A Kingdom Besieged. Raymond E. Feist

is abstracted,’ he answered, ‘learned from any number of sources. Experience is that which we encounter in our own right, as life brings it, and from which we process knowledge that can be gained no other way.’

      ‘Which is better?’

      ‘Knowledge,’ said the Archivist without hesitation. ‘Experience is limited, while knowledge can be gained from many other beings’ experiences.’

      ‘But knowledge without experience …’ she began.

      He finished, ‘… limits how well that knowledge can be applied.’

      ‘What is missing?’

      ‘You need a teacher.’

      She smiled. ‘Yes. If you teach me, I will let you live; more, I will hunt for you.’

      Seeing the powerful young female before him, the Archivist knew there was only one answer that would enable him to live beyond the few seconds. ‘I will teach you. I am Belog.’

      ‘I am Child. Come, eat with me.’

      Seeing nothing odd in it, the Archivist joined his new student in feasting on the two servants who had moments before been his companions. He considered that while he had not devoured a companion since his youth it was, after all, the way of the People.

      No matter how civilized their King Dahun might have tried to make them, they were at heart the same as the Savage Ones or the Mad Ones. At their core they were all demons.