Another of the Messenger God's kids snickered, then said, “I think you just answered your own question.”
“But he enchanted Vervain, not us,” Odin protested. “And she told us as much as she could when she returned from that interaction. As much as she could until she forgot.”
“Well, he did save all of you from that pit,” I said. “That would have given him the opportunity to whammy you with forgetfulness.”
“Perhaps.”
“It was so subtle that we didn't notice,” Re said.
“None of us remember it,” Thor added. “Do you know what kind of power you'd need to enchant that many gods all while you pulled them out of a pit?”
“I don't know, maybe the power of all the gods of Naraka?” Re drawled. “The same power the trickster took from Katila.”
Thor grimaced. “Yeah, that would do it. Shit.”
“So, we're back to playing his game,” Odin said as he tossed the message on the table, then set the shell beside it.
“But we don't know what this clue means,” I said.
“It must be a reference to Quetzalcoatl,” Blue said. “I don't know what this thing about a coyote and a beaver means. It's obviously a play on that nursery rhyme, but I don't know what that has to do with anything god related. All I know is that with the back removed, the shell is even more similar to Quetzalcoatl's breastplate.”
“Oh no,” I whispered. “Is this breastplate powerful? Is it important to Quetzalcoatl?”
“Yes. He's the God of Wind and Wisdom.”
“Wind and Wisdom,” Viper said. “Love the alliteration.”
Blue went on, ignoring him. “His Wind Magic is magnified by the breastplate.”
“Magnified by?” I asked. “Are you sure it doesn'tstemfrom the breastplate?”
Blue glanced at Eztli, then said, “Quetzalcoatl never says much about it.”
“Wind!” Torrent exclaimed. “It's a shell that makes wind!”
“Why is that remarkable?” Hermes asked.
“Because the clue refers to blowing,” I said. “Maybe the reference to a coyote and a beaver will come up later. For now, we need to speak to Quetzalcoatl.”
“I will take you to see him,” Blue said. “But only you, Vervain. He'll be upset if I bring a group this big into his territory. He may not even appear if I do that.”
“Why her?” Hermes asked. “I want Pan to go.”
“Quetzalcoatl has met Vervain,” Blue said. “He likes her. He will be less upset by her presence.”
“Wait,” Viper growled. “Helikeslikes her or he just likes her?”
“These people are insane,” another of Hermes's kids said. “We should conduct our own investigation.”
“By all means, do so,” Odin said. “But it's the trickster who is insane. To catch him, you have to think like him.” He looked at me. “Go, Vervain. We will wait here and discuss this further.”
“No one has answered my question,” Viper said.
“He likes her,” Blue said with a shake of his head. “As a person.” He kissed his wife's cheek. “Stay here, my love. I won't be that long.”
“I can handle seeing him again.” Eztli lifted her chin. “He's apologized to me.”
“I know, my love. But we really need to speak with him and seeing you may spook him. So, please, stay here.”
