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i_read_whatSo here we are! The ending! It's been a pretty wild ride! And as I said in my Sojourn review, I've got to choose some replacements. Right now, I'm leaning toward the next Pern book as well as Fugitive Prince, the next book in the Janny Wurts doorstop series that I love and love to mock. (I promised someone. :-D)
I definitely intend to add the Cleric Quintet to my list though, because it will be really interesting to see Salvatore tackling characters that aren't Drizzt or Drizzt-adjacent. But that's a tangent, because I still have a book to finish.
On the plus side, pretty much all the action is done. Now we're getting reunions and closure. Let's see how satisfying it'll be!
We start this chapter with a long-missed duo. Niall and Deirdre are in her solar, bent over her tapestry. It's covered in lions - each one representing a historical figure or event. Niall asks after one and is told that it's Shaine. The next, naturally, is Carillon. Niall asks after himself. Deirdre's good-humored comment that it'll be years before she gets to his reign causes an emotional outburst:
"And years before I know what has befallen my sons."
She looked up quickly, saw his face, set aside her massive tapestry. "Niall—"
"Months!" he exclaimed. "And how many of those were wasted? How many of those months did I believe Hart and Corin merely in their respective realms, learning how to rule, while I believed Teirnan and the a'saii responsible for Brennan's disappearance?" He cursed and strode angrily to the nearest casement, glaring out on the inner bailey. There was a commotion within the walls, but he was too distracted to wonder at its cause. "By the gods, I should have known. Strahan yet again, and eternal Ihlini meddling."
Aww, poor Niall. And really, they should try to figure out a better means of communication between the realms. How does Solinde fucking function, sending documents back and forth, if it takes MONTHS for Niall to learn that his son/viceroy got fucking kidnapped?!
Also, I feel like Niall is giving Teirnan way too much credit for competence here. I suppose it's plausible that Teirnan just murdered Brennan and got rid of the body, but otherwise, I sincerely doubt the man has the wherewithal to manage a long term kidnapping.
Also, this is kind of the Ihlini's whole MO, so you probably should have figured it out a bit sooner.
To be fair, Niall agrees with me. Deirdre tries to find the positive, pointing out that Strahan isn't likely to want to kill the boys. His way is to use men instead. I'd make a snide comment, but they're right. And also, they've been dealing with Strahan for generations now, so they've reason to know.
It occurs to me that there is something really interesting about the dynamic in which multiple generations of heroes have to deal with the same villain. At first, I assumed that the advantage would be the villain's. He knows them, he's watched them grow, and he's seen them vulnerable. But now, I wonder about that.
Because the heroes ALSO know him. They know what he does and how he works, and while he can change up his pattern, it's a lot harder to change his motivation or nature. He might know the family, but he doesn't necessarily know the individual. Each character is different, with their own strengths and weaknesses. They know his style, even if they might fall for a trick or two, and can brace themselves to endure or counter. He doesn't know theirs - as Corin proved quite admirably.
But Niall doesn't know that, of course. He's busy freaking out over what he might be doing to the boys and "what sort of men will he make them?"
Aw, have a little faith!
That said, Niall isn't actually sleeping on things now. The army is set to march for Valgaard in the morning. Ian and Niall will be going with them. This is, of course, when our heroes make their grand entrance.
Brennan stepped around the wide-eyed servant. "What he means to say, jehan, is that all of your sons are back."
Kindly, Brennan moved the servant aside and held the door open himself as Hart and Corin and assorted lir made their way into the tower solar. The chamber was suddenly filled.
"All—" Niall said hoarsely.
"One, two, three." Hart grinned, "Unless Deirdre has contrived to add another in our absence."
Deirdre is overjoyed, but Niall...mirroring the first part of the book, can't help but notice the changes in the boys.
Brennan: much too gaunt and oddly haunted in yellow eyes, though his smile was genuine. His jerkin was soiled and crusted with countless unnamed things, and Niall had no desire to ask how it had become so; he had a good idea. His only desire was to see that Brennan was whole, and that was blatantly obvious. His hair was mostly clean, if too long, and he held himself with customary pride, but there was something about the way he moved that spoke of things unsaid even among his brothers.
Corin: bearded as an Erinnish brigand, looking less Cheysuli than ever, though there was, Niall noted, a subtle self-confidence Corin had always lacked, or was banished by bad temper. And though there was a tension in the way he moved, as if he waited for something, Niall saw no anger, no hostility, no reluctance to accept his place in the House of Homana. Clearly he had suffered; equally clearly, he had come to terms with himself.
And Hart, showing teeth in a familiar grin; showing something else in posture. All of them were clad in worn and dirty clothing, though clearly they had bathed a day or two before arrival, if only arms and faces; but there was more than a weary relief and elation in Hart's posture and attitude. He stood rigidly next to the door, left hand thrust behind his back as if he meant to hide something in it. Even as he stepped free of the door, letting it swing closed, he kept the forearm behind him.
It's kind of funny. In the past, Hart was the one who faded into the background. Now, obviously, he's the one who will have the biggest, most dramatic reveal. I suppose he's earned it.
And really, Carollan and Taliesin couldn't spare some extra clothing?
Brennan goes for an arm clasp and gets a hug for good measure. Aw. Niall wants to hug the others, but Corin is settled in place and oblivious (a nice little subtle nod toward his character growth - neither over-conscious nor jealous of his brother's regard) and Hart's body language is warding off familiarity.
They're definitely building up the reveal here.
"Well enough," Brennan said. "But first, let us swear to you that we are not Strahan's minions sent to do you harm. Because of Corin, we are nothing but ourselves, if a trifle worn." He glanced briefly at Hart, turned back and sought a chair.
Belatedly, Niall pushed one over. Deirdre beckoned Hart to take her own, but he shook his head and remained at his post beside the door. Or intended to. The door was abruptly shoved open; Hart, thrusting out arms to keep himself from being crushed between wall and wood, saw his father's face go white.
Yep. Crap.
The entrance is Ian, by the way, who is also overjoyed until he sees Hart's hand. We're told, rather belatedly, that Hart is Ian's favorite nephew - which adds a bit of context to their scene at the beginning of the book.
They start to get into the "what happened" - Hart is just saying that his stupidity, not Strahan, caused this when they're interrupted again. This time by Keely, calling for Corin. She ALSO catches sight of Hart's arm and freezes.
But this is where Niall gets to be dad:
"Come here," Niall said.
After a moment. Hart answered his father's bidding.
He was conscious of all the eyes, but looked only at the single blue one of his father. "Jehan—"
"If you think I will love you the less because you lack a hand, you have no wits at all," Niall said clearly. "If you think I cannot comprehend the pain—physical as well as emotional—that such a loss engenders, look again at my face."
Aw.
Anyway, Niall apologizes to the boys for not realizing what Strahan had done. He'd believed Brennan and Rhiannon's disappearance was due to Teirnan. He'd spent weeks trying to trap the guy, until a crofter's son came forward and admitted to seeing Rhiannon spirit Brennan away.
Apparently they've figured out who Rhiannon is by now. Ian has more reason to suffer, of course. Poor guy.
Anyway, Niall's going to cancel the whole army marching on Valgaard thing. He wants his family with him, not anywhere near the Valgaard or the Ihlini. (On the plus side, they're all gathered, so they can help Corin retake Atvia.) And the timeline becomes incredibly confusing yet again:
No," Niall said promptly. "For now I want none of my family anywhere near Valgaard or the Ihlini. We are together again for the first time in nearly a year, and I would prefer to enjoy it."
"Nearly a year?" Corin grinned. "Our banishment is incomplete, then ... do you intend to send Hart and me away again?" He slanted a glance at his middle brother, who merely shrugged one shoulder and smiled vaguely.
HOW fucking long did it take you to figure out where Brennan was???
To be fair, I think the math might actually work for once. Brennan's part started a month after the boys left, and probably covered a few weeks to a month. Hart's took place a few months after that. Corin's is a bit more spread out, but if we consider the time aboard ship, the time in Erinn, and then his arrival in Atvia...
It's implied that Corin goes directly to Valgaard after nose-diving off the cliff, but even then, we've got about six weeks travel time between Valgaard and Homana-Mujhar. So...nine or ten months might actually be accurate.
Still, how the fuck long did it take you to figure things out, Niall???
To add even more confusion to the timeline, we're told that Aileen is here. She'd apparently traveled from Erinn to Homana in the meantime. (Corin freezes at the mention of Aileen, by the way, but says nothing.)
Oh, this part's kind of interesting when it comes to ranting about Cheysuli sexism:
Maeve is at Clankeep?" Brennan asked in surprise.
Niall frowned a little. "She wished to see the shar tahl. She swore the vows of a meijha, Brennan, in good faith, even if in poor judgment. Now that Teir has renounced his clan, she wishes to formally renounce the vows."
