Save me a Story – Ask a Question

This story begins my adventures in the tale: Save me a Story. The introduction of this story was given in the A to Z Theme reveal post. If you wish to read the introduction, then click on this link: https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=3431. If you choose not to, I’ve summarized the intro in the first paragraph.

Ask a Question

A mysterious mystic in my world told me that I was prophesied to do this task. I was to find all the stories that had been stolen and return them to their proper place. That place – the Kingdom of Selat. Then all of a sudden, she disappears, and I end up here, standing in the middle of an unknown village in Selat, tasked to find stories. How am I to do that? 

Under normal circumstances, I would ask someone questions as to the disappearance. However, as far as I could tell, no one was around to ask. 

I walked slowly down the main road, peering into each window of the buildings I passed. The town seemed rather old. The houses were all made of wood, not refined and well-cut wood, but more of scraps of lumber that had been pieced together. It reminded me of an old-fashioned western town from the 1800s, based on what I’d seen in history books and on TV. 

I called out for help every 50 feet but got no response, just the sound of the wind blowing through the town and my feet shuffling along the road.

I finally stopped at what appeared to be a storefront, as there was a sign over the doorway that read, “Ask your questions here. Limited supply. ” 

I found that an unusual name for a store.

There was no bell or knocker on the door, as was the case in the other buildings I had passed. But as I approached the door, it swung open. 

I cautiously stepped into the room and again found no one there. I walked up to what would seem to be a counter. A bell was on it, the kind you see in hotels to call for a clerk when no one is there. I tapped the bell. Its sound rang pure and echoed through the room.

A voice called out, “Ask your question.”

“Where is everyone?” I asked

The response was, “That was your first. You have two more.”

“But you didn’t answer my question,” I said.

The only reply that came was, “You have two more.”

Not having any other alternative, I asked another question. “Do you know what has happened here?”

The response was, “Not a wise question. You have one more.”

I thought carefully about the last question. “Where have all the stories gone?”

There was a pause before the voice spoke again.

“Your answers are – They are looking for the stories. Yes. and They have been taken far away to the north. That ends this transaction. You must now leave something as payment.”

“What should I leave?’ 

“Your questions have been used up.”

“Then I guess that is exactly what I’m leaving with you. A question.”

“Well done,” was its reply. “Till we meet again.” 

Continued in … Beaver