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i_read_whatThe best thing about this book so far is checking the table of contents and realizing I've only seven or eight chapters left to go. The worst thing about this book so far is knowing I've got seven or eight chapters to go.
Anyway, last time, Aislinn raped Donal in revenge for his earlier rape of her. Which is a thing that happened. Yeah. Also we had a legitimately great villainous reveal. Such a shame it happens in such an abysmal book.
Okay, so we start with a peek into Donal's captivity. It's from his point of view and not terribly coherent as he jerks from memory to memory. A lot of it is about Duncan:
He remembered Duncan in his madness, with empty eyes and taloned hands.
He recalled the first time his father had taken him hunting, to teach him what he must know about tracking animals and slaying them to help feed the clan.
He remembered Duncan begging for their help, begging to be made whole again; a man.
He recalled how his mother had taken care to keep his father alive in his memories when Duncan was gone because all too often memories faded into nothingness.
He remembered how Alix had saved them all by sacrificing herself.
But mostly he remembered how his father had died in his arms, knowing himself a toy in the hands of Tynstar’s son. And Donal knew he was, also.
It's actually a pretty effective passage. And eventually, Donal snaps out of it, remembering Strahan putting him in irons and abusing poor Lorn to keep Donal subdued. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like there's anything sexual in the captivity. Though it definitely doesn't sound like fun.
Strahan is here now, taunting Donal. Asking him why it was so easy. Donal appears to be held prisoner in a cabin of some kind, which seems like a downgrade compared to Tynstar's castle. But might be a more effective hiding place.
Strahan gives a pretty good villain monologue here:
All my life my father taught me the Cheysuli were not men to be taken without expending great effort…yet you fell easily into my hands and make no effort to break free.” Black brows knitted over hooded eyes. “Is this an example of the power of the lir-bond? I have heard how consuming it is—how a warrior gives up his life when the life of a lir is taken…but Lorn is not yet dead. Merely—confined.”
Strahan's a bit irked. And he also wants to know where Donal's falcon is. Donal claims Taj is dead, but Strahan doesn't believe it. Donal's been pretty out of it, with Lorn ill, but he's not completely insane. Strahan thinks he would be with Lorn dead.
There's some interesting semantics about the Cheysuli taboo against suicide, vs what a warrior does when the lir dies. He "gives himself over to whatever force will slay him." We'd never heard of the Cheysuli prohibition against suicide before, but to be fair, the prior protagonists were a woman who was raised away from her heritage and a Homanan prince. So I can accept that it may not have come up.
Strahan taunts Donal more about Duncan. And we get the Ihlini view of things too. Strahan, like Tynstar, appears to believe the stories of the Cheysuli and Ihlini once being one race. He argues that the Lion (Homana) had once belonged to ALL of them. NOT just the Cheysuli. Donal doesn't believe it, but:
“The old gods take you,” Donal said weakly. “There are nothing but lies in your head.”
“And nothing but truth on my tongue.” Strahan stood next to the bunk. “Even if my father lied, do you think he would ever claim kinship to you? Would he admit to a taint so willingly if there were no need for it?”
“Taint.” Donal nearly spat. “Cheysuli blood would be his saving grace.”
Strahan’s lips peeled back from his teeth in a smile full of spite. “Then consider us nearly saved, my lord. Consider us full of grace.”
“Ku’reshtin,” Donal swore weakly, but the boy had left the cabin.
Strahan is by far the most formidable villain in the series to this point. Far more effective and scary than Tynstar.
Anyway, we flash forward some: Donal wakes up on a ship. Lorn is still alive. Donal's old blood lets him have more communication with him than he'd normally have, but he can't really reach him through the pain. Taj is too distant to hear.
Another flashforward as they reach their destination: the Crystal Isle. Donal is disbelieving: the Crystal Isle is the birthplace of the Cheysuli. Yeah, dude, but Carillon kept an Ihlini witch "imprisoned" here the whole time. Strahan gloats that his talk of demons and fear had lulled Donal into not noticing that Strahan has basically made the place his own.
Donal has the thought that Tynstar spent three hundred years learning his craft. Strahan is a child, and is likely only going to get more formidable with time. (...eh...but that's a review for another day.)
