MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 41 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by "Sandy Haas" 2) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by "Sandy Haas" 3) Re: elspeth whining by "Sandy Haas" 4) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by "Jennifer S. Broekman" 5) Re: Companions by "Jennifer S. Broekman" 6) Re: Companions by jc-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk (Jerry Cullingford) 7) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by jc-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk (Jerry Cullingford) 8) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) 9) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) 10) Re: MERCEDES-LACKEY digest 39 by "Tarja Rainio" 11) Re: Companions by heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) 12) Re: Companions by h-wilfehrt-+AT+-nwu.edu (Helen M. Wilfehrt) 13) Re: Figuring out Talia's MO/Choosing/Skif by "Barbara G. Jacob-McDowell" 14) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by h-wilfehrt-+AT+-nwu.edu (Helen M. Wilfehrt) 15) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by "Jennifer S. Broekman" 16) Companions and aging by teri-+AT+-osc.edu (Teri Ryan) 17) Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own by nomib-+AT+-chem.psu.edu (Naomi) 18) Re: Authors by nomib-+AT+-chem.psu.edu (Naomi) 19) Re: Authors by heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) 20) Re: Authors by "Jennifer S. Broekman" 21) Re: Figuring out Talia's MO/Choosing/Skif by RUNDLE-+AT+-wilma.bcasd.az.honeywell.com 22) Re:Other Books by RSulli5938-+AT+-aol.com 23) Re: Companions by Vivian Choh 24) New question...Re: NEED/OATHBOUND/BREAKERS by Vivian Choh 25) Re: ElvenBlood Description by URAMESS-+AT+-aol.com 26) Re: ElvenBlood Description by URAMESS-+AT+-aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 10:48:57 EDT From: "Sandy Haas" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: <6FEB962187-+AT+-rackham.umich.edu> In "Magic's Promise" (book two), Tashir keeps getting referred to as a presumptive Herald. How does THAT fit in? His Compainion also sounds a little off balanced--is that just because of the trama surrounding the choosing, the massacre at the palace?? > Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 15:13:46 +0100 > Reply-to: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk > From: RUNDLE-+AT+-wilma.bcasd.az.honeywell.com > To: sandrah-+AT+-rackham.umich.edu > Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own > > > >We're told that the Monarch's Own Companion: > > >(a) is always Grove-born > >(b) is always a stallion > >(c) is unusually fertile (look out, Cymry :)) > >(d) does not die, but can be killed. If he is killed, and the Herald is not, > > the new MO Companion will choose the old MO. > > > >Have I missed any other distinguishing characteristics? > > >Mel. > > > Here's how I remember it: > > When Talia is chosen and brought to Haven, Selenay asks her if she wants > to back out. Then in orientation class, Teren explains that they can > all back out if they choose, but this is their last chance. No one does, > and Teren smiles and tells them no one ever has backed out. In other > words, the Companions have never chosen poorly. > > We are also told that most Companions don't choose till they are about > ten years old, and that usually those that are to become Heralds somehow > find themselves drawn to Haven. So most Companions don't leave Haven > to find their chosen (though it certainly happens occasionally, like > Skif). However, we are clearly told that one Companion ALWAYS goes > out to find his/her chosen, and that's the Monarch's Own. As other > people have said, we know this is false. Jisa and Shavri come to mind. > So to qualify it, the Monarch's Own Companion always goes out to find > his/her Chosen except for special circumstances. The Twins will also > fall under this, where one will be Monarch, the other Monarch's Own. > > In other words, there's several ways to look at this. > 1) Misty keeps contradicting herself as she develops this world further > 2) The Heralds didn't document things enough, and therefore don't know > nearly as much about their Companions as they think they do > 3) The Companions keep messing with people's minds > 4) The Companions are messing with our minds and trying to keep us confused > > > Iris > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 10:50:49 EDT From: "Sandy Haas" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: <6FF35878DC-+AT+-rackham.umich.edu> An additional additional note. When Gwena is grove born, why is that "forgotten". Did more of the old Companions appear that way, but hadn't for a long time?? I haven't read the latest book, is it