Mass Debating Session

Unsurprisingly, Winnacer is the first to respond after hearing that the Head of the Blue Dragons wishes to meet with you. The young Lord considers the matter for a short while and then speaks to them all:

"With word from Dvur from the Dragons, I am even more interested than before in making the trip, and perhaps causing more woe to the Nyemetz garrisoned there. I recommend that we head out soon, leaving the bulk of our equipment behind, as I think speed and flexibility would be more important with reports of Nyemetz activity all around. It also gives us a chance to check on the status of the fur farm, as Yaz certainly will be pissed if it is not razed. And I would be pleased to have the opportunity to run through some Nyemetz patrols with my lance."

"Hopefully," the young Lord continues, "whatever we get involved with over there will not take too long, enabling us to return before the werewolf catastrophe begins. From there, we can head out to Holitze quickly to take care of those issues. I can go there alone if necessary, but I must go in order to get my armor blessed."

"After that it sounds like Kutna Hora."

"I absolutely agree with this. Let's head out right now!" Bennett responds. He assumes that the farm is being taken care of and doesn't care enough to double-check it, but since it's not much out of the way, it's no big deal. He would just as soon never think about the farm again, as he considers it one of their crowning diplomatic failures to date.

Faewen'il speaks up, a slightly annoyed look on her face.

"I already have spoken ta Konan an he has agreed ta have his priests cast thar blessins an tha like tamorrow so that I may copy tha one book. Can we at least be spendin another day here as Dvur only be a day road away or two by travellin tha wilds?"

"Iffen ye canna wait, then can I stay beyind an get it done as well as get all tha supplies in an organized?"

"I do not think that we are in any particular rush, Faewen'il," Winnacer replies. "I would just like to head out there before we ponder Kutna Hora or the other options we have discussed. If your transcribing is going to take two or three days, then perhaps I'll mount up and make the trip to Holitze alone while you finish up. Unless anybody wishes to join me, that is. We can then meet up and travel to Dvur as a group and nobody has to go to Holitze against their will. Does that sound agreeable to everyone?"

Faewen'il nods and then responds:

"With tha help o tha Kitrans an focusin me magic all on transcribin, it should only take a day. I have na problem in goin ta Dvur; I just simply wish ta get done with tha spellbook a'fore we end up in a scrap like we normally seem ta be doin. I simply have na wish ta be troublin tha priests o Konan more than I have ta be doin," Faewen'il says with a bit of relief in her tone of voice.

"Another day should see ta tha layin in o most o our supplies as well."

"Sounds like a plan," comments Bennett. "That way we avoid wasting any time. I'll go with you to Holitze once it is part of the overall plan. I just don't like to go visiting your girlfriend when there's more important business here."

"If it's not to see someone that makes your eyes light up when you talk about her, then the trip is unnecessary right now. You should be able to admit that at least," Bennett says before he sighs and prepares to hear more.

He doesn't appear to understand Winn's motivations if they are not what he believes them to be. Bennett sees Winnacer's objections and raises his hand:

"Look, you've got a right to have a social life as well as anybody, but be honest about it and say that's why you want to go back. Saying it's strategically important or that it's because of your armor is an excuse, though I do realize that you want to wear the armor. If you were straight with us a little more often, then we'd respect you for it. We already follow you, but if you really want us to stop giving you so much shit, then be a human being and not some god-driven holy warrior all the time."

Bennett looks at him intently:

"And if you get pissed off, at any of us, then let us have it! I know you want to wail on me every once in a while, and I probably deserve it. So do it! If you weren't so infuriatingly perfect all the time, then I for one would treat you better. Just something to think about..."

Winnacer looks Bennett in the eye, his face infuriatingly honest:

"Bennett, I am not the type to lie or make up excuses for my actions. I believe that there still is a lot to be done in Holitze, considering that is our only seat of power at the moment. All these exciting plans that we've been discussing about taking over Hradetz or taking over Dvur require more than just our will and the Dragon's resources. We need men to fight for our cause, to defend the cities from the Nyemetz once they are liberated. That's going to take a lot of men and a lot of training. The main reason I wish to go to Holitze is to ask Honza if he can afford to take some time and actively recruit from the other villages in the area, aiding in the preparation of others' defenses in the same way we helped him. To amass the numbers of soldiers needed to fight the Nyemetz, we are going to have to recruit hundreds of soldiers and train them all. We do not have the time for the task, but the Holy Hammers, already impatiently waiting for the revolution to start, need something to occupy them. Perhaps recruiting and training can keep their morale high and expand the revolution on the grass-roots level."

