Charlie, confident of his ability to out-riddle impoverished priests, decides to tackle the fourth Feat without any help from Dzenko. He is accompanied not by Hector but by his new New Lemurian friend, Mishka. This novel ceases to be fully a part of the Hoka series.
"That Klashk the Omniscient had been a great god early in the history of this island was evident from the site of his temple, near the top of Holy Hill." (p. 132)
This opening sentence of Chapter 12 can mean either that the cult of Klashk is no longer big or that Klashk literally exists but is no longer great. The pagan world-view not only accepts the second meaning but identifies the two meanings. That Klashk is no longer great is shown by the facts that:
his temple is ruinous;
its roof leaks;
its walls are unpainted and sag;
its wooden walls have been vandalized;
there is thick dust and choking junk.
There is still "...a superb view..." (ibid.) across the town and bay toward the sunset: a good place to meditate, ruins or no ruins.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Hmmm, mention of that riddling contest Charlie Stuart has to play with the priests of Klashk reminded me of the riddling game played by Bilbo Baggins with Gollum in THE HOBBIT. Maybe I should reread STAR PRINCE CHARLIE after I finally finish Anderson's FOR LOVE AND GLORY.
Sean
Post a Comment