Chronicles of the

Children of Destiny

Morning Stars III

By

Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly

http://noahidebooks.angelfire.com

© 6175 SC

Prologue

Generations come. Generations go. The vast history of eternal life can be held in a moment of infinity by the infinite one when he needed to. But to enjoy it, to savour it, to love all that could be and all that was, to be a blessing to his children, and to find them in the centre of his heart – the aeons come, and the aeons go – the love of God remains from Age to Age and Eternal Life goes forth as it always had and always would.

PART ONE

Life in General

Chapter One

A grand old king, Gabriel, overseer of Zaphon, in reflection, felt to cut it short and not pursue what he had wanted. So therefore, exercising his wisdom, on the 1,000,000^th year of his reign, to the day, to the hour, just after the reign being complete, he left Zaphon, took a short flight to Mitraphon, handed Raphael the key to the executive toilet, and smiled at him. ‘Watch that Daniel. Just watch him. He ain’t a quitter.’ And Raphael just smiled.

* * * * *

‘Bugger.’ Said Daniel. ‘All that bloody effort, and off he goes. Off the bugger goes. Oh, Raphael. Holy bloody Raphael. Oh, kiss his arse why don’t we. What, I fuc*ing work my ass off for one million fuc*ing years, and the bastard chooses Raphael.’ And then Daniel proceeded to insult God somewhat, saying Job can fu*k himself, and Valandriel just stood there, shaking his head, saying ‘You dickhead. You total dickhead.’

Later on, Meludiel had come around to console her beloved, patting his head, telling him all would be well and not to worry so much. ‘That’s life, Danny boy. That’s life.’ But young Daniel would not be consoled. ‘Its not fair,’ he winged. ‘It’s not fair.’

‘Who says life is fair,’ said Meludiel.

‘It’s supposed to be.’

‘Well look at it this way. Raph has worked hard as well. So give the guy a break.’

Daniel looked at her through teary eyes, after a while nodding, but then went back to sulking. Meludiel patted him on the head, kissed her beloved, and sat there, looking out the window, knowing now everything was right in the world.

* * * * *

Raphael, exiting the executive toilet, now knowing why Gabriel enjoyed his tenureship so much, sat at the large official desk on the executive level of Zaphon, feeling very impressed with himself. It was good. It was grand. It was great. He was happy, very happy, and thanked Jesus his best friend for all the prayers on his behalf for his promotion to this position. And now Raphael, ever so happy, looking out the window, practically ignored Cindradel who came in, holding a package, placing it on his desk carefully, and exiting. She buzzed him a few moments later, said there was a package on his desk, and told him to stay calm about it. Nothing could get to him, though, and opening the package, he laughed. ‘’The Prophecies of Daniel, Seraphim of Eternity.’’ Now what was going on here, he wondered to himself? He looked at the scroll – it was just one page, and the prophecy of the four beasts by the looks of it. But looking at it a section was highlighted. And looking at the highlighted section, it was of the second beast, the Bear. And then, instantly alarmed, realizing that whatever Daniel had been on about, Gabriel’s reign had come and gone and now, here he was, Raphael, having replaced him, sitting on the throne of Zaphon. And here it was, a scroll of Daniel, with a second beast being highlighted. Perhaps it was a practical joke, but Raphael would get to the bottom of this escapade. He would find out just who exactly sent this package, and he would have words. Strong words indeed.

* * * * *

‘So he won’t trace us, Dan? You are sure of that?’

‘Look, Val. The prophecy is ancient, now. He’ll suspect us as well, but he will have a million people in his head who he could think ‘might’ have done it. Just deny everything and watch. We have number two now. My guess is, the way they are going, Raph will choose Uriel to replace him, and we strike Uriel with the Leopard.’

‘And number four?’

‘If Uriel chooses Raguel, in the end, then we have our man. But Uriel might think differently by then. There is a lot to consider. So we wait and see. But Michael and Gabriel have established a pattern, and you know how the big seven think. They like to be consistent. Believe me, they like to be consistent.’

‘We’ll see,’ said Valandriel. ‘We’ll see.’

‘Patience, Kemosabe. Patience.’

‘Whatever.’

* * * * *

‘Talzudiel, Talzudiel, Talzudiel. So you think you can challenge the supreme power of Azrael, do you? 4 hours? You really expect me to believe you can conquer Mt Zadar, wings tied, in 4 solitary hours.’

‘Possibly under, oh supreme lord of pride.’

Azrael thought on responding to the Columbian lord’s sledge, but let it pass. ‘Alright, I will bother to come and witness the event. But you will be a laughingstock of the Seraphim if you fail to live up to your claims.’

‘I’ll make it. And I’ll have your record to, Azo.’

The Scotsman looked at the trained physique of the 43^rd of the Male Seraphim of Eternity and considered it. He really was looking very fit and perhaps, if he had been training for a while, might just make a go of it. But he would never take Azrael’s record. Nobody possibly could. He had spent the second half of the second Arc constantly working on improving his climbing time of Mt Zadar and, at just under 6 hours, he felt he had a record that would last forever practically. But along comes the Prince of Talzudiphora, 43^rd disc of the Realm of Eternity, claiming he could take the record in a time of 4 hours, or even less. Really, it was a bold bloody claim, and Azrael admired his brother’s challenge, if not thinking him the fool for making such an outrageous boast.

‘So when is the date?’

‘You set it, Azrael. Any time, day or night. I will be ready.’

Azrael considered that. ‘Alright then, how about 3 weeks from today, Galadon afternoon. We’ll get the Melladon celebration out of the way and you can have a big party before you fail dismally. How about that.’

‘Suits me fine, Azrael. Suits me fine.’

‘Oh, and good luck lad. I think you’ll bloody need it.’

‘No luck. Just skill. And I have been training. Believe me I have been training.’

‘We’ll see. We’ll see.’

Talzudiel finished his ale, nodded at his brother and left the pub. Watching him go Azrael didn’t seriously think his record was in any jeopardy, but you could never tell with an angel like Talzudiel. You could never tell with someone from the Columbian disc of Talzudiphora, who were so deadly at the Realm soccer championships these days.

* * * * *

Raphael sat with Nimorel, his twin, in the executive lounge reserved for the Overseer and his company, in the tower of Zaphon. It had been a happy and prosperous week for the 3^rd Seraphim male of eternity. A number of early introductory engagements with many of the official business councils, various charity organisations, other good works organisations, and leaders from religious communities and their entourages making themselves known to him. This, apparently, in much of Gabriel’s imparted wisdom to himself was the standard everyday stuff of the life of the overseer of the Realm of Eternity. The core business of the role.

‘What would you like to eat?’ he asked her politely.

‘Oh, anything looks good,’ she said, putting down the menu. ‘I am sure the cooks of Zaphon’s most illustrious member know what they are doing.’

‘Undoubtedly,’ he responded.

They sat in silence for a while, and then Raphael turned to his twin. ‘We have talked about this for a long time, Nim. Our success here in Zaphon. The eventual probable appointment of myself to the position after Gabriel’s glory ending. We made so many plans, so many I have forgotten, some still with me.’

She nodded.

‘It’s a time,’ he continued, ‘to perhaps bring a change of pace to the life of the Realm of Eternity. There has been so much hustle and bustle in the last couple of million years, as Michael and Gabriel have both exerted their influences, getting so many new things accomplished.’

‘And you don’t desire that?’ she queried him.

‘Yes. Yes I do desire accomplishments. But without the fanfare. Without the fuss. I think I understand, now, that this life of Eternity will inevitably march forward, as it has always done. And that our life will go on after this – that there will be others in this role. I know, truly, that my brother Uriel has his own mind, as does Raguel and Phanuel and especially Saruviel, and so on. And that, in each their turn, they will bring their own touch, their own styles, their own wisdom to the role of Eternity’s overseer.’

She listened with interest at his discourse.

‘But for my own way, for my own period in this magnificent role, I desire a calm and steady pace – a period of true stability – in which accomplishment is not so much the name of the game, but rather stable consolidation and consistency.’

‘Then it will be as you say,’ responded Nimorel.

‘Let us hope so,’ he replied shortly.

Their dinner arrived, roast lamb with vegetables and gravy, and as they fed themselves, Raphael made private acknowledgements of his statements to Nimorel, affirming again to himself the fundamental philosophy of life and rulership he intended to bring upon the lives of the Realm of Eternity during his, hopefully, stable and wise reign as the appointed overseer of God.

* * * * *

Shamus Warne looked out the window of the train as it travelled, steadily, on the way from the station at the airport to the cricket hotel. Lizzy Hurly, his cherubim twin, sat opposite him, reading a woman’s magazine as was her wont, lost in her own world, not worried about the upcoming match and discussions. The two of them were in ‘Cricketalia’, as it was called, technically a nation on the 43^rd disc of Talzudiphora. A while ago, in the tenure of Gabriel as overseer of the Realm of Eternity, the Columbian nations of Talzudiphora, under Talzudiel’s guidance, started progressing further and further in competency at the game of cricket, and established the nation of ‘Cricketalia’ on the 43^rd disc to be totally devoted to the game. The main theme of Cricketalia, as in the constitution of the nation, was simply that – cricket. So much so had the passion become obvious to all and sundry, tha the IROECB (International Realm of Eternity Cricket Board) moved its base of operations to Cricketalia. And now, for Shamus Warne, heavily involved in the game of cricket, the future of cricket in the realm, and the possibility of even further cricket based nations developing even more son on the outer discs as time went by seemed a greater and greater reality. The traditional nations, such as Australia and England, as well as Pakistan and India, were all terribly competitive still and while Cricketalia itself had a developing nation at the game, it was more seen as a lynch pin for specific newer nations based solely on the game of cricket, with Cricketalia something of a foundation stone. And then the bug had caught on and ‘Footballia’ on the 55^th Greek disc of Ulantriphora had emerged, and suddenly a spate of lesser sporting nations the further outwards you went.

The capital city of Cricketalia was named in honour of the greatest of them all and suitably named ‘Bradman’ which made every passionate Aussie quite proud. But many legends were honoured with towns and cities named after them, even the district of Warne in southern Bradman had eventuated, and wherever you went, whatever job you had, cricket was the one word on everyone lips.

Shamus looked down at his speech. He was to speak at the 70^th millennial Grand Cricketalia One Day International Cup of Glory – a long awaited event – and he wanted his speech to be perfect. He had spoken to Lizzy a number of times about his words, which concentrated on a major theme – the power of tradition in the game of cricket, and how continuity of the sport brought and continued to bring countless joy and personal satisfaction to countless souls. She was, apparently, suitably impressed. But you could never tell with Lizzy.

Funnily enough, Sariel would be present. And the history between Lizzy and Sariel the Seraphim was well known to many, going way back to earthly days. But that didn’t bother Shamus and, going over his speech carefully, glancing at the outside familiar city sights, he knew they were nearing their destination, and the ongoing pleasure of fame, fortune and cricketing legend status pushed him yet on again to continue his majestic life, as he saw it, happy enough with how things, for the time, were faring.

* * * * *

Winoniel sat in the cold wind, covered in blankets, but not feeling any the warmer. Her twin, Talzudiel, was warming up, going through his stretching exercises, the crowd gathered, including Azrael and Cosadriel, carefully watching him.

‘Does he have a chance?” Cosadriel asked Az.

‘Negative,’ responded the serious looking Azrael, suddenly concerned that the extremely fit looking Talzudiel may indeed have just that – a chance.

Meludiel sat next to Winoniel, as did Nimorel, and Elenniel had been consoling Winoniel all morning about her twin’s pride.

‘But, that is often what men are simply like, Winny,’ she continued from their ongoing debate. ‘They ARE based on pride. It is the core motivator which gets them up in the morning – putting their brothers in check. Without these ambitions they drift off into mediocrity, without any clear focus.’

‘But a sensible angel knows the limits of reason. A sensible angel is not preoccupied with putting everyone else in their place,’ responded Winoniel, who wouldn’t be won to the argument.

‘Even Ambriel,’ started Meludiel, ‘competes in his own way. Perhaps only in the ways of love, but in such things, I might hate to say it..’ she left off speaking.

‘What?’ asked Nimorel.

‘But in such things even Ambriel has his own pride,’ finished Meludiel. ‘The king of love, with none greater. Oh, he won’t go on about it, but I sense it in his attitude, in the things he says. He will be the number one angel of the graces and mercies of God, for who else possibly could be?’

‘I don’t think I mind that in him, though Mel,’ responded Winoniel. ‘God knows it’s a better attitude then my own twins.’

‘They are only being boys,’ responded Nimorel. ‘It is just what they are like. Boys will be boys, as they say. My twin, Raphael, reminds me constantly that we are subject to the frailties which God made us all with and, rather than criticizing so much, we should celebrate in a spirit of charity and love the good things we find in each other, even when those things rear their ugly heads. Like today,’ she said, looking at the boys discussing Talzudiel’s chances, and the other women nodded.

Aquariel, standing next to Gabriel, her hands in warmers for the cold, looked concerned. ‘You don’t think he will injure himself, do you Gab? I mean, he will be going so quickly if he is to do it in the time he boasted of.’

Gabriel said nothing, but just stared at Talzudiel. Michael, standing next to Gabriel spoke up.

‘I wouldn’t worry so much, Aqua. Talzudiel is not stupid. Proud, yes. One of the most. But not stupid. I think he fully intends to get this record, and perhaps even knows how to. It really could be a spectacle.’

‘If the idiot doesn’t kill himself trying,’ she said, looking on.

Ambriel, standing next to Raphael, was not exactly worried about Talzudiel’s glory, but concerned, like Aquariel, that he might possibly injure himself. ‘I am sure an experienced angel like Talzudiel will not make a fool of us all. Don’t worry, brother. But I know that is your way.’

Ambriel looked on, still concerned for his brother, but took Raphael’s words to heart.

Satan of Infinity was standing with Cherubim Semyaza of Eternity, with Daniel the Serpahim of Eternity and Nadiel the Cherubim of Eternity, watching on.

‘The dickhead’s going to do it, then?’ queried Satan.

‘Your guess is as good as ours,’ responded Daniel.

Nadiel pumped her fist in the air, as Talzudiel was about to get started and yelled ‘Come on Tally boy. Show us what you are made of.’ A cheer went up from the group of angels then, and Talzudiel bowed.

‘Well, ladies and gentlemen,’ began Talzudiel. ‘We have come here today, not so much to witness the glory of Talzudiel, which is well enough known to all anyway, but the utter humiliation of the pride of the ‘Challenger’’ he said, looking directly at Azrael, who waved back at him.

‘Come on, you South American peacock,’ yelled Azrael. ‘Time to put us all out of our misery. Your obvious failure impending will brighten up all our days.’

Talzudiel stared at him with dagger’s in his eyes, but continued unperturbed.

‘Anyway, records were meant to be broken. Such is life.’ He turned to the timekeeper, who was connected via walkie talky to another timekeeper on top of Mt Zadar.

‘I’m ready,’ said Talzudiel.

The crowd hushed somewhat, and as Talzudiel stood right next to the starting line of the traditional starting point for this challenge, some questioned wether, in reality, the record would indeed fall today.

‘Ready. Set. Go.’ And Talzudiel was off, running like the wind.

As they watched him go, Azrael noted how fluently he ran, like a leopard after its prey and grinned a little consoling himself. He seemed to know now, if he hadn’t done so already for sure. Talzudiel was in ‘Lethal’ phase. His record was as good as gone.

* * * * *

Later that night, after the celebrations over Talzudiel’s triumph had died down, Talzudiel, Azrael and Cosadriel were out the back of the bar at the foot of Mt Zadar, drinking, all slightly intoxicated.

‘You kicked arse,’ said Cosadriel to Talzudiel.

‘Yep,’ responded Talzudiel.

‘Scottish arse,’ continued Cosadriel, looking at Azrael, who didn’t respond.

‘Yep,’ responded Talzudiel.

‘But that aint exactly a challenge, is it?’ continued Cosadriel.

Again, Talzudiel smiled, and said ‘Yep.’

They all sipped their beers for a while, and then, finally, Azrael said ‘Bah, humbug,’ and the two others burst out in laughter.

* * * * *

It was perhaps a vain attempt at glory, yet again, but the ‘Prophecies of Daniel the Seraphim’ cropped up on some documentaries for a few years with the new overseer now in place. The common assumption, still, was that Michael or Gabriel was beast number one and that Gabriel or Raphael was now beast number two, and if Michael number 1 and Gabriel number 2, then Raphael was the third beast of the Prophecies. Opinions were divided. One thing was certain – the fourth was still to come.

Michael had a pretty good idea who was behind the scenes, promoting the prophecy yet again – Daniel and Valandriel. He had no real proof, and the Theophany said ‘Why are you asking me for?’, but he was not an idiot. Still, Raphael would go on unbothered by the prophecy, and then likely Uriel, and Raguel, and Phanuel and Saruviel, and so on. It would die away, eventually, Michael assumed, and be considered nothing more than humour. An old joke of Daniel’s. Still, one day perhaps, he would sort Daniel out on the issue. One day, perhaps.

