The Lutin Chronicles Chapter 4 Surrender and Victory Mipo limped slightly as he made his way toward Gitch and Hornbeam's clinic. Three arrows protruded from his thigh. One looked as though it might have sunk all the way to the bone. Kayrok was alarmed when he saw the sanitation officer. "Mipo, what happened?" he barked. "Skirmish at Spiritfell." Mipo replied. "Didn't you get the message?" Kayrok shook his head. "Oh. Sytet was supposed to bring you word." Around a turn in the road came Sytet, one arm impaled by an arrow. "Oh." Mipo said again. "Do you need help?" asked the commander. "I'll be fine if I can just get to the healers. I may be a clean freak, but I'm still a lutin, Sir." Kayrok nodded and jogged over to Sytet. "Report." he said as he took hold of the soldier's good arm to help him along. "We were attacked by a lutin tribe called the Iceheart, Sir. They come from the east, from the village of Rider, beyond the territory of the gnomes." "From the... Wait... If they came from the east, then why did they go all the way to Spiritfell? Mountainshade and Camp Dimtorch are both much closer and easier to hit." "Your guess is as good as mine, Sir. But offhand, I would guess that it's because our presence there is minimal." "Were there any casualties?" "We lost two cows and a donkey." "We'll compensate the owners. Go get your arm fixed, Sytet. And good work." "Thank you, Sir. We all do our best." Kayrok escorted Kayrok to the clinic, then turned to go speak to Sujan when Fugu emerged from the gate to the pass, his arms full of metal rails. Kayrok turned and approached out of curiosity. "What, uh... what are you doing there?" he inquired. "Oh, Hello, Sir." greeted Fugu. "I'm setting up a means of sending small objects and messages between Cephas and Dimtorch." "Using metal sticks?" "Oh, no... well, yes. No. Using steam." "I'm confused." "It's a steam-powered vehicle, Sir. It runs on rails, like these. We're thinking that if the small-sized version works well, we might even ramp it up and create a mass-transit system between the villages" "How long would that take?" asked Kayrok. "I could make you a working prototype carriage within about two weeks. It wouldn't be pretty, but it would run. The hard part would be the rails. There's 1,760 yards in a mile. There's twenty-six miles from Cephas to Spiritfell. Multiply that by two rails, that's... "Ninety-one thousand, five hundred twenty rail segments." said Ruku as he rode up to the pair and dismounted. "Assuming a work force of sixty production teams, and that we could lay the rails as fast as we make them, each producing a rail every twenty minutes, that's three hundred five hours. Approximately two months of work." "Let's do it." said Kayrok. "Sir, that was assuming ideal conditions. We would have to stop all work on the mines and the aqueduct to have that kind of output." "But it would be well worth it if we could do so. It's over a hundred miles to the other side of that mountain. We WILL need a way to move both people and material quickly. The more quickly we get this thing made, the better. Fugu, you have my authority to do whatever you must to get this rail... road built. Fugu could have squealed like a little girl. Thankfully, he didn't. "What's going on, Ruku?" asked Kayrok as he accompanied the general to the coral. "Well, there are a couple of things I wanted to talk to you about, Sir." Ruku replied. "The first is the notable absence of the last two supply wagons." "I'm very sorry, Ruku. But you know that supply has a tendancy to let us slip through the cracks." "Actually, I don't think that's the case. I think they delight in shorting us every time. It isn't like them to just not send anyone at all." "Okay. What do you want me to do?" "I don't know yet. But it might be worth our while to send someone up there to ask around." "Our supplies come from Lavamist. That's practially all the way to Veddakar. That's a round trip of well over a thousand miles." "I'm aware, Sir. And I know that you usally communicate via teleport spells, but no one ever answers." "No, they don't. There's no mage in Lavamist." "But Sir, all signs point to it being a very harsh winter this year. We're going to need those supplies to get us through to spring." "We have fuel." said Kayrok. "There's an entire forest out there. We have meat and fruit stored up. We have Gitch's kowledge of herbs to keep us supplied with medicine." "But we'll need clothing and blankets. And I'm not certain that we'll have enough food to see us through if we're also going to be supplying Moondark. We didn't even know about them when we started stocking up." "Very well. I'll see about sending Sytet. No promises, though." "The other matter concerns the attack on Spiritfell." "I'm listening." "You're the head of five cities, now, and you're making them all very prosperous." "As was the plan." "But the more prosperous they become, the more vulnerable