by Dane Bagley
Two weeks had passed since the young men had entered Cardsten. As anticipated by Mirinda, Aiden had been successful in the military. General Malright had given him his own troop to command and Jashion was his lieutenant. The real-world experience stood head and shoulders over the drills that the military of Cardsten only knew. Only men with a genuine fire in their belly were drawn to his troop. It was quickly becoming clear that Aiden was the most powerful military man in Cardsten. Many considered him a blessing bestowed upon Cardsten and a sign of their preeminence in the world. Some questioned his motives and loyalty. None stood ready to challenge or defeat him.
Among those who trusted implicitly in him was Jashion. He neither understood why they were in the military nor questioned it. It was as Aiden saw fit and that was good enough for him. He had never seen Aiden’s influence go toward anything but good and could not imagine this being an exception. The underlying political motives of the military being primarily ramped to stop Agedon from taking on the dragon, and that being counter to his general feelings about the beast, Jashion was only vaguely aware of. He spent his days practicing his craft with the sword alongside Aiden, while being well fed, well clothed, and sleeping comfortably. He was happy, respected by his peers including the various men in the troop, and generally got along fine in life.
On that evening a feast was being held by the Cards family on behalf of Tasha and Daxton. He and Aiden were in full formal military attire and began to walk together towards Mirinda’s home. The past two weeks had been busy and Aiden had spent less time with Mirinda than he would have desired. There was a spring in Aiden’s step that Jashion noticed. Mirinda was sure to be more stunning than ever for a night such as this, and for this even Aiden could not conceal some emotion. Aiden wore the Black Uniform of the general, and Jashion wore the scarlet uniform of a lieutenant. Mirinda was a few minutes coming when they arrived at her home. Aiden, the picture of calmness and coolness, paced slightly as they waited. Perhaps very few would have noticed this simple anxiousness, but to Jashion it was profound. She, and only she, could elicit this hint of vulnerability in Aiden.
A grand staircase of white marble stood before them as they waited, without sitting, in the entrance way. The home was quiet and seemed empty—the servants were as ghosts in performing their labors. Nothing was out of place or left wanting. Jashion had stopped by with Aiden before, but had never had a quarter of an hour to look around. It was Jashion who saw Mirinda first beginning to descend the staircase. She too was in black. A dress no doubt designed and fabricated just for this evening. If possible, it seemed to accentuate Mirinda’s physique more than anything she had worn before. She was at once beautiful, sensual, and stunning. She smiled at Jashion as he looked up at her, enjoying his drinking in of her presence. Jashion swallowed hard and then opened up his mouth a bit. His nostrils no longer were sufficient in supplying him with the necessary oxygen.
Aiden’s keen senses were aware of his friend’s changes and he too turned and beheld this beauty. Aiden smiled broadly in genuine appreciation. Mirinda’s expression seemed to imply both an appreciation of her man in uniform and his obvious appreciation of her. Both men followed her with their eyes until she was next to them and held Aiden’s hands. They kissed briefly and then walked. Mirinda walked between them and placed a hand around each of their arms.
Jashion had not been to Tasha’s home before. He could not have imagined it eclipsing Mirinda’s, but it did. Both in size and luxury, it had no equal. Tasha was as beautiful as she could be in a cream-colored dress with royal blue trim. Daxton with black pants and a white, princely looking top met the threesome. Jashion thought he detected a look from Tasha when she beheld Mirinda. This was Tasha’s evening and Mirinda had upstaged her. That was inevitable, however, and she quickly moved past it. Daxton, to his credit, was oblivious to Mirinda. He kissed her hand upon arrival but seemed no more affected than if she had been a homely stranger. Daxton had been absorbed entirely in his new world, in Tasha’s world, and in his love of her and all things about her. Mirinda, to her credit, was pleased with the slight.
They were shown to one of the top tables nearest to the stage where Tasha, Daxton, and the Cards family were seated. Jashion, feeling uncomfortable enough in the environment, did not feel more uncomfortable due to the honor received, perhaps because he was not aware of it. If he had been and had understood the ranking of those around him, he would have shrunk even deeper. A lieutenant in scarlet looked absurd next to a General in that environment. As it was, his ignorance was bliss. Aiden and Mirinda were both pleased when they saw how highly they were honored, and in such society. There were not many single men present, he observed, the odd number of place settings at the table stood out to Jashion. He had not been asked by anyone to come with a date and so he decided to not fret over it. At least not immediately.
