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An Event Summary of THOT-J-BAP: Book TWO, Bramah’s Quest

Part One: 2087–2105 ~ Bramah’s Quest to Find Her People

Bramah’s quest is to find the truth of about her origins and to find her people, last seen at the end of Book One in the year 2087. At that time, Grandmother, the Beggar Boy, and Raphael escape the clutches of the evil Consortium with the aid of Bramah, who finds them refuge in the Hidden Valley. Bramah then sets out to discover more about her past, but is called by Grandmother back to the Hidden Valley. With the help of ghost settlers and Ciswen the Blacksmith of the Winter Portal, Bramah finds Grandmother, who shares information that leads Bramah to Raphael. Raphael was born at the very end of Book One, in the year 2087, brought up with Bramah’s Grandmother and the Aunties of the Wishing Well, under the illusion that he is an orphan. Raphael is the son of the late Abigail, adopted daughter of the late Dr. A.E. Anderson. Raphael’s father is Bartholomew, who escaped Migrant Camp #3. 

Part One shows us their world, where accelerated climate change reduces four seasons to three: a brutal and unforgiving Winter, the Wet and the Dry. The effects of this change are made worse by the socio-economic imperatives of the Consortium, whose hold on Earth’s resources begins to erode. Bramah continues her search for the old oak box, last seen in the “wrong hands” of Consortium. Bramah wants to find the oak box because it has the mysteriously disappearing document that reveals clues to her own origin. Raphael shares stories of his growing years, including the tale of how he once met the Beggar Boy. Alas, the boys fall prey to a rogue portal and the Beggar Boy finds himself caught in an eternal game of chess, ordained by the gods to help stave off more climate catastrophes. When Bramah reconnects with Raphael, they set out to find Bartholomew and Raphael accepts that Bartholomew is his father.

Part Two: 2105–2108 ~ The Rise, Rule and Fall of Bartholomew the Good 

Raphael is eighteen years old in 2105. He and Bartholomew meet Bartholomew’s warrior general, the enigmatic Sherronda. They join the Resistance and stage an uprising against the evil Consortium. Raphael falls in love with Sherronda, much to Bartholomew’s displeasure and Bramah’s unease. Sherronda, a brilliant strategist, helps Bartholomew secure victory over Consortium. Bartholomew’s rule is established but alas, not for long. Sherronda, impatient for radical change and ambitious, betrays Bartholomew. Raphael sides with Sherronda, and civil war ensues. Consortium exploits their division, and climate change continues to worsen. Sherronda betrays Raphael, Consortium turns on Sherronda and Raphael is arrested. Raphael helps Sherronda’s daughter Sonali escape in a secret portal transfer arranged by Bramah. Although decimated, remnants of the Resistance remain vigilant in the Hidden Valley. Bramah’s quest to help save planet Earth, rescue the Beggar Boy, and discover the truth about her origins continues.

A Note on Time Travel in THOT J BAP

In the world of THOT J BAP, all action takes place on planet Earth, albeit simultaneously in different time dimensions. Time travel consists of observation only, like watching a hologram or a movie. Time travel is reserved for Certified Travellers, most of whom are on hire to Consortium, usually hunting down resisters. Bramah is a Certified Traveller and finds ways to subvert the terms of her contract to help others. Sometimes, Travellers will fall down Portals, by accident or due to evil forces. In Book Two, rogue mercenaries, Rajancrantz & Gabbarbhai are also time travellers.

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Throughout the world of THOT J BAP, we encounter a set of symbols that allude to the game of chess, to bio-contagion and viruses, to bees and to chemistry.