So yeah, Strahan's going on with the "where are your old gods now" taunts. And I'll grant it, he's earned the right. And he's not done yet:
“Your wolf, Donal.”
He swung around, taking an involuntary step forward. He saw a crate, a wooden crate, rolled end over end down the plank, from the ship to the dock below. He heard a muted yelp.
Pain blazed through his mind. What has Strahan done? Lorn—what has he done to you?
Guards held him back. He was helpless to aid the wolf. All he could do was mouth incoherent appeals, but he voiced none of them to Strahan.
The boy gestured. “Release him. I want him to understand what it is to confront a dying lir.”
Oof.
So yeah, Lorn is incredibly sick. He thinks he's dying, though he reassures Donal that he won't be lirless or have to face the death ritual. Donal says he won't allow him to die. But they're separated.
Strahan indicates that he'll kill Lorn. Donal points out that there'll be no way to force Donal to obey then, but Strahan thinks Donal will be mindless. Except...suddenly, in the sky, Taj appears. Donal orders him to find Finn, while Strahan aims purple light at him.
Donal wisely tries to throttle Strahan, though he's pulled off of him by Strahan's men. On one hand, I'm wondering how and where Strahan got henchmen. On the other, Donal and Carillon did invade Solinde for no reason, so I don't doubt he found recruits. Oh well. Anyway, things get bad when Strahan summons his OWN lir.
Strahan laughed. “Would you care to meet my lir?”
Donal’s flesh rose up on his bones. “The Ihlini have no lir—”
“No? Well, perhaps she is not a lir precisely—but she is made of the same blood and bone.” Crimson sparks shot out of the smoke as it spun around his hands. “She comes from the netherworld, from the Gate of Asar-Suti. And such a lovely, lovely demon—” the flame and smoke exploded “—shall I fly her for you, Donal?”
Black smoke and flame took substance. Donal saw talons, wings, a wickedly curving beak. And a pair of golden eyes that watched him with a malicious intensity.
Strahan does have style. And Taj gets a talon through the breast and falls out of the sky.
--
So the next bit is Donal in the depths of lir madness. It's done in fragments. Mostly italicized calling for his lir. Some bits about drifting, dreaming and crying. Some fragments of memory: Evan doing his not-Tarot read. Tynstar or Strahan talking about Ihlini breeding with Cheysuli.
He's out of it for a long time, but then...he remembers.
It's another pretty well done segment actually. The disorientation is effective, and it's not too long.
We get more fragments, but this time they're clear and coherent. Donal's alone in a room with a comfortable bed, table and amenities. His wrists are chained but he can move around. He can sense Lorn, but not talk to him.
He spends days there, initially scratching runes. He has food and water, but is alone...until...
The door crashed open. Donal spun around.
Strahan stood within the chamber—
—and so did Finn and Evan.
The boy laughed. “It pleases me to reunite you, now that I have you all.”
Donal’s breath rattled in his throat as he stared at Finn. “He—took—you?”
“Evan and I came to rescue you.” The tone was wry, reproving.
The Ellasian grinned. “You might at least give us your gratitude.”
The cavalry has arrived!
Strahan of course thinks that he has them prisoner. But Finn and Evan aren't particularly daunted. Neither Strahan or Donal seem to notice this though. To be fair, Donal's been through a lot and Strahan is a child. Donal is horrified that they're captured and asks how long he's been here:
No one answered at once. And then Strahan laughed. “Have you lost count? Did you not see the season change? It worked—it worked—I made you forget everything, even the time of year!”
Donal recalled how he had made marks in the bedpost to keep track of time. One day, he had stopped. And then the time was lost, and he was lost, and now he could not recall how long he had been a prisoner of Strahan.
Gods…is this how the madness begins?
“It worked!” Strahan exulted. “Do you not recall all the times you begged me for your name? How you begged me for a polished plate so you could see yourself? You believed yourself a hawk—a hawk, not a falcon. Mimicking your father?”
“Six months,” Donal whispered in horror.
...that seems like a really fucking long time for a kingdom to be without a king.
Anyway, Finn's about done with all this nonsense:
He stared at Finn and Evan. “You are fools.” His tone was inflectionless. “Fools, both of you…you have given Homana over to Tynstar’s son.”
