Internet Security Essay

The key techniques to the most affordable website trade protection mea certainly would be the casual features of the website for the purpose of safeguarding the website content and the transactions that are to be made for fulfilling the ecommerce objectives of the website. The following can be credited to the diverse ways to secure the website and customer information for the Grandmas Treats website meshing content security measure It forms the greater part of the security as they are aimed at non-representation or guilty presentation of false content that a user is not expect to see.The term cross site scripting (or XSS) is often used in coupling with the web content and links that are to be secured for a website. Acunetix (2007) admit product Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner is easily downloadable and comes free. Using that genius could scan their website for any such(prenominal) flaws. Directory traversal attacks The directory traversal attacks are quite common where t he links are traversed to a very different means where the information flows to the hackers. It is due to the malfunction of the decrees at the client and server sides.The code efficiency and link path requires to be checked periodic whollyy so that unitary is able to redesign and test the system for any malfunction. SQL stab It is another method where intruders are capable to draw information from one website using SQL languages to illegally fetch customers info for obtaining their monetary information or to manipulate information for wrong use. The website must be checked periodically for such incidents and must also make confident(predicate) that customer records are encrypted using 128 bit security layers at the database side.The database security must be checked for getting sure that no such activity is evident. The customers financial information would be encrypted to plow it from easy access from hackers. E-commerce transactions security The use of SSL 3. 0 makes sure that all vulnerabilities regarding the tapping of information so that ones purchases are safe in all respects. The use of this protocol makes sure that a secured channel is followed for communication betwixt the client communicating clients.The use of Transport Layer Security (TLS) is all-important(prenominal) and can be enabled for any website for securing the communication to the communicating clients. IETF (2007) explains that TLS composes of foreshadow to point authentication techniques and communications privacy over the internet strengthening the encryption. 1. Web server checks and database security checks The periodic checks are done to put a check on performance of the website and database usage. All the relevant links and database security is checked for overall assurance.2. Database backup The database backup plans must be devised hence for keeping the records safe to protect against unforeseen disasters (Navathe, 2002). These simple tips would be laborsaving for th e website to take care of the affordable needs for security and customer data protection so that one is able to safely carry come in transactions over the internet.ReferencesAcunetix (2007). Web Site Security Center foil & Implement Web Site Security. Retrieved 16, December 2007 from http//www.acunetix.com/websitesecurity/

Heraclitus

The whizz of the Renaissances greatest master painter, Raphael was the one who created the masterpiece, The school of capital of Greece. It was a great fresco that was painted in the midst of from 1510 to 1511. The painting contained famous professionals such as mathematician, philosopher, scientist, and many opposite professionals including Raphael himself. Raphael of naturally admired all the the great unwashed in the painting that he pull himself. For me when I master the drawing I admire these three tidy sum Heraclitus, Alexander the grand, and Pythagoras the close to.I in ilk manner study that Raphael himself had admired these raft standardized me because of many reasons. Heraclitus was a great man who was considered to be cognize as one of Greeks principle philosophers. However, he is more cognize to be a great scientist who has created a foundation of modern physics. His philosophical system or his musical mode of thinking has changed the view of European la nd completely. His supposition was called Logos or being more specific it was an important book of account that he used to explain his ism, which became an important in subjects such as doctrine, psychology, rhetoric, and religion.The term Logos has been used by many famous people opposite than Heraclitus, but what is it that makes this person special? The answer to this question I believe has lead Raphael who force Heraclitus to admire him. Heraclitus was a new grade or type of thinking man in his age, since his view of the world was totally polar from the others. He used the word Logos in explaining his philosophy and defined it as opposite things like water and brush aside being one together.It is really hard to understand and even Heraclitus himself has tell that the term Logos could not be defined completely close by us human beings even though it is always with us in the present. As I deport said before this philosophy made by Heraclitus however changed the view po int of the Europeans and Raphael, who was k directn have the mind of the humanist could have also been affected by this. The opposites be suppose to be one whole thing, but we humans who see these things are the ones who perceive differently than what the reality tells us.A person who was known to be one of the greatest warriors of whole time, Alexander the Great was careworn on the painting by Raphael. Being a king and also being a student of a famous philosopher, Aristotle, Alexander the Great was a famous person. His philosophy if said it would match the one by Aristotle, since he did learn from Aristotle. However, Alexander aside from his masters philosophy had a logical way of thinking and one example of that was adapting his empire to the Hellenic socialisation(Greek culture), which was more reasonable and logical by any promoter in life.For example, the command, government, and many other things including art and philosophy of the Greek culture was much better in most of reflections. This decompose of the Alexander was what I believe Raphael worship the most. There are of flesh more aspects active him that are considered good and bad. The good parts would mostly have been his aspect about the culture, especially the art and the philosophy of other countries. On the other hand the bad parts would have been about him being very violent and impulsive nature.Overall, he is considered to be a great warrior now days and must have also been acknowledged by Raphael, since Raphael drew Alexander on the painting. Finally the person who was known to be a philosopher, scientist, and most of all famous for being one of the greatest mathematicians is Pythagoras. He was a very knowledgeable man and the reason was because he played out about half of his life learning and traveling to many different countries. Pythagoras learned many things and part of the learning was about religion, which made him to believe in transmigration, or should I say the rebirth of a mortal over and over until it becomes immortal.He was also in religion idolize as a god or a supernatural send off that could travel between time and space. This situation in a way allowed him to create his own school that was religious and secretive. Of course beside from this kind of exercise he created the Pythagorean Theorem, which now days is very important part of math. The supposition in summary is stating that in right angled triplicity the square of a hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the left over sides. This theory indeed affected a lot of things in math, but Pythagoras work didnt stop at this point.Instead, the influence got bigger until he influenced most of other subjects such as music, science, and religion. This great influence on the education must have been what Raphael idolized because Pythagoras was also acknowledged by other famous philosophers like Aristotle and Plato for his powerful influence. Heraclitus, Alexander the Great, and Pythago ras are three people that I most admire when I see the School of Athens are also the same people who must have been idolized by the creator, Raphael.The influences of all three of them were very powerful in many ways, for example, Heraclitus philosophy became the base of physics, Alexander the Great changed the culture of many countries, and Pythagoras math theorem became important part in our math today. There are of course many other great and famous professionals who are inside the usher and they in many ways have been admired by Raphael like the three I most idolize. However, in my opinion I do think that Raphael himself should be acknowledged as well, since compare to the people in the picture, he also has achieved great things like them.

Human Relations Essay

Human Relations 1. the muse of human problems arising from organizational and inter in-person dealing (as in industry). 2. A course, study, or program designed to develop better inter individual(prenominal) and intergroup adjustments. Medical translation 1. the social and interpersonal proportions between human beings. 2. A course, study, or program designed to develop better interpersonal and intergroup adjustments. As was pitch in the Websters DictionaryHuman relations is to a fault the dexterity or ability to work effectively through and with people. Also the branch known use of human relations was in 1946. Human relations ass help you in a few different ways. Having the attainment can help you land that job you always wanted and you would be able to enjoy it. You may also become more plentiful at it and stay with the job longer which in turn would leave behind the chance to climb the corporate ladder. Our personality has a lot to do with how we relate to other persons in our personal and professional life.It can also affect our ability to interact with others, which in turn can hit the books an impact on our career. So it is very important to separate our personal life from our professional one. For instance if you are having a bad twenty-four hours because of something that may had happened at home you need to leave that problem at home. It will still be there when you return. If you take it out on a patient, a client, or an employee that would be considered poor human relation skills. That is why I think the study of human relations is important, because it can help us understand others and help us separate our personal life from our professional one.

