed him once more as it took on its own agenda .

He saw the old chair ,his hand was on the back of it he , looked around the room , he saw Areon standing poised at his desk across the room , she was tossing her shoulders around , though he couldn’t see her feet he could only imagine that she stood on one leg with the other balanced on the pointy toe of her high heel . Areon looked toward Eddy, Eddy points to the coffee maker,she nods , Eddy picks up the chair and carrys it up the isle , he starts to feel as though he is being watched , he casts his gaze around the room .

Reality tries to creep in , but the comfort of Areon still over powered Eddy’s mind . He returns his gaze toward Areon . She stood their smiling as she reached up pushing her disobedient glasses back into their rightful place and concealing her shy smile .

Eddy stumbles to the ground , as reality forces its way back into his head . He looks up for Areon , but now her face is no more than ash , then crumbles to the ground , in a puff she is gone .

The first words Eddy could get out was no more than a whisper desiring to become a yell as Eddy reached out to Areon. “NO” Eddy crouched again on his knees and fists he notices a faint glow , struggling to get through the water , that has clouded his eyes . He fumbles around blind to everything in his path trying hard not to take his eyes off of the light that guided his direction. Eddy , still on his knees reaches toward the light , he realizes that it is the front door , he feels his way up the door , thinking it feels quite cool , he finds the knob it to is cool . He pauses , thinking , it might not open since it is controlled electrically . He grabs the knob , it turns

Thank God .”

Eddy slings open the door , the light rushes in , he thrown up his arm , shielding him from the light like a vampire from a B rated movie . His mind brings him back to a bottle stuck to his finger and a half round table holding a vase with a mouth larger than its whole. Eddy begins to laugh .

Sanctuary

24

The laugh turns to a cough. The cough turns to a gage. The gage turns to spew deep within his stomach .

Eddy wipes his mouth with his thumb nail , blows his nose free of the horrid bile .

Eddy opens his eyes giving them plenty of time to adjust , trying to ignore the rancid smell that lay in front of him.

He uses the charred door to aid him in his new quest to stand , his eyes are clear now , but still hard to see from the thick ash that fills the air.

Eddy looks around at the vacant , lot his bike and Areons jeep are barley recognizable now.

About 6 miles later Eddy drops to his knees from exhaustion , hunger now is over powering him , but their is nothing , absolutely nothing .

He takes a good look around trying to gain some form of baring , he sees a familiar sight , he remembers it as a diner , he had never ate their but he remembered it all the same.

Eddy fumbling around trying to find something , anything to ease his hunger but everything is ash , he sees a large door it looks like a freezer door , he opens it , it is , the contents within are not burnt but like himself well cooked .

Eddy finds a bucket on the floor probably their to catch the water from the cooling unit , he uses it to wash off the best he can .

Plenty of food ” Eddy thought ,”but it wont keep long “, so he ate his fill and then some , he then individually wrapped as much as he could to help keep it from going bad .

Tired now , it will be dark soon, the metal counter top made a good bed for the night .

Eddy , as tired as he was found it difficult to sleep with the erry sounds of structures collapsing outside , he felt safe in the diner it was a steal building very well built , so he tried to take his mind to a better time , but his mind needed little help for it was already reaching back to the cottage and its towering areal antenna , but mostly his mind desired the shy blond in a silk pajama set sitting on one leg having coffee . Her thin lips against the rim of the cup, her hair falls softly down her shoulder , her blouse with its tail tail sign that the room is rather cool for silk .

Eddy’s mind slips into darkness with the visions of Areon . Her toes on the coffee table , her glasses sliding down her nose . the shy mannerism in her walk , the warmth of her body and the soothing tone of her voice .

Refuge

25

Dawn crept in , the air was much clearer , the sky looked of rain , so Eddy thought best to find a warmer , dryer spot to wait it out .

Thinking he had at least an hour to find shelter . He ran through his knowledge of the city . He remembered a place not far from him it was a church at one time , built of stone with a dome roof made of stone as well he thought if it withstood the fire storm its possible that it could withstand a little rain .

Eddy hurried to get to the building fearing if it had collapsed he’d have time to find some other shelter.

Ahead Eddy sees the building , it still stands but everything around it was in ruins . He reached it just in time the clouds burst into tears filtering the air and washing away the remains of a past life .

Though the air was cool Eddy took advantage of a shower and a chance to wash his clothing . As Eddy left the shelter of the building into the rain he started taking off his clothes he was surprised and thankful that his leather jacket held up as well as it had .

As he looked at his jacket he started thinking back to his early years when his father wore it . He could see his father coming home from work on his bike the sound of the exhaust as he revved up the engine before killing the power . Mostly just for the child waiting at the door anxious to see the large man before mother called bedtime .

Slowly his mind took its own control as Eddy stood with his face to the sky enjoying the rain as it washed him , his clothes and the world clean of its chard skin it now wore . The thought of him and Areon at the poolside as he dove in fully clothed , Eddy chuckled at the thought of coming up for air and saying “looks like laundry day”

Remembering Areon lying in the sun chair with her dress pulled up to her thigh , one leg up , showing just a hint of her butt . And the poor attempt made to try to get the thin white sun dress wet , only succeeding to get the butler instead.

A sound brought Eddy back to life and snapped his calm spirit fleeting away as his heart jumped into high speed.

Eddy ducked trying to create a hideaway from the direction of the sound .

He listened quietly trying to get his heart to rejoin its regular pace. but that seemed to be imposable when he heard voices “In here Quick it looks safe ” another voice “Is their any one here , HELLO! “another woman cried out “PLEASE ANYONE ANYONE AT ALL “

New friends

26

Eddy grabbed up his clothing started getting dressed when a young child cried out “Their is someone , out their, in the rain”

The man yelled out “I am armed com out were I can see you or I will shoot”

woman””’”Stop that Harold”

Harold;;;”I mean it com out now”

Eddy;;;;I’m unarmed I just wanted to get out of the rain”

Harold;;;YEA! Then why are you out their?

Eddy ;;;;;;”Bathing”

woman’;;;;;;OH Harold put that away “, “Sir really its not loaded please com in ”

Harold;;;;;”AW! Now why did you go and have to tell him that for ?”

Eddy approached cautiously keeping his hands in sight at all times

Woman ;;;;;;”I’m sorry we scared you ,Please , My name is Darla this macho killer is my husband “Eddy cut in “Harold yea i got that .

The woman chuckled the small boy laughed out loud and said “I’m Tim and that over their hiding is my sister Meg or Me ! Me!

Meg;;;;”Oh shut up you little brat”

Darla;;;”You two stop it now ”

Darla ;;;;”Have you seen any other survivors ? we are missing our son hes out with some”

Darla broke into tears Harold held her and finished “He was out with some friends when!”

Eddy ;;;;”No! I’m sorry I haven’t “

Meg runs over to the embrace crying.

The small boy was carrying a stick or the remnants of what looked to be a stick , he was washing it in the water as it fell from the roof . He looked up at the sky and said “We better try to save some of this water I doubt that wall-mart has any”

Eddy snapped out of his heart sank reunion of fellowship “Your right little man we should ! You wanna help me go find some buckets to catch it in “

Tim ;;;”You bet ! Can I mom ?”

Darla looking up from Harold’s shoulder ” Yes! But don’t go to far” with that the boy bolted into the rain stomping and splashing the pools of black water before his mother could finish “And Be careful” as her tone lessened , she looked at Eddy shrugged her shoulders “Please “

No more had to be said Eddy knew the rest “Take care of my boy I don’t want to lose another one”

Growth of man

27

Eddy and his new sidekick Tim rummaged through the rubble grabbing everything they thought will hold water cleaning it off stacking it so it is easier to carry .

Tim , a spirited boy had lots to say , not like any child ! He had ideas starting with fixing up the old Church for mom and Dad and a bed for his sister that he took such pleasure in taunting when ever the urge arose.

It took several trips lugging the containers to catch water in and a 55 gallon drum that had popped its top when its contents exploded. Lil Tim wanted to carry his finding back himself but settled for Eddy giving him the time to clean it well .

Tim worked long and hard without one complaint of his duty he toted the water to the barrel as needed being careful not to spill any and then trotting off to find bigger containers to store his prize water in.

Darla , Meg and Harold done their best to clear debris from their new home .

Tim came rushing in taking Eddy by the hand saying “come with me I need your help?”

Tim lead Eddy to a building much farther than his mother would allow him to go but the treasures he found was worth the trouble he will get into if she knew .

Inside the room only assessable for a small boy , which most boys wouldn’t venture into . Tim started throwing out all sorts of things cooking pots and pans first then towels even trash bags witch he ordered Eddy to fill with the found treasures and Eddy did so without hesitation . Then out came clothing and a claim “This is for mom, sis will like that ,dad will have to come back for this and this is for you ” This referring to a boi knife with sheath a sword and some rope along with a hat Tim claimed ” you will look good in this .”

The boy soon fallowed behind his findings and when Eddy tried to help the boy he received an unapologetic “I can do it myself”

Tim started closing the bags and trying to carry them he stopped looked at Eddy “Well ! This I cant do ! Will you help?”

Eddy laughed “ Id be honored to Tim “ Sticking out his hand for some skin. Tim smiled and returned the gesture then he picked up the box of plastic bags pulled out 6 of them counting as he pulled he looked at Eddy “One for each.” then tossed the rest back into the hole in the wall .

finder of all things

28

It was a heavy load but the bags held together well one falling apart just inside the door but in a safe zone .Tim began digging out items and passing them out like a little Santa clause then looking at Harold and saying .

Dad yours is out their it will have to wait till it dries up and we can make the hole bigger “ with a smile “ You’ll like it dad ” then runs to give him a hug .

Meg;;;” you done good squirt ”

Darla started to send her praise but was cut off short by Tim

Tim ;;;”Hay ! Me ! Me ! I’ll make a deal with you ” Meg looked up ” I wont call you Me ! Me ! any more if you stop with the small talk”

Darla with her mouth gaped open and surprised look of her sons tone started to scold him but only got as far as ‘ TIM ! ’ before Meg cut in

I tell you what Tim I will stop with the small talk you can keep calling me Me ! Me ! but it will cost you a hug. ” With that Tim shot out from his dads lap into Meg’s open arms nearly knocking her over . Mom and Dad watched from their own embrace as Eddy sneaked out the back door .

Eddy made himself scarce for a few days he had other plans that didn’t involve nesting at least not now and not here.

When Eddy did return to the family they all were glad to see him .

Mostly Tim who had tones of questions . He was eager to hear all about what , where and how far . Eddy thought his tails will be better as a bed time story , at the moment he thought food was more important .

He hadn’t found much but what he did find was lasting and nutritious.

Eddy found a storage room filled with dry goods ; freeze dried veggies ,soups and lots more than he could carry .

Eddy handed Tim a map to the treasure he had discovered and told him to keep it safe . Tim was grateful that he was being trusted to keep such an important thing . Eddy also gave Darla a list of items that he had found their and promised her that the trip was quite safe as was the building it was in ,

The talk of discovery’s was long and Meg was quick to point out that Tim was the finder of all things . Eddy pulled out the knife Tim had found him and said to Tim “This came in very handy and I thought of you every time

i used it , Thank you Tim ! ”

Tim shrugged his shoulders and went on his way .

Giving thanks

29

Eddy;;;;;; Well looks like Tim’s not interested in the rest of it” Tim raced back to his seat at the makeshift table the father built using the tools and material Tim had drug home .

Eddy;;;;;” For dad a bow and lots of arrows to spare for Mom a mirror and for ME ME a dress ; I hope it fits . And for my main man a slingshot .

Tim looked sad at the slingshot ; he’d rather had the bow no doubt ’

but his face took on a new shade at the next gift as Eddy pulled out a 22 rifle and 4 boxes of shells . “ Spend them wisely ! ” Eddy yelled as Tim ran out the door with his gifts.

Darla;;;;I’m not so sure about that gift but thank you “

Meg;;;’” Well look at it this way mom , at least he will be on the safe end of it ! ”

A moment of silence then laughter . Eddy stood up announcing that wasn’t all he found as he pulled a bottle from his sack and asked if Tim by chance found any glasses .

Meg”;;” As a matter of fact he did “ as she pulled out 4 coffee cups from a box by the wall that was trying to evolve into a kitchen

Harold;;;” I see 4 cups their Lil’ Missy just what is your intention young lady ? ”

Meg;;;” Same as yours old man just taking the edge off ! ”

The room got silent as Harold opened the bottle and poured the first drink and said “Well looks like we all have to grow up some time”

Meg took the cup and drank down its content without hesitation , she fought back the shiver by holding her breath as her eyes glassed over just before she burst into a cough and handed Harold the cup and barely made her words out “ Smooth ; hit me again old man ! “

Harold kept his and Eddy’s cup wet . Meg tried 2 more drinks but Darla refused saying “Someone has to drive home “

Harold ;;;;” Eddy you didn’t get to see what Tim found me did you? come on ill show ya “

The two staggered away Harold led the way to a large room with just one patch of light in the middle of the room shining down on a Dingy cloth . Harold pulled it off so hard it drifted across the room . Beneath it was truly a treasure to behold it was a vintage 1930 Indian . Harold whispered ” I don’t know what the hell that kid was thinking . I never sat my fat ass on a bike my whole life , and I sure as hell don’t plan on jumping on it and killing myself . Besides wife said if I did ride it it had better be to the hospital , ”

CHEERS! to Tim.

30

Eddy looked at Harold with a confused look .

Harold;;;” She said id need one if I touched it . Now ! I don’t know about you but that’s one woman I don’t want on my bad side . ”

They both laughed till Harold lost his breath he then told Eddy that he talked it over with Tim and they both agreed to see if Eddy wanted it .

Eddy lifted his near empty bottle and said “Cheers to Tim” Harold lifted his hand then realized it was empty . “ Well ! cheers all the same ! ”

Momma says If you lost it ! You didn’t need it to start with . ‘ I’m not sure what it meant , but ! What the hell ! ‘ CHEERS ’ to Tim .”

As the two staggered back to the main hall Harold excused himself for a nap .

Meg;;;;” I heated up some water for you to wash up . “

Eddy ;;;;” You read my mind ! How is your watter supply holding up?”

Meg;;;;;” Great ! thanks to Tim hes quite the explorer he managed to find a well with a hand pump , go figure ! ”

Eddy;;;”Wow! “

Meg ;;;;”So what do you think ?” ‘Eddy with a blank look on his face. ‘

about my dress silly ! ”

Eddy;;;looked her up and down “ Wow ! ”

Meg ;;;;” It fits great ” then leans in kissing Eddy on the cheek then stood with one hand on her hip and one palm up “ Well ! Come on I don’t have all day !“, “Hello ! Clothing ! Now” , “Thank you !”

Eddy ;;;”Oh! Yea ! OK! Sure! ” he started taking off his clothes as Meg turned around with her hand still on her hip and the other palm up at her shoulder.

Eddy striped , folded his clothes and handed them to Meg . On her way out the door she looked back. ” By the way their is some fresh gear on the

stool .” She looked Eddy up and down “Hum” then left the room pulling the sheet across the door.

Eddy stayed long enough to help the family bring back previsions he had found and to help Tim bring back some he had found , putting good use to the wagon his father had made .

Eddy slipped out one night while everyone was sleeping .

He wondered the waste land venturing out farther each time , always returning to the family . But his time away grew longer and his visit grew shorter.

New life for an old world

31

Eddy ventured out farther this time and made camp for the night . The moon shined bright over head as he tried to remember the face that haunted him . When out of the dark came a scream , a woman’s scream . Eddy jumped to his feet waiting to here it again then heading its direction calling out “Where are you !” The woman called out till Eddy reached her lying on the ground in a pool of her own blood .

he asked .were are you bleeding ” the woman screamed “It’s coming ! something is wrong !“

It was then that Eddy knew what was wrong and knew who the woman was .It was Alice from the office .

Alice;;;;” Hes punishing me!” she screamed.

Eddy ;;;” Who is!”

Alice;;;” God ! “

Eddy ;;;;”Alice god is not punishing you!”

Alice looked at him ” Who are you?”

Eddy;;;;” I am Eddy ! I know you from the office ! “Eagle Eye” .She reached out pulled him near “I’m dying ! Please try to give my baby a chance Please!!” Then she dropped . Eddy checked to see if she was breathing .

She wasn’t . He took out his knife cut away her dress looked up to the sky and yelled .Give me strength !!” Then plunged the knife into her belly slicing her stomach open then reaching in and pulling out the child . He brushed its face , turned it upside down but their was nothing he began to blow in its face , soon the child screamed out .

Eddy took the child back to his camp fire washed it with the last of his water and covered it with his jacket . Once it was warm it fell into a peaceful sleep. Eddy spent the rest of the night staring at it thinking ” how am I going to feed this child ! Soon it will wake ! And hungry it will be “. It then dawned on him that in his rush to warm the child he never stopped to see if it was a boy or girl.

Dawn came in with a howling baby girl hungry for something that dose not exist . In despair Eddy does the only thing he could think of . He took out the blade that brought the child into the world he raised it high above his head and slit his wrist , then fed the screaming child the only nutrition he had to offer .

shelter

32

The child took to it without hesitation . And when the child was full she went back into her slumber . Eddy wrapped his wrist and sat back , he cried for the first time in his life.

Eddy picked up his things using one bag to carry the child in and leaving what he could afford to , and set out to find shelter for the little girl that he was now bound to , by more than a promise , but by the blood of his body as well. Eddy found shelter , he was getting week now from the journey and the preparing of a safe place for the child but mostly he was week from the loss of blood not just from feeding but from the open wound , he needed to find food and fast .

He fed the child and said to himself “I have one maby two hours to find food.” Then he headed out the door closing it off , for what he didn’t know .

Eddy looked every where but found nothing , hope had left him over an hour ago , so he headed back to the child not knowing how much longer he could hold out.

As he neared the dwelling he could hear the child’s screams , a shadow of something lurking and scratching at the door he secured with such a heavy chunk of debris . He moved in closer , silent , hoping that the screaming child keeps the beast at bay , it was busy trying to dig under the door paying no attention to anything other than its own need for food . Eddy moved in closer , closer , he waited , the hole was just big enough for the beast to get its head under , Eddy jumped silently pulling out his sword and chopping off the head of the beast .

The child now barley able to breath let alone cry . Eddy tosses the door and its block aside , grabs the child , he catches the blood from the beast’s open throat and feeds it to the child , it eats and falls back into its quiet slumber .

Eddy hangs the beast to bleed while he rids it of the hide then guts it and eats its liver raw and still warm , he no sooner gets the beast carved up before the hungry child wakes with a new thirst , the blood from the beast will be that much more he keeps in his self.

Constantly looking around knowing that such a animal is not alone . It was male but no doubt were their is one their is more and that meant more fur , more food and much more danger for him and the child.

Wasting no time Eddy striped the beast of its prime meats stretching it out to dry in the sun and tendering it with a stone , then turning his attention to the pelt .

Feast to the Gods

33

Eddy stood the beasts head above the door way , always turning it his direction . Possibly to taunt the beast’s spirit or maby hoping to pees it with the knowledge that its life is going to good use . Eddy was pleased at the blood he managed to save for the child , and the fact that it gave him time to replenish his own . He worked throughout the night cleaning the fur and rubbing ash into it hoping it will help provide some protection from rot and maby conceal the natural odor of the beast so not to attract more.

Eddy made good use of everything he possibly could ‘ The ribs will make a nice basket for the child , the leg bones will come in handy as well . ‘

He though to himself as he began shaping and cutting them to usable size and being careful not to loose any of the marrow . By morning he had made his way to the beasts head , he carved it open and began to shape the skull for a bowl as he made good of the brains for his meal . The child began to stir Eddy knew it was feeding time . Using one of the bones he had shaped into a spoon he began to feed the hungry child not wanting it to start crying again . Like clock work the child was fast asleep once again . Eddy , now exhausted from his busy night sat staring at the little thing that has taken hold of his life and his heart .

He whispers “You need a name little one , and a fitting one It shall be !” You will be known to all as “Hestia” . {hes’-tee-uh }

Eddy passed the day napping with the child and tending to the meats drying in the sun along with the bones and hide . Trying hard not to sleep to much , but having such a precious alarm clock as Hestia their wasn’t much chance of that . As night drew near the meats were well dried . Eddy was so impressed with the fur he tried rubbing ash into the meats , after all the ash done so well on the hide , it hardly needed to be softened , “another day tanning and it will be ready “

he had though that it will take several days to prepare . After gathering kenneling for the fire , securing the meats and giving the fur one last go over he squat peering out of the small opening of the shelter his eyes wondered to the scratches left from the beast , its is as if they had healed , he pulled out a damaged pair of glasses he found with one good lens . it was a tri focal so he thought to keep it to start fires with , he used it to take a good look at the scratches while the light was still in his favor . Then rescratched the surface before closing the door for the night.

New things

34

Morning came and brought with it feeding time . Eddy cuddles Hestia and feed her the last of the blood and beds her down knowing he only had a few hours before he will be back on the menu . He heads out to hunt for a better substitute and taking time to better barricade the door .

After almost an hour and half Eddy finds what he hopes is the answer to his prayer but only one problem . It hasn’t rained for days and he used the last of his water to bathe the child . None the less it was a good find for him and her . A stock of dried goods , milk , potato , beans, noodles and ton’s of already pooped pop -corn that protected the goods . Eddy prowls around for something large enough to keep him from making the trip to soon ,knowing that every time he leaves it puts Hestia in grave danger

Though no sign of dog or rodent . If a wolf can survive why not a rat , with that thought he got a chill , thinking if a dog could get so fearsum a simple rat could too. And be big enough to get in the hut . That thought pushed him on harder to get back to the little one as fast as he could . He reached the dwelling out of breath . With his hands trembling he riped the barricade open . Thinking she should be crying by now to feed , he rushed in to her to find she was sound asleep .

Eddy had to reassure himself by waking her and holding her . She pitched a fit of course , but this time Eddy was glad to hear her screams and was happy to give up his body’s life syrup to calm her . She didn’t seem to want to feed at first but soon gave in to the hunger and returned to her hibernation . Eddy covered his wound and headed outside he then thought to take a look at the scratch he placed that night. ‘As he thought it was nearly healed ‘.Its alive he whispered ” as he looked around at the world with a new prospective .He then took off his bandage and rubbed the wound with the black then tended to his pelt still tanning in the mid day sun .

Its done I do believe ” as he took it from its mount and began softening it more , he used the trimmings of it to make string and began the task of a bed for Hestia . After several feedings and painstaking attention to the craft he partook the bed was done .The ribs came together almost as though it was made for just that purpose . Eddy finished just in time for Hestia’s next withdraw . But he noticed something , this time she was taking it much better . he thought “ Maby it is the ash ” he licked the wound , it was not disagreeable at all ,.

land of milk and honey

35

Eddy then tried the meat he had rubbed with ash . “Not bad he thought “, he then tried the meat that was not rubbed It was as if a light came on in his head .’ Not as good and I bet it wont last as long either. ‘

Eddy began experimenting with the ash he found that the ash that got less sun was almost sweet and moist so he began collecting it and using the skull of the beast to extract the liquid from the living ash that was more becoming of a black moss . Soon he had enough to fill his water bottle and just in time for feeding . He made up some in the powdered milk and tried it for him self .” Not bad ” he thought “ but will she accept it ”, “well only one way to find out ” by now Hestia was in fits and none to patient for her meal . She took to the black liquid like a deer to a stream . Eddy screamed for joy within his own head as his heart nearly exploded with joy . Eddy had a new task , collecting the liquid and containing it .

Eddy spent every second foraging the black moss , always keeping the hut in sight and always closed tight . In a full days work Eddy had filled every container he could find and having to use more of the pelt to make tops for them , but he saw it as a good sacrifice . As Eddy and Hestia drank the black liquid with it’s sweet taste that seemed to get sweeter as it fermented like a wine . Eddy began to feel better , stronger and he could see that Hestia was felling it too , the milk he had found was almost useless taking to much of the liquid to prepare . Eddy looked to the sky and said “ WE are ready when you are ! ”

It has been over three weeks since the beast came knocking at the door and no sign of any living animal since . Eddy was ready for another one to come calling , but in his heart he knew that wasn’t going to happen , the last one was probably cast out of the pack , maby sick , or just ran off by the dominate male .

Eddy couldn’t wait for another to be cast out , he had to throw out most of the meat that hadn’t been treated with the ash and was nearly out of the best stock he had prepared . Witch wasn’t nearly a quarter of the meat so his new task was clear

it’s time to go hunting ”

Now that Hestia has a new food source Eddy is free to begin preparing for the hunt . He heads out now knowing how long and how far he can go and still make it back in time to feed Hestia. Eddy begins searching for the pack of beast , 3 days and not a clue to their whereabouts but he dose find a better home for Hestia and spends his time getting it ready .

Safe at home

36

After Eddy has relocated all of the supplies he returns for Hestia , they both feed then he heads out to their new den . It is a concrete safe in a bank . The door was closed but not locked , so its contents wear untouched , tho not of much use now other than a soft bed to lye on , but the vault itself will be much safer just in case their are any rodents looking for a fresh meal.

Eddy’s hunt continues without the thoughts of Hestia becoming a snack for something hungrier than she . 2 days and still nothing till Eddy sees something . its not the beast , it’s small , very small , but fast , he moves in for a better look , knowing his time is up he sits and waits . Soon out pops a head its a salamander but much larger ,harmless as a small creature . Eddy not willing to take the chance . He sits motionless , the large newt pops its head out again . Eddy reaches down with his big knife and waits for it to stick it’s beady eyed head out for it’s last time . With a quick drop of the blade he catches it . Luckily not cutting its head of as he intended . It jumps around for quite a while before dying .