they are to raids by other lutin tribes. Or for that matter, any peoples who might be jealous of what we have, from humans to elves to giants. If we're going to protect our little kingdom, we need to establish a presence in and fortify every village." "I understand what you're saying, but we, the actual soldiers, are less than forty lutins. I can't afford to spread our forces too thin." "Then don't." replied Ruku. "Get two responsible soldiers and put them in each in charge of a village. Let them train the locals." "I hate to lose anyone from here." said Kayrok. "But you're right. We do need to protect our towns. I'll start considering candidates right away. * * * "You asked to see me, Sir?" said Jun as he entered Kayrok's hut. "Yes. Come in. Have a seat." said the commander. "I've been very impressed with your performance lately. Especially at the battle of the slave mines." "Thank you, Sir. I dare say it was my best yet." "I was especially impressed with that last spell, where you made that huge army appear while we made our getaway." Jun hesitated. "Sir, that was not my spell." This surprised Kayrok. "You were the only mage on the mission. If it wasn't you, then who was it?" "I can't honestly say, Sir." "Well... I was still very impressed, and I feel that you're ready for a promotion." "A promotion? Me?" "I want you to take charge of the village of Moondark. You'll have the same rank and duties as general Ruku. Build up the town and enable the citizens to care and fight for themselves." "But I'm no fighter, Sir. I am here among the Omega Company because I loathe violence. I wouldn't even have fought in the slave mine battle but for your promise to avoid casualties on both sides." "I'm not asking you to hurt anyone." Kayrok assured. "My goal is also to avoid violence. This morning, Spiritfell was attacked, and I believe it was attacked because it appeared weak. If we cannot protect these villages, then fighting is inevitable. If they can protect themselves, then we may yet prevent fighting before it begins." "Then I shall do my best, Sir, though it is not my first choice." "Very good. Dismissed. And please tell Onju I'd like to see him." * * * Tripe and Foxtooth made their way through the forest as silently as a pair of owls in flight. To their right was the gnome village. The pair had gone out to find answers as to why Rider had attacked. Tripe wanted to spy out Rider, but Foxtooth insisted that they had to check out the gnomes as well. He could provide no reason why. Only a gut feeling. Using hand signals, he beckoned Tripe to wait and listen. They had been spying for about ten minutes when someone approached the town. He was an unusually large gnome. His beard was small and his nose shaped like a wedge. If not for the color of his skin, he could have been a small lutin. In fact, he was a small lutin. It was Pip. His skin was covered in beige make-up. He carried an old duffel bag and was dressed in old clothes, as if he had been traveling for a very long time. He strode into town as bold as an armored skunk. How fortunate that they should be here, thought Foxtooth. Pip was very likely going to need rescuing very soon. Entering the town tavern, Pip hung his bag on a wall hook and sat down. "Pint o' stout." he told a barmaid. He then set about to listening. A gnome who would have come to Pip's shoulder if he were standing approached. He was a good twenty inches tall with his hat on. "Oi've never seen yew befare." said the gnome. "And Oi knowe every gnome in towne." Time to do some fancy talking. Pip did his best to copy the accents of western gnomes as he spoke. "Aye, and thar's a reason fer that." he answered. "Gilbert Warbleplug's the name. I've been wanderin' the werld in search of adventure. I were in Chai Enu when I heard about a gnomish town down in the dark forest. Well, I had to come see it for meself, now didn't I? And what might yer name be, me fine fellow?" "Naz Copperbell. Howe did you hear about us? Our forefathers did their utmoste te keep our settlement a secret from the Lom Shi'Un. Nobody's supposed te knowe we're here!" "Lay off the lad." called someone from the other side of the room. "He's done nothin' te deserve youre grillin' Naz." With a snort from his nostrils, Naz wandered off. As the barmaid gave him his drink, Pip raised it in salute to the stranger. "Thank ye, eh..." "Mikel Greenstar." said the gnome. "I'm the mayor of this here village. Don't tell anyone, thoughe. They all think Oi'm a beggir and Oi don't want muh meal ticket ruined." Pip laughed. "Allow me to make a charitable donation, then. Waitress, a pint fer me new friend." Mikel rose and came over to Pip. "Gilbert Warbleplug, is it? Any relation te the Arabas Warbleplugs?" "Aye!" Pip replied. "Me mother was Sandy Warbleplug, lady in waiting to an Arabarb princess." "There are noe Warbleplugs in Arabarb." Mikel said, suddenly serious. "Check yer records." Pip