And now, chapter 1.3.2, "Mémoire de paysan vaut science de capitaine," translated variously as "The Peasant's Memory is as Good as the Captain's Science" and "A Peasant's Memory is Worth a Captain's Knowledge" (and possibly other versions). Talk away!
The faux-peasant is placing a lot of trust in Halmalo to go around spreading the word of royalist insurrection. But then, the faux-peasant doesn’t have much choice. Also, he knows he’s pretty much playing Halmalo like a fiddle. He accurately diagnosed Halmalo’s uncertainty and guilt (or potential for guilt) about the plan to kill him. And, once talked out of that plan, the guilt bound Halmalo to his service all the more.
He also says a man who can read is annoying, in case we were in any doubt about his worldview.
There is a secret passage out of la Tourge, and there’s no way that isn’t becoming relevant later. Especially since the faux-peasant snottily dismisses it as a figment of peasant imagination (pretty rich behavior, to a peasant who had just saved his life!). But is the snottiness sincere? Or does the faux-peasant think the passage is important and just doesn’t want to let on?
Halmalo said he fought against the salt-tax collectors. They’re part of the royalist regime, though I don’t know if they worked for the king directly or for the nobles. Halmalo fights against the tax collectors but for the king. He has contempt for the first but reverence for the second, as shown by his attitude to the silk knot embroidered by “Madame Royale.” Part of him dimly suspects that this is a contradiction, because he asks the faux-peasant if tax collectors represent the king. The faux-peasant tells him not to worry his pretty head over it, because the faux-peasant doesn’t want to answer. It’s an awkward question for him. Pretty much no peasant is going to be on the side of the salt-tax collectors, if I’m reading the situation right. So he finesses, dodges and weasels out of it.
I’m struck again by the repetition of no quarter, no mercy. That’s the one thing these guys keep emphasizing. No quarter, not to anyone.
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timeasmymeasure
1.3.2
Date: 2014-05-03 09:12 pm (UTC)He also says a man who can read is annoying, in case we were in any doubt about his worldview.
There is a secret passage out of la Tourge, and there’s no way that isn’t becoming relevant later. Especially since the faux-peasant snottily dismisses it as a figment of peasant imagination (pretty rich behavior, to a peasant who had just saved his life!). But is the snottiness sincere? Or does the faux-peasant think the passage is important and just doesn’t want to let on?
Halmalo said he fought against the salt-tax collectors. They’re part of the royalist regime, though I don’t know if they worked for the king directly or for the nobles. Halmalo fights against the tax collectors but for the king. He has contempt for the first but reverence for the second, as shown by his attitude to the silk knot embroidered by “Madame Royale.” Part of him dimly suspects that this is a contradiction, because he asks the faux-peasant if tax collectors represent the king. The faux-peasant tells him not to worry his pretty head over it, because the faux-peasant doesn’t want to answer. It’s an awkward question for him. Pretty much no peasant is going to be on the side of the salt-tax collectors, if I’m reading the situation right. So he finesses, dodges and weasels out of it.
I’m struck again by the repetition of no quarter, no mercy. That’s the one thing these guys keep emphasizing. No quarter, not to anyone.