A Conversation Overheard Read online

  As the overloaded wagon creaked away from the gate in the wall separating Fisher from Riversea, the three young men leading the team of straining horses followed their long shadows cast by the early morning sun. It was uncharacteristically bright. The air was still, and the smoke from the chimneys of the estates of the Five Houses and the County Mayors rose in great gray columns from among the trees before them. Looking back at the empty gatehouse, Falkyr asked, “Be it always as last night?”

  “No, the locals are usually pretty quiet,” Hamish answered. “They don’t have the coin for much else,”

  “And the Guards?” Navarra asked.

  “When they’re not together, they’re no problem. But a bunch of them after failing inspection, like two weeks ago, they really went at it with a crew from Undercliff. Completely smashed the place.”

  “And what did you do?” Navarra asked.

  “I just let them have at it,” Hamish said. “The town constable only enforces the peace within the walls of Fisherton.”

  “And your master?” Navarra asked.

  “Had to lock him in the cellar after he took a good one on the head. He’s prone to attempt heroics.”

  “And you?” Falkyr asked.

  Hamish rubbed the scar on his forehead running from between his eyes into his hair. “I’ve learned my lesson.”

  Navarra asked, “Do you always defy your master?”

  “Never,” Hamish answered. “Are you here with the permission of the Primus of your Hall this year?”

  “But you would serve your barleywine against his wishes,” Navarra said.

  “That was a matter between the Master and myself.”

  “You be many years be?” Falkyr asked.

  “16.”

  “You still be apprentice?” Falkyr asked.

  “I had a late start.”

  “And your barelywine might have been something you were going to present to the Guild?” Navarra asked.

  “Yes. It is mine.”

  “You to be common room master?” Falkyr asked.

  “No. I will be returning to the Highlands. But I would like to know I’ve become worthy of the guild. I think that barelywine will impress the Masters.” Hamish pulled hard on the bridle of the lead horse. Going straight was something it did not understand. “Actually, I probably would not get into the guild, since its members are all from Riversea. Master Groggin was Riversea trained and Spoken For before he moved. The still hold it against him. Now he is his own guild in Fisher. I think he’ll like the barelywine.”

  “It is still?” Navarra asked.

  “There are more casks in another part of the cellar.”

  “Why you give a thing important to old woman?” Falkyr asked.

  “Yes, especially after your master had told you to see her money first. Is it the red hair that makes you crazy?” Navarra asked. “That seems to be an act of defiance to me.”

  “No, I...”

  “It best you more careful be,” Falkyr interrupted. “If this one see the truth, others be also. Best a master be not insulted, even if he be abusing you.”

  “But you have it wrong, he has been most fair to me,” Hamish protested. “He only hits me because he knows I am leaving. He wants me to buy him out of the Beggin Inn so he can enjoy his seniority. He figures I owe him that for his teaching me a trade.”

  “And he has taught you well,” Navarra said, “for I usually suffer mightily after a night like last night. But this morning my head is clear and light, and looking forward to the challenge of the Game you play here in Riversea over my breakfast. And you, Falkyr, how is your head this morning? Did you sleep well your on your first night ashore?”

  “Well enough.”

  “No visions of your future?”

  “I dreamt of the old woman,” Hamish said as if he had been the one addressed.

  “Oh?” Navarra prompted.

  “But I was awake and talking to her.”

  “And she said?” Navarra asked lightly, cautioning Falkyr to keep quiet.

  “She said, ‘Be not afraid.’ And I replied, ‘I am not afraid, only curious.’ And I remember she looked at me most peculiarly, and then touched me in my head, right here,” Hamish said, pointing between his eyes.

  “Does that injury still bother you?” Navarra asked.

  “She touch inside head?” Falkyr asked.

  “Did she ever thank you for the drink?” Navarra asked.

  “I don’t remember.”

  “I suspect not. It was a bit busy,” Navarra said. “That was just her thanking you.”

  “What?” Hamish asked.

  “You said she was a water witch, yes? She could have been thanking you with the mind voice,” Navarra said. “Then again, you did say you were dreaming.”

  “The what?” Hamish asked.

  “You be touched by witch?” Falkyr asked with some worry.

  “Although the Covenant frowns upon them,” Navarra said, “I was taught that they are harmless, and they provide some comfort to the superstitious. Falkyr, is there a palace in C’Holm as grand as that one over on the hill there? I’ve heard that it even rivals the palace of my Prince in the Kingdoms on the inside. Have you been inside, Brewmaster?”

