“It wasn’t the gambling that brought me to you. No, I was set on this path long before that most likely. Cards have never been an obsession for me, nor did I involve myself in the.. substances often passed about those sort of places beyond a recreational level.” Ardnt paused, thinking. “My vices may be many but I think I’m alright in that area by what you’re saying.” Even better, Luitwin found hunting a positive outlet even if he didn’t partake himself.<br/><br/>“I hope that means I’ll have some opportunity later on to hunt some Herzen game. I’ve got the mind for it and it could only benefit. I’m not a sloppy hunter. I take care in my approach to conserve what can be used and I imagine, looking after the sick, you have plenty to feed here that cannot provide for themselves. It doesn’t sit well with me, being capable, and not doing my share, especially when I’ve the skill.”<br/><br/>Luitwin suggested that he learn to write and Ardnt was skeptical.<br/><br/>“Don’t know if that’s even possible. Usually isn’t for most common bred Alrians. Don’t know anyone who was successful in learning much more beyond their station. Learning your phrases seems easier.” Ardnt had the foundation for speech, never the foundation for reading or writing.<br/><br/>“That’s not to say I’m slow. I just know my own strengths and shortcomings.” He shrugged. It didn’t bother him. He had the mind for other things. No one could be entirely well rounded and Alrians prided themselves on their strengths and didn’t focus so much on their weakness provided they had purpose.<br/><br/>“Hard learning was for the higher born. Met some of the noble tacticians that would camp with us. Didn’t socialize with them, of course. They were always stowed away in their tents, maps and books and letters all laid around them, a pinched look on their face. Stuck way back behind the front lines during battle so you can imagine I never saw them then, or really understood what all they did.”<br/><br/>As Ardnt helped Luitwin he was beginning to understand everything was kept tidy and orderly. Methodical. He had no clue what most of it was or why they would need all of it but Luitwin likely did. Once finished Luitwin returned him to his bed, though Ardnt remained standing since the monk didn’t insist. He took the emblem presented to him and listened, nodding his agreement about Luitwin continuing to read to him of their scripture since he couldn’t do so on his own. Luitwin showed him about building his rosary and they worked on that for a while together, though his frustration with it was obvious. His fingers were achy though he didn’t understand why. Just figured they were unused to such fine and precise use. Minor swelling around the joints of his hands flared occasionally, as it was then, though he generally just ignored it as he was displaying. Ardnt stopped when Luitwin asked what had brought him to their country. He looked a little disconcerted for a moment, unsure how he might answer that one. Admitting he was a deserter was not high on his list of things he wanted to talk about that day. He instead treated it like a question of more precise location.<br/><br/>“More work here in the city. Less so in some of the more rural areas.”