Due Process vs Crime Control Essay

AbstractAlthough curse control and due exhibit have rough similarities, there atomic number 18 more contrasts amongst the two. law-breaking control emphasizes crime prevention, whereas due process emphasizes the harborion of citizens rights from mistakes made by twist referee agencies. The honest dimensions of draw issues confronting the sad justice organisation and closed-door security concerning to due process and crime control are citizens rights, proper well-grounded representation, as well as physical force, when to engagement deadly force, and deceptions. The private security industry also faces key ethical issues regarding the lack of training, in addition to violations of rules and regulations. due Process or Crime ControlThe ethical extent of key issues confronting the criminal justice system and private security regarding due process and crime control are many another(prenominal), such as non knowing what the right course of attain is, difficulty doing what is considered right, or simply finding the wrong choice to be very tempting. Due process is a citizens right to proper legal representation, procedures, and justice of individuals, which decreases the cater of political relation. The briny goal of due process is to value individuals from mistakes made by law enforcement agents and prosecutors.In contrast, crime control increases the power of the government in order to protect society, which diminishes an individual citizens rights (US effective, Inc., 2001-2008). The main goal of crime control is crime suppression, which allow ins key issues of physical force, when to habit deadly force, undercover work, deceptions, as well as many others in the criminal justice system. In the private security field, the key issues include the lack of training and violations of rules and regulations of the industry (Gould, 2008).Due ProcessAccording to baggers due process forge, which consists of the following points of view, emphasizes the contrasts with the crime control model (Cliffnotes.com). 1. The most key function of criminal justice should be to bear due process or fundamental fairness under the law. 2. sinful justice should concentrate on defendants rights, not victims rights, because the Bill of Rights expressly provides for the safeguard of defendants rights. 3. Police powers should be limited to prevent official oppression of the individual. 4. constitutive(a) rights are not mere technicalities criminal justice authorities should be held accountable to rules, procedures, and guidelines to ensure fairness and consistency in the justice process. 5. The criminal justice process should look like an obstacle course, consisting of a serial publication of impediments that take the form of procedural safeguards that serve as much to protect the factually innocent as to convict the factually unlawful. 6. The government should not hold a person guilty solely on the groundwork of the facts a person should be found guilty only if the government follows legal procedures in its fact-finding.Crime ControlThe following contentions are the key concerns of the crime control, which points out the differences of due process. (Cliffnotes.com). 1. The repression of crime should be the most important function of criminal justice because order is a necessary intend for a free society. 2. Criminal justice should concentrate on vindicating victims rights quite than on protecting defendants rights. 3. Police powers should be expanded to involve it easier to investigate, arrest, search, seize, and convict. 4. Legal technicalities that handcuff the police should be eliminated. 5. The criminal justice process should lead like an assembly-line conveyor belt, moving cases swiftly along toward their disposition. 6. If the police make an arrest and a prosecutor files criminal charges, the accused should be presumed guilty because the fact-finding of police and prosecutors is highly reliable. 7. The mai n objective of the criminal justice process should be to discover the truth or to establish the factual guilt of the accused.Similarities between Due Process and Crime ControlAlthough the differences are many and well emphasized, there are a few similarities between due process and crime control. Both uphold laws and regulations that have been complete throughout the many years of this country. The similarities are1.Accept constitutional values2.Hold to ex post facto prohibition3.Duty to enforce laws where violations have occurredConclusionDue process and crime control propose to serve similar objectives, which are to let down crime and protect the citizens of the join States. The ethical key issues that plague the due process and crime control models vary among the two, in how to deal with the many issues and the best way to deal with the issues are conflicting. The differences between the two on how to reach these objectives are many, yet the few similarities assist in care bo th processes abide by the laws established by the government of the United States.ReferencesUSLegal, Inc. (2001-2008). US Legal Definitions. Retrieved on January 5, 2010 from http//definitions.uslegal.com/c/crime-control-model/ Gould, M. (2008). Business, Ethics & Society, (p. 1). Great distinguish Publishing. Retrieved January 4, 2010, from Research Starters Business database. CliffsNotes.com. (n.d.). Which Model? Crime Control or Due Process. Retrieved on January 4, 2010, from http//www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/topicArticleId-10065,articleId-9911.html

Branding and advertising Essay

In late(a) years there has been more of a shift towards more branding and advertising as opposed to counsel on product development, resulting in some companies having strong advertising campaigns bring together with a non- sure-fire product.These observations lead to an important marketing theorem Successful brands are construct on successful products.The belief is that without great products, great brands could neither not exist nor withstand the competitive market. In a short paper, rejoinder the following questions pertaining to the theorem.Do you agree or disagree (partially or completely) with the theorem that successful brands are built on successful products? Why or wherefore not? Provide examples of brands and their products that a) prove the theorem and b) disprove the theorem. Explain your reasoning.Why do so many companies appear fixated on branding rather than on ultimately developing successful products? In real terms, how would you as a marketing executive balance these two marketing forces? In recent years there has been more of a shift towards more branding and advertising as opposed to focusing on product development, resulting in some companies having strong advertising campaigns coupled with a non-successful product.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty-two

TyrionOn a hill foreveryplace serveing the kingsroad, a long trestle t suitable of rough-hewn pine had been erected down the stairs an elm tree and coered with a golden cloth. There, beside his pavilion, entitle Tywin took his level meal with his chief saw whiz dollar bills and lords pennant custody, his neat crimson-and-gold standard waving over spike from a lofty pike.Tyrion arrived late, saddlesore, and sour, all too vividly aw be of how amusing he must look as he waddled up the slope to his begetter. The solar days process had been long and tiring. He model he big business fire fort get quite an drunk tonight. It was twi lilting, and the activate was alive with drifting fireflies.The cooks were serving the meat lean five suckling pigs, flake glum seared and crackling, a different product in every m discloseh. The smell do his m protrudeh water. My pardons, he began, fetching his place on the bench beside his uncle.Perhaps Id best charge you with interment our dead, Tyrion, master key Tywin said. If you are as late to strife as you are to table, the fighting provide all be d ane by the cadence you arrive.Oh, surely you bunghole save me a peasant or two, Father, Tyrion replied. non too musical compositiony, I wouldnt want to be greedy. He spend a penny full his booze cup and watched a serving hu composition being carve into the pig. The crisp throw unneurotic crackled below his knife, and hot juice ran from the meat. It was the loveliest sight Tyrion had dealn in ages.Ser Addams breakriders say the grim multitude has moved south from the Twins, his father reported as his trencher was filled with slices of pork. Lord Freys levies fix joined them. They are likely no to a greater extent(prenominal) than a days march north of us.Please, Father, Tyrion said. Im about(predicate) to eat.Does the thought of facing the plain boy un hu cosmoss you, Tyrion? Your br former(a) Jaime would be eager to come to grips with him.Id so mavinr come to grips with that pig. Robb Stark is non half so tender, and he neer smelled as full(a).Lord Lefford, the sour bird who had charge of their stores and supplies, leaned forward. I look forward to your savages do not share your reluctance, else weve wasted our good mark on them.My savages will raise your brand name to excellent exercising, my lord, Tyrion replied. When he had told Lefford he infallible arms and fit to equip the leash hundred men Ulf had fetched chain reactor out of the foothills, you would have thought hed asked the serviceman to turn his virgin daughters over to their pleasure.Lord Lefford frowned. I proverb that great hairy one and only(a) straight take away, the one who insisted that he must have two battle-axes, the heavy black stigma ones with twin crescent b matees.Shagga likes to toss cancelled with either choke, Tyrion said as a trencher of steaming pork was laid in front of him.He serene had that wood-axe of his strapped to his rearwards.Shagga is of the opinion that three axes are even better than two. Tyrion re yearnd a finger and forefinger into the salt dish, and sprinkled a healthy pinch over his meat.Ser Kevan leaned forward. We had a thought to put you and your wildlings in the vanguard when we come to battle.Ser Kevan seldom had a thought that Lord Tywin had not had initial. Tyrion had skewered a chunk of meat on the point of his dagger and brought it to his oral cavity. Now he lowered it. The vanguard? he repeated dubiously. Either his lord father had a new gaze for Tyrions abilities, or hed decided to rid himself of his embarrassing get for good. Tyrion had the gloomy savour he knew which.They come on ferocious enough, Ser Kevan said.Ferocious? Tyrion realized he was repeat his uncle like a trained bird. His father watched, judging him, weighing every word. Let me tell you how ferocious they are. Last night, a lunation buddy stabbed a gemstone Crow over a sausage. So today as we make camp three Stone Crows seized the man and open(a) his throat for him. Perhaps they were hoping to get the sausage back, I couldnt say. Bronn managed to abide by Shagga from chopping off the dead mans cock, which was fortunate, nevertheless even so Ulf is demanding blood money, which Conn and Shagga traverse to pay.When sol dashrs lack discipline, the fault lies with their lord commander, his father said.His brother Jaime had always been able to make men follow him eagerly, and give for him if need be. Tyrion lacked that gift. He bought loyalty with gold, and compelled obedience with his name. A bigger man would be able to put the fear in them, is that what youre saying, my lord?Lord Tywin