Day 34
Standard Year 1118
Ynsolt’i Port
Zeroground Pub
In which Norn ven’Deelin is not what Jethri expected.
My heart was pounding during Jethri’s visit to the Master Trader. Physical danger in stories generally doesn’t bother me much, but a character on a course to, as Jethri puts it, learn the depths of his own folly, that’ll get me every time. (One has more respect for the dangers with which one has had personal acquaintance.)
We meet our first Master Trader, wearing our first Master Trader’s amethyst ring. Which, so soon after Crystal Dragon, prompts a thought I’ve not had before: I wonder if the amethyst was chosen as the mark of Master Traders in honor of Tor An yos’Galan’s remarkable eyes.
Is Jethri bravely facing the depth of his own folly when he starts walking to find Norn ven’Deelin? Or is he avoiding what he sees as worse — facing his family having fallen for a con?
Also, was he sometimes naughty in the past (since Khat is practiced in covering for him)? Or has she practiced covering due to the shenanigans of one of her other kin?
When Jethri starts walking to find Norn ven’Deelin, he has no idea yet of his folly. That doesn’t really start dawning on him until he actually meets Norn ven’Deelin and Sirge Milton’s tale runs aground on the fact that she’s a woman. Until then, he still thinks that Sirge Milton may have been honestly delayed, and that the Master Trader with whom he has such a trusting relationship may be able to put them in touch.
He is avoiding his family. He doesn’t need to realise it was a con to find that an appealing course; admitting that he’s lost a stack of the family’s money even on an honest deal is bad enough, when he did it without getting a senior’s aye first. As long as there’s a chance of finding Milton, getting the payoff, and being able to end his story with “but look how well the risk paid off!”, that’s better than going back empty-handed.
Regarding the amethyst master trader’s ring (As I also posted elsewhere about the authors’ use of gems): Why amethyst, indeed? For a symbol of achievement and/or wealth. I would think a rare gem would be more appropriate, rather than a semiprecious one.
I’ve seen amethyst or violet eyes used as a description every once in a while for a literary character, usually female. But honestly, I’ve never seen anything like violet eyes . . . have any of you?
@eye-colour
I just checked wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_color
The use of violet eye-colour in literature seems to be not related to reality. But it might have something to do with Ms. Talyor.
As to violet eyes in some Liadens – that might have a lot to do with gene-manipulation.
Thanks, Othin . . . I should have thought of that! I can see that it is possible for certain human eye colors to look as if they are violent even when their pigment is technically not violet. Thanks for pointing me to Ms. Taylor.