Chapter 5: The Ache of 400 Years
Gabriel awoke to the sounds of quiet talking and, somewhere distant, the sound of birds. The voices echoed, low and masculine and he knew at least he wasn't outside somewhere. No, he decided, he was somewhere safe, if the overwhelming sense of peace was any indication. There were few places where he would not have shot up, weapons at the ready and wide awake and this seemed to be one of the few, although he couldn't seem to recall just yet where exactly he was. His mind still groggy from what had apparently been a very heavy and deep sleep, all he could remember was the northern lands, where he had been the past few weeks. He'd been hunting a Banshee and the whole land had filled him with a kind of malaise that he certainly didn't feel presently.
He could have easily given back in to sleep, but the dim red glow behind his still closed eyelids told him it was already well into the morning and he had to get up. That the sun had risen already meant that he'd grievously overslept. He rolled over, pain shooting up his back and he felt the edges of steps pressing into his skin through his clothes. Groaning, he draped an arm across his forehead and opened his eyes, squinting against the light that seemed to filter down to him in all kinds of colors. He wasn't sure if there was a reason for this or if he was just seeing spots. As he sat up, his eyes adjusting, he found that he was looking down several rows of... pews. A church. No wonder he had felt so comfortable here. He rested on the steps he had apparently fallen asleep on, waiting for the dull throbbing in his spine to die down and took stock of the building he found himself in.
The church was surprisingly small, enough to fit a small foyer up front, a handful of pew rows and the sanctuary, the stairs to which he discovered he'd been laying on. The alter loomed up on his right and inset into the wall behind it was a massive stained glass window in the shape of a luminous cross. Age worn tapestries lined the walls and he could see large candle posts raising above the pews every few rows. Gabriel rubbed his face and remembered where he was: West Romania. The small, unnamed church belonged to a local village that was often used as a waypoint for more active members of the Holy Order moving through the area on business. He was supposed to meet a friend here.
The sound of voices caught his attention again and he looked up to find a few monks talking quietly near the front doors. One glanced towards Gabriel, but quickly averted his eyes when he saw that he was being watched. With a sigh, Gabriel straitened himself up, pausing to make sure his weapons were still on him before making his way down the center isle between the pews. As he neared, the monks quickly made themselves scarce, slipping away down another isle towards the sanctuary.
Gabriel had to admit, passing out at the foot of a church alter was a new one for him and he had a long list of strange places to wake up to. Like the time he'd found himself under a porch in southern France. Sleep, when he found the time and the peace of mind for it, always left him dazed and confused for a little while after waking up. He always slept deeply and never dreamed. Just a few of the reasons he didn't take as much pleasure in the activity as others. He pushed his hair out of his eyes, tucking some of it behind an ear and stepped out into the glaring morning sun.
He blinked a few times, waiting for the world to come back into focus when he heard his name being called. When he could see again, he turned his head to see a dark-haired man walking in his direction, one arm raised in greeting.
"Gabriel, I knew I would see you here, but not like this," he began in native Romanian. "You should take a break, my friend. You are wearing yourself out."
Gabriel smiled despite himself and returned the hug the other man gave him as they met. "It's hard to take a break from life, Vladislaus. I didn't keep you waiting, did I?"
Vladislaus shook his head. "I am known here, and the people are hospitable. I found enough distractions while waiting for you to finally wake up. Come, walk with me." He gestured towards the town square and the two fell into pace together.
"You surprised some of the town, coming in the middle of the night like you did, Gabriel. The priest here was in a panic until I told him you were my friend," Vladislaus explained at length. "The children have made up the story that you rolled out of your bed in heaven and fell to earth."
Gabriel couldn't help but laugh, an honest smile spreading across his face. "They are still young enough to know me." He paused at that, his expression falling slightly. "I miss the children most of all, Vlad," he said finally, the words sounding forced.
Vladislaus stopped and turned to stand in front of Gabriel, regarding his friend with a serious expression before breaking out into a smile and laying a hand on the other man's shoulder. "Don't look so sad. He has not forsaken you and I believe that God has guided me here today to keep you with a sane mind, which only proves His infinite grace." He gestured dramatically skyward.
Gabriel couldn't help but chuckle, his mood lifting again. "You put so much faith in God, Vlad. Could you have not come here because I am your friend?"
"I am your friend because of God," Vladislaus answered, drawing a tight, uneven smile from Gabriel in response. Perhaps Vladislaus had not meant for his comment to be taken as a barb, but Gabriel couldn't help but find himself somewhat hurt by it. 'Do you simply entertain my company,' he wondered sadly, 'because it is God's will?'
