The Man Who Talked
It had been days since the rescue of Marigan and her party. Perrin was not quite used to the quiet shuffling of servant's feet as they moved about the tent to do their menial chores. They walked around taking up dirty clothes, and waiting to pick up the finished cup as he set it down.
The sun was almost setting and Perrin was still mulling over the information about the whereabouts of the Prophet. The cold air was mostly kept at bay by the thick tent walls, thought it was almost sultry hot inside. Sweat rolled down his forehead blurring his vision, as he looked at the roaring fire in the center of the tent. His yellow eyes reflected the light of the fire, making strange shadows dance across the walls. His beard itched but there was nothing he could do about it. Perrin slouched in a chair resembling the hollow shape of a tombstone, and it was filled with plush cushions. His every move chanced the possibility of falling.
There was a quiet tap at the flap entrance, and a male servant walked in with black downcast eyes. "A strange gentleman asked me where he might find you, Lord Perrin. I believe he said he wants to talk of things of utmost importance. Should I let him in, sir?" the servant asked quickly and somberly. Perrin long ago resigned his efforts to stop them from naming him a lord. He tried to steel himself every time they titled him, but it still sometimes caught him off guard.
"Send him in.", Perrin said. The servant darted out to motion for the man to come. Perrin saw the silhouette of a strange man bowing to peer at the servant patiently. He was tall for a man this side of the Dragonwall, and held a long sword at his hip, and he could make out the hilt of another on his back. As the man ducked in, his first impression of the man was one of supreme patience. He also sensed a man who thought he knew everything, and showed such on his face. In the way he looked at things, it was almost as if he knew a secret everyone would soon find out. The way he looked at people was as if he knew the man's past, present, and future, and chose not to tell them their future for the sake of their well being. A man with many secrets. The man had deep green eyes, with a hint of that sense of all knowing in them. His hair was worn strangely in spikes that shot straight up from his crown. He held his hands behind his back, with a small smile on his face as he walked into the tent. He sat down at the opposite side of the fire. He sat in a slouched manner, one arm resting on the arm of the chair with his head resting on the adjoining hand. For one full minute they sat in silence. Then finally the man spoke, in a rather wispy tone.
"That was really something, what you did back in Manetheren." He commented, with a faint tone of mocking admiration. "It was nothing. I was just helping the people I grew up with. Any good man would have done the same. What do you want?" he said kindly, a tone suitable for a welcomed stranger. "I just came to see how your campaign to uproot the Prophet out of Ghealdan was doing. That is why the Dragon sent you here, right?" the stranger said casually. "We are here to resurrect the country of Manetheren, and secure its borders for the restoration of its state. What makes you think we are here for the Prophet?" Perrin said carefully. Perrin thought he handled this well, considering he wasn't a very good liar. The man changed position from relaxed and curious, to a business like manner. He was leaning out from the chair instead of slouching into it. He sat at the edge of his seat, his elbows on knees and his hands clasped. He said quietly, and quickly, "If I had the time to be playing this game where we run around in circles spewing bloody lies at each other before we actually get to business, I would. I find it rather enjoyable, but I have no time. Before I came to your tent, my bad luck brought me to encounter three Aiel Wise Ones and their Aes Sedai apprentices.", As he said this his scent told Perrin the man was irritated on the surface, but genuinely amused. He chuckled rather bitterly. "I believe they were a tad curious, considering my behavior towards them, of why I was here to talk to you.", he said this so quietly, even Perrin's ears strained to hear the musical voice.
