Angel Warriors - HeavenBound Section 5

AUTHOR'S NOTES: MOST OF HEAVENBOUND IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS AND ROUGHED OUT SCENES AND NOTES.

CHAPTER ~ SERAFINA


Love.


A simple word... a complex meaning…

From songs to poems; from sonnets to overtures; history of mankind has left ample evidence that humans are utterly fascinated by it, search for it, and get lost in it.

Songs have been written from the beautiful to the mundane - yet when we feel the pain it can bring us, or the joy it can bestow us; it seems that every love song was dedicated to you, and you alone.

In its sheer simplicity and its many faces; its simple form yet indescribable beauty, it's a word that can make us doubt who we are and what we believe. It can leave us bitter and cold, yet it can accept us as easily as it rejects us.

And, yet, there are some beings who have never felt this kind of love. Though they know love for their Creator, only few have known human love...and loss.


***

Location: Earth, circa 1840


Archangel Michael glanced sideways; the Commander of the Celestial Army was no longer wearing his armor and tunic, nor did he carry his impressive shield and the Sword of the Archangel. Instead, the Prince of Light was shifting uncomfortably in the leather seat and fought the urge to sneeze. The dusty air did not suit him, wearing too many clothes did not suit him; he brought his hand up to his nose...and sneezed.


The train passed through miles of barren land, on its way to the South of California State. Michael looked out the window, but there was not much to see. The fierce light of the sun would flinch any mortal eyes, but Michael looked right through the light; his silvery grey eyes seemed to absorb the light, rather than reject it. His private car was pleasant enough for the long trip, but in his 6'3" frame, he could hardly stretch his legs. He consoled himself with the fact that the dreadful train ride would be over soon enough.


For several months now, Archangel Michael was on Earth, on a mission of a... personal nature. Warrior Angel Mihdael, his Second-in-Command, was the reason Michael was spending time on Earth. He always wondered about Mihdael's feelings for a mortal woman he had married long ago, and was now in Heaven. He could never understand how Mihdael could dedicate so much thought to his wife; he often noticed that he would stare off into the distance, and he could see the pain in his warrior's eyes; the longing and miss of the loved one, and sometimes, the brief spark of affection reflected in those eyes, more often than not, lost inside the memories of a wife that was loved, but one from which he now had been seperated from.


Even though Mihdael was allowed to visit his wife in Heaven - it was not the same as having her with him every day.


Yes, Michael could see it, but he could not feel it. He could not understand that kind of pain, that form of loss, and the feeling of love for a mortal woman. In his effort to better understand Mihdael, Michael had requested of God to allow him to spend some time on Earth for this personal mission.
He wanted to study married life in all its different aspects. But for the time he has already spent on Earth and the countless of married couples he had studied, he was not satisfied. There was something amiss, but Michael could not explain what it was.

*******************


When Michael first arrives in town, the trunks from the private car are transferred to the Wayfarer’s Inn. They are large, ornate, expensive with brass fittings; on each trunk is a crest unfamiliar to all the townspeople: it is the symbol on Michael’s armor, the Cross and Star in gold and silver inlaid in black onyx. Michael also wears a signet ring with the same crest. The Innkeeper, George Johnson, inquires of the length of Michael’s stay. Michael replies he isn’t certain, but he wants the largest rooms available; says he’s from a distant country, in the service of his King, and on business of a highly personal and confidential nature. His clothing and luggage mark him a gentleman, the crest implies nobility. Johnson asks if he has a manservant or other servants; Michael says no, he that he needed to be able to move about freely and unencumbered, to keep as much unwarranted attention from his visit as possible. After the Innkeeper has Michael’s trunks taken up to his rooms, Michael asks about bathing facilities; Johnson has a large metal tub sent up to one of the rooms. Michael has no idea what it is; he just basically wants to wash the dust off…it’s an effort not to sneeze. He pays in gold for the rooms, and has the rest of the gold and his papers placed in the safe. The papers are signed by his King, and is actually God’s signature in Angelic Script that no one can read, vouching for Michael’s identity.


Through the usual chain of gossip, Michael’s presence and the mystery surrounding him is soon all over town. The Elders and wealthy men of the town hear of Michael, some visit the Inn, talk to Johnson. Johnson tells them about Michael, and show them the large amount of gold and the foreign papers in his safe. The elders look over the papers carefully, none wanting to admit they have no idea what the writing says. All agree that they should treat this foreign – wealthy – stranger with the proper respect. He might have something to do with the rumors of California becoming a State; and a representative of some kind from Spain… or France… even Portugal – no one knows….


Michael was hoping that he did not arouse any more suspicion than necessary when he told the Inn Keeper that a coach would not be needed and he would go on foot. He realised that every where he went, his presence would be noticed; he just had to be careful to not give away anything that would make the people distrust him, especially asking for directions to a countryside church where a wedding would take place, and he was not invited.

//pick up with story…//

Michael paused for a moment and took a deep breath; the soft breeze that touched his face seemed to soothe his tension. The road in the countryside was quiet, peaceful; on one side were the beautiful, green slopes, and on the other, a seemingly endless line of trees that stretched all the way to the horizon. It was Spring, and for Michael, the temperature was tolerable.



