Chapter 22
It was the first time that Gadreel had ever been completely frustrated by one of their modules. He enjoyed the theoretic part of their music module but the application portion made him feel inept, something he was unused to.
The academic section involved long periods of time spent in sensory suppression chambers, with light and outside noise eliminated, allowing the student to truly focus on the music. The small, darkened rooms were each equipped with an audiochromic crystal, which provided the only light. As the music would change from slow to up-tempo, soft to hard, high to low, the color of the tiny rock would shift to reflect the influence exerted by a bit of music. It responded to minute fluctuations in the electromagnetic field of the environment, and as a result reflected changes in the aura of any living organism in the immediate vicinity.
He quickly learned to identify various combinations of rhythm, instrumentation and tonal quality and the ways these enhanced or suppressed different mood states. But when he attempted to duplicate these musical techniques, the results had been less than stellar.
They were learning on a harp, an instrument he was coming to loathe. The enormous things could not be carried around, but there were several at the estate and they always had access to the music center, a facility on the edge of campus equipped with every musical paraphernalia in the created universe and built to provide the optimal acoustic environment.
Since he and Ariel had some time before their music class was to start, they decided to head over to the center to work on their upcoming assignment. They walked on the marble walkway leading up to the building, which from a distance resembled a giant sea creature’s discarded shell. The path was alive with the movement of water dancing along its surface. Every cubit, a row of small openings spewed a stream high into the air at an angle that caused the thundering shower to crash, in a rolling crescendo, on the slanted brass plates that bordered each side of the path. As they neared, the fissures closed. This continued on the entire approach to the building. The result was that a metallic musical scale, which rose in pitch as they drew closer to the main structure, marked their progress.
A shallow pool meandered around the base of the building, with small white bridges offering entrance into the center. As they crossed one of these spans, a familiar face approached coming in the opposite direction.
‘Twins,’ Gabriel greeted them enthusiastically.
‘Hello, Gabe,’ Ariel responded.
‘I’m so glad I ran into you two. I’ve been meaning to visit. Can you spare a few minutes?’ he motioned to a circle of simple white benches a dozen cubits away.
‘What’s on your mind?’ Gadreel asked after the group had seated themselves in the small, private cloister.
‘For one, I missed my old friends. But the other reason is why I assume you are here,’ he said, motioning to the building behind them.
‘I haven’t been by in a while because it has been a very busy year, and quite frankly, the meetings had gotten better. We are still working on improving the powers we learned, but the conversations have been less philosophical and not the least bit subversive. I began to doubt that there was ever really anything wrong. That is until this week. Azazel knows that many of us began our music modules and he offered to teach us a few things. At first, we only worked on the usual tunes, and he helped us create the correct mood states. But then he started introducing more complex music that turned the audiochromic crystal the strangest colors. He taught a technique of creating low tones using our left hands, combined with unusually high tones with our right strings, which resulted in the stone glowing a deep red. He said it was an effective combination to induce anger.’
Gadreel hadn't expected to hear this. Why would they want to learn how to induce anger? What purpose did that possibly serve? He asked Gabriel the question.
‘That is what I wondered. But that wasn't all. He introduced tunes that created moods of fear, and jealousy. I asked why we would need to learn these things, and Azazel said that it is imperative that we know both good and bad. We should be able to recognize wrath and fear as well as we can recognize love and joy.’
‘Helel is especially adept at this newfound skill, and has been spending a lot of time at Azazel's estate. Sometimes he stays there for days at a time. When he is home he spends hours plucking away, playing really bizarre music. But for what purpose? I asked him last evening, and he said that he agreed with what Azazel had said, that without bad there can be no good.’
This thought struck Gadreel as rather profound. Without the black background of space, the stars wouldn't shine. Was it equally true that only with the comparative darkness of bad was the light of good visible? How did happiness exist if you had no conception of sadness to compare it with?
‘I told Helel that that was ridiculous, of course.’ Gabriel continued. ‘I reminded him that we have known nothing except joy since we were created and had never needed to learn sorrow, or wrath, or envy. His only reply was that we are still like babies, and our eyes aren’t even fully open yet.’
