Daughter of the Lion - Part Two - Chapter Two

[kalinara]

So last time, sibling dynamics took center stage. Brennan confronts Keely about the horse and challenges her to a duel!



The first paragraph immediately gets my attention because it contains information that I somehow missed the last time I read this book that completely changes the way I see certain parts of Brennan and Keely's dynamic.

Remember how I asked about Keely's sword? There may be another option for how she got it:

Perversely, I was content. The anger melted away into determination, a cold, quiet calm that lent me the focus I needed. Brennan is not a truly gifted swordsman—I doubt any Cheysuli can be, lacking proper dedication—but he is strong and quick and solidly grounded in technique. I was no less so, since he had taught me what he knew, but it had been nearly two years since we had faced one another and I had improved tremendously.

Do you see what I see there? He taught her what he knew. BRENNAN is the one who apparently taught Keely how to fight using a sword.

That's actually a little mind-blowing. Actually, it's a LOT mind-blowing. And it makes me wonder how much of my recollection of Brennan as Keely's sexist adversary (as well as a certain reviewer's depiction) might well be based more on tropes rather than what actually happens in the story.

Admittedly, there's nothing to say that Brennan was Keely's only teacher. He taught her what he knew, he did not necessarily teach her everything SHE knows. We know she had a little training with Captain Griffon, after all. But still, if he taught her everything HE knows - as the heir to the throne of Homana! - then that's a pretty decent time commitment!

Especially as we know Niall doesn't approve.

Anyway, Roberson impresses me here, because Keely isn't automatically an amazing fighter. Actually, she's getting her ass kicked:

I was dimly aware of people gathering in the bailey. Guardsmen, grooms, horse-boys, even passing servants. I heard mutters, comments, wagers being made. Not on me, I hoped; Brennan was clearly winning.

It made me angry. I had expected him to hold back because of my gender. It was not what I wanted from an opponent, but I had come to expect it. Come to depend on it; an advantage I enjoyed. But this time, this time, Brennan gave me none. He had a point to make, and he was using his to do it.

It makes sense, of course. Keely's a princess after all, who has to wheedle her way into sword lessons on the sly. Brennan may not be devoted to the practice, but he's male, the heir, and would have been expected to learn. He's also taller and stronger than she is. (As I've said before, I disagree with the idea that ALL cis women are weaker than cis men, and I will bitch endlessly about different strength maximums in D&D style games. But it's also fair to note that Keely of Homana is not built like Brienne of Tarth.)

I also rather like the beat about Keely enjoying the advantage that comes about because men hold back when fighting against her. It is a subtle reinforcement of the idea that for Keely, a princess, sword-fighting will probably never be a matter of life or death for her. It's a game, and as we've seen, Keely doesn't hesitate at cheating at games.

That said, I could wish there was an example of a female fighter that was a little more serious about fighting for actual survival. Women like this are rare but they existed in the real world. We've already got the unfortunate implication that Keely deserves special treatment because of her powers, not because she's a woman who wants to learn to fight. It's additional unfortunate implications that the only woman in the setting who wants to learn to fight sees it as a game.

Anyway, the fight finishes:

I rolled onto belly, trying to stretch and catch the hilt, but Brennan's sword tip was at my reaching hand, stinging flesh. I snatched it back, cursing, tried again with the other, suffered another sting. And then the tip was at my throat, pressing me onto my back, guiding me gently down upon the cobbles. I sprawled there, hot-faced and humiliated, and impugned his ability with every epithet I could think of.

Brennan listened, and laughed. He lifted his blade, paused, brought it slashing down.

And stopped it, precisely as he intended, with the edge caressing my throat. Tipped my head back easily with only a single nudge. "So," he said, "now you know."

That said, they're not enemies. And we see:

Brennan tapped my boot-toe with his own. "Keely, come up. Here—take my hand."

I took it. He snapped me up, released me, bent and scooped up my sword. I accepted it with a muttered, "Leijhana tu'sai,"

Brennan assessed my temper. Then slowly grinned. "You were better than I expected."

My mouth hooked wryly. "So were you, rujho."

He laughed. Slapped a hand against my back to brush away the dust and nearly knocked me down. "Now," he said lightly, "will you tell me about the outlaws? Erinnish, I think you said?"

