Flandry's first sight of the inside of a Merseian destroyer:
similar layout to a human vessel;
details varying in accordance with size, shape, language and culture;
familiar metal narrowness, drone, vibration, ventilation, duties and smell of oil;
black-uniformed, green-skinned, hairless, tailed, war knife-bearing crew;
rituals and deferences in gestures, words and steppings aside;
abstract, austere pictures and souvenirs;
sharp, dry body odors;
dark, whiteless eyes;
Broch Tryntaff the Tall offering courtesies;
Flandry thanking the broch in Eriau with salute of gratitude.
Again, Flandry's earlier electrocram in Eriau is put to good use. He will learn much and eventually, of course, escape.
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteAnd I remember mention of the courtesies shown Flandy being those as required by the Covenant of Alfzar, of which Merseia too was a signatory.
Well, of course Flandry would eventually escape! Most of us would not be interested in this story if he had not.
Ad astra! Sean