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"I am very tired and very cold, and my belly burns with fire. This world is
strange to me and I have never known these things before. All I want is to
find Miletus."
The monk stared down at Ezrael for a long moment, then said, "I shall fetch
the abbot."
A few minutes later a different head stuck itself through the hole in the
wall. The abbot was older than the monk, and his eyes seemed to shimmer like
gold coins in the fading daylight. Something like recognition flickered across
the older man's features.
"Unlock the gate. I would speak to this man, for he is known to me," the abbot
announced.
There was a sound of a huge bolt being drawn aside, and the heavy metal door
in the monastery's wall swung open, allowing a glimpse of orderly gardens
tended by robed men. The abbot stepped forward, a large wicker basket covered
with a rough cloth hanging from one arm. He smiled when he saw Ezrael, despite
his tattered clothes and the filth caking his limbs. "Come, my brother," the
abbot said, gesturing for Ezrael to follow him inside the walls. "Come and sit
with me."
Ezrael followed without hesitation, although there was consternation on the
face of the monk accompanying the abbot.
"Your Grace," murmured one of the brothers. "Do you think this wise-?"
The abbot turned to his subordinate and waved him away. "I have nothing to
fear from this man. Now leave us, Brother Jokannan; I would speak to my
kinsman alone.'
The abbot led Ezrael to a bench set beside a pool, in which was reflected the
likeness of the Virgin Mother, her arms lifting high her precious burden. The
abbot set the wicker basket down between himself and Ezrael and threw back the
cloth, revealing a loaf of bread, a jug of water, and a small wheel of cheese.
"Tis a horrible thing to die of starvation and yet not know how to eat," the
abbot observed quietly. "Even worse to die of thirst, yet hold water in your
hand, unaware that it will save you." He took the loaf of bed and broke it
into two sections, handing Ezrael the larger piece. "What is your name, my
brother?"
"Ezrael."
The abbot smiled and nodded knowingly. "Do as I do, Ezrael, late of the
elohim."
The former angel watched as the abbot placed the bread in his own mouth and
proceeded to chew it, then followed suit. The moment Ezrael's teeth closed on
the crust, saliva filled his mouth and he proceeded to chew voraciously.
"Slow down, friend Ezrael," the abbot warned, placing a gentle hand on his
arm. "Or you will soon discover the pain that comes from filling a shrunken
belly too fast."
The abbot uncorked the bottle and took a drink from it, then handed to Ezrael,
instructing the muse in the basic elements of survival that most mortals learn
at their mother's breast-how to eat to fill his belly and drink to slake his
thirst.
"You are most fortunate, little brother, that your wandering brought you
here," said the abbot. "There are not many of our kind in this world. The
Machine is in ascendance, and its spawn are everywhere. Should they come
across a newborn muse-well, you are lucky you are not already lying in a pile
of your own intestines along the road. Now, may I ask you what brings you
here?"
"I seek Miletus."
The abbot nodded as if he understood everything. "This Miletus-he is the human
for whom you denied the Host?"
"Yes."
There was a shimmer of sadness in the abbot's eyes, as if Ezrael's plight had
awakened memories. "And he fled after the Fire?"
"Yes."
The abbot took a deep breath and raised his golden eyes skyward. "The mortal
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world is a rose armed with angry thorns, my friend. In the days since I came
to be as mortals are, I have seen Rome fall, muses put to the sword, and the
West stained red with blood and black with ash. It is a dangerous time for
creatures such as ourselves.
"The brothers cloistered within these walls are scholars, working on
illuminated manuscripts. They believe they serve the glory of God, although
none know how great their service truly is. I do what I can, with my meager
magicks, to protect the fruits of their labor until the day the Clockwork
regains ascendancy in the heart of Mankind. You are welcome to stay here with
us, Ezrael, if you so desire."
"I thank you, brother, but I must decline your offer. I am determined to find
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