The Eye of the World_3 Flashcards
Egwene drew a [fukai] [iki] and opened her [kuchi no naka], [shikashi] whatever she had been going to say vanished as the [tobira] of the [in] opened and a [otoko] with shaggy [shiroi] [kami] came hurrying out as [baai] pursued.
Egwene drew a deep breath and opened her mouth, but whatever she had been going to say vanished as the door of the inn opened and a man with shaggy white hair came hurrying out as if pursued.
[akira] 4
Chapter 4
The [ginyūshijin]
The Gleeman
The [tobira] of the [in] banged shut behind the [shiroi]-haired [otoko], and he spun around to glare at it.
The door of the inn banged shut behind the white-haired man, and he spun around to glare at it.
Lean, he would have been tall [baai] not for a stoop to his [kata], [shikashi] he moved in a spry [fasshon] that belied his apparent [jidai].
Lean, he would have been tall if not for a stoop to his shoulders, but he moved in a spry fashion that belied his apparent age.
His [gaitō] seemed a [masu] of [pacchi], in odd shapes and [saizu], fluttering with every [iki] of [kūki], [pacchi] in a hundred [iro].
His cloak seemed a mass of patches, in odd shapes and sizes, fluttering with every breath of air, patches in a hundred colors.
It was really quite thick, Rand [mimashita], despite what [shujin] al’Vere had said, with the [pacchi] merely sewn on like [dekorēshon].
It was really quite thick, Rand saw, despite what Master al’Vere had said, with the patches merely sewn on like decorations.
“The [ginyūshijin]!”
“The gleeman!”
Egwene whispered excitedly.
Egwene whispered excitedly.
The [shiroi]-haired [otoko] whirled, [gaitō] flaring.
The white-haired man whirled, cloak flaring.
His long [kōto] had odd, baggy [sode] and big [poketto].
His long coat had odd, baggy sleeves and big pockets.
Thick [kuchihige], as snowy as the [kami] on his [atama], quivered around his [kuchi no naka], and his [kao] was gnarled like a [tsurī] that had seen hard [kai].
Thick mustaches, as snowy as the hair on his head, quivered around his mouth, and his face was gnarled like a tree that had seen hard times.
He gestured imperiously at Rand and the [tanin] with a long-stemmed [paipu], ornately carved, that trailed a wisp of [kemuri].
He gestured imperiously at Rand and the others with a long-stemmed pipe, ornately carved, that trailed a wisp of smoke.
[aoi] [me] peered out from under bushy [shiroi] [mayu], drilling into whatever he looked at.
Blue eyes peered out from under bushy white brows, drilling into whatever he looked at.
Rand stared at the [otoko]’s [me] almost as much as at the [nokori] of him.
Rand stared at the man’s eyes almost as much as at the rest of him.
Everybody in the Two [kawa] had [kurai] [me], and so did most of the [shōnin], and their [keibi], and everyone else he had ever seen.
Everybody in the Two Rivers had dark eyes, and so did most of the merchants, and their guards, and everyone else he had ever seen.
The Congars and the Coplins had made [tanoshii] of him for his [gurē] [me], until the [ichi nichi] he finally punched Ewal [kopurin] in the [hana]; the [chie] had surely gotten onto him for that.
The Congars and the Coplins had made fun of him for his gray eyes, until the day he finally punched Ewal Coplin in the nose; the Wisdom had surely gotten onto him for that.
He wondered [baai] there was a [basho] where nobody had [kurai] [me].
He wondered if there was a place where nobody had dark eyes.
Maybe Lan comes from there, too.
Maybe Lan comes from there, too.
“What [sōto] of [basho] is this?”
“What sort of place is this?”
the [ginyūshijin] demanded in a [fukai] [koe] that sounded in some [michi] larger than that of an ordinary [otoko].
the gleeman demanded in a deep voice that sounded in some way larger than that of an ordinary man.
Even in the [ōpun] [kūki] it seemed to [nuritsubushi] a great [heya] and resonate from the [kabe].
Even in the open air it seemed to fill a great room and resonate from the walls.
“The yokels in that [mura] on the [oka] tell me I can get here before [kurai], neglecting to say that that was only [baai] I left [yoku] before [shōgo].
“The yokels in that village on the hill tell me I can get here before dark, neglecting to say that that was only if I left well before noon.
