A Messenger from Nephelokokkygia

The Jack O' Lanterns

Chapter 3: The Jack O'Lanterns

Panthers in the park

Strangers in the dark

No, they don't frighten me at all

--Maya Angelou, "Life Doesn't Frighten Me"

Following her first encounter with Mr. Aitvaras, Grace started acting more cautious when visiting the park. While before her gaze rested on the ground (both to avoid eye contact and scope out worm treats) now she made a stronger effort to observe her surroundings. She used stealth when entering or exiting the hollow.

Chiaroscuro, of all creatures, volunteered as her lookout. The ancient raven kept his evil-yet-functional eye out for suspicious figures. Furthermore, he nested on a windowsill several stories above her family's apartment, displacing several pigeons.

"Just because I happened to set up shop—temporarily, mind you—in the approximate place you call 'home' doesn't mean I'm dropping everything to help you," Chiaroscuro swore with practiced gruffness, "It's simply for my own comfort and safety. The crows claim to make peace, but you can never trust a corvid. I'm one! Can't leave entirely, though. Calling on the phoenix is the most interesting thing I've had to do in ages. The true meaning of life is battling boredom."

Since it concerned him more than anyone, Grace made sure to tell Bennu about the incident with the black-suited stranger right away. Mrs. Tatters and Ol' Hoary were also present. The Murder siblings, however, were sent away. They duly scattered to the rest of the park and the neighborhood beyond, finding food or playing pranks. Grace wished to join them.

"Aitvaras." Bennu lacked eyebrows, but his rainbow crest furrowed well enough. "You're sure that was what he called himself?"

"Yes," said Grace. "Why, does that mean something?"

"Not at all. But if this man—or manlike thing—wants me, it's unlikely for any pleasant purpose. He might be a poacher. He might even be part of why the fungus came to infect my home city. He could know I'm trying to put an end to that, and want to put an end to me instead! It's best I heal quick and leave so none of you might be targeted as well."

Mrs. Tatters patted Bennu with her wing, as if the much larger bird was something diminutive. Like one of her chicks. "None of this is normal for us, but we take your appearance as a sign, a holy one. Let your wing heal at its natural pace. My husband and I feel certain everything will work out."

"And if feelings aren't good enough, we'll pray to our goddesses that it be so," declared Ol' Hoary.

The phoenix's crest unfurrowed. Sunlight played along its glassy surface. "Good, because when I said before I thought it was only sprained...well, turns out I was wrong. It's most definitely broken."

Now, it should be common knowledge that crows and ravens have their own religion.

Corvids take few things more seriously than their beliefs. The body of legends they keep are full of mythical heroes, monsters, and beings that could not decide which they should be that day. For those humans lacking decent teachers on this subject, Grace explains it well.

One evening after supper, Grace's mother washed dishes by hand, giving her daughter the clean ones to dry. Mechanical dishwashers were considered a luxury then. Grace felt proud she hardly ever dropped a dish, but the work proved a bit boring. To better pass the time, she happily launched into the basic points of crow theology.

"Crows worship Morrigan. She's one goddess, but at the same time, three. It's just like Reverend said last week about Jesus! Except, instead of being a dad, son, and some ghost, the Morrigan are sisters. One's named Macha, and she represents the land a crow's family is born on, and fer...fertility. The second sister's called Badb, and she's supposed to influence every crow's destiny, whether on or against their side, 'cause she never forgets to pick. She makes a fledgling scared or brave. But the third sister is Nemain, and even birds are scared of her, since she stands for death. Because of her they have to fight just to find food. She decides battles, and controls who gets to eat, and who gets to be eaten."