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Days Past, Present [26/12]
Topic Started: Jan 19 2011, 05:40 AM (672 Views)
Asterie de Sauveterre
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She smiled just a little, to see his curiosity flare to life like a lamp lit. Skirting the desk, Astérie took up the volume in question and returned to where Leal stood.

"The translation into D'Angeline was done but recently. As I recall it, the original text was written sometime in the past two decades however. It has taken a long road in coming here. An Akkadian scholar who journeyed to Ch'in many years ago and strove to learn even their written language was responsible for the initial translation. He collaborated with a native speaker on the effort, according to the person who brought this to Father. As to the truth of that, who can say? But the writing is much clearer than some other translations of Ch'in I have seen."

The book was extended to the Cassiline.
Edited by Asterie de Sauveterre, Apr 12 2011, 04:24 AM.
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Leal Verreuil
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He took the book eagerly, almost all trace of his former stiff manner erased from his frame. Even the evidence of his lack of food and sleep faded as he flipped open the pages and read a few sentences.

"Yes, it's much clearer than anything I've read before as well," he said, a clear tone of excitement in his voice. "This is the way all scholars should write when translating, with the help of of a native speaker. It's far too difficult for a non-native speaker to ever learn all of the nuances of the language, no matter how long they study."

He should know; before going to the Cassilines, he'd studied two languages other than D'Angeline, and since being released into the world as Felice's companion, he'd had some scarce time to begin studying another. He was fluent only in Caerdicci, but knew enough from studying it, Aragonian and, more recently, Hellene, to understand the difficulties of a non-native speaker.

In some ways, this was almost as tempting as anything else; what life might he have had as a scholar, how many languages might he have been able to study and learn if he'd had the time? The Brotherhood saw an advantage in Caerdicci, but not much in other languages. What else might he have studied as well as languages? What else could he still study if only--

No. That temptation was, though in its way brighter, also easier to tame.

"Your father had quite a treasure here," he said to her.
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Asterie de Sauveterre
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Her small smile continued to hover upon her lips, as Astérie watched Leal began to read the book himself. His very person seemed less burdened, as his eyes ran down the page, as enthusiasm laced his voice. In that moment, he resembled his brother more than ever. She felt a flash of sorrow, that he was more often to be seen stern of carriage and expression closed, than like this.

Murmuring agreement to his comments on translations, Astérie moved back over to the table to retrieve her teacup and take a sip.

"Your father had quite a treasure here."

"He was very pleased to have acquired it," she agreed. For Aimery de Sauveterre, constrained by physical limitations as he was, the network he had cultivated over the years to bring in knowledge, was a source of pride. "He thought I might like to read it, particularly because there is some mention of items used as part of the Ch'in medical arts. Indeed, it is quite fascinating." She smiled. "And very peculiar too, what it implies about their practices. It makes me wish to know more, though that is easier said than done in this case."

Seating herself, cup in hand, Astérie gazed over to where Leal still stood, book in hand. After a moment, she asked, "If you would like more books to read, I would be happy to find some for you." Another sip of tea. "Does Felice have any sort of library in her home?"
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Leal Verreuil
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As a Cassiline, warrior and priest, he sometimes had use for medicinal knowledge. As Siovalese, his nearly all-consuming passion for learning--so often stifled by the needs and demands of the Brotherhood--meant he had an interest in the subject as well.

Well, an interest in almost all subjects.

"Might I borrow this?" he asked, looking up at her. There would be no way of reading and absorbing all the book had to tell while standing here in her office. "I will return it to you in a reasonable amount of time, I promise."

The promise of a Cassiline, unbreakable.

And when I do, I might hear what Tam has to say of me.
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Asterie de Sauveterre
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Astérie met his eyes when he finally looked up from the book, Leal's query bringing a prompt nod from her. "Please, you are welcome to." If he would not claim food or drink, this book was at least one fragment of solace he was happy to take.

"And when you are done with it. . .hopefully I shall have something else for you to read." And she did not mean a book, that time.

Finishing her tea before it could inch any closer to lukewarm, a light click marked the woman setting the cup upon its saucer anew. With an inward flicker of reluctance, she came to her feet, prepared to lead Leal back to the retainer's quarters when he was ready.
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