Promise

So you're sure it's nothing shady? Just a creative surprise for me? He raised a scout's honor hand, playful but nervous.

Promise, the only thing I'm guilty of is being a dramatic idiot who wants to finally impress his brilliant wife.

His smile was sheepish.

Come on, let's eat some of your hated cheese and laugh at how worked up you got.

Broken.

based on a broken body.

Because that goes all the way back to the day of Abraham.

And today I want to talk to you about something that I first implemented when I started working with accountants and bookkeepers many, many years ago.

And it was a simple document called The Promise.

Now, the promise isn't about being a proposal.

It's not your typical engagement letter and it isn't a contract full of terms and conditions.

Then, because the battle seemed to them a thing so terribly near and the birth of a son a thing so far in the future, they were willing enough to agree.

Promise, said Merlin, turning first to Pendragon.

I promise, said the young man gravely.

Promise, repeated the boy to Uther.

And like his brother, Uther answered, I promise.

Then I will give you my aid, swore Merlin.

Then suddenly the postern gate of the castle swung wide, and there rode forth upon a white horse a knight in snow-white armor.

Straight toward Palamedes he came, who instantly put his spear in rest, and the two crashed together, so that the scene appeared to the breathless onlookers like a deadly struggle between the powers of light and the powers of darkness.

I see.

I think that sets us up nicely for the next part, because you have this third part, which is titled Promise.

And this question might sound like a throwaway, but I am asking it in earnest.

Why did you choose to title it Promise as opposed to Future or Prospect? What were you fundamentally trying to convey in this section? And then later we can dig into the, the meat.

Yeah.

So that's a great question.