Chapter Twenty Two — Part 2

“All Kings answer to the Council of Nine.” Joseph said, “As was written in Elfin lore nearly two eons past.”

Jodiah stood up slowly, smiling. “Why, archangel Joseph, are you trying to pull rank?” He patted the hilt of his sword, his other hand rested on his blaster. “I don’t listen to any Council not voted into appointment by my people.”

This thing was getting way out of hand, all I wanted to do was plan my honeymoon in peace, and now this stranger was insisting that I shed my wings. I had no intention of following his request. I liked to being able to fly. I liked the ability to move as fast as any space ship through Otherspace. I wanted my freedom.

“So long as one person holds the power to shift between the realms, there is a threat of imbalance. You must understand the importance of this transition.”

“I really wish you would just leave me alone.” I said, rubbing my temples, a headache coming on.

Eohl pushed his chair out with his knees, his hands firm on the tabletop. In response three of the Council of Nine moved in close, ready to back their leader.

“Gentlemen, this is a celebration, a festive occasion. You are upsetting my wife and I wish you would stop.” Eohl said, his voice surprisingly firm.

“If she doesn’t abide by the decisions of the Council, she must be punished.” Archangel Joseph said, his arms crossed sternly.

“You know, when I was a kid visiting Transcendence, I felt like a speck of dust and couldn’t really tell why. Now I know, the higher angels are a bunch of over-inflated snobs.” I said, taking Eohl’s hand and rising to leave. “We’re out of here.” I walked back to the ship, an entourage of angels, guards, and friends seeing us off.

“You’re a part of our order, and must live by our laws.” Archangel Joseph insisted.

“She’s my daughter, and protected by the laws of the Elfin Kingdom.” King Lotus said.

“Her rights as a citizen of Friol are protection enough.” Jodiah half yelled, undoing his pistol strap.

Sword and blaster, I’m afraid, mostly govern Friol’s law. I knew he would use either without a moment’s hesitation. I was about to enter my ship when archangel Joseph put his hand on my shoulder to detain me. I looked around me, taking stock of the situation. Jodiah, Uruza, and Fluff already had their hands on their swords. So did seven of the nine angels who had followed me. King Lotus’ face was red with rage, and Eohl was ready for another fight in my honor. Genesis sat on the ship, just over our head, his teeth savagely bared. He looked ready to drop into the fray should one develop.

“You’re all being silly.” I said. “I’m a pirate, and I live by my own rules.”

Archangel Joseph let out an indignant breath. “I’m afraid that I’ve no choice but to order your detainment until the ceremony of transition can be completed and you can be integrated into the new angelic order of Isastan.”

I hadn’t carried a sword since before the battle with Wastik, but I had no intention of going down without a fight. Shrugging off Joseph’s grip, I raised my fists, ready to shift to angelic form at a moment’s notice. If the Council lived by their own laws, they’d be unable to fly. As an angel, I could take Eohl into the safety of Otherspace, and we could go on our honeymoon without a ship.

As it turned out, none of the Council seemed to be so set on obeying the laws they exacted on others. There was no way I could beat nine heavily armed feather winged archangels, and I was about to surrender before people started getting hurt. Lightning blew a hole in the roof of the docking chambers and left a black crater in the floor near my feet. The sound of the thunder reverberating off the walls, pierced my ears, and chilled my soul. Everybody stood still, the Council of Nine visibly shaken. Wisdom was there, only he had horns, suggesting that he and Tester were in one form at the moment.

He carefully put himself between the angels and myself. “I really do wish I’d come sooner, Bit. I had hopes that the Council would maintain their integrity in my absence.” Tester stepped out of Wisdom’s form; two who were also one protected me from the Council of Nine.

Tester lifted Archangel Joseph by the collar and held his face close to hers. “We left Bit here to fix the universe. We trusted that the Council wouldn’t become corrupt. It’s apparent that you and your fellow Council are less human than I thought.” She tossed Archangel Joseph to the ground.

He cowered at her feet, apologizing. Tester shunned, him, turning her back and speaking no further on the matter.

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