explained?? > Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 13:56:46 +0100 > Reply-to: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk > From: odl-+AT+-maths.bath.ac.uk > To: sandrah-+AT+-rackham.umich.edu > Subject: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own > An additional note - Talia in the Arrows books is Chosen by Rolan, who > previously Chose Talamir. So that's another example of the Monarch's > Own's Companion outliving the Herald to Choose again. > > As for - what's special about Monarch's Own's Companion - isn't it the > fact that they are Grove-born? Is that how the class realise Talia is > Monarch's Own? > > Owen > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 10:55:25 EDT From: "Sandy Haas" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: elspeth whining Message-ID: <70070E16D7-+AT+-rackham.umich.edu> I may come under fire for this one, but in rereading the "Magics" books, I get incredibly tired of Vanyel going on about Tylendel. I started skipping those parts. Yes, it hurts, it was a terrible situation, but GET OVER IT!! Which he FINALLY does at the end of book 2 when Tashir (?) snaps him out of it. So, if the greatest does it, why cant Elspeth?? Although I can think of a dozen other things I rather see her (and him) doing =} ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:03:51 -0400 From: "Jennifer S. Broekman" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: <199506071503.LAA21930-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu> Iris wrote: >So to qualify it, the Monarch's Own Companion always goes out to find >his/her Chosen except for special circumstances. The Twins will also >fall under this, where one will be Monarch, the other Monarch's Own. > >In other words, there's several ways to look at this. >1) Misty keeps contradicting herself as she develops this world further >2) The Heralds didn't document things enough, and therefore don't know >nearly as much about their Companions as they think they do >3) The Companions keep messing with people's minds >4) The Companions are messing with our minds and trying to keep us confused > I'll vote for 2 and 3... Clearly, the records are incomplete or being backgrounded (the way Iftel is), because we know that Jisa had really strong Empathy, but no one remembers this when Talia comes along. Speaking of the Companions' manipulations, does anyone else think they're going to background what's-his-name's realization that the Companions are reincarnated Heralds? Sandi wrote: >If Heralds can "come back" as Companions, and some Companions can also >reincarnate (for instance Felar--LHM, Felara--AoQ) then what happens to the >Grove-born Companions when they die? None of their names seem to recycle the >same way. Do they go on and become an even higher order of being, or what? What's to stop them from coming back and using a different name? After all, they apparently don't want the Heralds to know they're returning, right? No Herald is going to make the connection bsaed on a few 'normal' Companions' names recycling, probably chiefly because no one records them, but if the Monarch's Own's Companion's name showed up again, especially if this happened more than once, someone might make the connection. IMO, there's no evidence against the notion that there's only one Monarch's Own's Companion, who just recharges and returns when he's killed, picking a new name each time as disguise. Also, while I'm pretty convinced that the Companions are reincarnated Heralds, and that some pairs of similar names are the same entity (Savil and Sayvil, for example, by the similarity of crotchety, stubborn, loveable intelligences), I don't think that all pairs are necessarily the same soul, as it were. Suppose, for example, that Gala possessed some particular knowledge or talent that was going to be needed 10 or 15 years after Tylendel's death. If she came back and used the same name, there's a high probability of someone getting suspicious. IMO, in this situation, she'd either choose herself a new name, or let her Chosen choose one for her. (There's another characteristic of the Monarch's Own's Companion, btw: he always gives his name to his Chosen.) On the other hand, Felara might be a soul who simply admired Felar (are we told anything about Felar having unusual endurance?) and decided to honor him, in a manner recognizable to the other Companions even if not the Heralds, by using his name. Think of it another way: All monarchs are Heralds, so if Heralds return as Companions, monarchs must have that ability as well, but it would be stretching suspension of disbelief to think that they could keep their names without anyone getting curious. IMO, Occam's Razor indicates that they'd change their name rather than spend the energy on suppressing their Chosen's curiosity. -jenneke I *am* family. How could I not have family values? Only Boys Accepting Feminism Get Kissed Meaningfully -- Geoff Marcy The only unnatural sexual act is that which you cannot perform. -Alfred Kinsey broekman-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu | http://www-astro.phast.umass.edu/gs/jenn.