So how do these vows of a meijha work? All along, we've been told that the role of a meijha, or mistress is equally as respected as the role of a cheysula, or wife. It's pretty clear that a man can leave his wife or his mistress at any time: see, e.g. Hale. Or Donal, for that matter. But a mistress has to go to the fucking priest to renounce her vows to a fucking traitor?
They discuss Teirnan a bit here: he's been kin-wrecked. Basically exiled. It's confirmed that he's been gathering warriors, but it's not clear how many. Some rumors say seven, some say seventy.
"He is shrewd," Niall said. "Much smarter than I believed. But Ceinn has suckled him on tales of the old days, when the race was exquisitely pure . . . Teirnan is now dedicated to the restoration of the old ways without benefit of the prophecy."
Brennan shook his head as he leaned forward to take the cup from Ian. "How can a warrior who has been raised to respect the prophecy turn his back on it? I admit that I am less than enamored of the need to cohabit with Ihlini, but to deny myself the afterworld? No." Brennan shook his head. "Teirnan must be mad."
"Not mad." Ian carried the requested usca to Corin.
"Determined. We have been blessed, as a race, with a consuming dedication—to the exclusion of all else—to fulfillment of the prophecy. We have been accused, on more than one occasion, of being blind and deaf to the truth, locking ourselves away in insular arrogance, believing we know the only way." He looked at his brother.
Niall reminisces about how they once believed that no Ihlini could intend anything but harm to them. They learned from that old woman. And Taliesin, of course, which leads to this:
"And Taliesan, with Carollan, who gave us back our youngest rujholli." Brennan smiled at Corin. "If you do not tell him all that you accomplished, even in front of Strahan, I will"
Corin shrugged. "Another time."
This is an undercurrent that's woven throughout the scene and it's really cute. Brennan wants so much to gush proudly about their little brother's achievement, and Corin just like "nah." Because he doesn't need recognition like he used to.
It's character growth!
And maybe a little bit of characteristic insensitivity, because while it is very clear that Brennan genuinely wants to praise his brother, it's also maybe the only time he's been willing to talk about what happened in Valgaard. Brennan, as we've seen, does not easily talk about anything to anyone.
Niall notices Corin's growth, and there's actually a fair bit to unpack here:
Corin stared. "You knew?”
Silvering brows rose. "How could I not? Do you think I am blind? I knew very well how much you wanted what Brennan had. As for now?" Niall smiled. "I think you have learned there are more important things to concern yourself with than what your rujholli has."
"Such as survival," Hart said dryly. "The gods know we could have died a dozen times."
"I did." Brennan's tone was hollow as, for the moment, he was back in the tiny cell. He shivered, rose abruptly, put his unfinished wine down. "Jehan, there is more to tell you. But I think it will wait for another time." He straightened his jerkin. "There is something I must do ... someone I must come to terms with."
Corin, thinking of Aileen, thrust himself to his feet.
And checked as Brennan turned to look at him. Uncomfortable, he shrugged. "I—I intend to have a bath. I am filthy."
a) Corin, everyone knew. You were basically wearing a neon sign. Expressing yourself aggressively is yours.
b) Still, it's good to see Corin get some much deserved recognition. It's even better that he doesn't need it anymore. Corin, at least, came out of this at a net positive. He has a stronger sense of self and no major physical or mental damage.
c) Speaking of... Brennan is clearly NOT okay. I really hope the guy finds SOMEONE he can talk to. Too bad Maeve is in clankeep.
c2) By the way, that's really fucking annoying and indicative of how Maeve is treated throughout the series. She's their sister too, but does she get to be present for the reunion? NAH. Why would that ever happen? Just wait until Daughter of the Lion. I'll have some rants by the end of that one.
d) And Aileen...well, that's going to be an issue, isn't it? But Corin seems to be making the decision to let her go.
There's a confusing bit here:
In silence, Niall's sons filed slowly out of the solar, automatically sending lir ahead to bedchambers. Intent upon their thoughts, they paid no attention to one another. Not even Corin to Brennan, as much as he wanted to. Like Hart, he turned away, and Brennan went on alone.
This doesn't really make sense to me. As much as who wanted to? Corin? And if he's aware enough to want to pay attention, how can he be lost in his thoughts? Nevermind. In a way, it's good to see a patented nonsensical Roberson-ism again. She's mostly developed past those. I'm almost nostalgic.
Alright, so we're going to follow Brennan now. And where is he going?
It was midmorning. Sunlight spilled through stained-glass casements and painted the Great Hall a mass of liquid colors. But Brennan ignored the light, ignored the Lion, moving instead to the end of the firepit. He cleared wood and ashes, gripped the iron handle, peeled back the lid.
He stared down into the hole, watching the stairs fall away into darkness. One hundred and two of them. Far fewer than in Valgaard on the way to the Gate of the god.
Time enough for such foolish fear as I have known . . . never again will I give over such a weapon to the enemy.
...okay, I get that there are no therapists in Homana, but this seems like a really fucking bad idea. You've been tortured for god knows how long, and your claustrophobia STEMS from a traumatic experience with his fucking pit, and you think going back there is a good idea???
That said, Brennan soon realizes he's not alone in the room. And we get the first meeting between the betrothed couple all book:
Red-haired. Green-eyed. Supple as a willow. She carried her head high on a slender neck; brilliant hair fell to curl around her hips.
"They were saying you were back." He heard Erinn in her voice, far more lilting than Deirdre's accent. This woman, this girl, whom I am to wed, nearly cost all of us our sanity, because of Corin.
But he could not tell her that. Not yet. Perhaps not ever; too much, at this moment, lay between them. Because of Corin. "Back," he said. "Aye." Not knowing what else to say.
"And safe."
"Aye," he agreed, "and safe." Then, giving in to it, "So is my youngest rujholli."
She did not flinch, though clearly she had heard him.
Hey, dude. Nothing that happened was her fault and there's no reason to be a petty dick.
But also, I'm a little fascinated that he IS being a petty dick here. Because that's not really like him, is it?
This is one of those parts where I want to excerpt EVERYTHING. But willpower!
As she comes closer, Brennan "oddly" finds that he wants to apologize to her. Apparently Corin has said very little about Aileen, shying away from the subject entirely.
He drew in a breath. "You are in love with Corin."
"Aye," was all she said.
"And he in love with you."
Her lips tightened minutely. "Once," she said quietly. "I'm not knowing how long it lasted."
Resentment rose, then faded. Brennan smiled wryly. "It lasted," he told her sardonically. "I can assure you of that."
Is it strange that I find this dynamic very compelling?
She said nothing. She was no beauty, he saw, and certainly not the kind of woman Corin generally sought for companionship. What she was, he realized, looking at her without benefit of prejudice, was proud as a Cheysuli, with a spirit that blazed as brightly. And he knew, seeing that pride, that spirit, Aileen of Erinn was as trapped by circumstances as the Prince of Homana himself.
How do I deal with this?
But there was no answer, not in her face. Nor, he knew, in his own.
He brings up the change in Corin, credits it to her and expresses his gratitude for Corin saving their lives. I don't really think that credit is any fairer than blame here, but I can appreciate that this is a very awkward situation for both of them.
She did not avoid his eyes. "It was not intended, none of it. I was meaning it no more than Corin. It—" she checked, sighed, went on quietly, "—just happened.
Brennan thought of Rhiannon. None of that had 'just happened,' being carefully designed, but he understood what Aileen meant. And knew he could lay no blame. "I admire your honesty," he said abruptly. "I have had little of that, of late, from women." He paused. "You do know the story."
"Aye. Keely told me."
Well, it's good to have things on the table. And Brennan really seems to be embracing that idea here:
"Aileen—I cannot promise it will be easy. Arranged marriages are difficult enough, particularly cradle-betrothals, but now, with this—"
Her cool voice interrupted. "I'm knowing it as well as you, Brennan. D'ye think I've not spent my nights thinking about it, wondering what I would do when you and Corin came home?" A trace of inner fire lighted Erinnish eyes—green as emeralds, he thought—and he saw a hint of Aileen's passion. " 'Twill be as hard as we make it, I think."
Brennan did not couch his words in diplomacy. "And if Corin stays here? What then? Am I expected to share?"
The fire caught and burned, blazing in her eyes. " 'Tis between Corin and me, I'm thinking."
He laughed once, incredulously, on a gust of air. "Is it? Am I discounted so easily?"
Her skin was very fair, and he saw the bloom of color in her cheeks. Bright scarlet, competing with the brilliance of her hair. "He left me," she said. "He left me, my lord husband-to-be, because he would not steal his brother's betrothed. An honorable man, your brother; d'ye think he'd discard that honor here?"
Damn, I think I've figured out why I'm finding them so compelling.
Look at Brennan in this scene. He's petty. He's jealous. He's being a hypocritical ass. He deserves to be put in his place, and she does that admirably. But when have we ever seen him be so OPEN about what he's feeling? Right or wrong?
And she's returning that honesty. She admits that she loves Corin, present tense. Corin is the one who turned her down. Corin is the one who left so as not to steal his brother's wife. Aileen was perfectly ready to be stolen and she's not pretending otherwise.
