“Not very useful to speak on Shaman,” Khasekhemwy admitted a little mournfully, glancing over the texts Danny had supplied him with. “Arabic is not spoken here. But many academic works are written in other languages... it is useful to be able to read them, or to know someone who can translate them.”
As soon as he'd said it, a wave of fear washed over the Palestinian deity. What if – what if Danny assumed that he could still read Arabic, and asked him to translate some works? Khasekhemwy had lost every language except English when the ancient creature came, just like all of the other originals except for Mallos. Most of the originals thought in the language they were speaking, and it was that language – English in almost all cases – which they had been stuck solely with since losing their magic. Mallos, ever the patriot, was the exception to the rule. He spoke in English but thought in Spanish, choosing to translate constantly rather than take the easy option, which meant he had been left with use of both languages after divinity was lost. Khase was now starting to see the advantages of that level of stubborn nationalism.
He handed the books and papers back, biting down a sense of shame. Being unable to help a student was a new feeling to Khase, and not a pleasant one. He didn't always know more on a certain subject than some students who specialised in different things, but he at least always knew which direction to point them in.
“Unless you have a friend who can translate Arabic, I cannot help with this anymore until magic is restored,” he mumbled, feeling guilt and disappointment in himself tugging in his stomach. He twisted his hands together and looked Danny in the face hopefully. “Is there anything else we can do today?”
Etiquette, the council, medicine, administration, history, records – Khasekhemwy could still lecture on any subject, he was sure. Any subject except language.
khasekhemwy
patron deity of palestine
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