Author: J. Gardham gardham1@yahoo.com
This story is fiction as are the characters, if you think you see yourself in this story that's cool as long as everyone remembers there's nothing in this story that isn't pure imagination.
"Benjamin and Me"
Chapter 12
Gavin and Brad were out riding on a Sunday afternoon in late June when they spotted a couple of young men sitting at the eastern boundary of the woods. Riding over they stopped and asked if they were aware they were on private property. Jonathan and Sparkle stood and walked over and shook hands with Gavin and Brad introducing themselves. "Yes we are aware we're on your land, we hope you don't mind". Brad replied that he guessed it was okay and asked if there was a reason for them to be there.
Sparkle who had the most amazing green eyes answered, "yes there is a reason for our being here". Laughing Brad said, "that doesn't exactly answer my question now does it?" Sparkle looking intently into Brad's eyes with a big smile simply said, "no I guess it doesn't" . Leaning on his saddle horn with his chin in his hand, Brad said, "perhaps you could elaborate and give us a clue as to why you're here". If it were possible, Sparkle's smile grew even larger as he said, "oh, you want a clue, okay we're here to help". Looking at each other Brad and Gavin started to laugh, "you know guys, if you didn't look so harmless your reluctance in answering might get under our skin, but instead you've managed to pique our interest". Brad told Gavin to give Jonathan a lift up on the back of his horse as he pulled Sparkle up behind him.
Once they were on their way Jonathan asked if they were going to see Thomas. Looking back at Jonathan, Gavin said, "you guys know Thomas". Smiling back at Gavin Jonathan said, "no". Laughing Brad said, "you two are something else, if you don't know Thomas how do you know his name?" Sparkle blew a puff of air at the back of Brad's head ruffling his hair as he said, "we know who he is we just don't know him". Looking at Brad, Gavin said, "well that certainly clears that up".
Arriving at the house and putting their horses in the stables, Gavin and Brad walked through the pool house and into the courtyard with Sparkle and Jonathan trailing on their heels. Thomas who was cooking burgers on the grill looked up and said, "hi guys". Brad replied, "oh you know these two?" "No Brad, I know you two, where'd you pick up your friends?" "Gavin and I found them sitting at the eastern boundary of the woods". "What were they doing there?" "Helping". "Helping?" "A huh". Rolling his eyes Thomas asked who they were and Gavin introduced Jonathan and Sparkle. "Sparkle!"
"What?" "What?" Sparkle, with that big smile on his face looked up at Thomas and gave his eyes a roll, "you said Sparkle and I said, "what", and then you said "what". Thomas replied, I wasn't asking a question, I was questioning your name, "Sparkle". "What?" "Nothing, it's just an unusual name for a man, is it a nick name?" "No although we do have a friend named Nick, but that's his name, mine's Sparkle". "Got cha, you want a burger?" "Yes that would be very nice, we're kind of hungry, we ran out of food this morning".
Brad and Gavin stood grinning with their arms folded over their chests, watching and listening to this insane exchange, amazed that Thomas took it all in stride without becoming the slightest bit ruffled, but then that`s Thomas for you.
Larry and Robin came in from the track after exercising the horses and putting them in the meadow. Seeing the two new guys Larry said, "hey everyone, who are the two newbies?" Gavin said, "this is Jonathan and Sparkle". Larry said, "Sparkle!" "What?" Laughing Thomas looked at Larry and said, "don't go there". Looking confused Larry said, "don't go where?"
Brad and Gavin were about to bust their guts from laughing. Thomas handed Larry and Robin plates and said, "here, eat something". Bill and Dave came out from the house asking if dinner was ready, when they saw Jonathan and Sparkle, Bill asked who the new guys were. Before anyone had a chance to introduce them Bill walked up to Sparkle and stared into his eyes commenting, "wow, those are the most beautiful green eyes, they actually seem to sparkle". All the guys looking at each other, said in unison, "oh, so your mother named you Sparkle". Sparkle's reply was ... "DUH!" Still laughing Brad said, "Bill, Dave, meet Jonathan and Sparkle". Shaking their hands Dave said, "cool, glad to make your acquaintance".
During the meal Thomas managed to find out that Jonathon and Sparkle were from Rhode Island, asking how they got to Berlin Jonathan said, "we were sent here". "Yes, but how'd you get here from Rhode Island, did you drive, fly, take the bus?" Looking perplexed, Jonathan replied, "no, we don't use those things, Goldermer sent us". By this time everyone had become quiet and Thomas's appearance had taken on a more serious expression.
Benjamin materialized suddenly causing quite a reaction from Sparkle and Jonathan who jumped up excitedly and ran to hug him, "Benjamin, Benjamin, we were wondering where you were, it's so good to meet you, I'm Sparkle and this is Jonathan". "We've heard stories about you and Thomas and how brave you guys were in fighting the demons". "You guys are famous".
