Jorun and Zarek fly above ocean-like plains of wind-rippled grass darkened by herds of wild cattle with thunderous hoofbeats. (I am summarizing but Poul Anderson's description is better.) There are large old forests, gleaming rivers, fish leaping in lakes, radiant sunshine and swiftly moving cloud shadows.
When Jorun lands on a beach, white dunes run from salted grass to roaring, tumbling surf. Sunset is golden, wind is wet and a conch is intricately architectured. Jorun is unsure whether the evening star is Venus or Mercury.
In a house of Solis Township, a single long room with a low door and smoke around its rafters is kitchen, dining room and parlour with doors to bedrooms. There are:
skin rugs
oak wainscoting
carved pillars
glowing hammered copper ornaments
an ancient radium clock on a stone mantel above a fire
a hanging gun
a wooden table
Evening meal, all produced locally:
meat
vegetables
bread
beer
milk
ice cream
coffee
We appreciate all these details.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Almost like a tavern or inn in some ways! Reminiscent of Anderson's The Old Phoenix or Tolkien's The Prancing Pony.
Ad astra! Sea
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