  “Yes. My father was the tutor of the sons of the High Mayor.”

  “Ah, yes. It is hard to remember who you are,” Navarra said. “You are not at all like what I was expecting, other than the red hair, of course. Exactly how tall are you?”

  “If you think you know something about me,” Hamish said, “then perhaps you know something of Captain Grey as well. Some of your words last night may have been better left unsaid.”

  “There can be no harm in words ... ” Navarra began.

  But Falkyr cut him off sharply, “Prince Altan be right ...”

  “I am no more that, than you are Prince t’Fhar.”

  Falkyr abruptly stopped, and then bowed his head. “I must be apologize. If you be excuse me, it be best I return to ship. I wish not to be as loose with my words as some.”

  “My skin is not that thin,” Hamish said. “I’ll give you an insult, and then we’ll be even. How is it that your Common is so bad? I mean, you knew you were leaving C’Holm.”

  “Now that is a low blow,” Navarra said. “I find the language an abomination. It seems to be Kingdomer turned inside out and made to resemble the tongue of the Empires. And the way it’s spoken here in Riversea is nothing like it is supposed to be spoken.”

  “I did not wish to learn the language,” Falkyr said stiffly.

  “I understand,” Hamish said. “Come on, we need to catch up with the horses.”

  But seeing that no one moved, Hamish continued, “Now listen, Falkyr, and you too, Guide Navarra of the Covenant, Voice of the Nightlords, we all have probably heard plenty of stories about one another, most of which are probably not true. Let us put them all aside, and start as what we are.”

  Seeing no disagreement, Hamish continued, “Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Hamish, apprentice of Groggin, the occasional mayor of Fisherton and brewmaster of the Beggin Inn. Until I return to the Highlands and pass the Test upon the Holy Mountain I am not heir to my father nor able to claim his title. I am not yet the Prince of Sarzana. As the Highlands have no kings, the title of Prince does not refer to the son of a king, but simply refers to the largest of the independent noble holdings. In the Highlands, sons waiting to inherit have no special titles or positions. The Gods may choose another path for any one of us besides our inheritance. Only when I assume my inheritance will I take the name my father gave me. Now I prefer the name my mother used, Hamish rather than Altan.”

  Hamish stuck out his hand to the other two.

  “We do not all call ourselves the Voice of the Nightlords,” Navarra said. “And I prefer to be simply known by the name my father gave me, Navarra. Since I am n
ot on official business it might be best to ignore the Guide bit.”

  “I accept that, simply Navarra,” Hamish said. “Although others may not so easily ignore the fact that one of your faith is here in Riversea without a writ from the High Mayor and your Primus.” And after shaking one another’s hand they both turned to Falkyr.

  Falkyr stood tensely for a moment, and then suddenly smiled, and said, “I be Falkyr Fhar’son, nothing more.”

  Once they caught up with the horses, Hamish said to Navarra, “Now that we know who we are, you should know that Captain Grey is the son of one of those Ambassadors of the Highlands you spoke so loosely of. And unlike the other Ambassadors, the father of Captain Grey, the High Councilor Gretz, did not choose his position, but was forced to accept it after the Council replaced him as High Councilor with Gereham.”

  “I thought Gereham was the King before Graz, who was King before Gretz, and that they all were the sons of Granit,” Navarra said.

  Hamish laughed, and then struggled to prevent the horses from making a detour into a field of clover. “I realize it’s much easier where you come from, but some places, where men are not immortal, High Councilors, Kings, and even High Mayors, come and go. But if our good High Mayor Barnabas asks, I will deny my words. According to a book on the history of the Highlands I once read, the High Councilor Aldric, Prince of Aerie, was followed by his adopted son Alloric who was removed by his true son Granit. Upon the death of Granit, his sons, Graz and Gretz were both not of age, so his nephew Gereham, Prince of Sarzana, was elected High Councilor. Gereham’s mother, Gert was the sister of Granit and had tied the Principality of Aerie, the holding of the lineage of Alloric, to the Principality of Sarzana through her marriage. Then, when Graz had matured, Gereham was the first to accept exile and came here to Riversea as Ambassador. However, Graz proved to be a bit profligate in his habits, and the Council had to replace him with his younger brother Gretz, at the urging of Gereham. Graz accepted exile as Ambassador to the Empires, clearing the way for Gretz. A few years later it was decided that Gretz was not exactly the right man for the job either, and Gereham agreed to serve a second time as High Councilor until Hurl, the son of Graz could be properly educated. Gretz was made Ambassador to C’Holm, and his son, now Captain Grey, went with him. Once Hurl was of age, Gereham again accepted exile and resumed his post here in Riversea as Ambassador. If there is a shame in losing the position of High Councilor, as Captain Grey sometimes seems to believe, then he should remember that Gereham accepted the shame twice. Gereham is sometimes called the ‘King Maker’ for his roles in elevating Graz, Gretz, and Hurl. But then history comes in many flavors, and Falkyr probably knows another, equally true version, from the mouth of Gretz.”

