"He can't have both position and kinship. That night the child thought hard, even developing a strand of white hair. The next morning he plucked it out upon the first ray of sunlight, before proceeding to release a few decrees."
"His orders included the bestowment of more land to the honorable and glorious king in exchange for his military authority. The child had hoped that the king would provide the title conferment and move far away, and that the accumulated grudges would eventually fade."