On his left was Mirinda who was seated next to Aiden. On his right was an older couple who turned out to be Tasha’s maternal grandparents. Jashion sat next to her grandfather. This was how he knew that his being dateless put him out of place. Nearly everywhere he looked two men did not sit next to each other. The Cards, for all of their qualities, were not particularly beautiful people. Tasha was fortunate to have gotten her looks from her mother’s side. It was clear that though the Cards side were not beautiful, they had an eye for it. Tasha’s mother was more beautiful than Tasha, and her maternal grandparents were lovely even in their age.
After introductions and pleasantries expressed around the table, Jashion found himself without conversation. In such an environment, he preferred to listen rather than to speak. No one had his ear just yet and so he looked around. Upon turning to the right his eye caught hold of Myrtle. He had not seen her since their first night coming to Cardsten. At first he saw only her profile and it again reminded him of Siccly. She laughed at something said at her table and knew her for Myrtle thereafter. A sickness entered upon his breast when he recognized her. It was at that moment that she turned towards him. She recognized him instantly and smiled sweetly while giving him a slight nod of the head. She then turned her head back towards her company and was again engaged in the local conversation. The young man on her left next attracted Jashion’s attention. This must be her date, her companion. Perhaps they were together. He had very light brown hair, though not quite blond. It was short and comely. His nose was a little narrow and a little long, but not overly so. His eyes were grey and inset deeply. He had a light complexion with some freckles. He reddened easily and often as he laughed. Though he knew not why, Jashion found himself provoked by this young gentleman. He irritated him and Jashion found himself wondering why Myrtle would be with him. Jashion was unaware of the length of time that he sat staring in their direction until Myrtle turned towards him again, and once more smiled in his direction. This made Jashion redden and he turned away awkwardly back towards the table at which he was seated.
Jashion hadn’t caught a glimpse of Terrence and Tira that evening. They had been given seats at a table far behind and over to the side. Terrence was not immediately conscious of the slight, but Tira was. Terrence the cousin—almost brother of Daxton—and Tira the close friend of Tasha, were seated amongst those who were more distantly connected with the Cards family—those who were honored simply by being invited at all. When Tira saw that Jashion was seated with Aiden and Mirinda, rather than seated with her and Terrence, she saw how things were.
Recently Terrence had been invited by Aiden to come for military drills. Reluctantly he had attended and had impressed everyone tremendously with his skills. But, unlike Jashion who did not connect his being in the military with his hatred of the dragon, at least not consciously, Terrence could not, and indeed would not disconnect the two. His pleasure in wielding the sword and the respect that would so easily be granted by those around him were not enough to induce him to join. He respectfully declined.
Daxton had come to him, with his new-found position, and had offered him employment—leadership within the Cards kingdom,
as it were. Daxton and he had conversed, and Daxton had explained how it was, the philosophies of Mr. Cards and all that would be required. Terrence did not buy into it, though he saw some merits. But, he did not see how this philosophy translated into a pious and honorable city. Rather, he saw a people that were selfish, ignorant of those around them, and even evil. Advancing the position of Cardsten, whether militarily or economically was to him advancing the cause of the dragon. He declined Daxton and found himself in limbo.
Tira and he were not engaged. They were, however, together and growing quickly in fondness and respect toward one another. Terrence began to love Tira and his devotion and desire towards her perfectly balanced his hatred and disgust for Cardsten. He would not leave her, yet he would not become connected with Cardsten. So there he was, unemployed—useless as seen by those of Cardsten, but not willing to leave and seek his fortunes or adventure elsewhere. This was not a position that he could stay in much longer. He wasn’t merely subconsciously aware of this reality; he just didn’t know what to do.
Tira understood perfectly well how it was before the evening, but then she saw that even she was slighted because of her connection to him. Something would have to give. She understood instinctively that he stayed in Cardsten only for her. She saw in every way how unhappy he was, how disgusted he was. He stayed because he loved her and because he saw how unfair it was to force her away from her world. Yet, he could not be a part of her world, so distasteful it was to him.
