Morning passes to afternoon, afternoon passes to night again. Duties accomplished, training done, scriptures written, laws passed and silence comes again in the darkness of the rising stars of the sacred kingdom. The lesser angels return to their rooms, tired and weary from training in the stadium, slaves enter their living quarters, bodies aching from serving and Archangels roam down the hall to rest in their bed chambers as guards walk about.
Inside of Gabriel's bedroom, the edge of his leather boots squeak as he paces back and forth, waiting for Michael to knock on his door. The ancient grandfather clock rings, notifying him that he should be here and any moment. A knock is heard at the door and Gabriel takes a moment, gaining composure and he slowly opens his heavy door, going expressionless.
Michael softly smiles, taking a glance around and he steps into the room, bringing a basket with him. "Thank you, Gabriel. You look well tonight. I've brought some treats with me. Chunks of fresh chocolate, a bunch of grapes, strawberries and a bottle of wine." Gabriel takes the basket by the handle and places it down on the table, unpacking it. He takes out a pink feather and looks at Michael, raising his eyebrow. "Chamuel sends her love." Gabriel nods and places the cloth back into the basket, lowering it to the ground. Michael reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a small black book and licks his thumb, opening it to let the pages breathe. Gabriel walks to his desk, taking out a similar black book and he walks over to his bed, sitting down on the edge. Michael looks at him and walks over, sitting close by. "Every other night we are to record our actions into these books. Why we are to do them in pairs, it puzzles me, but I will not question Him." Michael nods, taking out glasses and narrows his eyes for a moment, finding focus. "He does have His ways, brother."
Gabriel looks down at his own little book, shifting his wing and winces, quickly clearing his throat to hide the feeling of discomfort.
Michael places the book down and looks up at him, removing his glasses. "Are you hurt, Gabriel. Where?" Gabriel shakes his head and continues to write in his book, keeping his eyes down. A few feathers on his right wing are messy, ruffled from discomfort and Michael reaches up to pet them down and then Gabriel grunts, grabbing his wrist. Michael pauses; staring at him and slowly pulls his hand back. "I am fine and I do not need a slave to come tend to me. My wing is not broken, but I feel slight discomfort."
There is silence for a moment and Michael softly sighs, tucking his glasses back into his white silk shirt. "What about a fellow Archangel?" Gabriel clenches his jaw for a moment and slowly nods, placing the book on the dresser. He moves to the side and Michael touches his wing, looking over at it with concern. "Have you fought in the arena today? I heard a winner was announced." Gabriel stretches his other wing, moving the velvet curtain back and he looks out at the arena, watching slaves gather equipment. Placing back heavy spears, collecting shields and raking the soft dirt to cover the splashes of blood. "I have fought and won in the arena today. Nathaniel hit me with the shield and my stance faltered. That is when I felt the pain in my wing." Michael nods, searching his feathers for the heart of the injury and he spots it, a large cut. He softly sighs and Michael gets off the bed, walking into the bathing room.
Gabriel looks over his shoulder, eying the bathing room. "Have you found the source of the pain?" Michael returns with a clear orb of liquid, a bowl of water, bandages and a cloth. Gabriel stands up and looks at the bandage, eyes darkened in resentment. "I refuse to have bandages wrapped around my wing. I refuse it." Michael pulls up a smaller table and places the bowl of water down, hanging the cloth over the edge and then he places the bandages down, turning to address Gabriel. "Must you be so proud? Here, let me put the healing liquid on your cut and we can see how it takes. You might not need the bandages." Gabriel's feathers ruffle and he stares at Michael, slowly turning around to face the dresser.