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:13:01 -0400 From: "Jennifer S. Broekman" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions Message-ID: <199506071513.LAA21940-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu> Iris wrote: >Here's another thought. What I was saying about the Monarch's Own - >it's possible that the Monarch's Own Companion only dies when he is >killed, never dying otherwise. In other words, a very lucky, careful >Monarch's Own could live several hundred years. What do you guys think? I think that there's no evidence against the notion that Rolan is the Companion who appeared after Taver was killed, or that Taver is the Companion who appeared when the first Monarch's Own's Companion (whose name is mentioned in AoQ) was killed. After all, there are *very* few people alive who remember when Talamir was Chosen. Are any other Monarch's Own's Companions mentioned? We're told that the Monarch's Own's Companion doesn't age, so why not, right?:-) >Weird thoughts early this fine Tuesday morning. Thoughts for a drizzly Wednesday morning... -jenneke I *am* family. How could I not have family values? Only Boys Accepting Feminism Get Kissed Meaningfully -- Geoff Marcy The only unnatural sexual act is that which you cannot perform. -Alfred Kinsey broekman-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu | http://www-astro.phast.umass.edu/gs/jenn.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 15:16:17 +0000 (GMT) From: jc-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk (Jerry Cullingford) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions Message-ID: <9506071516.AA01936-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk> > Here's another thought. What I was saying about the Monarch's Own - > it's possible that the Monarch's Own Companion only dies when he is > killed, never dying otherwise. In other words, a very lucky, careful > Monarch's Own could live several hundred years. What do you guys think? Correct - we're told in _Arrows of the Queen_ that MOCs don't die but can be killed. Given the sort of things that heralds do, that's a fairly likely outcome, even if the MO is likely to spend more time in the relative safety of the capital than most. So yes, he'd have to be *very* lucky :-) -- _|_ / | Jerry Cullingford jc-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk (Work) \_|_ jc-+AT+-selune.demon.co.uk (Home) \__/ Hemel Hempstead, UK jerry-+AT+-shell.portal.com (alternate) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 15:21:28 +0000 (GMT) From: jc-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk (Jerry Cullingford) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: <9506071521.AA02053-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk> > > In "Magic's Promise" (book two), Tashir keeps getting referred to as > a presumptive Herald. How does THAT fit in? His Companion also > sounds a little off balanced--is that just because of the trama > surrounding the choosing, the massacre at the palace?? Presumably, "presumptive" because he's been chosen, and is therefore expected to become a herald - but he hasn't been through the training yet. And I'm not surprised Ghost was skittish after nearly being killed by a herald.. -- _|_ / | Jerry Cullingford jc-+AT+-crosfield.co.uk (Work) \_|_ jc-+AT+-selune.demon.co.uk (Home) \__/ Hemel Hempstead, UK jerry-+AT+-shell.portal.com (alternate) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:19:40 -0400 From: heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: >In "Magic's Promise" (book two), Tashir keeps getting referred to as >a presumptive Herald. How does THAT fit in? His Compainion also >sounds a little off balanced--is that just because of the trama >surrounding the choosing, the massacre at the palace?? > I think that arose from the fact that Tashir was heir to a kingdom, and landed nobility did not usually become Heralds because of conflict in duties and interests. They couldn't make Ghost un-Choose Tashir, but the decision could be made not to make him an active Herald, ie going out to dispense Herald's Justice, helping the Guard on a battlefield, etc. This is also mentioned in Arrow's Flight when Elspeth is Chosen--that highborns have to petition to be accepted by the Collegium. Tashir was off-balance b/c of his upbringing and the massacre, Ghost because of his beating. --Elizabeth. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:23:27 -0400 From: heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: >An additional additional note. When Gwena is grove born, why is that >"forgotten". Did more of the old Companions appear that way, but >hadn't for a long time?? I haven't read the latest book, is it >explained?? > I think the last thing we heard about that, definitely, was in AoQ, in the Orientation; the last time just more than the Monarch's Own was Grove-born was in the very beginning while Valdemar was still alive. I don't recall any mention of it in Storm Warning. --Elizabeth. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 18:41:01 EET DST From: "Tarja Rainio" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: MERCEDES-LACKEY digest 39 Message-ID: continuing the "other books" thread: =) "Barbara G. Jacob-McDowell" wrote: [snip] > One other thing before I sign off: > > Speaking of Barbara Hambly, anyone else read and enjoy her trilogy >about *The Walls of Air* and the other two? Or *Stranger at the >Wedding*? I liked that, although I did not enjoy *The Silicon Mage* or >*The Silent Tower* as much, and didn't even bother with the third. Maybe >I should. I liked the "Darwath Trilogy" (Walls of Air etc.), but then I usually like all her books, despite them being occasionally a bit grim. The vampire books was also quite nice (can't remember it's name, in fact, I think it has a different name in the UK and the US, but the sequel _Travelling with the Dead_ or something like that should be available soon). Also, Judith Tarr (who was mentioned by someone earlier) is great. The first book I read by her was _Alamut_ (the books before _Dagger and the Cross) and was I captivated by it. These two books are set chronolically before _The Hound and the Falcon_ trilogy, but I believe the latter was written earlier. Has anyone read the British writer Storm Constantine (_Burying the Shadow_, _Sign for the Sacred_, _Calenture_) and what do you think of her? She is one of the GOHs for the Finncon '95 (Finnish national con) in June, and I'd like to find out what other people think about her works. I thought they were interesting, very baroque (if you can describe a book with that word :)). Clear skies, Tarja P.S. During the summer I usuallly check my mails only about once a week, so no speedy comments to anything will be forthcoming. =) P.S.2 Did whoever it was who asked about Marcia J. Bennet's books (sorry, can't remember) try any of them? What did you think? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:46:51 -0400 From: heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions Message-ID: >Iris wrote: >>Here's another thought. What I was saying about the Monarch's Own - >>it's possible that the Monarch's Own Companion only dies when he is >>killed, never dying otherwise. In other words, a very lucky, careful >>Monarch's Own could live several hundred years. What do you guys think? > >I think that there's no evidence against the notion that Rolan is the >Companion who appeared after Taver was killed, or that Taver is the >Companion who appeared when the first Monarch's Own's Companion (whose >name is mentioned in AoQ) was killed. After all, there are *very* few >people alive who remember when Talamir was Chosen. Are any other >Monarch's Own's Companions mentioned? We're told that the Monarch's >Own's Companion doesn't age, so why not, right?:-) > >>Weird thoughts early this fine Tuesday morning. > >Thoughts for a drizzly Wednesday morning... > >-jenneke I would think there would have to be more than two MO's for people to notice certain things about him--ie not aging, always male, etc. There are probably _at least_ five past MO Companions, I would say... I don't think they would be present for more than every four or five MO's, or roughly one new MO Companion every hundred years or so. IMO, the attrition rate for MO Companions would be rather high in the first few centuries after the Founding, when Valdemar was struggling to establish itself as an independent country.... --Elizabeth. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:05:20 -0500 From: h-wilfehrt-+AT+-nwu.edu (Helen M. Wilfehrt) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions Message-ID: <199506071605.AA115021120-+AT+-casbah.acns.nwu.edu> >Here's another thought. What I was saying about the Monarch's Own - >it's possible that the Monarch's Own Companion only dies when he is >killed, never dying otherwise. In other words, a very lucky, careful >Monarch's Own could live several hundred years. What do you guys think? > >Weird thoughts early this fine Tuesday morning. > >Iris Something just occurred to me - what if it is the same "spirit" being re-born as MO's Companion each time. Since its physical body can get destroyed, it needs a way to return to being a companion - hence it