“No one asked him. He volunteered, with a little persuasion from me, of course. Why do you think he retired last week? So he could spend his remaining days in a brothel? Infinite curse my father's stupidity, though. He can't get past his fear of Guarding Bear to see I couldn't have a better teacher.”
“Is that what you were crying about?”
“Yes,” the boy said resentfully. “What would you do, Lord Eagle?”
“I'd insist on his teaching me. Listen, Child.” He realizing he didn't know the boy's name, which danced on the edge of his mind, as if he couldn't quite remember it. Spying Eagle wondered, exasperated with the mental block. “Listen, it's important to stand firm. If you back off now, you'll be telling your father you're weak and submissive. If you insist, your father will learn to give in
