Sticks and Stones

by Alexie Aaron

  “Here is the summons,” Orion said.

  Liú Bo took the paper. She walked over and showed it to her colleagues. She walked back and handed Orion The Twelve’s notice of tribunal. “Mrs. Martin, my summons was for a tribunal that was going to discuss the impropriety of sterilization, and I was also surprised about the alleged misconduct being discussed. Many, many inconsistencies,” Liú Bo said, looking up at the three councilmen.

  “I am prepared to defend and discuss my right to control what happens to my body. And furthermore, the rights my husband and I have to my birth children who all have a measure of birdman DNA.”

  “Why would you have to defend your rights over your own children?” Liú Bo asked.

  “I was warned in confidence that the council intends to declare me an unfit mother and take away my children.”

  “Is this true?” Liú Bo asked Soren.

  “We are not on trial here. Mia Cooper Martin is. We were originally going to discuss her lack of loyalty and her disregard for the customs of the Brotherhood but thought that addressing her infidelity with a minor under her care to be a more grievous offense.”

  “Where is your witness?” Liú Bo asked. “Don’t look at Elizabeth, we know that her rumor campaign was spurious. She looked as surprised as the rest of us when you presented a rumor as the basis of this tribunal. Most irregular.”

  “We fear that Mia Cooper Martin must be made an example of. She has sterilized herself without our permission. This goes against custom.”

  “Why would Mrs. Martin need your permission?” Liú Bo asked. “Are you her husband? Is she under a post-spousal contract with you?”

  “I am not on trial here,” Soren repeated.

  “I beg to differ,” Liú Bo said.

  “Now you’re being out of order,” Soren said.

  “Forgive me. May I resume questioning Mrs. Martin?”

  “Yes,” Soren said, happy to be out of the spotlight.

  Liú Bo turned back to Mia. “Let’s address this rumor. Why would it benefit the council for you to be found guilty of engaging in an extramarital affair with a minor?”

  “They want to take my daughters away from me.”

  “Why?”

  “When I was fertile, I was receiving subtle pressure to declare a birdman mate for the years after my human husband’s lifespan.”

  “This is custom,” Liú Bo said. “It’s used to protect the offspring of a widowed birdwoman and to further the species. We bird people live a long time. It’s not unusual to marry up to four times. But lately, this has fallen out of favor because it can be used to shore up alliances or just be used for breeding.”

  Mia knew this wasn’t the time to accuse Soren. She didn’t have actual facts. Instead she said, “I love my human husband and cannot see replacing him. My last pregnancy was very difficult. My husband, Ted, and I decided that we had been blessed with four healthy natural children. We decided, as most human families do, that we would stop having natural children. Because we enjoy engaging in marital congress, one of us would have to take on the responsibility of birth control. I decided to sterilize myself.”

  “Which she is not allow to do!” one of the council members said and pounded the top of the bench.

  “Claudius, you’re out of order,” Cumhur Osman, the other council member, cautioned.

  “Please continue, Mrs. Martin,” Liú Bo instructed.

  “I believe there was a plan in place to use me to bear super birdman children. When I sterilized myself, they looked to my daughters to accomplish their goals. Biologically, my children are special not because of my DNA but because of both my husband’s and my genes. I fear that my daughters will be taken from me to, when of age, replace me to breed these supposed super bird people. They knew my husband and I would never allow them to be used as breeders. It’s barbaric and, frankly, sick.”

  The warriors in the back of the room began talking amongst themselves. Soren looked at Claudius. Claudius looked at his watch and said, “Stall.”

  Soren banged his gavel and rose. “I’m going to call for a recess. Nicholai, get your flock in order,” Soren said. “We will resume after we have dined.” He, Claudius, and Cumhur left the dais.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  The birdman extraction team landed and began their assault on the house. They were unable to get through the force field. Murphy watched as they tried different ways to push through the invisible shield. Ted came out onto the porch.