But there is the potential for something here, I think:
"No," he said quietly. "No, I was wrong to imply it."
Some of her vitality drained away. "Were you? No. I'm thinking not. You believed what any man might, faced with such a coil." Aileen shook her head, wide mouth twisted. " 'Tis sorry I am, Brennan. We none of us asked for it, but it has all been spilled into our laps by your gods ... by your capricious Cheysuli destiny" She sighed. "Keely told me you are a good man, if a trifle unimaginative."
He considered it thoughtfully a moment. Discarded the idea; he was whatever he was.
Is it wrong that this makes me laugh, affectionately? I do have my favorites.
But this is where things get a little more interesting. Because, then, he asks if Keely has told her of his fear? "The flaw in the Prince of Homana?"
Of course not. Keely wouldn't know about it. But that's not the really the point. For his entire life, Brennan has never said a word about his fear. Even in Strahan's clutches, he only told his brothers what he couldn't hide from them. Even back at the palace, there are still things he won't say.
To them.
"Then I should tell you of it." He went to the wall, took a torch from the bracket, lighted it from a candle and returned to the firepit. "Come down with me," he said. "Come down with me, meijhana, and tell me how it was a bad-tempered, impetuous Cheysuli princeling won the heart of Aileen of Erinn." He smiled. "And I will tell you how it is Corin's oldest rujholli means to face his fear and destroy it."
Green eyes widened in surprise. "Are you really wanting to know?"
"No," he said truthfully, "but it will give me something to listen to instead of chattering teeth."
Aileen, by the way, asserts that her teeth aren't much for chattering. He meant him. He steps down into the stairway and asks again, if she'll come with him. And...she does.
I mean, that's one way to court your fiancee, I suppose. Invite her along to your insane attempt at aversion therapy while you're still prone to walking flashbacks from your brand new trauma.
But anyway, this is Brennan's end. And Aileen's. Is it weird that I think it's a pretty good one?
The problems aren't fixed. Brennan's still a massive yacht-load of issues. Aileen's still in love with another man. But I feel like there's potential here. I feel like I can see how their pieces will eventually fit together.
And even if they don't, there's a clear, mutual honesty and respect. And that goes a long way.
--
So now, it's Corin's turn.
Corin's ending is rather less dramatic, I have to say. He's in his room, with Kiri, appreciating familiar smells and familiar warmth.
Keely enters. And for once, Roberson actually avoids turning her into a walking plug for Daughter of the Lion.
"Corin?"
He turned his head.
"You mean to go back to Atvia."
It was a statement, not inquiry. He thought about it a moment, then nodded. "I think so."
Keely moved closer to the bed, "And if I asked you to stay?"
Corin tells her she doesn't know what she's asking him. Keely knows enough: Aileen had confided in her. Keely knows the story. She doesn't want Corin to go and leave her alone.
She can see that Corin's afraid. Corin admits it: Alaric is dead, Atvia is open to Lillith and Strahan's influence. Their mother is there. But someone has to go. And Atvia is Corin's.
"I will not run from responsibility, nor bewail it. I have something of my own at last, something no one else may hold; Atvia is mine. It is for me to put the realm into order again, my task, to put light in place of darkness. It is for me to do; not Brennan, not Hart, not you."
It's a good speech.
We do segue a bit into Keely's issues for a moment:
Keely's tone was bitter. "Because the prophecy requires it."
"As much as it requires service of you. And you will serve it, Keely; no matter how difficult, how demanding, how much sacrifice is asked. You are not like Teirnan."
Corin sat up and turned, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He still wore his boots; he did not care that he had soiled his bedclothes. "Be what you must, Keely, but let me do what I must."
I appreciate Corin's growth in general, but it really does bug me how unsympathetic he is to her issues. She's afraid of marital rape, dude. That's pretty fucking understandable, no matter how annoying she can be.
It does occur to me that every so often, this book (and the next) talk a bit about the "twin bond" between each set of characters. And honestly, both sets come across as incredibly one-sided.
Brennan, during his part, often thought of Hart, wishing for his presence, missing him terribly. Niall even notes that he takes Hart's departure harder than his own punishment. But on Hart's end...the only thought he ever spares to his twin is that Brennan would be better at handling the work than he is.
Corin and Keely have the same one-sidedness, I think. When he's not venting to her, Corin really doesn't seem to give much of a shit about his sister. He never even granted her ONE request: to talk to Liam and Sean about her engagement. I'm not saying that he should change his mind. I think going to Atvia, prepared!, is the right thing to do. But he could be a little fucking nicer to her!
Keely asks if he'll see Aileen. He says he thought to do so now. Keely's silence makes him realize that Aileen is with Brennan. (Heh, maybe you should go, dude. Go save both of them from your brother's idiot attempt at self-therapy! Aileen might go with you after all!)
Keely explains that Aileen said that she and Brennan need to settle things and that if she'd left it for after seeing Corin...well, Keely trails off here. This affirms his newfound resolve.
We end Corin's part with a very awkward transition:
He bent over and tugged off his boots, one by one, welcoming the activity. And then, distracted, he looked at his sister in startled comprehension. "Oh, gods, Keely-one-handed. Hart cannot even do this!"
Keely turned her face against his shoulder in unspoken grief for lost hands and lost brothers, not knowing, for her, which was worse, or would be.
I mean, it's nice to see Corin showing some empathy for once. But it is a bit abrupt here.
That said, as endings go, this actually works for me. We won't actually get to see Corin retake Atvia. When he turns up again in Flight of the Raven (I don't actually remember if he's in Daughter of the Lion at all, sorry), he's pretty secure in his position. He's even married! We never really see how that happens.
And honestly, I'm okay with that. I'd enjoy reading Corin's continued adventures, but I feel like his story here was less about Atvia and more about his relationship with his brother and his self-confidence. And he's resolved that. He's figured out who he is. And he's ready for greater adventures. That works for me. I find it satisfying.
--
Two down, one to go.
Hart is going into his chamber, feeling depressed, an emotion foreign to him. He tries to undress and realizes, actually, he can't do it. He can't remove his boots. I'm wondering what the fuck he did in Valgaard, since he's not described as being the same level of filthy as Brennan.
Actually, the next sentence tells us there was "no need in Valgaard". And then their trek home was too rushed for them to do anything but dip their heads in a bucket and wash face and hands (-hand) clean.
But then:
"Let me," the woman said, and he jerked arms away in shock.
Ilsa. He gaped at her like a fool.
Ilsa. In his room.
"Let me," she repeated, and knelt to remove his boot.
Well that's an entrance. Hart, humiliated and angry, immediately tells her to leave.
Dar told me what he had done." She was pale as death. "He thought I would approve."
"And you did not?"
"I was appalled." Her tone was even. At first he thought she spoke by rote, not caring what she said; beneath the tone he sensed a wire stretched to breaking.
"I swear, I did not know what he intended. I did not know he would go so far."
"But you did not tell the Mujhar." He recalled too clearly his father's shock.
Even her lips were pale. "I could not find the words. Not after I learned how he lost his eye. To tell him his son had also been maimed by Ihlini treachery—?" White-faced, Ilsa shook her head. "I could not do it. I thought it better left to you."
...I'd bet you didn't want to tell the foreign monarch of a land that keeps invading yours that his son was mutilated by your suitor. That said, I also believe that Ilsa was horrified by Dar's actions. All along, she's proved that she's never been stupid. Maiming the king's son is a fucking stupid thing to do.
Ilsa gives her side of the story:
Ilsa drew in a breath. Slender fingers shredded the gray-blue silk of her gown. "Dar came," she said. "We drank wine. We spoke of you. I told him I wanted no harm to come to you, nor to him, nor to Solinde. And he laughed, and said it would not; that the wager was merely a game." Her tone wavered minutely; she steadied it and went on. "I looked into his eyes, and knew he lied to me. But by then it was too late. The wine was drugged. I—slept."
Since this is the last chapter, I suppose we have no reason not to believe her. It is interesting how Ilsa was juxtaposed with Rhiannon. After Rhiannon's betrayal, it was easy to believe Ilsa was a willing collaborator in Strahan's schemes. Especially given all the comparisons with Electra. But she wasn't in Valgaard.
Anyway, per Ilsa, the next morning Dar told her what she'd done. She promises she had nothing to do with it.
Hart, for once behaving intelligently, is skeptical. He asks what she told Niall to get him to allow her to stay.
Her eyes were startled. "The truth. That I desire you to come home."
"Home?"
Fingers twitched in a gesture of arrested acknowledgement. "To Solinde," she amended.
He nodded grimly. "Dar should like that."
"Dar should not," she said quietly, "knowing he will be executed,"
Well, this gets Hart's attention. He says that he lost his hand, not his head. But Ilsa is steady: Dar committed treason. He attacked the Prince of Solinde. She'd had no choice but to petition the regent for Dar's arrest. She did.
So Ilsa's made her choice. It'd be a little more satisfying if Hart had done anything to earn it.
