Parvenu Book 4.1: Bacaidhean

As Agent Roberts led the way into the clearing, he spotted the two large tents that had been erected.

"What are we going to do next?" Zanner asked enthusiastically.

"Right now we're checking in to see how everyone is doing. Then we're going to decide what we're going to be doing next." Agent Roberts said as he approached the first tent.

"We're here!" Agent Roberts announced just before opening the tent flap.

"I'm glad you finally made it." Miss Oaken said, then quickly added, "We're going to be meeting in the other tent."

"We'll head over there now. How was your hike?"

"Wet."

"Same here." Agent Roberts chuckled, then added, "We'll see you in the other tent."

Agent Roberts withdrew, then told his companions, "Come on. I think they're waiting on us to get started."

* * * * *

"We're here!" Agent Roberts said before opening the flap on the tent.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Zanner asked curiously.

"It's just courteous to announce your presence. Since there's no door to knock on, that's the best I could come up with."

Zanner didn't respond except to follow Agent Roberts into the tent.

* * * * *

"We've been waiting on you to get here before we eat. Are you hungry?" G asked as the rest of the group entered the tent.

Agent Roberts couldn't help but smile at the boy's hopeful expression. He was finally able to answer, "I can't speak for everyone else, but I think I could eat."

"What do you want us to do with these packs?" Zanner asked seriously.

"Get out your lunches, then set your backpacks aside. You probably won't be needing them again until we leave."

"What are we doing next?" Zanner asked as he unslung his backpack.

"I think that from here on out you should be asking Professor Everstone about that. We're in his area of expertise now."

"Thank you for saying so Agent Roberts." Professor Everstone responded, then continued, "I'd also like to thank you for doing such a professional job of leading us here. I never felt that we were being rushed, nor did I feel that we were wasting our time."

"Thank you Professor." Agent Roberts said courteously, then continued, "While we're having our lunch, I think that we'd all be interested to know what we'll be doing next."

"Yes. Of course." Professor Everstone said as he began to remove his backpack.

Before he could do so, Paul quietly asked, "Professor, would you like a place to sit down?"

"As much as I might like that, I wouldn't feel comfortable relaxing while others are forced to endure these primitive conditions."

"If everyone will back up around the sides of the tent for just a minute, I should be able to make enough seats for everyone." Paul said loudly so as to be heard by the entire group.

After a moment for people to clear the way, Professor Everstone quietly asked, "Mr. Bentley Brown? Would you mind stepping back?"

Mr. Bentley Brown grimaced slightly, then grudgingly joined the others around the periphery of the tent, leaving a wide open space in the middle.

"Okay, this isn't going to be fancy." Paul cautioned, then began making a series of descriptive hand motions in rapid succession.

Upon closer inspection, it appeared to Agent Roberts that Paul's hands were each describing different things, working completely independently of each other.

After a moment of watching, Agent Roberts noticed the reactions of the others to Paul's demonstration.

All of them, teachers and students alike, were following Paul's every move. Even Mr. Bentley Brown seemed to be transfixed by the sight.

As soon as Paul was finished, a stone table and benches sprang up from the floor.

Agent Roberts instinctively wanted to take a step back, but was already standing at the wall of the tent.

The narrow table and benches were crude in their design, to say the least, but from their appearance, they seemed to be perfectly serviceable. Agent Roberts was frankly in awe of what he had just witnessed. Thus far he hadn't seen such a credible demonstration of the power of his companions. Being able to shapeshift one's self was very different from being able to 'create' stone out of nothing.

"Very well done, Paul. Thank you." Professor Everstone said appreciatively as he stepped forward to take a seat.

"Did he just combine alchemy, wizardry and numerology into one cohesively woven spell?" Mr. Bentley Brown asked in astonishment, seemingly forgetting his priggishness for a moment.

"Yeah." Paul responded, then explained, "Even though I'm still fairly new to using magic, I've got a decent power level and I'm pretty good at combining spells."

"Please, everyone sit down and enjoy your meals while we discuss the agenda for this afternoon." Professor Everstone said to those who were still standing.

"I'll be leaving as soon as I've finished eating. If there's anything I need to know about, be sure to tell me before I go." Agent Fastbeck said, directing his statement mostly toward Professor Everstone.

"To my knowledge, you are as up-to-date as any of us." Professor Everstone said frankly.

