September 20th, 1999. Early a.m.
I had not really expected anything to
come traipsing toward my door. I could not be certain, however, since
up until that point those opposing us had far exceeded our minimal
capabilities in planning an reconnaissance. Were they to want something
at the Board they would simply show up and do what they wanted. What
need subterfuge?
So when I heard a loud racket in the Symphony, I was not surprised to
find that it was not coming from my place. No. As I flew across town,
the sound had a very definite direction to it . . . a tinge of pottery. The
Painted Pot, home of Arashiel's ignored 'loomy' feeling. I wondered if
the feeling had decided to manifest itself in the realm of the
corporeal.
Upon my arrival I was gratified to find that all were well, although
the place was severely mangled. Pottery shards were everywhere.
Arashiel, looking to have been in combat, clutched her Tapestry like a
manic fiend. Jael, Arabis and Matt were all there as well, apparently
having arrived only a moment before me. Also there were Eli, summoned
to assist Arashiel, and a taller man whom I did not know. He did not
seem particularly friendly but I gathered, from listening to bits of the
conversation, that he had helped Arashiel fend off an attack. While I
helped to clean up the pottery, Arashiel made her way upstairs to bathe
off the acid, which came during the attack I presume, and Jael tended to
her.
When they came downstairs, Arashiel was in her canine vessel. Haven't
seen that one in a while. I was given a blow-by-blow of the events I
had missed. These three had come masquerading as the much-anticipated
Triad of Judgment. Arashiel had managed to see through the vessel of
the leader and recognize him as a Balseraph. Too late, for the Djinn
had undone Arashiel's attunement and the battle had ensued. Although
Arashiel had held her own to some degree, much help had come from this
mysterious stranger and the timely, and pleaded for, arrival of Eli.
The Tapestry was now attuned to by Jael since Arashiel would be unable
to do so for at least a week.
Something here was curious to me but I could not stop to ferret it out
for they were talking to me specifically.
Eli said, "You would have recognized the Balseraph." Then he left.
What does that mean? Was this Daspit? I put this question to Arashiel
and she said that it did not look like him entirely. Perhaps with a
Song he had changed his appearance. Arashiel told Arabis that Arnu was
at the restaurant. I noted that she did not say she 'thought' Arnu was
there, or that the evidence was pretty conclusive. No, she stated it
with certainty. Arabis, miffed at once again being in the wrong place,
added that she had learned that Adrienne had subbed at Columbine.
Curiouser and curiouser, to quote Mr. Carroll. I had thought that
Adrienne had been in her current role for several years. How could she
be subbing at Columbine? I wanted to ask Arabis where she got this
information but I did not. My new strategy was in full effect.
"You know . . . I was able to see the Balseraph for what he was. And the
Calabite . . . he blew up the pots. That would have been ME if he had not
SUCKED! Now I no longer feel guilty for the Calabite I killed."
WE killed, Arashiel. The one that WE killed. And why would anyone
feel guilty for such an action?
They continued their discussion, much of it pertaining to the man who
had helped Arashiel. His name was apparently Irad. I was still
cleaning up pottery so I could not be assured at that moment that I had
heard correctly, but it sounded like this Irad was a fallen angel.
Strange, why would he be in this situation? Why would he be helping
Arashiel? I concluded that I had misheard and continued.
This conviction did not remain for long, however. They went on to
pronounce Irad 'Word-bound, ' and most decidedly a demon. I gathered
Jael had known him. Why was he helping Arashiel? This seemed most
peculiar.
"Irad, Arnu, three demons of Fate, two of the Game, Adrienne . . . those are
the demons we know of, " Arabis began. "Are there more?"
"Bob was here ten years and no one knew it. Who can say how many more
there might be?" Jael replied. "They could have been here a very long
time, and we have advertised our presence here very loudly of late."
What would you have had us do, Jael? A group that is not prepared is forced
to react. They started discussing plans for trapping the demons after
the Tapestry. I listened with interest but did not offer anything.
Finally, and quite clearly exasperated, Arashiel bemoaned, "We need a
strategist to come up with a plan for us."
"We have one, " Jael said, half-statement and half-challenge. I sighed
inwardly at that. Arashiel was the one who wanted the action on this.
She should come up with one herself. Whatever she desired, I would do
my part in it. Indeed, once I began making suggestions for a very
viable course of action along several different possible routes, both
Jael and Arashiel began to shoot them down without offering mechanisms
for improving them. It was obvious to me that they were working on an
entire set of ideas that were foreign to me. To organize an ambush I
would have to know these criteria first. Until then, I would merely go
as led.
Thinking of Giles, we all made our way to the Tether to inform him of
the noise. Dinhabah was there and there was much conversation. I tried
to get them to talk about practical considerations but Arashiel and
Dinhabah ended up debating the Ban on Ethereals. When we discussed
dismantling the Tapestry, a plan favored by both myself and Jael,
Arashiel proved reluctant. Seeing this as our greatest obstacle, her
indecision, I said, "Arashiel. What do you want to do with the
Tapestry. We can not do anything until you, its protector, have
decided."
"Leave her alone, Rook. She was almost killed tonight, all right!"
Jael growled and I shut up obediently. I can understand that Jael has
had millennia to become close to Arashiel. Thus Jael would be eager to
mollycoddle her sister. I was correct, however. Until Arashiel made
that decision, we could make no plans. I would not offer any more
suggestions.
As we were talking, the point that had been trying to eke its way into
my head became clear. For the hellish triad to have shown up when they
did, they would have to have known that Arashiel was expecting one. How
was this possible?
"How did the triad know to come tonight?" I finally managed to voice
amid the maelstrom of voices.
"I was wondering that too, " Jael echoed.
"Perhaps Matt mentioned this to Adrienne, " I offered, though I did not
really think it likely. I knew that Adrienne was his current pet
project, but he would not compromise the safety of our group in such a
fashion, especially if he believed her hooked by Arnu. Jael called Matt
and confirmed this supposition.
"Then if not that avenue, through what means did they find out
Arashiel's status? Is there a mole among us?" I concluded.
I do not like to be paranoid, but at that moment I could not see
anything other mechanism to explain this breach in security.
"Who is the mole?" Arabis asked again, but there was no answer.
This seemed to kill all the conversation so we all went our separate
ways. Arashiel was going to stay at the Tether and so Jael would as
well. I was not bothered . . . I know that her first allegiance is to her
sister, as it should be for two people so long accustomed to one
another. Besides, I had much to ponder. Despite her inherent
flightiness, I could not believe Arashiel capable of turning against our
group in this. The others I could dismiss out of hand, with complete
conviction. Who then? Not Giles? Of the known allies that would leave
Dinhabah, which was laughable. Then it would have to be some ally of
ours of which I was unaware. I knew that Arabis and perhaps even Matt
had access to angels in the area of which I did not know. Arabis had
acquired some useful information, though I knew not from what source.
Matt might also be working with someone within the realm of Flowers but
with whom I would not need to have direct contact. Was one of these the
weak link?
Whatever the outcome, these last two days were a bitter pill to
swallow. I had to forego my pride in an effort to get along with this
group. Arabis may respect me and I know that Jael loves me, but I
operate in a situation that is one of being without allies. My rules do
not apply. Oh God, I would have it that I would not continue working
with this group. Send me to Chechnya, Congo . . . anywhere. Among my own
kind I will know what to do.