Eddy still not wanting to find out if it has teeth uses an empty sack and his blade to load the odd creature then heads back to Hestia . Eddy finds Hestia sound asleep . He places his hand on the tiny chest to make sure then sits in the corner to get a better look at a possible meal . Eddy carefully examines his find it has no teeth but a very odd tung , not dangerous , but odd . He then guts the creature hoping to see what it eats , No bugs or worms , just the mossy ash that has been keeping them both alive . He notices that the tail has nearly fallen off and thinks ‘ that it , like most salamanders , when in danger drop their tail as a meal for their predator in exchange for their life , and in its tail it stores nutrition for lean times ‘, With this thought Eddy takes a small nibble thinking ‘now is not a good time to find out that it is poisonous’ he rubs it on his lips . They don’t go numb so he puts some in his mouth and waits . Hestia wakes for her meal and Eddy realizes that she needs to feed less with this black liquid . He picks Hestia up , she smiles , eyes wide open “Well little one since we are going to be living off this for a while I think we should name it” , “you have any suggestions ?” Hestia makes a noise and Eddy says “I think that Is a fine name as well {{{”Akta”}}} it will be . Eddy feed Hestia till she falls asleep and he soon fallows.

New neighbors

37

Eddy woke remembering the newt tail . Thinking he had no side affects went ahead and ate the remainder washing it down with the newly claimed Akta. He leaned back closed his eyes for a moment . Awaken by the blood curdling screaming of Hestia . Eddy reaches for her but can barley move . The room starts to spin . Eddy closes his eyes and tries to focus on the child’s screaming . He raises up checks her out thinking maby she was bit. Finding nothing he picks her up trying to give some comfort but it is useless. “Com on baby whats wrong ? You cant be hungry you just ate! ” He checks to see if she is in need of cleaning then tries to feed her . She takes it and eats more than usual , then goes to sleep . Eddy’s head starting to clear now , he puts her back into her bed and crawls to the door .

It is night , almost morning , he can see the night fading to the horizon . Confused he closes the door then lays back down as darkness consumes him . Waking again to Hestia’s cry but with a much clearer head he takes her feeds and cleans her well . Remembering the small piece of the newts tail he ate before his nap then the rest of it before sleeping through a feeding . Eddy felt bad that Hestia must have cried for more than an hour before waking him .

Eddy’s head was still cloudy so he took Hestia outside and stayed close to the vault for the remainder of the day. A beautiful day and it looks promising of rain so Eddy sets out his collector that he had been working on and finishes it . Hestia making happy noises as tho singing to the clouds that build over head . Eddy climbed to the top of the vault that he had cleared off and began chipping away at the hard stone top hoping to provide some fresh air when the bulky door is closed . Eddy looks to the sky thinking it is a perfect day for his task then looks down to Hestia and smiles at her contentment .

After a well spent day Eddy had finally broke through the top and placed a large and hefty metal plate over it hoping that nothing dangerous will be small enough to fit through the pattern of holes in it . After a well earned meal for Hestia and himself Eddy returned to the roof as she slept . Covering the hole to prevent water from ruining their happy dwelling , turned out to be more difficult than he had thought , by the time he finished night was upon him but still no rain .

Eddy woke early , before the sun had crested he wanted to get an early start on a vent hole in the side of the vault . His banging didn’t stir Hestia a bit she slept peacefully till well after the sun was up .

Song of life

38

when Hestia woke she was grumpy and very demanding starting with a feast then a bath and fresh bedding . Eddy was ruining out of clean material so he made use of the papers in the file boxes . After another feeding Hestia was ready to nap again and. Eddy was ready to finish the hole in the wall . The hole was high on the wall but necessary. Eddy knew that when the rain did come it will bring with it winter , he already had a stove he only needed to hall it to the vault . By the end of the day the hole was finished and so was he . Tomorrow he could fetch the stove and collect wood and that in its self is a chore .

Eddy put away his hunger for three weeks and was felling it hard now but all his choirs were done he had a water collector for the rain and installed the stove as well as a hearty supply of wood but most importantly a better way to extract the Akta that Hestia demanded so often .

Now it is time to find the pack .

Eddy picked up were he left off . The newts now were every where .

They scatter as Eddy approaches . He finds the remains of a withered up body that looks like the one that now clothed Hestia . Eddy makes quick with the hide and thanks the creatures with a name “Qiqirn” and heads back to Hestia . Hestia , still sweet in her slumber , Eddy mounts the hide cleans and treats it to a healthy coat of ash before he is called on by the hungry beast within the vault . Hestia with a full belly and exhausted from play and song returns to her place wear dreams are ample .

Eddy heads out again.

Back at the remains of the owner of the hide now stretched to the sun . Eddy checks the grounds for any sign of tracks , but the Qiqirn with their mighty numbers has destroyed any ,even his own . Eddy journeys out in a spiral till he finds fresh tracks of the unfortunate beast . He stops surveys the land then makes another lap making sure to disturb the ground as he goes .

Eddy returns to the tracks that marked his starting point then follows them as far as time will allow him before he must return . The next few days was spent running to catch up. Eddy tired and frustrated decided Hestia will be easier to tend if he took her with him .

The new pelt came in handy for a back pack to carry Hestia and her daily needs . The load was heavy but easier than running to make up time , but placing her at great risk. Hestia took to the trip well , even though the terrain was rugged it woke her seldom .

Territory

39

Three days out Eddy and Hestia made good ground and even better luck . Eddy found the beasts territory and a safe place to keep an eye on them. Eddy watched the great beasts and was over whelmed at their numbers , size, speed, and color .

Eddy feeds Hestia and asks her what she thinks about their situation .

They out number us kiddo , so I don’t think it will be wise to bother them on their own turf what do you think”

Hestia response cheerful and sweet but it didn’t help much .

So Eddy says “Lets sleep on it ! OK! “.

After Hestia’s breakfast Eddy decided to create some distance between them and the beasts .

Eddy gains distance then turns Hestia to his front she is awake now but more interested in singing than eating .

Eddy;;;; “So ! you have any ideas ?”

Hestia makes a noise and smiles.

Eddy;;;;; “Oh! really! Are you sure about that?”

Hestia repeats the noise.

Eddy ;;;;” OK! If you say its so , then so it is. ” Eddy holds out his arms looks to the sky and raises his voice ” Hear this ! Goddess Hestia has spoken ! The mighty beasts from this day forth will be know from shore to shore as ‘Bagat’s ‘ “

Hestia laughs with a squeal and buries her head in Eddy’s chest .

They soon reach a structure Eddy decides to stop , feed Hestia and give her a rest .

As Hestia sleeps eddy places her in an opening that could have been a vent at one time then goes to check out the building.

The structure is five story’s high shaped like a cylinder with a large stone statue in a courtyard . Eddy thinks it must have been a small hospital or some nursing care unit as he takes inventory in the rooms making his way to the top looking around .

Eddy busy’s himself as he drags debris to the inner openings barricading them on both the first and second floor leaving only one opening . Interrupted with feeding time Eddy tends to Hestia then takes her to the top floor and barricades the two openings between the second and third floor . Eddy climes down the inner circle and builds a shelf over the last opening then piles debris on top of it and tying the rope that his friend had found him .

Sacrifice to the Gods

40

Eddy goes over to the statue in the middle of the opening tossing debris out of the way as he goes he looks up at the massive statue thinking it must have been some sort of fountain then climes it . The top is concave it must have been some sort of bird bath then realizes on his way down that it is a tree , a stone , fountain , tree he looks around .”I bet this was an aviary ” he wipes off his hands and continues to clean the area and checking the openings for loose spots .

Satisfied , Eddy climes up to the third floor were he had tied the rope then worked on making a solid place to hang the rope to slide easily . Feeding time once again Eddy satisfied with the barricades leaves Hestia in her slumber as he runs back toward sunset .

Morning comes and Eddy gets back in time for feeding , Hestia is in good spirits and full of songs . The day was spent safely atop of the building . Eddy made sure to get as much out of Hestia as he could blowing on her belly and tossing her around like a rag doll in the air . As it grew darker Eddy fed Hestia less and played more . Eddy pulls out a chunk of meat from his pocket and rubs it on Hestia’s lips and tong soon she falls asleep before her feeding time . Eddy climes down the rope and up the tree bird bath placing Hestia in the bowl atop and whispers to her .

Sleep well my little goddess , dream little dreams , and have no fear , Phoenix is here , so sleep now , and in morning we will be near.”

Eddy prepared himself and took his stead on the windows ledge watching ,waiting ,wanting. The midnight sun hangs full in the sky . Eddy looks up at it he thinks to himself “It looks the same as it did before only closer ” Hestia starts to stir she has been asleep for over 6 hours now and has not had a full meal since morning and she is hungry now, hungry , cold and all alone .

Eddy watches her from his perch above , as his heart bleeds over what he has done but steadies himself , pushes it deep inside then stirs the pot . His heart speeds up but his hands are steady he waits . A noise ,it’s close and getting closer . Eddy looks down below him and counts one, two, three, for, five . He takes the tied rope and jumps taking it with him as the other end pulls away the shelves props bringing down the hefty load in front of the doorway . The bagats scatter to the opposite side with their tails tucked low behind them .

Arena

41

Eddy squatted with one fist on the ground and the other still clinging the rope he smiles and speaks in a low voice .

The time has come !”

The bagats regroup and start to circle , the largest of them charges . Eddy steps forward pulling his sword nearly taking the beasts head off then stepping into the circle. He could smell the fear and surprise of the bagats as they closed in the circle , with the smallest at his back head hung low ,

Eddy turned slightly to the farthest one as he finished his low warning the smallest nipped at his heel .

Eddy yells out “TO DIE”

As the bagat in front of him lunged taking Eddy’s blade deep inside its gaping mouth . As the heel nipper lunged Eddy pulled his boi slicing its throat then setting it to flight into the side of the largest bagat lurking on the edge of Battle just before the last lunged bringing Eddy to the ground .

Eddy offered his right arm and the bagat accepted it . Eddy’s legs wrapped around the girth of the bagats chest locking his heels with a squeeze of his legs then wrapping his free arm around the neck of the mighty beast shoving his for arm deeper into its mouth. The bagat struggles for freedom stumbles and falls to its side . Eddy says calmly

You want it , you got it”

With the ground to support the beasts head. Eddy shoves his arm even deeper . As the beast gages Eddy grabs its bottom jaw yanking down with it and shoving up with his arm dislocating its jaw with a crunch and a yelp . The beast kicked wildly. Eddy tightened his grip of the mighty chest squeezing with all he could then grabbed it’s throat stealing its cry of pain . Eddy checks the room , his sword is closest but buried deep in the bagat’s throat . Never letting his grip lessen he drags the struggling beast to the Bagat holding Eddy’s boi . He reclaims it , and sets the wide crooked blade to the Bagat’s throat using his own weight Eddy runs the blade into the beasts last twitch , then falls aside . Eddy’s legs still locked but loose now . He waits for his heart to slow as he gazes at the moon overhead .

The sound of Hestia starts to enter his senses . Trying to get up Eddy’s arms feel like lead and his legs like jelly . He makes his way to the tree then up it . The top is large enough for him to lye down with his legs hanging from the knee . Eddy calls to Hestia some comforting words she looks up with tear stained eyes and rosy cheeks. Eddy begins to feed her , he makes due till she falls asleep satisfied with her stomach.

After life

42

Eddy soon joins her in the dark place.

Eddy wakes to Hestia’s singing , the sun is up , but they are still in the shadow of the building that is now an arena , with the victors perched safe atop of their Buelt.

A figure catches Eddy’s eye . Another bagat , as it looks down at it’s fallen comrades , it stands silent for a moment then looks directly at Eddy , he could feel the beasts green glowing eyes burn through his sole . He could hear its massive paws as they hit the ground running.

Eddy looks over Hestia , she smiles and kicks wildly then pushes her tiny fists into her mouth.

Eddy;;;;”Well good morning my goddess ! what would you like for breakfast this morning.”she smiles and kicks more.

Eddy takes out the bone spoon fills the hallow of it and feed Hestia her fill and a little for himself , filling his mouth , closing his eyes , savoring the sweet taste and thick texture on his tongue . Hestia , busy with her song staring into the sky , Eddy climes down the statue thinking “I still have a few hours before the shade is gone”.

Eddy begins to gut the bagats , then takes out some leather straps from his jacket pocket , taking notice of his right arm , torn to rib-ins .

He then ties the hind legs of the beasts and drags them to the rope by the rubble , he lines them up largest to smallest . He ties them to the rope and halls them to the third floor just in time to get Hestia out of the sun . Hestia slept soundly as Eddy relocated her to a higher and safer ground. Eddy takes her to the fifth floor and leaves her to slumber as he rids the carcasses of their hide lying it out of the way then parting the beasts and hauling them to the roof in smaller more manageable pieces , then returning for the hides placing them in the shade after a good douse of ash that he had stock piled for just the occasion . Eddy thought to make good use of the heads he took them and placed them one on each ledge facing into the arena then removing the rubble from the entry . On the roof Eddy began the task of slicing the meat from the bone , trimming it then tendering it with a stone and seasoning it with ash then lying it to dry in the sun on the ledge of the building .

By the time he was done the meat tray wrapped the entire inner circle and better than half the outer. Eddy cleaned up then went to check on Hestia she was lying in her basket singing and kicking. The sun now hung low enough to take the basket of songs to the roof while he mounted the hides .

Flead

43

Eddy worked through most of the night so the hides will tan evenly , he finished in time for the next feeding then bedded down .

With everything done Eddy and Hestia spent the day napping and singing to the clouds that showed hope of rain but promised nothing but shade . Yet enough light to dry the blessed meats .

Four days passed as Eddy tended to the meats and made sacks from the hides to haul it . Every day he was being watched , always one bagat standing vigilant atop of another building Awaiting its relief to come . Everyday like clock work , same ones , same order and the one that stood looking down on the dead always had the night watch . Eddy got a good look at the beast it was magnificent , even more so than the rest with its white hair flowing down from the ears into a point below the jaw , its glowing green eyes , broad chest and solid black almost shining coat . Eddy liked this one , and hoped he would not have to fight it but will not falter if it came to that ,he liked it so much he gave it a name and every night called it out to the beast .

Barghest”.

Eddy readied his escape . His load was much heaver this time . He planed to flee early, just after Barghest shift was over , he surly didn’t want to tangle with that one , he could tell from its eyes it wanted him , badly . Besides Barghest’s relief wasn’t very good at his job and his shift was shorter . After a few more days of rest and planing Eddy got a brake . After barghest left the sky finely gave up its bounty and was very generous with it . Eddy took flight , just enough light to see were he was going and not enough to see what was behind him. He ran toward the path that the relief took and he was ready . Just as he got to the clearing the lazy bagat came blindly around the corner right into Eddy’s spear the beast never got out a whimper as the point pierced and went clean through . Eddy ran as hard and as fast as he could . Hestia wide awake never made a sound .

Eddy headed south he ran solid thought the day and night then headed west ,this led him right to the newts farm. Eddy ran around the radius and spiraled inward before heading toward home he didn’t stop till he had Hestia safe behind the vault door. Their they stayed for the next three days . Eddy had ran so hard for so long that he damaged his legs , they needed time to heal .

Home sweet home

44

Eddy was pleased to see that the rain top was working and that the collector was as well . He turned the top into the wind and fresh air rushed in to the vault . The fire kept them warm with the use of very little wood and the water collector provided them with plenty . The rain begins to fade by the fifth day . Eddy was glad he needed to stretch his legs they were much better and the newt tail came in handy when the cramps got to bad , It like the meat dried well and held its potential . Eddy was sure that the long rain covered his tracks and scent , but kept Hestia inside and only went out to collect the moss for her precious Akta and always in a different direction . Once a week Eddy paid a visit to the Qiqirn farm about every three weeks he found a bagat that had fallen for their trickery and removed there hides, never finding the remains of the last victim.

Hestia has grown quickly in the confinements of the vault , winter was mild mostly just rain , and Eddy made well of the dry goods and the stove . The water and food held up well ,they had plenty of fur and Akta but wood was nearly gone.

Eddy had picked clean the area having to venture out farther to find more. Hestia was not yet two but she looked more like fore she was walking ,talking and into mischief .

Her smile and song carried a sign of contentment but Eddy knew he had to get her out of their and as far away as he could . The dead bagats was proof that he was still on their hit list and wasn’t going to stop till they had their revenge .

Eddy thought of going to the family living in the old church but the idea of the bagats finding him their changed his mind . Hestia will never be safe so long as she is with him . Hestia was strong and smart and with spring coming their will be plenty of rain. Eddy packed up and abandoned the shelter that kept them safe for so long and headed north . Hestia was scared at first but soon got over that when Eddy started teaching her what he had learned about this new world , and never telling her about the old one .

Eddy started to relax having seen no sign of bagats at all . Discovering new creatures along the way . Eddy started keeping a ledger after he found the vault he drew everything that caught his eye and took notes on every new species giving them a name . In the old life he looked to the stars in wonder he knew all the stars by name and by legend so he learned of Greek mythology before he could ride a bike or even tie his shoe .

Serenity

45

But today the stars no longer shone bright for him he had a new star one that captivated him more than all the heavens ever did . It was the stars in Hestia’s eyes . There sparkle made Eddy’s heart glow .

Eddy and Hestia’s journey came to a halt as they stood on the edge of a body of water that left them both in Aw ! They fell in love with it and decided they had traveled long enough . As they looked over the water it sparkled like the the very stars above was forever trapped in the waters black serenity . Eddy found shelter but Hestia made him build one there

by the lake and that is were they spent most of their days and nights .

Eddy had found several new source of foods but Hestia was still partial

to the black sweet thick nectar she named before she knew what a name was .

Winter is here but it’s not cold and no snow the nights are bitter but passes as soon as the sun is up. Lots of rain mostly from midnight till six

or so .Hestia spends her days in play and song by the waters edge keeping her distance not to get to close . Eddy uses some of the old leather to fashion a Frisbee and a ball to keep Hestia occupied when Eddy has to go out by himself usually leaving Hestia behind because it is to far or just to dangerous the remains of the old world to Hestia is no more than dark and hallow places , with her fear of these places Eddy doesn’t have to worry about her straying off Eddy spends his nights drawing maps and taking notes . Hestia has learned well , her thirsty mind at the age of three is more like eight , her questions come to a surprise often and Eddy not knowing how to answer them without letting her know about the old world gets frustrated and Hestia is catching on to his reluctance , this just fuels her thirst . Hestia tho she fears dark holes has taken on the task of harvesting her precious Akta and knows when it is at its best she has also found that the ash comes in a variety and classifies 24 of them. Eddy has taught Hestia how to use them to experiment .

One leasurley day Hestia planed out the day full of picnicking by the water, games and story time by camp fire using one of her own findings . Hestia discovered that by packing the moss after she had squeezed it dry that it burned well with a bright blue hue . As Hestia slept by the fire under the night sky .

Eddy found little comfort as the full moon sat half of the horizon . He sat and began to sketch the magnificent sight . He went to have a drink from the dark waters and was startled by a ripple .

New acquaintance

46

Not having his blades he found himself at a disadvantage when out of the murky water came a creature about 7 feet long ,almost human like . Eddy picked up a stone that surrounded the fire lifted it high and just before he brought it down the creature cried out “ mercy , have mercy I mean you no harm ,nor your child ” Eddy took aim at the creatures head it looked at him then bowed its head

Eddy ;;;;;;;;” Your human ? “

Creature ;;;”Not any more ! “

Eddy;;;;;;;; ” Then what are you ?” As he raised the stone again .

Creature ;;;; ” I am something else , we all are .”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;; ” There is more of you ? “

Creature;;;; ” Yes ! A few ! We have been watching you , and the child , you are the first we have seen since it happened .”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;” you mean the burn .”

Creature ;;;;;”Yes ! If that is a good name ! “

Eddy ;;;;;;;;;;” Name ! What is you name ? ”

Creature;;;;;” It was Nancy , , but that was before , we no longer use names , we are a solitary creature now .

Eddy drops the stone ” why , now , why did you wait so long ?”

Nancy;;;;;;;; ” Fear ! ”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;;” Fear ! Of what ? “

Nancy;;;;;;;; ” Being killed with a stone ” then smiling , with teeth that now are two solid bones with small fine ridges.

Eddy;;;;;;;;;; ” Yes ! I understand I apologizes , it’s just ” he was cut short .

Nancy;;;;;;;;;” It’s OK ! I understand , it is dangerous in the water I can only imagine how it must be up there . I must return to the water now , or I will die .”

Eddy ;;;;;;;;;;” Ok ! , Will you be back ? “

Nancy;;;;;;;;;”Yes ! In a moment” Then drags herself back into the dark waters .

Eddy squats near the edge , looking into the blackness , that is home to such things , soon a face appears in place of his reflection , he pulls back startled .

Nancy ;;;;;;; ” Its only me ! Manny times I have watched you from here , many times I have watched you , and the little one play , many times , my heart wept .”

A gift

47

Eddy ;;;;;;;;; ” How ? “

Nancy;;;;;;;;;” When , it happened , those of us that were on the water , dove in , and here we have been since , and here we will stay .”

Eddy looks out over the waters his heart sank at her words , he looks back , this time he looks deep within her eyes and asks .

Eddy;;;,,,,;;;;” May I honor your kindness with a name ?”

Nancy;;;;;;;;;” If you wish ?”

Thalassa” Eddy spoke softly with a smile , as she returned it saying “Are you Greek?”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;;” No ! Why do you ask ?”

Thalassa;;; ” To know such a name ? do you know what it means ?”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;” Yes ! I do it is the name of a goddess of the sea responsible for all life .” She sank back into the water without a word , never taking her eyes from Eddy’s.

Eddy heard a voice behind him .

Hestia;;;;;;;” Who are you talking to ?”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;” No one ! No one ! He splashes the black water onto his face then looked at Hestia ” Are you hungry ?”

Hestia;;;;;;;” Very ! ” Then ran off to collect more Brigid for the fire .

As Eddy stared into the deep waters lost in his own thoughts Thalassa came up from its deep , in one hand she held remnants of the past world , a pole in one hand and four fish held together by what appeared to be some sort of weed that had been braided into a string in the other. She then pointed to a mass of ground stretching into the water and told Eddy to let Hestia fish from their only as she sank back into the water blowing bubbles and smiling .

Hestia returned saying ” Are you talking too no one again ?” Dropping the arm full of material on the ground beside the fire then picking up the long thin rod asking ” What is this ? Eddy laughed , ” After we eat I will teach you “

Hestia was non to thrilled to watch as Eddy gut the odd creatures but was fascinated with the smell of them as they cooked over the open flame .

She was reluctant to try it till Eddy began gobbling his , showing her how to remove the thin bones from them and telling her ” This is called a fish , it lives in the water .”

After their new meal Eddy took Hestia over to the jetting and explained to her that this is the only place she is to fish .

Aid

48

Eddy was not surprised in her wanting to know why , but ignored the question and continued showing her . He tied the string to the end of the thin pole dipping the other end into the water with its odd shaped bone fastened to it and telling her not to pull on it ,” just hold the pole and Waite till something pulls on the string .” To his surprise as he was showing her their was a splash below them causing him to flinch and Hestia to scream . Eddy laughed as he pulled the fish , dangling and flopping about , with the string in its mouth .

As time passed Eddy kept his secret from Hestia and began to teach her to swim . This will give her something to bide her time during his long trips away and Eddy could feel safe knowing that Hestia will have such a wonderful babysitter .

With Eddy gone and Hestia minding the homestead she was busy at song and play with her full attention on her ball as she tosses it to the sky .

She had no mind to the figure in the distance as it drew closer , till her fun came to an end , with a growl that stopped her very heart , she sees the creature as it slowly approached , with its sharp , thin , but long teeth , showing , its green eyes glowing , with its head hung low .

Another sound crept into her fear , It seemed to take the very motion from her body , but it was a voice “Child ! Over here ! Quickly into the water ! HESTIA ! You must hurry !” Hestia , forced her gaze away from the beast , as it to looked toward the water “Come Hestia it is safe , your father knows me ! RUN CHILD NOW ! Hestia ran and dove into the water , with the beast right behind her , they both were consumed by the cold dark waters .

Hestia feels something on her arm , she struggles against the pull as she comes up from the depths gasping for air . In front of her she sees the beast struggling , then a figure arose grabbing the mighty beast , and then another one , as the beast and the strange water creatures were swallowed up by the darkness that surrounds , she turns to acknowledge the grip on her and begins to kick away from it , as another comes up from the area were the beast once was but now only bubbles exist . The two creatures grabbed Hestia and pulled her kicking and screaming , as she was thrown out of the water onto the safe ground , she scrambles away from the waters edge , then being reminded of the reason that drew her into the water , as it’s body was tossed at her feet .

Leap of Faith

49

She then looks around to make sure that their is no more there , then runs off back to the safety of the den , barricading the door behind her then curling up into the corner crying and trembling .

Eddy returns to the water knowing that Hestia will be there with her songs filling the air , but instead he was horrified at the still wet life less remains of the bagat beside the water . Eddy called out , looked around frantically , as Thalassa arose ” Eddy ! She is safe ! She ran off ” pointing her elongated webbed fingers toward the shelter . Eddy ran as fast as he could , his heart racing , as he approached the door , banging on it , he hears Hestia’s screams within it . Eddy cried out ” Hestia ! Its me open up !” Hestia soon opens the door and leaps into his arms full of tears .

For the next few days Hestia refused to go out and would go into trembling fits at the slightest noise but soon felt secure enough to let Eddy out of her sight .

Eddy not knowing how to help Hestia get over her experience went to see Thalassa.

