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Tulsa Police officer shot in the hand
Wednesday, September 17th 2003, 12:00 am
A Tulsa Police officer is recovering from an accidental gunshot wound to his hand.
The department says the officer was cleaning his weapon outside the firing range when it went off. The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment.
His name and condition have not been released.
News On 6 A Tulsa Police officer is recovering from an accidental gunshot wound to his hand.
The department says the officer was cleaning his weapon outside the firing range when it went off. The officer


Please be advised these prices are only valid whilst Eloise is in training and cannot be claimed on HICAPS.
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Cheers to Jessica for a great treatment. Gave great feedback and advice regarding tight muscles. Very prompt with all enquiries as well.


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The Turban
The following is quoted verbatim from a story by Jonathan Pearlman in The Telegraph:
A 22-year-old Sikh man in New Zealand has been hailed as a hero after putting his religious beliefs aside and removing his turban to help cradle the bleeding head of a 5-year-old boy hit by a car.
Harman Singh, 22, was at his home in Auckland when he heard the sound of an accident on the street and rushed out to find Daejon Pahia, 6, lying by the roadside after being struck by a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Mr Singh has been strongly praised by the Sikh community
He immediately removed his turban and lay it under the boy's head – an action which the boy's mother said helped to save her son's life.
"I saw a child down on the ground and a lady was holding him," Mr Singh told The New Zealand Herald.
"His head was bleeding, so I unveiled my turban and put it under his head … I wasn't thinking about the turban. I was thinking about the accident and I just thought, 'He needs something on his head because he's bleeding.'"
Mr Singh has been strongly praised by the Sikh community but modestly insisted that "anyone else would have done the same as me".
Gagan Dhillon, a Sikh passer-by who also assisted, said he saw Mr Singh without a head covering and "thought 'that's strange'".
"But then I saw one hand was underneath the boy's head supporting it and his siropao [turban] was stopping the bleeding," he said.
"But being a Sikh myself, I know what type of respect the turban has. People just don't take it off – people die over it … He didn't care that his head was uncovered in public. He just wanted to help this little boy."
Sikh leaders said Mr Singh's decision to remove the turban in public was a rare and significant act but was consistent with their faith and its emphasis on kindness and humanity.
This true story of a Sikh man helping a stranger in need hits us with all the force of a good parable. It calls to mind the priest and the Levite in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, who are unwilling to help the man bleeding by the side of the road because of their purity codes. It also calls to mind The story of Jesus healing on the Sabbath. When confronted about his disregard for the religious prohibition against work on the Sabbath, Jesus asks, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" In other words, Jesus knew that his inaction would profane his religious principles far more than action. Harman Singh saw a little boy in need and was willing to put compassion above prohibition. We would all do well to follow his Christ-like example.
May 27, 2015 Danny Nettleton	Christ, christianity, compassion, golden rule, parables, prohibition, religion, Sikhism, turban
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Peter Nash - Real Estate Consulting
Doors of Homes & Buildings Sold By Peter Nash
Gulf Islands of BC
Sidney by the Sea
realestate@peternash.com
Call Peter: 250.361.7516
Properties Consulted On
Peter Nash - Consultant > Properties For Sale > Luxury Waterfront Estate Set In A Secluded Six Acres In North Saanich~Known As "Chateau De Lis"…
Luxury Waterfront Estate Set In A Secluded Six Acres In North Saanich~Known As "Chateau De Lis"…
$8,650,000. (CAD)
9750 West Saanich Road, North Saanich
Lot size: 6 Acres (2.43 ha's)
MLS® Number: 793379
This impressive gated Luxury Waterfront Estate known as Chateau De Lis is approached down a long driveway which winds through the beautifully landscaped secluded westerly exposure six acre (2.43 hectares) +/- property which fronts on the desirable and inviting Saanich Inlet – Patricia Bay (aka Pat Bay). The area is warmer and more usable that the east and north sides of Saanich Peninsula!
Residence: This stately custom home built in 2007 has 9,800 square feet (910.4 square metres) +/- of luxurious living on two levels. The European-style chateau was designed, decorated, crafted, engineered and built to a very high standard with great attention to detail, quality finishing's, fittings, high-end appliances, equipment and systems. Some Features: Slate roof; exterior stone, brick and stucco; 6 fireplaces (natural gas); french doors; picture windows; main rooms open to decks/patios; high ceilings; beamed ceilings, walnut and tile flooring; elevator; gourmet kitchen and prep kitchen both with high-end appliances; wine cellar; 10 seat theater; games room; exercise room; heating by heat pumps (two) and radiant hot water (Viessmann Furnace) in floor. The home is Designed to take advantage of the sun, beautiful sunsets and outstanding unobstructed marine views. Major custom made furnishings can be purchased separately – possible Turn Key. Floor plans by request.. View the Virtual Tour.
Property: The mostly level well maintained six acre (2.43 hectares) property which is within the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) and qualifies for farm status (2020 Taxes $28,512. <> 2021 B.C. Assessment $5,822,593.) has exquisite professional landscaping with large lawns; a great variety of shrubs and plants; four water features; mature wooded (fir, oak, arbutus a.k.a. madrone, willow, cedar, maple) natural state area – with trails; several secluded getaway areas; orchard – fruit trees approximately 49 – 6 varieties of pears, plumbs, 9 varieties apples, cherries plus grapes, raspberry's, cranberries, blackberry's; vegetable and flower cutting gardens. The property has an irrigation system and is fully fenced. See survey plan
Additional Accommodation: There are two inviting secluded side by side (separated by beamed open walk way) two level townhouse style self-contained (including furnishings} guest cottages (known as the red theme and blue theme cottages) each being 1,068 square feet (99.2 square metres) +/-.
Garage Building: Spacious garaging for six vehicles and storage/workshop area and dog accommodation. Plus there is good caretaker accommodation of 1142 square feet (106.1 square metres) above. The building is attached to the residence by covered walkway.
Potting Shed/Greenhouse: The Potting/Greenhouse of 392 square feet (36.4 square metres) is sited in the upper working garden and has all utilities, large potting table, storage and a two piece bathroom.
Pickleball Court: A regulation size Pickleball Court was added in 2019. Located in the north side of the upper garden. Pickleball is a paddleball sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
Waterfront: The westerly exposure prime oceanfront property with approximately 300 feet (91.4 metres) +/- of easy access oceanfront with a very usable beach (summer swimming) where you can keep your kayaks and dinghy's. You can seasonally moor your larger boats offshore with a mooring buoy. See Chart
Services: Domestic Water – Municipal
Sewer – Treatment systems (two)
Electrical – 600 amps
Internet – High speed (Shaw)
Located: The estate is located on West Saanich Road within the District of North Saanich (population of 11,500 approximately) – Motto: "The place where it's good to be." on the west side (about 10 degrees warmer that the east side) of the Saanich Peninsula on the Saanich Inlet (48°40'N.,123°30'W) and situated in the exclusive Ardmore / Patricia Bay area – An area of fine homes! Just 30 minutes south to downtown Victoria, The Capital City of British Columbia, 9 minutes to Victoria International airport (YYJ), 15 minutes to Swartz Bay B.C. Ferry Terminal (Vancouver/Tsawwassen and Gulf Islands – BC Ferries), 10 minutes to Washington State Ferry (Sidney to Anacortes), and a short distance to country markets, shopping, Town of Sidney (population about 11,600), recreation center, hospital, golf courses, marina's, seaplane base and some fine restaurants i.e. Deep Cove Chalet. Located in the heart of prime boating waters being a short distance to many unique areas in the Inlet, the Gulf Islands and to anywhere the ocean may take you.
Saanich Inlet: The Saanich Inlet (48°40'N.,123°30'W), also known as Saanich Arm is a body of salt water that lies between the Saanich Peninsula and the Malahat highlands of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Located just northwest of Victoria, the inlet is 24 kilometres (15 miles) long, has a surface area of 65 square kilometres (25 square miles), and its maximum depth is 225 metres (738 feet). It extends from Satellite Channel in the north (separating Salt Spring Island from the Saanich Peninsula) to Squally Reach and Finlayson Arm in the south. The only major tributary feeding the inlet is the Goldstream River. Wind conditions in the inlet are generally light with a preponderance of calms, especially in summer. The inlet is fairly well protected from the northwest-southeast pattern which prevails throughout the Gulf, but occasional southwest winds blow into the Inlet over the Sooke Hills from Juan de Fuca Strait. Tidal streams in Sannich Inlet are fairly weak with a maximum range of 12 feet. The flood is slightly stronger along the west shore with the ebb being slightly stronger off Pat (Patricia) Bay and Deep Cove.
The Inlet See Map offers excellent boating, kayaking, swimming, water skiing, diving, fishing, shrimping/prawning, mollusks and a great variety of marine, bird and wild life – Exceptional!
This Luxury meticulously maintained waterfront estate is available for serious buyers with 48 hours viewing notice and by qualification. Covid-19 Viewing Requirements
VREB MLS® 793379 / Offered at $8,650,000. Canadian ($6,794,000. U.S. December 31, 2020). Offered as Turnkey!
View Virtual Tour (2020)
Buyers should note that information is submitted as descriptive as to type and quality of residence and property only. Figures relating to size and quantum must be taken as approximate. Buyers are responsible to verify to their satisfaction all pertinent information
Offered at $8,650,000. (CAD)
Waterfront Real Estate
Waterview Properties
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Past Properties Consulted On
PETER NASH
I spent 50 years as a realtor for Vancouver Island coastal properties and now I have moved into consulting to help clients connect with great realtors on the west coast – Please contact me today to see if I can assist you at no cost to you.
Saanich Peninsula
About North Saanich
CRD Map
Legal Survey 9750 West Saanich
Plot Plan 9750 West Saanich -M-6 Zone
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When your heating system is faulty it can release carbon monoxide gas into your property, which can be fatal. By arranging for regular boiler servicing in Heathrow you could save your life � the accidental poisoning from carbon monoxide gas results in an estimated 50 deaths annually in the UK.
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The doily craze in 2009 and 2010 stole my heart and I just barely made the fantastic doily table runner I fell in love with way back then. Thought I would share a few pictures I snapped with you.
I found all of these doilies at a series of yard sales. I usually bought all they had for less than a dollar-don't pay more than that. I plan on adding on as I accumulate more.
The original tutorial says to hand stitch the doilies together. I didn't see the need. My fabri-tac glue did the job- no sewing required.
If the doilies are too loose and don't hold their shape, give them a little glue-and-water or starch-and-water bath. That will stiffen them up so they lay nicely.


