Final Confrontation by D. Brian Shafer

could not discern ourselves?”
    Lucifer smiled.
    “They have been following that star,” he said, looking up at the evening sky where the star hung over the city. “The star that has persisted these many months since the Child’s birth; the star that has been a grim reminder, a death knell to lovers of freedom and the sure sign of an unfolding prophecy ushering in the era of the Christ.”
    Kara and Pellecus joined him as they all looked up at the early evening sky where the star shone over the region. All of them shuddered at the thought of the Lord’s words in Eden beginning to manifest: The Seed of the woman would one day crush the head of the serpent.
    “But take heart, brothers,” Lucifer added, as the magi were being introduced to Herod. “The star, perhaps, shines in different ways.”
    My prince?” inquired Pellecus.
    “One prophecy fulfilled, Pellecus,” remarked Lucifer. “The Child has been born and this star has gloriously proclaimed His birth to men who have sought to worship Him. Now perhaps this same star will reveal something menacing to others who would be interested in the birth of a King.” He glanced toward Herod. “Particularly another king!”

    “Welcome to my kingdom,” said Herod with a sweep of his hand in a magnanimous gesture. “I hope you have been well attended to?”
    The magi stood uneasily before Herod. His reception hall was a mixture of Roman splendor and traditional Greek décor with a few Hebrew motifs thrown in. The couriers who fawned upon the old king stood to his left suspiciously eyeing the visitors. A scribe was writing down every word that was spoken.
    “Yes, my lord,” spoke Caspar. “We have been very well attended. Many thanks for your gracious hospitality.”
    “How very gratifying,” said Herod. “Please sit and refresh yourselves.”
    Attendants brought in three sumptuous chairs, plumed with peacock feathers and gold braid. The three guests sat down.
    “Wine perhaps?” asked Herod. “It’s a Babylonian variety. Quite refreshing.”
    “Thank you, no, majesty” said Melchior. “Our business will take us from your hospitality tonight.”
    “Oh?” said Herod, as he took a goblet from a steward. “Such a shame. And what is your business with me? What is it that I might be able to help you with?”
    “Something wonderful, my king,” began Caspar. His face lit up as he began recounting the tale that had bound the three magi together for so long.
    “We are all from the east, King Herod. All of us are skilled in the arts of divination and astrology. We are conjurers and seers, and have often served our own sovereigns in these regards. We realize these practices are abhorrent to Jews, but in our country it is a way we communicate with our gods and prophecy the future.”
    “Yes, I know all about you,” said Herod. “My guards questioned your servants. You are quite renowned in your own country. But your mission is still a mystery. What brings you to Jerusalem?”
    Caspar stood to speak.
    “The star, majesty.”
    “The star?” asked Herod, amused.
    Laughter echoed through the room..
    “Yes, O king. The star that recently appeared in your sky.”
    “Oh that one,” said Herod. “It seems this particular star has brought in all sorts of interesting people from many places: oracles and prophets and a seer from the desert…” He reached for another goblet of wine. “And of course a few frauds who were whipped and driven out of the city. That star has been a great source of trouble to me. But my own sages assure me it is beginning to wane. Isn’t that right, Archelaus?”
    Herod’s son and heir answered as if startled from a dream.
    “Why yes, father,” he said. “That is their belief.”
    “So you see, gentlemen, the star that brought so many to Jerusalem—looking for everything from great treasure to great destinies—will soon disappear.” Herod smiled. “It always amazes me how people run to this or that sign in the heaven. My own