The Sun and Sky (Volume 2)

Liam | Magical Chickens

The strange man led Liam and Charlotte, who were barely managing to carry Char and Mason, to a large townhouse, painted dark burgundy.

They weren't keen on following the stranger, but it's not like they had much of a choice. Char and Mason were dying.

"Set them there," the man said, gesturing to two beds, side by side, which resembled a hospital room, only nicer.

The man's face was smooth with faint wrinkles and a long white beard, making him look older than he actually was. He wore a red beanie-like hat (that didn't seem to match with his doctor's uniform), and his height was rather short for a grown man.

Mason groaned, his face growing paler by the second, which reassured Liam, but Char was dead silent.

"Char was closer to the monster when it sprayed her," Charlotte told the man.

The man nodded, sitting down in his chair.

Liam saw Charlotte's eye twitch with anger. "Well are you going to save them or not?!"

He stroked his beard, remaining quiet.

"Dude," Liam spoke up. "Can you help us or are you just going to sit there, combing your beard?"

The man's eyes flashed with anger and he stood up. "I might be able to help them, but there is no guarantee."

"No guarantee???" Charlotte exclaimed.

Liam could see her eyes water up, which made his heart sink.

"Now, now," the man said, starting to search through his papers. "Who are my patients today?"

"Char Hrobsky, the daughter of Apollo, and Mason Brown, the son of Vulcan," Charlotte told him.

The man paused. "And you two are?"

"I am Charlotte Benson, daughter of Jupiter, and-"

"GAH!" the man flicked his hand and where Charlotte was, stood she became a small, potted pine tree.

"Charlotte!" Liam exclaimed. "What did you do to her?!"

"I do not help children of Jupiter, and I don't take orders from any either," the stranger spat.

"Well, don't just turn her into a pine tree!"

"Why not? I heard Zeus had done something similar to one of his own children. Besides, she can keep her mouth shut this way."

Liam paused. "You're...a god," he realized.

"No, I am a demigod, and who are you? Another child of Jupiter?" The man raised his hand.

"No! Son of Mercury!" he quickly managed.

The 'doctor' scoffed. "Not too much better."

"Who are you?"
"My name is Telesphorus," the man said.

Liam's eyes widened slightly. "I've heard of you," he started. "You're a dwarf, the son of Asclepius, the demigod who is known for illness recovery."

"Jupiter never recognized my wonderfulness. As for pine trees, they do make wonderful incense, used for relaxation and mental recovery," Telesphorus mused, stepping towards Pine Charlotte.

Liam raised his sword and kept him away from her. "Look pal. Can I call you Tels? My two friends over there are dying from a demonic cow, and I need you to heal them and turn Charlotte back into her normal self."

Tels grinned. "She's your girlfriend, eh?"
Liam's face went hot. "What? No, she's-"

"Uh huh." Telesphorus waved his hand and the pine tree turned back into Charlotte, who looked rather nauseous from the transformation.

Her eyes widened at Tels when she noticed him and she immediately unsheathed her golden sword. "Get away from-"

"Woah, woah, woah," Liam stepped in between the two of them. "Charlotte, this is Telesphorus. He's going to help Char and Mason." He shot Tels a 'if-you-don't-do-this-I'll-skin-you-alive' look.

The dwarf sighed and rummaged through his work space.

Liam noticed Mason start squirming uncomfortably, still unconscious, and Char, who was groaning in pain. He winced at the sight of their conditions.

"Good news," the doctor said, looking at Liam and Charlotte.

Thank the gods, he thought.

"I don't have a cure for your friends."

"WHAT??" Charlotte raised her sword. "ARE YOU SERIOUS??"

"But!" he continued. "I know where you can find it."

"We're listening," Liam told him, lowering Charlotte's sword for her.

Tels held out a piece of paper, showing a picture of a beautiful white bird. "This is the Caladrius," Telesphorus said. "It retrieves the sickness inside someone and takes it with them as it flies away."

"And what is their sickness? What was the cow thing?" Liam asked.

The dwarf smiled. "Ah, yes. That was a Katoblep. Its homeland is Africa."

"Then how did it get here?"

"I brought one back with me to study when I visited Italy. They are rather difficult to find there these days," he said, becoming deep in thought. "Sadly, it's gone now." He glared at Charlotte.

"And where can we find this Caladrius?" Charlotte asked.

Tels shrugged. "I saw it flying around town earlier. It's somewhere nearby."

The son of Mercury looked at Charlotte who looked like she was about to sock the dwarf in the face, and Liam would gladly like to as well, but they had bigger problems.

"Alright," he said, spinning his sword, tuning to Tels. "Keep them alive while we're gone."

Liam met Charlotte's eyes and gave her a comforting nod. "Time to capture a magical chicken."