MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1078 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: Leaky Gifts/other Gifts by Liseth-+AT+-aol.com 2) by Jan 3) Thanks/some Misty by LCM46-+AT+-aol.com 4) Sovreign Lands by Sandra K Haas 5) Re: Sovreign Lands by Ken Hyde 6) Re: by "JAIME HATHAWAY" 7) Re: Sovreign Lands by "JAIME HATHAWAY" 8) Dark bonds/Y'all by Aimee Dowd 9) Whites/Leaky Gifts by Aimee Dowd 10) prostitution by Aimee Dowd 11) Re: Sovreign Lands and a question by Raingcats-+AT+-aol.com 12) hatebond by Steve Mattila 13) Sovereignty, Valdemaran Child Prostitution (SoI spoiler) by "H.D. Wegemer" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 20:26:21 -0500 (EST) From: Liseth-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Leaky Gifts/other Gifts Message-ID: <970127200144_2058250800-+AT+-emout09.mail.aol.com> Okay, only two things in this post, and both are definately Misty, so here goes... Leaky Gifts-- Lee the Eternally Nourished brought this up, and Mistweaver responded. What I'm going to say will probably contradict Mistweaver (I found myself disagreeing with that post) so sheeps to anyone I offend. The passage (I trust) is on p 198 (hc) and p 234 (pbk) (that's the one Mistweaver brought up). Read it yourself. TINAF but, did that really explain "'You know how leaky we all are to a new, raw Gift!'"? What would explain why people are leaky around a new Gift, and why it's brought up there, might be something like most Gifts are not that active when they first come active. They grow with use, at least that's the impression I got from the Arrows trilogy. So people aren't that worried about them picking things up. And around trained Gifts, they aren't worried much because everyone has sheilds and no one will overhear (I guess that's what Mistweaver was saying). On to the next subject... Deniz wrote: > I've been wondering about this for a while... everytime somebody gets > gifted, they get chosen. Deniz, are you *sure* about that? There is the example of the Weatherwitch in AFall. She definately had a Gift, and she wasn't Chosen. There are always the Healers, and I get the feeling that in Vanyel's time, there were lots of hedge-wizards and court-magicians about. They weren't Chosen. There have to be other examples around, Misty just doesn't go into them. Oh, and this is just for fun, I'll post the definition next Mon. Can anyone define, without looking in the dictionary, HOWITZER I want lots of definitions to come in (private: Liseth-+AT+-aol.com) and next week we can vote (if no one objects). ************************************************************ Liseth Goddess of Running Away and Hiding Under Tables First Master of the Guild of Typoists ************************************************************ "Life is easier to take than you'd think; all that is necessary is to accept the impossible, do without the indispensable and bear the intolerable." -Kathleen Norris ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 23:52:14 -0500 From: Jan To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19970128045214.006c5034-+AT+-pop.mindspring.com> Hey, Y'all! I've been thinking an' thinking about why it was that I liked The arrows books and LHM so much better than Storms, and Then I read this from somebody and Lee: >"Anyway, a lot of the wave cancellation's discovery process was hints, >not, as far as I could tell, active plot drivers. Most of the pivotal >points in SR were not decisions. Karal did not figure out a way to get >the other ministers to respect him; Solaris had to come in and gave him >her public stamp of approval. Firesong did not figure out himself that >his thoughts were flawed; the mindhealer (forgot his name) had to save >him." > >Come to think of it, that's actually a major flaw. The characters are >supposed to solve their own problems. I didn't think that the effects the >characters had on each other (outside of the pivotal >pulling-each-other-out-of-whatever-hot-water-we've-gotten-into scenes) >were too clear. Characters seemed to disappear whenever they weren't >narrating. So, anyway, that reminded me of an English class where we discussed plot and characterization. In a truly good novel, it is not only the external events that drive the plot, but also the inner struggles, change, and growth that occur within the main character(s). The Wizard of Earthsea (I forget the author) was given as an exeptional example of this type of writing. There was also a fancy name forit , but Ive forgotten that, too. Too many years ago:-). I do remember the story, though---about the wizard Ged who, when he was young and foolish, released an evil into the world by