As Eddy neared the waters Thalassa was their waiting for him.

Thalassa;;;;;”How is she ?”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;;” She is fine ! No ! She is not ! She is terrified she wont even come out of the shelter.”

Thalassa;;;;;” Eddy ! Why do you refer to it as shelter ? Why not home ?”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;;” It is not a home ,home is were the heart is ! “

Thalassa;;;;;”Funny ! I thought that you big strong men found home were ever you could hang your hat !”

Eddy laughed as he took off his hat and put it on Thalassa’s head , it fell down over her eyes .Thalassa laughed as she slowly sank into the water coming back up just behind the now floating hat lifting it back up onto Eddy’s head ” “That was meant as a metaphor !”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;” Yea ! I know ! but I was never much good at reading between the lines.”

Thalassa;;;;;” She is a child , but not just a child ,you know this “.

Eddy ;;;;;;” Yea ! I do !”

Thalassa;;;;;” Yes ! But does she know ?”

Eddy stands looks over the water ” And to think I came to you for advice .” Smiled at her and with a wink she sank back into the murky water.

Eddy takes his time getting back to the shelter thinking of what Thalassa said .

Haunted past

50

As he reached the door he heard a sound from inside , It was Hestia ,she was singing , the song stopped when Eddy knocked at the door .

Hestia opens it slowly , peeking out then opening it full .

Eddy;;;;; “Hestia we need to talk .”

Hestia pulls him in and closes the door then locking it and testing it . Eddy takes her by the hand leads her over to the table they both sit as Hestia pours them both a drink.

Eddy gets up picks up a mirror he looks into it , for the first time since it happened ,then stands behind Hestia and tells her to take a good look at herself then turns it to him and tells her to take a good look at him . Hestia starts to cry then turns to hold Eddy ,he stops her , “NO Hestia ” He grabs her shoulder and demanded her to look at him ,she looks as her eyes travel down to his hands she puts hers on his and asked .

What is wrong with me ?”

Eddy;;;;;;”OH ! Baby ! Is that what you think ? That their is something wrong with you ?”

Hestia;;;;With a sob ” Yes !”

Eddy sits down takes a drink and begins to tell her about everything , she sits quietly and listens . starting with his job and the day the world burned.

Hestia ;;;;;” Was she my mother?”

Eddy;;;;;;; “I wish ! but no!” Then he tells her the rest.

Early the next morning Hestia woke Eddy .

I’m ready now! ” Eddy rubs her cheek “Me to !”

At the waters edge Hestia sitting on Eddy’s lap with the pole and its odd bone in the water and Wait’s . Thalassa sprang up from the water looking into Hestia’s eyes and holding her hands out to her as she falls back into the water . Soon Hestia sees another , then another , then the entire lake was splashing about with the creatures calling out there welcomes to Hestia and beckoning her to join them . Hestia looked to Eddy he nods his head to one side then picking her up and jumping in to the dark cool waters now springing with life .The creatures that had no names soon remembered theirs , all but one ‘Thalassa’ she had forgotten her old name forever .

To survive

52

Just think of the birth of the world itself and of all life in it , the very chemistry of life in everything ; humans ,animals ,plants even the smallest organisms .

Breathing, growing, killing, surviving , reproducing and even dying.

Those lives that sometimes threatens our own has driven man to learn more about life its self .

This is not something you should shield her from instead you should encourage her to embrace it .”

only then can we survive .”

Eddy swam to the edge of the waters to remove some of his clothing , as he pulled of his jacket and threw it on the ground he stopped lost in thought .Thalassa swam up behind him with an embrace but felt his disturbance .

Thalassa;;;;” Eddy ! What is wrong ?” as she laid her hand on his shoulder .

Eddy looked at her hand then her face but the look startled Thalassa , as she quickly withdrew her hand .

Eddy;;;;”Which one of you moved the bagat ?” As he looked around .

Thalassa;;;;” NO ! Not us ! you—-” Her words stolen from her with the look in his eyes .”Eddy what is going on ?”

Eddy ;;; “Are you positive no one moved it ? maby ! without you knowing it ? ” As he looked around he noticed that the creatures were looking at him . Hestia noticed and began looking around at the heads of her new friends bobbing up and down with the waves .

Thalassa;;;” Yes ! I am ! ” Then they both looked at the empty spot .

Eddy hopped up onto the embankment , taking off his boot and emptied it of the black waters , as the crowd resumed their games with Hestia .

Thalassa with one hand on Eddy’s knee asked ” That wasn’t the first one you have seen is it ? “

Eddy;;;” No ! No it is not ! Most of our things are made from their hides and the food we eat as well !”

Thalassa;;;;” Oh ! Eddy ! ‘as she turned her head in shame ‘ Do you not know ! To take a life is wrong .”

Eddy;;;” Yes ! Thalassa ! This I know ! And I also know that Hestia would have died if I hadn’t .” he began telling there story .

Thalassa;;;;” And now the mighty hunter is the prey .”

Goodbyes

52

Eddy;;;”Thalassa ! We must go now .”

Thalassa;;;;” Were will you go ! Maybe that was not one of them ! Maybe “

As Eddy showed Thalassa his wrist and said ” How do you think I fed her before ?”

Eddy;;;;” No ! I’m sure ! And if you saw the way that beast looked at me you would know too .”

Thalassa;;;” Forgive me , I shouldn’t have judged you so .”

Eddy;;;” No ! Thalassa It is I who needs forgiveness ! But that is something that no one here can give . We will go into the mountains , maby we can make it to the sea or die trying .”

Thalassa ;;;; Grabbing Eddy’s arm as he got up she whispers ” Maby their is another way !” She looked back , Eddy’s eyes fallowed to one creature , out of all , was looking back . He rose up half out of the water and down then rose up in front of Thalassa eye to eye , they remained then looking at Eddy then back to one another . Eddy noticed that the others had stopped playing again and was looking toward the couple . Hestia swam over and joined Eddy as they stared at them all silent and still in the water like a snapshot . Then down they all went slowly into the deep Eddy and Hestia looked to one another . Hestia;;;;” Freaky ! ”

As Eddy and Hestia dried off the couple arose again .

Thalassa;;;; ” Eddy , Hestia this is Captain Corgis .”

Corgis;;;;;” Just Corgis please I am no longer a Captain as you can see but yes I can help you . I have spent more time out of this place than any one .”

Eddy;;;;;” Out ! Any one ! what do you mean more time ?”

Thalassa;;;;;” Eddy ! Its still there .”

Eddy ;;;;;” What is !”

Corgis;;;;” The old world !”

As the old sea bird told his own tails of adventure , Eddy tried hard to not believe , but he did , and it all made since .

Eddy broke the news to Hestia but gave her a few days to spend with the mermaden and to give himself time to prepare for the trip .

Eddy was given something from the deep waters by one of the mermaden , that told him as it dries it becomes a thick > glue< that resist water , and supplied him with plenty .

It worked well in creating bottles using the hide and to treat the inside of their clothing so when it rained they could turn the fur in and keep warm and dry .

A new beginning

53

They also provided him with plenty of the braided weeds that in its thin constancy was actually stronger than the thicker rope that it now replaced and made for a good binding of the leather .

After several days longer than he had intended it was time to say good by to the gentle people of the black waters . As Eddy and Hestia left the mermaden took to their flight above the waters and descended into it with barley a ripple .

As their trip heads them East for three days then North till they reached a fence , chain link that spread farther than the eye could see and toward up to the sky . As they stood peering through it at the green land stretching out to homes , streets , and people going about their daily lives . Hestia tugs on Eddy’s fur coat that bore remnants of the thick black leather one he wore the last time he had seen such a sight .

Hestia;;;; ” What is it ? Is it safe ? How do we get there ?”

A child calls out from the distance ” Mom ! Their is some one out there ! ”

Woman;;;; ” Go ! Go get your Father ! NOW ! ” as she ran over to the fence , then stopping as she gets close enough to get a good look at the two standing motionless and silent ” OH ! LORD ! ” as she knelt in front of Hestia with her fingers griping the metal wire that separated .

She looks up to Eddy ” HOW ? ” As a truck full of men pulled up and the passengers jumped clear of it taking one look at Eddy then pointing their guns toward him . A sound arose from beneath Eddy’s coat , as Hestia grasped his leg .

One man “You just stand right their and don’t move a muscle .

The sound within his coat again not loud enough to be heard by the noise of the panicky men.

Woman ;;;;;” Dam-it Mikey what are they going to do you Jack Ass !” as she stood in front of Eddy ” They need our help and since your to IGNORANT to notice I will point it out for you ‘The fence’ ” , as she held up both hands to her right “Not to mention were they come from” she points to the wast land as she approaches the man “I doubt you could survive one night out their with your big guns and your friends”as she slapped the barrel to the side with one hand then punched him with the other in the stomach bringing him to his knees gasping for air ‘ “You fat worthless tub of shit ! Get the hell out of here ! All of you before I get really mad ” she then tells the grinning boy ” Go get doc . Then fetch Doug and tell them what is going on ” The boy turns his bike and heads off stopping to ask ” What about the sheriff ? ”

The other side

54

The angry woman ” For what ! Do you see any donuts in distress ! ” She then takes her position back in front of the little girl with her face showing the signs of their long journey ” Now don’t you fret none those men wont harm you .” she looks up to Eddy ” Either of you I promise ” then looks back at the men ” WELL ! ” she crosses her arms ” Go on now ! If we need something scared and defenseless shot I promise you will be the first ones we call ” she turned to Eddy with a smile then returned to her squat in front of Hestia ” So ! What is your name little one ?” Hestia burrow’s her face into the long thin soft fur . Eddy nudges her back encouraging her to answer the lady . Hestia answers with a shy almost whisper ” Hestia ! ”

The lady ” What a pretty name and what is your fathers name ?” Hestia returns to the comfort of the fur , the woman stands still griping the fence and looks to Eddy ” I am Jodie ! ” Eddy returns ” They call me Phoenix “

Jodie ;;;;” Phoenix Huh ! OK ! Mr. Phoenix you mind entertaining me with how the two of you got yourselves into this predicament “

Eddy stood silent as Hestia burrowed deeper into his coat .

Jodie;;;;” Alright then Mr. Phoenix and Miss. Hestia then we will just stand here and stare at one another till reinforcements get here .”

Soon Jodie was joined by two more vehicles , as the men exited their vehicles in a rush.

Jodie;;;;” Gentlemen I’d like you to meet Mr. Phoenix and Miss. Hestia “,”Mr. Phoenix , Miss. Hestia this is Doc. Holiday ! ‘no relation’ .” , ” And this is Doug our finest Mr. fix it .,Doug if you will ! lets see what can be done to get these two scarecrows out of the coop .

Doug ;;;;” I am going to have to go get some things .”

As Doug drives off a police cruiser with it’s lights and sirens blaring races toward the fence sliding to a halt .

Jodie;;;;;” It’s OK ! Every one can relax now ! The Calvary is here ” as the officer gets out of the car.

Officer;;;;” Thanks Jodie I am so glad you took the time to call me I’d be embarrassed to be the last one to know. “

Jodie ;;;;;” Now sheriff I’m sure that there is someone in town that is less clueless than you ,like ,maybe ,Fred , who is passed out at the park again “

Doc. turns away covering his mouth trying hard not to laugh out loud but not being successful at his task ” Howdy sheriff “

Sheriff;;;;;” Hello Doc. figures you’d be in on this too. “

New friends

55

Doc.;;;; ” Well ! I try to be where I am needed ” then bursts into laughter as Jodie quickly responds ” So ! exactly what brings you here Frank !” with a sarcastic tone .

sheriff casts the beam of his flashlight into Eddy’s eyes and asks ” You got some ID boy .

Jodie snaps ‘ “ Frank you illiterate sour sum –Doc. cuts in ” sheriff, think the interrogations can wait at least until he’s on this side of the fence .”

sheriff pulls at the fence ” Common little girl clime under .”

Jodie pushes the sheriff ” What the hell is wrong with you ?”‘ as she slaps his shoulder ‘ ” I swear momma must have dropped you on your head . “

Sheriff ;;; ” HAY ! I can arrest you for assaulting an officer of the law .” as he points to his badge .

Jodie;;; ” Boy ! you lay one hand on me and I “– Doc tries to cut in till Jodie pushes him against the fence then sticks her fist up to the sheriff ” I’ll send you home crying again with a bloody nose.” sheriff ducks holding up his arm as he reaches for his holster ” boy ! you pull that thing on me you dam well better shoot me dead .” Doc. grabs Jodie from behind holding on tight .

Telling the sheriff ” Frank ! Now you know I cant hold her long and you better be long gone ” sheriff jumps into his car and races off just as Doug is coming back .

Doug;;;;; ” Dam it I always miss the good parts .”

Doc. releases his grip then takes several steps back dodging Jodie’s swings .

Eddy walks to the fence watching the ruckus. ” Man I tell you ! One of these days Doc wont be around and she going to kill that Lil prick .” he looks at Eddy

Well I got good news and bad .”

The bad news is I can get you out , the good news is its going to take a while .” laughs as he takes out his tape and gets some measurements then returns to his truck ” Hay ! As soon as you get done flirting with her , will you move your car ? “

By now word had spread and most of the town was watching from a distance as Doug began cutting and welding at his trailer that sat on one side , his truck on the other and doc’s car in the front boxing in the area .

Greener Pastors

56

Doug ready to begin his assembly hand’s Eddy several bolts through the fence fallowed by some flat steal with holes drilled into it then a wrench . After drilling some holes for bolts into the concrete he stood up one side having Eddy run bolts through the steal on his side sandwiching the fence in between then the other side and the top followed by a weld . Doug was ready now to cut away the fence as the people watching drew closer . With the fence cut away . Eddy and Hestia came through , Doug stuck out his hand to Eddy . Eddy returned the gesture and complimented Doug on his work then asked if he could help .

Doug ;;;;” Yea ! That would be great no one will come near the fence so I usually fly solo but yea ! I could use some help with the door .”

Doug was busy rolling up his power cord and getting things out of the way when he heard a dragging sound he looked up Eddy had pulled the gait from the truck

holding one end up .

Doug;;;;’” On second thought maybe I will just help you !”

Eddy walked to the side of the gate and lifted it up right as the truck rose from it’s squatting position .

Doug;;;;” Then again maybe I will just watch .”

Eddy picked up the door and carried it to the opening setting it in , as Doug watched in Awe then shaking his head to clear his mind he grabbed a large hammer and pecked the gate into place and tacked it in .

Doug;;;;” Dam ! That thing had to weigh a ton it took 4 guys to load it “

Eddy wiped his hands together , picked up his bag then taking Hestia by the hand headed toward the Doc . , Jodie and the crowd that had grown around them .

The crowd was arguing about potential infection .

not knowing what diseases the two stray mutts carry ” as one man argued ” put them back till we know for sure.”

Eddy;;;;” He’s right ! There should be a quarantine .” as he stopped about 20 feet from the bickering crowd and pointed out toward a large tree with a swing hanging from it’s lowest limb ” Over there ! With a fifty foot parameter . And by the way !” as Eddy released Hestia’s hand and walked up to the mutt man ” Refer to me as you will ” Eddy’s path to the man that he had singled out from the pack had parted way , he stops in front of the man looking him deep in his sickly brown eyes then raising his hand from behind his coat wielding his long thick bowed blade lying it to the well fed mans throat.

Quarantine

58

But make no mistake ! you will show the utmost restraint when in the presence of Hestia ”

The fat mouthy man lost control of his body functions soaking himself . Eddy never took his eyes from the mans as he looked down at his wet pants with tears in his eyes .Eddy takes Hestia by the hand and continued out in to the distance . Their they sat as Eddy opened his bag to retrieved their cups and Akta , they sat quietly as they sipped there drinks and ate their meats . Now as the sun begins to set the crowd has thinned out and the air begins to chill .

Jodie comes over as Eddy strikes a fire , she squats beside the fire ” The tree is on some ones property , Doug is going over now to talk to her , I don’t see it as a problem she is a good lady .” Eddy offers her a portion of the meat , she took a larger bite then put the remainder in her shirt pocket and said ” Very good I’ll save the rest for latter ” as she reached into the fire curious about the blue flame , she withdrew her hand quickly ” Ouch ! That is really hot what is it ”

Hestia ;;;;;” Brigid ” she said with a smile behind her cup . Eddy grabs his blade as a sound from behind him as its fast clumsy pace drew near . It was Doug ‘ as he collapsed on the opposite side of the small fire from Jodie gasping for air

She said its OK with her “

Jodie ;;;” did you tell her about the quarantine ?”

Doug;;;;” Yea ! she said its OK with her , she doesn’t go any where .”

his breath slowly rejoining its normal rhythm .”I will take you over , just let me catch my breath , the guys are setting up a tent right now they will let us know when they are done .” Hestia hands Doug her cup “Thanks!” he takes it and drinks it down in a gulp then drops to his back .

Doug;;;;;”Hay ! that’s really good stuff .” as he hands Hestia back the cup , she giggles as Eddy fills it again .

Soon a whistle comes from the direction of the tree and Eddy puts the cups and meats back into the bag , he stands and offers Doug his hand .

Jodie:::” Well ! I got mouths to feed .” as she gets up and heads the opposite direction . They reached the tree and its grounds now lit up by the extra large light by the door stoup and a woman standing at the bottom .

Eddy takes off his bag and sets it on the table , It falls through in the middle . The woman laughs ” Having problems their big guy ” she reaches in the door pulling out a set of keys then heads off to a shed “Just throw that against the house out of the way and give me a hand. “

Safety

58

She opens the lock then the door and soon the light after a missed attempt of the switch . She removes the items from top of a much smaller but sturdy and very nice work bench then wipes it off and slaps the middle .” This should do nicely

She turned to see Eddy. He was tracing the curve of a sickle that hung on the wall “Men !” she responded under her breath “Well ! you gonna help me or do I have to drag this thing out their myself. ” She then began dragging the table out the door pushing Eddy on out , she stumbled , Eddy caught her fall . As she rests their in his arms looking up into his blank emotionless face . ” Thank you !” He stood her up then took the table high above his head carrying it to the tree ” Men !” The table was much smaller so Eddy sat his bag on one of the chairs and it fell through , Hestia laughed loudly . The woman ” Men !” As she shook her head , then went into the house . Soon returning with two chairs dropping the first out the door .

Eddy went to her aid taking the second as he helped her down then carrying the two chairs to the table . ” Men !” As she passed walking toward Hestia sitting by the tree , handing her a small Doll with long blond hair . Hestia took it and began running the length of the hair between her fingers . Eddy sat the chairs down at the table then picked up his bag from the broken down chair . He hesitated before setting his bag on to the new chair “Men!” He opened the bag and began taking items from it .

Woman;;;;” Hestia my name is Alexa .” She grabs the rope hanging from the tree . ” Do you know what this is ?” Hestia looked at the swing .” It’s for cleaning —- .”Eddy cut her off “Hestia” then nodded his head .

Alexa;;;;” Com on I will show you .” Sticking out her hand then helping her onto the wooden seat .”Now hold on like this .” She pulls back the swing and lets go . Hestia falls from the seat . Eddy picks her up and sits her back onto it .

When you go forward hold tight and lean back .” Holding his hand on her back as she leaned back . when you go back lean forward and tuck in your legs .” His hands pushing her legs under her . “Watch the ground so you don’t kick it and when you want to stop do the same thing opposite . OK?” Hestia nodded then Eddy gave her a small push and goes back to the table . Eddy stops at the tent , he looks inside , the door with it’s thick canvas flaps tied back . He feels the material between his fingers then takes off his hat hanging it on the top . “Men !” Eddy returns to his bag as Alexa takes a seat in the odd chair watching as Eddy pulled out the contents from the bag each one in its own bag .

For the occasion

59

Eddy pulled out two cup from its fur lining he then opened another and poured some of the black liquid into one and motioned for Alexa to drink , she nodded her head . Eddy filled the second cup and filled his mouth closing his eyes a moment then swallowing . Eddy looks at Alexa she then picked up the cup smelling of it first then taking a sip , tasting it on her lips before taking it all . She held it in her mouth as Eddy had done then swallowed . ” That is very good ! What is it ?” Hestia takes a seat at the table as Eddy fills her glass .” Akta ” She said as she filled her mouth .

Eddy opened another sack and pulled out the meat handing Alexa one then biting a piece off from another then passing Hestia several pieces . Alexa now more secure with her squatters from the wasteland in view of the large window facing the south .

Eddy unties the top of his bag handing it to Alexa . She examines the top and it’s detail in the hand work , the shaping of the bones that were the ribs of the Bagat from his first kill in either world . The way it was bound with leather through the spine , cracks shown of a luster almost as though it was lacquered . The leather cut and sewn into a bowl shape that filled the ribs . The top half way covered by the chest bone , it was a thick yellow beyond the shade of gold added to a blue haze , the open area was wrapped with fine fur that came from the ears and the bridge of the nose and muzzle , covered with more ribs creating a cage .
Eddy unties the two parts and opening them from midpoint hinging to the right , Eddy pulls out some items . Eddy opens another bag and pulls out a dried bone then filling it’s hallow with the black drink , holds it to his mouth and drinks then handed it to Alexa . She took it and done the same ,waiting , swallowing . As a warm breeze flows in from accost the ruined plains . Lost in her own minds eye , when she opened her eyes , Hestia is back to her swing , doll and songs . Eddy was standing now at the chair untying a wrap of fur tossing it out on the ground .

Alexa thought it looked like a sleeping bag as she watched Hestia lost in her own thoughts .

Alexa;;;;;;;;” What is that she is singing ?”

Eddy;;;;;;;;;;” I don’t know ” ” I think only she and the gods know. “

Alexa;;;;;;;;” you are welcome ” Hestia’s song pulled Alexa’s thoughts else where .

Eddy;;;;;;;” For ,,,,,?”

Mutt Man

60

Alexa;;;;” Oh ! Um ! Yea ! the ,, the um ,,,, bathroom it’s to the left just inside the door your welcome to it , toilet , bath what ever and Um would you two like something to eat or ;;;;drink .her voice shallows.

Eddy,,,,,,” No ! We are fine and I hope we have not put you in any inconvenience .”

Alexa excuses herself ” Good night ! The door is open should you need the necessity’s and food . Please your my guests theirs not much room but your welcome to the floor if needed .”

Eddy prepares for a fire digging a small hole and carefully placing the dirt from it inside of a pouch he had emptied and returning it to its rightful spot inside of the larger bag that has grown much smaller and lighter .

Eddy removes his coat from over his head spreading it out on the ground and placing his sword , Boi and other items of his own making along with a few tools : a small pick hammer , adjustable wrench , vice grips , and belt holding them as it supported itself over Eddy’s shoulders the sward sheath hung from a pivot shortly off of balance .

Hestia came and placed her coat on top then folded the larger coat over keeping in view the handles of the large bowed knife and the sword before returning to her doll awaiting her on the thick wooden seat . Their she remained till bed time .

Dawn now long gone as Eddy sits facing east squat between Hestia and the opening of his coat . Alexa watches from the kitchen window . She jumps startled by the whistling from a pot for coffee . She pours two and goes out to Eddy she stands in front to one side of his view and sits holding out one cup and saying

Good morning have you been here all night .

Eddy takes the cup with his hands wrapping it as he blows at the steam then inhaling it’s aroma .

Before Hestia woke the doctor , sheriff and the mutt man came into the back yard fallowed by several well armed men all aimed at Eddy .

Alexa Stands and approaches the men as they push by her ” Wat do you think your doing ! This is my property so unless ——-”

The mutt man points to Eddy ” The moment you agreed to let them stay here this is as of now state property .”

Eddy reaches for his sword leaps to his feet .

Hestia wakes ” STOP IT ! “

Bad Company

61

Eddy calms as Doc. approached pushing barrels aside ” Now Eddy if you don’t let them have your weapons they will kill you most of these guys have been drinking all night and I for one don’t want this to go badly in front of Hestia . Eddy looks to Hestia her face in tears . Eddy lowers his weapon and hands it to Doc .The other men rush over and begin to go through Eddy’s bag and clothes dropping and strewing things on the table and ground .

Alexa;;;;;;” Now that’s just rude pick that up , don’t you dare brake anything , You , I saw that put it back as the man withdrew a stone on a chain . Alexa snatched it from his hand then lost it to the mutt man saying ” I’ll take care of this .” he held the chain looking at the stone ” Very nice and where did you steal this from ?” Alexa grabbed for it but the man was ready .” I bet he stole the girl as well .” he steps toward Hestia Eddy grabs his arm and places a pocket knife to the chubby neck of the man pressing just enough to make him bleed.

The next one that tries to go near her will be the last one to die .” ,” Who are you fat man to dare touch her ?”

Mutt man;;;;;”l” I,,,,I am the mayor Dick Randall .”

The smell of his urine reached Eddy’s nose , he pushed the fat man to the ground “Pathetic parasite .”,” Any one else care to try ? I promise you the damage I can and will do to this town will out weigh the damage you can do to me .”

He throws the knife in the ground between the mayors pee soaked shoes . Eddy turns and meets the sheriffs eyes ,he gulps hard as the gun in his hand trembles with the safety still on . Eddy takes Hestia’s hand leads her to the table just past the men she takes her seat as Eddy picks up his things he notices the bag with cups beside one mans foot with one glass out broken on the ground . Eddy picks the bottom piece up in one hand and the case in the other stands up looking at the jagged remains in his hand he then shoves the glass into the mans chest just above the nipple . Eddy could fell the glass as it struck bone before the man flew on his back sliding to a stop .

Eddy paying no mind to the nervous triggers trained on him as he sat down filling the one cup for Hestia along with some meats . As he put the items back where they belonged .