“I think not,” Finn answered. “You see, the boy is just a boy—still learning about his power. He may be Tynstar’s son, but can he lead his race? He is young. Young—and youth has a way of tripping over hardships before the highest goal is won.” He turned to Strahan. “Did you think we fell into your hands when we made certain you would take us?”
Color shot into Strahan’s face. “What do you say to me?” he demanded. “What do you say to me?”
“That it is time for us to go.”
See, Finn didn't come empty handed. And Strahan made a mistake. See, when he faked his death, he'd left a ward-stone behind to complete the illusion. These are important little bits of an Ihlini's power. And they can be used against their creator. And Finn's got one in hand. Strahan runs for it.
So they fight their way out. Donal finds Lorn, and there is a reunion:
“Lorn!” He dropped to his knees beside the wolf.
Lorn lay on his side in soiled straw. The visible eye was rolled back in his head. The tongue, protruding from between his jaws, was dry and crusted. But he breathed. Barely, but he breathed.
Donal touched the lusterless, matted fur. Lir—I will not allow you to die—I order you to live—
He felt the faintest flicker of amusement from the tattered edges of the link. But it is the lir who have the ordering of the Cheysuli.
Fingers spasmed, then dug more deeply into the pelt. He felt the ladder of Lorn’s protruding ribs. Will you live?
You still have need of me.
And the chapter ends with everyone heading for a boat to get off this rock.
I liked this chapter a lot. Strahan is a fantastic villain and it's his show here, really. I think he exits stage right a bit abruptly, but the set up is solid. He's clever and devious, but he's still a kid, and he overreached and got smacked by someone more experienced. And it fits that it's Finn: last of the first generation, the closest thing Donal has to a father, who does it.
That said, I'm sure Donal will be annoying me again soon once they're back home. We'll find out next week.
Anyway, last time, Aislinn raped Donal in revenge for his earlier rape of her. Which is a thing that happened. Yeah. Also we had a legitimately great villainous reveal. Such a shame it happens in such an abysmal book.
Okay, so we start with a peek into Donal's captivity. It's from his point of view and not terribly coherent as he jerks from memory to memory. A lot of it is about Duncan:
He remembered Duncan in his madness, with empty eyes and taloned hands.
He recalled the first time his father had taken him hunting, to teach him what he must know about tracking animals and slaying them to help feed the clan.
He remembered Duncan begging for their help, begging to be made whole again; a man.
He recalled how his mother had taken care to keep his father alive in his memories when Duncan was gone because all too often memories faded into nothingness.
He remembered how Alix had saved them all by sacrificing herself.
But mostly he remembered how his father had died in his arms, knowing himself a toy in the hands of Tynstar’s son. And Donal knew he was, also.
It's actually a pretty effective passage. And eventually, Donal snaps out of it, remembering Strahan putting him in irons and abusing poor Lorn to keep Donal subdued. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like there's anything sexual in the captivity. Though it definitely doesn't sound like fun.
Strahan is here now, taunting Donal. Asking him why it was so easy. Donal appears to be held prisoner in a cabin of some kind, which seems like a downgrade compared to Tynstar's castle. But might be a more effective hiding place.
Strahan gives a pretty good villain monologue here:
All my life my father taught me the Cheysuli were not men to be taken without expending great effort…yet you fell easily into my hands and make no effort to break free.” Black brows knitted over hooded eyes. “Is this an example of the power of the lir-bond? I have heard how consuming it is—how a warrior gives up his life when the life of a lir is taken…but Lorn is not yet dead. Merely—confined.”
Strahan's a bit irked. And he also wants to know where Donal's falcon is. Donal claims Taj is dead, but Strahan doesn't believe it. Donal's been pretty out of it, with Lorn ill, but he's not completely insane. Strahan thinks he would be with Lorn dead.
There's some interesting semantics about the Cheysuli taboo against suicide, vs what a warrior does when the lir dies. He "gives himself over to whatever force will slay him." We'd never heard of the Cheysuli prohibition against suicide before, but to be fair, the prior protagonists were a woman who was raised away from her heritage and a Homanan prince. So I can accept that it may not have come up.
