In 372, the brothers, Hathawulf and Solbern, announce their intention to lead their tribe, the Teurings, to attack their king, Ermanaric, and to kill him in revenge for his killing of their sister, Swanhild. Hathawulf's and Solbern's young half-brother, Alawin, proposes to accompany them in the attack on Ermanaric but the Wanderer arrives and forbids this.
In 1935, we learn that Carl Farness had used a "...little gadget..." (p. 341) to eavesdrop on the Teurings' deliberations and then had intervened and had done what (he says) he "'...needed to do...'":
"'A few hours of observation from concealment, a few minutes of action, and fini.'" (p. 346)
Carl's next job will be to record the stories and songs that will result from the attack on Ermanaric. But why is he not just observing and recording as a Time Patrol scholar should? Why instead did he intervene and restrain Alawin? We must read on to find out. But we have already been told that those Goths are his descendants. Carl has been not only observing the past but also participating in it. Time Patrol regulations...
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Carl did not intend to play such a major role in the lives of these Goths--but somehow it happened, little by little.
Ad asrtra! Sean
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