A Messenger from Nephelokokkygia

The What, the When, the Where, the Why, and the How

Chapter 30: The What, the When, the Where, the Why, and the How

They gazed, and dared at last to comprehend

They were the Simurgh, and the journey's end

--Farid Ud-Din Attar, The Conference of Birds

Though birds see many things from above, they cannot be everywhere at once, no matter how many droppings are left as evidence on cars and sidewalks. While their city looked down on Earth, the moon, in turn, looked down on them. So limited, none expected the Easter Bunny to crash-land amongst them. Not that week, at least. Nephelokokkygia is an island supported by a million, million wingbeats, kept aloft by fantasies dreamed, stories told, and art made. So it made sense residents untethered from solid ground developed personalities both airy and flighty.

Dodo Clarion futilely tried hopping over the red brick wall he insisted on being built. "I demonstrate it myself! The wall is impenetrable. That peacock argues we're already in the sky, so it's a given most could soar over a two-feet barrier. But really, that discriminates against us Differently Flying. No, the problem is this wall was constructed too well! I can't get back in."

His cronies in the Simurgh glanced down. Some sat on the wall, some hung from it. The ostrich, Strythio Modestus, hopped over, back-and-forth, nervously chewing the rim of his blue hat. No matter how often they informed him, their self-appointed leader refused to recognize he could walk several yards to the right, where the wall suddenly ended along with their funding.

"Don't want any naysayers speaking about 'facts' and 'figures.'" Dodo Clarion paused to dust off his round middle. "Ugh, this material's terrible. Anyway, I won't put up with negativity. All 'facts' say dodos are extinct, which would really hurt my feelings if it were true."

The fact of the matter was that Grace and her griffin fell from the outer sky. Sanity intact, despite having to maneuver through their darkest selves. They passed clouds participating in one of their twice-daily light shows. Grace had no idea if it was sunset or sunrise. Goldtalon distracted himself over whether a colored cloud tasted any plainly as the regular white, which is when the dodo broke what would have been an intense fall.

Screams of "Murder, murder!" drew the attention of the entire sheriff's department. All one of him, not counting his extra eyes. Additionally, Melek Panoptes came accompanied by the crew of the commandeered vimana. Initially, it seemed unclear why they were wearing armor, with some carrying weapons. Anansi held a dagger between his mandibles, insisting it made him look like a pirate. Diana tied a metal pan over her chest, with a china teapot already on her head.

"Gracie!" Bennu noticed their arrival before anyone, including Dodo Clarion. "And my hatchmate! We were so worried you wouldn't escape Ostara, we prepared to return and battle her!"

"I knew they'd be okay." Fox seemed better rested. At least, less tired. "After all, I lent her my goggles." When Grace tried returning them, the older girl waved her away. "You keep them. Figure I won't have to worry about ricocheting stones anymore. After the mines, I think I'm in total control."

Bennu still had Yi Ullr's originally bow and arrows, but could not currently use them.

"Why are you chained up, Bennu?" asked Grace.

"He must stand trial," Melek spoke neutrally, but his collection of weeping eyes gave his emotions away. "As, I suppose you and your griffin must, too."

"As they should, swear to Gary!" shouted Dodo Clarion. He had reclaimed his bicorne, but Bennu snorted two jets of fire which destroyed the spore-infected hat.

A procession of gondolas brought everyone past the egg-shaped building formerly lacking in doors, windows, entrances, or exits. It had at least one of those now. Ostara was trying to escape out if it when Melek caught her in a dozen of his sights. She had resumed her rabbit form, but rather than a giant, she had shrunk to less than her height when first met in Mooncry's throne room. In fact, every part of her had diminished. Her beautiful golden coat washed out to plain yellow.