"Also, a number of priests of Radegast are with the villagers. I need to make sure that any conflicts of beliefs are sorted out. I would also like to make sure that they help in the recruiting the populace as well."

"Also, the title of LawBringer brings a number of obligations onto me that cannot be met without a church. Besides blessing my armor, I need to pay my tithes and make my dedications. Considering that I still do not know how to manifest most of the powers granted to me, I also could use some of the advice of the clergy. Plus I seek counsel about the recent events, to make sure that I still walk on the Just path. While this may be something that does not interest you at all, it is something that I need to do."

"And I will admit that a part of me longs to see Magda again and to make good of my promise to the High Priestess that I would keep an eye out on her, it is not what motivates me to return. Like I have said before, I have no time for dalliances, at least not until Bohavia is free. Yiri's downfall shall not be my own. Doubt me as you wish, but you should know deep down that I do not lie."

"I have no doubt that you are not lying," responds Bennett, "but that doesn't mean that you're telling the truth, if you understand me. Truthfully, if all that is the reason why you're going to Holitze, then it's a damn shame. You were just there a few days ago, and to say that your presence is necessary for Holitze to get along is an excuse whether you know it or not. To say that an army is going to be raised or in the process in the time that has passed is equally silly. I don't want to argue with you about this, but are you going to need to go back to Holitze every few days from now on? I didn't think so. For us to delay our trip there long enough that we're headed that way in the first place just makes sense, as it's a needless risk for us to go through the gates of Hradetz and back when you all have so recently been there seems silly to me.

"The raising of armies is something that needs to be set into motion that has not yet been done," answers Winnacer. "And for waiting to go to Holitze, that would be fine. I just thought we could take care of those tasks while we need to stay close by, as I would not dare travel too far with so little time between now and the next full moon."

"What about Dvur then?" responds Bennett. "Seems to me we should do one or the other, considering our time limitations, and Dvur seems the better of the two choices to me. We can always go back to Holitze on our way away from Dvur, as us going back and forth between Hradetz and Dvur would raise suspicions if anyone is watching. I need to do something that will make the Nyemetz worry, whatever the repercussions of such an event."

"Holitze can certainly wait," Winnacer agrees. "I was under the impression that Faewen'il wanted to complete all of her studies now, in order to reduce the amount of time she was exposed to Boscobelous' books. Considering that such an undertaking would take two or three days, I figured I'd take care of that task now, instead of wasting time later. We do not all need to venture there, I just need a half a day to take care of business and return. I was not planning on spending more time than that. If Faewen'il needs less time than the two days of travel to Holitze, then I will certainly stick around so we can leave for Dvur first."

"As for my getting pissed off," continues Winnacer, "none of you have done much to inspire my anger. While I can often be frustrated, I accept that your behaviors are a part of you that I can never change. It's hard to get angry when you accept people for what they are without needing them to change. I often get concerned whether certain behaviors will be able to exist in close contact with other behaviors, for it is the dynamics of our interactions that will dictate whether our revolution shall succeed or fail. But I rarely feel true anger towards any of those in our group. Perhaps these ideas may be foreign to you, but I feel little reason to 'let it out' for there is not much to let out besides frustration when I am verbally accosted. And that frustration passes quickly if I let it go."

"Oh, please," Bennett interrupts. "This bit may fly with your goddess and her priests and even yourself, but I don't believe it a bit. If Yaz and Fae and I don't piss you off, ever, then you're not a man, you're some kind of machine. You should realize that trying to be the best you can be doesn't include dismissing any honest emotion. Also we need to all stop thinking that debate, even angry debate, is going to sabotage the revolution. The philosophy that we all need to be in bed together to do the job is foolish. We're all strong individuals, and if we have a difference of opinion, it's healthy. Damn."

