Wednesday, 24 January 2024

Ferune's Office

The People Of The Wind, II.

Ferune of Mistwood Choth is First Marchwarden of the Lauran System. Since we are looking for scenes set on Avalon, we notice that Ferune's office in the Lauran Admiralty has a large window opening onto:

"...garden-scented breezes and a downhill view of Gray and the waters aglitter beyond." (p. 454)

This might not sound like very much. However, in Chapter I, we shared Arinnian's enjoyment of his aerial view of Gray, Falkayn Bay and the Hesperian Sea. Therefore, this view through Ferune's window now means quite a lot to any reader who appreciates such sensory details. 

There is one more such detail in this chapter. Daniel Holm, Second Marchwarden, visits his superior's office. They converse and:

"For a while, silence dwelt in the room. The yellow light of Laura cast leaf shadows on the floor. They quivered." (p. 456)

How many sf authors would have added such a detail? It immensely enhances our sense of these two beings discussing their war preparations and pausing for reflection. Far from existing in a vacuum, they live and breathe on Avalon in the Lauran System in the Domain of Ythri. We should continually remember this and their author ensures that we do.

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

We see offices elsewhere in the Technic series, such as Flandry's seldom used office in Admiralty Center in HUNTERS OF THE SKY. And we see Emperor Hans meeting Flandry in the former's private office a the Coral Palace in A KNIGHT OF GHOSTS AND SHADOWS. Hans' son Emperor Gerhart received Duke Edwin of Hermes in the same room in A STONE IN HEAVEN. And we see the Merseian Protector, Brecdan Ironrede at his office in Admiralty House in ENSIGN FLANDRY.

Ad astra! Sean