“Kukurnal. I have a question. What does intelligence do?”

Kukurnal turned to Joe with a look of deep confusion before replying cautiously, “I’m certain that your people must have studied it quite carefully, but it is of people who can think well and clearly. Is it not?”

Joe blanked for a moment before realization hit him like a freight train. He doesn’t know it’s a stat! He doesn’t…. should I... Joe schooled his face before nodding cautiously, allowing careful consideration to slowly transform his face, “Yes. You are right. I was just wondering if you or your people have noticed anything specifically about it.”

“Well, certainly, we can speak on intelligence, but there would seem to be little that I could add considering some of our conversations. But I will offer what little we know. It seems that intelligence speaks to how quickly a being may think and respond to others or even their own thoughts and ideas.”

Joe paused, deep in thought on how to continue, “Then… how do you reconcile people… as children they are able to speak easily and quickly, yet when they come of age or change jobs, suddenly their speaking and conversation is immensely slowed?”

Kukurnal listened carefully at the beginning before leaning back with an understanding nod, “Aaah… you have noticed the system paradox. It is a common argument amongst the scholars of my people. It is an old argument as well, much debated for over two hundred years from seven hundred to five hundred years ago. It was rather quickly put to bed by the great scholar Analar. His Lost Respect theory is generally accepted today. He proved that those who come of age or abandon their parents’ line obviously show disrespect towards their family line so it is only understandable for the system to punish such unruly children and teach them to truly honor family. As they regain their respect for their family and community, of course they are allowed to rejoin the community, regaining communication speed as their respect returns.”

Joe struggled to keep his shock and a little mocking smirk from his face. Relax… this isn’t surprising… lots of stupid theories I can point to back on Earth… Just… they’re doing the best with the information that they have. Joe nodded as Kukurnal spoke but even had to drop his head to hide the shock that had escaped his facial control. He covered his head drop with a quick rub of his eye, pretending itchiness.

“That is the currently accepted theory for slower communication?”

“The Lost Respect theory is the premiere theory that explains it quite well.”

“Rather interesting. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“Hmm, I’m glad to have taught you of it,” Kukurnal preened slightly to be the one teaching.

Joe noticed and replied, “Thanks so much for teaching me it.”

“Quite welcome.”

“Hmm… so the communication loss is due to respect and has nothing to do with intelligence.”

“Ahh… a rather inadequate claim quickly debunked during the debates some seven hundred years ago early in the debates.”

“Oh,” Joe struggled to keep the interest from showing. Don’t need to make him think everything he knows is wrong… be nice, “Would it be possible to get the name or names of the scholars who put for this idea?” Might as well see what else they had to say… probably other good ideas… maybe.

Kukurnal frowned, “Hmm… their names and works were expunged from history. Their ideas were more than simply radical… they were rather heretical.”

Joe frowned, “How so?”

“They claimed the system was responsible.”

Joe breathed slowly, hiding his gasp, “Hmm. It is not?”

Kukurnal’s eyebrows rose, “It … would not be wise to speak this way.”

Joe frowned again, “Such information is… evil?”

“It is not… to be spoken of.”

“And Mimir does not learn or speak of this?”

Kukurnal clammed up at that, staring at Joe with stern eyes and thin lips. Joe quickly took the hint.

“I am not attempting to be… combative, I simply do not know. Is this a… taboo area?”

Kukurnal relaxed as Joe spoke then cocked his head in confusion, “Taboo? Oh… yes… taboo. Interesting… I would likely agree such is not to be spoken of.”

Joe nodded, “Then let us move on. I apologize for stumbling on such unacceptable topics.”

Kukurnal smiled brightly at that and nodded, “Much thanks and… no harm done.”

Joe allowed his relief to show, mainly to allow Kukurnal that he was sincere, “Then, my own thanks in reply for your willingness to forgive my faux pas. Then… to return to intelligence. You understanding is that it is a person’s ability to think well… and quickly?”

“Mmm… yes… that seems to be the case.”

“So deep thoughts and the quickness of those thoughts.”

Kukurnal paused at that then nodded slowly, “Maybe more just the quickness… but there is some aspect of… expansive thoughts as well.

“Huh… that … is interesting.”

Kukurnal smiled and nodded, but offered no reply.

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Joe’s return nods were the bounces of a mind deep in thought musing over the latest information before finally accepting Kukurnal’s statement, “I think I would agree with you. It seems similar to what I’ve found and what our people defines it as well,” Joe let the conversation die with an agreement, not wishing to continue or explain why he’d asked and quickly moved the topic on by passing it onto Kukurnal, “So what would you like to speak about next? I was hoping for more, but it seems we both lack some knowledge in this area.”

“Hmm… it seems you are correct. Could we return to the creation of your water system? I would be intrigued how it was done.”

“Sure. I’m … I think that would be fine,” Joe quickly accepted, grateful to move on.

Kukurnal quickly fired back another question and soon they were once again spiraling through Kukurnal’s seemingly infinite questions. Joe found some rest with the arrival of the food and took refuge in eating to rest his voice. Conversation continued throughout the meal until their food was done and Joe brought the conversation to an end, claiming a need to finish the evening as mentor to his disciples and parted shortly after finishing their meals, retreating to their rooms.

When they arrived, the three stood at attention, expectantly awaiting Joe’s instruction. Joe ignored them for the most part, not noticing their attention until he’d prepared the bed for evening and turned around to sit on it to find all three standing before him.

“What’s up? Do you need something?” Joe asked with some confusion.

Garnedell looked at the other two before replying relatively quickly, only the smallest hint of caution in his voice, “Ah… you said you wished to speak to us.”

