Coldfire re-read: Black Sun Rising - chapter 28

[carmentalis.livejournal.com]

Today we continue with chapter 28 - travel, more travel, a bit of sailing through the Canopy, and a tiny, tiny mind link.


Plot Summary

Our intrepid foursome travels up the coast towards the Canopy, with plenty of bickering and snarking along the way. Ciani and Gerald share a moment and strike a deal, and they all head out to pass through the Canopy. Which is done with much awe and angsting, and almost dissolves Tarrant into nothing. But since we're still at the beginning of the story, they all make it through safely. Damien gets to show off his veterinarian skills, and Senzei finds his sea legs while Tarrant grows progressively more wobbly. As a result of that, Damien strikes a pact with the proverbial devil and offers to feed Tarrant by whatever means necessary.



Quotes

• With a thousand years of leisure time on his hands and the nearly unlimited potential of the Forest’s fae, the Neocount of Merentha had completed his most ambitious task. Erna now had true horses.


• When a man thinks of killing the Hunter’s servant - or even disobeying him - he must take into account what the master’s reaction will be. Which is very different from how he will act if he imagines that he might, through the luck of a single kill, dispense with the master altogether.” And he added dryly, “It spares me the inconvenience of killing every time I travel. Surely you find that appealing.”
  Through gritted teeth, Damien muttered. “Surely.”


• Research in the castle’s library had revealed that the Forest was once a fairly normal place, unique only in that it was located near a natural focus of the Earth-fae. The Hunter had changed that.


• What kind of a mind did it take to think on that scale? To take on such a project and then succeed with it, rather than making the Forest into a lifeless wasteland, whose survival was compromised by the lack of one special insect, or one minute step in the food chain ladder? The sheer scope of the project was staggering. But with a thousand years of spare time on his hands, a very special man could succeed. A man like the Neocount of Merentha, who had spent his last living years redefining man and God, evolving human society with the same precise attention to detail that he gave to horses and Forest flora...


• He shook his head. “You misunderstand me. I can see the Canopy quite clearly from here. There’s no mistaking it. It’s as if the world ends suddenly at that point, as if there’s a line beyond which nothing exists. Oh, I can see the water beyond, and mountains in the distance . . . but those forces which are visible only to the adept’s eye come to a halt in midair, and beyond it is - nothing. Absolute nothingness. A wall of nonexistence, beneath which the water flows.”
  “And you think it’ll kill you.”


• She met his eyes - and drank in the pain, the power, all of it. “What would you say,” she asked him, “if, when you were dying, someone offered you life? Would you question the terms - or simply grasp at the bargain with all your strength, and live each moment as it came?”
  “That’s a loaded simile,” he warned her. “And I don’t think I have to tell you what my own answer would be. What it was, when I had to make that choice.”
  “Then you know my response.”


• “They can swim,” Tarrant said coldly.
  “You sure of that?”
  The pale eyes fixed on him with clear, if tired, disdain. “You mean, am I sure they were born with that instinct? I made certain of it.”
  He left the captain standing there openmouthed - not unlike a beached fish - as he went to the bow to watch their progress. And Damien thought - somewhat guilt¬ily - that it was nice to see Tarrant’s arrogance directed at someone else for a change.


• When he was safely out of hearing, Damien said to Tarrant, “I know heads of state who would give their lives to have half your influence.”
  The Hunter smiled - and for the first time since the Canopy there was life in his eyes, and a hint of genuine humor.
  “If they truly gave their lives,” he said, “they might have it all.”


• “You all right?” Damien asked softly.
  The adept stiffened - but if there was a curt response on his lips, he failed to voice it. After a moment the tension bled out of his frame; his shoulders slumped against the rock.
  “No,” he said. “No, I’m not.” His voice was little more than a whisper. “Does it matter to you, priest?”
  “If it didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”


• “You trust me?”
  “No,” he said bluntly. “But I don’t think you want me dead just now. Or incapacitated. And I don’t see that you’re much good to us, the way you’re going.”


• He hesitated. “Tell me what it would entail.”
  “What any channel does. A path of least resistance for the fae, that any Working might draw upon. Such a thing could never be banished, priest. Not by either of us.”
  “But if it wasn’t used?”
  “It has no power of its own, if that’s the question. Nor would it fade with time. Only death can sever that kind of link - and sometimes not even that.”


• “It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted a cleric’s blood,” he mused.

Thoughts

• I've never noticed before just how much the coldfire gets used in this chapter. I don't think we ever see it used so casually and often again after this. Was she playing with a new toy here when she wrote this?


• One thing that has puzzled me from the first time I read the books is that the Forest looks the way it does. Tarrant has such a keen sense for aesthetics that I'd have expected him to come up with a different look for his creation. Why go for this particular style?


• Just how many blood-drinking guests do the restaurants in this area have that they regularly stock blood?


• The conversation between Ciani and Tarrant fascinates me for what it shows about how he thinks of her. He's willing to risk his life rather than risk turning into a demon, and he trusts her to know about an essential weakness. And he also offers her a way to get the fae back. Isn't that a lot more than his promise of "do no harm to Ciani"?