Alarm bells were going off all over the place in everyone's minds. Benjamin walked over and put his arm around Thomas, he was obviously nervous and concerned about what was going on and what Jonathan and Sparkle had to do with it. Speaking up Thomas said, "okay guys it's time to fill us in on why you're here and what's going on, and you need to come up with straight answers.
Looking hurt Jonathan said, "Thomas we have answered your questions". Putting his hand under Jonathan's chin and lifting his face up Thomas said, "Jonathan I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, we understand you and Sparkle were sent here to help us, what we don't know is, help us with what?
Sparkle took Jonathan's hand in his, looking lovingly into his face explained to Jonathan that Thomas and the others, even the ghost Benjamin aren't aware that the dark forces are gathering against them". Hearing this Benjamin felt a searing pain run down his spine where he had been torn open by a hideous demon. Thomas wrapped Benjamin tightly in his arms before asking Jonathan to continue with his story. "Goldermer sent us here to warn you and do what we can to protect all of you until Goldermer can gather enough wizards to launch a successful counter attack against the dark forces of the west".
"Who is Goldermer and what do you mean by the dark forces of the west?" "Goldermer is our leader, the most powerful wizard in America and the dark forces are those on the west coast of the United States that work with the powers of darkness to create wealth and power to feed the greed of those who serve them". "Their leader is a very strong and powerful witch named Golgotheria".
"How did Goldermer know the dark forces were going to attack us?" "Muriel informed Goldermer of their plans and asked that we intervene on your behalf". "Who is Muriel?" "Muriel is the angel Raphael put in charge of keeping you all safe from the powers of darkness, aka demons that attacked you before and during the equestrian competition". "Why doesn't Muriel and her angels keep the witch and her wizards away from us herself?"
"Thomas there's a war going on in the firmament you couldn't possibly imagine with Raphael, Michael and their legions fighting the powers of darkness as we speak, Muriel, who is a he not a she, has his hands full keeping you safe from the demonic forces that have been charged with destroying you, we have been given the task of keeping you safe from the dark forces, aka witches and dark wizards that the demons have set against you because they can't get to you themselves".
"Okay, I'm getting the picture but how can you two help us, no offense meant, but you two are pretty young and small to be put in charge of protecting us". Laughing Sparkle said, "no offense taken Thomas, we're older than any of you will ever be and we're the most powerful wizards in America other than Goldermer". "We'll do everything in our power to protect you until Goldermer sends in reinforcements he`s calling in from Europe and elsewhere around the world".
Thomas said, "there's one thing I don't yet understand, why do the forces of evil want to harm us?" "Thomas, it is the love that fills your heart, your love is of the most pure form of love and a rarity on earth". "You have spread that love, which is unconditional to all those around you, that love, should it continue to spread is a threat to the forces of evil. From the pure form of love you possess comes a pure form of power, that is what the forces of evil fear".
Benjamin asked if the threat was immanent. Jonathan said, "yes, that's why Sparkle and I were sent here through wizardry, we have already set in place a shield that will protect your property from boundary to boundary for the time being". "When the dark wizards and their witches bring more power against us we'll have to draw the shield in closer to where we are now standing in order to reinforce it's strength". Sparkle added, "that is when we're going to need all the reinforcements we can muster to drive them back into the coastal regions along California, Oregon, and Washington". "For that we are depending on Goldermer".
Thomas asked Sparkle if he and Jonathan were in any danger? "Yes we are in the same danger as the rest of you, although we have lived many of your lifetimes we are mortal and can die just as you do".
Thomas stood and pulled Sparkle and Jonathan into his embrace, "I cannot let you remain here if you're in danger, this fight is ours and we will live or die without endangering anyone else". "Your kindness and bravery is more than we can ask of you, please return to your Goldermer and give him our regards and our thanks, but we must face this danger on our own".
"Thomas, what is done cannot be undone, those are the words of Raphael, what has been set in motion is irreversible, the battle has begun, many of our sentries across America have died holding the dark wizards back until we could set up our defenses here". "The angels have asked for our assistance and we have granted it, that cannot and will not be altered". "Wizards throughout the world are now in battle, dark again light, good against evil". "Jonathan added that it is their honor to stand with you in this battle and we will win".
Darin and Glen put their arms around their sons protectively as they asked if there was a way they could make sure Bill and David would be spared any harm. "Yes, we can sent them back to Goldermer, nothing can penetrate his stronghold". Bill and David spoke up immediately saying that wasn't going to happen, we're not children, we'll fight with the rest of you, we fear your loss as much as you fear ours, so let's consider this conversation closed". Darin and Glen swallowed the lumps in their throats and they knotted their heads in agreement.
Sparkle and Jonathan hugged Bill and David whispering, "you have more power than you can imagine, use it when the time comes".
Suddenly there was a loud thundering sound and a brilliant flash to the west of them. Jonathan said, they've found us, but we're safe for now the shield will hold them off for several days. That evening Sparkle told the others that they were safe and to try and get a good nights rest if they could.
