"Yeah. Off a high shelf. Books have a way of making themselves known when they want me to read them. I have a tendency to go with synchronicity. So I figured your chat might be why I dropped in here just now.
"Works for me. So what did we forget?
Richard tapped the list Melissa had just scribbled. "This third step, making the weapons. That generally happens well before Sun Tzu's Commander has assessed the situation and understands the dynamics. He's usually stuck with tools that came from some earlier conflict. So you really only have three steps. He smiled at Gisella. "Where were you going with the thought? It sounded like you were about to run a mutation.
"Kinda, yeah. We're using him to see what peacefare would be like.
"Oh, I get it. Like warfare. Sure. So, what was you're thought?
Melissa drew an arrow from ˜making tools' towards the top of the page, and struck out the last part of the second step. "Well, instead of the commander coming up with ways to attack your enemy's weaknesses, the community would develop actions that use the combined capabilities of both sides for mutual benefit.
Gisella waited for her to write the revision, then gestured at the first line. "We should also change ˜enemy' to ˜counterpart' or something. Is there a better word for that?
"Not that I know of. This is turning into a language problem, too. But what ".
"So there you are, Dickie! The conversational din was shattered by a booming voice from the open doorway, its owner a diminutive Goth in an oversize black frock.
Richard snorted. "Crap. He followed me.
"Who's that? Melissa asked quietly.
"Calls himself Greythorne. Fancies himself a darkside mage. He rose and started towards the door. "Can we take this outside?
Greythorne planted his feet. "Nay. We do battle here.
The barista had by this time stepped out from the behind the counter. "Both of you. Out of here or I call the cops.
Richard motioned the patrons to stay calm as he made his way towards the door. "Like I told you earlier, he said calmly to Greythorne, "there's more to magic than just throwing spells at people. Ever heard of the Rede? ˜Harm none'? Anyone with power has an obligation to use it wisely. Doesn't matter who you are " president, someone's boss, a parent, anyone. That's what evil is, Greythorne, or whatever your mother named you. It's not what you do. It's why you do it.
Greythorne stepped towards Richard, and raised his arm, palm open, towards him. "I curse you! he intoned. "May the spirit of death ride your soul into the very fortress of Hades!
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
