Angel Warriors - HeavenBound Section 6

AUTHOR'S NOTES: MOST OF HEAVENBOUND IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS AND ROUGHED OUT SCENES AND NOTES.

**Story Notes: While Michael is waiting for Sera in the countryside, some of the higher-ups in town have been invited to the rich family's town house (we'll call them Fontaine family for now); the men, as well as their wives gather in the drawing room or something - with the men sitting on one side of the room, while the ladies are gathered at the other end. Their topic of the day is Michael, of course, and they all decide that he should be invited for tea the next day and offer him the invitation to stay at the Fontaine’s house as the guest. The butler goes to the Inn, but Michael is not there - the man leaves a message for Michael with the Inn Keeper. Michael arrives at the Inn by early nightfall and reads the message. The whole day he had been waiting for Sera, who never showed up, and in his walk back to the township, he decides that he has to stop his foolishness and put focus back on his 'mission'. When he receives the message, he thinks he might as well go, it could help him for the time he was there and meet more people.



During the tea, Michael is introduced to the influential men in town, and he manages to answer their questions about him without giving any information to them. Afterwards, the lady of the house shows him the house, the stables, the grounds; they up at the servants’ quarters, and the servants are lined up for his inspection/approval. At the end of the line is Serafina, and she’s embarrassed to see Michael there. This is the first time that Michael understands Sera’s ‘place’; all the servants have to bow their head, not allowed to make eye contact or speak to the mistress of the house or Michael. Lady Fontaine is called away, and Michael is alone with the servants. To their immense surprise – which they aren’t permitted to show – Michael speaks to each of them, shaking their hands and asking their names. The servants are shocked; no guest of the Manor would treat them with such dignity and respect. When he’s face-to-face with Sera, he asks her name and he repeats it, “Serafina…that is a beautiful name,” he bows slightly, “I am Michael.” There are a few giggles from the younger female servants, who are quickly shushed by an older, matronly maid (Dorthea) who is also smiling faintly. Sera is the only one who doesn’t see any humor in it, as Michael can cost her her position.


The lady of the Manor returns, and she escorts Michael back to the drawing room/parlor. Lord Fontaine is the only one there, and he asks if Michael would do them the utmost honor of staying at Fontaine Manor, hoping that their lowly abode would suffice. Michael considers, turning over several favorable possibilities for accepting; he then bows and accepts.


Melanie Fontaine’s Coming Out Ball is scheduled in two weeks; they invite Michael to attend. Michael asks Sera to teach him how to dance, as he doesn’t want to insult his host and hostess by refusing their invitation because he’s unfamiliar with the ‘new’ dances. He’s already gotten permission from Lady Fontaine, and Sera is trapped – she can’t refuse both him and her mistress.


**Story note: the dance lessons will enable Michael and Sera to get to know each other…. J Perhaps this is where Sera says she has feelings for him, but it can’t work because of their social status. She can’t presume to ask him to make any promises to her, but she hopes he would recognize the necessity of proper distance due to their stations. Michael makes no commitment either way. He’s thinking – or trying to think J - of how to let Sera know that her ‘station’ doesn’t matter a whit to him.



The daughters of the household, at 18-20 month intervals, go through their wardrobes and toss out dresses that are ‘old and out of style’; these dresses are to be either re-sewn into the more current fashion, or tossed out altogether – or given to ‘charity’. Dorthea saves the best of the lot, a russet and gold garden dress that compliments Sera’s dark skin and sets off her eyes. After a few alterations, Sera wears this dress under the apron while she serves the guests at the Ball. She tries not to notice Michael surrounded by the most beautiful women she’s ever seen; and tries not to let him see her in her hand-me-down dress… Later that evening, as the servants wait in the kitchen for the Ball to end and they can start cleaning up, Sera takes off her apron and goes outside into the garden. The night air is cool, the full Moon casting a silver light over the flowers and shrubs; she can hear the music through the partially opened French Doors, and she dances to it by herself; eyes closed, holding the full skirts as she moves gracefully over the flagstones… Then the music pauses, and she stops, stands still for a moment as if reluctant to leave her dream world. Then she goes over to one of the large windows, and gazes longingly at the lovely gowns, the meticulously styled hair, and the brilliant jewels of the women inside…


“My pardon, Serafina…” She jumped slightly as Michael appeared at her elbow. She hadn’t heard him approach, and she frowned slightly.


She moved away from the window, eyes downcast, “Milord…” What was he doing out here, anyway?


“What held your attention so raptly? That would keep you out here in the chill air, away from the warmth of the hearth?”


