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Post by Mitra on May 30, 2007 23:18:22 GMT -5
*Hours later, Mitra's long dark hair was coming loose from its thick braid, and sweat trickled in streaks through the powdery dust on her skin, but her muscles only ached pleasantly from the exertion. She reached up to shove back the hair at her forehead, leaving a smear of dirt across her face, but not really caring.*
"And these forms you use in battle?"
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Post by Genghis Khan on May 30, 2007 23:23:14 GMT -5
*Genghis answered absent-mindedly, the numbness of the task barely had him glistening.*
"It strengthens the body in ways that are useful for many things. But yes, for battle as well."
*He stopped and turned to her.*
"Have you had enough for one day?"
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Post by Mitra on May 30, 2007 23:32:13 GMT -5
"Not if there's more to learn," *she replied complacently with a shrug.*
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Post by Genghis Khan on May 30, 2007 23:34:06 GMT -5
"There is always more to learn."
*Genghis walked back to the tent and poured some water from a pitcher into a basin and turned to Mitra, gesturing to it.*
"It does you no good to learn much but lack the ability to repeat it tomorrow. One should not be too demanding on one's body."
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Post by Mitra on May 30, 2007 23:38:26 GMT -5
*Mitra leaned over the basin and scooped a handful of the cool water over her face and neck, closing her eyes as she rubbed away the dirt and sweat, the cold beads of water trickling down her back, under the collar of her shirt, along the loose strands of hair that fell about her face.*
"What good is a body if you cannot make demands of it as it pleases you?" *she snorted.* "Mine's never let me down."
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Post by Genghis Khan on May 30, 2007 23:45:08 GMT -5
*Genghis lifted his chin slightly in pride. That was strange, being proud of his daughter.*
"I have little doubt. But I will also be asking things of it that I doubt you would normally. You will have to learn patience if you truly wish to conquer. It takes time."
*He walked back into the tent before he looked back to her.*
"And study. Will you come?"
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Post by Mitra on May 30, 2007 23:48:57 GMT -5
"With you? Of course," *she said smoothly, drying her hands on the hem of her loose shirt as she followed him back into the tent.*
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Post by Genghis Khan on May 30, 2007 23:51:13 GMT -5
*Genghis made his way to the back of the tent to a series of large cases. He stroked the leather of them tenderly and addressed her without looking back to her.*
"Where would you like to start your philosophical studies?"
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Post by Mitra on May 30, 2007 23:56:54 GMT -5
"Wherever you think I need to start. I know little of how you have judged my aptitude, or what you expect me to learn." *She unwound the strip of cloth that had bound her braid--her hair was all coming loose anyway--and ran her fingers through it to get the snarls out as she came to stand beside her father and look upon the books and papers before him.*
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Post by Genghis Khan on May 31, 2007 0:02:56 GMT -5
*Opening two seperate cases, Genghis withdrew several scrolls and brought them over to her.*
"You are the one that came asking to learn. I did not know if you had a plan of how you were thinking of accomplishing it. That being said, we can start with basic history and work from there."
*It's a montage o' studying goodness!*
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Post by Mitra on May 31, 2007 0:08:27 GMT -5
*Mitra left her seat only once, to light an oil lamp as darkness fell before returning to her place, lowering herself gracefully to a cushion, sitting cross-legged with the unfurled papers in her lap, biting her lip as she pored over the ancient texts. Troubled on a certain point, she glanced up at her father, who sat very still, sphinx-like, opposite her, his unblinking gaze fastened upon her as she read.*
"So these...philosophers...they would paint anyone who opposes us as barbarians; any who believe differently as heathens. What makes them the heathens as opposed to ourselves? Is that not merely our point of view; and if so, what makes ours more valid than theirs? Brute force cannot make it so."
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Post by Genghis Khan on May 31, 2007 0:13:13 GMT -5
She's smart. Maybe too smart for her own good.
*Genghis nodded once.*
"Force is what defines one's perspective as truth. But yes, every man has the capablity of being a heathen. It is one's actions that defines him."
*He nodded again.*
"Or her."
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Post by Mitra on May 31, 2007 0:17:41 GMT -5
"Is that all that has defined you?"
*She shook her head.*
"Truth cannot be changed by will or force. It cannot be created as such. It simply is. How can one tell who has found truth? If I am to conquer, I should like to use the opportunity to bring enlightenment to the true heathens, even myself included. Have you every assurance that what you do is right? Or is there no room for self-doubt in your philosophy? And would not the truly wise man or woman remain even the least bit skeptical of their own abilities at all times?"
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Post by Genghis Khan on May 31, 2007 0:25:27 GMT -5
*Genghis shrugged with his eyes.*
"Truth is a sticky subject. It is not the same as fact. It is a fact that Nadir is my son, but I do not believe that he see Truth in that."
*He paused for a moment before continuing.*
"But only the fool believes he has no fault. It will leave him a weakness to be exploited. If I was assured of my 'Truth', I guarantee you would not be sitting here discussing this with me."
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Post by Mitra on May 31, 2007 0:26:45 GMT -5
"...and what is your weakness?"
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