"If an unpopular prince finds an excuse to arrest a subordinate whom the commoners trust, there are likely going to be men who will fight. It was not otherwise here on Diomedes." (p. 182)
The word "men" is being given a cross-species application. It is not otherwise on Diomedes but it takes a Nicholas van Rijn to sense the tension, to play an almost operatic (p. 181) role and to engineer a minor battle with a practical outcome beneficial to himself and his companions. When Wace finally senses the tension, he reflects that van Rijn "...must have an abnormal keenness for discord." (p. 178)
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
And that "...abnormal keenness for [sensing] discord" was a very valuable talent for Old Nick to have!
Nicholas van Rijn would have been a very formidable politician himself if he had chosen to enter the politics of the Solar Commonwealth, and maybe even rise to becoming PM, despite not at all looking like one.
Ad astra! Sean
Old Nick needs those talents. Nobody -has- to buy what he sells.
That's right. He sells luxuries, not necessities. A different part of the economy.
Post a Comment