responded. "Me father was Kelwin Warbleplug. He served at the fortress at Arabas pass. I had six brothers and sisters back there, so I did." Mikel suddenly smiled. "Of course there are. Oi was merely joshin' ye. But now ye have moi curiosity aroused. Howe DID ye find oute aboute our little village of Solace, here?" "A pair o' lutin fellows." Pip answered honestly. "One of 'em wearin' a dress." Mikel frowned. "A pox on those two." he spat. "Some bad blood between ye?" "Oiye. As longe as oi've been mayor, we've had peace with the lutins. Then those two come breakin' the treaty and all sheoule breaks loose." "Lutins." said Pip. "What are ye going to do?" * * * Tripe and Foxtooth kept their attention plastered on the listening string which they'd gotten from Rugi that morning. They could just barely make out the conversation between Pip and Mikel. Then, suddenly, the string went taught. In the village, a gnome had discovered the other end. His gaze following the string, he quickly discovered the spies. "LUTINS!" he shouted. Foxtooth swore. Tripe bolted. Foxtooth was right behind. Pip was at the tavern door. "I got this." he said to the mayor. Pulling a hatchet from his bag, he ran after Tripe and Foxtooth, shouting threats and oscenities all the way. He chased them all the way to the road between Dimtorch and Mountainshade before stopping. Certain that they could not be seen from Solace, they panted like dogs and slumped against a fence. After several minutes, Pip asked "What were you two thinking?" "We wanted to gather information." said Tripe. "Just like you." "But these guys hate lutins! You saw what they did to Angu and Urik." "And what if they found out that you're a lutin?" said Foxtooth. "What if some of your makeup rubbed off?" "That wouldn't have happened." "It could have. Even Norebo doesn't..." "I said it wouldn't have happened!" Pip snapped. There was a moment of silence before Tripe reached over and swiped a finger over Pip's arm. "Hey!" shouted Pip. "That's not makeup." said Tripe." "What's going on, Pip?" asked Foxtooth. Pip angrily burried the head of his hatchet in a fencepost. "All right. You want to know the truth? I'm a hobgoblin. Half lutin, half gnome. Me name's not Pip. It really IS Gilbert Warbleplug. I were born at Arabas pass. Me mother were Sandy Warbleplug. But Kelwin were only me stepfather. Mother were taken by a lutin when she were travelin' up from the coast to see me stepfather. When I were born, everybody knew. Me nose, me ears, they were a dead giveaway. Mother and Daddy loved me, they did. But me brothers and sisters all hated me. They made me life a livin' Everdark. So, says I, if I can't live in peace as a gnome, I'll be livin' as a lutin. I used pangwort on me skin to turn it green. And though I be half the size of other lutins, I pulled me weight!" Gilbert was shouting now. "I were the best soldier, the best warrior, the best lutin the entire army ever had! And yet because of me size, they still treated me like the filth on the floor of Bess' stall! That's why they sent me here! Because there's no place for me out there! Not in Arabas! Not in Nasojassa! Not in Veddakar! Not in any! Stinking! Place!" Tripe and Foxtooth sat speechless. Pip, or rather Gilbert, calmed down after a few deep breaths. "I'm sorry, fellows." he said. "You didn't deserve any of that." "We had no idea." said Tripe. "Aye. That were me intention." "You're secret is safe with me and Tripe." said Foxtooth. Tripe added "And the two wagon loads of people coming down the road." * * * "Onju, I'm giving you a promotion." "Me, Sir?" The quiet, prayerful lutin was very surprised. "I haven't done anything worthy of a promotion." Kayrok went to the window and pulled back the curtain. "See that aqueduct being built? You made that possible." "It was Vertarbna, Sir. Not me." "But Vertarbna gave us those wagonloads of gypsum because you asked." "Vertarbna gives freely to all his people." "Exactly. But I have never seen any god work like yours. Normally, a cleric asks for something or other and if his particular deity deigns to respond, boom. There it is. Nine times out of ten, nothing happens at all. Yet we just HAPPENED to steal four wagons, three with the horses already hitched, which just HAPPENED to be loaded with high-quality gypsum. That can't be coincidence. Yet it means that your god would have had to begin working long before we were there. He would have had to work the entire situation like a master... I don't know. A master something." "But what has that to do with me?" "The difference is that you know him. We have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success this past year because absolutely everything has gone right. Someone up there has blessed us, and the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced it's because you're here." "I wouldn't say that. You follow Vertarbna's way, Sir. I believe that you would have found him on