"Agent Roberts has a sat phone if you need to get in touch with me for some reason." Agent Fastbeck said seriously.

"And since we're planning to hike out each night, we'll also have the opportunity to call him when we get back to Waxell." Agent Roberts added as he unwrapped the sandwich he had purchased at the market.

"That should work well for us." Professor Everstone declared, then continued, "Once we've finished our meals, I'd like for us to proceed to the barrier site whereupon we will enact a ritual of seeing. The spell requires pure elemental power to wash away the obfuscation and reveal the true structure of the spell beneath."

"So the spell is intentionally made to be so that people can't read it?" Paul asked curiously.

"Yes. Of course. It wouldn't be much of a barrier if any wielder of magic could see the base spell and thereby know how to dispel it." Professor Everstone said frankly.

Paul slowly nodded that he understood.

"How do we 'see' the spell? Is it like what Paul and I can do?" Filipe asked curiously.

"Since I haven't been blessed with your gift, I can only speculate as to what you are able to see. But as I understand such things, what you will experience is the initial casting of the spell in its complete form." Professor Everstone said slowly.

"So it's going to be like we're in the past, like, two hundred years ago?" Paul asked cautiously.

"More like three hundred, but you will only be experiencing the spellcasting, not the events that led to it." Professor Everstone explained.

"Okay. I think I get it." Paul said slowly, then speculatively said, "The spell works like a series of instructions, telling the elements what to do. So we're not going to get to see the 'words' of the spell, but more like the structure of the pushes and pulls of the original spell on the magical flow."

"I suppose in its most basic form, that would be true. But when you experience such a thing, your mind tends to interpret what you witness in terms that you understand." Professor Everstone said carefully.

"Who are you going to have enacting the spell?" Miss Oaken asked cautiously.

"First, allow me to say that what we're about to do has its dangers, although it's by no means the most dangerous thing that we're likely to do before this is all over. This will serve the dual purpose of allowing each student who will be wielding elemental magic the opportunity to become attuned to it."

"So it isn't really necessary that they be the ones to perform this ritual, but having this experience will make it easier for them later?" Miss Oaken asked to confirm.

"Yes. It will also give us the opportunity to discover any compatibility issues, should such a thing come into play." Professor Everstone confirmed.

Agent Roberts uncapped his canteen and took a drink of water as he thought about what they were saying.

"Okay. So there's no question that Zanner and Dex will be participating in this stage of things. Who else will be involved in the ritual?" Mr. Hansen asked curiously.

"Based on what I've read of his accomplishments, I believe that Paul will be the most suitable candidate for elemental water."

"I don't want to disagree with you Professor, but my primary elemental affinity is fire." Paul said slowly.

"I believe there are forces at play of which you are unaware. But given the ability that you have demonstrated thus far, I feel safe in saying that you should also have sufficient aptitude to manipulate water." Professor Everstone said carefully.

"Considering that you can manipulate elements with such ease and combine spells of different disciplines, I would have to agree with your professor. You should be a suitable holder of the chalice." Mr. Bentley Brown said confidently.

The others around the table were surprised, not only at the fact that Mr. Bentley Brown had spoken, but also that he had something remotely positive or helpful to contribute.

After a moment to get over the shock of that, Professor Everstone continued, "That leaves us with the element of air. I believe that Gwayne... excuse me, I've been told that you prefer to be called G. I believe that G will be an appropriate candidate to hold the Mikeal Spear and wield the elemental essence of air."

"The only training that I've had is the same as anyone else with air as a primary element. I don't know how to do anything special with it." G cautioned.

"There is no additional training to be had in the matter. Air is fluid and free and regardless of how much you try to exert your will, it will do as it pleases." Professor Everstone explained.

"Then what do I do with it?" G asked hesitantly.

"Listen to it. Understand the eddies and currents of its flow. Once you've been able to do that, you can anticipate the direction and influence the vast power that you will have access to."

"But there has to be someone with more training who can do this better than I can." G said dubiously.

"Air is constant change. To wield the power today will be very different from wielding it tomorrow. This is one circumstance where experience has little value. In wielding air, your most important attributes are the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and to clearly visualize your objectives."

"I told you." Paul said with a grin at his brother.

"So Filipe and I are just going along for the ride?" Corabeth asked cautiously.

