54 The Stabber Dagger (1/2)
”Why did you ask about that particular power?” SmithGuild asked.
”It's on the dagger.” Nelda pulled it out to show him.Somehow the letter seemed so much clearer now, even though the trees made it some much darker.
SmithGuild smiled smugly.
”What?”
”I probably shouldn't tell you.It's possible that Pytho was right about that. If you have some kind of implicit power to change reality.”
Nelda opened her mouth, with the urge to mention just how many questionable assumptions were part of that chain of reasoning.Then… ”Oh.There were no words on the dagger.”
”There were not, I am quite sure of it.A few scratches and signs of wear. But if I am correct, by your assumptions based on its origin and appearance, you have now bestowed a magically ability on it.Just like you did with the stripeflower tree.”
”But now I know about it… it's probably not.”
”The words are still on the blade.”
”But they were already there.Whatever power I was thinking the weapon might have … that wasn't really decided.Or, I don't know, my unconscious mind sort of by definition doesn't let me know what it's up to.”
Jen's progress had slowed and then stopped.With a somewhat length maneuver, she got turned around to face them.”What the heck are you guys talking about?”
[What kind of girl says 'heck'? I guess it's better than H E double-hockey-sticks.]”SmithGuild put a few things together and the things my unconscious mind has the power to change things in this world based on assumptions it makes about the way things work.Given that, for the most part, I still don't know shit about this place.”
They were now blocking Tyrone's path and as he stopped he drew up about eight feet tall on his snake body.”That's like the lamest superpower ever.”
Phyllis sighed and turned back to join them.”Can you people work on having the ability to walk and talk at the same time.If it helps, a study at Harvard found that the placebo effect works even when you tell people that you are giving them a placebo.”
”That…. Wait where did BugleHead and Reg go.”
They all looked around.
”Idiot herd's getting too big, sister,” HoneyBeard said. ”I lost track of a few.”
[You know, no one's even asked about Manny.It's like they never really counted him is present – so he's just a lot less… missing.]
In the distance, a cheerful voice called out.”Whoot!”
HoneyBeard led the charge to see what the other satyrs were getting up to. Nelda proved to be one of the slowest in the party. Jen and HoneyBeard quickly cantered out of sight. Phyllis was closed behind, knocking trees out of her way rather than dodging around them.