Lannister off to his brother. If my sons men will not obey his commands, perhaps the vanguard is not the place for him. No doubt he would be more comfortable in the rear, guarding our luggage train.Do me no kindnesses, Father, he said angrily. If you have no other command to offer me, Ill lead your van.Lord Tywin studied his dwarf son. I said nothing about command. You will serve under Ser Gregor.Tyrion took one playe of pork, chewed a moment, and spit it out angrily. I find I am not hungry after all, he said, climbing awkwardly off the bench. Pray excuse me, my lords.Lord Tywin inclined his genius, dismissing him. Tyrion turned and walked absent. He was conscious of their eyeball on his back as he waddled agglomerate the hill. A great gust of laughter went up from lavatory him, exactly he did not look back. He hoped they all choked on their suckling pigs.Dusk had settled, turning all the banners black. The Lannister camp sprawled for miles between the river and the kingsroad. In amongst the men and the clams and the trees, it was easy to get baffled, and Tyrion did. He passed a dozen great pavilions and a hundred cookfires. Fireflies drifted amongst the tents like wandering stars. He caught the scent of garlic sausage, spiced and savory, so tempting it make his empty stomach growl. Away in the distance, he comprehend verbalises raised in some bawdy meter. A giggling woman raced past him, naked beneath a sour cloak, her boozy pursuer stumbling over tree roots. Farther on, two lancemen showd each other across a little trickle of a stream, practicing their thrust-and-parry in the fading light, their chests bare and slick with sweat.No one looked at him. No one intercommunicate to him. No one paid him whatsoever mind. He was surround by men sworn to House Lannister, a capacious host twenty thousand strong, and soon enough he was alone.When he heard the deep rumble of Shaggas laughter booming done the dark, he followed it to the Stone Crows in their small corner of the night. Conn son of Coratt waved a tankard of ale. Tyrion Halfman Come, cod by our fire, share meat with the Stone Crows. We have an ox.I bottomland see that, Conn son of Coratt. The huge red carcass was suspend over a roaring fire, skewered on a spit the size of a small tree. No doubt it was a small tree. imbibeslope and grease dripped galvanic pile into the flames as two Stone Crows turned the meat. I thank you. Send for me when the ox is cooked. From the look of it, that might even be in advance the battle. He walked on.Each clan had its own cookfire Black Ears did not eat with Stone Crows, Stone Crows did not eat with Moon Brothers, and no one ate with Burned men. The modest tent he had chattered out of Lord Leffords stores had been erected in the center of the four fires. Tyrion open up Bronn sharing a skin of drink with the new servants. Lord Tywin had sent him a clean up and a body servant to see to his needs, and even insisted he operate a squire. They were seated close to the embers of a small cookfire. A misfire was with them slim, dark-haired, no more than eighteen by the look of her. Tyrion studied her memorial tab allow for a moment, before he spied fishbones in the ashes. What did you eat?Trout, mlord, sai d his groom. Bronn caught them.Trout, he thought. Suckling pig. Damn my father. He stared mournfully at the bones, his belly rumbling.His squire, a boy with the unfortunate name of Podrick Payne, s surroundowed whatever he had been about to say. The lad was a distant cousin to Ser Ilyn Payne, the kings headsman . . . and al approximately as quiet, although not for want of a tongue. Tyrion had made him stick it out once, just to be certain. Definitely a tongue, he had said. Someday you must learn to use it.At the moment, he did not have the patience to try and coax a thought out of the lad, whom he venture had been inflicted on him as a cruel jape. Tyrion turned his attention back to the young lady. Is this her? he asked Bronn.She uprise gracefully and looked down at him from the lofty height of five feet or more. It is, mlord, and she can speak for herself, if it please you.He cocked his head to one side. I am Tyrion, of House Lannister. Men environ me the Imp.My mother named m e Shae. Men call me . . . often.Bronn laughed, and Tyrion had to smile. Into the tent, Shae, if you would be so kind. He lifted the flap and held it for her. Inside, he knelt to light a taper.The life of a soldier was not without certain compensations. wherever you have a camp, you are certain to have camp followers. At the end of the days march, Tyrion had sent Bronn back to find him a likely whore. I would prefer one who is reasonably young, with as passably a face as you can find, he had said. If she has washed some eon this year, I shall be glad. If she hasnt, wash her. Be certain that you tell her who I am, and warn her of what I am. Jyck had not always troubled to do that. There was a look the girls got in their eyes sometimes when they first beheld the lordling theyd been hired to pleasure . . . a took that Tyrion Lannister did not ever care to see again.He lifted the candle and looked her over. Bronn had done well enough she was doe-eyed and slim, with small firm breasts and a smile that was by turns shy, insolent, and wicked. He liked that. Shall I take my gown off, mlord? she asked.In good time. Are you a maiden, Shae?If it please you, mlord, she said demurely.What would please me would be the law of you, girl.Aye, scarcely that will cost you treble.Tyrion decided they would get along splendidly. I am a Lannister. Gold I have in plenty, and youll find me generous . . . solely Ill want more from you than what youve got between your legs, though Ill want that too. Youll share my tent, pour my wine, laugh at my jests, rub the ache from my legs after each days ride . . . and whether I keep you a day or a year, for so long as we are unneurotic you will take no other men into your bed.Fair enough. She reached down to the hem of her thin roughspun gown and pulled it up over her head in one smooth motion, tossing it aside. There was nothing underneath but Shae. If he dont put down that candle, mlord will burn his fingers.Tyrion put down the candle, to ok her hand in his, and pulled her gently to him. She bent to kiss him. Her mouth tasted of honey and cloves, and her fingers were handy and practiced as they found the fastenings of his clothes.When he entered her, she welcomed him with whispered endearments and small, shuddering gasps of pleasure. Tyrion suspected her delight was feigned, but she did it so well that it did not matter. That much truth he did not crave.He had needed her, Tyrion realized afterward, as she bewilder quietly in his arms. Her or someone like her. It had been nigh on a year since hed lain with a woman, since before he had set out for Winterfell in company with his brother and King Robert. He could well die on the morrow or the day after, and if he did, he would sooner go to his grave thinking of Shae than of his lord father, Lysa Arryn, or the Lady Catelyn Stark.He could notion the softness of her breasts pressed against his arm as she lay beside him. That was a good feeling. A song filled his head. So ftly, quietly, he began to whistle.Whats that, mlord? Shae murmured against him.Nothing, he told her. A song I learned as a boy, thats all. Go to cat sleep, sweetling.When her eyes were closed and her breathing deep and steady, Tyrion slid out from beneath her, gently, so as not to disturb her sleep. Naked, he crawled outside, stepped over his squire, and walked around butt joint his tent to make water.Bronn was seated cross-legged under a chestnut tree, near where theyd tied(p) the cavalrys. He was honing the edge of his sword, wide awake the sellsword did not seem to sleep like other men. Where did you find her? Tyrion asked him as he pissed.I took her from a knight. The man was loath to give her up, but your name changed his thinking fair . . . that, and my dirk at his throat.Splendid, Tyrion said dryly, palpitation off the last drops. I seem to recall saying find me a whore, not make me an resistance.The pretty ones were all claimed, Bronn said. Ill be pleased to take h er back if youd prefer a toothless drab.Tyrion limped closer to where he sat. My lord father would call that insolence, and convey you to the mines for impertinence.Good for me youre not your father, Bronn replied. I saw one with boils all over her nose. Would you like her?What, and break your cheek? Tyrion shot back. I shall keep Shae. Did you acciden long-leggedy note the name of this knight you took her from? Id rather not have him beside me in the battle.Bronn locomote, cat-quick and cat-graceful, turning his sword in his hand. Youll have me beside you in the battle, dwarf.Tyrion nodded. The night air was warm on his bare skin. See that I survive this battle, and you can name your reward.Bronn tossed the longsword from his right on hand to his remaining, and tried a cut. Whod want to kill the likes of you?My lord father, for one. Hes put me in the van.Id do the same. A small man with a big defense. Youll give the archers settings.I find you oddly cheering, Tyrion said. I must be mad.Bronn sheathed his sword. Beyond a doubt.When Tyrion returned to his tent, Shae rolling onto her cubital joint and murmured sleepily, I woke and mlord was gone. Mlord is back now. He slid in beside her.Her hand went between his boney legs, and found him hard. Yes he is, she whispered, stroking him.He asked her about the man Bronn had taken her from, and she named the minor retainer of an insignificant lordling. You need not fear his like, mlord, the girl said, her fingers busy at his cock. He is a small man.And what am I, demand? Tyrion asked her. A giant?Oh, yes, she purred, my giant of Lannister. She mounted him then, and for a time, she almost made him believe it. Tyrion went to sleep smiling . . .. . . and woke in darkness to the blare of trumpets. Shae was shaking him by the shoulder. Mlord, she whispered. Wake up, mlord. Im frightened.Groggy, he sat up and threw back the blanket. The horns called by dint of the night, wild and urgent, a cry that said advance hurry hurry. He heard shouts, the clatter of spears, the whicker of horses, though nothing insofar that spoke to him of fighting. My lord fathers trumpets, he said. Battle assembly. I thought Stark was yet a days march away.Shae shook her head, lost. Her eyes were wide and white.Groaning, Tyrion lurched to his feet and pushed his way outside, shouting for his squire. Wisps of pale fog drifted through the night, long white fingers off the river. Men and horses blundered through the pre penetrate chill saddles were being cinched, wagons loaded, fires extinguished. The trumpets blew again hurry hurry hurry. Knights vaulted onto snorting chargers while men-at-arms buckled their sword smashs as they ran. When he found Pod, the boy was snoring softly. Tyrion gave him a sharp poke in the ribs with his toe. My arms, he said, and be quick about it. Bronn came trotting out of the mists, already armor and ahorse, habiliment his battered half maneuver. Do you know whats happened? Tyrion asked him.The Stark boy stole a march on us, Bronn said. He crept down the kingsroad in the night, and now his host is less than a mile north of here, forming up in battle array.Hurry, the trumpets called, hurry hurry hurry.See that the clansmen are ready to ride. Tyrion ducked back inside his tent. Where are my clothes? he barked at Shae. There. No, the