The Naysayer lived atop the Mountain of Towers, that most majestic of cities of the odd folk. Long after the Royal Towers of jade, a single ladder went up into the clouds. In search of her wisdom, Tomolok snuck through the royal chambers, past the watchful gaze of the guards, and made his way to the very peak. There he saw the ladder rising beyond visibility to where he knew dwelt the Naysayer. He began to climb.
As Tomolok got higher, the ladder began to shake and writhe in his grip, as if a pair of hostile snakes, trying to wrench him from his place, but he kept on. Soon, the ladder was straight and smooth once again, and he could ascend faster.
After many hours, he reached the solitary hut of the Naysayer. He walked in, and saw her, dressed in finery the jade towers would envy.
"O Naysayer, will you answer my many questions about the nature of the universe and the search for truth itself?" he asked.
"Then will you give me any reply or knowledge that might justify my plight in reaching here, for I shall surely die at the hands of the guards upon my unenlightened descent?"
Once again, the reply came: "Nay."
Catching on, Tomolok thought for a moment, before continuing.
He said, "Will you not surrender unto me your crown of diamonds that I might be rich beyond imagination?"
Shocked, but stifling an expression of mild admiration, she said. "Nay."
She took off the crown of diamonds and passed it to Tomolok with a bow.
Tomolok took it, and asked: "Will you not surrender unto me all of your worldly possessions that I might usurp the rulers by virtue of my wealth and be as is god?"
The Naysayer's expression turned to pure contempt. She said nothing, but seized Tomolok by the lapel, and threw him from her hut with such force that he would never land on the Mountain of Towers, where he might be found. Rather he would land with the other adventurers whose insatiable greed condemned them in her eyes. She walked to the back room, and took a new crown from the crown box. Smiling, she sat and awaited the next pilgrim. bof