Flaming Dove by Daniel Arenson Read Free Book Online

beach, heading into the realm of Heaven.

Chapter Four

    Michael stood upon a fallen marble column, the wind from the sea ruffling the feathers in his swan wings, blowing back his curls. Eyes narrowed, lance in hand, he stared down the hill toward the ruins of Caesarea. The city was silent now, its ancient walls and cobbled streets glinting in the sunlight. The only movement was the waves beyond the city walls, the only sounds the breeze and sea.
    But they are out there, waiting, Michael knew. He loosened and tightened his grip on his lance, comforted by the familiar, smooth touch of its shaft. He had been holding this lance for so long, the grip was so polished, he could almost see his reflection in it.
    "Won't see much down there now," came a voice behind, and Michael turned to see Raphael—his youngest brother—trudging up the hill. The archangel wore no armor and carried no weapon. Clad in white robes was Raphael, simple homespun, and he held a knotty wooden staff. The wind ruffled his long dark hair and swan wings.
    Michael nodded. "It's a clear day. Sunlight hurts them."
    Raphael stepped onto the fallen column where Michael stood, and for a moment the brothers gazed down upon the ruins, silent.
    "How are you, Michael?" Raphael asked quietly.
    Michael did not answer and kept scanning the ruins below. Doves picked at seeds between the cobblestones, and sparrows bathed in rainwater that had gathered in aqueducts, but Michael saw no other life.
    "This city was built during the days of Christ," he finally said, speaking to himself more than to Raphael. "It's a baby next to Jerusalem, but still old enough so that each stone moans with antiquity. I can hear the cobbles whisper, Raphael."
    Raphael, the great healer, placed a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Answer me, Michael. How are you?"
    Michael turned to face Raphael, youngest of the three brothers. Those brown eyes of his always look so sad, Michael thought. "I'm fine. You worry too much."
    "You are tired."
    "I'm a soldier. Soldiers get tired. We keep fighting, even so." Michael shook his head. Raphael was a healer, a divine being of piety and peace. He, Michael, was lord of God's hosts, the ultimate warrior. We will never understand each other, he knew.
    Even as children, thousands of years ago, the brothers never got along. Michael, the oldest, the responsible one. Beelzebub, the middle child, reckless, the prankster, the trouble child. Raphael, the youngest, studious and reflective. Sometimes Michael couldn't believe the three shared blood. In their youth, Beelzebub was always sneaking down to Earth and getting into trouble, Raphael would lose himself in meditation and prayer, and he—Michael—was always the one to take care of things, to look after his younger siblings. Looking down over the ruins, Michael lowered his head. Yet I was never able to look after Beelzebub. I was never able to help that one.
    "We have wine back in the camp," Raphael said, holding his staff, gazing down upon the ancient walls and houses, these structures that had stood for two thousand years. "There is honey bread too, and figs. Join us, Michael. Your troops will be glad to see you. There will be no more fighting until dark."
    Michael sighed. "I'm thinking. I can think here during the day. It's quiet."
    "Wisdom flows from our hearts," Raphael said softly, "from our faith, from the godlight within us, from God's grace. Leave thinking to the devil."
    Michael couldn't help but smile despite himself. "The devil is in this land. God is up in Heaven. So let me do my thinking."
    Raphael pulled a flask from his robes. He handed it to Michael. "A shot of spirits, at least?"
    Michael sighed. "You do know me." He took a swig—perfect smooth rye—then handed the flask back to Raphael, who took a nip of his own.
    The spirits warm in his stomach, Michael looked back down toward the ruins. Every house there hid a demon, he knew, and underground... under those cobblestones and fountains...
    "He's down