The mayor yells ” Shoot that bastard he tried to kill me you are all witnesses .

Mutts

62

Eddy stopped turned and looked at him deep into his eyes just before Alexa punched the man in the jaw sending him into the tent . All the men laughed as she stood over him pointing her finger at him .

Lets get one thing very clear you will ‘not’ push me aside you will ‘not’ come on to my property pushing someone else around and you sure as ‘hell’ will be spending the next few weeks in the dark you fat lazy bastard now get up and get the hell off my land NOW!”

The men laughed as they began walking away holding there arms up in submission as two helped the mayor up . Alexa looking at the sheriff as he smiled watching the men leave.

And just what the hell are you smiling at are you so stupid that you cant tell when you have outstayed your welcome ?” She stood stamping her foot and a finger pointing to the road . As the sheriff left around the corner Doug was on his way back . looking over his shoulder as he approached the camp ” Man ! I have the worse timing of any one ” he shakes his head with a wide smile sticking out his hand to Eddy saying . ” Good morning Alexa .”as he hands her a bag . Alexa opens the bag and looks inside ” Did you find Everything ?”

Doug;;;;;” Yea ! I think I did ”

Doc.;;;;” I hate to break this up but Eddy is it OK with you if I send some people out to take some samples from you and Hestia just a few pricks “as he began to laugh ” Oh ! I’m sorry that was not called for ”

Eddy ;;;;” OK ! ”

Doc. ;;;” Great they are on there way ! till then may I have a word with you .” as he lifted his hand to the open grounds .

Eddy;;;” I will tell you what I can .”

Doc;;;;” Just details !, The girl ?

Eddy;;;;;;;” She was born after ! I knew her mother .”

Doc ;;;” Are you ?”

Eddy ;;;;” No ! ” Then telling Doc how he had found the girl . Making sure to be vague on certain details .

Doc.;;;;” So what is it like ,out their ?”

Eddy ::::” I have some papers that will answer most of your questions .”

Doc.;;;;;” Rubs his jaw ” U mm ! Eddy I’m not the smartest man in town but I am not the dumbest . But it seems to me that the two of you are healthy . So it makes me wounder what is it out there that caused you to come to us .

Gathering

64

HUM maybe your running from someone or something “. Eddy tells the doc about the bagat on their way back to the camp then hands him some papers inside of a leather folder .

I think you will find this very interesting .”

A call from the front of the house ” DOC ARE YOU HEAR ?”

Doc.;;;;” OUT BACK !” as he headed around with the folder in hand . Eddy picks out a bag and offers it to doc as he directs his nurses to the child on the swing .

Eddy;;;;” Doc. can you have some things checked out for radiation and what ever .”

Doc ;;;;”Sure like what ?”

Eddy opens the small sack showing its items a ring with a rather large diamond ,some coins ,a piece of glass ,a ball of the dried moss and a lock of his and Hestia’s hair .

Doc.” takes the bag ” Yea I think I can take Care of it for you ,thanks ”

Eddy returned to the camp and waited his turn.

Doug ;;;;” Eddy I hate to bother you ” he chuckled as the nurse drew blood from Eddy’s arm. ” but um I just wanted to see, if you wasn’t busy tonight, well maby we could have a few drinks, that is if Hestia will be Ok without you. ”

Eddy looks to Hestia then around at the open grounds between her and themBe glad to ” pointing out across the plush green carpet and the massive fence standing guard in the distance .

Doug;;;;;” Great ! After sundown then !”

After the nurses had gone and the tension fades Hestia that had refused to leave the swing is now back to her songs and play . Swinging well now and the small doll with its arms holding on at the top of Hestia’s leather hide scraped clean of its hair then adorned with odd pieces depicting a story of her life .The large legs looked to more than a skirt, as she squats it stands creating a tent covering her with color that blends into the landscape and shelter . Eddy his was more noticeable with the black and white long fine fur ending just beyond the knee in its tapered untrimmed edges . The coat more like a poncho giving plenty of room to pivot the sward handle down and out of the way during his trip and running then pulled up if needed for defense .

Child of Ash

64

And its oversize hood and selves that only came down below his elbow .

Eddy and Hestia’s day was spent in laughter ,song and play making good use of the ball and Frisbee always stopping to face the wind that all to seldom brought remembrance of the world that they had grown to more than a love but a connection to. The once thriving land that now struggles to hold on to life . Hestia once heard the cries of the land as a scary and sad thing . Now listens even closer to hear those comforting moan’s and howls carried by the wind that mostly only came in gust and deep in the frigid nights just before the sun chases the moon away.

Eddy telling Hestia that once the moon and sun lived near, till the sun could no longer keep its love for the moon from shining through. The gods cursed the lovers and made the moon see the sun as a great monster. As she ran away in fear, the moon fallows with its undying love .

After There meal Hestia has the need to go to the bathroom Eddy showed her the room to use and explains to her how it worked flushing the water with its blue color caught her attention “Don’t drink ” Eddy applied to her curiosity then turned on the sink “Drink”

She cupped her hands into the cool water then being overcome with the urge she done as instructed then flushed watching the water as it disappeared . then returning to the sink and turning on the water . Eddy pointing out the right one is OK then running the hot till steam appears then showing Hestia

Hot “no “

Alexa enters she sits on the side of the tub turning on the water plugging the drain setting the temperature on the inner side of her wrist then running her fingers through the water ” Hestia you want to get in “Eddy pushes her back she then tries to get into the tub Alexa stops her as she laughed “NO silly lets do this first ” as she closed the lid on the toilet and sits Hestia on it and begins to remove Hestia’s shoes that laced up her leg Alexa took notice of the braided string and the detail of the pieces that made a firm fit .Alexa startles herself when she noticed three lumps on the bottom of the boot as the noses of the leather stolen from the animal that feeds them . She closes her eyes a moment takes a deep breath then continued undressing Hestia .Eddy leaves closing the door without a word .

After Hestia’s bath Alexa Left to go get the bag Doug brought over .After Hestia dried off and smelling the towel she minded herself with the toilet removing the lid from the tank then watching its guts as they worked .

Something new

65

Alexa comes in Hestia never flinched as Alexa pier over her ” Find something interesting did ya ?” then placing the top back ” I have something even more interesting just for you she turns Hestia around then dried her hair noticing that the once almost black child was blond with a milky fine complexion surrounding the whitest eyes set with brilliant green surrounding the largest darkest pupil she had ever seen . Alexa opened the sack and pulled out a dress holding it up to herself asking ” so what do you think ?”

Hestia reached out at the bright blue flowers then rubbing the lacy edge between her fingers then smiled as Alexa covered Hestia’s head . “Good now raise your hand high” then pulling the dress down she then sat Hestia on the stool and removed thin blue socks then a pair of leather shoes like the hide only brown and tied over the top of her foot.

Hestia liked her new shoes the best. Alexa then reached for a brush from a drawer this fascinated Hestia immensely as she took it from Alexa’s hand felt of the soft bristles then began running it through her hair then tying it back with a brown scarf . Alexa stood Hestia in front of the sink then opening a door with a long mirror showing Hestia her new outfit . Hestia smiled taking Alexa by the hand leading her outside to the table while she fished out a bone with teeth piercing through hide that had been shrunk around the bone. Alexa knew right away what it was just as Hestia new .

Alexa took notice of the detail put into such a strange creation of a brush . Hestia takes it goes to the coats on the ground and begins brushing the fur then pulling her hair over her shoulder and took one stroke through her hair then put it back into the bag .

The sun is setting now just over the roof of the house and Eddy comes to Hestia he smiles but not a word as he took out there ration of meats and Akta . Alexa remembered the cup then went to a cabinet reaching deep into the back she pulls out a small cup nearly the same size with a slight bluish green tent and a small ridge on the rim of it for finger . Alexa presented Eddy with the cup along with one for herself. They all sat Alexa ate and drank with the two guests and watched the sun as it journeyed endlessly seeking its other half .

Soon Doug came around the house with a bag under his arm he greats the Lady’s complementing Hestia on her shoes then asking if he could borrow Eddy for a little while saying we will be just over there pointing toward the East .

A toast to new

66

Hestia watches as the two fade into the dark soon lit up from a fire . As Eddy And Doug sat .Doug pulled out a bottle And started passing it back and forth Eddy pulled out some of the meat and offered it to Doug he took it and ate it down chewing it well in his cheek.

Doug;;;;” I wont dull you with questions out there but id like to know what you think happened whatever you don’t want me to repeat will not be spoken of even to you . Dough drops to his elbow then taking his next swig ” Besides who can I tell ” As he looked into the wastelands ” No one here will get close to me long enough to do anything more than request me to fix build or destroy something “

Eddy ;;;; “And I thought i had it bad “

Dough ;;;;” Screw you ! “as he took another drink.

Eddy ;;;;” So why do they avoid you so .”

Doug;;;;;” Well ” he takes a swig ” you see that fence , I built that ,well I had some help like the concrete , hauling the supplies but I done it. I spent most of my nights camped out here looking out there , He looks at Eddy ” I knew , for some reason I knew there was life out there.”

Eddy;;;” So It came as no surprise “

Dough ;;;;” Hell ! no! you were allot more than I expected and the little girl, Hestia , now her she blew me away then to get to know her ,I thank you my friend.”

Eddy;;;” for what?”

Doug ;;;;;” You, her coming here of all places ,Your going back , out their ain’t ya but alone ?

Eddy didn’t answer he just took a swig looking Doug in the eyes and passed him the bottle he then pulled out a bottle from his bag and handed it to Doug “Try this ” Doug took a swig and handed it back to Eddy ” very good ” as he took another swig from his bottle saying with a forced exhale “Just not good enough .”

Later Doug woke up the moon high into the sky past noon as Eddy sat looking into the fire and poking at it with a long bone that showed of carvings and metal tip .

Doug ;;;;”Wow what happened ?”

Eddy laughed quietly”You looked tired.”

Doug;;;; “I must have been but I feel great now”

Eddy;;;;”strong enough for a walk out their”

Doug looked to the wasteland ” With you ? How far?”

Eddy;;;;”As far as you can handle provided i don’t have to carry you to much Trip into the Bad lands

67

Doug;;;;”Id love to but ,,,,,”

Eddy;;;; “Its safe you have been close enough to it that you should be able to last better than 3 hours “

Doug;;;;;” OK” he gets up and says ” Lets go moonlights wasting”

Eddy checked Hestia then grabbed his things . Doug was at the gait just getting the last lock off. They both entered and Doug replaced the locks. As he fastened the last lock a thought raced through his mind ‘ What if I need to get these locks off in a hurry ‘ then his mind was set to ease as Eddy said “what if you only put one on and someone comes out before we return and they added a different lock ” He laughed hardy as the sound of Doug swallows hard with a gulp ‘CLICK’ the last Lock in place Doug turned to Eddy.

So any single ladies out here”

Eddy took off with Doug right at his heals . Doug handled the rough terrain well his main difficulty was looking into the dark at an even darker ground Eddy stopped checking out areas for tracks mostly and felling under debris for good moss. As the sun began to rise they had found a good spot and Eddy showed Doug how to get the Akta using the skull and leg bone that he used to stir the fire with Doug took notice of the small hole in the bowl and held his hand under it as the thick black substance of life dripped out he tasted it ” Its not sweet ”

Eddy;;;; ” No its not but it will be in a few days after a few weeks its like your alcohol and after a few months” he pulls out the bottle then puts it back smiles at Doug then heads off . By now Doug has no idea were he is only that they had run a long ways.

Eddy stops opens his bag and they both eat and drink .

Doug;;;; so how far are we from the gait ?”

Eddy gets a slim look on his face.

Doug;;;; ” You telling me we are lost !” he stands up and the gait is just over the mound behind Eddy.

Back at the camp Hestia still sound asleep Eddy disrobes as a peck on the window and a hand motioning to come in . Alexa serves up coffee ” Thought you boys might need a pick me up after last night .you know if someone sees you Doug it wont be a good thing “

Doug;;;;” Like I care most of the town don’t know I exist until they need something fixed. Hell I cant even go have a drink at stiffys without people getting up and moving to the other side of the room and women yea right new subject “

Common spirits

68

Alexa;;;;;” OK how about food as a topic ?”

Doug ;;;;” I bet there is something that Eddy would like. That is unless he has forgotten the taste of a home cooked meal ” All eyes on Eddy now

Eddy;;;;” Toast ,Eggs sunny side up , two pieces of bacon , and juice If that’s not a problem ?

Doug slaps the table now that’s what I’m talking about he looks to Alexa

Alexa ;;;;” Well I guess the kitchen is open .” as she heads off to prepare.

Eddy and Doug lost in conversation as Doug tells his own story .

I was on the roof of old man Dickerson’s, the cheep old fart , a gust of wind nearly knocked me off. As I looked up I saw fire in the sky splashing down like water tossed from a bucket . I was so close to it that when the roof of the house took off like a kite with me still on it . Dam thing nearly killed me .

Alexa;;;” Don’t forget that dam thing also saved your life MR. “

Doug shook his head as he piers down the cup ” Honestly I thought I was dead then when I came out I looked out over the ruins. There was not a fire one. I ran out to see if there was any survivors but the ash in the air was so thick I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face .”

Alexa;;;;” Yea ! And that fools notion nearly got him killed. No matter how Nobel .”as she looked over her shoulder from the stove . In the middle of the conversation Eddy got up and went out the door to his bag poring a drink then sitting down as Hestia got up from her fur bed and took a seat drinking her precious nectar.

Eddy ;;;” Will you like to try some food , besides this” as he held the bag opened ready for her to choose . Hestia raised her nose to the air sniffing at the fragrance spilling out from the house she looked at Eddy with a smile in agreement. Eddy took her by the hand and started into the house. Hestia stopped let go and returned to the large bag pulling out her new brush and her mirror. Eddy stared for a moment as she sat brushing her hair then continued back into the house . There were now fore chairs two odd ones and two matching the ones outside .Doug had his plate in front of him as Alexa placed one for Eddy Doug hadn’t touched his so Eddy just continued with his coffee and waited for Hestia and Alexa to join .

The chat was small the food being the center of attention after a blessing and a shuffle of salt, pepper, butter and jam which Hestia took to very well.

Bitter sweet

69

As Eddy tried to contain the child’s thirst for the sweet thick substance she had found to be so delightful to her taste Alexa scolded him “now you just leave her be now “

Doug chuckled as he reached for some ” May I ” he took the knife and spread his toast then biting it Hestia did the same then laughing as she kicked her feet swinging then between the legs of the chair . Hestia enjoyed the meat but the eggs threw her off some probably the yellow running out from the egg as Alexa showed her how to sop it up with the bread .

Six days and uncountable needles later. Eddy begins to feel week , he has been trying to hide it from everyone , but Hestia ,she sees it and takes on the feasting ritual of drink and meats 3 times a day now down to only one piece of meats at sun up noon and sundown , a ritual that she will no doubt carry on with her throughout her years , always the same a mouth full of the Akta holding then savoring it as she faces the West hoping to catch a comfort of there home in the Ashlands .

Hestia begins to put the now small bags together creating one larger bag along with the bedding rolling it up just right and securing it to the larger bag then taking Eddy by the hand leading him out into the open , they stretch out there arms leaning there heads back as Hestia begins to sing . Alexa watches this from her large window facing the once lustrous and thriving area that no longer seems desolate and lifeless . With no sign of clouds or rumbling the sky bursts open with no restraint as it pores out its bounty over the land .Eddy and Hestia stands savoring the blessed moment that comes so few and fare between .

Alexa gives them a moment taking her time to gather some towels and a shirt for Hestia and the remains of the tent that she had used to make Eddy a shirt and pants with.

She breaks up there tranquil moment of grace ” hay you two come inside ” Hestia turns and runs to the open door laughing and splashing along the way as Alexa ready’s the towel .

Eddy takes the bag puts on his hat then picks up there coats that Hestia’s had turned hers inside out shoving Eddy’s inside .

Eddy makes it to the door Alexa has striped Hestia from her wet dress then covered her with the shirt . She hands Eddy the clothes “you do still remember how to bathe indoors ” as she tilts her head toward the bathroom .

Tranquil moment of grace

70

Eddy strips clean of his hides then closes the shower curtain. He sets the water to his comfort leans into the pulse of the blast as it takes him away .

A flash of a bottle hinged on the brink of decent , a flower mouth vase in the hall , a chubby little man in his well tailored suit curled up in the floor with his thumb in his mouth , and Areon as her face fills Eddy’s hands as the tear gets lost within the crack of her cheek and his thumb .

Eddy wipes clear the excess water from his body before reaching for the thick soft towel that he rests over his shoulder after a throw drying .

Eddy stands at the sink he wipes the mirror clean of the steam with his hand . Before him the reflection of Areon as she brushes her still wet hair and her body glistening with small droplets of the shower they shared . The vision fades as the moisture reclaims the mirror . Eddy frantically wipes the mirror only to find himself alone . His once shoulder length dark hair now white almost a silver and nearly past the middle of his back , his once pail white skin from days spent indoors now a bronze , and his once hazel eyes now burned of a bright ghostly tone of not but yellow .

Eddy stands gazing into himself a vision he has seen many times but now with a better understanding .

Eddy puts on the clothes recognizing the material and appreciating it’s well fit . He soon joins Hestia and Alexa they are sitting in the living room floor on a large rug in front of the oversize window , popping at a clear ball . Alexa ;;;;” Will you join us ?” Eddy shakes his head then sits quietly in a wooden rocker on the opposite side facing the large window Eddy sits enchanted at the sight of Hestia’s smile and laughter as she plays the game popping then moving the colored pegs around the edge counting aloud and trying hard to remember the names of the colored pegs as she goes. Eddy eyes cast up toward the view of the window as he falls to sleep .

Eddy wakes to the sound of rain now thundering and lightning ,dark now Eddy looks to the clock showing 2 : 45 he makes a trip through the house finding Hestia and Alexa safe and secure in bed , he takes a moment to watch them , cuddled up in the thick covers and fluffy pillows , he then goes into the kitchen , trying not to make any noise he ready’s water for coffee .

Doug made an early trip over to bring Eddy some clothes . Doug enters the back door finding Eddy on the floor with the water container now empty still on the burner .

Home sick

71

Doug slapping Eddy’s cheeks “Hay! You OK man ” Eddy comes to ” You know the couch is more comfortable .”

Eddy ;;;;” rubs his face ” I must have passed out “

Doug;;;” Yea ! I was wondering how long it will take to bring you down ” He help Eddy onto the chair then tends to the stove putting on fresh water .” How long have you been down there “

Eddy ;;;”I’m not sure it was after 3 last I looked “

Doug;;;;” huh ! Well ! My friend you been out for almost 4 hours .”

Eddy ;;;;” I feel like a bagat got hold of me “

Doug ;;;” Well the guys that went out there got like that after about 4 hours and its been what nearly week since you were last out there . We need to get you back out there for a spell .”

Eddy;;;;”But Hestia “

Doug ;;;” But Hestia nothing she will be fine she is in good hands and your no good to any of us dead .”

Doug fixes some coffee dousing it heavily with Akta then bringing his truck to the back door loading Eddy’s thing in the bed then helping Eddy .

At the gait another vehicle pulled up and the mayor jumps from the car .

Dick;;;” Just what the hell do you think you are doing ” he pulls out a gun and points it at Doug ” Get away from that gait and toss the keys over to me ‘NOW’ the sheriff is on his way ” He cocks the gun “I’m warning you “

Eddy throws an object sticking it in the fat shaky hand as the trigger is pulled with a click before it falls to the ground . Eddy wraps his arm around the mans head blocking his screams of pain .

Eddy ;;;”’You should have pointed that at me instead and made sure the safety was off ” then looking at Doug with a wink and a smile “Open the door Doug ” Doug opens the locks his hands shaking as he pulls the gate open . Eddy steps out still holding Dick tight with his face soaked in tears and his pants just as wet . Doug closes the door then replaces the first lock then the second before locking it he asks” You going to kill him ? I don’t like him and I cant think of anyone that does but killing him ,well ,wont be a good thing “

Eddy smiles as he tightens his grip pulling Dick closer to his face “Me and the ‘mutt man’ are going to spend some quality time together ” Dick squirms in Eddy’s arms with a muffled beg for his freedom . Eddy pulls out some rope from his pocket then head butts the man in the back of his head bringing him to his knees and quieting him long enough to gage and bind him before removing the jagged edge from is gaping wound .

Lesson to learn

72

Then rubbing ash into it . Eddy helps dick to his feet .

Doug;;;” Oh Waite I got something for you ” as he returns to the truck opening up a box then bringing Eddy several items and pushing them through the bars .” Its for the Akta I know your running low ” Eddy thanks Dough and tells him that they will be back in a few days. Doug reminds Eddy that the workers could only last a few hours as Eddy pulls the mutt man farther into his domain .

Sun not yet in it’s noon position and not much ground was made before the wining man dropped and refused to go on . Eddy removed his heavy bag then bound the mans feet leaving him alone and heading south. Eddy made better time alone but found none of the best moss for the precious Akta . Eddy returned to where he left the mayor, his bag was there but the fat man was no were to be found . Eddy looked to the ground for tracks but it was no use . He heard the mans cries not far from him . Eddy found the mayor , he had fallen into a gap in the ground still bound and gaged . Eddy laughed then returned for his bag taking his time .

Eddy pulled out a Brigid and lit it with two stones then tossing it into the hole he then tied his heavy rope off and climbed down into the deep hole . He checked out the mayor , he was bruised but not from the fall mostly from hopping around before . Eddy sat him up dusted him off then squat in front of Dick pointing his finger with its thick nail ” If I take this off ” he paused then pulled out his knife stopping it’s edge at the thick neck of the sobbing man ” You scream out and I promise you this will be your tomb “

Dick shook his head in understanding . Eddy took off the gag then the binds from his legs standing him up looking him deep within his sick brown eyes then turning him around and removing the binds from his hands .

Eddy used the Brigid and his thick boi knife as a torch . As he looked around the open area . It was large and empty . Eddy walked to a wall then marked it with his bag , he fallowed the wall with the mayor behind him stumbling around . They circled around as Eddy marked each doorway with one Brigid and two if the door will open , by the time he had made it to his bag he counted seven doors and only three were unlocked .

Eddy picked up his bag “OK you have two simple choices you can climb your fat ass back up that rope or we can try these doors and maby find a easier way out , but I will not carry you , I will leave you behind .

Eddy heads to the door closest to him and enters with the mayor fast behind him.

Under world

73

Eddy renews his torch with one of the Brigid and heading off down the long dark hall telling the mayor to check the walls for a light switch.

Dick ;;;” You really think their’s power here”

Eddy ;;;;”no! but I’m hoping for a doorway “

They reached the end of the hall , still no door , instead they found a ladder to one side . Eddy checked the celling but no opening , Dicks foot found a door in the floor . Eddy opened the door then climbed down after a fresh Brigid , Dick soon fallows “Great another empty room got any more of those patty’s left?”

Eddy” Brigid B ! R ! I ! G ! I !D ! Got it Brigid “

Dick;;;” Right Brigid “

Eddy turns to Dick he holds his hands up “I’m kidding Brigid I got it “

Eddy walks on into the room ,its not empty , it’s some sort of computer lab, he pulls off the plastic. Dick finds a large red button ” POWER” with his hand over it he looks to Eddy.

Eddy ;;;” Go ahead who knows it might even do nothing “

Dick pushes the button “Nothing ” he then turns to walk away before a sound begins to fill the room, lights begin to flicker, first on the top of the computers then the lights on the ceiling .

Eddy takes to the computer while Dick takes advantage of the light to check out the rest of the room stopping along the way to take advantage of its convinces calling out his findings like bathroom , water and kitchen with mostly dried packages of meals marked “REM “

Eddy searches through the network but was cut off by”ACCESS DENIED PASSWORD ” ?????????? after several failed attempts Eddy now frustrated takes time off to checkout the rest of the equipment then the room . The other doors led to offices that showed no indication as to who used them they were all covered in plastic . One door led into a quarters set aside for living ,equipped with beds ,their matrices rolled up sealed in plastic and a supply room loaded with biological suits , portable equipment , guns , ammo and tools . Dick found Eddy ” You got to come see this !” he led Eddy to a larger door , inside was a labyrinth of crates marked food , water , clothing and several with a large cross red , blue , green and black . The room seemed to go on for better than a mile ,soon all the doors merged into the round room they started in that now is well lit .

After a bite and drink from the dried meals Eddy returned to the computer trying codes that he knew . Nothing worked , till a thought crossed his mind ”

Global 35

74

NEST ” EAGLE EYE ” and other invalid ID , then a echo from the past as Eddy looked to the side of the monitor ” LIGHTYEARS” the computer responded with another pass .”BEHIND”

The computer then responded “controller ID required” as a light began flashing , Eddy dug through his bag he pulling out a card ” level 6 priority” He slid it through then another light began to flash circling an odd hole , he retrieved the key handed to him at the cottage , inserting it and trying to turn it but it wouldn’t turn . Eddy tried again turning the key counter clock wise .

The computer came on line “Hello ! Eddy Soltic ! what is your handle?” Eddy responded “Phoenix” HELLO PHEONIX” “I am ARES !” “What is your command ?

Eddy ;;;;” damage report”

Ares;;;;;”All systems functioning at 30 %”

All doors locked”

Malfunction to satellite reception”

Cargo bays not responding”

MAIN DOOR has been compromised”

Radiation containment within normal limits”

Eddy ;;;;;” Show map of installation

Ares;;;;;; ” MAP OF GLOBAL 35 “flashed on the screen.

Eddy;;;;;;” Dick , look around for a log book marked map of global 35 .

