For wisdom is better than jewels [Open]

[withoutspice]

Sitting on a bench under the shade of a large tree within a garden of the Vatican City, Ghanima Atreides was slowly reading the large book that sat on her lap. She had found an old Roman Catholic Latin Bible in one of the rooms of the 'Casina' of Pius IV that she, along with Alia and Duncan - or Hayt - had claimed as their own.

She had needed time to herself, time away from worrying about her aunt, and how her aunt was taking the news of how Hayt had no recollection of his marriage to Alia. It was sad, though she was sure that time would only lead the two on the path they both belonged on - such was the way of life.

She had chosen a small garden as her refuge, and had found she enjoyed the silence that surrounded it. It seemed as though the Vatican City was not a place that many ventured to, and for that Ghani was indeed pleased.

While many from her world had forgotten the old Earth languages, Ghani had always enjoyed speaking, and using them as a way to communicate with her twin brother, Leto. It had been their secrect way of communicating when they didn't wish others to know what was being said. It was one of the gifts that having so many Other Memories had given them. And it was a gift that provided useful now as she read over the Latin words.

"*... melior est enim sapientia cunctis pretiosissimis et omne desiderabile ei non potest conparari. Ego sapientia habito in consilio et eruditis intersum cogitationibus." Ghani read aloud and couldn't help but agree with the small two verses.


*Proverbs 8:11 and 8:12
11 "For wisdom is better than jewels ; And all desirable things cannot compare with her."
12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion."

Comments

[worm-dancer.livejournal.com]

Sheeana closed her eyes for a few moments, obviously digging around in Other Memory. "I forgot how prone to schisms the NavaChristian...No, just the Christian religion was. One would scarcely recognize the peaceful, humble early Christians from the dogmatic, fanatical crusaders that would come from them. What a difference a a millenia can make, ai?" A parallel to her own order existed there, going in the opposite direction.

[withoutspice]

"Yes, it would seem so," Ghani murmured, thinking about Mua'Dib's fanatical followers, about how the religion centered around her father had become so twisted that his truths were no longer known.

She smiled sadly, and looked at the book again. "Some of the stories in this are hard to believe, but I find I quite like the Psalms part of it."

[worm-dancer.livejournal.com]

"Like a lion, they have pierced my hands and feet..." Sheeana barely restrained herself from making a provocative jape at her about being 'pierced' by the Corrino lion. "The stories follow an archetypal progression even your father had to cleave to. But the Psalms...yes, I suppose they're my favorite part too. That song of lament is one of the most...human parts of the text."

She hung back against the wall, keeping the awkwardness in check by leaning against the cool, viney brick. In a way it reminded her of Chapterhouse.

She knew that, although they were far more amicable than herself and Alia, more in agreement on most levels, Ghanima did not like her on a personal level.

[withoutspice]

She eyed Sheeana warily, thinking on the words the other woman had just spoke. She had a quip on the tip of her tongue, but she held it back. No need to make things more awkward between them. So she let the words flow over her and refused to let them mean anything to her.

Instead, she decided to focus on the book that she was still holding. "Many of the books words contradict each other. For example, 'An eye for an eye' and then later, instructing one to turn the other cheek. And they wonder why the religion fluctuated through such extremes in its time."

[worm-dancer.livejournal.com]

"To allow for differing interpretations. For the text to fit the situation...no matter what happens, it is a fulfillment of scripture." She responded with a Bene Gesserit's cynical view of religion.

"As long as i'm here, Ghanima...We have a donkey in the yali-" The Fremen equivalent of 'an elephant in the room' "-and its name is Alia. We share a common goal here. You want to save your aunt and I do not want the Baron Harkonnen loose on this ship. Us two and Katara are the only ones who know."