His behavior towards them?, Perrin thought curiously. "I think it best if we talk outside the camp, to leave no opportunity of eavesdropping." "What makes you so sure they can't eavesdrop while we're at the edge of the camp, when you know they can use the One Power?", Perrin said skeptically. "Besides, for all I know you might be here to kill me. I don't even know your name." As Perrin said this, the man had come to his feet and was starting for the tent flap. "I will explain everything, once we are at the edge of your curious camp. We both know I could have killed you the moment I stepped into the room. Just hear me out, Aybara." The man sounded slightly irritated, and almost impatient. "I have already asked one of your Ashaman to accompany us to the edge of camp, for your safety. I knew this would happen, but I didn't think you were this squeamish about safety." The man stepped aside to open the tent flap for Perrin. Slowly, Perrin got to his feet. Outside, there was a soft red glow on the horizon, passing of the sun over the hills. Neald silently joined them as they stepped out into the cold night air. The man did not talk much or even looked at people as often as he should. Aram also sidled up to walk by Perrin. The cast out Tuathan was not so different from Neald. He had the same stony expression on his face as Lan. He had taken for the past couple of months to following Perrin, almost as a shadow. He only relented in coming into the tent because Perrin insisted on it. They were halfway out of the camp when the stranger nudged him on the shoulder and motioned to two Wise Ones no less than 15 paces away. The Wise Ones were openly staring at them as they passed. "Neald, when we get to the edge of camp you mind making a sound barrier around us?", the man said quietly, giving a sidelong glance at the brooding young man. Neald simply looked the stranger's way and nodded. They had reached the edge and the man abruptly turned to face Perrin. Perrin forced himself not to flinch or back up. In his mind, he had already showed enough weakness to satisfy a pig. The man did not speak until Neald said, "It is done, the barrier is formed, and the Aiel are beating against the barrier to listen in." There was a moment of silence, and then Neald said once more "I can hold them, but not all night." Neald sounded faintly surprised that the Wise Ones would resort to such measures. Perrin was also surprised. He knew if he asked the Wise Ones about this they would give him no answer but that stern stony face. They used this face each time they saw him. "Speak quickly, stranger. First tell me your name.", Perrin said in a confident manner.
"Certainly, Lord Perrin.", he mocked the servant that had brought him into Perrin's tent. "I am Cellorin Sobe Anasta'God, Last of Many, Eighth of Sword Bards. You are Lord Perrin of House Aybara, King of Wolves, Savior of Manetheren, and one of the few unlucky taveren of this age. I have come, as I have said before to check on your campaign to uproot the Prophet in Ghealdean. Is it true that Queen Alliandre Maithrin has sworn fealty to you and the Dragon Reborn?"
Before Perrin can bring the words back into his mouth he said, "Where did you hear that Alliandre has sworn fealty to me? And why do you insist I am here to uproot the Prophet?", His hand almost raised up to cover his mouth when he was done. The strange man who called himself Cellorin looked at him resignedly, and said.
"I can not help you taveren Aybara if you insist on such semantics. So it is true that she has sworn fealty. My best guess is she is still here in the camp. Her fear of the Prophet is dismaying. You must protect her if you are to gain Ghealdan for the Dragon Reborn. I don't know whether you are unlucky or just burdened with so many nobles and rulers in your camp. Nobles from Mayene, Saldaea, Ghealdean, and surprisingly Andor itself." The strange man meant to say more, but Perrin interrupted him.
"I am no bloody noble, whatever your name is.", Perrin said heatedly. Andor?
"Well in the minds of your people you are a noble, but I was not speaking of you when I said Andor.", the man said reassuringly. Then his eyes widened. "You don't know do you? This does change things. I cannot tell you because it is not my secret to reveal. Very well. Anyway, you must protect all the nobles. As if you didn't know that already." The man said all this rather quickly.
"The Wise Ones will not listen to you when you talk of dealing with the Prophet. You must give them a reason they understand for keeping the Prophet alive. A reason they can touch and feel. Something even the Aiel can relate to this side of the Dragonwall.", he said this earnestly.
"How do you know -", Perrin began but the man interrupted him.
"Listen to Balwer, he knows what he's about. He's got a good head on his shoulders, but also be wary. I do not know whether he is here because he is advantageous, or for more genuine reason. Faile is working to help you, however covertly and behind your back. She is using her little group Cha Faile to gain intelligence from the countryside. Don't be mad at her, but warn her that she might get those poor children hurt." The man was pacing as he talked. Stopping only to hit key points on what he was saying. "The Shaido are in the Mountains of Mists, and they are getting closer, but there is nothing you can do about that. I just thought you should know. You can't do anything about the Seanchan right now. Just stay clear of them. Rand is dealing with them in his own way.
"I said I would hear you out.Cellorin. Not listen to you babble on and on about what I should do. I take orders from no man.", Perrin said dangerously. "I have enough people trying to tell me what to do, and I don't need you to start. I am leaving."
