Hey, Ashe. Not much, just perusing this tactics book.
Have you read it before?
I sure have. It was popular in Leicester a few years
[cdb]back, if I remember right.
I picked it up myself back at the monastery, but it was
[cdb]so dense it took me ages to finish.
It's a pretty tough one, I'll give you that. But there's
[cdb]some great stuff in here too, if you can get past the
[cdb]writing.
Hold on. You were born in a remote mountain village
[cdb]in Ordelia territory, right?
Uh, yeah? What's your point?
I guess I'm just impressed you can handle such an
[cdb]obtuse book, given your upbringing.
I mean, nobles and the children of rich families are
[cdb]taught to read by default, but most commoners never
[cdb]get the opportunity.
Honestly, I've been wondering who taught you ever
[cdb]since our time at the academy. I...hope I didn't offend
[cdb]you. I'm just curious.
Nah, it's fine. I learned from my mom. Adoptive
[cdb]mom, that is.
Looking back on it now, it is kinda weird that
[cdb]someone as smart as her was off living in the
[cdb]middle of nowhere like that.
Hm. I'm sure she must've had a reason for
[cdb]being there.
Hard to say. She never liked talking about her past,
[cdb]so I don't know much beyond what I saw for myself.
At the very least, it's obvious she was well educated.
That's clear just from looking at you.
Not only can you read and write, but you know
[cdb]arithmetic and how to navigate with a map, too.
In that sense, you're not so different from the
[cdb]average noble or knight raised in the lap of luxury.
Gladly accept the compliment.
Express your doubts.
You really think? Yeesh, you're gonna make a
[cdb]guy blush.
I only have my mom to thank for raising me so well,
[cdb]though.
Yeah. She must have been an incredible woman.
Really? I don't think it's that big a deal, personally.
Oh, but it is! Not many commoners are literate and
[cdb]educated like you are.
They don't need any of that stuff to make a living,
[cdb]so it's not really viewed as a necessary skill.
You know, I didn't know how to read myself until I
[cdb]met Lonato.
Huh. Now that you mention it, I never really saw the
[cdb]other mercs in my company with a book in their
[cdb]hands. Except for the captain, of course.