"Well, then I will be sure to thank Him for your presence this day," Gabriel said, patting his friend on the back. The gesture only caused Vladislaus to suck in a breath and take a step back. Gabriel frowned, retaking the distance between them.
"Are you hurt?" he worried, moving a hand towards Vladislaus.
He only pushed it away, shaking his head. "It's nothing," he said, brushing the issue off and glancing over Gabriel's shoulder. "I must have slept wrong. It seems your attention is needed elsewhere, my friend. Please, come and find me at the inn when you are done and we'll have something to eat."
Gabriel didn't even have time to voice any protest before Vladislaus had turned and walked off. Frustrated and confused, Gabriel turned around with a scowl: an expression that only deepened as he beheld an almost blinding light. He raised an arm to shield his eyes before the light slowly faded and a man stepped forward. He was glorious to look upon, his face and body perfect, his clothes spotless, as if every thread was in order. A far cry from Gabriel's own worn traveling attire and sleep-tangled hair. The man folded six magnificent, green colored wings behind his back and smiled.
Gabriel could only feel his mood dropping. "Hello, Michael." He knew the archangel never appeared unless he had a higher order for Gabriel, most of which involved something or someone meeting a rather untimely end. Unfortunately, since Gabriel had become earth bound, he found himself restricted more and more by human rules and he discovered that even if he still fancied himself angelic in spirit, his body was painfully human. The orders that still came down to him on occasion from Michael himself only added to the burden he already carried for the Holy Order. Not for the first time, he found himself wishing he could go back to the old ways. But then, that was the purpose of being punished, wasn't it? To make one realize that they had been wrong and doing things correctly really was in their best interests. Gabriel was coming to understand this logic very swiftly.
"Every time I see you, you've got that frown on. Don't tell me you've taken such a dislike for your duty," the archangel said, his voice barely a whisper, yet perfectly audible.
"I do what I have to do," Gabriel answered and switched the topic. "What news do you have for me?"
Michael hummed softly in response, and then spoke. "Your devotion may serve you well. Come closer, my old comrade. There is much I must tell you."
Gabriel hesitated. "What is this?"
"A test, brother. A test of faith."
"When we travel together, I can hear him cry out at night... as if he were being torn apart. He tries to hide the marks on his head and hands, but I still see them... and today, he drew away from my touch as if it pained him," Gabriel spoke sadly, sitting with Michael in the woods at the northern edge of town.
Michael touched Gabriel's cheek lightly and turned his head to look into his eyes. "If you look close enough at anything, my brother, you will see things that you do not wish to see at all. Vladislaus is a good and pure man, but his spirit has grown weak. He sees many thing he does not wish to and we are concerned."
Gabriel's eyes widened and he stood up suddenly. "He's a Holy Knight, Michael! You can't mean for me to KILL him!"
Michael stood up as well; his wings flaring and eyes narrowing. "I can and I will! You have no place to question what He tells you to do, Gabriel. Have you forgotten what happened to the last one that thought he was so high? Have you forgotten why you are here in the first place? Disobedience, Gabriel! You will know your place in His grace once more if you do what you're told."
"And what of you?" Gabriel practically shouted, advancing on Michael. "Is your faith so strong simply because you have not been asked to do something you do not wish to do?"
"I do what I need to do because of my faith! You can not question God, Gabriel!"
Gabriel could feel the fury rising up inside of him and he wondered, for a moment, if he was supposed to get angry; if Michael was supposed to get him so upset that he would act out of rage.
After a moment, Michael's expression softened and he seemed to relax. "You are my brother, Gabriel: His other hand. You should know that God's wisdom extends far beyond our own. How can you say these things, knowing Him? Are you so human now?"
Gabriel had no answer to that question. He stood in silence for a moment before turning on his heel and stalking towards the town. He'd had enough of Michael's words and enough talk of his duty. Vladislaus was perhaps the only true friend he had in the world and not even his love for God could drive him to betray the love he felt for his friend. The last person on earth that he would kill was Vladislaus Dragulia.
a/n: Thanks for the spelling corrections last chapter. I'm sorry this chapter is a little late in coming. Between school and a brief episode of writer's block, I was stymied. I hope I'm not to vauge on the dynamics between Van Helsing and Vladislaus... there's so much there that wasn't explained and I'm trying to make sense of it all. BIG HUGE thanks goes out to my friend Elisse for helping me brainstorm and for a few lines that I used. ;) Thanks, hun. You're a good muse.
