@Abyss earlier on you requested some quote fu for a point made by Alt ? I have to agree with Alt, as I also thought it was Badalle not Kalyth who instigated the snatching of Stormy and Gesler.
So, taken from Badalles POV on pg772 of the UK edition,
"She'd dreamed of children. Looking down from a great height. Watching them march in their tens of thousands. They had cattle,mules and oxen. Many rode horses. They glittered blindingly in the hard sunlight, as if they bore the treasures of the world on their backs. Children, but not her children.
And then the day ended and darkness bled to the earth, and she dreamed that it was at last time to descend, spiralling, moaning through the air. She would strike swiftly, and if possible unseen by any. There were magics below, in that vast multi limbed camp. She had to avoid brushing those. If need be she would kill to silence, but this was not her true task.
She dreamed her eyes- and she had more of those than she should, no matter - fixed upon the 2 burning spots that she sought. Bright golden hearth flames - she had been tracking them for a long time now, in service to the commands that she had been given.
She was descending upon the children.
To steal fire.
Strange dreams, yes, but it seemed they existed for a reason. The deeds done within them had purpose, and this was more than anything real could manage."
You could interpret this as Badalle just being "along for the ride" with Gu'Rull when he snatches Stormy and Ges, but how, and more importantly why, is she in the mind of a Shi'gal? This is made even more interesting by the fact that she picks up a shard from the broken crystal palace at the centre of the city and....,
" She glanced down at her makeshift sword. It seemed unaccountably bright, as if gathering all the light it could drink. Golden flames seemed to glitter in its heart. It was beautiful, yes, but there was something else there. Something of power.... a terrible power.
She remembered, from somewhere, tales about weapons, and those weapons were given names. Thus she would name hers fire."
( page 779)
The use of italics in both instances of the word fire are SE's. I don't think this is random. Is Badalle aspected with Tellas/ Tellan/ Thyrllan ? Is she now a Mortal Sword ( making Rutt and Held, Destriant and Shield Anvil or vice versa) and if so to who ? Who are these children of the snake !!??!! GRAH !
Talking of swords WTF is the deal with that sword the Watch found whilst he was beachcombing ?
And another thing !
Just after QB gets monstered by that massive bolt of lightning, something VERY strange.
" The shock wave staggered Lostara, stole her breath, deafened her. Hands to her face, she slumped down, struck the ground hard.
Pearl ? " (pg 846)
PEARL ! Is she just reminiscing or as I crazily propose, has she just realised who Henar Vygulf actually is ( sneaky Mockra/ Meanas sneakster that he is) He seems awfully interested in her and she does a shadow dance for him......
OK somebody tell me that Pearl died 4 books ago or something, cos I can't remember and my head is pickled.
Awesome book Mr Erikson, thankyou.
Edit. And another another thing, Sechul Lath was the one who brought Oponn "into being"
Nice.
This post has been edited by masan's saddle: 10 October 2009 - 01:10 AM