by Mary May
Saving Gideon (The Angel Chronicles)
Mary May
Other books by Mary May:
Saving Gideon (The Angel Chronicles, #1)
Heart Lessons (The Angel Chronicles, #2)
The Red House (The Red House, #1)
On A Prayer
Chapter 1
Gideon stood at the edge of the practice field, watching his men go through their maneuvers. The sound of swords clashing and the grunts of the warriors as they fought didn’t bring the usual swell of pride to his heart. It seemed that lately he had lost his joy in the battle. He shifted his wings, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders. Could he be losing his edge after all these years of over seeing his armies? He sighed and ran his hands over his scalp and massaged his temples. His victories should tell the tale of his skill as commander, so no, he wasn’t losing his edge. After five thousand years of leading the heavenly army against the minions of darkness, his skills were honed to a razor-sharp edge. He knew what demon fiends would do before they did. His kills were unmatched, but something was off kilter, something missing. Never one to carry on with internal debating, he shifted his focus to the high ridge above the field. He knew the Lord of Hosts was watching the actions on the field as well, yet he also felt the eyes of the Lord on him. Again, not being one to just stand and be observed, he lifted his wings and summoned the wind to carry him up and over the practice field. He landed lightly on his sandaled feet next to the Lord.
"The men are looking good, are they not, my Lord?" he asked.
The Lord smiled and said, "Yes, very good. You are a superb commander of my army, Gideon; I am well-pleased."
Gideon felt a stirring in his heart at the praise. "Thank you, my Lord, I give all the praise and honor to you." Gideon bowed his head and brought his arm across his chest. "Was there something you wanted to speak to me about, my Lord? I noticed you watching me from across the field." Gideon looked up and gazed as close as he dared to the face of the Lord. The glory was shining too brightly for anyone to look upon His face until the saints were all brought home.
"Actually there was something I've been meaning to speak to you about; I have a special assignment for you," the Lord replied.
“What kind of special assignment, my Lord?” Gideon felt a thrill at the very idea of a new assignment! He had been idle for too long and practicing with his men just didn’t keep his skills as sharp as actual warfare.
“I will need to pull you away from leading your warriors until this assignment is done."
Gideon felt like someone had punched him in the chest. "But who will lead the armies?" he asked carefully. "You know there are legions of demon fiends getting ready to launch an attack on the eastern territories again." Again Gideon looked as closely as he dared. Surely the Lord wasn’t going to pull him from his position now.
He heard the tolerance in the Lord’s voice. "Yes, I'm aware of the problems in the area; however, I have need of you somewhere else."
Gideon bowed his head, "Of course, my Lord, I'll go where you need me, but if I may ask, who will lead the men?"
The Lord waited a moment before answering..." I have already put Zekial in the position of commander.”
Gideon felt his jaw muscles start to tic..."Zekial, my Lord? He has gotten hardly enough battles under his belt to be a commander. He is a fine warrior, no doubt, but I feel he isn’t ready for such responsibility!" The Lord was silent and Gideon could feel the rebuke heavy in the air. "Forgive me, my Lord, of course you know best about all things; I forgot myself."
The Lord laid His hand on Gideon’s shoulder." Gideon, I understand what your position means to you. The fact that I'm putting Zekial in the position for now in no way means you’re not fulfilling your duties to me or the warriors; however, this assignment is something that I feel no one but you can be trusted with.”
Gideon felt very conflicted. He loved the thought that the Lord had something special that He felt only he could do, but he hated the idea of anyone else leading the warriors. "What is this assignment?" Maybe it was something he could clear up quickly and get back with his men.
Again the Lord paused before speaking, which didn’t sit well with Gideon. "It’s a guardianship," the Lord responded.
Gideon felt the air leave his lungs in a mighty rush." A guardianship?" he asked in disbelief. He tried to keep the shock out of his voice, which was pointless because the Lord could feel every emotion of every human or angel at any given time. "But I'm a warrior angel; surely a guardian angel would be more… well-suited for this assignment."
The Lord turned to Gideon. "Had that been the case, I would be speaking with a guardian now; what I have need of is a warrior; who I have need of… is you, Gideon."
Gideon looked longingly out at the warriors who were finishing the practice sessions. They were picking up the weapons, laughing and joking with one another. He had commanded these men for five thousand years. He knew every battle story, every wound. He could name the time and place of each of the warriors’ first demon slaying. A guardianship could take him away from them for as long as eighty or ninety years, depending on how long the human lived. Plus he would have to guard the human from the moment of conception, not just from birth, meaning he would be guarding the mother as well for nine months. “Who is it that I will be guarding?" he asked. Surely it would be a future president or a high- ranking official; maybe it’s the next Pope!
"You will be guarding a little girl, Charlotte Marie Blakely. She will be departing the heavens in three days."
Just when Gideon thought nothing else could surprise him, the Lord did it again! Three days! He had no time to prepare his warriors, couldn’t go over more than a few instructions in that span of time! "What is so special about this child that she requires a warrior angel?" Gideon asked.
