by Tom Hoffman
Edmund smiled proudly and bent way down, putting his long arms gently around Clara. When he stood up again he announced, “That was my first hug.” Oliver clapped and gave the thumbs up sign to Edmund.
By the end of the next day the Fortress was nearly empty. Most of the shapers had left and King Oberon had taken up residence in the Malgraven Castle dungeons. Bartholomew had sent a message to Parfello letting him know everyone was safe and he had found Clara.
Chapter 32
Edmund’s New Job
The next morning found Bartholomew and Morthram talking to Edmund in the main hall of the Fortress.
“Edmund, when I rode through the subterranean train stations on my way here I saw quite a number of Rabbitons still actively performing their duties. Do you know how many Rabbitons are still functional?”
“I will check for you.” A transparent screen appeared in front of him. He flipped this way and that through dozens of pages until he found what he was looking for. “It appears there are seventy-nine active Rabbitons and fourteen thousand six hundred and twenty-one inactive Rabbitons.”
“What does inactive mean?”
“They are currently in storage waiting to be activated. There are many different models with a wide variety of functions.”
Morthram turned to Bartholomew. “There are far more than we had expected. This should work.”
“Edmund, I have something to ask you.”
“Of course, Bartholomew.”
“I have had a request from the new King of Grymmore which concerns you. If you would like, he will appoint you as Master of Rabbitons to the Fortress of Elders. You would be in charge of all the Rabbitons, being responsible for their welfare and reactivation. King Fendaron would like the Fortress to be as it was when the Elders lived here. That would mean the reconstruction of all the underground tunnels and trains and whatever else you deem necessary. The Fortress and surrounding areas will be inhabited by Rabbitons. What do you think?”
“I would be honored. I remember precisely what the Fortress was like then. I will begin tomorrow. Hmm, I think all the Rabbitons should choose their own names. Yes, I like that idea. They could also choose which programming module they would prefer. I will talk to you tomorrow. I am quite busy now with my duties as Master of Rabbitons.” He turned and walked away, but not before giving Bartholomew a hug.
* * *
Bartholomew and Clara were sitting on a parapet looking out across the Fortress of Elders. The warm summer sun was sinking down towards the horizon.
“Bruno said we were more alike than I knew. What did he mean by that?”
Clara took his paw in hers. “What he meant was that you and I have the same inner voice. That is why we have the connection we do. An outer self may only have one inner self, but an inner self often has more than one outer self. The Cavern of Silence you talk to is the same inner self I talk to.”
“That’s rather confusing.”
“It doesn’t need to be. Perhaps if you hug me it will become less confusing.”
“Hmmm. I think it’s working. Will you marry me?”
“We’ve been married many times before and that worked out quite well, so my answer is yes.”
“We’ve been married many times before?”
“We have, but that’s a story for another day.”
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Until we meet again,
Tom Hoffman
