Lucifer

"Peter," called David, waving the saint to him. "So?"

"Perhaps it is as you said- something is amiss. He spoke to me as if I stood somewhere beyond myself and answered me as if rehearsed."

"Exactly as I spoke of. His mind is preoccupied with some matter, more likely grave by his countenance, I’ll bet."

"David, stay your ill concerns. Perhaps we should first enlist the aid of a doctor before we presume a sickness."

"Then you mean-."

"Yes, we-."

"Brothers David and Peter, how art thou?"

"Mark, come to us and shout, if you must, in the anal of my ear, for we have something best left to whispers for just now."

"David!" cried Peter.

"Alas, but what worries you two so?" asked Mark.

"Markus, tell us. Have you been to see Him?"

"Indeed, Peter, yes. Just yesterday."

"And?"

"And? What?"

"Did you mark anything out of tune in the Great Harp?" rushed David.

Mark sighed heavily.

"You two fellows are correct. In all the light in Heaven, a black spot protrudes and it is on the forehead of the Lord."

"There it is. We three have marked it, Peter."

"Still, one does not go on misinformed altogether. Sometimes the most alarming of events can be solved with a little patience and explanation. A higher council is our next step forward."

"Agreed," said David, "but with haste!"

"You propose-," began Mark.

"Of course," finished Peter. "Let us go to Gabrielle."

Gabrielle sat comfortably in his chair, looking over papers surrounded by a magnificent illumination. Around him were harpists and flutists composing as he commanded between pages. A majestic blue stream flowed under his dangling hand, his fingers tickling its run.

Peter, David, and Mark appeared through the surrounding mist and into the symphonic resonance of Gabrielle’s inner sanctum. Gabrielle looked up and greeted them with a smile.

"My friends, my brothers- how wonderful to see you!"

"My brother, are you busy?" asked Peter.

"For thee? These edicts of God are for thee, so it should be for me to ask you."

And in so saying, Gabrielle set down the documents neatly and motioned to the musicians. They bowed in reverence and took themselves away, leaving Gabrielle and his companions alone. Gabrielle removed his sandals and sat beside the flowing stream, dipping one foot in and pulling water up to his knee with cupped hands.

"Gabrielle," hurried Mark, "we have at the quick come to you with what could prove to be a most dire problem."

"The most dire," stressed David.

"’s it so, Peter? What says you of this most dire consequence?"

"Gabrielle- it is something that is maybe nothing. True, something has worried my brothers and I, but with little due recourse. It is why we have come to your council- to see if the pact is of sound integrity, or so riddled that its contents flow like worries should from maids such as we."

"Surely, Peter, your concerns are dear and of good intent. I can see no error in that."

"You are good and wise, Gabrielle. That is why now more than ever your council is so dear. Each of us has marked a tremble in the air and unsound it is. There is worry so great, that it worries each of us a thousand fold."

Peter paused, wringing his hands and looking down. Mark touched his elbow gently and nodded toward Gabrielle.