Ummm that's a very original curse that Nooj sets on the maesters, that is. Heh. He seems to be quite the master of curses. They're very creative. smiles
I don't think Nooj is being exactly fair to Baralai about this whole "infection" of religion thing. I mean, Nooj didn't know where they'd land either and was equally surprised to see they were at the Mushroom Rock Road. Just because Baralai doesn't curse loudly, doesn't mean that he entirely trusts the maesters either.
The comparison of Baralai and Gippal's fighting styles was very interesting.
I do understand that Nooj is angry at the maesters and despises them, but his constant cursing of them is a bit strange. I mean, he's so vituperative it makes me wonder why he hasn't just run off - since he has no fear of Yevon really, what is stopping him? He could take all of his group with him too. I know that because of the plot he can't, but his complete and utter lack of faith in these people and his constant angry harangues about their incompetency make his staying on seem a bit difficult to believe.
Obviously Nooj is fooling no one by not outright saying he loves Paine; I hope he knows that. Heh. His transformation is really quite amazing, but I think very believable since you have set him up throughout the previous chapters to be awed and changed by Paine.
Author\'s Response: curtsey Thank you. I have based his cursing on some Irish models of my acquaintance. I dislike the conflation of 'curse' with 'invective'. A proper curse does invoke some consequence on the cursee. Nooj's distaste for religion is so much a part of him, he sees it as an illness and has been carefully watching Baralai for signs of its influence the entire time. Bias is not logical.And he stays because he, quite literally, has nowhere else to go. He is a Warior with no credentials in any other profession, he has been sent to this endeavour by the Crusaders (vide Part One) and he is still bound with the ropes of obedience and honour which have been woven about him by all the conditioning he has been subject to during a life serving in one army or another. It is not an easy thing for a man who has devoted his life to the rigidities of military discipline to throw it over no matter the temptations and disgust. Nooj is most seriously tempted to mutiny by the way the Maesters abused the would-be soldiers under their ultimate command. Of course, he loves her. He just cannot make his lips and tongue form the words. He is Nooj, after all. LOL