Rockhaven
In which the Uncle seems reluctant to let his guests depart.
I said it, didn’t I? Things getting Interesting.
I was thinking just a few days ago that we hadn’t seen a shibjela yet, and wondering if it was going to turn out that its association with Jela was just a groundless folklore. I guess I can consider that question well and truly settled.
Rockhaven
In which the Uncle is at home to visitors.
Cantra doesn’t entirely trust the Uncle or Jela, Jela doesn’t entirely trust Cantra or the Uncle, and the Uncle doesn’t trust Jela nor, it would be safe to assume, entirely trust Cantra. Things are probably about to get Interesting.
The Uncle is, to all appearances, the same man Cantra met before, though much rejuvenated and reinvigorated. Cantra doesn’t trust appearances, though; interestingly, it’s not because she doesn’t believe such a rejuvenation is possible, but that what she’s heard about how it might be possible is so unpleasant that the idea she’s being successfully fooled is more palatable.
Dulsey’s bow to Cantra on the ship looks to be the ancestor of the Liaden bow acknowledging a debt truly owed, which we’ll be seeing in about two months from now. The latter version, after several centuries of Liaden refinement, is … a tad more elaborate.
I hadn’t remembered how … is “talkative” an appropriate word? … the Tree is in this book. Its conversations with Jela are getting to be some of my favourite bits.