"While you preach the individual, it is you who have the hardest time embracing that fact," the young Lord responds. "I happen to have strong emotions and feelings that have brought me to where I am today. For my anger at the Injustices around us have made me take arms, despite the fact that I am not particularly well suited for the task. I have not the brawn of my brothers, or even you and Xavier, yet it is my feelings that have chose my course."

"I'm not talking about righteous indignation," Bennett replies. "We all know you've got that in spades. I'm talking about human emotions: anger, fear, love, hate. We've all shown it in some regards or another, and yet there you sit. I admit it makes the perfect moderator between us, but it's really totally beyond my understanding. This is why I think they are there, just hidden beneath the veneer of who you want to be and think you should be. I guess it's just another difference between the two of us that's beyond me."

"Who is to say I show no human emotions?" the young Lord asks. "Perhaps I just express them in ways foreign to you. Perhaps my patience for your words is how I express my respect and love for you. Maybe my righteous indignation is how I express my anger with things Unjust. Perhaps my passion is to see every man get his fair due, as watching men take advantage or abuse other men stirs conflagrations of fury within my heart. I do not need to prove my love for others with shows of anger or cross words. I prefer to treat them with the respect and courtesy that they are due. My feelings and their strengths exist in formats you have no respect for, for faith is nothing you can relate to. Perhaps if you understood the passion behind true faith, you would understand how I express my feelings. My faith is absolute in Spravedelna and my task. My faith in my friends is almost as strong, for I truly believe that goodness shines upon all of your hearts and morality lies beneath the surface of all our your behaviors. I am not a contrived persona, worn to make a task possible. This is how I am. And I hope the day will come when you can believe it and perhaps appreciate the things that motivate me."

"Perhaps that day will come," Bennett replies. "We're just entirely different beings, I guess. Oh, and don't think that because I have no understanding of your following that I don't respect it. Anybody that believes in something that strongly is to be admired. I just wish there was more to you than that sometimes. No insult intended. It just seems that you're more Spraveledna than Winnacer sometimes."

"Since we have met," the young Lord continues, "I have only felt the need to criticize your behavior when it became disrespectful of the others in the group. I have accepted you without asking for you to change the core of who you are. I understand full well the importance of the individual and the importance of difference in any group. At the same time I understand the need for respect between individuals, something that you obviously feel differently than myself about."

"Truthfully, you haven't criticized me hardly at all," Bennett responds, "which I guess is your role, but thinking that's important to me is wrong. I have been slammed by just about every member of the group, and you know what? I respect that! That Yaz gets pissed off when I cut the limbs from a tree, or Will when I disrespect his books, or Fae when she feels used, or Jihan...for whatever reasons it is that Jihan gets pissed off."

Bennett looks toward the group as a whole.

"This is my family, here in this room, and nowhere else, and I respect and love them all. Telling someone when they are wrong IS respect, and expecting the same from them in return is expecting that same respect. I don't care if you're never wrong. I need this....shit, what's the difference anyway."

Bennett looks toward his glass, barely touched, as if to say his sentimentality is result of the alcohol, but they have all seen him consume much more and stay in far better control.

"I have yet to see you perform a true Injustice," Winnacer says in answer. "Then perhaps you would see my anger and the whole of my hatred. But if I believed you were capable of such, we would never have become companions."

"As for my criticism, you just do not see it. I do not tell you that you are wrong. How I live just reminds you when you are wrong. Which in some ways it is the harshest, I guess. But even here, your own conscious is your own worst critic. The actions of your past cannot be forgiven by you, and seems to make you wish for punishment and a bleak future. I respect and care for you enough that I wish to help you conquer your past and to try to help you find peace in the inside, however that can be achieved. Despite yourself, you have managed to gain the confidence and respect of each person here. Don't let our ways of doing things deceive you."

Bennett mumbles something defensive, but they suspect by his silence that Winnacer's statement has proved too close to the mark for his comfort.

Winnacer pauses for a moment, and then continues:

"You say I suppress the individual, but it is you who seek for all those around you to change. I should act differently by your words, be less like myself, and if I were to do this, then would you accept me. Others also must change for you to accept them as well. I believe you need others to change because you believe that unless people are like you they can never understand you. And you have the greatest need to be understood out of all of us that have gathered together, going so far as to ask for divine guidance to better dictate your soul to the rest of us."

