Octobris 17, 378

To my son Aleksandr:

Through their actions, two acquaintances of mine recently placed themselves in harm’s way. In thinking on their respective troubles, I am reminded of something your grandfather once told me, and which I would now like to share with you:

“If you simply expect the knife in the back,” he said, “you never need fear it.”

I was perhaps too young to fully understand his words at the time. At least, not in the way that I do now, having seen the lurch of a shadowed assassin and the glint of sharp, readied steel. He did not mean that one should merely accept the possibility of death. That is, of course, a given. We all die, and the sooner we embrace the limitations of mortal existence, the better. Lord knows, more than one young man has gone to the grave too early on account of his recklessness.

No, what your grandfather truly meant is this: if you learn to anticipate the dagger in the dark, you can learn to prevent it altogether. If you can prevent it, you never need fear it. This is why, for instance, it is often better to employ guards with families and to keep their spouses and children close at hand in other roles. Should one of your men ever think to betray you, he need only remember that his flesh and blood lives under your roof.

Consider your grandfather’s words, my son, and heed them well.

Lord bless and guide you,

Your Loving Father