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antishurtugal_rebornChapter Fourteen (Part II) | Chapter Fifteen (Part II)
NRSG: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Before we begin, let me show the reader post:
Epistler points out that the phrase “lest her or she be of Icarii blood” should be “unless he or she be of Icarii blood.”
PPP: 18
Chessy points out that the description of the Icarii manuscripts is ripped off from medieval monk manuscripts, and she suggests Maria Monk Redux (named after this) for the series’s rampant anti-catholic attitudes. Let me see… 1 point for the manuscripts, 10 points for all the nonsense with the Seneschal having destroyed Achar’s nature, and 5 for miscellaneous other things, like Gilbert being portrayed as a fanatic.
Maria Monk Redux: 16
Oh, that also needs this:
FYRP: 40 (for not understanding that Gilbert is not actually very fanatical)
While talking to her, I also realised that Ogden and Veremund have not bothered making copies of the Icarii and Avar records, even though they had the time and good reasons to do so.
Ill Logic: 4
And, reading the last chapter again, it seems that Axis generated the spell to read the Prophecy with himself, so I will retract the point I gave there.
Look Away: 4
Finally, Tris notes on part III of chapter 2 that “WarLord” is not a good name for someone who is supposed to be the regular commander of the army. I think it might work “if the king has the right to appoint one of the leaders of the provinces as a WarLord in times of war”, but that is not the case here.
A Better Commando Name: 22
Onto the next chapter, then!
Chapter Fifteen: Silent Woman Night
Hmmm… We have not heard of this before, so we will see, I guess.
We open on Faraday, who cannot catch sleep. She feels cramped in the tiny tent she shares with Merlion, and every time she closes her eyes, she soon finds herself lying awake again. Well, I think that sleeping so close to the Woods does not exactly help her, either.
She sits up, deciding that she needs “some fresh air.” She quietly gets out of bed, and puts on her shoes, and her “heavy cloak”. She goes outside into the cold night, and pulls the hood of her cloak “over her face”, as she says it is “[n]o use attracting attention to herself.”
We are told that her tent is right in the middle of the camp, and around her lie “several thousand warriors”. Faraday smiles, asking under “what other circumstances” her mother would let her sleep amongst so many men. She carefully walks out of the camp. It is quite cloudy, but there is enough moonlight to see by.
She soon reaches the edge of the camp, saying she “had expected one of the sentries to stop her before now”, but there is no one. More shady magic, I see. Lovely. Oh well, at least it fits the tone. She debates whether to go on or to turn back, when she suddenly sees something white in front of her. It is the white cat!
Faraday says she has not see it for “a day or so”, and she thinks that she might sleep better if she takes “the warm cuddly animal” back to bed. It worked for Axis, so I think it might work for you, too. She steps out of the camp and tries to pick the cat up, but just as she touches its back, “the cat [springs] forward a few more steps.” Just what we thought might happen, I would say.
Faraday walks after the cat, but she jumps away again, and soon she is “engrossed in catching the cat”. After a while, she looks up and nearly panics, until she “[spins] around” and sees the campfires in the distance, so she is not that far away. The cat now “purr[s] around her legs” and lets herself be picked up.
As Faraday turns back to the camp, “several dark figures loom[] out of the night.” Faraday “squeal[s] in terror” and grips the cat to her chest. The cat “squawk[s] with indignation and squirm[s] out of her arms.” Faraday turns to run, but trips on her cloak and falls in the grass, skinning “the heels of her hands”. Then, a “tall, dark figure” bends over her. Well, that went wrong quite fast.
Faraday tells the man to get away, while trying to scrabble away. The man leans back, and answers in a “soft burred country voice” that it is only “Jack the pig boy”, and he will not harm anyone. “Jack Simple’s the name.” That is a relief, at least.
Faraday readies to scream, but then the moon breaks through and she can see his face. Then we get a description: “He was in early middle-age, sparse blond hair tumbling down over his forehead, his skin weather-lined and tanned, friendly eyes over a wide grin.” Faraday stares at him, trying to see “what [is] wrong with his face”, and then she realises that he has the face of “a friendly and completely harmless simpleton.”
Hmmm, are we supposed to see Faraday as foolish for not getting that Jack was friendly at first? Oh, I will make Petty Ain’t the Word For You anyway.
Petty Ain’t the Word For You: 1
Jack holds a “heavy wooden staff” in one hand, which is longer than him by “a full handspan”, and has a “heavy carved knob of some kind of dark metal” at the top. Behind him, the other shapes resolve into large pigs that stare at her curiously.
The cat, who is purring very loudly, “[is] weaving itself ecstatically around Jack’s legs.” He picks her up. Well, that is cute. And I think I should quote this in full:
“Pretty puss,” he murmured, “pretty, pretty.” Jack held her in the crook of his arm and stroked her back in long sensual strokes. He had nice hands, long fingers, square fingernails.
1) Why are we supposed to trust him when he uses the same phrase that the Skraelings used in the prologue? Also, why is he saying this in the first place? It does not fit well with “Jack the pig boy”.
