Lord Jesus flinched. “Mama, be fair.”
Lord Judas stayed silent, sullen.
The Virgin trumpeted so Her voice filled Heaven:
“Miserable offspring! Go! Remove Your wretched Selves from My presence.”
With that noisy warning the sons fled.
The Virgin lovingly detached us, hunter and hunted, from off the cyclical hunt. She transported us — in celestial ways unknown — to this covert place where the wheel turns parallel to the wide world. She made us caretakers.
Clever (impatient to know her part): Which brings the story to your trouble and my task. What about me? What is my adventure?
Vixen (not answering the question): Understand missy, the Alchymist never will let go his madness. Madness defines him.
Clever (luminescent with insight; shouts with glee): Innocence and madness! Your footbridge admits the innocent and the mad! The mad Alchymist crossed before us and is here now — in this parallel world — an invader, a monster. You need my help. (strikes heroic pose) I, the Clever Maid, will be your champion and smite him!