Death Rode a White Horse: Book One of Two the Deluge

CHAPTER ONE

Perpetuel springtime was on the land. Frail weeping willows with leaves smaller than a mouse’s ear draped their tender tendrils over unlimited acres of blooming tulips, daffodils and ranunculus. In bright sunlight, iris and columbine covered meadows with a carpet of blues mixed in with pink verbena and red Indian paintbrush.

The earth teemed with nestling rabbits and downy whippoor-wills. Land terrapins slowly crossed the terrain with a canopy of brightly-colored monarch butterflies hovering over them. Bluebirds flitted in and out of high trees. Spider monkeys mixed with brightly-colored parrots. Occasionally, a mocking bird trilled a song that made the beautiful pastoral scene ring with heavenly ecstasy.

Had there been an observer, he would have wondered what season of year this was. All four seasons alternated and merged into one of eternal bliss. Coolness of early spring and late fall blended into middle summer when vegetation reached the height of its growth.

Reaching into the horizon, tall mountains towered over the flat rippling grassland. High above towering palm trees, snowcapped mountains eclipsed over stately pines and shivering quaking aspens. In this wooded wilderness, all the trees, bushes and vines of all the world entwined, grew and replenished without decay. There was no death or rotting in this expansive territory.

After living out their allotted time, without decomposing, flora and fauna absorbed back into the environment. No fetid odors sullied the sweet-smelling air.

In this land, there were animals. From out of a mangrove swamp, a fierce lion sauntered forth followed by a pride of lioness with their offspring following them. Fierce eagles pierced the air with warring cries, but in the peaceful country their voices blended in with the soft cooing of gentle doves feeding on poppy and lupine seed.

A meek and humble lamb sauntered carelessly into the path of the pride of lions. The grazing ewe lifted her head and watched her awkward newly-born offspring. The maned lion stopped. With a wave of his magnificent mane, he directed his followers around the unsuspecting lamb.

A snake with rattles and a hissing tongue softly caressed the lamb until it lay down on the den the reptile lived in. Lion, lamb and asp rested together. In this somnolent land where no living thing hurt another, the animals slept together.

While there was time for all the beasts to dry before cool of night, a mist rose out of the land. Gentle sprinkles watered the earth. Prisms of sunlight played on the sparkling droplets until mists of gentle greens mixed with purples, blues, oranges and hues of all the colors until colored lights played over the land where there was no death or sorrow.

In the midst of the grassy plain, there was a lake with glassy-clear waters unsullied except ripples a flock of snowy-white swans made. White mountain peaks, a meadow-green plain surrounded by immense forests, all were mirrored in the placid water.

On the west side of the rushing stream that ran from the lake was a colorful bank of red clay. From this unstable soil, occasional eroding stained the clear stream. On the east side of the stream was a bank of hard and untouched granite. Polished to a finished sheen by the rushing water, there were no flaws in this hard and unyielding cliff. Never did the abrasive water loosen any particles from this stable rock.

Sunset approached. All the animals gathered around the lapping waters where from swaying reeds, red-winged blackbirds trilled clear and melodious notes. Red and golden sky, a mist drawing over the quiet and lovely scene, the gathering beast bowed their heads. Nature did homage to a creator.

Soft angelic voices accompanied by lyre and harp sang adulation to a bright and shining Being seated on a throne in the darkening sky. All nature burst forth into chorus. From the smallest bug to the largest elephant, a singing filled the air.

The figure on the throne was ancient but still vigorous. Around his head, stars clustered. The rising moon was his light. Magnificent, filled with glory and honor, his arms were gnarled like the mighty oaks. His legs were strong and straight like the tallest pine tree in the forest.

Plucking a purple grape from the velvety-green vine, the great being savored its flavor before he reached his hand into the clay bank. Clean, sweet smelling, he began to form the shapeless clay into a figure.

