Rising Sun Valley takinik ⥉

The only part of what Kukutux said that Wylla understood was about her children. The words were a connection to her children and in thinking them and speaking them, Kukutux remembered them. Wylla wished she had something to remember her children by other than just memories of them. Her memories of Thade were fading now, and her memories of Tiercel were blackened and curled at the edges. She could not appreciate how one's mother tongue would alter their very thoughts; she had been born with only the common tongue.

Words were not food. They could not heal a wound. They could not chase enemies from the borders. Wylla saw no use for learning the languages of others, which explained why she was so resistant to learning Mahler's. She had picked up a couple words here and there on account of Phaedra also speaking it, but it was still incomprehensible to her. He does not teach me, Wylla said. He shares the words with our... With his children.

She wished it had only been theirs, but knew he shared the words with Ciri, with Elke, with Astraeus, and not only her Phaedra and Thade. I guess I haven't deigned to learn any of the words. I see no reason to when he can speak this way and we both understand. Another aspect she lacked that Kukutux boasted: a curiosity about others, respect for their ways and cultures and a desire to be part of theirs.

Even her relationship with Mahler was selfish, in the end.