1. The Mission
Kate Maxwell stood barefoot in a vibrant green field. Lush grass tickled her toes. A gentle breeze carried a sweet fragrance.
She blinked and let her gaze sweep the area. Wildflowers sprinkled the lush sea of green in every direction, their bright colors swaying in unison with the grass. What is this place, and how did she get here?
Great trees dotted the landscape, their leaves whispering invitations to sit beneath spreading limbs and listen to stories of what they had seen. She took a long breath, wonder and awe filling her chest.
There was movement off to the left. A group gathered on the grass’s edge. Not people. Angels. Each one was different—unique faces, hairstyles, and clothing, even different statures. The big ones had massive wings, folded neatly behind them, and grasped a spear or wore a sword on the hip. She turned toward them as some started to go to one knee and peer over the edge where the grass ended. Then, they would leap from the edge and disappear in a streak of light, like a meteor hurtling toward the earth.
Her eye followed the edge to where she stood, and she looked down. The globe of the earth hung there, glittering blue against the darkness of space. There was a constant stream of meteors streaking toward it and from it back to this place. So many angels on so many missions, each one with a unique purpose and destination. The volume of it made her blink.
Kate turned away from the edge and walked toward a nearby tree. Its trunk was massive, and from it sprang thick branches, spreading a canopy of slender green leaves in all directions. Draping violet flowers hung from the branches, reminding her of Texas mountain laurels. Their fragrance filled the air with a sweet aroma that made her want to laugh. She reached out, brushing her fingers over the delicate purple petals and they responded to her touch with gentle sounds, like musical bells.
Under the tree was a massive rock with a flat top, inviting her to sit and listen. She sat on it, and it trembled with an almost imperceptible, deep vibration, as if it were humming. She touched its smooth surface with both hands, and the hum traveled into her arms and chest, like a song calling her to rest and absorb the sounds of heaven.
Melodic sounds floated on a gentle breeze, gentle music more felt than heard. She looked up into the tree. The leaves and the flowers vibrated with a gentle sound when stirred by the breeze. She looked down at her bare feet. Even the grass hummed in response, and the surrounding wildflowers made sounds like small chimes as they swayed in unison with the air’s movement. She extended a bare foot and slowly brushed it over the tips of the grass which bent toward her foot in a gentle caress. Delighted by this exchange, she gently poked at a patch of small flowers with her toe. They made small tinkling sounds as they caressed her toes, turning their petals up as if to look at her. They shimmered with an inner light—various hues of gold and pink—each like a tiny sunrise. It’s like they knew her, and were welcoming her home.
“All created things recognize sons and daughters of the One.”
Kate looked up. An angel stood a few yards from her. His face was flawless, framed by shoulder-length golden hair with intricate braids at the temples to pull it back behind his head. His lips bent slightly in a gentle smile.
“Everything is alive.” She touched the smooth surface of the massive stone under her, feeling it vibrate at her touch. “Even this rock seems alive.”
“All things have a voice and declare the praises of the Creator.”
Rocks on the earth aren’t like this. But she didn’t say it.
“Rocks on the earth are shadows of heaven. Even there, they vibrate with life, what you call atoms and strings.”
The stone vibrated as if to confirm his words, and the tiny field flowers tinkled like wind chimes in response. Everything has life in it.
“Come, it’s about to begin.” He turned and walked away.
“Wait!” Kate rose and stepped after the angel. “Am I dead? Is my daughter here? Can I see her?”
He turned and looked at her. “You look very much alive to me.” His eyes twinkled as if smiling at her. “Come, it’s about to begin.”
“My daughter, Destiny. Is she here? Can I see her?”
He looked at her for a long moment with kind eyes. “No.” He turned and walked away, calling out to her without looking back. “Come, it’s about to begin.”
Kate sighed and followed him. No, she wasn’t here? Or no, she couldn’t see her daughter? She opened her mouth to voice her questions but found herself standing in a group as if waiting for something. This group was like the others she had seen earlier—angels of all sizes and shapes. The large warrior-looking ones with wings and weapons stood toward the outside of the group.
A flash of light from the center announced the presence of another angel. He glowed with a light as if coming from inside his skin. She stared at his face. Why is he different?
The angel beside her bent and whispered in her ear. “He has just come from the presence of the One.”
The angel in the center had long silver hair pulled back with braids on each side of his head. There were soft laugh lines around his eyes. Angels have wrinkles? On his forearms were silver coverings from wrist to elbow, each etched with intricate gold text and adorned with jewels of different shapes and colors. She wanted to ask about the laugh lines and arm coverings but wasn’t sure how to signal the angel next to her, so he could bend over and let her whisper in his ear. She touched his arm.
He looked down at her “Heaven is a place of great joy.” He nodded toward the one in the cent. “His arms bear the many stories of his participation in the Captain’s victories.”
Did she ask him or just think it? Can he read her thoughts? She wanted to ask him about this, but the angels grew quiet and gave the new angel their attention.
“The Captain has chosen each of us for this mission. We will be infiltrating an enemy stronghold. Our command center will be within the enemy’s camp at the home of an elder Daughter named Jasmine. You have the coordinates.”
Some angels thumped their chests with one hand.
“Yes, some of us have been honored to work with Daughter Jasmine. We are honored again to have her partner with us for this mission. Many preparations are already complete, and soon the Captain will reveal his hand.”
There was a rumble of many hands thumping chests. The angel beside her joined with the others and nodded.
The one in the center raised a hand. “We all love those moments, and this one will be as glorious as the others.” Another wave of thumping swept the group.
“To launch the incursion, the Captain has invited four young warriors: a prophet, a seer, a craftsman, and a healer. They are new to a mission of this magnitude, so be vigilant. They will be accompanied by two shepherds and inserted directly into the enemy’s stronghold. We will keep our presence concealed until the appointed time. Once the Captain reveals his hand, expect an onslaught. His enemies will do everything in their power to remove the four from the fight.”
The one in the center looked around at the group. The air was electric with anticipation. Kate breathed deeply and felt—almost tasted—something. She knew this. It was joy.
“Each of you has your assignment. Let’s do this. For the Captain and his Bride!”
As one, the angels responded with a shout. “For the Captain and his Bride!” A wind swirled around them, and the grass and flowers and the nearby tree responded with a swell of musical sound.
The gathering broke up and angels formed small groups around the edge where the earth was visible. Some bent on one knee and peered over the edge.
Kate touched the arm of the angel near her. “Excuse me, sir. Who are the four young warriors and the shepherds he spoke of?”
“The four are among you already. One abides in your dwelling.”
She furrowed her brows at him.
The angel dipped his head. “The curious one full of wonder who sees. She dwells with you.”
“Sarah?” It certainly described her niece.
“As for the shepherds,” he tilted his head slightly, “do you not know?” He looked over her head and she turned to follow his gaze.
Her husband was there, speaking with another angel. This must be a dream, and yet she felt so aware and in control. There was one way to find out. She walked toward him.
“John?”
He looked up and saw her. His eyebrows went up, eyes wide.
“Kate?”
“John, I know who the Seer is. It’s Sarah.”
He looked as if she’d just punched him in the gut. “But she’s not ready.”