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Eco-Ware
Lifestyle Boutique
758 Bathurst St | Foods | Packaged | Spices |
Availability 3in stock
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalisCertified OrganicOrigin: MoroccoProduction: Rosemary is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family, with needle-like green leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. Upon cultivation, the leaves are separated for use. Qualities: Rosemary has a slightly astringent, sweet, piney flavor. It is notable...
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Production: Rosemary is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family, with needle-like green leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. Upon cultivation, the leaves are separated for use.
Qualities: Rosemary has a slightly astringent, sweet, piney flavor. It is notable in Italian (an ingredient in our Italian Seasoning) and other Mediterranean cuisines. It is a source of fiber, calcium and iron.
Common Use: Crushed leaves can be added to a wide variety of recipes including potatoes, breads, soups, or sauces. Store a twig of rosemary in vinegar to add flavor.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, dark place in a sealed container.
$1-$20 Crystals CCC
$20-$50 Crystals CCC
$99+ Crystals CCC
10" Crystal Singing Bowl - Frosted White/Coloured
758 Bathurst St
333 Bloor St W.
info@alter8.com
© 2018 Alternative Thinking Inc


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Home Politics Local MP accuses Friday prayer leader of helping his attackers
MP accuses Friday prayer leader of helping his attackers
Ali Motahari
Ali Motahari, in a letter to Shiraz Friday prayer leader, defends his viewpoints on freedom of thought and speech.
Ali Motahari, a Tehran MP, was attacked by unknown individuals on Monday (March 9) after he left Shiraz Airport for a university in the southern city where he was scheduled to deliver a speech. The assailants pelted him with tomatoes, eggs and pieces of tiles, and smashed the rear screen of the cab carrying him. He sustained minor injuries and had to cut short his trip and return to Tehran.
Following the attack, Shiraz Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Asadollah Imani [a member of the Assembly of Experts] took what happened to the principlist MP to his sermons, doubting Motahari's respect for and commitment to the leadership and the Assembly of Experts.
In response, Ali Motahari, released an open letter to Ayatollah Imani and offered his own side of the story. The following is a partial translation of the letter as reported by Entekhab, a news website, on March 15:
To Mr. Asadollah Imani
Shiraz Friday prayer leader
Hello. You mentioned an attempt on my life in Shiraz in your Friday prayer sermons and said, 'Can the one who disrespects the sanctity of Velayat [the guardianship of the Islamic Jurist] and the Assembly of Expert expect others to respect him? Isn't it true that the one who sows wind will reap whirlwind?'
Through these words you supported the assailants and approved of what they did. I'm glad to see that you have uncovered your role in the incident. An investigation team set up by the Interior Ministry should naturally consider you an accessory. […]
You have described what played out on Black Monday in Shiraz as a political incident. Apparently you view an attack on a lecturer who happens to be a member of parliament as simply an unimportant political question, not an ethical or legal issue.
I wish you had been with me that day and one of those bricks had hit your head to see whether your judgment would be the same as today's.
'Whatever you like for yourself, like for others, and whatever you dislike to happen to you, spare others from such happenings' is a saying shared by all faiths.
You have said, 'With problems such as unemployment, factory shutdowns, drought, slum-dwelling and its spread to downtown areas, do we need to invite someone to deliver a speech in the city every day?' It is unclear how a city's problems and the need for cancellation of an intellectually and scientifically-themed speech are related. These speeches might even help solve those social and economic problems.
If that is the case, all religious, scientific and intellectual speeches should be called off in Shiraz as long as the problems remain unsolved!
Moreover, what does a speech in a university have to do with the city's Friday prayer leader? Is the Friday prayer leader supposed to meddle in all affairs of the city?
I'm sure you remember the 1980s when certain IRGC commanders commented on what took place on parliament floor and the late Imam Khomeini said, 'It's none of IRGC's business what's going on in parliament!' Thus, legal and real individuals should attend to their own business instead of poking their nose into the business of others.
As for the proverb you have mentioned "The one who sows wind would reap the whirlwind", I should say this proverb applies to you who are sowing wind by supporting and instigating those hooligans. You will reap the whirlwind in the future. Your turn will come, for sure. You are sharpening the knife – of overexcitement – held by some indiscrete youths, and the very knife will one day cut your own hand, just like Alqaeda and the Taliban which eventually turned against the US and Israel.
You have asked 'Can the one who disrespects the sanctity of Velayat [the guardianship of the Islamic Jurists] and the Assembly of Expert expect others to respect him/her?'
The question that arises here is 'When have I disrespected the sanctity of Velayat and that of the Assembly of Experts?' If memory serves me correctly, I have said that the Assembly of Experts should undertake its responsibility, including supervising the bodies working under the leadership; this is what the Supreme Leader has emphasized and is the letter of the Constitution. In your viewpoint, the constitution itself has disrespected the sanctity of the Assembly of Experts!
Concerning the sanctity of Velayat, do you really think that whoever expresses a view against that of the Supreme Leader has shown disrespect? This is against what the Leader says. A few months ago, the leader told a crowd of students, 'Some [wrongly] think that they should repeat what I say. No, it is not right. Everybody should speak their own mind.' […]
As far as you are concerned, anybody who expresses a view which is against yours should be denied entry into the city and to that end beating or taking lives is permissible. Truly, everybody should learn about Islam from your excellency! I send a copy of The future of the Islamic Revolution, a book written by [my father] Ayatollah Morteza Motahari, to get familiar with the nature and ideals of the Islamic Revolution.
As a representative of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, I tell you and your friends that I will not let an atmosphere of suffocation take hold in the country. I will stand up – to the bitter end –for the freedom of thought and speech – the great ideal of the Islamic Revolution.
I recommend you cooperate with the Interior Ministry's fact-finding team to eradicate the cancerous tumor of extremism and set the stage for changes in Shiraz.
'Biden's Victory to Keep Iran's Hardliners from Winning 2021 Votes'
Iran Discloses Details of Macron's Offer to Save JCPOA
Majority of Iranians Will Vote in Favour of Hijab: MP
Analysts in Iran Differ on Repercussions of Trump's Decision
Issue of Palestine Should Not Be Consigned to Oblivion
A Different Look at Cancellation of Iranian MP's Speech in Mashhad


It's been too long, here's some new ones.
You're extremely talented. Keep up the good work!
...Waiting patiently for a holiday update here!!!
Please share some current work, man you are truly a master morpher!
Thanks very much. I've been working on some stuff and collecting source material, so will post something asap.
Well, it took longer than expected, but here are some new ones.
Wanted to do some social media pics. The informal nature of the pics make the morphs seem more real.
It's not much, but it's been quite a while, so I thought I'd post something.


Posted By Nathan On January 28th 2016. Under Blog Tags: applicant tracking software, keywords for cv, parse resume .
How does Applicant Tracking Software work?
Many of the big job hunting sites have many thousands of resumes and many companies receive hundreds of applications for each advertised position. If the recruiter wants to find the most relevant resumes from these to actually review personally and to invite for an interview then they will use applicant tracking software that will provide them with an initial review and only pass on the specific resumes that meet their expectations. The software will parse resume information by categorizing the content of the resume so that it can identify things such as skills and qualifications and then it will check these against the specific keywords for CV content that the recruiter is looking for. If the keywords within your resume match what the recruiter has asked the software to check for then you may find that your resume will be passed to the next stage. This software can assign weightings or scores to different keywords so that the recruiter can select the best qualified for what they need. When the software parse resume content it will provide a score and then only pass on those that have passed a minimum threshold.
Review the job advert for the specific job and other similar positions to identify the specific keywords that the recruiters are looking for.
Look at online profiles and resumes to see what other applicants are using as keywords.
Put the keywords within the relevant sections of your resume so that the software will see them; use normal section headings such as qualifications, experience, skills and education so that the software is not confused.
Upload a text version of your resume or Word document rather than a PDF as many software programs will have difficulty reading a PDF.
Avoid all forms of unnecessary formatting and fancy script fonts.
Use acronyms for your keywords as well as spelling them out fully.
If you want to ensure that you have the very best chances of being selected for an interview then you will want to ensure that you use every advantage that you have. We offer you a fully professional resume writing service through some of the most experienced and qualified resume writers that you will find online. They have intimate knowledge of what recruiters are looking for within your field and can provide you with a unique and well written resume that is going to contain all of the specific keywords and resume buzzwords that your recruiter is going to be looking for.
So if you want the software to parse resume pages and select yours as being one of those to pass on just contact our experts here today!


