The summer sun was unbearably hot, and staying in the cave did not help; usually cool and humid, their home just felt very much like an oven under the hot sun today. Sweat clung onto his fur and mane as he shifted his position, unable to make himself comfortable enough to take his usual afternoon nap; he had always been a very "routine" kind of stallion, after all. Back in Europe, he would follow a set routine everyday, memorizing everything from the time the pastor would feed him to the time he would be allowed out to graze to the time the service starts on Sunday.
With his arrival in this new land though, he had to make and get used to new routines. It took a long time, but having Grace by his side calmed him down even if he had no routine to follow... After being a father, routines were impossible to follow. He could never predict when his beloved children might need him after all, so he had to be there for them at all times. However, now that his children are young, independent adults, Deus had developed a new routine - wake up, breakfast, go for a morning walk, lunch, quiet time, nap time, dinner, family time and finally, bed time... It was not terribly interesting, but he likes it that way.
However, the heat was making it difficult for him to take a nap...
Zuriel made his way to the family cave, peering in with eager eyes. Spotting his father resting on the ground inside, he trotted over, nudging him gently on his shoulder, "Dad, dad, are you awake? I need a word with you..." He wouldn't disturb the older stallion normally, but he had several questions he had been meaning to ask him privately but never found the chance to... His mother seem to always be around, and he didn't want her to think that he was keeping anything from her by asking only for his father in her presence.
Luckily for him, summer is a good season for collecting berries; they tend to be sweet and juicy and best of all, plentiful. Grace would be out for quite a while!
Straightening up, the normally bubbly and cheerful young stallion waited patiently for a response, looking at Deus with a sheepish smile; he knows how much his father values consistent routines, but this is important! Well, at least to him it is... Hopefully, his father would feel the same way.
"Yes, Zuriel?" The older stallion inclined his head as he opened his eyes, returning his son's smile; it seemed like just yesterday that he was a bright-eyed foal, out playing rough and tumble with his brother... Now, both his sons had grown to be even taller than he is! Time sure can fly... Being the father of two foals and being the father of two stallions is quite a different experience; the questions they ask, the way they act around him - it all changes with time and age.
Sometimes, just sometimes, he missed having foals around.
"What is the matter?" He asked, visibly concerned as he frowned slightly. Patting the area in front of him with a hoof, he invited his son to rest.
Zuriel nodded, laying down in front of his father before shifting his body, trying to make himself comfortable. When he finally found a comfortable position to be in, the younger stallion bowed his head as a form of respect before looking up. He paused, his eyes drifting away as he spoke, his tone carrying hints of his hesitance, "Well, dad... You see, I've been having these dreams on some nights. Sometimes, they don't make sense at first, but... Well..." He paused, looking back at his father, "They seem to happen outside of my dreams - it doesn't happen immediately, normally a day or two after I've had the dream... I- I don't know how to deal with it."
Deusdedit listened intently to his son, nodding once in a while to show that he was paying attention to the younger stallion. His eyes widened in disbelief, however, at the mention of dreams that seem to come true. He had heard of it before... Back when he was still in Europe, there was a pastor who often share his dreams during service, and they almost always come true. For example, he once saw a lightning bolt strike the church in his dream, setting it on fire... And it happened.
However, God was faithful and a new church was soon built - more spacious and thus, able to hold more people.
"Tell me more about these dreams, Zuriel," He encouraged with a nod, "It might be a gift from God."
"R-Really?" He answered, skeptical of his father's conclusion; how could it be? He's just an ordinary stallion - he's not even a full-sized stallion! Just a pint-sized one... How could he had been given such an amazing gift? However, he nodded at Deusdesit's request before talking again, "Well... There was this time where I dreamed that the earth was shaking, and the cause of it was a tall, brown wave. It swept down a hill, uprooting small trees and covering short grass. A day later, I witnessed a mud slide that destroyed a slope and reduced it to a wet, muddy mess... Just like I saw in my dreams."
Deusdedit mused over his son's words, flicking his tail before speaking, "Ah, yes, I remember that mud slide. It was fortunate that nobody was hurt in the process..." He paused, regarding his son with a small smile, "Any other instances you feel might be more than just a coincidence?" He needs more than just one coincidental dream to be sure, after all. If it really is a gift from God to his son, it is something to be celebrated!
