The Chronicles of Bael

The Chronicles of Bael Part 21

Fireday, Disorder Week, Earth Season, 1600

Since my initiation I have had many students, most of whom have been traders eager to learn my native Esrolian tongue, or even in one or two cases to learn Sartarite, a language I mastered in both the spoken and written forms when my Master and I were in residence at the Jonstown Library and the Temple at Duckpoint. Traders are always eager to learn the languages of those they intend to trade with, and many Lunar traders pass through Furthest on their way to the Holy Country. Indeed, despite the tension that has long existed between Lunar Tarsh and the free kingdom of Sartar, it is the only path for Lunar traders if they wish to gain access to Esrolia's ports and the rich trade goods that flow through them from across the Oceans.

The student who came to me today was very different. Kaldomar was keen to impress upon me the importance of my new student, a Tarsh nobleman, high of rank within the army and wishing to learn the Sartarite tongue. Little have I ever concerned myself with politics, for we who worship Lhankor Mhy are always taught that we must be above such mundane affairs. Yet Kaldomar lectured me at length about the difficulties of maintaining a temple in what he called a Lunar 'show piece' city. Perhaps this is true. I had never expected that my Master and I would remain long at the Temple in Furthest in any case, so I remained ambivalent to Kaldomar's entreaties. Nevertheless, Kaldomar left with my promise to remain respectful and do my utmost to teach my new student well.

The nobleman's name is Fazzur, a man in his mid-thirties a rigid and meticulously dressed worshipper of the Lunar war God Yanafal Tarnils. Though his bearing and deportment is one of a soldier, he is a fine and avid student, and I can see that he has a keen intellect. Long after our lesson ended, he asked me questions about my time in Sartar. The day passed easily in Fazzur's company. He revealed to me that he commands the King's own Lancers, a job that would prevent him from attending to his studies every day, but that he would make every effort to come most days when able.