Don't get me wrong, I get why Ilsa's doing this. Her motives make sense. Homana's a better ally than an enemy after all. Dar was a fucking idiot who forced her hand. But as the ending for Hart's storyarc...
Well, let's continue.
It'll be Hart's order to give after a trial. Hart's a bit bitter, thinking that the Solindish will be glad to get rid of him. I'd feel a little more for him here if he ever really gave them a reason to feel otherwise. But okay.
"What of you?" he asked. "What of the last of Bellam's line?"
Ilsa drew in a breath. "I came here to bring you home—" quickly, she caught herself, "—to Solinde. I came to tell you that we are in need of a prince of the blood." Her smile was slight, but wry. "A prince not entirely of our blood, perhaps, but there is some. Electra was your kinswoman as well as mine, though we tend to overlook it; I am not the sole bearer of the blood of Bellam's House. It should, in the end, please those who argue against you." Briefly, Ilsa looked down at closed hands, "I came here to tell you I had chosen even before Dar arrived—it was why I sent the messenger—and that you were the one I chose."
...why?
I mean, I get why she's here now. Dar was an idiot and forced her hand. But why the hell would she have picked Hart before? She'd been interested, at least at first, in the idea of an alliance, sure. But Hart basically blew off ALL of those signals, before betting her horse and then herself as stakes in his idiot games.
He's never bothered to educate himself about her culture. He doesn't speak the language. He gambled away the fucking regalia needed to govern...
Oh, about that:
After a moment, he accepted what she gave him. Heavy rings chimed. He looked down at the Third Seal. At the Second, which Tarron had held. And the First, that had been in Niall's keeping.
"The Trey," Ilsa said.
"I know what it is." He felt empty, "I do not think I can."
"There is also this." Ilsa held out her other hand.
When he did not move to accept what she offered, she turned over her hand and opened it. Against her palm the sapphire glowed.
"My signet," he blurted, startled.
Apparently Ilsa won it from the wine girl. This makes Hart laugh. You have to be fucking kidding me.
So basically Ilsa fixes all of Hart's messes and tacitly justifies his gambling habit to boot. Remember the whole insight of Hart needing to win to prove that his addiction was worth something and could fix things as well as break them and how he kept losing. And that was kind of a big part of his downward spiral?
Apparently that doesn't count anymore. Gambling fixes shit after all, y'all.
Growth, what growth.
Oh, well, there's the hand.
His eyes were oddly intent. "I have been told," he said slowly, "that in Solinde the customs are different."
"Aye." Her tone was guarded.
"I am told that in Solinde, it does not matter so much that a man lacks a hand. That a king lacks a hand."
Comprehension lighted her eyes. "My lord, in Solinde all that matters—in kings—As that they do not lack the wherewithal to sire children on their wives."
Hart smiled crookedly. "No," he said, "I do not."
She lifted a delicate chin. "Then will you come home with me?"
He studied her a long moment. And then he turned and set the Trey of Solinde down onto a table, and stepped closer to the woman. He took the sapphire signet from her palm and slipped it onto her thumb, knowing it too large for any of her fingers.
He did not smile. "Only if you wear this."
"The requirements of state." But there was laughter in her eyes.
And so Hart's story ends. And...okay, this is fucking stupid.
Brennan's arc ends with him being frank and honest with his soon-to-be wife as they cautiously negotiate their future. It's not love yet, but there's mutual respect with room to grow. And Brennan himself finally, willingly, brings his flaws out into the open. He doesn't need to posture or overcompensate anymore.
Corin's arc ends with him having accepted himself and his brother. He's learned that he doesn't need what his brother has in order to find his self worth. He's embarking on a new journey, even if we don't get to see it.
What growth has Hart had? He's lost a hand, sure. That sucks, I'll grant that. He's the one whose got the most lasting over damage from their experiences. Corin almost died, but he was healed. No lasting damage. Brennan, implicitly, had the most intensive torture experience, but that's likely going to get repressed just like everything else (maybe he'll tell Aileen?). Hart on the other hand can't exactly repress away his lost hand.
So, in that sense, I'm glad that he gets a happy ending. But the problem is, Hart had a story BEFORE his lack of hand.
Hart has an addiction that's ruined his life. He's paid a bit of lip service to never gambling again while they're in captivity, but if trauma fixed addiction immediately, we wouldn't have addicts anymore. It's going to take time to see if he's going to stick to his resolution.
Hart also is the heir to Solinde, and unlike Corin, that actually was a major part of his story. And Hart repeatedly blew it. It's not just the gambling, though that certainly didn't help. It was the complete disinterest in learning anything about the realm. It was blowing off Torren, every time the guy tried to give him a briefing or get him involved in helping to govern. Hart showed a little promise at the end, but still, one session of court is not enough to prove that he's changed!
Why does Ilsa want him? I could buy a political marriage, but that's not how this scene came across. Roberson can show us that relationship. She just fucking did. And maybe she didn't want Hart and Ilsa to be a repeat of Brennan and Aileen - but instead, this just feels like an ass pull. Ilsa loves Hart because Hart deserves a happy ending.
Does Solinde deserve Hart?
I think the problem is that Hart has too much plot. He's got too many issues and there just isn't enough space in the narrative to do him justice. Admittedly, Brennan's trauma isn't any more easily fixed than Hart's addiction. But at least I get the sense of forward momentum there. It's something that, I presume, he'll continue to deal with going forward.
Also, Brennan's story isn't actually finished. He's still going to be around for Daughter of the Lion. His son is the lead character in Flight of the Raven. These books take place in Homana. So even if he's not a main character, he's still going to be a presence. We're going to see his further progression.
Hart's story is pretty much done. He'll have some brief appearances in later books, but not the same way. He'll be in Solinde, doing his own thing. Like Corin, the rest of his development as a king is going to be off page.
It's a shame and a waste. If done properly, Hart's arc could have been incredibly compelling. Instead...it's what we get.
--
So the last bit is Niall and Deirdre. They're overjoyed and sad at the same time. Their boys are home. But changed and hurt. And Strahan's not going to stop. He doesn't give up.
Deirdre reminds him that the Cheysuli don't give up either.
Niall accepts that comfort and asks again which lion is his.
--
So now the epilogue. I'm not even going to bother with a lot of detail here. It's Lilith and Strahan in Valgaard. Lilith is offering condolences and encouragement. Strahan accepts neither. Instead, he has a new plan. And all he needs is time to execute it.
I'm rolling my eyes already, but with this unnecessary promise that the enemy who has been plaguing our characters for three books now intends to continue plaguing our characters, the book ends.
Verdict will be soon.
I definitely intend to add the Cleric Quintet to my list though, because it will be really interesting to see Salvatore tackling characters that aren't Drizzt or Drizzt-adjacent. But that's a tangent, because I still have a book to finish.
On the plus side, pretty much all the action is done. Now we're getting reunions and closure. Let's see how satisfying it'll be!
We start this chapter with a long-missed duo. Niall and Deirdre are in her solar, bent over her tapestry. It's covered in lions - each one representing a historical figure or event. Niall asks after one and is told that it's Shaine. The next, naturally, is Carillon. Niall asks after himself. Deirdre's good-humored comment that it'll be years before she gets to his reign causes an emotional outburst:
"And years before I know what has befallen my sons."
She looked up quickly, saw his face, set aside her massive tapestry. "Niall—"
"Months!" he exclaimed. "And how many of those were wasted? How many of those months did I believe Hart and Corin merely in their respective realms, learning how to rule, while I believed Teirnan and the a'saii responsible for Brennan's disappearance?" He cursed and strode angrily to the nearest casement, glaring out on the inner bailey. There was a commotion within the walls, but he was too distracted to wonder at its cause. "By the gods, I should have known. Strahan yet again, and eternal Ihlini meddling."
Aww, poor Niall. And really, they should try to figure out a better means of communication between the realms. How does Solinde fucking function, sending documents back and forth, if it takes MONTHS for Niall to learn that his son/viceroy got fucking kidnapped?!
Also, I feel like Niall is giving Teirnan way too much credit for competence here. I suppose it's plausible that Teirnan just murdered Brennan and got rid of the body, but otherwise, I sincerely doubt the man has the wherewithal to manage a long term kidnapping.
Also, this is kind of the Ihlini's whole MO, so you probably should have figured it out a bit sooner.
To be fair, Niall agrees with me. Deirdre tries to find the positive, pointing out that Strahan isn't likely to want to kill the boys. His way is to use men instead. I'd make a snide comment, but they're right. And also, they've been dealing with Strahan for generations now, so they've reason to know.
It occurs to me that there is something really interesting about the dynamic in which multiple generations of heroes have to deal with the same villain. At first, I assumed that the advantage would be the villain's. He knows them, he's watched them grow, and he's seen them vulnerable. But now, I wonder about that.