Strahan taunts Donal more about Duncan. And we get the Ihlini view of things too. Strahan, like Tynstar, appears to believe the stories of the Cheysuli and Ihlini once being one race. He argues that the Lion (Homana) had once belonged to ALL of them. NOT just the Cheysuli. Donal doesn't believe it, but:
“The old gods take you,” Donal said weakly. “There are nothing but lies in your head.”
“And nothing but truth on my tongue.” Strahan stood next to the bunk. “Even if my father lied, do you think he would ever claim kinship to you? Would he admit to a taint so willingly if there were no need for it?”
“Taint.” Donal nearly spat. “Cheysuli blood would be his saving grace.”
Strahan’s lips peeled back from his teeth in a smile full of spite. “Then consider us nearly saved, my lord. Consider us full of grace.”
“Ku’reshtin,” Donal swore weakly, but the boy had left the cabin.
Strahan is by far the most formidable villain in the series to this point. Far more effective and scary than Tynstar.
Anyway, we flash forward some: Donal wakes up on a ship. Lorn is still alive. Donal's old blood lets him have more communication with him than he'd normally have, but he can't really reach him through the pain. Taj is too distant to hear.
Another flashforward as they reach their destination: the Crystal Isle. Donal is disbelieving: the Crystal Isle is the birthplace of the Cheysuli. Yeah, dude, but Carillon kept an Ihlini witch "imprisoned" here the whole time. Strahan gloats that his talk of demons and fear had lulled Donal into not noticing that Strahan has basically made the place his own.
Donal has the thought that Tynstar spent three hundred years learning his craft. Strahan is a child, and is likely only going to get more formidable with time. (...eh...but that's a review for another day.)
So yeah, Strahan's going on with the "where are your old gods now" taunts. And I'll grant it, he's earned the right. And he's not done yet:
“Your wolf, Donal.”
He swung around, taking an involuntary step forward. He saw a crate, a wooden crate, rolled end over end down the plank, from the ship to the dock below. He heard a muted yelp.
Pain blazed through his mind. What has Strahan done? Lorn—what has he done to you?
Guards held him back. He was helpless to aid the wolf. All he could do was mouth incoherent appeals, but he voiced none of them to Strahan.
The boy gestured. “Release him. I want him to understand what it is to confront a dying lir.”
Oof.
So yeah, Lorn is incredibly sick. He thinks he's dying, though he reassures Donal that he won't be lirless or have to face the death ritual. Donal says he won't allow him to die. But they're separated.
Strahan indicates that he'll kill Lorn. Donal points out that there'll be no way to force Donal to obey then, but Strahan thinks Donal will be mindless. Except...suddenly, in the sky, Taj appears. Donal orders him to find Finn, while Strahan aims purple light at him.
Donal wisely tries to throttle Strahan, though he's pulled off of him by Strahan's men. On one hand, I'm wondering how and where Strahan got henchmen. On the other, Donal and Carillon did invade Solinde for no reason, so I don't doubt he found recruits. Oh well. Anyway, things get bad when Strahan summons his OWN lir.
Strahan laughed. “Would you care to meet my lir?”
Donal’s flesh rose up on his bones. “The Ihlini have no lir—”
“No? Well, perhaps she is not a lir precisely—but she is made of the same blood and bone.” Crimson sparks shot out of the smoke as it spun around his hands. “She comes from the netherworld, from the Gate of Asar-Suti. And such a lovely, lovely demon—” the flame and smoke exploded “—shall I fly her for you, Donal?”
Black smoke and flame took substance. Donal saw talons, wings, a wickedly curving beak. And a pair of golden eyes that watched him with a malicious intensity.
Strahan does have style. And Taj gets a talon through the breast and falls out of the sky.
--
So the next bit is Donal in the depths of lir madness. It's done in fragments. Mostly italicized calling for his lir. Some bits about drifting, dreaming and crying. Some fragments of memory: Evan doing his not-Tarot read. Tynstar or Strahan talking about Ihlini breeding with Cheysuli.
He's out of it for a long time, but then...he remembers.
It's another pretty well done segment actually. The disorientation is effective, and it's not too long.
