The Forever Wind

Orbit Unlimited, part four, 7.

Joshua Coffin and Jan Svoboda continue their search for Coffin's lost son, Danny, and the wind continues to punctuate Poul Anderson's account of their activities. 

(i) When Svoboda strikes a cigarette and Coffin wishes that this good fellow would not poison himself:

"The wind ruffled Svoboda's hair, as it did the leaves at their backs and the grasses beneath." (p. 140)

An unthreatening wind on this occasion. Indeed, it ruffles that good fellow's hair! 

(ii) While their conversation continues:

"The wind blew the sweat out of [Coffin's] clothes so fast that he was soon chilled. The forest roared with wind. Its velocity was not great, but the pressure made it a near gale.

"Windpower would be valuable when men were finally able to move down off the plateaus." (ibid.)

Back to threatening but also a hope for the future. (The future has a future.)

(iii) When they argue, Svoboda, striking the ground to master himself, says:

"'Have it your way.' The wind harried his words." (p. 142)

Sure. The wind joins in the argument! 

(iv) When Coffin stands up to attack Svoboda:

"The wind pushed at his back, he must lean into it, the wind hooted and tried to push him southward along the canyon, which resounded with its noise." (ibid.)

Man and wind rise together.

(v) As they fight, Coffin wonders:

"Was it the wind that shouted in his ears, or was he about to faint?" (p. 143)

We suspect both.

(vi) After fighting and pulling apart, they check how each other is:

"'Are you all right?' Coffin whispered.

"His words could not have crossed through the wind, but Svoboda must have understood. 'Yes. I think so. But you.'" (ibid.)

(vii) The wind even helps:

"Svoboda started south... This direction was a slightly better bet than northward. Danny would have preferred the wind at his back..." (p. 144)

(viii) - but remains unsympathetic:

"[Coffin's] consciousness withdrew from pain and thirst and hunger and the mockery of the wind." (ibid.)

I did not know how many wind references I would find in this section but Poul Anderson's texts never let us down.