A Circus Of Hells, Chapter Twelve, first paragraph, is narrated from the pov of Djana who does not understand the Eriau conversation between Ydwyr the Seeker and Morioch Sun-in-eye whereas the second paragraph switches to the pov of Flandry who does understand Eriau and recognizes Morioch's rank of qanryf but puzzles over Ydwyr's title, datholch, although it must be a high one because Morioch uses the aristocratic-deferential form of address whereas Ydwyr's reply is merely polite.
After dismissing Morioch, Ydwyr explains that a datholch is an aristocrat heading an enterprise to expand the Race's frontier and that he himself is not only of the Vach Urdiolch but also a nephew of the Roidhun. Flandry immediately stands, pulls Djana to her feet and tells her to salute like him. If you serve one Empire, then you must respect the customs of another. It turns out that the frontier expanded by Ydwyr is scientific, not military. He is kindly but nevertheless an ingrained racist, wanting friendship but only on the basis of Merseian superiority.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
And only members of the Vach Urdiolch could be "datholchs," recall. And Flandry's astonished reaction to discovering Yydwyr is a nephew of the Roidhun makes me think humans would react similarly on discovering their captor was a nephew of William V of Great Britain in an analogous situation.
I think you could have mentioned how the text in this chapter discussed the religious awe and reverence felt by most Merseians for their Roidhun. An emotion "...even the harshest, most dictatorial Protector" had to feel, to some extent, for his Roidhun.
Sean
So for the Merseians as for me, coffee just isn't their cup of tea.
Kaor, Jim!
I agree, coffee isn't my cup of tea either!
Happy New Year! Sean
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