Bechimo
In which the ambassador greets Grakow and his attendants.
Between Hevelin petitioning for Tree Junior to be included in crew meetings, and the seed pod it gave Theo a little while back, I’m beginning to suspect that when they do eventually hand over Spiral Dance to Korval, Tree Junior is not planning to go with. That makes sense, come to think of it; unlike its parent, who’s had centuries to get used to being in one place, this tree still has fresh memories of travelling around having adventures with Jela and Cantra, and might want to stick with Theo and have more adventures.
Speaking of Hevelin, he seems to be getting younger. When Theo first met him, his fur was “nearly colorless” with “a touch of rust” in the eyebrows; now it’s “ginger-colored, heavily striped with grey”.
Chernak makes note of the fact that food is delivered by a robot. They didn’t tend to have mechanical servitors where she comes from; artificial human slaves was the fashion. Another thing she might be thinking about it is that where there’s one robot there may well be more, which will have strategic implications if they decide they need to regard the ship and crew as hostile.
Which they might be more likely to do, now that they’ve encountered Hevelin. Theo may have been right about it not being wise to let him near them without proper preparation. Or perhaps this is the set-up for another of those switches, and it will turn out that what they want to discuss is something else entirely. I note that it doesn’t say, at the end of the scene, whether they still have the same reservations they had at the beginning; the encounter may have soothed them — or given them new reservations.
Speaking of those reservations, though: Chernak’s memory of the dangerous child is a reminder that in her time the dramliz were known only as agents of the Enemy. How’s she going to react when she finds out about, say, Cousin Anthora?
During the conversation with Hevelin, Chernak’s memory of the engineer from Orbital Aid 370 is prompted by Hevelin offering a memory of another engineer. My guess is that it’s Bringo, the head engineer from Codrescu Station where Hevelin used to live, but I’d be interested to hear if anyone has a different theory.
I have to say, I’m getting a bit concerned about just how often the grace blades are getting mentioned in this story. The way they’re being kept near the surface of the reader’s memory suggests that sooner or later one is actually going to get used.
Yes, agreed: “Chernak’s memory of the dangerous child is a reminder that in her time the dramliz were known only as agents of the Enemy. How’s she going to react when she finds out about, say, Cousin Anthora?”
In this chapter, Chernak, fearful of norbears who send illusions, reflects that Pathfinders have “mental shields that were installed at such a cost.”
I’m wondering if that mental shelf could perhaps repel the brainwashing methods used by the Dept of Interior.
I also wonder who she was thinking of, ” an M soldier, part of a rear guard, which allowed Stost and I to make our ship, and lift. ”
“…the comrade, an M soldier who ensured their departure from Regal” … “High cheeks, strong nose, grim mouth, the eyes were black and showed humor, even anticipation. An M going into battle.”
Could this possibly be Jela?
That’s a good point about the mental shields.
I’ve been assuming it’s not Jela, because I understood their departure from “the doomed citadel” to be an event in their final mission, or at least in the late stages of the War, when Jela would have been away with Cantra. I could be wrong, though.
Hevelin clearly sees a family resemblance, but being an M might be enough to explain that.
Yes, you’re probably right. I believe I’m engaging in wishful thinking. I’d love to find out that these two knew Jela. Nelirrik would be over the moon.
Being a “cat person,” the most significant part of this chapter to me was Hevelin being able to finally tell poor Grakow what had happened to his human companion. Anyone with a pet has had…maybe not nightmares, but at least concerned thoughts…about how a pet could process the sudden disappearance of their human. At least this pet was given both knowledge and comfort.
PA: Speaking of Hevelin, he seems to be getting younger.
Or perhaps merely healthier? I would guess that the Tree might be responsible for restoring vitality to the elderly norbear.
Strangely the process started long before Hevelin met the Tree. Maybe it’s traveling again.