Chapter 3

"I had a strange dream last night, tovarichka," he said to her as she brought his breakfast. He sat in the chair before his desk, but his studies were ignored. One hand propped up his head, and one heel was planted on the stool seat, his free elbow resting on his knee.

"Did you? Was it disturbing?" she asked, paying attention to the setting of his table.

"It should have been, but it was strangely reassuring. You were in it."

"Was I?"

"You were an angel—Are you all right?"

"Yes, I am uninjured," she said, diving to her knees and scrabbling to pick up the pieces of the bowl that had shattered at her feet. "Forgive my clumsiness."

"Let me help you, you will cut yourself."

"No, no. Stay where you are at. It will not take me long. You should start your meal. Today is a busy one."

"In a moment. I was sleeping, and I heard a noise outside. I came to my window and opened the interior shutters. Looking through I saw you, speaking to a fearsome demon. The form of it sent chills through me, it was truly a terrible beast. Skin black as pitch, and eyes that glowed like a yellow flame. It looked to rip you apart with the merest of effort."

"I doubt it capable of that," she snorted, still picking up splinters of ceramic and putting them in a pile on her apron, which she had spread out on the floor for that purpose.

"Indeed, for you stood tall and strong against it. I was quite frozen in terror, prayer frozen on my tongue. I easily forget how tall you are, tovarichka. Anyway, you were speaking with this demon, and it raised one blackened talon, and summoned a horde of lesser demons, small creatures, but still as dreadful as their master. Red skinned and long limbed with small bodies, their bald heads sprouted two horns and they looked very hungry. That was when you turned into an angel."

"Was it? That was convenient."

"You were truly beautiful, you know. One moment you were outlined in a golden light, and the next three pair of magnificent white-feathered wings unfurled from your back, your hair streamed in the wind, and you were clothed in a raiment made of moonlight and gossamer. In your hand was a finely wrought sword made of silver and steel, and it flashed as it struck at the imps that swarmed you. They stood no chance against you and your holy might, and you swept through them like a plague through Egypt."

"How very skillful of me."

"Indeed it was! I was mesmerized by your deadly grace, and was very glad I was not a demon!"

"If you were a demon, I would not be here, Father."

"Let me finish, it is an entertaining dream."

"It makes you fanciful and poetic, but very well."

"While your attention was taken with the small creatures, the large one turned towards the church, and seemed to be approaching my very window! However, you spied him through the battle you waged and with a magnificent sweep of those radiant wings you flew across the gap between you and landed atop his shoulders! With one strike of your sword his head flew from his body and rolled across the ground, smoking and hissing as if doused with acid. As his body fell, the smaller ones screeched in terror and fled into the wood, disappearing into the night. And then do you know what you did?"

"I cannot guess."

"You shimmered, and became yourself again. Then you walked over, picked up the head, and spoke to it! With a hideous grimace, it spoke back! You then crossed back over to the body and dropped the head on top of it. There was a great belch of smoke and spark, and then it was gone. Then you turned and walked out of my sight, but I heard the chapel door open and close, so I assume you came back inside."

"Very sensible of me, there was a distinct chill in the air last night."

"Hmph," he grumbled as she gathered her apron and stood. "You lack imagination, tovarichka."

"Perhaps I do. I will return with another bowl, Father."

"Yes, yes. As you will."

Quietly, she turned and left the room as he sat at the table and applied himself to his breakfast. Once outside his closed door, she leaned against it, heaving a sigh of relief.

"Stupid Czernobog," she muttered after a bit, pushing herself off and going to the kitchen to dispose of the shards. "Even he knows that the father needs to be deeply asleep before attempting to gain entrance! What was he thinking? Neither of us can be seen! Next time I kill him, I will have to make it last much longer!"