Tales of the Exalted

The Knight and squire set up their makeshift classroom before the first day of language practice.

Mercy, you must work on your grammar as well since you are assisting in the Lady Callista's lessons. I don't care how you speak outside of this classroom, but here we act as the bureaucrats do- every thing in its place. I will NOT have her speaking like some common day laborer at court.

Yes, Brother. Mercy had dreaded the idea of helping here at first, but after talking with Callista, she wanted to put her very best foot forward. She had previously thought of being a Knight only as strength of arm and the code of conduct. But now she saw her Knight in a new light. Trying to be the best in every way, that you may serve your lord in any way Donovan had put it. Not only that, but if she could become a lady. Then maybe she could be Callista's friend. She wasn't sure she could be a protector and a friend, but that was far enough away. She had a lot to do before then.

Why do you try so hard to impress her Ladyship?

I wish I could say that I didn't try, and that it came easily Donovan laughed. You see, WE are the interaction the Princess has had with the entire people of An-Tir. We are as much ambassadors of our kingdom right now as any bureaucrat at court. Of course, the Princess with her graces, makes it easy to try to be ones best. I would be lying if I said that when they call us away that I shall not leave with a heavy heart. Learn from her goodness. Our Knightly code merely seeks to temper and direct our base natures, as much good as it does, it is a mere shadow compared to those who are truly good by nature.

You make it sound like your some beast. You is one of the best men I've known.

You are.

What?

You said "You is" the proper way of saying it is "You are"

Fine. You ARE a decent fellow. Sometimes Its like they wrote the bleeding code about you.

Sister Mercy, you have always been a natural fighter. Picking a scrap is as easy as breathing to you. The code is about not fighting. You've been in pitched battle now, not just a dust up. The blood, the screaming, the sheer terror that can fill the battlefield - the rush and life you feel as you meet arms with another. The intimate moment of closeness you have with your enemy as their final breath escapes into your face and their life drips about your feet. Violence can easily become the answer to every situation, and it can be very tempting to follow that path. The code is there to remind you when it is ok to fight, and more importantly to remind you that it is not ok at all other times.
He held up a few old scrolls
Is this really all you could scrounge in the camp? "Martius Drill with Sword and Pike" "Common herbs and roots" and "Life of an amorous woman" Well if this is the finest An-Tir literature we have on hand, then I think we shall be sticking with conversational language instruction for the most part. Fetch me some parchment and ink. I will have to write out the alphabet

Callista hummed to herself a little as May finished pinning up her hair. ”Just because it’s language lessons doesn’t mean I shouldn’t look proper. We are supposed to be setting an example for Mercy as well.” The princess scrunched her nose a little and stifled a giggle. Despite May’s expert prowess in martial arts she never managed to not look awkward in a dress. For a woman who could practically run up walls she was surprisingly ungraceful in a little heavy silk and brocade.

”I think snacks are in order. I did very much enjoy learning the table manners and if I should even visit with any An-Tir diplomats I am certain food will be involved at some point,” Callista mused as they made their way to the meeting room.

Upon entering she was pleasantly surprised at the effort the knight had put into it. ”This reminds me of when I had lessons as a girl. It is good to see you Sir Donovan, and Miss Mercy. I am ready to start with whatever you feel is best.”

Mercy practiced a curtsey that ended slightly off balance as the princess entered the room. Mercy had tried hard to dress as finely as she could (a squires clothes did not contain any dresses and so he had need to purchase a local style), but she felt woefully underdressed as the princess made her entrance.
Donovan stood from the desk he was sitting at. The princess was always the image of grace and beauty. It did not surprise him that she had come well dressed for the occasion. She must have had the same thoughts as Donovan, that although these were friendly lessons, there was never a wasted opportunity to represent ones people well.
Please forgive the crude implements we have at this lesson. I’m afraid there isn’t much reference material that accompanied us in our baggage train. So, let us begin, as will all things with the basics. If you are The An-Tir tongue’s roots lies in a blending of the Dragon Tongue, and the High Tongue. You will find many of the same grammatical structures and conjugations, of course with some exceptions. What is not so easy is some unique pronunciation, that many foreigners find difficult – we will have some mouth exercises to assist with those later- as well as the vocabulary which is the core difference, as it is with so many other languages. Today I thought we would start simply with simple greetings. I see you have brought your attendant with you. Will she be participating in the lessons as well?

