Interpretation

Once, a scholar, a soldier, two apprentices and a piece of scum from the gutter set off on a quest. But, the magus wonders, who was who? (Spoilers for entire QT series!)

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"So Gen and Sophos-?" said the Queen of Eddis eagerly.

"Yes," said the magus. "I had the pleasure of walking back from sword training following two kings with their arms over each other's shoulders."

Eddis closed her eyes for a moment. "I think you were remarkably restrained not to knock their silly heads together while you had the chance."

The magus chuckled appreciatively. "I was too busy wondering. You told me once that there were many ways to tell a story. I was thinking of a wise man, a soldier, two apprentices and a worthless piece of scum from the gutter who once set off from Sounis on a mission of state. And I was wondering who exactly played what role."

Eddis laughed. "Starting with the wise man of the mission?"

"I feel more and more it wasn't myself," the magus confirmed. "One could even make a case for Pol, who was aiming to get Sophos safely home having learned a bit about life along the way."

Eddis nodded. "Or Ambiades, who was aiming to see Sounis under the control of the Attolian crown?"

"A plan," the magus conceded. "But perhaps not a wise one in the situation prevailing at the time. I rather put him in the role of gutter scum – I am biased, I know. But his old cloak was nearly that disgraceful and his loyalty and morals certainly were. Far more than those of the one whom I thought was the gutter scum at the time."

"Gen," said Eddis fondly. "He could – can yet, I have no doubt – look pretty disgraceful when he put his mind to it. Are you listing him as one of your apprentices, then?"

"We would probably all qualify for the soldier," the magus continued, on his own line of thought. "As I realised from that cliff-top, and was reminded by recent events at Baron Hanaktos' villa, the best soldiers are not always the obvious ones. As for apprentices?" He paused. "I would like to say I walked behind my two apprentices this morning. I would be proud to say they have learned something from me, and maybe something more important than plant classification. But there remains the maxim that no pupil is greater than his master. And both of them–"

"-are kings?" Eddis finished, as the magus held up his hands and shrugged. "They're both very fond of you, at least," she added comfortingly.

The magus inclined his head in agreement. "I should be honoured. They have both also caused me to wish to tear my hair out, and led me up hill and down dale to deliver me into the power of my enemies. I suppose–" He paused and smiled at Eddis. "I must simply be glad that Sophos at least has not yet coupled that with robbing me blind, saving my life, rescuing me from prison, suborning my apprentices, forcibly abducting me or blowing up my navy."

Eddis laughed. "Don't you think he'll be taking lessons from Gen just as hard as he can, now?"

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