A face—he erased it, carved another and erased it. On the third try, he looked with favor on his work. A neck, shoulders, arms, hands, the mud figure took on the image of its creator. A torso strong and handsome, he attached two legs and then stuck fingers and toes on the almost completed figure.

Once he placed his creation on a horse’s back, reached down and drew it back, and added a procreation organ of tasteful appearance. Taking the lifeless figure close to his nostrils, he blew breath into the inanimate object.

The red clay from the clay bank became a living creature. Out of the primeval matter emerged a—what should he call his new creation? Man, the heavenly host whispered.

And his name? the king on his golden throne wondered.

The first man, the one made from red clay, Adam, the winged creatures shouted.

Go forth and give names to my creation, the creator ordered.

First he shall need some rest, an Archangel named Gabriel whispered.

Placing the newly-created man named Adam among a flock of wooly sheep, the heavenly host departed from the scene. Under a sky studded with stars and moon, the first man slept a dreamless sleep. As yet there were no memories to build the things dreams are made from.

Idyllic days filled with newly discovered segments of the kingdom kept Adam occupied. It was his kingdom, he assumed. Even when he traveled to the northernmost mountain, he found no other being like him.

Animals followed him. When he gave the command to a lion, Show me your den, the obedient animal hastily carried out the order.

Adam spent the evening playing with two furry cubs the lioness proudly brought him. After a meal of golden ripe oranges and brown hickory nuts, the first human lay down with the animals to sleep.

Refreshed from his travels, Adam awoke when the eastern sky was turning a faint pink. Hurrying to cleanse his body in a rippling brook, he again ate fruit. This time, he gathered bananas from a laden tree. Savoring the meal, he washed it down with water from the sparkling stream.

Sitting under a fluttering cottonwood tree, the man prepared to name the living things of the earth. Two by two they came. First were the ants: red ones, black ones, and some with two colors. Antelope came leaping. Again Adam found there were great variations in this group. Using his creativity, he gave each of them names.

Six days he went about his task. A great horde of living things bore names. Bears, they were the most delightful. Little ones, cubs he called them, climbed a pine tree and threw pinecones at him. Monkeys chattered so loudly, he thought he would lose his mind.

Peafowl were the most intriguing. He thought he would never grow tired of watching the brightly-colored males spreading their ornate tail feathers. Baboons were his next favorites. Bedecked in many colors, the females carried their young on their back.

The kangaroos hopped by. Some were large, and some were small, but all carried their small in a pouch. Two lovebirds flew down from a giant palm. Watching them rub each other with their beaks, Adam suddenly realized something was missing. He had no mate to caress him. The thought no sooner crossed his mind than he realized night was falling. The seventh day was about to start.

At sundown, again the Creator came. This time he was alone. Come, he said to Adam, let us walk together.

Through the midst of kneeling animals, the two found their way to where a steep trail led up through tall pines to a mountaintop. It is dark, Adam said.

The Creator made a motion. Instantly, the night sky filled with millions of shining lights. Again he motioned. Over the eastern mountain, the moon lit up a snowfield.

Now we can find our way, he told Adam.

Until almost dawn, they sat visiting.

I have named through the n’s, Adam said proudly.

And you had no difficulty? the Heavenly visitor asked.

None, Adam said, except for tiny birds I could not decide on.

And your name for them? the Creator asked kindly.

I put them off until another time. Perhaps by then I can find an exquisite name that will suit them.

I am anxious to find out what you think of my creation.

Sire, it is so marvelous. There are no words to describe the magnificence and wonder of all you have created.

I am pleased you enjoy it, the majestic one said.

Oh, Adam said, I am very pleased with it.

Then it is yours, the Creator said to the astonished man.

It is mine? Adam was finally able to stammer out, It is all mine?

You are created for the earth. The earth is created for you. You shall have dominion over every living thing. The mountains, the seas, the earth, they are all yours. Conquer them until you have dominion over them.