gets Grove-born again. No proof what-so-ever. Just a thought. In terms of the MO's Companion potentially living for very long periods of time - it would seem that the Heralds might notice. But as we know Companions playing with the minds of the Heralds is not unheard of? Another thing- the MO's Companion is also one Companion who always gives their name to their Chosen unlike some normally born Companions who may allow their Chosen to "choose" their names. Vague memories of mine also suggest that Grove-born Companions in general seem to choose their own names. The other Companions - the name-trend is not as definite. -Helen ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 12:04:20 -0400 (EDT) From: "Barbara G. Jacob-McDowell" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Figuring out Talia's MO/Choosing/Skif Message-ID: Several of you have been saying that it's when Teren explains about the Companion of the Monarch's Own going out to find and Choose his (since they are always male) Chosen in the Orientation Class that it is then that the rest of the class figures out that Talia is Monarch's Own. I disagree. First of all, Elcarth, I think it is, remarks that they have been delaying starting because of waiting for Rolan to bring back his Chosen. Second, one of the older Chosen, while a couple of them are bemoaning the male/female ratio of Chosens, remarks that Talia is the only girl in her class. Third, I find it *really* hard to believe that the news that Rolan had returned with a young Holderkin girl had not circulated throughout the Court/Collegium complex by the evening of the day that Talia arrived at the latest. After all, an entire section of the city saw her travelling through Haven's streets to the Palace, and while no one could tell Talia what was going on, that doesn't mean *they* didn't know. Certainly the guard at the first gate had no problem reading the sigils meaning Rolan's name on his tack; isn't he the one who makes a joking remark about they were betting on when he would come back? And while I'm sure that Dirk wasn't shooting off his mouth to all and sundry (remember, after Talia and Rolan pass him, she doesn't see him take another trail/path/road that will get him to the city well before they will), he would definitely have notified Selenay and probably Elcarth. Let's not forget the way the Companions seem to confer with each other too....! The gossipy Herald escorting Elspeth, Darkwind, et al, to Haven can't possibly be the only gossip, or gossipy Herald, in all of Valdemar! And I'm sure all the boys who are Talia's yearmates have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Rolan's Chosen so that they can get started. They did not have to "figure out" that she was it. No, I think that Teren's real aim was to get the boys' acceptance and support, individually and collectively, for Talia as Monarch's Own, which he does. It's not their fault that Talia finds it so hard to believe, until almost too late, that that acceptance and support are genuine and whole-hearted. On the topic of Companions going out-Kingdom to Choose, Alberich is one example that they *can* go pretty far afield to find the right person to Choose! I also seem to recall, when Skif tells Talia a bit about his background, that there are slums even in Haven, so I don't think Cymry had to go far to find him. The objections to Skif were more on the order of his having been a thief and his pranks--and once he stops doing things like the "flood, fire, etc." with the Blues that interrupts Elcarth's first conversation with Talia, he is just as good a Herald-trainee and Herald as anyone else. His having been a thief has more to do with his family's situation than his having decided, from a comfortable home, "Oh, I hate society--I'm going to show my contempt for it by stealing from all those wealthy fools!" It was by necessity, not choice. After that, his filching Alberich's gloves during a training bout, is more just to "keep his hand in" than anything else, part of the clowning he does to fit in. I meant to say something a while ago on the subject of some people wanting to censor and/or determine what others do/believe/read, etc. That is: One reason why the first part of *Arrows of the Queen* is so good--there are many Holderkin in *our* world too, and that is why we are so glad when she is found by Rolan, even before we know what/who he is. We are rooting for her by the end of the first chapter. Even though so much of the Collegium is not the same as here, the elements that are familiar--girls talking about the guys, an older person mentoring a younger, mistakes in judgement as part of growing, making friends, having ideals and standards--resonate for us. IMHO, of course! 8^) --Barra Everything will perish save love and music.