2) Why is he “sensually” stroking the cat? Along with what he says, it does not give me the impression that this is someone Faraday should be meeting. (And yes, I know why he strokes her, but it is the impression that matters.)
3) And why does this “pig boy” have such “nice hands”?
In general, this just feels very off, and it gives us a very different impression of Jack than I think Douglass meant to.
Well, Faraday recovers somewhat and scramble upright. She pulls her cloak around her and tries to clean her hands. She asks him “harshly” what he is doing here, as she has not entirely recovered from the shock yet. Jack shuffles his feet and says that he did not mean her harm, he was only taking his pigs for a walk on a nice night.
Faraday looks at the pigs, and sees a “small herd of about fifteen” standing behind Jack. They all look “fat and well-fed”. Faraday thinks Jack comes from a “distant farmstead”, and he spends most of his time tending the pigs as they are going around the Plains, “fattening themselves for market.” Because that goes very well together with “lifeless plains”, now does it, Douglass?
Faraday shortly says that Jack scared her, “wish[ing] as soon as she’[s] said it that she had not sounded so petty.” On the one hand, I like this, simply because it is a realistic reaction. On the other hand, I cannot help but wonder if Douglass meant this as a pettiness herself. I will give her the benefit of the doubt this once.
Jack looks contrite, and calls her “M’lady”, saying that he meant no harm. She says it is all right, and she knows he meant no harm. (Axis would never apologise like this for any of his remarks. Why is he so great, again?) To distract him from his guilt, she says that the cat adores him. We then are informed that Faraday is “feeling just a little jealous” about how much attention the cat gives Jack. Until now, she only showed her and Axis much attention, and that “had been a tie to bind them.”
Manage Your Info Better: 8 (why could we not have seen this in any of the previous chapters?)
Petty Ain’t the Word For You: 2 (why else bring up that Faraday is feeling jealous of the cat?)
Jack smiles broadly and says the cat is named “Yr”. It has been a very long time since he last saw her, “[m]ore years than pigs [he has] here”, certainly twice as many. Could it be 39 years, perchance?
Faraday gives him a tolerant smile, noting that Yr has “undoubtedly never been out of Carlon before this time”, and is certainly not older than fifteen, “let alone thirty.” “Poor Jack, he must live in a wonderful fantasy world.”
Hmm, condescension aside, she has a much more reasonable reaction than Axis and co. did. She, at least, does not immediately believe him when he says that he has seen Yr thirty-some years ago when that is plainly ridiculous with what she knows. And she will also not voice her thoughts to him, which is a cut above what Axis usually manages.
Faraday asks Jack again what he is doing here, “[keeping] her voice light this time.” He says he has come from the Woods, and calls her “lovely lady”. Um, that… does little to improve my trust of him. Faraday gapes at him, saying that the Woods are bad, and does he not know that?
Jack then says that the Woods are good. People tell him they are bad, “but the Woods and [he] get along just fine.” (That is not suspicious at all…) Pigs can find “lots of nice nuts and cones” to eat in the Woods. He “[shakes] his head emphatically” and says that people truly do not know what the Woods are like. Well, you have conveyed what you wanted to convey, Jack. Did we need all of this?
Faraday now casts a glance over his shoulder, and sees that they are very close to the Woods. “Worry lines etched her face.” What a nice description. Jack sees her frown and gets anxious, saying there is no need at all to be afraid, and he can “show [her]”. He also calls her “pretty lady”, and Jack, would you please already ask her her name, or at least not constantly refer to her with her beauty?
Well, Jack’s idea of “showing her” is to take her hand and drag her to the Woods. I am beginning to dislike him at this rate. Faraday protests that she cannot go in there, and he has to let go of her. To his credit, he immediately does. He says he means her no harm, and the Woods do not, either, “[n]ot unless you mean them harm.”
He finally gets to the point, as he whispers that the trees will “tell you secrets”, because they are “magic trees”, and if you ask nicely, they might just tell you your future. Oooh, I would actually like to see that! I knew I would like this better with more fantasy elements.
Faraday is doubtful, but her “interest [is] piqued nevertheless.” She wonders a bit about her future: if she will see her and Borneheld with children, or her “husband loving and attentive at her side”. She thinks that might settle her fears about her marriage. More curious now, she asks Jack how close they have to get.
I do like Faraday’s bit more than Axis’s. It is nice to see her react more logically to what is happening, and to see her wanting to know more about her marriage to Borneheld. It is just more personal than what is happening with Axis.
Scene break, and we are inside the Silent Woman Keep again. We open with this:
The two creatures that had assumed the forms of Ogden and Veremund paused briefly at the door to the sleeping chamber. Their eyes glowed the soft gold of the lake outside.
Okay then. I would not say it is unexpected, because of how they acted before now… but still, good to see we have met actual magical beings!
Ogden says everyone is asleep, and Veremund says they will “sleep well”. They go into the room and stand next to Timozel, who is curled in his blankets, with only “his tousled dark head” showing. Veremund leans down and “place[s] his splayed hand and fingers over the man’s face, covering it from chin to forehead.” Could you please not do this, Veremund?