leather, damn it. Yes. learn me my boots.By the time he was dressed, his squire had laid out his armor, such that it was. Tyrion owned a fine suit of heavy plate, expertly crafted to fit his misshapen body. Alas, it was safe at Casterly Rock, and he was not. He had to make do with oddments assembled from Lord Leffords wagons mail hauberk and coif, a dead knights gorget, lobstered greaves and gauntlets and pointed steel boots. Some of it was ornate, some plain not a bit of it matched, or fit as it should. His breastplate was meant for a bigger man for his oversize head, they found a huge bucket-shaped greathelm abstractped with a foot-long three-sided spike.Shae helped Pod with the buckles and clasps. If I die, weep for me, Tyrion told the whore.How will you know? Youll be dead.Ill know.I believe you would. Shae lowered the greathelm down over his head, and Pod fastened it to his gorget. Tyrion buckled on his belt, heavy with the weight of shortsword and dirk. By then his groom had brought up his mount, a formidable brown courser armored as heavily as he was. He needed help to mount he felt as though he weighed a thousand stone. Pod pass on him up his shield, a massive slab of heavy ironwood banded with steel. at last they gave him his battle-axe. Shae stepped back and looked him over. Mlord looks fearsome.Mlord looks a dwarf in mismatched armor, Tyrion answered sourly, but I thank you for the kindness. Podrick, should the battle go against us, see the lady safely home. He saluted her with his axe, rotate his horse about, and trotted off. His stomach was a hard knot, so absurd it pained him. arse, hi s servants hurriedly began to strike his tent. Pale crimson fingers fanned out to the east as the first rays of the sun broke over the horizon. The tungstenerly sky was a deep purple, speckled with stars. Tyrion wondered whether this was the last sunrise he would ever see . . . and whether wondering was a mark of cowardice. Did his brother Jaime ever contemplate death before a battle?A warhorn sounded in the far distance, a deep mournful note that chilled the soul. The clansmen climbed onto their scrawny young goddess horses, shouting curses and rude jokes. Several appeared to be drunk. The rising sun was enthusiastic off the drifting tendrils of fog as Tyrion led them off. What grass the horses had left over(p)-hand(a)field was heavy with dew, as if some passing god had scattered a bag of diamonds over the earth. The mountain men fell in behind him, each clan arrayed behind its own leaders.In the dawn light, the army of Lord Tywin Lannister unfolded like an iron rose, thorn s gleaming.His uncle would lead the center. Ser Kevan had raised his standards above the kingsroad. Quivers hanging from their belts, the foot archers arrayed themselves into three long lines, to east and westward of the road, and stood calmly stringing their bows. Between them, pikemen formed squares behind were company on rank of men-at-arms with spear and sword and axe. Three hundred heavy horse surrounded Ser Kevan and the lords bannermen Lefford, Lydden, and Serrett with all their sworn retainers.The right wing was all cavalry, some four thousand men, heavy with the weight of their armor. More than three quarters of the knights were there, massed together like a great steel fist. Ser Addam Marbrand had the command. Tyrion saw his banner change surface as his standardbearer shook it out a burning tree, orange and smoke. Behind him flew Ser Flements purple unicorn, the brindled boar of Crakehall, the bantam rooster of Swyft, and more.His lord father took his place on the hil l where he had slept. Around him, the reserve assembled a huge force, half mounted and half foot, five thousand strong. Lord Tywin almost always chose to command the reserve he would take the utmost account and watch the battle unfold below him, committing his forces when and where they were needed most. yet from afar, his lord father was resplendent. Tywin Lannisters battle armor put his son Jaimes gild suit to shame. His greatcloak was sewn from countless layers of cloth-of-gold, so heavy that it precisely ruttish even when he charged, so large that its drape covered most of his stallions hindquarters when he took the saddle. No ordinary clasp would suffice for such a weight, so the greatcloak was held in place by a matched gallus of miniature lionesses crouching on his shoulders, as if poised to spring. Their mate, a male with a magnificent mane, reclined atop Lord Tywins greathelm, one paw raking the air as he roared. All three lions were wrought in gold, with ruby eyes. H is armor was heavy steel plate, enameled in a dark crimson, greaves and gauntlets inlaid with ornate gold scrollwork. His rondels were golden sunbursts, all his fastenings were gilded, and the red steel was undimmed to such a high sheen that it shone like fire in the light of the rising sun.Tyrion could hear the rumble of the foemens drums now. He remembered Robb Stark as he had last seen him, in his fathers high seat in the immense Hall of Winterfell, a sword naked and shining in his hands. He remembered how the direwolves had come at him out of the shadows, and suddenly he could see them again, snarling and snapping, dentition bared in his face. Would the boy bring his wolves to war with him? The thought made him uneasy.The northerners would be exhausted after their long sleepless march. Tyrion wondered what the boy had been thinking. Did he think to take them unawares while they slept? delicate chance of that whatever else might be said of him, Tywin Lannister was no mans fo ol.The van was massing on the left. He saw the standard first, three black dogs on a color field. Ser Gregor sat beneath it, mounted on the biggest horse Tyrion had ever seen. Bronn took one look at him and grinned. Always follow a big man into battle.Tyrion threw him a hard look. And why is that?They make such splendid targets. That one, hell dupe the eyes of every bowman on the field.Laughing, Tyrion regarded the Mountain with fresh eyes. I confess, I had not considered it in that light.Clegane had no splendor about him his armor was steel plate, dull colourise, scarred by hard use and masking neither sigil nor ornament. He was pointing men into position with his trade name, a two-handed greatsword that Ser Gregor waved about with one hand as a lesser man might wave a dagger. Any man runs, Ill cut him down myself, he was roaring when he caught sight of Tyrion. Imp Take the left. Hold the river. If you can.The left of the left. To turn their flank, the Starks would need horses that could run on water. Tyrion led his men toward the riverbank. Look, he shouted, pointing with his axe. The river. A blanket of pale mist still clung to the surface of the water, the dark green current swirling past underneath. The shallows were entangledy and choked with reeds. That river is ours. Whatever happens, keep close to the water. Never lose sight of it. Let no enemy come between us and our river. If they dirty our waters, hack off their cocks and draw them to the fishes.Shagga had an axe in either hand. He smashed them together and made them ring. Halfman he shouted. Other Stone Crows picked up the cry, and the Black Ears and Moon Brothers as well. The Burned Men did not shout, but they rattled their swords and spears. Halfman Halfman HalfmanTyrion turned his courser in a circle to look over the field. The ground was turn over and uneven here soft and muddy near the river, rising in a gentle slope toward the kingsroad, stony and broken beyond it, to the cast. A f ew trees spotted the hillsides, but most of the land had been cleared and planted. His heart pounded in his chest in time to the drums, and under his layers of leather and steel his brow was cold with sweat. He watched Ser Gregor as the Mountain rode up and down the line, shouting and gesticulating. This wing too was all cavalry, but where the right was a get off fist of knights and heavy lancers, the vanguard was made up of the sweepings of the west mounted archers in leather jerkins, a swarming mass of un check liberalriders and sellswords, fieldhands on plow horses armed with scythes and their fathers rusted swords, half-trained boys from the stews of Lannisport . . . and Tyrion and his mountain clansmen.Crow food, Bronn muttered beside him, giving voice to what Tyrion had left unsaid. He could only nod. Had his lord father taken communicate of his senses? No pikes, too few bowmen, a bare handful of knights, the ill-armed and unarmored, commanded by an unthinking brute who led with his rage . . . how could his father expect this sendup of a battle to hold his left?He had no time to think about it. The drums were so near that the beat crept under his skin and set his hands to twitching. Bronn drew his longsword, and suddenly the enemy was there before them, boiling over the tops of the hills, advancing with measured tread behind a wall of shields and pikes.Gods be damned, look at them all, Tyrion thought, though he knew his father had more men on the field. Their captains led them on armored warhorses, standard-bearers riding alongside with their banners. He glimpsed the bull moose of the Hornwoods, the Karstark sunburst, Lord Cerwyns battle-axe, and the mailed fist of the Glovers . . . and the twin towers of Frey, blue on grey. So much for his fathers induction that Lord Walder would not bestir himself. The white of House Stark was seen everywhere, the grey direwolves seeming to run and leap as the banners swirled and streamed from the high staffs. Whe re is the boy? Tyrion wondered.A warhorn blew. Haroooooooooooooooooooooooo, it cried, its voice as long and low and chilling as a cold wind from the north. The Lannister trumpets answered, da-DA da-DA da-DAAAAAAAAA, brazen and defiant, yet it seemed to Tyrion that they sounded somehow smaller, more anxious. He could feel a fluttering in his bowels, a wicked liquid feeling he hoped he was not going to die sick.As the horns died away, a hissing filled the air a grand flight of arrows arched up from his right, where the archers stood flanking the road. The northerners broke into a run, shouting as they came, but the Lannister arrows fell on them like hail, hundreds of arrows, thousands, and shouts turned to screams as men stumbled and went down. By then a second flight was in the air, and the archers were suit a third arrow to their bowstrings.The trumpets blared again, da-DAAA da-DAAA da-DA da-DA da-DAAAAAAA. Ser Gregor waved his huge sword and bellowed a command, and a thousand ot her voices screamed back at him. Tyrion put his spurs to his horse and added one more voice to the cacophony, and the van surged forward. The river he shouted at his clansmen as they rode. Remember, hew to the river. He was still leading when they broke a canter, until Chella gave a bloodcurdling shriek and galloped past him, and Shagga howled and followed. The clansmen charged after them, difference Tyrion in their dust.A crescent of enemy spearmen had formed ahead, a double hedgehog bristling with steel, waiting behind tall oaken shields marked with the sunburst of Karstark. Gregor Clegane was the first to reach them, leading a wedge of armored veterans. Half the horses shied at the last second, breaking their charge before the row of spears. The others died, sharp steel points ripping through their chests. Tyrion saw a dozen men go down. The Mountains stallion reared, lashing out with iron-shod hooves as a barbed spearpoint raked across his neck. Maddened, the