How often in Poul Anderson's works does a character entering combat feel inner peace?
"[Everard] felt a chilly peace welling up within him. His unit was committed. At this exact moment, it was in battle yonder. Let that happen which the Norns willed."
-Poul Anderson, Time Patrol (Baen Books, Riverdale, NY, 2006), "Ivory, And Apes, And Peacocks," p. 323.
"As always when battle drew nigh, doubts and qualms fell away from [Gratillonius]. He was committed to action now, and rode at peace with himself."
-Poul And Karen Anderson, Dahut, Chapter VII, section 4, p. 150.
A vision of Mithras carrying a blazing sword and a shield with the Cross of Light inspires the Ysans and scatters the Franks. After this experience, why does Gratillonius later abandon Mithras?
Constantine (is also supposed to have) had a vision before entering battle: "In hoc signo vinces." This also involved a Cross.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
It would be interesting to find out if real history generals and soldiers felt that kind of "chilly peace" as action began. For a while, at least, a commander could only wait and see if his plan of battle would work. Soon enough, he would have to think hard and quickly, making improvisations to counteract enemy actions, etc.
Sean
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