Gabriel, who had now retired from the position of overseer with the appointment of Raphael, was now summing up his new life post glory days. Oh, he soon found out that Terraphora disc beckoned to him to be its overseer, as the tradition was quite strong now that each disc have its own overseer, and that based on birth rank of Seraphim and then Cherubim. It was taken for granted, in fact. And, with that much being accepted, Gabriel drifted into Michael’s company a lot who, for the most part, was accepted as overseer of Zaphora, the central disc, and the two became, as strange as it might sound, even closer than ever. Daniel was a concern, though. Rumour had it that his and Valandriel’s ultimate goal was a power-sharing arrangement for some sort of ultimate rulership over the realm. Apparently, Valandriel as a ‘Prime Minister’ type of figure, and Daniel as a more symbolic ‘Arch-Regent’ type of figure, with each to rule from their respective discs. This was the goal of their glory, apparently, as both Michael and Gabriel learned from discussions with various of the Seraphim.

In the end Michael was not really sure if that bothered him. Daniel was an eccentric sort of character, Valandriel usually less so, but they were not quite like his traditional adversary, Saruviel. They would keep him concerned, but he didn’t really need to worry about morality aberrations for the most part, perhaps apart from some traditional liberal attitudes which were, in truth, a part of his traditional judaic faith anyway. But the very fact that they both sought positions of order, well, well that summed it up. They wanted to both keep a firm hand in the influence each maintained of peace and stability to the lives of the Realm of Eternity. Perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing at all in the end, and their attempts at maturity almost to be encouraged. Perhaps.

Michael and Gabriel formed a tag team of sorts, in these days, hanging with each other a lot, fielding genuine inquiries for their plans for the local discs. An Aussie politician wrote a good document on Australian and American national governance, describing the delineation between the traditional roles of Federal versus State governance, and an equating of this idea to the Realm of Eternity as a whole and the role of the Realm Overseer, to the individual discs and each disc Overseer, and the document was well received, discussed on television documentaries and current affairs and economic shows a fair bit and both Michael and Gabriel, one evening, watching a particular telecast, gained a fair impression of the potential their own roles could achieve in this respect. The glory of supreme power was gone from them, now, and each knew that, perhaps never to return. But, also, perhaps never needed to or never should. They had responsibilities enough with their own discs and, while it was still so much of an issue for each Seraphim to look forward to their impending overseersmanship, upon Michael and Gabriel the reality of their discs of responsibility hit home and, in private discussions, the Theophany a bit later hoped that they had gotten the point from what God was educating them on. They did so.

The initial years of Raphael’s responsibilities were, indeed, marked by a spirit of stability, constancy, and calmness. He imparted this very effectively, much in the way Sariel undertook such responsibilities in ancient of days. It was times of prosperity, growth and peace in general for the Realm of Eternity, and the other realms enjoyed similar good times. Life had its highs, and lows, but generally went about its business with its predictable and usual merry hum and strum, as each of the angels and children of God pursued their ongoing agendas, in general, of life, love and the pursuit of happiness.

* * * * *

Raphael stood on top of Zaphon tower. Here he was – overseer of the realm of eternity – ruler of God’s most glorious domain. Well, ok, perhaps that was a boast. In the end heaven above the realms of infinity and paradise and the other ones were quite significant as well, but he had to be biased? Didn’t he? Call it patriotism, which he usually disavowed out of pacifistic reasons, or perhaps just a particular hometown love for his own realm of antiquity, but the Realm of Eternity was glorious to the Archangel Raphael. It always had been.

Here he was – on top of the world – on top of the universe. The power to him was immense, but, naturally, with great power came great responsibility. That much was an unavoidable truth.

He looked skywards. Of all the angels to take to the sky that morning with him for his regular flight, Ambriel had shown and was still up there, slowly circling downwards, enjoying the glories of the new morning. Whatever was on his mind, Raphael hoped the best of enlightenments for his dear brother.

Here they all were. Still together. The angels of God. The children of Eternity. Life, now, to Raphael the Morning Star of God’s glory, was still intensely alive at times, still filled with wonder, still filled with love. Challenges still came along, and he concerns for Saruviel, of all people, who he often wondered wether he still had found the peace of mind and heart – his souls consolation – that he longed for all his brethren to find. Perhaps he had. Perhaps he would in time.

In all his long life, things had not yet changed that dramatically for the angel Raphael. He still did what he did from youth, minister to other angels in love, and the ancient teachings of Mitraphora still guided his heart, still drove his ways of mentoring and teaching others, still helped him declare his love for all who came into his life. But that was the heart that Raphael found within him – a heart which had steadily grown stronger with the passing of time, and grown to love more, to be more angelic – to be more godlike.

There were so many things he wanted to say to people, new people who came into his life, younger angels, and he did so, often. But the passion of life was not diminished in his heart, and he was still young in many ways, still alive, still full of the joys of God Almighty. He felt so good and so thankful to God for the peace he constantly found and, in praise, especially in these current glory days, he poured out his heart to God, expressed his deepest thanks and gratitude, and served him with a dedicated spirit, a whole spirit, completely in love with him and alive to the life of an angel of God – alive to the life of Raphael, third-born Archangel of the Seraphim Angels of Eternity, overseer to the Realm of God’s eternal Glory.

* * * * *

‘No, Jesus. Sure, I hear what you are saying about loyalty. I’m not stupid. You just can’t afford it.’

Jesus took a sip of punch. ‘Why not, Daniel? I do remember your commitment. My spirit was well aware of it at the time.

‘Certain people. David Rothchild, for example, disputing various things. My own interpretation, as well. God is saviour. Jesus Christ’s claims, well. Well, they were wrong. He wasn’t the saviour. He ISN’T the saviour. And that is the way it is.’

‘I understand,’ responded the man from Nazareth, and disappeared back into the party, one of Raphael’s get togethers for elder Seraphim and Cherubim.

Michael came over, noticing Jesus had left Daniel. ‘What did he want?’ asked the firstborn of the Seraphim.

‘An old issue,’ said Daniel, and said nothing more.

Michael looked at Daniel, into his heart, and said nothing more on the issue. He sought of knew, from the Holy Spirit telling his heart, what had transpired. An old issue. Really, an ancient one.

* * * * *

Talzudiel was in a good mood. A very good mood. But hey, who wouldn’t be. The world record holder for conquering Mt Zadar the quickest – an amazing effort. But now, that was just the beginning, and more records beckoned. Many more records, hopefully.

He was in his room in his private abode, not far from the central administrative section of Talzudiphora disc, in the city of Bogota Prime. Bogota Prime, or simply Bogota, was the capital city of Talzudiphora, on the eastern section of the disc. Of course, Talzudiphora was huge – but every disc of eternity from about Mitraphora and onwards outwards was like that – huge distances which only doubled every time. Getting around required special ultrasonic travelling jets, which knew no real maximum speed, but simply took about the same time to reach the speed needed. It was mostly about starting up, and slowing down, and that was about it in getting where you wanted to go in the realm of eternity.

Around his room were tributes to his glory – medallions, trophies, pendants, and other tributes to his glory from his long, long life as an Angel of God. Some were made of Eternya, the valuable ones, which would last indeed forever, for Eternya was special stuff designed to last forever regardless of attempted wear and tear upon the object. They were trinkets in many ways, simple things, and idols in another. Special mementoes of past glories, special little tributes to his efforts in being what and all he could be. And he was, indeed, proud of them. Perhaps something more, ultimately, beckoned beyond such glories as competition, but not for now in the life of Talzudiel. For now achieving real and credible records – records of great pride and glory – was the name of the game and, in doing as such, Talzudiel found the ecstasy in life which his own name in the angelic tongue truly meant.

He sat there, at his desk in his den, looked up at a picture of his twin Winoniel, wondered in the end if he was simply doing this to win her heart, as he often did question his motivations, but once again dismissed the idea. In the end Talzudiel assumed he was pursuing a form of wisdom – resume credentials. Records of achievement. Something he could display in his curriculum vitae to others to show, indeed, he was qualified on one of the more important aspects of life – achievement at an outstanding level.

Oh, he was a wealthy angel, and indeed it did seem he had already been eternally rewarded with the job as overseer of Talzudiphora, so why bother in the end? Really – why bother? But, perhaps it was just because of the rewards he had already been given in life, the position of true glory, that he should in fact bother to show himself worthy of the position. And perhaps, in doing the things he did, in achieving the records and the glories which Talzudiel, Seraphim angel of God, had achieved, he would never actually need to brook criticism of his esteemed position and be accepted, in general, by all those who worked beneath him and those in the realm who might, perchance, one day question his deserving or suitability for the role. Perhaps it was just that.

Or perhaps he just liked competing, and had some male pride, which is what he smiled to himself and concluded, before getting to his feet, going off to find Winoniel, and get some food into him.

Chapter Two

And Time passed.

* * * * *

‘Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel.  When will you learn, my fine feathered friend?’

Satan grinned once more at Seraphim Gabriel of Eternity, dressed in a chicken outfit, out the front of one of Satan’s fast food restaurants, somewhere on the disc of Mitraphora.  Gabriel had lost a match of chess with Satan, and had agreed to dress as a chicken to promote one of Satan’s Chicken Restaurant empires.  And so, with the dark lord of evil watching on, Gabriel was handing out flyers in the shape of a chicken, doing his very best not to be embarrassed.

‘I’ll get you for this, you know, Satan.  I’ll get you back.  When you are least suspecting you will enter into a DARK agreement, and vengeance shall be mine.’

‘Dream on, punk,’ responded the dark one.  ‘Now remember, you have 3 solid years of this work before your time is up.  A wager is a wager.’

‘I am still not sure how you won.  I had you with only a few moves to play, and suddenly it was checkmate.’

‘Whatever.  Now remember, smile and say ‘El Supremo’s make the best chicken in town’.  Come on, give it a try,’ he said again, a smirk on his face.

‘El Supremo’s make the best chicken in town,’ said Gabriel blandly.

‘Surely you can do better than that, sayeth I.  Now put some heart into it.’

‘El Supremo’s make the best chicken in town,’ said Gabriel, this time with just a tad of enthusiasm.  Satan looked distressed, shaking his head.  ‘It will have to do, I guess.  But remember – 9 to 5.  9 to bloody 5, and only half an hour for lunch.  Have fun,’ he said, walking back into the restaurant.

Gabriel grumbled as he walked off.  ‘You can have fun and take this chicken suit and shove it up you’re……  Oh, yes Maam,’ finished Gabriel, to a lady who had walked up to him, inquiring about the flyer.  ‘Yes,’ he said, handing her a flyer.  ‘El Supremo’s make the best chicken in town.’  As she walked into the restaurant Gabriel smiled to himself.  Hopefully a satisfied customer.  Hey, this wasn’t that bad after all.

It was 4 O’Clock in the afternoon.  Gabriel was still at work, yonked after a hard day’s yakka, and a little birdie had sent certain priority emails to certain people.  Suddenly he was confronted with 4 very sarcastic angels.

‘Heh, heh, heh.  That looks like fun,’ said Daniel the Seraphim.

‘Shut up Dan.’

‘He’ll get the hang of it,’ said Raphael.

‘Yes, I am sure he will, finished Michael.

Gabriel turned to the other angel.  It was Aquariel.

‘And you wondered why I said no,’ stated Aquariel, giving him a good old fashioned dressing down with her look.

‘Look, I lost a wager.  I had no choice,’ said Gabriel defensively.

‘Heh, heh, heh,’ said Daniel again, grinning.

Aquariel summed it up.  ‘I guess you are too much of a CHICKEN to get a real job anyway.  Too many tough roosters in the hen house competing with you.’

Gabriel groaned, the other three laughed, took flyers from him, and went inside to eat some chicken.

When he had finished for the day he joined them and had a tasty chicken burger.  Actually, it was pretty good chicken.  He was not quite sure if El Supremo’s did in fact make the best chicken in town, but after a solid day’s handing out flyers, he was not sure if he really cared.  And as he munched down his chicken, the other 4 just cracking jokes and ribbing him, he was grateful that he at least had some friendly company in what could end up one of the more demanding jobs in the realm of eternity.  At least he was grateful for that.

* * * * *

 ‘I am telling you straight, Val. I am telling you straight. He bloody won’t choose anyone apart from Uriel. It is this streak thing they have talked about for ages. They want a streak. They are determined to go from Raphael to Uriel, and then Rags and Phan and Sar. They won’t budge. The eternal Sovereign Seven. And boy are they up themselves about it.’

‘Yeh. I know. Still, 45^th is ok. And consistency is important, remember. It’s important. Builds up reputations, and that’s a good thing.

‘Yeh, I suppose. I suppose. Well, I can wait now. I don’t mind waiting now. But they better choose me when its my turn, or there will be hell to pay. I can tell you right fucking now, there will be hell to pay.’ Valandriel nodded. Indeed, they’re likely would.

‘Well, is, you know, the agenda worth pursuing. Raphael brushed us off for most of the Arc, but, we may very soon have beast number 3 at our disposal. Shall we continue? Is it worth the grief again?’

Daniel considered that, and after a while smiled. ‘Mmm. Well, I guess so. He is still a diehard Christian, Raphael, so the claim can quite possibly be made. We will see how Uriel turns out. Don’t worry, this time I will drop off the package. Cindradel has sworn to secrecy, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I guess, after all, it is an opportunity better not wasted. We’ll see how it goes.’

‘And then likely Raguel, huh? You are sure they will choose him.’

‘Probably. But we will wait and see, ok. We will wait and see.’

‘Kapiche Kemosabe,’ responded Valandriel.

‘Very funny,’ said Daniel. ‘Very funny.’

* * * * *

Raphael, flying downwards extremely quickly, almost diving, soared down through eternity and suddenly, abruptly, pulled up and flew straight towards the tower, and landed there, the small crowd of 7 angels smiling. They were the Archangels of Eternity, with one addition – Ambriel – Messiah – who these days Michael sort of smiled upon and called him an Archangel anyway. He’d almost earned the title.

Dangling around Raphael’s neck was the key – the key of absolute power, authority, and wisdom, or so the legends went in various online roleplaying games connected to conquering the realm of eternity.

Uriel grinned. ‘MINE’ he said, struggling his hand forward, to which Raphael butted it down and said ‘BE PATIENT.’ Ambriel grinned.

Raphael began a short lecture. ‘You know. I was chatting with Bertie MacAvoy recently, a big fan of mine.

‘Who?’ asked Michael, feigning naivety.

‘You know,’ said Raphael, encouragingly. ‘The author of the Damiano trilogy. The third book is called Raphael. It’s really wonderful stuff.’

‘Oh,’ said Michael. ‘I’ll have to check it out sometime.’

‘Yes. You do that,’ responded Raphael. ‘Anyway, I was chatting with Bertie and she said to me this truth. In another world, in another fantasy, in another dreaming, even my Raphael sleeps and dreams of you dear Raphael, an angel he might almost have been, if things had been different.’

Gabriel spoke. ‘Your point?’

‘My point is this. In another world, in another dreaming, if things were different, I, Raphael, Archangel of Supreme compassion and love, might have been firstborn of the angels.’

‘Your point?’ asked Saruviel.

‘My point, dear brothers,’ and he turned to Uriel, taking off the necklace and key from his neck, almost handing it to Uriel. ‘My point is that I am not so sure, if indeed I had been firstborn, wether I would so happily give away this precious commodity so very easily.’

Uriel lunged, managed to grab the key out of Raphael’s hands, and the group smiled. ‘But there you have it. I have been bested,’ said Raphael, bowing. ‘Your authority will be manifest to all, dear brother of Chinese Wisdom.’

Uriel smiled. The Executive Toilet Key was his. At last, glory, for Uriel Archangel of God. At last.

* * * * *

Saruviel, a few weeks later, was back at Kalphon, chatting with Daniel who had shown up to discuss things about the ‘Prophecies of Daniel the Seraphim’.

‘Do you think you really should?’ finished Saruviel. ‘I mean, they are on to you, now. They know who instigates the commotion with each new overseer. They’re not stupid, Daniel.’

‘So what, Saruviel. I mean, you don’t object to a little humour, do you?’

‘That’s not the point. Further your own agenda and dear Valandriel’s, if that is what you both want, probably won’t be helped that much by the prophecies. People respect the Archangels. They always have done. At first there was a lot of commotion and fuss, but Michael and Gabriel have been steady as rocks, and nobody will take them seriously Danny. You’ve shot yourself in the foot, I really think. Your reputation is even on the line, should you release again.’

Daniel nodded. He’d had similar thoughts himself. ‘Ok, thanks Saruviel. I see where you are coming from. Poor sport, and all that.’

‘Something like that,’ said Saruviel. ‘Now it’s your turn, isn’t it?’

Daniel looked at the pool table, took his shot and sank the final ball, and smiled.

‘I guess you win,’ said Saruviel.

‘I guess so,’ responded Daniel.

* * * * *

True to his word, Daniel did show up on a few shows speaking about the prophecies again. This time, what was strange to Michael, a new angle. Perhaps a bit of a devilish one in the last statements from Daniel, but perhaps a bit more honest as well.

‘The prophecies now have a life of their own, Chuck,’ Daniel said to the host. ‘There origin, well. Well, I don’t want to speak about that. But, perhaps, perhaps they have a purpose in the plans of God. Who knows for sure. I, personally, don’t identify anybody in particular with the actual 4 beasts. They are simply beasts representing a schema of reality in opposition to truth and justice. And real life equilibrium to the characters, while perhaps originally an intention of the prophecies themselves, I can’t absolutely testify to personally. The life they have brought to people in fascination and interest, perhaps, justifies their existence. And the promotion of them. But, as I said, and as I say, if there are real life equivalents, while they might be of my planning in some way initially, perhaps they are now things simply of a fantastical imagination. Perhaps. But you can never be 100% sure, can you Chuck. Can you.’

