A PALE HORSE

Dr. Jo watched Abe wave as he walked out of the door.

She smiled and waved back to him, then looked at Bonnie her receptionist and said, “Please call my afternoon appointment and reschedule. I will be indisposed the rest of the day. Today was big.”

Bonnie smiled and said, “Yeah, he almost talked to me today!”

Dr. Jo smiled at Bonnie’s enthusiasm and said, “I’ll be in my office.” She turned and walked into the session room and went to the door in the far corner. As she reached the door it started to glow, turning the modestly lit office bright white. Jo opened the door and stepped through. Gone was the pencil skirt and smart, tailored blouse she wore to the office. In its place was a flowing gown of lightest pink. As she walked swiftly down the brightly lit hallway, the changes kept occurring. The glasses, the jewelry, and tight updo... gone. She gave her head a shake and let the wheaten tresses fall against her wings, laughing.

I really love being an angel!, she thought joyously. As the “Beauty of God”, she most embodied the world’s idea, born of her prolific involvement in the Renaissance era, of the classic angel that appeared in art throughout the ages. Those, too, had materialized once she left the earthly realm, and as she moved, they gently brushed the floor. She was particularly fond of her wings- they were airy and gossamer and the lightest shade of pink on the ends. To her, it seemed only yesterday that she was hurrying down the same hallway awaiting news from the Master. As she moved, she retraced silently gliding to a massive set of doors at the end of the hall. That’s where she found them; a group of warriors all huddled together, a captive audience anticipating the start of a play. They waited anxiously outside a set of massive doors that were forty feet tall and solid gold, the finish a gilt mirror reflecting the light given off the luminous floors and walls. Periodically, a colossal floor-to-ceiling window let in rays of light that cast everything they touched with warmth and brilliance. Only a moment passed and the doors parted swiftly and silently with otherworldly ease. A lone silhouette appeared, awash in the yellows and oranges pouring through the windows. He stopped when he noticed the amassed group, visibly steeling himself, he took a breath, squared his shoulders and walked toward his companions. Upon his arrival the questions started.

“Well?” the largest of the six asked, expectantly. He was a brute; barrel- chested and expansive breadth, a behemoth of a form. He had a furrowed, sooty brow, chiseled yet dirty features, and a long beard which wove itself up the side of his dark face to a fastidious top knot of dark hair. He gripped the hilt of a scimitar which was currently sheathed and roughly half his formidable length. “What did He say?” he asked.

“He was alright with most of it, Gabriel, but it’ll be a long road to redemption for Sam.”

Gabriel huffed, not completely satisfied with the response, and offered, “Surely... with a subject that is not always so willing to cooperate.”

“Can we help, Michael?” The words came clear and loud from a figure almost as large as the first, with a long chestnut mane that moved with the force of his words. Michael turned and looked at Raphael, the newest speaker.

“No, not directly, anyway. We are forbidden to help Sam. He must learn this on his own.” Michael went on, “We will be able to direct others into his path. They’ll be able to choose whether or not to help and in what capacity,” he finished. “We must allow them to choose. It’s the Master’s will that the spirit must move them to help, no outside interference.”

Raphael looked at Gabriel, then back to Michael, “What will humans be able to do for him?” he asked Michael. Raphael had a less-than - optimistic view of man’s capacities and capabilities, and he was certain that the plan would be in jeopardy if left solely to them.

Michael thought for a moment and answered, “They’ll be instruments in his redemption. Some will steer, some will work behind the scenes.”

“So, we can’t be directly involved with Samael, but THEY can? We’re going to be useful… how?” asked Gabriel.

Michael faced Gabriel and put a comforting hand on his arm. “Relax, friend. The Master’s granted us some leeway here. We can be involved in the lives of the humans chosen to help. We choose the humans for the mission.”

“How does that work, exactly?” Gabriel asked, more ponder than query.

Michael smiled and answered, ”The Master will reveal them to me in their time. My job is to make a connection with them and assess their willingness. Once that was established, we can get them ready.” Michael dropped his hand from Gabriel’s arm and turned back to the group. “The choice is somewhat made already- you will have your choice of humans from the Line of Kings; those without the taint. Pure.” He emphasized the last, accompanying it with a knowing glance to his companions. Raphael and Gabriel looked puzzled by this cryptic announcement.

Gabriel scratched his beard and cocked his head to the side, quizzically, “You are going to have to elaborate.”

“They are the true descendants of Shem,” Michael told them. “They are His personal descendants.”

“Marvelous!” Gabriel said, clearly exasperated, and sarcastically chucked Michael on the shoulder. “There are only, what? Seven million or so? How will we choose?” he asked.

“I’m glad you asked!” Michael said with a grin. “They will have already proven themselves worthy!”

“How?” This query came from the back of the group. The others parted slightly so Michael could see the questioner- a stunning creature of humanly impossible beauty, perfect in form, with no flaw or blemish. Even among angels, no beauty rivaled Jophiel. She cocked an eyebrow at Michael and asked again, her voice a soothing singsong, “How will these humans have been proven worthy to help our cause? While I’m thinking about it, will they know they are helping us? If so, will we be allowed to help them and teach them in return?” she finished.

