Shapechangers - Book Four - Chapter One
Feb. 3rd, 2020 02:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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i_read_whatWe're finally in the last "book" of this horrible novel. It's called "the Warrior" which actually sounds promising. I enjoy when Alix gets to be proactive.
I'm even more happy to know that we're close to the end of this book.
So we start off with Carillon saying firmly that he won't subject himself to "Cheysuli sorcery". And I know we're supposed to see that as racist, but I actually think it's fair. Up until his VERY RECENT rescue, Carillon's only real experience with the Cheysuli has been when they kidnapped him and his female friend. He may or may not have witnessed their mind control of the guards in the Atvian camp. He's been in a torture device for weeks.
Carillon ought to be able to assert some goddamn autonomy!
Anyway, Alix reproves him and he states his belief that the sorcery is evil. He acknowledges that she has power, but he knows and trusts her. She wouldn't seek to bring him down. Duncan asserts that they have no reason to bring Carillon down either. Which might be more reassuring if I didn't know how happy Duncan was to leave him in danger. Duncan does point out that the Cheysuli served the Homanan kings faithfully until Hale left and they seek no quarrel with Carillon.
Finn notes in his familiar mocking manner that he thinks Carillon seeks the quarrel. Carillon asserts that he only wants to free his city from Bellam and the Ihlini. Finn tells him that he won't get there without their aid. He points out that Carillon was okay with them using their gifts on the enemy, and Carillon says that using magic to release their liege lord is one thing, but subverting his will is another.
I think that's a pretty valid point, myself. Even if Carillon is being irrational here, he should have the right to decide for himself.
Finn laughs at how quickly Carillon is to call him their lord and points out that they'd had him captive "only months ago" (hey, look, an approximate time frame!) and they could have forced sorcery on him then.
...as I recall they DID. Finn forcibly healed Carillon's broken wrist.
Duncan tries to intercede, but Carillon matches Finn's mockery with a declaration of his own, pointing out that while Finn may not like it, Carillon will be lord of Homana one day, and Finn had better accustom himself to it. Finn storms off, much to Alix's delight.
...and mine too, unfortunately. I really hate that I'm saying this, but I really enjoy the interplay between Finn and Carillon. They have a fantastic adversarial chemistry here that really works for me. Finn's sardonic mockery vs. Carillon's princely arrogance. Carillon won this round but I can already see other rounds that he'll lose.
As much as I love Alix, I find myself annoyed that this book wasted so much time on this racist captive fantasy when the other characters have a much more compelling dynamic. The worldbuilding deserves a better story.
Duncan acknowledges that Carillon is their liege lord, but notes that he can't ride into the city like this. He wouldn't survive the journey. Carillon manages to get to his feet, and says that if he can't ride into the city, he has no business trying to free her.
Alix tries to coax him into it, promising it won't hurt. He shows her the purple weals on his wrists (still weeping fluid, ewwww) from the shackles. He's not afraid of pain. Alix realizes she can't change Carillon's mind, but Duncan might be able to.
“Homana lies in her death struggle,” he said clearly. “I believe you realize that. It is a harsh thing to comprehend, when you are prince of a land and must someday ascend the throne, but it is something you must deal with. The Cheysuli denied the truth of the prophecy once, Carillon, and suffered because of it. If you deny it, you also will suffer.”
“I am not Cheysuli,” Carillon said sharply. “A shapechanger prophecy cannot foretell what will become of a Homanan. I have no place in it.”
“You cannot know,” Duncan said softly. “Nor can any man. You must allow things their own path if you are to survive. This prophecy has foretold what will become of you, my lord, even though you be Homanan. I believe you are the Mujhar it speaks of—the one who will end the qu’mahlin and restore our race to peace. And our homeland.” Duncan sighed as Carillon’s face expressed patent disbelief. “We cannot turn the flow of the prophecy. But we can withstand the dark arts of Ihlini interference.”
I feel like they've had this conversation before. I also feel like it's not terribly persuasive. Maybe remind the guy that he still has to carry the sword.
Duncan compounds it by pointing out that Fergus had to die so that Carillon can be "fully a man" and what the fuck kind of philosophy is that. He also says that the throne must fall into Cheysuli hands. Which Carillon takes as a threat. Understandably!
Alix intercedes, explaining that she's learned that the land was Cheysuli before the Homanans came (...from where? That's actually interesting), and that they'd given the throne to Carillon's ancestors. She tells him that Duncan isn't trying to deny him his right to it, but instead, Carillon has to have it so that it can one day go to a Cheysuli Mujhar.
