Ringing church bells sing in the distance, filling the air. The air hot, dust hanging, unsettled. A winding path, snaking down from the hills to the walls of a great city. Sandy walls, high, thick walls and towers. The desert winds, the flag of Antioch fluttering in those winds. The winding road, a long line of carts, men, women, knights, merchants, children slinking down and through. Walls, alleys, hovels, churches, marketplaces, taverns, armorers. People talking, laughing, running, haggling, working.
"Eden..."
The whisper hangs in the air. The path again, overlooking the city. The warm sun.
"Eden..."
The whisper brushes her face. Eden turns to her right. There stands a bright figure, brighter than the desert sun, more magnificent. Outstretched wings white as virgin snow. Eyes of flame.
"I can see you. I can rest my eyes on you, angel."
"Yes, Eden, you can. You do not fear me."
Brilliant silver armor and robes the color of the clearest blue sky. Such serenity. Such peace of being.
A large cross on a hill in the desert sand. A lone sentinel warrior guarding the winding road. So many people streaming by. A voice. A voice she's heard somewhere before outside herself. The cross. The rolling wind. A black cloak dancing on the strong breeze.
A calm, unyielding warrior. Red and black. Fabric and metal. Sword, dagger, shield. That voice...
"It is time, Eden."
"Please..."
The angel raises his hand.
"Take heed, guardian for the Lord is with you. Travel to Antioch. Find there all that you have seen. Take that which waits there for you. There paths will straighten and converge. There shall the will of the Creator of all things come to pass."
"I...Angel, I..."
"Take heart and have faith, Eden. You will no longer be the Arab demon you never really were."
"No...I..."
The angel departs in a soft silence. The smell of earth, the crunching of hooves against small stones and dry dirt. That presence so nearby...
The church bells ringing again, the clash of swords in the distance. The cross against the sun, swaying bells against the clouds. The warrior sitting on a large rock, patiently waiting. The hum of arrows sailing through the air. A snow of white feathers. The warrior stands before her and points a drawn sword at her, a sword Eden knows...
Eden awoke with a start, breathing heavily, her hair clinging to her damp forehead. She sat up, resting her forearms on her drawn knees and hung her head slightly, trying to catch her breath. The desert night was quiet, the fire burned shyly. She turned her head and saw Arielle sleeping calmly on her bedroll. She turned back and stared out into the night in front of her.
"Gabriel..." she whispered.