The Bride of Heaven

Ch 3 - Naming the World

Then came a day when Neamhmon did not come open the door, and instead, I was attended by the flock of attendants in cotton gowns. He had been called to duty elsewhere, they reported, but they would be glad to escort me in his stead. I graciously accepted the offer and joined them outside, beginning immediately to head down the mountain path toward the other cells. Two attendants ran before me, three to my sides, and I was stopped in an instant.

"Perhaps the higher ground would be better today," suggested the speaker with pinkish skin. "Or we could go down to the city and see what new we find there."

"The city would make for a pleasant tour," I agreed and joined them on the diverging path.

Six went before me, six came after, and all pointed out parts of particular interest, providing little tales of their origin until we came to the foot of the stairs, and the four going first jogged forth to fetch a chaise.

I drew up my hands and fanned myself, then loudly declared: "Goodness, the river must have flooded strongly! Even here, I can barely stand the heat."

Three more parted to find large fans.

"My throat is nearly clenched shut. Might I also trouble you for water?"

Two more were sent on this mission with urging to be quick about it. Nine attendants were thus sent away, only three more remained: two in front of me, pointing and planning, one behind.

"Please excuse me while I sit a little higher up," I said to the latter one, and she nodded permissibly.

I went and did so, taking a seat just as promised, and there she found me when she glanced back, smiling broadly each time. I smiled back and waved a little, always where she had left me. Then came the chaise with much clamor and clattering; positions had to be fought over and assigned, and when the rear guard glanced back for me, I was nowhere to be found.

I ran up the rocky stairs as quickly as my lungs would let, ducking behind big rocks to peek back, and taking the paths with most cover. I knew them all from my days of walking, the weeks I had spent without the least bit of purpose. Now, I knew where I was going, and a burning sense of pressure lit something long-lost within me. I ran all the way to the only other prisoner I knew by name.

The darling child was in a ball against the wall as usual, gracious wings acting as an elegant shield, and the head of gold tucked down to keep away the loveless world. All was silent and still, only slight breathing marking the captive as a living being.

"Peacachiel," I whispered, and the child stirred not even a little. "Gadaidhel," I tried, and the enormous wings began to unfold.

The golden head rose, and I was taken back by the beauty of this crying creature living on sorrow. With eyes clear as the winter sky, pale and piercing and full of light, Gadaidhel looked at me as I sought to take in the utmost symmetry of the face before me, its every feature befitting and sweet. The enchanting eyes were wide, the rich lips a little ajar.

"Gadaidhel, I have learned your name," I said eagerly. "When did you come here? Why are you in prison?"

Gadaidhel would only look at me, and slowly rose to stand, freezing me with his gaze. Soon, slender fingers twirled around the bars by my face, and the darling creature dressed in white stood before me, full of ethereal grace.

"How dost thou wot mine own name?" Gadaidhel sleepily asked with a voice that was melodious and quiet from disuse.

"The demon told me. I would have kept calling you Peacachiel if he had not."

"Peacachiel."

"I called you that when I had to decide your name. Who are you? Why are you here?"

"It does not matter. None of it matters."

"It does to me."

"I do not matter, only you."

"Me?"

"How did you come here? How did you get to me?"

"I ran from the attendants. I tricked them a little to get free, but they will not be angry long. It was good that Neamhmon was kept busy today."

"No!" Gadaidhel shrieked with a pained expression of terror and grief. "You cannot trick them! You cannot lie to them! You cannot be kept here forever."

This reaction frightened me and I stepped away on instinct, my heart racing as I watched the bewildered creature thrash about in the small cell. Lumps of golden hair fell as Gadaidhel tore at the pale curls, letting out a terrible wail that tore at my heart.

"Thou who art in Heaven, allay us of evil!" the poor child cried in a tongue so archaic I was shocked to understand.

Clattering behind me warned of someone approaching, someone with many companions, but I in my stunned state could not move. Guards stormed up the steep steps with ease toward the two of us, a group of angry bulls with hideous horns. Not a limb in my body would move. Gadaidhel prayed fervently, feverishly, in some secret safety that would not grow to keep me.

Suddenly, the prisoner was at the bars before me. I could feel a tingling breath on my cheek as the seraphic voice whispered: "Your name is Ceannairel."

The prison guards rushed past me in my shocked state to swat at the bewildered creature. Gadaidhel let out a plaintive lamentation and retreated into the shadows. The great white wings rose to guard this lost child from the cruel world, and soon, the unmoving statue I had seen on my walks past sat at the center of the cell with fresh tears flowing down two darling cheeks.

A guard then turned to question me, but I was long gone.

I had no strength to run, so terrified was I by all I had witnessed, but I stumbled along the steep stairs back down toward the city, barely out of sight and easily noticed. Down two, three flights I floundered before the frantic yelling of the attendants drew close and the heat grew more intense. I took a seat on the steps to keep from fainting and waited. One of the frightened women soon noticed me and shouted out to her companions. They all gathered around, full of smiles and questions I could not answer, for I could only stare straight ahead, past them, past all that ailed me.

"Where did you go?" the speaker demanded, kind yet uncompromising. "You cannot make us worry. Never do so again. You are found now, and all is well, and we may continue down to the city. Come, we will carry you through the streets." She tugged at my hand, but I would not stand. She drew near to study me. "You look a little frail, my lady. You always do, so we were not sure, but are you a little unwell? Can you walk? It may be a little dangerous in the chaise, what with us having only our little feet for balance."

The ladies drew up their skirts to wiggle their toes amidst much giggling, and their laughter faded to darkness when the last flicker of light left me.