When Dahilis dies, the Gods choose her successor. The crescent appears on a vestal who is immediately married to the King. When Gratillonius and his new wife enter the bridal chamber:
"Beyond the shutters, a night wind lulled." (p. 431)
In works by Poul Anderson, the wind can wail, whoop, whip, whine, whisper, roar, shout, whatever is appropriate. Outside a bridal chamber, of course, it lulls - like the sound track in a film.
Gratillonius is determined not to consummate this marriage on the first night but the Goddess ensures otherwise. Incredibly, he is roused and his inexperienced wife responds. These Gods are on their way out but have not gone yet.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
These sound effects are sometimes subtle and may be difficult reproduce in Anderson's stories without first making them obtrusively noisy.
Ad astra! Sean
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