Tail of the Dragon

by Timothy Reihm

  Chapter 30

  Gabriel arrived on time, as usual, and strode into the suite, stopping to allow the animal to smell his hand before seating himself and rubbing the large sabre-tooth's ears. The enormous cat rolled to one side to give Gabriel access to his belly, which the telmid dutifully began scratching.

  'You must be Fang,' he said, still briskly massaging white fur on the cat's abdomen.

  'I'll be ready in just a minute,' Gadreel yelled from the next room as he rummaged loudly through a drawer.

  'Does your new friend like living here?' Gabriel called back.

  'Fang thinks he owns the place. But he can come and go when he wants to. He really seems to enjoy his time here though,' Gadreel said, walking into the room. 'I'm ready to go.'

  'I need to make a quick detour, if you don't mind,' Gabriel said as they boarded the chariot.

  They turned south, maintaining a low elevation and following the course of the river toward the central city. The lowest, outermost buildings came into view, framed against the vast structures dominating the skyline of the inner parts of the city. On the outskirts, they descended and landed smoothly on one of the thoroughfares that dissected the city into its symmetrical grid. They passed a large, square park remarkable for its trees, which were angular and looked to be composed of some sort of bluish gemstone. The light refracted off of the limbs and the wind caused the perfectly triangular leaves to emit a soft, tinkling sound.

  They stopped on the corner, adjacent to one of the city's block-wide structures. Its composition was an interesting mixture of smoky glass and polished metal. Enormous silver spikes stretched upward toward the sky, encompassed by circular, metallic bands holding plates of flawless, thin crystal. The building resembled a series of slender tubes clustered in a tall, honeycomb pattern towering over the street where they parked.

  'Do you want to come?'

  'No, Gabe. I'll wait here if you don't mind.'

  'I'll just be a minute. I have to drop something off,' he said, patting the satchel hung from his shoulder.

  Gadreel wandered over to one of the benches abutting the building's exterior. He settled himself and closed his eyes, enjoying the warm breeze on his skin. He listened to the jostling murmur of the city. Voices called out, hooves clattered on the paving stones, birds chirped. He sat, relaxing, letting himself absorb the sounds.

  'Gadreel,' a voice interjected, causing him to jump.

  Although he did not recognize the face, he knew the name- Barman. The aura surrounding him indicated he was a Seraphim. Beyond that he was unfamiliar with this angel.

  'I understand you are probably the finest bocketeer in the kingdom,' the stranger said.

  'I don't know about that, but I do enjoy playing. Have we met before?' he asked.

  'No. I haven't had the pleasure, but I have heard of you. You have made quite a name for yourself,' Barman replied.

  'It is nice to meet you,' he said, uncomfortable under the other's penetrating gaze.

  'Are your classes going well?' Barman asked.

  'Great. We just completed our first field exercise in planetary adaptation and received our pair bond.'

  'Wonderful. Let me guess, some sort of big cat?' he looked expectantly, and then nodded to himself as if Gadreel had confirmed something.

  His new acquaintance abruptly changed the subject.

  'Do you know Trainer Azazel? Were you one of his students?'

  'Yes,' answered Gadreel, now fully uncomfortable. 'Why do you ask?'

  The older arella grasped his forearm and held it with an extremely firm grip. 'I am a friend and I would ask you to be careful. Some things that seem innocent are less so than you might be aware. Please, don't be reckless!'

  Just as suddenly as he had appeared, the angel turned and walked into the building, nearly colliding with Gabriel as he passed through the main doors.

  On the way to Azazel's estate, Gadreel wondered about what had just happened. Was he being watched? Why was he being warned? Perhaps the meetings weren't so secret after all. The idea made him nervous. He looked at Gabriel, wondering if he should bring up the matter with his friend.

  Before he had the opportunity, Gabriel asked, 'How do you feel about the manipulation skills Azazel has been teaching?'

