Chapter 7, Ezekiel and the God of Thieves

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Ouch.

Ezekiel wasn't sure which was worse: the swooshy boom thing or the resounding thud when he landed on a stone floor. When his head began to clear and his ears stopped ringing, he opened his eyes and looked around. There in front of him, frozen with an open mouthed stare, was the god Hermes.

Hermes was indeed young and handsome. He stood tall and lean, wearing a rather plain dark green tunic with a matching cap that had wings on it. His feet were clad in leather sandals which also sported wings just above his ankles, and he carried a staff that had two serpents entwined along the upper third of it. All of the wings were flapping wildly as if they too were startled by Ezekiel's abrupt appearance. The serpents had uncoiled just enough to turn in his direction and stare with cold reptile eyes.

Hermes slowly smiled as the wings stilled and the snakes recoiled around the staff. "What trickery is this? You must tell me how this was done."

Ezekiel looked around at what appeared to be a workshop of some type. A scarred wooden table held tools that he had never seen before and couldn't begin to guess the utility of. He climbed to his feet and tried to look deferential when speaking to his boyhood hero, Hermes, the patron god of thieves.

"Um, oh great Hermes, my name is…um, Ezekiel Jones and I am a thief and a Librarian."

Hermes threw his head back and laughed with gusto. "This is wonderful! My sister Athena sent you, I presume. Ah, she seeks to gain retribution for the many times I have enjoyed humor at her expense."

Ezekiel prided himself on being as quick thinking as he was fast on his feet. Perhaps, he thought, there was another way to go about this.

"You have found me out," Ezekiel said with a smile. "I told her that you could not be fooled."

Grinning, Hermes nodded with confidence. "Tell me, Librarian Jones, what strange magic was used to bring you here and what was my sister's plan?"

"Well," Ezekiel said, "your sister placed a glamour on me that would make me resemble the Librarian-thief in the Book of Myths. She thought you would be intrigued by the character of the thief. She used a rare and precious magical artifact to send me here. My job was merely to fool you into thinking that I traveled here through the pages of the book, and that the Library and the people in it were all real in another world. She thought to present you as a fool to your father, Zeus. I have heard much about you, Hermes, and I thought her plan would fail. You are much too clever."

With head cocked to the side and narrowed eyes, Hermes considered at length. "Well, it seems a complicated plot for petty revenge and not at all like my sister. But, I suppose I have vexed her on enough occasions to expect some pay back."

Ezekiel smiled charmingly. "I have one boon to ask of you, sir. I wonder if I might see the Book of Myths. I would like to see the character that I am playing. Is there a picture perhaps?"

"Oh, I don't have the book yet," Hermes replied. "You came just a bit too soon. Dorrie and I were just about to go fetch it."

"Dorrie?"

Hermes gestured to the side. Ezekiel gulped as he saw what appeared to be a life-sized doll in the shape of a woman, but without any features on her form.

"Um, is she a statue? Made of dirt?"

"No, clay actually. And not a statue." Ezekiel was startled when Dorrie moved to face him as if she heard the discussion about her. Definitely not a statue.

" My brother Hepheastus made her, at my father's request. He does fine work. She doesn't look like much yet, but she will. And speaking of which, I do need to get on with the tasks my father bid me. Do tell me about the magical object that brought you here."

"Ah, a trade perhaps? I will tell you about the object if you take me with you. I wish to meet the mighty Zeus and entertain him with my stories of Librarians."

"Well enough, then! Let's be on our way. There is no time to waste." Hermes snatched up a messenger bag from the floor and threw it over his shoulder. Gripping his staff under one arm, he placed a hand on Ezekiel's shoulder and his other hand on the shoulder of the clay woman. A crisp clean wind came from nowhere rushing past Ezekiel's face causing him to close his eyes and duck his head. Seconds later, the wind subsided and Ezekiel cautiously lifted his head and peered around him.

They appeared to be in a courtyard, surrounded by trees and flowers of glorious colors. Stone benches offered a welcome rest in the sunshine and the air was filled with a heavy floral fragrance.

"I expected the clay woman, Hermes," a female voice said behind them, "but who is this?"

Ezekiel turned and caught his breath. Standing before them was the loveliest woman he had ever seen. Her golden hair was adorned with a wreath of exotic flowers. She wore a flowing white tunic cinched at her narrow waist with glittering silver cords. Her voice was like beautiful music.

"Just a friend, Aphrodite. A long story actually and one for another day. Bestow your gift so that I may be on my way. You know that Zeus will throw lightning bolts at us all if this assignment is not soon completed."

"Very well, impatient one," Aphrodite said. "But you will owe me this tale."

Turning to the clay figure, Aphrodite placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered words that Ezekiel could not hear. When she stepped away, he forgot to breathe once more. Standing where the clay figure had been was a beautiful woman with glossy chestnut hair and rosy cheeks. The formerly clay woman strolled towards them with the grace of a dancer.

"Well done, Aphrodite! I promise to return with the amusing tale of Athena's attempted prank. But for now, we must fly! Come, Dorrie. Come Jones."

With lightning moves, Hermes grasped each of them and the wind burst through the courtyard. Still dumbfounded, Ezekiel caught one last regretful glance at the stunning goddess Aphrodite before he was whisked away.

"Are you well, Jones? You look a bit peaked."

Ezekiel gazed up at the handsome countenance of Hermes. "That goddess….Aphrodite….she was….she was….."

"Yes, she has that effect on men! Now, stay with Dorrie for a moment. I must speak with my sister, Athena."

As Hermes strode away, Ezekiel took stock of his surroundings. Unlike the classic beauty of the court yard they had just visited, this place was grim. Wreckage was everywhere,

statues and urns all broken and strewn across the slate floor along with dark puddles of what Ezekiel was beginning to suspect was blood.

