Quoted By:
[2/2]
Overall, your translator’s presence turns the tour from what would have been a possibly stressful and overwhelming experience into a relaxing and informative experience. For example, you had no idea that the roofs of all buildings over a single storey tilt the same way to serve as further shelter eastern sea storms that blow in from the otherwise protected cove. That kind of detail would doubtless delight Father, he’ll probably pay more attention to that than anything else in your next letter home. You can see it now, Father sitting by the fireside in his favoured sideroom as Roselyn or Halina reads to him. ‘Emile slew a sea serpent? Very good darling, but hardly surprising. Go back to that bit about the roof in Capara, are the shingles slanted and blah blah blah’. You roll your eyes at the scene in your head. Really, <span class="mu-i">architecture</span>? Why not a manlier hobby, like hunting?
You also find it interesting that the Langlish, while not a religious people, are certainly not without their own superstitions. They are seemingly obsessed with luck. There is a certain fountain in town that one should toss a coin in before an important deal, a certain garden that lovestruck fools should walk through before asking for a woman’s hand, a certain meal that a sailor should have on his last night ashore. Luck is viewed as a virtue, an inherent trait that shows strength of character much like bravery or honesty. And much like a man can develop cowardice by refusing to face their fears, or form a habit of lying, the Langlish view is that a man can also run out of luck if they don’t cultivate it.
After a day or two of this you do eventually get around to paying the Order of the Trident Lodge, one of the few chapter houses of a knightly order located on foreign soil. There you meet…
=====
>Sir Dante Lyons. A renowned tourney knight from Aubres, you’d actually heard the name Lyons before and would have expected his attendance at the Summer Tourney in Romaine. He tells you that he joined the Order to see more exotic fighting styles, he is well familiar with all the famous local duellists and is learning from them even as he demonstrates his own Cantônian martial styles. [Haughty]
>Sir Bailley von Rhum. The youngest son of the previous King’s Roiguard commander, himself a famous knight raised from the common ranks and awarded lands in Romaine, this man fell in love with the sea whilst on Errantry. He is full to the brim with stories of the high seas, from running battles with pirates to perilous weather and even encounters with sea monsters. [Hearty]
>Sir Liam de Ver. One of the Order members more directly involved in facilitating negotiations on the anti-piracy treaty negotiations between the Langlish Cities and Pascae Duchy. A well-educated man, and passionate about the opportunities and challenges on international law, the knight does somewhat ruefully admit he’s gotten slack with his blade skills with all this bookwork. [Idealist]