‘So what do I do? I don’t feel that it is healthy to create an environment of negativity around me, but I don’t want to leave the group simply because of a little music.’
Ariel answered first. ‘Gabe, if you feel this group is a negative influence on you, you should leave. Do you agree Gadreel?’
What Ariel said was true, but would a little music be that destructive? It didn't seem possible. They had played music that caused joy, but it hadn’t made him jump around the room exuberantly. Why would it be different with music of another type? Plus, this might be the perfect opportunity to attend the meetings for himself.
‘What about this, Gabriel? Is it possible for you to invite me to go with you to the meetings? Once I am established in the group, you can miss any future ones that make you uncomfortable and we will still have an insider there to keep an eye on things.’
Gadreel saw by the look on Ariel’s face that he did not like the idea at all. He purposely avoided making eye contact with his friend. Yet, despite his obvious disapproval, Ariel said nothing.
‘I don’t think that is a good idea.’ Gabriel responded. ‘I don’t want to introduce you to something that may not be healthy.’
‘Wouldn’t it be better for you if we split the exposure? If things stay this way you will quit, then we won't have any idea what is going on. Why not let me share the load with you? I promise, I can handle it.’
Ariel finally spoke up. ‘Here's a better idea Gabriel. Why don’t you stop going, and we do as Raphael originally recommended and let the Kings take care of it?’
But Gadreel had seen his opening and didn’t relent. ‘Ariel, I seem to remember your argument, from our last talk, that, as the representatives of the Kings, we have an obligation to be their eyes and ears, and that it is important that we have a voice of reason in the group.’
Gabriel thought about this for a long moment before answering in a voice that seemed somewhat reluctant, ‘The group grows each time we meet, so I don’t think Azazel is opposed to inviting new members. Let me talk with him next time I go and I will see if I can bring you along in the future.’
‘Perfect.’ Gadreel answered, and knowing that Ariel was not in agreement, quickly steered the conversation in another direction.
‘So Gabriel, you must tell us about the throne room! What is it like?’
The distraction worked perfectly, as Gabriel’s face instantly changed from consternation to adoration.
‘It is the most amazing place. First of all, it isn’t a room as I was expecting. Situated within the top of Mount Kol is a beautiful garden centered on the prime trees, fronted by an immense sea of crystalline water. It feeds the four rivers that flow through the city and the country beyond. At its edge are the seven fiery stones, which represent the character of the Kings and carry the warmth and light of their fire to the vastness of the universe. And then there are the actual thrones, which are simple and golden, but so be
autiful in their simplicity. Around them are Cherubim, filling the air with magnificent music. The garden is filled with a light that is so bright, and yet so peaceful. It is difficult to explain.’
Gadreel and Ariel both stared at their friend, trying to imagine the scene he described.
‘And what do you do while you are there?’ Ariel asked.
‘We are just observers, so Helel and I stand to the left of the throne and try not to get in the way. It is quite a busy place, actually, with angels coming with messages and leaving with assignments.’
After answering many more questions, Gabriel finally asked their leave.
As soon as they were alone, Ariel said, ‘I think you going to the meetings is a terrible idea.’
‘So it is fine for Gabriel to attend, but somehow you think it will be bad for me?’
‘I just don’t know what it is you hope to accomplish. Gabriel is strong enough to withstand any negative influences and if they become too strong, he'll simply leave. But you are sometimes a bit too confident in your own abilities, and I fear you might not.’
‘Ariel, I appreciate the concern, but I will be fine. Plus, I will keep you updated on every event and if you ever feel things have gone too far, just say the word, and I will leave.’
‘OK. But believe me I am going to be very quick to tell you that if I start to see things that make me uncomfortable.’
Ariel’s vehement tone made Gadreel stop for a second. Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea for him to attend the meetings. But the thought of learning new powers was too much and he shook off the negative feelings. No, he would go. He would just have to be strong enough to resist any bad influence that may, or may not, be present.
Tail of the Dragon Page 23