Because the heroes ALSO know him. They know what he does and how he works, and while he can change up his pattern, it's a lot harder to change his motivation or nature. He might know the family, but he doesn't necessarily know the individual. Each character is different, with their own strengths and weaknesses. They know his style, even if they might fall for a trick or two, and can brace themselves to endure or counter. He doesn't know theirs - as Corin proved quite admirably.
But Niall doesn't know that, of course. He's busy freaking out over what he might be doing to the boys and "what sort of men will he make them?"
Aw, have a little faith!
That said, Niall isn't actually sleeping on things now. The army is set to march for Valgaard in the morning. Ian and Niall will be going with them. This is, of course, when our heroes make their grand entrance.
Brennan stepped around the wide-eyed servant. "What he means to say, jehan, is that all of your sons are back."
Kindly, Brennan moved the servant aside and held the door open himself as Hart and Corin and assorted lir made their way into the tower solar. The chamber was suddenly filled.
"All—" Niall said hoarsely.
"One, two, three." Hart grinned, "Unless Deirdre has contrived to add another in our absence."
Deirdre is overjoyed, but Niall...mirroring the first part of the book, can't help but notice the changes in the boys.
Brennan: much too gaunt and oddly haunted in yellow eyes, though his smile was genuine. His jerkin was soiled and crusted with countless unnamed things, and Niall had no desire to ask how it had become so; he had a good idea. His only desire was to see that Brennan was whole, and that was blatantly obvious. His hair was mostly clean, if too long, and he held himself with customary pride, but there was something about the way he moved that spoke of things unsaid even among his brothers.
Corin: bearded as an Erinnish brigand, looking less Cheysuli than ever, though there was, Niall noted, a subtle self-confidence Corin had always lacked, or was banished by bad temper. And though there was a tension in the way he moved, as if he waited for something, Niall saw no anger, no hostility, no reluctance to accept his place in the House of Homana. Clearly he had suffered; equally clearly, he had come to terms with himself.
And Hart, showing teeth in a familiar grin; showing something else in posture. All of them were clad in worn and dirty clothing, though clearly they had bathed a day or two before arrival, if only arms and faces; but there was more than a weary relief and elation in Hart's posture and attitude. He stood rigidly next to the door, left hand thrust behind his back as if he meant to hide something in it. Even as he stepped free of the door, letting it swing closed, he kept the forearm behind him.
It's kind of funny. In the past, Hart was the one who faded into the background. Now, obviously, he's the one who will have the biggest, most dramatic reveal. I suppose he's earned it.
And really, Carollan and Taliesin couldn't spare some extra clothing?
Brennan goes for an arm clasp and gets a hug for good measure. Aw. Niall wants to hug the others, but Corin is settled in place and oblivious (a nice little subtle nod toward his character growth - neither over-conscious nor jealous of his brother's regard) and Hart's body language is warding off familiarity.
They're definitely building up the reveal here.
"Well enough," Brennan said. "But first, let us swear to you that we are not Strahan's minions sent to do you harm. Because of Corin, we are nothing but ourselves, if a trifle worn." He glanced briefly at Hart, turned back and sought a chair.
Belatedly, Niall pushed one over. Deirdre beckoned Hart to take her own, but he shook his head and remained at his post beside the door. Or intended to. The door was abruptly shoved open; Hart, thrusting out arms to keep himself from being crushed between wall and wood, saw his father's face go white.
Yep. Crap.
The entrance is Ian, by the way, who is also overjoyed until he sees Hart's hand. We're told, rather belatedly, that Hart is Ian's favorite nephew - which adds a bit of context to their scene at the beginning of the book.
They start to get into the "what happened" - Hart is just saying that his stupidity, not Strahan, caused this when they're interrupted again. This time by Keely, calling for Corin. She ALSO catches sight of Hart's arm and freezes.
But this is where Niall gets to be dad:
"Come here," Niall said.
After a moment. Hart answered his father's bidding.
He was conscious of all the eyes, but looked only at the single blue one of his father. "Jehan—"
"If you think I will love you the less because you lack a hand, you have no wits at all," Niall said clearly. "If you think I cannot comprehend the pain—physical as well as emotional—that such a loss engenders, look again at my face."
Aw.
Anyway, Niall apologizes to the boys for not realizing what Strahan had done. He'd believed Brennan and Rhiannon's disappearance was due to Teirnan. He'd spent weeks trying to trap the guy, until a crofter's son came forward and admitted to seeing Rhiannon spirit Brennan away.
Apparently they've figured out who Rhiannon is by now. Ian has more reason to suffer, of course. Poor guy.
Anyway, Niall's going to cancel the whole army marching on Valgaard thing. He wants his family with him, not anywhere near the Valgaard or the Ihlini. (On the plus side, they're all gathered, so they can help Corin retake Atvia.) And the timeline becomes incredibly confusing yet again:
No," Niall said promptly. "For now I want none of my family anywhere near Valgaard or the Ihlini. We are together again for the first time in nearly a year, and I would prefer to enjoy it."
"Nearly a year?" Corin grinned. "Our banishment is incomplete, then ... do you intend to send Hart and me away again?" He slanted a glance at his middle brother, who merely shrugged one shoulder and smiled vaguely.
HOW fucking long did it take you to figure out where Brennan was???
To be fair, I think the math might actually work for once. Brennan's part started a month after the boys left, and probably covered a few weeks to a month. Hart's took place a few months after that. Corin's is a bit more spread out, but if we consider the time aboard ship, the time in Erinn, and then his arrival in Atvia...
It's implied that Corin goes directly to Valgaard after nose-diving off the cliff, but even then, we've got about six weeks travel time between Valgaard and Homana-Mujhar. So...nine or ten months might actually be accurate.
Still, how the fuck long did it take you to figure things out, Niall???
To add even more confusion to the timeline, we're told that Aileen is here. She'd apparently traveled from Erinn to Homana in the meantime. (Corin freezes at the mention of Aileen, by the way, but says nothing.)
Oh, this part's kind of interesting when it comes to ranting about Cheysuli sexism:
Maeve is at Clankeep?" Brennan asked in surprise.
Niall frowned a little. "She wished to see the shar tahl. She swore the vows of a meijha, Brennan, in good faith, even if in poor judgment. Now that Teir has renounced his clan, she wishes to formally renounce the vows."
So how do these vows of a meijha work? All along, we've been told that the role of a meijha, or mistress is equally as respected as the role of a cheysula, or wife. It's pretty clear that a man can leave his wife or his mistress at any time: see, e.g. Hale. Or Donal, for that matter. But a mistress has to go to the fucking priest to renounce her vows to a fucking traitor?
They discuss Teirnan a bit here: he's been kin-wrecked. Basically exiled. It's confirmed that he's been gathering warriors, but it's not clear how many. Some rumors say seven, some say seventy.
"He is shrewd," Niall said. "Much smarter than I believed. But Ceinn has suckled him on tales of the old days, when the race was exquisitely pure . . . Teirnan is now dedicated to the restoration of the old ways without benefit of the prophecy."
Brennan shook his head as he leaned forward to take the cup from Ian. "How can a warrior who has been raised to respect the prophecy turn his back on it? I admit that I am less than enamored of the need to cohabit with Ihlini, but to deny myself the afterworld? No." Brennan shook his head. "Teirnan must be mad."
"Not mad." Ian carried the requested usca to Corin.
"Determined. We have been blessed, as a race, with a consuming dedication—to the exclusion of all else—to fulfillment of the prophecy. We have been accused, on more than one occasion, of being blind and deaf to the truth, locking ourselves away in insular arrogance, believing we know the only way." He looked at his brother.
Niall reminisces about how they once believed that no Ihlini could intend anything but harm to them. They learned from that old woman. And Taliesin, of course, which leads to this:
"And Taliesan, with Carollan, who gave us back our youngest rujholli." Brennan smiled at Corin. "If you do not tell him all that you accomplished, even in front of Strahan, I will"
Corin shrugged. "Another time."
This is an undercurrent that's woven throughout the scene and it's really cute. Brennan wants so much to gush proudly about their little brother's achievement, and Corin just like "nah." Because he doesn't need recognition like he used to.
It's character growth!
And maybe a little bit of characteristic insensitivity, because while it is very clear that Brennan genuinely wants to praise his brother, it's also maybe the only time he's been willing to talk about what happened in Valgaard. Brennan, as we've seen, does not easily talk about anything to anyone.
Niall notices Corin's growth, and there's actually a fair bit to unpack here:
Corin stared. "You knew?”
Silvering brows rose. "How could I not? Do you think I am blind? I knew very well how much you wanted what Brennan had. As for now?" Niall smiled. "I think you have learned there are more important things to concern yourself with than what your rujholli has."
"Such as survival," Hart said dryly. "The gods know we could have died a dozen times."
"I did." Brennan's tone was hollow as, for the moment, he was back in the tiny cell. He shivered, rose abruptly, put his unfinished wine down. "Jehan, there is more to tell you. But I think it will wait for another time." He straightened his jerkin. "There is something I must do ... someone I must come to terms with."
Corin, thinking of Aileen, thrust himself to his feet.