Veremund then says that Timozel has a “good heart, though it is shadowed with some unhappiness.” So… is he reading Timozel’s mind? Because it certainly looks like it. And because I am quite certain that we are supposed to see the Brothers as entirely in the right…
Look Away: 5
Other than that, why do we need to be told the characteristics of people we have already seen for a while?
Veremund continues. He shakes his head, and says that Timozel will go through even more “unhappiness and uncertainty” and he will have “troubled choices”. Poor Timozel. I am not sure why he gets this, though; we have not seen him for very long, so it does not have much impact yet.
They go on to Gilbert. Both hesitate, but finally Ogden touches Gilbert’s face.
Look Away: 6
Ogden immediately says that he knows he disliked Gilbert. “His heart is full of holes and snakes reside there. His mind is a maze, and waits to trap the innocent.”
Really now? This is so over-the-top that I cannot take it seriously!
FYRP: 41
Petty Ain’t the Word for You: 2
Once again, nothing we have seen of Gilbert justifies this description. And him “waiting to trap the innocent” with his mind is quite ridiculous; we have not seen him try to persuade anyone to his beliefs so far!
Well, Ogden says that Gilbert will not be true, as “Artor has too strong a hold on this one”. As strong a hold as on a considerable part of the population, I would guess.
FYRP: 42 (for presenting quite moderate views as those of fanatics)
Ogden lets go and “wipe[s] his hand down his habit”. He asks Veremund what they can do. Veremund shakes his head and says their task is to “watch and be heedful”. As such, they “cannot act” (of course not), but perhaps they might warn. They both go over to Arne, who lies “arms akimbo atop his blankets.” That seems a little uncomfortable to me, but who knows?
Veremund reads Arne’s mind…
Look Away: 7
…and we hear he is “good-hearted”, too. He is “[s]tolid”, and it will take much to change his mind. He will not like the surprises that will come, but in the end, “his loyalty will keep him true”. He would follow Axis into the grave if the BattleAxe asked him that. Veremund decides that Arne “will do well”.
Hmmm, I do not think that being so loyal will work out well per se. Loyalty is not bad of itself, of course, but if he is willing to die for Axis, and will not be dissuaded by everything he will learn, I do wonder how clear he will be able to think on Axis’s decisions.
Veremund’s voice now changes, and he sends a message to Arne, the tips of his fingers “glow[ing] slightly golden”.
Look Away: 8 (now he is implanting messages in Arne’s mind, too?)
He tells Arne that one day, Axis “will face great danger”. Arne should carefully watch those around Axis, “especially those who pretend friendship and profess loyalty”, as treachery will “dog [Axis’s] footsteps”. “Watch your lord’s back, good man, and protect him from those who would do him harm.” Why did you not say that immediately? Also, how is Arne by himself supposed to guard Axis?
Regardless, Arne moans slightly and his hand “clench[] convulsively”. (Yes, that makes me think this is very good!) Veremund finally releases him, saying it is all they can do. Then they both turn to Axis, and since we are at about the halfway point, I will cut off here.
See you next time!
no subject
Date: 2024-02-14 04:20 am (UTC)Make note of this because this is what happens every time she tries to run away from something. Two steps and bam, she trips and falls on her face.
And why did we need to know about his manicure? I thought it was just Paolini who had the fingernail fetish.
Yeah this whole bit is just creepy.
I haaaate how the Sentinels keep calling Faraday and later Azhure stuff like this. Pretty lady, lovely lady, ad nauseum. Did Douglass not realise how patronising and sexist this is??
It's also why I immediately hated Jack, and indeed started calling him Jackass. He's a condescending douchebag to everyone he meets. Fuck him.
Completely insufferable ones!
And we never will. Also stop demonising snakes.
This goes nowhere, by the way. Arne never becomes a remotely important character, and nor is there any instance of him protecting Axis from a traitor.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-14 07:43 am (UTC)Make note of this because this is what happens every time she tries to run away from something. Two steps and bam, she trips and falls on her face.
NRSG: Well, it seems I was entirely right about Douglass hating on Faraday.
I haaaate how the Sentinels keep calling Faraday and later Azhure stuff like this. Pretty lady, lovely lady, ad nauseum. Did Douglass not realise how patronising and sexist this is?? It's also why I immediately hated Jack, and indeed started calling him Jackass. He's a condescending douchebag to everyone he meets. Fuck him.
And we will be stuck with him for the greater part of this trilogy. Ugggggh.
And we never will. Also stop demonising snakes.
Thank you for catching that! (Maybe I should be a little more critical of this book?)
This goes nowhere, by the way. Arne never becomes a remotely important character, and nor is there any instance of him protecting Axis from a traitor.
As I would expect. How would he protect Axis from all the magical things, anyway?
no subject
Date: 2024-02-14 09:41 am (UTC)At least we eventually see him get what he deserves. 👿
He can't and he doesn't and it never comes up anyway.
This is why I never publish a series until I've finished writing every book and have given the whole thing a read through. It means I can root out abandoned plot threads like this one (or add a payoff).