--Scots Gaelic proverb Harpers have pluck--but don't get strung out.--Barra the Bard ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 11:13:04 -0500 From: h-wilfehrt-+AT+-nwu.edu (Helen M. Wilfehrt) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: <199506071613.AA128011584-+AT+-casbah.acns.nwu.edu> >In "Magic's Promise" (book two), Tashir keeps getting referred to as >a presumptive Herald. How does THAT fit in? His Compainion also >sounds a little off balanced--is that just because of the trama >surrounding the choosing, the massacre at the palace?? > [snip] Tashir was a special case since he couldn't abdicate his position as ruler which was normally required of Heralds in training. Plus he couldn't train in Haven with the rest. He also wouldn't be subject to quite the same duties as other Heralds. He just happened to have a Companion and Mind Magic. His Companion was a special sort - he was a Mind Healer of sorts. It was speculated that in between having survived both life with his dysfunctional family with its physical and mental abuse and the violent death of his family a Mind-Healing Companion was needed. What was strange was that this Companion seemed to appear out of the blue. I would have thought the other Companions might have known that they had a Mind-Healer in its midst. Remember, Yfandes seemed so surprised about this Companion. It also seemed that this Companion was unfamiliar to Yfandes. This Companion almost seemed wild. Unwilling to have contact with other Companions, at least at first. Hmmm. -Helen ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 12:30:15 -0400 From: "Jennifer S. Broekman" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: <199506071630.MAA22064-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu> Sandy Haas wrote: >An additional additional note. When Gwena is grove born, why is that >"forgotten". Did more of the old Companions appear that way, but >hadn't for a long time?? I haven't read the latest book, is it >explained?? It's not explained. The first generation of Companions was all grove born (AoQ). IMO, the Companions suppressed the knowledge that Gwena was grove born because it would have been unnecessarily cruel to Elspeth to have her fellow Heralds entertaining the suspicions that Mel and I have.:-) In another post, Sandy wrote: >I may come under fire for this one, but in rereading the "Magics" >books, I get incredibly tired of Vanyel going on about Tylendel. I >started skipping those parts. Yes, it hurts, it was a terrible >situation, but GET OVER IT!! Which he FINALLY does at the end of >book 2 when Tashir (?) snaps him out of it. So, if the greatest does >it, why cant Elspeth?? Although I can think of a dozen other things >I rather see her (and him) doing =} I don't remember Vanyel whining when he wasn't under extreme stress, such as just having spent a couple years pretending to be 5 Herald Mages or trying to deny a lifebond or on the anniversary of the death of his lifebonded. I remember Elspeth whining when she doesn't get her way. Also, Vanyel realizes that he whines, while Elspeth doesn't. -jenneke I *am* family. How could I not have family values? Only Boys Accepting Feminism Get Kissed Meaningfully -- Geoff Marcy The only unnatural sexual act is that which you cannot perform. -Alfred Kinsey broekman-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu | http://www-astro.phast.umass.edu/gs/jenn.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 12:47:38 -0400 From: teri-+AT+-osc.edu (Teri Ryan) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Companions and aging Message-ID: On the thread about Companions living incredibly long lives-- In WoC, either Darkwind or Gwena tells Elspeth that Companions use node energy to increase their speed, endurance, and healing. It's pretty easy to assume that they can also use same node energy to increase their life span, as do mages. Wednesday thoughts Teri Ryan ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 13:22:19 -0400 From: nomib-+AT+-chem.psu.edu (Naomi) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions choosing again/Monarch's Own Message-ID: <199506071722.NAA14868-+AT+-portal.chem.psu.edu> >However, we are clearly told that one Companion ALWAYS goes >out to find his/her chosen, and that's the Monarch's Own. As other >people have said, we know this is false. Jisa and Shavri come to mind. >So to qualify it, the Monarch's Own Companion always goes out to find >his/her Chosen except for special circumstances. The Twins will also >fall under this, where one will be Monarch, the other Monarch's Own. The Monarch's own companion has to make a special effort to find a person who would be a good Monarch's Own. If there is a qualified person in Haven, no problem. If there isn't, the