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A1710 La Perle "Brute" Parcellaire White Rhum – Review
It doesn't say so, but A1710's rhum "Brute," stuffed into a bottle at a rip snorting 66%, is another example of a mini-terroire called a parcellaire – a single small section of an estate, like, oh the UF30E or the similar A1710 54.5% edition that was also issued in the year this was, 2017. There are a few of these micro-terroire rhums floating around and while still uncommon, do show an interesting new direction for the rum world. Though, for obvious reasons I don't see them as becoming mass market products any time soon – more like exactingly made small batch artisanal rhums in the true sense, marketed to enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
To do that, however, depends on more than just slick marketing. The product actually has to taste good, be seen as out of the ordinary, and be able to showcase some small aspect of its company's ethos and desire for quality. It's got to be special. So far, I've seen nothing from A1710 that would do anything except lend support to that thesis, because the "Brute" is definitely one of the best white rhums around, even at that formidable strength.
The canes used to make this rum all come from a single plot cultivated by a Mr. Paul Octave, with several varietals: black cane, yellow cane and Pen Epi Lèt. (More delicate and less robust than the hybrids which are cultivated for large-scale productions, these three types of canes are supposedly quite juicy). The cane juice is fermented for around five days, run through a creole 7-plate copper column still affectionately named "La Belle Aline", is non-AOC compliant, and as far as I know, rested for some time but not aged or filtered or reduced in strength, resulting in 2,286 bottles of a 66% beefcake for the 2017 edition, all individually numbered.
The results of all that micro-management are amazing.The nose, fierce and hot, lunges out of the bottle right away, hardly needs resting, and is immediately redolent of brine, olives, sugar water,and wax, combined with lemony botes (love those), the dustiness of cereal and the odd note of sweet green peas smothered in sour cream (go figure). Secondary aromas of fresh cane sap, grass and sweet sugar water mixed with light fruits (pears, guavas, watermelons) soothe the abused nose once it settles down.
It's the taste that's the real star of the show, the way this huge strength is tamed and made almost palatable. Yes it's hot and spicy, but there's a sort of smooth creaminess to the texture that permits it to be had neat and the high proof almost forgotten. There's salt and wax and light glue as before, combined with a sweeter note of marshmallows, light white fruits and it's reminiscent of a watery fruit infusion to be had on a hot day on a tropical beach somewhere. There are other tastes of lychees, flowers, more fruits (heavier ones), cane sap, herbs (mint, perhaps a touch of sage and basil), but these dance around the central tastes and lend support rather than shouldering their way to the forefront, and the entire experience is really quite good, moving smoothly, almost sedately, inro a long, spicy and fruity finish that somehow preserves both strength and delicacy.
I really enjoyed the 54.5% La Perle, and scored it well, but the Brute is a cut even above that. It's a rum made by one guy on one parcel on one island and has a richness of aroma and flavour that it would seem almost a sin to put it in a barrel. The real money in the rum world is in utra-old rums made by proud houses who reach back in time for barrels left to age for decades by generations past. A1710 have shown that a brand new outfit, not adhering to a production standard of any kind, not even ageing what they come up with and simply releasing a rhum like this almost straight off the still, can provide us with something truly remarkable for an astoundingly affordable price. For me, it's worth every penny.
(#772)(88/100)
Some historical background on A1710 is in the original La Perle review, adapted here:
A1710 was created in 2016 as a micro-distillery for Habitation Le Simon (not to be confused with the distillery of Simon, though they're neighbors), which rubs shoulders with Clement on the mid eastern side of Martinique. The estate's roots go back to 1710 when the founder, Jean Assier, arrived on the island (hence the "A" in the title) and founded the sugar plantation, which seems to have been family owned and operated as a sugar estate ever since. Yves Assier de Pompignan, the 50-year-old who created the brand and founded the distillery in 2016, first made a career in stationery and office supplies before accepting his True Calling, perhaps channelling the family heritage — a great-grandfather owned the current factory of Saint-James, a grandfather owned of rum brand, his father is a cane agronomist and he has connections with the Hayot family as well.
Posted by Ruminsky at 1:12 am A1710, Agricoles, Cane Juice Rums, Martinique, Rum Reviews by Country, Rum Reviews by Maker, Rum Reviews by Type, Unaged Rums, White Rums Tagged with: A1710, Agricole Rhum, Cane Juice Rums, La Perle "Brute", Micro-terroire, Parcellaire, Rhum Agricole Blanc, Rums from Martinique, White Rums, White Rums - Unaged
Tres Hombres No.8 La Palma Ron Tradicional Anejo XVII Años Solera – Review Rum Nation Guatemala Rum Gran Reserva – Review


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Personen
 José Rizal (1861-1896), Filipijnse schrijver en activist
 Paciano Rizal (1851-1930), Filipijnse generaal en oudere broer van José

Geografie
 Rizal (provincie), een provincie in de Filipijnen
 Rizal (Cagayan), een gemeente in de Filipijnse provincie Cagayan
 Rizal (Kalinga), een gemeente in de Filipijnse provincie Kalinga
 Rizal (Laguna), een gemeente in de Filipijnse provincie Laguna
 Rizal (Nueva Ecija), een gemeente in de Filipijnse provincie Nueva Ecija
 Rizal (Occidental Mindoro), een gemeente in de Filipijnse provincie Occidental Mindoro
 Rizal (Palawan), een gemeente in de Filipijnse provincie Palawan
 Rizal (Zamboanga del Norte), een gemeente in de Filipijnse provincie Zamboanga del Norte

Overig
 José Rizal University, particulier onderwijsinstituut in de Filipijnen
 Rizal Memorial Coliseum, overdekte (sport-)arena in Manilla (Filipijnen)
 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, sportcomplex in Manilla (Filipijnen)
 Rizal Memorial Stadium, stadion in Manilla (Filipijnen)
 Rizal Park, park in Manilla (Filipijnen)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The British Polio Fellowship is demanding that the organisers of the Cannes Film Festival act in the wake of what the fellowship believes are discriminatory acts against those with disabilities. Film producer, Valeria Richter, who has part of her left foot amputated, was rejected from attending the event "because she wasn't wearing high heels". Ms Richter, who wouldn't have been physically able to keep her balance with high heels after having her big toe and parts of her left foot amputated, was left embarrassed after being refused entry.


There are few people in the world that get to do what they truly love for work. Betsy never tires of meeting new people, exploring homes, searching for just the right property for a client, and overcoming the hurdles that can appear during a real estate transaction. Perseverance, hard work, and prayer is key.
Betsy will guide and assist her clients through the complex process of buying and selling property. She also takes the time to explain every detail in the paperwork, answers questions, and stays in touch, so her clients are never left waiting and wondering. Connecting with her clients on a personal level comes naturally to Betsy. She has built many life-long relationships with her clients.
Betsy is fortunate to be on a team who is highly experienced in marketing, staging, contract negotiation, financial options, problem-solving, vendor relations, exceptional communications and so much more.
When not serving clients, Betsy enjoys photography, admiring architecture, long drives with her husband through new neighborhoods, and spending time with her blended family of four girls, two boys, and little dog Coco.
When you're looking for a Real Estate Agent who will give you the time and attention you want and deserve, look to Betsy Ramos. She'll try her best to give you a pleasant experience in your real estate journey.


Once you are part of the NDIS you will be referred to as a 'participant'.
One of the first things that will happen is that you will be contacted by the NDIS who will arrange to have a planning meeting with you.
At this planning meeting, they will work with you to develop your individualised 'plan' which will contain funding that will help you to live an ordinary life and to achieve your individual goals, such as learning a new skill, increasing independence, enrolling in education, or getting a job.
You will be in control of your budget – and you will decide who provides their support, how, where and when.
The NDIS will provide funding to access services needed directly because of a person's disability. Those supports won't include things we would reasonably expect a family member or carer to provide or services that are the responsibility of another part of government. NDIS funded services need to also demonstrate they are good value for money in meeting the participant's goals.
And don't forget to let us know when the NDIS has been in touch to organise this meeting.
A really handy way to start thinking about what you might need for your planning meeting is to use the journal we have provided you with, for between two to four weeks.
Simply write down your daily activities during this time – even on days when you don't feel like doing it – as everything will help when it comes time to think about what support you might need in the future to assist with achieving your goals or help more on days that are hard for you. The NDIS will assess you on what is REASONABLE and NECESSARY which is why it is so important to write everything down for at least a few weeks.


There are many different scares that go around concerning the raising of farm animals and the processing of meat. While scary words and acronyms make their way around in a swirl of hype and panic, Kalon Farm is set on producing delicious meats and products that have been made with care. We offer quality lamb as one of our many meat options so that our customers know they are getting quality meat that has been well cared for.
With over 150 acres in Lancaster, Massachusetts and more than 75 acres in neighboring towns, Kalon Farm has the space to provide our lambs with plenty of room to roam and feed. We are first-generation farmers who take pride in caring for our animals. We believe our animals can produce higher quality meat when they are well taken care of, which is why we strive to provide our animals with only the best.
It's not just the lambs; Kalon Farm works tirelessly to make sure our cows, chickens, pigs, and other animals are given the best care and feed in order to produce the highest quality meats. We also give just as much care to the production of our wines and other products. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and passion for our customers, animals, and farm.