  'It's tough for me to say. I've never had to deal with any species on a remote world. It would be pretty frustrating if a lesser life form was unwilling to take advice meant for its benefit, and if that stubbornness was going to lead to it placing itself in danger, wouldn't it make sense for us to use all means possible to convince it?'

  'Yes, Gadreel. I've heard Azazel's rationale for teaching the skill, but do you believe it is advisable?'

  'I honestly don't see the harm in knowing how to perform the skill. If it isn't needed, it won't be used. Besides, we never actually attempt to use most of what we learn. It is all mainly philosophical.'

  'I suppose that is true. At least he doesn't have us trying to manipulate or possess each other.'

  They fell into silence as they neared the estate. Gadreel found himself glancing around, attempting detect any unknown visitors. He and Ariel had spied on these meetings. Was it possible others were as well?

  Helel met them as they entered the hall. He greeted Gabriel and steered Gadreel to an alcove just below the main staircase. His eyes glinted and he seemed excited.

  'I'm glad you came tonight. I think that this is going to be a memorable lesson.'

  'Good to see you, Helel.'

  'I heard an interesting story about your other half. Has he told you about his experience at the animal habitat?'

  'Yes. It is remarkable, but how did you hear about it?'

  Helel ignored the question and continued, 'So, it is true. He was bonded with a griffin, which is unusual. They are very reclusive and live in a giant cavern under the ground?'

  'Ariel told me. But why are you so interested?'

  'Why would someone who gets attacked not attempt to use any of the protection skills we are taught?'

  'I asked him about that. He said the instructions he received made no mention of using those skills. I told him that given the circumstances, I didn't think he needed permission.'

  'Exactly. I wonder about your friend,' Helel said.

  They were interrupted as Azazel descended the stairs and clapped his hands loudly to get everyone's attention. He stood above the assembled group dressed in a flowing yellow robe, adorned with thick silver embroidery. He looked tired, somehow, but his voice sounded firm as he spoke.

  'I had a visitor today. It seems some of the other instructors at the academy are uncomfortable with our little meetings. Apparently they have received reports from unidentified sources that we are involved in subversive activities,' he snorted derisively as his eyes scanned the room, almost accusatory.

  Helel stepped to the bottom of the stairs and spoke, 'I was under the impression that what we are doing here is our right by means of our free will.'

  Azazel glanced down at Helel. He quickly looked away and addressed the room, 'Helel is correct, of course. We are well within our rights to meet and discuss the ideas we have been exploring. And we will continue to do so. However, given the concerns of some of my colleagues, it might be unwise to keep practicing some of the applications we have been working on. Some argue that these practice sessions go beyond mere intellectual discussion and could lead some of the more impressionable to overstep what is allowed.'

  Helel navigated two stairs with one long step and interrupted, 'I'm sorry sir. But didn't you tell us during a recent meeting that those who wish to interfere with the free will of others are tyrannical and traitors of the Kingdom and the Kings themselves? Are you now suggesting we bow down to the wishes of our enemies? Don't we owe enough allegiance to the Kings to stand up for what they have given to each of us?'

  'Helel, I am saying no such thing. What I said is true. And I am not saying we should quit meeting. I am merely altering the format of these gatherings. Most of what we practice h
as no real practical value. Those skills are just a means of exploring what is more important- the questioning of accepted truths in the pursuit of the ability to reason critically.'

  With a quick leap Helel climbed two more steps, bringing him within arms reach of Azazel. The trainer looked at him nervously and opened his mouth to continue, but Helel interrupted.

  'I'm sorry to disagree, but I believe the skills themselves are just as important and I would argue that if anything, we aren't doing enough with our practice sessions.'

  He turned toward the group below and addressed them with a steady, earnest voice, 'A good friend of mine was quite close to serious injury just the other day due to our lack of preparation in utilizing the skills the academy spends so much time trying, albeit ineffectually, to teach us.'

  He waved his hand above his head to still the muted conversation that started below.