We get more fragments, but this time they're clear and coherent. Donal's alone in a room with a comfortable bed, table and amenities. His wrists are chained but he can move around. He can sense Lorn, but not talk to him.
He spends days there, initially scratching runes. He has food and water, but is alone...until...
The door crashed open. Donal spun around.
Strahan stood within the chamber—
—and so did Finn and Evan.
The boy laughed. “It pleases me to reunite you, now that I have you all.”
Donal’s breath rattled in his throat as he stared at Finn. “He—took—you?”
“Evan and I came to rescue you.” The tone was wry, reproving.
The Ellasian grinned. “You might at least give us your gratitude.”
The cavalry has arrived!
Strahan of course thinks that he has them prisoner. But Finn and Evan aren't particularly daunted. Neither Strahan or Donal seem to notice this though. To be fair, Donal's been through a lot and Strahan is a child. Donal is horrified that they're captured and asks how long he's been here:
No one answered at once. And then Strahan laughed. “Have you lost count? Did you not see the season change? It worked—it worked—I made you forget everything, even the time of year!”
Donal recalled how he had made marks in the bedpost to keep track of time. One day, he had stopped. And then the time was lost, and he was lost, and now he could not recall how long he had been a prisoner of Strahan.
Gods…is this how the madness begins?
“It worked!” Strahan exulted. “Do you not recall all the times you begged me for your name? How you begged me for a polished plate so you could see yourself? You believed yourself a hawk—a hawk, not a falcon. Mimicking your father?”
“Six months,” Donal whispered in horror.
...that seems like a really fucking long time for a kingdom to be without a king.
Anyway, Finn's about done with all this nonsense:
He stared at Finn and Evan. “You are fools.” His tone was inflectionless. “Fools, both of you…you have given Homana over to Tynstar’s son.”
“I think not,” Finn answered. “You see, the boy is just a boy—still learning about his power. He may be Tynstar’s son, but can he lead his race? He is young. Young—and youth has a way of tripping over hardships before the highest goal is won.” He turned to Strahan. “Did you think we fell into your hands when we made certain you would take us?”
Color shot into Strahan’s face. “What do you say to me?” he demanded. “What do you say to me?”
“That it is time for us to go.”
See, Finn didn't come empty handed. And Strahan made a mistake. See, when he faked his death, he'd left a ward-stone behind to complete the illusion. These are important little bits of an Ihlini's power. And they can be used against their creator. And Finn's got one in hand. Strahan runs for it.
So they fight their way out. Donal finds Lorn, and there is a reunion:
“Lorn!” He dropped to his knees beside the wolf.
Lorn lay on his side in soiled straw. The visible eye was rolled back in his head. The tongue, protruding from between his jaws, was dry and crusted. But he breathed. Barely, but he breathed.
Donal touched the lusterless, matted fur. Lir—I will not allow you to die—I order you to live—
He felt the faintest flicker of amusement from the tattered edges of the link. But it is the lir who have the ordering of the Cheysuli.
Fingers spasmed, then dug more deeply into the pelt. He felt the ladder of Lorn’s protruding ribs. Will you live?
You still have need of me.
And the chapter ends with everyone heading for a boat to get off this rock.
I liked this chapter a lot. Strahan is a fantastic villain and it's his show here, really. I think he exits stage right a bit abruptly, but the set up is solid. He's clever and devious, but he's still a kid, and he overreached and got smacked by someone more experienced. And it fits that it's Finn: last of the first generation, the closest thing Donal has to a father, who does it.
That said, I'm sure Donal will be annoying me again soon once they're back home. We'll find out next week.
Like, I didn't expect I would use this sporker again, dude!
Date: 2021-09-22 10:49 am (UTC)Matt (swirling a chalice): I, Matt Engarde, humbly submit a toast to Strahan, for successfully tricking our asshole protagonist, so he can get his revenge. Congratulations, kid. Enjoy your victory. (Drinks the chocolate milk in his chalice) Aaaaaah.
(Puts back his hair and covers the right side of his face) Like, don't judge me, ok? I just like being overly dramatic, dude!
Pan: That's the most self-aware thing you ever said. Anyway, this guy is the Strahan of Ace Attorney, and I hope he is just as good in my fanfics. This guy is my version, which is after his canon one.