When I finally do arrive, chilled to the [hone] and ready for a [atatakai] [shindai], your [yadoya no shujin] grumbles about the [jikan] as [baai] I were a wandering [buta kai] and your [mura] [kyōgi-kai] hadn’t begged me to display my [āto] at this [matsuri] of yours.
When I finally do arrive, chilled to the bone and ready for a warm bed, your innkeeper grumbles about the hour as if I were a wandering swineherd and your Village Council hadn’t begged me to display my art at this festival of yours.
And he never even told me he was the [shichō].”
And he never even told me he was the Mayor.”
He slowed for a [iki], taking them all in with a glare, [shikashi] he was off again on the instant.
He slowed for a breath, taking them all in with a glare, but he was off again on the instant.
“When I came downstairs to [kemuri] my [paipu] before the [kasai] and have a [magukappu] of [ēru], every [otoko] in the common [heya] stares at me as [baai] I were his least [okiniiri] [burazā]-in-[hōritsu] seeking to borrow [okane].
“When I came downstairs to smoke my pipe before the fire and have a mug of ale, every man in the common room stares at me as if I were his least favorite brother-in-law seeking to borrow money.
One old [sofu] starts ranting at me about the [shinsetsu] of [ie] I should or should not tell, then a [joji] [sakebu] at me to get out, and threatens me with a great [kurabu] when I don’t [ugokasu] quickly enough for her.
One old grandfather starts ranting at me about the kind of stories I should or should not tell, then a girl-child shouts at me to get out, and threatens me with a great club when I don’t move quickly enough for her.
Who ever heard of treating a [ginyūshijin] so?”
Who ever heard of treating a gleeman so?”
Egwene’s [kao] was a [kenkyū], her goggle-eyed amaze at a [ginyūshijin] in the [furesshu] marred by a [yokubō] to defend Nynaeve.
Egwene’s face was a study, her goggle-eyed amaze at a gleeman in the flesh marred by a desire to defend Nynaeve.
“Your [onsha], [shujin] [ginyūshijin],”
“Your pardon, Master Gleeman,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
He knew he was grinning foolishly, himself.
He knew he was grinning foolishly, himself.
“That was our [chie], and–”
“That was our Wisdom, and– ”
“That [kawaii] little [surippu] of a [onnanoko]?”
“That pretty little slip of a girl?”
the [ginyūshijin] exclaimed.
the gleeman exclaimed.
“A [mura] [chie]?
“A village Wisdom?
Why, at her [jidai] she should [yori yoi] be flirting with the young [dansei] than foretelling the [tenkō] and curing the sick.”
Why, at her age she should better be flirting with the young men than foretelling the weather and curing the sick.”
Rand shifted uncomfortably.
Rand shifted uncomfortably.
He hoped Nynaeve never overheard the [otoko]’s [iken].
He hoped Nynaeve never overheard the man’s opinion.
At least, not until he had done with his performing.
At least, not until he had done with his performing.
Perrin winced at the [ginyūshijin]’s [kotoba], and Mat whistled soundlessly, as [baai] both had had the same [shikō] as he had.
Perrin winced at the gleeman’s words, and Mat whistled soundlessly, as if both had had the same thought as he had.
“The [dansei] were the [mura] [kyōgi-kai],”
“The men were the Village Council,”
Rand went on.
Rand went on.
“I’m sure they intended no [burei].
“I’m sure they intended no discourtesy.
You see, we just learned there’s a [sensō] in Ghealdan, and a [otoko] claiming to be the [doragon] Reborn.
You see, we just learned there’s a war in Ghealdan, and a man claiming to be the Dragon Reborn.
A false [doragon].
A false Dragon.
Aes Sedai are riding there from [tāru] Valon.
Aes Sedai are riding there from Tar Valon.
The [kyōgi-kai] is trying to decide [baai] we might be in [kiken] here.”
The Council is trying to decide if we might be in danger here.”
“Old [nyūsu], even in Baerlon,”
“Old news, even in Baerlon,”
the [ginyūshijin] said dismissively, “and that is the [saigo] [basho] in the [sekai] to hear anything.”
the gleeman said dismissively, “and that is the last place in the world to hear anything.”
He paused, looking around the [mura], and dryly added, “Almost the [saigo] [basho].”
He paused, looking around the village, and dryly added, “Almost the last place.”
Then his [me] fell on the [wagon] in [furonto] of the [in], standing alone now, with its [shafuto] on the [gurando].
Then his eyes fell on the wagon in front of the inn, standing alone now, with its shafts on the ground.
“So.
“So.
