Randibone/Zetrian-Email3

From Various

Jump to: navigation, search
From: "Jumping Spider" <spiderjumping> 
To: <spiderjumping> 
Subject: ZETRIA ATRIAN AND THE SHELL GAME
Date: 10 October 2007

CMProtocol@@JStart: Ready 
VJRUBCJAC<<
ORUNUXJM<<
ZETRIA ATRIAN AND THE SHELL GAME 

In due course Zetria Atrian came upon a gathering at a crossroads. Resting 
upon a soft cushion was a [man] in finely ornate robes. Surrounding him was a 
group of [people], mostly male, mostly old. Some were dressed in vestments 
even more fine than the seated one's. Some were unclean and unshaven like 
hermits. All were arguing loudly. As she approached, Zetria realized that 
the arguers were vying for the seated one's favor. That luminary raised his 
head and regarded Zetria with a weary face. "Ah, someone else come to prove 
their worth?" he asked. 

"Sire," Zetria said, "I don't know how much I'm 'worth', but my humble talents 
are at your disposal." 

Much of the arguing had quieted at this point, as the group regarded the 
newcomer. The seated one raised his eyebrows. "You didn't come to petition 
for the position of my advisor, advisor to the [King]?" 

"My divinations merely said it would be a good idea for me to walk this way 
today," Zetria replied. 

"Others have claimed the power of divination," the [King] said. At this point 
several scholars stepped forward brandishing implements of divination, but the 
[King] raised a hand and they fell silent. "Tell me about your abilities." 

"My abilities, as you call them, Sire, simply encompass the patience to listen 
to what my shell tells me." She held out the shell and the scholars looked at 
it suspiciously, examining the various numbers of dots inscribed upon its 
surface. 

"And what does your shell tell you now?" the [King] asked. 

"That the simplest way to choose your advisor is with a GAME," Zetria replied. 
"A contest of wits." 

The scholars began to argue again, but the [King] chuckled. "An excellent 
idea. And you have a game in mind?" 

"I do," Zetria replied, smiling. "I will play any of your scholars or all of 
them at once. The game is called [Dozen]. The two sides take turns choosing 
numbers from zero to eight. The first to possess a combination of three 
numbers--no more, and no less--that add up to the sum of twelve is the 
winner." 

"This day may turn out amusing after all." The [King] clapped his hands. 
"Start the game!" 

The scholars huddled together and debated amongst themselves. Finally the one 
draped in exquisite purple silk robes stepped forward. "We wish to begin by 
choosing the number four," he intoned, as if he were reading a sermon. 

The [King] scowled at this presumption. But Zetria merely bowed. "Of course, 
honored sir. I will respond with five." 

The scholar stared at her in surprise, then turned back to his compatriots. 
More arguing ensued before he finally said, "Six." 

Zetria nodded. "And of course I will say two." 

Grumbling was heard from the knot of scholars, but the representative nodded. 
"One." 

"I see you are grasping the game quickly," Zetria said. "Seven." 

A grin spread slowly across the lead scholar's face. "Three!" 

"Oh, I'm sorry, honored sir," Zetria said, bowing. "I'm going to choose zero. 
Seven, zero, five--I win." Ignoring the shocked stares, Zetria turned and 
again bowed to the [King]. "Your servant, sir." 

THE FIRST BOOK OF MINIMER RANDIBONE - THE BOOK OF ZETRIA ATRIAN - END 
231 
ORUNLUXBN>>
LXMN>>
1XRE2ICC3LHO 
CAJWBONANAAXA>>
LXANMDVY<<
at are yo 
where? J 
or: dunno 
realized 
tem] to f 
em] know? 
em] privi 
n its are 
[people] 
d never g 
ell at le 
vyurin: I 
ned it to 
Yes. If 
r: oh im 
g with an 

VJRUNWM>>
CMProtocol@@HEnd: Ready

Notes:

  • See TheBook, and Coredump for compiled content so far
  • The coded all-caps sections are ROT-17:
VJRUBCJAC<<     = MAILSTART<<
ORUNUXJM<<      = FILELOAD<<
       (text)
ORUNLUXBN>>     = FILECLOSE>>
LXMN>>          = CODE>>
1XRE2ICC3LHO    = 1OIV2ZTT3CYF    ** sequence 1-2-3
CAJWBONANAAXA>> = TRANSFERERROR>>
LXANMDVY<<      = COREDUMP<<
       (text)
VJRUNWM>>       = MAILEND>>
  • More detail about the shell with "various numbers of dots inscribed upon its

surface."

  • Reference to a game called "Dozen". Given the rules outlined by Zetria, she won after the numbers chosen by the scholars and herself were 4,6,1,3 and 5,2,7,0 respectively.

<<Previous | Emails | Next>>

Personal tools
Active wiki Sections
[Support Wikibruce]