your own." "But I didn't. I found him because of you. Your god works hard to bless you, so I'm putting you in a position where your blessings will have the most benefit. I am promoting you to mayor-general of Spiritfell." Onju bowed. "I will do my best to serve well." he said. * * * When Gilbert returned to Solace, he was in a much less jovial mood. The hatchet went back in the sack. The chair he'd been sitting in was still empty, so he returned to it and began drinking the rest of his now tepid beer. Mikel was still there. The mayor looked upset, to say the least. "Did you slaye them?" asked the gnomish leader. "Nay." replied Gilbert. "Ah done lost 'em at the highway." "Oi'm sure ye gave it your beste." said Naz. "...Mister hobgoblin." Gilbert didn't blink. He'd been down this road many times before. "Ye followed me." "Tell me it isn't true." begged Mikel. "Looke me in the oye and tell me you aren't one of them." "I ain't one of anybody." Gilbert replied. "It is considered an acte of war for a lutin to come within half a mile of the village of Solace." Gilbert slammed his glass on the table and rose to his feet. Every weapon in the tavern was suddenly pointed at him. "We knew nothing of your laws!" he bellowed. "We never knew anything about you. We came in friendship and what we got were an unprovoked attack!" "He has identified himself with the lutins." said Naz. "Sieze him!" Among the lutins, Gilbert was the smallest. Here, however, he was enormous. Taking advantage of this fact, he picked up the table and weilded it like a hammer. "All right." he said, mimmicking their accent. "Whoe wants to be firste to trye?" * * * Rider was remarkable well-developed for a town so completely out of the way. At least that was the impression Tripe and Foxtooth got as they strode in. Instead of tents or huts, these people had proper houses. The town had the feel of a very old place. But neither lutin could help but notice that many of the houses were partially blackened, as though there had been a spate of fires. Their reception was less than warm. No one spoke to them. Instead, lutins were vacating the streets as they approached. Those who were indoors shut their doors and windows. "Tough crowd." observed Tripe. The two walked toward the town square. Those who didn't flee stared frostily at the newcomers. Before long, three armed guards arrived. They were all goblins. Not merely lutins, but full-sized goblins proper, with all the strength and meanness which that implies. Foxtooth stepped up. "Take us to your leader." he insisted, doing his best not to cringe. * * * Pip / Gilbert ran from Solace as fast as he could, still carrying the table, which was now heavily decorated with daggers and arrows. At least a dozen gnomes were behind him, shouting and threatening to do obscene things to body parts which he didn't even know he had as they chased him down. They might have caught him if he hadn't been suddenly snatched by a gigantic green bat. The hobgoblin panicked for a moment before realizing what just happened. Looking up at a huge pair of legs and a set of bat unmentionables, he called, "Sytet! This is a side of you I've never seen before!" "I try to avoid using this form." Sytet responded. "Sitting in the middle of the sky with a ten foot wingspan makes one a very handy target." "Good thing you were in the area!" "I followed you when I learned what you were doing, just in case exactly what happened did happen." When they reached the road, Sytet set Pip down and turned back into a lutin. Wincing in pain, he clutched his arm. "Are you okay?" asked Pip. "I was injured at Spiritfell. I healed, as werebeasts heal very quickly, but it is still very painful to fly. Come. We must inform Kayrok of the situation." * * * The chief of Rider was impressive. His residence was no mean hut, but a house of stone and timber, filled with objects of gold and silver. The chief himself towered over everyone. He was at least three times the height of Foxtooth. "Your highness," said one of the guards. "Two of Captain Kayrok's lutins were found in the town square." The chief squatted down to get a better look at them. "What are your names?" he asked. "I'm Foxtooth, Sir. This is Tripe." The chief rose once again and sat down in an enormous stone throne. "Guards, you may leave." The goblins bowed and left the room. "I am Pantagruel." said the chief. "Son of Ardon the ogre and prince of the goblins of rider. Why have you disturbed my kingdom?" "It wasn't our intention, your highness." said Foxtooth. "We came in peace." "You claim peaceful intent, yet you provoked the gnomes of Solace to make war against us." Foxtooth and Tripe exchanged a glance. "We beg your pardon, your Highness." said Tripe. "But it was the gnomes who attacked US." "Two of your men were observed openly violating gnomish territory." "Your highness, I believe there's been a big misunderstanding." * * * "Let me get this