And what do you expect of me? Adam asked.

Complete obedience while you tend to my kingdom, was the answer.

It is as you ask, the meek man uttered. Adam could not still his racing heart. His brains whirled through the possibilities that lay before him. Dominion over this entire kingdom, could it be true? Still there was one thing he lacked. Could he not have supremacy over the sky?

The Creator read his mind. In time. Perhaps the line of Adam shall learn to fly like the birds. The angels and I discussed giving you wings.

Why didn’t you? Adam asked.

We think you will find hands that grasp objects of more use. True with wings you could fly, but you could never learn to do more useful things. Since with a thumb and four fingers you can grasp tools, you can make objects to help you conquer water and earth. With fins, you could swim; with strong legs, you could run like the gazelle. With hands you can make vehicles that will be faster than anything any of the animals have.

The sun was breaking over the eastern mountain. Too elated to be sleepy, Adam watched the world come to life from a night of rest. Drooping green leaves sprang to life. Dwellers of the treetops started their adoration of the one who created them. Squirrels and monkeys swung toward where Adam and their Creator rested on the mountain.

Land animals started their voyage. Elephants trumpeting through extended trunks came first. Next came the rhinoceros followed by the lions. Camels, horses and all kinds of cattle made their way to the sacred mountain of the Lord.

In lines they came. The first to arrive took the best positions until stragglers waited far down on the plain. All the flying creatures perched as close as they could to the one who made them.

When the Ancient One raised his hand, all creatures great and small broke forth into joyous sounds. Adoration to their king they gave in worshipful unison. The wild asses brayed out their homage the loudest. Their clear notes overpowered even the loud trumpeting of the elephants.

Some of the lowly insects also made a regal welcome. Black and gray crickets chirped loudly. Mosquitoes buzzed louder than the June beetles. There were more of the smaller insects.

Next came a time of feasting. Selected animals brought Adam and the Creator arrays of fruits and vegetables. When the feast was about to begin, Gabriel led the heavenly host to the banquet. Again animals and birds brought more food to the laden tables.

Adam could hardly believe his eyes at the amount and variety of edibles. Golden cantaloupes, red watermelons, yellow pears, ripe peaches among which were the various grains and nuts. At a nod from the Creator, everyone began to dine.

Stomachs extended. Eyelids grew drowsy. Small and large creatures curled up and slept. Adam rested his head on a moss-covered rock and slumbered. The night without sleep caught up with him.

While all mortal things slept, the Creator and the heavenly host discussed the creation. There were a few problems to work out. The bumblebee could fly only in a vertical position. One bird’s eggs kept rolling out of the nest. One species of elephants had too long a trunk. They could not keep their front feet out of it.

Gabriel brought up a discussion of Adam. Do you find any fault in him?

The Creator thought a moment. There is nothing. He is reverent. He has chosen names with great wisdom and discernment. Each named specie is proud. Even the skunk bears his name dignifiedly.

Gabriel spoke with a smile. I would have called him stinky, or perhaps something more insulting.

The Creator smiled an indulgent grin. Oh, I am sure the word skunk will take on another meaning soon. No one will doubt the meaning of, ‘You smell like a skunk.’

All laughed so loudly the Creator had to quiet them. We still have other important things to discuss before the created awaken.

Gabriel, broad shouldered with intelligent brown eyes asked. Such as?

Mainly, the Creator said worriedly. Adam is lonesome.

Gabriel’s looked quizzically. But surely with all the creatures, he cannot feel isolated. What else could he need?

The Creator thought a moment. I know, we shall make him a dog.

A dog? a small cherub asked.

Gabriel thought a moment. You know, I have never seen dog. What does a dog look like?

The Creator thought a moment before he answered. A dog is an animal that becomes like the one who owns it. When the owner is happy, then the dog is happy. When the owner is sad, the dog is sad. A dog becomes a part of its master. Nothing will ever take the place of a dog.

