Industrial Magic
Page 43
Adam bit off a chunk of bread and chewed it as he talked. So thats it. We broke, we entered, we found zip.
I hope you were careful Talia began, then stopped. Yes, Im sure you were. If theres anything Robert and I can do
Lend us your Miata? Adam said. The Jeeps been making a funny noise.
The Jeeps been making funny noises since you bought it, and the last time you drove my car, you buggered up the convertible roof, but if theres anything else we can do
You asked about a demon named Nasha, Robert said, speaking for the first time since the meal had begun.
Oh, thats right, I said. I completely forgot.
Well, I would have relayed an answer through Adam, but I was stalling to give myself more time, and possibly find a better answer. Theres no mention in any text of a demon named Nasha. Its quite likely the poor girl misheard, but I cant even find a name that phonetically resembles Nasha. The closest is Nakashar.
Nakashars an eudemon, isnt he? Adam said as he peeled an orange. Very minor. Outside of the Babylonian archive journals, hes not even mentioned.
I looked up, surprised Adam knew this.
Adam continued. So its not likely to be Nakashar. Eudemons can be summoned, but they wont interfere in our world. Sacrificing to them is like bribing a meter maid to get out of a speeding ticket. Were talking about a druid, though, right? So we should be looking at Celtic deities. What about Macha?
Of course, Robert said. That would make sense, wouldnt it?
I know zilch about the Celtic pantheon, I said.
Not surprising. Although they are often classified as demons, they arent included in demonology texts because only druids can communicate with them. They dont fit the classic definition of either eudemon or cacodemon. If you ask them, theyll tell you theyre gods, but most demonographers are uncomfortable with that appellation, and prefer to label them minor deities. The study of Celtic deities
is fascinating, Talia cut in with a smile. And Im sure everyone would love to hear about itanother time.
Robert chuckled. Thank you, Lia. Lets just say that Macha is a likely suspect. Shes one of the three Valkyrie aspects of the Morrigan, and she certainly does accept human sacrifices. Thats one piece of evidence to support your theory, then. Now, I know you want to get back to work. Adam? If you can help your mother with the dishes
Oh, dont torture him, Talia said. Im sure he wants tohelp Pa She caught a look from Robert. Or perhaps first he can show Lucas that motorcycle.
Thats right. Adam turned to Lucas. Remember I was telling you about that guy my friend knows? Bought an Indian, took it apart, and couldnt figure out how to put it back together? Well, his wifes making him sell it, so I had him e-mail me some pics. Looks like a big metal jigsaw puzzle, but I thought you might like to take a look. You could probably get it cheap, store it here until you guys get a place.
You boys go on, then, Robert said. As they left, he motioned for me to stay behind.
Okay, I said when they were gone. Since when does Adam know about minor eudemons and Celtic deities?
Surprised? Robert smiled. I think that was the idea. Hes been studying for a few months now, but probably didnt mention it because he wanted to astound you with his sudden brilliance.
I moved to the chair beside Roberts.
Its never been easy for him, Robert continued. Hearing everyone talk about your accomplishments. Ill admit, Ive been guilty of lauding your achievements in the past few years, hoping it would encourage him to take on a more active role in the council.
Hes talked about it, I said. But its never gone beyond talk. With added power comes added responsibility.
Robert smiled. And added work, both of which lack a certain appeal for Adam. In the last few years, though, hes been looking at where you were, and where he wasa college dropout, tending barand it bothered him enough to re-enroll at college, but I think he was still able to justify it, tell himself youre an anomaly and no one else can be measured along the same yardstick. Then he met Lucas, and saw what hes doing with his life. I think hes realized that if he continues down this route, hell be left behind, the friend who watches from the sidelines, buys the beer, and listens to the war stories.
So boning up on demonology is step one in a bigger plan.
I wouldnt say a plan per se. Adam has ambitions, but he hasnt figured out where to channel them. As Talia returned for another armload of dishes, Robert smiled up at her. Now, his mother knows how shed like to see them channeled. Into book-reading and studying, hands-off work like his old man.
Nothing wrong with that, Talia said. Unfortunately, for Adam, it would require heavy sedation and fireproof chains. Being involved means being involved, the more dangerous the better.
