“This armor is getting hot,” complained Adital, “I‘m going to change.”

     “Ah, humans!  You always give me good reasons for being a robot,” joked Stephen.

     They walked back to the castle, hoping to find Amos and discover what supper would be.  Adital changed from his suit of armor, made a trip to the kitchen, then began packing his knapsack. Both Stephen and Adital felt their time at Oxford’s castle was drawing to an end, and the call of the trail beckoned.

     When Adital finished packing, he stopped by Amos’ office.  “Stephen did some remarkable things in front of the castle a while ago,” he declared.  “He transformed Ismael into a goat and then hooked him up with a local goat herder who came riding by. Now, isn’t that’s remarkable?” 

     Amos turned this over in his mind and said, “Don‘t you remember the innkeepers at the Spotted Mare Inn?   Jerome and Merna were changed into deer, and they were destined to spend the rest of their lives eating fobs, nuts, and mushrooms.  The question is, how did Automata ever do that?”

     “Stephen explained that to me.  The transformation was something that took the combined power of many robots to accomplish.  He also said this might be something he could do for us.  So, how would you feel about having our minds linked,” wondered Adital?

     “Well, as long as you don’t wake me up in the wee hours of the night because some crow was telling you secrets,” laughed Amos.

     “Does that mean you would like to be connected?  That means we could combine our mental abilities to find solutions to our problems.  I could help you be a better Mikado, and you could solve the problems I will encounter on my way to Packard Landing.  I know absolutely nothing about what will lie ahead.”

     ” Amos thought for a minute and said, “I’ve had to deal with life by myself.  There are so many occasions I’ve longed to get advice or whether to seek another path but had no one to share my decisions. Honestly, I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you.”

     “Good, then it’s settled.  I will talk to Stephen and see what all this will involve.” 

     It was time to leave.  Adital had finished packing and spent time counseling Oxford on what to take and leave behind. (Remember, Oxford had lived his whole life in the castle and wanted to take as much as he could.)  

     Adital, along with Amos, assured him that he would always be welcome to return and stay as long as he wanted.  That did not make Oxford’s selection process any easier, though.

     This packing business created another problem.  Oxford believed that Stephen, being a mechanical man, was designed to be a beast of burden.  He thought this robot should carry most of the mementos he wanted to take for his new home. Oxford felt Stephen was, well, different, and this made him anxious. “I mean,” he said, “he looks almost like a human, but there is something about him that just isn’t right.”

     Amos and Adital assured Oxford that Stephen was a rational, clear-thinking entity and invaluable addition to their journey.  Oxford had not experienced these former adventures, and only saw Stephen as uncanny and a strange part of his life.  

     Both travelers felt it was their duty to persuade Oxford and help him accept the robot’s role as a companion. Throughout the journey, this proved to be an impossible task.

     Amos and Adital took the time to have a serious talk with Stephen. They knew he had worked as a waiter in the Spotted Mare and must have dealt with prejudice and animosity toward mechanical people. He listened and laughed.  “Oh dear, humans depend on their ability to put ideas, people, and even objects in different categories to make their worlds simpler and easier to understand.  They are overwhelmed with all this information to sort through, rationally.   Unfortunately, this tendency leads to mistakes such as prejudice and stereotyping that quickly organize knowledge around them.  It’s our job at the inn to keep people from turning differences into discrimination.”

     “What shall we do with Oxford,” they asked?

      “Nothing for now,” Stephen replied, “I have an idea that may change his attitude.”

     Knapsacks were packed, goodbyes said, and the road to Packard City stretched before them.  Adital and Oxford carried large knapsacks, and surprisingly, so did Stephen.  The contents of his pack were carefully wrapped and packed by Oxford with instructions to take special care of its handling.  Stephen assured him it would be his highest priority during their journey. 

     Amos had assembled a small cadre of villagers to bid the traveler’s farewell.  He also served complimentary wine cocktails and a selection of hors d’oeuvres as an incentive to increase crowd size.  This proved to be a huge success, of course. After a few glasses of wine with sausage balls and marinated mozzarella, the villagers were set for a boisterous send-off.

