They met at the river, just beyond the French Quarter. Michael, Raphael, and Uriel waited on the boardwalk, and about a kilometer away, Mercy trained with her instructor.

"Welcome back, brother," Uriel said as Raphael stepped forward and hugged Gabriel. "Heaven has missed you."

"We have missed you," Michael added.

"And I've missed you," Gabriel said a little too curtly. At first, Jael thought he was still upset about Proctiel, but seeing the look in his eyes, decided that he must have flashed back to killing his brothers' doppelgängers in the Hellhole.

Raphael noticed his odd tone as well, but Uriel said, "Then you'll be glad to know that we are close to concluding this mission. We expect to have you back in Heaven by Christmas."

Gabriel looked gratified, and his brothers accepted this. Jael looked closer and found behind that gratified look a touch of disdain.

Christmas was a touchy subject in Heaven. For one, the date was nowhere near being correct. For another, humans seemed more inclined to observe the date by supporting gross consumerism. But Jael was not wholly convinced that Gabriel's disdain was directed at the upcoming holiday.

Michael shot Uriel a look of mild disapproval. "That's less than a week away. You've established a rather short and ambitious timeline for our brother's work."

"It's true, isn't it?" Uriel shrugged. "Mercy has already informed us that the Nephilim Council plans to move on Christmas Eve. Therefore, we will be done by then."

Gabriel pursed his lips.

"Besides, Proctiel has already made remarkable strides in putting together a counter to the Nephilim's plan." Uriel waved Gabriel forward. "Let's go and speak with him."

"Hold a moment, brother," Raphael said.

"Why? We are going to speak with him nonetheless," Uriel said over his shoulder, still headed toward the Dominion.

"I said hold," Raphael snapped. Uriel stopped and paid attention.

"Gabriel," Michael said, turning to his fallen brother. "It has come to our notice that you may not be comfortable with the way we arranged this mission."

"I have no complaints," Gabriel said.

Michael looked unconvinced. "It's been a trying time for you, and you have been away for some time. We understand if things appear to be other than what they are."

"All appears well," Gabriel said.

"Gabriel," Raphael said. "We know that you believe we have appointed Proctiel to replace you."

"I do not," Gabriel said.

"Well, be assured that you are right," Michael said. "He has not taken your place in any way. He has only been helping us manage the workload across Creation."

"He is to be commended," Gabriel said.

"Stop it," Raphael snapped.

There was truth to Michael's words, after all. It took all four archangels, with the help of the middle managers, to mediate or battle the various elements that presented constant threats to Creation. Sometimes they were challenges from ancient powers, such as the old gods. Sometimes they were disasters on other planes. Sometimes an Eccentric got bored.

With Gabriel gone, the other three archangels found themselves stretched too thin. All of the high-ranking angels had connections to Gabriel, though, so the archangels reached out to a Dominion who had no such connections. The best option was Proctiel, a rather finicky angel whose humanoid form called to mind uncanny-valley movies starring blond men as androids.

Michael held up a hand. "We cannot dismiss the things our brother feels," he said. "They are made valid by his feeling them."

Jael folded her arms.

"Then what do you suggest, Michael?" Raphael asked. "Do we kick Proctiel off of the mission, after all he has done to build it?"

"No," Michael replied. "But there is always a middle ground."

"I don't see a problem with handing things over to Gabriel," Uriel volunteered. "Then Proctiel can return to his duties in his Circle."

"May I perhaps offer an opinion?"

Everyone turned to look at Proctiel, except for Gabriel, who had already seen him coming.

"Welcome, Proctiel," Michael said, and his usual warm tone felt thin and forced. "We are happy to hear your opinion. Only allow us a few minutes to conclude our discussion."

"But I believe that I can be of assistance to your discussion," Proctiel said. "I'm happy to share duties with our honored general Gabriel. In fact, nothing would please me more."

Michael's smile relaxed into something more natural. "Well, that is good to hear. What do you think, Gabriel?"

Time jerked. It was clear to everyone present that Gabriel had said something, then reversed time and ripped his comment from the record.

"This is acceptable," Gabriel said.

Proctiel beamed. "Wonderful. I am overjoyed. Come, let's speak with Mercy. She will show you what she's learned."

The four archangels filed over to where Mercy was sitting on a bench. Jael tagged behind.

"Greetings, Mercy," Gabriel said.

