Silence

Saul stood alone and watched as mighty nations fell because the Dark Ones had been able to take over leaders of these great countries. He watched as the mortals were lead like sheep to the slaughter as these same leaders sugar coated their words of war. Making those they were entrusted to protect, swallow them and ask for more, while being blinded to the fact they were about to be sold out for some personal agenda. There were special humans that could see through the masks of deceit that these Dark souls wore. But keeping them alive and protected was starting to look like a loosing battle. Saul rubbed a hand across his face and sighed again. As he stood amidst the cool clouds, he heard a whisper in his ear. “What now?” “I’m here,” Saul said, as he appeared before the Fates and awaited their words. “You look tired,” the Fates whispered, concerned for their champion evident in their collective tone. “I’m fine,” Saul assured them, standing straighter and ruffling his wings in denial. “Why have you called me?” “Another human is to be born,” they said, their voices gentle as a breeze. “We need you, once again, to pick a soul to inhabit this human and watch over it as it grows and ages.” “Very well,” Saul said, as his mind started to whirl. “I shall do as you ask.” “Thank you Saul,” they said, before they departed. “You are, as ever and always, appreciated.” and with that they withdrew. “Saul,” a small voice called. “Can I talk to you?” it asked and waited for his reply. Saul nodded his head and waited as the spirit of a small child came to stand before him. “Hello Leonard,” he said. “How have you been?” “I’ve come to ask you a favor,” Leonard said, looking down at his feet. “I know I did wrong,” Leonard began in his quiet, young voice, “when I wished for Ashton to join me. I know I acted badly and you had to fix my mistake as best you could. I know that my place as a Guardian and my wings had to be taken until I learned this and could again be trusted to protect those I was sent to guide.” “Go on,” Saul gently encouraged when Leonard faltered. “I was wondering, when would it be my turn to be reborn?” Leonard asked, scuffing a small toe through the air. “I have been training and learning all my lessons and my teachers are very pleased with me and well, I just wanted to know if you would please consider me the next time a baby was to be born. I promise you will be proud of me,” he said, begging without pressure. Saul looked at the small boy before him, at the dark curly hair that covered the boy’s head, and reached out to lay his hand upon that same head. He felt the softness of that hair and he wondered if indeed this soul could be trusted. If this soul had indeed learned its lesson. Maybe it was time to trust Leonard and give him one more chance. After all, he was in need of a soul and he would be able to keep a close eye on him as he grew as a mortal. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” Ashton said softly, coming to land behind Saul, her wings of deep red shining in the sun. “Why not?” Saul asked his trusted Guardian, willing to hear her counsel. “Just a feeling I have,” Ashton admitted for Saul’s ears alone. “I just have an uneasy feeling about this soul.” “Is it because of what he did to you in your last life?” Saul asked, arching a fine brow at his friend. “I can’t say,” Ashton admitted, a frown creasing her beautiful brow. “I really don’t know why. I have this nagging feeling that if we let this one back on earth, something really bad is going to happen, but I do.” “Thank you,” Saul said. “I will consider your advice.” he replied before he watched Ashton take to the air and fly away. Behind Saul’s back, Leonard curled his small lip and stuck his tongue out at Ashton as she tried to persuade Saul to not let him go. He was bored with his existence and wanted to at least be able to live a human life. He could never get away with anything because that one, that Ashton. She was always watching, always spying and he hated it. He hated having to look over his shoulder and hated seeing her everywhere he went. Why he ever wanted her as his friend was beyond his comprehension. Because he was ever so sure he could do better. Much better! Leonard’s brown eyes began to burn with the hatred he had hidden for so long. But he stamped it down one more time as Saul faced him again. Saul turned back to the small soul and stared until Leonard began to squirm under that stare. “Very well,” Saul said. “I will give you this one last chance to prove yourself. But should you fail you will not be allowed back with the Guardians. Your soul will be forced to move on and to where will be chosen for you.” “Thank you!” Leonard squealed, before jumping around like a hyper rabbit. “When can I leave?” He wanted to know, anxious to be out of this place. Saul smiled at Leonard’s enthusiasm and hoped he would not regret his decision. “I’ll be watching,” he said, as he passed a hand over the dark head and watched as Leonard faded away and was placed into the body of the baby waiting to be born. “I’ll be watching,” Saul said again and vanished. The leader of the Dark, Roman, rubbed his hands together, licked his lips and laughed. He’d been watching too and now it seemed his wait was finally over! Show time!