Doorways Chapter 5d

“That does make sense.” Axel nodded. “Master Hawk is a brilliant man and a fine scholar. I studied with him last year and I admire him more-so that I do the other professors.”

“Jisota homotabaa!” A grey haired lady who absolutely oozed elegance and refinement came gliding towards Axel from yet another doorway in the hall.

“Gra-ha!” Axel laughed. “This is Alexandria Rayne. Alexandria, this is my maternal grandmother, Lady Hexa Call.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Call.” Alexandria tried not to stutter and faint, not necessarily in that order. This woman may as well have been a goddess by Alexandria's standards!

“You too, Little-One.” Lady Call smiled. “Forgive me using my native tongue. I didn't see you standing with Axel.”

“No need to apologise, Lady Call.” Alexandria said politely. “Jisota homotabaa auf jek ausech, Axel.”

“You speak Al Kazik?” Axel laughed in pleasant surprise. “Oh and thankyou. Yes I will have a happy birthday, I'm sure of it.”

“It's a very difficult language to learn to anyone not raised with it.” Lady Call was also quite impressed.

“Well I picked it up directly from native Al Kaziks, Lady Call, by ear for the most part, so it's probably far from perfect.” Alexandria explained. “Merchants and traders.” Fugitives and criminals, nore like. The Minor Sector was a free for all for all manner dregs from a variety of societies.

“I have several classical works from Al Kazik itself.” Axel told Alexandria and her stomach lurched.

“Oh tut Axel.” Lady Call waved her hand at her grandson. “Alexandria does enough bookwork as it is without doing it in her leisure time too!”

“Of course.” Axel laughed. “May I have this dance, Alexandria?”

“Shi ... shirralium getali. Absolutely.” Alexandria salvaged her expletive and modified it to an Al Kazik blessing instead.