They Who Fell by Kevin Kneupper Read Free Book Online Page B

had only just begun to admire them when she felt something collide with her head, and fell to the floor in a daze.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    “T his island, here,” said Uzziel. “A nest of vipers. There’s at least two encampments down there in some of the parklands. And there could be hundreds of them scuttling around in the structures nearby.”
    He’d intercepted Rhamiel and Zuphias on one of the balconies, and was holding a map and gesturing at it excitedly. It was covered in scribblings and notes from either Uzziel or one of his lieutenants—battle plans, perhaps, or just intelligence about the general area. The balcony was small, but it had a perfect view of their surroundings. It had no railings or other protections; just a bare platform, extending outward into space. There were a number of them around the tower, and the angels came to them to think, or brood, or simply to stare out at the skies.
    “We’d love to spend the day debating military strategy, Uzziel, we really would,” said Rhamiel, brushing away the map. “But this trip is purely for pleasure. An aimless jaunt into the countryside to admire the scenery.”
    “And I’d promised myself I’d stay out of martial affairs,” added Zuphias. “I’m not particularly happy with the results of my last foray into that field.”
    Uzziel glowered at them both, and thrust his finger at the area of the map that was most heavily scrawled upon. “These are threats. Every one of them a threat. It’s vigilance that protects a garrison. I’d conscript the lot of you, if I could muster the support. Instead you dedicate all your lives to loafing.”
    “Uzziel, look around you,” said Rhamiel. “This is hardly some defenseless camp. We’re in the skies, far from danger. And a little loafing would more become you. You’ve too much energy. Why, sloth is one of the sins with the most to commend it. You’ve done nothing since we arrived but relive old battles and gin up excuses to drill for new ones.”
    “We’d certainly help you if it became necessary,” said Zuphias. “But it’s all so dull. I’ve had more than enough lifetimes of service, myself. You can put aside these labors now. Do something of your own choosing.”
    “This is labor for ourselves, not for others,” said Uzziel. “How do any of you feel safe with enemies around us? We must at least be prepared. That’s all I ask. Just do some basic scouting. Just fly past, get me my intelligence, and then idle away as many of your days as you please.”
    Rhamiel smiled, looking amused. “Perhaps, Uzziel. Perhaps. We’ve no particular plans, and can make no particular promises. But if we’re in the area, and feel so inclined, we’ll wander about and report to you immediately if the armies of men are massing around us. Some armada has doubtless been cleverly disguised down there for the last decade, awaiting the perfect moment to strike.”
    Uzziel scowled and huffed off. He was used to ruling through authority before the Fall, and hadn’t taken well to the need to use persuasion to achieve his ends. Orders were simpler, and they didn’t require any thought to the inclinations of their recipients. Now he was a general without an army. The heavenly host was shattered, and the most disciplined of its former soldiers had become the wildest when they suddenly found themselves without their old restraints. Uzziel had been reduced to hectoring anyone with the patience to listen. The angels had been left to their own devices for long enough that convincing them to act in concert was akin to herding cats.
    “A final drink, and then let’s be off,” said Rhamiel, as he motioned to a waiting attendant. Rhamiel and Zuphias both preferred wine. It didn’t get them drunk; the angelic constitution was too strong for that. But there was something biblical about it, and they both enjoyed the old classics.
    “Perhaps we should perform Uzziel’s spywork,” said Zuphias. “I won’t say the feeling of flight