Fluffy Rabbit

"I have a surprise for you Charles."

She went very quiet - the word 'surprise' generally meant a very good thing in her language - something worth opening your eyes for.

Puck produced a big pink bag tied at the top with a huge silver ribbon. She stuffed her hand into it and a cloud of iridescent butterflies flew out. Barely noticing them (for she had seen that trick a few too many times) she persisted until pulling out a floppy yet fluffy soft rabbit toy and the two were instantly friends.

Later that night when Charley had been safely transferred back into her little bed, the rabbit wriggled out of her grasp and stealthily checked out the room satisfying itself that the window latch was locked, he snuggled back into her arms falling fast asleep beside her.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Angels & Demons

"Are you saying that you are an Angel?"

"No, no ... no - no, not at all. Totally different - though a kinship we share. No, we are a parallel race to you mortals, save our life in your world is invisible to it, though you might see us from time to time in unusual circumstances. We are the Fey."

"A ghost?"

"No"

"A demon then?"

"No, but some of us can be troublemakers. Now getting back to wizards ... you see they can be very powerful because they work with the willing cooperation of those Fey who believe them to be worthy of their assistance in the first place."

He went on, "but you see magicians, on the other hand" he said, holding out his left hand, "never really seek to earn the affection of those they want something from - their tools are deceptive and are always seeking some sense of control. Illusion is key and reality of slim consequence, the magician has little care for anyone other than himself, and, is far more ill tempered too, you will find, than a true wizard. So what will it be? Which do you choose?"

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Wizard or Magician?

"Wizards work with us, magicians, on the other hand, try to control us - the question is: are you a wizard or a magician?"

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Well, you see, we like to be asked - not summoned, not told, not ordered around."

"Oh."

"For example: - There is a world of difference if you pray for an Angel's help or if you command that the Angel do as you bid. You would be surprised to learn how many dark and troubled mortals have sought to enslave and corrupt an Angelic being...”

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Be Man, be Agent, be God

Looking up Puck saw in the corner, a man dressed with calico robes, looking on at them with deep meaning. He spoke:

"Do as I have done
be Man, be Agent, be God.

"And never look back to the darkness behind you
- but see only forward.

"This light before you is inextinguishable,
it is my soul.

"Know Peace, and of this also:
the divine friendship of all
bonded in a perfect Grace
safe sealed with the oath of God ...
this, the eternal caul."

He vanished just as the healing was complete and the milk from the eyes had dissolved, whereupon the stranger most jubilantly pronounced to Puck,

"Brother, I am in service to you!"

To which Puck respectfully replied: "Go now Brother, and be in service from this day on, to all".

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Green Glass Bulb of Eyebright

Puck splashed his hands clean in a bowl; he was mixing tinctures when they came knocking at his door. Foresight had already beckoned - the Master had called upon his abilities for healing, bringing him into the sleeping city to be of service.

He quickly assessed the impatience and indifference from this man, who clumsily drew out a single coin to offer him, which Puck politely refused. He then questioned him briefly to elaborate his purpose awaiting its revelation.

Next, he asked the fellow's company to go wait outside, and guided the blind man to a wooden seat that creaked as he nervously idled from side to side.

In his left hand Puck held a pale green glass bulb of eyebright, and through his right the vitality effervesced supernaturally with a brilliance exceeding the sunlight in that room. Of course the stranger could not see the Fey man tend to him and the brilliance that he evoked.

Puck traced the cross ever gently over his tempered brow and this action soothed him.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

One Day in Damascus

The red cloths flapped in the hot fragrant winds of Damascus. Doors everywhere would be shut now until a whole day later, with not one soul to walk the roads or come and go, in trade or talk, the city was forced quiet and even the birds hushed with the anxiety that something different can bring.

Windows were covered, some, painted over and flags slung adorning the limestone mantles.

One stray puppy wobbled over the hot road - too young to know where to forage through the rubbish for food; and one old goat sported the hollow streets, sampling the pomegranates and blossoms that draped invitingly without sentinel.

A party of weary men straddled the road leading into the quietened city. One walked clumsily beside a mule, clutching to his side, as if to steady himself. He was not elderly but appeared insecure, stumbling like a novice to his sightlessness.

He was a tall man with large features and a long face. Although his robes were dust infested, one could see he wore a cloth of quality. 

The vacant streets had made it difficult for the visitors to find their way to the sanctuary they sought, and there was no one there to point the way.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Present & Past

Brogan stood watching Marley, who stood watching Charlene, as she slept.

She could not see him or even feel his presence - but he could see her, as if for the first time, in a very long time.

His memories had come back to him shortly after he had found himself on the battlefield of Basingstoke. His subtle bodies were intact now and his inner vision had revealed lives lived long before - bringing to him pictures of the associations he had made and fixed within his heart.

Here was the girl he had left behind on the Jerusalem hills. His cherished wife who had born him two sons - one that was to come into the world shortly after his death. He had not known that she had been pregnant with child on that fateful day of his passing.

There she was now, a mother again. He thought her features were similar to those he had loved so much before. The way she stood, even the way she talked, was as his beloved he had known.

He wanted to thank her, and remind her of those intimate times between them.

For the first time in a very long time, his forlorn ghost broke down and wept for himself and his loneliness.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series