empty threat; bluff; paper tiger
arbitration; intercession; mediation
egoistic; selfish; self-willed
to practice magic; to practise magic
to have much trouble; to have a hard time; to not know how to handle
consists of; comprises; is made up of
to pierce; to penetrate; to sting (wound or sensitive area, etc.); to smart; to be infected (with vice); to be steeped (with prejudice)
expert; skilled hand; person of experience
to start (an argument, a battle, etc.)
inverted; upside down; reversed; back to front
vomit; spew; puke; confessing
to try to unsettle someone; to throw off balance
to sprain; to twist; to dampen (enthusiasm); to discourage; to dishearten
to slay; to cut down (a foe)
to kill with a sword (knife, dagger, etc.); to slay; to put to the sword
nothing special; nothing significant; not a problem
major premise (in a syllogism); important condition; basic premise; something that should be obvious to all; something that should not have to be argued
wartime fire; war; wartime destruction; horrors of war
to take good care of; to treasure; to value; to hold dear; to prize; to cherish
important point; point to make note of
hoarding; storing away (without using)
to maintain itself; to last; to make itself pay; to make a living; to keep going
extremely busy; (lit.) wanting even the help of a cat
clearness; clarity; skillfulness (skilfulness)
lord of a manor; estate steward
to follow advice; to act upon advice