Carillon finally accepts her reassurance and says he'll leave his fate in her hands.
We skip ahead to the Cheysuli entering Mujhara. Carillon has indeed submitted to the earth magic, and is doing much better. Unfortunately, Mujhara is not:
It lay in shambles. The glittering magnificence had shattered beneath the continued onslaught of Ihlini sorcery. Walls lay tumbled, oddly charred as if unholy fire had leached life from stone blocks once raised by Cheysuli hands so many centuries before. Many of the dwellings had been destroyed completely; others showed no signs of life within. Crumbling casements stared blindly at the streets as if the eyes had been plucked from them by unseen hands.
Credit where it's due, that's a very evocative description. Duncan notes that they're too late to help the city, but they have to defend the Homana-Mujhar. If the palace falls so does the realm.
And I'm just happy that I FINALLY know the difference between Homana-Mujhar (the palace) and Mujhara (the surrounding city). Where are the Ihlini, by and by?
Carillon and Duncan have an exchange about whether or not the palace can fall. Carillon thinks it will hold, Duncan points out that the Cheysuli once thought that they would be friends with the Homanans forever. I...don't really think that comparison is quite the same. But Carillon takes it to heart.
They have yet ANOTHER exchange about whether or not Carillon believes they mean him ill. And I seriously thought we'd dealt with this last chapter. Carillon reiterates what he said like 100 repetitive chapters ago, which is that they'll know what he believes when he's Mujhar. But he does welcome their aid.
Finn and Duncan have their own exchange that is pretty incomprehensible:
Finn kneed his horse out of the shadows. “Duncan, I hope this is what you have wanted so long,” he said.
Alix frowned at him. “What do you say?”
Finn stared at his brother. “He has ever warned the clan against unrestrained retribution for the qu’mahlin. It has ever been Duncan, swaying the Council, who kept us in the forests of Ellas, when we would strike against Shaine’s patrols and any other serving the Mujhar.” Something glinted wickedly in his eyes. “You do not know, meijha, what it is to fight a Cheysuli in all extremity. We might have slain many more who sought to slay us, had Duncan allowed it.”
“The prophecy does not speak of utter annihilation, Finn,” Duncan retorted. “It speaks of a final peace between warring lands and races. Should it not begin with our own realm?”
“Shaine would sooner see us dead.”
“Shaine will see us, rujho, but we will not be dead.” Duncan kneed his horse forward. “Do you come with us?”
“No.” Finn gathered his reins. “I fight alone, Duncan, as ever.” His eyes flickered over Alix. “You are a foolish woman, meijha. You should be at the Keep, with the others who wait.”
“I could not bear it,” she said quietly.
Finn stared harshly at her a moment longer, then wheeled his horse and rode into the shadows. A silver wolf loped silently at his side.
...I have no idea what that's even supposed to mean. Also I feel like the middle of a stealth invasion is a bad place for this conversation. But I have to say, I'm kind of feeling Finn here. The Cheysuli are at extinction level. Their entire band of adult men can fit in a fucking pavilion. Why NOT actually fight back against the genocidal asshole?
Also shouldn't this have come up at any point when they had Carillon and Alix captured. Wait. Never mind. I am NOT going to complain about the very rare times that the book is NOT repetitive as fuck.
So anyway, Finn goes off. Duncan and Alix stay with Carillon, who doesn't get a reaction to that exchange, even though it kind of is significant. They make it to some abandoned dwelling, where Duncan intends to leave Alix in relative safety. Alix protests being made to wait unknowingly. Duncan understands her fear, and admits he couldn't wait in her place, but he also believes that he would be too distracted to fight well if she were in danger with him. I can almost sympathize with that. Duncan leaves Cai with her for protection.
Alix notes that without Cai, he can't shapechange. But he wouldn't be able to anyway, he tells her, because there are Ihlini present. But before he goes, he wants to name the child. It's apparently a warrior's custom, and I'm annoyed yet again how all of the Cheysuli customs seem designed to cater to the warriors with no thought to the comfort of the women at all. He ends up naming the baby Donal. Alix asks what if she bears a girl, but Duncan thinks it'll be a son.
And the chapter ends.
I'm even more happy to know that we're close to the end of this book.
So we start off with Carillon saying firmly that he won't subject himself to "Cheysuli sorcery". And I know we're supposed to see that as racist, but I actually think it's fair. Up until his VERY RECENT rescue, Carillon's only real experience with the Cheysuli has been when they kidnapped him and his female friend. He may or may not have witnessed their mind control of the guards in the Atvian camp. He's been in a torture device for weeks.
