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Off-Grid

The Lilac Cottage


“Since you have elected to remove yourself from the Wardian rather than continue under Civilization’s care in your retirement, it has been suggested that you be awarded a lump-sum equal to the cost of that care. I worked with the budget office and have come up with a figure that seems equitable. There are, of course, unknowns. We averaged the retirement time of former oracles to arrive at twenty-four years. We also averaged upkeep.”

gorminAstir paused, and reached into her pocket, for a piece of paper.

“The result of all this averaging is this figure.”

She extended the paper.

Aunt Asta took it, blinked, and handed it to Arbour, who handed it to Tekelia.

“This seems very generous,” Tekelia said, after a moment. “I wonder if I may share it with Aunt Asta’s nephew on-Grid, who has a more intimate knowledge of costs and compensations.”

“Certainly, she will wish to take advice,” gorminAstir said, folding her hands on her knee.

“I should have said that this is an offer; it is open to discussion and negotiation. The Council wishes to reflect Civilization’s care, and its gratitude for long years of service. I fully intended to leave this paper, and this key, as well—”

Another reach to the pocket, to extract a data-key, which she held out.

“Tekelia, dear, will you take care of that for me, as well?” Aunt Asta asked, and looked to gorminAstir. “I have lived retired and have very little sense of what money means, you know.”

That was a hit, thought Bentamin, though gorminAstir took it with a sedate inclination of the head.

“I do know that, yes,” she said, and reached for her teacup.

Everyone at the table took the opportunity to drink, and when the cups were replaced, gorminAstir spoke again.

“I wonder, Oracle vesterGranz, if you might illuminate for me your Seeing that Civilization and the Haosa will—end.”

“Certainly,” Aunt Asta said, leaning forward slightly. “You will wish to know that I have Seen this several times, and—”

Tekelia jolted upright with a cry. Bentamin leapt up as well, staring at a face gone suddenly feral, eyes flashing green and gold.

“The kezlBlythe, here!” Tekelia gasped, voice grinding. “The children!”

There was a boom! as air rushed to fill the void where Tekelia had been an instant before.

Bentamin whirled, finding gorminAstir already on her feet.

“We will both go,” she said.

Bentamin snatched her arm; mist swirled, and they were gone.

Aunt Asta looked to Arbour, who was on her feet.

“We should go, too, I think,” she said, extending a hand. “Help me up, dear.”


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Framed