Above the Winter Skies [English Version]

22

It didn't take long for us to become engrossed in conversation. For the first time, I realized how easy it was to talk to Cassiel, and after he got us a bottle of wine, it became even easier. In the past few days, our interactions had mostly been confined to the bed.

Now, we talked about my future plans, and I told him about my life in Hjartvik, which made his expression darken.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that," he said. "Eldrid should be held accountable."

I just shrugged. "That was normal for us," I replied. "Many estates had maids. The lords and ladies could never have managed all the work alone."

Cassiel shook his head. "That shouldn't be normal, not like that. Servitude, yes. But even that should be adequately paid and treated with respect."

I felt stupid for letting myself be treated that way, so I kept quiet. Of course, I knew he was right. In theory, there were fair wages, good treatment, and days off. The reality, however, was different. It had been particularly bad for me with Eldrid, but the servants never had a good status anywhere in Hjartvik.

Cassiel's gaze softened. "I didn't mean to say it was your fault," he said. "You did what you had to do to survive. Eldrid is the one to blame. I know things are bad in many parts of Iridisia, and I know how people can be towards one another. The harsher the living conditions, the less compassion you find. I've seen it myself many times on this journey, and it was... sometimes hard to bear. It's... I just wish you could..."

His sentence trailed off. I had never seen him struggle for words like this. He swallowed, then took a sip of his wine and looked at the dance floor. By now, the dome had filled up, and the pianist had been joined by a full band. The melancholic music had given way to something more danceable, with fast and slow songs alternating and drawing the angels to the floor. Fortunately, we were no longer being stared at.

I watched Cassiel and wondered how he had intended to finish his sentence. I wish you could forget all this? I wish you could hold Eldrid accountable? I wish you could come with me?

I quickly dismissed the last thought; it was absurd.

I cleared my throat. "What is Araboth like?" I asked a little shyly. I wasn't sure if I had the right to ask, if I, as a human, even had the right to know anything about the realm of the Seraphim. But I was intensely curious.

Cassiel sighed. "Not always easy," he said. "The land is beautiful. Just as varied as Iridisia, but less populated, making everything seem more expansive. There are gigantic forests, some of which no Seraph has ever ventured into. Green meadows, mountain ranges, and sand deserts. Beyond the Autumn Seas lies the Ice Sky, the Winterland. It's huge. You can think of it a bit like Skaldengard. Araboth is beautiful, but certainly not perfect."

I could hardly believe it. "In Araboth reside justice, wealth, and healing, the treasures of life, the treasures of peace and the treasures of blessing, the source of endless joy, the souls of the chosen, those blessed by the gods, whose wings bear the light of purity. There reigns the glory of creation, where the light of enlightenment always shines and the love of the gods burns for eternity," I quoted what we were taught from a young age, what was written in our holy books. "I think that sounds wonderful."

I couldn't quite hide the wistfulness in my voice. The idea of justice, peace, joy, and love just sounded too good, even if all that wasn't meant for us humans.

Cassiel smiled. "We have our problems too," he said simply.

"Like the conflict with the Cherubim?" I asked. The words were out before I could stop them, and only Cassiel's frown made me realize I had said too much.