“I… I was admiring the Ball, sir; and the ladies… their gowns, their hair, their jewels and furs – they are all so elegant and beautiful…”


Michael noticed her downcast gaze at her own dress, plain and simple compared to the lavish gowns inside. He longed to take her in his arms, but instead gently turns her to face him. “Do you think that those cold, hard gems could sparkle more luminously than your eyes?


“That the richest velvet or smoothest satin could even begin to compare with the softness of your skin?


“That those unfeeling pelts could possibly match the warmth of your touch?


“My lovely Serafina, what need have you for such Man-desired luxury, when you are more than all of it?”


She just looked at him for a moment, falling into his intense, smoky eyes; she moved closer to him, thinking he would kiss her and not at all certain if she should stop him or not… When instead he swept her into a romantic waltz under the Moon and stars…


Michael is falling in love with her; he tells her he can’t let her go. He asks if she’ll reconsider their ‘relationship’. She wants time to think it over… she’s so unsure of him and his intentions toward her…


Sometime after the Ball, a boor masquerading as a gentleman, Lord Balsart, makes unwarranted and unwanted overtures toward Serafina. She rebuffs him as best she can, but he’s insistant—being a wealthy noble, he’s used to having servants doing what he wants them to do. There are others present – Lord Fontaine and his friends, and Balsart’s friends – but they ignore Sera’s distress. So Michael steps forward…


“Desist, good sir,” Michael’s smile is not at all friendly, and a more astute person would be running for the hills… “Find another, for she has no interest in you.”


Lord Balsart, broad of girth and narrow of brain, looked Michael up and down, “You claim her, then?”


“She is not property to be claimed.”


“Fair game, then, seems to me,” he started around Michael, “[insert appropriate comment to cause Michael to physically intervene – something Balsart would consider an insult]”


Balsart, pulling off one glove indignantly, started to slap Michael in the manner of a challenge; but Michael gripped the the man’s wrist so tightly that bones crunch.


“ ’Tis most unseemly to quarrel over that which all present would agree are your bad manners,” Michael spoke in a calm, soothing tone, “You would have me kill you to salve your affronted pride? Such would be unworthy of me in God’s eyes.”


Michael’s calm manner belies the strength of his grip, Balsart felt the bones in his wrist threatening to break, and tried to find a way out. The allusion to God has given him that out; he can’t challenge a priest or someone similar. “You… you are a man of God?”


The gray eyes glittered dangerously, “ ‘Of God’? Most assuredly…”


Lord Fontaine intervened, “Please, Charles, Michael is a guest in my home,” he offered, trying to save the situation, “Come, do not bother yourself with a mere slip of a girl… Join us in a drink—“
One of Balsart’s friends interrupts, wanting to see a fight, not want wanting to see Michael avoid the confrontation, “Don’t let that toff best you…”


Michael released his grip, and stepped back, in deference to his host, “I will yield to the better man, by his apology to the young lady. Then may he go in peace.”


Balsart, surrounded by his friends, rubbed his wrists, the anger taking over. “Lady?! I see no ‘lady’ !”


It happened so quickly, that no one saw it; one second Balsart was blustering in Michael’s face, the next he was on the floor with an astounded look on his face. Michael glared down at him, “Then I accept your earlier challenge; and I choose… swords!”


Two of his friends helped him up, and Balsart snorted with contempt, “Hah, barbarian, do you refer to sabers or rapiers?”


“Whichever you fear the least.”


NOTES: They decide on a time and place (probably the next day, at dawn, outside of town). Michael has no intention of killing, or even harming, Balsart. Sera, however, is terrified; especially when Michael tells Fontaine he’s never seen either a saber or a rapier and would like for Lord Fontaine to obtain one for him to use. She pleads with him to let it go, but Michael says that men like Balsart are too stupid to avoid; confrontation is all they understand.


A few short scenes as Fontaine shows Michael the proper etiquette of fencing; Michael picks it up quickly, although the rapier seems very light and ineffective to him…


The day arrives. Michael is wearing one of those white shirts that lace up, and have big sleeves; tight black pants with knee high leather boots; his hair is loose and he stands in the morning light, facing the rising sun, the rays outlining him in deep gold and white… Balsart is dressed the same, but the similarity ends there: it’s like putting patent leather and silver harness on a mule and on a purebred Arabian stallion – clothes definitely do not make the man…


Michael makes a fool of Balsart by doing nothing. Michael never touches him, and Balsart never touches Michael; the archangel is too quick. No one can keep up with his moves, and he disarms Balsart in a matter of seconds. He then backhands the man to the ground, the sharp point barely an inch from Balsart’s neck. “Now, sir, the apology to the lady; and I trust now that your eyesight has improved…”