He saw someone walking in the distance. A woman, struggling to carry a white laundry sack which she kept dropping to the ground. Michael didn't think she saw him at this stage, she was preoccupied with the heavy load she was carrying. She continually stopped to take a breather for a few seconds, then continued.


Michael couldn't resist and smiled at the scene. He saw her approaching closer and he told himself to stop grinning every time she dropped the heavy load.


She was only a few feet away from him now and he cleared his throat. When he looked up again, he could see her face clearly; a beautiful young woman with luminous eyes, honey-colored skin and an oval-shaped face; she had long, jet black hair and was of medium height with a willowy frame. She looked at him, then quickly looked down; Michael frowned for a moment...did he frighten her? Nevertheless, for the mere seconds when their eyes met, Michael forgot to breathe.


Once she passed him, he was unsure what to do; his feet were walking, but it seemed as if he had no idea where he was going. There were faint thoughts about a church, and a wedding...he shook his head...where was the wedding? His feet seemed to have slowed the pace of walking and eventually, he stopped, he stared at the ground for a moment, then turned around. Looking at her small frame, the initial plan if witnessing the countryside wedding somehow dissolved into thin air.


The young woman did not get that far ahead of him with what she was carrying; Michael took the path on the other side of the trees where she would not see him and accelerated his pace to end up ahead of her without raising a heartbeat. He leaned against a tree and intently studied her face.


As she was closing in on their distance, he waited until she was at an arm's length before he took a deep breath and walked out onto the road.


Serafina stopped in her path when she saw the man she had passed earlier suddenly standing before her. How did he...? She looked down. He was wearing gentlemen's clothes and she hoped that he would go away quickly.


She had expected anything but this - he bowed his head.


'May I be of some assistance?' he asked in the most compelling voice.


She couldn't place the stranger's accent, but the offer of help also surprised her. Serafina looked down at the heavy bag of laundry on the ground and could welcome any help; but not of his kind, and it would not be her place to accept.


She shook her head without looking at him and politley declined. 'I thank you, sir, for the kind offer. But it is not necessary.' She took a deep breath and silently hoped that her answer would not offend the gentleman, since she knew that they were quickly offended. She picked up the heavy load once again, but the man intervened before she could take a step.


'Please, let me carry it for you,' he smiled.


She looked up at him; it was the first time that Serafina noticed how...strangely attractive he was. He was very tall, with light bronze skin and auburn hair. Sera was positive that she never met a man so beautiful; he had strong, angular features yet there was also something else about his face; the color of his eyes were so captivating, and strange...She fought the urge to stare at his perfect features.


Again, he politely offered his assistance, and Sera felt his eyes studying her carefully. She couldn't decline again, it seemed as if he wasn't going anywhere until he could carry it for her. There was nothing to do but accept his offer.


Michael carried the heavy load without any effort. She barely spoke with him on their way to town, and her quietness merely added to her mysterious air. He found himself awed by her - utterly and completely.


He wanted to ask her something...anything...and there were at least a dozen questions he could think of, yet he could not speak out any of them. And not for the first time today - he seemed to be at a loss for words.


Michael once again felt his heart accelerate when she turned and looked at him. He noticed her eyes; they were hazel/green with gold haloes around the iris. Michael could not have noticed that she looked somewhat quizzical at his peculiar, silver grey eyes.


She stared down for a moment, almost embarassed, and for a brief moment, something sparkled in her eyes. 'I wish to carry it myself now,' she spoke softly, her voice barely rising above a whisper. But Michael insisted that he carry it for her until they reached town. She consented and Michael noticed that she became more relaxed in his company.


She glanced at him a few times before she spoke, somewhat shyly. 'Are you traveling here, sir?'


Michael flickered his eyes for a moment, surprised at the question. 'Yes...umm...traveling,' he smiled, and answered shortly, '...through town...yes.'


The hesitancy in his answer was enough for her to build up her wall again, and she fell silent.


Michael bit his lip - he didn't mean to sound so curt, but it seemed as if he was unable to control his words. He wanted to salvage what was left of the conversation. 'Are you from around here?'


'Yes, sir.'


'This is a very beautiful place.'


'Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.'


Michael fell silent, his stock of ‘casual conversation’ completely exhausted. They continued their walk to the township without exchanging so much of a syllable.


Once they had reached town, she took over the heavy load from Michael; though he again offered to assist and accompany her to where ever she was going, she declined and said that she would continue on her own. But before she went, he asked her if he could see her again. Michael felt his heart sink when she didn't even consider it.


'It would not be wise to do so, sir.' She picked up the heavy laundry. 'But I thank you for your kind assistance.'


And with that, she walked away before he had the chance to respond. And it only occurred to him that he hadn’t asked the most important question of all – he hadn’t asked her name…


The next morning, Michael went back to the same road in the countryside, hoping to meet her once again. It was a cloudy day, and even when the rain fell, he continued to wait. Seeking shelter under the trees, he contemplated about his newfound feelings for this mortal woman; feelings that were confusing him. He could hardly focus on the reason he was on Earth and found himself only thinking of her.


He closed his eyes; shaking his head, he had absolutely no idea what he was waiting for.


CONTINUED IN SECTION SIX "Angel Warriors - HeavenBound Section 6"