Yanda hummed to herself as she cleaned off the only shelf in the room. It was a Sorinnian lullaby, one that her mother most likely sung to her when she was too young to remember. A song she hoped to one day sing to a child if the Goddess saw fit to allow one. She imagined running after a laughing daughter who had escaped her grasp. Holding a son who knew her as the world. She was young enough, and due to Kelton, still alive. A strange thing that. Had Kelton not burst from the makeshift fort on the bridge of their doomed ship, she would have died unknown and honor intact.

It still befuddled Yanda why she leaped from the position. That Kelton remembered her name was the only reason that made any sense. Her whole name. It was a decision made in an instance. The boy jumped, and the pain of knowing he would die alone sent her following. Her mother would have disagreed with the decision. It wasn't defensible, death preferable. Instead, she was surrounded and her reputation near lost. Yanda smiled at the memory. Kelton gave up his honor to save hers. They both denied a good death for the other.

Yanda scrubbed the edge of the shelf, where it met the wall. There was still soot from Kelton's failed battle with the coal. Such strange worries Kelton has. Never had she met anyone whose concerns of others lingered so long. They churned in his mind until a solution was found. A cloth muzzle was such an odd thing to emerge. Most would have thought closing the mines was the answer. Not Kelton. The Kingdom would not be denied its spoils, so he took another tack. And he made her part of it. She would change things with him.

Kelton walked in, disturbing Yanda's thoughts. She gave him a quick smile and returned her attention to the shelf.

"Glenda will talk with Master Zello," Yanda said. "Mayhap, Beldin will show us his leather skirt soon." Glenda was a good choice. Yanda's mother had taught her how to read people. How to find those with power among the multitudes. It is not only vested in the ones wearing the crown. Influence was sometimes more potent than strength.

Kelton sat on the bed in silence. It took Yanda a moment to recognize the lack of response. She stopped working at the shelf and glanced at him. His eyes had lost their intensity and looked at the ground, unfocused as if their function was no longer necessary. Shoulders weak, his lips parted enough to leak air yet no sound emerged.

"What's wrong?" Yanda said. She dropped her cloth and moved to Kelton's side.

"All wrong," Kelton replied to the floor. Yanda lifted his chin and looked into his eyes as if she expected to see illness. "I fool. I help." His language deteriorated. It had been improving, a mix that allowed Yanda to understand without effort. Now, it was sloppy as if he had forgotten it all.

"Fool? What's wrong?"

"No more," Kelton whispered. He placed his hands on Yanda's upper arms to impart a seriousness. "We leave."

"Something happened," Yanda said. She reached up and stroked his cheek. It was a gesture to impart that he wasn't alone. They share everything, and she meant to prove it. "Tell me."

It took many wordings for Yanda to gather the gist of what had happened at House Barrenkee. She was sure he was leaving things out or didn't have the right words to explain the nuances of what had taken place. At its core, Kelton felt he had been part of what happened to some woman. He was connecting his assistance to House Tarvakian to a woman who had been beaten in another house. A negotiation gone wrong, or right the wrong way. It was hard to tell.

"It was not your fault," Yanda said. It could never be, at least not on purpose.

"Kingdom's fault," Kelton agreed. "Laws bad. People bad. I not help anymore."

"House Tarvakian is not all bad," Yanda argued with care. "The people here are not unhappy. It's not perfect, but there are worse places." She didn't like where his mind was going. As to why she cared, she didn't know. It was true, the Kingdom's laws were not just. Their minds should be one in this.

"Nay," Kelton disagreed. "They not fight wrong. They help."

"And where will we go?" Yanda asked. Her tone was bordering on anger. It surprised her. She had more reason than Kelton to leave House Tarvakian. The guards were lax, and they could vacate without conflict. They had little knowledge of what pursuit would be mounted, but that could be divined with careful questions. She realized, she wasn't ready to go home.

"Not know yet," Kelton shrugged. Yanda knew it wouldn't take him long to decide. Kelton's mind worked fast when he opened it to a single problem. Even now she could sense he was organizing the steps necessary. She should relish the idea. Her mother would think her weak in dismissing it. Yet, something was holding her back. She wanted to stall for time to think.

