Free Talon of the Silver Hawk by Raymond E. Feist Page A

whispered, “The boy’s people have little abstract logic in their daily lives. They were hunters, farmers, poets, and warriors, but their mathematics were basic, and all the disciplines based upon advanced logic were lacking to them. They had builders, yes, but no engineers and far fewer magic-users than any other people I’m aware of, perhaps one or two throughout the entire land of the Orosini.’’
    They spoke in the King’s Tongue, the language of the Kingdom of the Isles, to prevent Talon from understanding them—and Robert judged his hearing very sharp.
    â€œSo the games are to teach him logic?’’
    Robert nodded. “They are a start. This is very basic problem-solving.”
    Magnus’s pale blue eyes were fixed upon the cards onthe table. “I’ve played four lords, Robert. You taught it to me, remember? It is a difficult game. He won’t win many.’’
    Robert smiled. “It’s not about winning. It’s about recognizing a no-win situation. See, he’s recognized that those four cards ensure that he can’t win.” They watched as Talon gathered up the cards, leaving the lords in place, and started a new game. “At first, he went through the entire deck to reach the point of realizing he had no chance of winning. Now, less than two days later he’s recognizing the more subtle combinations that show he can’t win.’’
    â€œVery well. So he’s got potential, talent even. That doesn’t address the question of what it is you plan to do with the boy.’’
    â€œPatience, my impetuous friend.” He glanced at Magnus, who watched Talon with a fixed gaze. “It would have been better had you more of your father’s temperament than your mother’s temper.’’
    The white-haired man didn’t shift his gaze, but he did smile. “I’ve heard that from you more than once, old friend.” He then looked at Robert. “I’m getting better at reining in my temper, you know.’’
    â€œHaven’t destroyed a city in the last few weeks, have you?’’
    Magnus grinned. “Not that I noticed.” Then the stern expression returned. “I chafe at these games within games.’’
    â€œAh,” said Robert. “Again your mother’s son. Your father has taught me over my entire adult lifetime that we can only deal with our enemies when they present themselves. Over the last thirty years we’ve seen so many different assaults upon the tranquillity of our lives that it defies imagining. And there’s only been one constant.”
    â€œWhich is?” Magnus turned his attention again to Talon’s game.
    â€œThat no two ploys of the enemy have been alike. The servants of the Nameless One are cunning, and they learn from their mistakes. Raw power failed, so now they achieve their goals through stealth. We must respond in kind.’’
    â€œBut this boy . . . ?”
    â€œFate spared him for a reason, I believe,” said Robert. “Or at least, I’m trying to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity. He’s got . . . something. I think had this tragedy not befallen his people, he would have grown up to be simply another young Orosini man, a husband and father, warrior when the need arose, farmer, hunter, and fisherman. He would have taught his sons the ways of his ancestors and died in old age satisfied at his lot.
    â€œBut take that same lad and forge him in the crucible of misfortune and heartbreak, and who knows what will occur? Like fired iron, will he become brittle and easily broken, or can he be turned to steel?’’
    Magnus remained silent as Talon began another game. “A dagger, no matter how well forged, has two edges, Robert. It can cut both ways.’’
    â€œDon’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs, Magnus.’’
    Magnus grinned. “My father never knew his