Mine is the hope of recovering a son who is the slave of your enemies.

That of the Captain Orme is the quest of adventure and war, since being a rich man in his own country he needs no further wealth.

That of him whom you call Black Windows, but whose name is Higgs, is the pure love of learning.

In England and throughout the West he is noted for his knowledge of dead peoples, their languages, and customs, and it is to study these that he has undertaken so terrible a journey.

As for Quick, he is Orme's man, who has known him from childhood, an old soldier who has served with him in war and comes hither to be with the master whom he loves." "Ah!" said Joshua, "a servant, a person of no degree, who yet dares to threaten me, the premier prince of the Abati, to my face." "In the presence of death all men are equal, Prince.