  “How can this be sanctioned? Angelo’s right, there needs to be a change in leadership. I hope he can facilitate it. Jake filmed the first onslaught. I’m going to send it to Orion. Let me know if there is any indication that they are going to break through.”

  “I will. No one takes these children away from here,” Murphy vowed.

  ~

  Orion stood up and walked over to Angelo. “There are birdmen trying to break through the Martin force field. I demand that this stop and stop now!”

  Mia got up. “I have to leave.”

  “You can’t,” Angelo said.

  “My house is under siege!” she argued.

  “Is there a problem?” Liú Bo asked, walking over.

  Orion showed her the video.

  Liú Bo cloned the footage with her phone. She whistled. When she had gotten the attention of the milling crowd, she called out, “Can anyone identify these birdmen? I’m going to project this footage on the wall.”

  “They’re from the prison,” one of the Warriors called out. “Is the prison in trouble?”

  “That’s the Martin house,” Marius Ungur, sergeant-at-arms for Warrior Flock, identified.

  “Someone get me the warden on the phone! This has to stop!” Liú Bo ordered.

  Warrior Flock was doing more than murmuring.

  Victor walked over to try to calm them down.

  Soren walked out of the back. He looked at the footage and frowned. He pounded on the bench with his gavel. “Order, order.”

  The Warriors quieted.

  “Take that piece of fiction down,” Soren demanded.

  Angelo turned and looked at his elder, disgusted.

  Liú Bo put her phone down and walked over to Mia. “He is recalling his men. He had no idea they were taking this side job. They will be dealt with.”

  “I’d like to know who hired them or is that asking too much?” Mia asked. “I’d like to know what kind of dangerous game is being played with me and my family?”

  “You have no rights here,” Claudius snarled as he sat down.

  “What is your name?” Mia demanded.

  “I am Claudius of the Ruling flock.”

  “Well, Claudius, I am from the Stavros flock, my son Brian joined the Excelsior flock. My other blood son, Varden, distinguished himself proving his connection with Warrior Flock.”

  “But what have you done? It’s your responsibility as a birdwoman to bear twenty male children before you die. You have only bore two sons.”

  The room got still. Mia turned around. “I led five hundred thousand demons to save this world from the frost giants. I and Warrior Flock battled the giants along with Altair and Abigor. I am proud of my association with the Warrior and the Excelsior flock. Why aren’t you aware of the battle that the birdmen distinguished themselves in?”

  “I’m aware of the battle. I’m just doubting your participation. You’re not one of us. You have archangel wings; your lineage is dubious at best.”

  “My mother has angel wings,” Aleron Sauvageau called out. “Are you questioning her lineage?”

  “Why is there a Ruling flock?” Mia asked Angelo.

  “I’ll answer that,” Claudius said. “It’s to keep the bloodline pure. My ancestors go back to the beginning, when birdmen flew freely.”

  “Oh yes, that’s when you stole superhuman women to mate with?” Altair pointed out. “I read recently in the Birdman Book of Souls that the Ruling flock only rules because
it’s traditional. What heroic deeds have you accomplished? My friend here is modest. She’s never not answered a birdman’s call for help. And how have you rewarded her? Keeping her busy here while you raid her nest.”

  Claudius looked at Soren. Soren had his own problems. Liú Bo had a list of infractions she had witnessed personally.

  Soren pounded the gavel. “Order! Order!”

  The room quieted.

  “Take your seats!”

  Mia sat down with Orion. Altair walked over to Victor and spoke with him quietly.

  “I assure you, the miscreants who were attacking the Martin nest have been recalled,” Soren announced. “I think someone got a little overzealous. Our fear for these children is a rational one.”

  “I disagree,” Orion said.

  “How can you support her? Your granddaughter is an assassin,” Soren claimed.

  “No, she’s a general,” Nicholai said, walking up. “I would like to release my men,” he said to Soren.

