Chapter 1: Questions

Before you start reading this book, I'd like to say that questions are very important things. A single question can lead you to give out long lectures, crisp one line answers, or even shake your head at its stupidity. A question can be answered by another question which may or may not have an answer. A question's questionneess or questionability can also be questioned with a questionable answer or even an answerable question. How would we be without questions?  Would we be question less perhaps? Do you realize you are being asked a question about another question?
So we can wrap it all up by saying that questions are very important things.

Aren't they?

***

The echo of the clip-clop of a horse's hooves resonated across the valley. A few vultures circled overhead, musing how this unfortunate messenger would taste. The messenger wasn't feeling even one bit scared and nor was his horse. In fact, there was nothing wrong with either of them. The horse was one of the finest available in the province, although many of them weren't left. Messengers were usually entitled to Needlebacks, who as the name suggests, had very spiky and occasionally poisonous needles on their backs. They had barely enough brainpower to fly properly and obey orders. Nevertheless, they were very reliable beasts who had never heard of disrespect. But then again, those needles do hurt. Coming back to our messenger, he had been sent straight from BreakNeck Heights, by an important person and was heading for a small inn. He was feeling rather proud of himself, partly because of his horse, and partly because of what might follow if his news was taken well. He kept thinking and smiling all the way.
I'm so lucky. Imagine what the others would say if the saw me.

and

I do hope Madam's in a good mood, I might even get invited to their party. 

He shuddered to even think what would happen if madam was not in a good mood.

But all the while, the same question kept nagging him.

Why have I been chosen? What's so special in me?

He spent the rest of the journey talking to himself, chuckling over his own jokes and congratulating himself on his horse. The horse on the other hand, proved to be a bit more sensible.

After a while our friend reached and looked around warily. He spotted one boulder above the door, two string traps and a hidden nest of red ants. Particularly nasty. He sighed.

Typical of innkeepers, so secretive.

He tied the horse to a nearby tree and carefully went inside.  A few other NeedleBacks eye him suspiciously, but he had learned to ignore it over the years. His knock was answered on the first go, and then his dreaded Madam opened the door. She stood there, grinning down at him distastefully.

'Well, what have you got for me?'

'A message Madam', he knelt.

'Blurt it out.'

'Your master calls for your aid.'

Madam lifted his face with a long, painted fingernail, searching for nonexistent signs of a lie. The messenger noticed that her eyes were wide, fearful, grasping for anything to prove him wrong.

And suddenly, as unlikely as it would seem, Madam fainted, leaving the man pleasantly confused.

Rather short conversation, don't you think?