Terrence was respected by Tira entirely. He was handsome and strong, he lived with conviction and was unapologetic, yet in her influence he had softened, at least externally. He was gentle with Tira and seemed to see in her all that she was. They were, in so many ways, made for each other and yet in other ways so entirely incompatible. Quietly, in her thoughts only, she had begun to consider leaving her home and setting out for a new life with Terrence. Every time that he rejected a new offer of employment it became clearer that this could not be their home.
At this event, she saw that everyone else saw this too. A freeloader was not welcome in Cardsten. Terrence had overstayed his welcome and it was time for him to become one of Cardsten or to go. Tira had to choose between Cardsten and Terrence; she felt that Cardsten had made their decision already. She was only one step away from being forced out.
“Does it seem strange to you that everyone else is up at the front and we’re back here? I can hardly see what’s going on,” said Terrence as he became more conscious of his circumstances.
Tira smiled sweetly but did not answer. Inside it cut her like a knife.
Mr. Cards had stood up from his seat. He, with Daxton and Tasha, and the closest family members sat at a table facing the crowd from the stage. He motioned for Tasha and then Daxton to rise. This event served both as an engagement announcement and as an introduction of Daxton as heir to his company and fortune. Perhaps the two should have been separated, but they were inseparable in Mr. Cards mind. Tasha was to marry the heir of the kingdom and the heir of the kingdom was to marry Tasha. The fact that Tasha, in this sense, was to pick the heir as opposed to Mr. Cards only showed how much he loved and trusted his daughter. Mr. Cards was entirely pleased with her selection.
The fact that he was not entirely prepared and educated, indeed a foreigner, did cause some pause for Mr. Cards. Quickly he found that Daxton was a clean slate and a quick learner. Whatever preconceived notions he had brought with him were not closely tied to either Cardsten or a world such as this. Not only was Daxton not prejudiced but he had a natural desire and inclination towards the world of Cardsten. Mr. Cards and he were entirely compatible in thought and purpose. What Daxton didn’t know, he learned. What he didn’t understand he was quickly shown. Nothing was incompatible nor incomprehensible to him.
It was not his love for Tasha that drew him to Cardsten and to Mr. Cards’ empire. For Daxton, these were completely separate. He would have loved Cardsten whether or not Tasha was there. And Tasha was perfectly attractive to him on her own. The reality of this convergence was fantastic to him, but not essential. Daxton never questioned his circumstances. He did not find everything fitting like a glove to be unbelievable. It had all happened so fast and so easily that it just seemed as though all was as it should be. Daxton was happy; completely and utterly happy.
As Mr. Cards introduced him he smiled widely. This beautiful, confident, and strapping young man was thoroughly and enthusiastically approved of by the crowd. He and Tasha were beautiful together and so clearly in love. Daxton ate it up. He was not swallowed up by all around him, but rather drank it in. He felt equal to the task. He had spent most of his life, among his cousins and friends, on the bottom rung of the latter. He never felt comfortable in that position. In his mind, he belonged on top. Here, on top of the world, and in front of the best people in his new world, receiving applause and looking out over approving faces, he was comfortable. The larger the crowd, the more eyes focused on him, the more he was in the spotlight, the more comfortable he was. Daxton was in his element as he had never been before. He had everything that he had ever desired and was ready for even all of this to expand.
Aiden nodded at him when their eyes met. This approval gave Daxton whatever final comfort he could have asked for. Whatever would happen with his cousin and friends, Daxton had finally arrived home.
With a final introduction of the happy couple everyone arose and cheered. Upon sitting, Jashion glanced over towards Myrtle again. She was so beautiful. He felt annoyed at the pathetic young man who was next to her. He looked so far below her that it was embarrassing. Something was awakening within him that he had never experienced before. Jashion never worried when his various thoughts or feelings were incompatible. He felt for Myrtle just like he felt about being in the Cardsten military: conflicted. In some ways his world had always been conflicted. Being conflicted felt normal to him. Being jealous, now that was an entirely different feeling and one which he was not enjoying at all. This was eating him up inside. When the food arrived, he found that he had to unclench his fist to hold the utensils. His fingernails had left marks in his palm.
When the feast was over and people began to get up and mill around, Terrence spoke to Tira, “Let’s go up to them and congratulate them.”
“No. We should wait a bit.”
“Why?”
