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.And, of course, this whole discussion must seem very silly to youbecause of the chronological view your longevity affords you."Gena started to deny his claim, but the wary way in which his eyes began to narrow stopped her."Thereonce was a time when what you have said would have been accepted by Elves as akin to a natural law.The struggles of Men were seen as battles between herds of animals.They were interesting and evendiverting, but they were not seen as causing much in the way of permanent change in the world.""Until Neal.""Neal did influence our way of looking at things, yes." Gena wiped some sweat from her brow with theback of her left hand."Some Elves, my great-great-grandfather among them, thought Men had beendismissed too lightly.Neal proved a boon to those wishing to advance that view.Men, and their actionsbefore and since the time of Neal, have proved that view to be correct.""Even so, the snarling battles between Men cannot be seen as being nearly as important to Elves as theyare to those of us involved in them.""That is a valid point, but one that cannot stand without analysis.Take, for example, the situation that weare riding now to correct.There are those among my people who might argue that the Fishers and theRiverens fought five hundred years ago and they are fighting now, so that Neal's effort to keep the peacefailed utterly.To suggest, however, that the failure means his attempt should never have been made iswrong and even dangerous."Berengar nodded slowly."So your perspective over time suggests that anything which waxes will wane,like the tides rising and falling."Gena smiled."That is an excellent example.The fact that the tide will reach the same low point in thenight that it saw in the morning does not mean the beach will not be wet at noon.""I see that holding for natural forces, but Human enterprises?" The count looked around at the rollinggreen meadows covering the hillside up which they rode."If that idea is valid, then it might be imaginedthat the Red Tiger's empire will rise again."Gena frowned."I suppose that is true, but things do not necessarily run in circles, though they may becyclical.For example, we know there will never be another Reithrese Empire to conquer.If the empire isto become powerful again, it might be as a federation of strong provinces.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html"Or a strong leader may rise up and reunite it under his leadership." Berengar shook his head."The onething that I have not liked about having been placed in the imperial line is the amount of politics into whichI have been thrust.My family branch broke off from the main line four generations back: mygreat-grandfather was the emperor, though my great-grandmother was scullery maid or some such.Mymother's uncle managed to convince Hardelwick, the current emperor, to legitimize our line.All that didwas get my two cousins killed, it seems.I am hoping that I am far enough removed from things that Iwon't be a target.""I hope you're not a target as well.This uncle who got your line legitimized, he is the Atholwin we aregoing to visit?""Yes.He is my mother's uncle.We used to come up here, my brother Nilus and I, in the summers to getaway from Aurdon during the humid season.Just over the rise we can see the town of Blackoak with thecastle at the other end of the valley." He hesitated for a second."In fact, if I remember correctly, on thedown side of this hill is a grand old oak in which my brother and I built a tree house.We hung a ropefrom one of the branches and used to swing on it while pretending we were soldiers preparing to stormthe castle."Gena flicked a horsefly off Spirit's neck."You speak of that time as if you treasure it.""I do." He turned to look at her with curiosity in his eyes."It is easy for me to remember my childhood,because it was not that long ago.I remember things like running and laughing, my first taste of a raspberrytart, and the first time I ever fell in love.It occurs to me that while I envy you your long life, I think Ishould feel the loss if I were to be so far removed from times of simple pleasures.""Such memories do not fade, no matter the years." Gena took time to look around as she consideredhow much she wanted to tell him.Still stung by the fact that Berengar knew things about her that she hadnot shared with Durriken, she chose to husband facts for the moment."Among the Elves, children are arare and blessed event, with the gulf between parent and child often being measured in centuries.Evenso, because we have such a long life, as adults we are not so pressed to accomplish things that parentscannot take time to nurture and enjoy children.A child is, in essence, property of the family into which heis born.When my brother and his wife conceived and bore a son, all of us raised him, fromgreat-grandfather on down."She smiled at the count to soften the blow of not telling him everything."My great-aunt, before she wentbeyond, spent a great deal of time with me, despite having duties to her husband's family.From her Ilearned what I know of magick as well as much about Neal Elfward.From her and my grandfather Ilearned of him directly, whereas all you have are stories that have been told and retold until they nolonger resemble the truth.""I know that, yes.Still, the stories have some validity.For example, I know of Neal's love for Elvenkindfrom the stories.I even heard of a story sung in Najinda that tells of Neal's true love for an Elven maid.Isthat true or an example of exaggeration?"Gena shrugged the question off, avoiding a direct answer."In those days, for Neal to touch a sylvanestiwould have resulted in his death and her disgrace.""Not so today, I take it."Gena blushed."No, not so."Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]