"Listen to me you bearded bloody goat of a man, Aybara. What I am telling you and the way in which you use such information will affect all the lives around you tenfold, just because you are taveren. If you do not listen it will spell disaster. Once a man called Laman Damodred did not listen to me, and I need not explain further the repercussions that still rock the world today.", the man said with a bit of frustration in his voice. Cellorin had outstretched an arm to stop Perrin, when Perrin had turned his back on him. Perrin turned his head to peer over his shoulder at the man standing before him. Cellorin's eyes held a look of mixed frustration and concern, and his outstretched hand was faintly shaking. Perrin did not have to sniff the scent of his feelings to see that the man was desperate. Cellorin finally put his arm to his side, and seemed to gain some kind of hold on his thoughts. The smell of the man was weary and resigned. Perrin looked back towards the center of camp. His gaze passed back towards the Wise Ones, who were still watching him. They were too far away to smell, but he would have given a pretty to know their feelings. There was complete silence around the four men. Aram had not uttered a word throughout this entire conversation. He stood off to the side eyeing both Cellorin and Perrin, waiting to see what would happen next. Aram's scent had gone from indifferent to curious, and finally faintly surprised. There were still some of each emotion in his scent, a mix. Neald's emotions were pure sharp concentration, but also curious. Perrin saw his wife, Faile, walking towards the Wise Ones. She walked with a purpose. She stopped to speak a word to the Wise Ones and looked towards their little group. She walked briskly towards them, obviously to see what this was all about, and possibly relay what she learned from Perrin. Her scent told him she was prepared to walk through a brick wall.
"Please keep what was said here private Aybara. And you Neald, and Aram. Remember the possibility of repercussions with every breath you take, that breath can cause raging storms on the other side of the world. Or not so far away.", that last he added as a polite warning. "Say hello to Elyas Machera for me Aybara, if you ever see him again. I must leave you now, I don't think I can survive an interrogation with your wife, and I don't care to try it." It brought a faint smile to Perrin's lips. His back was still turned. Perrin felt he had been silent to long.
"I will use your information Cellorin. This won't be the last time we meet, I expect.", Perrin said somberly.
"Sadly this won't be the last time. I come precisely when I mean to. Not a moment sooner or later, and only when most needed. Such as now. You are stirring off the path. I just came to nudge you back. I am not a Dark friend.", the man said earnestly. That last sentence was almost a vehement denial, but Perrin believed him. His smell had become a mix of feelings of remorse and stone cold seriousness.
"As they say in Saldaea and all the borderlands, the watch is not done.", the man said somberly. Abruptly he turned to walk out towards the forest. Perrin turned to get a last look at the man, but he had slipped into the shadows of the forest. He did not hear Neald's voice saying that he had lifted the barrier, or Faile saying hello until a full minute had passed. He still looked out to the forest. It took Faile tugging at his arm to bring him out of the apparent stupor.
"Who was that, husband?", she asked innocently, as they were walking back towards the tent. Aram and Neald went their separate ways off to unknown destinations. Aram left only because he respected the privacy of their marriage, and Neald left because he was Neald. Perrin was not fooled by her tone of voice, but the sound of the word husband was almost a caress.
"A strange man, Faile. Nothing more, nothing less.", he said distantly. Faile was obviously not satisfied with such a short answer. Her scent had gone from pleasant to impatient and back.
"Tell me husband," she said sweetly, as she playfully brought a dagger out of her sleeve to press against his side gently. Perrin winced and tried to avoid the dagger until he was trapped against the side of a wagon.
"Can we leave the playing until we're relaxing in our bed.", Perrin said. He hoped to stir her from where their conversation was turning to.
"I.can't. It's best if you didn't know. Just as it's best I don't know about the doings of your Cha Faile group. Light, wife, you could get those children hurt with the orders you are making them fulfill. Let us leave it at that. A man's life is at stake in keeping the man's association with me a secret. The Wise Ones will get no information from me. It's in all our best interests, Faile. Please understand this.", he pleaded as she gently applied pressure on the dagger until it almost pierced his skin. She cocked her head to one side, thoughtfully brooding. Then she released the pressure on the dagger and slid it up her sleeve. She stood away from him, her arms crossed and her stance named her stubborn. Her smell told him that she was hurt that he would suspect of her being a spy for the Wise Ones, but other than that amused. Perrin succeeded in putting an arm around her as they walked back to the tent. The smell of her changed into a growing curiosity and anger at being left out. It tickled his nose, but he could endure it.