"While you may not participate in the actual scrying, your presence will be necessary when the secrets of the barrier are revealed. I also suggest that both of you pay close attention so that you'll have some sense of the level of power that you'll be accessing when your magical talents are required." Professor Everstone said gravely.

"How are you going to want Miss Oaken and I to operate? Should we stand with our students to advise them or stand back and let them figure it out?" Mr. Hansen asked cautiously.

"We will advise from a distance. Should we detect some indication that they are in danger, we will have the option of stepping in and completing the ritual for them." Professor Everstone said simply.

"I'm going to be leaving now. Good luck on your spell. Let me know how things turn out." Agent Fastbeck said as he got up from the table.

"Perhaps you should wait for the rain to die down before leaving. It's sounds rather nasty out there." Professor Everstone said with concern.

"From what I saw of the weather report, I'd bet on it getting worse before it gets better and I don't want to lose what little daylight there is." Agent Fastbeck said seriously as he started putting on his heavy-duty rain gear.

"It's not safe for you to hike back all by yourself." Paul stated firmly.

"It's not going to help anyone if you have to put off your inspection of the barrier so that someone can hold my hand all the way back to the car." Agent Fastbeck countered.

Paul made a very deliberate motion over the table and a glowing spell diagram appeared.

"Mah Zah, Ginh Zah, I need your help." Paul said firmly.

A dark gray mist began to swirl in the air, just above the spell diagram.

"It's not the most poetic spell I've ever heard, but it seems to work." Zanner whispered to Dex.

Within seconds, a puppy and a kitten appeared on the table before Paul.

"Agent Fastbeck needs to hike cross country to get back to his car. It's raining like crazy outside and I was hoping that you two could help him. Keep him safe and dry. Once he's safely at his car, come back to me." Paul carefully instructed.

A quick, sharp yip and meow were the immediate answers.

Paul turned his attention to Agent Fastbeck and said, "If you run into any trouble on your way back, they'll either handle it for you, or come and get me."

"Thanks Paul. I appreciate that." Agent Fastbeck said in astonishment.

Mah Zah and Ginh Zah simultaneously jumped off the table then took a moment to circle around Agent Fastbeck's feet several times. Once they were done, they took their guard positions at Agent Fastbeck's feet on either side.

"I guess we're ready then. Good luck." Agent Fastbeck said to the group before lifting the flap of the tent and walking outside.

"You can also summon demons?" Mr. Bentley Brown asked into the silence that followed.

"Yeah. That's actually the main thing that I do. I'm from a family of demon summoners. You got a problem with that?" Paul asked defensively.

"No. Not at all. It's just that your level of power just seems disproportionately high for someone so young." Mr. Bentley Brown explained.

"My power is about average, from what I can tell. If there's anything different about me it's that I can use lots of different kinds of magic at once, you know, like I did with the table and benches. None of that stuff was really high level or took a lot of magic, but most people don't know how to combine the different types of magic to do something new." Paul explained.

"He does little things in a big way." G paraphrased.

"Yeah. That." Paul said with a grin at his brother.

"And you have elemental affinities in both fire and water?" Mr. Bentley Brown asked cautiously.

"I guess so. I'm just learning about that myself." Paul said frankly.

"Have we all finished with our lunch?" Professor Everstone asked as he looked around the gathering.

No one answered verbally, but everyone began clearing the detritus of their meals off the table.

"Paul, thank you again for providing such a comfortable place for us to enjoy our meal. Would you mind dispelling the table now so that we may proceed?" Professor Everstone asked pleasantly.

"Sure. Everyone back away for a second." Paul said as he moved away.

As soon as everyone had taken a step back, Paul made a lowering motion with one hand and the table and benches sank into the floor of the tent.

Professor Everstone then took hold of the spear and walked to stand before G.

"Miss Oaken, would you help G become attuned to the relic?"

"Yes Professor." Miss Oaken answered as she hurried to G's side, then she quietly said, "You know how it is to channel elemental power from an object, like a wand? Just do the same with this. Start slow and let yourself ease into it."

G hesitantly accepted the spear from Professor Everstone, then seemed to freeze in mid motion.

"Just let it wash over you. Once you're comfortable with that, tap into the flow of power, just a little bit, and make it yours." Miss Oaken said quietly.

"Uh huh." G grunted as he stood with his eyes closed.

