Incomplete Information

Astra did not know the name of the ship that had her companions. The most that she could provide was that she could guess, from an offhand remark of one of the crew, that the other ship had sailed further south.

The man that she was talking to nodded, and to Astra's surprise, said that it might not be long before they were tracked. They had some friends in the South, and Astra's companions would be asked about. The silent speech would in all probability mean that a search by foot would not be needed. The only potential fly in the ointment was the possibility that certain rivals might also be looking for Astra's companions.

"And, so Menisius, do you have any questions?" concluded Lucius, in Barque language. He sat down behind a great desk, with a neat pile of papers in front of him.

"None, sir."

Lucius arched his eyebrows, and leaned forward, with his right thumb under his chin and forefinger on his cheek. He smiled and said genially, "You are not such a fool as that. Don't be polite. You should have questions."

Menisius hestiated. Lucius was most dangerous when he appeared unguarded. Menisius had long ago learned that Lucius' good graces had definite limits, and that he would be ruthless in crushing the very spirits of those who crossed those limits. But he also scorned flatterers. What should he do?

"My sovereign lord, there are things about your stategy that I do not understand. I do not doubt them, of course...."

"Your faith in me warms my heart," Lucius said, lightly mocking Menisius, "But you are not being candid. Go ahead and ask the questions that you have."

Menisius answered, "Why did you not take the dragon when she was offered to you? You have more than enough gold."

"I am surprised that nobody has asked me that question sooner. I have to admit that I did not expect the competition from up north. I thought that I had more time to bring her into the fold willingly. Menisius, that is the most important thing. I want to have a willing student, who will accept her role, and not a prisoner."

"But couldn't you have bought her, kept her here, and then pursuaded her? You have done this in the past."

"Ah. But when I educate a person, they always have a choice. And sometimes they do not make the right one. They can learn to accept their role - which most of them do - or they hang on to their pride and try to fight me to the end. And you understand what happens then?"

Menisius nodded. He had buried a brother who refused to "accept the role" that Lucius had for him, and resisted.

Lucius continued, "Good. Now, with people - I do not want it to happen - but I know that some of them insist on remaining willfully ignorant, or holding on to their superstitions, and we lose them. But I can always find another person with whatever talent I am looking for. However, with the dragon - the opportunity to work with a dragon rarely come along. If I take her prisoner, she comes in resisting. I think that compelling her to come here is more risky than leaving her alone for a time. It will be hard enough to educate her, as I am going to have to come up with new methods suited for a dragon. We will learn much that is not known anywhere else. The payoff will be incredible."

Menisius replied, "I now understand more, sir. And as you told me earlier, you have word that her companions are at Tupport. Why are you going down at all? Couldn't you communicate with them silently?"

"Without having met them before, I would have to send the message out, where any mage could hear it. I suspect that is how the men at Biscuit Creek found Astra."

"Of course. But why are you going with just Brennus? I would have expected you to go with a larger company, and to have taken a mage with you."

"I choose not to warn the townsmen of Tupport that I am there until the critical moment. A large company would be noticed. Brennus is a skilled fighter who is also good at finding things out, and he also knows the Mariner's speech well. He will be useful for what I hope to do."

"You are going to pursuade the party to come to Colonia Gallia?"

"Yes. I have a report. The are four in the party. There is a soldier, a sailor, a servant, and a mage. Apparently they have come from the west. They are in need of money to travel. My sources say that the lady ....

Menisius smirked, and Lucius held his palms up in the air, to signify that he had not planned it that way, but this last fact suited him. Lucius' source was for some reason unaware that the "servant" was a Glider, and was suspected, in Biscuit Creek, of possibly being a mage. Lucius continued, "The lady who is our mage is said to have a greater breadth of raw magical talent than the specialists in Tupport, but I have little to fear from her powers. Her education will start when I meet her. I trust that she will see quickly where her interests lie."

1. Meanwhile, down in Tupport, Lord Fred is engaged in a discussion.

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