  “You must be knowing he died when I be a baby,” Falkyr said. “Since then the Highlands have not honored us with Ambassador. I think now maybe Captain Grey be retiring from the sea to be Ambassador when his son returns.”

  Hamish though for a moment. “It is not good that C’Holm has felt slighted by the lack of an Ambassador. The son of Captain Grey, Greyling, might be returning from his Testing in the Highlands as Ambassador, but I don’t think it would be possible for Grey to become Ambassador. He was never Tested, you know. He is not a Highlander.”

  “He be Presented Before the Gods, is it not the same?” Falkyr asked.

  “If being Presented is necessary for you to call yourself an Islander, then it is the same,” Hamish answered. “His being Presented and accepted as an Islander, would not allow him to claim to be able to represent the Highlands as a Highlander.”

  “I cannot call myself a man of C’Holm,” Falkyr said. “I be not allowed to Present myself. It be the same. I not be able to be Ambassador either.”

  “Every nation is different,” Hamish began, only to be interrupted by the sound of a group of horses approaching with some urgency. He brought the wagon to a halt, and urged his team to the side of the road so they would not be spooked.

  “Falkyr, hold the lead pair, and stay out of sight,” Hamish said. “Navarra, hide in those bushes. If there is trouble, it doesn’t concern you. I’ll explain later. Do it.”

  A group a five riders pulled up in front of Hamish. The leader, a thin young man who was missing his right arm below the elbow, exclaimed to his companions, “Gentlemen, we are saved. Here is the elixir we have been riding for.”

  “Good morning,” Hamish replied. “You are returning home and to bed, I see.”

  “On the contrary, boy, we are merely between engagements. Will you not share a drink with us?”

  “No,” Hamish answered. “It is not mine to share.”

  “Oh yes, I forgot. The boy is but a servant to his master now. Who has a coin to buy the master’s ale? Mind you, boy, we expect a fair price. None of your tricks now.”

  “It is not for sale.”

  “He’s trying to drive up the price,” the companion wearing bright red snickered.

  “Is your brain that addled?” the one-handed man asked. “ Of course it is for sale.”

  “I am delivering it,” Hamish said. “It has already been sold.”

  “Yes, you are delivering these barrels to us. Then you will go back to your master and get another load.” To his friends he pointed to his forehead with his stump and added, “You have to make it simple for the idiot, someone scooped out most of his brain.”

  “I have nothing for you,” Hamish said.

  “Are you trying to be insulting?”

  “If it is required.”

  “Boy, you speak boldly for one who is outnumbered.”

  “He be not alone,” Falkyr said, stepping into view with his right hand obviously upon his long knife, and his left hand holding the scabbard of his broadsword. From the forest there were sounds of snapping branches and a curse, and Falkyr added, “And there be others in the forest.”

  “Good morning, Islander,” the leader said as he settled his shying horse and touched his forehead with his stump.

  “And to you, sir,” Falkyr said as he returned the salute with his left hand.

  “Now, if you would excuse us, we were speaking with the boy.”

  “And making fear in his horses,” Falkyr said, standing his ground.

  “That is no concern of yours.”

  “But it be, for we be traveling with him and would ride upon those horses if they be calm enough.”

  “What sort of man cannot sit on a harnessed draft horse?” The one in red asked.

  “A sailor,” the third overdressed man answered.

  “Gentlemen,” Hamish said. “I would like to introduce Falkyr Fhar’son, son of High King t’Fhar of C’Holm. He is to be a guest of his cousin and patron, Madam Eloise, the Holder of the House of the Silver River, before being presented to the High Mayor. Falkyr, this is...”

  “Silence, boy,” the one-armed leader of the group said. “We will be introduced when it is appropriate. A word of advice, Prince, choose your companions more carefully in the future. Until we meet again, sir.”