The orb glows, sensing pain and Michael touches it with his index finger, rolling it to extract the clear liquid from the inside. Gabriel heavily sighs, calmly himself and he glances out the window. "I do not mean to be so callous with you, Michael. Father Himself always disapproved with my temper. I have shown Him time and time again why such boldness must be shown. You are the one with endless mercy and I am the one with limits." Michael rubs the liquid over his cut, watching it slowly vanish in silence. Gabriel's wing rises, reaching its normal power again and Michael soaks the cloth in the cool water, dabbing his wing. "Limits are need, Gabriel. We were created the way we are for a reason and Father is proud of each of us."
Michael claps his hands together and touches Gabriel on the shoulder, slowly urging him to turn around. "The orb has healed you. You won't be needing the bandages." Gabriel shakes Michael hand and suddenly, a scream is heard a few rooms down.
Both of the postures of the angels change and Gabriel turns, opening his dresser and pulls out a sword handing it to Michael. Gabriel walks over to a large black cabinet and retrieves and long silver rod, looking down at the different metal, spiked orbs. He grabs one and attaches it to the rod, shooting the spikes out. Michael goes to the door and presses his ear against it. "Screams from Uriel's room." Gabriel walks over and swings his heavy door open, both stepping out into the hallway together. They slowly approach the room and knock on his door. "Uriel, are you all right? Open the door." The screams grow quiet inside and there is a muffled 'bother' and then the door opens.
Uriel stands equally tall to both Michael and Gabriel as they look eye to eye. "'Lo, brothers. Is there a problem?" Gabriel looks over his shoulder, picking up the scent of blood. "Who is in there with you? I smell blood and I hear a pulse." Uriel laughs and rubs a drop of blood from his lip. "Just a little midnight entertainment. Nothing to be concerned about." Michael shakes his head and pushes Uriel on the side, approaching the body cover with the sheets.
The hidden form trembles, crying, bleeding and whimpering. Michael's brown eyes soften and he slowly pulls the sheets back, revealing a slave. Her body is covered with bruises and Michael sits on the side of the bed, touching her cheek. "How long have you been here?" She shivers, slowly moving back and she looks at Uriel, shaking her head. Michael catches the brief glance and looks down at her waist, pulling the sheets lower. Her thighs are covered in bruises and her inner thighs stained with blood.
Gabriel's eyes darken, twisting a spike to shoot from the end of the rod and he presses it under Uriel's chin. "How dare you. This, in Father's kingdom, it is against His rule. No slave should be punished without cause and touching slaves in such a manner is unacceptable. This would cause a lesser angel 50 lashes." Uriel raises his hands and takes a step back, pressing his body against the door. "No need for such anger, Gabriel. Take her if you wish, I tire of her, anyway."
Michael grips his sword, enraged for a brief moment and he places it down on the bed, taking a look at her wounds. "I will not harm you, child. What is your name?" She stares at Uriel and Michael touches the side of her face, turning her gaze to his. She licks her bruised lip and blinks away her tears, shaking. "Stella. My name is Stella." Michael nods and wraps her in the bed sheets, lifting her in his arms. He looks down at her, softly smiling. "We will leave you to our brother Raphael. He is the healer of the family and he will look after your wounds. You shall be healed in no time."
Uriel looks at her, smiling brightly and Gabriel narrows his eyes, removing the spike from under his chin and presses his large forearm against his throat, slamming him against the door. "You are beginning to forget who is in charge, Uriel. You will not touch another slave again. They are only to be corrected and nothing more. If Father knew about this, He would have you removed of your position." Uriel's smile falters slightly and it goes wide again. "And what of you, brother? I am well aware of your hidden actions and Father is known to turn a blind eye to you and Michael. After all, the two of you are His favorite." Gabriel removes his forearm and presses the spike over the area of Uriel's heart, gripping his throat. "You know nothing. Absolutely nothing." Uriel winces, feeling Gabriel's fingers dig into his throat and he releases him, taking a step back. Uriel clears his throat, combing his fingers through his golden hair and he takes a step away from the door, seeing Michael approach with Stella in his arms.
