Dream d2853-s: The Far Pages, Already Written

I had a dream where...

I had a dream where I set the satchel down by the map room desk and Lano padded in behind me, circled once on the rug, and settled with her nose on her paws. The short list lay ready - three entries from the day's work - and I opened the book beside it to check each one in order.

The book held a hundred and twenty-eight names. I ran a finger down the columns. Lano's ears turned once at the sound of a page. When I reached the far pages I stopped: the hand there was careful and had written 64 names with no drawing under any of them. Every near page carried a drawing. Not one drawn place had gone unnamed; the naming had always come first, the drawing after. On the far pages the naming had come first and then halted.

I noted on the short list: three entries added on this round. That was the number. I wrote it in the margin of the list, not in the book, because the book's far margin was open on three sides and I did not know whose it was to close.

63 of the waiting names had the same ink, set down together in a single sitting. One had older ink and had waited longer than the rest. I did not mark which one. I counted only.

Lano let out a slow breath and pressed her chin flat against the floor.

I closed the list over the short count and left the lamp on while I went to wash my hands.

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