Chapter 1 | 20 (part 4)

Amos’ fears were confirmed. Angels. No creature he knew from this world could hide themselves from mankind as they did from her now. I was so careful! I thought no one would have been able to understand where I’d gone, yet here these two are, arriving the very same night as I? There were of course powers he knew nothing of, but this seemed impossible. He thought over those he’d spoken with before leaving. Did my words betray me? Were my walls somehow penetrated without my knowing?

“Traveler?”

Out of the steady noise and chatter of the inn’s patrons came the woman’s voice. Amos looked at her. “I ask your forgiveness,” he said, “I must be more tired than I thought.” They must have come for me. I’ve sensed no other reason as to why they’d be here since I came. And if they’d come for him, they almost certainly would know what he had done. They would be dangerous. High Angels perhaps, Amos thought. He glanced across the room again but could discern nothing.

“You are welcome to stay under my roof this evening, traveler,” the woman replied, “you would find rest, and my home is quiet, even with a few of our people’s orphans currently staying there.” When Amos said nothing, she continued. “Perhaps some of them could be your guides tomorrow for whatever task you had need of accomplishing. You’ve no need of strength within the bounds of our land, and many of them know the area better than some of the men here in town.”

This village holds no safe dwelling while those Angels remain, Amos thought as he considered the woman’s offer, especially if there are others such as this woman who know some of my true nature. “I’m - I cannot,” he said. The vale I saw to the south of here seemed desolate and unlikely to be inhabited by mankind. Perhaps I could hide there for a time. “Though your offer is most generous,” he said, attempting to soften his face as he’d seen her do earlier.

The woman frowned. “You are in need of help, traveler, and on the run from something,” she hesitated, looking to where the two Angels sat, “or someone.” There was something solemn in the way she turned back to Amos, her eyes meeting his. “I can offer you protection that few of our people could provide.” Her hands came up from her lap and she folded them on the table, leaning in toward Amos. She breathed in. “Are you so sure?”

“I am,” Amos said.

When he said no more, the woman leaned back, her chest falling in a steady exhale. After a while she said, “Well, I find it unlikely you’ve approached anyone else since you’ve arrived and must conclude you intend to continue traveling, even tonight.” Amos nodded. “So be it,” she said. “But unless I’m much mistaken, you are ill-equipped for the road ahead of you. Moshe!” The kitchen boy appeared at the doorframe of the kitchen. “Come. And be quick about it.”

The woman spoke softly to the boy once he reached the side of the table, and Amos watched as the boy’s curiosity gave way to excitement. The woman must have noticed as well - strange, I did not know mankind saw such things so clearly - for when she was finished, she said firmly, “Tell no one. Act as though nothing you do is out of the ordinary. If anyone asks, tell them what you are up to is for me and in my name.” The boy nodded.

“He shouldn’t be long,” the woman said, turning to Amos. “And you needn’t fear he’ll do anything to arouse suspicion.” She paused, then sighed. “Leastways not in the next few days. Such intrigue and mystery can only remain within a boy his age so long before it spills out into the ears of others.”

“A few days should be more than enough time,” Amos said. “Again, I owe you my thanks.” At least, I think I do. The woman’s calm composure and speech unnerved Amos. I thought mankind to be an anxious creature, yet she has exhibited no such fears or worry. The thought occurred to him that she could possess some power of deception that kept him from knowing her truly. After all, how else would she seem to know so much about me?

There was no way to be certain. He would simply have to use caution in deciding whose help he accepted while he remained here. While their race was not well-known to him, he knew enough to be wary. Others of her kind have shown themselves capable of horrendous evils. And even should she prove trustworthy, Amos knew there were those in this world that could turn her against him without any effort at all.

It was at that moment one of the Angels turned and beheld Amos.

. . .