Agent Roberts noticed that a chilly breeze seemed to be circulating in the tent, even though the flap was closed.

"That's good. You've got it." Miss Oaken said with relief, then continued, "Now, extend yourself into the flow and let your senses interpret what you're seeing through the magic."

"There's too much." G said breathlessly.

"Pull back a little, then go into it more slowly. You're in control of yourself. Only take as much as you want. Don't let the vastness of it overwhelm you."

There was a long moment before G finally said, "Okay. I've got it."

"Good. Now just practice with it. Get comfortable." Miss Oaken said assuringly.

"Very good. It's just as I had hoped." Professor Everstone said with satisfaction.

"Are you okay?" Paul asked his brother with concern.

"Yeah. I got this." G said confidently.

"Mr. Hansen, would you help Zanner and Dexter establish their connection?" Professor Everstone asked hopefully.

"Yes Professor. We covered a lot of what to expect on the drive here." Mr. Hansen told him, then turned to Zanner and Dex and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Is it okay?" Zanner asked Dex quietly.

"Yeah. I'm ready. Go ahead and do it." Dex said nervously.

Zanner reached out a hand toward Dex, but stopped short of actually touching him. There was a long moment as Zanner stood frozen in place with his open palm a few inches away from Dex's shoulder.

"Let it happen. You're doing fine." Mr. Hansen said encouragingly.

"Yeah. Just give me a minute. It's so big." Zanner muttered.

"It's the earth." Paul couldn't help but say.

"There it is. I've got it... it's just so big that I lost myself for a minute." Zanner said as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Do you have a connection?" Mr. Hansen asked carefully.

"Yeah. It's just like you told us. Once I found myself, everything else fell into place." Zanner said confidently.

"Well done, both of you." Professor Everstone said with a smile.

"I can feel Zanner's connection." Dex said with surprise.

"How does it feel?" Mr. Hansen asked curiously.

"Good. It feels right, like he's supposed to be there."

"Mr. Bentley Brown, would you allow Paul access to the chalice?" Professor Everstone asked cautiously.

After a moment to consider, Mr. Bentley Brown slowly said, "In the history of The Third Grail, it is said that only those who had achieved supreme mastery of the element of water were given access to the relic."

Those around the tent held their collective breaths, awaiting Mr. Bentley Brown's decision.

"Be that as it may, this young man has impressed me. Provided that The Third Grail is used specifically for the purpose that it was requested, I will allow access." Mr. Bentley Brown said firmly.

"Thank you... I think." Paul said uncertainly.

Mr. Bentley Brown opened the valice that he had been carrying and using the utmost care, extracted a metallic cup.

The bowl of the cup seemed to be made out of silver, while an intricate golden webbing of artistic depictions of scenes, some religious, some profane, surrounded the bowl and tapered into an ornate pedestal.

"Paul. I will provide instruction for you as you need it." Professor Everstone said quietly as he walked to Paul's side.

"The spell, it's not water." Paul said as he looked at the chalice, but made no move to take it.

"What do you see?" Professor Everstone asked curiously.

"The enchantment on this... it's not based in elemental magic. It's... something else." Paul said slowly.

"The true origin of the chalice has been lost over the millennia. But even by the standards of the museum, it is considered a priceless relic."

It took a moment for Paul to gather the courage, but he finally reached forward and reverently took the chalice from Mr. Bentley Brown's hands.

"Let it flow over you. There's no need to fear." Professor Everstone quietly assured Paul.

"I'm not afraid. I'm just trying to understand. I see the water now, but I can sense something underneath. I can almost see it. If I could just get a clear look at it, I think I could understand." Paul said with difficulty.

"Perhaps it will be easier for you to see once you've established a rapport with the elemental essence."

"It's fine. I've got that. I use a rowan wand a lot. This is just like that, but with more water behind it." Paul said confidently.

"You're not having any difficulty at all?" Professor Everstone asked curiously.

"No. I exist in water. The water exists in me. We are one. I can feel the vibration of a distant ripple and if I choose, I can take action and cause a wave." Paul said distantly.

"I'm interested to see how you are able to manage at the barrier site. Is everyone ready?" Professor Everstone asked as he looked around.

"I will be accompanying you, to keep watch on The Third Grail." Mr. Bentley Brown said firmly.