Want to learn more about Nav?
Visit Nav's website for more information.
SuperMoney Net Recommendation Score +38% Recommendation score measures the loyalty between a provider and a consumer. It's at +100% if everybody recommends the provider and at -100% when no one recommends.
Would you recommend Nav to your friends?
What Services Does Nav Offer?
Nav offers business owners access to their business and personal credit reports and explains the factors that determine a business' creditworthiness. Paying users receive additional information on the underlying factors of their personal and business credit, and can also check the credit of competitors, suppliers, and customers. Nav also offers 24/7 credit monitoring, identity theft protection, credit error dispute assistance, $1 million identity theft insurance, and identity recovery services.
Users receive a step-by-step guide of how to build their credit and receive pre-qualified offers for credit and loans. This last service is also a source of income for Nav, which receives commissions on the purchases made by users.
Since July 2015, Nav offers customers with a Premium Plus membership ($49.99) access to their FICO SBSS business credit score. This score is used by the U.S. Small Business Administration and many other business lenders. Nav provides users with their Experian business credit score and their TransUnion personal credit score. Nav also includes users' Experian National Equivalency and VantageScore 3.0 credit scores, which are useful for educational purposes as they provide a good idea of your credit health, but they are rarely used by lenders when determining credit eligibility.
Nav divides its services into three tiers. There is a free access option, a premium account, and a premium plus account. The free option gives access to a summary report of users' business and personal credit reports. The premium account offers detailed credit reports and the premium plus account also allows users to check the credit of your suppliers, clients, and competitors.
All users must register to confirm their identity. They must provide personal information, such as name, date of birth and Social Security Number. Nav has created a fast and easy to navigate registration process that only takes seconds to complete. As well as providing business credit monitoring and protection services, Nav also recommends products based on the information they collect from your business' credit data. The commissions they make on the services and products are a major source of income that allows it to provide free credit report summaries.
How Much Does Nav Cost?
The essential credit services are free, but if you want full access to your credit reports and scores, you need to pay $30 a month. Complete access to the credit reports of trade partners and your FICO SBSS score will cost you $50 a month. Users who pay for an entire year receive a 20 percent discount.
How is Nav Better/Worse Than Other Credit Reporting Companies?
However, the free account option does not allow you to read your full business credit report, just a summary. Besides, the business reports are only based on Experian and the personal reports on TransUnion. The credit scores it offers include Experian's National Equivalency score and the VantageScore 3.0, which are excellent for getting a feel of your credit health, but they are not the scores lenders use.
If you want to see your business and personal FICO scores, you will have to use a different company. Regardless, Nav provides a valuable service for small to medium companies looking to find the best credit deals available.


Get lightning-fast transfer speeds on Mac and PC thanks to the USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt interfaces. With the SSD version, the LaCie Rugged delivers up to 387 MB/s û one of the fastest bus-powered products available*.The hard disk version performs at up to 122 MB/s, a 35% improvement over FireWire 800. Back up and transfer mountains of data in a fraction of the time.Enjoy noticeably more responsive photo library browsing.
Don't let your project get derailed by incompatibility between your external drive and your computer. With both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt interfaces, the LaCie Rugged is a perfect match for your Mac and PC. Since USB3.0 is backward compatible, you can connect it to any standard computer,anywhere. The integrated Thunderbolt cable also stows neatly when not in use,so that youÆll never lose it. The LaCie Rugged is also fully bus powered through the USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt cables. Its portability and interfaces makeit the must-have sidekick to a new Mac or UltrabookÖ.
Your data is irreplaceable, so itÆs vital to protect it against any conceivable mishap wherever you go. That's why LaCie made the new Rugged tougher than ever. ItÆs MIL-compliant, which means that data is protected even during accidental drops of up to two meters (6.6 feet). During transit, connect the removable cover to provide IP 54-level protection against dust and water. Whether the LaCie Rugged falls out of your backpack or gets splashed by a mud puddle, you stay confident that your data is still accessible. The SSD version goes a step further for the ultimate in resilience against vibration and shock. Both versions are tough enough to be shipped for reliable delivery to clients or partners. Included software even protects your files from prying eyes with AES 256-bit encryption.
With military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, LaCie Private-Public protects your files from unauthorized access with password protection.


text:
Mirrored Image - The Pursuit of Happiness
Mirrored Image
I wish I could do laughing emoji's on this thing but alas we haven't quite figured that out yet. The reason I wanted to do it is because when I first heard the opening track, "The Mask" by eastern Kentucky pop rock band Mirrored Image I thought "holy shit this sounds like fucking Oasis!" Imagine more laughing emoji's here too. Just to give some perspective though I love Oasis, at least their first two records and slightly a bit of their third for mostly nostalgic reasons only. But it was the first thing I thought of. Then I read the bands bio and there it was Oasis.
I felt as though I was some sort of soothsayer or some shit. Maybe I should go down to the corner store and buy a lottery ticket. Anyway it's not like Noel Gallagher never said he'd rip off "Ticket to Ride" over and over again if he could way back in the 90's, something I read and will always remember. It was nice though as the tune gave me a certain sense of warmth about what would come next.
Next comes another nostalgic singer for me, Kurt Cobain, who makes an appearance via the loud quiet loud "Again." Singer Dylan Belcher pulls no punches nor does the band consisting of Mark Chaney on guitar and backing vocals, bassist Elijah Purvis, and drummer Evan Compton as they take the listener through waves of druggy guitars and swells of anger that sound as though they could be Bleach outtakes at any point considering their angst. Next up is the more radio friendly pop rock of "Too Much" which uses the guitars in a 90s loud quiet style where the vocals take center stage.
Later on "Sensation" adopts an emo rock feel reminiscent of Sunny Day Real Estate and then the album's title track "Pursuit of Happiness" takes it back to that late period relaxed 90s rock of Oasis but falls short of being anything too engaging. Next we are treated to the angry inflected slowcore rocker "One Thing" which sounds like a diary entry set to a Metallica riff.
Still I can't help knowing exactly what Belcher means and perhaps felt whilst writing the heartfelt "When the Light Goes Out," Perhaps it is because this is the song where Belcher and the band sound like themselves and not like anyone else.
It's something I struggle with in my own life, to sound like myself and not like those gods that I so fathom. I'll admit it's a constant struggle. But here I hear Mirrored Image sounding most like that mirrored image that the will become, themselves. This to me is a band of talented musicians who are not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves, as well as their influences. When they come into their own though I feel they'll see themselves in the mirror and be proud with the results.
The Pursuit of Happiness by Mirrored Image


Acrylic partial dentures: A standard, low-cost solution, these entry-level dentures offer less stability and precision than their higher-end counterparts. As a result, acrylic partials are more difficult to adjust and tend to wear down sooner.
Titanium partial dentures: Partial dentures similar to the Vitallium prosthesis, but lighter and more flexible. The clasps are more supple and reduce pressure on the teeth. Ideal for patients with sensitive teeth, or people with a crown or bridge.
Hybrid: Partial dentures with a metal base (chosen from a range of options). The pink nylon clasps provide superior aesthetics. Certain conditions apply.
Flexite or FRS partial dentures: Partial dentures typically used to maintain tooth spacing following the loss of one or two teeth.
Implant-supported partial dentures: No more clasps! These partial dentures constructed with a titanium base provide stability, precision and great aesthetics. The dentures are secured by locator-type implant attachments instead of clasps.


I used to work at Masjid Bunder back when my mom fell ill and was hospitalized, she was suffering from lack of sleep and uneasiness and her situation was getting worse. We consulted Dr. Vaidya when he had his clinic in Masjid Bunder and in these 18 years till date, she is being doing well and healthy. Now due to her old age, I have come to Mumbai especially to get the medicines from Natoobhai Vaidya, because she won't agree to take medicines from any other doctor.