She just looked at him with a pleading and uncomfortable expression in her eyes. For the next few minutes they sat together quietly at the table. The table emptied, besides them, and they were apparently invisible to all around them. Terrence saw as Jashion, Aiden, Mirinda, and Myrtle went to Daxton and Tasha.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Tasha nodded in consent but her countenance fell. Going from so far back to the front would signal to everyone just how slighted the two were. Terrence did not comprehend but he was irritated sitting back away from his friends and the action. Upon arrival Terrence ignored Daxton’s outstretched hand and instead embraced him. Daxton embraced him back warmly. Neither of them noticed the look that Mr. Cards gave to them, but Tira did. Tonight had been no accidental slight, it was deliberate and meaningful. Terrence and Daxton began to converse but Mr. Cards cut them off, placing himself between them and with his back towards Terrence.
“Let me introduce you to some of our honored guests,” said Cards.
Daxton smiled delightedly and they were off. Tasha gave Tira her hand and curtsied as she may have done politely to a distant acquaintance. Mirinda gave Terrence an unkind look and then, taking Aiden by the arm, walked away.
“I’ve got to go,” said Tasha as she too left.
Jashion stayed and talked with the couple. He seemed genuinely happy to see them. Myrtle and her companion were conversing with Mrs. Cards. Jashion seemed reluctant to leave the area near to her. Their proximity to each other may have opened up a chance to talk. Maybe he wanted her to have a good look at him in uniform. Still, he was glad to see Tira and Terrence.
“Will ye be working with Daxton
?” he asked, not knowing that Terrence had already turned down the offer.
“No, it doesn’t suit me, I’m afraid.”
“Oh. Then what shall ye do? Ye isn’t employed at all, is ye?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
Jashion look confusedly at Tira. She did not betray her thoughts or feelings.
“Does ye like it here better, now? Here’s in Cardsten?”
“Well…”
“I’d like to think that you like something about it here,” said Tira as she leaned in and took his arm.
Terrence looked at her and then smiled and nodded.
“Yes…there is something about Cardsten that I am rather fond of.”
“Jashion, tell me plainly: what keeps you here?”
“I like it here, I do. I like the military and the food, and the beds. It’s nice here, it is. The people’s nice too. It’s good here and,” he lowered his voice tremendously, “Dromreign don’t comes here. Me thinks the walls keep the dragon away.”
“Do you think that this is the promise land that you speak of? Is this the safest and most protected place in the world? Have you given up on your quest to find the land of safety on the other side of the mountain?”
“Nay.”
“Well, what then?”
“When Aiden’s ready, we’ll go there together.”
“Aiden seems happy here, though. He’s a general and he’s found Mirinda. Cardsten suits him well. Will you stay with Aiden forever?”
Jashion paused. “Yay, Aiden is happy, he is. He was happy before he’d ever left his home land, too. He led all the men of his people, though still a young man at home. He could have married whomever he’d have wanted to, he could’ve. When he’d conquered all where he was, he needed to do something more. When he has conquered Cardsten, he will be ready for something new.”
Tira looked concerned. “What will become of Mirinda? Will he leave her when he tires of her?”
Jashion had not considered that before. He did not answer her question.
Terrence glanced at Mirinda. “He’ll not find another like Mirinda if he searches the whole world over.”
That comment did not please Tira.
“What of Daxton, and Tasha,” she asked. “Will Daxton leave too?”
“Nay, I think not. Not Daxton. I think that he is home, he is. I don’t think Daxton has ever been, nor couldest ever be happier than he is here. Daxton has found his home, he has.”
Terrence nodded assent but not in a pleased manner.
Myrtle walked by and said hello to the trio. Jashion followed her with his eyes as she passed. Tira looked at Terrence and gave him an expression noting Jashion’s attention on her. Her expression indicated some confusion and a question as to why Jashion would do that. Terrence shrugged and his expression seemed to ask, ‘search me?’
Jashion was oblivious to them then, he was lost in other thoughts.
“Let’s go,” she said to Terrence.
“Okay?”
They left the home and walked out into a beautiful spring evening with a luscious pink sunset on the horizon. Neither Terrence nor Tira was ever quick to speak. The evening walk was pleasant and Terrence was glad to be away from the discomfort of the evening inside.
“Terrence,” she finally said. “What shall we do?”
“I’m enjoying the walk.”