"We should finish the muzzle first," Yanda said. She reached out for one of the incomplete muzzles and brought it in front of them. "It is a good thing. Many lives will be saved." She smiled, proud of her help in the project. Something that could make a difference in the world. Kelton took it from her hands and examined it anew. He sighed.

"Glenda help?" Kelton asked. Yanda nodded. "Beldin show?" She nodded again. Kelton sighed. Yanda had him, at least for the time being. She knew it was an easy calculation for Kelton. It would do more harm to leave now than to stay and finish the muzzle. It pleased her more than it should. She drew his head to her lips and placed a kiss upon his forehead. Then pulled him into her arms and held him. He needed her. She closed her eyes and felt his warmth. She needed him.

That night, Yanda tucked herself into Kelton's arms. She thought it best he hold her. He needed to feel strong.

~~~~~

"You are looking better today," Vasco commented as they road the wagon toward the library. Kelton had been surprised by the trip. He had assumed his outburst, no matter how appropriate, would have generated some animosity, or at least, caution in his care. Instead, Master had authorized a trip to the library. And not just to absorb more laws or necessities of commerce.

"A nights rest is all," Kelton said. He had expected Filgot, and two or three guards, to accompany them. It was if his angry statements had been forgotten. Beside the driver sat Taggert calm as can be watching the road ahead and ignoring his passengers. It was if they feared he wouldn't revolt in any way.

"House Barrenkee is like sitting on the edge of a knife," Vasco said with a nod. "None find comfort in that house."

"Profit is a poor reason to perpetuate that man," Kelton said. It was a neutral observation. Nothing threatening in the tone.

"Aye," Vasco agreed. "Poor, yet not so." Kelton raised his eyebrows. Not the response he envisioned. He expected an argument about it being the way things are.

"There are disagreeable people everywhere," Vasco continued. "It would greatly lessen our house if we were to avoid them all." He shifted on the bottom of the wagon, turning toward Kelton. "If you had hungry children, would you not approach an evil man who had food to spare?"

"I would hunt," Kelton replied.

"Aye," Vasco laughed. "You ruined that story easy enough. But imagine you have many, many children and they are all hungry. There is not enough deer in the woods, nor could you fish enough to satisfy them all."

"It would be a large family."

"Aye," Vasco said. "As large as House Tarvakian. Many to feed and clothe."

"There are ships," Kelton said, seeing where the logic was going. "It would delay coin, but it would not fund men such as him."

"Aye," Vasco said, his eyes narrowing. "Do you not have a vow against a ship's captain. De Marque, if my memory is useful. How narrow should our master's choices be?"

"Narrowed by two," Kelton said, then smiled. "It is hard to talk with you on this. I see Barrenkee and De Marque profiting from misery. Yet you turn it over and say it is necessary for the many."

"There is logic to both sides."

"Aye, and misery on one," Kelton said. "These laws find advantage in that misery. There should be no profit in it."

"King Kelton is a wise king," Vasco said. Taggert laughed, though he struggled not to.

Vasco's words were not lost on Kelton. House Tarvakian did what it could within the laws. It was difficult for them to see the faults, having grown up with them. Master was not Barrenkee. Still, there was Eveyin. The laws were the real evil, and even they were constructed with logic, twisted though it was. Kelton was still adamant that he and Yanda needed to leave. He wanted no part in helping one like Barrenkee.

As before, King Assima Victalica stood watch at the front of the library. The statue, and it's beaded mustache, brought back memories of Rolic. Today, the man's mead came to mind. Kelton's stomach tightened as he remembered the morning after the night of the honeyed drink. The retching had lost most of its fury in his mind, yet his belly slipped in a warning anyway. He smiled at the statue and gave it a slight nod as he passed. The world was broken, but Rolic wasn't wrong - it was amazing.

"Ahh, Kelton of House Tarvakian," Gladfee said as Vasco and Kelton neared the desk. "Page 56, 10th word?"

Kelton closed his eyes and paged through the King's Truth in his mind. A vision of the page appeared, and he counted down the words. "Effort," he replied.

"Incredible," Gladfee said. "Of course, I won't really know it until I look it up later." He grinned as if it were a friendly jab. "More laws today?"

"Nay," Vasco said looking toward Kelton. "Our master has deemed the day our pleasure. The choice will be up to Kelton."

