Icarus by Delaney Page

Author:Delaney Page [Page, Delaney & Page, Delaney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

D aedalus wandered into his new workshop, this one being far smaller and far more barren than the last. Building a reputation would take some time, since Daedalus wasn’t in the habit of telling that he had worked for Aegeus. That would lead to too many questions, too many curious stares. He couldn’t fend off the masses and raise Icarus properly, so sacrifices had to be made. Like going door to door for work.

Mateo was a godsend. He did his best to keep things orderly for them, to help watch Icarus while Daedalus created, trying to sell... well... anything. Business had yet to boom, most people looking vaguely interested, but saying they didn’t need what he was selling.

The day had been long, hot and tiring, but Daedalus was hopeful. He found Perdix hunched over a very interesting looking metal design strangely reminiscent of a fish’s backbone, though this one was split and dangerous. Icarus was between Perdix’s knees, balancing as best he could against them to try to see what his cousin was working on. Daedalus frowned. Mateo was in the kitchen, he knew, and had asked Perdix to keep an eye on the smaller boy. Looks like they’d have to have another talk. Icarus toddled over to his father with a small squeal of excitement, falling only once. Daedalus picked him up. Both watched with interest as Perdix filed the ends to a sharp point, wondering what in the world the thing could be used for.

“What do you have?”

Perdix jumped, nearly slicing a finger on the jagged edge. “Uh... It’s... uh...”

“Ma?” Icarus chirped, interrupting. He bounced for a moment, waving his arms around, then decided to suck on his thumb.

“No, not Ma. Ma’s not here.” Daedalus pulled his hand away from his mouth. “Continue, Perdix.” Perdix rubbed his arm nervously.

“It doesn’t have a name yet, and it’s not quite done...”

“How did you make it?” Daedalus asked, shifting his weight to accommodate the baby in his arms. Perdix blew a stray piece of hair from his eyes and pointed.

“I separated the metal into prongs and adhered them—”

Icarus tugged on Daedalus’ hair. “What, Icarus?”

“Da-ma?”

“No Da-ma.” He placed Icarus on the ground, giving him a soft pat. Icarus toddled for a moment, then fell, his cushioned bottom absorbing the impact. Perdix continued his explanation, one hand tugging Daedalus over to the workstation to show what precisely he had accomplished.

“This is a good start.” Perdix beamed at Daedalus’ words. “But it needs some adjustments. Do you see your flaw with how you melted the—”

“Da-Ma?” A bright question, then—

CRASH!

Daedalus whirled around. Icarus was surrounded by the various tools he had knocked over, all heavy and sharp. By some miracle, all had missed hitting him.

“Icarus!” Daedalus rushed over to check for injuries, tugging at Icarus’ arms to see better. Icarus gave a small sniff, then began to cry.

“Daedalus,” Perdix hesitated, watching his uncle kneel, trying to quiet his cousin. “What does Dama mean?”

“It’s his way of saying Da and Ma. Da-Ma.” Daedalus blew out a breath.

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