The Gift of the Angels

So it came to pass that the Angels would depart this world and return to their place in the heavens, where they would continue to observe the wonders of their creation. ²Middengeard was perfect, as designed, and its citizens, in living as they were designed, made it a pleasure to inhabit. ³During their time, the angels had been fortunate to encounter humans of good morals and virtuous spirit, who encompassed all their values, and honoured their making. ⁴To these exemplary souls, the angels agreed to provide a gift of great power: the gift of Aether.

⁵The angel Larimus came to the palace of Midden and met with King Dinus and Queen Alyse. ⁶Unto them, she said, 'Be as parents to this nation. ⁷Guide with constancy and guard with passion, and in return, receive the respect and loyalty of your children.' ⁸She placed her hand upon their hearts and filled their souls with the sacred gift.

⁹Corinus bestowed his gift upon the doctor and upon the teacher, whose devotion to knowledge he esteemed above many. ¹⁰As he touched their heads, to them, he proclaimed, 'Increase this nation’s understanding. ¹¹Care with wisdom and teach with curiosity, and in return, receive the gratitude and loyalty of your wards.'

¹²Esoter gave her gift to an artist and to a musician whose craft she held in honour. ¹³As she touched their hearts, she spoke, saying, 'Inspire this nation. ¹⁴Create with integrity and design with faithfulness, and in return, receive the adoration and loyalty of your supporters.'

¹⁵Perile entrusted her gift unto the oracle and unto the therapist, whose counsel steadied troubled souls. ¹⁶As she filled their minds and souls with Aether, she said, 'Be as an ear to this nation. ¹⁷Listen with patience, and console with resolve, and in return, receive the peace and loyalty of the thankful.'

¹⁸Merinosis set his gift upon a lawyer and upon a businessman whose judgment he trusted. ¹⁹As he shook their hands, he said, 'Invest in this nation. ²⁰Negotiate with discernment and judge with assurance, and in return, receive the prosperity and loyalty of your clients.'

²¹Brevus granted his gift to a dancer and to the wine merchant whose cheer he enjoyed. ²²As he toasted and danced with them, he exclaimed, 'Be a joy to this nation. ²³Bless them with pleasure and lightness of heart, and in return, receive devotion and loyalty from your celebrants.'

²⁴Naurvine attended to a fisherman and his wife, whose dedication to their sea and their community she admired. ²⁵She stepped into the waters with them and said, 'Let the waves be also your nation. ²⁶Sail them with eagerness, and haul them with fervour, and in return, receive pride and loyalty from your fleets.'

²⁷Athelros held a meeting with a general and an admiral whose resolve he knew well. ²⁸As he saluted, he said, 'Protect this nation. ²⁹Communicate with calmness, and defend with fearlessness, and in return, receive honour and loyalty from your soldiers.'

³⁰Dalmaria came upon a farm that she had praised for its efficiency, and met the farmer and his wife therein. ³¹As she hugged them, she said, 'Feed this nation. ³²Direct the land with determination, and manage with efficiency, and in return, receive satisfaction and loyalty from your community.'

³³Hepzibah walked through her favourite forest and met a woodsman and hunter whose talents honoured the bounty of the land. ³⁴To them, she raised her hand and called out. 'Build this nation. ³⁵Take with confidence, and furnish with intent, and in return receive appreciation and loyalty from your residents.'

³⁶Torval came to a smithy near the base of a volcano, where, in its reflection, the blacksmith and jeweller worked the metals and gems to create objects of wonder. ³⁷He gave them a hearty greeting and said, 'Forge for this nation. ³⁸Mine with impunity and fashion with precision, and in return receive admiration and loyalty from your patrons.'

³⁹While the other angels sought out those worthy of their gifts, Lucian remained instead in his house and called to him his slave girl, Aya. ⁴⁰She came, meek and ignorant, her only ability was to serve. ⁴¹Lucian gave her Aether, filling her ill-equipped mind with a power beyond her measure. ⁴²Unaccustomed to the sensation and unable to comprehend, Aya fled into the jungle, for the gift raged beyond her bearing, and the jungle was laid waste in her wake. ⁴³Afraid of the rightful judgment from his brethren, Lucian took Aya and left for the North.