Two hundred committees of Heavenly hosts engaged themselves in making dogs. The first dog was small and curly. The second dog was of medium height with short black hair. Next came a large red dog. There were white dogs, gray dogs, black and white dogs, brown and white dogs. Some animals wagged their tails while some growled and showed their teeth; some were unruly and jumped on their makers.

Gabriel was perplexed. Sire, none of those who have made dogs want to give them away. Besides, with this many dogs, how could we ever decide which one to give Adam?

Again the Creator reached down and gathered a handful of dirt. Carefully scrapping up soil, the richest he could find, he started forming an animal. Sculpting the animal’s head, he made a broad forehead with a pointed nose. Next he made a broad chest and a straight back ending in a long tail that could not wait for the rest of the molding before it started wagging.

It looks more like a dog than the others do, Gabriel said. What about its eyes?

The Creator lost himself in thought. Suddenly, he touched the animal’s head. Two soft black eyes appeared. Again the Creator touched the animal. The eyes became alive. Looking at its maker, the dog’s eyes were sad, but seeing the Creator was not sad, the animal’s eyes became alive with happiness.

Gabriel cried out with joy. I must have one like it. What color will you make it?

Swiftly the Creator made the animal black. With a shake of his head, he gave the animal a white tip to its tail. Then with a critical touch, he made white stockings on three legs. Last, he put black freckles in the white places.

Fearful if he petted the dog, he could not give it up, the maker put the animal by Adam. Then carefully stroking Adam’s hair, the Creator awoke his creation.

Adam opened one eye. A red tongue licked his face. Another eye opened. What was this animal that was standing over him? Reaching up, he patted the dog’s head. Again a red tongue darted out and licked Adam’s face. In a few minutes, the two became molded together.

Blow your horn, Gabriel, the Creator said. We must have church before the sun goes down.

They gathered in circles on the mountainside. Turning to the most comely of his staff, the Creator said in a voice full of pride, Lucifer, lead the service.

Lucifer stood tall and straight before the congregation. The speaker’s features were the most pleasing the Maker had made. Brown eyes, strong lines, well-muscled chest and arms, slender waist with strong legs, the female angels were struck with something close to Heavenly lust.

In his leading of the worship service, Lucifer never blasphemed the Creator. His words, We praise thee, turned into something less than adoration. In fact, twice the Creator thought he caught a tone of mockery in the tones used.

In a moment of boredom, the Creator had experimented with this new breed. So perfect had been the experiment, he had almost made Adam in Lucifer’s image. In fact when he looked at Adam, he realized he had put much of Lucifer in this new creation.

While Lucifer spoke in eloquent words, Adam found himself vacillating in loyalty between the Creator and this new role paragon. Studying the two, the man found qualities in Lucifer, he admired more than the ones he found in the Creator.

In place of sternness, Adam found Lucifer portrayed permissiveness. The Creator’s countenance spoke in, Thou shalt nots. Lucifer’s every expression seemed to tell Adam, Experiment. Try out new things. Pleasure yourself.

Twice the Creator found himself wondering if he should not speak to Adam about certain flaws that were in the clay he used in making his new creature. The man could very well become unstable in very extreme situations. Perhaps, he thought, he should have used granite instead of clay.

The Creator did not allow this thought to stay in his mind long. Clay was not as strong as the other medium, but it was more flexible. The Creator knew he would not be at all satisfied with a human companion who was without flaws. No, he realized he wanted Adam to choose the right, because, he had the capabilities to choose both right or wrong. Granite was stable, but flesh made out of it could not show strong emotions. If there was one thing the Creator needed, it was a creation that could be persuaded to obey because of love rather than one compelled to obey by creation from unyielding stone.

Love and hate were so much of the same emotion that the Creator knew if Adam were not capable of both, he would be a robot. Like a toy, he would do as he was programmed, but no amount of love could persuade this new creation to do right because this was the Creator’s will.