"Sister, what happened here?" Hermes asked of a strikingly attractive woman clad in body armor and wearing a weary expression.

"Poseidon. As you can see, I have much to do. My temple is in ruins, my people dead or injured gravely. I have no minutes to spare for this folly. Let Zeus deal directly with Prometheus about the theft of fire. Raining evil and destruction on innocents is not the way to handle this."

Hermes nodded. "My sister, I agree. But it is not for me or you to question the decision of our father. Bestow your gift and we will be out of your way."

Athena glared at her brother and for a moment, Ezekiel thought she would refuse. Hermes smiled sadly and touched her arm. Speaking softly, he said, "Please, Athena. Do not anger Zeus. Just do as he bids, for you are a great favorite of mine and it would grieve me to lose you."

After a pause, Athena shrugged in resignation.

Hermes called out, "Dorrie, come here!" and the strange woman walked gracefully up to the goddess. Athena, touched her cheek and whispered, "I grant you intelligence, skill with arts, and bestow finery upon you."

Before Ezekiel's eyes, the woman seemed to change. Dullness left her eyes and was replaced with a gleam, her simple clothes morphed into fine silken drapes adorned with jewels that made Ezekiel's fingers itch. He was so dazzled by the transformation that he almost missed Athena reaching behind her to produce a cloth covered packet the size of a book.

"Here. Take this, Hermes. Give my father this gift which he will cherish, though I no longer find joy in the giving."

Hermes dropped the packet into his messenger bag. With the speed and agility he was known for, he grabbed Dorrie's hand and Ezekiel's shoulder as the wings on his cap and sandals began to flap joyfully. The wind rushed in as Hermes called to Athena's receding figure, "When this is over, sister, we will need to teach you how to execute a proper prank!"

Athena turned at her brother's call. Hermes smirked and jerked his head in Ezekiel's direction.

"Librarians, Athena? Really?"

Ezekiel saw Athena staring at them in puzzlement just before the room disappeared and sunlight blinded his eyes.

Expecting to see a grand temple built to honor Zeus, Ezekiel was confused to find himself in front of a humble house. Turning to Hermes, he saw the god take both of Dorrie's hands and whisper in her ear. She smiled serenely as he released her hands.

"You just bestowed your gift on her," Ezekiel said with certainty.

"I did, yes."

Ezekiel couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. "What was it? Did you give her speed? Or was it agility? Perhaps you taught her to play the lyre? You are known for that as well."

"None of these," Hermes said flatly. He turned and looked at Ezekiel directly. "As my father wished, I gave her cunning and curiosity. And…deceit."

Before Ezekiel could respond, Hermes took Dorrie's hand and started towards the house.

"Ah, wait," Hermes said. "I almost forgot". He dropped his messenger bag onto the ground and crouched down to rummage in it. Ezekiel held his breath when Hermes pulled out the cloth covered packet and set it aside. Reaching deeper into the bag, he gingerly lifted out a glossy black enameled box and handed it carefully to Dorrie. Taking her hand again, they strode to the door and Hermes knocked.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Ezekiel snatched up the bundle from the ground and pulled the cloth wrapping off. Yes! It was a Book of Myths. Gilded and bejeweled, the book sparkled in the sunlight. He slowly backed away as the front door of the house opened to reveal a huge man. Ezekiel slowed the pace of his retreat, seeking to escape the notice of the trio at the door.

"Hermes?" The giant man said questioningly. "What brings you here?"

"Epimetheus, my friend! I bring a gift! From Zeus, for your support in the war against the Titans." Hermes grandly gestured towards Dorrie who smiled demurely.

It was clear that Epimetheus was dazzled by the woman's beauty. She tossed her glossy hair back and glided gracefully into the house before Epimetheus could reply. He smiled at Hermes and said "Mighty Zeus is gracious! I would have thought that he would be angry after my brother Prometheus stole fire and gave it to mankind."

"Ah, well. That would be between them, now wouldn't it? It has nothing to do with you," Hermes said shortly as he turned and marched away.

Ezekiel froze, caught backing away with the pilfered book in his hands. To his surprise, Hermes did not seem to notice Ezekiel's retreat or the book. With a distracted- and Ezekiel thought- sad look upon his handsome face, Hermes scooped up his messenger bag and strode away. Still clutching the book, Ezekiel paused to decide whether he should run or follow.

With a hideous roar, the wind picked up. This was not the crystal wind that Hermes rode, but an evil, foul-smelling gust that carried dark rotting objects. The sunlight winked out and an inhuman screech filled the air as thousands of eerie flying shadows and more dark, rotting things burst through the roof of the house and filled the sky.

Forgetting all thoughts of retreat, Ezekiel raced after Hermes. "What is that? What just happened?"

"What happened, my friend?" Hermes said sadly, "Well, it seems that Pandora just opened the box."

Shocked, Ezekiel barely felt the pain when he tripped over a rock and fell to the ground. He heard the howling of the evil things and felt an aching despair. And for just a moment, he felt something else- tingling in his fingertips. Lifting his head, he just barely registered the sight of the Book of Myths lying on the ground, pages open and his own fingers resting on a page, before he heard the all too familiar swooshy kinda boom.

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All was quiet. Groaning, Ezekiel raised himself to a sitting position, and then staggered to his feet. He appeared to be in a hospital room. There was a young girl, looking pale and delicate, resting in the bed. Ezekiel felt a sense of urgency though he could not seem to clear his mind enough to determine what it was. He had to do something, something important. It was something to do with a book. The book? Where was the book? Yes, there. Right there in his hands. Ezekiel peered at the book in confusion. The title read Libris Fabula.