He remembered Duncan begging for their help, begging to be made whole again; a man.
Pan: You lost the right to be a man when you abused Alix, you sack of shit.
Matt: *whistles*
He remembered how Alix had saved them all by sacrificing herself.
But mostly he remembered how his father had died in his arms, knowing himself a toy in the hands of Tynstar’s son. And Donal knew he was, also.
Pan: I am sorry, Alix. You deserved better.
Matt: Like, Alix was the one who nearly ruined me, dude! I disagree!
Also, like, this is what happens when you kill someone's father. They get after you, dude! Better target people who won't be missed at all!
All my life my father taught me the Cheysuli were not men to be taken without expending great effort…yet you fell easily into my hands and make no effort to break free.” Black brows knitted over hooded eyes. “Is this an example of the power of the lir-bond? I have heard how consuming it is—how a warrior gives up his life when the life of a lir is taken…but Lorn is not yet dead. Merely—confined.”
Matt (pulls hair back): Oh, Donal, you are very pathetic. Strahan broke you so much he didn't even blackmail you with hostages if you escape.
I guess you truly are a toy. Something to be used and thrown away.
There's some interesting semantics about the Cheysuli taboo against suicide, vs what a warrior does when the lir dies. He "gives himself over to whatever force will slay him." We'd never heard of the Cheysuli prohibition against suicide before, but to be fair, the prior protagonists were a woman who was raised away from her heritage and a Homanan prince. So I can accept that it may not have come up.
Matt: I agree about the taboo against suicide. All I did was to tell one fact and that foolish woman, Celeste, decided to hang herself. Why it's my fault, no idea.
Pan: Friendly reminder that a sociopath's actions don't have the sociopath as a reliable source.
“The old gods take you,” Donal said weakly. “There are nothing but lies in your head.”
“And nothing but truth on my tongue.” Strahan stood next to the bunk. “Even if my father lied, do you think he would ever claim kinship to you? Would he admit to a taint so willingly if there were no need for it?”
“Taint.” Donal nearly spat. “Cheysuli blood would be his saving grace.”
Strahan’s lips peeled back from his teeth in a smile full of spite. “Then consider us nearly saved, my lord. Consider us full of grace.”
“Ku’reshtin,” Donal swore weakly, but the boy had left the cabin.
Pan: HOWEVER, from the standpoint of a story, it is brilliant to hear the versions of both the hero and the villain and their clashing history and points of view, especially here where neither is a strawman. Also, it seems like Strahan is winning this argument.
Matt: Also, you two are seriously fighting about racial mixes? Wow, and then they call me a horrible person.
Another flashforward as they reach their destination: the Crystal Isle. Donal is disbelieving: the Crystal Isle is the birthplace of the Cheysuli. Yeah, dude, but Carillon kept an Ihlini witch "imprisoned" here the whole time. Strahan gloats that his talk of demons and fear had lulled Donal into not noticing that Strahan has basically made the place his own.
Matt: Oh yes. Strahan is my boy. First, he pretends to be sweet and innocent and actually defeats and traps his enemy, then he breaks him by talking.
Pan: And there is more to him that is close to you.
“Your wolf, Donal.”
He swung around, taking an involuntary step forward. He saw a crate, a wooden crate, rolled end over end down the plank, from the ship to the dock below. He heard a muted yelp.
Pain blazed through his mind. What has Strahan done? Lorn—what has he done to you?
Guards held him back. He was helpless to aid the wolf. All he could do was mouth incoherent appeals, but he voiced none of them to Strahan.
The boy gestured. “Release him. I want him to understand what it is to confront a dying lir.”
Matt: Oh, Donal, are you gonna cry? Here, lemme drink your delicious tears.
Pan: You know, Strahan looks like he wants to do the same.
Strahan indicates that he'll kill Lorn. Donal points out that there'll be no way to force Donal to obey then, but Strahan thinks Donal will be mindless.
Matt: This, and I only like seeing others suffer when they are humans, not animals. (Except if Lorn ate my cat or something. Then I would let him live to suffer more.)
And Strahan actually HAD a hostage! I am proud of him!