• It's also an interesting perspective on Ciani. She knows who she is dealing with and she knows that she could just as easily get Damien or Senzei to teach her to use the fae. But she accepts it from Tarrant instead. Is it because he offered, or do you think she had other reasons?


• The pattern of Damien looking after Tarrant is starting, even though he's still in need of making excuses for worrying here. They're also starting to relax around each other now that they've shared the first bit of danger - seems a bit as if they need to focus to keep the mutual dislike going, and that it slips when they're preoccupied with other matters.


• The mind link. The fangirl in me fell hopelessly, completely, in love with the series at this point. What did you think when you reached this scene?



On Monday it's chapters 29 and 30 - make sure to join us again then. And have fun!

Comments

[alice_montrose]

With a thousand years of leisure time on his hands and the nearly unlimited potential of the Forest’s fae, the Neocount of Merentha had completed his most ambitious task. Erna now had true horses.

And the score for tonight, ladies and gentlemen... Church: 58 ; Neocount: 100+
Because the Neocount can evolve horses and cats, which makes him waaaaaaaaaaay cooler than the bunch of religious pricks who kicked him out just because they were jealous.

When a man thinks of killing the Hunter’s servant - or even disobeying him - he must take into account what the master’s reaction will be.

Yes, because Gerald appears such a charming minion, after all. Nobody would expect the Hunter to look all handsome and arrogant like Gerald does. *snuggles him* And I have a feeling there would be a massive surge in heart attack levels if the Ernans knew the hunter could leave the Forest and walk around whenever he pleases.

We also get a glimpse at the sheer scale on which Gerald is able to think, and his accomplishments. Eve if some are dark and twisted, Gerald is still a genius, and he still loves interfering with nature and making everything bend to his will - from people to the fae to evolution itself.

And we get yet another impression on how rakh Workings are different from human Workings. I really like those, because they show further differences between humans and rakh, and the way in which it seems erna itself wishes to protect its native species, versus it creating demons which prey upon "the intruders". Good vs. evil, creation vs. destruction... lots of antitheses in this series.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted a cleric’s blood,” he mused.

Yes, Gerald... we all know you've had fun during those crusades. No need to gloat - deep down, Damien probably knows it, too. XD

One thing that has puzzled me from the first time I read the books is that the Forest looks the way it does. Tarrant has such a keen sense for aesthetics that I'd have expected him to come up with a different look for his creation. Why go for this particular style?

It fitted his idea of dark aesthetics, and also reinforced his image of the Hunter as a creature of pure evil and darkness? He would have adapted his domain to inflict the most fear in his victims, after all. A place of dark beauty really doesn't have the same effect as a grotesque landscape out of one's nightmares.

Just how many blood-drinking guests do the restaurants in this area have that they regularly stock blood?

Maybe demons like to die at a restaurant once in a while, too.

The conversation between Ciani and Tarrant fascinates me for what it shows about how he thinks of her. He's willing to risk his life rather than risk turning into a demon, and he trusts her to know about an essential weakness. And he also offers her a way to get the fae back. Isn't that a lot more than his promise of "do no harm to Ciani"?

Perhaps Ciani reminds Gerald of himself, in a way? Her hunger for knowledge, in spite of having had it taken from her three times already. Her obvious pain at having had the fae taken from her, which Gerald as a fellow adept would understand on a whole different scale than a non-Adept. Yes, it is a lot more than his promise would have required from him - but maybe he also considers it important for someone to know a part of him not many do. And he probably sees Ciani as still being a loremaster, and bound by the laws that her kind follow. She can ham him - but she can also provide a restraining influence on her companions.

And I believe that Gerald being an Adept is part of the reason why Ciani accepts his offer to teach her. Another reason would be because of who he is. how many people can claim they had the hunter teach them, I wonder.

The mind link. The fangirl in me fell hopelessly, completely, in love with the series at this point. What did you think when you reached this scene?

The mind link just rocks! I can't remember precisely what I thought, except for "oh man, things are really starting to get interesting now", and "ooooh! mindlink FTW! Damien, you're really heading past the point of no return now."

[carmentalis.livejournal.com]

With Gerald's Church history and his occasional... issues... with them, Damien can probably consider himself lucky that all he gets is lots of sarcasm. He could have been off a lot worse if Gerald had decided to make him suffer for being a priest.

A place of dark beauty really doesn't have the same effect as a grotesque landscape out of one's nightmares.

It doesn't, but wouldn't it be a lot nicer for him to look out the window and not see flesh-eating huge maggots?

Maybe demons like to die at a restaurant once in a while, too.

But... but... demons!

Yes, it is a lot more than his promise would have required from him - but maybe he also considers it important for someone to know a part of him not many do.

Interesting thought. And he does open up to Damien considerably even in this chapter already... do undead evil sorcerers need an open ear sometimes?

