4. Today
Gilad knew something was up. Two new guardians showed up at the house. Not the giant ones with wings, but they were big enough and wore a sword on the hip. One was patrolling about the house, and the other was here, in the room with his beloved Sarah, just standing there, watching, as if peering beyond the walls. He seemed to ignore the three small and withered creatures clinging to Sarah.
“Can you get rid of these foul spirits? They plague her constantly.”
Gilad looked in their direction as they hovered around his charge, their claws digging into her head and shoulders. They whispered foul lies into her ears, their breath forming a black mist around her head which swallowed any nearby light. He knew their assignment—to destroy her with anger, depression, and self-pity.
The guardian turned his head toward the demons and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Give the word, my Captain, and I will free your daughter from these tormentors.”
“We have her permission!” They hissed and spat at him, digging their claws deeper into her. “You cannot touch us!”
He glanced at Gilad, shook his head, and returned to peering beyond the walls.
Gilad looked at Sarah. “My Captain, show your kindness and your power. Deliver your beloved from the hands of your enemies. Close the mouths of the lying spirits and free her from their grasp.”
He turned toward his charge and raised his hands toward her. “The Captain will set you free, Daughter Sarah. You are his joy! He endured the cross for you. He will come.”
The putrid creatures hissed at him, and from their fanged mouths belched a sticky black syrup that covered her head and dripped onto her shoulders. Gilad’ words caught in the sticky tar, unable to penetrate it.
He shook his head. Let them go, Daughter Sarah. Let them go.
Maybe today would be the day. The arrival of two new guardians meant something was about to go down. He knew not to bother asking the one standing there. Guardians weren’t exactly the talkative types. They should loosen up a bit, enjoy the moment, take some time—.
The guardian became a blur of motion, leaping toward the three demons clutching Daughter Sarah. His sword flashed, a blue flame sweeping an arc lit up the room. The demons screeched and bolted in different directions, leaving only a dark mist that dissipated and was gone.
The guardian stood straight, sheathed his sword, and calmly returned to where he stood before, again sweeping the horizon beyond the walls.
Gilad grinned. “Now see. That’s what I’m talking about! You could—.”
“Gilad.”
The room filled with the brightness of a messenger. Gilad blinked and turned toward him. This is it! He was going to get news about what heaven was—.
“Gilad. Today is a pivotal day. The One is sending his word to Daughter Sarah. His invitation arrives this morning.”
“Invitation?” Things happened whenever the One sent his word.
The messenger tilted his head and cocked one eyebrow.
“I’m sorry. I know. The word is for her. It’s just that my heart hurts for her to know his love again, and she seems so lost and trapped in a dark place and—.”
“Gilad. Prepare your charge. Guardians have been assigned to prevent any disruption from his enemies. The enemy has dismissed Daughter Sarah, so we don’t expect trouble.”
Gilad glanced at his charge as she stood in the doorway, about to descend the stairs. It had been a painful year for him, watching her withdraw from the One.
“Gilad. Take joy in this day. We have a good hope that she will accept his invitation. The One can be very persuasive.”
The messenger disappeared.
Gilad’s chest filled with anticipation. He grinned, did a double fist-pump and bounded down the stairs after his beloved Sarah. She wouldn’t know what hit her.