It had been days since the rescue of Marigan and her party. Perrin was not quite used to the quiet shuffling of servant's feet as they moved about the tent to do their menial chores. They walked around taking up dirty clothes, and waiting to pick up the finished cup as he set it down.
The sun was almost setting and Perrin was still mulling over the information about the whereabouts of the Prophet. The cold air was mostly kept at bay by the thick tent walls, thought it was almost sultry hot inside. Sweat rolled down his forehead blurring his vision, as he looked at the roaring fire in the center of the tent. His yellow eyes reflected the light of the fire, making strange shadows dance across the walls. His beard itched but there was nothing he could do about it. Perrin slouched in a chair resembling the hollow shape of a tombstone, and it was filled with plush cushions. His every move chanced the possibility of falling.
There was a quiet tap at the flap entrance, and a male servant walked in with black downcast eyes. "A strange gentleman asked me where he might find you, Lord Perrin. I believe he said he wants to talk of things of utmost importance. Should I let him in, sir?" the servant asked quickly and somberly. Perrin long ago resigned his efforts to stop them from naming him a lord. He tried to steel himself every time they titled him, but it still sometimes caught him off guard.
"Send him in.", Perrin said. The servant darted out to motion for the man to come. Perrin saw the silhouette of a strange man bowing to peer at the servant patiently. He was tall for a man this side of the Dragonwall, and held a long sword at his hip, and he could make out the hilt of another on his back. As the man ducked in, his first impression of the man was one of supreme patience. He also sensed a man who thought he knew everything, and showed such on his face. In the way he looked at things, it was almost as if he knew a secret everyone would soon find out. The way he looked at people was as if he knew the man's past, present, and future, and chose not to tell them their future for the sake of their well being. A man with many secrets. The man had deep green eyes, with a hint of that sense of all knowing in them. His hair was worn strangely in spikes that shot straight up from his crown. He held his hands behind his back, with a small smile on his face as he walked into the tent. He sat down at the opposite side of the fire. He sat in a slouched manner, one arm resting on the arm of the chair with his head resting on the adjoining hand. For one full minute they sat in silence. Then finally the man spoke, in a rather wispy tone.
"That was really something, what you did back in Manetheren." He commented, with a faint tone of mocking admiration. "It was nothing. I was just helping the people I grew up with. Any good man would have done the same. What do you want?" he said kindly, a tone suitable for a welcomed stranger. "I just came to see how your campaign to uproot the Prophet out of Ghealdan was doing. That is why the Dragon sent you here, right?" the stranger said casually. "We are here to resurrect the country of Manetheren, and secure its borders for the restoration of its state. What makes you think we are here for the Prophet?" Perrin said carefully. Perrin thought he handled this well, considering he wasn't a very good liar. The man changed position from relaxed and curious, to a business like manner. He was leaning out from the chair instead of slouching into it. He sat at the edge of his seat, his elbows on knees and his hands clasped. He said quietly, and quickly, "If I had the time to be playing this game where we run around in circles spewing bloody lies at each other before we actually get to business, I would. I find it rather enjoyable, but I have no time. Before I came to your tent, my bad luck brought me to encounter three Aiel Wise Ones and their Aes Sedai apprentices.", As he said this his scent told Perrin the man was irritated on the surface, but genuinely amused. He chuckled rather bitterly. "I believe they were a tad curious, considering my behavior towards them, of why I was here to talk to you.", he said this so quietly, even Perrin's ears strained to hear the musical voice.
