I'm still feeling stupid and no one has answered my question from post #38 (quoted again below).

Okay, I'm probably going to feel stupid here, but my memory must be failing me. What was special about the box that Rasalom entrusted to Drexler in FATAL ERROR? In TDATE, Rasalom has Drexler retrieve the box, which was previously described as rectangular and about three feet long. Then Rasalom goes to Jack's place to get the Gaijin Masamune. (I confess I missed that on the first read-through myself, but that sequence is basically told from Drexler's perspective, and he doesn't know where Jack lives.) Then Rasalom is described as coming back with just the box, so presumably the Gaijin Masamune is inside, yes? (Is it really that short? I can't remember the length described in BY THE SWORD.)

I skimmed through FATAL ERROR again last night trying to find more references to the box, but I didn't notice anything after it arrives for Drexler. Are we going back to BY THE SWORD or earlier? Why is my brain not working?

I'm still feeling stupid and no one has answered my question from post #38 (quoted again below).

It's questions like this that make me feel stupid, because I have no idea what you are talking about and I JUST finished TDATE. Clearly my reading comprehension could use some work.

I'm still feeling stupid and no one has answered my question from post #38 (quoted again below).

I assumed the sword was in the box and the box was taken from Jack's apartment in the scene where Rasalom sneaks through an alleyway. When he pulls out the sword and kills those in the room, it dawned on me, that's what he took.

I assumed the sword was in the box and the box was taken from Jack's apartment in the scene where Rasalom sneaks through an alleyway. When he pulls out the sword and kills those in the room, it dawned on me, that's what he took.

No, Rasalom retrieves the box from Drexler before that. He entrusted it to Drexler in the previous book. Jack had the sword at the same time Drexler had the box.

I don't remember anything about a long box...just the one Weezy and Jack lost to Drexler....the puzzle box found in the Pines.

I finished reading "The Dark At The End"(finally!!!)

But.....that last scene....Eddie... Weezy....cared:

No, Rasalom retrieves the box from Drexler before that. He entrusted it to Drexler in the previous book. Jack had the sword at the same time Drexler had the box.

Then I must have confused books. My bad.

So I'm really not the only one in the dark on this? In Fatal Error there are at least two references to the box in question:

"Also, a package shall be arriving for your safekeeping." (page 25 of the Tor hardcover)

"Good. I trust the package I sent arrived?"
"Yes." A mysterious, locked, oblong box, three feet long. "It is safe." (p. 142)

Then, from The Dark at the End (Tuesday, chapter 8; no page number since I have an e-book version):

"Not your concern, Drexler. Your immediate concern lies in retrieving the item entrusted to you for safekeeping before the Internet fiasco. I assume you still have it."

Later:

His [Drexler's] apartment was empty and he removed the rectangular box from beneath his bed without incident.

Drexler returns to the car and gives the box to Rasalom. Then they go to Jack's place for Rasalom to retrieve the sword. (Remember, Jack still had it at this point and was planning on dumping it out in the ocean.)

The One got out, carrying his package, and disappeared into the narrow alley running along the side.

A few sentences later:

The One reappeared less than ten minutes later, still carrying that strange box under his arm.

So is the sword inside the box? Does this ring any bells for anybody? Has anyone else noticed this? What am I forgetting??? It's driving me crazy!

I do remember that!

I don't have any answers though. I have no idea why it had to be sent to Drexler for safe keeping, I must have missed it's significance. And I have no idea why R needed it to go to the apartment. He could hold the sword to kill people, so we know he could touch it. And any cloth or box would have hidden it from view, why THAT one?

Very mysterios. If I can manage to reread the whole series before Nightworld is rereleased and find any answers I will post them. Or maybe the new Nightworkd holds the answer?

Ok...now I do remember the box. I have no idea of it's purpose except to think Rasalom couldn't hold the blade for long and used the box as a buffer to transport it. Hope we find out in the newest Nightworld.