“A choice of words,” Paedrin said impatiently, batting away the comment with his staff. “I did not require a rope to leave there. I triggered the trap, which was my intent, to allow us all to learn what was down there and thus be better prepared for it. What you foolishly did,” he added, whipping the stick around at Hettie, “was come down on a fraying rope after me. I did not anticipate you putting your life in jeopardy like that, but it helped draw the creature’s attention two ways. It was clever to realize that shrouding the lights rendered it harmless. I did not figure that out. It required the collective action and reactions of all of us together to solve the riddle. Which, in my humble opinion, is the reason why Tyrus sent us there at the start. He has been using the principles of Uddhava against us from the beginning.”
He was silent a moment and then slapped the staff against his palm. “Before we return to Kenatos, we must ponder his motives, make our decision, and then act. Kiranrao did the same thing. He fed us certain scraps of knowledge, though true or false they may be, in order to discern our reaction to them and thus learn more about our intentions.”
He stopped speaking, triumphantly, and raised his eyebrow.
Hettie looked confused. “I’m not sure I even understood you, Bhikhu.”
“Not surprising. You have always been a little slow.”
“Hold the insults for now,” she answered. “I want to be clear first. So the Uddhava is a strategy for manipulating others?”
Paedrin shook his head. “In an indirect way, maybe, but we all have our choices. It is the rhythm of life and governs our relationships with each other, whether verbal or physical. It applies to fighting. Let me demonstrate.” He stepped around the fire and brought the staff in an exaggerated pose and slowly brought it down, as if to crack Annon’s skull. The blow was ponderously slow, and Annon leaned to the side so that it passed harmlessly by.
“I did it slowly,” Paedrin explained, “that you might understand. Let’s try it again.”
He stepped back and brought the staff down again, mimicking his earlier pose and attack. As Annon began to move aside, Paedrin suddenly whirled around, bringing the staff around horizontally, tapping Annon’s cheek instead of crushing it.
“There. You suspected I was going to bash you on the head, so you reacted to it the way anyone might. But that was not my intent, to attack you the same way twice. My second move caught you off guard and would have incapacitated you. I did not know what you were going to do. I merely suspected. Now, imagine this playing out at full speed where you only have the blink of an eye to understand what I am doing, make a decision, and then act upon it. If you are right, you stop the attack. If you are wrong, you are unconscious.”
Paedrin walked over to Erasmus. “The same principle applies to you.” Erasmus flinched, holding up his hands wardingly.
“No, you fool, I’m not going to bash you in the head. Your wealth and success has come from understanding the motives of others, determining how they will react, and then betting on it accordingly. Rather than taking moments to see if you are right, your decisions may take months. A fire burning in the road. Caravans delayed in passing through. People losing money because cargo has spoiled. Those things may take time to play out, but they will play out. Others observe the loss of spoiled fruit. They can sell the next shipment for double. The faster they react, the more profits they make. It is the nature of Havenrook to use the Uddhava. And it is no coincidence that a Vaettir named Kiranrao is behind it.”
Annon thought about what he had been told. What a perplexing way to look at the world. However, it did explain how attentive Paedrin was to their surroundings. It was as if he were constantly assessing dangers and forming plans. Like on the road to Havenrook, he had noticed the Preachán crouching amidst the wagons and suggested attacking them before being attacked. Having a Bhikhu as a companion was an advantage to anyone.
Annon prodded the fire with a stick. “Is that why the Bhikhu patrol the streets of Kenatos?”
Paedrin gave him a steady look and nodded. “Our presence alone is often enough to prevent crime. Not to mention that we have a certain reputation for inflicting pain on others. Pain is a teacher, as I have told you before. Most people fear it. We do not. We would never stop a child from touching a burning piece of wood. We would warn, but never prevent. Wisdom comes through listening to those with more experience. Only fools blunder through unnecessary pain.”
“How is your shoulder feeling?” Hettie asked wryly.
He gave her a smirk. “It hurts. How is your skull? Thank the stars it was thick enough.”
Erasmus whistled softly. “I am beginning to appreciate Tyrus’s craftiness. I do not think he intended me to go back to Havenrook after guiding you to Drosta’s lair. Since Kiranrao knew what was hidden there, he will slit my belly open to learn where you are taking it. It would probably be in my best interest to stay with you a while longer.”
Paedrin crouched near the fire. Annon was amazed at his flexibility, how he could crouch so low while his heels were flat on the ground. His arm was tied to his body, but he still looked dangerous. He twirled the half-staff in his hand, slowly, thinking.
“Let us consider this together,” he said. “I only know your uncle by reputation as one of the wealthiest men in Kenatos. A Paracelsus. That means he is a maker. His kind made the blade. May I see it?”
Annon shook his head. “No, it is a dangerous thing. It has great power over the mind.”