Mercy’s curtsey got a bright encouraging smile from the princess as she walked in. ”You look very nice today Mercy,” Callista complimented the squire.

”I have the utmost faith in your teaching abilities, whatever material you have should be fine but we can send for more if you feel that is necessary. Yes, May will be learning the language as well, it think it will help in the process. I hope you don't mind.” He was as formal as ever but Callista was looking forward to spending time with the An-Tir representatives. They were much more refined than the Temujin, not that she thought poorly of them, it was just different and nice for a change.

Simple greetings turned out to be anything but simple.
The common terms used in the high tongue that they used of Brother, Sister, Aunt and Uncle, turned out to overly simplify. A simple greeting of hello has many variants depending on the age, social status, caste, and level of familiarity of the individual being spoken to. Not surprisingly the term Mother and Ruler were nearly interchangeable, but this was extended out to royal families from other countries as well. The formality of the An-Tir people towards Callista became apparent because in their language she was held in the same social context as their ruler and mother. They literally didn’t have any other way of addressing her without becoming –in the An-Tir language at any rate very informal.
A few moments almost broke the decorum they had set.
All of this relationship of family, and yet no word for “Father” May inquired.
We do not have that word, because we do not have them Donovan explained In recent years, there are some “terms” which have been added into the lexicon to explain the familial relationships outside of our own culture…but none of them are…we’ll their literal translations are somewhat crude. “ana olasý “. Ana – or Mother as you have learned, and olasý – or one who has sex with.
They could see the confusion play across May’s face, and for her benefit recited the familial structure that Mercy had previously spoken to the princess about only in more detail. How individuals are selected, generally from within the same caste, by the state to breed. In other instances two people may take the act upon themselves, however the result is always the same. The child is immediately handed over to the state. Often without ever even feeding from its birther (the term Mother, paradoxically never referred to any woman who actually GAVE birth, only the ruler). It was as if the entire society was made to keep everyone isolated from any real interpersonal connection and focused on their work, while at the same time saying everyone was bound together as a family and so no greater connection was needed.

Callista tried her best to follow along with the lesson while inwardly thanking her tutors for the instruction she'd received on extended titles and archaic formalities. The An-Tir clearly had a while different approach to it, complicated further by the existence of a person who was both viewed as their ruler and mother.

As Donovan expanded on what she had already discussed with Mercy, she couldn't help but feel there was something off about their whole situation. She didn't have children but couldn't imagine being parted with them and allowing another to raise them. Much of the joy, and sorrow, she had experienced in her life had been with her family and she couldn't imagine being the same person without it. Callista had to tell herself that it wasnt wrong, it was just different however, it was not her place to question the ways of her guest's homeland.

It was hard not to make inquiries then. "So in An-Tir there is marriage? What do the people do if they fall in love with someone?"

No. There is no…bonding of individuals. We have close relationships – Mercy is my squire, and I her Knight. This will be a lifelong bond of mutual support and comradeship even after she has learned everything she can from me and is a Knight in her own right. But no marriage. No relationship for the production and raising of children. It is not necessary, and overly complicated, especially when someone is identified as being of good breading stock. My Uncle told me that in every land he visited he saw the care and attention paid to the breeding of simple creatures raised for labor or slaughter. The Mother in her wisdom has expanded this ideal to her entire kingdom. We love our mother to be sure, and we love all of our brothers and sisters, but if two individuals were to cling to each other for emotional reasons to the exclusion of others… well, they would be separated if found out. We are taught it makes society too selfish and complicated. a shadow of doubt crossed his face. and yet it seems to work here.
Mercy spoke up somewhat defensively M’Lady, It’s not all bad. I’ve seen some of the ladies here married to old fuddies that they can’t stand n she coughed and corrected herself “and” it isn’t like the bureaucrats always choose for us. I mean, I told you about the fellow I fancy back in An-Tir. I hope to be with him some day, but there might be other ladies who have need of him. How could I love my sister’s any less and keep him to myself?