The Lord smiled down at Gideon. "She will save someone very dear to me." That didn’t exactly narrow it down, because every living soul was “very dear” to the Lord, but he knew when to stop pushing. Gideon squared his shoulders and "angeled-up" as he would tell his warriors. He would fulfill this assignment just as he had any other and get back to his men. Piece of cake, guard a little girl from conception to home coming, then back to the demon butt kicking that he was created to do. He tried to convince himself it would go by in a flash, but somehow he knew this would prove to be the hardest assignment to date.
Gideon sat beside the Crystal Sea watching the waves rolling in and listening to waves singing the praises of the Lord. The shimmering waters would roll from pink to green to lavender to a deep blue then would change with each wave. The sands were a white that would catch the rays of the light that shone from the Lord and would change from white to pale pink to amber depending on the angle that you looked at it. This was his favorite place in heaven besides the practice fields. He sighed and threw a pebble into the water, wishing he could throw his new assignment away as easily. He knew the Lord knew all things and never made a mistake but he was thinking this could be the one exception to that particular rule. He wasn’t guardian angel material! What did he know of tenderness or compassion? Look at him! He would frighten the poor child senseless! He raised his arms and looked at the myriad of scars left from centuries of battles. Were these arms designed to comfort a child? Nay, they were designed to heft a sword and slay demons. He closed his hands into fists then flexed them, looking at the calloused palms, and big knuckles. What child would want these to gently wipe away their tears? He ran his hands over his face, feeling the raised scars and the uneven features from too many broken bones. Was this the face to whisper softly to a frightened baby or sing pretty songs to ease her into sleep? Nay, this was the face
of a fierce warrior! He knew he could wish his scars away; he had the choice to keep them. He felt, as many of his warriors did, that the scars were to be worn proudly, as a badge of honor; they were earned. Even if he did wish his scars away, his face was never going to be pretty to look at. His features were too strong and rugged. Not one to sit and mope about something he had no control of, he rose up and went to give his men some last minute instructions before he departed the heavens for the next eighty or ninety years.
Gideon walked into the warrior’s encampment looking for Zekial. He wanted to hear the battle plans the young commander had drawn up to see if he could see any potential problems. He found him along with three high-ranking warriors looking over the battle plans. Joshua was the first to notice him standing there. “Hey! Gideon, tell me what Zekial informed us wasn’t true?”
Zekial scowled at the young warrior, “As if I could lie?” he muttered.
The eyes of the warriors were on Gideon, waiting for some kind of explanation. Gideon squared his shoulders and strode into the room. “There is a human about to depart the heavens that is very important and requires a warrior angel to guard her. The Lord has required this of me.” The angels all looked at one another, the obvious question written on their faces.
Finally Lucas asked. “Wouldn’t a guardian angel be a better choice? They have guarded kings, presidents and holy men for centuries…what is so special about this child that they would require a warrior such as you?”
Gideon spoke, “I have asked the Most High this same question, and He stated that she would save someone very dear to Him.”
The warriors all raised an eye brow at his answer. “That’s it? That wasn’t much of an answer.” Andrew laughed, “If I didn’t know better I would think the Lord was pulling your leg.”
“As much as I wish this was a joke, unfortunately it isn’t. I am required to be at the departure gate at sunrise. I just wanted to look over the battle plans with you if it wouldn’t offend.” He directed the question to Zekial.
The new commander bowed his head in respect and said, “Of course, I would value your advice, Gideon.” He handed the plans to Gideon and then stepped back, allowing Gideon to step up to the head of the table where he had stood for so many centuries. “The legion will be expecting us to shore up the eastern territories’ defenses along the borders, so it’s good that you have internal reinforcements as well.”
Gideon nodded his head in approval. “I would also have a small contingent of warriors to surround the holy areas and the high priests and their families. When the attack occurs, the people must have a place of refuge so we must keep these areas safe and viable.”
Zekial spoke, “I would think that Mica and his group would be ideal for that assignment, wouldn’t you, Gideon?”
Again Gideon nodded, impressed by the new commander’s choice. “Yes, I was thinking the same thing.” Zekial looked pleased with Gideon’s praise. They went over a few more tactical moves and placement of the warriors in different areas that needed more protection. By the time Gideon left the tent, he felt his men were as prepared as he could get them without actually being there. Zekial actually proved to be a thoughtful and insightful commander with a good head for the job ahead. It seemed the Lord had made a wise choice in placing the warrior as commander in his absence.
