A motif in the story is the father cycle. Someone is always without a father and there is always someone else to fill that father role. For example, Tom does not have a father figure in his life currently. He looks to Golden and Chade to advise him on his life. Sometimes, he even whines to them like a child. They listen and guide him in the right direction. In turn, Tom plays the father role many times. It starts out with Dutiful, whose father was killed long ago. Dutiful is a bit undisciplined and immature. Tom takes him under his wing and teaches him how to use Skill properly. He also advises him on his betrothal to the Narcheska and his concerns about Civil Bresinga.