After hours of searching for the map they both gave in for the night . Eddy found it hard to sleep with Dicks loud snoring and left to find a quieter spot , as he laid in one office he thought might be the commanders , he noticed a wooden cabinet with one odd drawer he grabbed the handle and pulled it , it fell to the floor , it was a book the front of it read “GLOBAL 35 ” Eddy looked through the log till dawn then putting it away and taking a nap leaving the door open so Dick could find him.

Dick woke to his stomach and saw to feeding it then heading off to find clothing and a shower before waking Eddy .

Eddy returned to the computer ;;;;”How many global installations and location?”

Ares;;;;;” DATA not found “flashed the screen .

Eddy told Dick ” Stay close don’t wonder off , I am going to have a look around ” Eddy started off then stops ” And don’t push any more buttons, especially flashing red ones .”

Knowledge

75

After fore days in the compound finding no way out Eddy and Dick climbed out . Eddy took Dick out farther into the wast land , both of them allot heaver than when they went in . Dick full of complaint was mostly ignored and useful as a mule to carry the load of Akta . After 3 days of searching Eddy filled the last jug , during the time dick wasn’t complaining he had a lot of useful things to say he told Eddy how the machinery was abandoned after they stopped running just inside of Ashland and how there was no radiation , none what so ever , not even radio waves and that plains couldn’t fly over and how they lost many inside Ashland and that it carried out into the sea as well as parts of Asia.

it seemed to circle the globe like a whip ” as he suggested . He told Eddy how the people that owned the most land controlled the decisions and how he was put into office by them , even with no knowledge , he had been a buss driver before . Frank had been a postal worker . Doug was a fireman , chief of disaster relief , and in training for his medical license. Alexa she was a kinda garden teacher , her father owned the land that the power station was on had died in the fire and willed everything to her .

And how since the entire council was in a meeting at one location during the fire was all killed leaving society in a fund less untrusting confusion how the dollar was still used but gold and jewels were more valuable and how they were planing to clear cut what land was left to plant for food and that the Canadians were killing any one that crossed there fence it is larger and electrified with men posted all along it that will shoot you if you came close to the fence . War was on , in the oceans for fishing rights and that Iceland having the most ships were winning , but no one knows were they got there hands on all of there weapons , that they had helicopters not just any but fully armed Apache and carers .

On the way back Eddy heard a noise Doug had been fixing the fence where some kids had cut through it to have a party . As He was stitching it up a Bagat lunged at him shoving its head through the opening only held together by devices he had made just for fixing the fence . Eddy seized the moment dropping his gear running pulling out his sword as he jumped into the air chopping its head off , leaving it to fall to the other side .

Doug ;;;;” Man I’m so glad to see you I don’t think the buckles would held much longer . Were is the mayor did you kill him .” he said with a smile as Dick approached ” No I’m still alive and kicking , and when I get out of here I’m going to start with kicking your ..

Fresh Kill

68

Eddy turns to Dick pointing his sword at him .

Dick ;;;;” I’M just kidding ” as he sat down wiping the sweat from his face .

Eddy began striping the beast of its hide then gutting it , he pulled out the liver just as dick complained of hunger , Eddy held it out to him , he declined . Eddy took a large bite then offered Doug some , he reluctantly took a bite nearly vomiting but forcing it down then handing it back to Eddy to finish . Eddy took another bite a then setting it on the ground in between slaughtering the beast . Doug watched as he repaired the fence after tossing the head back through the hole . Eddy tended to his meats , cutting it into strips pounding it out with the stone and seasoning it with ash then lying it out to dry . He stopped before stretching out the hide to cut open the skull and feasting on the brains . Dick threw up when Eddy offered him some and Doug replied “I draw the line at brain food I’ll stick to a big mack thank you very much “It was getting dark by the time Eddy had finished . All that remained of the beast was the front portion and the inerts left on the ground in a neat pile . Doug had finished up his work and was ready to go far from there , but during the time he told Eddy how the people wasn’t worried about him taking the mayor and how they had a pool going as to whether or not you bring him back dead or alive most of them are hoping you come back without him at all . Dick was none to happy to hear this but it shut up his constant complaining . Doug gave Eddy the keys to the gate just in case he was not around when they got back and told him that when he did return that the doc. wanted to see him at the hospital and that Hestia was doing fine nearly out of her Akta but well . Eddy picked out the first jug he filled and tied the thin rope around the handle then threw it over the fence stopping it before it could hit the ground and thanking Doug for the jugs and telling him that it will be 3 more days before the meats are done . Dick returned to his complaining , Doug told him that it was better than a full days hike to the gait then pointed to the remains of the beast , biding him a farewell then driving off with his radio turned up and waving with his middle finger up .

Five days later Eddy returns to the gait he tucks some of the jugs away for Hestia to be able to get to before he unlocks the gait setting the mayor free to his car still parked where he left it . Eddy continues toward the tree eager to see Hestia’s smiling face as she runs out into his arms still full with the jugs of Akta , he holds Hestia spinning around ” Its so good to see you my goddess “

Return

77

Hestia;;; ” Are those for me ”

Eddy;;;” Every drop ” Hestia slaps his chest “Did you bring him back ?”

Eddy smiles , she smiles and wraps her arms around his neck .

Eddy sets Hestia on the ground , she help him with the jugs ” Are you better now ?”

Eddy;;;” I’m much better now !”

Eddy stops to lighten his load as Alexa comes to the door holding the screen door open with a towel in her hand and the other on her hip. “Well ! Soon as your done come on in wash up your just in time for lunch .”

Eddy tells Hestia that she has more Akta and were it is and to replace the empty jug with a full one as she needs . Then explains to her that soon he will have to go handing her a sack of the fresh meats, Hestia said with a tear in her eye.” They found us” .

Eddy takes Hestia hand then heads to the house . Alexa is still cooking she tells Eddy he has time to clean up tossing him the bag that Doug had brought over . Eddy heads to the shower . After he is done he opens the bag finding socks and underwear he puts them on then pulling out blue jeans and a belt then a shirt with snaps and a pair of boots , tan rough hide with straps and silver tips he starts to put them on he finds something in the boot he takes a black case with a zipper. He opens it to find glasses, sturdy looking metal frames but the lenses are gold he puts them on and can see clearly from the back side but nothing from the outside he places them back in the case and heads out to the kitchen . Hestia stares at him as Alexa gives a whistle “You clean up nice for a mutt “

Then laughs as Hestia laughs out loud from the remark. Eddy sits down at the table Hestia has already pored him a cup of Akta as he finishes it off .Alexa brings him a cup of coffee taking the Akta cup to the sink rinsing it off and drying it as she brings it back to the table handing it to Hestia she places it into the container with hers and sets them in the middle of the table next to the wall . Doug comes in wiping his feet of at the door saying ” Did Ya miss me ” Eddy gets up and welcomes Doug thanking him for the clothes then patting his side were the glass case hangs Eddy points his finger to the corner of his eye winking the other “Don’t mention it “.”So what smells so good and is there enough for one more” as he claps his hands together then rubbing them.

Alexa;;;” NOW ! Doug you know theirs never enough to fill you but I try ” As she pours him a coffee and places it on the table returning to the stove ” Almost done guys .

Respect

79

Hestia you want anything love ” Hestia turns looking over the back of the chair , it hiding her smile but her eyes giving it away ” OK sweets for the sweetie coming right up ”

No sooner than they had finished their meal the familiar sound of a siren blaring in to the house as the sheriff pulls into the back yard accompanied by several other men in trucks , all well armed . Alexa throws her towel in the sink then looks at Doug ” You know what to do !” Doug got up and heads out the front door as men enter without a knock waving their guns as they rushed into the kitchen . Eddy sits calmly with his coffee as Hestia moves from the path into Alexa’s arms by the sink “Good evening guys ,,,,,,Sheriff ,,,,,, How may I assist you boys?”

Sheriff ;;; “You can start by putting your hands were I can see them ”

Eddy lifts his cup giving it a blow then a sip ” Well sheriff my hand do seem to be in clear view ” as he sets his cup down .

Sheriff;;;; “Put your hands up high above your head ”

Eddy lifts his arms , the sheriff fumbles at his cuffs , clasping one on Eddy’s wrist then the other, then hesitating after it locks into place , no doubt thinking he should have cuffed Eddy’s hands behind his back . He tells Eddy to ‘get up and slowly exit the building ‘ as he himself backs out the door, missing the step and falling to the ground , the gun firers into the wall causing tension to rise even more as everyone jumps ,

All but Eddy , he remains calm as he turns around exits the door then helps the sheriff up . Sheriff gets up then pushes Eddy away pointing his gun at him as he holds his leg .

Now lie down on the ground face down with your feet crossed .”

Eddy ;;;;” well ! you see ! I have a problem with that ! I bow to no one.

so you just as well shoot me and be done with it .”

Hestia runs to the door screaming “NO” as she charges the sheriff, pushing him back . The sheriff pushes her to the ground and turns the gun away from Eddy . Eddy leaped to the sheriff wrapping the chain around the sheriffs throat ” Drop it or I brake it ” as he tightens his grip tilting the sheriffs head to the right the sheriff drops the gun , Hestia crawls to it tossing it away . Eddy ;;;” Now the rest of you unload your weapon’s and place them on the table ‘NOW’ ” as he tightens his grip causing the sheriff to cry out . The men do as he tells them then comes out with their hands up and lined up against the wall without instructions . Alexa loaded one of the rifles then joined Eddy As Doug pulled up .

Settlement

79

She carried a chair over and sat down. ” I got two shots and their is 6 of you who wants to be first SIT ” the men sat quickly . Doug now driving a tow truck with another fallowing him and several men helping they loaded the sheriffs car on to the bed before hooking up a truck then doing the same with the other .

Sheriff ;;;”Hay what are you doing ?”

Alexa ;;” Sheriff you Ignorant fool the moment you drove into my yard , invaded my home ,threatened Innocent lives . WELL! guess what , this all belongs to me now , it’s mine to do with as I see fit and I see fit to have it all destroyed ”

BY now everyone in town had gathered keeping their distance but close enough to hear . They all began shouting and clapping . Now the mayor has shown up “What is going on here ?” Eddy ;;;” Hello mayor just a little disagreement ” as he turns the sheriff to see the mayor .

Sheriff ;;;” Mr. Randall I came to arrest this man for kidnapping ” the mayor laughed ” And just which kid did he nap .”

Sheriff;;;” you sir”

Mayor “Me ! well I’m not a kid and clearly I’m not napping and I just can’t recall pressing any charges . We were Merely taking a walk ” he looked to Eddy ” A long walk ” Alexa do you want to press charges on these men ?”

Alexa;;;” NO Randall , I wont bother the judge with this, I will just seize my property and be done with it ”

Mayor ;;;; “I see ! OK then !” as he walked away and “By the way, MS . ALEXA you are in violation , be sure you get these vehicles off the premises as soon as passable .”

Eddy released the sheriff , Doug escorted the men off , Jodie came over with a big smile as her husband passed by asking Alexa ” You want to sell one of those trucks by chance ?” Alexa gets up puts her arm around Jodie ” lets talk it over a cup of Akta shall we” as they head into the house with Hestia right behind them . Doug walks over handing Eddy a set of keys “well I got a lot of work to be done, think you can get away for the night ?”smiling as he walks back to the tow truck without an answer then hauling away all of the vehicle’s but one .

The remainder of time Eddy spent in peace with his friend by a camp fire with chat and drink , Once a week and Jodie coming over almost every day working off her debt running earns for Alexa but mostly for their own likeness for one another shared with a common bond to Hestia .

Return to Ashland

80

Hestia soon begins to join in company from kids stopping by for a game of catch with the Frisbee and ball as she shows off her new dress still strutting around in her leather hide shoes and her doll , never forgiting to spend time with Eddy three times a day as they give thanks with their ritual drink and feast of the meats. Eddy making steady trips into Ashland gone for days at a time at first then weeks then disapering for better part of a year always leaving behind meats and full jugs of Akta as it ferments under rubble that now has turned into a nice little storage, secured with a latch, built to withstand any attack . Doug, well hes still Doug, ignored for the most part ,spending his days helping others out and keeping the fence from falling apart. And looking into the Land that he once called home . Now, living in a trailer and Alexa’s refrigerator but mostly out along the border of his new world and an old one that he will never see again . The mayor went on a diet and a major attitude reevaluation, offered Doug the roll of sheriff but as Doug said ” Better done badly than not at all ”

The sheriff, now back in his cruiser and minding himself well as payment for its return. And Jodie’s husband still relying on others for a ride, destined to never get behind the wheel of his fore weal drive, with its low stance ,huge tires and its crome protecting its dark blue paint that seemed to change color in the sun light and shade .

And Doc. still trying to poke and prod Eddy to death with his own secret agenda as well as hopes of new discovery to help the people of Ashland .

One night after Doug drank himself to sleep. Eddy stoked the fire covered his friend and said his good byes silently as he left the place that Hestia calls home.

Hestia never ran out of her Akta and meats and often would find a little something else inside of the storage , proof that that her guardian was still out their, and was still thinking of her .

Eddy’s travel has led him along the divide stopping along the way to rest and turn another bank vault into a safe house and to take in the life that he has discovered , most of them simple little creatures . No larger than a mole and no more dangerous than a kitten . He reaches the ocean , the East ocean , he realizes that the sun has betrayed

him. As it no longer rose in the East .

As he looks out across a field of black glass that rolled out from the sea . A lost remnant of the effects of the sun turning the sand into a deep black sheet of glass with veins running through it like cracks in ice.

Along the way

81

This black glass was thick , better than 20 feet as far as Eddy could tell from his excavations . The glass remained a cool temperature during the day and seemed to warm by night fall .

Eddy stuck mostly inland, not liking the wide open terrain , thinking that if he can see something then something could see him . Often he would return to the sea to bask in its beauty as he arks his way south trying to find some proof of where he is , which was best found inside of a bank vault. One of many that was open and full of visitors during the storm as it washed clean the earth .

Eddy kept detailed maps of his travels always leaving behind a copy hidden away safe . The wet moss is not as good here but it is good enough to survive. As he notes several new types of it for Hestia . There are more buildings in tact and larger ones inside the once thriving city that notes itself from the bounty within its large vaults filled with untold riches and documents telling of its location as Florida . Eddy takes refuge atop of

a large building . As he stare into the night sky waiting , hoping that she will come to him even if only for a brief moment , just long enough to remember her smile .

As dawn comes, Eddy tends to his needs before committing himself to the climb back down the 4 story building . He takes his new found baring and heads off . His mind drifting as he walks along not thinking of the terrain his body has become so accustomed to and paying no attention to potential danger with his sword up and cinched and his boi far behind him .

He is stopped with a growl to his right ‘ a poor place for Eddy being a lefty and so well disarmed ‘ as the teeth shown to him telling of pain to come .

It doesn’t attack it just stands their, teeth bare , tail tucked low and head nearly as low . It has the advantage of height as it glares down at Eddy ready to pounce , but it just stands their growling . Eddy thinks to try and walk away but his every move entices the beast , It stands with its massive paws on the edge of decent . Eddy sees the weakness of the ground beneath it’s feet then charges under the beast, ramming his body hard into the ruble, it leans back tossing the beast from it’s stance sending it tumbling to the ground at Eddy’s feet with a yelp . Eddy draws his sword, plunging it into the already wounded beast till life has passed it .

Eddy goes to work . As he makes the first cut he hears a noise , he presses his back to the debris , he waits , he hears it again , but its not a bagat , its soft .

New child

82

He climes to the top looking around on his hands and knees trying to locate the tiny whimpers , as he starts to reach into a opening He jumps back , as the creature lunges at him with its small bark and its beady eyes . Eddy sits still , the small beast sticks its head out, Eddy, ready to chop its head off, he sees a small nose first then a small head then the rest as it ended with a waging tail.

Eddy returned to his work leaving the pup to it’s self while he readied his kill striping it then gutting it stacking the inerts in a nice pile then parting the caucus into quarters to take to a better location where he tendered the meats and stretched the hide then a well needed rest with some warm liver and brains washing it down with the sweet black Akta.

Eddy rests for a while with his blades close at hand listening to the pup as it calls for it’s mother . Eddy gets up and goes to silence the pup before it calls on it’s father he reaches into the dark hole pulls out the yelping pup as it swings from Eddy’s hand by its hind legs . Eddy pulls his boi draws back taking aim of its throat, then hearing another yelp from deep inside the burrow , he ready’s his blow , as another pup comes out of the hole barking for its sibling . Eddy puts the pup down as two more join in on the attack .

He sits back watching the tiny beasts as they chew on one another’s ears and fumble around . Eddy thinking ‘ one day they will grow up to become predators ‘ then a voice almost a whisper jerks Eddy into attention . He looks around startling the playing pups , they begin to sniff at the air then him , one crawls up onto Eddy’s lap and lays down . Eddy picks up the pup, holds it facing him, with its eyes fighting off the urge to sleep.

you don’t look so vicious , but one day .” The pup drifts off to sleep in Eddy’s hands he puts the pup back on his lap and the others cuddle together with it .

Eddy leans back closes his eyes, he hears the whisper again , he looks around thinking maby its just the wind ‘ he closes his eyes , again the voice returns, more clearly now as he sees Thalassa , she is standing on the ground in a white dress that flowed with the wind , she points at the sleeping pups.

Just think of the birth of the world itself and of all life in it , the very chemistry of life in everything ; humans ,animals ,plants even the smallest organism . Breathing, growing, killing, surviving , reproducing then dying. Those lives that sometimes threatens our own has driven man to learn more about life it’s self “.

Challenge

83

As she fades into the darkness Eddy wakes to yelping pups nuzzling at his fur trying to find a tit . He picks one up raises it to his face he stops , he smells of his coat .” So you think I am your mother ” he picks up the pups and takes them to his bag , he then fishes out the spoon he once used to feed Hestia and fills it . The pups didn’t take to it at first but like Hestia and everything else . It obeys its hunger .

They feed and played then back to their nap .

Eddy tends to the pups there till the fur and meats of the mother was done, then used the mothers fur to make a basket for them and headed off to the south .

After a few days Eddy gets the felling that hes not alone , ‘ maby it is what ever is eating the leftovers ‘ but that thought fleets as he sees a figure on top of a ruin then a sound to his right . Eddy turns just in time for a spear to graze him , he drops the pups bound in there sack and draws his sword , the figure is gone now but the felling remains .

Eddy picks up the screaming pups and heads to a spot of defense . He chooses a high wall that blocked him from any attack other than in front , he removes his bag dropping the pups with it then covering them with his coat, treated side up so not to ruin the fur with blood , He takes his stance ready for battle , he waits , but nothing , or no one , shows itself . Eddy waits the day out building a fire , feeding himself and the hungry pups till they return to there quiet slumber . Eddy takes vigilant watch till dawn then gathers his things , just as he begins to step clear of the rooftop.

Voice;;;” So! You stay awake all night and still have it in you to run.”

Eddy;;;;” Wrong ! I will never run from a fight. “

V ;;;;;;;;;” A fight ! Is that what you desire ?” as the speaker laughed

Eddy ;;;” Not I that wishes battle then hides like a thief .”

Laughter rang out from every where surrounding Eddy.

V;;;;;;;;;;” You speak strong for someone that is out numbered .”

Eddy;;;;” I like the odds better at arms length” as he pulled both blades free ” So come all ye and find your right place under my feet “

A swarm of spears jabbed the ground all better than 4 feet from him

V;;;;;;;;;;” You would do well to watch your tong stranger, those were not a miss “

Eddy puts his blades away and steps out into the open holding his arms out

If you wanted me dead , then dead I would be ! So what is it you want ?”

Confront

84

A man steps from his blind ;;;;” For starters , whom is it I speak to ? “

Eddy ;;;” I am Phoenix “

The hidden crowd laughed so loud it scared the pups .

V;;;;;;;;;;” And what is it that you carry in that sack that is so noisy “

Eddy;;;;” pups”

V;;;;;;;;;;”Pups you say !” The man came closer holding out his arms. ” Arms length yes!” he turns showing he is unarmed ” Show me !” As he points to the sack.

Eddy opens it and pulls out one pup holding it high then putting it away and closing the bag .

V;;;;;;;;;” And what do you plan on doing with those pups ! Food maby ? Hum ! You do realize that creature IS on our hunting list !”

Eddy ;;;;” Not these”

V;;;;;;;;;” These ! And just how many does it take to make,,these ?”

Eddy;;;” Fore “

V;;;;;;;;;” And how may I ask did you come to posses such creatures “

Eddy held out the fur and tosses it on the ground .

V;;;;;;;;;” I see ! And now you are the den mother .” The crowd shone themselves again only by their laughter.

Eddy;;;” I grow tired of your games ! kill me now or let me pass .”

V;;;;;;;;;” oh ! but my dear Phoenix, you forgot one choice ” Eddy ready’s his blades ” You forgot to be,’ hospitable ‘.” As the man stuck out his hand . Eddy didn’t move .

I see !” the man whistled and the hidden crowd stepped clear of there blinds ” Dose that put your mind at ease , like you said .” as the man drew nearer ” If I wanted you dead , dead you’d be.”

He offered his hand again , Eddy locked his blades then accepted the hand dealt to him .

The man slapped Eddy’s shoulder as he laughed .” I am Theodor ,,but feel free to call me Leo , come lets be hospitable .”

Eddy fallowed the men to several boats , they headed across the waters to an airport . The buildings were large and low to the ground and the tops of solid concrete .

After a brief walk across a clearing that could only have been the air strip had by now been cleared of its bodily remains , from the body of water to the main terminal . Using the debris piled up on the outer parameter to create a wall leaving only the waters as an entrance way, in or out of what is to be a fort that the inhibitor’s refer to as Fort Euros .

Welcome

85

With men posted scattered across the village and most along the waters . Eddy and Leos hunters descend into the largest building , brightly lit with the smell of soot and kerosene thick in the air , most of the men parted ways as Leo lead Eddy to a door opening it and telling Eddy ” Come rest a while , I will send food and provisions for you .”

Eddy;;;;” I need none nor a room. ” as he began to turn Leo placed his hand on Eddy’s shoulder ‘ a silent click from beneath Eddy coat ‘ ” Please ! You have traveled long and far. Can you not sacrifice a ‘few’ days from your journey? “

A cry rose from the sack.

Leo;;;;”Besides you have mouth’s to feed .”

Eddy locked his blade into place then entered the dark room . A man started into the room with a lamp that was no more than a metal bowl on a stand waist high filled with coal . Eddy held one hand up to the man then shaking his head .

Leo;;;; “Very well” as the man looked to him .

Leo smiled as he closed the door leaving Eddy inside the dark hallow.

Eddy removed his bag and retrieved his stones along with a Brigid and a small burner to place it on then lighting it . Eddy’s eyes looked to the security of the room as he sat beside the door

setting the hungry beasts free of there confinement , feeding them then cleaning the sack as they scuffled in his lap taking comfort in the fur then falling asleep .

A knock at the door stirred Eddy “Yes !”

V;;;;” I bring you food and drink .”

Eddy opened the door a woman enters jumping startled at the man sitting on the ground by the door wielding his thick bowed knife as she enters the room .

She places a large tray on the bed and some folded clothes as a man enters with a table and a jug placing them on the floor just out of reach of the open door then leaving without a word .

The woman pored water from the jug into the bowl on top of the table then handed Eddy a small object wrapped in paper as she excused herself saying .

My name is Elisabeth ! Pleas not Beth .” then closed the door .

Eddy removed his coat along with the pups still sleeping on it then made use of the food and waters . He smells of the soap then tosses it on to a shelf .

Fort Euros

86

He washed himself clean in the cast of the blue flame that by now had brought the room to a warm temperature but was beginning to dwindle . Eddy added half of a Brigid , finished up , then left the pups to there slumber .

Eddy turned heads as the new guy. The children found interest in Eddy’s clothing with his black large brim flat top hat nearly covering the gold lenses set in its frame with screws and his Long, white with black spots, robe that tattered just before the floor .

With his sword now on his back with the handle up to his left and the large knife across his midsection with the handle to the right .

His thick leather boots made an odd sound as its metal spikes struck the hard concrete floors echoing through the hall . Eddy stops , looks down , tapping his foot , then looking around the room at the spectators . He heads over to a chair, sits to replaces his boots

for a well fit thin leather ones that tied up to just below his knee . He then locked his boots together tossing them over his right shoulder, giving full view to the shiny spikes that hung down form the rounded toe , heel and one at the arch with its spike mounted securely to the thick strap around the ankle .

As Eddy continued on now in silent , swift , smooth stride the people parted way giving him ample room on his way up the stairs and out into the now moonlit night were he took liberty of his meats and drink . Leo approaches Eddy from behind making sure to make his presence known but stopping and waiting not to interrupt Eddy as he stood with his head toward the night sky .

As the winds crossed the body of water filling the fort and pulling at his cloak and hair causing them both to dance with the steady flow .

Eddy finished his ritual then returned the top to the leather jug and hung it under his cloak as he turns to Leo .

Leo holds out his right hand ” Walk with me a while ?” There trip around the compound was long and the talk was good , no longer filled with dare and taunts as Leo told Eddy how the life is for them since the fire . Leo asked Eddy as to his travels across the lands and wanted to know of the people he met along the way , being understanding at Eddy’s silence . Leo inquired of Eddy’s contact with the ones outside of the lands , joining Eddy with his own reference to the lands as – Ashland – and the outsiders as – Greenys – .

Idol

87

Eddy kept his silence till Leo insisted with a gesture as he pointed to his own eyes and winking to Eddy ” I know you have meet with them , and since ‘I’ have not heard of you id have to say you met the , GREENYS , to the north .”

