"Lose?" I repeated after him. "I thought we were talking about gaining more time."

"That is exactly what you must understand," the guardian answered.

I looked at the golden fruits.

A moment ago they had seemed to me like a promise. Now I was no longer sure.

"Perhaps you will explain it to me," I said. "Because when someone offers me a gift and begins to speak of what I will lose, I usually look for the fine print."

The bird made a short sound.