Gabriel awoke to the sounds of quiet talking and, somewhere distant, the sound of birds. The voices echoed, low and masculine and he knew at least he wasn't outside somewhere. No, he decided, he was somewhere safe, if the overwhelming sense of peace was any indication. There were few places where he would not have shot up, weapons at the ready and wide awake and this seemed to be one of the few, although he couldn't seem to recall just yet where exactly he was. His mind still groggy from what had apparently been a very heavy and deep sleep, all he could remember was the northern lands, where he had been the past few weeks. He'd been hunting a Banshee and the whole land had filled him with a kind of malaise that he certainly didn't feel presently.
He could have easily given back in to sleep, but the dim red glow behind his still closed eyelids told him it was already well into the morning and he had to get up. That the sun had risen already meant that he'd grievously overslept. He rolled over, pain shooting up his back and he felt the edges of steps pressing into his skin through his clothes. Groaning, he draped an arm across his forehead and opened his eyes, squinting against the light that seemed to filter down to him in all kinds of colors. He wasn't sure if there was a reason for this or if he was just seeing spots. As he sat up, his eyes adjusting, he found that he was looking down several rows of... pews. A church. No wonder he had felt so comfortable here. He rested on the steps he had apparently fallen asleep on, waiting for the dull throbbing in his spine to die down and took stock of the building he found himself in.
The church was surprisingly small, enough to fit a small foyer up front, a handful of pew rows and the sanctuary, the stairs to which he discovered he'd been laying on. The alter loomed up on his right and inset into the wall behind it was a massive stained glass window in the shape of a luminous cross. Age worn tapestries lined the walls and he could see large candle posts raising above the pews every few rows. Gabriel rubbed his face and remembered where he was: West Romania. The small, unnamed church belonged to a local village that was often used as a waypoint for more active members of the Holy Order moving through the area on business. He was supposed to meet a friend here.
The sound of voices caught his attention again and he looked up to find a few monks talking quietly near the front doors. One glanced towards Gabriel, but quickly averted his eyes when he saw that he was being watched. With a sigh, Gabriel straitened himself up, pausing to make sure his weapons were still on him before making his way down the center isle between the pews. As he neared, the monks quickly made themselves scarce, slipping away down another isle towards the sanctuary.
Gabriel had to admit, passing out at the foot of a church alter was a new one for him and he had a long list of strange places to wake up to. Like the time he'd found himself under a porch in southern France. Sleep, when he found the time and the peace of mind for it, always left him dazed and confused for a little while after waking up. He always slept deeply and never dreamed. Just a few of the reasons he didn't take as much pleasure in the activity as others. He pushed his hair out of his eyes, tucking some of it behind an ear and stepped out into the glaring morning sun.
He blinked a few times, waiting for the world to come back into focus when he heard his name being called. When he could see again, he turned his head to see a dark-haired man walking in his direction, one arm raised in greeting.
"Gabriel, I knew I would see you here, but not like this," he began in native Romanian. "You should take a break, my friend. You are wearing yourself out."
Gabriel smiled despite himself and returned the hug the other man gave him as they met. "It's hard to take a break from life, Vladislaus. I didn't keep you waiting, did I?"
Vladislaus shook his head. "I am known here, and the people are hospitable. I found enough distractions while waiting for you to finally wake up. Come, walk with me." He gestured towards the town square and the two fell into pace together.
"You surprised some of the town, coming in the middle of the night like you did, Gabriel. The priest here was in a panic until I told him you were my friend," Vladislaus explained at length. "The children have made up the story that you rolled out of your bed in heaven and fell to earth."
Gabriel couldn't help but laugh, an honest smile spreading across his face. "They are still young enough to know me." He paused at that, his expression falling slightly. "I miss the children most of all, Vlad," he said finally, the words sounding forced.
Vladislaus stopped and turned to stand in front of Gabriel, regarding his friend with a serious expression before breaking out into a smile and laying a hand on the other man's shoulder. "Don't look so sad. He has not forsaken you and I believe that God has guided me here today to keep you with a sane mind, which only proves His infinite grace." He gestured dramatically skyward.
Gabriel couldn't help but chuckle, his mood lifting again. "You put so much faith in God, Vlad. Could you have not come here because I am your friend?"
"I am your friend because of God," Vladislaus answered, drawing a tight, uneven smile from Gabriel in response. Perhaps Vladislaus had not meant for his comment to be taken as a barb, but Gabriel couldn't help but find himself somewhat hurt by it. 'Do you simply entertain my company,' he wondered sadly, 'because it is God's will?'
