CHAPTER 13
Insurmountable odds, in the eyes of a true warrior,
is like a sparkling diamond
reflecting its bright lure
Into his determined eyes.
-FROM THE BOOK OF ST. ALBANS-
The tricksters were at it again. If it was not one set of twins playing a trick on one of the other twins, or both at once, then it was merely the reversal of the culprits. This time, as Ankor and Alvis and I watched, it was Gawain and Gawaith, with Hakim’s assistance, committing an act of tomfoolery on the sleeping Bellus.
The three of us watched as Gawain delicately lifted up the larger of the Zhintii brothers’ hand and deposited in into a stone bowl of freshly thawed cold water. Only hours earlier we ate and drank in a small feast, each of us climbing into our bedding feeling stuffed and content. Now, with al
