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THE ROSE

The scream is boring deep into my earholes now, carving them up and making them raw.

I rub my right earhole and when I pull the talon away, I see that it’s covered in blood.

Then, as if in slow motion, I watch as a drop of blood tumbles from my claw and plops into the pure white snow below.

And Professor Nog’s words from earlier echo inside my skull: “When you want to rule over a foreign land, you must first offer it a drop of your blood. Then wait to see if the land gives you its blessing in the form of a sacred bud.”

Now as I stare down at the lone red dot in the snow, a green stalk grows up out of it and then a huge red rose blooms right before my eyes.

I snort blacksmoke out my nostrils.

And then Nog’s voice pops up inside my skull, and he whispers:

“Now listen carefully, young Gork. Here on planet Earth you will encounter many savage foes. So when you find yourself in trouble, call out for this immortal Red Rose. No amount of gold can match this flower’s worth. This is the sacred key which unlocks nature’s kingdom here on planet Earth.”

Here on planet Earth I will encounter many savage foes.

So when I find myself in trouble, I will call out for this immortal Red Rose.

Got it.