The two viewpoint characters in this story are David Falkayn and Chee Lan. Our first Merseian is Morruchan Long-Ax, the Hand of the Vach Dathyr. We know what Morruchan thinks because of what he says and of what others say about him.
Morruchan to Falkayn:
"'You shall not take the rule of this world. If we surrendered the right and freehold they won, the God would cast back the souls of our ancestors to shriek at us.'" (p. 214)
Dagla Quick-to-Anger, the Hand of the Vach Hallen, to Chee Lan:
"'[Morruchan] has long ranted against the modern world and its ways. He'd not be sorry to see industrial civilization reduced so small that full-plumed feudalism returns.'" (p. 233)
Morruchan to Falkayn, when the latter has said that he will recommend against teaching the Merseians how to build starships:
"'Another score. Not important in the long run. We're bound to learn a great deal else, and on that basis...well, galactic, our grandchildren will see.'" (p. 271)
Morruchan foreshadows the Roidhunate. Narrative passages with Merseian points of view begin in Ensign Flandry.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And Dagla, Hand of the Vach Hallen, seems to have been open to contact with non-Merseians. Meaning not all of the aristocracy shared Morruchan's extreme views. That too is a realistic touch by Anderson.
Falling behind again! Real world stuff to do.
Ad astra! Sean
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