*****************

///The next day, Saturday or Sunday, Sera, after evening Mass – something she attends from habit rather than faith, Lucifer (maybe he introduces himself as Count Lucerne) appears to her. She’s alone, someplace away from everyone else, trying to sort out her feelings for Michael and just about deciding never to see him again… When a stranger comes over… no not quite a stranger, she had seen him earlier in the week, he had spoken pleasantly to her… an older gentlemen, very kind and personable almost fatherly, very attractive…and for some reason she feels comfortable in his presence – more so than in Michael’s.///

The elderly gentleman bowed, tipped his hat.“Good Evening, my dear; my, what is troubling such a lovely lady on such a lovely evening?”


Sera forced a smile. “It is nothing important, sir…” she starts to leave, but Lucifer’s compelling gaze holds her.


“You are troubled. Life is too short to be wasted on doubts and sorrows. Let me help you if I can. Sometimes, a stranger can see more clearly than a friend… I am the Baron LuCerne, of Austria; and I am at your service, Milady.” He bowed deeply.


She found herself telling him about Michael, and her fears. He smiled gently, but there was something about his eyes…


“If you were given the opportunity to have everything you’ve ever wanted, anyone you’ve ever wanted…. Would you take advantage of that opportunity?”


Her smile became uncertain, “Surely you jest, sir; how could such things happen to me?”


He reached out, touched her arm; his hands felt very warm. “Suppose… Let’s pretend that you are offered such a possiblility, my dear; what would it be worth to you?”


She can’t look away from his gaze, “W-What do you mean? I have nothing to give you, except—“ Thinking he wants her, she started to pull away; he held her gently but firmly.


“No, I would ask nothing from you, dear lady; only that you… perhaps … entice another to you?”
She shook her head, “I don’t understand. Why—”


He interrupted smoothly, “This gentleman of wealth of whom you speak – he has tricked and dishonored me, my family… He seeks to do the same to you with his smooth ways and flattering tongue. I have seen him do the same to other young ladies who were led to believe his lies of professed love for them, and to trust him… He did so with my young sister, ill-used her and cast her aside. She was shamed and with child, but he only laughed and turned away from her…and she took her own life… I seek vengeance for her…”


She found his words hard to believe, but at this point what she knows of Michael could well substantiate what he was saying… and he is so sincere, and caring… “But … what would I have to do with such…vengeance? How could I--”


Lucifer’s voice became even more persuasive, “Go to him, take him to your bed… he will lay with you willingly – and I promise no harm would come to you, for I would be there, waiting for him. Then, I would have him, and will mete out the punishment he so richly deserves.”


She looked at him with horror, “Punishment! You mean…kill him? Oh, no, I could not—“


Lucifer calmed her fears, “No, my dear lady, not kill; that would serve no purpose to me. No, he would live with all he has done, be forced to face the conseqences of the young ladies he has defiled and destroyed. He would be publicly humiliated and shamed – no decent, God-fearing family would allow him in their home, and his social status could collapse.


“And that would be punishment enough for me; to see him rejected and reviled as he had scorned so many others….


“And you,” he continued, “you will be praised for revealing what the monster that he truly is; you would be welcomed into my home, into my family. Your station would be elevated higher than any here, you would have wealth, jewels, the finest clothes and furs… Kings would be at your feet, vying for just one of your smiles…”


“I…I don’t know; I…” her head was spinning; her thoughts muddled. She couldn't think clearly, but she wanted with all her heart and soul everything that this man offered her… If what he said was true…would it be such a bad thing to have Michael revealed for what he really was…?


Lucifer patted her hand comfortingly, “Think it over, my dear; be watchful of him, and you will see what I have told you is true. When you have decided, get word to me at the Inn.” He gave her his card, bowed, and left.


Sera stood for a moment, then looked at the card. She gasped, and looked after the disappearing figure.

//Although she can’t read, the crest on the card under the name and title is of the ruling house of Austria or Germany or someplace similar…//

**************

//Sera’s Guardian Angel knows what Lucifer is up to, but he is no match for Lucifer, so he hurries to alert Michael of the danger to Sera.:
rough-out of scenes:

Sera’s Guardian Angel tries to prevent Lucifer from approaching her, but he is no match for the Prince of Darkness. His attempts to alert Michael to Lucifer’s interference are cut off before he can even start, as Michael tells him that events must take place as they normally would, and that he, Michael, is just another human and angels do not speak directly to humans. Michael tells the Guardian not to worry, God won’t allow any harm to come to his (the Guardian’s) charge.


