Read Till the Mountains Turn to Dust (The Chronicles of Eridia) Page 23


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  T-mail transmission:

  From: Reynard Fuggs

  To: Solace Tenant

  June 27, 6692; 7:34 PM:

  Dear Solace,

  Serobar, eh? Never been to Basilond (passed close to it once, back around 3000 A.C. or thereabouts) but I spent some time in other parts of Serobar. I didn’t like it, to be honest. Too archaic and stuffy and overloaded with political pomp and ceremony. Everyone was very humorless and spoke in a very formal way. Admittedly, that was a long time ago (a *very* long time, har) and maybe I only happened to see the worst of it.

  As for gadgets, I’m currently rather partial to the official Acme Telescoping Object-Retrieval Unit & Bottom Biter, if only for the name. Despite the silly nomenclature, it’s very useful. Basically it’s just a button-activated serrated clamp on the end of a telescoping arm. I once had to use it to retrieve a key that had fallen down a grate.

  I have to admit, I get Queen Pithylias mainly because I like watching the flames. They *are* strong. The bartender at the Sodden Sponge (the bar I go to) once told me I’m the only person who ever orders them, aside from the occasional college kid wanting to show off how bold he is. What can I say? I’m a sucker for cheap thrills. Except, given the insane number of ingredients they take, they’re not all that cheap.

  Sorry to hear about your man troubles. But what do you expect from lowly creatures like us men? Don’t let us get you down. Not one of us is worth a single tear from your eye. :)

  Interesting about the T-Net and its similarities with your home reality. My own reality, if you’ll recall, was a lot more primitive, so all this tech is brand new to me…and I have to admit, I love it. It’s all so amazing and time-saving and convenient. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t imagine life without it.

  Tell you something good? Hmm…

  Okay, how about this: We’ve resumed contact. I doubt I’ll be able to think of anything better than that.

  Now it’s your turn to tell me something good.

  —Reynard