The laughter is what makes the scene work here. But unfortunately, they're interrupted when Keely realizes they've got an audience. Ian, Deirdre, Niall and "all the others".

And we get to see a glimpse of Niall's parental favoritism at work here again:

Frowning, Brennan turned to follow my gaze. And stiffened, even as I had, though he had less cause, being Brennan, who always has less cause. Which meant I was the one who would bear the brunt of our father's displeasure.

I mean, you were both fighting. And while Keely immediately tells Niall that she started it, that's arguably not true. Brennan was the one who issued the challenge, after all. That said, Keely had intended a match with Lio to begin with. Still, they're both guilty.

Niall doesn't seem angry at least. Deirdre seems apprehensive yet relieved. Ian's openly amused.

Oh, here's the sexism, perhaps?

Brennan came up beside me. "She is not due all the blame," he said. "I suggested the match, jehan ... I thought it was time she learned what it is for a woman to fight a man. Particularly a man unimpressed by her gender, and more than willing to overlook it while wielding a sword against her."

"Leijhana tu'sai," I said sourly.

Brennan laughed and touched my shoulder briefly. "You did well enough," he said. "Griffon has improved you."

He's not entirely wrong. My own personal opinion is that it's less Keely's gender that's an issue so much as her size, comparative lack of training, and the fact that she's never had to fight for her life. The incident with the bandits, as far as we know, was the only time she's ever been in any real danger.

I would however love to see a woman fighter kick his ass, though. He's my favorite, but he deserves it. Sadly, this is Chronicles of the Cheysuli, so we won't ever see one.

Anyway, Niall notes that Keely has "impressed everyone with [her] prowess" as well as her courage, so she's made her point. He thinks this means she can put away the sword and think of other things.

Keely instead challenges Brennan to a later match. Niall says no. Brennan doesn't respond initially, but Ian speaks up in support of Keely: what would it hurt?

Ian shrugged. "What is madness, harani? She is refused the chance merely because of her sex. If Keely were a man, Niall would not say no. It is only because he thinks Sean may not want a sword-wielding cheysula that he refuses to let her learn. He is afraid to risk the union."

Brennan's tone was flat. "Because if Aidan dies, he needs the blood from other sources."

"Aye," Ian agreed, sparing Brennan nothing. "You should understand what it is to put so much value on a union that other feelings no longer matter. Not even the feelings of your children; you simply do what must be done. And so, because there is risk to the prophecy if Aidan dies, Keely's life becomes all the more precious." His eyes were on me. "The union is necessary. So is the Mujhar's caution."

For once this isn't a Roberson non-sequitur. It's actually on purpose, as we see when Keely points out that Ian is the one advocating that they fight again. Ian explains: Keely will "let it gnaw in [her] belly" if they don't. Niall was the same way, per Ian.

The reason I included the excerpt though is more because of the explanation of Niall's concern. He thinks Sean won't want a sword-wielding wife. And this seems like a solvable problem. They could have just ASKED Sean what he thinks. Hell, Aileen is his sister, she lives at the palace. She knows about Keely's sword-lessons, and, while sympathetic to Keely, she's generally in favor of the betrothal. Why not ask HER what Sean would think of Keely's sword lessons?

The worry for Keely's life makes more sense, but it seems like it'd be safer to give her the lessons that she's asking for, supervised by a skilled instructor.

Anyway, Brennan acquiesces and asks when. Keely, smarter than I'd given credit for, says not yet. She has to learn more first, and she'll tell him when. She uses the opportunity to escape, so she doesn't have to tell her older brother about the brigands.

She does end up going to see Ian later though, for advice. And I'm definitely appreciating his larger role in this novel.

They indirectly discuss duty, giving us some insight to the Ian of this time period:

He smiled and sat down in an X-legged chair. "No. But I know you are Cheysuli, even without the color . . . and I know how these walls can chafe us. How they bind our souls too taut."

"I5 it the walls?" I asked. "Or the prison of our duty?" Ian's smile died.

"Both," he told me quietly. "Have you only just come to know it?"

I stared at him. "Do you mean—you—? You, su'fali'? But—I thought—"

"—that as liege man to the Mujhar, I could only relish the duty?" He shook his head. "No, Keely ... I am as troubled as you by the burdens of honor-bound oaths, by the demands of the prophecy."

