The angel opened the Seventh Vial, unleashing a Great Pestilence upon the face of the earth, and the people were much afflicted.
~ John the Divine
Those were days of woe. The sky darkened to a foreboding gray sheet of low cloud which would give neither rain nor snow. The sun had not come out for months and the villagers grew weary and despondent. After many years of prosperity, evil came upon the face of the land. The crop failed, and their meager stores of grain dwindled. Hunger was everywhere, and fervent prayer yielded only more suffering.
By night, red Mars chided from beside Orion; the soothsayers wore faces drawn long with foreboding. Winds that chilled to the bone came up hard, stinging the eyes and ripping the flesh with tumbleweed, sand and gravel. The dogs couldn't be quieted and their howling set the wolves to commotion; children cried and would not be comforted. Scholars of the Copernican science had predicted an eclipse, and some feared that the unusual celestial alignment would mark out the beginning of yet more evils. Others foresaw a new beginning, and the town divided into two camps: the camp of hope, and the camp of fear.
When the appointed time came, the moon cast its shadow upon the sun and all became as night in the middle of day. Soon the sun was entirely blotted out, and crowds lined the streets watching the heavenly spectacle. A gasp went up as all could see the silhouette of a hooded horseman riding up onto the grey ledges which overlooked the village. The rider wore heavy gauntlets, filthy boots, and a black helmet which obscured the face. The steed’s hooves kicked up a cloud of brown dust and ice along the edge of the cliffs.
The sight of this strange intruder sent a wave of dread through the onlookers, even those who had hoped that the astrological alignment would offer reprieve from their troubles. The rider moved swiftly as the darkness increased. When the sun was completely blotted out, the intruder pulled a vial from a leather saddle bag.
Accounts vary as to what happened next. All agree that the rider was careful to hold the vessel at arms length and downwind. Some contend that the container was carefully opened and its contents ejected into the wind. Others say that it was simply smashed on the rocks. All agree that the rider took pains to avoid any contact with the sinister content, a noxious powder, as it scattered to the far winds.
No one doubts that within the vial was that odious potion which unleashed the tribulations which were soon to afflict all of humanity with grief such as none had ever endured before.
(c) Geof Bard
Next: Chapter One