text:
Myths of the Veritas: The Battle of the Southern Path
Posted by petersironwood in America, management, psychology, Veritas
empathy, learning, myths, politics, science, story, strategy, trust, truth, Veritas
The Battle of the Southern Path
POND MUD awoke with a start. He had heard something that didn't sound right. Something was out of place. His cabin walls had disappeared! He sat up and saw campfires arranged in a strange pattern. He shook the sleep from his head and remembered that he was not in the Center Place of the Veritas. He was out on a raiding party with the Cupiditas; that he had joined up with them. They were about to have a battle, he reminded himself. It was time to keep his wits about him. He took out a small leather pouch from beneath his tunic and felt for his rings of empathy. Oh, right, he thought. He grimaced ruefully as he remembered those are gone as well. He was with the Cupiditas now. About to have a battle. Which they would win. And, then, he could be king with ALT-R and have She-of-Many-Paths as his slave.
He went to relieve himself and returned to the campfire, still in a bad mood. Every day, he had to remind himself that he had chosen his path and now he was committed to it. These Cupiditas, a strong lot, on the whole, constituted his new tribe. Their food might be primitive, but it filled his belly. Though not generally interested in small talk, he ventured to ask the four Cupiditas who shared his small fire and breakfast, whether they had ideas about why fish did not drown in the water and whether it had anything to do with their blowing bubbles. None of them had ever noticed fish blowing bubbles and none of them found it to be a question that held the least interest. But it was NUT-PI's captain, HANK man-GER, who took it upon himself to poke fun of POND MUD.
"So, POND MUD, do all the people of the Veritas speculate on such meaningless and stupid questions or is it only you?"
POND MUD was not even so skilled as ALT-R in speaking and listening to the strange and toneless language of the Cupiditas, but he knew he was being insulted. He was not in the mood for it.
"I'll show you what we do," roared POND MUD. He leapt across the small space between them and used a hip throw to toss the Cupiditas captain on the ground. All he had meant to do was blow off some steam and hopefully garner some respect from the Cupiditas. POND MUD had no thought to follow up and hit a man while down. But HANK man-GER now felt his pride had been wounded. From the suddenness and force of the throw, he knew he could not overpower POND MUD, but he did have a trick or two. He lay on his back moaning, rolling slightly from side to side.
At first, POND MUD felt good to have thrown him down but now he began to worry that he had actually injured his captain. He walked over and knelt beside him asking, "Are you okay?"
HANK man-GER shook his head piteously, "No, it's my ankle. I think you broke it!"
POND MUD felt the ankle with both of his yet skillful hands, looking away from HANK toward his feet and feeling carefully. "No, I don't feel any…."
"ARGH!" POND MUD screamed and whirled to see HANK man-GER leaping at him, dagger point first. POND MUD knocked his hand aside but he was a fraction late. HANK had cut him in the side, though not deeply. With a yell, POND MUD, grabbed the hapless fellow around the head and snapped his neck. "Oh, hell! It was self-defense! You all saw it!" POND MUD expected the men to rush at him and kill him or at least imprison him for slaying their captain. But this was not the way of the Cupiditas. POND MUD had ousted HANK in a fair fight — or at least in a fight as fair as they ever were among the Cupiditas. For this reason, despite their underlying contempt for POND MUD, they immediately bowed their heads toward POND MUD and chanted something that could only mean he was their new leader. POND MUD found this extremely odd. Though he had turned traitor to the Veritas, he had grown up among them and he found this custom of replacing a leader by killing odd, exciting, disgusting, and yet it had all worked out. Good, he thought, now I can be their leader. Through gestures and grunts as well as the few words he had picked up, he explained that he was going to show them some of the typical moves of Veritas warriors. Every so often, he glanced at the lifeless crumpled body of HANK man-GER and wondered that no-one seemed concerned with burying the body. With a flush, POND MUD realized that they were waiting for his order. Fine, he thought. "You two! Take this body and bury it so neither bear, nor wolf, nor Veritas may defile it." So it was done. With some sweat, they dug a fairly shallow grave in the rocky soil and piled many more rocks atop. While they were engaged in this task, POND MUD searched for some medicinal herbs and boiled up a poultice for his wound which was fairly minor. He strapped it tightly to promote healing and prevent infection.
Photo by Nacho Juárez on Pexels.com
POND MUD continued training his new charges in the fighting ways of the Veritas through the afternoon. Concentrating thus, he suddenly realized that the nomads of the south were everywhere! They had come into camp noiselessly, invisibly. Each man wore a long, hooded robe whose shape was difficult to discern because of the camouflage pattern on their robes.
"Who among you is the leader, for I am now the leader of this band of Cupiditas and will be leading our joint foray. For I know the Veritas and all the paths and byways and will lead us to victory!" He said this in both the tongues of the Veritas and in his broken, nearly unintelligible Cupiditas. He supplemented both of his speeches with sign language. Eventually, he made himself clear whereupon the entire contingent of nomads began laughing. One stepped forward toward POND MUD.
"I am DAN-ergo CREEP, leader of the southern nomads." He spoke Veritas! He spoke it well. POND MUD found himself wondering at this, but now at least he could speak more easily. Yet, no matter how he argued or presented his case, the DAN-ergo CREEP kept coming back to a very simple point. The southern nomads greatly outnumbered the small band of Cupiditas and he would therefore be the leader of the army, not POND MUD, the chieftain carefully explained. If he wanted to relay orders to the Cupiditas, fine, but the battle plan would come from DAN-ergo CREEP. On the other hand, the chieftain was glad to have POND MUD's input on the lay of the land and where the weak points of the Veritas were. POND MUD had enjoyed his brief reign as leader. But he saw that he would have to subordinate himself to this stranger for now or risk losing the help of all the nomads of the south. That would not be something he wanted to explain to NUT-PI or to ALT-R. They would need all their combined strength to enslave the Veritas once and for all. He assented to being under the command of the southern nomad leader and found himself wondering how the advances under KAVA-NUT and NUT-PI were coming. The attack was scheduled for pre-dawn the following morning. Once more, POND MUD found himself relishing the form of She-of-Many-Paths and reminded himself that he would soon own her. Each time he thought of her, he recalled how awkward and stupid she had made him feel. This made him feel angry toward her. And, he also felt guilty about not telling the truth to ALT-R about their accidental encounter. But what would have been the point? ALT-R & NUT-PI would simply have berated him and made him feel stupid. His rage toward She-of-Many-Paths redoubled and he gritted his teeth and clenched and unclenched his fist. He fantasized about all the things he would make her do.
Meanwhile, the Veritas were making their plans in light of new information received from KAVA-NUT. In Dialog, they examined the question as to whether they might not find a peaceful way with regard to the nomads of the south, with whom they had generally had good relations. Someone mentioned that "unfortunate incident with Dares-and-Cares."
"Unfortunate." began She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives, "My that is an interesting word. Anyway, that murderer was a murderer and he happened to be from the tribe of the nomads. I think it would be worth a try to cleave them off from the Cupiditas. But consider, none of us speaks their language with subtlety. If we approach them in numbers, we may very well instigate the very war we seek to avoid. And if we approach with one or a few, we invite capture and torture for information."
She-of-Many-Paths sensed that She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives had more in her heart than what she said. But the shaman always showed wisdom in what she said and what she did not say. She-of-Many-Paths made a mental note to ask her further in private. However, and much to her surprise, She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives rose and continued speaking while pacing back and forth. "I see that She-of-Many-Paths knows there is more in my heart than what I have said. That is true. Before most of you were born, I loved a man whom the tribe called Dares-and-Cares for he was both extremely brave and extremely caring. Before we could become one, he agreed to a dangerous errand for the tribe, traveling alone to the land where dwell the nomads of the south in order to advance the idea of further trade. Before he reached their center space, however, he was attacked and murdered by a band of such nomads. They stole his possessions and stole the heart of my heart as well."
After a respectful silence, Shadow Walker asked, "Then, why did you not tell us so that we may be forewarned of the Nomads of the South?"
Photo by RAUL REYNOSO on Pexels.com
"Exactly for that reason. There are important lessons to be learned from such events, but under such circumstances of sorrow and deep hurt, it is easy to draw the wrong lesson. It is easy to conclude, though logic would not support it, that all the Nomads of the South are bad just based on this one incident. That is precisely how wars start. One stupid over-generalization leads to another. Such a path of reasoning was even more likely because, you see, I partly blamed myself. I had seen such possible danger, but could not convince him to go with many guards. He was concerned that such a show of force might encourage attack. I saw the wisdom in this. After all, he was called Dares-and-Cares. This was his nature. And though I am called "She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives", you see, I was unable to save the one life I cared most about. It would be very easy under such a circumstance to fear and therefore hate all the Nomads of the South. Yet, this would be an error. Such is not the way of the Veritas.
"Nor is such the way of the Nomads either, for they considered the attack a crime and the responsible thieves were killed and both the body and possessions were returned to us. The truth is almost never so simple as we might like it to be. Some among the Veritas were then roused to anger for Dares-and-Cares was well beloved by the tribe and not only by me."
She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives now turned to speak directly to She-of-Many-Paths. "Luckily, cooler heads prevailed. I tell you this now because I know that your mind and your heart, are prepared to accept truth in its complexity and not in some over simple version. You see how it is. It's important to know that water flows downhill. Yet, it is also the nature of water to bend and turn this way and that, thus avoiding obstacles. Trees grow up toward the sun. Yet, as we proved with the experiment in hiding the cave, trees may be bent away from their natural predisposition. We cannot tell about a whole people from a few examples. Imagine that other tribes thought that KAVA-NUT, ALT-R and POND MUD proved the nature of the Veritas. Three blackberries rotten with mold do not mean one must never eat of such. Though it is important to remove the moldy ones quickly or they may indeed rot the whole."
She-of-Many-Paths offered to go and parley with POND MUD and the nomads of the south. She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives looked long and hard into the heart of She-of-Many-Paths. "You have already shown yourself to be fine thinker and a fine leader. The people need you as a leader even more than they need your bravery."
