The Polyphon

Astra C. was intent on observing the contest, and did not look at the other judge, Belboz. She might have noticed a flash of surprise across his face, and a second where he seemed distracted.

Belboz now knew that the project was almost complete. In the depths of the cavern, he did not have a clock, a watch candle, or the motion of the sun and the stars, but he was now counting down the time. Ten thousand beats of his heart. At one beat per second, the project would be finished in just under three hours. It was now completely out of his control. He could neither rush it or delay it now.

One, two, three ...

Belboz could count the beats of his heart and still judge the contest, and devote full concentration to both. This was an effect of the project. He was becoming a polyphon.

A polyphon thinks differently than a man, elf, Glider, or even a wyrm. Each of these creatures can keep one chain of thought in mind. For example, a typical man can talk in a crowded room, and engage in conversation, or he can listen to another conversation in another part of the room. He can move the focus of his mind so that he concentrates on one discussion, and then shifts to another, but he cannot fully concentrate on both at the same time.

The polyphon has no such problem. He can fully engage in one conversation, and understand what is going on in three or four other conversations taking place in the same room.

But the powers of polyphony are greater than this example would suggest. The polyphon can weave the threads of what he sees, hears, and feels, and can catch insights in a second that would only occur to his monophonic friend after days, and after a great deal of work.

Ia'adoire with her insight into Fred's background, decided to attack directly. It was even more important to win Fred's trust than it was to be declared victor in this combat. She remembered all the things that she, long ago, had been proud of. "Forthright, fierce, and forgiving" was the family creed. Forthright. The D'Honaires were supposed to be direct and open not only in speech, but in their actions. Not only was deception the sign of a weak character to a D'Honaire, but, as often happened, they also considered those who did not follow the way of the warrior to be somewhat suspect. Fierce. This applied to their dealings with all opponents and enemies, whether in war or peace. The rule of the contest to "give no injury" to her would be hard for him to follow, and may create problems with his attack. Forgiving. It was at times more of an exception than a rule, but Ia'adoire hoped that the "forgiving" part of the creed was part of Fred's character. For the best of the d'Honaires, in practice, it meant that once one's opponent was beaten in honourable combat, that the way was always open for a mild reconciliation.

Ia'adoire ran to the centre of the area, knelt, and grabbed the rope with both hand, and looped it around her neck. Both of her elbows were bent very sharply, giving Fred little room to force them open. Her left forearm rested against the back of her neck, and her right forearm was firmly placed along her right side. Her hands joined close together, just below her right ear. That is where the knot would be tied. She left little of the rope exposed. Fred would have to move one of her forearms from their current position to get the rope. It was possible, but she thought that her chances of tying the rope and completing the task before Fred could do that were good. Either way, she would win. If she won the contest outright, Fred should see the combat as direct and honourable, according to his thought. If Fred overcame her, if he followed the d'Honaire way, he should be mild in victory, and open to reason.

Four, five, six ...

1. Ia'adoire is too fast for Fred.
2. Fred overcomes Ia'adoire.

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