beast lunged into the ranks. Spears thrust at him from every side, but the shield wall broke beneath his weight. The northerners stumbled away from the animals death throes. As his horse fell, snorting blood and biting with his last red breath, the Mountain rose untouched, laying about him with his two-handed greatsword.Shagga went bursting through the gap before the shields could close, other Stone Crows hard behind him. Tyrion shouted, Burned Men Moon Brothers aft(prenominal) me but most of them were ahead of him. He glimpsed Timett son of Timett vault free as his mount died under him in full stride, saw a Moon Brother impaled on a Karstark spear, watched Conns horse shatter a mans ribs with a kick. A flight of arrows descended on them where they came from he could not say, but they fell on Stark and Lannister alike, rattling off armor or finding flesh. Tyrion lifted his shield and hid beneath it.The hedgehog was crumbling, the northerners reeling back under the equal of the mounted assault. Tyr ion saw Shagga catch a spearman full in the chest as the fool came on at a run, saw his axe shear through mail and leather and muscle and lungs. The man was dead on his feet, the axehead lodged in his breast, yet Shagga rode on, cleaving a shield in two with his left-hand battle-axe while the corpse was bouncing and stumbling bonelessly along on his right. Finally the dead man slid off. Shagga smashed the two axes together and roared.By then the enemy was on him, and Tyrions battle shrunk to the few feet of ground around his horse. A man-at-arms thrust at his chest and his axe lashed out, rap the spear aside. The man danced back for another try, but Tyrion spurred his horse and rode right over him. Bronn was surrounded by three foes, but he lopped the head off the first spear that came at him, and raked his make across a second mans face on his backslash.A thrown spear came hurtling at Tyrion from the left and lodged in his shield with a woody chunk. He wheeled and raced after the thrower, but the man raised his own shield over his head. Tyrion circled around him, raining axe blows down on the wood. Chips of oak went flying, until the northerner lost his feet and slipped, failing flat on his back with his shield on top of him. He was below the reach of Tyrions axe and it was too much anesthetise to dismount, so he left him there and rode after another man, fetching him from behind with a sweeping downcut that sent a jolt of impact up his arm. That won him a moments respite. Reining up, he looked for the river. There it was, off to the right. someways he had gotten turned around.A Burned Man rode past, slumped against his horse. A spear had entered his belly and come out through his back. He was past any help, but when Tyrion saw one of the northerners run up and make a grab for his reins, he charged.His quarry met him sword in hand. He was tall and spare, wearing a long chainmail hauberk and gauntlets of lobstered steel, but hed lost his helm and blood ran down into his eyes from a gash across his forehead. Tyrion aimed a swipe at his face, but the tall man slammed it aside. Dwarf, he screamed. Die. He turned in a circle as Tyrion rode around him, hacking at his head and shoulders. Steel rang on steel, and Tyrion soon realized that the tall man was quicker and stronger than he was. Where in the seven hells was Bronn? Die, the man grunted, chopping at him savagely. Tyrion barely got his shield up in time, and the wood seemed to explode inward under the force of the blow. The burst pieces fell away from his arm. Die the swordsman bellowed, shoving in close and whanging Tyrion across the temple so hard his head rang. The blade made a hideous scraping sound as he drew it back over the steel. The tall man grinned . . . until Tyrions destrier bit, quick as a snake, laying his cheek bare to the bone. Then he screamed. Tyrion hide his axe in his head. You die, he told him, and he did.As he wrenched the blade free, he heard a shout. Eddard a voice rang out. For Eddard and Winterfell The knight came move down on him, swinging the spike ball of a morningstar around his head. Their warhorses slammed together before Tyrion could so much as open his mouth to shout for Bronn. His right elbow exploded with pain as the spikes punched through the thin metal around the joint. His axe was gone, as fast as that. He clawed for his sword, but the morningstar was circling again, coming at his face. A repellent crunch, and he was falling. He did not recall hitting the ground, but when he looked up there was only sky above him. He rolled onto his side and tried to find his feet, but pain shuddered through him and the human race throbbed. The knight who had felled him drew up above him. Tyrion the Imp, he boomed down. You are mine. Do you yield, Lannister?Yes, Tyrion thought, but the word caught in his throat. He made a croaking sound and fought his way to his knees, fumbling for a weapon. His sword, his dirk, anything . . .Do you yield? The knight loomed overhead on his armored warhorse. Man and horse both seemed immense. The spiked ball swung in a lazy circle. Tyrions hands were numb, his vision blurred, his scabbard empty. output signal or die, the knight declared, his flail whirling faster and faster.Tyrion lurched to his feet, driving his head into the horses belly. The animal gave a hideous scream and reared. It tried to twist away from the agony, a shower of blood and viscera poured down over Tyrions face, and the horse fell like an avalanche. The next he knew, his visor was packed with mud and something was crushing his foot. He wriggled free, his throat so tight he could but talk. . . . yield . . . he managed to croak faintly.Yes, a voice moaned, thick with pain.Tyrion scraped the mud off his helm so he could see again. The horse had travel away from him, onto its rider. The knights leg was trapped, the arm hed used to break his fall misrepresented at a grotesque angle. Yield, he repeated. Fumbl ing at his belt with his good hand, he drew a sword and flung it at Tyrions feet. I yield, my lord.Dazed, the dwarf knelt and lifted the blade. Pain hammered through his elbow when he moved his arm. The battle seemed to have moved beyond him. No one remained on his eccentric of the field save a large issue of corpses. Ravens were already circling and landing to feed. He saw that Ser Kevan had brought up his center in support of the van his huge mass of pikemen had pushed the northerners back against the hills. They were struggling on the slopes, pikes thrusting against another wall of shields, these oval and reinforced with iron studs. As he watched, the air filled with arrows again, and the men behind the oak wall crumbled beneath the murderous fire. I believe you are losing, ser, he told the knight under the horse. The man made no reply.The sound of hooves coming up behind him made him whirl, though he could scarcely lift the sword he held for the agony in his elbow. Brorm reine d up and looked down on him.Small use you turned out to be, Tyrion told him.It would seem you did well enough on your own, Bronn answered. Youve lost the spike off your helm, though.Tyrion groped at the top of the greathelm. The spike had snapped off clean. I havent lost it. I know just where it is. Do you see my horse?By the time they found it, the trumpets had sounded again and Lord Tywins reserve came sweeping up along the river. Tyrion watched his father fly past, the crimson-and-gold banner of Lannister rippling over his head as he thundered across the field. v hundred knights surrounded him, sunlight flashing off the points of their lances. The remnants of the Stark lines shattered like glass beneath the hammer of their charge.With his elbow swollen and hammer inside his armor, Tyrion made no attempt to join the slaughter. He and Bronn went feeling for his men. Many he found among the dead. Ulf son of Umar lay in a pool of congealing blood, his arm gone at the elbow, a doze n of his Moon Brothers sprawled around him. Shagga was slumped beneath a tree, riddled with arrows, Conns head in his lap. Tyrion thought they were both dead, but as he dismounted, Shagga opened his eyes and said, They have killed Conn son of Coratt. Handsome Conn had no mark but for the red stain over his breast, where the spear thrust had killed him. When Bronn pulled Shagga to his feet, the big man seemed to notice the arrows for the first time. He plucked them out one by one, cursing the holes they had made in his layers of mail and leather, and yowling like a babe at the few that had buried themselves in his flesh. Chella daughter of Cheyk rode up as they were yanking arrows out of Shagga, and showed them four ears she had taken. Timett they discovered looting the bodies of the slain with his Burned Men. Of the three hundred clansmen who had ridden to battle behind Tyrion Lannister, perhaps half had survived.He left the living to look after the dead, sent Bronn to take charge of his clothed knight, and went alone in search of his father. Lord Tywin was seated by the river, sipping wine from a jeweled cup as his squire undid the fastenings on his breastplate. A fine victory, Ser Kevan said when he saw Tyrion. Your wild men fought well.His fathers eyes were on him, pale green flecked with gold, so cool they gave Tyrion a chill. Did that surprise you, Father? he asked. Did it upset your plans? We were supposed to be butchered, were we not?Lord Tywin drained his cup, his face expressionless. I put the least disciplined men on the left, yes. I anticipated that they would break. Robb Stark is a green boy, more like to be brave than wise. Id hoped that if he saw our left collapse, he might plunge into the gap, eager for a rout. Once he was fully committed, Ser Kevans pikes would wheel and take him in the flank, driving him into the river while I brought up the reserve.And you thought it best to place me in the midst of this carnage, yet keep me ignorant of you r plans.A feigned rout is less convincing, his father said, and I am not inclined to trust my plans to a man who consorts with sellswords and savages.A pity my savages ruined your dance. Tyrion pulled off his steel gauntlet and let it fall to the ground, wincing at the pain that stabbed up his arm.The Stark boy proven more cautious than I expected for one of his years, Lord Tywin admitted, but a victory is a victory. You appear to be wounded.Tyrions right arm was soaked with blood. Good of you to notice, Father, he said through clenched teeth. cleverness I trouble you to send for your maesters? Unless you relish the notion of having a one-armed dwarf for a son . . . An urgent shout of Lord Tywin turned his fathers head before he could reply. Tywin Lannister rose to his feet as Ser Addam Marbrand leapt down off his courser. The horse was lathered and bleeding from the mouth. Ser Addam dropped to one knee, a rangy man with dark copper hair that fell to his shoulders, armored in burni shed tanned steel with the fiery tree of his House etched black on his breastplate. My liege, we have taken some of their commanders. Lord Cerwyn, Ser Wylis Manderly, Harrion Karstark, four Freys. Lord Hornwood is dead, and I fear Roose Bolton has escaped us.And the boy? Lord Tywin asked.Ser Addam hesitated. The Stark boy was not with them, my lord. They say he crossed at the Twins with the great part of his horse, riding hard for Riverrun.A green boy, Tyrion remembered, more like to be brave than wise. He would have laughed, if he hadnt hurt so much.

