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One tusk, four arms, carrying noose and goad, with His hands dispelling fear and granting boons, with
a mouse as His banner.
Red, with a big belly, with ears like winnowing baskets, wearing red, with limbs smeared with red
scent, truly worshipped with red flowers.
And the Priestess, Rudy Projects stowed away, one hand steadying the now humble Fingal, raises her
obsidian gaze to the fond smile of the Destroyer of Obstacles.
"Om Ganapathi Namah.
"Om Lam I bow to Ganesha.
"I bow to you, Lord of Categories. You alone are the visible form of the principle. You alone are the
creator, you alone are the sustainer, you alone are the destroyer, you alone are unmistakably the
Brahma.
"Vighneshvara or Vighnaharta, the Lord of and Destroyer of Obstacles.
"You clearly are the tattva.
"Hail to the Lord of Vows, hail to Ganapati, hail to the First Lord, hail unto you, to the Big-bellied,
One-Tusked, Obstacle-Destroyer, the Son of Shiva, to the Boon-Giver, hail, hail!"
Ravenbait then steps forward and places a handful of sweetmeats on the plate by his feet. Quickly, the
others do the same, and then retreat once more to what they feel is a safe distance.
Delicately, Ganesha picks up one of the sweets and chews thoughtfully.
"My mother is not best pleased with you," he says at last.
"Oh?" Ravenbait replies. The others notice that, formalities now over, the Priestess and the Elephant-
headed God are speaking with one another quite amiably, like old friends. "What disrespect have I
inadvertently committed against the Lady Parvati?"
"There would be the small matter of a large battle with many deaths and much bloodshed and not once
did you think to ask Kali-Ma."
"That was remiss of me," Ravenbait admits. "My sincere and humble apologies to Parvati."
"That is very good, yes, I will pass your respects to mother and father." He takes a pen fashioned from
his own broken tusk and writes something down on a piece of parchment with great care. "And so.
Why did you send your birds to me? They said it was a very grave matter and so it pleased me to come
at once."
Ravenbait, deciding that now probably isn't the best time to explain that the birds belong to Ošin and
He only lets her have them because they won't do as they're told and leave her alone, quickly and
concisely explains to the Destroyer of Obstacles what has happened.
He sits in silent repose for a while. Kathy finds herself overwhelmed by the urge to run up to him, wrap
her arms around his big, fat belly and give him an enormous hug. The scent of sandalwood and
cedarwood is strong and warming. There is something unutterably soothing about this son of Shiva.
"I am surprised that you are coming to me with this matter," Ganesha says eventually. "This is well
within your capabilities, and you have your own Goddess to help you." Ravenbait makes as if to speak
but he holds up one hand to silence her. "But no matter. I know you have been suffering with demons
so I will forgive you. You should have come to me then, you know, instead of waiting around for
someone to come and rescue you. Also, I know that Armstrong is not at home and so that changes
matters, does it not?"
"It certainly does," says Ravenbait, the magic of Ganesha working on her. The tension has gone from
her voice, and she is smiling.
The Lord of Categories, Destroyer of Obstacles, stands up from his ceremonial settee. He begins to
dance, stamping out a beat and pattern in the dust with his enormous yet delicate feet, bangles jangling.
Across A-Time every cyclist under a purple shifting sky feels the tug and pull, reminding them of who
they are, what they are, the principles for which they stand. Every Gentleman from the League, every
Member of the Intrepid Sorority remembers the feel of the wind in his or her hair and the love of the
bicycle, the noble steed that carries him or her long distances or short, in all weathers. Every one
remembers their companions of the Cake Stop, that inestimable institution that brought them all
together and launched them into their lives as heroes.
Each one suddenly remembers the Triple Goddess, and as She appears to each and every one in the
aspect that each knows the best, reaching out a hand and bestowing Her blessing, they see the confident
smile of the Priestess and suddenly know where they must be.
And there, indeed, they are. Gathered together again on the vast plain under a pale, cerulean sky, the
dust settling and Ganapati smiling down at them all. There is no room for shock or dismay at what has
happened. The aura of the Lord of Categories fills them all with a sense of peace and calm.
Ravenbait turns and bows, and chants, quietly this time, with feeling.
"Om Ganapathi Namah.
"Hail to the Lord of Vows, hail to Ganapati, hail to the First Lord, hail unto you, to the Big-bellied,
One-Tusked, Obstacle-Destroyer, the Son of Shiva, to the Boon-Giver.
"My thanks for your boon and blessing.
"Om Ganapathi Namah."
The Elephant God places one of his hands on her head and smiles. "I will be seeing you on the fourth
day of Bhadrapada, yes? I hope you make a nicer cardamom fudge this year."
Cuddy steps forward. "I must ask," he says. The God flaps one ear. "Why was Michael Stipes pushing
an elephant up the stairs?"
The Gods looks at him for a long, silent pause. "Have you ever seen an elephant go up stairs by
himself?"
At that the convoy picks up its goods and chattels, turns itself around, and walks back across the plain
to the strains of beautiful, haunting music, singing and dancing. They are gone from sight long before
they have travelled far enough to be out of view.
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