by L R Clarke
“You mean he knew he wasn’t going to get out?”
Michael nodded.
Millie’s mind was in turmoil, she remembered that Quark had smiled and done his funny little bow. Right to the end he had been loyal and respectful. Through her tears she smiled at the memory. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why did he call me “Your Highness”?”
Michael frowned, “You do not know?”
Millie shook her head, “He never explained. He just always did it.”
Michael’s soft laugh echoed pleasantly, “Ah, my old friend would always do the right thing. Millie and Oliver you have to try and understand that Quark was designed to serve; even we angels as His messengers, have no higher calling. But you ... well, you are of the highest order! You are a created being - created in the very Image of the Creator. Thus you bear His mark, and when you are a child of The King, that makes you royal too.”
The twins exchanged a fleeting look, Millie could well imagine that Oliver was struggling too, “Will we ever see him again?”
Michaels’s eyes shone with affirmation and a new softness crinkled at the edges, “The Times are not mine to control, but as you hold him in your heart he will always be with you.”
52
Millie trailed her hand through the long grass, the meadow was indeed beautiful and she still couldn’t get used to the fact that the deer didn’t run away! The sunlight was glorious and seemed to give her strength rather than tire her like it usually did. This was certainly an incredible place, wherever it was. She watched as a flock of birds settled at the edge of the lake. Their plumage shone with brilliant intensity, rich reds, yellows and blues, their proud heads shimmering as they landed in the dappled water. Millie did not know their name but birds of paradise seemed appropriate!
Millie was feeling more like her old self and it was time.
###
As she looked around the Council Chamber it seemed a lifetime since she had been there. Then she realised, sadly, that it was. Quark was no longer at her side. There, however, in the middle of the room, where they had stood before, was the ebony chest. Still closed, it sat proudly on a low royal-blue pedestal. She had been unable to complete the job before, but now Michael and Oliver waited for her to do just that. Oliver looked nervous for her and gave a little smile of encouragement.
The time for talking was over. Millie approached and knelt down in front of it. So much had happened to get them this far and her hands trembled slightly. As she opened the two golden hinges the same heavy white vapour flowed from around the Stone. She was expecting it this time.
The ebony casing fell away, however, and Millie held her breath as the sandstone began to crumble before her eyes and pour onto the floor! Slowly at first, but then with increasing speed, all the outside of the Stone was stripped away to reveal a smooth sapphire tablet. Gently arched at the top, the shape reminded Millie of the striking stain glass windows she had seen in her local church. It rose in front of her until it was at eye level and Millie could see more of the strange writing. As she gazed other tablets stacked behind it, forming like the pages of a book. A brilliant golden glow bathed her in its light and when the strange book was complete it came back to rest on the pedestal.
Michael stepped forward and bowed his head, “The Book of Destiny! We are indebted to you Millie, for only a Child of The Garden could open the stone. Thank you for all you have done.”
Millie wanted to touch it, but dare not. Michael was still speaking, “Now the New Order can commence.”
Millie’s voice was barely a whisper, “Quark said the lives of many depended upon it, what will this mean for our planet?”
Michael considered his reply, “When the Books are finally opened and all the Seals are broken, then all that is evil is exposed and The End is near.”
Oliver helped Millie to her feet, “Come on sis, your work here is done.”
53
“Do you think he meant it?”
Oliver was splashing his feet in the river; a family of white ducks seemed to have adopted him and followed him everywhere he went. They quacked noisily and Oliver splashed them again.
“Suppose so. They seem relieved to have it back so it must be important. We can’t possibly understand what it’s all about, so try not to worry. Just relax!”
Millie sighed, she felt useless now. Oliver seemed more content here, but without Quark and the task she was unsettled. She was surprised to find that part of her wanted to go home so quickly, she felt there was some unfinished business. But what? As if reading her thoughts Michael suddenly appeared at her side, “Are you ready?”
Oliver collected Winston, he too seemed happy to stay but Millie knew her dad would miss him. Michael had said not to be anxious about the time they had been away, so she assumed it would all work out somehow.
They returned once more to the centre of the Star. Michael embraced them warmly and held his hand high in blessing, “Farewell for now. IAM willing, we will meet again.”
The little trio stared resolutely ahead as Michael faded from their view. Millie was determined to remember his face, but as they entered the antique shop she had already forgotten him.
The story continues in the second part of the trilogy, “The Lie”.
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