Mercy understood that Gabriel's formal tone meant that they should not address each other with as much informality as they had at their first meeting. Not in their present company.

"Greetings, General," Mercy replied, standing and giving a small curtsy.

"Very good," Proctiel said. "Mercy, please share what you have learned from the Nephilim of late."

"They're planning something for Christmas," Mercy said. "Something about faith being strongest then. They want to take the power of faith and use it to help them access and take over Heaven."

"Any word on what they specifically plan to do?" Gabriel asked. "How they plan to take Heaven?"

"Not yet," Mercy answered. "It will depend on the powers of whichever unfallen Naphil they can draft to their cause. They haven't gotten one yet, but apparently some group they're working with gave them a hot tip on a Naphil living here in town."

Gabriel swore under his breath, and not in English. "Do you have a name?"

"Yeah," Mercy said. "A familiar one, too. Ever heard of Jaime Rennick?"

Uriel's eyes bugged out of his head, Raphael grimaced and rubbed his face with both hands, and Gabriel emitted a frustrated noise through his teeth. "Fuck us," Michael groaned. "Heaven and Hell. How poor is our luck?"

"Poor enough for instant ramen, I'd say," Jael suggested.

Mercy and Proctiel both looked confused by the emphatic reactions and worried by Michael's swearing. "Is something the matter?" Proctiel asked.

"Very much so," Raphael replied. "Rennick is an Eccentric."

"Ah," Proctiel said. "One of Cantrell's ilk."

"Yes," Michael said. "They are protective of each other, and I doubt that the news of Rennick's impending danger will go over well. And they are as likely to join the Nephilim side as they are to help us."

"I have already been in contact with Mr. Rennick and his allies," Gabriel said.

"Have you?" Michael let out a breath. "Fantastic. You are brilliant, Gabriel. Truly, I don't know how we've gotten along without you."

Gabriel thought about telling him that Rennick had moreso just fallen into his lap, but he saw a look of irritation and jealousy flit across Proctiel's face, so he accepted a moment of mollification instead.

"What's the result?" Raphael asked.

"They will cooperate," Gabriel said. "In exchange, Rennick will be recognized as a safe Naphil."

Raphael and Uriel frowned, but Michael said, "Very well. It will be honored."

"An Eccentric with safe status?" Raphael asked. "Is that wise?"

"Only safe insofar as not being swept up in any Nephilim raids," Gabriel clarified.

"Besides, only two Eccentrics have ever attempted harm on Heaven," Michael pointed out. "The others are more of a threat to the standing order here on Earth than to us."

"Mercy," Proctiel said. "Let's do a bit more sparring, shall we? I'm certain Gabriel would like to see your progress."

"Sure," Mercy drawled.

She got up and drew an angelwork shortsword from its space. Proctiel drew a steel broadsword. Mercy attacked low, and the swords met in a pattern of advances and blocks.

"Then we should embed Rennick among the Council, then thwart the plan through him," Uriel said. "Seems straightforward enough."

Gabriel turned to Michael. "I want to find out what this group is who located Rennick for the Council."

"We'll ask Mercy to look into it," Michael answered. "Was that your cause for concern?"

"Yes," Gabriel answered. "If the Eccentrics are being watched, then I want to know about it."

"They are being watched, as you know," Raphael reminded him. "By their security expert, Athos, which came about because HRL was stalking and attacking them."

"I wonder whether HRL ever figured out Rennick's species," Michael mused.

"They could have," Gabriel said. "He did begin to exhibit some of his nature last year."

"Then we should be keeping an eye on HRL along with the Council," Jael said.

"Yes," Gabriel said. "Jael, I give that task to you."

Jael grinned. This would take a touch of intrigue. It was just her skill set.

Mercy shouted as she lunged forward, only for her blow to be parried by Proctiel. She lost control of the sword for a moment, but recovered her grip while Proctiel retreated.

"Were you able to determine who Rennick's father was?" Michael asked.

"Not yet," Gabriel said. "I expect I will when I meet with them later."

Michael winced. "Then he has manifested abilities?"

"According to Christian Moynahan, yes."

Michael tucked his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

"There is a quick way to resolve this." Gabriel's voice was quiet. "Drop all of the unfallen."

"Perhaps." Michael clenched his jaw. "But not now. Rennick could be useful to us."

"Excuses," Gabriel groused.