Bag of Bones CHAPTER SEVEN

The minor pick tabooe actu solelyy she wasnt much much than a baby-came walking up the middle of R turn bye 68, habilimented in a billinged bathing oblige, yellow p detainic flip-flops, and a capitalital of Massachusetts Red Sox baseb each(prenominal) cap dour to a greater extent or less book bindingward. I had bonny driven past the Lakeview General Store and Dickie Brookss All-Purpose Garage, and the fixedness limit thither drops from cardinal-five to thirty-five. Thank God I was obeying it that day, differently I might nominate killed her.It was my low day c e veryplace charge. Id gotten up bleak and spent closely of the morning walking in the woods which manoeuver along the lakeshore, con spotring what was the same and what had changed. The water exploreed a flyspeck inflict and there were exclusively ab kayoeder boats than I would perk up expected, especially on summers greatgest vacation, tho otherwise I might never hurl been a musical mode. I even absent regainmed to be slapping at the same bugs.Around eleven my stomach alerted me to the event that Id skipped breakfast. I decided a trip to the village Cafe was in order. The restaurant at Warringtons was trendier by far, unless Id be st ard at there. The Village Cafe would be better if it was to a lower places aliked doing stock. Buddy Jellison was an ill-tempered fuck, only if he had always been the best fry-cook in western Maine and what my stomach treasured was a big greasy Villageburger. with by delay this light daughter, walking refined up the fair line and intenting exchangeable a majorette tip an invisible parade.At thirty-five air miles per hour I saw her in plenty of prison term, only this road was busy in the summer, and actually few community bothered creeping by means of the reduced-speed z ace. in that respect were only a dozen Castle County police cruisers, subsequently all, and non many of them bothered with the TR unless they were specifically called there.I pulled over to the shoulder joint, put the Chevy in PARK, and was forth in front the pass around had even begun to settle. The day was muggy and close and still, the clouds seeming low bounteous to touch. The youngster a runty blondie with a veer nose and scabbed knees stood on the white-hot line as if it were a tightrope and watched me salute with no to a greater extent fear than a fawn.Hi, she express. I go beach. mum ont take me and Im mad as hell. She stamped her foot to show she knew as hale as anybody what mad as hell was all ab out. Three or four was my reckon. Well-spoken in her fashion and cute as hell, bargonly still no more than three or four. Well, the beach is a good gear up to go on the fourth, all ripe, I said, but Fourth of July and fireworks too, she agreed, making too sound exotic and sweet, ilk a raillery in Viet stimulatese. but if you try to walk there on the high gearway, youre more apt to wind up in Castle Rock Ho tongueal.I decided I wasnt red ink to stand there pegg laying Mister Rogers with her in the middle of Route 68, not with a twist only fifty yards to the south and a car apt to bring it forward wheeling somewhat it at sixty miles an hour at any time. I could key out a motor, actually, and it was revving hard.I picked the dupe up and carried her over to where my car was idling, and although she seemed abruptly content to be carried and not f by rightsened a bit, I tangle resembling Chester the Molester the second I had my arm locked under her bottom. I was very aware that any adept sitting around in the combined arseholecelledice and waiting room of Brooksies Garage could assist out and see me. This is unmatchable of the funny midlife realities of my generation we cant touch a tyke who isnt our own without fearing others will see something lecherous in our touching . . . or without thinking, way down copious in the sewers of our psyches, that there in all probability is something lecherous in it. I got her out of the road, though. I did that much. Let the Marching Mothers of Western Maine come after me and do their worst.You take me beach? the circumstantial girl asked.She was bright-eyed, smiling. I figured that shed belike be pregnant by the time she was twelve, especially given the chill out way she was wearing her baseball cap. Got your suitie?Actually I think I left my suitie at home. Dont you hate that? Honey, wheres your mom?As if in remove answer to my oral sex, the car Id heard came busting out of a road on the near positioning of the curve. It was a jeep talent scout with mud splattered high up on both sides. The motor was growling like something up a tree and pissed off round it. A womans head was poked out the side window. Little curies mom must discombobulate been too scared to sit down she was driving in a mad crouch, and if a car had been plan of attack around that partlyicular curve in Route 68 when she pulled out, my friend in the red bathing suit would likely nurture become an orphan on the spot.The Scout fishtailed, the head dropped ass down inside the cab, and there was a c perseverech as the driver upshifted, trying to take her erstwhile(a) heap from nil to sixty in possibly nine seconds. If pure terror could drive done the job, Im sure she would have succeeded.Thats Mattie, the girl in the bathing suit said. Im mad at her. Im running away to have a Fourth at the beach. If shes mad I go to my white nana.I had no idea what she was talking astir(predicate), but it did cross my mind that Miss Bosox of 1998 could have her Fourth at the beach I would settle for a 5th of something whole-grain at home. Meanwhile, I was beckon the arm not under the kids aim cover translation and forth over my head, and hard enough to blow around wisps of the girls fine blonde hairs-breadth.Hey I shouted. Hey, lady I got herThe Scout sped by, still accelerating and still sounding piss ed off just about it. The exhaust was blowing clouds of dreary smoke. There was a further hideous grinding from the Scouts oldish transmission. It was like some crazy sport of Lets Make a Deal. Mattie, youve succeeded in squeezeting into second gear would you like to quit and take the Maytag washer, or do you want to try for third?I did the only thing I could think of, which was to step out onto the road, turn toward the Jeep, which was like a shot speeding away from me (the smell of the oil was thick and acrid), and hold the kid up high over my head, hoping Mattie would see us in her rearview mirror. I no lengthy matte up like Chester the Molester now I mat up like a cruel auctioneer in a Disney cartoon, offering the cutest lil piglet in the litter to the highest bidder. It worked, though. The Scouts mudcaked taillights came on and there was a demonic howling as the badly used brakes locked. Right in front of Brooksies, this was. If there were any old-timers in for a go od Fourth of July gossip, they would now have plenty to gossip about. I thought they would especially enjoy the part where Mom screamed at me to unhand her baby. When you return to your summer home after a long absence, its always nice to formulate off on the right foot.The backup lights flared and the Jeep began reversing down the road at a good twenty miles an hour. Now the transmission sounded not pissed off but panicky please, it was stateing, please stop, youre killing me. The Scouts rear end wagged from side to side like the tail of a happy dog. I watched it coming at me, hypnotized now in the northbound lane, now across the white line and into the southbound lane, now overcorrecting so that the left-hand tires spumed dust off the shoulder.Mattie go fast, my new girlfriend said in a conversational, isnt-this-interesting voice. She had one arm slung around my neck we were chums, by God.But what the kid said woke me up. Mattie go fast, all right, too fast. Mattie would, mor e likely than not, wipe out the rear end of my Chevrolet. And if I scarce stood here, Baby Snooks and I were apt to end up as toothpaste between the dickens vehicles.I backed the length of my car, keeping my look fixed on the Jeep and yelling, Slow down, Mattie Slow downCutie-pie liked that. Syo down she yelled, starting to laugh. Syo down, you old Mattie, syo downThe brakes screamed in fresh agony. The Jeep took one last walloping, unhappy jerk backward as Mattie stopped without benefit of the clutch. That final lunge took the Scouts rear bumper so close to the rear bumper of my Chevy that you could have bridged the gap with a cigarette. The smell of oil in the air was big and furry. The kid was waving a hand in front of her instance and coughing theatrically.The drivers door flew open Mattie Devore flew out like a circus acrobat shot from a cannon, if you can imagine a circus acrobat dressed in old paisley shorts and a cotton smock top. My depression thought was that the little girls big sister had been babysitting her, that Mattie and Mummy were both different people. I knew that little kids often cut down a consequence of their development calling their parents by their first names, but this pale-cheeked blonde girl looked all of twelve, fourteen at the outside. I decided her mad use of the Scout hadnt been terror for her child (or not just terror) but amount of money automotive inexperience.There was something else, too, alright? Another assumption that I made. The spongy four-wheel-drive, the baggy paisley shorts, the smock that all but screamed Kmart, the long yellow hair held back with those little red elastics, and close to of all the inattention that allows the three-year-old in your care to go wandering off in the first place . . . all those things said trailer-trash to me. I know how that sounds, but I had some basis for it. Also, Im Irish, goddammit. My ancestors were trailer-trash when the trailers were still horse-drawn caravans .Stinky-phew the little girl said, still waving a pudgy hand at the air in front of her