Guardian: (urgent) Prince Michael, I must speak with thee of a matter of great urgency—


Michael: (raises a hand to stop him) Hold, Guardian; wouldst thee speak to me thus if I were naught but human?


Guardian: (taken aback) No, but—


Michael: Then do not do so now, simply because I am here. (Michael knows the Guardian is Sera’s Angel, but he has to remain detached and not interfere in her mortal life; and he’s upset that he can’t help her as he wants to, and is therefore a bit harsh with her Guardian for inadvertantly reminding him of that fact…)


Guardian: (normally, he would never argue or question Michael, but his charge’s safety is more important to him than angel/archangel protocol) It would not be necessary, if you were not here…


Michael: Even so, tell me naught; for God will allow no harm to come to your charge if she does not wish it…


*****************
//continue rough-out of scenes:

After considering what Baron LuCerne has told her, and comparing it with the little she knows about Michael at this point – and could even back up what Baron LuCerne has said. So, Sera is now leery of Michael, and he notes the change. He doesn’t understand the reason for it. This could be the scene where Sera finally tells him that it’s not possible for them to be together; he can’t bear that, and fights the impulse to take her in his arms and profess everything to her…he can’t lose her…his intensity is frightening for her, and she can also see what Baron LuCerne was telling her about Michael… But just when she thinks he’s going to attack her, he does something that completely disarms her. He kneels before her, asking how he had wronged her for her to want to dismiss him. Asking what she would want of him to make up for such an unforgivable action on his part…


And she could use this to lure him into the trap Baron LuCerne has set for him… But she’s not certain she can go through with it; to become the kind of person that people suspect her to be and that she has always fought not to be. Then, (whereever she and Michael are – her room, the stable…someplace that would afford some privacy) she catches a glimpse of Baron LuCerne. He smiles, nods, urging her on – he’ll be close to assist her when necessary…just as he said he would…


Everything she ever wanted…. And all she has to do is expose the shocking truth of the man who sought to decieve her, to use her, to—


She moves toward him, intending to send him away; Michael misinterprets her intention, and takes her in his arms, lets his emotions take over. This is where she finds out how inexperienced he is with love-making; and such inexperience doesn’t fit the character that Baron LuCerne had painted with such shades of degradation and lustfulness…


She now knows, in her heart, that for whatever reason Baron LuCerne had, he had lied to her. That Micheal was the gentleman she had thought him to be – and more innocent than she had ever imagined… She then indicates what she wants, and Michael follows her lead; he learns quickly . She smiles up at him, and then opens up to him completely…ending with that if he can accept her as she is, and still wants her, then she is his…


Now Michael has to fight it, without making Sera feel that once he’s won her, the ‘sport’ is over for him. He’s holding her close, and can feel everything she is; and he wants her so much that he can’t cope… He’s close to Falling, and only that awareness stops him. With conscious effort, he willed the Angelic nature to overrule the human nature, and he shut down all the wonderful, but frightening, desires spinning him out of control…and he regained that control, within seconds, without her ever being aware of the battle within him.

He tells her that he loves her, that he has never felt such consuming love for anyone other than his King. And, as a nobleman, he wants to announce his intentions to her to everyone, including his King. A week, at the most, and they will be married…

And he wants to wait until their Wedding Night before consumating their love for each other…


Lucifer does a slow burn, knowing he’s failed…and vanishes.



//NOTE: THIS IS WHERE THE ‘SERA ROUSTS LUCIFER’ SCENE GOES, THE SCENE ABOUT SERA TELLING LUCIFER ‘How dare you threaten the man I love?!?!’ THEN HER AND HER OTHER FRIENDS CHASING HIM OFF, THROWING THINGS AT HIM… HE'S TOO HUMILATED TO RETALIATE AND LEAVES. //




Continue with rough-out of scenes:

Before Michael leaves to ask God’s permission to marry Sera, he has her portrait commissioned by a local painter, and pays him in gold.


Michael appears before God, but before he can ask about Sera, God tells him of a great danger threatening a solar system paralleling Earth’s system, therefore threatening all life on Earth. Michael is to deal with this impending danger, then return to God. God will then give him his answer concerning Serafina.


Michael is at the point of asking God for permission to marry Serafina, and give her the life he longs for her to have – for her to be happy. God tells him that it is not time for Serafina, and for Michael to wait; in the meantime, God is aware of Omni’s intent to destroy the parallel solar system, thus affecting the safety of Earth’s solar system. He sends Michael on a mission to stop Omni, and tells him he will have his answer concerning Serafina when he returns.