[alice_montrose]

I don't believe Gerald would hold being a priest against anyone, unless they were really, really annoying him in a whole different manner than Damien does. In fact, Gerald probably enjoys the banter and snark meeting Damien has led to. Because even the Hunter needs some entertainment every century or so, and debating Church issues with someone who is aware he was the Prophet can only lead to more fun all around. And hey, if he annoys a Knight in the process, even better, no?

It doesn't, but wouldn't it be a lot nicer for him to look out the window and not see flesh-eating huge maggots?

Those live underground, so he probably doesn't see them all that often. Also, he's probably read Dune and was inspired, but in lack of a sandy desert he had to improvise.

But... but... demons!

They have feelings and needs, too!

do undead evil sorcerers need an open ear sometimes?

He probably hasn't had an ear for centuries now. I can't imagine him opening up to any of his servants. Damien, on the other hand, doesn't fear him the way others do, and might even understand his reasoning to a certain extent, even if he does not agree with Gerald. So... subconscious need to be understood, even as Gerald's nature openly works on corrupting?

[trobadora]

Why go for this particular style?

For effect, I'd say. You'll notice the keep, while dark, is much less with the nightmare theme.

Just how many blood-drinking guests do the restaurants in this area have that they regularly stock blood?

I always wonder if that means demons are so integrated into life there that they regularly visit restaurants, or if it's humans making deals with demons and becoming corrupted - like Gerald, only on a much smaller scale.

Isn't that a lot more than his promise of "do no harm to Ciani"?

It definitely is. He's drawn to her, possibly because he's fascinated by her predicament. It must be quite something for him to see an adept being stripped of her adeptitude - even harder to imagine than a world without the fae, perhaps, and because of that, a challenge. And I suspect that it also plays a not completely insignificant part that he knows it will bug the hell out of Damien when he finds out. *g*

Is it because he offered, or do you think she had other reasons?

It's because he's an adept, and therefore the only one who truly understands what she has lost.

seems a bit as if they need to focus to keep the mutual dislike going, and that it slips when they're preoccupied with other matters.

Yes, absolutely! Couldn't have said it better myself. *g*

The mind link. The fangirl in me fell hopelessly, completely, in love with the series at this point. What did you think when you reached this scene?

I was spoiled for that, but nonetheless, I believe my reaction was, "OMG SOUL BOND OMG!!!!!" :D

[carmentalis.livejournal.com]

You'll notice the keep, while dark, is much less with the nightmare theme.

So he figured the flesh-eating giant worms would make a great contrast?
I'd have expected mythological beasties. A gorgon lurking in the corner, a few hydras, that sort of thing. All ecologically balanced, of course.

I always wonder if that means demons are so integrated into life there that they regularly visit restaurants, or if it's humans making deals with demons and becoming corrupted - like Gerald, only on a much smaller scale.

I'd lean more towards the latter. Either that, or the goth culture is huge.

And I suspect that it also plays a not completely insignificant part that he knows it will bug the hell out of Damien when he finds out. *g*

*g* Point taken. He's not exactly subtle when it comes to that. Still, it's such a gentle offer for him to make. Quite unlike his usual behaviour. Which is why I was surprised to see Ciani take him up on it. Surely she realized that Senzei or Damien would have been the safer bet?

Soul bonds. Must have soul bonds. Especially with that snark level. Really, people can't blame us for thinking certain thoughts.

[prettyarbitrary.livejournal.com]

The mindlink. My thoughts went something like O.O ... *.* <3<3<3! I remember thinking to myself, in so many words, "Now this is what I want to read!" Also it was when I realized that whatever goes through Damien's head, it's a lot more complex than he's given credit for. And I suspect it's when Tarrant decides he's probably slightly crazy. :)

Their comfort with each other at this point is remarkable. I think it's due to understanding that the two of them are really reliant on each other. Ciani and Senzei just don't have the experience necessary to carry off a mission like this. But still, it's almost chilling how they get over it so fast. It's really a cold-blooded level of practicality, from Damien as well as Gerald.

Ciani's actions are interesting. In a way it makes me like her better, because it shows she hasn't lost her own agency. In another it makes me like her less, because it shows, as Damien says, what the neutrality of a loremaster really means. I expect she went for Tarrant because he's an adept, and because he he's so damn smart. He knows all kinds of things--really new information that Ciani's never had access to before--that she may be able to learn as his apprentice.

[squeakygeeky]

The mindlink is pretty much the fantasy equivalent to the 'handcuffed together' plot device. (I love this device--my current favorite handcuffed pair is Trickster and Piper from DC's Countdown series.) Two characters who are forced to get a lot closer than either of them would really like and they can't figure out how to get rid of it, yet they have to go about their business as well as they can. I love the awkwardness of two people suddenly being forced into a close relationship. And it's better than the 'stuck in an elevator/locked in a closet' trope because it can last longer and the two characters still have to interact with other people.

Also it's the gayest thing ever.

[carmentalis.livejournal.com]

Friedman really shouldn't be so baffled that we see the slash.

Sometimes I wish the mindlink were used a bit more often. It gets such a big beginning, but then it fades into the background quite quickly again.