And checked as Brennan turned to look at him. Uncomfortable, he shrugged. "I—I intend to have a bath. I am filthy."
a) Corin, everyone knew. You were basically wearing a neon sign. Expressing yourself aggressively is yours.
b) Still, it's good to see Corin get some much deserved recognition. It's even better that he doesn't need it anymore. Corin, at least, came out of this at a net positive. He has a stronger sense of self and no major physical or mental damage.
c) Speaking of... Brennan is clearly NOT okay. I really hope the guy finds SOMEONE he can talk to. Too bad Maeve is in clankeep.
c2) By the way, that's really fucking annoying and indicative of how Maeve is treated throughout the series. She's their sister too, but does she get to be present for the reunion? NAH. Why would that ever happen? Just wait until Daughter of the Lion. I'll have some rants by the end of that one.
d) And Aileen...well, that's going to be an issue, isn't it? But Corin seems to be making the decision to let her go.
There's a confusing bit here:
In silence, Niall's sons filed slowly out of the solar, automatically sending lir ahead to bedchambers. Intent upon their thoughts, they paid no attention to one another. Not even Corin to Brennan, as much as he wanted to. Like Hart, he turned away, and Brennan went on alone.
This doesn't really make sense to me. As much as who wanted to? Corin? And if he's aware enough to want to pay attention, how can he be lost in his thoughts? Nevermind. In a way, it's good to see a patented nonsensical Roberson-ism again. She's mostly developed past those. I'm almost nostalgic.
Alright, so we're going to follow Brennan now. And where is he going?
It was midmorning. Sunlight spilled through stained-glass casements and painted the Great Hall a mass of liquid colors. But Brennan ignored the light, ignored the Lion, moving instead to the end of the firepit. He cleared wood and ashes, gripped the iron handle, peeled back the lid.
He stared down into the hole, watching the stairs fall away into darkness. One hundred and two of them. Far fewer than in Valgaard on the way to the Gate of the god.
Time enough for such foolish fear as I have known . . . never again will I give over such a weapon to the enemy.
...okay, I get that there are no therapists in Homana, but this seems like a really fucking bad idea. You've been tortured for god knows how long, and your claustrophobia STEMS from a traumatic experience with his fucking pit, and you think going back there is a good idea???
That said, Brennan soon realizes he's not alone in the room. And we get the first meeting between the betrothed couple all book:
Red-haired. Green-eyed. Supple as a willow. She carried her head high on a slender neck; brilliant hair fell to curl around her hips.
"They were saying you were back." He heard Erinn in her voice, far more lilting than Deirdre's accent. This woman, this girl, whom I am to wed, nearly cost all of us our sanity, because of Corin.
But he could not tell her that. Not yet. Perhaps not ever; too much, at this moment, lay between them. Because of Corin. "Back," he said. "Aye." Not knowing what else to say.
"And safe."
"Aye," he agreed, "and safe." Then, giving in to it, "So is my youngest rujholli."
She did not flinch, though clearly she had heard him.
Hey, dude. Nothing that happened was her fault and there's no reason to be a petty dick.
But also, I'm a little fascinated that he IS being a petty dick here. Because that's not really like him, is it?
This is one of those parts where I want to excerpt EVERYTHING. But willpower!
As she comes closer, Brennan "oddly" finds that he wants to apologize to her. Apparently Corin has said very little about Aileen, shying away from the subject entirely.
He drew in a breath. "You are in love with Corin."
"Aye," was all she said.
"And he in love with you."
Her lips tightened minutely. "Once," she said quietly. "I'm not knowing how long it lasted."
Resentment rose, then faded. Brennan smiled wryly. "It lasted," he told her sardonically. "I can assure you of that."
Is it strange that I find this dynamic very compelling?
She said nothing. She was no beauty, he saw, and certainly not the kind of woman Corin generally sought for companionship. What she was, he realized, looking at her without benefit of prejudice, was proud as a Cheysuli, with a spirit that blazed as brightly. And he knew, seeing that pride, that spirit, Aileen of Erinn was as trapped by circumstances as the Prince of Homana himself.
How do I deal with this?
But there was no answer, not in her face. Nor, he knew, in his own.
He brings up the change in Corin, credits it to her and expresses his gratitude for Corin saving their lives. I don't really think that credit is any fairer than blame here, but I can appreciate that this is a very awkward situation for both of them.
She did not avoid his eyes. "It was not intended, none of it. I was meaning it no more than Corin. It—" she checked, sighed, went on quietly, "—just happened.
Brennan thought of Rhiannon. None of that had 'just happened,' being carefully designed, but he understood what Aileen meant. And knew he could lay no blame. "I admire your honesty," he said abruptly. "I have had little of that, of late, from women." He paused. "You do know the story."
"Aye. Keely told me."
Well, it's good to have things on the table. And Brennan really seems to be embracing that idea here:
"Aileen—I cannot promise it will be easy. Arranged marriages are difficult enough, particularly cradle-betrothals, but now, with this—"
Her cool voice interrupted. "I'm knowing it as well as you, Brennan. D'ye think I've not spent my nights thinking about it, wondering what I would do when you and Corin came home?" A trace of inner fire lighted Erinnish eyes—green as emeralds, he thought—and he saw a hint of Aileen's passion. " 'Twill be as hard as we make it, I think."
Brennan did not couch his words in diplomacy. "And if Corin stays here? What then? Am I expected to share?"
The fire caught and burned, blazing in her eyes. " 'Tis between Corin and me, I'm thinking."
He laughed once, incredulously, on a gust of air. "Is it? Am I discounted so easily?"
Her skin was very fair, and he saw the bloom of color in her cheeks. Bright scarlet, competing with the brilliance of her hair. "He left me," she said. "He left me, my lord husband-to-be, because he would not steal his brother's betrothed. An honorable man, your brother; d'ye think he'd discard that honor here?"
Damn, I think I've figured out why I'm finding them so compelling.
Look at Brennan in this scene. He's petty. He's jealous. He's being a hypocritical ass. He deserves to be put in his place, and she does that admirably. But when have we ever seen him be so OPEN about what he's feeling? Right or wrong?
And she's returning that honesty. She admits that she loves Corin, present tense. Corin is the one who turned her down. Corin is the one who left so as not to steal his brother's wife. Aileen was perfectly ready to be stolen and she's not pretending otherwise.
But there is the potential for something here, I think:
"No," he said quietly. "No, I was wrong to imply it."
Some of her vitality drained away. "Were you? No. I'm thinking not. You believed what any man might, faced with such a coil." Aileen shook her head, wide mouth twisted. " 'Tis sorry I am, Brennan. We none of us asked for it, but it has all been spilled into our laps by your gods ... by your capricious Cheysuli destiny" She sighed. "Keely told me you are a good man, if a trifle unimaginative."
He considered it thoughtfully a moment. Discarded the idea; he was whatever he was.
Is it wrong that this makes me laugh, affectionately? I do have my favorites.
But this is where things get a little more interesting. Because, then, he asks if Keely has told her of his fear? "The flaw in the Prince of Homana?"
Of course not. Keely wouldn't know about it. But that's not the really the point. For his entire life, Brennan has never said a word about his fear. Even in Strahan's clutches, he only told his brothers what he couldn't hide from them. Even back at the palace, there are still things he won't say.
To them.
"Then I should tell you of it." He went to the wall, took a torch from the bracket, lighted it from a candle and returned to the firepit. "Come down with me," he said. "Come down with me, meijhana, and tell me how it was a bad-tempered, impetuous Cheysuli princeling won the heart of Aileen of Erinn." He smiled. "And I will tell you how it is Corin's oldest rujholli means to face his fear and destroy it."
Green eyes widened in surprise. "Are you really wanting to know?"
"No," he said truthfully, "but it will give me something to listen to instead of chattering teeth."
Aileen, by the way, asserts that her teeth aren't much for chattering. He meant him. He steps down into the stairway and asks again, if she'll come with him. And...she does.
I mean, that's one way to court your fiancee, I suppose. Invite her along to your insane attempt at aversion therapy while you're still prone to walking flashbacks from your brand new trauma.
But anyway, this is Brennan's end. And Aileen's. Is it weird that I think it's a pretty good one?
The problems aren't fixed. Brennan's still a massive yacht-load of issues. Aileen's still in love with another man. But I feel like there's potential here. I feel like I can see how their pieces will eventually fit together.
And even if they don't, there's a clear, mutual honesty and respect. And that goes a long way.
--
So now, it's Corin's turn.
Corin's ending is rather less dramatic, I have to say. He's in his room, with Kiri, appreciating familiar smells and familiar warmth.
Keely enters. And for once, Roberson actually avoids turning her into a walking plug for Daughter of the Lion.
"Corin?"
He turned his head.
"You mean to go back to Atvia."
It was a statement, not inquiry. He thought about it a moment, then nodded. "I think so."
Keely moved closer to the bed, "And if I asked you to stay?"
