#earthrunes

"Hipparchicus deals primarily with cavalry. The translation... well.. I believe it dates to the 1830s, so there will be some oddities."

"Well, trying to work from the original would be a little too difficult, unless somebody knows a translation cantrip. No, it will have to be English, and the most accurate one that can be found."

She nods. "I will seek it. It may take a week."

"Classical Greece is ambitious." impressed.

"A week should do," Coradel nods. Then a smile and a sigh to August. "Hopefully it's interesting, at least."

"Alexander the Great studied Xenophon."

"Did he?"

"Aye. He has treatises on leadership, on warfare..."

"Hm. Well, if he impresses me on horses, I may give him a chance on other topics." Magnanimous.

"Well enough!"

"Zara, how would you say Xenophon compares to Sun Tzu? Or is it apples and oranges?"

"Mm.."

"I would not be certain about either's insight on warfare. But man? Aye, they know how humans act and react."

"Hm. Might be good study for you as well, August."

August nods. "I haven't ready Xenophone but I found Sun Tzu..... bite sized. Of course, I'm sure I miss something in the translation."

(The nod was to Coradel as well as Zara)

"Possibly. I am working on Latin..."

"And Greek..."

"And German..." Sigh.

"-That- is ambitious as well." Still impressed.

"Truly, I'm astounded that nobody has come up with a translation cantrip. It would make things so much easier." She finishes her tea.

"Oh, there is one."

"If anyone would know...." quiet pride.

"Well, tis jealously guarded. After all, it deals with language, and but one art does that."

"Naming." Quietly.

From the bookshelf "Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts. There are seven words that will make a person love you. There are ten words that will break a strong man's will. But a word is nothing but a painting of a fire. A name is the fire itself."

"Ah." A nod.

"Patrick Rothfus, The Name of the Wind" Bronte finishes

Then she looks over to the bookshelf.

"And we all watch shadows on the cave wall, Bronte."

A smile for the bookwyrm. "Quite a mouthful."

"You might need to read some Plato, darling."

"Hello, Bronte." warmly.

Sheepish "Poetry is nearer to vital truth that history" Bronte quotes Plato

A soft laugh. "I like the way you think," she says to Bronte, then sets aside her empty cup and rises. "Do let me know when that text arrives, Zara."

"Certainly, Coradel."

August stands as well.

"Well, I will let you two return to your conversation." She smiles and gives August a light kiss again. "I'm off for a ride."

Bronte preens

Accepted and returned. "I will see you later."

"If you wish to accompany, August, I shall take no insult."

And Coradel departs with a graceful stride.

"Ah. No, there are times she needs it to be just her and Samson."

"But I needn't stay and delay you." He offers.

"I.. well, there is tea. "

"I just... well, she is thy love."

He slips back into his chair. "She is. And she needs her freedom."

"That, I undestand."

"And there -is- tea."

"Exactly."