“Yes. It is nice. But, I don’t mean tonight. I mean more generally, what shall we do? I know that Cardsten is not right for you. You stay just to appease me. I am pleased that you do. You may, that is, I hope that you may never tire of me. But you will tire of this place. I believe that you have already tired of it.”
“Tire?”
“That’s putting it nicely. You could never be happy here, my companionship notwithstanding. You will either leave or be forever unhappy. This weighs heavily on me tonight. If we stay, unhappily you must do something. But you will not do anything here, that is clear. I see that you must leave.”
“I will not leave you, Tira. I feel…”
“I see that, too.” They walked for some time again, slowly.
“I am ready to go with you, Terrence. I was not prepared to leave before, but I am now.”
They stopped and looked at each other. Terrence held her hands and looked into her deep brown eyes. She was in earnest and though he saw some trepidation, he also saw conviction.
“But…can we?”
Tira dropped her eyes.
“Our friends are of such influence. Can they just let us go? I think that they will make this difficult for us.”
Tira shook her head. “They can’t know.”
“What?”
“Terrence, they can’t know. None of them can know. We have to go it alone. And quickly. If they suspect…any of them, they will not allow it.”
“No one can leave Cardsten?”
“Anyone can come and go from Cardsten, but not to Agedon. Once we had free intercourse with Agedon, but no longer. We are at war, if not in reality, in our hearts. We must leave secretly and quickly. Perhaps tonight. They will be occupied late and we will not be missed. We weren’t even wanted, really, it seemed. If we go now we can get far enough along before they notice and we will not be overtaken.”
“Tira?”
“Terrence. I am giving myself to you.”
They embraced and kissed for some time. Terence felt powerful, complete, and whole. A small part of him wanted to protest because he felt that he should. Could he take all that she offered him? But he did not protest. He accepted her offer as he kissed her. She was his and he loved her. He could leave everyone else behind as long as she was with him.
Terrence did not fear the journey of several days in the wilderness. Nor did he fear being uprooted and making a new home. But, though brave, he knew that she would find this extraordinarily difficult. In fact, it was only possible for her because he was there and she trusted in and loved him.
“We must marry,” he said to her concerned.
“We cannot marry tonight. We will have to marry when we arrive in Agedon.”
Terrence considered this briefly. He breathed deeply and nodded his consent.
There would be no better evening to start the journey. It was not late and it was comfortable. There was no moon and it would be dark. This, he considered advantageous. They should be able to disappear easily out of the city gate and then their direction would be undiscoverable. They could head north first and then turn northwest when they were out of range. There was a seldom used highway between the two great peoples that they would cross soon enough. Getting to Agedon would be easy enough once they were on their way.
Tira arrived at his home in changed apparel but with too much baggage. Terrence carried only the minimal essentials. He suspected that she would take too much and then he could help. Even with his minimal belongings they would be too weighed down.
“Tira, my dear. We must leave some things.”
She was not prepared, her eyes welled up and she was about to protest.
“If we leave with so much we will be noticed and perhaps watched.”
Tira sniffled, looked down and nodded. Terrence began to go through her things. It was embarrassing to her for him to see everything. He took out too much as though she could travel and live as a man.
“One more bag, I must have these things.”
Terrence assented, suspecting that in a day or two she would understand and leave them behind. He hid the remainder of her things deep in his dresser drawer and they set off.
She was not dressed as before. She was dressed in what she considered rugged attire. It would have to do. She wore a thin coat with a hood. She put on the hood as they left the apartment. Who would have noticed her? All of her friends and those of her kind were at the party. Still, she felt a foreboding. Walking in and out of the gate was never a big deal. But then at this point, it was. Her heart beat faster; she looked around nervously and felt cold inside. A crow’s cry in the late dusk made her j
ump.
“Tira,” said Terrence as he put his arms around her. “Tira, it is not too late to turn back. I can reconsider Cardsten. There is good here, I see it. I have judged it so harshly because of what I dislike. But there is much here that is good and right. I would not take you from your home, to a sworn enemy, and perhaps a foolish people. The price of your love should not be your departure.”