Admittedly, if any character really gets to rail about the demands of the prophecy, it's Ian. Poor guy. For certain characters, the prophecy really kind of sucks.

It's also why I wish Roberson had done a better job with Teirnan. Imagine, for a moment, that rather than the "lir might go away, and your powers might go away, and you won't be special anymore, I base this assumption on literally nothing!", he'd come to Keely saying something like:

"Look what the prophecy has done to your family! Look at your dad's face! Look at how your brothers were captured, tortured, and then scatter to the winds because they have to fulfill their duty. Look at what happened to your mother, your grandmother, handed over to the Ihlini without protection, because they need the right bloodlines. Look at what they did to your uncle and your grandfather, and almost every other direct ancestor. And all to link us to a people who continue to rape, torture and murder us? To father a race of demigods that we don't know anything about?"

I feel like that's a much stronger anti-prophecy argument, personally. The Cheysuli in this series have, at best, something of an abusive relationship with the prophecy.

Oh well, I am, as always, quite repetitive.

Keely asks if that's why Ian supported her bid for another sword fight. He admits, partly. He also thinks she deserves a second chance. He defends Niall's caution though, pointing out that Keely is too impulsive at times. She could have been hurt or killed today.

Keely doesn't believe it. Not with Brennan and not with anyone from Mujhara, since they know who she is. And it's interesting that she's willing to trust her brother so much with this, when she's so ready to accuse him of being an abusive rapist. I feel like there's an interesting psychoanalysis to be made there.

Ian's response is interesting:

Ian sighed. "Arrogance born of ignorance . . . aye, well, Niall was as guilty of it when he was young. It is why I do not approve of the royal fledglings being -kept so close to the mews." He smiled a little and shifted. "Keep-raised children know better; they have learned to trust no one at all, until that trust is earned. 'Solde and I grew up in Clankeep, but Niall did not. It left him unprepared for the world."

I don't think he's necessarily wrong here. I think I pointed out that, early in the Pride of Princes review, the boys came across much younger than the prior generations did. I don't think I'd pin it on Keep vs. Palace upbringing though, because I think Teirnan shows the same immaturity that Brennan, Hart, Corin and Keely do. I think it comes from having grown up in relative peace. There are, at this time, no outside wars. They're a generation into Cheysuli rule, and Niall is beloved in a way that Donal wasn't. The plague decimated the Cheysuli population, but it was an act of Ihlini mischief that ended while this generation was in infancy. So it makes a certain sense that they're all a bit more sheltered.

Anyway, per Ian, the boys (like Niall) were more boys than men before their traumatic experiences in Valgaard. Strahan forced them all to grow up.

Keely asks if that means that SHE must face Strahan too.

Ian absolutely does NOT mean that, he clarifies. That was an example. Keely, like the boys before their trauma, basically believes she's immortal and safe and she really can't afford that.

There really is an interesting potential analysis of generational trauma here. Ian didn't suffer the qu'mahlin himself, but he's the child of parents who did, and it's a lot less distant for him than it is for this new generation.

Anyway, Keely admits she's now afraid. Something Ian understands, and we segue awkwardly into the trauma that he's still not entirely dealt with:

"Did I? Do I? Or do I simply ignore it?" He shook his head slowly. "I sired a child on Lillith. An Ihlini-Cheysuli child, who serves Asar-Suti. Abomination, Keely; she should not be allowed to live. I should have hunted her down. Should have made sure of her death. But I did not, ignoring it; believing, somehow, that such a course would alter her aim . .. gods, I was a fool—" he sighed, "—and Brennan paid the price. Now another such child, bred for Strahan's amusement, for Strahan's purposes." For a long moment he was silent, then shook his head again. "The Wheel of Life keeps turning, too often repeating itself."

This gives Keely the chance to raise a controversial idea. She could STOP the wheel, by refusing to marry Sean. If Aidan dies, then it comes down to her. She could refuse.

Ian doesn't think she'd be that selfish. She thinks maybe she could be. I honestly wonder why we needed Teirnan's scene at all, because I feel like Ian's fear and trauma, as well as the reminder of what happened to her father and brothers are more than enough for a reasonable person to wonder if the prophecy is worth it.

I'd have fewer things to rant about I suppose.

She asks if there's anything she can do to bring Ian peace and...oof...

After a moment, he nodded. "Her death," he said, "or mine."

