> > On Sun, Aug 03, 2003 at 03:25:40PM -0400, Alexx S Kay <alexx at TheWorld.com> wrote: > > > On Sun, Aug 03, 2003 at 12:13:21PM -0400, Alexx S Kay <alexx at TheWorld.com> wrote: > > > > > Well. > > > > > > > > > > That was fun. > > > > > > > > > > [SPOILERS below] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [snip] > > > > > > I was operating under the impression that the "rune" would be > > > Arra's way of making the levitation permanent. She suggests that > > > with enough witches, she can make it permanent. > > I don't remember such a suggestion, but will watch for it during the > > next read-through (already underway, but slower, 'cause I'm updating > > the Timeline). > > Page 308. <flips to page 308> "With this arrangement [of 714 witches], I should undertake to maintain a structure with a hundred times this much weight, and to hold it up forever." Seems to me that the "maintain" in the above refers to an active, ongoing process, not to any sort of "permanence". The "hold it up forever" would seem to indicate that she is confident that the process will be able to continue uninterrupted. Interesting implication, given Easterner lifespans, is that the number of witches will need (by Dragaeran standards) a nearly constant influx of new blood, to take over as some age and die (unless they *all* get Arra's longevity, I suppose...). Which lends a bit more signifigance to the offhand bit where Arra encourages one of the male witches to continue trying to break down the romantic resistance of another witch. Maybe they just replenish their ranks the old-fashioned way :-) Alexx Alexx Kay Opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily those of my employers alexx at world.std.com http://world.std.com/~alexx the only normal people are the ones you don't know very well. -- Nurse Jones