"I had never considered otherwise." Professor Everstone said frankly, then walked to the door of the tent and opened the flap.

* * * * *

"How are you doing?" G asked as he caught up to Paul.

"I'm good. This isn't as hard as I thought it would be." Paul said honestly, then thought to ask, "How about you?"

"I'm a little shaky, but not bad."

"Let me help." Paul said as he took one hand off the chalice and offered it to G.

"Is that such a good idea?" G asked nervously.

"Yeah. I think it is." Paul said with a smile.

G transferred The Mikeal Spear to his other hand, then used his free hand to take Paul's.

Agent Roberts watched, uncertain if their action ran the risk of causing some sort of elemental magic explosion.

It turned out that the only outward effect seemed to be that the rain had stopped.

As Agent Roberts looked around, he could see that the rain hadn't stopped everywhere else, just on them.

As Paul and G walked, hand in hand, a sphere surrounded the entire group, shielding them from the rain.

"Something's wrong. I can feel the barrier changing." Paul said in a warning tone as he slowed his pace.

"It is probably reacting to your elemental magic. See if you can alter the magic to harmonize with the barrier." Professor Everstone carefully suggested.

"Harmonize... right." Paul said thoughtfully.

"Are you harmonizing the air too?" G asked uncertainly.

"It's reacting to my manipulation of the water. I think it's going to adjust itself, but you might want to keep an eye on it, just in case." Paul said quietly.

G slowly nodded as he concentrated on the magical sensations.

"Is there anything we need to do?" Zanner asked from ahead of them.

"Are you feeling any ill effects from the barrier?" Professor Everstone asked curiously.

"I can feel that it's there. That's about it." Zanner said honestly.

"How about what Paul and G are doing? Can you feel that, too?" Mr. Hansen asked as he looked on with concern.

"Yeah. Sort of... I mean, the earth is aware of it, but it's not doing anything about it."

"What about you, Dex? Are you sensing anything?"

"Everything. It's like when Zanner started drawing the power through me, I started really seeing the world around me for the first time."

"What about the water and air harmonics and the barrier?" Mr. Hansen asked cautiously.

"I can see all of it, but it just is. I don't see good or bad, right or wrong, it's like it's all spread out in front of me, but there's no before or after. It's everything as it is right now." Dex tried to explain.

"Are you doing okay? Do you need to stop?" Agent Roberts asked with concern.

"I'm fine. What I'm doing now isn't dangerous at all." Dex assured him.

"I'm fine, too. Thanks for asking." Zanner said with a playful grin.

"If you weren't, I'm sure that you would have said something about it by now." Agent Roberts said with a grin in return.

Zanner laughed, confirming Agent Roberts' assertion.

* * * * *

The group was silent as they approached the barrier.

Paul, Zanner and G stepped forward, but stopped short of touching it.

"What do we do now?" Paul asked in a whisper.

"G, I would like for you to go first. Simply make contact with the barrier and merge your elemental power into it. Become part of the barrier." Professor Everstone said instructively.

Agent Roberts watched G's expression carefully and could detect the anxiety in his eyes.

With one hand holding the spear, he reached out the other, stopping short of physically touching the barrier.

"G, are you alright?" Agent Roberts asked with concern when he noticed the bizarre alteration of G's face. All of a sudden, he appeared to be wearing clown makeup.

"He gets that way when he's going all-out with his magic. It's nothing to worry about." Paul assured him.

"How are you doing, G? Have you become part of the barrier?" Professor Everstone asked cautiously.

"Yes. It's washing over me and through me. I can feel the whole thing." G confirmed.

"Very good. Paul, would you care to try next?"

"I can't wait." Paul said with a grin, then holding the chalice in one hand, he held his other palm out toward the barrier.

Agent Roberts watched for some sort of transformation in Paul, but nothing seemed to happen.

"I'm in. I'm part of it now." Paul said in a low voice, then added with a smile, "Hi G. I can sense you."

"Hi." G said tenderly in response.

"Paul and G, when you feel Zanner beginning to join the barrier, you'll need to anchor him. The magical energy could easily overwhelm him. Take firm hold and protect him until he can synchronize his magical vibration to that of the barrier."

"What do I need to do?" Dex asked cautiously.

"Be prepared to break your connection with Zanner if he is unable to adapt his magic. Paul and G should be able to buy us the time we'll need for Zanner to adjust, but if it doesn't work, you're our best hope for keeping Zanner safe."

