5T

5T

The woman came to the Remnant leading a small flock of their sheep that had gone astray in Eliath Wood. Under the watchful gaze of four warriors with bows at the ready she drew near to Rosh and said, "The B'nei Elohim greet you, Rosh, son of Lael. I am called Ariel, the daughter of Gabriel, who once had dealings with your people. I am sent to retrieve your missing animals, which errand I have only yet begun, but also I am come to convey a message from the Lord our God, who says the Remnant may now leave Eliath Wood without being assailed, and go on to the land of your inheritance. Be of warm heart, Rosh! God has sworn the Remnant shall know peace for all the days that remain in your life."

Ariel departed then from the presence of Rosh to search for more of thje livestock which had separated from their flocks by ones and pairs, for it was her talent as one of the B'nei Elohim that she could command animals, and indeed many among the B'nei Elohim said she seemed to greatly prefer the company of beasts to that of other people. Certainly it could clearly be seen this genuine affection was returned to Ariel by the animals who felt drawn to her. Ariel, true to her temperament, shunned the company of the Remnant to seek the living creatures she loved all the greater.

As Ariel wandered through the Wood working to restore the flocks, Rosh led the Remnant to good pastures lying in the open to the west. There he founded a settlement he called Shedal. The ample grass of that land was watered from moisture drifting east every morning from the shores of the great sea, and the grass there was ever green. A fence of fallen trees with sharpened tips was set on the perimeter of Shedal, with the Ark and the Tent of Meeting safely held in the center of the small but growing new city. Then after a number of weeks Ariel came to the people with all that lived among their lost livestock. She said to them, "The task set before me by the Lord is finished. Now I shall return to the other world where my heart truly lies."

And Rosh said to her in reply, "All my people owe you much thanksgiving, Ariel. Our flocks had dwindled to our great alarm, and we feared we might starve."

Ariel said, "It is not I you should thank, Rosh. In truth, I was not eager to travel to this shadow of the real world, this frozen figment, to carry out this task. Thank you, rather, the living God. It is he who commands and the B'nei Elohim obey."

Then Ariel departed from their sight in like manner Gabriel and Remiel had been whisked away.