Its not that dangerous, I said. Not really.
I hope you were careful Talia began, then stopped. Yes, Im sure you were. If theres anything Robert and I can do
Lend us your Miata? Adam said. The Jeeps been making a funny noise.
The Jeeps been making funny noises since you bought it, and the last time you drove my car, you buggered up the convertible roof, but if theres anything else we can do
You asked about a demon named Nasha, Robert said, speaking for the first time since the meal had begun.
Oh, thats right, I said. I completely forgot.
Well, I would have relayed an answer through Adam, but I was stalling to give myself more time, and possibly find a better answer. Theres no mention in any text of a demon named Nasha. Its quite likely the poor girl misheard, but I cant even find a name that phonetically resembles Nasha. The closest is Nakashar.
Nakashars an eudemon, isnt he? Adam said as he peeled an orange. Very minor. Outside of the Babylonian archive journals, hes not even mentioned.
I looked up, surprised Adam knew this.
Adam continued. So its not likely to be Nakashar. Eudemons can be summoned, but they wont interfere in our world. Sacrificing to them is like bribing a meter maid to get out of a speeding ticket. Were talking about a druid, though, right? So we should be looking at Celtic deities. What about Macha?
Of course, Robert said. That would make sense, wouldnt it?
I know zilch about the Celtic pantheon, I said.
Not surprising. Although they are often classified as demons, they arent included in demonology texts because only druids can communicate with them. They dont fit the classic definition of either eudemon or cacodemon. If you ask them, theyll tell you theyre gods, but most demonographers are uncomfortable with that appellation, and prefer to label them minor deities. The study of Celtic deities
is fascinating, Talia cut in with a smile. And Im sure everyone would love to hear about itanother time.
Robert chuckled. Thank you, Lia. Lets just say that Macha is a likely suspect. Shes one of the three Valkyrie aspects of the Morrigan, and she certainly does accept human sacrifices. Thats one piece of evidence to support your theory, then. Now, I know you want to get back to work. Adam? If you can help your mother with the dishes
Oh, dont torture him, Talia said. Im sure he wants tohelp Pa She caught a look from Robert. Or perhaps first he can show Lucas that motorcycle.
Thats right. Adam turned to Lucas. Remember I was telling you about that guy my friend knows? Bought an Indian, took it apart, and couldnt figure out how to put it back together? Well, his wifes making him sell it, so I had him e-mail me some pics. Looks like a big metal jigsaw puzzle, but I thought you might like to take a look. You could probably get it cheap, store it here until you guys get a place.
You boys go on, then, Robert said. As they left, he motioned for me to stay behind.
Okay, I said when they were gone. Since when does Adam know about minor eudemons and Celtic deities?
Surprised? Robert smiled. I think that was the idea. Hes been studying for a few months now, but probably didnt mention it because he wanted to astound you with his sudden brilliance.
I moved to the chair beside Roberts.
Its never been easy for him, Robert continued. Hearing everyone talk about your accomplishments. Ill admit, Ive been guilty of lauding your achievements in the past few years, hoping it would encourage him to take on a more active role in the council.
Hes talked about it, I said. But its never gone beyond talk. With added power comes added responsibility.
Robert smiled. And added work, both of which lack a certain appeal for Adam. In the last few years, though, hes been looking at where you were, and where he wasa college dropout, tending barand it bothered him enough to re-enroll at college, but I think he was still able to justify it, tell himself youre an anomaly and no one else can be measured along the same yardstick. Then he met Lucas, and saw what hes doing with his life. I think hes realized that if he continues down this route, hell be left behind, the friend who watches from the sidelines, buys the beer, and listens to the war stories.
So boning up on demonology is step one in a bigger plan.
I wouldnt say a plan per se. Adam has ambitions, but he hasnt figured out where to channel them. As Talia returned for another armload of dishes, Robert smiled up at her. Now, his mother knows how shed like to see them channeled. Into book-reading and studying, hands-off work like his old man.
Nothing wrong with that, Talia said. Unfortunately, for Adam, it would require heavy sedation and fireproof chains. Being involved means being involved, the more dangerous the better.
Its not that dangerous, I said. Not really.