Eddy chuckled at the mans depiction of direction as he looked towards moon remembering the story that he had told Hestia before bedtime and how it seemed that the curse had fallen onto him in turn by leading him in the opposite direction as well .

Leo;;;” Forgive me but what is it that is so humerus to you ?”

Eddy points to the moon and says ” The moon and sun has betrayed us all “

Leo laughed;;;; ” Yes ! As we two have discovered ! But none the less ‘I’ prefer to be referred to ‘as’ the southern majestic that ‘will’ rise again , and to keep true to ‘my’ own up bringing .”

Eddy tells Leo of the northern people being Vague on details .

Leo inquires of the food and drink Eddy had . Eddy took out a piece of the meat handing it to him then he hands Leo the jug telling him to fill his mouth and hold it swallowing it slowly .

Leo closed his eyes and sighed at the mixture of flavors his taste buds experienced then taking a bite of the meats that lasted him till they returned to the entrance . Two young boys that had been waiting for there return ran to Eddy telling him of the cries coming from his room . Eddy thanked the boys then headed down the stairs with the boys close behind eager to see what the noise was .

Eddy rekindles the fire with a fresh Brigid as the small beasts pawed at his back and legs , the children giggled at the sight as Eddy invited them in handing each a pup then retrieving more of the hallow bones for each . Filling them and showing the boys how to feed the frisky black and white pups till they had their fill then telling the boys to try the remaining liquid for themselves along with a piece of meats in reward for there aid .

The boys left with there cheek full of the meats and asking if they could come back again .

Eddy held up one of the pups, mostly white with a hint of brown on its ears asking it .Is that OK with you ” The sleepy eyed beast yawned its large toothless jaws . Eddy told the smiling boys that it will be OK and that they will be ready for feeding in a few hours but that the boys should go to bed and come back in the morning .

88

Eddy woke to yelping pups and boys giggling outside the door . The boys now with two girls, hoping to get a turn with the feeding .The children fed the pups and left after a game of play before the small beasts fell asleep on a fur pad made from the mothers hide.

The next few days Eddy spent feeding the pups and getting to know the children .The children gather around Eddy every where he went mimicking his every move as one walks beside him with a long metal shrapnel tucked under his belt trying hard to match Eddy’s long stride as others now wearing there own makeshift cloaks, most made of feed sacks . The adults still watch Eddy with some discontent but secure enough about him to allow the children to fallow him around . As they fallow him outside of the safety of the fort always with guards close by with there spears in hand .

Eddy noticed that some of the men had small hand guns and rifles strapped to them but that they never used them ‘maby they had no bullets, or not enough, or maby the noise it produced when fired was to much of a enticements to the Bagat’s .

On a good day according to one man that took particular interest in Eddy there are no kills and on a bad day an average of 3 to 6 kills, and that good days were seldom .

Tho so many kills, Eddy saw no furs, and he discovered why when he came across a dump where they threw the body’s . He asked one of the oldest boys about it and found that they do not need the fur or meats they trade for all they need with the Greenys . the trade was made from the contents of the safes witch was probably how the people stumbled across Eddy as they searched for the buried treasures .

As Eddy took refuge with his pups, away from the children, on top of one of the large concrete building A boy climbed the 6 ft wall calling for help . Eddy aided the boy up and was told that there was a family at one of the out posts that was trapped in there home by several Bagats and that Leo sent him to ask if he would like to join in on the kill .

Eddy grabbed his things as the pups watched him and sniffed of the air as tho they new danger was near . Eddy stops staring at the small beasts of which he is so eager to hunt their larger counterparts . The boy picks up one saying he will keep them safe as the rest scramble over to him as sits, taking comfort between his legs and chewing on one another .

Eddy runs to the edge of the building and jumps from it landing him just to the right of the stair way . The people point to the east where escorts awaits him as they remark to the daring 30 ft jump as Eddy runs past them.

Safety in numbers

89

Full steam ahead, then jetting past the escort leaving them far behind as he reaches the men watching the great beasts as they try to force there way into the house.

Inside with a screaming woman two small children crying and a man trying his best to keep the beasts at bay . Leo gives the command to move in, Eddy grabs Leos arm pulling him down ” Waite “

Leo holds his fist up high and the people return to there hide .Eddy sniffs to the air telling one man to go around and bring everyone over to him .

After everyone assembles around Eddy that has now made a map with small debris of the area using a rock to show the home now under attack . Eddy shows the men the weak spots and tells them how to block them .

Eddy selects several men and ushers off the rest knowing what they must do , telling them all to stay down wind . And if the beasts run fallow them to the sea . Eddy pulls the remainder of the men aside and explains there role to play . Leo asks ” So fearless leader what is my roll to be ” Eddy tosses him the rock ” your roll is the most dangerous you are to run past the beasts as they charged the men go to the home and get the man out and tell the woman to silence her screams and the children .

The men now in position, hidden outside of the weak spots that provide an escape for the beasts . A group of smaller men move in first fallowed by the larger men then Eddy and Leo .

Eddy whistles out, the men and the bagats jump . ” Hold fast men ! can you smell their fear “

The Bagats turn away from the home with there heads hung low and there tails between there legs and teeth dripping with the taste of blood . The small men close in with the tips of there spears close to the ground, waving them side to side taping at the ground . ” NOW! ” Eddy commands Leo as he takes flight through the men then through the bagats that made no attempt at him till it was to late . The men all yell at the same time ” ουσas the bagats attention drew to Leo the beasts forget about the single man and return there focus to the oncoming men. The beasts divide there positions to cover the smallest men it front of the pack as they circle to the left swinging and taping moving in closer and closer .The beasts charge , the men charge, as the beasts leap the small men take to the ground and roll as the larger men throw there spears, the bagat drop’s to the ground.

Battle

90

The now empty handed men squat as the next group closes in. The Bagats try to retreat to the house but now Leo and the man are standing out side of the building approaching the beasts swinging and taping at the ground . The beasts turn to the two men Eddy commands “NOW” then spears let loose in flight dropping more of the beasts to the ground leaving only a few standing . One lunges toward a man he sticks out his arm the beast takes it , the man wraps his legs and arm around the beast shoving his arm deep into it’s mouth as a spear pierces the life from the beast .

The man jumps to his feet and charges another beast as Eddy joins in, telling the men to stand down, as he swings his blades dropping one then another lifeless body to the ground, then pulling out the small disk with fore jagged blades throwing it into the neck of a beast as it lunges Leo knocking him down and dying on top of him .

Eddy stand firm with one blade in the mid chest of one bagat and the other in his hand the tip pointing just above the ground . A call rang out ” All CLEAR ” Eddy swings his sword slinging the blood from it on it’s way to the holster across his back as the men howl in glory .

The men aid Eddy in taking the dead to the sea , where he is joined by many eager to help him . He instructs the boys to gather some buckets and fill them with ash and plenty of it keeping a few empty ones for himself .

He strips the hides and shows the men how to clean and mount it, then sets aside a spot for the inerts filling one bucket and having a boy take it away piling it up. Eddy begins to part the beast of its prime meats placing them in one bucket then showed a woman how to use the large stone to pound and season it with the ash , then some young girls to lay it out to dry in the sun turning and seasoning it occasionally . It didn’t take the eager boys long to tote the ash till there was a pile large enough for Eddy , the men working on the hides and the girls with there own to treat the meats as it dried . The work was steady and what would have took Eddy a week to do was nearly done before the daylight was gone .

The woman tendering the meats watched as Eddy kept a liver for himself taking a bite then setting it aside like a sandwich while he worked . Eddy paying no mind to his behavior , as it to him was no different than scratching an itch . Eddy with only three naked beasts left that the men took liberty of skinning them selves and the boys took a disgusted pleasure of DE -bowling . Eddy takes one of the heads opening it as if it were a can of potted meat then slicing a section of the brain jabbing it with the tip and eating it .

Slaughter house

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Eddy looks to the woman as he returns the knife to the skull platter ” Does this bother you ?” She shrugs her shoulders “NO ! ” then reaches out cutting off a rather large slice for her self chewing it well then wiping the escaped juices from her lips, then continuing with her work smashing the strips of meats with the elongated egg shaped stone and it’s pores texture .

She sticks out her left hand to Eddy ” My name is Mary “

Eddy dusted his bloody hand with the ash and took her hand ” Pleasure to meet you Marry” then returning to the brains offering her a much smaller bite . She leaned in with her mouth opened taking the meat from the tip of the blade then returning to her stone .

When it happened ! the fire ! it was pretty hard on us all, till Leo showed up . We had plenty of water but no food so we looked to one another. “

She paused as she watched the girls as they danced around like ballerinas on the thick black shores .

Leo had made first contact with the outsiders , he started trades with them, gold and jewels mostly but money as well ” she looked around ” We thought this was every were , most of us were in the airport’ the bus station or at home like me , my house was in a cliff side most of it under ground , my family was lucky they didn’t live to see this. ” as she held up the stone using it to point around at the word ” But now we have clothing , food and weapons ” she stopped Eddy took another portion of the brains then offered her some , she turned it down with a silent shake as she lost her self in the stone and meats . They finished up shortly after sending the boys , girls and men off .

Eddy and Marry took to the sea to wash clean of the days work . She advised Eddy not to go into the surf , that many had went for a swim and never returned . She didn’t know what was out their but that it was hungry . Eddy made a fire and tended to the pups that the boy watching brought out after the men returned to the fort . Marry asked if he would like some company ” Sure! ” Eddy pulled out and separated his pallet spreading out one for her . As she lays down she was swarmed by a heard of pups eager to play .

Eddy pulled out the water bladder took a drink then offered her some , she took it as he did , she didn’t compliment it just handed it back to Eddy and returned to the pups chewing on her . Eddy pored some into a bowl made from a skull as the pups gathered around it lapping and pushing one another .

Offering

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Eddy then pulled out a glass bottle pulling the cork with his teeth handing the bottle to Marry then telling her with his finger tips about an inch apart . She took a small swig then returned the bottle . Eddy took a drink then replaced the cork and put the bottle away . Setting the leather jug between Himself and Mary then lying down staring at the stars . Marry began to giggle then laughed historically ” What is this stuff WOW its great ” Eddy ;;;;”HYPNOS “

By morning Eddy had arose fed the pups and returned to his meats and hides as the pups snuggled up to Marry . Eddy took notice that the inerts and the portion of meats he had left out were gone . As he finished , Marry woke and came to see if she could help , but Eddy was done so he told her to go ahead back to the fort that it will take another day or so for it all to dry .

Eddy spent his time enjoying the open land and playing with the pups with the secure notion that he was well guarded from any attack . As Eddy began to fill his empty sacks and make new ones along with Mary a blanket for her help and other items for the helpers . A handle for a knife for the men and bowels for the children to Extract the Akta for themselves . Marry came out to see how Eddy was doing handing him a spear . Eddy took notice to the large tooth used for the tip. She explained that she had found it washed up on the beach then asked him if ‘he saw him’ . Eddy looked to her in a curious way . She points to the area were the remains was piled up

I have , It was maby a month after . I woke up late one night and I saw him , he was standing on top of a building across the way , he looked right at me then just flew away . No one believed me of course , but it’s a man or at least what is left of a man . It was dark so I didn’t get a good look at his face but he had a bony face like maby a bird but not . And wings like a bat but not , he flew right over me and I haven’t seen him since . You left the inerts and meats out for him didn’t you . He must like you , when did you first find him .”

Eddy;;;;” I knew their was something but I haven’t seen it , him , but I realized that I wasn’t alone after I had trapped five Bagat’s and killed them ” Eddy went on telling her of the Quiqrin farm that he made the drink from , then giving her some of the dried tail and telling her of its potential in small doses , and how the largest bagat he called Barghest was tracking and fallowing him .

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Marry;;;” Sorry love but I don’t think he is after you , they live in the sewage and drains or any place large enough for them to travel . We blocked off all of the drains that we could find .”

Eddy grew silent for a while tending to his sacks with Marry’s help as she made a large one . After they were done she helped herself to the meats as she looked to Eddy’s large bag he carried on his back .Eddy saw to her curiosity by taking the bag apart and showing her how they held the items he needed , for what he needed , when he needed them . He then reassembles the bag and joined her in meats and drink giving the pups a portion of it from a separate bag that he saw fit as a good tether for the small beasts to chew on .

As night drew near Eddy took to his ritual before heading back to the fort . The walk was long but good company made the trip more agreeable amidst the shadows of the nearly moon less night as it entered its final faze over the cloudy sky that refused to give up its bounty .

At the fort , the people not ready to turn in and for those that were just awaking for their shift on guard . Eddy sat the large sack on the table then left to his room . As he removed the pups from their bag ” No fire this night little ones “. In his squatting position with his blades in hand till dawn the pups snuggled under his cloak and around his feet . .

Eddy remained in his room for several days . He heard quiet voices outside the door , mostly the children wanting to play with the pups and maby a sample of the sweet drink Eddy possessed . But no one bothered him .

A knock on the door ” ARE you alive in their ?” It was Leo , he banged on the door again ” You know what day it is ? It is trading day ” Bang bang bang ” Come go with us ” Bang bang bang.

Eddy opened the door putting on his hat adjusts his load ” OK ” then walked right by Leo and outside . Eddy stood with his face toward the sun when a tug on his fur coat brought his attention to a boy wearing the remains of the sack of meats .

Can I have the pups till you return Mister ”

Eddy pulled out the sack and hung it around the boys neck , then handed a small water bladder with a bone spoon hanging from it, to the smiling boys out stretched arms, then headed off with the men .

They walked to the ocean about 60 miles West of were Eddy had carved out enough meats to last him a long time and an ample supply on it’s way .

94

As they reached the shores their was a boat and a truck were the black glass faded into sand , their was items set out for display and several packages on the edge of the divide . Leo talking to one man moved to one side then handing him a bag . The men picked up the packages using their spears as handles then heading back to the fort . The rest of the men began to bartering for other items . Eddy saw something and asked to see it closer one man brought it near but not to close . Eddy asked how much , the man just held out his hand . Eddy gave him 2 gold coins as trade .

Leo came over whispering .” I could have got it for less.” then continued with his own bartering . The man handed Eddy his trade then went back to the truck . Eddy took comfort away from the noisy crowd . Eddy opened his bag for his ritual , this got the men’s attention , and they wanted to know what he was drinking . Leo came over after Eddy had finished up and asked if the men could try his drink . Eddy went over to the men offering them a drink , several of them took a drink then asked Eddy how much . Leo motioned to Eddy to go on name your price .

Eddy picked out a few more items than he thought it was worth but the men was willing to give more . Leo told Eddy to pick more even if he didn’t want it , or the men might get angry, and that for them to be so generous was a complement ” don’t insult them “

Eddy with the help of others picked out enough to make the men happy . they then wanted to know how much more he could have next trip . Leo cut in pulling Eddy away asking him how much could they harvest in a few weeks .

Eddy;;” not much the moss it comes from is not very good here ” Leo goes back talks to them , they begin to pack up . Leo walked past Eddy , his men waited for Eddy to fallow before they would . Leo had an idea that if Eddy showed them how to find and harvest the moss they could get better foods and clothing as well as medicine , lumber and tools .

The search was use less no moss could be found to make the Akta and he was nearly out now that he had traded off his fullest bladder and this worried him .

Eddy snuck out the next night and headed west until he found good moss and made camp till he had enough Akta to fill his jugs and the ones he made on the beach .

Stray

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Eddy’s last night their he was awakened abruptly by a woman , she was out of breath ,

cold , hungry and scared , it was Elisabeth .” I found you ” as she collapsed into Eddy’s arms .

Eddy looked after her till dawn , she told him how Leo was angry at Eddy leaving , thinking that he would go into trade with the outsiders and cut him out . He wanted to send some men out to hunt Eddy down but the men were to afraid to .

After a meal and drink Eddy told Elisabeth to go back , but she refused and fallowed Eddy . She trade to keep up with him but he was to fast so when she fell behind Eddy reluctantly went back to get her , She was no were to be found . Off in the distance Eddy saw a figure , it was a bagat , he moved in for a better look , it had Elizabeth pined under some ruble . Eddy moved in closer he lifted his spear and sent it through the air watching it as it stuck into the ground just a few feet short if its mark , the beast jumped , then charged at Eddy . Eddy stood still only the wind moved him as the bagat came closer , not six feet away , Eddy threw what was a saw blade that he cut into a throwing star as it hit its mark in the soft neck bringing down the beast right at his feet . Eddy retrieved his star then swung the blood from it and returned it under his coat then disrobing and preparing for the slaughter . Elizabeth came over with the spear and began helping Eddy with the kill .

Eddy stood vigilant watch for two days while the meats and fur dried , he only used the hind quarters of the beast and was glad that Elizabeth didn’t notice the missing caucus .They made good time as they traveled all day and night . Elizabeth didn’t need much encouraging after Eddy told her that it wasn’t safe their . The fallowing day just before noon they reached the safe house that gave him and Hestia such comfort so long . Eddy locked the door and they stayed their for the next fore days then left just before

dawn . Eddy made sure to stop by his little friends farm , it was abandoned , with the remains of the beasts that fell into the Quiqrins trap . Several days later they reached the church , no one was their . Eddy looked around he was relived to find that the stove was till warm and made himself at home checking out the advancement that was made of his friends home that he hadn’t seen for so long .

Eddy and Elizabeth cleaned up and had a meal before Meg walked in with her arms full of items that she dropped to the ground when she saw Eddy and ran to him with a big hug and a kiss on the lips .

Home again

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Meg;;;” I am so glad you are here , we were worried about you , you just disappeared without a word .”

Eddy ;;;” Where is everyone ?”

Meg started to answer when Elizabeth walked in , with a towel wrapped around her body and a towel on her head .Eddy introduced the two then reclaimed his question .

Meg;;;;” Tim and mom are on their way , but dad , dad died two years ago . Where have you been ?” as she gave Elizabeth a scornful look .

Just then Tim and Darla came in , they said their hellos then Tim ushered Eddy out the door , eager show him around before dark , while the ladies got acquainted and cooked diner .Tim had been a very busy bee , he had found many creatures over the years and kept a log of them all . He gave Eddy a copy and said.

I new you’d come back, I just new “.

Tim,,, no longer a small child , now grown into a seasoned young man , that had been building many things to make life more comfortable for his family like windows , doors and alarms as well as weapons . Tim took Eddy to where he practiced . Often , from the look of a large chunk of wood he dug up god knows were , and how he moved it was a story that he made short as he threw his tools into the wood . Eddy fallowed with a few of his own making , then giving Tim one of the small stars for himself .

Elizabeth called out ” Come eat you guys ” The table was filled with the best food and more than they could afford to plenty .Tim’s eyes popped out at the sight of the black and white Creatures rumbling about as Meg sat in the floor trying to feed one that took more to play than food .Everyone laughed as the small beasts heads lowered , there waging tail high in the air as they drew in for the attack , as Tim drew near .Tim snatching up one , rubbing its soft fur across his dark face . The pup began to lick as it scrambled in his arms with it’s tale protruding from them waging like a flag in the wind . Eddy washed up as Meg showed him the kitchen that Harold had finished before he died . the kitchen now had a very large metal tank above , providing water which they all kept full from jugs hanging from the ladder with a bucket of ash at the bottom . Meg saw Eddy taking notice of the ash and nudged him with her shoulder telling him that Tim found a good us for the ash it helped to keep the water from stagnating . Darla called out To Eddy , Elizabeth inquired ” Who is Eddy as she looked around ?” Every one looked to Eddy he shook his head then returned to the basin splashing the cool water across his face then resting himself on it .

Across the great divide

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As he stared into the water ” I no longer use that name ” as he splashes one hand of water across his neck then dried off . Meg ;;;” And ! hello ! inquiring minds want to know ! Just who are you now ? Eddy turned “Phoenix ” Elizabeth called out staring at her plate .The room went silent before Tim broke it ” WOW ! Can I change my name to !”

His sister and mother;;;; ” NO ! “

The family took Eddy’s visit to be a short one knowing that one morning they will wake to find him gone . So they made their time well Tim had Eddy most of the day showing him all he had discovered , created and some things that he had questions about . Darla had him during the evening as she prodded at Eddy telling him how Harold didn’t live to see a grand child and she herself had no intention of leaving this world until she saw one .

Meg took her time when she could , and was none to polite to Elizabeth in taking it . Eddy stayed longer than the family had thought till one morning they woke to find him gone.

The spot where Eddy spent his nights with the pups snuggled beneath him was cleared of him and his belongings all but two of his things remained . One left sleeping on the fur to one side of the room and the other snuggled up with Tim .

Eddy pointed his compass to the west leading him toward an answer to a question that had haunted his mind for so long .

By now the land had a better look to it as the ash took hold of its own, covering the land in a now more mossy texture that released an ash when it was disturbed . like a dandelion at the end of its cycle being carried of on the winds of time . But now even more dangerous as it covered the dark spots in the ground . Eddy had traveled enough to know were the land was safe for footing and his legs now seemed to take on a knowing all it’s own .

Eddy spent allot of time out in the open range that once was a Forest only dotted with towns within it as he searched for a familiar sight . Eddy had given up hope as he continued on to his westerly setting stumbling across a familiar structure standing like a machine age Stonehenge . As Eddy made his way to the center of the structure one of the small beasts jumped clear of its keeping . Eddy sets loose the rest then made camp for the night . Eddy slept in comfort of having seen no signs of bagats other than the company he now kept , which by now mostly used Eddy as a pouch when they tired of travel during the day and roamed freely in the evening .

Over the mountain

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Eddy lays staring up into the distant heavens recalling their group names along with their individual names , drifted off with the knowledge that he had over shot his destination by several hundred miles .

Eddy woke to a thorough cleansing of his face by very eager companions , that had spotted something that brought them to some discomfort , in the distant west horizon . Eddy took to higher ground not able to see what it was that disturbed the beasts so . He gathers himself after a meal then strides off with the beasts along side as they pushed one another around stopping only for a moment to see who was the strongest or to sniff of to ground then catching up . They soon reached the foot hills of the western divide where Eddy sat up camp . The bagat were restless , Eddy thought to go south and cross on lower ground , he headed into the mountains thinking if it scares the bagats it must be worth a check .

Better to know dying than to die not knowing ‘ was the logic that pushed Eddy farther into the rugged country and was the same thing that kept the beasts right at Eddy’s side .

Three days into the mountain and not a stir , yet the beasts still on guard taking shifts to patrol the area . The wind made an erry sound as it crossed the naked mountain ridge and came down in shivering gust , one after another , forcing Eddy to turn his back to it and adjust his self .

Removing most of his bags and strapping them else where , his food and drink along with a few tools , he moved to his chest and other smaller bags to his thighs , this provided enough room for the beasts to take some warmth under his coat . There heat keep Eddy warm as he squat with his coat turned fur in and the collar pulled up to just over his head covered to his eyes . Inside his coat he made camp with a fire using only small sections of the Brigid as it sat on it’s tray . Eddy and the beasts feasted on more than their ration of meats and Akta .

Eddy woke to his tenants moving out and heading off to tend to their own needs as Eddy got on with his own before eating then heading out over a land that looked to take everything they had to conquer it . Just beyond the mountain top Eddy stood in Aw at the landscape before him . Its majestic rolling out to the sea .

For the next several years Eddy wondered the land toward the sea then north into Canada by now the beasts had become somewhat self reliant but still tendering to one another and Eddy .

New tools

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They now have grown so large that one would make an awesome adversary . Should one decided to look to Eddy for more than the snacks in his bag , that has dwindled of its plenty and would have been long gone , had it not been for the Beasts finding a new source of food and being so generous to Eddy to make it known to him as well . It looked more like a hog than anything with its round body ,pointy ears and flat nose , but a hog it was not . It had claws , sharp ones and teeth to match , its nose was more bone that made for a use full tool .

Eddy researched every kill thoroughly before parting it out and setting aside the portion of it for ?

The hide was thick , it made good chew for the bagats , as it dried , tough but flexible was of little use to Eddy other than padding for shoes , its meat was mostly fatty but what it did have was juicy even after it dried . This close to the sea Eddy found less of the drinkable Akta and and more food . Where in the central region their was more Akta and less food . So the very large pigs came in handy . Using their lungs , intestines and bladder for making sacks for the Akta even though their was none to fill them with .

Eddy while butchering one accidentally busted its kidney , the fluid that came from it ruined most of the meat and smelled awful , so bad that the beasts ran away and stayed clear of the area , its liver was almost as tough as the hide and its brains tasted of the foul odor , its bones were nearly solid and made for good tools .

Eddy reached the top of what was to be Washington . Their he found plenty of the mossy ash and more variates along with more of the Zhu , now larger with less fat and bones protruding from their spine , this portion Eddy found many uses for one of them was a making of rings .

Finding just the right vertebra to fit his finger, when whore with the horns out it made for a great weapon and with the horns in made for better grip crossing the mountains.

Eddy wanted to head East when he ran into a large fence that was electrified He could hear the Hum of the currant running through it and dead animals along side it , most of them on the opposite side . The Bagats had their own direction as they sniffed of the air jumping and barking out their roar . Eddy followed them as they had fallowed him for so long . The Zhu became larger and more docile , more to the look of a cow now than a pig .

Great norther tribe

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With a hide like that of a hippo but still with the sharp protrusions and teeth . The teeth Eddy kept in a bag , they were much like the tooth on his spear , that he had become very good at using , smaller and sharper. Their vertebra was much larger Eddy mounted one onto the leg bone of the beast and fashioned two by cutting the vertebra then binding it with the stomach to make a fit to cover his arm just above the elbow then giving it a try on the next kill . As the beast stood grazing Eddy slammed his elbow into the throat of the beast till it fell . Eddy found himself surrounded by the bagats Growling with their tails hung low and the hair along their back standing they all faced different directions but the sound coming from them made Eddy’s heart run away from him. Eddy looked around, he was surrounded by people, Men and women of all ages and all armed .