  Claudius looked at his watch and shook his head. “Stall,” he hissed.

  “Nicholai, I need to get home,” Mia said. “You can see that this tribunal was just a farce to get me away from home so they could steal my children. They must be so confused and frightened.”

  Liú Bo walked over. “I’m going to send you home to your children. I promise you I will get to the bottom of this. Nicholai, I’d like you to keep your men here. I don’t trust the guard of the court to defend us if this thing gets nasty.”

  “Mia, I’ll stay here and be your representative,” Orion said.

  Altair was at Mia’s side. “Time to go. I sense more is a foot.”

  ~

  The hired birdmen left. Ted didn’t release the force field; something was bothering him. He turned to Cid and said, “I think that was all for show. We’re supposed to think all is calm and go back to the business of living.”

  Cid asked, “Are we overthinking this?”

  The elevator moved up from the basement. It opened and a di inferi moved out. The angels were momentarily stunned. They had never seen a di inferi in the flesh.

  Sariel was in the foyer in seconds with his sword drawn.

  Murphy moved into the house and stood between Sariel and the di inferi. “He’s a friend! His name is Romulus. He communicates silently through touch. He can understand our spoken words,” he explained.

  Varden ran into the foyer, and upon seeing Rom, he stopped and saluted the di inferi. “He’s Mommy’s friend. He talks to Mommy by holding her claw.”

  “Then let me,” Nanny Berta, who had chased after Varden, offered. “Varden, you tell me how.”

  “Mommy reaches out her claw and grips Rom’s claw and the thoughts come.”

  Murphy turned to the di inferi and asked, “Is this permissible?”

  Romulus nodded and extended his arm. On the end of the mighty muscled arm was a claw made for digging.

  Nanny bent and reached forward.

  “I’m Nanny Berta, protector of the Martin children.”

  “Romulus, liaison of Dis Pater, God of the Underworld.”

  “Welcome to the Martin home. Mia has been called away.”

  “Dis Pater urges you to bring the children to him. There is not much time. A creature made of stone with a dozen elemental-riding demons are amassing just the other side of the hill. We have listened, and the stone creature knows how to take your invisible wall down.”

  Nanny turned to Ted and told him what Romulus said.

  Sariel rubbed his jaw. “My men can’t best a dozen elementals. This has been very well thought out. We are trapped in here.”

  “The stone man is Quazar,” Ted realized. “Brian!”

  “Yes, Dad,” Brian said, running into the room. He saw Romulus and waved.

  Ted looked at Brian. “You are our representative of the flock Excelsior. Your job is to evacuate the children.”

  “Yes, Dad.”

  “Take Nanny and Dieter with you. They will tend to the twins. Varden, obey your brother and protect the nest.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Rom touched Nanny’s hand, and she grabbed his claw again.

  Nanny nodded and cleared her voice. “The di inferi have dug into a large cavern. They will show the angels another way to leave the house. He advises coming up behind the flying beasts and knocking the riders off with rocks.”

  Sariel nodded. “Cid, where is the nearest quarry?”

  “A mile southwest of here.”

  “We will lead the demon squadron away and deal with them as long as we’re able,” Sariel told Ted. “You need to evacuate.”

  “Cid, go with Nanny and the children. Lazar, Murphy, and I will buy you time,” Ted said. “When this force field goes down, we won’t have much time to communicate. You know what Mia and I want for our children. I leave them in your capable hands.” Ted wiped his sweaty hand on his pants and reached forward to Rom. “No matter what happens to us, protect the children. Tell Dis Pater, Brian is the Chosen One.”

  Rom nodded and took Ted’s human hand gently.

  Nanny left to gather the girls. Cid was on her heels.

  Varden walked over to Sariel. “Most noble of knights, may we meet again.”

  Sariel bent a knee and pulled a feather. “Use this when all seems lost.”

  Varden nodded and tucked it into his shirt.