Michael smiled. It had been the last point were he thought Daniel was still pushing his agenda, but the new angle was a little more decent – a bit of honesty from the Seraphim guilty of producing them. If there was any new reaction, it could prove interesting.

* * * * *

Raguel, replacing Uriel, was expected.  Everyone saw it coming, and everyone knew it was the right thing to happen.  They didn’t want much change at the moment.  People were generally happy.  But Raguel had things on his mind.  Daniel things.

*   *   *   *   *

‘A trial run, you say?  That’s not quite what they expect.’

‘Like I said, 45,000 years from next year, and then I take out the million.  Call it a sampler of Daniel.  They like you.  Some of them don’t want to wait forever, if you know what I mean.  How about it?’

‘Yeh. Yeh, ok Rags.  And thanks.  Thanks.’

‘You’re welcome.’

Later on that day Daniel was over at Valandriel’s, having a little bit of wine, and smiling quite a bit.  Hey, this was okay.  Quite okay. A bit of a turn.  He had forgotten most of his agenda, though.  They had said ‘Not really going to happen.’  But Danny remembered the beginning when Sariel had a go and Saruviel had a go.  It was mostly Michael, of course, but things happen from time to time.  And Raguel didn’t mind that, so Daniel could have an early shot at it.  Yeh, that was okay.  That was quite fine.’

The year passed, and Daniel was chosen as overseer.  He made an announcement that evening and said certain protocols would be altered, and certain laws repealed.  ‘It will be a little more relaxed for a while, friends.  Not so legalistic.  There is an important copyright law, though.  Original authors must be cited.  Factual and truthful information must be cited.  Quite important that.  Oh, and another thing, we’re moving temporarily.  Out to Mitraphora.  Council will be stationed in ‘Lameth’ for about 42,000 years, and then back to Zaphon for 3,000 years, after which Raguel is in charge again.  We need a change of scenery for a short while, just to freshen things up a little.  And finally there will be certain sexual liberties for about 15,000 years.  Certain romances need to be taken care of and so on.  There’s a few other things, but mostly life in general.  Council will be at Lameth.  After the few introductory changes, nothing else from me.  I won’t even be at council, but mostly at Zaphon.  I won’t be available for any interviews, won’t be making any decisions, won’t be doing any policy, won’t be doing anything, actually.  Just my personal life.  But, hey, that’s life isn’t it.  Talk to you soon, bye for now.

*   *   *   *   *

Daniel sat with Valandriel.  They hadn’t even needed to send in the Prophecy this time.  They hadn’t even needed to do that.  Raguel had had his year, and as far as Valandriel and Daniel were concerned, the prophecy had done his bit and gotten him the job he was after.  Daniel appointed, very quickly, Valandriel as his second in command, and got to work with his short list of things which needed amending.  ‘You can sit in the executive suite, Val.  You have stuck with me, so I have the official position at this stage, but you can have the glory of doing the work and getting the fame if you like.  It is a short stab at the job, so we have got what we wanted for now.’

‘I am not that worried anymore, Danny.  I am number 12 on the list, and I can wait.  There is a run up, you see.  I don’t think the heart of the run will change very much.  We are basically getting one Arc each.  It rounds out to that.  You are lucky Raguel is so generous, you know.  He has given you a fair slice.’

‘It is not too much.  Besides, it evens things out somewhat from the earlier years.  There is a little bit of flexibility, but hey that is life, isn’t it.’

‘And Raguel?  Don’t you think he is a little worried about the 4^th beast tag?’

‘I think that problem will disappear once your tenure is over, Val.  We worked hard, got what we wanted, and I think, in the end, father gave us a break.  Knew we were eager so let us have a go.  About time he noticed, actually.’

‘Yes, yes, you’re right.  Well, to our duties.  And let me know when the day comes for the big seat.  It should actually prove interesting.’

‘Will do, Kemosabe. Will do.’

*   *   *   *   *

‘So it was just a tactic to get the job?’

‘That is what I am starting to think, Raphael.  That is what I am starting to think.’

Michael looked at Raguel, considering his words.  ‘So he has suckered you in the end, has he?  Suckered us all.’

‘Perhaps,’ said Rag.  ‘I was pretty careful that whole year in office to keep my mouth very polite towards God and respectful of his sovereignty.  I don’t think I went anywhere near those words of the fourth beast, so I am starting to think it was just a tactic in the end.  Like you said, he has suckered us.’

Gabriel nodded.  ‘Then we will have to plan a revenge on this Seraphim.  A most delicious revenge, I think.  A most delicious revenge indeed.  But we will wait a while, I think.  Let the wind blow over, let things die down.  But we will plan now, sow seeds, and not be as obvious as our dear brother.’

‘And let the Devil beware,’ said Uriel, and they all laughed.

* * * * *

Ambriel owned a big farm in Terraphora. He had bought it with Meludiel in the early years of Gabriel’s term as Overseer for the Realm of Eternity and now, 3 million years later, Raguel happily ensconced as Overseer of the Realm and doing fine, Ambriel had taken a few thousand years off his main duties to relax with Meludiel and let life simply pass on by.

It was simple, the farm life. Very simple. He and Meludiel – the two of them – milked cows each morning, collected eggs, and occasionally picked out some tomatoes and onions from the garden to use in the big Omelettes Meludiel loved to cook for them both. Ambriel, from long experience, when he needed to pee, often peed on the tomatoes because they gave them a very tangy and lovely flavour when they were ripe. ‘Human and Angel Urea is very refined because of what we eat,’ he commented to Meludiel once, and she acknowledged the delicious flavour which had come from his pee’s nutrients into the tomatoes. It was natural living, and she was perfectly at home with it.

Once, when they were out a back paddock late in the day, the two of them came over a hill and were confronted with a stallion on the back of mare, humping away. As soon as it saw the both of them it suddenly stopped and they skitted away a distance. ‘Oops,’ said Meludiel. Ambriel smiled and looked at her. She was dressed in white lace, and looked beautiful. He put his hand on her shoulder and smiled. ‘Perhaps we could have some fun.’

‘Here?’ she said. ‘You are kidding aren’t you?’

He wasn’t kidding and, when she was down on all fours in the dirt, naked, shivering a little, her blessed grunting behind her as he thrust his manhood into her glory, she thought to herself ‘The Joys of Nature.’

There was another memorable time. They had been to a local antique store and purchased a rather large grandfather clock. When Daniel came to visit he looked at it suspiciously. ‘I’ve seen that clock before,’ he said. Ambriel smiled.

Later that week, Ambriel coming into the kitchen early one morning, thinking he had heard some noise, he found the clock gone and there, Daniel, just outside, lifting the clock carefully, seemingly dragging it to his van.

‘What the hell are you doing?’ Ambriel asked Daniel.

Daniel looked guilty, but said nothing.

‘You are stealing our bloody clock,’ said Ambriel.

‘Oh. Well. Sorry. I had to.’

‘Why?’

‘Well, I owned this clock a few thousand years ago. I recognized some of the markings on it. There is something inside. An old gem which I hid there once. It was part of a rare set of 7 gems I had stored away.’

‘Why did you hide it?’ queried Ambriel, curious.

‘Well, I won the 7 gems in a bet with Satan, who said he would steal them back eventually, and so I hid all 7. For the life of me I can’t remember were I put the other 6, but as soon as I saw the clock I suddenly remembered that I had hidden one in it.’

‘Oh,’ said Ambriel.

And so, getting out some tools, they pulled the clock mechanism apart and, sure enough, they found a beautiful opal of dazzling brilliance. Daniel said ‘Well, it really is your clock. You have it.’

Ambriel smiled and thanked him.

Later on that day, having been in the workshop that morning, he presented the opal to Meludiel with a chain now attached to it.

‘Were did you get it?’ she asked.

‘Don’t ask,’ he responded.

There was another time, when Michael came to visit, that they were up all night with a version of ‘Advanced Monopoly’. The three of them – Michael, Ambriel & Meludiel were all determined to win, but Ambriel had collected the most properties and looked the most likely.

Then it happened – he took a chance card, was fined taxation and, because he had too many properties, 1 of them had to be redeemed to the bank. Meludiel landed on the property next turn and became the first player to complete a run of all 5 colours of a property. She was lucky. Slowly, inevitably, she managed to put houses, and then hotels, and finally the bank on her property and, as time passed, and the other two landed on her from time to time, she claimed the victory. She was very happy with that.

The farmhouse was quite big. It had 3 levels and then an attic as well and Meludiel sometimes stole away to the attic, sitting up there in the afternoon, sitting near the window, reading one of Daniel’s volumes of Angelic fiction she liked, in a little world of her own. She would sit there, occasionally petting the cat on her lap, looking out the window at the farm, listening to the noise of the animals.

She would sit there, sometimes well into the afternoon, sometimes into the night, and Ambriel would rarely disturb her. He usually knew were she was.

She read through Daniel’s chronicles many times and, when he occasionally added yet another volume to the voluminous saga she would, in time, finish off the saga and start again. Her reading list grew each time.

She would also, from time to time, bring up some ice tea and sit there, one of her CDs playing in the background, thinking about life and God, and just being happy simply being alive. Simply being.

Out the back of the farmhouse was a windmill. It was quite a large one, and there was enough room for a verandah of sorts around the top layer of the windmill. Meludiel would go up there, and look out over the cornfield. She would often think of the Superman movie, were Clark was in the field. She would sit up there and feel the spirit of the land, and her heart was moved each time. She would gaze out into the distance, imagining the fields going on forever, even though she had a pretty good idea were they ended. It was spiritual – it was life – and she did it often, escaping away, at peace with herself and God.

Ambriel’s own private meditations in those years were often down in the basement of the farmhouse, sitting in the small lounge down there, reading some book or another. It was a quiet place, a little cold, especially in winter, but Meludiel said she would not disturb him down there.

There was a pinball machine against the wall and, often, he would play it. Going for his high score again and again, just to pass the time, just to enjoy himself.

And at other times he would sit there, reading through a text, thinking over what it was saying, and staring at the Aquarium, at the goldfish, working out life. Working through ideas. Working through what it was all about.

He painted war game figures down there, at one end of the basement. In the local community there was a strong war-gaming presence, and they played, usually, Warhammer Fantasy Battle. Ambriel delighted in painting the figurines and putting in a wholehearted effort to ensure they were of a high quality.

One campaign he was on was divided into a 300 year scenario of various conquests and quests – he did his best, but his main rival was simply stunning at the game in those days. He was clued up to all Ambriel’s moves and always seemed to be just that step ahead. But he finished the campaign well, and his rankings in Realm wide statistics benefited because of it.

He thought on eternity a lot in those days. How things just went on, and never really ended. That they were children of eternal life, and simply really just had to ‘BE’ to enjoy it all. Oh, there was always this and that to fuss about, but life could be as complex as you wanted to make it, or as simple as you wanted to make it. It all depended on you.

He wrote a novel, late in the reign of Raguel, called ‘Joy’. It was semi-autobiographical, about a farming couple retired from the big smoke. In truth he melded a lot of his own adventures with Meludiel into a contrived plot, but he was happy with the outcome. The book charted at number one of the realm bestseller list, mainly because of his fame, but the critics also remarked that it was extremely well written and had genuine warmth.

There were a lot of adventures in those days on the farm and, although they never sold the place, they eventually returned to the mainstream world and got caught up with the affairs of Phanuel’s overseersmanship. They were good times and, so Ambriel promised Meludiel, they would inevitably return there one day, but for now they had ended, and life moved on. It moved on, again, into the complex riddle of eternal life and destiny charted yet another adventure for the likes of Ambriel, Seraphim Angel of Eternity.

* * * * *

Ruth, great grandmother of King David, was a conservative enough sort of lady.  She was Jewish now, by conversion and Bat Mitzvah upon Televere, and walked with God with a gentle and quiet serenity which her husband Boaz had long praised her for.  She lived in the town of Paradision on the southern continent of Androma on the planet Televere, which was also known as Televon.  It was a pleasant planet, with a gentle life, and not much great activity – which is really how the inhabitants generally liked things to run.  They were a conservative people, the Televerans, of a strong monotheistic faith and kind disposition.  Half the populace were Jewish, another quarter Christian and another quarter Noahide.  They were a godfearing people because of this balance and all respected and followed the decrees of the ruling Monarch, Albert Rothchild.

Ruth had many friends around Televere who she emailed often.  She and Boaz invited them to dinner very often and they had visiting guests at least half the days of the year.  But that was the life of the eternal, so they had discovered, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

There next door neighbour on one side had been Daniel Daly who had returned to the Realm of Eternity to live there, for he was angelic in nature, going by the angelic name of Callodyn.  Ruth had been fond of Daniel and had sought out a close friend of hers by the name of Claudia for them to hopefully, in Ruth’s mind, find some romance.  But it had not eventuated and Ruth continued to pray for Mr Daly’s welfare on that issue because of it.

As a couple they were largely incognito from much of the general populace, a necessity of their fame unfortunately.  Most Paradisions knew who they were, but would not spread knowledge of them out of personal request, and that was the way it had generally remained since their settling on Televere.

Boaz worked different jobs from time to time in Televere, often choosing something new simply to embellish life somewhat.  He sat on the council of Televere, were a goodly portion of his regular income came from, and apart from that worked on and off in the local farming collective.  Televere had an admixture of capitalist and socialist principles – in the heavenly life people were closer now, and it was not so necessary to strive for selfish purposes, an ideal of capitalism, thus socialistic principles found more of a home in the community.  But they were capitalists as well and bought an ample supply of the lovely goods and services which passed through the stores of their towns.

Boaz liked the internet of Televere a great deal, and now collected stamps of Televere.  He had 4 levels of sub-basements beneath the house, all filled with various stamps Televere had now produced.  Eventually, so he told Ruth, he would either sell them or give them to charity and simply start again.  Collectables, in the stuff of eternal life, while still having great value for a while, did not really matter that much in the end.  Life invariably went on and you could always start a collection again.  But he would keep the oldest premium ones permanently, he assured his wife, for they made an excellent long term investment.

They attended the synagogue each Sabbath and prayed to Hashem quiet and simple prayers of thanks and adoration.  And therein they were content.  They had children sparsely, over 100 now, but that was not really a great deal in the vast amount of time they had lived now on Televere.  But they had no great need for further children and, generally, were largely content with their lot in life.  This was life, Boaz often commented to her, and it was a happy and pleasant enough journey down the eternal hallways.  Yet, whatever beckoned in the future – well time would only tell.

* * * * *

‘Do you think the Rabbi will accept his request for conversion?  You know how they are these days with Christians who want to join Israel – they almost definitely refuse outright.  Way too many problems with answering endless questions, so the Rabbis say.  Besides, why bother leaving Christian faith.’

Leah looked at the bearded man by the name of Nathan Smith, noticed that the beard was in fact quite lengthy, the sign he had been growing it for a while, and responded to Ruth.

‘I don’t know.  The beard will likely impress our Rabbi.  He is fond of things like that.  It will likely come down to how well he answers the Rabbis questions on Torah.  If he speaks well the Rabbi may consider him.  Perhaps this Nathan is a wise man, who fears Hashem.  We will see soon enough.’

Ruth nodded, picked up a cookie, and continued staring at the synagogues guest who was doing his best to look unnoticeable.

‘I think he knows we are looking at him, Ruthie.  Best not to embarrass the man.’

Ruth nodded and turned away from her stirs, looking out on the after service supper.

It was the usual thing, after Friday night Sabbath service, for the congregation to take a supper together, which had been prepared just before the Sabbath.  Fortunately the coffee was still somewhat hot and the congregation sat as a group, smiling and chatting and enjoying each other’s company.

After a while Rabbi Pearlman spoke up.  ‘Brothers, sisters.  I would like to introduce you all to a seeker of conversion.  He is a Christian man who has been walking in Noahide faith.  Yet he feels called to join Israel and we are considering his request.  It is not often we seriously consider new converts, but I will let the man speak for himself.’  The Rabbi motioned to the man and he stood and introduced himself.

‘Hello everyone. Shabbat Shalom.  Well, I am a simple sort of guy, really.  I am unmarried, and have lived on Televere for a few centuries since coming from earth.  I moved to Paradision late last year and work in the farming community.  I can’t really say, for sure, if it is Hashem leading me and guiding me.  I can’t say that.  But I feel a need to connect to Israel – to join them.  I feel as if they are the people of my future, the people of my destiny.  And I feel this deep inside, as if a voice of my heart is saying it is the right thing to do.  I can’t really prove these words to you with just the saying of them, but I can say that if you can accept me into your congregation, well.  Well, I wouldn’t let you down.’

There was a warm clap as he sat down again and the Rabbi thanked him.

A little later on Boaz had signalled that it was about time to leave, but before they made off Ruth asked her husband if he would consider inviting Nathan to dinner.  Boaz shrugged and, after returning from making the request, nodded to her that Nathan had agreed.  ‘Next Saturday night, at 7, just after the end of Sabbath.  He has agreed to come around.

‘Good,’ said Ruth.  ‘He might need to find a friendly face in our congregation if he is serious about joining us.  It will also be a good opportunity for us to sound him out.’

‘You and your meddling,’ said Boaz with good humour.

‘I am not meddling at all.  I am simply acting wisely.  Now let’s be going.  I am getting tired.