She frowned a bit at this explanation. The knight had plenty of good points and she for one was not in the situation to be arguing about marrying for love. ”The An-Tir have produced some very skilled warriors and I'm sure their craftsmen are just as talented but I do not think I agree with people being compared to livestock animals. Even so, I have seen a goat pine for its lost mate or a dog grieve for its deceased master. I think having a another person to rely on when you cannot be strong on your own would be a wonderful thing.” Callista realized that she was talking of things she knew nothing about. Falling in love was something she just could not do and the best she could hope for would be eventually growing to love the man who was chosen to marry her.

”Yes, Mercy I suppose it could be considered selfish but as I am unable to marry for love, it makes me happy to see others do so. To have someone choose you - only you, and you them, seems to me like it would be a wonderful feeling,” she gave the girl a reassuring smile that held the hint of regret.

You honor us with your esteem for the results of the Mother’s wisdom in her methods. You are also wise enough to see that it is not without its faults.
You can’t say that Brother! The Mother-
Donovan cut her off Mercy he said sharply.
Then softer Forgive her Princess. Sister Mercy- The Mother is wise, but she is not a goddess. Our kingdom is not perfect. The princesses’ words hold wisdom. perhaps more than she knew. Two oxen yoked together can pull more than two oxen yoked alone.
It would behoove you to learn from our Master, the Khal. Diversity gives strength. After the lessons today you will walk the town. Do not return until you can tell me of three things that you find of worth. He did not expect she would be gone long, which would serve his point.
He turned back to the Princess. He felt a deep melancholy for her. As she said, marriage for love was not in her future. This was so sad because it was obviously of such importance to her. He could sympathize with this, though he could do nothing to change it. She was strong enough that to pity her would be insulting.
Yes, I am sure it would be wonderful to have that feeling, your Grace giving a melancholy smile. Love no doubt was something as far out of reach for him, as it was for her. Though he wondered would service for love truly be that much different from service for duty?
I am sorry M’Lady, but it appears that I have extended the lesson with our discussion beyond its appointed time. I hope we have not inconvenienced you. We shall continue again with a review of the greetings we did today, and introduce a new topic.

Over the course of several weeks the Princess had regularly attended her language lessons. Callista’s friendly nature wore down the An-Tir’s normally stoic countenance. He even smiled when she laughed at him when he allowed the use of informal terms, but only “for practice purposes of course." She was more than bright and picked up on the nuances of the language quickly. He brought out the best in Mercy too. While his squire had a fierce determination to get her spurs before, the offer of the princess to take her as a personal guard infused her with an…enthusiasm that she had before. She embraced being well rounded, rather than just a weapon. Donovan would be lying if he wasn’t a little envious. It was a foolish and selfish thought. He was a only a Knight after all, he reminded himself of his station, and not to confuse familiarity for anything else.
As we are riding though the lands of the kingdom, I thought today we would increase your vocabulary of nature. The earth, sea and sky; the wide variety of animals and plants that exist therein.

Over the past few weeks, Callista tried her best to learn as much as she could of the An-Tir language even though she knew from experience that it took years to truly master a new tongue. Even then, having learned other dialects of the river lands gave her an advantage and she felt she was picking up on it rather quickly. She found herself looking forward to the lessons, not just for the instruction but for the company as well. Mercy always seemed to have her heart on her sleeve and it was a refreshing change from all of the normal aristocrats she was used to dealing with. Donovan seemed to lighted up a bit as well and after a week or two she finally got him to address her informally.

”I like that idea very much. Should we start from the top then? I would really love to know the words for sky and light.”

Donovan waved his hand over their heads and gave the words for the sun, the sky the clouds, and the rain. The wind and the breeze, the seasons each in their turn. Riding thought the land the lesson was not as structured as they normally were, it ebbed and flowed with the winding path they took.

