About halfway to the cave, Ruby asked, "Do you really want to work on that rock instead of helping the rest of us fix the hole in the wall?"
Chronicler thought for a second. "You know, I think I might reconsider it. I would certainly like to see what I could do to help patch that hole. I've got quite a talent at problem solving, especially when it comes to making and fixing items and structures. Here's how I do it: when I'm faced with a problem, the first thing I do is consider all the possible solutions I could use, then I decide which solution would be most effective, then I put it to use."
"What kind of solutions would you suggest?"
"Well, first of all, the problem is not patching up that hole, but making sure it doesn't reopen. I'm sure the only method of patching up that hole the people of the Great Valley would use would be to fill it with the rock and debris that was originally part of the wall. I say 'Not enough, that won't do.' Basically, it's just a big pile of rocks, and it would only take a good-sized earthshake to bring it down, reopening the hole."
"Wow, I never thought of that happening."
"Now, for solutions, let's see... We could use some sort of reinforcements. But that would require materials that I seriously doubt we could find or use. I guess we could use a method like masonry and use something to hold the rocks together like how tree sap would cause some small things to stick together... But I don't know how to make the mortar needed for such a task... I guess we'll have to settle for a very crude solution. That would be placing the rocks and boulders in such an arrangement that it would be very difficult for an earthshake to bring it down. It would take a while, but the lack of technology has left me with very limited solutions."
"Wow, I wish I could think like that, think like that I would like to."
"I think you already do. You just use it for different purposes. I apply my problem solving skills to the physical part of the world around us. You apply your problem solving skills to helping other people. I can even say that we both may not good at what the other can do, but maybe if we could work together, we could solve just about any problem the world tries to throw at us."
"The two of us working together? That idea is a very great idea, Chronicler!"
"Thanks, Ruby." Chronicler then noticed they had just arrived at the cave. "I'll just leave this rock here and then we can get going." After placing his rock at the cave entrance, Chronicler asked, "Do you know where that hole in the wall is?"
"No, I don't think they said anything before we left. I guess I should have asked them before I decided to come with you."
"Well, we're Fast-Runners. If we can move fast enough, we can make it back to the rock circle before anyone leaves."
Ruby agreed. She and Chronicler then quickly left, hoping they wouldn't be too late."
