[LMB] Re: The Hallowed Hunt, Chapter 19

[Kalina Varbanova]

On 7/1/06, tonyzbaraschuk at netzero.net <tonyzbaraschuk at netzero.net> wrote:
> but
> someone in the capital can probably get quite a number of tough
> swordsmen without too much difficulty.
>
Absolutely agreed!

> Ingrey respects integrity, and Hetwar can make much more use
> of someone who will tell him the truth, even unpalatable truth,
> than of someone whose only value is as a sword.

Hmm. That was not my impression of what happened. I thought Ingrey had
a goal - to have the _truth_ be heard by the judges, because in that
case 1. his claim for blood-money could be advanced more easily; 2.
the court may spare Ijada anyway, because she _was_ acting in self
defense.

What I saw was that, by default, Ingrey did not expect truth to be
told by Fara, or to be welcomed by Biast. Which is a cynical view of
the world (and, although it may be my misconception, it is not a view
that is easily taken by a person of integrity).

Also, a person who respects integrity would not, I think, revert to
threats (as with Fara) to have a person tell the truth.

Also, if the words that he told Biast were to be believed - that he
didn't care if Biast wanted truth or lies, or something to that sense
- those words had to be honest, and also supported by the entire
knowledge that the recipient has of Ingrey. And that does not fit with
my idea of integrity, at least.

What I saw in the two exchanges - with Biast and with Fara - was that
Ingrey is relentless  and ruthless in pursuing his goal. He does have
some weight to throw around, because people are aware he may be just
as ruthless as he claims to be. He resorts to threats - and not just
phsyical ones either - and possibe blackmail. He is resourceful at
bullying. And Hetwar probably used that a lot - but this time he does
it for his own goals. I think this chapter was what, on re-reading,
made me believe more in his being so morose and self-doubting in the
opening chapters. And why he expected Ijada to be afraid of him. Etc.,
etc. I got the impression that his insistence for truth was just what
he needed on this occasion, and that he could have used his tools just
as willingly if he had wanted to present antoher version of the
proceedings than the actual one, if he wanted to.

Anyway, that was what _I_ perceived of the chapter. I think his need
for integrity came after his world was shaken several times (falling
in love, for one, and learning Horseriver's story, for another;
meeting Hallana by itself, for one more...) and he realized he may
take another part in society but the villain. But he is using tools he
is accustomed to and has kept well-honed. For their own sake, not for
the sake of integrity.

Greetings:
Kalina
-- 
You have two hands. One to help yourself and one to help others.