The Lost and Found; Passing the Flame

“Such things as this are nothing for me, yon Rambleforth, I am the one who came before all the rest, I am the first portal bandit.”

The words hang in the air. Rambleforth can scarcely believe his ears! Not only had he come face to face with the first portal bandit but also he is on a first name basis! How grand is this? He thinks, as he watches Apricus closely. Something was afoot and Rambleforth wanted to know what.

Rambleforth studies the pipe closely. It is his pipe. Furthermore, it has the mark of being found by a portal bandit. This was very strange indeed. In his time no such thing had ever occurred.

lost and found

Of course there were extenuating circumstances. For example, portal bandits did not lose things. Portal bandits were all about finding things. And keeping them. In fact, it was possible that Rambleforth was the first portal bandit ever to lose anything. He had lost his pipe, when he had landed in the woods, after being hit by a speeding truck.

He bristles again when he thinks about getting sacked by bandit resources. What did a bunch of desk bandits know about portal jumping anyway? Rambleforth is surprised they can find their way into work much less find lost things!

He is jarred from his reveries by Apricus clearing his throat in a noisy way. Rambleforth had almost forgotten about Apricus. He is staring intently at Rambleforth. And while Rambleforth examines his once lost pipe, Apricus speaks calmly and quietly.

“Since long ago things have been found that were lost. If there were ones who did it before the portal bandits, it isn’t known to me. As you know Rambleforth, no portal bandit ever loses anything. It is the nature of the portal bandit to find things, not lose them.”

Rambleforth listens closely as Apricus speaks, there might be an important clue in all this, so he listens closely.

passing the Flame

“It was I that told bandit resources to sack you Rambleforth. No bandit had ever lost anything, until you. That was the first sign. However, even if that hadn’t been an important clue, you still found a way into the repository. Deep into the repository. If there had been doubt before that, it went away with your appearance here.”

“The point of this Rambleforth, is not to bore you. It is also not to discipline for any shortcomings or differences. Having bandit resources sack you, was a way of getting your attention. For I have decided it is time for me to retire after all these many years. However, I cannot leave this post without a suitable replacement.”

Apricus looks steadily and unblinkingly at Rambleforth. “I have chosen you as my replacement Rambleforth. After centuries it is time to pass the flame. I have chosen you to carry on that flame. What do you say Rambleforth?”