Philandros saw the worry in Eirik's face, but since the german didn't want to comment further, he decided to let it lie for the moment. He shifted slightly and gave a small wince as his leg tried to bend. He waved away the cup of willow tea Eirik offered--this was only a twinge, not the agony of his earliest hours.

"And I thought you barbarians were good at riddles--not having ways to write things down!" His laugh was gentle rather than mocking, so Eirik smiled wider and laughed too. "All right--third clue: 'Up in a tree, down on the ground...I wander afar but never leave home/To visit me you needn't be quick, better still if you are very small.'"

The greek watched as Eirik's face worked and contorted in efforts to increase his concentration; Deimos had looked in earlier and heard the two tossing riddles back and forth, but now the game had gone from the simple to the harder style of answers: no more bowls, spoons, knives or ships--the subject now was animals. When the boy reported the game to the other servants, they all had a good laugh--Philandros was known for his quick wit and gift for words.

Archelaus gave a small chuckle himself, but cautioned the others not to underestimate the skills of their guest. "The northerners are very good at games, and have a great memory since they don't write...don't place your money on the master just yet!"

Eirik thought very hard , and several times was about to give an answer, but changed his mind and thought again; for one reason or another each answer seemed to be slightly off--an ant was discarded, as was the termite...he was about to throw up his hands and give up, when he had an inspiration!

"You are an evil, tricky bastard Philandros--giving clues which seem to point in different directions--only to mask the real clue in extra words!"

Philandros' smile was broad and his eyes glittered with merriment--was the german going to give up? "Do you concede then, that an educated man has defeated the native cunning of the northern giants?"

Eirik slapped his knee and gave out a mild roar of protest, shaking his head from side to side.

"Never, as I've solved your riddle! The answer--a Snail!" When he saw the injured greek groan and wince, he at first thought it was the pain, but almost instantly realized it was the confirmation of his correct answer.

"Shall I offer another in turn, or do you want to do something else, O Educated One?"