horsehair crest and visor inlaid with precious gems. Unlike the other two relics, this object had great monetary value. Each stone in the visor was worth a fortune. Not surprising since this helmet had been worn by an emperor. But the most valuable part was something the casual observer couldn’t see. An iron spike embedded inside the helmet. A simple iron spike. Unremarkable in itself but millions had died because they believed in what it represented—or didn’t believe.
When Constantine the First was emperor of Rome , his mother Saint Helena converted to Christianity. She went to the Holy Land in an effort to find sacred relics. She was able to locate the true cross and the nails that were used in the crucifixion. Two of the nails she sent back to Constantine . According to legend, she had one of them placed in her son’s helmet and the other in his horse’s bridle. It was believed that the relics would protect him from harm. Metcalf was holding in his hands the helmet of the Emperor Constantine. He felt sure that the emperor’s success as a military commander was due in large part to the sacred objects he carried with him into war.
There were many tales associated with Constantine . Like Don Afonso, the emperor had been blessed with a vision. Just before a decisive battle, he saw a flaming cross appear in the eastern sky. A cross shaped like a P with a letter X through it. In Greek, the letters P and X or Chi and Ro spelled the first two letters of Christ’s name. Constantine took this as a sign that the Christian god favored him. At the same moment, the emperor heard a voice telling him, “In hoc signo vinces.” In this sign conquer . The warrior’s cross led his troops to victory that day.
Abraham set the helmet down in the center of the table and regarded the prizes of his collection with satisfaction. A shield, a lance, and a helmet. All of them had brought triumph in battle to their possessors. Taken together, they should prove to be invincible. The French had a name for such relics. They called them objets de puissance. Objects of power.
Metcalf looked up from the items on the table and surveyed the silent, locked compartments that lined the walls. He had spent a lifetime acquiring their contents. Each artifact carried the sanction of God. Metcalf would need all their powers if the prophecy was to be fulfilled.
He knew that the Blessed Nephilim had lost faith over the years. They had waited more than a century for the Second Coming but Judgment Day was long overdue. Metcalf feared for his wavering flock. The influence of the Fallen Lands crept ever closer to his refuge and to all the far-flung communities under his care. A stray television broadcast, a radio transmission, the internet. Their messages raised troublesome questions in the minds of his followers. No matter how tightly he restricted their access to the outside world, he could feel them slipping away. God would hold him accountable for this and if he failed his punishment would be eternal damnation. The humiliation of such a fate horrified him. God would cast him into the sulfurous pit along with the Fallen that he so despised. He could never allow that to happen.
The prophecy had shown him a way out of his dilemma. God had spoken directly to him through the foretelling of a long-dead Diviner. It was not his lot to wait patiently for the day when the Fallen would be banished to hell. He was to bring the heavenly kingdom to earth by whatever means necessary. That was what the Lord’s sacred warriors had always done.
God was watching him and Abraham would not disappoint his Master. He would distinguish himself more than any Diviner before him. His reward would be greater. His celestial rank would be higher. His name would be praised before angels and men alike. This was not pride on his part. It was God’s will.
The day was coming soon when the Blessed Nephilim would redeem the world from the Fallen who now overran it. Men had
When Constantine the First was emperor of Rome , his mother Saint Helena converted to Christianity. She went to the Holy Land in an effort to find sacred relics. She was able to locate the true cross and the nails that were used in the crucifixion. Two of the nails she sent back to Constantine . According to legend, she had one of them placed in her son’s helmet and the other in his horse’s bridle. It was believed that the relics would protect him from harm. Metcalf was holding in his hands the helmet of the Emperor Constantine. He felt sure that the emperor’s success as a military commander was due in large part to the sacred objects he carried with him into war.
There were many tales associated with Constantine . Like Don Afonso, the emperor had been blessed with a vision. Just before a decisive battle, he saw a flaming cross appear in the eastern sky. A cross shaped like a P with a letter X through it. In Greek, the letters P and X or Chi and Ro spelled the first two letters of Christ’s name. Constantine took this as a sign that the Christian god favored him. At the same moment, the emperor heard a voice telling him, “In hoc signo vinces.” In this sign conquer . The warrior’s cross led his troops to victory that day.
Abraham set the helmet down in the center of the table and regarded the prizes of his collection with satisfaction. A shield, a lance, and a helmet. All of them had brought triumph in battle to their possessors. Taken together, they should prove to be invincible. The French had a name for such relics. They called them objets de puissance. Objects of power.
Metcalf looked up from the items on the table and surveyed the silent, locked compartments that lined the walls. He had spent a lifetime acquiring their contents. Each artifact carried the sanction of God. Metcalf would need all their powers if the prophecy was to be fulfilled.
He knew that the Blessed Nephilim had lost faith over the years. They had waited more than a century for the Second Coming but Judgment Day was long overdue. Metcalf feared for his wavering flock. The influence of the Fallen Lands crept ever closer to his refuge and to all the far-flung communities under his care. A stray television broadcast, a radio transmission, the internet. Their messages raised troublesome questions in the minds of his followers. No matter how tightly he restricted their access to the outside world, he could feel them slipping away. God would hold him accountable for this and if he failed his punishment would be eternal damnation. The humiliation of such a fate horrified him. God would cast him into the sulfurous pit along with the Fallen that he so despised. He could never allow that to happen.
The prophecy had shown him a way out of his dilemma. God had spoken directly to him through the foretelling of a long-dead Diviner. It was not his lot to wait patiently for the day when the Fallen would be banished to hell. He was to bring the heavenly kingdom to earth by whatever means necessary. That was what the Lord’s sacred warriors had always done.
God was watching him and Abraham would not disappoint his Master. He would distinguish himself more than any Diviner before him. His reward would be greater. His celestial rank would be higher. His name would be praised before angels and men alike. This was not pride on his part. It was God’s will.
The day was coming soon when the Blessed Nephilim would redeem the world from the Fallen who now overran it. Men had
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