"'I'm afraid so. The spells....' Everard swapped a glance with Van Sarawak." (Time Patrol, pp. 227-228)
Deirdre goes on to say:
"'...the Baal grant that they have it well, my people at home.'" (p. 228)
According to the theory of time travel propounded in the Time Patrol series, Deirdre's people have been prevented from existing - and it is certainly true that they do not exist in the current timeline.
"Few stayed behind, so glittering was the hope. Among those who did were old Winnithar and Salvalindis. When the wagons had creaked away, the Wanderer sought those two out, one last time; and was kind to them, for the sake of what had been and of her who slept by the River Vistula." (p. 384)
I suggested before that Time Patrolmen have "all the time in the world." However, Carl/the Wanderer is forbidden to revisit the life of "...her who slept by the River Vistula." In any case, that life was too short to bear many visits and he is forbidden to lengthen it. Carl reflects:
"...I had been warned at the beginning that a Time Patrol agent's life becomes a series of farewells. I had yet to learn what that really meant." (p. 351)
Barring accidents, Patrol members simply outlive all other acquaintances.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think the god Deirdre invoked in "Delenda Est" was the "Great Baal." She and some of her people were getting close to becoming monotheists.
And most Patrol members would outlive NON Patrol acquaintances.
Sean
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