"I do see the wisdom of your words, She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives. Yet, how could I lead my people in possibly fatal battle if I am unwilling to risk my own life. I will not be a leader who puts others at risk but never puts myself at risk. Such a person is not a leader. Not really. And, if I ever need to ask the people on a difficult path, they must believe I am willing myself to walk any such difficult path."
Shadow Walker spoke next, "Let us go together then, She-of-Many-Paths. If there is trouble, I can hold them off perhaps until you can retreat to safety."
"I will fight beside you if necessary, Shadow Walker. I have no desire to… I would be greatly troubled if you died in battle and particularly so if I used that opportunity to escape. I wish we could call POND MUD as easily as the wolves can call each other. I feel his heart is troubled. But approaching him is indeed dangerous in this current circumstance."
Eagle Eyes added, "I wish I could call to him, as easily as I do the eagles." All in earshot thought on this image in silence.
Trunk-of-Tree then stood up suddenly and spoke, "But we can!"
She-of-Many-Paths said, "What do you mean, Trunk-of-Tree? Scream like an eagle? Howl like a wolf?"
"No," said Trunk-of-Tree, "but we all learn to speak with drums!"
"This is true!" said She-of-Many-Paths. "We can encourage POND MUD to come parley with us and hopefully to bring the head of the nomads of the south. If the two of them come alone, we will parley. If they do not come, we wait for their advance or wait them out and attack them first. But in neither case, must one or two go alone and put themselves in grave danger."
Fleet-of-Foot spoke thus, "You are brilliant, She-of-Many-Paths!"
"Thanks you for saying so, Fleet-of-Foot, but this idea came from Trunk-of-Tree, not me. Where shall we set up our signal drum?"
Eagle Eyes chimed in eagerly, "I know just the spot! Up on that cliff is the perfect place. Too far from the enemy to be shot by an arrow. It's above the tree line so the sound will carry across that plain below. Also, behind where I point, the rock is curved and this somehow makes the sound stronger and travel farther. If one plays loudly and slowly, POND MUD cannot fail to hear it, though what he might or might not do is anyone's guess."
"So," asked She-of-Many-Paths, "What, exactly, do we tell POND MUD? He is the only one who will know what the drums mean. At least, I am fairly sure of that. Do we offer him a chance to rejoin the tribe?"
Shadow-Walker snorted, "None have been banished and then rejoined the tribe. None banished have ever been heard from again. They all should have died. We cannot offer him a place back in the tribe. This has never been done in memory. Has it?" Here he looked at She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives.
"I have not heard of such," said the Shaman. "That does not mean it is not here the correct path. Would it encourage others to bear false witness as POND MUD and ALT-R have done? I do not judge it so. But I question whether we could ever actually trust any of them again. It is good to try to trust, but that trio has broken our trust many times now."
"Indeed," said Eagle Eyes. "It seems to me that the shape of their soul is too defined now for change. And, worse, as you pointed out, one moldy blackberry can spoil everything. For everyone."
Photo by Ir Solyanaya on Pexels.com
"I think it would have been more merciful to have killed all three of them outright," said Fleet-of-Foot. "Had we done that, we wouldn't be on this precipice of disaster. And they deserved to die. That's surely what happens to most who are banished anyway."
Eagle Eyes spoke softly. "I cannot say that I have no desire to see them dead — all three of them — and not only for what they tried to do to me, but also — and more so — for betraying our people. On the other hand, we have learned much important intelligence from POND MUD's conversation with She-of-Many-Paths and from the angry ravings of KAVA NUT. I find that it pleases me greatly to see him hanging there eyeless. But I do not like being pleased by his suffering, however much he deserves it. I do not want to become the kind of monster that they are."
She-of-Many-Paths spoke next, "Time is not our friend. We do not know when the Cupiditas will attack on the Middle Path. We must act quickly. Since we do not know our own mind, why not simply avoid making any specific promises? We tell POND MUD the truth — that we do not yet know whether he can ever be a member of our tribe again; that some speak for it and some speak against it. It will depend on what transpires, what he tells us, and upon what the nomads of the south do, and upon what all of the people of the Veritas decide. We can only promise that if he comes to parley, we will not ambush and kill him. I think he will know from his long years of experience with us that we will be true to our words, for that is the very essence of the Veritas. He will be free to rejoin his new tribe and fight with them; to fight with us, under supervision, or indeed, to walk his own way. We should begin by reminding POND MUD that he is one of us, and therefore once beloved among the Veritas."
So, it came to pass that the drumming began and was easily heard in the camp where the nomads of the south worked with POND MUD and a handful of warriors of the Cupiditas on their plans for conquest.
DAN-ergo CREEP was the first to comment. "What is this noise? Where is that drumming coming from?" He stared directly and POND MUD as he said this.
POND MUD answered, "Probably just trying to annoy us and keep us up all night to weaken us for battle, but that's a stupid plan because it will keep them up as well."
DAN-ergo CREEP thought perhaps there was more to it than annoyance. "If it's just to annoy, why is it so regular? Not quite a dance, but … does it mean anything?"
POND MUD again felt obliged to answer, "No, it's just stupid. They are drumming about our nice warm cabins and about the quest for the rings of empathy and how … " And, here he broke off from embarrassment. For the drums were now calling to him specifically and reminding him of how much fun he had had with his friends when they were learning to stalk, and learn the ways of plants and how they healed. And POND MUD realized that She-of-Many-Paths had been the one to show him the plantain and witch hazel leaves that he had used a few hours ago to help prevent infection. The drums now spoke of how POND MUD had won many contests of strength and how all his friends had cheered for him.
"WELL?!" DAN-ergo CREEP asked loudly. "What are they drumming on about? If they are telling their battle plans to their scouts, say so! Or, are they signaling only you?"
"I have no idea what their purpose is, Sire. Partly they are just drumming on about my childhood. Nothing has been mentioned about strategy yet."
On and on, the drumming continued. All practice had stopped among the Cupiditas and the Nomads. Everyone became fascinated by the on-again, off-again rhythm and patterns that folded into other patterns. And just when the brain began to predict what might come next, the melody and rhythm would drift off into yet another unexpected dimension.
POND MUD gave a fairly accurate rendition about the drums but didn't go into the details about his childhood that he was reminded of. Nor, did he transmit the idea that some, though not all, of the Veritas would consider reinstating him in the tribe. Were they trying to trick him? Could it be true? Maybe they just want to use me to find out about their enemies and then they'll toss me out again. POND MUD suddenly became aware that he hadn't said anything out loud for awhile. All the men were staring at him, waiting for him to continue his explanation of the drumming. So, he resumed his real-time and uncommented translation into the Veritas that DAN-ergo CREEP well understood. He in turn, translated into their own tongue. So far as POND MUD could tell, the few Cupiditas among them had no idea what was being transmitted by the drumming.
"They want me to ask you, that is, the Southern Nomads, what your quarrel is with the Veritas and why you go to war and what you hope to gain from such a war even if successful. They say that they are a peaceful people who have never attacked you and have no desire to do so. The Veritas are a peaceful people. You know this from your own experience. We have never attacked you. And, until now, you have never attacked us. So, why now? What could you possibly gain that you could not gain in trade? Also, consider this; you have also not been attacked by the fierce warriors of the north nor by the Cupiditas. Why? A large part of that reason is that they would have to go through us to get to you, at least by any whatsoever direct route. Though we have no formal agreement, we actually make things more peaceable. Also please consider this. Whatever you have been told as to what you might or might not gain, you have no guarantee that you will gain any of that. The leader of the Cupiditas, NUT-PI cannot be trusted. Nor can the…the…the … don't know that drumming. Whereas if we promised you something, we would keep that promise. This you know in your heart to be true. All we ask is that POND MUD and the leader of the nomads come parley with two of us alone and let us speak as true siblings about what each other might gain or lose from fighting or not fighting. We drummed to POND MUD because we were afraid to send just a few people into your camp. You might capture such and torture them for information. And, we didn't want to send a large force into your camp because that might spark the very war we hope to avoid. If you come into the large clearing beneath the flat-topped hill, and stand near the sharp blue rock, you will be able to see that just two of us will approach you for parley. Come now. Come before dark. If you come, we may be able to avoid a war where many will die on both sides. We may fail. But what is the harm in trying? If there is no war, POND MUD can plead his case to rejoin the Veritas though we cannot guarantee that he will be successful. If he prefers, he may live with the Southern Nomads. Or, he may go live with the Cupiditas though it seems the Cupiditas have set their hearts on war. This is a war of their making. Not ours. What they can possibly gain will be little. What they can possibly lose is everything. But of the little they may gain, they will only give any such who help them a small fraction of that tiny gain, regardless of what they may have told you." The drumming paused for a time and then began the entire message again.
"WELL!?" demanded DAN-ergo CREEP.
"Well, what?" countered POND MUD. "What is your question?"
DAN-ergo CREEP gritted his teeth and shook his head, but then he spoke quietly to POND MUD. "Do you think they are telling the truth? And do you think we should go to this parley or is it just a trap? What do you think about what they said? You are from there?"
POND MUD spoke quickly. "Oh, they are telling the truth. Or, at least a part of it. They would consider it a huge dishonor to invite you to a parley and then ambush you. So, it's not a trick in that way. Though I don't know why they want to avoid war. But I am pretty sure they do want to avoid it."
DAN-ergo CREEP stared at POND MUD, "Well, maybe they just want to avoid it because they don't like killing people and being killed. But I am concerned about one thing. They seem to know about us and about the fierce warriors of the north. Yet, NUT-PI's envoy told us that the Veritas would know nothing about our involvement. And, how did they know you were here, POND MUD? Answer me that?"
"The Veritas are clever. They have good scouts. And some have good eyes. Very good eyes. I'm … well, I'm easy to spot … and everyone from the Veritas would recognize me. As for the rest, I have no idea. My best guess would be the same: the foreword scouts recognized you by your garb and the same for the Northern Warriors."
DAN-ergo CREEP stared hard at POND MUD. "You sure you are not sending some kind of signal back to them?"
"No! Of course not! I have had no contact since I was exiled. I saw one of the Veritas, but she didn't see me. And, I didn't say anything to her. I don't like them. They exiled me!"
DAN-ergo considered, "So you say. But I don't have any independent evidence of that. Do I?"
