The Guru was becoming increasingly ignored by the Bully and the Bully’s underlings. However, he could not fail to notice the various shiny new objects appearing on the desks and in the apartments of the Bully’s underlings and that the same shiny objects also appeared on the Bully’s desk. They were the same shiny objects save for the fact the Bully’s shiny objects were all larger and shinier than those of his subjects.

The Guru had an object but it was no longer shiny. His portable communication device had cast many spells in the outlying territories bringing in taxes (outputs) to pay for Sadim the Bully’s country retreat and ale house and it was old and worn and in need of replacement. The Guru was aware that he was out of favour with Sadim and his servants but took a chance that the Bully may remember his past prowess in tax collection and perhaps bestow upon him a shiny object.

Swallowing humble pie the Guru begged the Bully to purchase for him a shiny new object like the others in the Kingdom and explaining the condition of his portable communication device and the need for a replacement.

The Bully responded by saying that the treasury was bare having purchased shiny new objects for Himself and all his subjects. He then went on in the obscure manner of speaking he was wont to use that tended to confuse all who listened. He said something about the possibility of a shiny new object and a pool which the Guru thought strange as everyone knows that electronic devices and water do not mix.

The Guru went back to work but every day he was made sad as he looked longingly at the shiny new objects on the others desks. Some days it was made worse when the Bully would greet ghey loudly each of his subjects in turn...........

“GOOD MORNING FUBC, HOW IS YOUR SHINY NEW OBJECT”

and the underling would respond with something like.......

“IT IS FINE GOOD SIR AND MY SHINY OBJECT IS FINE TOO THOUGH 'TIS NOT AS BIG OR SHINY AS YOUR OWN SHINY OBJECTS IF YOU’LL PARDON MY SAYING SO SIR, HAR HAR HAR”

or some times......

“GOOD MORNING TO YOU SIR, GIVE ME ANOTHER OF THESE SHINY OBJECTS AND I’LL DO THE WORK OF TEN MEN HAR HAR HAR”.

And they all laughed and they laughed loudly and long.

The Guru did not laugh for he had no shiny objects and save for the Wizard, no friends. And sometimes in those dark days, he wept.

Then one day a shipment of shiny new objects arrived and the Wizard was charged with their care. Knowing of the Gurus sadness he took one of these to him and cast his spell of electronics over it and because he knew of the Guru’s sadness he also cast special and rare spells over it. The Guru loved the new machine and he and the Wizard laughed and laughed and the Guru was happy and the Wizard was happy too. Now everything was wonderful in the kingdom again.

Sadly, in the Unit of Sky and Earth there was no longer happiness that was more than transitory. Indeed the Gurus happiness was short lived and a few days later his friend the Wizard suggested a stroll to the gates of the Palace. The Guru assuming that the Wizard wished to confer with the Guru away from the walls that had so many ears, complied. Upon reaching the gates the Guru paused but the Wizard insisted they travel further, as far as the field to the South.

Then the Wizard said, “Guru, I must inform you that Sadim has decreed that you have contravened his wishes and has further commanded that I am to take the shiny object from you by force if necessary.

And darkness fell all around.

Read Of Darker Things

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