As they drove home Ruth gave thought to the new potential convert.  While it was true conversion was now very difficult to achieve, it was not forbidden technically.  It would be interesting to see, therefore, just what the hearts desires of this Nathan Smith really were made of towards her people.  And with the dinner of Saturday night she assumed she would find out the answer to that question soon enough.

* * * * *

Nathan proved an intelligent and charming man to Ruth.  But it was Boaz who took a shining to him.  The lad collected Stamps of all things, and Boaz and Nathan spent hours in the basement after dinner going through some of Boaz’s extensive stamp collection.  When they returned, chatting about this and that watermark and other stamp related business, Ruth put out some cookies and coffee for her guest.  As they munched Ruth let fly some of the questions she was interested in hearing answers to.  She was asking from her own experiences and her own desires, to see if such things were also in the heart of Nathan.

‘So, why Israel, Nathan?  Why not stick with Jesus.  Surely he has been good to you.’

Nathan looked at her with a calm demeanour and spoke very sincerely.  ‘Yes, Jesus has been remarkably good to me, Ruth.  I saw him once at a Mega church, preaching a sermon.  It really was captivating.  But, now while this may sound strange, Jesus is just one man.  And while the church is full of people, it really sort of only has one ultimate authority apart from God and that is in the person of Jesus.  Israel is different to that.  Israel is almost more like a family in this respect.  And, of course, that is exactly what it is.  A family.  I want that for myself, one day.  The kind of family with the bonds of trust and respect that Israel has.  And in joining my seed to the Israelite community I am sure that I will find the strength I desire for my offspring.’

‘That sounds very sensible,’ commented Boaz.  ‘If you speak as such to the Rabbi I am sure he will look favourably upon you.’

‘It is not that easy, Boaz.  I could only wish it was.  The Rabbi expects high quality letters of recommendation from past pastoral figures, as well as extensive Torah knowledge.  And while I have studied Judaism greatly, I fear I am still too young for the Rabbi to approve my conversion.  I feel, in the end, it will be as I expect.  Not until a thousand years of age in this heavenly realm will they approve.  Not until I have really lived and known the commitment I am saying I am prepared to make.’

‘And is that a bad thing, Nathan?  If they want you to wait.’

‘No.  Not really.  It’s frustrating, and time delaying in a sense.  But I know I must have patience.’

‘Yes,’ agreed Boaz.  ‘If you are to be approved of, time will generally be the testing of you.  But you can know you have my vote of confidence.’

‘Thanks Boaz.  That means a lot.’

They continued on for a while, discussing various aspects of Nathan’s plight, and as he left for the night, wishing them well, Ruth could see the struggle of the heart in Nathan Smith.  He desperately wanted a family – a family in a way he had not found out in the Noahide or Christian world.  And, while knowing she must respect her Rabbis judgement, she silently felt for him and hoped, perhaps against hope, the Rabbi would show leniency in this particular case.

* * * * *

Rabbi Pearlman was a sensible and forthright Rabbi.  Yet he had to consider not just Nathan Smith, but his congregation and the reputation of himself and his congregation for the decisions they were to make.  In Televeran life the general consensus was the requests for conversion were now to be refused.  Noahide and Christian faith were established of such a degree that the necessity for a soul to join the people of Israel had diminished and really was not necessary.  But, technically, under a number of Rabbinic rulings, under the most exceptional of circumstances a case could be considered.  Yet, even then, the standard practice of turning away a convert a number of times to determine their seriousness must be held to and, at the very least, a long and considered study of the Torah having had taken place.  And, as such, the Rabbi knew what he had to do.

Ruth regretted not seeing Nathan at the services anymore, but the Rabbi was of the opinion that Noahides should generally only congregate in their own assemblies, as was the custom on Televere.  Nathan had been turned away in the end.  The Rabbi had cited that it was practically impossible for him to make any other decision, and Nathan had left, broken hearted.  But when Ruth had inquired of the Rabbi later on that week as to his decision he had taken her aside, spoken a few words of his wisdom on the subject, and she had nodded.  ‘Not yet, Ruthie.  Not yet.  But one day?  Well, maybe.’

And so life returned to its merry strum and ways and Ruth grew that little bit wiser in the ways and knowledge of the Rabbis and the ways of the people she had committed her heart to belong to.

Chapter Three

Daniel puzzled.  He was studying revelation, thinking it over.  Samael, over by the window, looking out over the Silver city spoke up.

‘7 heads.  7 Kings.  I know them, now.  I know them.  Judaism. Christianity. Islam. Bahai.  4 of them well established, and the Saruvim have chosen them well, each as their own.  And now the saviour is approaching, approaching soon.  Very soon. The Bahai’s wonder saviour, finally ready after lengthy preparation.’

‘You slew the lamb.  You slew Jesus.  And he was slain.’

‘And by his death he purchased a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy nation.  For they are now loyal to him, for he has suffered in their eyes.’

‘And the holy ones?’ asked Daniel.

‘Do you need to ask?’

‘Let me guess.  Samaritans. Karaites. Unitarian literalists.’

‘Yes, that is what they all are,’ responded Samael.

‘Judaism, Satan’s religion, as Jesus always maintained.  The Mishnah, the Gemara, the Zohar, the extensive rabbinic works.  An endless parade of manmade abomination in the name of the Most High.  And the Trinitarians do the same, endlessly adding to God’s own words with their own.  And of course the Muslims and the Bahai. All in the name of him who is.’

‘And thus choose the first 4 Saruvim each of these religions in order, to rule and be king, in a false showing of humility.  And now the fifth kingdom beckons, the fifth hill beckons, and Samaen seeks his destiny,’ responded Samael.

‘And each builds on holy Jerusalem, the city of each of these so called religions of God, the apparent chosen ones, and the holy city.  For Babylon the Great is called ‘That Great City’ and only one other city is called that Great City in Revelation, and it is ‘That Great City Where our Lord was Crucified’ and that city is Jerusalem.’

‘Yes, the time is approaching, brother.  The time is approaching,’ and silence descended on a tower in the Silver city in a deep conversation between Samael of Infinity and Daniel the Seraphim of Eternity.

*   *   *   *   *

It had been written in the second Quran that the promised Warrior of Virtue of Bahai faith would be born a thousand years hence from the proclamation of the second Quran.  Yet, in truth, that Warrior had not advented.  Not in a thousand years.  Yet, in his defence, Callodyn who had written such a text was merely following Bahai tradition itself in such a claim.  Yet, it seems, he was without error in the end, for the Bahai in fact taught that at least a millennia from the proclamation of Bahai faith must occur BEFORE the Warrior of Virtue could in fact advent.  And thusly, in the ‘Third Quran’, written not much later, Callodyn referred to this point of Bahai faith and made the declaration that it would likely be many years, perhaps beyond counting, before the world would be satisfied at the advent of such a warrior of virtue.  And thus Callodyn declared this truth.

Yet Daniel the Seraphim thought differently, and declared that it would be nearly 2 million years before the Warrior of Virtue would advent, but his thoughts of difference were based on the book of his younger Cherubim brother in the Jewish Bible, the Book of Daniel itself, and he claimed that the first four beasts were in fact Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Bahai in their corrupt form which rejected the scriptures themselves, exalting the words of their followers over their chief books.  The Warrior of virtue was thus the Son of Man, who would rise to the Ancient of Days, and be given glory and authority.  Yet Daniel posited this truth – if the Son of Man did fall, and tasted corruption, and fornicated spiritually with the words of men, positing them as the words of God and thus being shown fallible, then the Warrior of Virtue, in his own testing of life, would enter the domain of John the Apostle and his Holy revelation.  For then there would be five kings of the beast, and the beast would indeed and in truth have seven kings ultimately.  And this kingdom would be the false beast, one of the seven kings being the Antichrist eighth head beast.  And in such a case Jesus himself would end up Christ, and there would be those two figures, one who would be ‘Lord of Lord’s and King of Kings’ and the other ‘King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s’, for revelation spoke of two differing figures in Daniel’s viewpoint, and he suggested that Gabriel perchance be one of these and Michael perchance be the other.  And in this theory Gabriel was ‘A’ Lamb of God, in the mould of Jesus himself, and that Gabriel as a Lamb of God would taste a death, like Jesus tasted a death, and from this death he would purchase for God a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  For Gabriel, being a Christian, being so supremely dedicated, would be of such faith that he would literally take up his cross, follow Christ, and be crucified (in a manner of speaking) himself.  And, thusly, if it were in fact Gabriel, then the city of his crucifixion suddenly becomes of paramount importance, for if it is a city not of Jerusalem, but another grand and noble ‘Babylon the Great’ where he tastes a crucifixion in a sense, then as a Lamb of God he would taste such a death and fulfill the Book of Revelation.  And as a descendant of David he would receive the ‘Messiah’ title, not in opposition to Jesus own ‘Christ’ title.  For ‘Christ’ is a Greek title and ‘Messiah’ is a Greek title, but BASED on the Hebrew Mashiach.  And in that point of fact there actually is a reason for being as such in revelation.  And Michael?  Will he be the child born to the woman?  Will he be taken up to heaven, his destiny to rule all nations with a rod of Iron, and a war for him to enter into with Satan the Dark Lord himself?  Now, to regress, if Gabriel is a child of a certain ‘Babylon’ were he is to be crucified, and as Revelation teaches, our Lord is to be crucified in a ‘Great City’ and Revelation shows that only ‘Babylon the Great’ is called a Great city, then which city, must we ask, has 7 hills, being 7 Kingdoms?  For it is a city with 7 Kings and thus 7 Kingdoms.  Does Rome have 7 Kingdoms in its history?  Does London have 7 Kingdoms in its history?  Does Paris have 7 Kingdoms in its history?  Does Babylon in Iraq have 7 Kingdoms in its history?  Does Madrid in Spain have 7 Kingdoms in its history?  Does Jerusalem have 7 Kingdoms in its history?  Does Moscow have 7 Kings in its history?  Jerusalem?  Seriously?  Nay, it doth not have 7 Kingdoms in its history?  Surely you say I mock thee.  Well, whatever may be may be, and the truth of such a matter is always a matter of perennial speculation, sayeth I, sayeth I, sayeth I.

*   *   *   *   *

‘Oh, Daniel.  You really know how to piss people off, you know.  You know, I have been reading that book of Daniel, and in some translations it says Daniel was dressed in robes of Scarlett, and in some translations dressed in robes of purple.  Apparently both?  Now isn’t that interesting.’

‘Yes, Valandriel, I know dear brother.  But go talk to our Cherubim brother about that.  He will actually, and this is just a technically important point of, you know, I mean, you know, I mean, you know, uh, fact, heh, heh, heh, that it was actually only 1 colour which he was dressed in, as the scriptural word may mean certain things, but it didn’t actually mean 2 colours.  So go ask Daniel himself.’

‘Fair enough, Daniel.  I do get the point.  A Christian tactic on revelation, then?’

‘Quite obviously brother.  They weren’t born yesterday after all.  I mean, take the NIV on that spiel on Danel.  And then take other translations.  One says ‘Are you wiser than Daniel,’ and another says, ‘You are wiser than Danel.’  I mean, come on church, please make up your mind.  Ooh, ooh, ooh.’

‘Good on you,’ said Valandriel.

‘But they do try, don’t they.’

‘I guess, brother.  I guess.’

‘Oh, and I bet those two translations really cut some people up.  I mean, come on.  Read one and he asks you, are you wiser than Daniel.  Then he goes on to explain some serious problems you have.  And the other translation tells them ‘you ARE wiser than Daniel.’

‘And then what?’ asked Valandriel, about to smirk.

‘Oh, uh, yeh  It still goes on to explain some serious problems you have.’

‘You are so judgemental Daniel.’

‘What do you think my name means.’

‘Gah.  You frustrate everyone.’

‘Oh well.  Such is life.’

* * * * *

Seven Kings. Seven Angels. Seven colours of the Rainbow.  Who can say what has really been, and who can say what really shall be.  But Saruviel has taken over, and the time is drawing nigh, the time is drawing nigh.  For Jesus has 7 horns, and those 7 horns are his 7 older Seraphim brother, and those brothers are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Phanuel and Saruviel.  And they are his 7 horns.  And there are also 7 spirits.

And Logos himself has 7 chosen ecclesia, the Seraphim of Infinity.  And those 7 chosen of Infinity are Michael of Infinity and Gabriel of Infinity and Raphael of Infinity and Uriel of Infinity and Raguel of Infinity and Phanuel of Infinity and Saruviel of Infinity.  And thus were the 7 chosen Ecclesia of Logos.

And then there were the Saruvim.  And there were 7 Saruvim of Infinity.  And Satan smiled to himself and said to Lucifer, he really is still that stupid, isn’t he.  He really is that stupid.  And Lucifer nodded.

* * * * *

Daniel was smiling.  He was finally happy.  A nightmare had ended.  He remembered back.  The big day had arrived, and Jesus was all pumped up.  Boy, was the Lamb of God ready for his glory.  Satan and his boys showed, and they were ready for action.  And then in stepped Sariel and whistled to Saruviel.  ‘Yo, it just ticked over 9:45.’  Saruviel looked at him.  ‘Why, yes it has Mr Grant.  Why yes it has.  I guess a deal is a deal, he said with the slightest grin in his voice.  Here you go,’ tossing him the ring.  Remember Yesh is crafty.  But I think we’ve fucked the lad now.  And that fucking number nine pissed him off eternally.  I mean, there’s the punk.  A few years old, and he chooses nine.  Fucking number nine.  I mean, come on.  Put the cunt in his place, hey.  Oh, Mr Daly.  Don’t forget number ten.’

Sariel grinned, catching the ring.

He stepped in, looked at Satan and smiled.  ‘Sorry, times up.  You know the rules.’  And he showed him the ring.  Satan looked at it, nodded, came over and patted Sariel on the back, and walked over to Yesh.  ‘You fucking idiot,’ and he walked off.  And Jesus stood there, confused.’

Michael spoke up.  ‘You know, Jesus.  Sariel is an Eighth angel.  You can count to eight, can’t you.  You can count to eight.  I mean, you were circumcised on the eighth day.  Remember.  Huh?’

‘What is that supposed to mean?’ asked Jesus, looking confused.

‘Sheesh, some guys never learn.  Oh, have fun Sariel.  I trust you won’t let us down.’

‘Things should be dandy.  Don’t sweat it.’

And that was the end of it.  It had been eighteen months now and Jesus was locked up in Terraphora, with his followers, making plans.  He was puzzled these days, not quite sure what was going on.  Really, quite puzzled. But, hey.  Such were the plans of God.  Such where the plans of God. Heh, heh, heh.

* * * * *

Ruth bent down to the cupboard, brought out the brandy, and sat back down, pouring small glasses for herself and Boaz.  She sipped on it slowly, the familiar burning sensation in her throat warming her up on such a cold day.  It had been a record low for that day of the month, an extreme rarity, and boy was it cold.  Below zero and they really did feel it in there bones.

‘That’s better,’ said Boaz, warming his hands in front of the fire they had gotten going.  ‘Well, why don’t we have a game of Monopoly?  There’s nothing much else to do on a day like this.’

‘As long as we play by our special rules.  It is too difficult to win otherwise with two players, and it is usually just luck.’

‘Not a problem.’

Ruth chose the car and Boaz chose the hat and as they played, outside it started snowing.  ‘It will again be a cold Hannukah, I feel,’ said Ruth.  ‘Just like last year.’

‘But the kids love it.  They make snowmen at the synagogue grounds.’

‘Do you remember when we first made snowmen?  And I threw snowballs at you.’

‘How could I forget,’ replied Boaz fondly.  ‘You dumped a whole pile of snow on my head and I caught a cold.’

‘We were so in love then, in those early days after the resurrection.  It really was a blissful time.’

‘And we’re not still in love?’ queried Boaz.

‘Oh, we are still in love.  But the passionate flames have dimmed to quiet embers I feel.’

‘And what happens when the embers turn to ash?’

‘A graceful period of rest.  But don’t worry, we always start another fire after a while.’

He smiled at that statement – it really was an encouraging metaphor to use for their relationship.’

He raised his glass.  ‘May the embers, though, smoulder for many years yet.’

She raised her glass, winked at him, and finished her brandy, breathing out when the fire in her throat really warmed up because of the alcohol.

‘In a funny way, Boaz, these days are some of the days I like the most.  I know they are too cold to do anything, really.  But we are closer then.  As if the harsher realities of nature, of life, have forced us together.’

‘Another wonderful metaphor on life, Ruth.  Yes, I know exactly what you are saying.  Oppression breeds unity.  Yet, united with you, well my life is complete.’

She smiled, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, and they continued on with their game of monopoly.

The day gradually passed, and Boaz won the game of Monopoly, which he usually did, yet that night, as Ruth pulled up her doona cover next to the already snoring Boaz, she reflected on how they had drawn together that day, and the pleasing and quiet joy it brought to her soul.  These really were special days in her life, and finding fulfilment in Boaz, well, really she would have it no other way.

* * * * *

‘Turkey, Ruth?  Why Turkey?’

‘Oh, you know.  Just because.’

‘I sense we are having a Christian over for our Hannukah meal.’

‘Perhaps.’

‘Alright then, I have no objections to Turkey.’

‘Good.  And we will have roast potatoes, corn, peas, pumpkin, carrots and gravy.’

‘It sounds a heck of a lot like a Christmas dinner Ruth.’

‘Is that the end of the world.’

‘No.  No it isn’t.  It isn’t our tradition, but no it’s not the end of the world.  Alright, have it your way.’