Michael visits Serafina before he leaves, says that courier from his country has a message from his King, for him to return before his marriage; then, he will be free to come back to her.


The ship he is sailing on will return within the year. Will she wait for him? She asks what is she do if he doesn’t return to her, for the sea is treacherous, and many nations are at war. He takes her in his arms, holds her close; he knows he'll return, but he can understand her misgivings (no doubt other told her they would come back to her, and never did). He says a year, give him a year to gain permission from his King, and His blessing; she agrees, saying, “A year – a lifetime; I will wait…”


She accompanies him to the dock, watches as he boards the ship; the dock is crowded and busy, as is the ship.

Once aboard, Michael simply vanishes, flying back to Heaven. He’s flying in loops and rolls, as he is so joyously happy… and he can’t wait to tell someone, anyone, but he has to appear before God first…


and God gives him the details of his mission. As he’s leaving, he’s still deliriously happy – Mihdael notices this odd change, and intercepts Michael as he leaves the Throne Room.

Mihdael: Commander…? Art thou…well?

Michael: (grinning widely; there is a different Light radiating from him. Mihdael has never seen him so…joyous) Mihdael! I was about to summon you… I must leave again, for a short while… Will you remain as Commander Pro Tem of the Army until I return?

Mihdael:Yes, of course, but…. Commander, what has happened to you? You look … well, if I did not know better, I would say you were—


Michael: Delirious? Ecstatic?


Mihdael’s look indicates he had another word in mind: deranged…


Michael: (laughs – another unusual event for him) When I return, my friend, I will share with you the most wondrous thing… (he smiles then, with unexpected understanding) Because you are the only one who would understand it…


He leaves, leaving Mihdael at a loss…and only later realizing that Michael had referred to him as ‘my friend’…


************
The year has passed on Earth, and Sera visits the docks often, hoping to hear news of the ship’s arrival. This time, the atmosphere is subdued, people aren’t smiling, laughing, talking as usual…. She doesn’t pay much attention at first, as she’s joyfully planning her wedding, with packages of lace and ribbon to add to her just completed wedding dress.

Then she notices some people crowded around a notice tacked to a post; women weeping softly, and men shaking their heads, faces sad… She can’t read, doesn’t know what the papers and notices say. Back at the cottage, Dorthea learns from a neighbor what has happened to the ship; and Dorthea knows Sera was going to visit the Dock that day… She runs out of the house, down to the docks; she has to find Sera first, before she can learn the terrible news…


But some street lackey comes up to her, tells her that her ‘fancy man’ was dead; that the ship sank with all hands, and now she’s just like them again… Sera can’t believe it, and asks a sailor. He says its true. All hands lost, no survivors. Her world shatters…everything gone; he’s not coming back for her. She faints dead away on the street, and Dorthea finds her just as she falls.

Without Dorthea, Sera would proably have had a nervous breakdown; but the older woman takes care of her… and Sera waits a year, another year, and another year…just in case… but Michael never returns, and Sera meets Dorthea’s youngest brother… and sees Michael’s smile in his gray eyes…


****************
LOCATION: FAR OUTSIDE OF HEAVEN; THE DOMAIN RULED BY OMNI

*******************

Omni intercepts Michael’s flight, and before Michael can react, Omni zaps him into his component atoms. Omni knows who and what Michael is: an Archangel in the service of God; an Archangel possessing the most powerful destructive force in the Universe. Omni re-assembles Michael into a being whose nature and personality is the exact opposite of what it was. He now hates God, and serves Omni, Lord of All.


Omni sends Michael against the Guardian angels protecting the parallel solar system and it’s individual planets. One against twelve – Michael laughs at such insignificant odds…


It is at this point that God acts. He summons Mihdael, tells him what has happened to Michael, asks if Mihdael will go after Michael.


Mihdael is aware that Michael can destroy him, and will have no qualms about it. He’s hesitant, not certain that he would be powerful enough. God gives him a duplicate of Michael’s sword, tells him he is now empowered to destroy Michael with the sword, if there is no other way to stop him from destroying the parallel system (this way, God lets Mihdael know he has the power he needs, without revealing to Mihdael the ability he has to kill Michael).


Mihdael accepts, but with no joy or anticipation. He has been in command of the Army during Michael’s absence, and although he commands the Army ably and well, he wants Michael back as the rightful Commander. Mihdael asks Uriel to accompany him, as he knows the extent of Michael’s skill and power under normal circumstances – he can’t even begin to imagine what Michael must be like in his altered state.


CONTINUED IN SECTION 7: "Angel Warriors - HeavenBound Section 7"