He stood and looked over the encampment, listening to sounds of the warriors. The light was slowly growing dim. It never got completely dark in the heavens; the light would just fade and it would be like dusk for a while until the light grew stronger to mark another day. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath of the air, wishing he could hold it in his lungs until he returned. He knew he would miss the companionship the most. As a Guardian Angel he wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone; no one would be able to see him, except in extreme emergencies. Actually, he thought that’s not true. The little girl, Charlotte, would be able to see him and hear him until her third birthday. At that time her spirit eye would close to him until he came for her, at her time of death. With one last long look at the encampment, Gideon turned and walked toward the departure gates…
Chapter 2
The departure gates were across the heavens from the warrior camp; Gideon looked around in amazement at all the activity taking place. As a warrior angel, he had never had any reason to be in this part of the heavens, so this was his first look. He saw guardian angels getting ready to depart with their new charges, which looked like small white bundles of energy that sparkled with new life. He wondered how did the guardians know which bundle was theirs; they all looked alike to him. The guardians would walk along with the bundles floating after them; then they would approach a tall gate that had chutes leading down to earth. The guardians would sign off on their bundles and gather the swirling mass of energy in their hands then approach the chutes. A powerful suction would swoop up the angel and shoot it down the chute faster than you could follow with your eyes, leaving behind tiny sparkles that soon evaporated into the air. What really blew Gideon’s mind was the sheer number of guardians and new lives being shot down those tubes. If it was like this every day, how was the earth not overflowing with people?
“You really need to see the arrival gates, Gideon.” He had been so wrapped up with watching all the activity he had failed to notice the Lord’s arrival.
“Is it like this every day?” he asked in amazement.
The Lord smiled. “Yes, some days are even busier.” A swirling mass of new life floated up to the Lord, bobbing there in front of Him. The Lord smiled down at the bundle and said, “See you soon.” Giving the little bundle a gentle pat, it swished around His feet for a moment then shot over to a guardian that had just walked into the area. The guardian smiled down at it and gathered it up into his hands and walked over to the chutes. Gideon then watched as more guardians arrived and the swirling little masses would shoot over to them. So that’s how it’s done, he thought, the new life would recognize their own guardian.
The Lord spoke again. “You need to see the arrival gates, Gideon.” With just a thought they were on the other side of heaven where the new arrivals were being taken in.
This side was even busier than the departure gates! He watched as the new souls would enter into the Kingdom, their eyes wide with wonder as they looked around. Their guardians would lead them over to where their loved ones were waiting for them. The reunions were so sweet it was almost hard to watch! The tears of joy and the laughter as loved ones were reunited echoed down through the streets of heaven. He could see it in the air, the shimmering golden swirls of love that floated over the entire Kingdom of Heaven. So that’s what that is, he marveled. He had seen the golden swirls his entire existence but had never known where they came from. He watched as they would suddenly stop and look around and they would then ask, “Where is He? Can I see Him now? Where is Jesus?”
As soon as they would ask, the Lord would appear to them. The different reactions were as diverse as the different people coming into Heaven. Some would dance with joy and throw themselves into His arms while others would walk slowly to where He stood and simply stare up into His face in complete rapture. But he thought his favorite was when they would fall on their knees before Him, because the Lord would fall on His knees, too, and gather them up into His arms.
The Lord spoke again, “It’s time to go, Gideon.” They were once again back at the departure gates and as soon as they entered into the area a little bundle zipped over to Gideon and bobbed at his side. He looked at the tiny new life and wondered what all life would hold for her. What would she do to save this person the Lord thought so highly of? What would she think of him? He wasn’t pretty to look at like the guardians generally were. “Gideon, this child is very special; she will do something that no one else will be able to do,” said the Lord.
Gideon nodded his head. “I will protect this child at all times, my Lord; no harm shall come to her. This I vow. “
The Lord placed His hand on Gideon’s shoulder.”
I know you will do your duty as you always have, with all your heart. That’s why I chose you for this assignment. It’s time for her departure. I’ll see you soon.” Gideon reached down and gathered up the tiny shimmering bundle that would soon be born as Charlotte Marie Blakely and walked over to the departure chutes. He reached the chutes and he could feel the pull of the suction trying to lift his feet from the floor.
The angel that was keeping up with the files on each departure barely looked up as he approached. “Guardian’s name?” he asked.
“Gideon.”
The angel then looked up in surprise. “Why are you doing a guardianship?” he asked. The shock on his face pretty much matched the way Gideon felt about the situation.
“I was assigned by the Lord to guard over this little one.” He left it at that.
The angel on duty just shrugged his shoulders, “Well, looks like today is a day of surprises. Step up to the chutes.” Gideon stepped up to the edge of the chutes and was sucked into the tunnels leading to the earth.
The pressure and lights were blinding as they were hurled through time and space. He felt like his wings were being shredded and torn from his body. The very molecules and atoms that composed his physical body felt like they were being pulled apart and rearranged; then he could have sworn he heard a giggle come from the bundle he was clutching to his chest, “Oh sure, laugh it up, little one. You’re not the one being torn to pieces here,” he thought. The ride ended with a jolt and Gideon found himself standing on a front lawn in front of a small wood-framed house.
Looking around and up at the sky, he took in his surroundings and judged it to be sometime before the noon hour. He heard a car come roaring up the street then screech into the driveway. A young woman in her early twenties bolted from the car and ran toward the front door of the house holding her stomach with one hand and her mouth with the other. Ok, so this must be Charlie’s mother, he concluded. He followed her into the house and could hear the poor thing vomiting up whatever meal she had consumed earlier.