  Sariel turned and called his angels together. They would follow the children into the passage that Rom had dug below.

  Ted pulled out his phone and called Jeff the gargoyle. Ted was pleased to find out that Sariel had already thought to alert the HSG of the possibility that Quazar may be in the area. Their hunters would be there shortly.

  Lazar walked into the pantry and pulled out the box Etan had sent him. Inside, nestled amongst the straw, were dozens of pieces of what looked to be broken porcelain. He dragged the box out and began assembling the pieces. When he had finished, he drew out the projectiles fashioned out of shattered demon blades.

  He then waited for the elevator to be free. He took it to the third floor and then opened the hidden stairway Ted and Cid designed. He climbed to the space under the roof and raised the camouflaged platform. The shingles would hide the sniper platform. He added Etan’s weapon to the others Cid and Ted had built for just this occasion. The childhood friends took home protection to an extreme level. Lazar knew it was spawned from ideas that simmered in their minds ever since the two had huddled together in the dark and watched Dawn of the Dead.

  ~

  Brian’s call entered Mia’s head the same time Altair heard Sariel’s. They looked at each other and increased their speed towards home. Over Chicago, three mighty winged gargoyles rose and joined them.

  Mia moved towards them and asked, “How do I subdue Quazar?”

  “You can’t kill him,” the leader said.

  “Can I toss him in an active volcano?”

  “It would be better to leave him to us. You concentrate on the elemental dragons. I understand that’s your forte.”

  “I am weaponless until I get home,” Mia admitted.

  The gargoyle sized Mia up and handed her his smallest dagger. It was like a broadsword to Mia.

  “Thank you,” she said, quite pleased with the blade.

  Cid heard the angels leave the main tunnel and follow one of Rom’s comrades. The other di inferi were busy filling in the tunnel from the Martin house. There would be no going back and no escape for Lazar and Ted.

  Genevieve moved against Cid’s chest. “I’ve got you, Genevieve, don’t worry.” Nanny assured him that the carrier he used would not only keep Genevieve snug, but it would become a pod to keep the child safe if things got dire.

  Nanny looked at the large hairless men who carried Brian and Varden. Mia had told her stories of the Tartarians. They thrived in intense heat, but they also could survive on the surface of the earth when called upon.

  “I suspect, Nanny, th
at they were offered an exit when Nyx left but decided to stay and follow Dis Pater and his noble quest to protect the pauper graves.”

  Nanny kept this in mind when they were greeted by the larger-than-life Roman god of the Underworld. He was dressed in battle armor. His sharp eyes took in the group. He shook his head when Cid, Dieter, and Brian started to bow. With one hand, he scooped up Varden, whom he remembered fondly from their last encounter.

  “I have made quarters available for you. Please excuse the lack of creature comforts. We are warriors and not royalty.”

  Nanny would question his words later when she beheld the opulent bedchamber she and the children were brought to.

  Cid delivered Genevieve to the chamber and sat with Brian and Varden for a moment. “I know you two will listen to Nanny. There are many things we aren’t familiar with here. You’ve been here alone before, but now you have to take care of Nanny and the girls too.”

  “Are you leaving us?” Brian worried.

  “No. I promised your father that I would take care of you and Nanny. Dieter and I are going to see if I can be of some help here.”

  “Why do they try to take us from Mommy and Daddy?” Varden asked.

  “It’s because you’re special children. You listen and help. Who wouldn’t want you?”

  “Should we be naughty?” Varden asked.

  “No,” Cid said, quickly taking another tact. “Your mother has always told me to be proud of who I am and to be my authentic self. You and your brother need to continue to be good citizens of the universe.”

  Varden nodded. “Victor and the flock are coming, but they are far away.”

  “Mother and Altair are almost here,” Brian said. “They aren’t alone.” Brian wiggled his finger.

  Nanny, Dieter, and Cid leaned in.

  “They brought gargoyles.”

  ~

  “Force field is down,” Jake announced.