     Someone shouted for a speech so Oxford stepped forward and wished everyone the best of luck and thanked Amos for the wonderful party.  Then a group of people called for a toast, and there was a scramble to refill wine glasses.  An older man raised his glass and proclaimed, “Bonsai Oxford and all his ancestors!”  Everyone raised their glasses and shouted, “BONSAI!

     Among the well-wishers included the remnants of The Marching Koalas Band, who played at local events. The elderly players who remained were a trombonist and two French-horns players. who broke into a spirited rendition of “Hail To The Mikado?”  On that note, the travelers hoisted their knapsacks and quickly began their journey.  The townsfolk watched them disappear, finished the hors d’oeuvres and wine, and moseyed off home.

     It was a beautiful day and the Voyageurs walked briskly along, each lost in their own thoughts.  Oxford basked in the glow of the wonderful send-off.  Adital eagerly looked forward to visiting the city, with museums, libraries, and restaurants.  Stephen did not share his thoughts with anyone.  Adital quickened his pace to walk next to Stephen.

     “Why are you wearing a knapsack,” he asked?  Is this in your plan to somehow change Oxford’s attitude?”

     Stephen laughed and answered, “Why yes!  We have a saying that the best way to resolve prejudice is not to overcome it by evil but overcome evil with good. Giving a person “coals of kindness” is a neighborly, kind act that makes friends, not enemies. Be patient and see what happens.

     Adital and Stephen walked together for a while and talked about the adventures they had gotten under control. “This has been a bizarre walk in the woods,” proclaimed Adital. “Think of it. We faced a fire-breathing dragon, fairies, and talking rocks. If it weren’t for your help, I wouldn’t know where we‘d be.”

     “Probably wanderings around the forest talking to the trees,” chuckled Stephen.  “You and Amos have an incredible passion for finding strange odds and ends.  I’m just happy I could be of some help to you.”

     “Talking to trees, that’s hilarious, Stephen.  I‘m certainly glad you took care of that fake wizard, but I’m still confused about one thing you said about a wearing a knapsack.  What are “coals of kindness?” What does a knapsack have to do with coals, and does this mean you plan to burn all of Oxford’s stuff? “

     “No, Adital, “coals of kindness” came from human’s ancient history, when people used to cook their food over a fire.  It was a good practice to keep the fire smoldering all night to keep some coals alive to cook breakfast.  Sometimes your fire might go out, and you would have to ask a neighbor to restart your blaze with live coals.  This tradition became known as giving “coals of kindness.”  It was a fine tradition that built community. It meant that food and warmth would go to a home needing them.”  

     “Oh, that makes sense. Also, do you remember when you talked about merging minds with Amos a while ago?  Is this something that is still a possibility?  I’ve spoken with Amos, and he is most agreeable with this idea.  He feels that there are many aspects of being a good Mikado that would be confusing for him. It would be good for both of us if we could share our thoughts.”

     ” Stephen was silent for a while and said, “I‘ve talked with my fellow robots about this, and there was considerable discussion about giving this knowledge to humans. This mental connection is both good and evil. I explained my relationship with you and told everyone that you and Amos were good people, and we should make an exception in your case.  It was agreed, and we shall complete this soon.”

     “Why, that is wonderful!  Who will tell Amos or, will I pop into his mind all of a sudden?”

     “Adital, Adital, Adital. You must know this whole process will take time.”  

     Poor Amos had no idea any of these plans were being made.  The new Mikado found himself chairing a town meeting.  He was confronted by a large group of villagers who demanded a sharp reduction in their rent, to his dismay.  It seemed that Oxford had been raising their monthly leases while planning his retirement.  

     According to Mangas, a villagers’ leader, the rents had become so oppressive many people were borrowing money from the Mikado Castle Bank and Trust to make payments.  As is usually the case, most could not keep up with the interest payments, let alone touch the principle.  To Amos, it appeared Oxford’s empire was on the verge of collapse.

     Now, as you remember, Amos is a retired, physics professor and, frankly, knew little about finances or the history of the castle’s home folk.  Oxford never mentioned the MCBT when he told Amos about his new home.  One thing became clear. He had to make major changes, or there was no telling what would happen.  

     Amos listened closely to their concerns and promised he would provide a solution by the end of the week.   He also provided all the attendees with wine and a light lunch. This meeting broke up on a much happier note than when it began. If anything, Amos became noted for his relaxed meeting addenda.  