The spent the day pointing out the flora and fauna, getting lost in the world around them. At twilight the talked of the multitude of colors in the sky. They agreed to continue in the evening and discuss the sky at night.
Later after camp had been set Donovan and Callista lay in the grass staring up at the night sky. Mercy and several Temujin escorts sat off a short distance. They had accompanied them at Donovan’s request as they had left the circle of camp to be away from the lights and see the night sky better.

Donovan pointed to a cluster of stars And that one is Hurish the hunter. It was always my favorite story as a boy. How his family had been exiled into the wilderness. His brothers had ridiculed him for his bow breaking because now they had no way to get meat and would starve. He Went out to hunt anyway and turned to the Gods for help. They directed him to metal he could craft into a new bow, better than his first, and he could again hunt. I always loved that story, because when he turned to help. The Gods did not do anything for him. Rather they directed him in a way to help himself because his desirers were that he could help others.

Their language lessons were becoming much more interesting than the ones she had received as a girl where scholars sat her down before books and drilled her for hours. This was much more welcome and almost relaxing. ”Why was Hurish exiled? I find it interesting that even as close as two cities are like An-Tir and Terenuthis, we have different names for things. I like your star-hunter, he learned a good lesson from his God and it was wise of him to share his knowledge with his people. We have a similar story we tell our children but it has to do with learning to reap a good crop. Everything in Terenuthis has to do with trees it seems,” she laughed a little. ”How would you say ‘Your trees are beautiful’? The word for tree is ağac right?” She said trying extra hard not to mess up the accent.

Very good, yes, you remember the word correctly. “Sizin ağac gözəl”. Remember though, even though they are alive, because they are not an animal they conjugate differently. If were were to complement a person, you would conjugate beautiful“gözəl“ differently.
For example: Gözlərin gözəldir …

The example came out without him thinking though he deeply flushed after realizing what he had said. He was glad it was dark to hide the redness he felt was there.

…you’re eyes are beautiful

“Gözlərin gözəldir…” she had habitually echoing him like she did normally during lessons. ”Oh…” she said as he translated it, laughing light heartedly even as she flushed herself. ”Um, let me see.. Təşəkkür edirəm,” she smiled. ”You are very kind, Sir Donovan. The woman back in An-Tir would be lucky to be chosen to be with someone as charming as you.”

No! ...the conjuration... I mean, yes your eyes are... but I didn't...

He put his hand over his mouth to stop himself rambling.

Thank you M'Lady. You are too kind.
He swore his ears were going to explode from the heat that flushed them.

He decided to revert to her previous question.

Hurish was banished because his father was a holy man. To put it mildly, their city did not care for his call to repentance.

Callista shook her head as if she could easily dismiss their mutual embarrassment. While flattering, she should have known the compliment wasn’t really for her it just had sounded so. ”Yet they still name stars after him, so his father’s crimes must have not been too bad,” she said, taking his cue to switch up the conversation.

Donovan laid his head back in the grass, he was a fool. Her eyes were beautiful , but how could he have slipped and told her that? He pictured her the first day she had been done in her finery- a walking dream, the gossamer of her dress catching the light giving her a glow that was only matched by her smile.. The fall of her hair as they rode through the day, as wonderful as it was when it was done up in finery. Her laugh, her sincere care for others. She was the one truly good and pure thing in the world, and he would give anything for her happiness and wellbeing.
He admitted to himself something he had been denying for a long time. He cared for Callista more than his own family.
The Khal had dictated her happiness lied with marrying the prince. If he truly cared for her, he would not complicate her life. He would have to lock his heart.
It is said that a prophet is never recognized amongst his own people . Doing what is right is not always easy.

A shooting star streaked across the night sky.

She leaned back on her palms since laying down created problems when in fine dress, a lesson hammered into her by her mother that she hadn’t appreciated until she had become a grown woman. ”I would argue that sometimes doing what is right is the easy choice though. If you know is so in your heart, the consequences of action matter less than inaction. It takes a resolute man to lead his family into the wilderness and the unknown because their people do not believe in him. I wonder if I could ever be that strong.” Callista wondered if she could march out of her city and leave everything behind. The thought did not go far as she knew that unless her people were walking out with her, she would stay as long as they needed her.