Eddy called to the bagat’s, they lay down but still shielding their warning to the visitors . Eddy removes his coat spreads it on the ground, then begins to remove his baggage. The people moved in closer as Eddy spoke calm words to them . As Eddy removed all his gear using his clothing to hide him putting on his armament. He now stood in his pants and shirt with its soft hide free of fur and adorned with his sword boi and the bones extending from his limes . The people came closer, they were more indifferent to the strange beasts that obeyed Eddy’s commands than of him

Eddy slowly reached down picking up a bag , the people surrounded him with cautious arms startling the bagats . He lifted the bag and dropped some meats for the bagats settling them . One man approached as the bagats moved in closer to Eddy after the treats . Eddy stepped forward sticking out his hand , the man reached for it then took notice of the spikes on Eddy’s fingers withdrew his hand . The bagats gave warning still in their crawl position with their mouths full surrounding Eddy’s legs .

Eddy removed the bones from his fingers on his right hand then offered it to the man again . He shook Eddy’s hand as his eyes wounded over Eddy body . The man then turned and left with the people behind him instructing a few men to stay behind. The men set up camp about 50 yards away from Eddy as he continued his task of butchering the strange beast “Bosphorus”.

after a few days of drying and making of bags, to saddle the bagats, to carry the meats in . Eddy went to the men and stood silent holding his spear as a cane with the Bagats beside him .

The men got up and headed west. After a days journey they reached the peoples land and was introduced to the leader. He spoke little English and had a woman their to speak for him and Eddy.

A new need

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The woman told herself to be Rodja;;;–(Roza) and introduced the leader as whendigo;;;;; -(Win’dig’oh) .

Eddy had found fellowship with the Great norther tribe called the Tadaklan-(Naud’a’ken) and made good relation with their tribal leader who had become a favorite to one of the female bagats Laelaps-(Lee’a’pass) . Eddy was shown a way of life in a land of plenty by a people that prided it with respect. As Rodja explained it best .

Every thing has a purpose and a need . It doesn’t know why . It doesn’t chose it . It only feeds it ” .

She took liberty in teaching Eddy their ways and language . Eddy was welcomed into the tribe as well as the beasts he kept company with . Eddy joined them in their trips to the sea where they had harvested many creatures using a ship .

Laelaps saw to Eddy’s curiosity of the wood they had built the ship with and another under construction that now looked no more than a ribcage of some mighty beast that had run ashore and died . Their trip to the forest pushed them farther north to an area far from the fence as it stopped at the edge of the rugged mountains and was left unguarded . The tribe had harvested trees then cutting the lumber from it to build with .

Eddy took sail on the ship only going as far as their catch .

By now Eddy’s journals had become more like an encyclopedia , full of new and wonderful creatures of both land and sea, with not a sign of creatures of the air other than the missing offerings left from Eddy’s kill .

Eddy told whendigo of the uninhabited land along the coast as, safe and warm, then escorted some of the tribal hunters as far as Washington .

Eddy now having filled his own needs , left one night to fill another . As he left behind an old friend with a new one. whendigo to Laelaps . And taking with him a gift from the leader of the great tribe, A sword, carved from jaw of a beast from the seas. Dotted with fine teeth and a natural razor sharp edge much harder than steel .

The trip across the Great divide was long . Xolotl (Zoult) as she struggled to keep pace was showing sines of distress , , with Zorya,, the only male beast from the litter remaining at her side .

Eddy pushed on carrying Xolotl across most of the rugged country till they reached the other side keeping distance between them and the chain-link fence that divided the two worlds .

Back to the gait

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Eddy’s new map using the vaults of the old world to mark his location , leading him through Idaho, lower Wyoming , Nebraska and Iowa , where he left the border of the divide as he headed East toward the black waters of Sirens,,,(Sa’reen) where he learned that Captain Corgis had left one day and never returned . His stay was short, as he left his friends behind they bid their farewell’s with a flight above the waters then descending into the deep dark waters with barley a ripple of their existence .

Xolotl now barley able to walk as Eddy carried her through the Gate into the land that is now home to Hestia . The swing still hung from the tree and the extra large light still shown through the night beside the door still left unlocked . Eddy makes Xolotl comfortable on the rug in front of the large window with Zorya at her side as Eddy takes his comfort in the rocker across the room facing the window .

As dawn came Hestia woke to the smell of coffee and bacon . She jumped from her bed and ran into the kitchen with her arms wide into Eddy’s .

Your home ” Hestia cries in Eddy’s arms then looks into his eyes ” your not , home , are you ” she looks behind her as a tattering sound strays across the hard wood floor . She Freezes with fear . Eddy steps between her view of the beasts that has haunted her dreams as she slept . Eddy cups his hands on her cheeks looking into her eyes.

Its OK they are friends ” he takes her hand in his then points to the floor with a snap and the beasts lye down . Eddy guides Hestia’s trembling hand with his to the nose of the beasts as they sniff of her .

Hestia smiles as the beasts begin licking her hand . Eddy removes his and returns to the stove . Hestia sits in the floor running the long thin hair between her fingers ” What is wrong with this one ?” Eddy;;;;” I don’t know but she is sick , bad sick .” Hestia leaves returning with Doug and another man . Eddy introduces the men and beasts by name then sends the Zorya into the kitchen with some meats . Hestia seizing her own treat tasting it then looking to Eddy . He leads her to the kitchen and sits at the table telling her of his journey along with a tour through his drawings and notes while Doug and the Vet saw to Xolotl .

Hestia began with what she new as she took a trip down memory lane pulling out the contents then replacing them , the new items she found fascinated her as she put on one of the vertebrae with its sharp protrusion sticking two fingers through its hallow then poring herself a cup of Akta as the Vet left .

The other side

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Doug joined Eddy and Hestia as she spread some of the tools out on to the table then poring him a drink . Doug told her that the vet was going to run some tests then Eddy began telling Hestia and Doug about the tools showing the sword, gave to him by the great Northern tribal leader, and the great beasts that the tools came from then putting them on as he continued to the next object .

Hestia also had many things to tell Eddy beginning with Alexa she had gone to try stopping the striping of the forests for farm land and that Doc. had left into the Ashland shortly after he was diagnosed with leukemia .

The remainder of the day was spent catching up and ended with Eddy and Doug camped out with a bottle . Eddy told Doug how useful the boots were as he told him in greater detail about his journey north . Zorya all stretched out in the moonlight beside Doug as he stroked the long fur till he passed out before the bottle was empty .

The fallowing morning just after breakfast the Vet. returned with some supplies claiming he knows what is wrong with her , that the doctor was working on something before he left and that it will soon spread through Ashland and that he took with him a serum , the virus is much like a child hood illness bringing on flu that leads to leukemia . Since he was dying of it himself he decided to die out their trying to save as many as he can .

After a series of fluids and shots for Eddy as well as the bagats .

Word had reached the rest of the town as some government men came to the house asking to talk to Eddy but was lead off by Zorya instead . They returned later with more men and more guns threatening to kill the beasts if they attacked again . Eddy met with them outside under the tree he noticed on his way out the door that the gate way was now guarded and the home was fully surrounded . One man dressed in a suit and tie approached Eddy and introduced himself as Commander Garret of the United Federation of Common Wealth . Eddy laughed as he stepped forward closing the already to close for comfort distance ” I think what you meant to say that you are a commander of dogs set loose on a defenseless nation of people that have no need in being told how to live .

Garret;;;” I ask you to lay down your arms “

Eddy;;;;;;”Thanks but I am really not tired and I prefer to stand when I have company “

The commander removed his shades as he turned away from Eddy , the men raised their arms just as Eddy reached out wrapping his hand around the top of the mans head sending him to his knees screaming in pain .

Challenge of right

104

Eddy;;;” As you can feel” tightening his grip more “I can crush your scull before they can shoot me dead ” he lifted the man to his feet “I want no trouble “

Another man stepped forward sticking the barrel of his pistol to Eddy’s head ” You sure have a bad way of showing it , now if you don’t let him go ‘I will ‘ blow you away , and their will be no witnesses I -P-”—-Eddy turned, the man fired, shooting one of his own men in the head before Eddy broke his neck then dragging the Commander into the house as he clawed at the door riping the metal screen with his well manicured nails . Eddy threw him on top of the sink , he bounced off the wall landing in the floor on his hands and knees face to face with Zorya with his Fangs and low growl welcoming him .

Hestia ;;;spoke in almost a whisper” If I was you I’d be very still , as tho my life depended on it “

Doug;;”It does , I assure you , it does “

Eddy closed the door and sat down ordering Garret to join him then steadying Zorya . Garret crawled to the chair Doug helped him into it .

Eddy;;;” Now that we have gotten that out of the way do you want to try a new approach ?”

The man looked at Eddy from across the table ” Your a dead man , soon this town will be over run with military and you cant hide in here forever “

Hestia laughed as she leaned over Garret to his ear ” You have no idea what you have started do you , you see this man , he wont hide and he can out last you so unless you want to be on the menu” pointing to Zorya “I suggest you listen ” she opened up the book pointing out all the beasts that lived out in the barren wast land . After telling how Eddy had cut her from her mothers womb and fed her his own blood then trapping and killed five of the beasts just like the one sitting in the middle of the floor . She poured the man a drink then pulled his head back and pored it into his mouth after he refused it . As the man coughed, choking on the Akta , Eddy sat back in his chair crossing his arms with a steel star in one hand and the boi in the other ” You now have a choice to make , “

I kill you now then go out their and see how many of your men I can kill before they kill me ‘or’ we can stop this power struggle and you can tell me what you want ” he leans forward ” your running out of time your men are getting ready to teargas the house so decide ” Garret raised his hands in the air stood up and went to the door .

On Equal Grounds

105

MEN ! STAND DOWN ! EVERY THING IS UNDER CONTROL SEND IN AGENT DOYLE ”

He turned closing the door “Doyle is why we are here ” then took his seat staring at the large beast that sat in the floor showing its teeth but not making a sound.

Eddy;;;;;” Well ! looks like we need some more chairs” . Doug clapped his hands saying on his way on his out of the room ” YEA ! now we are talking ” he patted Garrett on the shoulder twice with a loud smack . Hestia said “looks like we will need some coffee” as she walked around Zorya giving him a long stroke from his chests up the left side of his head .

Doyle now with Garret as they told their story of how a Volcanic eruption on the sun sent a solar flair strong enough to make it through the earths magnetic field causing so much destruction . Doyle , having been one of the nest employees for Eagle Eye , was assigned to studying the sun and only having a short window to get information from the telescope before its shield closed off . Eddy sat and listened to the mans theory of what happened before he pulled out his level 6 card from deep within his bag and told the men what really happened . The men listened and hung on Eddy’s every word along with Doug and Hestia as they listened to a story that Eddy had kept from them, on how the government refused to listen .

Garrett ;;;;” Not that I don’t believe you, but I will need proof of this before I can take it to my superiors . May I have your name and social security number and military ID as well “

Eddy burst into laughter louder than he had ever laughed ” Are you serious ! I really don’t give a rats ass if ‘you’ or your superiors believe me ! ”

Hell’ the department of ministrant didn’t listen but mostly because they new their wasn’t a ‘dam’ thing they could do but go home to their family’s and hope for the best , and now that its all over and done , ‘you’ want ‘me’ to care whether or not some asshole that owns allot of land thinks ” Eddy stands up points his finger at the men ” Let me make it very clear if the one that owns the most land is the one in control then guess what ! Your looking at ‘the’ larges landowner on ‘this’ continent stretching from Florida to California from Carolina to Washington ! Now ! I ask ! Who is it you work for “

Toast to Ashland

106

Garrett ;;;” We are not at liberty to say “

Eddy;;;;” Not at liberty ! Liberty , you little pricks think you know what liberty is , but you don’t have a clue , liberty is the right to live in freedom . And you and your superiors have robed these people of that right with your Martial law “

Garrett;;;” This is not martial law this is —” Hestia cut in “Not martial law ! It was your people that put a ‘buss driver and a mail Carrier’ in charge of this town , A couple of morons that this man had to teach how to be civil with their duty’s . And you want to try to tell us that this is not martial law ! Get the hell out of my house and off of my lawn ‘now’ before I let Zorya have you and I confiscate every thing on my property with your not so called martial law law on my side and if you don’t think I can I will gladly get you the amendment that says I can . Zorya stood to attention now showing his teeth and growl joined with Xolotl standing in the doorway with the Vet holding up an IV bag and a terafied look on his face . The smell of urine filled the air as Doyle asked if he could go now . Eddy stood calmed the beasts and excused the men then wishing them a good evening as they left . Hestia cleaned the wet spot from the chair and the floor then threw the towel in the trash and began digging through Eddy’s bag . Eddy reached into the bag and pulled out a bottle handing it to her , she then poured them all a drink and toasted .

To Ashland “

That night the property was clear of the armed men , they now stood guard along the streets as the rest of the town hung the new rights of ownership on their doors as warning .The gait and fence was guarded with a steady patrol running up and down the posts about three miles apart . The vet stayed the night as he slept beside Xolotl with Zorya asleep with his head on his lap .

Now with everyone passed out from the hypnos Eddy gathered his things waking Zorya then heading out threw a window , as they stood at the edge of the house concealed by bushes Eddy took out his throwing star and set it to flight into the transformer over head blacking out the entire town , giving Eddy time to step out and stretch his legs . Soon as he was far enough away he pulled out a towel and held it to Zoryas nose, he ran off with Eddy right behind as they headed toward the setting moon .

Hunt is on

93

Day crept in before they reached their destination .

Zorya took to a drain on the side of the road Eddy lifted the heavy steel plate and they descended into the underworld .

Zorya seamed to know just were to go and Eddy fallowed .

Night has covered the land once again so Eddy helped Zorya out by using himself for a stool . They reached a group of trees that hid a stone fence only six foot tall . As they stood on the edge a group of guard dogs came running over till they got a look at Zorya , he jumped down into the middle of them and rolled around on the ground .

Eddy had thought that Zorya had led him by another scent other than the rag . Eddy walked the wall till he got a view inside the house pulling out a scope and peered through . Zorya hadn’t led him to the urine, he had led him to Garrett. A dog lover with a well breed of Doberman ,and all female .

Eddy left the wall and headed to the house , most of the lights were off and the doors were left unlocked .

Why not with such great guard dogs on watch .

Eddy crepes into the house as he fallowed the sound of voices . Inside the bed room Eddy stood at the foot of the bed and watched the covers jumble around with moans and giggles of Passion arising from them . He grabbed the bottom of the bed lifted it high then dropping it to the floor . The couple jumped out from under the sheet to see Eddy standing with his white sword drawn and his index finger across his lips with a.

Shh vewy vewy quiet I’m not hunting wabbit ” he then smiled as he grabbed Garrett by the ankle and stood him upside down .

Scream and die , do I make myself clear ?”

the woman shook her head ” Good get dressed we have people to meet ” as he let go of Garrett dropping him half on and half off the bed then squatting in the corner with the white sword across his arms . The couple got dressed Garrett asked “what do you want”.

Eddy replied ” To go for a ride , you know it’s been a long time since I rode in a car and I bet you got a great one , lets go ” they left out to the garage were Zorya was sitting with his new friends . Eddy stopped Garrett as he started to open the door to a Jaguar and said pointing to the SUV . ” I think we need something a bit larger , don’t you ” .

Search for the leader

108

Eddy opened the rear door and Zorya jumped in fallowed by his harem . Garrett asked ” Where are we going , she has nothing to do with this ”

Eddy ;;;;” she does now ! Get in you are taking me to see your boss ”

Garrett ;;;” You going to kill her ?”

Eddy;;;” Her ! No! but if you don’t step on it she will be the only one with hands to hold the steering wheel ” .

The trip lead them deep into New York .

Eddy;;;;” So ! Tell me about this ’she’ that controls so much and if you lie to me you better pray I don’t find you after I find the truth “

Garrett;;;;” You going to kill us ?”

Eddy;;;;;” You going to give me a reason to ? Is this your wife “

woman ;;;;” No ! I am not! His wife is —Garret cut in ” She is just a friend she doesn’t know any thing about this “

Woman turns to Eddy ” My name is Shirley “

Eddy ;;;” Hello Shirley ! Don’t worry I’m not out to hurt any one ! But I am afraid that you will be stuck with us “

Shirley;;;;” That’s OK ! I didn’t have any thing better to do “

Eddy;;;” So ! Start talking “

Garrett;;;;” Well ! Her name is April I , I really don’t know her last name , I swear , she was with the defense division , some high security office , one of those so secret the president didn’t know . All I know is that it had something to do with a ‘what if ‘ scenario like what if we were attacked with nuclear or biological weapons . “

Eddy;;;;;;;” So how is it that she has so much land ?”

Garrett;;;” Well ! From the silos , they are all over “

Eddy;;;;;;;” Wait ! You telling me that because she owns land that the silos are on—”

Garrett cut in ;;;;” No she doesn’t actually own any land , she is the only one that know were they are “

Eddy;;;;;;;;” I get it ! You fallow her because she knows were these missile silos are “

Garrett;;;;” Well ! Yes and no ! She has the launch codes “

Eddy;;;;;;;;” launch codes ! ‘ He laughed ‘ “this just keeps getting better and better “

Shirley;;;;;” I don’t get it “

Eddy;;;;;;;;;” all of this the machines inside Ashland wasn’t to get gold or empty the vaults was it “

Settlement

109

The remainder of the trip was spent with Shirley and Eddy getting to know one another better as they talked philosophy and mythology she was doing a thesis on the link between todays Christian beliefs and the beginning of the Roman Catholic in junction to the ancient Aztec , Incas , Egyptian , and all other religions that has been pushed away by force Even before the teachings of Christ and how they all depicted the same thing

JUDGMENT DAY”

Shirley;;;” Is that what happened are we what is left after judgment day ?”

Garrett;;;;” No sweaty this isn’t judgment day “as he reached putting his hand on her leg.

Shirley;;;;”I wasn’t talking to you ” as she lifted his hand returning it to the steering wheel then turning farther in her seat to Eddy ” So your the one that has him so uptight you got a girl friend out their ” Eddy stared out of the window lost in his own thoughts .

Garrett;;;” Oh great I hope he takes you with him “

Shirley turns around turning on the radio covering her voice ” It would be an improvement a real man for once “

They turned into a parking lot under a large building , Eddy let the dogs out first then told his escorts to get out they took a service elevator to the top floor then a another back down to the 35 th the doors opened up to a huge room with a fire place in the middle of it surrounded with curved couch and other furniture keeping a curved appeal as it extended out to pillars surrounding the area with gargoyles perched on top each with a different bodily expression . The dogs took to the furniture digging at the leather and furs from animals around the world . Shirley joined the dogs as Garrett lead Eddy to a set of sliding doors shining of deep mahogany and stainless steel bolts holding the pieces together . Garrett entered the room

Excuse me for the interruption but we have a visitor ”

The lady stood up as Eddy entered the room ” Well , well , well ! I am so glad you have come to visit me please com in sit you are welcome here . As Garrett tried to explain he was cut of ” Yes , Yes that will be all Grant ” as she fluttered her hand . she walked over to Eddy offering her hand then running her fingers through the fur along Eddy’s chest

OH ! MY ! and what do I owe this pleasure to ” as she held her hand out to a leather couch ” come sit make yourself comfortable ”

Secrets

110

She was an older woman that took pride in her look of a younger youth with high heels and stalkings with a seam ruining up the back of her legs to a skirt just above her knees matched with a well fitting jacket and perfect nails on her well adorned fingers , Her hair was short and full giving a well view of her ears and the jewels that hung from them accenting the rather large necklace that hung close around her long heck .

Eddy moved into an open area of the room removing his coat with a high toss swinging it to the floor at the end of the couch then removing his bag dropping it to the floor with a thump then removing the tooth buttons from his cloak and letting it fall covering his bag in between the handles of the crossed swords then fallowing it with his belt and its shoulder straps before taking a seat . The woman watched Eddy’s disrobing as she leaned her thigh against the large rounded arms of one of the couches facing one another creating a path from the large doors to her small desk with a thick stone top and large paw as its claws dug into a ball . She offered Eddy a refreshment and a selection Eddy turned it down then reached over retrieving his Akta ” A small glass would be fine ” The woman retrieved two and stood bent over giving a great view of her Brest’s from the low neck line . Eddy filed the glasses and then his mouth holding it with his eyes closed then swallowing .The woman watched then took hers she opened her eyes looking into Eddy’s then licked her lips ” Umm ! delicious ” then having a seat across from him crossing her legs and running her hand up her leg to her skirt giving it a pull then introducing herself ”

I am April and you with no doubt are Phoenix .

But if I may ask what is your true name ” Eddy sat in silence sipping his drink cupped in his hands . April stood and went to the desk leaning over the front of it opening a drawer ” Their is something I would like to show you Eddy I think you will like it very much . she looked over her shoulder still slumped over the desk with one foot lifted behind her smiling ” Yes I know who you are and don’t worry your secret is safe with me ”

Eddy;;” I don’t know what you mean m—-” April cut in as she returned dropping the folder in Eddy’s lap then taking her seat and returning to her drink . Eddy looked over the contents then closed the folder and setting it aside ” And how do you know this is me ?” April laughed

I didn’t get to were I am by being naive I do know how to use a computer and yes we have many files that were not erased from the storm but relax that is the only proof of who you are keep it its yours a gift do with it as you see fit I have erased everything .

111

You my large friend no longer exist in the computer age of man .”

Eddy ;;;” Why?”

April;;;” Quite frankly because you could do allot of damage with what you know and I hope for all are sakes you wasn’t to forthcoming with what you know ”

Eddy;;;” and what exactly is it that you don’t want known ”

April ;;;” Well for starters the fact that most of the missiles that I control is in Ashland which doesn’t matter really i still have enough out here that no one will care but they will be very upset to learn just how many are out their out of my control “

Eddy;;;;” and that is what you want from me to return them to you “

April;;;” Heavens no don’t be ridicules those nasty things I wish they had never been built but they are after all my ‘trump card ‘ but we do have a problem in common with them they need to be dealt with and soon you see we tried to get to them but that proved to not work out so well “

Eddy;;;’ So you sent men out their telling them they were looking for bank vaults but you really wanted was to get your hands on the weapons “

April;;;” Oh my Eddy you sure do get to the point but you missed your mark yes i wanted to get to them but only to disarm them “

Eddy;;;” They are armed “

April;;;” Yes! they came on line the moment that no one reported to them they have a safety feature that if no one reports to the computer after a certain time they come on line and take aim on their specific target zone “

Eddy;;;” 39 “

April;;;” Excuse me “

Eddy;;;” 39 their are 39 “

April ;;;” 39 what “

Eddy;;;;” 39 silos “

April;;;” don’t be ridiculous no their is only 4 “

Eddy;;;;” 4 and how many of them are over here ?”

April;;;” 4 “

Eddy;;;” Global what ?”

April;;;” Global how do you kno—36 ,, 37 ,, 38 ,, and you telling me that their are more I was told that all of them that the numbers was —” she covered her mouth ” God help us “

Eddy;;;” I am pretty sure god is setting this one out “

112

April;;;;” How do you know that their are 39 of them “

Eddy;;;” when we were sent to a communications where we told our story to 39 delicates including ours “

April;;;;” We as in you and Areon “

Eddy ;;;” Yes !

April excused herself and came back later with some documents the first was titles to the land between Alexa’s house and the gait insuring him that no one will bother him again then she gave him all of the information he needed to take care of the missiles and a list of possible locations starting with current military bases leading down to government owned property then called for her pilot then flew Eddy and his dogs to the gait .

After a good by to Zoryas friends and a treat to some meats the first place Eddy went to was global 35 . After a few days of trying to sweet talk a computer out of some Information ,with no luck Eddy gave in and started cleaning his bag so he could fit some new thing into it from the stockpile . He come across something a ‘dingy yellow box ‘ he had bought from the traders so long ago . It caught his eye , he didn’t know why but when he pulled it out he remember . Back at the nest before he was reassigned the big man at his desk had one just like it hooked to the computer . Eddy checked out the box it opened up on one end showing a plug but one he had never seen even when he was at MIT . Eddy began looking around at the computers till he found a cord with the same fit , he plugged it up and Ares took on a much sexier persona as she began confessing all her sins to Eddy with just a touch .

Eddy now having a better Idea were the other global units are but that wasn’t much use since their no longer was a solid reference to find them .

Eddy had a thought ” Give me a ship and a star to guide me and I will find my destiny ” he couldn’t remember who said it but it gave him hope as he searched through the surplus in hope of finding what he needed .

It wasn’t their , good thing Ares was so well informed , she aided him in making his own sexton with a few modifications and using the vaults that he had located to keep his barrings he sat out to find the silos . Along the way back to the church Eddy paid a visit to some of the people he had avoided during the time he had Hestia and was being hunted by the pack .

The people told him of the visitor from outside and that he had shown them how to Extract the Akta and all of the uses of the ash that Eddy had put into his notes he left the people with a map showing them were to avoid .

