Red Sap Seeping

The Rector walks up to the counter to pay the bill, still holding the knife.

He comes back to the table.

Come with me, says the Rector, picking up Daniel O'Connell.

He walks to front of the restaurant where the light is better.

The others follow.

Now they are out in the sunshine.

Arr! The light glints on the knife's blade.

What is the Rector's intention?

Kong wonders if walking out with a knife is a Spanish tradition.

Gaius has a suspicion, concerning the Dragon Tree, which he keeps to himself.

Daniel O'Connell is terrified that the Rector is going to cut his seventh leg off, in the misguided interests of balance.

Terence is certain this is what's going to happen.

The Rector walks up to the Dragon Tree closest to the restaurant.

Not this one, says the Rector. It's too close to the restaurant.

He heads off down the road to look for another one.

Gaius and Kong have stopped to look at the Dragon Tree.

It has several intertwining trunks forming a thick central stem, rising to an umbrella-like canopy of thick leaves.

Fascinating tree, says Kong. I see why they call it a Dragon Tree.

You only see half of the reason, says Gaius. It is also known for its red sap, which people call Dragon's Blood.

Aha, says Kong. And no doubt you know what it is used for.

It is used as a cure for diarrhoea, says Gaius. And topically, as a natural healer.

I see, says Kong. How interesting. But we should catch up to the Rector.

They hurry down the road, to the spot where the Rector disappeared into a thicket.

How do they know it's the spot?

It's where Terence is waiting.

He's going to cut Daniel's other leg off! says Terence.

No, he isn't, says Gaius. I guarantee you he'll make cut in the trunk of the Dragon Tree and collect the Dragon's Blood.

Woop! says Terence, running into the thicket.

Gaius and Kong follow.

The Rector has made a small cut in the trunk of a Dragon Tree.

Red sap (or Dragon's Blood) has seeped out. Bluurp.

The Rector has collected a blob of it, and poked it at Daniel O'Connell, aiming for his sore spot.

But Daniel O'Connell is small, and his sore spot is smaller.

The Rector has missed it.

.....

Five minutes later.

The Rector walks into La Cueva, to return the knife that he borrowed.

It is covered in Dragon's Blood, which will not wash off in the dishwasher.

Nevertheless, he receives thanks from the manager, for returning the knife.