ღ 03

[willtrytobegood]

[Written very carefully, very meticulously.]

"And tho his wandrings bore him oe'r barren stone and harsh crag, threwe forest dense and ice and snow, bless'd Elua didst come alast to a land sun-gylded, where grewe olives ripe, and melon and grape, and the folk turned not away in feare, but ope'd thir arms in eager welcome. And Elua and his

Comments

[bob_fraser_snr]

Fine words, son. Terre d'Ange is your home?

[willtrytobegood]

It is, messire. Do you know it?

[bob_fraser_snr]

I'm afraid I don't. But I would like to hear more, if you'd like to tell.

[willtrytobegood]

Certainly.

A thousand years ago, more than a thousand years, the One God's son, Yeshua ben Yosef, died upon a wooden cross. His side was pierced by a spear, and the blood from that wound fell to the Earth, with the Magdalene's tears. Their love, unsealed, was taken pity on by Mother Earth, and She conceived for them in Her womb. Blessed Elua was born of that union.

But he was misbegotten and reviled; Tiberians and Yeshuites alike cast him out, and he wandered. Flowers bloomed where his feet trod, but everywhere he went, he was feared for being strange. The One God scorned him, consumed by grief for his true son.

The King of Persis cast him in chains, and that brought Elua's Companions to him: Naamah was the first. She laid with the King for a night so that Elua may go free. He was released, and others joined him - clever Shemhazai, gentle Eisheth and kind Anael, proud Azza and martial Camael, and [A pause] Kushiel with his cruel mercy. And Cassiel, who came in duty to the compassion the One God had forgotten

[bob_fraser_snr]

Grief. Can destroy if you let it, not only yourself, but it harms those you care about.

[willtrytobegood]

True words, messire. Elua's companions - save for Cassiel - all took sections of Terre d'Ange and begot many children, and the One God saw that they were many. He thought they would overrun the earth, and was angry for it. He sent an angel to retrieve Elua; but Blessed Elua gave him the kiss of peace, and wreathes of flowers, and the angel returned empty handed. So the One God sent his arch-herald with a promise of forgiveness, and a place by His side.

Elua took Cassiel's dagger and cut his palm with it; where his blood struck the earth, anemones bloomed. He said, "My grandfather's Heaven is bloodless, and I am not. Let him offer a better place, where we may love and sing and grow as we are wont, where our children and our children's children may join us, and I will go."

But there was no such place; until, for the first time in many years, Mother Earth spoke - they created it together, the Terre-d'Ange-that-lies-beyond, the true Terre d'Ange, and Elua and his Companions left.

[bob_fraser_snr]

And their children with them?

[willtrytobegood]

When we die, we join them.

[bob_fraser_snr]

Hmm. The Inuit have something similar, though the ancestors stay with the children rather than leave to catch up with them later. In the wind, as they say.

[willtrytobegood]

I don't think it's a permanent separation. Elua's Companions have descendants in Terre d'Ange. My foster mother is Kushiel's chosen.

[bob_fraser_snr]

You did make that clear. Chosen by His cruel mercy?

[willtrytobegood]

...Something like that, yes.

[bob_fraser_snr]

You don't have to talk about it.

[willtrytobegood]

It's somewhat complicated, messire. She is a god's chosen; her adventures were far from easy.

[bob_fraser_snr]

No, I don't imagine it was.

[willtrytobegood]

Mm.

I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Imriel.