The Angels Saga

Volume 51

Bridelborne

Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly

Stories:

Catchfrost Conundrum

New Bridlington 23

Cat Lady 13

Alistair Grey 2

The Way of the Eternal Dove: A New Ketravim

The Way of the Eternal Dove: Another New Ketravim

The Supremator of Catchfrost

Catchfrost Conundrum

Marcus CCC sat at the river. The 'Pesteron Flybalas' buzzed around his head. 'Bloody pests,' he said. As if in response they settled on his hair. He shook them off and they flew away.

'Right,' said Marcus. 'I've been dead. And dead again.'

'That's life,' said Bianca.

'What's life without a bit of death,' said Atticus.

'It's learning,' said Marcus. 'About our mortality and frailty as people. I've learned if I make too many dumb decisions, I pay for them. There is obviously a concept of a wiser life which functions better.'

'Religious issues,' replied Atticus, sharpening his blade, looking out at the river. They were on the outskirts of the town, and Harloc the Sage was upstream a bit, fishing.

'It's a Catchfrost Conundrum,' said Marcus. 'In this new olde world mentality there is still quest and adventure and, if we push it just that bit too hard in our thirst for life, we can potentially encounter death. There probably needs to be a stronger focus on justice, to justify our adventure. If its too much play, and we are not really justified in our sword and sorcery adventure, out we go for a while.'

'Seems to be the case,' said Bianca, dressed in her colourful azure outfit of leather. 'But this is Catchfrost. It's par for the course. The idea is we do it with style, and we don't go about our business in an evil manner but in the Catchfrost manner. Because Catchfrost believes in Catchfrost Marcus. The rest of them aren't looking to change their geographical locale you know.'

Marcus looked at her. 'That's the conundrum I guess. Other's don't even mind that much in the end anyway.'

'Expected,' said Atticus. 'It's a way of life. It has bit of hack and slash. Wouldn't be the same if it didn't.'

'I guess,' replied Marcus. He looked down at his lap at the magic tome. He was studying magic.

'The order of Black Magic must like you,' said Bianca. 'That's an old copy of one of Lucy Smith's major works. They don't normally approve such young magic users owning such things.'

'I have old roots in the stars and things,' said Marcus.

'I see,' replied Bianca.

Harloc showed up. He had fish. 'Come. Let's return home. The dining should be good.'

As Marcus stood, and stretched, he looked out at the river. Catchfrost, on the continent of Bridelborn, on the planet of New Terra 17. It was his home now. But working out the conundrum of Catchfrost life was still being worked on. And while he was happy enough, he was still learning, and trying to figure out just how it all fitted together in what he often called 'The Bigger picture.'

The End

New Bridlington 23

'You are dumb,' said Muriel to Jerahmeel. 'My robot XQ777 is brilliant. Your mediocre QRXX44 is basic. He has no clues.'

'They are both complex solutions,' said Jerahmeel 'So one is as good as the other.'

They were now a number of months after the finishing of the Tech District expo. There had been a lot of action, and they were having fun with some of the products they had born in the back yard of their home. Remote robots bought from Complex Solutions amongst other things.

'Anne Marie sold these well,' said Muriel. 'Just a gentle taking you by the arm, a warm smile and a hug, and you were suckered with no resistance whatsoever.'

'Shut up,' said Jerahmeel. 'I was impressed with the manouvering.'

'Exactly. And she made all the right moves indeed,' replied Muriel, chuckling. 'She had you right up her arse.'

'There's a thought,' said Jerahmeel.

'Disgusting,' said Muriel. 'I will punish you.' Her robot suddenly sent a bolt of electric shock into Jerahmeels, which went haywire for a few seconds, before coming to a stop.

'You've buggered it,' he said.

'Just press the reset button on the bottom,' she said. 'It should be fine.'

Jerahmeel found the reset button, pushed it, settled the robot back down, and it resumed its display.

'We can't do this all afternoon,' said Jerahmeel. 'I have accounts to get to.'

'Just 10 minutes more,' said Muriel. 'And then I'll start on dinner.'

'Work tomorrow as usual,' said Jerahmeel.

'I have time at hom on a project from the company,' said Muriel. 'Some study and thought on design principles. Some sketches they want of certain things.'

'It's keeping you busy enough,' said Jerahmeel. 'Seems to have worked out well so far.'

'It's a pastime in many ways Jerry,' she replied. 'I know we get paid and all, but we hardly need the cash anyway. Something constructive enough to do with life, which is always a good thing for an angel to do.'

'Indeed it is,' replied Jerahmeel.

So they continued on a while, but soon enough had put the robots away, and were on with their more mundane duties, another day passing in New Bridlington for the lives of Jerahmeel and Muriel the Seraphims.

The End

Cat Lady 13

'You know, this is a nice pad,' Taylor said to Joe.

'He has good taste,' replied Joe.

Elizabeth flicked the TV over to DC Legion network. 'Daniel looks good things. Not necessarily classy or stylist or cool. But things which are probably positive and make you feel good. It's the way the place is designed. To make you feel good.'

'Right at home again aren't you,' said Taylor.