"Well, then I will be sure to thank Him for your presence this day," Gabriel said, patting his friend on the back. The gesture only caused Vladislaus to suck in a breath and take a step back. Gabriel frowned, retaking the distance between them.
"Are you hurt?" he worried, moving a hand towards Vladislaus.
He only pushed it away, shaking his head. "It's nothing," he said, brushing the issue off and glancing over Gabriel's shoulder. "I must have slept wrong. It seems your attention is needed elsewhere, my friend. Please, come and find me at the inn when you are done and we'll have something to eat."
Gabriel didn't even have time to voice any protest before Vladislaus had turned and walked off. Frustrated and confused, Gabriel turned around with a scowl: an expression that only deepened as he beheld an almost blinding light. He raised an arm to shield his eyes before the light slowly faded and a man stepped forward. He was glorious to look upon, his face and body perfect, his clothes spotless, as if every thread was in order. A far cry from Gabriel's own worn traveling attire and sleep-tangled hair. The man folded six magnificent, green colored wings behind his back and smiled.
Gabriel could only feel his mood dropping. "Hello, Michael." He knew the archangel never appeared unless he had a higher order for Gabriel, most of which involved something or someone meeting a rather untimely end. Unfortunately, since Gabriel had become earth bound, he found himself restricted more and more by human rules and he discovered that even if he still fancied himself angelic in spirit, his body was painfully human. The orders that still came down to him on occasion from Michael himself only added to the burden he already carried for the Holy Order. Not for the first time, he found himself wishing he could go back to the old ways. But then, that was the purpose of being punished, wasn't it? To make one realize that they had been wrong and doing things correctly really was in their best interests. Gabriel was coming to understand this logic very swiftly.
"Every time I see you, you've got that frown on. Don't tell me you've taken such a dislike for your duty," the archangel said, his voice barely a whisper, yet perfectly audible.
"I do what I have to do," Gabriel answered and switched the topic. "What news do you have for me?"
Michael hummed softly in response, and then spoke. "Your devotion may serve you well. Come closer, my old comrade. There is much I must tell you."
Gabriel hesitated. "What is this?"
"A test, brother. A test of faith."
"When we travel together, I can hear him cry out at night... as if he were being torn apart. He tries to hide the marks on his head and hands, but I still see them... and today, he drew away from my touch as if it pained him," Gabriel spoke sadly, sitting with Michael in the woods at the northern edge of town.
Michael touched Gabriel's cheek lightly and turned his head to look into his eyes. "If you look close enough at anything, my brother, you will see things that you do not wish to see at all. Vladislaus is a good and pure man, but his spirit has grown weak. He sees many thing he does not wish to and we are concerned."
Gabriel's eyes widened and he stood up suddenly. "He's a Holy Knight, Michael! You can't mean for me to KILL him!"
Michael stood up as well; his wings flaring and eyes narrowing. "I can and I will! You have no place to question what He tells you to do, Gabriel. Have you forgotten what happened to the last one that thought he was so high? Have you forgotten why you are here in the first place? Disobedience, Gabriel! You will know your place in His grace once more if you do what you're told."
"And what of you?" Gabriel practically shouted, advancing on Michael. "Is your faith so strong simply because you have not been asked to do something you do not wish to do?"
"I do what I need to do because of my faith! You can not question God, Gabriel!"
Gabriel could feel the fury rising up inside of him and he wondered, for a moment, if he was supposed to get angry; if Michael was supposed to get him so upset that he would act out of rage.
After a moment, Michael's expression softened and he seemed to relax. "You are my brother, Gabriel: His other hand. You should know that God's wisdom extends far beyond our own. How can you say these things, knowing Him? Are you so human now?"
Gabriel had no answer to that question. He stood in silence for a moment before turning on his heel and stalking towards the town. He'd had enough of Michael's words and enough talk of his duty. Vladislaus was perhaps the only true friend he had in the world and not even his love for God could drive him to betray the love he felt for his friend. The last person on earth that he would kill was Vladislaus Dragulia.
a/n: Thanks for the spelling corrections last chapter. I'm sorry this chapter is a little late in coming. Between school and a brief episode of writer's block, I was stymied. I hope I'm not to vauge on the dynamics between Van Helsing and Vladislaus... there's so much there that wasn't explained and I'm trying to make sense of it all. BIG HUGE thanks goes out to my friend Elisse for helping me brainstorm and for a few lines that I used. ;) Thanks, hun. You're a good muse.