‘Good.  Now go pray.  Our guest will be here at 4.  I expect you to make her welcome.’

‘Oh, it’s a she.’

‘Someone I met at the marketplace.  She is a Jehovah’s Witness.  I found her very polite and kind, and saw no reason to object to her coming along for Hannukah meal.’

‘Yes, alright. Jehovah’s Witness, huh?  That should be ok.  David has always favoured them somewhat.’

‘So it should be a good evening for us.  Besides, while we have our own community, we don’t live in a vacuum.  We must embrace our Christian brethren when it can be done in a positive way appealing to Hashem.’

‘I guess so.  Should I get out a Christmas tree?’ he asked sarcastically.

‘Remember, she is a Jehovah’s Witness, so you should know the answer to that question.’

‘Yes, I in fact do.  It was called sarcasm, dearest.’

‘Very funny.  Now go pray.’

Dutifully Boaz went off to put on his prayer shawl and enter their prayer room.

Ruth busily went about her Hannukah meal, anticipating Gabrielle’s presence, the young Jehovah’s Witness lady she had met earlier that week.

*   *   *   *   *

‘Well naturally we know Jesus wasn’t Archangel Michael.  The whole congregation is patently aware of that fact.’

‘And the Christ issue?’ queried Boaz.

‘There are a variety of perspectives.  We are aware that Jesus largely started Christian faith of his own cognition in the Realm of Eternity, so it seems perhaps possible that he likely simply continued that work on Earth.  We have no firm information from Jesus himself or God on how legitimate Christian faith really is, yet he has not signalled that it is supposed to end, so we continue in the faith.  Besides, the ‘Pseudo-Christ’ doctrine is so entrenched in some Christian movements now, that we sort of accept him tacitly on those terms anyway.’

‘I have never really been firm either way on that issue.  Our historical knowledge of the formulation of the Pseudepigraphal writings is not complete, for God does not comment on how involved his spirit has been or wether he has decided to fulfil such teachings.  We know they are genuinely non-historical works, for all the authors generally have testified as such, and Abraham and Jacob and the others declare that it is primarily fictitious material.  Yet, apparently, as they maintain especially over the revered 1 Enoch, Jesus so clearly fulfilled this book, despite its apparent fictitious nature, that God must have been involved, declared him his son, and that he is a genuine Pseudepigraphal Christ.  And while that might denote him all the authority in the world, it also denotes him no authority whatsoever.’

‘Which is perhaps the way it is supposed to be,’ responded Gabrielle.  ‘So that Christian faith can run by itself and achieve its own objectives.’

‘I guess so,’ responded Boaz.

The three of the continued that evening dining and enjoying each other’s company and illumination and greater clarification of important issues was forthcoming for all.  It was a quiet night of joy, and while he did not make his presence known, Jehovah himself was watching, enjoying the pleasant and civilized conversation.

* * * * *

The following morning Boaz gazed out through the kitchen window into the yard were Ruth was busily making a snowman.  He silently crept outside, grabbed a handful of snow, and dumped it on his unsuspecting wife.

‘Errrrhhh.  I’m Freezing.  I’ll get you!’ she yelled, and at once picked up a chunk of snow, made a snowball, and threw it at him.  Fortunately she was lucky and it hit him on the nose.

They played in the snow for half an hour, made a snowman family, and then returned inside for hot chocolate to warm themselves up.

‘Well, I have a few weeks off now,’ said Boaz.  ‘I know it is cold today, but we could do something.’

‘I’m open to suggestions,’ responded Ruth.

‘How about we go on a ‘Collecting’ holiday.  Just collecting various things we have always wanted to play around with and look at.’

‘I suppose you will go fishing for some rare stamps?’

‘Probably.  But you can get some of those teddies you are always going on about.  And even some Royal Dolton, which I know you like.’

‘Sounds good.  Perhaps we could visit Androvon?  Stay in a nice hotel, or even with some family.’

‘Yes.  Young Robert and his wife still live there.  I will let them know we are coming.’

‘Sounds good.  We will leave after lunch.  It will give me time to pack and get ready.’

‘I’ll go ring Robert.’

As they fussed away the morning, each was in their own little world, enjoying that regular thing of life and the good times that always went along with it.

*   *   *   *   *

The Grand Magnificent Store of Collectables was, in truth, dutifully living up to its name.  Firstly, it was enormous – the size of a large supermarket.  And secondly, Ruth suspected that if they didn’t have a particular collectable you were after amongst their stock of millions of products, then they would have contact details to obtain them at their fingertips.

She had left Boaz down the back in the Stamps and Coins section, and he was still busily browsing as she walked past a little later, a teddy in her shopping trolley, but by no means finished with her work.  And then, saying immediately that it was a small world, she ran into Gabrielle, of all people, and sat down in the store café, having a coffee with her.  Boaz found them a little later on and sat at another table, eating his cheesecake, and looking through the stamps he had purchased.

‘I know I am supposed to be a faithful wife, Ruth.  I know that.  And Stanley has always been a good husband.  It is just that I feel it in my heart, in my soul.  We are drawing apart, despite the very best of our intentions to remain together.  And it is heartbreaking, but it just seems impossible to stay together.  We try not to fight, but we get annoyed with each other at our habits.  And the passion we had in romance is pretty much a thing of the past.  God knows we have tried, and I still love him, but it is just not working out.  And I can’t think of anything else but a divorce.’

Ruth listened attentively, and decided it was time to share some of her wisdom.

‘Firstly, Gabrielle, it is perfectly ok to have different personalities.  He will always have characteristics which bother you and likewise you will do things which upset him.  The secret really is in committing to show each other same graces on your imperfections.  Remember you are only human.  I really, though, think some counselling could help you.  Because if is just faultfinding in the end, you will have this problem with everyone else.  And so will he.  And as for romance, well don’t let it bother you for now.  Passions come and go throughout life.  There will come a time when he will love you again.  In the end I just have to ask you this question.  Is he, when all is said and done, a good person.  Is he a good man.’

Gabrielle was looking a little teary but looked at Ruth and silently nodded.

‘Then persevere.  Counselling with the right counsellor can do you the world of good.  A good marriage is not really the accident of fate which many suspect it to be.  It takes work and effort from both parties.  So many marriages fail for lack of it.  So if you have any real love for him, stick with it.  It just takes a little time.’

Gabrielle nodded, wiping a faint tear from her eye.  It was counselling she was grateful to hear, and it had given her a perspective which had helped.

Later on, driving back to the hotel, Ruth thought long and hard on Gabrielle, and decided, of all the very rare things to do anymore, she would fast for one day for her friend.  Fasting and prayer at the night to Hashem to lift Gabrielle’s spirit and give her the advice her soul really did seem to need.

* * * * *

It was another cold winter’s morning, and Ruth had just fasted the day before, praying for half an hour the previous night.  Boaz had not inquired into her reasons, but that morning at breakfast he was now a little curious.

‘Was the fasting for Gabrielle?’

‘How did you know I was fasting.’

‘I wasn’t born yesterday, Ruthie.’

‘No, I guess you weren’t.  Well, yes.  It was for Gabrielle.  She is having marriage difficulties.’

‘And you think your prayer and fasting will do anything about it?’

‘Those things have worked for Israel in the past.’

Boaz looked at her and, slowly, nodded.  ‘Yes.  Yes they have.’

She looked at him strictly, not quite sure if he approved or disapproved, but did not query him.  Eventually he spoke.  ‘Gabrielle is a good woman.  I feel that she likely has eternal life in her heart.  Most Christians are usually strongly focused enough on that.’

‘So that is what your objections are about, then?  If she is going to live forever or not?’

‘It comes down to that in many ways, Ruthie.  It always has.  But, in truth, the Christians and the Noahides seem to have the same attrition rate as us Jews.  I don’t really discriminate against them the way I used to.  They have committed to God enough in their hearts.’

‘I always thought they had, Boaz.’

‘Still, you need to be sure if you can, which might sound an impossible practice.  And you need to be cautious with your heart.  If she is the kind of person who is having marriage difficulties, perhaps she is not that focused on spirituality.  I know you can never really tell, so don’t go objecting straight away.  But I don’t want your heart getting caught up with a woman who may one day leave you for the grave.  I don’t want that for you.  It is the reason God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees.  It is, in truth, what it has always been about.’

Ruth wanted to object, but had to acknowledge the truth of Boaz’s words.’

‘Yet even those of us chosen for life eternal still need to get by with a little help from our friends.’

Boaz smiled, came over and gave her a hug, and said ‘Which is why you are so special to me.  For I don’t think I could ever get by without you.’

He gave her a kiss, she smiled, and another fine and happy day in the life of Boaz and Ruth, citizens of Televere, passed without any further great anxieties or worries.

* * * * * 

‘Well, that should about do it then.  That should about do it.  He is wonderful with his numbers, but I am not sure where he will go from here.’

‘He is patient, though,’ objected Daniel to Sariel’s statement.  ‘I mean, he might throw 24 elders at us.  Or even 12 stars of Glory.  You know, 12 angels.  The women’s 12 angels. The first 12.  That is definitely the next part of the agenda.’

Michael considered that.  ‘Should we let him, Daniel.  Should we let him?’

‘Bantriel, Cimbrel, Dameriel and Valandriel.  Those 4 cast out, you reckon?’

‘Yes.  Generally the four we have in mind.’

‘Sorry, no.  Val is a buddy.  I’ll stick with 1 Corinthians 13.  Revelation has its purpose, but prophecies fail.’

‘Very well.’

‘Besides, nobody goes to hell forever.  As simple as that.  I’ll never compromise.  It’s my Karaite roots after all.’

‘I guess so,’ finished Michael.

*   *   *   *   *

Bantriel felt better.  A horrible dream had left him.  A horrible, horrible dream.  And now destiny was speaking to him, calling him a young child in the arms of an eternal father who never stopped loving him.  ‘He’s got the whole world in his hands,’ she sang to him, and Bantriel grew in grace and love because of it.  He was proud of his French heritage now.  Proud and grateful that God kept the faith, even when others like Jesus Christ gave up on you.  It said it all in the end.  But he kept his faith in Jesus as well.  He was his brother, and he loved him, and Bantriel reflected over the years that such was life.  Such was life.

*   *   *   *   *

666, the number of the beast, hell and fire were spawned to be released.  Saruviel was ready.  Ready for the challenge. Time to teach Jesus Christ a lesson.  He volunteered, and chose Cimbrel, Dameriel and Valandriel.  They would do the real work, and sort the punk out for good.  This time he really would not see it coming.  This time the Antichrist would kick his arse.

*   *   *   *   *

Cimbrel agreed, so did Dameriel and so did Valandriel.  Daniel laughed all night, smiling, and called Saruviel a genius.  ‘Oh, I like the mark you have come up with.  That should be perfect, at which point Saruviel just grinned.  Heh, heh, heh.  This could be fun.

*   *   *   *   *

Time and time and time again he had been foiled.  Yet life, inevitably, presented further opportunities to make ones claim of glory, and the Revelation of John was the source of much of Jesus current ambitions.  Saruviel, finally, was showing what Jesus, so he believed, were characteristics placed into his heart by Almighty God.  The true characteristics of the Adversary, Satan, in the form of the Antichrist.  Revelation, so Jesus taught, was a book of themes.  And they would one day understand that truth.  No matter which way history ended up unfolding, there was still much truth in the revelation of John, now matter if it was not literal and simply a thematic work.  Saruviel from ancient days had been an adversary to the Realm of Eternity, and the revelation put him in his place.  Jesus saw it as the judgement of God, and while it had failed on Judgement Day with his beheading by Samael, in truth it had not failed at all.  Paul had been correct.  The King James Version stood true as the word of God as well, and its own teaching had necessarily been vindicated.  Justice and mercy must both be done.  And so, for love of evil, as someone might put it, Samael had beheaded Jesus, and the Revelation had failed.  Yet the Word of God stood firm, for Paul must need a prophecy for that prophecy to fail, and John had provided one for him.  The New Testament would never die, Jesus believed, and its moral truths, the important thing, still remained in place.

So he looked forward to the challenge of Archangel Saruviel, and would accept whatever destiny and fate his Almighty Father had in store for him.

Chapter Four

Cimbrel looked at the rocket chicken.  ‘Mate,’ he said to the brave Aussie.  ‘That is fucking awesome.  That car is tops.’  The ancient actor smiled.  Destiny was funny, he thought to himself.  Very funny

*   *   *   *   *

Jesus was starting to get upset.  Quite upset.  He was cross.  Everyone knew it.  Everyone was worried, especially Cimbrel the current angel to have a go at, and he feared Lamb Boy’s wrath.  ‘He’ll get us,’ said Saruviel.  ‘He’ll get us if he can.’

‘Huh.  Me Japanese. Me smart. Jesus, he simple Jewish boy. Lack forethought.’

Saruviel grinned.  ‘I’ll take you’re word for it Cimby.  I’ll take your word for it.’

* * * * *

Dameriel smiled at God.  ‘So here comes the fun stuff, huh?  The fun stuff.’

‘You better believe it, boy.  You better believe it.’

‘Coool.’

* * * * *

Valandriel looked at the sky.  It was turning red.  It seemed the signs were obvious.  The time was at hand.  It would be a challenging few years, but they would pull through.  They would keep the faith in a certain angel, and that would be that, so to speak.  That would be that.

* * * * *

‘Go the Bulldogs,’ yelled Ruth, on the sideline of the match between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, her team, and the dreaded Canberra Raiders, Ambriel’s team.

‘It doesn’t matter how much you yell, Grandma.  The Raiders will do them.’

‘Would you care to wager on that, dearest Ambriel.’

Meludiel, sitting next to Ambriel, spoke.  ‘Ambriel doesn’t gamble.  Its against his sense of holiness.’

‘Oh, there is nothing wrong with the occasional flutter.  It adds excitement to life.’

Boaz spoke up.  ‘She gambles every year on the Televeran Cup, the major horse race for Televere.  She is pretty lucky as well.’

‘I play the odds, Boaz.’

‘I call it dumb luck.’

‘No such thing,’ said Ambriel, focused again on the Realm Football match.

Fortunately, Ruth’s charms must have helped the players, for the Bulldogs won this particular match and just squeaked into the finals the following week because of it.

Later on they were in the Bulldogs league club, as Ambriel had special membership with all the clubs, and the foursome were working through a lovely meal and drinking to their hearts content.

‘These are active times in the Realm of Eternity,’ said Ambriel.  ‘Valandriel, as you possibly know, is currently Realm overseer, and has been for a while now.  It is the tradition of each overseer to pick his successor, but apart from some aberrations right in the first Million years, we have generally chosen the next Angel in birth rank to take over as overseer.  Valandriel is twelfth born of the Angelic Seraphim, as you probably know, and this is the twelfth million year since the creation of home.’

‘So you are likely to be 60^th overseer,’ queried Boaz.  ‘In the 60 millionth years.’

‘Hopefully.  Things could change, so anything is possible, but if things go the way they have been going, then yes.’

‘So what happens when you get to the 70^th, to Davriel?’ queried Ruth.

Meludiel spoke up, her face beaming.  ‘Davriel assures everyone he won’t go straight to Semyaza, but that Elenniel will be his choice, should his turn come around.’

Ruth put two and two together.  ‘So will Rachel choose Semyaza, or will you repeat the Seraphim?’

‘That is a mystery,’ said Meludiel.

‘I am sure she will do the sensible thing and choose Semyaza, and the tradition will continue on for practically ever.’

‘If it is a million years for each of the cherubim’s turn as well, then that is one million times one million four hundred thousand.’

‘It is a big number, I know,’ said Ambriel.  ‘But time inevitably passes, doesn’t it.  We could be up to the turn of the Ketravim before we know it.’

‘Very funny,’ said Meludiel.

As they ate and drank and discusses vast time periods, a happy spirit, one which always watched over its son Ambriel, settled on the leagues club, and all seemed, at the time, well in the world.

* * * * *

They were once again out on Golden Lake, just near the jetty of Glimmersphon keep.  They were riding around on the pedal boats, which you pedalled to turn a wheel with rotors which powered the boat.  Boaz was pedalling gently, but Michael and Elenniel were a fair distance out, having the time of their lives from what Ruth could gather.  Ambriel and Meludiel had left them the night before, entrusting them to the hands of their other great-grandson to many generations, Michael Rothchild.

Eventually they had all returned to Glimmersphon and Dameriel brought in a round of drinks for them to partake of.

Sitting there Michael spoke up.  ‘Can you notice it?  The spirit of the place?’

Boaz nodded.  ‘Very old. Very welcoming.’

‘Yes, it is very friendly here,’ said Ruth.  ‘But there is something else.  A dark, quiet spirit. A questioning spirit. A very powerful spirit.’

‘Saruviel,’ responded Michael.  ‘His younger years. His years of philosophy, just before the first rebellion.’

‘You don’t speak of that much to us,’ said Boaz.  ‘What was he like.’

‘Oh, the seventh angel.  He is a challenge.  The ultimate challenge in many ways.  Really, there is a lot I could say, but I will sum it up like this.  Saruviel is the supreme of the drama of the soul.  The questing heart at its most extreme.  Yes, that is Saruviel.  But he has mellowed.  These days he is positively angelic and a delight to be around.’

Ruth spoke again.  ‘He was longing for something.  A consolation of the soul.’

‘I guess he found that,’ said Elenniel.  ‘He really was prayed for a great deal.’

‘That is good,’ responded Ruth.