His behavior towards them?, Perrin thought curiously. "I think it best if we talk outside the camp, to leave no opportunity of eavesdropping." "What makes you so sure they can't eavesdrop while we're at the edge of the camp, when you know they can use the One Power?", Perrin said skeptically. "Besides, for all I know you might be here to kill me. I don't even know your name." As Perrin said this, the man had come to his feet and was starting for the tent flap. "I will explain everything, once we are at the edge of your curious camp. We both know I could have killed you the moment I stepped into the room. Just hear me out, Aybara." The man sounded slightly irritated, and almost impatient. "I have already asked one of your Ashaman to accompany us to the edge of camp, for your safety. I knew this would happen, but I didn't think you were this squeamish about safety." The man stepped aside to open the tent flap for Perrin. Slowly, Perrin got to his feet. Outside, there was a soft red glow on the horizon, passing of the sun over the hills. Neald silently joined them as they stepped out into the cold night air. The man did not talk much or even looked at people as often as he should. Aram also sidled up to walk by Perrin. The cast out Tuathan was not so different from Neald. He had the same stony expression on his face as Lan. He had taken for the past couple of months to following Perrin, almost as a shadow. He only relented in coming into the tent because Perrin insisted on it. They were halfway out of the camp when the stranger nudged him on the shoulder and motioned to two Wise Ones no less than 15 paces away. The Wise Ones were openly staring at them as they passed. "Neald, when we get to the edge of camp you mind making a sound barrier around us?", the man said quietly, giving a sidelong glance at the brooding young man. Neald simply looked the stranger's way and nodded. They had reached the edge and the man abruptly turned to face Perrin. Perrin forced himself not to flinch or back up. In his mind, he had already showed enough weakness to satisfy a pig. The man did not speak until Neald said, "It is done, the barrier is formed, and the Aiel are beating against the barrier to listen in." There was a moment of silence, and then Neald said once more "I can hold them, but not all night." Neald sounded faintly surprised that the Wise Ones would resort to such measures. Perrin was also surprised. He knew if he asked the Wise Ones about this they would give him no answer but that stern stony face. They used this face each time they saw him. "Speak quickly, stranger. First tell me your name.", Perrin said in a confident manner.
"Certainly, Lord Perrin.", he mocked the servant that had brought him into Perrin's tent. "I am Cellorin Sobe Anasta'God, Last of Many, Eighth of Sword Bards. You are Lord Perrin of House Aybara, King of Wolves, Savior of Manetheren, and one of the few unlucky taveren of this age. I have come, as I have said before to check on your campaign to uproot the Prophet in Ghealdean. Is it true that Queen Alliandre Maithrin has sworn fealty to you and the Dragon Reborn?"
Before Perrin can bring the words back into his mouth he said, "Where did you hear that Alliandre has sworn fealty to me? And why do you insist I am here to uproot the Prophet?", His hand almost raised up to cover his mouth when he was done. The strange man who called himself Cellorin looked at him resignedly, and said.
"I can not help you taveren Aybara if you insist on such semantics. So it is true that she has sworn fealty. My best guess is she is still here in the camp. Her fear of the Prophet is dismaying. You must protect her if you are to gain Ghealdan for the Dragon Reborn. I don't know whether you are unlucky or just burdened with so many nobles and rulers in your camp. Nobles from Mayene, Saldaea, Ghealdean, and surprisingly Andor itself." The strange man meant to say more, but Perrin interrupted him.
"I am no bloody noble, whatever your name is.", Perrin said heatedly. Andor?
"Well in the minds of your people you are a noble, but I was not speaking of you when I said Andor.", the man said reassuringly. Then his eyes widened. "You don't know do you? This does change things. I cannot tell you because it is not my secret to reveal. Very well. Anyway, you must protect all the nobles. As if you didn't know that already." The man said all this rather quickly.
"The Wise Ones will not listen to you when you talk of dealing with the Prophet. You must give them a reason they understand for keeping the Prophet alive. A reason they can touch and feel. Something even the Aiel can relate to this side of the Dragonwall.", he said this earnestly.
"How do you know -", Perrin began but the man interrupted him.
"Listen to Balwer, he knows what he's about. He's got a good head on his shoulders, but also be wary. I do not know whether he is here because he is advantageous, or for more genuine reason. Faile is working to help you, however covertly and behind your back. She is using her little group Cha Faile to gain intelligence from the countryside. Don't be mad at her, but warn her that she might get those poor children hurt." The man was pacing as he talked. Stopping only to hit key points on what he was saying. "The Shaido are in the Mountains of Mists, and they are getting closer, but there is nothing you can do about that. I just thought you should know. You can't do anything about the Seanchan right now. Just stay clear of them. Rand is dealing with them in his own way.
"I said I would hear you out.Cellorin. Not listen to you babble on and on about what I should do. I take orders from no man.", Perrin said dangerously. "I have enough people trying to tell me what to do, and I don't need you to start. I am leaving."
