“Skeptic! You want to work out your own fate. You ‘strive to see, to choose your path.’ Well, you’ve climbed. Is it success. Ban?”
“It will be.”
“And have you reached the Mountains of Fulfillment?”
He shook his head. “One never does, climbing alone.”
“Has it been alone, Ban?”
“Yes.”
“Always?”
“Always.”
“So it has been for me—really. No,” she added swiftly; “don’t ask me questions. Not now. I want to hear more of your new venture.”
He outlined his plan and hopes for The Patriot.