x
x
x
x
12th of Spring
.
.
The shrewd old man rested atop his stool in his small study. In silence Una and Val exchanged hungry glances. Each possessed knowledge the other wanted but each was unsure how easily the other would give up their own.
"You wish for tales of Avanthal?" Una queried breaking the ice anxiously.
"Oh yes. Come and take a seat." He offered patting the padded stool at his side. Taking it with a grin the two slipped into easy conversation. Speaking of Avanthal was difficult, having been run out with such viciousness. However, the conversation quickly veered toward scholarly pursuits and away from personal experience assaying Unas discomfort.
Vantha literature was so enormously different from Inartan literature that the chimes and bells passed by quickly, both deeply engrossed in the conversation.
"Though, despite their differences they do have one vital thing in common." Una stated as the conversation began to slide to a close.
"And what do you think that is?" Val queried tilting his wrinkled brow.
"They are both intensely and unnervingly pragmatic." The Charoda laughed. Vals laughter echoed in the small room, joining hers. For the first time since Cys death Una felt like she had met an intellectual equal. Even Jack, despite his intentions didn't match this mans rhetoric or delightful intelligence.
"Well yes. In times like these one only has time to be pragmatic. Excess is something few enjoy and those that do do so at the expense of others basic needs." The man grinned making Una wince inwardly as she reflected on the red leather luxury she had so adored in Avanthal.
"Perhaps..." She replied quietly, turning the conversation away from Avanthal, "So, you obviously speak Vani. What other languages do you speak?"
"I am fluent in Common, Isur, Jamourian, and obviously my native language Nari but I can get by with Tukant, Tawna, Sniber, and Kontinese. What languages do you speak, beyond Vani?" Una recognized few of the languages he spoke of and her face revealed her ignorance blatantly.
"My native language is Char. I speak a faint amount of common when I must but I haven't had the chance in many moons."
"Oh so few? You are missing out on some of the greatest stories m'dear."
"Yes, I know." Una replied forlornly as she thought of all the was beyond her ability.
"Can you write m'dear?"
"Some, I learned from the librarian in Avanthal to write with a utensil but I can write Char very well. However, learning too write in Vani has limited uses, few can read anything I write. I would love to write in common, so that I can translate some of the Avanthalian texts so others may enjoy its magnificence but it is difficult to find a teacher in such things..." She explained her voice taking on a fantastical whimsical tone.
"What do you have to offer a teacher m'dear? You cannot expect one so skilled so give away knowledge and time without recompense."
"Yes, and unfortunately Scholars of that skill are not easily swayed by simple things like coin. I have little knowledge someone of that skill would possess but I can write and speak Char fluently, make seaweed paper, and I have a Frostfawn Hawk."
"A Frostfawn Hawk?"
"Oh yes, they are the largest birds in Avanthal. They are considered nuisances since they hunt the flocks the Vantha guard so carefully. Great white falcons that specialize in catching fish."
"You are willing to give up so precious a creature for knowledge?" He replied almost incredulous.
"Knowledge is always worth more than materialistic possessions." This elicited a broad grin from Val making Una squirm under the attention. He was always doing that when she spoke the words of her mother and she couldn't help but feel he overestimated her own wisdom. These weren't revelations she discovered on her own, but revelations she was taught. If hard work didn't go into a revelation did she have the right to assume the powerful words as her own? She wondered anxiously as the conversation continued.
"Alright, then we may have an exchange. The secret of seaweed paper in exchange for learning to write in common."
Unas eyes widened surprised. It had certainly sounded like he was far more interested in the Frost Hawk.
"I thought you might be interested in my bird, from your words." She questioned as graciously as she could.
"Indeed I was, but as you have reminded me. Knowledge, is far more valuable than a creature." He chortled his eyes laughing as much as his mouth. His expression broke across Una in waves and leaving a smile upon her own face. Perhaps I should have expected he would not trade his knowledge for an offer of something so mere as possessions.
"That is such....such a grande offer. I would be a fool to turn down so luscious a deal as that."
"Well. We have a deal then." He grinned offering a calloused wrinkled hand for her to grip and shake which she did willingly and with glee. "You shall learn the basics of writing common, and when you do I will look forward to reading your translations." He grinned taking her hand in both of his, squeezing gently.
x.