     Amos wandered back to his office and sat, looking out the window.  He watched some sheep and goats grazing in a pasture and mulled over the morning’s misadventures. He realized he had taken on a lot of responsibility without enough information.  

     After a while, he wandered down to the kitchen and talked with Dorothy.   She was stirring a pot of stew, destined for supper.

     “Good morning, Miss Dorothy. I want to thank you for preparing such a marvelous lunch for our neighbors. Everyone left in a much happier mood.”

     “Well, I would hope so,” she chuckled, “I would think the wine had a lot to do with their happy frame of mind.”

     “Perhaps,” confessed Amos, “but I still struggle with what to do about their high rent.”

     Dorothy gave a swirl to the stew and observed, “The problem comes down to the dishonest Mikado who cleaned out the treasury. If you ask me, I think it’s your job to even the score.”

     “You’re absolutely correct, and I think I have the perfect solution.

     He then retreated to his office, where he canceled all of the loans and missed payments to the MCBT, then reduced everyone‘s rent by half.  He discovered that Oxford had taken all of the money from the treasury, but Amos penned signs telling of the rent reduction and debt cancellation, then had Bagshaw, the gardener, post them in all the usual places.  It was time for a giant tag sale. If people were to buy his heirlooms (junk), they would need some extra cash.  

     The one advantage of living in an ancient castle was that there were enough antiques (junk) to supply a surprising number of yard sales. Amos enlisted the help of Bagshaw, who knew everything about the castle there was to know.  He was more than happy to leave his vegetables to their own pleasure and wandered around the castle, choosing irresistible antiques (junk) he felt would sell.  Amos carried tables and piles of classical memories (junk) to the front hall in preparation for the sale

     It was almost time for lunch. Dorothy and Bagshaw were still bickering about a collection of figurines, (junk) arguing what should be done with them.

      Amos was about to leave and make a sandwich when suddenly, loud shouting and pounding interrupted the wrangling.  Everyone stopped bickering and stared at one another. Amos groaned, left the squabbling, walked over, and opened the front door.

     There stood a robot and an enormous bird pecking in the grass. 

     “Greetings,” proclaimed the robot!  “I am called Echnamic, and I have been sent to arrange a homogenizing of two humans.”

     “What?” exclaimed Amos, “Homogenization! How can that be?  We have no cows here!  There must be some mistake. You must have taken the wrong turn.”

     “No, no,” replied Echnamic. “I came by Camrosh, the Giant Bird, who doesn‘t make mistakes. I am in the right place. I am looking for someone named Amos. “

     “Why I am that person,” answered a confused Amos. Let’s go inside, and where we can talk in private.”

      “Dorothy and Bagshaw, please go back to whatever you were doing before this treasure hunt.  Echnamic and I will be inside if you need me.  Oh, it looks like the bird is hungry. Please give him something to eat.”  With that, Amos and Echnamic went into the castle and settled in the living room.

      With that, Amos and Echnamic went into the castle and settled in the living room.  They sat across from one another.  “The robot, Stephen, asked us to begin a neural link between you and Adital.  Is this something you wish?”

     “We’ve talked about this,” considered Amos, “but I have no idea how this can happen.”

     Echnamic leaned forward and responded, “Let me explain this to you.”

     “It‘s an easy process when you follow a few details,” explained Echnamic. “First, you read a signal from one brain, and then, send that other person‘s brain. You now have instant communication!”

     “You’ve got to be kidding,” blurt out Amos.  “How can this be done? All this sounds inconceivable!”

     “Ah, it is obvious you are missing a few of those details,” signed Echnamic.  “Humans have accomplished many of these steps already.  You must know that all of your senses are controlled by your mind.  For example, you have vision and hearing mechanisms that send signals to your brain and allow you to see and hear. The brain is key in every function. “

     “To allow one brain to communicate with another brain. We send special, tiny robots called nanobots to install this function into the brain.  A nanobot is one billionth of a meter, which is about the size of a couple of atoms. We can use nanobots to repair damages or alter the brain.   Once two humans receive the proper nanobots, they will be able to communicate using their minds. Do you want to begin this process?”

     “Yes,” exclaimed Amos,

     Echnamic reached into his bag and withdrew a syringe.  He injected this into Amos’ arm