Later in bed Bill turned to David and asked if he remembered the night Thomas passed out when he heard Ben cry out in pain. "Remember I said to Thomas, you're the love that holds us together, don't you dare leave us". "Yes I remember Bill". "Dave, I meant every word of what I said, we have to protect Thomas at all costs". "If some of us are lost in this battle there will be others to replace us, but if he's lost the purity of the love that fills his heart is lost forever". "I agree completely Bill, you and I need to stay close enough not to raise his suspicions but also close enough to protect him with our lives if necessary". Embracing David, Bill told him he couldn't possibly love him anymore than right at this moment, kissing goodnight they drifted into a restless sleep.
Eight days passed before the shield began to weaken after an unrelenting assault and Jonathan and Sparkle were forced to pull their shield in to surround the house proper. Benjamin asked how much longer the shield would hold in it's present position. Sparkle replied that it would protect them for a least another week, but if Goldermer didn't send in help by then things were going to get messy.
The days passed without anyone getting much rest with the constant bombardment and by the fifth day they could see the shield was beginning to weaken with a fireball slipping through now and then. Jonathan and Sparkle were able to extinguish them before any damage was done, but things were beginning to look pretty grim. On the seventh day fireballs were coming in like rain. Jonathan and Sparkle were amazing in their ability to keep up with extinguishing them before they hit ground. Suddenly something that looked like a lightening bolt came slicing through the air almost faster than the eye could see headed straight for Thomas. Dave and Bill both saw it at the same time and leaped to intercept it. It struck them both exploding with such force that nearly everyone was thrown to the ground. The resulting explosion sent a thousand lightening bolts shooting back into the sky with resulting explosions taking out dozens of dark wizards simultaneously.
Thomas was horrified when he turned and saw Bill and David's bodies laying on the ground blackened from taking a direct hit. Glen and Darin raced to where their sons lay, as they knelt down they saw movement and heard coughing coming from Dave and Bill. Glen and Darin started brushing black soot from their sons as Brad and Gavin came running with towels. Thomas grabbed a towel from Brad and started cleaning the soot from their faces. Bill and David blinked the filth from their eyes as they pointed toward the sky.
Turning to see what the boys were pointing at, the others saw the sky was filled with fireballs and lightening bolts coming from the east and driving the dark forces back. Sparkle, with his usual smile announced, "reinforcements are here, and not a minute too soon". The shield was moved back out to it's original location and reinforced so no more enemy fire could break through.
Thomas was holding David and Bill in his arms as he started to shake uncontrollably, the boys held on to him as tight as they could. Bill said, "Thomas it's okay it's over now, we've won". Looking into their faces through tear filled eyes Thomas cried, "you both could have been killed, you should never have thrown yourselves in front of that lightening bolt to protect me, what were you thinking".
A tiny flicker of light appeared in front of Thomas and the boys, as it grew brighter and larger, the others stepped back to make room for whoever was about to appear. Before it could be seen a voice said, Thomas!". Thomas recognizing the voice, bowed his head as he answered, "yes Raphael". The archangel appeared in all his glory, wings extended and glowing. "Thomas these young men were willing to sacrifice their lives to save you, and you should know last night every man here vowed to give his life to keep you safe". "Greater love hath no man". "Why Raphael? I'm no different than any of them, I love them all and would die in their place I dont deserve such love". "Thomas you of all men deserve their love as they in turn deserve yours".
"They are aware of your great love for them Thomas, they may not know that you spent your entire night praying that no harm would come to any of them, but they knew you would willingly lay down your life for each of them". "The victory won here today belongs to all of you". "Jonathan and Sparkle please give our gratitude to Goldermer and the others throughout the world who took part in this great victory against the dark forces".
"Raphael it is our honor to serve you in anyway we can, and to be in service to these men was even a greater honor, the love they share surely is the future of mankind".
Thomas stood with his arms around Bill and David, "Raphael will we be in danger of another attack from the dark forces?" "Yes, but not for a very long time Thomas, when these two young men whom you have your arms around threw themselves in front of the lightening bolt to save you, the love they expended was so powerful it sent tens of thousands of demons into the deepest reaches of the black holes designed especially for them". "The dark wizards here on earth are shaking with fear at the power throw at them, they'll be hiding in the black corners of their world for the foreseeable future". "Even Golgotheria has disappeared back into the slim from which she came". "You and your friends will have several years of peace without danger".
Without warning Raphael shot straight up in a blaze of color that left everyone in awe. The only sound was Sparkle as he said, "WOW!" before falling flat on his back. Jonathan knelt beside him helping him back up as Bill asked, "what happened to Sparkle, Jonathan?" "His wish throughout life has been to see an archangel, tonight he got his wish, he was just a tad overwhelmed".
"To be Continued"
Jason Gardham