The Europa Conspiracy by Tim Lahaye & Bob Phillips

Author:Tim Lahaye & Bob Phillips
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Religious, Christian, Suspense, Futuristic, Fiction
ISBN: 9780553586084
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 2007-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-SIX

The night of the attack, Babylon, 539 B.C.

SULAIMAN SLOWLY CLIMBED the long stairway up to the king’s banquet hall. The night was warm and the moon was full. Torches lined both sides of the stairs, and it was easy to see. The smell of jasmine was in the air. He was looking for and alert to any danger that might be lurking in the shadows. As he glanced around he did not see any danger, only laughing couples half drunk with wine and groping each other.

As captain of the king’s royal guard, it was his job to ensure that his men were on duty and not swept up in the debauchery of the evening. It was difficult for young soldiers to stand by watching others indulging themselves and keep their minds on the task of protecting the king and his nobles.

This was not the first time that King Belshaigar had invited his friends to a night of revelry. In fact, these parties were becoming more and more frequent. This was, however, the largest one Sulaiman had seen. The wine was flowing freely among the thousand guests. And tonight the celebration wasn’t restricted to the palace—all of Babylon was caught up in the excitement.

“General Azzgam,” young Captain Hakeem said, saluting. “Do you have any more men you can spare? General Jawhar is pleading for help. He says that we must get the trench dug within the hour. He thinks that he will be able to breach the Euphrates into the marsh above the city. They have about thirty cubits to go.”

“Tell him I can give him two thousand.” He signaled his aide, gave him the order, and sent the captain running into the night.

General Jawhar, pleased with the reinforcements, sent a message back to General Azzam. The soldiers would be readied. As soon as the water was drained from the moat, a detachment would be sent under the wall. According to the two deserters, Gobryas and Gadatas, there was a secret way into Babylon. Once the troops got in, they would open the main gate and let in the rest of the army.

As Sulaiman entered the great hall, one of the royal guards came running to him. “Sir, the king is calling for you!”

Sulaiman ran to find the king. “I just had a great idea,” the king exclaimed. “I remember as a small child that King Nebuchadnezzar took me into the temple treasury of Marduk. He showed magnificent treasures captured in battle—many gold and silver cups taken from the temple of Jehovah in Jerusalem. Go down to the treasury and bring all of the cups to the great hall. I want to serve my guests in those beautiful goblets.”

“Yes, O King,” Sulaiman said, bowing and turning to leave.

Within fifteen minutes he had returned with servants carrying armloads of gold and silver cups. Soon they were cleaned and filled with wine.

The glittering goblets were passed out to the princes and their wives and concubines. They drunkenly toasted each other and their idols. Their laughter became louder and their toasts more coarse.

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