Alaris became aware of bright eyes upon him, sparkling, watching him. “Who are you?” he whispered. “Some say I am all things to all men; in my name some men do great deeds and some great harm. Look at me, Alaris. Who do you say I am?” “Lady, surely you must be an enchantress.” “O higher ranked than that,” she laughed, “for I inspire great men to great deeds and little men to invent complex rituals.” “You are not the sorceress Asturnu?” “Why do your thoughts crawl on the ground? Look up, Alaris, and you will see me, look all about you; and I am all around you; look deep inside yourself, in your heart, - am I not there as well, have I not always been there?” She paused, and Alaris looked full at her. The moon shone on her and through her, and her figure shimmered and half faded. “Goddess?” he said, and went down on one knee in front of her, “you have but to command.” “And what shall I command you to do, Alaris? Shall I command and you obey without question or thought?” “If that is your will, Lady.” “So I could order you to kill the creatures of forest and field; to lay waste forests; or to kill your fellow men - and you would carry out those orders? No, Alaris; I will have no servant who obeys without thought. I seek to destroy that which is truly evil in people, not living, sentient beings. If you love me you will think before you act on any order you think I have given you; and then you will know if what you saw was really me or an imitation, an illusion meant to deceive you and lead you astray. If you love me, Alaris, that love will fill your being entirely, utterly, completely; and then you will not be able to wish or cause harm, physical or mental, to any living thing.” “And the Ukrazh, Lady? Are they not evil and to be destroyed?" “All men must answer for their actions, Alaris; and all men have to choose their way in life.”