Michael’s smile broadened, “ Right to the point,” he chuckled. “The Master will allow us to put together a team of Noah’s youngest son’s descendants who have suffered in a selfless act, up to the point of death. Some have seen Eden and chose to return to live earthly lives for us.” Michael turned to Raphael, “That should narrow the pool a bit!”

Raphael grinned. “So, we’ll be able to interact with these humans?” he asked.

“Yes, although some of them will be quite young and will need guidance until it is time to reveal our need,” Michael told them.

Jophiel cleared her throat, “Gentlemen, please.” The clamor died down and she continued, “Just exactly how long will we have to do this?” she asked Michael.

Michael’s countenance clouded as he looked at her. “Jo, it will take a couple of millennia …” he trailed off at the astonished looks on the faces of his fellow angels.

“A COUPLE OF MILLENIA!!” shouted the smallest of the group. She bustled to the front, by all appearances a young girl with red hair in a brilliant teal tunic. “You’re not serious??! You CAN’T be serious, I can’t keep up with the damage they are doing now! I have been busting my wings trying to keep the Earth together since the flood, and now I have to keep it together for another two thousand years?” she continued.

“Please be calm, Ariell!” Michael rubbed his tired eyes. “The Master requires patience from us right now, and, although I know that you have dominion over the resources of Earth, please think about the end game here. I have the assurance from the Creator that these humans will be able to further our cause if given the proper help… and He has assured me that you will do a wonderful job of making their world last.”

Ariel, though small in stature, was fierce in nature and was protective of her Earthly charge. “Will these special humans help with the protection of the land while we are ministering to Sam,” she asked, “or will I have to do everything?”

Michael took a deep breath and chose his words, carefully metered and precise. “The humans chosen for this task will be willing. They will be committed to ensuring that the mission goes forward and no harm comes to any other living beings if it can be helped.” He paused and looked at Azrael, the last of his small contingent. “This fight will be long. Brother, but the prize! Oh, the prize will be the victory in the final battle! Surely, you of all of us can see the end!” Michael said with a searching look.

Azrael, the final of the friends, looked at Michael with a sympathetic eye. Azrael did not cut a mammoth figure like Gabriel or possess stunning beauty like Jophiel, nevertheless, he commanded the respect of his friends. He was not one to talk in excess, so when he decided that this was his chance to show Michael his support while unsure of the outcome, it was as if he had spoken with the voice of the Master Himself. Azrael looked kindly at each of the friends in turn and gave Michael an understanding smile, “He knows that you will do what you believe you cannot, Protector.” He turned to Gabriel, saying, “His message will forge your bond with humanity, Messenger.” “Joygiver,” he said, addressing Jophiel, “you will keep order during the most trying of times.” He turned to the others present, “I agree with Michael. This time will fly like martens, so we must prepare. You all know what will happen if we fail.” On that ominous announcement he turned and walked out the adjoining door to the hallway. The others who had fallen silent during his short speech, looked to each other for support.

Michael, who had been watching this interaction, smiled and told the others, “The Plan is in place. You each have the Master’s leave to do what is necessary. We will succeed. Go! You will be called to use your gifts soon enough! He wills it!” The band, hopeful and resolute, dispersed through the door that Azrael exited through earlier. Michael felt a presence and turned to find Jophiel. Michael took a deep breath, “What more can I say?” he asked.

Just as in her memory Michael turned and was waiting at the end of the hall. He smiled warmly and waved her to him. Jophiel looked at Michael, visage as strong and sure as it was breathtaking. She smiled, took Michael’s strong hand in hers and punctuated each word with a slight shake. “It HAS worked, Michael, this plan,” she asserted. “We have had a break-through, only today he remembers,” she hesitated, squeezed the hand she held and added, “you.” She smiled slightly, “Peter finally remembers you and now we can move forward with the Masters plan.”

Michael’s smile widened and he pumped his fist in the air. “Woo Hoo, that is excellent news. We must tell the others and get them ready for the coming trials. Each one has a part to play and they will need to be on the watch. The Earth is not the same as it was a millenia ago. The monsters are amassing a plan and we need to be ready for it.” Jophiel nodded her head in agreement with Michael. “Yes, I have been working with Abe, he will be a great asset in this cause. They met today briefly. I will tell the others to let the hosts know as well as their humans.” Jophiel turned and walked back toward the door, she stopped and looked back at Michael, “Michael, this will work. We will be able to defeat them this time! We all have faith.” As she turned back to the door her heavenly visage fell away and in her place was Dr. Jo Phillips, Michael heard her sigh as she walked back through the door.

“I hope your faith is enough,” he whispered. He looked toward the golden doors for reassurance. He felt, rather than saw, the light flow down the hallway into his body. Michael felt the sense of peace and purpose the light gave him. He shook slightly, which caused his giant wings to agitate behind him. He stretched and unfurled to his full span, resplendent and glorious. His wings outstretched toward the light, he lifted his head and quietly, but solemnly, gave his pledge to the Master who had entrusted him with this mission. “I will not fail you.”