straight." said Kayrok. "There's a treaty between Rider and Solace which says lutins can't come within a certain distance of Solace..." "...Or gnomes Rider..." Pip added. "And if they do, their very presence is an act of war." "That's it in a nutshell." Pip confirmed. "So by sending Urik and Angu to make diplomatic contact, we made them think they were being invaded." "And..." said Sytet. "with the added incursions by Foxtooth, Tripe and Pip, the gnomes will be gearing up for war." * * * "I am not a creature of war." said Pantagruel. "For many years, Solace and Rider have been enemies. In the time of my father, and of my grandfather, and his father before him, our people fought constantly. No one knows how it began or why. The gnomes acuse the lutins of starting the hostilities and the lutins the gnomes. The two people hate one another severely. It was I who brokered the peace treaty with the gnomes. Since then, we have enjoyed a fragile peace." "Then why did you attack us?" asked Foxtooth. "The attack on Spiritfell was not authorized nor sanctioned by me. Trust me, had it been, the village would not be standing. It was, in essence, a lynch mob." "Okay, but why Spiritfell?" "Because any other target would have taken the mob right past Solace. They may have been mad, but they weren't crazy." "This whole thing has been a huge misunderstnding, then." said Tripe. "We want peace, too." "I'm afraid that is not possible now." said Pantagruel, gravely. "But... but why?" "We have learned that your company has entered Solace thrice more. The gnomes are now gearing for war. If the peace between us and the gnomes is to be restored, we must make it painfully clear that we do not stand with you. My people are even now preparing to attack Camp Dimtorch. And rest assured, we are no impoverished tribe of squabbling gatherers. We have the means to destroy your company completely. I am sorry it has come to this." * * * Splin came running into camp so quickly that his fur cap fell off of his head when he stopped. "Captain!" he huffed. "The trees tell me that there's a large army from Rider coming this way. They've gone around Mountainview and are coming in from the northwest." "And the gnomes of Solace will be coming in from the northeast." kayrok noted. Qlin was nearby, fetching a drink of water from the water pots outside the clinic. Sniffing at one, he noted "almonds." and pored it out. He was about to try the next pot when he overheard Splin and Kayrok. "Excuse me, Sir." he said. "Did you just say that the name of the gnome settlement is Solace?" "That's right." Kayrok affirmed. "Stay here!" said Qlin, urgently. He dashed into his quarters and returned with a scroll and unrolled it. "Normally, I like to study human history, but this story really caught my attention. It begins with a group of gnomes from Fan Shoar. They fled their homeland when it was attacked by a ruthless warlord commanding what today is known as the Qor horde. Some of them crossed the sea in airships." "Airships?" "Yes, Sir. Ships held aloft by hot air. They settled in numerous locations across Galendor. One ship landed in the Great Barrier Mountains. Some settled there in an area of high plains. Others decided to settle in the forest to the north. They found that the ground was rich in gold and other precious metals. The gnomes made an alliance with a nearby tribe of dwarves and together they founded the prosperous city of Solace, which they named because it gave them solace from their troubles in Fan Shoar. Now here's where it gets interesting. A tribe of goblins from the east heard about Solace. They had as their chief a greedy ogre named Terrakor. He led the goblins in a raid on Solace. Many of the dwarves were taken prisoner and sold as slaves either to other goblin tribes or to the Lom Shi'Un. The Gnomes were left to rebuild. But the goblins would come back year after year to demand tribute. Now this fellow, the one with all the light beams coming off of him, that's Yorik the insanely bold. He inspired the gnomes to strike back against the goblins. He killed Terrakor and burned the enemy camp to the ground. The end." "And the two have been fighting ever since." added Kayrok. "Until someone decided to make peace." said Sytet. "A peace which we inadvertantly shattered. And now they're both furious and both coming after us." Kayrok turned to his servant, Point. "Can you tell me anything about the two armies?" "The gnomes may be small, but they're deadly. And while Rider may be inferior in skill, they have the numbers and weapons to wipe us out." He turned next to Sujan. "Suggestions." "I have none. This battle is one which we cannot win. It may be possible to prolong our survival by retreating into Cephas, but doing so would eventually result in our starvation." Kayrok looked from one face to another, the told Sujan, "Order the Omega Company to prepare for battle." * * * The armies of Solace and Rider