magic, and struggles to undo the damage he's done--a story of yin-yang, the struggle of good and evil within hmself, and finally reconciliaton. LHM and Arrows also exhibit this strength of plot. Mpawn, for example, is about one main person, our beloved Van, whose inner conflicts are *the* driving force of the story. They are resolved at the climax of the book as a direct result of the climax of external events. ei., he over comes his own grief, guilt and despair to the point where he is wiilling to give his life to protect the villagers he once coulld care less about. AotQ, too, is about Talia, who overcomes feelings of inadequecy to come into her own as a Herald when she helps to retrieve the arrows. Again, inner conflict is resolved as a direct result of external plot drivers. Apologies to those who don't care for Lord of the Rings, but I loved them. And they have the same strength. Frodo's fear of the Black riders and the unknown was so palpable at times it felt like you could almost reach out and touch it. Yet he overcame that fear time and time again, so that by the end of the books he was so changed, he could not go back to his old life, but went over the sea with the elves. I think that's why I like Lestat (from ARices Vampire books) so much. The confict in him between good and evil runs like a bright thread through all the Vampire books. Now, IMNSHO, sTORMS --oops--Storms lacks a main character who meets the criteria Ive mentioned. Sure charcters have inner conflicts, but the resolution to them is not integral to the plot. In SR, for example, no one *had* to go to the plains to resolve an inner conflict by doing something really hard. Sure, it was cool that Karal voluteered to be the channel, but there was not the "*yes!*, he's finally got it, he's going to be alright" feeling that I got when Van zapped the mage at the end of MPawn and didn't die after all. Oh, gods, Ive run on and on, haven't I. Apologies and mint-chocolate sheeps to those who don't like reading tomes. i'd love some response to my ideas, tho, pos and neg Jayenna ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 00:03:27 -0500 (EST) From: LCM46-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Thanks/some Misty Message-ID: <970128000323_442774152-+AT+-emout11.mail.aol.com> Greetings all---- First, to Jerry, that Diety of Goblins, etc.----------Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! The bodyguard will be quite useful around here--envision said group "saving" me from the wrath of family that wonders WHY I prefer reading. In return, (me as goddess) please accept my offering of a pair of *rose-colored* spectacles (frames of your choice), guaranteed to block sight of that pile of laundry/dishes that you've been ignoring (or anything else you've been ignoring). May you only see things as you want them, not as they really are. (end Goddess) Also, "shades" of Wallace and Gromit's "The Wrong Trousers", for the vision of penguins with rubber-glove chicken disguises---I LOVE IT! Second, I think I owe an obmisty---so---here goes----------Considering the fact that my domain covers laundry,and *reminded* by Jerry's observation on laundry powder/detergent---How in the nine hells does the domestic staff at the Collegium keep whites white??? I know that once upon a time, I had a pair of white kidskin gloves (sheeps to any members of PETA, no hate mail, please--they were a gift) that were IMPOSSIBLE to keep clean. Leather cleaning is an expensive proposition, and also a chancy thing--no guarantees on outcome of process. Also, after reading Jean Auel's "The Mammoth Hunters", and learning how white leather was made (I think that was rather authentic), I wonder what the trick was at the Collegium??????? (AND, what size was the domestic staff, anyhow, to take care of all the heralds, trainees, etc.---------it had to be huge!!!!) It's snowing here, and I think I might get stuck helping with the plowing, so--guess I'll go to bed now. Lorraine Goddess of Domesticity/Laundry Appreciator of Penguins But I'm not dead yet! I went to a restaurant that served breakfast MP/Holy Grail at any time, so I ordered french toast in the Renaissance. Steven Wright ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 11:32:55 -0500 (EST) From: Sandra K Haas To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Sovreign Lands Message-ID: On Sun, 26 Jan 1997 Glithoniel responded to Lee: > Lee, the Eternally Nourished, asked: >>Well, what right would the Monarch > have to (in effect) take their land and homes away from them just because > they're discontent with the government?