Uriel smiles down at her and ruffles her hair playfully. "It was fun while it lasted, darling. I do hope you have a speedy recovery." He winks and Stella whimpers, burying her face in Michael's shoulder. Gabriel feels a twitch in his eye and they exit his room.
Michael and Gabriel walk down the hallway and they stop at Raphael's door, knocking softly on it. A soft groan is heard from the inside and footsteps on cold marble. Raphael opens the door, long brown hair covering half of his eye and he rubs his sleepy eyes, yawning. "Yes?" He blinks looking at Michael and Gabriel and quickly straightens his posture, fully awake. "Sir Michael. Mister Gabriel. What can I do for you? Is there a problem?" Michael enters the room with Stella and places her down on Raphael's bed, petting her head.
Gabriel takes Raphael by the arm and looks at Michael, watching Stella in worriment. "Uriel has been violating her constantly and she refuses to tell us how long. Will you heal her wounds and keep Uriel away from her until she gets strong enough?" Raphael sticks his head out of the door and looks down the hallway, seeing if anyone is there and he fiddles with his shirttails, nodding. "You can count on me, mister Gabriel. I'll be sure to heal her up and keep her safe from others." Gabriel shakes his head and gives his arm a squeeze. "Not others. Just Uriel." Raphael stares at him and nods, turning to walk over to Stella. She sees his long brown hair, reminding her of Uriel's long hair and she cowers, clutching onto Michael's arm. Raphael quickly ties his hair up and puts on his cowboy hat, hiding his hair. He sits on the bed and touches her arm. "My name is Raphael, but you can call me Raph, ma'am. Don't be afraid of me, Stella. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help heal your wounds. You'll be staying with me until you get better."
Michael gets up to leave and she grabs his hand, squeezing it as Stella looks up at him with sad, blue eyes. She kisses his hand, resting her cheek against it and closes her eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Michael." Michael touches the back of her head, resting her forehead against his stomach for a moment and he slowly ease her into Raphael's arms. "Don't be afraid of Raphael. He's going to help you and heal your wounds." Michael kisses her on the forehead and turns to walk towards the door, stopping next to Gabriel. He leans against the doorframe and Gabriel watches Raphael tend to her. "Should we bring this to Father? Should He be aware of what Uriel has done?" Gabriel shakes his wings and takes a step out, closing the door as they speak in the hallway. "How would you explain to Him that His son has failed Him? I assure you, it is no easy task."
Gabriel walks to his room and Michael lowers his eyes, following silently. They enter and Michael tucks the sword back into the dresser as Gabriel detaches the spiked head from the rod and places them back into the black cabinet, locking it. Michael sighs wearily and takes a strawberry, softly biting down on the skin to make it bleed. "I am deeply concerned for Uriel. He doesn't seem to have any grasp of ethics. If he knows one, it is not the one that he should have picked."
The blood of the strawberry lands on the tablecloth and Michael rubs it away, turning to look at Gabriel and then he places the strawberry down, narrowing his eyes. "Is there something wrong, Gabriel?" Gabriel sits on the edge of the bed and runs his hands over his bold face, folding his wings back. "Uriel continuously implies that there is something happening between the two of us. Constantly." Michael softly laughs and sits next to him. "He has quite the imagination. He will see what he wants to see."
A breeze blows through the windows and Michael looks out at the dimly lit hills, stretching. "Uriel has caused us to miss our nightly duty, but there is always tomorrow night. We shall continue writing then." Michael taps Gabriel on the shoulder and walks to the door. Gabriel looks over at him and stands up, seeing him off. "We have known each other for all eternity and that is the way it will stay."
Michael glances down at his lips and immediately lowers his gaze, placing his hands together. "I must speak with you tomorrow. Can you meet me in the garden after sunset?" Gabriel nods and opens the door, resting his side against it. "I shall be waiting near the waterfall. Until then, Michael." Gabriel touches the back of his neck and they place their foreheads together, sealing a bond and Michael closes his eyes, turning to leave.