arrived almost simultaneously. Kayrok strode out across the bridge leading into the camp, sword in hand. On his right, Mikel Greenstar stood ready to lead the Gnomes into battle. On his left, Pantagruel and the warriors of Rider stood ready to crush him. Everyone tensed as Captain Kayrok raised his sword. Then he dropped it. "I surrender." he said, plainly. "What?" demanded Greenstar. "Ye can't surrender!" "But I have." "Lutins don't surrender!" "Kayrok," said Pantagruel. "This is extremely unusual. Who exactly are you surrendering to?" "Both of you." "Bothe?" the gnome commander balked. "Ye can't surrender te bothe!" "Why not?" Greenstar sputtered, but could not reply. "And now, the three of us must sit down together and discuss terms of surrender." Greenstar glanced over at Pantagruel, who gave a shrug an "after you" motion. * * * "And you're sure the story in this scroll is true?" "I have been able to verify its account from my own library." said Sujan. "In point of fact, the very name of Rider is derived from 'raiders'." "Then the four generations of bloodshed is our fault." said Pantagruel. "And Kayrok's lutins are innocent." added Greenstar. "We have acted dishonorably." "All of us have." said Pantagruel. "So, gentlemen, what shall we do now?" asked Kayrok. "Obviously," said Greenstar. "We continue te honour the treaty, since it has not been broken." "I have a better idea." Kayrok countered. "Separation fosters misunderstanding. I propose that Solace and Rider move forward on the path of friendship rather than isolation." "But our people have spent years hating each other." said Pantagruel. "How do we do this?" "Through a third nation. I propose we form a union. Let's join our kingdoms together to insure peace." "A merger of three different nations?" said Greenstar. "Such a thinge has never been done." "Four." said Point. Everyone turned to listen to the cyclops. "I am the sole owner and sole resident of a very large estate. I therefore consider myself the ruler of a fourth kingdom. I trust Kayrok's plan implicitly and am willing to devote all I have to the union. I also point out that Cephas and Moondark are also willing members of this union. By joining with Kayrok's nation, they have enjoyed freedom, peace and prosperity." "And who would rule us?" Greenstar asked. "You would rule yourselves." said Kayrok. "Each of us would retain control over our respective territories, and the union would in turn be governed by a council of three... I'm sorry, four leaders." "But one of us must be first." said Pantagruel. "Oye. One must be firste." "If one must," said Point. "Then I suggest it be the one who has acted with honor and proven himself capable of leading such an alliance." Both of the former enemy commanders agreed. * * * The negotiations lasted long into the night. When they were over and his fellow leaders gone, Kayrok permitted his feelings to show, and found that his hands were shaking visibly. Jun, Smallbeard, Ruku and Onju, who now also found themselves members of this new alliance's council, were experiencing similar feelings. Rather than stand around and congratulate each other, they chose to ride together up to Splim's for a few stiff drinks. "So..." asked Splim as he served ale to the council members, then went back to start preparing breakfast. "What's this new alliance called?" "The Alpha Omega Federation." replied Kayrok in a tired voice that matched his drooping eyes. "That's a mouthful." "It's the only suggestion that nobody hated." "If I may ask, Sir," said Onju. "What prompted you to surrender?" "I'm curious, too." said Point. "That was an enormous gamble. How did you know it would work?" "I didn't. But there seemed to be no hope of victory by conventional means. Then I remembered that in the holy books of Vernarbta, a common theme is both a great irony and a powerful truth. Often, the only way to victory is through surrender." Smallbeard smiled. "I didn't know you were a religious man, Captain." "I wasn't when I came here." Kayrok replied. "But if Stormhaven isn't helping us, then Stormhaven help us!" Everyone laughed tiredly and drank to that thought. * * * Norebo and Udge sat and stared at the stars as they disappeared one by one into the morning light. "That was quite a day." said Udge. "It sure was." Norebo agreed. "When are you going to tell him?" asked Udge. "Tell who what?" "You know what I mean." "I'm afraid I don't." Udge removed his bowler and ran a hand through his hair. "If it were me, I'd tell him sooner rather than later. Kayrok deserves to know the truth, and hiding it will only complicate things." Norebo was silent, then after several long moments, he asked "how long have you known?" "Since the battle of Devil's Strand. It didn't take me long to figure out the lighthouse." Norebo sighed. "It will change things forever." "Aye, it'll do that. But it's the right thing." Norebo fell silent and watched the sun rise.