A Messenger from Nephelokokkygia

The Steel-Driver

Chapter 28: The Steel-Driver

'A man ain't nothing but a man.

But before I let that steam drill beat me down.

I'll die wid my hammer in my hand,

Die wid my hammer in my hand.'

-- "John Henry"

From the direction opposite where they entered, Mr. Aitvaras barged in. "To think I cared so much about your money, Ostara!" he slurred. His formerly pristine suit was tarnished by soot. "What good's cash? Zombies don't buy things!" Fire burst from his hands. While it would take weeks to scratch a dint in such a vast collection, he started destroying anything at claw.

The companions were unsure what to do. After all, they were no friends to Ostara. Why be concerned with what befell her property? Then, the demon kicked aside a jade vase, exposing a cache of eggs. They were easy to tell for the real thing, since they were beside a collection of Faberge eggs.

Even so, these were like no eggs Grace had even seen. To imagine what exotic species they much hatch into! A mix of colors and designs, polka-dots and checkers; shapes ranged from perfectly round to pointedly elliptical. Mr. Aitvaras cared nothing for their uniqueness, stating his intention to "Turn 'em all to omelets!"

Bennu flew the distance of the treasury, spreading his darkened wings to catch the brunt—no, the whole—of Aitvaras' wrath. A challenge passed between the two firebirds silently, as when Grace and Goldtalon communicated by imprinting.

Any semblance of Mr. Aitvaras' human disguise melted forever, including clothes. He committed to being a demonic rooster, slashing his whip-tail at Bennu. He dodged the strike, similarly avoiding the demon's spurs. Bennu clearly relished being able to show up Mr. Aitvaras in flight abilities, which was not possible when they met at Christmas. His trajectory seemed chaotic, but a familiar observer could discern why he headed a certain way. He was leading the rooster away from the rare eggs.

Grace led Goldtalon, Diana, and Fox to the pile just as the birds started wrestling. They carried the most valuable objects in the treasury as gently as they could, beyond the flaming battle. Unfortunately, giving each object its deserved and fair attention meant only moving one at a time. After a few minutes watching, Anansi weaved a new silk bag.

It held despite its flimsy appearance. Diana scouted a relatively safe place for those eggs stolen from their proper families by Ostara. Goldtalon's wings brought them there faster than by walking. The stash was hidden under a rug made from a genuine unicorn, complete with a thin, sparkly (but surprising sharp—according to Fox) horn coming out of its forehead. The others were silent, but William Henry peaceably hummed the entire time they worked.

Mr. Aitvaras could not literally stare daggers, nor turn anything to stone. But blue-tipped yellow flames burst from his sockets, striking Bennu. The attack would have injured the rest of the companions, but he had decided to fight a phoenix. Bennu only became stronger, blazing with a rainbow to equal the mix in the jellybean stalk.

Bennu came from behind Mr. Aitvaras, pinioned his radiant wings over the rooster's. In the heat of the moment, the phoenix failed to realize it was the same position the Stymphalian bird held him in the morning he came to the Murder's hollow. Grace, who turned to see if he needed help, remembered, though.

Mr. Aitvaras had natural defenses, however. Reptilian spikes along his back dug into Bennu's breast. The demon slammed his head back, slashing the phoenix in his crane-neck. Then, the rooster twisted his head around, belching smoke into his opponent's eyes. But to a phoenix, any warmth is good.

The power Mr. Aitvaras kept giving to Bennu let him withstand the pain the demon's bodily arsenal inflicted just a few moments longer. The furious duel became a matter of who would give under pressure first. The period of attrition lasted long enough the companions successfully rounded up the eggs, agreeing to return them home later if they could.