‘So what is on for tomorrow?’ asked Boaz.  ‘You don’t have to get to work do you?’

Elenniel spoke up.  ‘Michael doesn’t really ever have to work again if he doesn’t want to.  He has a permanent Seraphim wage for being part of the angels who established the realm.  We Seraphim have worked for so long that God made this judgement on our behalf.  Nobody complains because it comes to everyone eventually.’

‘Well, what do you want to do, Boaz?  The Realm has much to offer, especially Zaphora.’

‘I would like,’ started Ruth.  ‘To climb to the uppermost point of Zaphon. To see the realm in all its glory.’

‘Then that is what we will do,’ said Michael.  ‘But, be warned.  There is a final tower right at the top which doesn’t use an elevator.  It has 1000 steps to reach the top, so be prepared for a climb.’

‘That should be fine,’ responded Ruth.

‘Do you think,’ continued Ruth.  ‘Do you think we could meet this Saruviel?  I would be interested in asking him some questions.’

‘We will have to travel to Kalphon.  But that is not a long trip.  Perhaps later in the week?’

‘That should be fine Michael.  I look forward to it.’

They continued with their drinks, before Michael invited Boaz to a game of pool and the ladies sat in Glimmersphon library, enjoying the sights of the room, and chatting lightly on life.

* * * * *

Climbing the tower had been challenging, but the view had been a spectacular reward.  You could see forever, practically, and the heart of eternity was like no other sight in the universe.

As Ruth and Boaz neared Kalphon in their vehicle, Boaz reminded her that Saruviel could be a very challenging sort of angel.  ‘I know we have already met him a few times, but remember he was Michael’s adversary.’

‘I don’t think we have anything to worry about, Bo.’

They parked in the parking lot of Kalphon keep and, coming to the reception area, they showed their passes and were guided to Saruviel’s office.  He was in today and was sitting at his computer.  As they entered he looked up, smiled, and came and joined them.

‘Coffee, Rebecca, if you don’t mind.’  His secretary nodded, and went off to make the coffee.

‘Well, Ruth.  It is so good to see you again.  How have you been faring?’

‘Quite well Alexander.’

‘Oh, please.  It is Saruviel while I am in the Realm of Eternity as is our custom.  On Televere I would naturally go by my human name, but in the Realm we follow the protocol of our angelic name.’

‘No problems.  I am doing remarkably well, Saruviel.’

They chatted smalltalk for a few moments, before Rebecca returned with a tray of coffee and biscuits.  ‘Would you care to join us,’ Saruviel asked Rebecca.

‘Oh, I don’t mind sitting in.’

‘Hello Rebecca.  My name is Ruth.’

‘The biblical Ruth, aren’t you.’

‘Yes.  That is me.’

‘Ooh.  That is a rare thing.  Meeting a biblical person.  I have met Moses a few times because he is good friends with Saruviel, but not really anyone else.’

‘Moses visits you a lot?’ queried Boaz to Saruviel.

‘We are very good friends,’ responded Saruviel.  ‘He truly is a meek man, as scripture says.  Humble.  I see why God chose him for his responsibilities.

‘Yes.  He is Supreme Chancellor of the Government on Televere,’ continued Boaz.  ‘It is like a governor general’s position in a way – mainly responsible to the crown and the guardian over the parliament and courts of law.’

‘Yes, I know his duties,’ responded Saruviel.  ‘I receive regular emails from him keeping me up to date with Televeran politics and life.  Televon is such a welcoming planet, you know.  Like New Terra it has become the heart of humanity, and it is a favourite place of mine for holidays.  Krystabel and myself visit every so often.

‘You will have to come and see us some time,’ said Ruth.  ‘I am sure you have our contact details.’

‘Yes, that would be marvelous.’

‘Saruviel.  I have some questions I would like to ask you,’ started Ruth.

‘Go ahead,’ responded the overseer of Kalphora.

‘It is about your time at Glimmersphon.  When you were younger.’

‘Oh, then,’ said Saruviel.

‘What exactly were you going through?  What are these changes which Michael speaks of.’

Saruviel looked thoughtful, and took a sip from his coffee.  He turned to Rebecca.  ‘You know, Rebecca, life often has dramatic moments hidden away in our hearts.  For so long now in the way you have known me I have been a friendly and regular enough sort of angel.  But in those early years, when everything was new.  Well, they were days of drama.  Believe me, they were days of drama.’  He turned back to Ruth.

‘I am an old Angel, Ruth.  One of the earliest of the Realm of Eternity.  And while Michael is older, I am not far from his age.  In a way, I guess, I thought back then I was the centre of the world.  The seventh born of the Seraphim. A special angel of Glory.  And I believed in my heart I had to set an example to the others.  And, in reflection in latter years, I came to understand that I was driven with a sense of perfection, of being all that I could be, and in that desire I came to question the fundamental meanings of life itself.’  He paused for a while, looking serious.

‘Yet I made a choice, back then.  I am not sure if it was the right choice.  I  really am not sure.  But it was the choice I made.’

‘Which was,’ asked Boaz.

‘I ate the forbidden fruit.  Technically it wasn’t forbidden to us angels at the time, just greatly discouraged until a much later time in our lives.  But what the fruit did for me was to present the possibilities of freedom to my soul.  The freedom of restraint from God’s protective laws to be able to do as one wished.  And because that knowledge of freedom was available to me I acted upon it.  But, and this may sound strange, in my defense I had never really chosen any true evil.  There were dark choices and hard choices.  But my motivations were towards goodness, ultimately.  And God himself has never truly suggested that I had acted in evil.  Satan himself has made many dark and evil choices over his life, but even he has mellowed somewhat.  What I can say is this – those days were a learning experience.  If I had to live them over again, God help me, I wouldn’t choose any other way.  For the fruit of the knowledge is wisdom which I am so grateful I now have.  The changes, Ruth, were of my own volition, yet inevitably influenced by my gain in knowledge.  They were dramatic times, it is true, but life has gone on, which it inevitably does, and new life springs forth in the Realms of God.’  He left off speaking, staring out at the scenery of Kalphon, lost in his memories.

Eventually Ruth spoke up.

‘Thank you Saruviel.  Thank you for that wisdom.’

He remained silent, but managed a nod.

Later on, after they had dined with Saruviel, and were on their way back to Zaphon, Ruth reflected on the seventh angel.  He had learned from his experiences.  That much was apparent.  Yet his soul was still enshrouded, Ruth felt, with the power of those choices, for his wisdom gave him a power, a stature, a spirit, which truly was grand and great, and meeting him in all his glory was a most unforgettable experience.

* * * * *

Arriving home in Paradision, Ruth reflected over her month long holiday in the Realm of Eternity.  Ambriel had been a joy, as he always was, and Michael had been as polite as ever.  But there was one figure – Saruviel – who she couldn’t get out of her mind.  He was truly a powerful angel, someone to not be soon forgotten.  And she sensed something within him – a spirit of protection, one which cared for every living creature, and saw all as valuable and cherished in the heart and plans of God.  And so, because of that, she prayed for Saruviel’s blessing that night.  She prayed and decided that she would continue to pray for him over the week and months ahead.  He was an unforgettable angel, and she looked forward to meeting him again one day.  To meeting him and learning more of the mind and thoughts of the Seventh Male Seraphim Angel of the Realm of Eternity.

* * * * *

The ball went through the sticks.  He never really failed these days.  And that was what it was like, these days.  They had lost their way, the church.  Looking for meaning.  And suddenly Islam seemed appealing.  Suddenly their muslim friends, who loved Jesus the prophet, looked appealing.  But that cherubim, that Daniel fellow, well, he was unconquerable.  He never quit.  And while a new war had begun for Hosannuel, the thirteenth, the devil himself in number, it was a war he prayed to Allah he would win.  For justice beckoned, and the truth was at stake.

* * * * *

Ruth was Moabite in origin.  Moab was the tribe descended from Lot, along with their brother tribe of Ammon.  Lot was Abraham’s nephew.

What that meant for Ruth was that she was of the Hebrew people, like Abraham.  Hebrews were named after ‘Eber’ who was 14^th in the line of Adam, through Shem.  Eber had developed the Hebrew language when the nations of the world were divided at the time of Babel.

As a Hebrew Ruth still enjoyed a favoured position amongst the Israelite community. Hebrews were treated as a distinct group amongst the children of Noah, with their own tradition of peculiar Noahide faith.  God had chosen Abraham amongst the Hebrew people, and had worked for a long time to develop a holy Hebrew culture.  Eber was a figure of rest – the second Sabbath.  Enoch represented the first Sabbath, being seventh in the line of Adam, and the growing religious community of the ‘Branch of Enoch’ was becoming more and more important in the spiritual affairs of mankind.  Enoch was rest, as was Eber.  Of course, the third Sabbath of rest belonged to Isaac, and Isaac’s seed was Edom and Israel, two quarrelling brothers.  Exodus 4:22 taught that Israel was God’s son, so in a sense, as the third Sabbath, Isaac typed God, being the human father of the entire people of Israel.

Of course, Ruth had accepted the people of Israel as her special people, having been Bat Mitzvahed.  But Eber had worked for a very long time now, and had gradually been wooing Ruth to come and join her family for some Hebrew celebrations.  So, as she and Boaz drove along to the capital city of Androma, known as Androvon, Ruth was looking forward very much to the Hebrew gathering and again meeting her great-grand-father to a number of generations, Eber.

‘We should be there soon,’ commented Boaz.  ‘I guess you are probably excited.’

Ruth was looking out the window, staring at the cows in the fields and the countryside scenery on the outskirts of Androvon.

‘Oh, you know Boaz.  Exciting is one word, but not quite.  More happy. Quietly happy to see the family once more.’

‘So many Hebrews in one place.  There should be a law against it,’ said Boaz with a smirk on his face.

‘Very funny,’ responded Ruth.

As they drove, though, Ruth really was quite excited.  As Boaz put it, so many Hebrews under one roof.  It was something to greatly look forward to, and her heart anticipated the friendships she had already made and the new ones which would come forth.

* * * * *

Boaz looked up at the giant banner.  ‘Hebrews of Androma – Annual Gathering’.  It was splayed over the vast entrance the giant conference centre, and the carpark had been full of cars and Hebrews, all chatting merrily as they made there way to the conference grounds.

Ruth didn’t really recognize anybody, but there were many looks at herself and you could hear the odd voice saying ‘That is Ruth, isn’t it.’

They made there was inside and Boaz noted they had arrived about on time for the first day’s celebrations, 3 in the afternoon.  It was informal chit-chat until 6 when dinner was served, following that a night of celebration, song and feasting – a true Hebrew celebration.

When they came to the reception area for the main hall a lady quickly came and introduced herself and guided them to one of the head tables.  They were both known from face and obviously expected.

Ruth found herself chatting to one of Eber’s grand-daughters and her Jewish husband and she was fast becoming friends with her.

As 5.30 ticked over Eber finally arrived and everyone shouted his name.  Shortly he made his opening speech.

‘Family, children.  Here we are again.  This celebration has been going on for so long now, but we are really now starting to become quite popular.  It seemed that for so long we were viewed as essentially either Jewish or Noahide by the mainstream community, but knowledge of our special place in the heart of God is becoming more and more widespread throughout the universe.  We are the Hebrews.  A special people, fathers of the Abrahamic faiths, and an important part of the plans of El Shaddai.  This gathering, ages old now, has seen endless speeches on the importance of Hebrew faith and its place in the world, so I won’t go over any old territory this time.  I just want to welcome you all here and remind you of our special guest who we haven’t seen for a few centuries.  Ruth is with us once again, so I would ask you all to give her a warm applause and welcome her to our celebration.’

The Hebrews all clapped warmly and there whistles and voices yelling ‘Way to go Ruthie,’ and the like.

‘Now, let us get on with our dinner and enjoy the night.  There will be plenty of dance and song, and plenty of feasting for us all to enjoy the pleasures that God provides for us.’

The master of ceremonies appeared, signalled for the band to begin, and the night got under way.  It was traditional Hebrew fair, and there was a warm buzz around the hall, all terribly excited to be in each other’s company again, enjoying the celebration of peculiarly Hebrew culture.

* * * * *

‘So what is the meaning of life, dear Eber?’

The father of the Hebrews, steadily consuming his fourth draft of ale for the evening, considered Boaz’s question.

‘People often like to complicate something which, really, is incredibly simple dear Boaz.  Good food, good women, good song.  That sums it up.’

Should I ask the band to sing ‘Wine, Women and Song?’ queried Boaz, a subtle grin on his face.

‘Very funny,’ responded Boaz.

‘Surely there is more for you blessed men than chasing us of the fairer sex.  What about God and faith and loving your neighbour and so on?  The truths of Torah?’

‘Which all have the purpose of facilitating a greater diet.  The more friends you have the more potential cooks at dinner time.’

Ruth smirked at Eber’s sarcasm.

‘You can not possibly be serious,’ she said.

‘But isn’t that, in the end, when we complain the most, dearest Ruth?  When we are starving?’

‘I suppose,’ she replied.

‘Oh, I know life is full of all sorts of wondrous things to keep ourselves busy with.  An endless supply of movies, CDs, books and shows all to entertain us.  Board games, computer games, hobbies and work.  All of those things are important too.  But have you noticed just how important the nightly meal really is.  A time to savour good food and sit down and reflect on the day’s hustle and bustle.  That is why a good wife who can cook well is so vitally important, and I recommend strongly to all my sons to find a wife who can cook well.’

‘A bit sexist, don’t you think Eber?  We have modernised somewhat from those older value.’

‘Not all of us, grand-daughter.  Take Noah.  He is totally entrenched in the ancient ways.  Won’t budge from them, so he tells me.  They were values which worked.  Were people knew their roles and could delight in them.  Oh, naturally, I understand feminism and all the objections of so many women for a greater place in society, but the traditional old ways work well simply because they just do.  They are natural, and men aren’t trying to lord it over women.  It is the simple way we are as people.’

‘I suppose,’ responded Ruth.  ‘But we aren’t stupid, you know.’

‘Believe me dear Ruth, I am patently aware of that fact.  Anyway,’ he said, lifting his ale glass.  ‘To Ruth, for her feminine wisdom.’  The table lifted their glasses and Ruth accepted the compliment with true feminine grace.

Later that night, when the dancing had mostly died down, and the band were playing requests, it was a sombre and happy mood over the gathering.  Ruth was feeling, truly, loved.  So many had come and introduced themselves to her, asking of her welfare and lifes fortunes, and she had quite a number of new email contacts.  She could imagine, perhaps, coming again next year, but probably not.  It was such a hectic time and needed so much reflection later on, that she could only come irregularly.  She needed time to think on her Hebrew faith and fitting it into her Jewish community.  Sure, she had reconciled the two, and was a firm child of Israel.  But her Hebrew roots would not let her go and, in her heart, she knew she would never let them go either.

Sitting there, the band playing on, she looked at her husband, winked at him, and took another sip of champagne in a night which would be in her heart for many years to come.

* * * * *

As they drove along home, steadily making their way back to Paradision, Ruth looked out the window.  Her mind was alive with some of the words of Eber, in the way he seemed to sum up everything about life in his conversations with her.  The simplicity of life, he had stressed.  It could be as complicated as you wanted it to be, or again, as simple as you wanted it to be.  But there were certain constants.  You needed food, clothing and shelter.  The basic needs of life.  Fortunately on Televere these things were technically available at no cost if you were in difficult circumstances.  It was a mandatory part of the law – you would be provided for eternally if you were incapable of looking after yourself or found yourself in difficult circumstances from time to time.  They provided for all their citizens and you had safety in Televere.  Eternal safety.

Yet, work was likewise obligatory on top of this when you were capable.  It was not demanding work, and the economy flowed well.  There were privileges for long service, and much flexibility in having time off if things came up which people wanted to devote themselves to for a while.

And, after that, life filled itself in with entertaining things to do and enjoyable places to go.  It all took care of itself in the end, in the words of Eber.

Ruth supposed that that was pretty much what life was all about.  Filling it in with nice things to do and being happy about it all.  God had provided his religious teaching to ensure a strong commitment to kindness and love, which brought joy to the heart.  And of course angelicdom had been created for humans to be able to enjoy a superlatively spiritual environment, as found in the realms of Infinity and Eternity and so one, from time to time.  Really, it seemed as if most issues were addressed.

And really, it was as simple as that, Ruth thought to herself.  Life could be as simple as you wanted it to be or as complex as you wanted it to be.  It all depended on you.  And, of course, the icing on the cake was finding a partner, a love interest, someone to share your passions, your love, your life with.  She looked at her husband Boaz, driving along, perhaps noticing her gaze, but comfortable with her after their aeons long relationship.  In him she had consolation – quiet consolation of a soul committed to the eternal.  A man of God who would not mess around with her, but who would remain devoted, eternally as he so claimed, to her life and welfare.  Really, life was complete in the partner she had found for herself.

And, lastly of all, her blessed children.  They visited regularly, and emailed her all the time.  Many of them on Televere, and many scattered here and there around the universe, building up their own lives, building up their own legacy.  She was proud and thankful for each and every one of them.  They were the final part of a life which was, as Ruth felt, complete.  Every thing she needed was provided for, and she really, in truth, had no need to worry.  No need to be concerned about the hustles and bustles of everyday life.

As she looked at the fields passing by she thought on all of that wisdom and, in a sudden spirit of true gratefulness, she mouthed a few quiet alleluias, and leaned over against her husband, enjoying the strong hands which were guiding her home.

