Shamsiel was livid but the serpent had gained his interest. “Get to your point,” he commanded.
“My point is that you waste your time here. You command legions of angels yet you stand idle for all time in defense of a gate against me. Your existence is meaningless so long as you guard this gate and yet I roam free throughout the land when I should have been put to death.”
Shamsiel lowered his sword and the flame lessened. “You speak true.”
Shamsiel’s words were barely audible but the serpent heard them clearly. “I can show you a different way. Join me. Renounce your service and join me in creating a just world: a world in which ethereal beings stand above humans, as is our rightful place.
“You are supremely loyal, yet a slave. Mankind was given free will, free to choose that which, if nothing else makes them happy. In return for that freedom, they turn away so easily. Join me. Together we will create a world where men recompense for their sins.”
Shamsiel was not sure what happened next. He felt as if in a dream. He should have killed the serpent. Instead, the serpent’s words had hypnotized him.
He dropped his sword and walked forward to the serpent. It was then he realized his decision. It was not too late. He could have picked up the sword and returned to his position. But he chose not to return.
Shamsiel took his first step in cooperation with the serpent and after a few steps, he turned to look back at the gate. Standing at the gate with his old sword was Cherubim.
Shamsiel had made his decision. That decision filled him with shame; but also, the decision filled him with hope. He was now on the path to a just world. The shame would fade and purpose would take its place.
Shamsiel turned his back on the garden and followed the serpent into the Land of Eden.
Diego had heard the story many times. He always thought it was ironic that Shamsiel once cursed the serpent for causing the downfall of man but in the end, chose to follow the serpent, turning his back on God as man had done. Diego knew that with the Ark (or what was in the Ark), Shamsiel and the Watchers could regain the garden.
Diego cursed himself for verifying the existence of the Ark. He should have known better. He had lived long enough to know that confidential conversations did not exist. His comments were instantly cited online and spread from there. He was positioned in Ethiopia to protect the secrets of that land yet he had freed the most surreptitious of secrets with his own mouth.
“What are your thoughts?” the priest asked.
Diego looked at the priest. “It’s not time for this discussion.”
“What do you mean?” the priest asked.
“We’re going to visit and old friend. When we get there, I’ll explain everything.”
“What do you know?”
“In good time, Father,” Diego answered, “In good time.”
CHAPTER THREE
Juan had a television that he rarely watched; in fact, the television was more to keep up appearances than anything. He wondered briefly if a baseball game might be on when he heard a knock.
He rose from his recliner and was shocked when he opened the front door. “Diego?”
“Aye, Diego.”
Juan grinned and embraced his oldest friend.
“You act like you’ve missed me. It’s only been a few hundred years.”
Juan laughed. “Yes, I missed you. Please, come in.” It was then he noticed Diego’s companion.
“Juan,” Diego said, stepping to the side allowing full view of the priest, “this is my good friend. I just call him Priest.” Diego winked. “He always answers to that so I stick with it.”
“Father,” Juan welcomed, clasping the priest’s extended hand.
Diego motioned towards Juan. “I’d like to introduce you to Juan Ponce de Leon.”
The priest nodded. “I’m honored.”
“Thank you, Father. I’m also honored to have you in my home. So,” he said, turning to Diego, “what do you think of my house?”
“Small but cozy. The smell fits you. Dog owner?”
Juan smiled. “Not quite. The previous owners had a couple of mutts. The smell of wet dog will fade with time. I’m not sure the smell of piss will, though. Come, won’t you have a seat?” Juan took the men through the living room into the kitchen where he offered them a glass of iced tea. Both men accepted. “I remember when tea was scarce. Diego, do you remember the trade routes that brought tea to Spain? Now we buy it at every local grocery store.”
They enjoyed a moment of silent reflection while sipping the iced beverage. Diego breached the stillness. “How is the fountain?”
“Always the same. I go there most evenings. During the summer, Cherubim is very still as there are children playing in the fountain. But if I stay long enough, I can see him watching me.”
“Can we go there?” the priest asked.
Juan had been studying the priest. He recognized that Diego had told the priest some of their story but not all. The priest would have many questions and they were in for a lengthy evening. “Sure, why not,” Juan answered.
Juan led the way, walking the two blocks from his house to the park that housed the fountain. The day had been searing but the evening was now much cooler. It was early summer and while the temperature fluctuated almost by the hour, the evenings were still relatively comfortable. They walked past several closed storefronts until they reached the open staircase that led down to the park. Once inside, the priest was mesmerized by the fountain.
Juan led them
