Editing Site 1: Firewander (section)

==A Matter of Interpretation==

“My name is [[Leaf Shakes the Wind]], and this is not my true face.”  [[V%27Neef Pahul]] knelt across from him on the tatami mat, hands folded unassumingly in his lap.  “I tell you this because it is not my intent to deceive you; it is merely a matter of course, for my protection and my brothers’ and yours.”

The Immaculate Monk smiled softly and said, with no trace of rancour, “So, you wish to deceive me without being deceitful.  Interesting.  Perhaps the sutras speak truth:  ''Anathema, beautifying lies with a simple core of honesty.  Its truths rot away from a core of deception.''”

An acolyte entered the room and set tea in front of the two men.  The familiar scent of the [[Estate of the Nameless Ravine|monkey-picked leaves]] drifted on the steam.

“The sutras say many things, it is true.  ''In life, suffering.  To endure ones own is noble, to prevent it for others, nobler still.''”  Leaf Shakes the Wind sipped his tea.

Pahul cocked one eyebrow.  “Realm-born, then.”

“What?”

He nodded, making a small gesture with his left hand.  “The translation you just quoted, while accurate, is slightly different from the Riverspeak texts that the Immaculate Order uses; you must have known it in the original and translated it yourself into the language we are speaking.”

“Perhaps I learned it in Foresttongue.”

“Foresttongue has some interesting grammatical peculiarities.”  Pahul shook his head.  “No, if you had translated it from Foresttongue, it would have been much further from the original.  You grew up somewhere hearing and reading the texts in High Realm, and you are educated enough to not only remember them accurately but to translate them into Riverspeak without preparation.  There are very few places where such a person could come from other than the Blessed Isle.”
 
It was Leaf’s turn to smile.  “You play this game well.”

V’Neef Pahul’s countenance darkened for the first time since their meeting.  “Do not misunderstand my easy manner.  I believe in dealing with all people on courteous and amicable terms, but I am no Dynast.  I do not play games with serious matters.”

“And I thought we were but conversing.”

“I am not a fool, either.  You are here because you wish me to teach you the Immaculate Martial Arts.  You, an Anathema.”  Pahul set his cup down on the tray.  “And, heaven forgive me, I am considering agreeing to it.  Perhaps I ''am'' a fool.”

“If it is so disagreeable to you, why even consider it?”

“Because sometimes a teacher must answer his own questions.”

V’Neef Pahul rose to his feet and walked to the door, sliding it open.  He stood, looking outward for a few moments, his hand still resting on the doorframe.  “Go and commit five righteous deeds without, seeking no praise and accepting no reward.  When you have done this, return, and we will discuss this matter again.”

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[[Heaven's Mandate]]