Scorn of Angels (16 page)

Gabriel took his time going to see God. There was no hurry, as far as he could tell, and it was enjoyable having a mystery to solve. He chatted with folks on the way, talking of their days and plans, which varied just enough to be worth commenting on. He promised to meet some of the Angels before sunset for time together, though with the understanding that he had a place he needed to be after sunset.

Gabriel landed near the foot of the mountain and folded his wings. One did not fly into the presence of God unless it was an emergency, and there were very few emergencies that God did not already know about. Besides, the path was pleasant, and he was in no rush.

God’s mountain was lush and green and very, very high. It took many days to walk the most delightful route, which led through gardens both wild and tamed, full of the buzzing of bees and the cries of birds, the startled blinks of deer and the slinking grace of leopards—none of whom ever died nor ended their hunt. The path led over bridges and up the side of the mountain, presenting spectacular views to all who chose to walk up. Taking in the beauty of Heaven helped calm and prepare the mind for being in God’s presence, which was important if one was a soul. For an Angel, it was a chance to clear one’s mind and put one’s thoughts in order. And while Gabriel loved to do so, he had agreed to report back for sunset, and that meant taking the fast way.

For a short while Gabriel joined the line of souls and Angels walking the path. They went through the first grove of pleasantly scented trees and flowers and across a bridge over a small stream that burbled across gleaming rocks. Shining trout leaped in the water and wading birds tilted their small heads, tracking the progress of the prey they would never eat—though Gabriel sometimes thought they believed they were eating. God was very subtle in how he removed death from this tapestry of Creation and even his archangels did not question how he did it.

On the other side was a grove of sycamore trees in full bloom, and behind the grove were the stairs.

The stairs were very long and very steep, and had no handrails. Made of a stone harder than any on Earth, they were buffeted by winds and often shrouded in clouds. It was the path that the Angels took when they needed to speak to God quickly. Gabriel, feeling quite good, took the stairs two at a time.

Halfway up, Tribunal was standing on the stairs. Gabriel slowed his pace and put on a smile. “Tribunal. So good to see you. How are you?”

“Very well,” said Tribunal. “What brings you up the stairs?”

“A question for God,” said Gabriel.

Tribunal smiled. “Then ask it.”

Gabriel smiled back. “It is a question for God.”

“And I am God, am I not?” Power resounded in his words.

“You are God’s Son.”

“Who is God’s Self,” said Tribunal. “All that is in God is in me.”

“I believe,” said Gabriel, “that all that is in you is in God.”

“What is your question?”

There was something in Tribunal’s tone that Gabriel could not quite place. He had heard a tone like it before, but not in a very long time. It was not a tone that one often heard in Heaven. It was…
impatience
?

Gabriel did not know Tribunal very well, which was odd. One could look at most beings in Heaven after a thousand years and say, “This is what I know of this person.” But Tribunal was different. He did not walk through Heaven or fly to the many beautiful places that were there. He never took refuge in the contemplative spaces, nor saw any of the concerts, nor joined with others in any of the gatherings. He, who had died for mankind, never chatted with souls or showed any curiosity about them, Instead, he had spent most of his time sitting on his Father’s mountain, bathing in his Father’s light and power. In fact, Gabriel could not remember a time when Tribunal was not on the mountain.

Or can
I?

The thought was fleeting. Then Tribunal’s power came crushing down on Gabriel’s mind, quick and heavy and unstoppable. For a moment the force of it threatened to send Gabriel tumbling back down the stairs.

Gabriel blinked. Tribunal was standing before him, smiling. “What do you seek to ask God?”

It’s a reasonable question,
thought Gabriel. “We would like to know why we do not think of Earth anymore.”

“That is easy,” said Tribunal. “God has plans for Earth that he does not wish to share, and to keep the Angels here from being distracted, he has driven it from their minds.”

“Of course,” said Gabriel. “That makes perfect sense.”

“Is there anything else?”

“No, Tribunal. Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

Gabriel turned and went down the stairs smiling. He had his answer and would give it to Michael that night.

Michael and Azrael approached the Gates of Heaven. A steady stream of souls flowed toward the Gates from the outside. Angels stood on either side of the Gates, welcoming and comforting those who arrived. Most were happy to be there; some were surprised. Others, especially the young ones, were terribly upset, their minds still clinging to how they had died and whom they had left behind. Those, the Angels would gather into their arms and hold and comfort before bringing into Heaven. They would sing songs of their own composition, and gradually the souls’ faces would relax and the hunger for paradise light their eyes. Once a soul crossed the threshold, the pain and worries and fears of their earthly lives would fade into nothing. It would remember its loved ones, be they parents, children, family or lovers, with fondness and joy, all quarrels forgotten, so that when they arrived their reunion would be joyous, no matter what had happened in their lives on Earth after the soul’s death.

