Tag Archives: Drusil tel’Bana

Local Custom – Chapter 29

In which Anne has two unpleasant conversations.

It’s vitally important that Anne and Er Thom have an opportunity for a clear and sensible conversation, so of course they’re prevented from having one.

I think Fil Tor Kinrae is lying when he says he didn’t realise who Anne was. Of course he knew; who else would she be? I reckon he just has such a low opinion of Terrans that, even faced with a scholar, and one who has a particular interest in the Liaden language, he assumes she can’t speak Liaden.

Local Custom – Chapter 26

In which there is something missing from Scholar yo’Kera’s work space.

Er Thom is very carefully concealing from Anne the fact and extent of his disagreements with his mother. I can see how this is the course of action suggested by the principles of hospitality – the aim of ensuring the guest’s comfort might not be served if the guest were aware of the disruptions occasioned by her presence – but I’m not sure it’s the course of wisdom.

The bit about Jin Del yo’Kera’s youth abroad is interesting. A Liaden who had not spent time among Terrans might not have succeeded in finding the connection between Terran and Liaden, if it had even occurred to such a one to try.

(I have a certain fondness for the fact that his treasured memory is of an Aus sheep station. My own grandfather was the manager of an Australian sheep station, though he’d retired by the time I knew him. I don’t recall him ever expressing an opinion on the intelligence of sheep, but he mustn’t have found them too unbearable as company because even in retirement he kept a small flock.)

Local Custom – Chapter 24

In which Petrella has a very odd view of Er Thom’s character.

A moment passes in which things had an opportunity to resolve themselves more quickly and neatly, if only Anne had said what she wants instead of what she thought was required of her. But if we’re talking “if only”, we might add: If only Er Thom had done a better job of letting Anne know what he wants. And so on, as the saying goes, back to the beginning of the universe. (Or possibly, with this bunch, before.)

A nice exchange that says a lot about Korval’s viewpoint (and possibly it’s a widespread Liaden viewpoint, but perhaps only a Dragon would say it out loud):

“I will not have him interpreting Code for his own benefit!”
“Isn’t that what it’s for?”

Local Custom – Chapter 20

In which Petrella yos’Galan is surprised by her guest.

A reward for the detail-oriented, here: the golden hair ribbon that Anne remembers losing in this chapter is surely the same golden ribbon that was among Er Thom’s treasures, way back in the first chapter, threaded with a scrap of silk the color of the silk they used as a ground cover. Which suggests that Er Thom remembers that night at least as affectionately as Anne, if there were still any doubt on that point.

Liadens clearly take hospitality seriously: even knowing that his mother does not in the least want Anne as a guest, Er Thom sees nothing remarkable in the lengths she’s gone to to ensure the guest’s comfort. (It is surely, as Anne hints, sometimes an expensive standard to live up to; Korval can afford it, but how do less wealthy Liaden houses manage?)

Local Custom – Chapter 8

In which Anne is given a reason to go to Liad.

More evidence of how well-matched Er Thom and Anne are, if they can bring themselves to think of a match as being possible.

And another example, with Marilla, of a character who appears briefly but in memorable detail.