Chapter 9: Castiel's Trial - part 2
The Clerics, Healers and Guardians speak.
Ariel called the court to order and the room fell silent. The Clerics, Healers and Guardians of Heavens had decided amongst themselves to appoint a single representative to speak for each of their corps.
Ongkanon spoke for the Clerics, noting that Castiel had attempted to keep them out of the civil war and that during his false godhood had simply issued clear and concise orders and expected them to do their jobs. “We are aware that the more military of the host hold our numbers in contempt. Whether intention or merely the by-product of your divine delusions Castiel, you recognized our capacity and allowed us to do our job. This is appreciated. Yet we cannot overlook the loss and chaos this war and your misplaced divinity have wrought in heaven.”
Jehoel, an angel of mediation, spoke on behalf of the Healers, repeating the sentiment of the clerics. He praised the way Castiel had spoken and dealt with the Cherubim and of his concern for those from both sides injured in fighting. “It saddens us that he corrupted himself and succumbed to the sin of pride. The losses during his brief time of deity can never be recovered. We are of the opinion that he was truly insane for much of this time; however it made mockery of all that he had tried to show us. For this we healers are truly saddened.”
Joshua spoke on behalf of the Guardians of the heaven. “We do not have an argument with either side. During this war neither the forces loyal to Raphael or Castiel have sort to inflict damage upon Garden or the heavens of mankind. Some of you have indeed been seen to walk amongst the heavens. These actions speak louder than any words coming from the mouths of angels. We Guardians feel it is too long since the Host communicated with the very souls they are charged with protecting.”
***
It was quiet in the courtroom after Joshua spoke. Ariel announced that the court would hear from the prophet Wednesday Smith and from Castiel before all adjourned to consider their verdict. The host erupted into confused whispers and even outbursts upon hearing this, while Castiel remained impassive and thought about Dean. He had stood in this courtroom a little over two years now. On Earth that would be about eight weeks he supposed.
Two months since Castiel had regained his memories with help from Wen Smith. A little over two weeks since he’d seen Dean and Sam for the first time since his latest rebirth, albeit greeting them as Thor. Two days short of a week since he’d taken Sam Winchester’s insanity into himself so that he might gain a glimmer of forgiveness from Dean Winchester. He was bought back to the present when a rush of love fell upon the courtroom and looking to his left he saw another of his siblings uncomfortable in the embrace of a cupid.
The Rapture of Wednesday Smith
Wednesday was closing up for the day when the accident happened. For the second time, or perhaps the first, she found herself standing beside a burning garage. As with the accident that killed her parents, a truck had blown its tire and crashed into the fuel pumps and shopfront. She died instantly.
Wen looked at the chaos of firemen, ambulance and police surrounding the burning garage. She wasn’t alone, Ariel stood beside her. “This isn’t fair! After all I’ve done, I don’t even get to have a real life? So much I haven’t done. I wanted a lover, a husband and family. What kind of a prophet dies a virgin!?”
“Quite a few, child,” Ariel said with great gentleness and placed a hand on Wen’s shoulders. “It is never an easy life to bring the word of God, in all its different languages and religions, to the world. Be angry because it is unfair. However, would you rather have existed as Chuck has? Crippled by isolation and alcohol with only the company of fallen women and the irate Winchester brothers?”
The firemen had finally put out the blaze. Now they and the police moved slowly through the ruins looking for her body. The truck driver was being attended by ambulance personal. Wen noticed something ghostly drift over his body and draw out something like a small light from his body. The ambulance attendants stopped treating him, calling time of death.
“They’re alright. They’re just lost most of the time. Like Thor was,” Wen said, thinking about Sam and Dean, as the firemen brought her body out on a stretcher. The coroner’s people took delivery and the hearse drove away towards town.
“What happens now?” Wen asked.
“There is one more task God asks of you and then you will be at peace.” Ariel said. “You are to speak to the host at Castiel’s trial.”
“I don’t like speaking in public. I hate crowds.” Wen said.
“I know but it is necessary.” Ariel said. Laying her other hand upon Wen’s shoulder she transported them both to heaven.
The Prophet Speaks
Wednesday Smith had always hated public speaking and this was no exception. She couldn’t really see the angels, except for Ariel and Castiel, but she could hear whispering. She smiled briefly at Castiel, waiting for Ariel to ask her to speak. The whispering seemed to be getting more agitated and for the first time in her existence she saw Ariel as she truly was, an archangel of the Lord. It was rather frightening.
“ENOUGH!” Ariel stood in all her glory, wings extended and the courtroom awash in pinks and indigo purple as her grace reached out and held all spell bound.
“God spoke to me and charged me with choosing an angelic prophet. Wednesday Smith is that prophet and Castiel the angel. She will recite his tale as mankind shall read of it in the future. You shall listen with open grace and without prejudice. You will show Wednesday Smith the respect due to her. Perhaps there is something to be learnt from this child’s trials and life.”
***
Wednesday stood in front of Castiel, a small smile and shrug was all she gave him. He nodded and smiled. The courtroom was quiet. Her chest suddenly appeared in front of her with all its contents. She supposed she was to read from the journals, so that is what she did.
“I am so totally screwed,” Castiel thought as he listened to his Prophet recite his rise and fall. It occurred to him that he was channeling Dean Winchester more and more during these times of tribulation. He thought again of Dean, hoped that he and Sam would find a way to vanquish the Leviathan.
Two days passed before she finally finished reading the story of her life. The tasks asked of her by God to help all three Winchester men and how she saw told Castiel’s story from the beginning till now. If Castiel could ascribe feeling to the rest of the host, he would have said stunned and shocked.
When she had finished Joshua guided her to the Garden, there, within its extended community, she was reunited with her parents. In time she would once again meet John Winchester and his wife Mary, as well as Deanna Campbell.
Ongkanon placed placed the last journal back in the chest. Ariel waved her hand and it disappeared from the courtroom, back to the Rufus’ cabin. The Winchesters had been on a case and its disappearance and sudden reappearance was not missed. It would be some time before they looked at its contents again. By which time they were well on the way to discovering a way to kill the Leviathan boss Dick Roman
part three