"Okay." Dex said and stepped closer to Zanner, then put a hand on his shoulder.

"Go ahead, Zanner. Go forward and unlock the mysteries of this barrier." Professor Everstone encouraged.

Zanner looked over his shoulder at Dex and gave him a quick, nervous smile, before turning his attention forward and extending his hand.

* * * * *

"Don't worry Zanner, we've got you." Paul said distantly.

"Yeah. Just relax for a minute and let everything stabilize." G added.

"Dex? Are you okay? Is it too much?" Zanner asked shakily.

"Don't worry about me. This is what I was born to do. But I can feel how much magic is flowing through you. Is it hurting you?"

"No. It's hard to describe... it's almost like it's too much, but Paul and G are keeping me stable. It's a lot, but I think I can handle it." Zanner said with difficulty.

"That is very good. Now we can begin what we came here to do. What we need is for the three of you to follow the magic to the core of the spell so that we can divine the details of the original casting." Professor Everstone said instructively.

"It's so big, I don't know where to start to look." Paul muttered distantly.

"It's right there." Zanner said simply.

"Zanner, focus on the spell and draw it closer to you. Don't move your physical body. Draw the essence of the spell to come to you." Mr. Hansen said slowly.

"Yeah. Okay. But... it's so big... and I don't know what I'm looking at." Zanner said in an overwhelmed voice.

"Don't worry about that, Zan. I'm used to looking at raw spells. If you can just hold it there, I can probably figure it out." Paul said confidently.

"Oh good. Can you see enough?" Zanner asked anxiously.

"A little closer. I've almost got it." Paul said in concentration.

"How about now?" Zanner asked, sounding to be slightly more comfortable.

"Yeah. Just hold it there." Paul said seriously, then added more slowly, "This may take me a minute."

"This is what we're here to do. Take all the time you need." Professor Everstone said assuringly.

"Thank you Professor."

* * * * *

Agent Roberts waited anxiously for Paul to start telling what he was able to sense.

"Professor, I think there's something strange here." Paul finally said.

"What do you see?" Professor Everstone asked curiously.

"That's what's bothering me. I'm not sure what it is that I'm looking at."

"Just try to focus on the interplay of the elemental magics. We need to see how they were woven together."

"I can see all that, but to sort them out, I need to see the root."

"If you follow one of the spells, disregarding all the others, you should be able to discover the source."

"That's not the problem. When I trace them back, I keep running into... whatever this is. It isn't elemental. I don't think it's even witchcraft. It doesn't have a demonic or angelic flavor to it either... I just don't know what it is."

"Paul, can you draw me in so I can see what you're seeing?" Filipe asked cautiously.

"Yeah. Probably. But why?"

"Bring me in. I've got an idea." Filipe insisted.

"Okay. Just do like we do at school, but remember to give yourself a minute to get used to the water element, too." Paul warned him.

Agent Roberts watched carefully for any indication that any of the boys were having a problem.

"Can you see it?" Paul asked in concentration.

"Yeah. It's just like I thought. That's the same magic Agent Fastbeck used to open the barrier."

"Agent Fastbeck is a normal human. He doesn't have any magic."

"He opened the barrier. He didn't break through it. He opened it. Look at the terms of the barrier spell. No normal human could cause the barrier to open, no matter what words he spoke."

There was a long silence between them, then Paul reluctantly said, "I'm not touching these spells until I know what we're dealing with."

"Is this something like the spell on the chalice?" Agent Roberts asked, then explained, "When you first saw the chalice, you said basically the same thing about it."

"Yes and no. This is the same... something else... that was used to create the chalice, but they weren't made at the same time or by the same person."

"So what we need to figure out is, what do the chalice, the barrier spell and Agent Fastbeck have in common." Filipe stated reasonably.

To Be Continued...

Editor's Notes:

This is so totally cool. The boys are getting into the situation in a way that no one has seen before. There is a different kind of magic involved in that barrier as well as the chalice. I notice that it isn't any discipline that anyone there is familiar with. Of course there is the possibility that Mr. Bentley Brown knows about, but perhaps he is not letting on, perhaps to protect some sort of secret knowledge he may possess.

Well I've speculated as far as I can. So we seem to have come to a full stop till next time. Please hurry, MM!

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher