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Sooner than one would have thought.
Anakron and Panakeia had thoroughly enjoyed the dogs of Can Sing To Guard Inns, and Anakron wondered if the howling and barking of the happy dogs was supposed to be the singing, and their owners the guards. Probably not, but the sheer variety of breeds of dog was a wonder. Not every anakronism was a bad thing.
Now they were strolling along the water's edge, watching the cormorants, moor hens, and other birdlife, and were come to the Eat all yen fountains at the far end of the Guard Inns, where stood an ornate yellowish building that that graced the far end of the fountain pools. The pair made their way to the square building to rest under its shade. Just as they were making to sit down before it, Anakron spied a swish of blue in one of the openings. He went to look.
There, leaning against the wall, was his staff, hat, and cloak. Just inside the building was Pallando, the Blue Istari. Anakron's teeth ground.
"Where's your other half?" Anakron grated.
"Otherwise occupied."
"What's this?" he nodded at the staff, hat, and cloak.
"Do not think that merely throwing them into a firey furnace ends your role. The powers of the anakronism dweomer do not lie in this staff or the paraphernalia you've added to them. That power lies with us, and we convey it to you. It has not stopped being yours. You are still the Grand Anakronist. Stop dallying and do your job."
Panakeia had come to his side. "What's going on, Anakron?" Her voice sounded anxious, as if she guessed what was wrong. "Oh! You!" Her hands came up protectively to Anakron's shoulders.
He looked down at her. Her face was full of fear. She was right to fear.
"You had better leave me, dearest, before something bad happens."
He turned back to the Blue Wizard, but he was not there. Only the staff, hat, and cloak were.
"Just leave them there! Let's leave Mordor!" Panakeia said.
"Do you really thing that's possible, Panakeia? Do you?"
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