Everything really was well in the life of Ruth.  Everything was complete.  And all that laid ahead was the future, still as yet unknown, still beckoning her onwards, ever onwards, in the exploration of that great and grand mystery of the thing called life.  And she was ever truly grateful because of it.

Chapter Five

‘And that explains why Jesus Christ is the son of the living god and why revelation takes time.  Sometimes quite some time.  But thing’s don’t fail in the end, and the word of God will have its days.’

Later on that day Isaiah was speaking with Loquiel on some of the finer perspectives on the ethics of delusion, yet the generally agreed that what had been said so far was what should be said, and they left it at that.  But the world was new again, renewed, born with a new hope, not like the older one, and on they marched, on to the days of glory which lay ahead.  And Canada smiled and rested on its maple leaf flag, a simple flag, and Loquiel just laughed in his heart.

* * * * *

‘I didn’t know who I was supposed to be, at fifteen.’

Cosadriel stopped the CD, looked through the window, and smiled to himself. They were happy again. They were happy. The church was restored, her faith intact, and the madness gone. Azrael had sworn he wasn’t an idiot, and Jude did nothing but keep the faith. For a googolplexian of years if I have to, okay. If I have to.’ And that seemed to satisfy them. Most anyway.

* * * * *

‘Which is the main reason we finally let go of the book. It was discussed and discussed and discussed and, finally, if the tradition really did last, and if it was meant to be, and if that particular viewpoint had been correct all along, then the 26 seemed fine. But what lay ahead, well nobody really knew for sure.’

Cosadriel nodded. Father Bjorg’s education over the last few millennia had been invaluable, as Cosadriel had delved deeper and deeper into his Christian faith. His church – the Reformed Scandinavian Lutheran Church of Iceland – a church he had been baptized into as an infant, had been one of the leading churches in, as they argued, restoring the original canon to the Christian church by the removal of the book of Revelation, the 27^th book of the New Testament for most branches of Christianity. The view, repeated over and over again in sermons, was that the Revelation had been a book of imagination, not divinely inspired, and the fact there was considerable debate before the original inclusion of the book into the canon spoke volumes. The Reformed Scandinavian Lutheran Church of Iceland saw things differently, and the influence had been enormous when they had printed off their new bibles.

Jesus, from the Vatican, had this comment. ‘The Church of Iceland has acted in accordance with good and proper faith, with obviously rationale and thought out reason, and the wisdom of their judgement on this issue will be seen in the fullness of time.’ And that had been all that Jesus had said. He neither confirmed the decision, nor rejected it and, from Cosadriel’s own words with him recently, he wasn’t about to give any firm answers to questions on the subject himself anyway. ‘Christian unity is quite important to me,’ though, was one last comment the Christ had to say to Cosadriel, in quite a mysterious sounding way. Cosadriel had been baffled.

* * * * *

Cosadriel pushed the button and, as he had been promised it would, the toilet flushed perfectly, got rid of all his crap and, as he left, quite a pleasant smell from certain deodorants were wafting into the executive toilet, beautifying the smell of what had, just previously, been the result of a rather decadent feasting session with some old friends – Cosadriel’s crew – to continue the month long celebrations that had been going on upon Cosadriel’s ascension to the highest position of honour in the realm of eternity, overseer of the entire realm, with the traditional abdication of the prior inhabitant of the position, dear old Loquiel, who happily transferred the precious and coveted executive toilet key into dear Coasdriel’s hand, the traditional symbol of heir apparent to the role which, so far in its long history, apart from the initial deviations somewhat in the first Arc of the realm’s history, had consistently been falling to each male Seraphim of Eternity in rank of birth and, so far, each had faithfully undertaken the full million years of service before handing on the responsibility to the successor. It was still not law – it was still only tradition to do as such – but the boys had all been traditional so far, and Cosadriel had no intention of messing with the tradition. It had ultimately rewarded him, after all.

He locked the toilet behind him, as he had already decided he would enjoy the privilege reserved for the overseer all by himself. Not even Michael, should the daft sod show up, would he extend the infamous graces of Gabriel in allowing him full usage of not only the toilet, but the executive fridge. Thinking on the fridge, he was suddenly hungry, bent down, found Cindradel’s famed cold pizza and coca cola supply sitting prettily on the top shelf, took it out, went to the exec desk, sat down, clicked on his PC, looking at his priority emails from Cindradel, and munched away, in a world of his own.

* * * * *

‘If you really do believe, don’t forget to pray for me.’ Cosadriel sang along to the track, resting on his bed in Zaphon tower, in the upper dormitories reserved for the original Seraphim, in what was known as ‘Michael’s dorm’ which was always utilized by the current overseer. The song was ‘Pray’ from the album XV by Kings X. Their 15^th album, with the roman numerals of XV – 15 – to indicate as such. But that was 15 for Cosadriel, starting to become somewhat more important, unlike in earlier years when it was a minor concern of angels like Daniel for his 45 and slightly 60 for Ambriel. It was ironic – Daniel’s name in English in Ordinal equivalents exactly equalled 45, and Ambriel’s name exactly equalled 60 in ordinal equivalent’s, both also representing their positions of rank amongst the male Seraphim in terms of birth. Cosadriel’s own ordinal equivalent number was 86, and he often fussed about ‘86’s, but he was mainly focusing on 15 for now, as that was his birthrank. He supposed there were other bands out there which had named their 15^th album ‘XV’, but he hadn’t chanced on one yet. Still, no matter. Of course, the song Fifteen by Taylor Swift, the pretty American country singer, was also a major favourite, and she had sung it for him once. Another lucky 15. There was another – the Psalmic Book of Ascents from the Bible – psalms 120 to 134. 15 psalms about ascending to God in worship and praise. Something which, for Cosadriel, was starting to become more and more important.

He stared at the ceiling, lying there in Zaphon tower, countless cubits upwards from the solid earth far down below at the base, thinking of nothing in particular, just enjoying himself, and his new glory.

It was not something, though, in the end which Cosadriel had sought out in any great way – overseersmanship. He had assumed for a long while now that it would simply come to him in his turn, and in fact it had. But, while he was certainly ready to enjoy his tenure and accomplish some suitable goals to be remembered for, he really had no great ambitions for the role more than that. Daniel – there was an angel who anticipated his glory greatly. He always had done, but that was Daniel. Ambriel, apparently, had many great plans in mind for his ultimate glory. Good for him. But, for humble Cosadriel, it was a term of glory, but not the be all and end all of Cosadriel’s existence – of Cosadriel’s life. But Magnus was like that, he thought in his heart. Magnus, his human first name, had always been somewhat humble in terms of real glories of office. On the sporting field, that was an entirely different issue, especially when in competition with the ever frustrating Azrael who never seemed to go away – and perhaps never should, for although he wouldn’t say it much, Cosadriel was fond of him terribly in an adversarial sort of way. Out there, in the real world as Cosadriel put it in his heart, there were no mercies to be shown, and the prouder the better, for that inspired fear in the opposition. But, when it came to service of God, you had to in the end – you had to show yourself a man, and serve humbly, doing the will of the Most High. It was a position of responsibility after all, looking after other people, and Sporticus should know better than anyone else just how important it was to maintain a safe and healthy society, for people to get along well with each other, to be friendly and caring and concerned for others, to have a good and safe time. And Sporticus was the example which Cosadriel knew he needed to maintain, his early name in starry lights on the TV screen entertaining millions of kids. The show still ran, often of course, and he had neverending guest appearances on various kids’ shows, doing the Sporticus lines, fighting rotten Robbie, and generally having a fun time. Yes, Sporticus seemed to have known what it was all about, and from that example Cosadriel would undertake his role of overseersmanship with professionalism, care, good behaviour, and watchful concern for any other rotten Robbie’s who could potentially threaten the happy lifestyle of the residents of the Realm of Eternity.

He bit into an apple – sports candy – continued singing along to the music, and escaped into the world of Cosadriel, were things ran perfectly for the most part, apart from the hazards of Azrael’s and rotten Robbie’s.

* * * * *

Jude was the 26^th book of the New Testament. The 26^th and final book of the New Testament of the Reformed Scandinavian Lutheran Church of Iceland. And Jude himself – brother of Jesus Christ – was one of the more passionate overseers of the community, Apostle over the Church as designate by Jesus recently, to oversee the stabilization of the tradition of the 26 books of the canon to ensure, whatever debates may come, that the Church did not fall into any greater infighting over doctrinal positions than they were already quite infamous for. But, despite having confidence in his brother Jude, Jesus feared the wrath of Azrael, and his determination to keep faith in the book of Armageddon. The conflict which had been building, really, could be serious soon. That was life with the Challenger in your church. Azrael was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland – proud and true – and, along with Father Scotland, was one of the more famous Presbyterian’s to grace eternity. And the Presbyterian church was adamant, in its opposition of the Icelandic heresy, that the 27 books of the Canon of the New Testament were predestined, eternal, the irrevocable and undeniable will of El Shaddai and that all views to the contrary, especially those of the Icelandic nemeses, were the diatribe of the dark lord himself. These here looked like crazy times.

Jesus himself was of a few minds on the issue. Firstly, he encouraged both communities to keep the faith. That much was never in dispute. But he would speak of the mysteries of God and the Wisdom of the Most High and that who, in the end, could fathom the will of he who was. Which had the affect, in reality, as people liked to believe what was most convenient to them, of justifying both parties viewpoints in their hearts, which, funnily enough, was the exact intention of Jesus of Nazareth. Not that he would share that with anyone.

Jude enjoyed his work and while, ever alert of the wisdom of his brother James that God rebukes the proud and gives grace to the humble, he was just starting to become a little bit proud at finding his work the culmination of the grand epic of God’s word. Just a little bit. Nevertheless, such was his current Apostleship based on, and Cosadriel was favourable for that truth as well.

He was sitting at his desk, found a priority email from a close friend in the church suddenly arriving, and clicked on it.

Interesting 26’s.

Boxing Day. When we give away the presents we don’t need.

The number of Letters in the English Alphabet.

In ordinal equivalent’s in Gematria and Numerology the value of the word ‘God’ in English.

The list went on, but Cosadriel looked at the third one. God’s name in English ordinal equivalents. Interesting. Of course, the Jews went on no end about the importance of Gematria – the whole basis of that idea – so this could prove interesting information in future discussions. Perhaps the divine sanction of God, in the end, after all for the 26 books as English had become the dominant language of the Scriptures. Very, very interesting, Cosadriel thought to himself, skimming through the rest of the email.

* * * * *

For the first time in the Rabbi’s life he considered their perspective.  ‘Interesting, father. Interesting.  But does it really affect us?  Does it really?’

‘I think you will see in destiny that it seems to be what is meant to happen.  Every dog has its day, every craving needs something to fill it, and Jesus is dedicated.  It just seems to be in the end.’

‘I’ll consider it.  This has been a long debate, but I’ll consider it.  We’ll get back to you.’

‘Thanks.’

 * * * * *

‘Possibly,’ said Michael.

‘And that is what eternal life is sort of all about to begin with.  You have seen for yourself, now, haven’t you.  You have seen them fade away, haven’t you.  And look at him, serving in humility, working for all his church, doing the dog’s body work.  But, you see those crosses they wear, don’t you.  And you see them quote John 17 don’t you.  And you see those others gone from us now, don’t you.  For they fade away, with no commitment, with no endurance, with no love Michael.  For love unites us and binds us together.  And Jesus is committed, and that is really about it.  That is really about it.’

‘We’ll see at number 21.  And we will see on this issue of commitment, Callodyn.  We will see.’

‘Hey, bastard.  I am at number 228.  And David is at fucking number 229.  So watch you’re fucking mouth, maggot.  Or I will get pissed one day.’

Michael backed down.  That was about enough of that.  His pride had gone on long enough

* * * * *

Gamrayel had enjoyed his million years as overseer of Zaphon and the Realm of Eternity.  But, alack, alas, nothing lasted forever, and it was time for a change.  Time to give the key over to Semambarel who had patiently served, long anticipating his days of glory.  The Mexican fellow really was coming along these days in terms of perseverance and holiness.  He had developed a good attitude of fidelity to God and his ways, and was showing strong compassion for those who hurt.  Of course, his traditional Mexican softness and humility shone through, and for the 18^th angel Seraphim male of Eternity, the year you became a man in a sense, Gamrayel found he who was the penultimate voice of the Seraphim Torah the most sensible choice indeed.

He didn’t actually have to make the flight.  It was early in the morning, and he had just risen, and heard a knock at the door.  It was Semambarel.  ‘Uh, yes brother?’ queried Gamrayel.

The Mexican looked rather snappy, dressed up in his best, and with a grin on his face.  ‘Look, Gammy.  The million years snapped over just 5 minutes ago.  I was going to knock straight away, but God told me to be patient.  Anyway, I know you refused to ever speak on the subject, but if I am your man, can I please have the key?’

Gamrayel smiled.  Should he torture the fellow?  Should he?  He walked over to his bed, sat down, opened a drawer, grabbed the key, and came back to Semambarel.

‘Now brother – you have had a run of 17 Overseers pretty consistently following established traditions and not messing around with things too much.  God likes consistency, as you should know, so no great surprises, okay?’

‘Don’t worry.  I’ll keep it simple.  So, can I have the key?’

Gamrayel looked at him, thought it over, and handed him the key.  ‘You can make the announcement yourself.  I’ll just confirm it later on in the week.  Now skedaddle.’

‘Thanks,’ said Semambarel taking the key, and rushing off instantly.  His glory awaited and he knew it.  But that was life as a ‘Morning Star’.  That was life.

* * * * *

Ruth sat on the edge of her bed, in her bedroom, in her abode in Paradision on Televere, looking through memories.  Looking through some of the assorted photographs that her and Boaz had taken on their long sojourn together.  They took photos sparsely – in an eternal life the need was not great to take them so much anymore, unlike their very early years on Televere.  But over the many millions of years in her time with Boaz on Paradision she had accumulated collections from time to time of dear and precious memories.  The stuff of her eternal existence.

She took out one old and tattered photo, one she had looked at countless times.  It was the two of them down on the Antarctic continent of Televere, braving the freezing cold in an igloo for a week.  It had been a challenge by a friend, and while they had survived on fish from Boaz’s fishing, they had survived – just.  She felt like she had conquered so many fears in life in that week – like she was ready for anything almost.

She looked at another photo.  An innocent one, not really anything really, just a shopping mall in Androvon, the capital of Androma, the country continent they lived on.  But the day the photo had been taken she had fallen pregnant with a special child, young Kerry, who really was sweet and dear to her heart.  One of her most beloved children.

Another photo spoke of their time with Albert Rothchild, King of Televere, and his glamorous life as a Royal amongst men.  She was related to Albert, of course.  She was his distant grandmother.  He was a kind, goodly heart.  Very caring, very sensible.  He had been King of Televere for most of its duration, taking over from his father who, for various reasons, had decided on an abdication.  They were latter offspring of David Rothchild, her great grandson, the Messiah – Seraphim Ambriel of Eternity.  As such they had been the popular choice of family for the Monarchy in the early days of Televere.  Nobody had really opposed it then, and it was an accepted fact of life now.  In this photo he was toasting Boaz at a formal celebration.  They had enjoyed that limelight for a while, revelling in their fame, being seen by all.  But the simple life had returned.  The regular life of eternity.  And they were just another long lived couple as she saw it, not really any different from anyone else.

As she looked through the photos tears came to her eyes.  Tears of sorrow, tears of joy. Tears of fond memories, and sad regrets.  Her life was in these photos in so many ways, and they always brought that tear to her eye.  But, no.  She wiped her eyes with a hankie, put the photos away, and went off to return to her ironing.  She could reminisce at any time, but the humdrum of life always called her back to its steady routine.  But, thinking on her photos, she planned something in an instant.  Time to again make some memories.  Time to make some treasured recollections.  And she would have another photographic journal, something she had done on occasions previously.  And it would be joyous and it would be good.  And it would turn over another episode in the eternal life of Ruth, wife of Boaz.

* * * * *

She looked at the wild looking man, full of passion, half naked apart from his swimmers, ready to take on Boaz’s dare.

‘Very well, simple Jewish man.  I shall.’  And he did.

Half way down the 100 metre diving drop to the ocean below Ruth was very, very lucky to get a photo of the islander, in all his glory, ready to taste salt water at a 100 miles per hour.  She had thought about chiding Boaz for the dare, but she had not seriously thought the islander would go through with the jump.  But he had, and they would have something to talk about all week.

Later on that night they were dining with ‘James’ and his family, who said he was feeling fine after his grand diving escapade.

‘To tell you the truth, Boaz, I had done the dive a number of times previously.

Boaz nodded.

‘But surely the impact must have been severe,’ commented Ruth.

‘Us Fijians are made of tough stuff,’ responded James.

Ruth smiled.  That much indeed seemed true.

They dined well that night, tasting fine Fijian fare, out on island near the equator of Televon, also called Fiji after its earthly counterpart.  For the most part the residents of the island were Fijian Jehovah’s Witnesses from earth, the main branch of Christianity which found its home on Televere.  Her grand-son, Ambriel, had once commented to her that the spirit of the Kingdom Hall citizens was a Unitarian one and the important issue of the unity of God was more closely addressed in this particular Christian denomination as opposed to other Trinitarian bodies.

Of course, Trinitarianism still survived on earth, as most of the established Christian movements, while somewhat recognizing David Rothchild as a Messiah of sorts, had not quite caved in the end to the relinquishing of their traditions.  While, as they came to the heavenlies, the Trinitarian notion and the deity of Jesus were soundly taught as error to all such former Trinitarian Christians, Ambriel’s judgement had been that for Televere, which was to be a very important spiritual home for Israel in the heavenlies, only those arrivals from earth which had acknowledged the unity of God on earth would make suitable citizens for their own particular special homeworld.  There were Muslims, too, on Televere, but not a great deal, and mostly the Sufis, which Ambriel seemed to be fond of.  They seemed less adverse, in David’s thinking, to Israel’s prosperity.

There were also a strong smattering of Christadelphians, who likewise acknowledged God’s unity, and Ruth had slowly been making friends from this community.

Their host, James, had come from a dedicated family of the Watchtower, and he was a true gentleman, entertaining them well into the night with his brave exploits.

It was a good time, and what Ruth had been looking for, but more fun still awaited on their current little holiday sojourn.

 * * * * *

‘Dolphins!  I never knew we had dolphins on Televere.’

‘Only here at our facility.  Waterworld imported them only a few centuries back after we gained approval from the Government.  We can’t release them into the wild, of course, but we are allowed to keep them here in captivity for the time being.  Well, do you want to ride them?’

‘Are you serious?’ asked Ruth.

‘Totally.  Believe me they are well trained.’

Sebastian, the host who was showing them around Waterworld, guided Ruth over to a section of the pool and pushed a sonic button which instantly summoned two dolphins.  And, carefully, standing on braces attached around the dolphin’s midriffs, Ruth, slowly, carefully, skied around the pool on 2 dolphins’ back.  Boaz was photographing her avidly, laughing all the time, and Ruth was all smiles.  Eventually she yelled ‘Here goes,’ and dived off their backs into the water.  The dolphins swam around her, making the noises dolphin’s make, and she was so happy that she didn’t have a care in the world.

Later on, ironically eating fish at a restaurant overlooking the ocean just up from Waterworld, Boaz toasted his wife.  ‘To Ruth. The best dolphin surfer this side of Androvon.’  And she smiled incessantly.

*   *   *   *   *

It was one week later, and they were climbing Mt Ragnarok, the highest mountain on Androma, higher even than Mt Everest on Earth.  It was a fearsome climb, and they were by no means attempting to reach the summit, which was a hell of a climb, but they were happy enough hiking up to the traditional base camp from a lower resort town, up to the hotel which had magnificent views of the valley and Karnavaar mountain ranges.

The fresh mountain air livened up her soul, and as she climbed and gazed around her at the beautiful and natural scenery she reminded herself that she really needed to do this more often.

They reached base camp and the hotel, which they could have driven up to had they needed to, but which would have defeated the whole purpose of their climb, and booked into a room overlooking the mountain.  They made love that night, and the following morning, feeling the alpine spirit all around her, Ruth was in a state of quiet bliss.  What next on their getaway?

*   *   *   *   *

They were at the bottom of a gold mine running deep under the Karnavaar ranges, following their host along a lit track.

‘Here, in the heart of Televere, we find what we think is the best gold in the universe.  But perhaps that is just bragging.’

Ruth and Boaz smiled.  They had paid well for the personal guided tour down the mine and were enjoying all the insights their host had offered them.

Soon they were digging around, searching for gold with their pics, and Ruth kept bragging she would find a nugget.  Boaz smiled, wished her well, but it was his own pic which picked out a small, but decent sized solid gold nugget.  Jason, their host, took it from him, examined him, and nodded.  ‘That’s gold alright.’

‘You mean we can keep it,’ said Boaz.

‘Sure.  We often have people find a little piece on our tours, and we usually let them keep the stuff – unless it is a major find, that is.’

‘Of course,’ said Boaz, holding the gold nugget up to the light.

They were happy all day, and later on, back in their alpine hotel room they reminisced about how such an exciting 3 weeks it had been, but both anxiously looked forward to getting home back to Paradision.  They had completed Ruth’s purposes, and built up new memories to savour for many years to come yet.

 * * * * *

She put down the album, full of pictures from their travels last month, sitting in her rocking chair, gentle rocking, thinking over life.  She would remember this, how she planned out to take them on new adventures, and how it had proven successful.  Simple ideas, really – just looking for new things to try, but also revisiting familiar themes from past years.  So much of it to her now was the circle of life, going over familiar ground, but somehow in that circle it always seemed fresh and new, as if, while they were treading down well worn pathways of life, they were treading them down with new insight and fresh understanding.

She could never imagine herself bored, now, and somehow the routine, once viewed as something which might become predictable, actually started to look appealing ironically just because of that.

And suddenly she had so much she wanted to do, to say, to be, again and again.  So much to live for.

She stood, walked outside, and it was raining a little, she raised her hands up into the rain, twirled around, and just felt happy with all things that were.

And inside Boaz gazed on with silent wonder at just what had gotten into his beloved.

Chapter Six 

Semambarel was finished.  Finished, completed, and done.  One Million years.  Phew.  What a million.  Of course, it was becoming quite a tradition now, quite a tradition indeed, and coming to his dear brother Jontel’s abode, a fine Sabbath afternoon, Jontel was on the front porch, looking up at him as he approached.

‘You’re late,’ said Jontel.  ‘At least 3 hours late.’

‘Sorry about that Jonny.  I guess I don’t really need to say anything now.  Here’s the key.’  He handed over the executive toilet key to Jontel, who smiled.  ‘Toiletries will never quite be the same again,’ he said sarcastically.  Semambarel grinned, sat down, and looked at the sky.  ‘A good day for it.  Do you expect to be in Zaphon tonight?’

‘Perhaps,’ said Jontel.  ‘Perhaps. But, unlikely.  I have business at the moment, but I will be there within a few weeks.  It should be an exciting time.  A time patiently waited for, but now here.’

‘Watch that Daniel,’ said Semambarel.  ‘He is usually no end of trouble.’

‘I’ll watch him.’

‘Good.  Good.  And remember, responsibility.  It is mostly just that, just being a bit more responsible than usual, and people are pretty forgiving after that.  Just don’t let the team down.’

‘Understood.’

‘Well, good.  I’ll be going then.’  He got up, gave Jontel a final wave, and flew off.

As he watched him disappear Jontel was relieved.  He hadn’t had to wait too long since the million was up, and now the job was his.  A time, finally, to see some things done. Finally, a time for action.

*   *   *   *   *

Michael sat in the bar, on the edge of Canbraphora, drinking whiskey, smoking a cigarette, and looking very cool.  It was noon.  They should be here shortly.

A little later on the other 2 in the posse arrived.  Ambriel and Meludiel.  The team was ready.  ‘Ok, Ambs.  I know you have waited a life time, but we are ready now.  Quite a number of Arcs ago a certain agenda was agreed upon by 6 of the Seraphim of Eternity.  The firstborn 6 in fact.  And that was ‘The Daniel Agenda’.  For we desire a sweet vengeance upon our brother for certain prophetical words which caused no end of anxiety for a number of senior angels.  Anyway, to cut a long story short, this is the location in Zaphon library and the index number.  Please ensure Daniel is with you when you happen to ‘Stumble’ upon this text.  Oh, and Meludiel.  Have Brindabel authenticate the age of the text, would you.  That much is really quite important to our plans.’

Meludiel nodded.  She would obey her brothers request and wreak havoc on her beloved.  Of that there could be no doubts.

‘So this is the name of the text?  Quite ironic, really.’

‘Oh, it is just the beginning.  For we have a cunning and sweet revenge to play on our dear brother.  It shall be, dear Ambriel, the Rise and Fall of Daniel the Seraphim.  Of that you can surely have no doubts, dear brother.  Of that you can surely have no doubts.’

And Ambriel smiled.

*   *   *   *   *

‘Now, Valandriel.  Remember this fact.  God rested on the 7^th day.’

‘What is your point, dear brother.’

‘Well Saruviel has a strange sense of justice, as bizarre as that may sound.  And in his sense of justice he has spoken words to me, forewarning me of a certain agenda.  A certain ‘Daniel Agenda’.

‘And how does he know of this agenda?’ asked Valandriel.

‘A little birdy told him, apparently.  Regardless, the details are thus.  The agenda has been planned by Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel and Phanuel in a mission of revenge for the prophecies of Daniel.  The mission involves, in the first instance, ‘The Prophecies of Michael, Seraphim of Eternity.’  And from there unfolds into five subsequent sets of prophecies, concluding with Phanuel.  But Saruviel, who knows the contents of such scrolls already, has charted out ‘The Prophecies of Saruviel, Seraphim of Eternity,’ and that is were we come in.’

‘So is Saruviel on your side?’

‘He is playing fair, so he claims.  Apparently, if I just do the right thing, the prophecies will work in my favour.  But if don’t do what God wants me to do, then the prophecies will work against me.  So I have to obey God.’

‘Isn’t that what we are supposed to do anyway.’

‘Yes.  Yes it is.  And older brother Saruviel, being quite responsible, is reminding me of that.  And I am grateful to him because of it.  Now we may be allowed a little bit of fun, and we might have to apologize in the end for the earlier prophecies, but there is still a matter of personal glory to achieve.  And apparently that can be gained by a number of Angels.  So we have to be careful.’

‘Got you.  This sounds interesting, bro.  Worth pursuing, you know.  I have had a taste for it now and its ok after a while.  Worth persevering with.’

‘I have always thought that myself.  So we will see what will be.  We will see what will be.’

‘Amen.’

*   *   *   *   *

‘What I don’t understand is why, Daniel?  Why do you want a decade, right now, in the overseer’s position.  I mean, ok.  I am willing to let  you have it.  A decade isn’t too much after all.  But why, brother?  Why?’

‘Reasons.  Good reasons.  Eternally good reasons.  Ok.  So believe me.’

‘Well, okay.  The position is yours.’

5 days later Daniel went on the news with this announcement.

‘The separating is finally upon us, brothers and sisters.  It is finally here.  I have spoken with God in regards to my latest decision and he has granted me complete approval to make this choice, for it is one which has long slumbered.  The separating has come.

We are a world, a universe, with diversity of religious faith.  Often these religions run contrarily to each other, trying to outdo each other in a war of spiritual pride.  But, no longer. Eternally no longer.  The judgement is thus:

Logos and Memra will reign supreme over a new universe, answerable to God.  Jesus will be responsible to Logos.  In this new universe every single Christian, the entire flock, will be taken.  They will be separated, eternally, from the rest of us.  Next, Rophiel and his Islamic followers will have their own universe, answerable to the prophet who will be answerable to God.  Thirdly, the Bahai, as they have desired, will be responsible for all Bahai and the rest of humanity who they have accepted.  They will go the Bahai universe and the Bab and Bahaulla.  Finally, Israel and the children of Noah will remain here, forever, in our own realm.  We are now to be eternally separated on our destinies, never to intertwine again.  This is my will and the will of our eternal heavenly father.

*   *   *   *   *

Nobody really complained that much in the end.  Unity wasn’t working, the religious were at each other’s throats, and they didn’t get along.  The first nine discs of the Realm of Eternity were separated, housing all the Israelide and Noahide angels, while the rest of the discs were also separated, the various denominations being then taken to their own universes.  Raphael, in the end, chose Jesus, and that was the end of the matter.  In the separation the following Angels of the firstborn Seraphim remained in the Realm of Eternity alongside their twin:

Michael, Gabriel, Daniel and Ambriel.  Amongst the Cherubim Callodyn remained as a Noahide, as did Sandra and her twin with Navindra and her twin and Alesiah and her twin, but the rest departed for the Christian universe or the Muslim universe or the Bahai universe.  It was the time of the choosing, as it came to be known in the Realm of Eternity.

*   *   *   *   *

A year later, after the separation had been complete, Daniel sat with the three other head Seraphim and Callodyn also.  It was a sombre group of 5 angels, all the Shadow angels having departed, along with Metatron who had left for the Christian universe.  Samael and Aphrayel and Sandalphon, though, from the Realm of Infinity, had come down to the Realm of Eternity, as Infinity was now empty apart from the 3 of them.  When it came down to it nearly everyone had chosen Logos in the Realm of Infinity, but Sandalphon and Aphrayel knew in their hearts that they were knitted to Samael, and that was that.  The way it would always be.  They came in to the small meeting room at the top of Zaphon, In Michael’s executive suite, smiling at their brethren.  In the end, they were the true survivors.  The other’s were gone.  Gone forever, and Daniel was judged by the group as having made the final, resolute and absolute decision.

* * * * *

Saruviel looked up as Michael approached. He didn’t come to Kalphon a great deal, but there had been quiet discussions recently, unknown of by the other elder Seraphim.

‘So, Saruviel. How are you going?’

‘Well enough, Mike. You are here to discuss Daniel?’

‘You guessed it. He understood, then, that you were on his side? Favouring him, teaching him that as long as he kept the faith things would work out well for him.’

‘I don’t think he suspects anything from me.’

‘Then we will work to ensure you are never caught out. The end of our little plan is ironic, I guess. But I am sure Daniel the Seraphim – future Arch-Regent of the Realm of Eternity – will always look back fondly on the lesson he so desperately needed to learn.’

‘I surmise he will,’ responded Saruviel calmly.

‘Good. Well, I will be going. I just wanted to make sure everything checked out. And remember, don’t tell him and go soft on us – it would really spoil all our work.’

‘Gotcha,’ responded the 7^th Seraphim of Eternity.

Michael departed, and Saruviel, watching him go, returned to his book, shook his head a little in laughter at the planned fate of Daniel, and then started digging into the latest adventures of a space detective named Ultra Rex.

* * * * *

Restoration had been complex, but had been achieved.  Daniel’s decision as overseer of Zaphon to separate the religious communities forever had been difficult for everyone.  But in the court of the children of Heaven, when Logos and Metatron had reached an agreement on the reunification of all the universes, Daniel’s judgement seemed to have been overwritten.  He was not the supreme authority in the universe after all, despite his grand ambitions.  And so they had rejoined at Restoration hour, and the spiritual communities were again together. 

Lord Chronology had felt better.  As soon as the spiritual communities had separated they had formed together the separate spiritual universes into the newly created universes of the spiritual communities with a complex universal hypnosis provided by God to solve their enigmatic problems of how certain histories of peoples seemed quite different from what they would have otherwise have remembered.  And then God shared with Lord Chronology the simple fact that Daniel would attempt this project again – in fact, at the end of every 18 million years the universes would be separated in the 19^th Arc, and separate harmony would be achieved, following the restoration in the 20^th Arc.  ‘And how long would that go on?’ Lord Chronology had asked the Father, to which he had been given no answer.  Yet LC was aware within the divine Time Mandates that the grand conclusion of Universal Harmony lied at the end of eternity, the project himself and the Time Masters dutifully worked towards, and assumed this 19 million year ‘Separation Hour’ project would go on until the said consummation of all life.

Yet they were now again in a restored universe, and for the Lord Chronology it was business as usual.

*   *   *   *   *

‘He was clued up,’ said Ambriel.

‘I am not sure,’ responded Michael.  But we can get to the ‘Daniel’ agenda again soon enough.  Leave him be for now.  Let him enjoy his time as overseer of glory in the restored universe.  He has pestered us all long enough for the job.’

‘But our revenge will be sweet,’ responded Ambriel.

‘Indeed it shall,’ finished Michael.

* * * * *

‘So who the hell are your elect then?’

The theophany looked down at the chess set, before finally responding to the inquiry of his son Logos.

‘That is for me to know and for you to find out, dear son.  For you to find out.’

‘Mmmm,’ responded the Logos.  ‘Well, I will, I tell you.  I will.’

‘That is good.’

‘Amen.’

* * * * *

19 Million years.  19 Million years, come and gone.  And there was Ambriel, old.  And feeling it in many ways.  But life inevitably, inexorably, and even eternally, went on and on and on.  So, as he had told himself many a time before, may as well get used to it and make the best of it.

He felt it in his bones, though.  The age. Getting down with one of his children to play with them. Going on walks with Meludiel – long walks, and feeling it.  And, of course, in the constant humdrum of everyday life, having been through so much of his destiny now it seemed.  Life, though, for so long, despite its many surprises from time to time, had become somewhat predictable.  So a change was needed.  Something new. Something totally new.  And sitting on his couch, looking out the window at Meludiel hanging clothes on the line, he contemplated revival.  Revival of the soul of Ambriel the Seraphim.

*   *   *   *   *

Daniel sat staring at the wall.  Staring and staring and staring and staring at the wall.  It really, in the end, wasn’t that entertaining after all, watching paint dry that is.  But, after 19 million years of life, well, what the hell else was there to do.  Suddenly a fly entered the room, buzzed around for a while, and landed on the fresh paint.  Daniel had to smirk a little and said ‘Sucker.’  The fly, though, quickly took off, with a coat of paint on its feet, and buzzed around Daniel’s head for a while.  He watched it, buzzing away.  Perhaps the fly was happy, he thought to himself.  At least somebody was.

Finally, after having watched the wall for the last 45 minutes, he rose, went into the kitchen, and grabbed a can of coke.  Ariel came in for a moment, looked at him and smiled, and grabbed some pizza, before heading back off to her conversation with Aquariel.  ‘At least she seems happy,’ he thought to himself.  Fuck, he was bored.

He went over to the cupboard, opened it up, and looked at the monopoly set and the Risk set.  ‘Fuckit,’ he said to himself.  He grabbed the Risk set, took out the plastic sol