I [shikō] I recognized Padan Fain in there.”
I thought I recognized Padan Fain in there.”
His [koe] was still [fukai], [shikashi] the [kyōmei] had gone, replaced by scorn.
His voice was still deep, but the resonance had gone, replaced by scorn.
“Fain was always one to carry bad [nyūsu] quickly, and the worse, the faster.
“Fain was always one to carry bad news quickly, and the worse, the faster.
There’s more [reivun] in him than [otoko].”
There’s more raven in him than man.”
“[shujin] Fain has come often to Emond’s [ryōiki], [shujin] [ginyūshijin],”
“Master Fain has come often to Emond’s Field, Master Gleeman,”
Egwene said, a [hinto] of [fuman] finally breaking through her [yorokobi].
Egwene said, a hint of disapproval finally breaking through her delight.
“He is always full of [warai], and he brings much more [yoi] [nyūsu] than bad.”
“He is always full of laughter, and he brings much more good news than bad.”
The [ginyūshijin] eyed her for a [shunkan], then smiled broadly.
The gleeman eyed her for a moment, then smiled broadly.
“Now you’re a lovely [rasu].
“Now you’re a lovely lass.
You should have [jōshō shita] [tsubomi] in your [kami].
You should have rose buds in your hair.
Unfortunately, I cannot [puru] [bara] from the [kūki], not this [toshi], [shikashi] how would you like to stand beside me tomorrow for a [ichibu] of my [pafōmansu]?
Unfortunately, I cannot pull roses from the air, not this year, but how would you like to stand beside me tomorrow for a part of my performance?
[te] me my [furūto] when I want it, and certain [sonota] [sōchi].
Hand me my flute when I want it, and certain other apparatus.
I always choose the prettiest [onnanoko] I can find as my [joshu].”
I always choose the prettiest girl I can find as my assistant.”
Perrin snickered, and Mat, who had been snickering, laughed out loud.
Perrin snickered, and Mat, who had been snickering, laughed out loud.
Rand blinked in [odoroki]; Egwene was glaring at him, and he had not even smiled.
Rand blinked in surprise; Egwene was glaring at him, and he had not even smiled.
She straightened around and spoke in a too-calm [koe].
She straightened around and spoke in a too-calm voice.
“Thank you, [shujin] [ginyūshijin].
“Thank you, Master Gleeman.
I would be happy to assist you.”
I would be happy to assist you.”
“Thom Merrilin,”
“Thom Merrilin,”
the [ginyūshijin] said.
the gleeman said.
They stared.
They stared.
“My [namae] is Thom Merrilin, not [shujin] [ginyūshijin].”
“My name is Thom Merrilin, not Master Gleeman.”
He hitched the multihued [gaitō] up on his [kata], and abruptly his [koe] once more seemed to reverberate in a great [hōru].
He hitched the multihued cloak up on his shoulders, and abruptly his voice once more seemed to reverberate in a great hall.
“Once a [saibansho] [ginyūshijin], I am now indeed risen to the exalted [ranku] of [shujin] [ginyūshijin], yet my [namae] is [heiya] Thom Merrilin, and [ginyūshijin] is the simple [taitoru] in which I [eikō].”
“Once a Court bard, I am now indeed risen to the exalted rank of Master Gleeman, yet my name is plain Thom Merrilin, and gleeman is the simple title in which I glory.”
And he swept a [bou] so elaborate with [kakkizuku] of his [gaitō] that Mat clapped and Egwene murmured appreciatively.
And he swept a bow so elaborate with flourishes of his cloak that Mat clapped and Egwene murmured appreciatively.
“[shujin]…
“Master…
ah…
ah…
[shujin] Merrilin,”
Master Merrilin,”
Mat said, [wakara nai] exactly what [fōmu] of [adoresu] to take out of what Thom Merrilin had said, “what is [dekigoto] in Ghealdan?
Mat said, unsure exactly what form of address to take out of what Thom Merrilin had said, “what is happening in Ghealdan?
Do you know anything about this false [doragon]?
Do you know anything about this false Dragon?
Or the Aes Sedai?”
Or the Aes Sedai?”
“Do I [hyōjō] like a [gyōshō jin], [otokonoko]?”
“Do I look like a peddler, boy?”
the [ginyūshijin] grumbled, tapping out his [paipu] on the [hīru] of his [tenohira].
the gleeman grumbled, tapping out his pipe on the heel of his palm.
