“As you were,” Michael said easily, approaching Tristan and coming to stand beside him.
“Greetings, my Lord Michael.” Tristan then nodded at me. “And to you, Larin. I trust you are well.”
“I am, thank you,” I said, trying to pretend I didn’t feel Iris’ glare melting through the side of my face.
“How come the newest wards?” Michael asked, turning to look at the novices further afield.
“They learn quickly, as they all do,” Tristan said simply. He followed Michael’s gaze. “Vessels are built to be soldiers, Larin,” he said, turning back to me. “It is something which you will find will come easily to you, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure,” said Iris, sneering.
“Iris,” Tristan said, turning to her. “Please go and see to Josef. It appears he would be at a good stage to begin a visual demonstration with a partner.”
“Whatever,” she said, leaping off the ground with a great whoosh of her black wings. I blinked as the gust of air assaulted my eyes.
I sighed.
“Patrick’s death was not your fault, Larin,” said Tristan, kindly. “She will come to see that in time. For now, she grieves.”
I nodded, saying nothing. I didn’t blame her. Her partner had sacrificed his life for me, believing strongly enough that I could be the Herald. It was so much for him to be asked and yet he did it, hoping his death would mean something. I looked down, feeling guilty.
Iris came to rest beside the one I understood to be Josef, who had been training the assembled young vessels. She walked up behind him, taking a sword from the rack and swinging it skillfully around her head. Josef turned and grinned at her, and I saw him speaking and making an introduction to his students. He then assumed a defensive stance, beckoning at Iris to come at him. She lunged at him, and he ducked aside as gracefully as a dancer, using his wings to add momentum to his turn. She rounded back, smashing her sword towards his face. I gasped, frightened for him. I needn’t have been. Josef met her sword easily, and the sounds of the crashing reached us from where they sparred. There was such beauty to their movements, despite the horror of the ends the training was meant to achieve, that I found I could not pull my eyes away. Each ducked every lunge, every thrust of the sword with ease or met it, the blades crashing against each other in movements so fast my eyes could not follow.
Yeah, there was no way I would be able to do that.
At one point, Iris kicked Josef in the chest, and he fell backwards onto the ground. She took the opportunity to leap on top of him, pinning him down with her foot and thrusting her sword into his face, coming to stop only a millimeter away. He froze, then they both broke into large grins. She leaned down and gave him her hand, helping him up. He dusted himself off as the young vessels could be heard clapping from the demonstration.
I looked over at Tristan and saw him smiling in amusement. Just at that moment, Chase came rushing up to where we stood. I saw his fire-red hair first, and then his familiar grin.
“Think you can do that?” he asked, huffing. “Hey, Tristan.” Chase wheezed as he leaned his hands on his knees, then stood up more formally, looking at Michael. “Uh, greetings, sir.” I could have sworn I saw Michael smirk, but he continued to look out at the groups as they engaged in practice.
“Chase,” he acknowledged simply.
“Did you want to give it a try?” Chase asked me, wiggling his eyebrows. “I bet you’re a quick study, like everything else!” It was said good-naturedly with no hint of sarcasm, and I smiled as I quickly shook my head.
“I absolutely, totally, and utterly decline. Respectfully,” I stepped back, holding my hands out in front of me. Chase laughed, moving towards me.
“Come on!” he coaxed, gesturing to me to take his hand. I looked anxiously at him and then back to Michael, who had been watching the display with a bemused expression on his face. Tristan looked at me, then at Chase.
“Not today, Chase,” he said, saving me.
“Fine,” Chase dropped his hand but continued smiling. “Michael, err. . . Sir,” he amended hastily, “can I do anything with Larin to. . .help?” Chase looked at me eagerly.
“I appreciate your spirit of service, Chase, but it will not be required at the moment.” It was said gently but firmly, and Chase took the hint, looking slightly abashed.
“Okay,” he said, “well, if you need anything at all, just let me know. Larin, maybe I’ll catch you later? We can go for a walk or something?” Before I could answer, he turned and sprinted back down the hillside, the familiar lightness apparent in his steps.
Just then, all the creatures, including me, stopped. We all stood still, looking upwards. I could hear it, the sound, though it defied description. It was like nature itself was calling out, requesting our attention, as though it had just struck a tuning fork. Just as suddenly the moment passed. I looked quickly at Michael and Tristan for their reactions, not realizing what had just happened. Tristan merely nodded at Michael and gestured to Iris. She flew back to where we were and made a soft landing beside us, waiting for instructions.
“Gather your team,” Tristan said to her.
“Are you not coming?” she asked, turning to leave.
“Not today, I wish to oversee the new wards further. I know you have this well in hand.” She nodded, then looked to Michael, also nodding more respectfully this time. She completely ignored me and turned around, taking off and signaling to two others on the field who left their training implements and leapt into the air after her.
“What was that?” I wondered, fearing the answer.
“Another awakening is imminent,” Michael said softly.
“Another one?” I asked. “Surely the humans are noticing by now? All the missing person reports and disappearance must be piling up! There are just so many of you here. . .” I looked in particular at the young ones, not much older than children. “Some of these are just kids – are their parent not freaking out? Why isn’t this in the news?” I felt very anxious for the friends and family who would be waiting for word from their missing loved ones, the desperation they would be feeling.
“Undoubtedly it is starting to come to their attention by now, yes,” Michael said, matter-of-factly. “Yet our concern is collecting them first, before Azrael. Their human lives are over, Larin. We can only try to mitigate the damage by reducing the chances they will be discovered as their wings emerge. Though I fear this will soon be beyond our ability to contain.”
I felt terribly sad suddenly. “There are so many. . .so many kids,” I said softly.
“Vessels reach full physical maturity in an accelerated fashion, Larin,” Tristan said neutrally. “So too do their minds. You need not worry for them here.” I frowned, finding it of little consolation. Michael came to stand closer to my side and put a hand softly on my shoulder.
“I understand it is troubling,” he said gently. “You are not alone in these fears for their families, for their wellbeing, for the children. I can only assure you that we treat them as well as we can, but they quickly adapt to their natures and accept their import. The great service they are providing. For in fighting Azrael, they seek to prevent the destruction of everything they loved in their human lives.”
“I guess that has to be enough, then.” I frowned, looking again at the young ones.
“Ease your mind, Larin,” said Tristan. “Everything and everyone has a purpose. Ours is to fight evil, to seek it out, and destroy it.” I felt a chill at his words and closed my eyes. I felt I’d seen enough for one day.
“Can we go back?” I asked Michael, who turned to Tristan.
“We can. Tristan, I leave this in your capable hands.” Tristan nodded, continuing to stand at attention.
As we walked quietly together, I found myself lost in thought. I knew the world would be coming aware of the missing, but I wondered what would happen when they discovered exactly why. It was a chilling thought. Monsters emerging out of their children’s bodies. I couldn’t imagine what
this would mean for the world. For the chaos it would cause. It was somewhat reassuring to know the children would grow, but another thought occurred to me.
“How long do vessels live, Michael?” I asked suddenly.
“As long as they are not cut down, they do not die.”
“Cut down? Are you saying we live forever?” I gaped at Michael, my mind reeling.
“Unless a vessel is killed by an act of violence or misadventure, they will continue to live in this world.”
I closed my mouth, staring ahead. Immortality. Assuming I didn’t get myself killed somehow first.
“Wait, Michael – you said vessels. What about archangels? What if someone were to try to kill you?”
“Nobody has been successful in their attempts thus far, and it has been quite a long time.”
“I guess it has,” I said, “but why is that?”
“Archangels are skilled warriors, Larin, it is not easy to take us down. But if you are asking if it is possible, yes, I believe it is.” Then he smiled. “I hope you have no immediate plans against my life? I should be somewhat disappointed, as I am becoming rather fond of you.”
I laughed, smiling back at him. “None so far. You’re not so bad yourself,” I replied lightly. It was meant as a joke, but Michael looked at me with a strange expression. Curiosity. I stopped smiling and blushed.
“It is quite nice to converse with you, Larin.”
My blush deepened and I didn’t respond. I found I could speak with him all day. His company was easy, warm. It wasn’t just nice to be able to get answers, to try to make sense of the chaos of my life. There was something strangely familiar and compelling about him. I laughed internally at myself. Of course there was. He was an archangel. I was hard-pressed to think about anything that could possibly be more compelling than that.
We continued towards the path to the Great Hall, making our way inside, still speaking easily about the environment and facts about items of interest we passed.
We came through the hall, and I realized Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel were standing in front of the thrones, deep in discussion. Several vessels had gathered, and Michael looked towards them with his eyebrows raised. There was considerable chattering, with much scurrying towards the centre of the room, huddling over something there.
“Brothers, what news?” Michael strode forward, an expression of concern crossing his face.
“We have found Gideon,” Gabriel said darkly, “and it is not good news.” The others stood up, and lying on the floor was the one called Gideon.
Other than clearly being gravely injured, two large wounds bleeding through their bandages on either shoulder, there was something remarkable about him compared to the other vessels that could not be missed.
Gideon’s wings were missing.
Michael stormed forward, the others parting the way for him as he dropped down at Gideon’s side, taking his hand.
“What happened?” he demanded, looking down at Gideon.
“One of the watch parties found him at the site of the last awakening,” Uriel said angrily.
“He had been put back for us to find.”
“But not before Azrael sent us a message,” Raphael said, a look of disdain on his face.
“What message? Gideon?” Michael asked, looking on Gideon sharply. Gideon moaned, shuddering from pain. “Is there something we must know? I know you are suffering, and we are all very proud of your strength in the face of such injury, but you must tell us what you have to say.” Michael squeeze his hand, placing another on Gideon’s chest. Gideon opened his eyes, tears running down his face.
“Michael,” he said weakly, “they know of. . .the girl. . .”
Michael’s head snapped up, and he and the other archangels looked at me, standing frozen where Michael had left me across the hall. Every other head was staring at me, looks ranging from fear to curiosity.
“What do they know, Gideon?” he asked firmly.
“They know. . . I told them. . .” he choked, “I am sorry!” He bent his head, grimacing in pain mingled with shame.
Uriel and Raphael exchanged a look, and Gabriel walked down and joined Michael at his side.
“Gideon, is there something more we need to know?” he asked, frowning. “Was there a message?”
“I. . .” but Gideon couldn’t finish, closing his eyes and passing out.
Michael stood up, gesturing to the others. Tristan had joined the Council members, standing and looking at Gideon with a look bordering on concern and pity in equal measures. Gabriel motioned to Tristan, indicating that he needed to attend to his comrade. Tristan and several others gingerly picked Gideon up, his head flopping limply as they carefully carried him from the room towards the medical bay.
“Tend him well, but try to revive him,” Gabriel called after them in respectfully measured tones. “There is surely more to this message than simply stating the obvious. Ephreim would have already told his master of Larin’s. . .” he looked up at me, searching for the words, “uniqueness. He will have more to tell us when he awakes.”
Chase joined me at my side, sighing loudly and shaking his head, watching as the others transported Gideon out of the hall.
“Gideon is one of the oldest of us, he’s one of Tristan’s more trusted lieutenants,” he said quietly. “It’s just such a shame.”
“What’s a shame? He’s alive! He could have been killed!” I said in surprise. I was somewhat taken aback by the cavalier response to finding his fallen friend still existing in the world of the living.
“Larin,” he sighed, shaking his head. “When you’re a vessel, losing your wings is worse than a death sentence. He won’t die, but he can still go on living forever. They become shells of themselves, it’s the most pathetic and sad sight ever,” he said, and I was about to admonish him further when I realized he was shaking. Chase was truly upset.
“But his life can still have meaning!” I frowned.
“I want to show you something,” Chase said, turning abruptly and leading me down the long corridor to the library. I stopped at the threshold, looking around.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
“Just follow me.”
He led me through the grand library, scrolls and books lining every inch of shelf space from floor to high ceiling. We made our way to a short hallway leading to a room with an open door. The light from a window inside poured into the hall, hitting upon another ancient tapestry on the wall. This image was somewhat darker than the others, a scene of multiple demon-like creatures descending upon a group of men and women, all holding their arms up in self-defence or covering their faces from the sight. It was unusual, the first macabre art I’d seen in this place. I frowned and leaned around the corner, looking in.
A figure was hunched over a chair in the corner, a blanket over his head like a hood. Beside him, near an unlit fireplace, sat a woman with a blank expression on her drawn face. I drew in my breath, noticing that both lacked wings as Gideon did.
Chase knelt gently down beside the woman, putting a hand on her back. In soft tones, he greeted her and asked her a question, but she continued to stare into space, shrugging absently.
“This is Lira, and in the chair over there,” he pointed to the hunched figure, “is Goldwyn.”
Neither moved nor acknowledged my presence. I was overwhelmed by a feeling of profound sadness, desolation radiating off these beings. I frowned, feeling their sadness inside me as I would my own. It was overpowering, and I felt as though I would weep. Shaking my head, I stuttered a polite excuse and rushed back out into the hallway, leaning a hand against the wall and breathing heavily. My own wings, healthy and presently attached to my body, shuddered in response to the thought of being suddenly separated from me. That old feeling of nausea rose in my throat and I resisted the urge to gag.
“Chase!” I heard Michael shout, and I raised my head, looking up.
Chase rushed out into the hallway, frowning.
“Michael
!” he said, holding up his hands, “I’m sorry, but I thought she should see –”
“You thought she should see what, exactly?” Michael snapped, and it was the first time I imagined him to be a fearsome warrior as opposed to a compassionate being that had spent the better part of his day with me. I frowned, not wanting to ignite his ire nor to see Chase punished.
“Michael,” I breathed, standing up, “It’s okay, he didn’t mean any harm!” I turned back and saw Chase’s face. He was utterly crestfallen to have displeased one of his beloved Council members.
“I’m so sorry, Michael, I really thought...” Chase began, searching for the words.
“Chase, you overstep,” Michael said roughly, walking past me.
“I’m sorry, Michael.” Chase’s face was nearly as red as his hair, and he lowered his head.
Michael paused, regaining his composure. He sighed, closing his eyes. “You’re dismissed,” he said smartly but lacking the harsh tones of moments before.
Chase made his way around Michael, looking into my eyes and lowering his head, and walked off quickly back towards the entrance of the library.
“Michael, honestly, it was okay,” I said, forgetting myself and putting a hand on his arm. The act surprised us both, but Michael sighed and shook his head.
“I did not want you to learn of this yet, Larin. I am sorry if I seemed. . . I feel it is my job to protect you.”
“I was hardly in any danger,” I laughed, and Michael frowned at me.
“Are you mocking me?” he asked quietly.
“No, of course not,” I said quickly. “But at the same time, perhaps. . .” I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“Perhaps I have taken too close an interest in guiding you through our ways,” Michael said softly. “Perhaps it may be best to share you with others.” I thought it was he that was mocking me, now, but he looked down into my eyes and I saw that there was a smile there, too.
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