For the Blinded History AU - what *would* Regis et al's reaction be to learning the Galahdian Oral Tradition re: the Black Ships?
It was widely known, especially in the academic circles that Galahd had a very extensive oral tradition. None of the academics really believe the stories. Sure, they very likely might be based on true events, but it's widely known that stories get warped the more they're told. Things get added the storyteller might find interesting or exciting, things omitted if they're thought to be boring or non-essential.
But Falconis has learned enough about the Galahkari - their language and traditions - to know that that preconception is not true. (His professor isn't here to scold him for declaring an absolute without physical evidence, but maybe that was one of the problems between the Lucians and the Galahkari.)
Falconis learned about the Black Ships through turns of phrases the Galahkari use. Once he scrounges up the courage, he asks Epistéme about it, and to his surprise she actually gives him a comprehensive answer. She doesn't tell him the whole story with all the bells and whistles, but that's not important. The important part is that he's starting to see the picture all the puzzle pieces are forming and he's about to faint from the knowledge that he'll have to scedule an audience with the King.
Regis for his part is in equal parts bemused and excited when one of the undergrads he personally sponsored for this project asks him for an audience because he gained some knowledge that would explain why the Galahkari were always Like That when it comes to the Lucians. Even before the refugee debacle.
He sits the clearly nervous and excited kid down and proceeds to get a two hour long lecture about the Galahkari along with Clarus and Cor. About their language, its relation to Sol - how most Galahkari actually can speak Sol - and how that fact alone gives at least some creedence to their oral traditions. How the Galahkari argue old histories for fun, how holding grudges nigh on a national sport for them.
It's interesting, Regis thinks, informative, and will help him with strategies concerning the Galahkari going forward. And then the young man in front of them drops the one thing that can transform international and national relations between the two people.
The Balck Ships, as the Galahkari call them. The Conquerors Fleet. It had actually reached Galahd. It had reached Galahd and the Conqueror had tried to do what he had been named for. And he had lost an eye for it along with most of his ships. The Galahkari had lost many people along with their then leader. A man named Perses Ulric.
Things are starting to make a large amount of sense and neither Regis nor Calrus nor Cor like it. The implications of what actually happened. How does one pay reparations for something that happened nigh on 2000 years ago? Does one pay reparations for something that happened so long ago?
From a Lucian position the answer is clearly no. But for the Galahkari? The Galahkari who apparently know what their ancestors a few hundred years ago had for breakfast? Who argue about what happened on that one wedding that was five generations ago and make it sound like is was five years ago? Would they want reparations? An apology? Acknowledgement?
This is something Regis will have to ponder carefully before making a decision. Though no matter what, this knowledge will inform all future decisions going forward.