  As Navarra climbed out of the bushes he said to the backs of the departing riders, “A rather rude gentleman.”

  “He has been hiding in the forests for the last few years,” Hamish said as he urged his horses back onto the road.

  “And that will knock the veneer off some gentleman you say?” Navarra asked.

  “He never had any to start with,” Hamish mumbled.

  “I be to agree,” Falkyr said. “Those gentlemen be not the most polite, but perhaps they be not given the best opportunity.”

  Hamish didn’t respond, so Falkyr continued, “be you willing to share the gentleman’s name? Should we meet again I would not to be disadvantaged.”

  After the team was settled, and Hamish had checked the overloaded wagon, he answered, “The two in the grey cloaks who did not speak are known as Daner and Julon. They style themselves as swordsmen for hire
to those who believe they need protection, although neither be more than Masters of Iron. The two quieter gentlemen were Sander and Elkon. Sander was the one in red. They are both men in search of positions, as neither will inherit much from their fathers. Both have older brothers. The other one was Belthor, second son of our High Mayor Barnabas.”

  “The gentleman with missing arm?” Falkyr asked.

  “Actually, it is just his hand,” Hamish corrected. “And I am sure you both know that it was Belthor and his brother Basson who killed my father, Prince Hamblin of Sarzana, son of High Councilor Prince Gereham, and the Ambassador of the Highlands to Riversea. So let's talk about something else.”

  “ ... And he lives in the forest now?” Navarra asked.

  “I have heard he has plans to open some land in the New Ground and create an independent county outside of Riversea,” Hamish said. “We need to turn in here. If one of you would hold the gate, I will see if these animals can manage the lane without eating too many of the flowers.” They passed the front of an older mansion and then pulled up at the back entrance. A young woman in an elegant evening dress stood by the door, as if waiting for them.

  “Madam Eloise, I am sorry if I have come at an inconvenient time,” Hamish said as he bowed before the lady. “I didn’t realize you were entertaining.”

  “Actually, Hamish, I’ve just returned from a dreadful party at the High Mayor’s. I couldn’t sleep without warning you that Lord Belthor is back for the summer.”

  “I believe we already...” Navarra started to say, but then Hamish cut him off and said, “Madam Eloise, I have the honor of almost following your instructions and almost immediately bringing your guest to you. If I may be presumptuous I would like to introduce Falkyr Fhar’son, son of High King Ghent t’Fhar of C’Holm.”

  Madam Eloise gave Hamish the sternest look she could. “I will deal with you later, Hamish.”

  “I offer my apologies for detaining your cousin in Fisherton last night,” Hamish said. “Falkyr, may I introduce Madam Eloise, Holder of the House of the Silver River. But now I have embarrassed both of you by forgetting my manners. I must apologize for contriving this introduction without the proper invitation. We are standing at your back door, Madam.”

  Madam Eloise turned slightly red, and stamped her foot, “Hamish! You go out of your way don’t you ...”

  “Madam Eloise,” Falkyr interrupted, “I who must apologize for arriving without announcement. To be honest, I be unsure of my ... circumstances, no, position, and I ... ,”

  “… Must have had a dreadful voyage getting here.” Madam Eloise gracefully finished. “And I am sure you had an even worse night last night in that Beggin Inn. That place caters to the worst sort, or so I have been told. Welcome to our home, cousin. You are family here. We need not stand on formality. I was just about to take my breakfast. Please join me so that we can discuss your introduction to Riversea. I am sure Hamish can bring in your things after he gets about his work. And if we have time, Guide Navarra, you must also tell me about your Covenant. How is it that you claim to know the will of the Gods?”

  And then Madam Eloise had one last word for Hamish. “You had best visit the Ambassador this morning.”

  “I would show Falkyr my fathers library if you could spare him for an hour.”

  “The Lady Eloise speaks most highly of you,” Navarra said to Hamish as they continued on their way in the late morning.

  “The Holders of the Five Houses are addressed as ‘Madam’,” Hamish corrected. “The landed gentry are addressed as ‘Lord’ or ‘Lady’. I should have known Madam Eloise would be awake. I am sorry to embarrass you Falkyr. I meant to introduce you after visiting the Ambassador.”

  “I think she be planning your punishment,” Falkyr said.

  “I will have to go around and present my apologies,” Hamish said.

  “I do not think she would require you to invent an excuse for visiting her,” Navarra said.

