Singing Villainess

The Shield Of Time, 209 B. C.

Raor/Theonis addresses a slave:

"'You may go, Cassa,' her voice sang more than said." (p. 83)

Later, when she hears Everard ordering his Patrol colleagues to "nab" a woman who might leave the building:

"'That will not be necessary,' sang coldly through the noise. 'I will be no game for your curs to chase.'" (p. 117)

Raor appears only three times. She:

is a silent spear-carrier in "The Year of the Ransom";

dismisses Cassa and confers with two other Exaltationists, overheard by Everard;

surrenders to Everard.

On the two occasions when she speaks, her speech is compared to song although, when she realizes that Everard is no ordinary animal but nevertheless an animal, an ape:

"Venom slid into the softness." (p. 118)

When she explains what the Exaltationists would have done with the universe:

"Desire blew out of [Everard] on a winter wind." (ibid.)

Our old friend, the wind, comes to the rescue in a very sharp form: winter wind.