<< > > Essentially, all land belongs to the Crown in the first place. Everyone > below the level of Monarch in a kingdom posesses their land by the consent of > said Monarch--sometimes through several levels of ownership, but ultimately > it all belongs to the Monarch. That's why taxes are paid. They are a form > of rent. So, just like any landlord, Seleney has the right to move out > malcontent renters. > I originally brought this up, and my question was: Based on Valdemar's "no one true way" policy...IF a group wanted to cede from Valdemar for religious reasons...WOULD the monarchy let them?? OR, would they say, there is no one true way, but if yours says you need to be independent, it is obviously wrong, get off our land?? I think it is something interesting to think about. It is very loosely like what has happened here in Michigan. The Upper Pen. has at times wanted to cede to become a state in their own right. It has never worked, but if they kept trying, should the state of MI kick everybody out for wanting it?? Sandy ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 11:53:58 -0500 (EST) From: Ken Hyde To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Sovreign Lands Message-ID: On Tue, 28 Jan 1997, Sandra K Haas wrote: > I originally brought this up, and my question was: Based on Valdemar's "no > one true way" policy...IF a group wanted to cede from Valdemar for > religious reasons...WOULD the monarchy let them?? OR, would they say, > there is no one true way, but if yours says you need to be independent, it > is obviously wrong, get off our land?? Well, another way of looking at it is "there is no true way, and if yours says to be independant than you just go and do that little thing... elsewhere." As an analogy that is closer to home, it is sort of like kids growing up and wanting their independance. Most parents (at least mine and those of my friends) have the attitude of "you want to live your own life and do things differently from us? fine. But you can support yourself and get your own apartment/house in which to do it." Or more directly, "as long as you live under my roof and eat my food, there are certain rules you will have to obey." If you ask me, this is a very healthy and normal reaction. If I ever become a parent (gods forbid!), I would certianly expect my children to behave according to a certain standard for as long as I was supporting them. Similarly, I think that Valdemar could take the parental role towards the Holderkin. It would be a situation of "We aren't going to tell you that you can't do something or that your way is 'wrong', but if you really want to continue along the lines you have set out, you can do so elsewhere. Don't expect us to subsidize or support you." May the seas be your solace and the forests a refuge for your spirit, Cennydd, Kenneth Allen Hyde | No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife Univ. of Delaware | between the shoulder blades will seriously Dept. of Linguistics | cramp his style -- Old Jhereg proverb kenny-+AT+-Udel.Edu | A mind is a terrible toy to waste! -- Me **http://www.udel.edu/kenny/ken.html or .../kenny/green.silences.html** ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 11:10:17 CST From: "JAIME HATHAWAY" To: Jan , mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Message-ID: <5DFD930FA6-+AT+-future.judson.edu> Jan, Yes, that's it exactly!!!! You have expressed what I have been sensing/feeling about her books, but have not been able to find the proper words to convey. Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! Jacquelle "You broke your little ships." Lily to Picard Star Trek: First Contact ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 11:21:35 CST From: "JAIME HATHAWAY" To: Sandra K Haas , mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Sovreign Lands Message-ID: <5E2D666127-+AT+-future.judson.edu> Glithoniel responded to Lee: > > Lee, the Eternally Nourished, asked: >>Well, what right would the Monarch > > have to (in effect) take their land and homes away from them just because > > they're discontent with the government?