"I dreamed of a smiling silver sun that lit up a dark part of the forest," He nodded in response to Deusdesit's question, returning the smile as he continued, "Two days later, I came across a mare with the marking of a smiling sun on her hind. She saved the lives of two untended baby foxes from a hungry bear, despite putting herself in danger... I never got her name, but to me, she brightened up the lives of those two foxes by putting her life on the line for them..."
He smiled at the thought; she was in a hurry and after making sure that the foxes were fine and back in their den, she rushed off before he could stop her. It made him happy to know that there are still Soquilis out there who are brave enough to step out of their comfort zones to save another - in fact, the unnamed mare brightened up his day as well.
"That is really brave of her," The older stallion smiled. He then paused, looking at his son straight in the eye and making sure to retain this eye contact as he continued, "That dream is too specific to be a coincidence, Zuriel... I believe that these dreams are God's gifts to you. However, are you willing to be used for His purposes? Are you ready to play a part in His plan for your life?"
He had a serious expression on as he spoke, his voice laced with that same seriousness. For once, he forgot how he was feeling like he was being baked alive in the cave, under the hot summer sun; he could feel that there was the presence of God in the cave, and in that presence, everything is fine... Everything is right.
"I-" Zuriel managed, swallowing the lump in his throat at how serious his father looked. He then composed himself before closing his eyes, as if he couldn't tear his eyes from Deusdedit;s and could only have temporary escape by closing them. He then spoke, his voice soft and hesitant, "I'm not sure, dad! How can He use me? I'm but a small, powerless stallion... I'm still so young! There are Soquilis who are more talented and more able then me!"
"Do you think it matters to Him, Zuriel? Your age, your inexperience, your physical size... It doesn't!" Deusdedit's expression softened as he shook his head, "He can use anyone. You might be weak, but He is strong! He can give you the power to be an overcomer, a conqueror in your own right... These dreams can be used to save others, right? If you know that there is going to be a mud slide, pray that He will show you where it is, and evacuate the place... Do you understand better now, Zuriel?"
He paused, itching forward and using his right hoof, touched his son's left hoof gently, "I know this is a lot, but I just want you to know that God can use anyone. He loves you... He's your heavenly Father, after all, and His love for you - and me - is unmeasurable... This gift is from Him and I'm sure He would like you to accept it by faith."
The younger stallion opened his eyes at his father's touch, smiling a little, "Yes, yes... I understand now, dad." He paused, not knowing what else to say, "I... I claim this gift from Him, and accept whatever plan He has for me."
He looked awkward as he spoke, but it was obvious that he meant what he said. He paused again, and then grinned, looking like his usual self again as he nodded, "Thank you, dad, for listening."
"And thank you for coming to me," Deusdedit returned the grin with a smile, his heart swelling with pride at his son's spiritual maturity; he only wished that Darius could be just as devoted... However, he had given his other son his blessings on his decision to seek his own path. No matter what their choices in life are, he loves them both the same. They are both his flesh and blood, after all!
"I love you, son," He said simply, smiling as he did, "And I want you to know that."
"I love you too, dad," Zuriel smiled back, feelings nostalgic all of a sudden; it had been ages since he last said that to either one of his parents. When he was still a foal, 'I love you' seem to be the most-used words in his vocabulary, saying that to both Grace and Deusdedit every night before bed time... Perhaps that should be the way even as an adult. There is no shame in voicing out care and concern about one's family, after all.
"I'll leave you to take your nap now," The younger stallion nodded as he climbed up from the ground, stretching his limbs along the way, "Have a good rest, dad."
"I will, I will," Deusdedit replied happily as he smiled, delighted at his son's words of affection; he hadn't heard those three words from either one of his sons since both of them were small foals! He shifted his position slightly before laying his head down on his front limbs, the smile never vanishing from his lips.
Zuriel stood still for a moment, observing his father; it was a nice chat... Perhaps he should do it again soon. As quietly as he could, he turned and headed towards the mouth of the cave, leaving his father to take his afternoon nap. He felt the urge to pray, to thank his Heavenly Father for His gift to him... And for giving him such a great Earthly father.
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