Stevie's Arc

Chapter 4 of 7

The next morning Stevie brought both companions to the great tree. Her phoenix rode her shoulder. Andromeda walked behind, gold scales flashing. She had two beasts now, but she had never seen them fight together. The trial was one day off. If they clashed, the lion would tear them both apart. A huge man stood at the tree's roots, head bowed as if listening. Muscle stacked on muscle. A lion's pelt hung across one shoulder. Stevie's stomach dropped. She knew him. He was the one who had warned her that a single bird could never win. Hercules had sent her looking for a second companion. Now she had one, and no idea if it would help. He turned. His eyes moved from the phoenix to the dragon, then to her face. "You found your second," he said. "A dragon. The gods will not laugh at that." He grinned. "But two beasts are not one team. Have they fought at your side yet?" Stevie shook her head. Her throat locked. She managed one word. "No." "Then that is your danger," Hercules said. "Untried, they may turn on each other." He rolled his shoulders. "I need to sweat before my own trials. Sparring a dragon suits me well. Let me play the lion." He stepped into the open ground and dropped low. Then he charged. Andromeda roared and lunged to meet him. The phoenix shrieked and dove for his eyes at the same moment. The two nearly collided. Andromeda's wing knocked the small bird sideways. The phoenix tumbled, righted itself, and screeched at the dragon. Hercules laughed and pushed the dragon back with both hands. "See it?" he called. "They both want the throat. They crowd each other. You must give each a task." Stevie's mind raced. The phoenix went for the eyes. The dragon had weight and claws. She had to split them. She stepped forward and forced her voice out. "Andromeda, low! Take his legs!" The dragon dropped and swept at Hercules's ankles. "Up!" she cried, and the phoenix shot high, then dove at his face from above. Hercules blocked the dragon's claws and threw an arm across his eyes. He staggered. "Yes," he shouted. "That is it. One high, one low. He cannot guard both." They ran it again. And again. The phoenix learned to wait for Stevie's call before diving. Andromeda learned to hold low and let the bird strike the eyes. By dusk the two moved as a pair. Hercules dropped to one knee, sweat pouring, and raised a hand in surrender. "They fight as one now," he said. "You are ready for the lion." Stevie stood between her companions, breathing hard. Her hands did not shake. She had spoken commands aloud, and both beasts had obeyed together. The clash she feared was gone. Tomorrow the lion waited. For the first time, she believed she could win.