Sage of Saltgate
The Sage of Saltgate is the chief historian of The United Kingdom of Wonderland and the most trusted advisor of the Queen of Hearts. Prior to the unification of Wonderland’s seven kingdoms in 263, the Sage served the Monarch of The Realm in a similar capacity.
The best known of Wonderland’s sages is of course Albus Lepus, Sage to Queen Frieda Jacobs.
Qualifications
Though the title may theoretically be bestowed upon any citizen of Wonderland, ten years service to the Royal Library is typically regarded as a must for consideration.
The title is usually given to a halfling or a genetically modified being native to Eden, so as to allow the Sage to continue their work even when this purgatorial paradise empties out at the start of a new iteration of reality.
Responsibilities
The Sage is the keeper of The Queen’s Chronicle, the official history of Wonderland. It is The Sage’s responsibility to keep the Chronicle updated daily, and to arrange that a backup copy be provided to the Edenian Athenæum once per fortnight.
Beyond this primary duty, The Sage is expected to serve as chief advisor to the Queen of Hearts and her descendants—so long as there is a Queen.
During the Wander Years, when no one is in Eden except the halflings, the talking animals, and a few other freaks and geeks—and therefore when no Queen sits the throne—The Sage acts as Steward of the United Kingdom.
Lastly, each time the universe outside of Eden collapses, The Sage of Saltgate is responsible for leading the worldwide search for the woman who will be dubbed the next Queen of Hearts.
Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull
I feel like keeping the records updated would be a full time job in and of itself! So much responsibility.
E. Christopher Clark
Yes, which is why Albus Lepus worried aloud so often, “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!” :-)