The Angel and His Witch. JR Martens

and said, ‘He’s asking them for permission to marry me.’ Sera perked a brow and held Rissy’s hand as they watched and listened.

      ‘You great and wise men of the Moonshower clan, I know that I am an outsider and not a magician or witch. I cannot perform any great acts but one. I will respect the decision you make of this lowly one’s request. I have always tried to do my best to show you all respect and have done what I can to assist you in anything that you have requested. I will be the first to admit that I have had my moments of disrespect, but I also always have followed through on your requests. I love the one named Rissy very much and would like permission to marry her.’ The elders told him to wait while they considered the request. They took their time and finally the most senior elder spoke. ‘Johann we have discussed your request and though you are not of this clan, you have shown yourself to be worthy of such an honor. We wish you and Rissy happiness in your lives together.’ Johann almost fell to the ground and thanked them profusely. When he turned around Sera and Rissy had tears in their eyes. ‘You have done well my child and have shown yourself to be a man. I give you both my blessing.’ Sera stated. Rissy finally was able to get words out. ‘Thank you Johann for going forth and asking as is proper. I love you so much.’”

      Rissy saw the story unfold before her. She had kept her eyes closed since Johann had begun this story. She wished that she would have done so two days ago when he first began the story. Johann sensed this and stopped for awhile. He decided that they both needed something to eat and so he got the chicken out of the basket that Charlotte had brought with her when she had delivered the muffins. Charlotte had also packed another bottle of wine. “Johann what became of them? Did they marry?” “Rissy, I’ll continue after we eat.” Johann seemed to be taking his time at lunch and Rissy was a little frustrated. This story was making sense in a weird sort of way. As bad as she wanted to hear more she followed Johann into the pond where they swam for a bit. Rissy saw his wings for the first time then. She had not seen them at the office due to her anger and focus on Wilson. It hit her, really hit her that these stories were very true and perhaps what he was telling her was not farfetched. It dawned on her that maybe it truly was her in the painting in her room. She felt her neck and for a second she thought she lost the necklace but realized that she did not wear it on this trip. She wished she had now. The beginnings of the world was when this all happened. She wondered how many centuries had passed since then. She heard Johann say “More than I can remember. Remember to me it has all been on the same timeline and I have little concept of human time.” Rissy still could not believe everything even though every fiber of her being was telling her it was all true. It was then that she understood why Johann had taken this little break; he wanted her to process all of the things he had been telling her. Her mind raced and reeled and she saw everything all over again. She did not even know when she got out of the pond and laid down until she awoke. It had been several hours since lunch. “Please Johann, get on with the story. I need to hear more. I’ve started seeing it unfold and feelings are coming to me.” Johann nodded his head and began once more.

      “Johann and Rissy spent more and more time together except when Rissy was preparing for the wedding, and were very happy. It was not long, however, when Rissy began having nightmares about Johann dying. He told her that they were just silly dreams because she was nervous and that he too had been having similar nightmares about being separated from her. This relieved some of her tension but not all.

      One day as Johann was gathering wood and herbs Rissy came to him very frightened and would not leave him. She coaxed him into making love to her though he protested knowing this was against her beliefs. So you know the story and that he and Sera were mortally wounded and Sera died on her way to Valhalla and he was saved. Rissy was terrified when he came back but after a time she found herself in his arms once more.

      What most people do not realize is that Johann and Rissy consummated their love after his rebirth and there were children from their union. They were a mix of angel and witch and became more powerful. The blood that flowed through their veins was dominant and remained that way no matter who they married. If they followed through on the righteous path and doing good works, then they became stronger and if not they became weaker.

      This went well for centuries and through time the power of the Moonshower clan became held in high regard, however there came a time in which a new religion sprang up and as it spread so did intolerance and ignorance. Johann had always stayed close to the family and married an incarnation of Rissy who went by Risanne.”

      “Johann, you’ve mentioned Risanne several times since we have met. Is this the same one?”

      “Yes Rissy she is.”

      “Did you love her?”

      “I did. Listen Rissy maybe I should wait a little longer.”

      “No, I am ready to hear it. I can deal with this so stop treating me like a little girl. I am a woman.” Rissy was surprised that this came out so forcibly. She wondered if Johann would be angry with her. This was the response he wanted from Rissy. He needed to make sure that her personality was strong enough for this. “Why do you talk in third person in these stories?”

      “Because it flows easier, Rissy.”

      “Well are you going to tell me more about Risanne?”

      “Yes but at the next break we will be traveling back to the house.”

      “I have no problem with that. I need a shower and I think I’m going to steal yours.”

      Johann thought this was exactly like something Risanne would have said. This intrigued him.

      “Many years passed after Rissy died perhaps even centuries. Johann had no sense of time; he only knew that it had seemed like a long time to him. This is the same being that in the year 2009 said that the Roman Golden Age was only a few weeks ago.”

      Johann winked but Rissy had her eyes closed, but a smile did cross her lips. She remembered him talking about Rome one day when they were discussing their honeymoon a few weeks ago. They were discussing the Coliseum. He said something about games being held there and that he would like to go. Rissy then showed him a picture that showed the ruins of it. She had thought he was joking, but not so much now.