No, he decided, he might lose Adam to someone as strong as Lucifer. To let this new mortal develop into something just a little lower than the angels, he would have to allow Adam free choice of will. Like a mother hen, the Creator wanted to hover, but he knew if he did, he would smother.

CHAPTER TWO

Lucifer lay sunning in the afternoon sun. For two hours he had done back flips, half gainers, full gainers, somersaults, and had then spent two hours swimming. In spite of being a heavenly being, he was tired.

Oblivious to the audience he had attracted, he thought of nothing but how hot the sun was on his muscled back. Unless he could command a cloud to come over soon, he would have to turn over. If he hated anything worse, it was sunburn. Usually, it took his skin a week to gain its normal golden bronze.

Vanity was the one word that described Lucifer the most. Vanity and rebellion, but the Creator carelessly overlooked both attributes. Since there were no flaws in heaven, life grew very dull. Lucifer was the only created being all the other heavenly host gloried in admiring.

The Creator soon forgot about Lucifer. Today he had other problems on his mind. Late yesterday when he went on his evening walk with Adam, he found his first human creation lonely. What could be the problem? the Creator asked Gabriel.

Sire, could it be he ate green plums? Perhaps you thought a stomachache was something more serious, Gabriel sipped slowly from a glass of lemonade. Scarcely listening to the Creator, he was more interested in admiring Lucifer.

No, the Creator said, Adam is lonely.

He has all the animals, sire. Besides he enjoys tending the Garden of Eden so much. Why yesterday I hid in a fig tree and watched him. He hoed, watered, and trimmed with more enthusiasm than Lucifer showed doing his dives. Perhaps you were wrong in not giving him some chores.

The Creator mulled the suggestion over in his mind. No, Gabriel, you are too prone to think leisure is sinful. Lucifer will make a good sub for my new creation.

Surely, you don’t intend to turn earth over to Lucifer.

The Creator decided he should soon tell Lucifer his plans. As soon as I work out all the bugs on earth, I plan to do some more creating. After all, there is a lot of empty real estate floating around in space.

But is Lucifer capable of handling earth?

The Creator spoke sternly. Do you think I would create someone I cannot handle?

Gabriel realized he had overstepped his boundary. But we are all rather new at creating. That last cherub you made cried for two days.

Poor thing, I left an etching tool in his stomach. Say, Gabriel, the thought just came to me. We have created all the other living things on earth with mates. Perhaps Adam realizes this and feels left out.

Gabriel wondered if it would hurt to refresh the Creator’s memory. I thought we would decide to let Adam reproduce after he proves himself stable. Remember the problems we had with the whole line of giant reptiles?

Especially the dinosaur, the Creator said. A disgusting creature. Its digestive track eliminated enough waste so the world would have been covered in dung within a few more decades.

The ice age finished them. Some are still frozen under the Arctic ice, Gabriel said. Remember the one that froze with a mouthful of daises?

The Creator felt a headache coming on. He was subject to migraines. They not only ate everything in sight, what they didn’t eat, they trampled into the mud. If only we could predict with certainty what humans would do to the ecosystem. Intelligent as they are, if they put their minds to it, they have the potential of doing great harm as well as great good.

Gabriel stopped sipping pink lemonade long enough to say.

It is bad enough Adam takes care of the Tree of Knowledge, but having the Tree of Life in there with him. He did not finish his statement. The Creator was just too gullible at times. If Adam ever ate fruit from the Tree of Life, he would live forever.

The Creator did not realize Lucifer was standing behind a potted fern. I think we will make a mate for Adam.

He will soon have so many offspring, they will ruin Paradise, sire.

Until we are sure, we will leave them without sexual desires, the Creator said. A Platonic affair should satisfy Adam.

Gabriel thought the situation over. "We do need reliable help to take care of the Garden. Just anybody couldn’t be trusted with the Trees