"That's right!" Bennett answers, "I don't know who I am, and I want to be accepted by the people I have bonded myself to. Why do those two things not go together? Do we all have to be so secure as you are, so confident that we know what's right and wrong? I've never said you need to be somebody else, just be you.

Truthfully, of all those here, I can honestly say that I know who you are, what's in your heart, less than anyone here. And if you think I want others to be like me, you're wrong, dead wrong. I assume that you can't understand me because you don't know who I am, and that's fine. Believe me, you don't want to walk a mile in my shoes. That's why I wanted to keep your brother alive. He deserved to get Xavier's sword in his throat as much as any I have ever met, but no one should be responsible for his brother's death."

"That you suffer such for your past is elegant proof that Justice is being served," the LawBringer responds. "To make amends for those actions with sacrifice and service to the ideas of those you have wronged is the pinnacle of Spravedelna's Justice. Your words are of those who walk the path of Atonement. What you have not done is accept your past, for that is the final of the Twelve Steps."

"Too late for all that, man," Bennett replies. "There is no righting the wrongs, only trying to balance the scales. And as for accepting the past, there's more to that than you know. And what the hell are you talking about, anyway? What makes you think I want to go down Spravedelna's path? It's fine for you, but using religion as a crutch won't help me. If it's real, then it's real, but for me it isn't, so it doesn't help. I'll take care of my own salvation, thanks very much."

"The truth of the matter is that I accept difference between people much more than you give me credit," Winnacer continues. "And for all your talk of the importance of the individual, it is you who is least able to tolerate dissention to your ideas. I often believe that you like to think about me as a dictator making those around me act against their will. The truth of the matter is everybody is free to speak their mind. We tend to follow my suggestions simply because they are usually the most moderate and balanced, for I do not let my pride get in the way of our goal."

"Really?" Bennett asks. "You've never let pride get in the way of the goal? If you say so. I may be sensitive to what others have to say about my ideas, and that's a fault of mine, I'll readily admit. I don't take criticism well, but when have I ever told the group that it was my way or no way? When have I been unable to go along with the group decision? I have my opinion, and it's usually a strong one, and it's sometimes not the best one, but I've always listened to what others have to say as well as you have. To throw the discussion on its head, if you embrace the opinions of others so much, then why is your plan always the plan that we go with? Even when other, and better, plans are made, their strongest obstacle is getting by what you've already decided we should do. When you feel that we children should be allowed to get some input, then you schedule in time for us. Pride? Hah, don't make me laugh."

"There have been many times when I have also nodded to the group's decision," the young Lord responds. "I just do not call attention to them. To me, our decisions are a matter of virtue and risks versus benefits. My pride and my life should not enter into the equation. Until Klauf almost found his explosive death in my hands, I have tried to keep all but my best judgement and my morality from interfering with my judgement. I never claimed to have all the answers, nor do I believe that my plans are the best ones. There has never been a group decision made that was not decided upon in a democratic manner. The reason why you may feel that we always go with my plans is because my criticism is very strong and based in fact. You ask for my criticism, yet you complain about it. My morality is the only thing that gets in the way from time to time, for I will refuse to be a part of anything that Spravedelna would look down upon. I have only the pride that a disowned country lord hated by his own kin would have. Which doesn't amount to much."

"So none of this is for Winnacer the person?" Bennett asks, rhetorically. "Okay. You may have a handful of recommendations for me as to how to rid myself of my demons, but I think if you got really in touch with yourself you'd see that there's a lot of delusion going on there. That's all the psycho-babble I'm going to dispense today."

"Before you start expounding about the importance of the individual to me again," continues the LawBringer, "try to consider me as one as well. I am an individual, whose feelings and thoughts have made me the way I am. You may have a problem with the fact that I choose to live up to some high standards of behavior or the fact that my feelings are invested forwarding the greater good rather than providing momentary pleasures. But I do not consider myself more or less than any one individual in this room. I perhaps believe more strongly in the individual than even you, Bennett, but I refuse to allow people Injustly treat others with the respect that all people should show for each other. To believe in the strength of the individual, you must also accept everybody as such, even your enemies with different colored skin. I'm not sure you are quite ready to do that yet."