  'Some of you are aware of the incident I am referring to. I will not go into all of the details, but so everyone understands the importance of this issue, let me say this...' He paused and looked around the room before continuing. 'My dear friend was placed, by the trainers at the academy, in a very dangerous situation and never considered utilizing the defenses he has been trained in. Why? Because we are taught these skills as some kind of game, rather than a serious endeavor. We play around with our abilities, but don't utilize them in any real way. And the result is the type of accident we had the other day.'

  Murmuring voices returned in earnest. Azazel stood with gaped mouth staring at Helel, obviously surprised. Gadreel understood his instructor's surprise. Helel was publicly contradicting Azazel and using Ariel's story to do so. He hated to think of Ariel's reaction to being used in this manner.

  'I am not sure what incident you are referring to, but you must be mistaken. No students would be allowed to engage in dangerous activities while under the supervision of the academy,' Azazel said weakly.

  'If you were leading the exercise, that would be true. But you yourself just told us of instructors at the academy who are acting in a way contrary to the will of the Kings. There are those who feel they are above the ideals our Kingdom is founded on. That is why we are all here. We understand that the principle of free will is the basis of our government, and yet, some factions wish to take it away. And if we allow them to do so, it would be abandoning our ideals and our friends,' Helel said and gave Azazel a penetrating look.

  Gadreel watched as Azazel seemed to whither before Helel's stare. As surprised as Helel's revelation about their trainer had been, it was nothing compared to the shock of watching him undermine Azazel before their eyes. The entire room waited expectantly for Azazel to argue, but he stood dumbly before them.

  'We all owe Azazel our gratitude. He has selected us, given us special instruction, and taught us to reason for ourselves. And now we see just how important that is. This Kingdom faces a threat we alone are in a position to deal with. I'm sure he will agree with me when I tell you that the time for playing is over. We need to make our new skills practical. I propose we actually begin training to use those skills.'

  Helel went on to map out, in some detail, the changes he envisioned for their meetings. Gadreel was in awe at the force of Helel's arguments and the excitement he generated. He detailed specific exercises, with groups competing against each other to accomplish certain goals. He assured them it was possible to safely train so that no one would get hurt, while making their use of the skills second nature.

  'We cannot allow what happened to my friend to happen to us. When we are placed on assignment on remote planets, we won't have time to analyze how to react. Rather, our reactions need to be instant and decisive. By applying a new training regimen, we will be ready for service on other worlds, or in defense of the Kingdom if necessary.'

  Gadreel watched Gabriel step forward to speak.

  'Helel. You are aware of how much I respect you. However, what you are proposing sounds a bit like some sort of military exercise to me.'

  Helel glanced down at his friend and smiled. 'My friend, nothing could be further from the truth. I am speaking of defensive maneuvers, not offensive ones. We will learn to protect, not destroy. However, I understand your concern. And of course, anyone who is not comfortable with what I am proposing is free to leave our group,' he said while looking around the room expectantly.

  He was met with silence. Gabriel continued to stare up at him, but did not speak. No one else said a word. Helel turned his attention to Azazel, who also stood quietly.

  He again addressed the group, 'Azazel and I would like to begin implementing our new program at our next meeting. And, of course, we welcome any input or ideas any of you might have.'

  He gestured toward Gabriel. 'As many of you know, Gabriel and I serve in the throne room itself. We were selected as covering Cherubim and have direct access to the Kings. I can assure each and every one of you we will be monitoring the activities of those who would circumvent the will of the Kings, even those who are in authority. If we see a viable threat to the Kingdom, we will certainly take the matter before them.'

  The chamber was quiet for a long moment. Gadreel looked around at the still faces of the group. He could see several heads nodding. A sharp sound from the back of the room shattered the stillness. One pair of hands came together with a sudden crack. The initial beat was picked up by another, and another, and another. Within seconds, the room was alive with the energetic thunder of agreement. Looking down, he saw his own hands moving in parody. His eyes sought and found Gabriel standing motionless, looking confused. Their eyes met for a brief second. His hands faltered briefly, then resumed their motion, echoing the din around him. He looked away from Gabriel and found Helel, who now stood beside Azazel, smiling broadly at the congregation.