In which Aelliana is introduced to Jen Sar Kiladi.
Like many long-term Liaden fans, Mouse and Dragon was not my first introduction to Professor Kiladi; I already knew him from many chronologically-later events described in earlier-published stories. That inevitably affected my response to meeting him here, and I wonder how it reads to someone who didn’t have that background. (I’d ask if there was anyone in the audience whose first introduction to Professor Kiladi was Mouse and Dragon, if this blog had an audience.)
Somehow, I’m not surprised a yos’Phelium would make and win a bet like that. Though I do wonder who the other party in the bet was.
Speaking of yos’Pheliums, I detect the legacy of Cantra’s aelantaza heritage in Daav’s ability to immerse himself in character to the point of Kiladi seeming like a different person.
It has at the least an audience of me, and this was my first meeting of him.
And my response was to think that this was a dangerous trick for a descendant of Cantra to indulge in.
I’m coming to it late, but I’m enjoying the blog. I also had encountered Kiladi before reading Mouse and Dragon, so I don’t have that perspective on it. I do think there may well be a connection to Cantra’s aelantaza abilities, especially considering that Daav almost seems to have *three* personalities; Daav, Delm Korval, and Kiladi. There are a few additional ones we see once or twice, including the “rough pilot” described by Aelliana in this chapter and the nerligig repairman he uses to gain access to the Juntavas Boss in Breath’s Duty.
PA: I detect the legacy of Cantra’s aelantaza heritage in Daav’s ability to immerse himself in character to the point of Kiladi seeming like a different person.
Interesting that you make this connection to the aelantaza when, in an earlier chapter, I mentioned the same thing but in connection with Daav’s ability to win the trust of those he meets.
*Note: I wonder if your tags ought to include aelantaza even though the chapter itself does not mention it?
Have there ever been any short stories (or other works) that tell about the bet in which Professor Kiladi was born?
As far as I know (and I’m pretty sure I’m caught up on all the short stories at this point), everything we know about the bet is what’s in Mouse and Dragon. Fledgling has an intriguing hint or two that there’s more to be told, but the full story remains a mystery so far.