Confusion grew, washing across his face, “When?”

Garnedell’s confusion then grew as well as he replied slowly, “At the meal.”

“At the me… oh! You mean when I was talking to Kukurnal?”

All three quickly nodded although Garnedell also replied, “Yes, Joe.”

Confusion turned to humor and Joe chuckled, “No, no… everything’s fine. I don’t have anything to say. I was just a bit tired and wanted to head up to the room early. Kukurnal’s questions never end! And I wished for rest.”

The other three looked at each other with some shock and caution, glancing between the three of them and Joe. Joe waved his hand, trying to calm them some more.

“Really guys. It’s OK. I’m fine with you. We’re all OK. I just wanted to rest.”

“Master,” Garnedell offered in a quite cautious tone, “You lied to a priest.”

Joe parsed Garnedell’s statement before realization washed over him, head dropping in exhausted understanding, “Right… they can hear truth and lies. Well… crap! Hope I didn’t piss him off too much.” Joe then waved his hand and brushed it off, “Well… there isn’t much we can do. Let’s head to bed and I’ll talk to Kukurnal tomorrow and apologize! We need to sleep anyway.”

The other three quickly nodded in agreement before Joe turned away and left the three to their own entertainment, shucking his shirt before slipping into bed and carefully pulling his pants off to leave himself in his undershorts. Long day with a couple stupid mistakes! I need to be careful with these longer days.

Joe made himself comfortable on his bed before shifting to look towards the other three as they sat comfortably on their beds while Kilniara used her brother’s bed as her seat as well.

* * *

Zilnek and Garnedell continued their own conversation but Kilniara withdrew from theirs and soon found herself in silence as she looked towards Joe. He wasn’t really watching her, but was drifting to sleep slowly, eyes obviously drooping while he watched the two boy’s antics. Kilniara looked to her brother, her glance weighted with significance and waited to catch her brother’s eyes. It only took a short amount of time, her brother quite well developed in his social awareness and gave subtle acknowledgement back.

Zilnek returned to his conversation with Garnedell but soon had guided the conversation towards a more private topic between the two of them with guarded whispers and furtive glances, bringing a hidden smile to her lips. Brother was always good at this. She allowed a hidden sigh to slip from her lips which she quickly hid, glancing quickly to Joe as she worried he may of seen or been offended by such an action. While she carefully scrutinized Joe’s face for any possible felt offense, her brother came in with exactly what she needed.

“Hey, Kilniara! Can I use your room with Garnedell? I want to talk to him about some things!”

Kilniara looked over at her brother with some surprise playing across her face before considering carefully, “Don’t mess with any of my stuff!”

Zilnek pulled back a bit with a hint of anger, “When did I mess with your stuff!”

“Don’t make me bring up the last time you went…”

“OK! OK! OK! I understand!” Zilnek called back quickly and eagerly.

Kilniara flinched but controlled herself to not show it, feeling a bit of remorse and flickered a look of apology to her brother, unworried that Garnedell would notice as he was obviously country born and raised. She quickly nodded, also flickering a look of gratefulness to her brother with her reply, “OK. Just be careful.”

Zilnek flashed a bright smile in return, not acknowledging Kilniara’s hidden apology for fear that Master would notice as his skill was significantly greater and he was watching carefully, “Thanks, Sister. I won’t use it too long.”

Kilniara only nodded in turn as she settled on her brother’s bed a bit more nervously before looking to her Mas… to Joe.

“Joe. Are things going well?”

Joe opened his eyes, then glanced around, obviously looking for Zilnek and Garnedell. When he didn’t see the other two, she noticed the obvious panic in his eyes and felt her own fear and confusion rise. Why’s he afraid? Is something?

“Where are the boys?”

Kilniara blinked at the non-sequiter as confusion gave way to relief. Master is only worried about the boys’ safety! “They are in my room. Brother wished to have a private conversation with Garnedell. They are safe, do not worry.”

Master seemed to relax in relief before opening his mouth to reply in some way before dropping what he was going to say. Kilniara felt her curiousity peak, wondering what her Mas… Joe chose to not speak, but allowed the topic to drop.

With Joe awake, Kilniara felt more comfortable to continue the conversation, and soon the two were speaking avidly, easily in conversation with one another as Kilniara once again spent time revealing her past, Joe obviously measuring her worth as a bride. A measurement that gave her both great excitement and confusion as she could not understand why Joe would even consider her as worthy of being a wife. But, as brother says, I would be foolish to not seek such a great man.

The night proved to pass quickly and she soon found herself laying on her brother’s bed, continuing their intimate conversation long into the night. The conversation soon began to drag out longer and longer as Joe began to drift in and out of sleep, his responses lapsing between moments where sleep took him. Kilniara watched with soft amusement and quieted her questions, not wishing to keep him awake any more, and satisfied herself with simply watching him, the calm peace on his face striking her deeply. To be so strong that one has no fear of anything… This time, she allowed a deep sigh to escape, now feeling much more at peace in her attempt in seeking a place in his family. To be so safe!

She found herself sitting up and looking more closely, eyes tightening to focus more deeply on his face. Even as she watched more carefully, his deep peace and rest drove a spike of awe and realization deeply into her mind and heart. The realization that she could have such peace… No! That such a peace is even possible! I want this! I … I need this!... drove her in a way she’d never realized she’d ever wanted. How is such peace even possible?

She did not know how long she sat staring, but brought herself to and quickly stood, smoothing her clothing before deciding it was time to head to bed and remove the boys from her room. I’ve never had my own room before, but… it certainly is nice! Having gained her own, she now wished to guard it jealously and struck out to her room, determined to free it and return it to her possession.

* * *