  Hamish gave Navarra a fierce look, “Do not assume the Madam’s intent.”

  “I was rather suggesting an action on your part. A good marriage has lifted many a man out of his current circumstances.”

  Hamish opened his mouth, and then closed it, and then opened it again. And then he realized that Navarra must have no idea of the importance of the Five Houses. Finally, he said with a smile, “it is hard to think of marriage when I am not yet a man. I do not wish to embarrass you, Falkyr, but have you given any thought to the problem yourself?”

  “I ... ,” Falkyr stopped. “No.”

  “From what I have read of being Presented to the Gods in C’Holm,” Hamish said, “or undergoing the Selection of the Gods as you do in the Kingdoms, Navarra, being Spoken For here in the Riversea has less of a ... religious requirement. You would not have to change any of your beliefs. It is more a matter of finding a position of employment. If you were to join a guild to practice a trade ...”

  “I have not the training,” Falkyr said.

  “Or if you married a landed daughter,” Hamish continued, “she would Speak For you as her fiancé. Nothing more would be required of you. You would jump the hurdle of adulthood and find yourself a future at the same time.”

  “I do not ... have not given thought to ... how I be Presented to the Gods.”

  “I am sure Madam Eloise will figure something out for you,” Hamish said. He then turned to Navarra and said, “There are several places in Castleton where it is possible to find players of the Game. None would be interested in a stranger unless he had some money to lose.”

  “Do you play the Game?” Navarra asked eagerly.

  “Just a little. Some customers ask for a Game on quiet nights, and I can take a while in losing if they have had enough to drink.”

  Navarra laughed. “Then tell me some tricks, for I am one for attack, and have yet to learn a proper defense.”

  Under the intense questioning of Navarra, Hamish reluctantly revealed several stalling ploys that had stood him in good stead. But Hamish quickly realized that the subtleties of the Game were beyond the understanding of Navarra. He couldn’t get Navarra to understand that it wasn’t the actual sequence of moves that had been successful, but that rather the feeling of the board that the moves generated that led to their success. He gave up trying to explain how it could be that the context of every action was more important than the content of the action, and said, “You can’t win by just remembering a sequence of moves. It is something you have to have a talent for.”

  “But what if I prove to have some talent?”

  “Then you will probably offend some thin-skinned individual and end up being challenged to fight with the local weapon of choice. Would you prefer a venue where it would come to fists, sticks, knives, or swords?”

  “I would have thought a venue which would respect quick wits and a nimble tongue could be found.”

  “I could point out such a venue, but I am afraid my tongue would not suffice to make the introduction.”

  “I would consider introducing myself as my first challenge,” Navarra said with a laugh. “Which reminds me ... the ‘Madam’ - see I listen and learn - Eloise was most reticent to discuss the, I believe it is, ‘Lord’ Belthor?”

  They rode in silence for a while, until it became extremely uncomfortable.

  “Have I said something … ?”

  “Belthor is the second son of our High Mayor,” Hamish said. “He has no estate and has no right to a title until his brother dies, he marries a lady of position, or he builds something worthy of such recognition on his own.”

  “I be ready to cross swords with him,” Falkyr said, a bit disturbed.

  “It would not have come to that,” Hamish said. “He was right-handed and never had any skill with his left.”

  “I had asked the Madam Eloise how it was that you were still free, Hamish,” Navarra continued. “Are the laws here
in Riversea so different from those in most parts of the World?”

  “Be not rude!” Falkyr said angrily.

  “I believe it was felt that the events were not my fault,” Hamish said.

  “In my experience,” Navarra continued, “that rarely matters when nobility are involved.”

  “That question be not appropriate,” Falkyr said forcefully.

  “Isn't it t’Fhar’s son?” Navarra asked. “Or do you compromise yourself, not only by riding in the wagon of one who is now a mere servant, but also has such a dubious history?”

  “There be no need for insult...”

  “He gives no insult, Falkyr, it is the way of those of the Kingdoms to speak bluntly,” Hamish said. “And he is quite right in advising you to consider your circumstances. Traveling with me does have its consequences. Just as does traveling with an agent of the Kingdoms who has chosen not to present himself to the High Mayor and ask for permission to overnight in Riversea. I known you’ll claim Fisher is not Riversea, Guide Navarra, but you have not asked permission of our mayor either. Falkyr, you may find the intentions of some people here are not what they seem to be.”

  “Now it is you who offer the insult, young man,” Navarra said.