He made the [paipu] disappear somewhere [uchigawa] his [gaitō], or his [kōto]; Rand was not sure where it had gone or how.
He made the pipe disappear somewhere inside his cloak, or his coat; Rand was not sure where it had gone or how.
“I am a [ginyūshijin], not a [uwasa hanashi no suki na hito].
“I am a gleeman, not a newsmonger.
And I make a [pointo] of never knowing anything about Aes Sedai.
And I make a point of never knowing anything about Aes Sedai.
Much safer that [michi].”
Much safer that way.”
“[shikashi] the [sensō],”
“But the war,”
Mat began eagerly, only to be cut off by [shujin] Merrilin.
Mat began eagerly, only to be cut off by Master Merrilin.
“In [sensō], [otokonoko], [orokamono] kill [sonota] [orokamono] for foolish [genin].
“In wars, boy, fools kill other fools for foolish causes.
That’s enough for anyone to know.
That’s enough for anyone to know.
I am here for my [āto].”
I am here for my art.”
Suddenly he [suiryoku] a [yubi] at Rand.
Suddenly he thrust a finger at Rand.
“You, [wakamono].
“You, lad.
You’re a tall one.
You’re a tall one.
Not with your full [seichō] on you yet, [shikashi] I [utagai] there’s another [otoko] in the [chiku] with your [takasa].
Not with your full growth on you yet, but I doubt there’s another man in the district with your height.
Not many in the [mura] with [me] that [iro], either, I’ll [kake].
Not many in the village with eyes that color, either, I’ll wager.
The [pointo] is, you’re an [ono] [handoru] across the [kata] and as tall as an Aielman.
The point is, you’re an axe handle across the shoulders and as tall as an Aielman.
What’s your [namae], [wakamono]?”
What’s your name, lad?”
Rand gave it hesitantly, not sure whether or not the [otoko] was [tsukuri] [tanoshii] of him, [shikashi] the [ginyūshijin] had already turned his [chūi] to Perrin.
Rand gave it hesitantly, not sure whether or not the man was making fun of him, but the gleeman had already turned his attention to Perrin.
“And you have almost the [saizu] of an Ogier.
“And you have almost the size of an Ogier.
[tojiru] enough.
Close enough.
How are you called?”
How are you called?”
“Not unless I stand on my own [kata].”
“Not unless I stand on my own shoulders.”
Perrin laughed.
Perrin laughed.
“I’m afraid Rand and I are just ordinary [fōku], [shujin] Merrilin, not made-up [ikimono] from your [ie].
“I’m afraid Rand and I are just ordinary folk, Master Merrilin, not made-up creatures from your stories.
I’m Perrin Aybara.”
I’m Perrin Aybara.”
Merrilin tugged at one of his [kuchihige].
Merrilin tugged at one of his mustaches.
“[yoku], now.
“Well, now.
Made-up [ikimono] from my [ie].
Made-up creatures from my stories.
Is that what they are?
Is that what they are?
You [wakamono] are widely traveled, then, it seems.”
You lads are widely traveled, then, it seems.”
Rand kept his [kuchi no naka] shut, certain they were the [o-shiri] of a [jōku], now, [shikashi] Perrin spoke up.
Rand kept his mouth shut, certain they were the butt of a joke, now, but Perrin spoke up.
“We’ve all of us been as far as [udedokei] [oka], and Deven [noru].
“We’ve all of us been as far as Watch Hill, and Deven Ride.
Not many around here have gone as far.”
Not many around here have gone as far.”
He was not boasting; Perrin seldom did.
He was not boasting; Perrin seldom did.
He was just [uranai] the [shinjitsu].
He was just telling the truth.
“We’ve all seen the [shitsugen], too,”
“We’ve all seen the Mire, too,”
Mat added, and he did [saundo] boastful.
Mat added, and he did sound boastful.
“That’s the [numa] at the far [owari] of the Waterwood.
“That’s the swamp at the far end of the Waterwood.
Nobody at all goes there – it’s full of quicksands and [shitsugen]—except us.
Nobody at all goes there – it’s full of quicksands and bogs—except us.
And nobody goes to the [yama] of [misuto], either, [shikashi] we did, once.
And nobody goes to the Mountains of Mist, either, but we did, once.
To the [ashi] of them, anyway.”
To the foot of them, anyway.”
“As far as that?”
“As far as that?”
the [ginyūshijin] murmured, brushing at his [kuchihige] now continually.
the gleeman murmured, brushing at his mustaches now continually.
