So and so, Sheba was made her hair intertwining the pillars together and apart together and apart such that the stone, stacked up with mortar, could try to withstand and stand and stay. But in all the enchantment that remained in the stones, as standing together, never but never was a thought to guard against the mighty hair of the wandering Sheba woman or any woman for that. So, in some short, or longer than you might think, the battle of the hair and temples pillars, like some kind of shampoo advert came to dynamic stages where the strength was tested and release with all the cracking and creaking. Parts to fall in small and then larger downwards mostly, a few up and then down, until the stone steps were becoming confused.
The Sphinx spoke, I spoke, what did, you heard me, what?
Eventually, in the end the stone pillars turned to jelly pillars and came down about them most thunderous. Now, Sheba must stand amidst them to apply herself in the best possible and was now dangerous close to the great falling. The Sphinx said, Look out, and made a covering umbrella body for Sheba with itself, for a safety measure. Health and safety and all that, don’t try this at home or anywhere else for that. In fact, never, anywhere.
In a little turning of the sun, when all the parts, great and small had found a suitable resting place. Mostly in great heaps, but some on their own. The Sphinx pushed about the rocks and took Sheba safe and sound out the ruins.
I must wash my hair, said Sheba, looking tired, Good luck with that, said the Sphinx, your hair has a mind of its own.
True enough, said Sheba, and being tired, she fell to sleeping in the crook of the Sphinx’s paw.
Hello, two unusual creatures that came in front of the Sphinx out of nowhere.
Hello yourselves, where have you come and who might you, inquired the Sphinx, and what is that machinery by your sides.
We are Oracles, they said in harmony, and this is the Time Incinerator that we are charged to tend, lest it get out of control. We lived in the basement of the Temple.
How can I be your servant, asked the Sphinx, it seems that you are the bearers of a mighty burden. May I ask what happens if the time incinerator gets out of control.
Disaster, intoned the Oracles, If it goes too slow, then the present gets clogged up with all the past, and if it go too fast, then the present disappears into the past too quickly and the future invades the present.
What happens if the incinerator goes out?
The past, the present and the future all become embedded and we might as well all just give up.
I see, how can we be of assistance today?
Well, you have destroyed our basement and we were wondering if you could provide us with a new residence. Not too big, comfortable without being opulent or seeming unfit. Preferably near this wonderful spring, here the two oracles both pointed at the spring which had been revealed after the falling down episode.
Yes, said the Sphinx, seeing as the great importance and grace of your project is required I will proceed as soon as Sheba, with this he nodded in the direction of the sleeping Sheba, trying her best not to move her paw and wake Sheba up, Wakes. The two Oracles craned themselves up a bit so as to observe the slumbering Sheba.
We can see that her hair is made of very influential matter indeed, they said, protect her with all your strength.
That I will, said the Sphinx, that I will.
One question though? said the Sphinx thoughtfully, is it within your powers to stay the passing of time? I would that time itself might pause whilst Sheba lies thus on my paw.
Very romantic we are sure, said the Oracles as one voice, but no, that is not a good idea.
The Guardians of the Cave 