The shrewd old man rested atop his stool in his small study. In silence Una and Val exchanged hungry glances. Each possessed knowledge the other wanted but each was unsure how easily the other would give up their own.
"You wish for tales of Avanthal?" Una queried breaking the ice anxiously.
"Oh yes. Come and take a seat." He offered patting the padded stool at his side. Taking it with a grin the two slipped into easy conversation. Speaking of Avanthal was difficult, having been run out with such viciousness. However, the conversation quickly veered toward scholarly pursuits and away from personal experience assaying Unas discomfort.
Vantha literature was so enormously different from Inartan literature that the chimes and bells passed by quickly, both deeply engrossed in the conversation.
"Though, despite their differences they do have one vital thing in common." Una stated as the conversation began to slide to a close.
"And what do you think that is?" Val queried tilting his wrinkled brow.
"They are both intensely and unnervingly pragmatic." The Charoda laughed. Vals laughter echoed in the small room, joining hers. For the first time since Cys death Una felt like she had met an intellectual equal. Even Jack, despite his intentions didn't match this mans rhetoric or delightful intelligence.
"Well yes. In times like these one only has time to be pragmatic. Excess is something few enjoy and those that do do so at the expense of others basic needs." The man grinned making Una wince inwardly as she reflected on the red leather luxury she had so adored in Avanthal.
"Perhaps..." She replied quietly, turning the conversation away from Avanthal, "So, you obviously speak Vani. What other languages do you speak?"
"I am fluent in Common, Isur, Jamourian, and obviously my native language Nari but I can get by with Tukant, Tawna, Sniber, and Kontinese. What languages do you speak, beyond Vani?" Una recognized few of the languages he spoke of and her face revealed her ignorance blatantly.
"My native language is Char. I speak a faint amount of common when I must but I haven't had the chance in many moons."
"Oh so few? You are missing out on some of the greatest stories m'dear."
"Yes, I know." Una replied forlornly as she thought of all the was beyond her ability.
"Can you write m'dear?"
"Some, I learned from the librarian in Avanthal to write with a utensil but I can write Char very well. However, learning too write in Vani has limited uses, few can read anything I write. I would love to write in common, so that I can translate some of the Avanthalian texts so others may enjoy its magnificence but it is difficult to find a teacher in such things..." She explained her voice taking on a fantastical whimsical tone.
"What do you have to offer a teacher m'dear? You cannot expect one so skilled so give away knowledge and time without recompense."
"Yes, and unfortunately Scholars of that skill are not easily swayed by simple things like coin. I have little knowledge someone of that skill would possess but I can write and speak Char fluently, make seaweed paper, and I have a Frostfawn Hawk."
"A Frostfawn Hawk?"
"Oh yes, they are the largest birds in Avanthal. They are considered nuisances since they hunt the flocks the Vantha guard so carefully. Great white falcons that specialize in catching fish."
"You are willing to give up so precious a creature for knowledge?" He replied almost incredulous.
"Knowledge is always worth more than materialistic possessions." This elicited a broad grin from Val making Una squirm under the attention. He was always doing that when she spoke the words of her mother and she couldn't help but feel he overestimated her own wisdom. These weren't revelations she discovered on her own, but revelations she was taught. If hard work didn't go into a revelation did she have the right to assume the powerful words as her own? She wondered anxiously as the conversation continued.
"Alright, then we may have an exchange. The secret of seaweed paper in exchange for learning to write in common."
Unas eyes widened surprised. It had certainly sounded like he was far more interested in the Frost Hawk.
"I thought you might be interested in my bird, from your words." She questioned as graciously as she could.
"Indeed I was, but as you have reminded me. Knowledge, is far more valuable than a creature." He chortled his eyes laughing as much as his mouth. His expression broke across Una in waves and leaving a smile upon her own face. Perhaps I should have expected he would not trade his knowledge for an offer of something so mere as possessions.
"That is such....such a grande offer. I would be a fool to turn down so luscious a deal as that."
"Well. We have a deal then." He grinned offering a calloused wrinkled hand for her to grip and shake which she did willingly and with glee. "You shall learn the basics of writing common, and when you do I will look forward to reading your translations." He grinned taking her hand in both of his, squeezing gently.
x