Carillon ought to be able to assert some goddamn autonomy!
Anyway, Alix reproves him and he states his belief that the sorcery is evil. He acknowledges that she has power, but he knows and trusts her. She wouldn't seek to bring him down. Duncan asserts that they have no reason to bring Carillon down either. Which might be more reassuring if I didn't know how happy Duncan was to leave him in danger. Duncan does point out that the Cheysuli served the Homanan kings faithfully until Hale left and they seek no quarrel with Carillon.
Finn notes in his familiar mocking manner that he thinks Carillon seeks the quarrel. Carillon asserts that he only wants to free his city from Bellam and the Ihlini. Finn tells him that he won't get there without their aid. He points out that Carillon was okay with them using their gifts on the enemy, and Carillon says that using magic to release their liege lord is one thing, but subverting his will is another.
I think that's a pretty valid point, myself. Even if Carillon is being irrational here, he should have the right to decide for himself.
Finn laughs at how quickly Carillon is to call him their lord and points out that they'd had him captive "only months ago" (hey, look, an approximate time frame!) and they could have forced sorcery on him then.
...as I recall they DID. Finn forcibly healed Carillon's broken wrist.
Duncan tries to intercede, but Carillon matches Finn's mockery with a declaration of his own, pointing out that while Finn may not like it, Carillon will be lord of Homana one day, and Finn had better accustom himself to it. Finn storms off, much to Alix's delight.
...and mine too, unfortunately. I really hate that I'm saying this, but I really enjoy the interplay between Finn and Carillon. They have a fantastic adversarial chemistry here that really works for me. Finn's sardonic mockery vs. Carillon's princely arrogance. Carillon won this round but I can already see other rounds that he'll lose.
As much as I love Alix, I find myself annoyed that this book wasted so much time on this racist captive fantasy when the other characters have a much more compelling dynamic. The worldbuilding deserves a better story.
Duncan acknowledges that Carillon is their liege lord, but notes that he can't ride into the city like this. He wouldn't survive the journey. Carillon manages to get to his feet, and says that if he can't ride into the city, he has no business trying to free her.
Alix tries to coax him into it, promising it won't hurt. He shows her the purple weals on his wrists (still weeping fluid, ewwww) from the shackles. He's not afraid of pain. Alix realizes she can't change Carillon's mind, but Duncan might be able to.
“Homana lies in her death struggle,” he said clearly. “I believe you realize that. It is a harsh thing to comprehend, when you are prince of a land and must someday ascend the throne, but it is something you must deal with. The Cheysuli denied the truth of the prophecy once, Carillon, and suffered because of it. If you deny it, you also will suffer.”
“I am not Cheysuli,” Carillon said sharply. “A shapechanger prophecy cannot foretell what will become of a Homanan. I have no place in it.”
“You cannot know,” Duncan said softly. “Nor can any man. You must allow things their own path if you are to survive. This prophecy has foretold what will become of you, my lord, even though you be Homanan. I believe you are the Mujhar it speaks of—the one who will end the qu’mahlin and restore our race to peace. And our homeland.” Duncan sighed as Carillon’s face expressed patent disbelief. “We cannot turn the flow of the prophecy. But we can withstand the dark arts of Ihlini interference.”
I feel like they've had this conversation before. I also feel like it's not terribly persuasive. Maybe remind the guy that he still has to carry the sword.
Duncan compounds it by pointing out that Fergus had to die so that Carillon can be "fully a man" and what the fuck kind of philosophy is that. He also says that the throne must fall into Cheysuli hands. Which Carillon takes as a threat. Understandably!
Alix intercedes, explaining that she's learned that the land was Cheysuli before the Homanans came (...from where? That's actually interesting), and that they'd given the throne to Carillon's ancestors. She tells him that Duncan isn't trying to deny him his right to it, but instead, Carillon has to have it so that it can one day go to a Cheysuli Mujhar.
Carillon finally accepts her reassurance and says he'll leave his fate in her hands.
We skip ahead to the Cheysuli entering Mujhara. Carillon has indeed submitted to the earth magic, and is doing much better. Unfortunately, Mujhara is not:
It lay in shambles. The glittering magnificence had shattered beneath the continued onslaught of Ihlini sorcery. Walls lay tumbled, oddly charred as if unholy fire had leached life from stone blocks once raised by Cheysuli hands so many centuries before. Many of the dwellings had been destroyed completely; others showed no signs of life within. Crumbling casements stared blindly at the streets as if the eyes had been plucked from them by unseen hands.