"Maps," Kelton said. "This city and the lands about. I wish to learn why we are forced to choose one method of shipment or another." A request camouflaged with reason enough to get past Vasco. It was Yanda's query that brought the obvious to light. Where would they go? The answer and the path to get there would hopefully make itself known in the books.

"A vision of the land is important in such things," Gladfee agreed. "Though, I would not spend too much time on duty. Gather the knowledge that pleases you while you can."

"Aye," Kelton replied, as Vasco lead the way toward the maps. Looking back as he climbed the stairs, he saw Gladfee move to the King's Truth and turned the pages. Another 'incredible' soon echoed up the staircase.

The library held both books with small map renditions and cubby holes filled with rolled maps with a larger footprint. For the geographically naive, the books were a better source. They included descriptions, including port berths, other standard commerce information, and political boundaries. It took little research before Kelton discerned that it was a long walk before he and Yanda could cross the kingdom's border.

"Does our house deal with these foreign lands?" Kelton asked Vasco as he tilted the book, his finger circling the lands well west of the kingdom.

"Not directly." Vasco shook his head. "We have traded with some knowing our cloth would end up there. There is a lot of profit when crossing distances with desirable things. There is also a lot of risks. Laws are different and the costs unknown to us."

"Do they not prize profit there?" Kelton asked. He was careful to make the query sound as if it was a mere curiosity. He really wished to ask if they would send escaped property back. The answers he desired would have to come indirectly.

"I know of no place where profit is not held in high regard," Vasco said, adding a chuckle as if it were a silly thought. "Other kingdoms have many customs and fees that make trade difficult. Some, shipmasters mostly, have profited from knowing these differences."

"What kind of differences?"

"Sometimes simple things. Red cloth could be popular here, yet there it can be thought ugly, or mayhap be charged a great fee."

"A fee for color?"

"Mayhap," Vasco replied with a shrug. "Laws are written for the people they blanket. What if the royal house owned the only source of red dye? Would they not wish to protect their profits from outsiders?"

"So they honor their laws and ignore ours," Kelton prodded further.

"Some laws are respected in trade," Vasco said. "Flagged ships are one. There are meetings between kings to establish such things. Our house is too small to worry about the laws of other lands."

"But you said there is great profit in it," Kelton continued. "Should it not be considered for the days that come. Knowing the differences in the laws could be a great advantage."

"We can move to the foreign tower and look into those lands if you would like," Vasco said. "Though I think you would find more value toward the north," His finger pointed to the area on the map. It was not marked with any kingdom or other entity. "It is sparse there, and no king makes any claims. Or at least none have been willing to fight for it."

"Why..."

"People there do not hold to any laws besides those of nature," Vasco continued. "Food is the coin they use. The copper about your neck would only be recognized as a source of metal for tools. If you are to run, it is there you will find the freedom you seek."

"I did not say..."

"You circled the question you wished to ask." Vasco sighed. "I have Master's ear, and you fear me sharing such talk. And you would not be wrong in this. My lot is set to House Tarvakian. If I thought you were to harm it, I would not hesitate."

"You will tell Master this?"

"Master already knows." Vasco smiled. "He would scold me for saying as much, but I fear lies between the two of us are more harmful. As for the question you wished to ask, the lands to the west also have laws of ownership. Escaped property is respected on both sides."

"You have thought on this yourself," Kelton said.

"Aye, many years ago. There are places to go, but the risks to get there are high. It takes coin, which you do not have, and dealing with unsavory men. Will you steal from our coffers? Do you yearn to lose sight of land on another unflagged ship?"

"Master knows my desire and allowed me to come here - with minimal guard."

"Aye," Vasco said. "Filgot watches Yanda. Master is sure you will not leave without her."

"He would use her against me?"

"You don't know Master as well as he knows you." Vasco chuckled at the idea. "He means her no harm, though you may harm her by running. You've read the laws, another lesson is the least of it."

"This place is all wrong," Kelton said, shaking his head. "They do not see the forest, for they are the trees and have been part of it all along."