"I treat all PEOPLE with respect unless they show me they don't deserve it," Bennett responds. "That you imply that those that are not people, but simply bipedal animals, should be treated with equal respect is foolish. I don't have any problems with you striving to be what you want to be. That's as it should be. What I have a problem with is that becoming more important than the cause that we all fight for. I would venture to say that your quest for personal glory has distracted us from that cause more than anybody else's personal feelings, so don't go martyr on me just yet, okay?"

"You often forget what respect truly means," Winnacer continues. "I doubt that the girls of the Pink Pussy or Sonya believe that they were met and treated respectfully.

"Those girls did their job," Bennett counters, "and from their reaction I don't think they felt the same way about our experiences as you appear to have. I haven't heard any complaints so far. As for Sonya, she's a shrew who can't take a joke, making her a worthy target of my jibes. If what makes me worthy is to go around and treat everyone like my mother, then I am certainly not worthy."

"You're certainly not worthy," Sonya responds. "Every time you say something totally offensive, you always try and cover it up by saying that you were only joking and that you are the only one around with a 'wonderful' sense of humor and that no one else realizes how funny you are."

"Well, f*ck you! You ugly Neanderthal bastard!"

Sonya pauses for a moment and then grins an obviously sarcastic grin as she watches for Bennett's reaction.

"Only joking," she smiles. "Keep you hair on. Where's that great sense of humor of yours?"

Winnacer waits for Sonya to finish, and then continues:

"On a more personal note, I believe that I received no respect from you on many occasions. Perhaps you consider this your show of affection, the criticism that you wish to get. But to me such harsh and hurtful words are offensive, and have strained feelings between yourself and many of the others on occasion."

"Perhaps the definition of respect is what differs between us," Bennett replies. "When you think you are being respectful, my perception, and not just mine, is that you are being condescending. I don't think I am alone in this. Your opinion I am sure is shared equally, but at least I am willing to admit when I am wrong and have shown my companions some slight. I am not sure that you can honestly say the same."

"As for your words about other species," the young Lord continues, "your words dishonor Darius and Hrust, for they both would have been our enemies had we not looked passed our prejudices."

"Hell, even rats show differing manners and intelligences," Bennett responds. "You all said yourselves that Darius was some kind of freak among his kind, and truthfully, I never saw a hint of anything that would make me feel Darius was particularly worthy of honor. Hurst was also quite exceptional among his kind, and I do not know whether or not his race is a true race or a sub-race, as he is the only one I have met to date. Remember also that I was not the only one that believed Hrust our enemy when we met."

"Perhaps you would like to ride me off as just another martyr," Winnacer continues. "For Spravedelna's will, I would prepared for such a sacrifice."

"And the drama goes on," Bennett continues. "This play gets old. Let's just shelve this whole thing and get back to the business of freeing Bohavia. I think it's pretty clear that you and I are never going to see eye-to-eye, and perhaps that's how it should be."

The conversation goes quiet for a while, and they all return to eating the banquet that is laid out before them. After a few minutes of eating in silence, Winnacer turns to Bennett and speaks to him again:

"There is something that I have wanted to talk about, and that is the possibility of knighthood for you sometimes in the future. Oftentimes you speak of going off on your own to fight the war in your own way. I felt that perhaps I could give you something to make that task easier, a title that other men tend to respect. While you may not have the discipline to follow in Spravedelna's path, the Knight's lifestyle is more open to interpretation, especially when you consider all my brothers have been knighted except for me."

"That's pretty good, Winnacer," responds Bennett with sarcasm. "I don't think knighthood is quite my cup of tea. For you and Xavier, yeah, but even if you ignore my obvious shortcomings, I think my path may be a little different. Besides, only a king can knight me, and we don't have one of those handy, so I guess it's all academic."