POND MUD thought about it. "Well, why would we go to the Cupiditas in the first place if we hadn't been exiled? It's much nicer … I mean … we just wouldn't have any reason to leave the Veritas. She-of-Many…I mean, She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives is a good leader and…I think we should go and hear what they have to say. I myself could take any two of the other Veritas in a fight and you'll be there as well. They won't ambush us. This I know."
After another half hour's discussion, it was agreed that POND MUD and DAN-ergo CREEP would go to parley. There was some considerable objection raised by the Cupiditas among them but it was short-lived. POND MUD reminded them that he was their leader now. Having a parley would almost certainly not mean no war. But it might give them an opportunity to judge the weaknesses of the Veritas; to plant false information; to intimidate them.
So it was that POND MUD and DAN-ergo CREEP walked off to the designated place in the clearing. While the chosen spot, it was true, would afford a clear view in all directions, in order to arrive there, they would have to traverse many dangerous places. POND MUD took very little precaution for he was quite sure that the Veritas would not ambush them. He strongly suspected that the entire message of the drums was in earnest, including the part about possibly letting him rejoin the tribe. Did he really want to do that though? Among the Veritas, his strength was just seen as an asset, both to POND MUD himself, and to the tribe as a whole. Among the Cupiditas, however, strength was king. And, he would never be leader of the Veritas. That would be one of the other guys like Fleet-of-Foot or Trunk of Tree or Shadow Walker. Even if they accepted him back, he would never be Ruler of the Veritas. But with ALT-R's plan, he could be a pretty near thing to a King. And, everyone would have to respect him. Even She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives. Although She-of-Many-Paths says she was just trying to teach me, not humiliate me. She drives me crazy! They both do! Anyway, ALT-R made the war seem an important and inevitable path. But then, She-of-Many-Paths said I could never trust ALT-R. That he was always out for himself. She doesn't know!
"Are you sure you're on the right path, POND MUD?"
"WHAT?" DAN-ergo's question had broken his reverie. "Oh. Let's see. Yes, see the light through that line of trees? Once we pass through there, we will descend into that flat plain that the drums spoke of. We'll be there momentarily."
They walked in silence for a moment, when POND MUD spoke to his companion. "I have a question, Sire. In the lands that we call the Southern Nomads, are there any fish that seem to blow bubbles?"
"Yes. Strange fish in the ocean that raise their young and feed them milk. Yet, they breathe air as do we. Why do you ask?"
"Well, if you were stuck in quicksand, what would you do to stay alive?"
"Quicksand? You know of such places? There are some indeed in the driest part of the desert. You may walk across a dune and suddenly, you find yourself falling and suffocate under the sand. One of our own seems to have vanished this way just the spring before last."
POND MUD thought this answer odd. He decided not to pursue it just then because people always thought it strange when he asked about quicksand and blowing bubbles to stay alive. Why would his friend, ALT-R, make him blow bubbles with his face in the mud unless it was necessary? But how had ALT-R learned about it when no-one else seemed to know anything about this method of defeating quicksand?
Soon, POND MUD and DAN-ergo CREEP found themselves in an open space which afforded an easy and unobstructed view in each direction. DAN-ergo CREEP did not seriously doubt that he could outrun an approaching ambush unless somehow it came from behind them. They would have a long head start to return to the camp of the Southern Nomads. DAN-ergo had his doubts about POND MUD however. He was stocky and looked as though he could sprint quickly if his life depended on it. Whether he could run for some distance though – that seemed in doubt. And, though his wound was superficial, it would slow him down. DAN-ergo did not much care for this stranger and if it came to it, he supposed he must run back to the camp of his people. It would be stupid and useless to try to defend POND MUD against so many.
In the distance, DAN-ergo could see two lone forms emerging from the forest and traveling down a grassy knoll toward the open plain. They came alone and seemingly unarmed.
As they drew nearer, POND MUD recognized the two as She-of-Many-Paths and Shadow Walker. They are no match for the two of us, thought POND MUD. But how are they going to trick us? As they drew nearer, She-of-Many-Paths hailed them.
"Thank you for agreeing to parley, POND MUD and you sir, whatever your name might be. Rest assured, we mean you no harm and none of our countrymen are even within bowshot." Again, this was strictly true though another flicker of conscience batted at She-of-Many-Paths for they had arranged for Eagle Eyes and Fleet of Foot, among others, to be watching closely and if it looked as though harm were about to befall the two Veritas, wolves and eagles would be upon the group very quickly, though possibly not so quickly as to prevent the loss of two so beloved as were She-of-Many-Paths and Shadow Walker. "I am known as She-of-Many-Paths."
"And I am known among my people as Shadow Walker."
"Well met," began DAN-ergo CREEP. "I am called DAN-ergo CREEP among my people. I am the leader of those among the Nomads of the South who chose to follow the wishes of NUT-PI of the Cupiditas. We call our people SABRA. And, I believe you already know my companion, so named POND MUD."
"Well met, indeed." She-of-Many-Paths had now approached the two quite closely. She nodded to POND MUD and then to DAN-ergo. "POND MUD. DAN-ergo CREEP. Before our armies launch their bodies at each other, I thought we should take a moment even on this precipice of war to understand whether this is indeed something we really and truly wish to do. For, DAN-ergo CREEP, we have no quarrel with the SABRA. None. And, for our part, we are frankly astounded that you should want to have war with us. As we communicated with our drums…I assume POND MUD told you what they said? Is this correct?" Her penetrating eyes darted between their faces and she could see that it was so though DAN-ergo nodded his assent.
"Indeed. That is why I am here," he said. "Why we are here. You say you have no quarrel with us, yet your leader, as I understand it, may well have a grudge against us because some few of us attacked and killed one that she found favor with."
"You are correct, DAN-ergo CREEP, that she found favor with the one we called Dares-and-Cares. But her understanding, and therefore the understanding of the Veritas, is that this was not the act of your people but of a few criminals amongst you. Is this so?"
"It is so. And we found and punished the murderers and returned the body and the stolen goods to the Veritas."
"Exactly so. She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives holds no grudge against a people based upon the acts of a few. She encouraged us to try to find a path to our mutual benefit that does not cross a quicksand of war that will swallow so many of both our countrymen. So, I ask you, please tell me, quite frankly, what you hope to gain."
"NUT-PI said — I should say swore — promised — that we would learn the craft of making water skins that will not leak but keep water fresh and cool for long travels."
She-of-Many-Paths nodded, and asked, "Is that all?"
"It may seem a simple thing but you have water in your lands in every season. For us, it is important."
"I don't doubt it. It can be easily arranged without war. Is that all he promised?"
"Well, he said that we could be overlords of the Veritas and have first choice of the spoils of war and the many fine foods that are in your storehouses. And, as well, have first choice of slaves from among the women and children."
"I suspected as much," DAN-ergo CREEP, for he promised the same exact thing to the fierce and formidable warriors of the north. And, I would well imagine, though I know it not for a fact, that he has also promised this to his own warriors as well. Do you not also think this likely?"
POND MUD's face grew cloudy and he knit his brows together and frowned. He clenched his teeth. DAN-ergo had ordered POND MUD to stay silent in these negotiations, but he could not help himself from breaking in.
"That's a lie! You are quite wrong, She-of-Many-Paths! He promised that to ALT-R and me. We will be overlords of the Veritas and take you as my slave! Just as I told you when we met!"
DAN-ergo regarded POND MUD. "Met? When did you two meet?"
She-of-Many-Paths answered, "Oh, we chanced to meet some days ago while POND MUD was scouting out our guard positions. I assume he told you about that. I am not lying, POND MUD. I do not think you are lying either in that NUT-PI made such promises to you and ALT-R. But now it appears that he promised this as well to the fierce and formidable warriors of the north and to the nomads of the south, the SABRA. I must add something else here, DAN-ergo CREEP. I do not well know the ways of your people, but among the Veritas, all are prepared to fight to the death and die rather than become slaves. That includes all the women and children as well. If you capture any Veritas and make them slaves, your booty will be small indeed consisting only of a score of infants who would be quite useless to you until you had fed and clothed them for at least five or six years. We have some food in storage. That much is true. But I promise you that we are poised to make such food of much less value than you might think should it appear that you are going to win victory over the Veritas."
She-of-Many-Paths then added, "I have presented you with much information, I see. I have a proposal. Shadow Walker and I shall go now and return presently with several such water skins as you seek filled with cool and refreshing water. This will give you time to think upon what I have said. When we return, we may parley further. Meanwhile, you two may hold your own council. Ask POND MUD whether he thinks I speak true. Is this acceptable?"
"It is." DAN-ergo CREEP admitted to himself that he was impressed with this — woman — of such a young age — yet so filled with clarity and confidence. The two Veritas turned and walked away. DAN-ergo began to think that if they really returned with such water skins, that in itself could be seen as a kind of victory when he returned to his people. He questioned POND MUD and found that nothing he said indicated that the Veritas were a duplicitous people. In fact, the more he spoke with POND MUD, the less it made any sense to him that he voluntarily left his people in order to throw his lot in with the Cupiditas. But why, he wondered, were they banished?
Presently, as promised, the same two of the Veritas returned with three water-tight containers filled with fresh water and hauled on a travois. While the water skins had been filled and the travois had been loaded, She-of-Many-Paths and Shadow Walker quickly relayed the intelligence they had learned including most importantly that NUT-PI had promised the same "spoils of war" to everyone he could think of and that the SABRA, or at least one such, had a very shifty camouflage outfit.
She-of-Many-Paths began, "Here as promised are some water skins filled with cool water. These are a gift, plain and simple. But as you say, we have plenty of fresh water and would be glad to trade you for many more. Refresh yourselves and we may talk further."
DAN-ergo CREEP looked at Shadow Walker carefully as he made his next comment. "Among the SABRA, it would be rude for us to drink first. You, fine lady, show us the way. You must drink first. That is polite."
She-of-Many-Paths smiled. She was not in the least fooled by this charade, but was prepared. "Of course! Thank you! It was, I must admit, hard work to drag this water out here and I am thirsty." She deftly began to unseal one of the water skins, but stopped. "Oh, DAN-ergo, which one would you like me to partake of?"