Monarch's Own Companion goes searching. Naomi ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 13:32:54 -0400 From: nomib-+AT+-chem.psu.edu (Naomi) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Authors Message-ID: <199506071732.NAA13616-+AT+-portal.chem.psu.edu> I read _The Gossamar Axe_ by Gael Baudio(sp?), and liked it a lot. I also read Strands of Starlight, and thought it was OK. I read one of the Dragonsword triology and didn't really like it. Last night I noticed that there are other books in the Strands series. Has anyone read them, and if so how are they? I also found the first two books of the green lion triology. I can't find the third. Should I start reading the triology, or wait and see? Thanks to everyone on this thread, I've needed some new reading material for a while. Naomi ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 14:20:13 -0400 From: heb4-+AT+-cornell.edu (H.E. Blatt) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Authors Message-ID: > I read _The Gossamar Axe_ by Gael Baudio(sp?), and liked it a lot. >I also read Strands of Starlight, and thought it was OK. I read one of the >Dragonsword triology and didn't really like it. Last night I noticed that >there are other books in the Strands series. Has anyone read them, and if >so how are they? I liked SoS very much; the other three books I did not consider very good, but if you like fantasy taking place in the 20th century, I guess the last one (and half of the third) is okay: all the original elves but Natil have faded into nonexistence, and she's lost contact w/the Goddess, but has found once-humans of the 20th cent. in whom the old blood has awakened and tries to guide them through immortal existence w/out a Goddess, at the same time trying to find Her again. There's a bit more to it, but I think that's sort of what's on the back cover. > >I also found the first two books of the green lion triology. I can't find >the third. Should I start reading the triology, or wait and see? > >Naomi Green Lion is very good, I thought--I'd read the 1st two and just keep looking for the 3rd. I'd also recommend Judith Tarr's _Alamut_ & _Dagger and the Cross_ and Hound and the Falcon trilogy for a different look at elves. --Elizabeth. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 14:38:53 -0400 From: "Jennifer S. Broekman" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Authors Message-ID: <199506071838.OAA22265-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu> Naomi wrote: > I read _The Gossamar Axe_ by Gael Baudio(sp?), and liked it a lot. >I also read Strands of Starlight, and thought it was OK. I read one of the >Dragonsword triology and didn't really like it. Last night I noticed that >there are other books in the Strands series. Has anyone read them, and if >so how are they? _Strands of Starlight_ is the most depressing book of the 4. I recommend reading them in chronological order. I didn't really love the first of the DragonSword books, but the other two were better, and I liked the whole concept of the main character gradually becoming the Goddess for this world... -jenneke I *am* family. How could I not have family values? Only Boys Accepting Feminism Get Kissed Meaningfully -- Geoff Marcy The only unnatural sexual act is that which you cannot perform. -Alfred Kinsey broekman-+AT+-sparky.phast.umass.edu | http://www-astro.phast.umass.edu/gs/jenn.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 12:29:48 -0600 (MDT) From: RUNDLE-+AT+-wilma.bcasd.az.honeywell.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Figuring out Talia's MO/Choosing/Skif Message-ID: <950607122948.21c0ae44-+AT+-wilma.bcasd.az.honeywell.com> >Several of you have been saying that it's when Teren explains about the >Companion of the Monarch's Own going out to find and Choose his (since they >are always male) Chosen in the Orientation Class that it is then that the rest >of the class figures out that Talia is Monarch's Own. As far as I recall, only one person said that's when people figured out that Talia is Monarch's Own. Everyone else was pointing to the orientation as the place where much information can be gained about the Choosing. As far as the rest of it, I agree with you completely. I'm sure Talia wasn't two feet into Haven before most of the Heralds and half the Herald-Trainees, not to mention the Court knew that Rolan had Chosen, and probably that his Chosen was Holderkin. Gossip seems extremely fast in Haven, and since Rolan was probably reporting in even before he got there, odds are that at least Selenay and Elcarth and possibly some of the Council knew all about her before she ever got near Haven. Iris ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 17:30:04 -0400 From: RSulli5938-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re:Other Books Message-ID: <950607170952_88910915-+AT+-aol.com> Awhile back Jean Morrill asked about Wooden Sword and Beneath the Web. While I enjoyed both books I did have to restrain myself from wringing my book. That's what I wanted to do to the female lead. I love Melanie Rawn's books but they are long and I sometimes forget who is who.