spunk. Scoutie stinkWhere Scouties bathing suitie? I thought, and then my new girlfriend was snatched out of my arms. Now that she was closer, my idea that Mattie was the bathing beautys sister took a hit. Mattie wouldnt be old until well into the next century, but she wasnt twelve or fourteen, either. I now guessed twenty, maybe a year younger. When she snatched the baby away, I saw the get married ring on her left hand. I also saw the no-account circles under her eyes, gray skin dusting to purple. She was young, but I thought it was a mothers terror and exhaustion I was looking at.I expected her to swat the tot, because thats how trailer-trash moms react to organism tired and scared. When she did, I would stop her, one way or another(prenominal) distract her into turning her anger on me, if that was what it took. There was nothing very noble in this, I should add all I really wanted to do was to postpone the fanny-whacking, shoulder-palpitation, and in-your-face cheering to a time and place where I wouldnt have to watch it. It was my first day back in town I didnt want to spend any of it watching an inattentive slut abuse her child.Instead of shaking her and shouting Where did you think you were outlet, you little bitch? Mattie first hugged the child (who hugged back enthusiastically, showing absolutely no sign of fear) and then covered her face with kisses.Why did you do that? she cried. What was in your head? When I couldnt name you, I died.Mattie burst into tears. The child in the bathing suit looked at her with an flavor of surprise so big and complete it would have been comical under other circumstances. Then her own face crumpled up. I stood back, watched them flagrant and hugging, and felt ashamed of my preconceptions.A car went by and slowed down. An ripened fit Ma and Pa Kettle on their way to the store for that holiday box of Grape-Nuts gawked out. I gave them an impatient reel with both hands, the kind that says what are you staring at, go on, put an egg in your shoe and develop it. They sped up, but I didnt see an out-of-state license plate, as Id hoped I might. This version of Ma and Pa were locals, and the story would be fleeting its rounds soon enough Mattie the teenage bride and her little bundle of joy (said bundle undoubtedly conceived in the back seat of a car or the bed of a pickup truck some months before the legitimizing ceremony), bawling their eyes out at the side of the road. With a stranger. No, not exactly a stranger. mike Noonan, the writer fella from upstate.I wanted to go to the beach and suh-suh-swim the little girl wept, and now it was swim that sounded exotic the Vietnamese word for ecstasy, perhaps.I said Id take you this afternoon. Mattie was still sniffing, but getting herself under control. Dont do that again, little guy, please dont you ever do that again, Mommy was so scared.I wont, the kid sa id I really wont. Still crying, she hugged the older girl tight, laying her head against the side of Matties neck. Her baseball cap fell off. I picked it up, beginning to feel very much like an outsider here. I poked the blue-and-red cap at Matties hand until her fingers closed on it.I decided I also felt pretty good about the way things had turned out, and maybe I had a right to. Ive presented the incident as if it was amusing, and it was, but it was the sort of amusing you never see until later. When it was happening, it was terrifying. Suppose there had been a truck coming from the other direction? Coming around that curve, and coming too fast?A vehicle did come around it, a pickup of the type no tourist ever drives. Two more locals gawked their way by.Maam? I said. Mattie? I think Id better get going. Glad your little girl is all right. The minute it was out, I felt an almost irresistible urge to laugh. I could picture me drawling this speech to Mattie (a name that belonged in a movie like Unforgiven or True surface if any name ever did) with my thumbs hooked into the belt of my chaps and my Stetson pushed back to reveal my noble brow. I felt an insane urge to add, Youre right purty, maam, aint you the new schoolteacher?She turned to me and I saw that she was right purty. in time with circles under her eyes and her blonde hair sticking off in gobs to either side of her head. And I thought she was doing okay for a girl probably not yet old enough to purchase a drink in a bar. At least she hadnt sing the baby.Thank you so much, she said. Was she right in the road? Say she wasnt, her eyes begged. At least say she was walking along the shoulder.Well I walked on the line, the girl said, pointing. Its like the cross-mock. Her voice took on a cash in ones chipsly righteous tone. Crossmock is safe.Matties cheeks, already white, turned whiter. I didnt like seeing her that way, and didnt like to think of her driving home that way, especially with a kid.Where do you live, Mrs. ?Devore, she said. Im Mattie Devore. She shifted the child and put out her hand. I shook it. The morning was warm, and it was going to be hot by mid-afternoon beach weather for sure but the fingers I touched were icy. We live just there.She pointed to the intersection the Scout had shot out of, and I could see surprise, surprise a doublewide trailer set off in a grove of pines about two hundred feet up the little feeder road. Wasp Hill Road, I recalled. It ran about half(a) a mile from Route 68 to the water what was known as the Middle Bay. Ah yes, doc, its all coming back to me now. Im once more travel the Dark Score range. Saving little kids is my specialty.Still, I was relieved to see that she lived close by less than a quarter of a mile from the place where our respective vehicles were parked with their tails almost touching and when I thought about it, it stood to reason. A child as young as the bathing beauty couldnt have walked far . . . although t his one had already exhibit a fair degree of determination. I thought Mothers haggard look was even more suggestive of the daughters will. I was glad I was too old to be one of her future boyfriends she would have them jumping through hoops all through high school and college. Hoops of fire, likely.Well, the high-school part, anyway. Girls from the doublewide side of town did not, as a general rule, go to college unless there was a juco or a voke-tech handy. And she would only have them jumping until the right boy (or more likely the wrong one) came sweeping around the Great curve of Life and ran her down in the highway, her all the while unaware that the white line and the crossmock were two different things. Then the whole cycle would ring itself.Christ almighty, Noonan, quit it, I told myself. Shes three years old and youve already got her with three kids of her own, two with ringworm and one retarded.Thank you so much, Mattie repeated.Thats okay, I said, and snubbed the litt le girls nose. Although her cheeks were still wet with tears, she grinned at me sunnily enough in response. This is a very verbal little girl.Very verbal, and very willful. Now Mattie did give her child a little shake, but the kid showed no fear, no sign that shaking or hitting was the order of most days. On the contrary, her smile widened. Her mother smiled back. And yes once you got past the slopped-together look of her, she was most wastedordinarily pretty. Put her in a tennis dress at the Castle Rock Country Club (where shed likely never go in her life, except maybe as a maid or a waitress), and she would maybe be more than pretty. A young benediction Kelly, perhaps.Then she looked back at me, her eyes very wide and grave.Mr. Noonan, Im not a bad mother, she said.I felt a start at my name coming from her utter, but it was only momentary. She was the right age, after all, and my books were probably better for her than spending her afternoons in front of General Hospital and whiz Life to Live. A little, anyway.We had an argument about when we were going to the beach. I wanted to hang out the clothes, have lunch, and go this afternoon. Kyra wanted She broke off. What? What did I say?Her name is Kia? Did Before I could say anything else, the most preternatural thing happened my mouth was full of water. So full I felt a moments panic, like someone who is swimming in the ocean and swallows a wave-wash. Only this wasnt a salt taste it was cold and fresh, with a faint metal tang like blood.I turned my head excursus and spat. I expected a gush of liquid to pour out of my mouth the sort of gush you sometimes get when commencing artificial respiration on a near-drowning victim. What came out instead was what usually comes out when you spit on a hot day a little white idle reckoning. And that sensation was gone even before the little white pellet struck the dirt of the shoulder. In an instant, as if it had never been there.That man spirted, the girl sai d matter-of-factly.Sorry, I said. I was also bewildered. What in Gods name had that been about? I guess I had a little delayed reaction.Mattie looked concerned, as though I were eighty instead of forty. I thought that maybe to a girl her age, forty is eighty. Do you want to come up to the nursing home? Ill give you a glass of water.No, Im fine now.All right. Mr. Noonan . . . all I mean is that nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I was reprieve sheets . . . she was inside watching a Mighty Mouse cartoon on the VCR . . . then, when I went in to get more pins . . . She looked at the girl, who was no longer smiling. It was starting to get through to her now. Her eyes were big, and ready to fill with tears. She was gone. I thought for a minute Id die of fear.Now the kids mouth began to tremble, and her eyes filled up right on schedule. She began to weep. Mattie stroked her hair, soothing the infinitesimal head until it lay against the Kmart smock top.Thats all right, Ki , she said. It turned out okay this time, but you cant go out in the road. Its dangerous. Little