<< > > > > Essentially, all land belongs to the Crown in the first place. Everyone > > below the level of Monarch in a kingdom posesses their land by the consent of > > said Monarch--sometimes through several levels of ownership, but ultimately > > it all belongs to the Monarch. That's why taxes are paid. They are a form > > of rent. So, just like any landlord, Seleney has the right to move out > > malcontent renters. > > > I originally brought this up, and my question was: Based on Valdemar's "no > one true way" policy...IF a group wanted to cede from Valdemar for > religious reasons...WOULD the monarchy let them?? OR, would they say, > there is no one true way, but if yours says you need to be independent, it > is obviously wrong, get off our land?? > > I think it is something interesting to think about. It is very loosely > like what has happened here in Michigan. The Upper Pen. has at times > wanted to cede to become a state in their own right. It has never worked, > but if they kept trying, should the state of MI kick everybody out for > wanting it?? > > Sandy > Interesting question...I am from the U.P. and I know that I have felt that way--wanting to secede and form a seperate state, that is. However, that is unlikely to happen. In Valdemaran terms, though, I'm not sure. I don't think the monarchy would say, "If you don't believe in 'there's no one true way' get off", because that would be hypocritical to "there's no one true way." But if they truly believed that there was no one, true way, I think they'd respect those who didn't, and those who wanted to be independant. Of course, they couldn't let everyone who felt that way just secede, b/c then there'd be no land left eventually! So what could they do? Find some previously unoccupied land to move to? Isn't that what Baron Valdemar did oh, so long ago, too? So, Sandy, are you from the UP too? Jacquelle "You broke your little ships." Lily to Picard Star Trek: First Contact ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 97 14:15:14 EST From: Aimee Dowd To: Mercedes Lackey Discussion List Subject: Dark bonds/Y'all Message-ID: <970128.143933.EST.AIMEDOWD-+AT+-UGA.CC.UGA.EDU> *****Hatebonds***** David Tiffany asked, "Are there Hatebonds? Are there Dark equivalents of the bonds we know?" I think we saw an example of Dark bonds with Mornelithe Falconsbane. Somewhere in the Winds trilogy (I couldn't find the exact quote) we are told that the reason why Falconsbane can draw on his servant-mages' power is that he created a bond between them, just as deep as a lifebond. But I think it only went one way. Also, I thought that creating a bond between them was part of what he did to Starblade. When Darkwind destroyed the crow, he temporarily destroyed the link to Falconsbane; that's why they had to get shields up around Starblade so quickly -- to keep Falconsbane from re-establishing that link. Wait, I found that quote I was looking for earlier! WFate, paperback, page 437: "Fewer knew what Falconsbane knew, that there was another bond as deep as a lifebond; the bond he built between himself and his victim when he made that victim an extension of himself. "As deep as a lifebond; it had to be, to survive the endless struggle of his victims to be free. Built out of both pleasure and pain at the most primitive, instinctive levels, it made his servants need him more than they needed food, drink, sleep--" So. I guess that the main difference between the two kinds of bond is that lifebonds occur naturally and spontaneously, while Falconsbane's type of bond must be artificially constructed. Well, the main difference aside from the effects on the people involved, that is. *****Y'all***** Cennydd said, "Given that JH is set in Tulsa, I don't think it odd to find singular "y'all" in the dialogs." Yes, but what about _Born to Run_, which is set in Savannah, Georgia? ********** Out of respect for the annoyance expressed about excessively long braids, I am trying to keep the number of topics I braid together down to a minimum. So, I guess that's all for this post! -Aimee Aimee Dowd aimedowd-+AT+-uga.cc.uga.edu *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 97 14:40:17 EST From: Aimee Dowd To: Mercedes Lackey Discussion List Subject: Whites/Leaky Gifts Message-ID: <970128.150141.EST.AIMEDOWD-+AT+-UGA.CC.UGA.EDU> *****Keeping your Whites their Whitest***** Someone (Sorry. Delete-itis.) asked exactly *how* the housekeeping staff keeps Whites from staining easily. Good question! I know that whenever *I* wear anything white, I seem to become a stain-magnet! I suppose they must treat them with some kind of stain-repellent. Or maybe it's magic -- a spell so useful that everyone used it, so it wasn't lost after Vanyel died. Like the Truth Spell! Except that would mean that the housekeeping staff was made up of mages... *****Leaky Gifts***** I'm not sure about this, but I always thought that the reason why people with newly-awakened gifts breeze through other people's shields so easily had to do with their own gifts, not any problem with the other people's shields. The new gifts are simply more sensitive, are raw. It's like a sunburn -- your skin is way more easily irritated than when it's healthy. Your clothes even hurt you. So what would, under normal circumstances, be perfectly innocuous -- ie, shielded thoughts -- becomes, under these circumstances, irritating and maybe even painful. However, our only examples of this are Talia and Vanyel, both of whom had their gifts prematurely awakened by physical trauma. They were both injured, Vanyel especially. So maybe if your gift rouses naturally, you aren't quite so sensitive to the tiny irritants of shielded thoughts. I don't know. What do you all think? -Aimee Aimee Dowd aimedowd-+AT+-uga.cc.uga.edu *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 97 15:02:21 EST From: Aimee Dowd To: Mercedes Lackey Discussion List Subject: prostitution Message-ID: <970128.153429.EST.AIMEDOWD-+AT+-UGA.CC.UGA.EDU> Kawryathen said, "You know how in Rune's world there is a prostitution guild? Well, what about in Valdemar?" I don't think there is a prostitution guild in Valdemar, although if someone wanted to create one, they would be able to -- no one true way, and everything. Does Valdemar have guilds in general? I can't remember one ever being mentioned, but I could just be forgetful. But this question brings me to some questions of my own, dealing with SoI. S P O I L E R S P A C E O.K. This has to do with Elizabeth Waters' story, "The School Up the Hill." This story tells us that, even if there is no *guild*, there are prostitutes in Valdemar. But what bothered me was the way Leesa's mother treated her. (BTW, I'm sorry if this has been discussed before. I only recently got my copy of SoI, and I skipped all the posts about it before I read it.) It sounded to me like her mother would have forced her into prostitution if she hadn't run away. I thought child prostitution just wasn't done in Valdemar. In AotQ, when Ylsa has Neave project an emotional scene at Talia to test if she has empathy, he picks a memory of his own childhood rape. He was serving wine in a tavern, when one of the patrons grabbed him -- it seemed to me like the innkeeper was prostituting Neave. Talia asks how such things can be allowed to exist. Neave replies, "It's not -- not here." "I come from outKingdom, remember?" (AotQ 276). I got the distinct impression that child prostitution was Not Allowed in Valdemar. So what's the deal with Leesa's mother? Was she just disobeying the law, hoping she wouldn't get caught? I guess the Heralds can't do much about individual law-breakers until they catch them. So do you think Neave was talking about *institutionalized* child prostitution? Apparently, where he came from, young orphans with noone to look out for them were routeinly abused in this way. The local government knew what was going on and just looked the other way. Is that the difference? The heralds would have put a stop to Leesa's situation if they knew about it, but they didn't know? Any thoughts? D I G E S T S P A C E -Aimee, Dame of the OAM. Aimee Dowd aimedowd-+AT+-uga.cc.uga.edu *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 17:05:58 -0500 (EST) From: Raingcats-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Sovreign Lands and a question Message-ID: <970128170536_1859995100-+AT+-emout01.mail.aol.com> Jacquelle wrote: >Of course, they couldn't let everyone who felt that way just secede, b/c >then there'd be no land left eventually! So what could they do? Find >some previously unoccupied land to move to? Isn't that what Baron >Valdemar did oh, so long ago, too? But isn't Valdemar the people, not the land? So, if the people's religion tells them they need their own land, and there is no one true way, then shouldn't the Monarch just let them leave to find their own land, like Baron Valdemar did? In a sense, they would be seceding, because since Valdemar is, essentially, the people, and those people left, wouldn't they be seceding? BTW, another question, somewhat related. Who has to believe in "the one true way"? The government? The Monarch? The Heralds? The people? All of them? I think I'll hop off the soapbox now . . . comments anyone? ;) I'll always forgive you but never forget you, Lady Nightshadow aka Shady Goddess of Forgiveness ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 17:23:40 -0800 From: Steve Mattila To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: hatebond Message-ID: <32EEA69C.360F-+AT+-winternet.com> >Our Beloved yet Seldom Seen Git said: >>OBMisty: We've heard of Lovebonds, Lifebonds, and Soulbonds. >>What about negative bonds? Are there Hatebonds? I'd nominate >>Tylendel(or his twin?) and Evan Lesharra as a possible example >>of this. So what do you think gang? Are there Dark equiivalents of >> the bonds we know. >You'd think, wouldn't you. Not to mention Talia and Ancar, >Falconsbane and gryphons, etc. etc. etc. I was under >the