  “I wasn’t referring to you, Navarra,” Hamish said, “I was referring to the element that has arisen here in Riversea since the arrival of the Highlanders. Before Granit began the direct trade between the Highlands and Riversea the things you bring us from C’Holm were the exclusive province of the Five Houses of Riversea. The trade of the eleventh Captain was reserved for Fisher, but except for what was given to the Dark Forest People, everything was then transported out of Riversea across the Silver Lake by the Lady of the Silverlake. Unfortunately, the Highlanders arrived with great wealth, and a trade bypassing the Lady of the Silverlake and the Houses has developed. There are people who would bribe your Captains and their crews to divert some of their cargoes. They will probably approach you at some point hoping to make use of your contacts in the Islands ...”

  “I heard of this,” Falkyr said. “I will not interfere. Do you know of who? To warn me of?”

  Hamish laughed. “Actually, Falkyr, if Madam Eloise hasn’t already warned you, most of this ‘unofficial’ trade takes place at the Beggin Inn.”

  “But ...”

  “Before you hear it from someone else,” Hamish said, “I must confess that I was offered money to keep you at the Beggin Inn last night. By people who wished to speak with you.”

  “Did you take their money?” Navarra asked.

  “Yes,” Hamish said, “because I wish to remain in their confidences. Unfortunately, they were not as patient as you, Navarra, and the early arrival of the fleet caught them at home. I only promised one night.”

  “It is a dangerous game you play at,” Navarra said.

  “It’s the same game you play, Kingdomer,” Hamish said, “but unlike you, I know my way around Riversea.”

  Hamish then turned to address Falkyr. “In case we get separated I should tell you about the geography of Riversea. As you know we came from Fisherton through the wall separating us from the rest of Riversea. Fishergate is always open, but if you try to go through late at night the Guards can be difficult. Don’t ask me why the Riversea Guards are more interested in what you take from Riversea into Fisher, than what you bring from Fisher to Riversea, but it’s convenient. All anyone brings into Fisher are coins. Where we took to the left at Fishergate, the road to the right would have brought you past Newton and to Riverseaton. I would recommend sticking to the road and going past Newton to the Maingate of Riverseaton at all times. If someone tries to take you through Newton and the hole in the Wall, just remember that I warned you that it is rarely actually a short cut. We’re headed to Castleton, but the road has a few switchbacks to get over the ridge. The more direct route, if you’re on foot, goes through the New Castle and down the Grand Stairs. If you go straight here, where we’re turning, you will continue along the banks of the Town River and soon reach the Boundary Road at the edge of the Estates where you can then see Riverseaton across the fields. From most places in Riversea, except here in the forests of the Estates, you can see either the New Castle or the old Castle and orientate yourself.”

  “Do you expect a man who has sailed across an ocean to get lost in the little town like this?” Navarra asked.

  “I be not the Way Finder,” Falkyr said, “I be passenger. Thank you for the directions. Be all of these great houses as nice as it of Madam Eloise?”

  “I would say hers is one of the more honest homes,” Hamish said. “It is not the largest, nor the fanciest, but yet it is probably the most beautiful.”

  “I be impressed.”

  “If you stay in Riversea long enough, I’m sure that you will have opportunity to visit all of them,” Hamish said. “And yes, Navarra, many of them are owned by single women. Perhaps it is you who should consider representing your country as an Ambassador here in Riversea, and then making a marriage with prospects.”

  Navarra's mood changed and he gave a quick laugh. “Alas, but my faith prohibits me from marriage.”

  “No of your faith marry?” Falkyr asked.

  “Oh, no. Just those of us who Guide.”

  “Why?” Hamish asked.

  “I have asked that many times myself. The only answer I have received is that women are too much of a distraction. We are supposed to serve the needs of all of our people. If we had temporal families we would not be completely available to serve our spiritual family.”

  “That sounds like a hard rule to live by,” Hamish said.

  “Avoiding a wife is not so hard. It’s the viewing of women, and life’s other pleasures, as evil temptations that I question,” Navarra said.

  “You are allowed to question?” Hamish asked.

  “My Mentor was of those who taught that to question was the highest calling, for only through learning would we come to truly understand the Covenant between the Gods and Man, and what we must do to live up to it,” Navarra said. And then after a pause he added, “Of course, they did cut off his head for his teachings.”

  Know your goals

  Know your means

  Know your assets

  Know your limits

  Know your friends

  Know your foes

  Know your life.

  3The Game ...