"Listen to me you bearded bloody goat of a man, Aybara. What I am telling you and the way in which you use such information will affect all the lives around you tenfold, just because you are taveren. If you do not listen it will spell disaster. Once a man called Laman Damodred did not listen to me, and I need not explain further the repercussions that still rock the world today.", the man said with a bit of frustration in his voice. Cellorin had outstretched an arm to stop Perrin, when Perrin had turned his back on him. Perrin turned his head to peer over his shoulder at the man standing before him. Cellorin's eyes held a look of mixed frustration and concern, and his outstretched hand was faintly shaking. Perrin did not have to sniff the scent of his feelings to see that the man was desperate. Cellorin finally put his arm to his side, and seemed to gain some kind of hold on his thoughts. The smell of the man was weary and resigned. Perrin looked back towards the center of camp. His gaze passed back towards the Wise Ones, who were still watching him. They were too far away to smell, but he would have given a pretty to know their feelings. There was complete silence around the four men. Aram had not uttered a word throughout this entire conversation. He stood off to the side eyeing both Cellorin and Perrin, waiting to see what would happen next. Aram's scent had gone from indifferent to curious, and finally faintly surprised. There were still some of each emotion in his scent, a mix. Neald's emotions were pure sharp concentration, but also curious. Perrin saw his wife, Faile, walking towards the Wise Ones. She walked with a purpose. She stopped to speak a word to the Wise Ones and looked towards their little group. She walked briskly towards them, obviously to see what this was all about, and possibly relay what she learned from Perrin. Her scent told him she was prepared to walk through a brick wall.
"Please keep what was said here private Aybara. And you Neald, and Aram. Remember the possibility of repercussions with every breath you take, that breath can cause raging storms on the other side of the world. Or not so far away.", that last he added as a polite warning. "Say hello to Elyas Machera for me Aybara, if you ever see him again. I must leave you now, I don't think I can survive an interrogation with your wife, and I don't care to try it." It brought a faint smile to Perrin's lips. His back was still turned. Perrin felt he had been silent to long.
"I will use your information Cellorin. This won't be the last time we meet, I expect.", Perrin said somberly.
"Sadly this won't be the last time. I come precisely when I mean to. Not a moment sooner or later, and only when most needed. Such as now. You are stirring off the path. I just came to nudge you back. I am not a Dark friend.", the man said earnestly. That last sentence was almost a vehement denial, but Perrin believed him. His smell had become a mix of feelings of remorse and stone cold seriousness.
"As they say in Saldaea and all the borderlands, the watch is not done.", the man said somberly. Abruptly he turned to walk out towards the forest. Perrin turned to get a last look at the man, but he had slipped into the shadows of the forest. He did not hear Neald's voice saying that he had lifted the barrier, or Faile saying hello until a full minute had passed. He still looked out to the forest. It took Faile tugging at his arm to bring him out of the apparent stupor.
"Who was that, husband?", she asked innocently, as they were walking back towards the tent. Aram and Neald went their separate ways off to unknown destinations. Aram left only because he respected the privacy of their marriage, and Neald left because he was Neald. Perrin was not fooled by her tone of voice, but the sound of the word husband was almost a caress.
"A strange man, Faile. Nothing more, nothing less.", he said distantly. Faile was obviously not satisfied with such a short answer. Her scent had gone from pleasant to impatient and back.
"Tell me husband," she said sweetly, as she playfully brought a dagger out of her sleeve to press against his side gently. Perrin winced and tried to avoid the dagger until he was trapped against the side of a wagon.
"Can we leave the playing until we're relaxing in our bed.", Perrin said. He hoped to stir her from where their conversation was turning to.
"I.can't. It's best if you didn't know. Just as it's best I don't know about the doings of your Cha Faile group. Light, wife, you could get those children hurt with the orders you are making them fulfill. Let us leave it at that. A man's life is at stake in keeping the man's association with me a secret. The Wise Ones will get no information from me. It's in all our best interests, Faile. Please understand this.", he pleaded as she gently applied pressure on the dagger until it almost pierced his skin. She cocked her head to one side, thoughtfully brooding. Then she released the pressure on the dagger and slid it up her sleeve. She stood away from him, her arms crossed and her stance named her stubborn. Her smell told him that she was hurt that he would suspect of her being a spy for the Wise Ones, but other than that amused. Perrin succeeded in putting an arm around her as they walked back to the tent. The smell of her changed into a growing curiosity and anger at being left out. It tickled his nose, but he could endure it.