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When two swordsmen meet, no one knows what to expect. It\u2019s a cold night in a cold city. Cold stone under cold starlight. He walks down a deserted street, sure of himself, sure of the weapon he bears. He\u2019s not altogether surprised when the stranger steps out of the shadows. \u201cHey,\u201d he says to the newcomer. \u201cYou hungry? I\u2019m going to friends with a fire and a big pot always bubbling on it.\u201d By which we see that it\u2019s not just his sword that defends him, whatever he may think. The other stands very still. \u201cYou\u2019re not what I thought you\u2019d be,\u201d he says flatly. \u201cWhy not?\u201d the swordsman asks, curious. | Copyright 2015 by Ellen Kushner. Originally published in Stories for Chip: A Tribute to Samuel R. Delany, edited by Nisi Shawl and Bill Campbell. Reprinted by permission of the author. Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices