The concluding passage of this chapter has two endings, Ythrian and human. In the omnibus collection, Rise Of The Terran Empire, the double effect is enhanced by an accident of pagination.
The passage describes the aerial disposal of the body of Ferune of Mistwood. Wharr is Ferune's widow. As his body falls from a great height, a right hand page ends with this short paragraph:
"Wharr slanted off in the beginning measures of the sky dance. A hundred followed her." (p. 559)
That is the Ythrian ending. But we have already been told that the funeral has a human audience:
"Daniel Holm and his family, following in heavy garments and breathing masks, saw wings glow across heaven in one tremendous spearhead." (ibid.)
Possibly assuming that the sky dance concludes this chapter, we turn the page to find one more sentence before Chapter XI begins:
"Hanging afar, between emptiness and immensity, Daniel Holm said to Christopher: 'And that Terran thought we'd surrender.'" (p. 560)
This is the human ending - and also an Avalonian one.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
And I still regard Ythrian customs for handling the dead with distaste.
Ad astra! Sean
"Nomos is king".
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Meaning habit, custom, precedent, law, etc., is king? While I do see that point, I don't think it's always right to obey King Nomos. Not all customs, habits, etc., are good. It was the custom of the Aztec to indulge in mass human sacrifices to their gods, but not a GOOD custom.
Ad astra! Sean
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