Xavier, passing by, coughs quietly:

"Excuse me, Herr Bennett, but dat is not true. By the holy law of Rodengast which determines such things, any member of the higher echelons of the secular or religious branches of chivalry may perform such a task as conferring knighthood. In der religious orders, der head of der order vas responsible for conferring such honors. Vhile on campaign, in certain circumstances, a company commander could also assume these same duties. In Rus, one squire of my company vas dubbed a knight for his rescue of two of his wounded comrades. I vas one of those he saved. This scar above my eye came from dat action, in vhich ve vere ambushed. From an arrow did I nearly lose my sight, in my left eye. Two years later, I vas his company commander and he my second in command. From vhat I understand, a Baron or Earl can also confer such honors on those who serve under him"

Faewen'il took another breath and finally closed the book in her lap; she would have to study elsewhere. As she stood up, she walked passed and paused briefly, speaking in a somewhat sad, distracted tone.

"All nobility aside; a knight is farst a knight within himself a'fore being recognized one on tha outside. An iffen ye truly thin about it; it is not somethin that ye work far... tha purity o purpose is a natural thin. Only ta be recognized by others takes work, an ta help others better themselves takes work... everythin else should be a joy to ye heart."

"A study was made by several scholars o Bohavian Knights... parhaps tha Kitrans have a copy o such a manuscript that I read a few years back as part o me studies. I never did understand why Luud wanted me ta study such thins iffen I was ta be a mage; but it be a book an I learnt from it."

"When asked about such thins," the lass continues, "knights fell into two classes; those that war political an those that war religious. The political knights... those dubbed by nobles far reasons o alliances an favors fell into two groups as well; tha ones who then tried ta fit tha shoes they had been cast into an those that took tha power such a title confers. As ye can well imagine, tha latter are ye corrupted ones... and sadly enough, they are tha most populous o the knights. Tha rest o them are what ye thin a knight should be."

"Religious orders tended ta define what a knight should be; an from tha study made, a general overview was gathered. Knights are the protectors o tha good folk that may not be able ta protect themselves, they also are responsible far tha defense o thar country... even though tha country was often just thar parish an village. Bravery and purity o tha heart be traits o a true knight. Whar some orders define what knights can an canna do in thar personal life; this donna hold true far all knights. Some orders required chastity, others fastin on holy days, an yet others poverty. But all these thins be academically irrelevant when one thins o what a knight be inside hisself."

"O tha twenty documented orders o Bohavian Knights; none exists taday in public. Tha churches have either hidden them within thar folds or tha knights have went into hiding when the Nyemetz invaded. An while some scholars thought this cowardly; others argued that historically such thins always happened when major invasions took place. Yiri be such an example. These hidden knights are what bring back justice an thus tha cycle begins itself anew."

"Tha study made brief mentions o tha Saxony Orders far comparison parposes an found tha same thins ta be true. Although no one was able ta document it; thar be strong feelins that tha elves also have Knightly Orders or somethin equivalent ta it."

"A great debate filled many pages o tha manuscript as ta whether or not Knights war a spiritual force farst and a military force second. All tha major wars be filled with knights leadin tha common soldier ta feats o justice. All churches have mention o thar great knights in history. But nothin was ever decided an that probably be a good thin."

"Tha rest o tha pages war filled with symbols an crests an tha historical meanins o them... not terribly interestin..."

Xavier looks up with great interest at Faewen'il words:

"Madchen Faewen'il, this book vould der scholar priest Konan have a copy of it. Vhile ve rest here it would interest me to read this manuscript. It has been many years since time has been on mein hands to pursue such a forgotten pleasure as reading. Maybe vhen your own studies are done, ve could go to der temple and ask about this book?"

Faewen'il stopped, but did not turn to look at Xavier as she responded:

"I shall be seein Konan later on... I will ask him iffen he has a copy o it. If not I have tha one I read stashed away back in tha Shumava Forest a week or so from Mynesto. Iffen we ever get tha time ta return thar... thar be many books in tha two chests I hid."

"Danke Madchen, dat vould please me immensely. If der scholar priest does not have it, ve may have to do something about der books of yours. Der vinter is a good time to catch up on such relaxing pleasures as the pursuit of scholarly knowledge. I could address der matter to der Lord if you vish. Ve may be able to retrieve them before winter sets in."

Still not facing him she replied:

"Tha one thin that stuck out in tha few mentions o tha Saxons was a phrase "Mine Eire Heist True" . It be a phrase that be found in many o tha histories o yar people. "My Honor is Loyalty"... although tha footnotes say that thar were more ta tha phrase surely as it donna translate all that well. Parhaps that might be a good place ta start yar readin...."

