“This field is far too muddy for kneeling,” said Wulfric, who despite his station had never grown comfortable at the sight of any man subjugating himself before another. All men were equal in God’s eyes, so why not also in the eyes of men themselves? “Rise.” And they rose, looking now at this grubby farmworker with the kind of reverent awe normally reserved for gods and kings.

“This field is far too muddy for kneeling,” said Wulfric, who despite his station had never grown comfortable at the sight of any man subjugating himself before another. All men were equal in God’s eyes, so why not also in the eyes of men themselves? “Rise.” And they rose, looking now at this grubby farmworker with the kind of reverent awe normally reserved for gods and kings.

“Oh, I always thought I’d die from my own stupidity, not someone else’s.” He let his gen-gun come to a rest against his leg. “It’s kind of a relief.”

“What if I’m not going to let you get killed?” he countered. No one bothered to point out the ridiculousness of his question.

“What if I’m not going to let you get killed?” he countered. No one bothered to point out the ridiculousness of his question.