Naamah's Kiss

There's more to clothing than just adornment. It does more than merely change how the world perceives us. It changes how we perceive ourselves.

I seek words of such surpassing beauty that they might melt the hardest heart of stone.

Always, he whispered. The gods do not always answer, but they are always listening.

Without plenty, the wealthy lack compassion for the poor, hoarding without sharing. Without law, the strong bully the weak, stealing by force.

Empty yourself of everything,” he said. “Let your mind rest at peace. Ten thousand things rise and fall while the self watches. They grow and flourish and return to the source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature. The way of nature is unchanging. Practice your breathing and think upon this, Moirin.

What you are witnessing is the face of war a great ruler seldom sees, my lady,” Master Lo Feng said to her. Her veiled face turned his way, listening. “No matter how righteous the cause, no matter who wins, the commonfolk suffer. Without plenty, the wealthy lack compassion for the poor, hoarding without sharing. Without law, the strong bully the weak, stealing by force. People will go hungry. Some will starve. Men and women will be forced to choose between feeding their parents and their children.

I bid you to aid one another. Let the wealthy have charity for the poor. Let the strong have mercy on the weak. And I promise, if we are victorious, such a time shall never come again.