The Last War of the Realms

Chapter 1 A New Arrival in Apros

Chapter 1 The Arrival

The night was dark and still. The stars flickered in the night sky and the wind was light and crisp. The boats slide gently ashore and the four Archangels stepped out on to the beach. The moon shone brightly and the sand glistened like a galaxy beneath their feet.

The soldiers, gently lifted the beautiful palanquin from one of the boats and brought it up onto the beach, laying it before the four angels.

"Gabriel, where is Barratiel? She should be here by now."

"Be still brother Michael, she has received my message and will be here shortly." Gabriel laid a gentle hand on her brother's shoulder.

They lifted their heads as they heard the sound of a horse neighing in the distance, then footsteps on the wet sand. Barratiel wore a long dark burgundy cloak. She came to stand before the four Archangels, the palanquin between them, "My brothers and sister, welcome to Apros. All is arranged and I have a wagon waiting at the road."

"Are the wards up and you are sure they are adequate for her protection, Barratiel?", Michael looked directly into her eyes, jaw set.

"Of course my lord, Michael. Lord Uriel, I must ask, will her angel fire be a danger to my people?", Barratiel looked at Uriel, with concern.

"It will become stronger as her powers are revealed and adjust to this world, Barratiel. Raphael has created a tonic for her that should keep it somewhat controlled." Uriel ushered his brother Raphael forward.

"She must take the tonic when she wakes up, it will wear off but we should be arriving back here, by then. We will need to see what she is truly capable of then." Raphael handed a small glass bottle to Barratiel and she placed it in the pocket of her cloak.

"Barratiel, I have cut her ties with the last world and her mother. She will have no recollection of the events passed. This may cause confusion and discord when she wakes up in this world. Make sure she is well supported." Michael gave a solemn nod and then returned to his boat. His soldiers got in and started to row him back to the ship.

Uriel went around the palanquin and gave Barratiel a hug, his touch brought her some encouragement, "You are not alone Barratiel. We will be watching and guiding you until our return."

Gabriel sent four of the soldiers to take the palanquin to the wagon. When they returned, Barratiel gave a small bow to the Uriel, Raphael and Gabriel. The gave her a nod of their heads and then returned to their boats.

Barratiel returned to the wagon, where Johnathan was waiting to help her up onto the drivers bench. "Straight to the cottage Johnathan and drive steadily."

"I always do Barry. How were the Archangels? I have not seen Raphael in many years. Are you going to tell me who this is, in the palanquin? You can hardly keep me in the dark if I'm to drive a corpse."

Barratiel looked horrified, "Hush, Johnathan! She is no corpse. I will tell you everything when we are back at the cottage."

Johnathan smiled, shook his head and bid the horses forward on the journey home.

***

I open my eyes to a warm sunlit room. A sweet scent of wild flowers wafts through the open window. The bed is big, with soft linens made of silver satin and it glides on my skin. The fire place is giving off a soft warmth from embers, burning from a fire made last night.

Pulling the covers aside, I get out of the bed and my feet fall on to a soft fur rug. A butterfly flutters into the room, coming from what appears to be the bathroom. In a state of confusion, I wander into the bathroom, a large free standing bath tub sits in front of big open windows, looking out on to the a beautiful green countryside I've ever seen. A vase of fresh flowers sits on the basin counter, in front of a beautiful, carved mahogany, framed mirror.