things get run over in the road, and youre a little thing. The most precious little thing in the world.She cried harder. It was the exhausted sound of a child who inevitable a nap before any more adventures, to the beach or anywhere else.Kia bad, Kia bad, she sobbed against her mothers neck.No, honey, only three, Mattie said, and if I had harbored any further thoughts about her being a bad mother, they melted away then. Or perhaps theyd already gone after all, the kid was round, comely, well-kept, and unbruised.On one level, those things registered. On another I was trying to cope with the strange thing that had just happened, and the every bit strange thing I thought I was hearing that the little girl I had carried off the white line had the name we had aforethought(ip) to give our child, if our child turned out to be a girl.Kia, I said. Marvelled, really. As if my touch might break her, I tentatively stroked the back of her head. Her hair was sun-warm and fine.No, Mattie said. Thats the best she can say it now. Kyra, not Kia. Its from the Greek. It means ladylike. She shifted, a little self-conscious. I picked it out of a baby-name book. While I was pregnant, I kind of went Oprah. Better than going postal, I guess.Its a lovely name, I said. And I dont think youre a bad mom.What went through my mind right then was a story Frank Arlen had told over a repast at Christmas it had been about Petie, the youngest brother, and Frank had had the whole table in stitches. pull down Petie, who claimed not to remember a bit of the incident, laughed until tears streamed down his cheeks. ace Easter, Frank said, when Petie was about five, their family line had gotten them up for an Easter-egg hunt. The two parents had hidden over a hundred colored hard-boiled eggs around the house the evening before, after getting the kids over to their grandparents. A high old Easter morn ing was had by all, at least until Johanna looked up from the patio, where she was run her share of the spoils, and shrieked. There was Petie, crawling gaily around on the second-floor jut out at the back of the house, not six feet from the drop to the concrete patio.Mr. Arlen had carry through Petie while the rest of the family stood below, holding hands, frozen with horror and fascination. Mrs. Arlen had repeated the annunciate Mary over and over (so fast she sounded like one of the Chipmunks on that old Witch Doctor record, Frank had said, laughing harder than ever) until her married man had disappeared back into the open bedroom window with Petie in his arms. Then she had swooned to the pavement, breaking her nose. When asked for an explanation, Petie had told them hed wanted to check the rain-gutter for eggs.I suppose every family has at least one story like that the survival of the worlds Peties and Kyras is a convincing argument in the minds of parents, anyway for the ex istence of God.I was so scared, Mattie said, now looking fourteen again. Fifteen at most.But its over, I said. And Kyras not going to go walking in the road anymore. Are you, Kyra?She shook her head against her mothers shoulder without raising it. I had an idea shed probably be asleep before Mattie got her back to the good old doublewide.You dont know how bizarre this is for me, Mattie said. One of my darling writers comes out of nowhere and saves my kid. I knew you had a place on the TR, that big old log house everyone calls Sara Laughs, but folks say you dont come here anymore since your wife died.For a long time I didnt, I said. If Sara was a marriage instead of a house, youd call this a trial reconciliation.She smiled fleetingly, then looked grave again. I want to ask you for something. A favor.Ask away.Dont talk about this. Its not a good time for Ki and me.Why not?She bit her lip and seemed to consider say the question -one I might not have asked, given an extra moment to c onsider and then shook her head. Its just not. And Id be so satisfying if you didnt talk about what just happened in town. More grateful than youll ever know.No problem.You mean it?Sure. Im basically a summer soul who hasnt been around for awhile . . . which means I dont have many folks to talk to, anyway. There was Bill Dean, of course, but I could keep softened around him. Not that he wouldnt know. If this little lady thought the locals werent going to find out about her daughters attempt to get to the beach by shanks mare, she was fooling herself. I think weve been noticed already, though. Take a look up at Brooksies Garage. Peek, dont stare.She did, and sighed. Two old men were standing on the tarmac where there had been plash pumps once upon a time. One was very likely Brooksie himself I thought I could see the remnants of the flyaway red hair which had always made him look like a downeast version of Bozo the Clown. The other, old enough to make Brooksie look like a wee sl ip of a lad, was leaning on a gold-headed remonstrate in a way that was queerly vulpine.I cant do anything about them, she said, sounding depressed. Nobody can do anything about them. I guess I should count myself lucky its a holiday and theres only two of them.Besides, I added, they probably didnt see much. Which ignored two things first, that half a dozen cars and pick-em-ups had gone by while we had been standing here, and second, that whatever Brooksie and his elderly friend hadnt seen, they would be more than happy to make up.On Matties shoulder, Kyra gave a ladylike snore. Mattie glanced at her and gave her a smile full of rue and love. Im macabre we had to meet under circumstances that make me look like such a dope, because I really am a big fan. They say at the bookstore in Castle Rock that youve got a new one coming out this summer.I nodded. Its called Helens Promise.She grinned. Good title. convey. You better get your buddy back home before she breaks your arm.Yeah.Ther e are people in this world who have a knack for asking embarrassing, fumbling questions without meaning to its like a talent for walking into doors. I am one of that tribe, and as I walked with her toward the passenger side of the Scout, I anchor a good one. And yet it was hard to blame myself too enthusiastically. I had seen the wedding ring on her hand, after all.Will you tell your husband?Her smile stayed on, but it paled somehow. And tightened. If it were possible to delete a spoken question the way you can delete a line of type when youre composing a story, I would have done it.He died last August.Mattie, Im sorry. overspread mouth, insert foot.You couldnt know. A girl my age isnt even supposed to be married, is she? And if she is, her husbands supposed to be in the army, or something.There was a pinkish baby-seat also Kmart, I guessed on the passenger side of the Scout. Mattie tried to bring up Kyra in, but I could see she was struggling. I stepped forward to help her , and for just a moment, as I reached past her to grab a drop dead leg, the back of my hand brushed her breast. She couldnt step back unless she wanted to happen Kyras slithering out of the seat and onto the floor, but I could feel her recording the touch. My husbands dead, not a threat, so the big-deal writer thinks its okay to cop a little feel on a hot summer morning. And what can I say? Mr. Big Deal came along and hauled my kid out of the road, maybe saved her life.No, Mattie, I may be forty going on a hundred, but I was not copping a feel. excerpt I couldnt say that it would only make things worse. I felt my cheeks flush a little.How old are you? I asked, when we had the baby squared away and were back at a safe distance.She gave me a look. Tired or not, she had it together again. Old enough to know the situation Im in. She held out her hand. Thanks again, Mr. Noonan. God sent you along at the right time.Nah, God just told me I packed a hamburger at the Village Cafe, I sai d. Or maybe it was His opposite number. Please say Buddys still doing business at the same old stand.She smiled. It warmed her face back up again, and I was happy to see it. Hell still be there when Kis kids are old enough to try buying beer with fake IDS. Unless someone wanders in off the road and asks for something like shrimp tetrazzini. If that happened hed probably drop dead of a heart attack.Yeah. Well, when I get copies of the new book, Ill drop one off.The smile continued to hang in there, but now it shaded toward caution. You dont need to do that, Mr. Noonan.No, but I will. My agent gets me fifty comps. I find that as I get older, they go further.Perhaps she heard more in my voice than I had meant to put there people do sometimes, I guess.All right. Ill look forward to it.I took another look at the baby, sleeping in that queerly casual way they have her head tilted over on her shoulder, her lovely little lips pursed and blowing a bubble. Their skin is what kills me so fi ne and perfect there seem to be no pores at all. Her Sox hat was askew. Mattie watched me reach in and readjust it so the visors shade fell across her closed eyes.Kyra, I said.Mattie nodded. Ladylike.Kia is an African name, I said. It means seasons beginning. I left her then, giving her a little wave as I headed back to the drivers side of the Chevy. I could feel her shady eyes on me, and I had the oddest tactile property that I was going to cry.That feeling stayed with me long after the two of them were out of sight was still with me when I got to the Village Cafe. I pulled into the dirt parking lot to the left of the off-brand gas pumps and just sat there for a little while, thinking about Jo and about a home pregnancy-testing kit which had cost twenty-two-fifty. A little secret shed wanted to keep until she was absolutely sure. That must have been it what else could it have been?Kia, I said. Seasons beginning. But that made me feel like crying again, so I got out of the car and slammed the door hard behind me, as if I could keep the sadness inside that way.