Space Angels: find the Gift (complete)

●•· ŠEÐÆĦ ·•● ~ Chapter Twenty-six

Sedah

26 – the communion

Gorbon draped the gold cloak over his master's thewy shoulders. Once Stygien had attached it to his throat with the ornate clasp, carved in the shape of an all-seeing eye, the minion arranged the cloak's liquid folds, which swept down the Lord's broad back and folded leathery wings, and over his stool, hewn from volcanic rock, until it flowed gently onto the polished stone floor. He took his seat beside his master producing a small tablet, which he tapped with a manicured claw.

A circlet of light hovered ahead of them, a round window into a room on a planet whose galaxy was far, far away. A figure appeared, seated, and clad in bronze armour, a pearlescent glow around his form, his wings large and ochre. He held a quill in his hand, ready to record his conversation with the Bright One. Gorbon had noted the red scrolls on ledges at the back of the room during previous transmissions. Now the shelves behind Virtue Malik were stacked high with them. Gorbon felt uneasy about that, for the scrolls were proof of his master's brilliant deception. He knew it was the Virtues' habit: they liked to write things down. It annoyed him. He readied his tablet for his own note taking. The artifice began.

"GREETINGS, MALIK, WHAT NEWS?" Stygien said, his voice taking on a strange tone – soft and kindly. 

"Oh my Bright One, my heart is joyous that Borak and his cadre have arrived safely, but it is also troubled. Lord Stygien sent ships to intercept him. Why do you think the cowardly snake is so interested in stopping Borak?"

Stygien did not flinch at the insult, though it stung Gorbon deeply. This was the game his master must play for the artifice to continue. Gorbon knew the Lord needed to stay in character. Stygien took a breath before he replied. Gorbon admired him even more.

"THE MIGHTY LORD WOULD NOT BE INTERESTED IN A THRONE, UNLESS BORAK WAS WORKING FOR HIM OF COURSE," Stygien said.

"That is what Seraph Vetala thinks, my Bright One. I cannot believe it. But Vetala has your ultimate blessing..."

Gorbon couldn't help smiling to himself. This Virtue was a fool, easily manipulated. Or perhaps Vetala had done his job well. He had an idea. Vetala could destroy the Virtue's scrolls. He made a note on his tablet and showed it to his master. The Lord nodded and Gorbon sent it to Vetala using Stygien's purple frequency.

                   "...Vetala is a good servant to me I must admit, and helps me well with my transmissions..." Malik was saying.

"VETALA IS MINE OWN CHOSEN SERVANT, MALIK, HEED HIM WELL. PERHAPS IT IS MERE COINCIDENCE, THE THRONE ESCAPED DEATH AT THE HANDS OF THE ZELLI, WHILE LORD STYGIEN'S PROUD SOLDIERS PERISHED, BUT YOU MUST ENSURE THE TRUTH IS CLEAR. IF VETALA BELIEVES BORAK A TRAITOR, HE MUST BE DEALT WITH."

"Yes, but I cannot accept Borak has turned his wings. Vetala is out there looking for him now. I have ordered him to ensure Borak is safely escorted here for questioning."

Now Gorbon shook his head, wondering if the glamour was weakening, or perhaps the Virtue was resisting. He'd heard they were powerful beings. He added another note and showed it to Stygien. The Lord gave another nod. He transmitted an order for Vetala to increase the glamour's strength.

"VERY WELL, MALIK. THERE SHALL BE AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS APPARENT AMBUSH, HERE, ON KAELESTIA, AND ITS FINDINGS TRANSMITTED DURING OUR NEXT COMMUNION. HOWEVER, WE MUST PROTECT THE CADRE IF BORAK HAS BETRAYED KAELESTIA. TRUST VETALA TO DEAL WITH HIM, AND KEEP ME INFORMED OF THE EVENTS ON EDON. HAS CHERUB ECAD CONTACTED YOU YET?"

"No, my Bright One, he has sent few missives of late, and only low level communications, I still receive and record updates on Edon's currency changes from Cherub Sheldor, as you insisted, but I suspect Ecad has gone underground, perhaps he is investigating Borak himself. Seraph Vetala is keen to pinpoint Ecad's whereabouts and the Quintessence he uses but Ecad has not shared them with me, which is his right. You will know this of course."

"YES, MALIK, YOU ARE CORRECT, BUT BORAK AND ECAD MAY BE WORKING TOGETHER. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT?"

"Vetala has suggested it, my Bright One. It is hard to believe..."

"SERAPH VETALA IS A FINE KAELESTIAN, AND MINE MOST TRUSTED. FOLLOW HIS WORDS AS IF THEY WERE MINE OWN. IF BORAK IS A TRAITOR, HE MUST BE ELIMINATED. ECAD MAY HAVE RELEVANT INFORMATION TOO. YOU MUST LOCATE AND INTERROGATE HIM BY THE TIME WE NEXT COMMUNICATE, IN THREE EDON DAYS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, VIRTUE MALIK. THE BRIGHT ONE BIDS YOU FAREWELL FOR NOW."

"Yes, my Bright One. Thank you. I look forward to our next communion with much joy."

The circlet of light dimmed and Virtue Malik's image faded.

"Excellent, Your Mighty. If the Throne and Ecad are... removed, the cadre will be stranded. But there are still the Seraphim to consider." The Cherubim would be a difficult obstacle but two Seraphim were far more of a problem to remove.

"A fire can be snuffed out with a greater fire. When Borak and Ecad are dead, Vetala will lead his soldiers and seek them out. Ten kindled Seraphim against two children, Vetala will easily prevail."

Gorbon nodded in admiration and helped the Lord remove the liquid gold cloak.

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