Chapter Eight
The large angel lands in front of the dining hall, thankfully, the room is still empty and Raphael lands beside him, tapping the dirt off his boots. "Good morning, Mister Gabriel. Funny seeing you out here, is there something wrong?" A smile tugs at his lips for a moment and he shakes his head, turning to face the brother with the dusty smile. "You are always so concerned for others, Raphael. That is a quality I enjoy most about you." Raphael ducks his head down, removing his hat and he lowers his eyes with a smile. "Thank you kindly, Gabriel Sir. Gosh, I haven't received a compliment in a good long time. That sure made my morning." He looks off into the distance, watching his horses gallop around the wide range and whipping their manes about. "My pride and joys. I love seeing them every morning."
They both watch the horses run free, watching their brown, black and white silky bodies shine in the rising sun. Then, a sweet scent grows stronger and Gabriel straightens his relaxed posture. Chamuel delicately lands on the path, folding her pink wings back with a morning smile. "Good morning, dears. Another wondrous morning in Father's kingdom and the sun is rising beautifully, like always." She follows their eyes, smiling down at the horses and she begins to hum an old hymn.
A few moments later, a shadow flies over them and Michael lands down, touching the path with his hand to stop with a mighty pose. He straightens up, slowly folding his wings back and he looks at Gabriel, lowering his kind eyes. "Good morning, everyone. Forgive me for being late. The departure of Uriel was on my mind and I could not rest well." Chamuel smiles, coming to him and she touches his forehead. "Are you feeling well?" Something flashes in her mind from Michael's and he immediately takes a step back, glancing at Gabriel.
"I am quite well, Chamuel. We should enjoy breakfast together and put this terrible event behind us." She stares at him, lowering her soft hand and she touches her chest, silent. Gabriel looks at them and he enters the dining hall, knowing that the others will follow the unspoken order of joining him.
Chamuel blinks, unsure about what she saw when she touched his forehead and she bows to Michael, entering the dining hall to take her seat. A tremble rises in his stomach, the nauseous feeling of a secret being told and he slowly walks into the room, sitting down in his place.
They place their hands together, whispering their own prayer for their beloved Father and for Uriel and they begin feasting. Chamuel quietly eats, glancing at Gabriel and Michael, eating fresh strawberries. Raphael sneaks a few carrots into his pocket and a few slices of apples, oblivious to the growing tension in the room. Gabriel taps the side of his mouth with his silk napkin and he looks at Michael, showing a smile for his eyes and he looks down at his untouched plate, slightly fluttering his wings.
"Is there something wrong with the food, Michael?" Chamuel politely clears her throat and she pats the back of his hand. "Eat, dear. We must keep our strength up. Everything is fine and today will be a glorious day, you have nothing to fear." She looks at him with soft eyes, assuring him that she understands and Raphael wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, nodding. "That's right, Brother Michael. It must be hard not having Brother Uriel around, but we'll manage. He'll come back a much happier archangel."
Michael finally raises his head, looking at Chamuel and she slowly nods, smiling warmly. He blinks away the tears that threaten to spring to his eyes and he picks up his fork, looking at Gabriel, then Raphael. "I am lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful brothers and to have an amazing sister. Let us enjoy our breakfast together. "
The breakfast continues on peacefully, light talk about poetry, the masquerade ball planned for Christmas and the new tournaments in the arena. The sun rises high above the sky and the four of them stand up, clearing out of the dining hall with bliss.