Someone really needs to invent therapy in this world.

Keely points out that Rhiannon is Ian's daughter. Yes, but she's a servant of the Seker.

Blood of your blood, su'fali."

The flesh of his face was taut. "I think not, Keely. I think it has been replaced with the excrement of the Seker."

Relentlessly, I went on. "And when Rhiannon came here, clad in the garments of subterfuge, you welcomed her. I recall it clearly, su'fali. I was in the room."

"Unknowing, I welcomed her. Ignorant of the truth."

"And had she come to you begging for mercy? Asking for your protection? Throwing off her jehana's designs?" I paused, sensing his pain; the anguish of grief denied. "Would you have felt the same?"

That's actually a really interesting question. Maybe worth revisiting at the end of Tapestry of Lions.

And there's another question worth asking. What about Rhiannon's infant daughter?

Anyway. Things start to go off the rails here, because Keely uses this to tangent into talking about the Ihlini who desire peace (fair!) and then the Cheysuli who don't serve the prophecy. UGH.

Ian shut his eyes and slumped. Wearily, he said, "Teir has been at you, then." *

"Not at me ... he spoke to me, aye, and explained how he feels . . . how the a'saii feel, who fear to lose their lir." Ian's eyes snapped open. "Is that what he told you? Is that the lever he used?"

WHERE is Teirnan getting this idea? That's what I want to know. DID he find some kind of scripture somewhere? Because you might as well say that the culmination of the prophecy will involve everyone sprouting cat ears. Do you really want cat ears???

Ian is very good at the reality check here:

"And he suggested you not marry Sean." The intensity of his anger was as startling as it was sudden. "By the gods, girl, I gave you more credit for sense . . . how can you be so blind? How can you be such a lackwit?" He rose and stood before me, no more the tolerant kinsman but liege man to the Mujhar, and an angry Cheysuli warrior. "Teirnan wants the Lion. Teirnan has always wanted the Lion ... and this is how he gets it. Because if Aidan dies, it does come to you—as you yourself have said." He drew in a steadying breath. "If you refuse to marry Sean, there will be no proper heir... there will be no proper blood—"

"I know," I said. "I know very well what it means: Teir will inherit the Lion."

THANK YOU.

Sadly though, Roberson feels like she has to validate Teirnan's nonsense:

Ian looked at Tasha, sprawled in his bed with her cubs. She stared fixedly back at him, but the link was conspicuously empty of conversation, empty of what she felt.

Blankly, he said, "I asked her once before—asked her if it were true—if the lir were meant to leave us—"

Fear stirred sluggishly. "What did she say?"

"Nothing," he said, "as now. Tasha holds her silence. Tasha keeps her secrets."

Okay, so if there IS something to this nonsense, then what IS it? Where is this coming from?

We've heard the language of the prophecy! There's nothing about the lir! I'm fine with the idea that there may be another prophecy somewhere that says something different. Or there may be a line in a scripture somewhere that was misread. But WHERE?

In David Eddings's Belgariad series, we had characters trying to solve a prophecy. They mostly knew what they had to do, but the details were shaky because there were actually two sources of the prophecy: one that was more coherent but more general, and one that was a lot more specific, but batshit and nigh-incomprehensible.

It would be fairly easy to say that's what's going on here. ONE throwaway line and I'd let this shit go!

Anyway. Keely then asks, upset, what if Sean is dead?! Ian asks her to fill him in and the chapter ends here.

Comments

[ayasugi_san]

"And had she come to you begging for mercy? Asking for your protection? Throwing off her jehana's designs?" I paused, sensing his pain; the anguish of grief denied. "Would you have felt the same?"

That's actually a really interesting question. Maybe worth revisiting at the end of Tapestry of Lions.

With the Ihlini's long history of deception? He probably wouldn't trust her, and he'd be right not to, until she did something to prove her remorse. Otherwise, probably the only way a man from this family would recognize a child by Ihlini rape would be if they gained control of the child as an infant. And even then, the trust might not absolute, as seen with Bronwyn.

[kalinara]

Yeah, I think maybe if Rhiannon had come in as herself, rather than engage in all the scheming, she might have had a chance. Maybe not with Ian himself, but we saw Brennan's reaction when he'd THOUGHT he'd killed Ian's theoretical son. But after her antics, it'll be pretty hard to trust anyone else in that position.