…food for 217 species
The Doclopedia #3,017
366 Days, 366 Paragraphs: #256
Chapter Thirty: The Game Changing Letter
It didn’t take Dree long to read Greaty Helma’s letter to him. It was pretty short and to the point.
“Dearest Dree,
The small square of glass you have is called a comslate. To find out how to use it, touch the metal rod to the small circle, then touch the triangle. It is how the members of the Museum communicate with each other, mostly with the Seekers. You must understand that not all, not even most, Museum people are bad. Most are very good and not out to hurt you. This device will allow you to communicate with two of them who can help you on your journey. Trust these people as you would trust me.”
The box contains what look like a couple of dozen small round rocks.
“These are called Storyteller Stones and they are the secret to how a Storyteller can travel so far and wide. If you swallow one, you are free from the effects of Mother Road for six months. You may stay on or off the Road or away from Towns and Cities as long as you need during that time. Even better, once you have taken two of them over the course of a year, you can take a third and become Road neutral for the rest of your life. If you choose that, as I did, then pass any remaining Stones on to someone who needs them, especially if they want to become a Storyteller. You might also share them with your two traveling partners.
The last thing I have to tell you, Dree, is that help may come to you in different forms. Do not turn it down if it is sincere, regardless of what the one helping you looks like.
Love always,
Greaty Helma”
Dree read the letter three times. This was amazing and crazy. Greaty had been friendly with the Museum? Maybe even part of it? Pills that let you go anywhere and not get sick? His head started spinning and he weaved about in the saddle.
Ala saw him and reached out to grab his arm, steadying him so he didn’t fall off Koro.
“Are you alright, Dree?”
He looked at her and nodded, then said, “I think we ought to stop for a moment. I’ve got to tell you something important.”
Bevan rode up close on the other side of Dree and the boy showed them the letter. Greaty had not forbidden that, so he figured it was OK. When they were done reading, Ala looked amazed, but Bevan looked thoughtful.
“So,” the Offroader drawled, “they are real. Allstones are real. My people tell tales about them, the stones that give freedom of movement to all people, but I always thought they were just stories. Incredible.”
He handed the letter back to Dree.
“You need to burn this, as your Greaty told you, Dree.” With that, he pulled out his flint & steel and struck sparks to the paper. When it caught fire, Dree held it out into the wind and they all watched as the ashes blew away in the light breeze. When it was all burned up, Dree got out the box of Storyteller Stones and opened it.
“I think we should all take one. Greaty wanted us to.”
He took one and swallowed it. Ala did the same, as did Bevan. The stones had no taste at all and none of them felt any different.
“I thank your Greaty for this, Dree.” said Ala. “It will give us much more freedom during our trip.”
Bevan nodded his agreement. “If we have to hole up in a Town or City, or out in the wild, we will be safe. Your Greaty was wise and good. I shall thank her.” He then began a chant of thanks to wise old women as they began to ride on.
After putting the box of pills away, Dree took out the comslate. He saw that it had a small circle, triangle, square and rectangle on it, up along the edge of one side. He removed the metal rod from the clips on another side, then touched it to the circle. The circle now glowed a very faint red and the rest of the comslate turned white. Dree next touched the triangle. Almost instantly, words appeared on the glass.
“How may I help you, Dree Brunfelder?”
Dree’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. It knew his name! Then it dawned on him that Greaty probably told it to the comslate. Using the stylus, he wrote:
“How do I use you?”
Instantly, the words he wrote faded and were replaced with:
“The circle turns me on and off. If you have received messages, they will show up when you turn me on. The triangle is used to get my help if you have a question. The square will send out any message you write, but first you must touch the rectangle to see and select who you will send a message to. You may select as many people to send a message to as you want. Just touch the stylus to their names.”
Dree thought this was all pretty simple so far, so he touched the rectangle. Only two names came up on the screen. They were “Grand High Curator” and “S”. He decided to not send out a message just yet. Instead, he touched the triangle again and wrote:
“Thank you for your help.”
His message faded, replaced by:
“My pleasure. If you do not need me, I will shut off in ten seconds.”
Dree watched and, sure enough, after ten seconds the comslate went dark. He put it away and thought about all this. He figured that the Grand High Curator was pretty high up in the Museum, maybe the top person. He had no idea who the “S” person was. It might be a good idea to contact him or her later today.
Riding along, Ala had time to think and she mostly thought about how she was now not only free from family duties, but possibly free from Mother Road herself, if that stone or pill or whatever it was worked properly.
Just think of it, no more seven day limit on trips into Towns and Cities! No more going back on the Road for a few days so she wouldn’t die. She could stay right in the heart of civilization for a month or more!
The ability to go Offroad was also great, but considerably less exciting. Between the wild animals and the various crazy Empires, wandering around out in the boonies was not something she wanted to do much of. Still, being able to stay away from Mother Road for longer than a week would be a big help in hiding from the Seekers who were on their trail.
When Bevan finished the chant, he gave some thought to his new situation. He reckoned that now he could finally spend some real time in a City, or even just traveling along the Road. He loved the wild, but had to admit that the Mother Road made it a damned sight easier to cross rivers, canyons and very large areas of dangerous terrain. Yes, the Allstones would make life easier for the three of them.
Lost in thought about their new situations in life, the three rode on in silence.
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