'She's used to the idiot,' said Joe. 'Talks about him constantly.'

'Does she?' asked Taylor. 'But she's with you again.'

'Oh, I'll stick with her,' said Joe, looking at his new lover fondly. 'She's got some secrets I like.'

Taylor looked at he ex. 'What secrets?'

'Taylor Swift secrets,' said Elizabeth, watching the TV.

Daniel came in the room with a bottle of wine and some glasses.

'She's a huge Swiftie,' said Daniel. 'She plays some of your tunes Tails on the guitar. She's good as well.'

'Wonderful stuff,' said Joe, looking at Elizabeth. 'Very comfortable in my woman. She feels so much like you in a lot of ways Taylor that I'm just not complaining.'

'Joe is more like it. Daniel san has got a lot going on,' said Elizabeth. 'But the Taylor number 1 is really a hook unmissable.'

'Thanks babe,' said Joe.

Taylor looked at Joe, flabbergasted. 'Wonderful,' she said softly to herself.

'It's all in the wisdom of life,' said Daniel.

'What is?' replied Taylor dryly.

'The wisdom. How it all works,' said Daniel, settling down next to Taylor on the couch, and patting her knee.'

'And what is this wisdom?' asked Taylor.

Daniel stretched. 'It's refreshing Joe, isn't it? Secret women's knowledge has finally run dry, and they are wisely and humbling inquiring of the male of the species. Learning their place at last.'

'Don't say it Joe,' said Elizabeth. Joe wisely did not comment.

Taylor looked at head. 'Women know more than you know.'

'Uneducated on this issue quite apparently,' said Daniel.

'Illustrate this wisdom,' said Taylor.

'That would be telling,' said Daniel.

'Asshole,' she said.

'Suffice to say, men have a kernel of knowledge on romance women haven't quite worked out yet. Oh, we've observed over the many centuries their advances at times. And they do, God bless em. The little darlings sometimes have a clue. But, alack alas, the deeper concepts. Over their heads.'

'Double asshole,' said Taylor. 'No, triple.'

'So the deep subjects. For the contemplative mind. Man's stuff. Wasting our time on women educating them on the stuff. They wouldn't get it anyway.'

Joe chuckled.

'Asshole,' Taylor said to Joe, who went quiet again. She turned to Daniel. 'You'll get yours one day Daly. You'll get yours.'

Daniel gulped. 'Gee,' he replied. 'I sure as hell hope not. The debt is pretty bloody extreme now.'

'Too right it is,' replied Taylor.

And so they drank their wine, and Taylor began waffling on about cats, but in the back of her mind she was thinking on the current issue at hand and, later on, would write a few notes and match this so called wisdom of men. She'd learn em good and proper. Bastards.

The End

Alistair Grey 2

'This is not exactly Kansas,' said Alistair Grey.

'It's like Kansas,' replied Raguel the Seraphim. 'It's the edge of the edge. I like to call it that.'

'This is disc 1,400,140,' said Alistair Grey. 'And that gap is too wide.'

'It's the natural angelic division,' said Raguel.

'I was used to this disc. We landed somewhere in the centre, spent half a century in various midi-metropolises, and was getting used to the culture. It has a way about it. But this is not its way. These mountains are illogical. Abrupt ending, interfered with by a blood gap dragon by the looks of it.'

'Well Mundania is all well and good,' said Raguel. 'But disc endeth, here endeth the lesson, and on yonder shore the new world of Ketravim beginneth.'

'It looks weird over there,' said Alistair.

Raguel grabbed Alistair, and unfolded his wings, and they flew over the rim. They landed on the first disc of the Ketravim, the sixth group of angels of eternity.

'Oh fuck, it smells,' said Alistair. 'Ooh. Gosh. Strong.' He stood there a while, adapting. 'Not bad though,' he said after a while. 'Not unpleasant. Nice actually. Different. The anima is different as well.'

'We've entered a new world of creation,' said Raguel.

Alistair stood there. 'It's frozen solid. Like a Catholic Church which never changes its homily. Why do I think that?'

'Colson is strong here. She runs with Rachael a lot. Rachel we just left, add in an A and we enter her Ketravim status. She's lastborn of the Cherubim. In some ways. Shares the idea with Judayliel. Officially there are only 700,000 cherubim females, but Rachel is also the last of them like Judayliel in designations. And she's the link to the firstborn of the Ketravim. Samael of Infinity can never work her out or her bridging structures. He's puzzled forever on the concepts, but a devil can never work out hope very well. Against their nature of things somewhat.'

'Cheryl Colson is the first then or something. Or second.'

'Something like that,' said Raguel. 'But she's strong on the first Ketravim disc regardless. It's mainly Rachael with an A here, but Colson abounds also. The two are tight.'

'Why did you bring me here?' asked Alistair.

'The link between physical and spiritual worlds. It's expensive to travel between them. Not many get approved. Your nature gets you approval for some of the knowledge we are going to be going through over the next phase of things.'

'Fascinating,' said Alistair. 'Lead me on.'

'Let's camp in this forest,' said Raguel. 'And we'll find a stream for refreshing our water bottles, and hunt for something. Old man way.'

