36 A Harpy Party (1/2)
Three very annoyed people, and a phoenix that was trying its best to be invisible, arrived at the Harpy island around noon on the appointed day.Which is to say, late. Very late.
The three resident harpies met them.Covered mostly by glossy feathers, one was black, one was white, and one was gray. They were beautiful and terrible at the same time, like giant predatory angels.
Herby leaped from the boat, shook herself and bowed. ”I apologize for our tardiness.Nelda's designated representatives are, as you can see, not flighted.”
The harpies were tall women with profuse falls of hair that matched their feathers in hue.Their breasts were bare and shortly below them; their forms became that of a giant bird of prey.Held, so they were almost concealed by their enormous wings, they each had strangely diminutive arms and delicate hands.
Herby turned to the satyrs.”Do try to act civilized for the duration of our stay,” she said.”This is Lady Dark, Lady Swift, and Lady Storm.
”Let's get one with this,” HoneyBeard said.His voice squeaked a little with fear, but no more than would be expected when meeting vulture-cannibal triplets.”Nelda will want to know about this when she gets back. And that could be any time.”He left unstated: or none.
Herby nodded.”The human and my brother have traveled to her world. They aim to discover the source of any threat that might come from that quarter. The prophecy had been hitherto unknown to her.”
This was the story, and possibly even a truth, that they had settled on during the damp and otherwise hostile journey.
The harpies bowed in unsettling unison.Swift smiled slightly, revealing piranha-like teeth.”The mermaids are waiting, with ill-grace.This way please.”
The lapis phoenix scooted to catch up with them.It cocked its head to watch the harpies who had an unexpectedly inelegant and wobbling gait due to their wide bodies and avian legs.The Lapis bobbed its head and then followed after in an exaggerated caricature of the Harpies manner of moving.
”Show some respect,” Herby hissed, grabbing for the phoenix's tail but missing as it scampered away.
BugleHead giggled and leaned over to HoneyBeard, ”Somehow that dumb bird reminds me of Nelda.”
They traveled along a sandy path to a small cove where a beach of rounded gray pebbles led back into the azure waters.A party of six mermaids was waiting in a position that could only be called ”beached” — their broad bodies resting half out of the water.Their rounded faces were unmistakably showing signs of impatience and anger.
The mermaids squealed, a shrill sound without words.
Swift raised her small hands, palms outwards.”Gentlepeople, please.We come together for the good of all our nations. Let us avail each other of knowledge, which is the greatest good and may save us all.”
The mermaid on the far left was the smallest had faint mottled spots on her hide.”The Nelda insults us by sending these land beasts to parlay,” she said in the mermaid's helium voice tones.
Swift smiled benevolently. ”Nelda has gone with spirited haste to determine what risk in her realm might be coming to ours.I can only commend that spirit of alacrity on our behalf.Her only direct ally among those who swim or fly has gone with her.But Gryphon, HerbGuild, will stand witness and ensure all is conveyed to the human with sincere rectitude. I am sure no insult is meant by Nelda absence at this parley.”
”What does that all mean?” BugleHead whispered.
HoneyBeard replied.”The fish-gals think we are too stupid to tell Nelda what we learn.Bird-gal is saying cat-bird gal will help us with it.”
”Oh, that's good.”BugleHead sat on small dune where yellow petunia plants dotted the stones.”So, when do we see the prophecy picture?”
The gray harpy stormy spoke in a rough, low voice.”Yes, where is it? That is the purpose of this… gathering.” She settled herself on the ground next to BugleHead like an eagle next to a lost goat kid.
”We have made a copy, as pure as we are able,” the spotted mermaid had.”You may see it but not keep it.”
A seventh mermaid emerged from the water carrying a stone about the size and shape of a large platter.She pushed it to the very edge of the water.Its carved face still just under the surface.