Rand [shikō] he was hiding a [egao], and he [mimashita] that Perrin was frowning.
Rand thought he was hiding a smile, and he saw that Perrin was frowning.
“It’s bad [un] to enter the [yama],”
“It’s bad luck to enter the mountains,”
Mat said, as [baai] he had to defend himself for not going further.
Mat said, as if he had to defend himself for not going further.
“Everybody knows that.”
“Everybody knows that.”
“That’s just [orokasa], Matrim Cauthon,”
“That’s just foolishness, Matrim Cauthon,”
Egwene cut in angrily.
Egwene cut in angrily.
“Nynaeve says…”
“Nynaeve says…”
She broke off, her [hō] turning [pinku], and the [hyōjō] she gave Thom Merrilin was not as friendly as it had been.
She broke off, her cheeks turning pink, and the look she gave Thom Merrilin was not as friendly as it had been.
“It is not [migi] to make…
“It is not right to make…
It isn’t…”
It isn’t…”
Her [kao] went redder, and she fell silent.
Her face went redder, and she fell silent.
Mat blinked, as [baai] he was just getting a [utagai] of what had been going on.
Mat blinked, as if he was just getting a suspicion of what had been going on.
“You’re [migi], [ko],”
“You’re right, child,”
the [ginyūshijin] said contritely.
the gleeman said contritely.
“I apologize humbly.
“I apologize humbly.
I am here to entertain.
I am here to entertain.
Aah, my [shita] has always gotten me into [meiwaku].”
Aah, my tongue has always gotten me into trouble.”
“Maybe we haven’t traveled as far as you,”
“Maybe we haven’t traveled as far as you,”
Perrin said flatly, “[shikashi] what does how tall Rand is have to do with anything?”
Perrin said flatly, “but what does how tall Rand is have to do with anything?”
“Just this, [wakamono].
“Just this, lad.
A little later I will let you try to pick me up, [shikashi] you won’t be able to [rifuto] my [ashi] from the [gurando].
A little later I will let you try to pick me up, but you won’t be able to lift my feet from the ground.
Not you, nor your tall [yūjin] there – Rand, is it?
Not you, nor your tall friend there – Rand, is it?
– nor any [sonota] [otoko].
– nor any other man.
Now what do you think of that?”
Now what do you think of that?”
Perrin snorted a [warai].
Perrin snorted a laugh.
“I think I can [rifuto] you [migi] now.”
“I think I can lift you right now.”
[shikashi] when he stepped forward Thom Merrilin motioned him back.
But when he stepped forward Thom Merrilin motioned him back.
“Later, [wakamono], later.
“Later, lad, later.
When there are more [fōku] to [udedokei].
When there are more folk to watch.
An [ātisuto] needs an [chōshū].”
An artist needs an audience.”
A [sukoa] of [fōku] had gathered on the [midori] since the [ginyūshijin] appeared from the [in], young [dansei] and [josei] down to [kodomo tachi] who peeked, wide-eyed and silent, from behind the older [kenbutsunin].
A score of folk had gathered on the Green since the gleeman appeared from the inn, young men and women down to children who peeked, wide-eyed and silent, from behind the older onlookers.
All looked as [baai] they were waiting for miraculous [monogoto] from the [ginyūshijin].
All looked as if they were waiting for miraculous things from the gleeman.
The [shiroi]-haired [otoko] looked them over – he appeared to be counting them – then gave a [wazuka ni] [furu] of his [atama] and sighed.
The white-haired man looked them over – he appeared to be counting them – then gave a slight shake of his head and sighed.
“I suppose I had [yori yoi] give you a small [sanpuru].
“I suppose I had better give you a small sample.
So you can [jikkō] tell the [tanin].
So you can run tell the others.
Eh?
Eh?
Just a [aji] of what you’ll see tomorrow at your [matsuri].”
Just a taste of what you’ll see tomorrow at your festival.”
He took a [suteppu] back, and suddenly leaped into the [kūki], twisting and somersaulting to [tochi] facing them atop the old [ishi] [zaidan].
He took a step back, and suddenly leaped into the air, twisting and somersaulting to land facing them atop the old stone foundation.
More than that, three [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl]—[akai], [shiroi], and [kuro]– began dancing between his [te] even as he landed.
More than that, three balls—red, white, and black– began dancing between his hands even as he landed.
A soft [saundo] came from the [wocchā], [hanbun] [odoroki], [hanbun] [manzoku].