Corin tells her she doesn't know what she's asking him. Keely knows enough: Aileen had confided in her. Keely knows the story. She doesn't want Corin to go and leave her alone.
She can see that Corin's afraid. Corin admits it: Alaric is dead, Atvia is open to Lillith and Strahan's influence. Their mother is there. But someone has to go. And Atvia is Corin's.
"I will not run from responsibility, nor bewail it. I have something of my own at last, something no one else may hold; Atvia is mine. It is for me to put the realm into order again, my task, to put light in place of darkness. It is for me to do; not Brennan, not Hart, not you."
It's a good speech.
We do segue a bit into Keely's issues for a moment:
Keely's tone was bitter. "Because the prophecy requires it."
"As much as it requires service of you. And you will serve it, Keely; no matter how difficult, how demanding, how much sacrifice is asked. You are not like Teirnan."
Corin sat up and turned, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He still wore his boots; he did not care that he had soiled his bedclothes. "Be what you must, Keely, but let me do what I must."
I appreciate Corin's growth in general, but it really does bug me how unsympathetic he is to her issues. She's afraid of marital rape, dude. That's pretty fucking understandable, no matter how annoying she can be.
It does occur to me that every so often, this book (and the next) talk a bit about the "twin bond" between each set of characters. And honestly, both sets come across as incredibly one-sided.
Brennan, during his part, often thought of Hart, wishing for his presence, missing him terribly. Niall even notes that he takes Hart's departure harder than his own punishment. But on Hart's end...the only thought he ever spares to his twin is that Brennan would be better at handling the work than he is.
Corin and Keely have the same one-sidedness, I think. When he's not venting to her, Corin really doesn't seem to give much of a shit about his sister. He never even granted her ONE request: to talk to Liam and Sean about her engagement. I'm not saying that he should change his mind. I think going to Atvia, prepared!, is the right thing to do. But he could be a little fucking nicer to her!
Keely asks if he'll see Aileen. He says he thought to do so now. Keely's silence makes him realize that Aileen is with Brennan. (Heh, maybe you should go, dude. Go save both of them from your brother's idiot attempt at self-therapy! Aileen might go with you after all!)
Keely explains that Aileen said that she and Brennan need to settle things and that if she'd left it for after seeing Corin...well, Keely trails off here. This affirms his newfound resolve.
We end Corin's part with a very awkward transition:
He bent over and tugged off his boots, one by one, welcoming the activity. And then, distracted, he looked at his sister in startled comprehension. "Oh, gods, Keely-one-handed. Hart cannot even do this!"
Keely turned her face against his shoulder in unspoken grief for lost hands and lost brothers, not knowing, for her, which was worse, or would be.
I mean, it's nice to see Corin showing some empathy for once. But it is a bit abrupt here.
That said, as endings go, this actually works for me. We won't actually get to see Corin retake Atvia. When he turns up again in Flight of the Raven (I don't actually remember if he's in Daughter of the Lion at all, sorry), he's pretty secure in his position. He's even married! We never really see how that happens.
And honestly, I'm okay with that. I'd enjoy reading Corin's continued adventures, but I feel like his story here was less about Atvia and more about his relationship with his brother and his self-confidence. And he's resolved that. He's figured out who he is. And he's ready for greater adventures. That works for me. I find it satisfying.
--
Two down, one to go.
Hart is going into his chamber, feeling depressed, an emotion foreign to him. He tries to undress and realizes, actually, he can't do it. He can't remove his boots. I'm wondering what the fuck he did in Valgaard, since he's not described as being the same level of filthy as Brennan.
Actually, the next sentence tells us there was "no need in Valgaard". And then their trek home was too rushed for them to do anything but dip their heads in a bucket and wash face and hands (-hand) clean.
But then:
"Let me," the woman said, and he jerked arms away in shock.
Ilsa. He gaped at her like a fool.
Ilsa. In his room.
"Let me," she repeated, and knelt to remove his boot.
Well that's an entrance. Hart, humiliated and angry, immediately tells her to leave.
Dar told me what he had done." She was pale as death. "He thought I would approve."
"And you did not?"
"I was appalled." Her tone was even. At first he thought she spoke by rote, not caring what she said; beneath the tone he sensed a wire stretched to breaking.
"I swear, I did not know what he intended. I did not know he would go so far."
"But you did not tell the Mujhar." He recalled too clearly his father's shock.
Even her lips were pale. "I could not find the words. Not after I learned how he lost his eye. To tell him his son had also been maimed by Ihlini treachery—?" White-faced, Ilsa shook her head. "I could not do it. I thought it better left to you."
...I'd bet you didn't want to tell the foreign monarch of a land that keeps invading yours that his son was mutilated by your suitor. That said, I also believe that Ilsa was horrified by Dar's actions. All along, she's proved that she's never been stupid. Maiming the king's son is a fucking stupid thing to do.
Ilsa gives her side of the story:
Ilsa drew in a breath. Slender fingers shredded the gray-blue silk of her gown. "Dar came," she said. "We drank wine. We spoke of you. I told him I wanted no harm to come to you, nor to him, nor to Solinde. And he laughed, and said it would not; that the wager was merely a game." Her tone wavered minutely; she steadied it and went on. "I looked into his eyes, and knew he lied to me. But by then it was too late. The wine was drugged. I—slept."
Since this is the last chapter, I suppose we have no reason not to believe her. It is interesting how Ilsa was juxtaposed with Rhiannon. After Rhiannon's betrayal, it was easy to believe Ilsa was a willing collaborator in Strahan's schemes. Especially given all the comparisons with Electra. But she wasn't in Valgaard.
Anyway, per Ilsa, the next morning Dar told her what she'd done. She promises she had nothing to do with it.
Hart, for once behaving intelligently, is skeptical. He asks what she told Niall to get him to allow her to stay.
Her eyes were startled. "The truth. That I desire you to come home."
"Home?"
Fingers twitched in a gesture of arrested acknowledgement. "To Solinde," she amended.
He nodded grimly. "Dar should like that."
"Dar should not," she said quietly, "knowing he will be executed,"
Well, this gets Hart's attention. He says that he lost his hand, not his head. But Ilsa is steady: Dar committed treason. He attacked the Prince of Solinde. She'd had no choice but to petition the regent for Dar's arrest. She did.
So Ilsa's made her choice. It'd be a little more satisfying if Hart had done anything to earn it.
Don't get me wrong, I get why Ilsa's doing this. Her motives make sense. Homana's a better ally than an enemy after all. Dar was a fucking idiot who forced her hand. But as the ending for Hart's storyarc...
Well, let's continue.
It'll be Hart's order to give after a trial. Hart's a bit bitter, thinking that the Solindish will be glad to get rid of him. I'd feel a little more for him here if he ever really gave them a reason to feel otherwise. But okay.
"What of you?" he asked. "What of the last of Bellam's line?"
Ilsa drew in a breath. "I came here to bring you home—" quickly, she caught herself, "—to Solinde. I came to tell you that we are in need of a prince of the blood." Her smile was slight, but wry. "A prince not entirely of our blood, perhaps, but there is some. Electra was your kinswoman as well as mine, though we tend to overlook it; I am not the sole bearer of the blood of Bellam's House. It should, in the end, please those who argue against you." Briefly, Ilsa looked down at closed hands, "I came here to tell you I had chosen even before Dar arrived—it was why I sent the messenger—and that you were the one I chose."
...why?
I mean, I get why she's here now. Dar was an idiot and forced her hand. But why the hell would she have picked Hart before? She'd been interested, at least at first, in the idea of an alliance, sure. But Hart basically blew off ALL of those signals, before betting her horse and then herself as stakes in his idiot games.
He's never bothered to educate himself about her culture. He doesn't speak the language. He gambled away the fucking regalia needed to govern...
Oh, about that:
After a moment, he accepted what she gave him. Heavy rings chimed. He looked down at the Third Seal. At the Second, which Tarron had held. And the First, that had been in Niall's keeping.
"The Trey," Ilsa said.
"I know what it is." He felt empty, "I do not think I can."
"There is also this." Ilsa held out her other hand.
When he did not move to accept what she offered, she turned over her hand and opened it. Against her palm the sapphire glowed.
"My signet," he blurted, startled.
Apparently Ilsa won it from the wine girl. This makes Hart laugh. You have to be fucking kidding me.
So basically Ilsa fixes all of Hart's messes and tacitly justifies his gambling habit to boot. Remember the whole insight of Hart needing to win to prove that his addiction was worth something and could fix things as well as break them and how he kept losing. And that was kind of a big part of his downward spiral?
Apparently that doesn't count anymore. Gambling fixes shit after all, y'all.
Growth, what growth.
Oh, well, there's the hand.
His eyes were oddly intent. "I have been told," he said slowly, "that in Solinde the customs are different."
"Aye." Her tone was guarded.
"I am told that in Solinde, it does not matter so much that a man lacks a hand. That a king lacks a hand."
Comprehension lighted her eyes. "My lord, in Solinde all that matters—in kings—As that they do not lack the wherewithal to sire children on their wives."
