This Galactic League does rule some non-human beings. Sirians have tendrils and Mordhans have four arms.
Poul Anderson had an early grasp of pathetic fallacy. Red firelight seems to splash the twelve Mordhan earls with blood. And is their number significant?
"Outside the windows, the mighty autumn wind flung sleet and rain at the castle walls and roared about its towers." (p. 161)
Atmospheric and dramatic! By now we always notice Andersonian wind. We expect it to underline or punctuate the dialogue and it does. The text continues:
"Dorlock who had called the meeting, spoke first. His deep voice was low, and the storm snarled over and around its rumble..." (ibid.)
One passage about Sirians and another about Mordhans inform readers that the League rules through deceit, deception, corruption and seduction. Sf is about alternatives.
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