'As you wish,' replied Alistair, onwards with the next step in his spiritual universe odyssey.

The End

The Way of the Eternal Dove: A New Ketravim

'It's a gay sort of temple,' said Alistair Grey.

'We like it like this,' said Delta.

'Suits us,' said Jack Dagger.

'It's the way of the eternal dove. It's peaceful,' said Cheryl.

'You don't actually have a list then,' said Alistair.

'There are a shitload of works in progress,' said Delta. 'The official reckoning isn't done yet after Jack. You've qualified Alistair. Just your ability to get from Earth to the Spiritual universe. Hardly any can get through. Makes you Ketravim Material. The Way of the Eternal Dove is our main function.'

'It's an ANM thing,' said Alistair. 'Daniel himself.'

'The biblical founder of the Way,' said Delta. 'But the main cultural products for the assembly are from countless voices.'

'Quite a heap,' said Cheryl.

'Doubt that I've got much to offer,' said Alistair. 'Why me?'

'We need your Daniel the Seraphim dialogue,' said Delta. 'There some old architectural rights with his Terran Danielphon and some conversation discourse which entered your life which hasn't really been elaborated on that much in the pool of knowledge. You sort of shaped up to be Ketravim, so wee need your stuff. Your life story, full confessions, and the Daniel stuff, and thoughts since then. The Way can probably get an official bio out of the work.'

'Fascinating,' said Alistair.

'Gets us ahead,' said Delta.

'And can get us a fresh spurt of copyright, so new material for magic making,' said Cheryl.

'Which is what it's all about, sacrificial lamb. No, dove,' said Jack.

'Funny,' replied Alistair. 'Glad I mean so much to you all.'

'Your number two because of it. Don't complain buster,' said Cheryl.

'Rachael will be here soon enough,' said Delta. 'We'll have a chat on stuff, and have dinner in the lodge next door.'

And so Alistair Grey, having ventured around the disc a while with Raguel the Seraphim, had been introduced to the Way of the Eternal Dove and, quite apparently and quite obviously now, his new destiny.

The End

The Way of the Eternal Dove: Another New Ketravim

Marcus CCC was in Harloc's library. He put down the book of Lucy Smith into his lap and said to God. 'I'm not special. But I'm doing something in my life which people don't really care to do very much. I'm formulating ethics which they don't really care about very much. It's Ketravim logic.'

The theophany walked through the door. 'Yep Harloc. Tonight at dinner. Count me in.' He came in and sat down on the opposite couch.

'Great place,' he said to Marcus, looking around.

'Oh, you,' said Marcus,' looking down at his book. He looked back up at the Theophany of God. 'I understand. Ketravim then?'

'They finally settled on number 2, which wasn't your style, so I got around to you licketty split as soon as number 2 was chosen and settled into place. Got a few others to get to shortly as well. The Way of the Eternal Dove. Make yourself known to them soon enough. 3^rd disc of the Ketravim world. Technically Rachael shares the first disc with Jack Dagger somewhat, as she is big boss girl, but the first bunch are all the men, later on the women.'

'Right,' said Marcus.

'There are assemblies universally,' said God. 'But they mainly hang in the first Ketravim disc now. It's been building up its legacy, and things are coming along with life. They'll need your experience now. The project has been going on you a long time now, so get to it. Soon enough I'm off to crazy girl Rebecca Hill, and a few others, so it's busy busy busy. Well done son. I'm proud of you.'

And God stood, looked around the room, and left.

Marcus looked ahead of him, in thought and then, reaching a conclusion that things, then, were generally as they should be, he picked up the book, settled down, and continued on with the wisdom of Lucy Smith, whiling away another Catchfrost afternoon.

The End

The Supremator of Catchfrost

'The King of Asgardya really did not mind,' said Belgerandon. 'Catchfrost has no specific expansion project. It is not objected to by the Queen of the North or other regents either. Catchfrost is the life in Bridelborne, and expansion is a non-issue. The query I demonstrated was that an expanded Catchfrost dominion will end up being the main body of the work in general and that positing this truth I asked them how they could deny the influence I would maintain. I could not hope to gain sovereignty, but with the influence I would be recognized universally as the main thing and Catchfrost Bridelborne dwindleth into the independent founding body. And still they did not despair the plan and said life will go on in Catchfrost regardless and a greater body will only help us with growth of animistic spirit, so should not really be a matter of significant enough import to supply any real concern. So I ask you Harloc, the only significant left who could perhaps object, do you regard my plans Catchfrost dominion expansion in latter New Terran Sequenced bodies as problematic or do you not?'

'Eternity is long, and there is no original thought which does not in time duplicate,' replied Harloc. 'Do as you will. I have no concern.'

So Belgerandon left the presence of Harloc the sage, off to his destiny.

'Others will eventuate once he establishes anyway,' said Marcus. 'With the growth he will get from his propogation planning, it will simply happen. They will like it. Catchfrost has a good enough style that it will just catch on anyway, forgive the pun.'

'I would imagine so,' replied Harloc. 'Now let's go fishing.'

And off they went.

The End