Solvarr was born in Ar, but by the age of 16 he'd found some justifiable fault with an Ubar there. He expressed it to the Ubar's face, referring to the man's honor as that of an ost, his wit equal to any bosk's, and his strength a terror to vulos everywhere. This was followed by the observation that his Companion was as the she sleen, to every soldier in the City, which was an exaggeration, but not much of one.<p>

The observation about the strength was wrong. Solvarr found it necessary to run for his life, and it was a narrow escape.<p>

The experience taught Sólvarr a few things. One was to shut his mouth. Another was that travel was broadening. In a world where the stranger was not a friend, and home was not where the heart is, he has become tougher than he looks. <p>

(more later)