A soft sound came from the watchers, half astonishment, half satisfaction.
Even Rand forgot his [shigeki].
Even Rand forgot his irritation.
He flashed Egwene a grin and got a delighted one in [ritān], then both turned to [gyōshi] unabashedly at the [ginyūshijin].
He flashed Egwene a grin and got a delighted one in return, then both turned to stare unabashedly at the gleeman.
“You want [ie]?”
“You want stories?”
Thom Merrilin declaimed.
Thom Merrilin declaimed.
“I have [ie], and I will give them to you.
“I have stories, and I will give them to you.
I will make them come alive before your [me].”
I will make them come alive before your eyes.”
A [aoi] [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl] joined the [tanin] from somewhere, then a [midori] one, and a [kiiro].
A blue ball joined the others from somewhere, then a green one, and a yellow.
“[monogatari] of great [sensō] and great [eiyū], for the [dansei] and [otokonoko].
“Tales of great wars and great heroes, for the men and boys.
For the [josei] and [onnanoko], the entire Aptarigine [saikuru].
For the women and girls, the entire Aptarigine Cycle.
[monogatari] of Artur Paendrag Tanreall, Artur Hawkwing, Artur the High [ō], who once ruled all the [tochi] from the Aiel [muda] to the Aryth [ōshan], and even beyond.
Tales of Artur Paendrag Tanreall, Artur Hawkwing, Artur the High King, who once ruled all the lands from the Aiel Waste to the Aryth Ocean, and even beyond.
Wondrous [ie] of strange [hitobito] and strange [tochi], of the [midori] [otoko], of [kanshu] and Trollocs, of Ogier and Aiel, The Thousand [monogatari] of Anla, the Wise Counselor.
Wondrous stories of strange people and strange lands, of the Green Man, of Warders and Trollocs, of Ogier and Aiel, The Thousand Tales of Anla, the Wise Counselor.
’Jaem the GiantSlayer’.
’Jaem the GiantSlayer’.
How Susa Tamed Jain Farstrider.
How Susa Tamed Jain Farstrider.
’Mara and the Three Foolish [ō].’”
’Mara and the Three Foolish Kings.’”
“Tell us about Lenn,”
“Tell us about Lenn,”
Egwene called.
Egwene called.
“How he flew to the [mūn] in the [hara] of an [washi] made of [kasai].
“How he flew to the moon in the belly of an eagle made of fire.
Tell about his [musume] Salya walking among the [hoshi].”
Tell about his daughter Salya walking among the stars.”
Rand looked at her out of the [kōnā] of his [me], [shikashi] she seemed [ito] on the [ginyūshijin].
Rand looked at her out of the corner of his eye, but she seemed intent on the gleeman.
She had never liked [ie] about [bōken] and long [tabi].
She had never liked stories about adventures and long journeys.
Her [okiniiri] were always the funny ones, or [ie] about [josei] outwitting [hitobito] who were supposed to be [yori sumāto] than everyone else.
Her favorites were always the funny ones, or stories about women outwitting people who were supposed to be smarter than everyone else.
He was sure she had asked for [monogatari] about Lenn and Salya to put a [bari] under his [shatsu].
He was sure she had asked for tales about Lenn and Salya to put a burr under his shirt.
Surely she could see the [sekai] [soto ni] was no [basho] for Two [kawa] [fōku].
Surely she could see the world outside was no place for Two Rivers folk.
Listening to [monogatari] of [bōken], even dreaming about them, was one [koto]; having them take [basho] around you would be something else again.
Listening to tales of adventures, even dreaming about them, was one thing; having them take place around you would be something else again.
“Old [ie], those,”
“Old stories, those,”
Thom Merrilin said, and abruptly he was juggling three colored [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl] with each [te].
Thom Merrilin said, and abruptly he was juggling three colored balls with each hand.
“[ie] from the [jidai] before the [jidai] of [densetsu], some say.
“Stories from the Age before the Age of Legends, some say.
Perhaps even older.
Perhaps even older.
[shikashi] I have all [ie], [kokoro] you now, of [toshi] that were and will be.
But I have all stories, mind you now, of Ages that were and will be.
[toshi] when [dansei] ruled the [ten] and the [hoshi], and [toshi] when [otoko] roamed as [burazā] to the [dōbutsu].
Ages when men ruled the heavens and the stars, and Ages when man roamed as brother to the animals.
[toshi] of [fushigi], and [toshi] of [horā].
Ages of wonder, and Ages of horror.
