Zale had questions about the hospitality. 🧺
THE BOOK OF TAD
PAGE 102
A THING BUILT FOR CARRYING 🪵
Marno’s new service frame looked, to Zale, like a very uncomfortable bed.
“It’s for carrying tools,” Marno said.
“That explains the hospitality.”
Short sections pegged together made two long rails. A woven cradle fitted between them. Dismantled, the pieces could pass through narrow places; assembled, they supported tools or a small working platform.
Nibble had built it for the nursery’s outer-bank repairs. Those jobs could safely wait, but they would not do themselves.
“Tell us before you discover a reason to keep it forever,” he said.
Beside the frame he laid two spare short carrying poles, separate from its fitted pieces. These would travel to the landing with the food.
Finley prepared his reedskin. The copied route would remain rolled beneath its cover. A wider field strip had spaces for changing currents, intervals and neighbouring branches. Blank lengths lay beside it.
He tested the ties, opened them, and tested them again.
At the nursery entrance, Mira inspected the food beneath TurboTAD’s harness. She tucked a small piece of sweetroot into its own fold.
“For when you’re almost home.”
“What if I’m hungry before that?”
“There’s all the rest.”
She pointed it out in case he had missed it. He fastened the wrap securely, then held still while she checked his knot.