There were three boxes. The first was red enamel with brass fittings. The second was ebony, as nearly as he could tell, with iron or steel fittings. The third was something that looked like mother of pearl, and its fittings were made of a material that he could not quite identify. Each had an intricate lock on its face… Read more

There were three boxes. The first was red enamel with brass fittings. The second was ebony, as nearly as he could tell, with iron or steel fittings. The third was something that looked like mother of pearl, and its fittings were made of a material that he could not quite identify. Each had an intricate lock on its face. After some consideration, he chose the red one. Elsewhere, an entire continent of malcontents evaporated.