The flatland Ambiguity has no clear borders. The farmlands run into the cities. The weather changes quickly from mixed sun to foggy snow. The people carry packs filled with extra hats and coats. The roads fade. Visitors get lost in the dunes. They arrive by accident half starved. There’s barely enough to eat, but plenty of tea.
Miss Emeline sits at the window with her teacup pondering the changing weather.
Stones line the roadside. “They look like monuments and yet mean nothing,” she says.
Then, Miss Emeline traveled to Portentous, the City of Seers. She walked along the stonewall to those trained in the arts of divination. Miss Doe Friend allowed them to read the cards for her.
“I was uncertain at times whether we had lost our way, but Miss Emeline persisted and I have never gone wrong following her,” said Miss Doe Friend. “'Does a city exist in a land that has no cities?' I asked. But then we saw the seven stones: violet, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Incense tickled my nose. I sneezed and Miss Emeline handed me one of her embroidered handkerchiefs. We took tea seated in the Lotus Pool Garden at city center.”
“Welcome,” said the greeter. “Enjoy the blossoms and this green tea while you wait and before seeking entrance. Ponder your question and consider the reason for your journey.”
“Most come to Portentous, seeking a way out of Ambiguity,” says Miss Doe Friend. “But, of course, that was no question for Miss Emeline. There were many people drinking tea and trying to fix a new place firmly in mind."
“That’s all that’s needed to travel on,” says Miss Emeline. “The teleports are instant, so long as one knows where one would like to go.”
Others stay in Ambiguity and become farmers and tea drinkers.
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