He silently pointed, still watching carefully the face of Shadow Walker. "That one." No reaction. "Wait, wait. That one, I should think." She-of-Many-Paths began to unseal another. "NO! Wait. That one!" Now, She-of-Many-Paths laughed. "You are right to be cautious DAN-ergo CREEP. We need to learn to trust each other. That takes time. But I shall take a small sip from each of the three as will Shadow Walker. You watch us carefully and you will see no sign, however small, of poison. You will simply see us slake our thirst as you might." The two from the Veritas so drank and then motioned for their counterparts to drink as well. "By the way," she added. You may keep the travois as well to transport this back to your camp."
She-of-Many-Paths continued, saying that after the Cupiditas are vanquished, one or two of the Nomads of the South would be welcome to come and stay with the Veritas to learn the way of making such water skins and other such craft as they might find useful.
"And in return?" asked DAN-ergo after he took a sip and handed the skin to POND MUD.
"In return, simply live in peace," said She-of-Many-Paths. Though I believe that two of our people might choose to come and live with you for a time to learn some of your ways such as those very tricky camouflage robes you have. I have in mind two such that might prove mutually beneficial. Among us is one we call, Eyes of Eagle who has long studied birds of prey and could teach you how to use them for messages and even to fight. She is quite talented in the ways of shapes and there is much to be learned from her if she would so choose to join you for a time. Also, the one we call "Fleet of Foot" might want to visit for a time as well. As you might guess from his name, he is a very fast runner. Aside from that, he has a talent for making things that appeal to popular taste. The two of them are friends, so they might wish to come together. Since you trade with many other tribes, he might prove valuable in these trades and how to make your wares appeal to those who might want them, especially when cleverly arranged."
"That's it? We simply exchange and learn from each other? You want nothing more?"
She-of-Many-Paths tilted her head. "You say, 'nothing more' but to the Veritas, exchanging knowledge hard won over many generations is no small thing. It is much more precious gift than any possible spoils of war. Even if you were to take every ear of corn and every cassava root in our storehouse, it would last you less than a year. Knowledge though? That can help your people for all time. That is how the Veritas think."
"She-of-Many-Paths, you are far too wise for one so young. But nothing more?"
"It is a small thing but our leader, She-Who-Saves-Many-Lives gave me once a taste of that spice which I believe you call cinnamon. It is quite delicious! But it need not be a gift. We would be happy to trade with you: such a spice for that which you may find pleasing among our wares, medicines, or foods. Perhaps you also have other interesting and wonderful spices. I think that there is much we could learn from each other. We have no real quarrel with you; nor, so far as I can see, you have no real quarrel with us either. It is only a manufactured quarrel for the good of neither us nor you. It only benefits NUT-PI whose purpose, I ken, is to weaken all other tribes, not just the Veritas, but also the Fierce and Formidable warriors of the north and your own tribe as well. The Cupiditas themselves are a proud strong people, but it seems that they have no love of the truth and therefore they find it very hard to learn from one generation to the next. They forever change their stories to make their leader look much better than he in fact is. POND MUD, you have been living with them and planning with them. Do you agree with my assessment?"
POND MUD turned red. "You're asking for my advice? You?"
She-of-Many-Paths chucked. "Does this surprise you so? You know more about the Cupiditas than I do. Or DAN-ergo. I think all of us would like to hear of your observations."
POND MUD looked about him as though the correct answer might appear among the scattered rocks. "I don't know. They have many weapons. Their leader is chosen by feats of strength which suits me just fine. Instead of stupid tests. But their head leader, NUT-PI appears neither strong nor quick though he is plenty cruel. I can vouch for that. They do not really have cabins such as ours. They have little more than lean-tos which are forever falling down. I could push down any one of them with one smash of my arm. Our cabins are stronger. Much stronger. And just because I can't push one down — it doesn't mean I am not stronger than an ant!"
She-of-Many-Paths sighed and shook her head slowly from side to side. Is there no end to POND MUD's obsession with his own power in comparison to others, she thought to herself. Aloud, however, she said this: "I have no doubt you are very strong indeed POND MUD. I have never doubted that. But the question is, what can you tell us of the Cupiditas? And, you must decide who are your real people. If you come back to the Veritas now, you must needs be imprisoned until this battle is won or lost. If the Veritas lose, perhaps your friends will find you and set you free, through I must tell you frankly that I doubt it will come to be the case. If the Veritas win, we will soon hold a council and decide whether to annul your banishment. If you prefer, you may go back the way you came and join up with the Cupiditas for I sense that DAN-ergo and the Nomads of the South have no real purpose in this war. Do you agree, DAN-ergo?"
"I do indeed. I could use your help, POND MUD, in taking these water skins back to my people. After that, you may follow us back to our lands and join us, or walk back here to join with the Veritas or if you so choose, join up with and lead your small band of Cupiditas to attack your former homeland. That choice, I leave to you. But the path of peace is a place of cool, fresh water. The path of war in this strange land is a path of heat and death unneeded. I shall counsel my people to be at peace with your people, She-of-Many-Paths, though they are a free people and I cannot compel them to leave off war-making."
"I don't know what to do," said POND MUD. "I want to rejoin the Veritas, but you have no such guarantee. I am the leader of a band of Cupiditas. They respect me. But…I do not trust their leader. I need to talk with ALT-R. He would advise me well. I will go back with you two. But no, I should go back to the Cupiditas. I am their captain. I don't know! Why do you always confuse me so, She-of-Many-Paths!?"
She-of-Many-Paths tried to look into the heart of POND MUD and she could see that his confusion was genuine. He still put his faith in ALT-R though he had tricked POND MUD many times that she knew of and probably many other times she did not know of. For that was the way of ALT-R. "POND MUD, how about this plan. Help DAN-ergo CREEP take this water back to his people. If you return alone here before darkness descends on this day, you may find your way back to the Veritas through the gap in that line of trees. You have that long to make up your mind. If we see you tomorrow or the next day, we will have to assume you are an enemy and that will be unfortunate. I give you no guarantees because, as the drums foretold, there are some among the Veritas who have no desire to see you at all let alone to annul your banishment. Yet, you are not without friends among the Veritas and some will argue for your reintroduction into the tribe. So, take a chance on the verdict or don't. You are no longer a child, POND MUD. You must make your own decision, just as DAN-ergo CREEP has done."
POND MUD and DAN-ergo began pulling the travois back toward camp. When they reached the camp, DAN-ergo quickly recounted what had transpired with regards to his own people. He said nothing of the words that had to do with POND MUD and his decision. The people of SABRA looked at each other and at their leader as they enjoyed taking turns with the cool water. They left the camp late that very afternoon, to a man. They did not want to be anywhere near the camp of the Cupiditas when fighting began on the morrow.
POND MUD revealed nothing to the Cupiditas regarding his offer of possible reintegration with the Veritas. Why should he? Of course, it was demoralizing to the Cupiditas for the southern nomads to leave which they did quickly and efficiently, seeming to vanish as quietly and invisibly as they had come. They looked for reassurance to their new leader, POND MUD. POND MUD said that he was going to sneak into the camp of the Veritas which he could easily do because he knew these lands so well. He would overhear their plans and return before dawn and lead his small contingent to where it would do the most good until they met up with the much larger force on the Middle Path. He stole away under a starry sky, still not sure what he would do.
When first light came, a small band of the Cupiditas found themselves alone in a strange land with no allies and no leader and no plan. A glow in the east grew rosy and then orange and then a bright yellow. They argued amongst themselves as to what to do. Many plans were advanced. But without a leader, they had no way to settle on a plan or to test their ideas. At last, one of their number, a man named NINA-TOP declared himself the leader and said that they would march due North until they met up with the main force of the Cupiditas and there they would no doubt receive further instructions.
AILS-HER, challenged this plan as being too little too late. He argued that they should charge as planned along the Southern Path. Soon, the two were locked in mortal combat to see who should lead this small band. Whereas the Veritas knew many methods of deciding among alternative paths, the Cupiditas only knew one: Might makes Right. In this case, neither emerged as victor; they murdered each other, as sometimes happened among that tribe.
None of the few remaining Cupiditas, however, felt like fighting to the death with the most recent such deadly incident fresh in their minds. One suggested a path they all agreed on however. They decided that since their force was too small to make much difference, they would make their way slowly along the Southern Path. If they found strong resistance, they would retreat. But if they found no resistance, they would wander into the Central Place of the Veritas and steal, enslave, or rape as they could. If NUT-PI questioned their late arrival, they would simply say they were overwhelmed by a strong force of the Veritas. It was so agreed, and around mid-day, they began a slow march on the Southern Path. By evening, they had come to the great flat plain of the parley that had taken place earlier in the day. As they marched up the gentle slope toward the line of large white oaks, swords drawn in case of any approaching enemy, they suddenly found themselves assailed by deadly arrows. In an instant, more than half their number began screaming and thrashing on the ground. The few remaining Cupiditas turned and ran back down the slope. Another hail of arrows found their mark. A handful of remaining Cupiditas threw down their weapons and begged that their unseen enemy show them mercy.
Thus ended the battle of the Southern Path. A great battle was avoided because some few of the Veritas had pursued peace up to the very precipice of war. Yet, a powerful force of Cupiditas still strove forward on the Middle Path toward the Center Place of the Veritas. In this Center Place, were many women and children of the Veritas though if the Cupiditas thought they were helpless, they would be seriously mistaken. And there too was POND MUD in his stockade where he could look out and see a blue sky and the thin, eyeless figure of KAVA-NUT. He awaited the outcome of the coming battle to see who his true people were; that is, the victors. For POND MUD now very much subscribed to the central doctrine of the Cupiditas that might makes right. He liked feeling strong and thinking of pros and cons and consequences of this plan and that plan made him feel weak. He wanted always to know what path to take for certain. He wished ALT-R would get here soon and release him so they could rule Veritas together. The words of She-of-Many-Paths kept returning to his mind and when they did, he shouted, "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" His screams were heard by many and they puzzled at them for no-one was speaking to POND MUD and very few would speak for him.
Magic Portal to Other Worlds