“No, Terrence. You may feel so earnestly now. You may put in a great deal of effort because of your love for me. But the price of your love should not be to live in a place you loath, and with a people who are so opposed to your sense of right and wrong; who celebrate a being that is so vial and your sworn enemy. I see it too, Terrence. My eyes have been open. I do love my home and my friends. I love my people and there is much good here. But you are right in what you have said and in what you feel. There is, at best, contempt for those who have been killed and had their homes destroyed by Dromreign. We are a people who have much in all things desirable. We have safety, food, comfortable homes, and many of us live with such luxury. Perhaps this is not wrong. But we care nothing for those who have less—much less. We care not if they live or die, if they suffer, if they are left wanting. We care nothing about anyone outside of these walls, unless they affect our world in a way that would be undesirable. If Agedon riles up that beast such that it would, in its rage, come here and attack us, then we care about them. But only with the care that would make us build up an army to stop them from annoying us. We care enough to kill them if they are a bother to us. If they do not cause us any distress, then we simply do not care about their existence at all. So little do we love those outside of these walls that we have come to celebrate, even worship that being who bears down on all those who are weak. We sing, we dance, we drink to its health, and make light Dromreign’s terror. We are safe and so we mock those who are not. Some even hate all those who are not of Cardsten. They think that the dragon is our ally. That it rids the world of our enemies. That it cares for us as we care for it. That it would protect us against our enemies. That if we stick up for Dromreign, this will somehow endear the dragon to us. That somehow there could be love or devotion between us and that vial creature.”
Tira had worked herself up in a frenzy, but as she spoke something inside of her brought more peace and confidence. These thoughts had not been expressed by her out loud until this moment. They had not been so clearly put together even in her own mind until they were just spoken. They were vague and disparate until then. But as she spoke the words, she was convincing herself of the truth of them. Her mind was finally clear and she felt her path forward with conviction.
“No, Terrence. You are right. You’ve always been right. I can forgive myself for being blind before. I had never seen what you had seen. My world has been so comfortable and happy and those outside of it were distant, and though I did not hate them, I never saw any concern when others did. But now I love a man who comes from the world outside of these walls. Others, your friends, also from without, are good, noble, beautiful, and strong. Those outside of here are not to be hated, treated with contempt, and celebrated in death and destruction. I know what that creature is. It would consume Cardsten as quickly as it would consume Agedon, or Dargaer, or Tengeer. We may not be such easy prey, but we are nothing more than food to its belly. When Dromreign has consumed the rest of the world it will consume us, too. Are these walls so strong that they are impenetrable? Do we battle so fiercely that no people or creature, even Dromreign, would not stand up to us? Have we so perfected ourselves that we can stand apart while the rest of the world burns; and sing, and laugh, and mock them in their sorrows? Is Cardsten so grand? I have come to believe that you are again right, that we cannot simply hide from this beast. Dromreign must be faced. If it can be defeated, then it must be defeated. Agedon is where we must head. Not for protection from the beast but rather to help those who understand so well that it must be defeated. They are not fools, at least insofar as they know what must be done. I do not know if it can be done, but I know that building walls and shutting out the rest of world is not the answer.”
She paused. But there was fire in her eyes. She shook no longer.
“Then we must go. We must hurry. If we wait much longer we may cause suspicion, and we may be overtaken on our way.”
They set off again and this time more quickly. The tree lined path was lit only by the street lamps. A slight chill was in the air. The gate came into view and they quickened their pace. They would not have to answer to anyone. There was no need to explain themselves. No one would even take notice of them. They would simply head north and not immediately get onto the old Agedon road, and then no one would care. When they were sufficiently far away they would head west and then take the easy path, on the old Agedon road, to their new home. Yet, they both glanced around them and considered how they would each answer if asked what they were doing.
One streetlamp was out along the street. Terrence noticed, but it did not alarm him. An alleyway beside it was completely darkened. They began to pass the alleyway and Terrence noticed movement in his peripheral vision.
“You,” he heard a harsh but quiet voice say. “I say you two, stop. STOP NOW! I want a word with you.”
They both stopped and peered into the alleyway. Their hearts beat quickly and they breathed rapidly. A figure was coming into view. Then they noticed the shadows of others, five more in all moving towards them.
“Ah, yes. I thought it would be you.”
“Who are you?” whispered Tira.
“We have met,” said the figure.
He walked a little closer and the dim light revealed the face of a man wearing a hood. He paused and looked at them menacingly. Then he bowed his head and removed his hood revealing his shaved head and a dragon tattoo.
Chapter 16