Wait! Come on you guys wait up for me!, puuullLLEASE! �Hurry up then � said one of the boys. �Your always way behind.� �It�s not my fault!� said Obo. �Shateebwa told Ma I didn�t clean the crackleburr barrel when I already did.� �I had to go to TenWays for some Thornton seeds as a punishment.� Librial stopped and waited for Obo, �Shateebwa is such a hateful bitch.� The other boys were getting farther ahead. �Don�t worry Obo, we�ll catch up together...or we won�t. If we don�t we�ll strike out on our own for the day.� Obo caught up to Librial, quite out of breath. Librial sat down on the side of the path, �Have a seat, I don�t think we�ll get much farther if you don�t rest a bit.� Obo collapsed in a heap next to Librial. He was glad Librial waited for him, and even gladder when the other boys were so far ahead they were outta sight. �Did you hear any news while you were at TenWays?� asked Librial? �Only that someone stole the Thricetwin as it was being brought overland for the ceremony of the Lady of Light.� Obo beamed with pride as he told the news to Librial. �AND, it was stolen on this very road, just two days ago last night!� �How could anyone steal the Thricetwin?� Librial thought out loud. �It means so much to so many, but it�s nothing but a rock.� �It�s not worth anything.� �Oh yes it is� said Obo �Sleevun at TenWays said it had powers that no mortal man or woman could resist.� �Said it was setsual� Librial gave Obo a queer look. �Sleevum was filling you full of shit!� He said. �Is he the one who told you it was stolen?� For his age Obo was pretty smart but Librial knew that Obo was a bit naive and gullible when it came to certain things. �No! No!� cried Obo, �It was one of the Preemptor�s men who brought word of the robbery.�

At this point this writer feels you might be wondering about a few things so I�ll clue you in.