As Xavier nods his head in response to the lass' suggestion, Bennett speaks to her:

"Okay, Fae, I think that all of us would agree that you are pretty objective about this type of thing, and you've proved yourself knowledgeable. What's your opinion? Is this something that's in my future, or do far darker things wait for me?"

Bennett seems to be forcing a light mood on it, but you can tell from the look in his eyes that he is very interested in Fae's opinion.

It is hard to say what emotion is in Faewen'il's eyes as she speaks in the same tone of voice as before:

"Only ye can decide yar future. Ye lack respect o tha nobility o Bohavia and use that as an excuse. But ye donna need someone ta tap ye on tha shoulders and say a few words in order ta become a knight. Iffen ye wants ta be one, then ye have ta want it with yar heart. Iffen ye donna thin ye be up ta tha challenge o what a knight signifies, then thar be no shame in admittin it ta yarself... but donna thin that ye can simply say it ta avoid what ye can become."

"In tha end ye have ta choose yar fate. Noone can do it for ye."

Some hidden switch seemed to click within her as she stared off at a wall for a moment or two and then simply walked away with her book in hand; her face having become quite sad.

"Thanks Fae," Bennett responds. "You have given me much wisdom in the few words you have spoken to me."

Bennett turns to the others as Fae departs, and says, loud enough for her to hear:

"That's what I'm talking about. Perhaps I haven't shown you all the respect you deserve. In striving to reconcile with the lass, I can see where I might have gone wrong with all of you, excepting maybe Xavier, who I'm sure I'll piss off one of these days. I am sorry if I have alienated any one of you. Perhaps...well, it doesn't really matter. A blanket apology for you all, and another one for what surely will happen again. As to knighthood, bah, it's a silly discussion anyway."

"Hey brother, no offense by me," speaks up Will, who has been listening to the conversation without commenting. "I just like to rough it up every now and then.... keeps things interesting. Nothing better than two good strong men beating the daylights out of each other then leaning on each other on the way to the bar to make up."

Winnacer nods and then continues:

"As I think about it, even if you were intereted in receiving a knighthood at some time in the future, I would not feel comfortable in performing the ritual until you finally sat down and dealt with your past. As long as you are haunted by the ghosts of your past and unable to sublimate them or share them, knighthood will probably do more harm than good. That is what I wished to talk about that other night, but it somehow did not seem appropriate at the time."

"Much as I appreciate you thinking about it, I wouldn't feel right about it anyway," Bennett replies. "When a king on the throne of Bohavia feels I am worthy of such, I'll take it. Not to discredit you, but you aren't a Lord that I recognize. For that matter, I don't recognize any nobility that currently exists in Bohavia. It may be small of me, but your family is collaborative, therefore they lose all credibility in my eyes. As that is from where you draw your nobility, it's null and void in my opinion. Don't take it as an insult, but I don't feel you're in a position to give me that title. By the way, sublimation or sharing of my ghosts is not my desire. Whether that makes me more or less worthy of knighthood is debatable. In any case, my knighthood is something that is far away from now. I appreciate the thought."

Bennett then turns to Xavier and responds to him:

"I understand the laws of chivalry, but as I explained to Winnacer, I don't recognize the validity of the nobility currently active in Bohavia. If I don't believe they have the right, then any bond created by such a ceremony would be a sham. When the Nyemetz are gone from my homeland, or when the rightful ruler of another nation deems it so, then knighthood is something I am prepared to consider, but I must disagree that I am a worthy candidate for such. As Winnacer said, such a gift to me might prove more trouble than it is worth. I don't have the burning desire to be a noble anyway, as most of what I have seen from that class makes it....well, suffice it to say that when such becomes of interest to me or when I feel I have earned it, my hand will stretch out for it. Until that time this discussion is meaningless."

Winnacer has little to say to Bennett's words:

"As you wish, Bennett. I hope that the day comes when your own nobility, which you often hide quite well, can be recognized by all of Bohavia."

Bennett seems about to make a sarcastic reply, then sees in Winn's eyes that he is sincere. For once, he is quite speechless, and drains his cup, mumbling something about his mouth being dry, then wanders into the kitchen, returning a few minutes later.