Credit where it's due, that's a very evocative description. Duncan notes that they're too late to help the city, but they have to defend the Homana-Mujhar. If the palace falls so does the realm.
And I'm just happy that I FINALLY know the difference between Homana-Mujhar (the palace) and Mujhara (the surrounding city). Where are the Ihlini, by and by?
Carillon and Duncan have an exchange about whether or not the palace can fall. Carillon thinks it will hold, Duncan points out that the Cheysuli once thought that they would be friends with the Homanans forever. I...don't really think that comparison is quite the same. But Carillon takes it to heart.
They have yet ANOTHER exchange about whether or not Carillon believes they mean him ill. And I seriously thought we'd dealt with this last chapter. Carillon reiterates what he said like 100 repetitive chapters ago, which is that they'll know what he believes when he's Mujhar. But he does welcome their aid.
Finn and Duncan have their own exchange that is pretty incomprehensible:
Finn kneed his horse out of the shadows. “Duncan, I hope this is what you have wanted so long,” he said.
Alix frowned at him. “What do you say?”
Finn stared at his brother. “He has ever warned the clan against unrestrained retribution for the qu’mahlin. It has ever been Duncan, swaying the Council, who kept us in the forests of Ellas, when we would strike against Shaine’s patrols and any other serving the Mujhar.” Something glinted wickedly in his eyes. “You do not know, meijha, what it is to fight a Cheysuli in all extremity. We might have slain many more who sought to slay us, had Duncan allowed it.”
“The prophecy does not speak of utter annihilation, Finn,” Duncan retorted. “It speaks of a final peace between warring lands and races. Should it not begin with our own realm?”
“Shaine would sooner see us dead.”
“Shaine will see us, rujho, but we will not be dead.” Duncan kneed his horse forward. “Do you come with us?”
“No.” Finn gathered his reins. “I fight alone, Duncan, as ever.” His eyes flickered over Alix. “You are a foolish woman, meijha. You should be at the Keep, with the others who wait.”
“I could not bear it,” she said quietly.
Finn stared harshly at her a moment longer, then wheeled his horse and rode into the shadows. A silver wolf loped silently at his side.
...I have no idea what that's even supposed to mean. Also I feel like the middle of a stealth invasion is a bad place for this conversation. But I have to say, I'm kind of feeling Finn here. The Cheysuli are at extinction level. Their entire band of adult men can fit in a fucking pavilion. Why NOT actually fight back against the genocidal asshole?
Also shouldn't this have come up at any point when they had Carillon and Alix captured. Wait. Never mind. I am NOT going to complain about the very rare times that the book is NOT repetitive as fuck.
So anyway, Finn goes off. Duncan and Alix stay with Carillon, who doesn't get a reaction to that exchange, even though it kind of is significant. They make it to some abandoned dwelling, where Duncan intends to leave Alix in relative safety. Alix protests being made to wait unknowingly. Duncan understands her fear, and admits he couldn't wait in her place, but he also believes that he would be too distracted to fight well if she were in danger with him. I can almost sympathize with that. Duncan leaves Cai with her for protection.
Alix notes that without Cai, he can't shapechange. But he wouldn't be able to anyway, he tells her, because there are Ihlini present. But before he goes, he wants to name the child. It's apparently a warrior's custom, and I'm annoyed yet again how all of the Cheysuli customs seem designed to cater to the warriors with no thought to the comfort of the women at all. He ends up naming the baby Donal. Alix asks what if she bears a girl, but Duncan thinks it'll be a son.
And the chapter ends.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-08 06:14 pm (UTC)Also none of this makes any sense. How did they get into this city that is being attacked? They just... waltzed in and no-one noticed?
Argh!
no subject
Date: 2020-02-11 08:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-09-03 06:57 am (UTC)Velriset: Almost done! Maybe we can have some resolution now?
Yes, Finn and Carillon do play together well, and I like that next book will have them as the leads.
...I find it hard to care for this destruction when have only seen Homana once before. Maybe if we saw the well where Alix met Tynstar and its surroundings again?
Duncan, you do need to make sure that there is something left of your race if you want peace.
He ends up naming the baby Donal. Alix asks what if she bears a girl, but Duncan thinks it'll be a son.
I had never actually thought about whose child Donal was!
no subject
Date: 2024-09-03 01:10 pm (UTC)