Guidance

113

As he made his way toward the rising sun The family was well and one person short Elisabeth had took Doc to the East .Eddy new that she wouldn’t go through the bagats territory , she would head south to the Edge of Ashland then fallow the divide so he made better ground through the Bagats Territory’s As Eddy stood with his full attention on the Sexton he found himself in old company. Barghest had circled Eddy without a sound just that stair the same one he had in his eyes as he peered down at his fallen comrades . Eddy tosses his things aside and prepares himself for a battle that he had avoided for so long Barghest gave out a howl and soon was joined by many more bagats Eddy now surrounded knowing that even if he beat the beast that the others will tear his body to ribbons long before he was dead . Barghest continued to circle as Eddy put on the spiked rings and removed his cloak tossing it out toward the beast taunting it into a charge as it leaped toward Eddy he turned planting the bone protruding from his elbow into the side of the beast but not in a favorable spot to bring the mighty beast down . As Barghest turned and charged Zorya leaped colliding with Barghest as they both spun to the ground snapping and mounting one another till Barghest stood over Zorya as he kicked weakly under him then stopped . Barghest limped away toward Eddy then fell over dead . The pack not knowing what to do joining in Eddy’s confusion He approached Zorya placing his hand on the side of the barley breathing beast .Zorya jumped with a snap to Eddy’s face barley missing as he fell backwards to the ground .Zorya stood looking around pacing in a circle around Eddy as he bellowed out his dare to the surrounding Pack of beasts that stood distant and still soon one approached and bowed down before Zorya and rolling over . Eddy stood as he looked around at the multitude of beasts as they all raised their heads and let out a howl that froze the very blood that flowed trough Eddy’s veins .Eddy’s head snapped to the direction of Zorya as he stood now behind Eddy just to the left with his head hung low teeth bared and a growl that Eddy had never heard from the gentle beast from a pup to now a conquering beast of the wild . He was only warning Eddy and he knew that the spot to his left was a dangerous spot So Eddy took it as a warning and slowly retrieved his things as the circling pack began to thin out into the landscape .Eddy now fully dressed approached the beast as it stood with its rear high tail low and head lower sporting a growl but with a more familiar tone .

Parting ways

114

Eddy took to one knee and bowed his head ” Thank you old friend may you live long feared by many and loved by all ” then stood and headed to Florida . Eddy climbed the high wall of debris that surrounded the fort then headed to the rear of the main building making camp till morning Elisabeth came out fallowed by Leo and Doc Eddy watched making sure that things were well . Hearing Leo tell Doc that the men will see them as far as Alabama in the morning . As night drew in Eddy headed out just beyond the border of there territory and waited . Eddy fallowed Elisabeth and Doc till night then approached them as they made camp .

Doc;;;;” Jesus H you nearly gave me a heart attack ” as he stood giving Eddy a hug ” Good to see you again “

Eddy;;;” And you my friend ”

Elisabeth joined in with a hug began telling Eddy that they had just left from Fort Euros .

Eddy;;;;” I know I was there ” pointing to the sky

Elisabeth;;;” Why didn’t you let us know .”

Doc;;;;” We explained everything to Leo he is still pissed but he understands ” they all sat down by the fire ” That man sure has a head full of himself ” As he chuckled

Eddy;;;” I hadn’t noticed “

They all laughed and spent the rest of the night swapping story’s Eddy telling of his visit with Hestia but leaving out the trip to the city then telling about the Bagats how one was with the northern tribe and one with Hestia then the battle with Barghest .

Doc;;;” Well I guess that is our next trip I hope it wont take to long to get there we are running out of time we got to the fort just in time the virus it seems is being spread by you my friend Don’t get me wrong it will spread no matter what but as you travel you carry it with you But the biggest problem is I don’t know were it originated .

Elisabeth;;;” to bad we don’t have a vehicle to get us across the mountain “

Eddy pours another round of drinks this time from the bottle then diluting it with Akta .

Eddy;;;” Well I don’t know how far south this goes so we might not have to tackle the mountain but first we need to take a trip ” Eddy pointed out into the Bagats land .

Camouflage

115

Morning came and the three headed into the mouth of the beast . The saw many Bagats but none dared to approach. Eddy got a good look of one that was fallowing them it was Zorya he was standing guard as always . They reached a building as they entered it Doc claimed he recognized this place then was positive as they reached the center of the structure were the Buelt stood with the now no more than skulls of the Bagats looking into the arena from their view on the ledges .

they circled the Buelt as Doc told Elisabeth the significance of the garden turned an arena of death .

Elisabeth;;;” So what are we doing here, I hope you didn’t lead us here for sport ” Then chuckled nervously .

Eddy pointed his finger to the sky rotating it ” What does this look like to you ?” Doc and Elisabeth looked around and agreed it looked like a garden with a large bird bath In the middle on top of a tree . Eddy removed his coat and bag then retrieved some tools he used a wire brush to brush away the thick ash that clung to the structure till he hit the surface doc replied ” concrete ” Eddy struck the surface hard with a small pick hammer knocking away the concrete exposing metal beneath it Doc” so what does this mean ” Eddy ” I’m not sure ” as he headed to the roof with his Saxton soon joined by Doc and Elisabeth . As the two looked down into the arena Doc said ” Phoenix I think I see what you are getting at but why go through so much trouble to disguise it ” Elisabeth ” You guys mind filling the dumb blond in on the joke ” Eddy ” No joke it’s a dish a satellite dish “

They headed back down with instructions to look for a door probably in the floor as they went their separate ways .Elisabeth called out till Eddy and Doc found her she was standing in front of an elevator and the floor in front of it was metal instead of concrete They cleared of the area opened it to expose a short step going just under the large box hanging just 6 feet over a large round door with an odd key hole Eddy inserted his key turning it counter clock wise then opening the door then climbing down after a few Brigeds to show their way . Inside they found much of the same as Global 35 Eddy went to the main computer finding the big red button then sending Doc to find the large book while he hooked up the yellow box to the computer then entering the code to disarm the missile . They fallowed the map to the machinery then to the surplus .Eddy worked on getting the large truck to start while Doc and Elisabeth loaded some provisions on to the truck . After Eddy got the rig to start they searched for a way out .

Return to the north

116

Eddy took to a small computer on a wall in a vacant part of the room were a series of explosions went off above ground then a large engine tried starting Eddy ran to it and gave it some fuel then pulling a leaver engaging the hydraulic pump that opened two large doors over the open area . Eddy pulled the truck onto the open area then lifting it above ground to an audience of Bagats the truck was more of a tank with its belts covered in thick rubber and a larger bucket mounted on front Eddy dug out a clearing till the truck was off of the platform then rode it back down and hooking up a smaller truck to a large tank of diesel and heading back up with Doc and Elisabeth . After hooking the large tanker to the rig then returning the truck below they headed out bulldozing their way to a clearer path then heading out west till they reached the vault in Memphis then heading down a much clearer path once known as interstate 40 . Taking turns with the large machine learning how to operate its many features as they traveled along pushing anything that they couldn’t crawl over .and stopping along the way to give medicine to settlers and Eddy to get his Bering’s then heading on out to the mountains .

Once they reached the foot heels Eddy turned south to the area he had crossed then left Doc and Elisabeth to continue telling them that he will meet up with them on the other side and showing them the map and warning them that he hasn’t gone south and that they should go to the northern tribe that w en they return south that he should be across the mountain and they will meet at the ocean then headed back into the rocky mountains in search of the thing that had the Bagats on Edge .

Two days in and no sign of anything Eddy found refuge in a low land and made camp he was woken by a man standing over him with a extremely large gun and to far to reach .

V;;;” Well ?”

Eddy;;;;” Deep subject “

The man pressed the but of the rifle to his shoulder.

Eddy;;” Easy their I’d hate to live through all of this then die like this “

Eddy rose with his hands in sight ” I am going to put my weapons out OK ” the man took a few steps back “I am left handed so I am going to use my right hand ’slowly’ Eddy removed all of his weapons then pulled out some meats and Akta ” you care to join me ” as he held out a piece of meat in one hand then bit the other Eddy pored two drinks set one on the ground then backed away The man watched Eddy as he drank then he cautiously smelled of the dark liquid then drank it down then took a bite of the meats .

torn apart

117

When the man woke he was bound with Eddy squatting beside him ” You ready to talk now ” the man just starred at him . Eddy pulled out the large knife and cut the bonds from the man and handed him the gun then turned away tending to the fire . The man shook the clouds away

What happened ”

Eddy ;;;” Sorry about that but you were making me nervous ” He tossed the man a sack of meats ” don’t worry this wont knock you out I promise “then tossed the man his things and showed him his.

V;;; ” Were did you get those from ?”

Eddy;;;” Same place as you’ the nest’ . So do you have a name mine is Phoenix .

V ;;;” Jim Taylor ‘ Jupiter ‘

Eddy ;;;” OK !

Eddy told the man everything then handed him a syringe telling him if he doesn’t take it he will die and that Eddy needed him alive to help find the Global . the man “you know about ” he stopped then used the syringe on himself .

The man only in charge of 12 Globals assured Eddy that they were in good shape then with some persuasion showed him were they were . After Eddy saw to it that the missiles were fully disarmed he and Jim set out over the mountain .

James knew of many settlements along the way but most of them were to far north and since Eddy hadn’t gone near them and was out of the serum he decided to put them off till later .

Eddy and Jim arrived at the ocean almost six weeks later, Doc. And Elisabeth had only been their a week and had several of the tribes men with them to aid in the journey south . As they traveled down along the glassy shores with the tribes first ship EURUS (Euros) fallowing .

Doc. Calling out over the PA for any survivors as they arced their way south deeper into the peninsula once know as Baja . Finding no signs of life other than smaller versions of Zhu. These looking more to the licking of an ant eater crossed with a porky pine, tho a docile creature they are extremely well armed.

As Doc. Discovered after a closer look at a live one having got to close to it and getting a side full of quills hidden in the fur, painful but harmless. The Baja once hot, covered with sand, was now much cooler during the day and mild during the nights .

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The black glass seemed to work as a regulator . After a few months they reached the salt flats that once was white is now a deep golden yellow that made Eddy’s eyes glow in contrast . Everyone wanted to head back but Doc. Urged to go on wanting to see a salt mine that his brother and a few other of his kin had worked at . Even after all the complaints the trip was worth it . The mine with the high ceilings that seemed to go on for ever, was a comfortable, cool and a sight to see as well as a home for over five hundred souls. The people had tried to travel out but the land was to harsh and the waters to dangerous, with both many lives were lost .

¨¨The people having plenty of food and water rationed out along with the small creatures Eddy had listed as laopex. The miners were already showing symptoms, freeing Eddy’s mind that he was spreading the virus but troubling him since he had left villagers in the mountain Tityos. Most of the people wanted to leave from the mines , It took a few trips with the ship . Jim, returned with the miners with enough of the serum for the mountain people . Eddy and several from the northern tribe as well as a few from the mines took to the waters heading around the tip of the peninsula then east in to Mexico.

After 4 days heading south along the coast and finding nothing the men began felling ill and began their return home . They found EURUS, wanting for them at the eastern side of the peninsula . They returned to the Tadaklan tribe in the northern region in good time and rested . Eddy had convinced the leader whendigo to allow the men to try and find how far to the west that the Ashland carried out and deliver the vaccine. Since the second ship was nearly complete whendigo agreed . After Eddy taught the men how to use the sexton he headed out across the great mountain of Tityos their he left Doc. And Elisabeth to continue on and telling them to stop at the waters and find a fishing pole and were to fish from . Eddy headed south along the top of the mountain in hopes to find Jim well .Eddy had found several clans but none had seen Jim.

As night closed in the air was so still a feather could fall like a stone. Eddy closed his eyes for a moment as he lay gazing into the heavens above dreaming of the cottage and the woman within .

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A gust of wind crossed Eddy bringing him out of his tranquility. He opened his eyes to find bright read eyes set upon him it stood motionless and silent . Eddy reached for his blades but they were gone , everything was gone . The creature raised its arms with a flutter lifting it off the ground then setting down closer to Eddy. Close enough and yet not too close. Eddy scattered back and crouched down ;;; “It is you ! You are the one !”

The beast raised its arms and lifted off with a screech dropping Eddy’s things on the ground in front of him then settling back to the ground at a better distance.

Eddy stood “What is it you want from me ! More food ?”

The beast dropped to the ground with a clicking growl as it crawled toward Eddy.

It began to speak with the words full of clicks and ending every other word with a screech ” I only came to help ! Your man is dead ” tossing out a bag full of medicine that Jim had ” He fell I tried to catch him but he was frightened and let go .”Eddy looked through the bag it was nearly full ” He didn’t get very far “

Eddy looked to the winged creature ” What do I call you “

V;;;;” Friend “

Eddy ;;;” Yes ! I suppose I can you have been fallowing me a long time , I will call you Simurgh”

Simurgh Raised his wings and head and let out a great call that echoed through the hills then flew off into the night .

As morning came Eddy found markings on the ground it was an arrow pointing the way in the shape of wings that guided Eddy to the tribes through the mountain and more along the base of it guiding him farther south again then along the southern divide and back to the north. Eddy took a distant way from the path that was laid before him to make camp at the new age stone hinge . Simurgh joined him that night wanting to know why this spot was so important to him . Eddy told Simurgh a bedtime story as he fell asleep perched upon the girder . Eddy woke to no sign of Simurgh and reclaimed his direction he had left behind and waking every morning to find new directions beside him.

On his next trip heading south the signs stopped so Eddy made camp and waited . After five days Eddy was waken in the night as a creature fell from the sky Eddy cleaned it and stretched the hide by the time it was all done he woke with new directions this one led him to a familiar place it was the castle it still stood but only a shell of its former self .

Eddy found the cottage and as he walked through the remains his mind recalled every detail of it as he saw Areon on the couch , with her head buried in the fridge and the bed room as she lye with one leg and arm across him in bed . The only recognizable part of the cottage was the remains of a once towering Santanana and a closet that looked like it was made of steal this mad little sense Eddy had been in that closet many times it contained supplies for the computer room .

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no signs of the hefty metal shelves just ruble not even the pole only about a foot long but it was thick metal it is gone as well . Eddy Dug around on the floor the ash puled back like turf exposing a steal floor were the rest of the building was concrete. Eddy found a large stone that bordered the flower bed and began banging out S.O.S . After an hour of this Eddy began to feel like a idiot . He headed to the main building . On his way he noticed something that he hadn’t noticed before , a large statue of Atlas bearing the world on his shoulders . Eddy took a closer look he could see the continents in full detail even the mountains on land and in the sea the detail was so clear and so well detailed even a blind man could make it out . But it unlike anything else around was free of the ash that has covered the land even on glass . Eddy moved on tword the main house through the back into the sun room that overlooked the yard and the cottage . Then into the Game room then the den .As he stood in the doorway recalling the last time he was their a noise disrupted the silence Eddy thought it to be Simurgh and headed up the stares . It wasn’t him it was a picture on the wall it was untouched by the ash as it swung on the nail imbeded in the stone wall slapping it as the wind flowed through the open rooms . The photo in it was a scene from the bible depicting the coming of Christ as he stood with one foot on land and one in the sea as it burned and in one hand a lightning bolt and his head concealed in the clouds as a ghostly red light shown through . A scripture on it that read

And behold he opened the sixth seal and the stars and heavens fell”

Eddy left the building into the court yard looking into the sky’s ” It’s not over, not yet ” He made way back to Atlas screaming to him ” You hear me It’s not over yet”

Eddy heard a noise coming from inside the globe , he pressed his ear to it then began hitting it and screaming ” Give her back to me or dam you all “

then fell to his knees then to the ground as darkness took him back to her .

When Eddy awoke he was in a room a light glowing over him with a faint hum as it flickered, noises outside the door people laughing and talking . Eddy began pulling off cords stuck to his naked body setting off an alarm . The door swung open and several people rushed in piling on top of him he felt a sting then darkness took him once again .

When he awoke again he found himself strapped to the bed , A woman came to him brushing his face with a cool wet towel telling him to rest he is safe as the voice faded farther and farther away into the distant darkness far away from him .

Eddy woke now untied and with fresh clothing at the foot of the bed and food on the table he ate and dressed then went to the door . As he walked down the hall no one even looked his way as they went about their own business till a woman approached him grabbing his arm at the wrist then looking at her watch then striking his eyes with a flashlight and asking him if he is dizzy Eddy responded ” No ! I am fine”, ‘rubbing his head trying to wipe the cobwebs from his mind ‘, ” Were am I ” .

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You are safe and from the looks of you a safe place to rest is just what the doctor ordered my name is Kathy I am the head medical officer and you are in a underground complex ”

Eddy;;;” Is she here “

Kathy ;;;” Who “

Eddy ;;;” Areon is she here “

Kathy;;;” Come with me there is someone that wants to see you but I am afraid I don’t know Areon but I am sure you will remember this one .”

Kathy lead Eddy to a room and asked him to stay soon after she left a familiar face entered the room saying ” Any thing, Any thing at all ” with a big smile .

Eddy;;;;” Were is she ?”

Reddy;;;;” I was hoping you could tell me she left over a year ago looking for you “

Eddy was sent to intelligence for debriefing that turned out to be more of a briefing as the men asked Eddy questions but mostly only received questions to answer . The compound he was in was only one of many and the people hadn’t so much stepped out other than a few men sent out to do repairs on the communications dish that was useless . They had thought as everyone else in Ashland that the destruction was world wide . After Eddy had received the locations of the other compounds and a better idea as to the were bouts of the other Global units which none of the men new anything about and all swore that all nuclear weapons were dismantled during the 80s . Eddy provided them with detailed maps with co’ordinance using his Sexton that he lost for a spell while it was being duplicated and studied along with his belongings .After Eddy had let go of all his knowledge or at the very least all that he felt they needed to know and telling them nothing about the Greenys and the Great tribe of the north . Eddy was taken to Tokako and Giato they were sitting in a large room with a fire place in the middle of the room with several bottles waiting for Eddy to join them. The night was filled with laughter and drink and little was said or asked about the world above . In the morning Eddy went hunting for his things and a way out . He was met with restraint and after 4 men dying Reddy cut in and escorted Eddy out keeping the men at bay with a shotgun . Once outside he found a sign directing him and he met its course . Eddy kept his direction for nearly 7 days be for he woke to find another along with a fresh kill and some new creatures Eddy ran for 2 days with no sleep and after he had slept he was awoken by Simurgh He wanted to know why Eddy was running so hard and Eddy told him about Areon . Simurgh told Eddy that a woman fitting the description was in the caves were they were heading . This pushed Eddy even harder reaching the caves in a few days he took shelter and watched the opening of the caves for a few days as the people came out to hunt but no sign of her at all.

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Eddy was waken deep into the night and led to a small opening by Simurgh . Eddy went into the opening only large enough for him and his weapons and taking with him the boots and bones on his fingers . For 3 days Eddy climbed the walls and the spaces that no one minded till he reached a large opening filled with ages of draping, tights and strips of stone hanging from the ceiling of the open rounded hall . He made his way to the center of the area and found safety in the middle of the strips hanging down with its hallow middle large enough for him to stretch out and rest as he looked down to see every one as they went about their way .

Eddy could only judge the days by the activity of the people and guessed to have spent 4 days in his hallow and moving about within it by night discovering its labyrinth of tunnels most of them he had to remove his clothing to get through till it opened up once again . This area made safe for him to have light to make mapping of the area which the openings were all to high for anyone to dare to venture yet he found toys in one area and found that it was used by some children as a clubhouse were they sent their days at play . Eddy often sat and listened to the boys laughter as it echoed through the labyrinth into his own hallow were he watched patiently for a familiar face . Eddy had come to his end of hope when he heard a scream coming through the dark spaces . He hurried to see what the noises were for and found the boys being beaten with their toys by a man demanding they tell were they come from . The boys refusal to answer led them to being beaten with fists then as the man drew up a club high above his head taking aim at the boys curling up on the floor crying Eddy reached out and grabbed the club with one hand and thrust his Boi into the mans mouth as he looked up . The boys never made a sound as Eddy came down from the opening wearing only a leather garment covering his chest and growing . The boys looked at the strange man with his bones piercing through his skin and fingers then curled up in fear as he reached out for them . He stopped and removed the bones then reached out again with a smile handing the bones to the boys . The boys took the bones and poked their fingers through the hole then handed them back to the man .

Edd asked the boys their names and they replied Robert and Tyler . Eddy asked if the man will be missed and the boys said he will be missed so Eddy shoved the man into the hole and gave the boys a wink as he fallowed the body then stopping and asking the boys if they new a woman named Areon . The smallest boy handed tossed a toy into the opening then they left out as a woman called for them . Eddy made his way to an area that was large enough to work and began striping the beast of its hide and parting it of its meat and laying it out to dry as the blood flowed into the pit then using the bones to mount the hide and the clothing to bind it together . Eddy made more trips to the boys play room as they pecked on the stone calling to him . The boys brought him food and drink every day and told him of there life in the caves and that the woman was there .

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Eddy fought hard against his will to run to her as the boys told that she belonged to “Sparat “the leader of the people and that the man Eddy had killed was one of his guards .

The woman goes by a new name the smallest boy told her name is Tethya and that Sparat was the one that saved her from dying in the bad lands and that Spart had locked her up in a cave and trained her to obey. The boys laughed saying she didn’t learn very well and that at night he locks her up to keep her from killing him . Eddy showed the boys his map of the areas below that he knew of and the boys showed him that the area she is kept is down here as he points several inches to the left of the paper. Eddy made a new map with the help of the boys after he had promised to take them with him away from there . Eddy tried to find a way to the area through the tunnels but their was no way to get there . Eddy told the boys that he will be gone for a few days, that he will return, and gave them a key to give to her, then left out. It took him a lot longer to get out than to get in the people were on alert with the disappearance of the guard . Eddy arrived to the outside finding that his bag was gone and three stones pointing way to a cliff facing .Eddy reached the cliff and climbed it to an opening were he found his things .

After a hardy meal Eddy drifted off to sleep . He awoke to a fluttering outside of the cave , as he approached to look out he was knocked back into it by the remains of a dead thing which he had never seen ,startled he tossed the beast from him and scattered to the wall as Simurgh came in laughing with his high pitch scream. “Thought you might be hungry” .as he lifted his head and clucked ” Have a nice nap ” .

Eddy stood drug the remains of the beast deeper into the cave and started a fire . As he sat and ate he told Simurgh that she was in their but she was deep in the ground .

Eddy spent a few days preparing then packed up his things and started down the mountain . Eddy reached the cave main opening and was met with many men wielding clubs and stones Eddy didn’t bother with them, there threats or their words he just walked right through and made his way into the spot were the boys said she was but it was empty . Eddy headed out and was over run by men just in the middle of the hall under the drapery’s . A man approached asking who are you ? Eddy didn’t answer he just looked at all of the faces . The man proclaimed in a loud voice “I am speaking to you ” .

Eddy looked at the man and asked are you Sparat , the man backed up ” yes I am ” Eddy asked Were is she ? Who ?Eddy dropped his bag “Tell me now and I will go in peace ” The man laughed then the others fallowed . Eddy slung his coat high in the air and it fell covering his bag with the fur down “I will ask of you once more were is she ?”

A scream rang out “Eddy!” as a figure struggled to make it through the crowd that subdued her . The man laughed “So it is her you seek “

Eddy looked at the man and asked ” You are Sparat “

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Sparat lifted his hands and turned to the men ” You see I am known every where “

He looked to Eddy” And how far have you come to die my friend “

Areon yelled out throwing the key to him before she was silenced by one of the men hitting her in the stomach . The men drew in closer patting there hands with the bones fashioned with stones on the ends. Eddy took off his glasses and tossed them on top of the bag then removed his hat and stared at the man with his eyes glowing in the dim light of the torches then he removed his cloak and the men began to pull back as they saw the bones that protruded from his body . ” Well now that we have been properly introduced now what do you say. “

The men charged at command and they fell to the ground as Eddy wield his white sword in his left hand spinning and chopping at the men fumbling around . Eddy made room then took out the men holding the torches with his throwing blades . The men now in a panic in the dark room began swinging wildly hitting one another as Eddy walked through slicing and chopping till only one stood . Eddy stuck out his hand to Areon and she ran to him he pushed her aside when she tried to embrace him . Eddy approached the man . The man knelt to one knee and asked ” will you kill an unarmed man oh great master “

Eddy grabbed the man and checked him for weapons as he striped him of his clothing then lead him to the cave that Areon had been locked up inside for so long and threw him in . Areon closed the door and locked it then ran off returning with a key sticking it in the lock then breaking it off ” I hope you live long and die slow ” then spat at him and turned to Eddy and embraced him ” I knew you were alive “

their moment was cut short by footsteps Eddy prepared for Battle but it was not men of war it was two men carrying his bag and others holding his coat and cloak and some women holding his hat and glasses. Areon tugged at Eddy’s arm and told him it was Ok that they were good people . Eddy collected his things then headed out of the cave with Areon fast behind him and the people there after. Eddy stopped and looked around at the half starved people and said ” If you want to fallow I will lead you to safe land . The people scattered back into the cave one saying give us a moment to gather some things .

Eddy told the man pack light the trip is hard .

Eddy took to the edge of the clearing and stopped to Eat and feed Areon and gave her drink instructing her as she tried to drink it fast .

Areon ;;;” You look so different what happened to you ?”

Eddy;;;” I will explain it all to you in good time but for now we need to get these people to a safer place “

Areon ;;;” We can take them back to the shelter its under ground at the mansion “

Eddy ;;;” NO it is to far we will go east “

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Areon;;;” But these people are sick they need medicine “

Eddy ;;;;” I know and they will have what they need “

The people done well on their journey to the west and after a few months they reached the lake always finding enough food along the way ,only a few asked about the animal that was dead when they found it and Eddy only told them.

We are never alone, no matter how lonely we are , we are never alone .”

When they reached the lake Doc. And the rest of the people were waiting for Eddy and was happy to see the new comers . As everyone made camp for the night and taking their turn with Doc. Eddy took to the waters , As he looked into the dark waters a face appeared in place of his reflection smiling at him ” Its good to see you alive and well “