( But then I'm almost 36 and the mind is long gone.) Matt J asked about the new Elric novels and I have also read and enjoyed those. They're not so depressing. Thanks for the Elvenblood notice. I'll go to the bookstore this weekend. Sorry this took so long to post but life got in the way. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 18:34:38 -0400 (EDT) From: Vivian Choh To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions Message-ID: On Wed, 7 Jun 1995, Helen M. Wilfehrt wrote: > Another thing- the MO's Companion is also one Companion who always gives > their name to their Chosen unlike some normally born Companions who may > allow their Chosen to "choose" their names. Vague memories of mine also > suggest that Grove-born Companions in general seem to choose their own > names. The other Companions - the name-trend is not as definite. I thought that the Companion's came with their names. Jasan announces to Daren his name, that he chooses him (chooses daren) and then says something like hurry up and get on my back. Sayvil was the same (except she said my name is sayvil, and then look out! - just before Kero gets maced (the old metallic metall weapon, NOT the chemical (hee hee)) on the head!) I don't have the earlier books, (neither LHM nor arrows) so correct me if I am wrong! Vivian Choh "I am all that I claim to be. bi189-+AT+-freenet.toronto.on.ca I simply have not claimed all that I am" - M. Lackey, "Oathbreakers" ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 19:01:03 -0400 (EDT) From: Vivian Choh To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: New question...Re: NEED/OATHBOUND/BREAKERS Message-ID: A question that has been bothering me for awhile now..... If NEED protects the warrior from magic, and allows that mage to fight well, why didn't Keth just give NEED to Tarma when coming down the hill (out of Valdemar) so that Tarma could cream the Adept from Raschar's (sp?) court? As we all know by now, mages, especially the fancy-dancy high magickers, are supposed to be susceptible (sp?) to physical harm.... P.S. I saw Johnny Mnemonic. I liked it! but then again, I've always liked that sort of stuff....(I wouldn't put it as my all-time favourite or as one that made me think about the twists and turns of fate (like the Terminator did ..and of course all the ST:TNG time-space messes!) but I liked it. Of course I may be biased since it looked like the majority of the movie was shot in Toronto...(any of you torontonians notice Union Station?) Vivian Choh "I am all that I claim to be. bi189-+AT+-freenet.toronto.on.ca I simply have not claimed all that I am" - M. Lackey, "Oathbreakers" ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 19:14:15 -0400 From: URAMESS-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: ElvenBlood Description Message-ID: <950607191413_64917705-+AT+-aol.com> In a message dated 95-06-06 08:00:31 EDT, you write: > Has Elvenblood come out in >paperback in the States? > >Kim > > Nope, hardback, if you are interested the ISBN is 0312855486, $22.95. the book will and shoulkd most likely be shelved under N for Norton, She is the author listed first. Hope most of you have air conditioning in this god/ess awfull humidity. Take Care Matt ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The future is the children that the lesbian mother will raise in the dignity of difference. --Bernice Goodman ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jun 1995 19:14:29 -0400 From: URAMESS-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: ElvenBlood Description Message-ID: <950607191408_64917640-+AT+-aol.com> In a message dated 95-06-05 23:13:35 EDT, you write: >>> What I do remember was a women in a purple dress with a dragon in >>> the background, it just does not compare to the cover of Elvenbane >>> which I really liked. > >>U> Now I wonder if there are 2 different covers and why that would be >>U> done. > >Curiously enough, she is describing the cover of Elvenbane... > >jhm Beleive it or not I knew that. It's been crazy the last couple of weeks for me. PLease bear with me. I hope that somewhere in the continental US it is COOL! Bright Blessings Matt J ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ the future is the children that the lesbian mother will raise in the dignity of difference. --Bernice Goodman ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 41 ********************************