Donal wisely tries to throttle Strahan, though he's pulled off of him by Strahan's men. On one hand, I'm wondering how and where Strahan got henchmen. On the other, Donal and Carillon did invade Solinde for no reason, so I don't doubt he found recruits.
Matt: This is why I don't get outside swirling drinks. When you have a bad image, people will want you dead.
Pan: Also, the lirs kinda remind me of Stands, but weaker.
Black smoke and flame took substance. Donal saw talons, wings, a wickedly curving beak. And a pair of golden eyes that watched him with a malicious intensity.
Pan: Badass!
Matt: If it was a he, I would call him Talon Ted... or rather not. I am ashamed of that role.
Donal’s breath rattled in his throat as he stared at Finn. “He—took—you?”
“Evan and I came to rescue you.” The tone was wry, reproving.
Matt: NO! Why must a Finn always ruin EVERYTHING?
Pan: The first time it was a Nick, but still.
No one answered at once. And then Strahan laughed. “Have you lost count? Did you not see the season change? It worked—it worked—I made you forget everything, even the time of year!”
Donal recalled how he had made marks in the bedpost to keep track of time. One day, he had stopped. And then the time was lost, and he was lost, and now he could not recall how long he had been a prisoner of Strahan.
Pan: Wow, Strahan broke Donal. I am impressed bc 1. Strahan is very competent here and 2. Donal is an asshole, so I can't feel too bad.
“It worked!” Strahan exulted. “Do you not recall all the times you begged me for your name? How you begged me for a polished plate so you could see yourself? You believed yourself a hawk—a hawk, not a falcon. Mimicking your father?”
“Six months,” Donal whispered in horror.
...that seems like a really fucking long time for a kingdom to be without a king.
Matt: So basically, Strahan has won, or should have won. And honestly, he deserves it.
Pan: For some reason, you have a soft spot for two-faced emotional tormentors.
Matt: Says the person who wrote me as an arc villain because he liked the way I acted.
Pan: As a credible threat.
“I think not,” Finn answered. “You see, the boy is just a boy—still learning about his power. He may be Tynstar’s son, but can he lead his race? He is young. Young—and youth has a way of tripping over hardships before the highest goal is won.” He turned to Strahan. “Did you think we fell into your hands when we made certain you would take us?”
Pan: Finn has a point. Strahan is very competent... for a kid.
Matt: A fully grown Strahan would still destroy you, Finn. And you would get what you deserve.
See, Finn didn't come empty handed. And Strahan made a mistake. See, when he faked his death, he'd left a ward-stone behind to complete the illusion. These are important little bits of an Ihlini's power. And they can be used against their creator. And Finn's got one in hand. Strahan runs for it.
Pan: That's like putting up a good facade that makes the public adore you, being subtle enough to make all your crimes indirectly, outsmarting a lie detector, once framed for a crime forcing a lawyer to defend you through kidnapping for ransom... and then taking a video from a crime scene to blackmail an assassin even more dangerous than yourself. At least Strahan is a kid and can be justified.
Also, as the author I have infinite plot armor, so nobody try to throttle me.
Matt: At least I didn't do that mistake in my second rise... and also made sure to hire a lawyer with a more dirty past.
Pan: Overall, I loved this chapter. It had a competent villain with an excusable fatal mistake (as he was a kid), Donal getting something he deserves for being a stupid rapist, and we see actual, detailed danger for our protagonist. Also answered my question at who would replace Tynstar, whom I didn't expect to go down like a dog so early. Now, my co-sporker will be dismissed, and good riddance.
(I didn't bring more co-sporkers because if Finn, for example, was there the two would throw hands in seconds)
Re: Like, I didn't expect I would use this sporker again, dude!
Date: 2021-09-23 04:33 pm (UTC)Re: Like, I didn't expect I would use this sporker again, dude!
Date: 2021-09-23 04:56 pm (UTC)Matt: Like, I am glad you like my presence, dude! But imagine if, since apparently this is a reality with no Stormwolf, I am, like, a big star and inspired Strahan to be this two-faced and cruel, dude, ok?
no subject
Date: 2021-12-04 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-12-04 08:34 pm (UTC)