Dragaera

First thoughts

Thu Apr 29 09:33:17 PDT 2004

>I've been actively avoiding the list for many days now, first waiting for 
>my copy of Sethra Lavode and at last reading it. Before I catch up on 
>existing messages, I'll state my impressions and observations. Then I'll 
>go read what others have written and find out whether I said anything novel.
>
>1. I was delighted with the scene between Aerich and that Teckla Vlad 
>meets in _Teckla_. I was delighted because I had suspected the Teckla was 
>one of Tazendra's and the Lyorn he spoke of was Aerich. The description of 
>the encounter resolved some issues in my mind; namely that the Aerich we 
>know wouldn't have behaved as the Teckla described. Having the other point 
>of view resolved that, because now we see that Aerich's behavior was 
>interpreted by the Teckla. (And presumably, the Teckla's behavior 
>interpreted by Aerich.)
>
>2. The whole situation between Piro and Ibronka is...enhanced... by my new 
>suspicion that Aerich never married because he was in love with Tazendra, 
>but being Aerich no one ever knew.
>
>3. Tazendra's and especially Aerich's deaths made me cry.
>
>4. The preface-that-came-after puzzled me and I'll get more out of it when 
>I'm not so tired, but was a refreshing change from reading arguments 
>between Brust & Paarfi. Although those were entertaining.
>
>5. I think the Chaz-Tukko conversation was a tribute to us, the list! Or 
>else ripped off verbatim from us, the list... It was highly diverting, 
>either way.
>
>6. Happily ever after for Pel, but not for Khaavren, however Paarfi tried 
>to convince us otherwise. I hope Vlad meets up with Khaavren again so we 
>can get a better feel for how he turned out--a bitter old man or a stoic 
>or did he mellow? I have some wild notions about a granddaughter, strong 
>as Daro and handsome as Khaavren. That would surely mellow him.
>
>7. I'm sure everyone's mentioned the Devera sighting. I won't bother.
>
>8. While many stories hinted at previously were brought to light here 
>(Morrolan sacrificing entire villages), I worry that soon there will be no 
>mysteries left.
>
>Rachel