impression from my admittdely vague knowledge >of karma, that hate-bonds marked the soul more >strongly than a positive-bond. And such bonds >carried over into the next life. CENNYDD? we need >a Karmic ruling here -- is the above the case, or no? I dissagree with Cat Person, I don't think that Myste would permit there to be such a thing as a hatebond. I offer the Tregarde Creed from Burning Water(*evil grin*)for example. First Commandment There is no such thing as 'one true way,' and the way you find is only good for you, not anybody else, because your interpretation of what you see and feel and understand as the truth is never going to be the same as anyone else's. Second Commandment The only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself. Third Commandment Leave the world better than you found it. Fourth Commandment If it isn't true, going to do something good, or spread a little love around, don't say it, do it or think it. Fifth Commandment There are only three things worth living for; love in all its manifestations, freedom, and the chance to keep humanity going a little while longer. They're the same things worth dying for. And if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race. Diana Tregarde, Burning Water I don't think that Myste would allow something so closed minded to enter Valdemar. Besides, a wise english teacher once said, "Only those you love can hurt you." however, there are cases against it, rape being the worst possible. -Rowain ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 19:19:47 +0000 From: "H.D. Wegemer" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Sovereignty, Valdemaran Child Prostitution (SoI spoiler) Message-ID: <9701290015.AA07623-+AT+-flash> Many people have discussed the possible secession of a set of lands (i.e. Holderkin) from Valdemar. The oft-repeated argument has been that, since there is no one true way, Valdemar could not say that the group would be wrong, and therefore could not fairly retain its lands. This argument misses something. There is no ONE true way. This means that there may be TWO true ways, and that the rest are false. It may mean THREE true ways, or fifty, or several thousand. It DOES NOT claim that every way is true. Valdemar can claim that secession constitutes an 'untrue' way without saying that all ways but one are untrue, just as Talia was able to judge the incestuously raping father as following an untrue path and punish accordingly. Just because rape and murder are disallowed does not mean that there is ONE true way. Seen thusly, there is no conflict in saying, "No, you may certainly not secede." Fair enough? S P O I L E R * S P A C E Aimee Dowd said, > O.K. This has to do with Elizabeth Waters' story, "The School Up the > Hill." This story tells us that, even if there is no *guild*, there are > prostitutes in Valdemar. Well, actually, it doesn't. The story is set in Bolthaven, outside Valdemar. > But what bothered me was the way Leesa's mother > treated her. (BTW, I'm sorry if this has been discussed before. I only > recently got my copy of SoI, and I skipped all the posts about it before I read > it.) It sounded to me like her mother would have forced her into prostitution > if she hadn't run away. I thought child prostitution just wasn't done in > Valdemar. In AotQ, when Ylsa has Neave project an emotional scene at Talia to > test if she has empathy, he picks a memory of his own childhood rape. He was > serving wine in a tavern, when one of the patrons grabbed him -- it seemed to > me like the innkeeper was prostituting Neave. Talia asks how such things > can be allowed to exist. Neave replies, "It's not -- not here." "I > come from outKingdom, remember?" (AotQ 276). I got the distinct impression > that child prostitution was Not Allowed in Valdemar. So what's the deal with > Leesa's mother? Was she just disobeying the law, hoping she wouldn't get > caught? I guess the Heralds can't do much about individual law-breakers until > they catch them. So do you think Neave was talking about *institutionalized* > child prostitution? Apparently, where he came from, young orphans with noone > to look out for them were routeinly abused in this way. The local government > knew what was going on and just looked the other way. Is that the difference? > The heralds would have put a stop to Leesa's situation if they knew about it, > but they didn't know? Any thoughts? D I G E S T * S P A C E --- Although I dwell by choice in realms Ephemeral as phosphor glow It is a life -- it is _my_ life -- As real as aught you know. H. Wegemer ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1078 **********************************