"You wish to understand them?" Vasco said. He signaled Kelton to follow and moved to a new set of shelves. After a short search, he removed a book and handed it to Kelton. "Start here. It is the story of King Assima Victalica, the one who first claimed this land. You admire the statue, mayhap you will admire the man - or not. This is where all it all began."

"It does it matter how it began," Kelton grumbled as he opened the cover. "That it didn't end is the problem." His grumbling belied his curiosity. The King did interest him. The magnificence of the statue begged for more knowledge.

"As you will," Vasco said. Kelton moved to a chair, sat and began to read. "I'll be in the aisle next, you must stay close." Kelton nodded only half listening. An impressive beginning had been scribed.

The book was worded as grand as Victalica's statue. It was all stated as fact, though Kelton was sure liberties were taken to establish the King's perfection. The greatest of warriors, the greatest of sovereigns, nobility defined. Whatever failures the man had, they were ignored and left from the text. Kelton wondered how a book of his life would read. He smiled at the count of failures that would have to be left out. It would be a small book.

The battles Victalica fought intrigued Kelton the most. He had always thought that skill with a sword would dictate the outcome. Instead, it was worded as a minor part. Skill as a group was more important, and food more so. Some battles were won because supplies followed one side and not the other. When he thought on it, it made sense. Many men required ample provisions. Few would fight if they are starved or forced to endure cold nights without blankets. The book spent many pages on numbers of support compared to numbers with swords. Victalica preferred one support for every five swords. Two for every five with calvary. His desired wagon counts alone forced those numbers.

Victalica was the first to build a vast kingdom. Prior to him, there were many small kingdoms, most no more substantial than the city for which they were named. They warred with each other often, sending men to their deaths for reasons long forgotten. Victalica assembled them one by one. Some through war, others by negotiation. He bound them in peace using profit. Harnessing their greed to eliminate past petty disputes. The laws of profit and advantage solidified the kingdom. Instead of war, slavery powered wealth. It was considered a significant step forward.

Kelton found it odd that slavery was considered advancement. The points were made and were logical. Profit dictated values, and values dictated care of property. It was all compelling if one ignored what property thought about it. Slavery was considered a given, not a result. Convenient thinking for those in power. Inconvenient for those who weren't.

The battle maps were exciting. Never had Kelton considered men fighting on the scale the book claimed. He knew that death and dying were hidden behind the tactics. His mind was able to ignore reality and absorb the military brilliance. Victalica had an innate ability to identify an opponent's weaknesses and use them to overwhelm. In each battle, he used terrain and types of troops to maximum advantage. Rarely did he repeat tactics between confrontations.

The book led to another book which, in turn, led to others. Kelton was many aisles of shelves away, attempting to locate a text on the only battle failure of Victalica's recorded. It was mentioned only in passing, an encounter with a tribe of warriors. They lacked horse and bow, yet dealt Victalica a devastating blow that halted the kingdom's progression in the east. Kelton desired more than the few mentions he had found. The loss held knowledge.

"War history? Does your owner find it useful?" The words were spoken by a woman. Kelton looked up from the shelf and realized he was far from Vasco. He wasn't sure the penalty for being parted from his sponsor and how Vasco might share in it.

"I have drifted," Kelton said and began to move back to where he started. The woman smiled and held up her palm to stall him.

"I too, am not where I belong." She was dressed in good cloth. Not flamboyant, yet crisp and colorful. A light blue dress fitted well to her figure with a golden chain hanging loosely about the waist. "Your hair is curious. It must take time to weave it in such a way." Her eyes were intelligent, examining Kelton from head to toe.

"It is done for me," Kelton explained. Her hair was weaved as well but piled on top of her head in layered coils. "Yours looks no less tedious to produce."

"Mine is done for me as well." Her pale skin was highlighted with unusual color. Lips roused red, eyelids powered in a blue that matched her dress. As a whole, it was a pleasing image.