"Hello, Spy." Came a voice.
But, at first, Zophiel did not hear it. The half-fallen angel had
lost himself in the armor of thought for thought's sake. The
words came again. The room in which Zophiel found himself
was rather spartan… and yet, familiar.
"Do you know where you are, Spy?"
"The Secret!" exclaimed God's Spy. "Are you supposed to be
here?"
"Today? Yes. Are you?" said Raziel as he walked, unobstructed
by décor, to the center of the room. Zophiel stood slowly,
wondering to what extent he might need to defend himself. When
no attack came, he glanced around the room and then
questioningly at the visitor.
"Recognize it?" asked Raziel.
"That's a strange question, Secret. Of course, I do. This is my
study… before I opened the House. But why show it to me?"
"It seems you've forgotten something." Raziel smiled and
folded his arms in a relaxed though guarded manner.
"You've always delighted in forgetfulness."
"Don't you know why, Spy?"
"Why don't you tell me. This is my house."
"Yes… but as a gift. Each forgotten thought, even the
misremembered, becomes the best kind of secret."
Zophiel was now certain that self-defense was called for but the
appropriate weapons were not in the study. Raziel, still smiling,
continued to lecture.
"Those things one forgets about oneself become secrets to the
self – And you've got quite a few of such losses."
The half-fallen angel was stunned. Never before had Raziel
been so forthcoming and based solely on this new revelation,
Zophiel knew he'd be more prepared for their next meeting. Now,
Zophiel smiled.
"And what is the payment I owe you, Secret?"
"Ironically, I must remind you of another thing you've lost." As
Raziel spoke, the clutter of the study began to reappear. "You
have – out of all angelkind – Free Will, yes?"
"So they say."
"A marvelous gift but have you never considered why?"
Zophiel moved to his desk and placed a hand on the papers of
work. An eyebrow rose quizzically and he turned back to face his
visitor. "For my part in the War."
At this, Raziel laughed openly. "Oh, Spy – you played no part in
the War. The truth is that I'd forgotten something during all of
that… forgotten to include you. No, Spy. Your gift of Free Will is
neither curse nor punishment. But it does require one thing."
Zophiel again asked silently for further information from the
Secret of God and the visiting angel's smile abruptly vanished.
"Free Will does not allow you to ignore having to choose. It
demands that you make a choice… at least, from time to time."
"Have you finished?"
"For now… I suspect so."
"Then leave my study."
Raziel laughed again. "That's the same puzzle facing you right
now, Spy. And the answer to my initial question."