Hart smiled crookedly. "No," he said, "I do not."
She lifted a delicate chin. "Then will you come home with me?"
He studied her a long moment. And then he turned and set the Trey of Solinde down onto a table, and stepped closer to the woman. He took the sapphire signet from her palm and slipped it onto her thumb, knowing it too large for any of her fingers.
He did not smile. "Only if you wear this."
"The requirements of state." But there was laughter in her eyes.
And so Hart's story ends. And...okay, this is fucking stupid.
Brennan's arc ends with him being frank and honest with his soon-to-be wife as they cautiously negotiate their future. It's not love yet, but there's mutual respect with room to grow. And Brennan himself finally, willingly, brings his flaws out into the open. He doesn't need to posture or overcompensate anymore.
Corin's arc ends with him having accepted himself and his brother. He's learned that he doesn't need what his brother has in order to find his self worth. He's embarking on a new journey, even if we don't get to see it.
What growth has Hart had? He's lost a hand, sure. That sucks, I'll grant that. He's the one whose got the most lasting over damage from their experiences. Corin almost died, but he was healed. No lasting damage. Brennan, implicitly, had the most intensive torture experience, but that's likely going to get repressed just like everything else (maybe he'll tell Aileen?). Hart on the other hand can't exactly repress away his lost hand.
So, in that sense, I'm glad that he gets a happy ending. But the problem is, Hart had a story BEFORE his lack of hand.
Hart has an addiction that's ruined his life. He's paid a bit of lip service to never gambling again while they're in captivity, but if trauma fixed addiction immediately, we wouldn't have addicts anymore. It's going to take time to see if he's going to stick to his resolution.
Hart also is the heir to Solinde, and unlike Corin, that actually was a major part of his story. And Hart repeatedly blew it. It's not just the gambling, though that certainly didn't help. It was the complete disinterest in learning anything about the realm. It was blowing off Torren, every time the guy tried to give him a briefing or get him involved in helping to govern. Hart showed a little promise at the end, but still, one session of court is not enough to prove that he's changed!
Why does Ilsa want him? I could buy a political marriage, but that's not how this scene came across. Roberson can show us that relationship. She just fucking did. And maybe she didn't want Hart and Ilsa to be a repeat of Brennan and Aileen - but instead, this just feels like an ass pull. Ilsa loves Hart because Hart deserves a happy ending.
Does Solinde deserve Hart?
I think the problem is that Hart has too much plot. He's got too many issues and there just isn't enough space in the narrative to do him justice. Admittedly, Brennan's trauma isn't any more easily fixed than Hart's addiction. But at least I get the sense of forward momentum there. It's something that, I presume, he'll continue to deal with going forward.
Also, Brennan's story isn't actually finished. He's still going to be around for Daughter of the Lion. His son is the lead character in Flight of the Raven. These books take place in Homana. So even if he's not a main character, he's still going to be a presence. We're going to see his further progression.
Hart's story is pretty much done. He'll have some brief appearances in later books, but not the same way. He'll be in Solinde, doing his own thing. Like Corin, the rest of his development as a king is going to be off page.
It's a shame and a waste. If done properly, Hart's arc could have been incredibly compelling. Instead...it's what we get.
--
So the last bit is Niall and Deirdre. They're overjoyed and sad at the same time. Their boys are home. But changed and hurt. And Strahan's not going to stop. He doesn't give up.
Deirdre reminds him that the Cheysuli don't give up either.
Niall accepts that comfort and asks again which lion is his.
--
So now the epilogue. I'm not even going to bother with a lot of detail here. It's Lilith and Strahan in Valgaard. Lilith is offering condolences and encouragement. Strahan accepts neither. Instead, he has a new plan. And all he needs is time to execute it.
I'm rolling my eyes already, but with this unnecessary promise that the enemy who has been plaguing our characters for three books now intends to continue plaguing our characters, the book ends.
Verdict will be soon.
Last stretch!
Date: 2023-12-06 11:34 am (UTC)"And years before I know what has befallen my sons."
She looked up quickly, saw his face, set aside her massive tapestry. "Niall—"
"Months!" he exclaimed. "And how many of those were wasted? How many of those months did I believe Hart and Corin merely in their respective realms, learning how to rule, while I believed Teirnan and the a'saii responsible for Brennan's disappearance?" He cursed and strode angrily to the nearest casement, glaring out on the inner bailey. There was a commotion within the walls, but he was too distracted to wonder at its cause. "By the gods, I should have known. Strahan yet again, and eternal Ihlini meddling."
Alix: Looks like Niall had awful communications.
"Well enough," Brennan said. "But first, let us swear to you that we are not Strahan's minions sent to do you harm. Because of Corin, we are nothing but ourselves, if a trifle worn." He glanced briefly at Hart, turned back and sought a chair.
Belatedly, Niall pushed one over. Deirdre beckoned Hart to take her own, but he shook his head and remained at his post beside the door. Or intended to. The door was abruptly shoved open; Hart, thrusting out arms to keep himself from being crushed between wall and wood, saw his father's face go white.
Pan: Poor Niall.
Alix: About Hart being Ian's least favorite, it makes sense, he started the most irresponsible.
b) Still, it's good to see Corin get some much deserved recognition. It's even better that he doesn't need it anymore. Corin, at least, came out of this at a net positive. He has a stronger sense of self and no major physical or mental damage.
Pan: Corin defied and nearly got Strahan at a price. Respect!
Dar told me what he had done." She was pale as death. "He thought I would approve."
"And you did not?"
"I was appalled." Her tone was even. At first he thought she spoke by rote, not caring what she said; beneath the tone he sensed a wire stretched to breaking.
"I swear, I did not know what he intended. I did not know he would go so far."
"But you did not tell the Mujhar." He recalled too clearly his father's shock.
Even her lips were pale. "I could not find the words. Not after I learned how he lost his eye. To tell him his son had also been maimed by Ihlini treachery—?" White-faced, Ilsa shook her head. "I could not do it. I thought it better left to you."
Alix: Dar got what he deserved.
Pan: I like how, the moment Hart completed his development and could no longer fall for Dar's crap, Dar had to go too far... and that backfired. That shows that when Hart refused the last game, he won in the long run.
Re: Last stretch!
Date: 2023-12-06 01:37 pm (UTC)It's worded a bit oddly, but Hart is actually Ian's favorite nephew, not least favorite. It always felt a bit arbitrary to me: the closeness is really more of an excuse for Hart to have a confidant in Part One, in the way that Brennan had Maeve and Corin had Keely. But I suppose it does make sense. Brennan is Niall's favorite, and wrapped up in heir-to-the-throne stuff that Ian's never been involved in. And Ian's a bit too steadfast/loyal to really appreciate Corin's style of rebellion.
Dar's ending is pretty great. No question about that. I just wish that Hart's development was more natural and had more time to show us that it stuck.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-14 03:21 am (UTC)Hart's ending feels more like it's the culmination of Ilsa's story, which we only barely got to see. She swallowed her nationalist pride and her fears and told (almost) the complete truth to Niall, she found a way to be Princess of Solinde without angering Solinde's overlord, she got the Trey back.
Speaking of her (lack of) complicity, I figured she was innocent when she has nowhere to be seen when Dar sprung his trap. Roberson loves having her villains gloat, so if she's not there to gloat, then odds are she's not a villain.
I think a more fitting coda for Hart would be if we saw him trying out replacement activities for his gambling addiction. Maybe throwing rune-stones alone, or playing games for buttons with palace staff. Show that trauma didn't cure him, and that he's making an active effort to manage the compulsion. Ilsa could find him at that and then the scene proceeds as written.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-14 05:46 am (UTC)But I think it's more the fact that, for better or worse, the matter's already been resolved. Corin had already chosen duty over love, and while his confession a few chapters ago was pretty frank "I do love her. I want her," it's not expressed in a pleading or begging way. He's not going "please fix this and let us get married", he's going "I'm sorry, this is what happened."
And I think Aileen made her choice too. She could have asked Brennan to let her go and marry Corin and she doesn't. She wanted to marry Corin early on, it's true, but he made his choice and it wasn't her. She strikes me as someone with too much pride to go after someone who didn't choose her, even if she loves him. When she meets Brennan, it's with the air of "okay, let's clear the air and make this work." So he responds in kind.
I mean, it's totally in service of Roberson's bloodline fetish, but I do think it makes sense for the characters involved. And I rather like the dynamic of an arranged marriage where the couple neither loves each other nor hates each other, but are able to act like adults and try to make things work anyway.
(As a mild spoiler: their story continues in the background of Daughter of the Lion, so we'll get to see how things develop, good or bad.)
-
I think your proposed alteration is a good idea. I LIKE Hart, I just think we need a clearer indication of progress. Another option I liked is to have the scene end with Hart asking Ilsa to teach him Solindish. It doesn't address the gambling problem, but it would be a gesture toward the idea that Hart actually wants to be a good king.