Michael sighed. "Another time, brother."

The angelwork sword went flying for a second before Mercy recovered it quickly enough to block a blow from Proctiel, dropping to one knee as she parried it.

"What do you think, Gabriel?" Proctiel called. "She shows promise, does she not?"

Proctiel's hair was slightly disheveled, and his skin was a little ruddier due to the exertion. He placed a hand on Mercy's shoulder. She flinched at the contact. It was a faint, imperceptible reaction.

Gabriel frowned.

"For someone who just took up swordfighting a month ago, she's fantastic," Uriel remarked.

Proctiel gave Gabriel a most pointed look.

"Her riposte needs work," Gabriel said. "You didn't pay enough attention to her grips when you first handed her the sword."

No one spoke. Mercy leaned behind Proctiel's elbow so she could snicker without his noticing.

"I'll help her practice her holds," Gabriel said. "I'll let you know when we're done."

The curt dismissal cut through the air with all the intensity of a whip, and almost no one thought to challenge or question Gabriel on it. Proctiel opened his mouth, but Raphael winged a quick spell at him that shut his mouth without a sound.

"We'll await your report," Raphael said.

Proctiel nodded at Mercy. "I'll meet you again this evening."

The three archangels and the Dominion turned away and walked off, disappearing a hundred feet away. Gabriel glanced at Jael. The same question he had was written across her face.

"So," Jael said once the other angels were gone. "What's happening this evening?"

Mercy shrugged. "Nothing."

"Take a look, Mercy," Gabriel said, waving her over. "You can't hold the sword the same way you hold a trumpet. Your grip is what directs your blows and your blocks. You'll live and die on it. Literally."

"Okay," Mercy said, rolling her eyes a bit. "What should I do instead?"

"The first problem is, he gave you the wrong sword," Gabriel said. "With your build, you'll be much better off with a bastard sword. Maybe even a shorter longsword."

He drew from its space a thin, light, gently curved angelwork sword, Ethereal temper, bastard length. Its edges tapered off in graceful slopes, and the pommel included a hand guard that twisted around the grip. This was a classic Almajoyese sword, but made in angelwork instead of steel.

"That's pretty," Mercy observed.

"You can practice with it for now," Gabriel said. "But it's weighted for me. I'll have something made for you soon."

Mercy took the sword, nodding. Gabriel explained the different ways to hold the sword, with Jael interjecting on occasion with her own suggestions. Then they practiced a bit, and Mercy's parries became stronger as she practiced her holds.

"Huh," she said after she blocked a vicious downswing from Gabriel. "Changing the way I hold the sword really does help."

Gabriel nodded. "Just as a surer grip on your horn gives you greater control over the sound."

"True," Mercy said. "I should probably pay more attention to that."

"Sometimes it's the small things," Gabriel agreed.

Jael smiled.

"How have you been?" Gabriel asked Mercy.

"Me? Okay. Mostly dealing with the Council stuff. I got into the Sabertooths, of course. On mellophone."

"Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

"No." Mercy looked confused. "Should there be?"

Gabriel looked at her intently. "What's happening this evening?"

"Oh." Mercy looked away. Her face was turning red. "Nothing. Um, Proctiel probably wants to hang out."

Jael leaned in. "'Hang out'?"

Mercy blushed harder, but she was grimacing. She backed away from Jael. "Yeah. Just hang out."

"Mercy," Gabriel said. "Did Proctiel ask to sleep with you?"

Mercy nodded, a miserable expression on her face.

"Did you--" Jael started to ask, but a mild glare from Gabriel stopped her.

Mercy looked down and found a nice pebble to kick.

"Has anything happened yet, Mercy?" Jael asked with more care.

Mercy nodded again.

"Um," Jael said. "Okay. Maybe it's not a bad thing? Are you, um, into Proctiel at all?"

"Maybe?" Mercy shrugged. "I don't want to get in trouble. Or get him in trouble."

"You won't, Mercy," Gabriel said. "Thanks for staying to practice. We'll reach out to you soon. Tomorrow, I think."

"Sounds good," Mercy said. "But, um. Gabriel? Jael? Let's not make a big deal about it, okay? I can handle it."

Gabriel drew his lips into a thin line. "All right, Mercy," Jael said.

Gabriel sent her back to her home in a teleport. He made no effort to tell his brothers that their practice was concluded.