Michael and Azrael smiled at the souls coming in, and nodded greetings to the Angels at the Gate as they stepped beyond the threshold. It was a short walk to the edge of Heaven, where one could look down and see the Earth below.

“I don’t want to be here,” said Azrael. “Interesting.”

“Me, either,” said Michael. “I want to go back into Heaven and forget all about this. It’s almost…painful. Why do you suppose that is?”

“I have no idea,” said Azrael. “But I think it means we should go closer to the Gate, don’t you?”

Together they walked toward the edge of Heaven, and with each step their feet grew heavier, and their minds were filled with more foreboding. They were nearly at the point where they could see over the edge when they both stopped.

“I can’t walk any farther,” said Michael. “You?”

“No.”

“Can you fly?”

“No,” said Azrael.

“Interesting,” said Michael. “Let’s go back and see what Gabriel and Raphael have to say, shall we?”

“A very good idea,” said Azrael.

Together, God’s Warrior and the Angel of Death retreated from the edge of Heaven.

The sky dimmed, leaving the grove in near-darkness. Above, the music of the spheres was haunting and stately and so beautiful it could, if one listened close bring one to tears.

Michael and Azrael were first at the grove, with Raphael only a few moments behind. Gabriel did not arrive until near midnight.

“At last,” said Michael. “Where have you been, my friend?”

“Apologies,” said Gabriel. “This nearly slipped my mind entirely.”

“Indeed?” said Azrael. “Because it is about Earth?”

“That would make sense,” said Gabriel. “I only remembered because Arkial asked after Michael.” He shook his head, bemused. “Either way, I found out that it is God who is turning our minds away from Earth. He has plans there he does not wish to share.”

“You found out?” repeated Raphael, his eyebrows going up. “God didn’t tell you himself?”

“No,” said Azrael. “But Tribunal, who is God’s Self…”

“You mean God’s Son,” said Michael.

“And God’s Self,” said Gabriel. “He told me of God’s plans.”

“If God doesn’t wish to share,” said Azrael, “why would Tribunal share it with you?”

Gabriel frowned. For the first time in a very, very long time a new feeling crept into his mind. He looked at the others and could see they were feeling it, too. It was something very rare in Heaven. Rarer even than Tribunal’s impatience.

Doubt.

“Raphael,” said Michael. “What did you find out?”

“It isn’t just us,” said Raphael. “I went among the Angels who love to visit Earth and tell stories of the things they have seen there. None of them have thought of Earth in a thousand years.”

“Not since Tribunal came back,” said Michael.

“Exactly,” said Raphael. “Save for a short period of time a short while ago.”

“Eleven weeks?” guessed Michael.

“Yes.”

“All of them?”

“Yes.”

Michael frowned. “Why?”

“God was distracted?” suggested Azrael, smiling. All three of the Angels smiled back, knowing he was joking. There were certainly times when it appeared God wasn’t paying attention, but God was never truly distracted. He could, when asked, tell you exactly what had happened anywhere in the universe at any time of the day, from the movements of the smallest ant to the explosion of the largest supernova in the sky.

“So if God is behind this,” said Raphael slowly, “he let everyone think of Earth for one moment of one day, then took it all away, but not so well as to take away the fact that we noticed it.”

There was silence around the table. Then Michael stood up. “I think I shall talk to God.”

“A very good idea,” said Azrael. “I will do the same. You take the stairs, I’ll take the path.”

“Gabriel, Raphael,” said Michael. “Can you find out what was different in Heaven on the day that we all remembered Earth?”

The other Angels nodded.

“I think we should go now,” said Azrael. “And I think we should go quickly.”

“I think you are right,” said Michael. “I will meet you all in the Greenfields eating room tomorrow at midday. Keep it in your mind. We are meeting at midday to taste the new crops.”

The other Angels agreed and stepped out into the night.

At midday the next day, Michael and Azrael sat in the Greenfields eating room and looked at one another, puzzled.

“I know we were meeting here,” said Azrael. “And I know there was a reason, but for the life of me I cannot remember what that reason was.”

“Neither can I,” said Michael. “And given that neither of us forgets anything, ever, I find that very strange.”

They were still frowning at one another as Raphael and Gabriel arrived and sat at the table. Azrael leaned in close. “You were right,” he said. “Something was different.”

“Right about what?” asked Michael. “What are you talking about?”

Azrael and Raphael exchanged looks of concern. Raphael said, “After we eat I would like to talk to both of you.”

The food was excellent. The chef was from Japan and had a way of blending rice, avocado and cucumbers with spices that delighted the Angels’ palates. Michael and Azrael talked happily about the food for most of the flight to the grove. Raphael and Gabriel kept silent until they were all in the grove and Raphael asked Michael and Azrael to sit on the stone. Then Raphael put his hands on Michael’s head and closed his eyes.

“It’s there,” he said. “Just like with you, Gabriel. Hold on a moment.”