Hammered

two of us walked south, where our conversation wouldn’t distract Granuaile. Oberon trailed behind and snuffled happily at the cacti and creosote.
    » I’m in need of your special talents, « I told Coyote, and explained to him what the immediate future might hold for me in Asgard.
    He chuckled. » I was wonderin’ when you’d turn to sooee-cide, « he said. He turned his head and spat. » Takin’ on the Norse. You’re crazier than a pink-eyed parrot. «
    » Well, maybe only crazy like you, « I said. » This deal I have in mind might work out pretty well for both of us. «
    » A deal, huh? «
    » Think of it as a trade, if you like. «
    » A trade? « Coyote’s grin became feral, and a light sparkled in his eyes. He wouldn’t be able to resist now. He’d bargain until he thought he had the better of me, all the while protesting that I was robbing him. After I proposed the deal, he fell down laughing and clutched at his gut, howling while tears streamed from his eyes. But once I could get him to speak again, we negotiated in earnest until we shook hands on it.
    » Meetin’ up with you is always interestin’, Mr. Druid, « he said. » I’ll stick around in this area ’til you get back. Unless you don’t come back. « He looked down at Oberon. » An’ next time we meet, I’ll make sure to have a bag o’ those chicken apple sausages you like so much. «
    
    With one final wave, Coyote dissolved back to his canine form and trotted off to the east from whence he came. Oberon and I returned to check on Granuaile, who was rising from the ground and brushing dirt off her knees.
    » How’d it go with Sonora? « I asked.
    She was glowing with childlike giddiness. » So awesome! She’s given me a big job to do, but I can’t wait, because it needs to be done. «
    » What is it? «
    » I’m to get rid of all the crayfish in the East Verde River. «
    My eyebrows shot up. » You weren’t kidding. That’s a pretty big job. « Crayfish were a nonnative invasive species that were slowly killing off the native fish and frogs in the river by eating their eggs and competing for food. » How are you going to be sure you get them all? «
    » Sonora’s going to guide me—She’ll show me where they are and teach me about her ecosystem, how the species and plants are bound together. I can’t wait. « She hopped up and down and clapped three times in glee. » It’s true that the earth is alive . I never knew it could be like this, sensei. Is there like a hierarchy of elementals or something? «
    » Yes, there is. Thought you’d catch on. Where would you put Ferris in that hierarchy? «
    » Lowest level. «
    » That’s right. He’s the avatar of a mineral. Tremendously limited in what he can do, but within his limits he’s supreme. And since iron is so darn handy, it’s good to make friends with iron elementals—but you’re never going to need to call up a beryllium elemental, for example, or a molybdenum one. They’re out there but they’re not hanging by the phone, if you know what I mean. Sonora’s at the next level, and his kind are the kind Druids are supposed to protect. They’re avatars of a regional ecosystem, and they have massive power but they’re also vulnerable to human stupidity. Whenever we draw power from the earth, we’re drawing on them, if you see what I mean. «
    » What’s above them? «
    » The tectonic plates. They’re literally below the ecosystems, but in terms of hierarchy they’re the next step up. It’s best not to piss them off. You won’t have much contact with them. After that you have Gaia herself. «
    » Wow. What’s she like? «
    Her smile was infectious, and I found myself smiling back as I said, » Patient. Kind. Much more difficult to talk to. I think it’s good that Sonora has entrusted you with that crayfish business and that he’s so willing to talk with you. «
    » She is so willing, « Granuaile said pointedly.
    » Okay, she, « I agreed, and shrugged my indifference. » It’ll be good for you to be out of town for a while. You should take Oberon with you; he’ll love hanging out by the river instead of being trapped with Mrs. MacDonagh’s fearless cats again. «
    
    I want you to keep an eye out, okay? Patrol while she’s busy, warn her when anyone approaches. She hasn’t developed a proper sense of paranoia yet .
    
    » That would be fine, except