The Dawn Stag, Jules Watson
ConversazioniWorld Reading Circle
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1cedargrove
I didn't take any notes for most of the book, well, just over half actually, but then a few points struck me as I was reading today.
Incidentally, I was listening to The Ironclad Soundtrack as I was reading. Here's a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72AQHdRcI5o&list=PLCEA3D1E7E7B4344A
Samana pressed closer, moulding her body to his so softly that he would hardly notice until it was done, reaching up on her toes so that her warm breath was on his face. "I would give you everything that is in me." she whispered. "For what we shared was rare, my love, so rare I have never forgotten it: how you buried yourself in me, how you suckled at my breasts, how you rode me until I wept for mercy."
His breath was coming faster now, his eyes glinting with pain.
"All this and more I will give you," she continued in the same murmur. "Many halls to rule, many jewels to lay at your feet, many nights of pleasure in my bed." She parted her lips, her eyes sliding to his mouth. "And sons to rule after you, Eremon, strong sons."
At these last words, Eremon froze. Then suddenly Samana's arms were encased in his brutal grip, and she gasped. The skin around Eremon's eyes was taut, his mouth a grim line. The moment drew out, a moment where she saw him waver, something writing in his heart she did not understand.
Then, at last, he slowly and deliberately put her away from him. Ad when Samana was at arm's length he gave her a shove, making her stumble backwards. She regained her balance and clasped her arms about herself, open-mouthed.
"You are a prisoner, madam," Eremon's voice was ice: there was no trace of that moment of weakness now. Page 319
All through this section I was alternately spitting feathers at Samana and wondering just when she was going to make a mistake. I think I almost punched my fist in the air when she mentioned 'sons.'
Each word was a lash, laying open Rhiann's heart, and she forgot who looked on, flooded by all the fury and grief she had so carefully suppressed for moons. "Dry I may be, but I love Eremon in a way you never could, because you are consumed, Samana, with your own lust for power and selfish desires! Where is the space for love in that? How could you - a woma who does not know the meaning of respect, or honour, or truth - love anyone? You cannot give Samana, you only take take, and take until there's nothing left and," Rhiann's voice broke, "Eremon deserves more than you could begin to give. I may not be complete, but I am real. I have a heart, and I have given it to him!" Page 333
So Eremon send the woman from the above section to his wife for 'judgement' and this was the beginning of it... and I found myself nodding along with Rhiann, as she took the measure of this woman who was supposed to be a Priestess of the Isle, but turned into a Roman whore in her lust for power... riches... renown. Sometimes words just hit home, and these sure did.
The news had travelled through the entire dun already, and the yard outside the lodge was crowded with men, women and children. The Sisters were there too, standing together. Yet when Saman appeared, walking tall as if to salvage some dignity, with a rustling of clothes and feet, every single person there turned their backs on her.P336
The description of the treatment of an outcast among the tribes was simple, but powerful, and the author made it clear that this would happen wherever she went... a terrible fate... but deserved.
Rhiann," Caitlin whispered, "you give us all the greatest of love, in the things that you do. Do not speak of yourself this way - I won't have it!" She raised her chin, her lip trembling. "You put yourself in danger for us, and have done so many times. When we were trapped here by Urben, and thought Gabran might die, it was you who saved him! You found a way, because you always do..."P376
Rhiann was puting herself down, naming herself unworthy, and Caitlin provided a timely reminder of all that she, as Bran Cre and Priestess that Rhiann had done for her tribe and for her friends. I think there's a line in LOTR that embodies this idea also... this is just put in a different way.
Incidentally, I was listening to The Ironclad Soundtrack as I was reading. Here's a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72AQHdRcI5o&list=PLCEA3D1E7E7B4344A
Samana pressed closer, moulding her body to his so softly that he would hardly notice until it was done, reaching up on her toes so that her warm breath was on his face. "I would give you everything that is in me." she whispered. "For what we shared was rare, my love, so rare I have never forgotten it: how you buried yourself in me, how you suckled at my breasts, how you rode me until I wept for mercy."
His breath was coming faster now, his eyes glinting with pain.
"All this and more I will give you," she continued in the same murmur. "Many halls to rule, many jewels to lay at your feet, many nights of pleasure in my bed." She parted her lips, her eyes sliding to his mouth. "And sons to rule after you, Eremon, strong sons."
At these last words, Eremon froze. Then suddenly Samana's arms were encased in his brutal grip, and she gasped. The skin around Eremon's eyes was taut, his mouth a grim line. The moment drew out, a moment where she saw him waver, something writing in his heart she did not understand.
Then, at last, he slowly and deliberately put her away from him. Ad when Samana was at arm's length he gave her a shove, making her stumble backwards. She regained her balance and clasped her arms about herself, open-mouthed.
"You are a prisoner, madam," Eremon's voice was ice: there was no trace of that moment of weakness now. Page 319
All through this section I was alternately spitting feathers at Samana and wondering just when she was going to make a mistake. I think I almost punched my fist in the air when she mentioned 'sons.'
Each word was a lash, laying open Rhiann's heart, and she forgot who looked on, flooded by all the fury and grief she had so carefully suppressed for moons. "Dry I may be, but I love Eremon in a way you never could, because you are consumed, Samana, with your own lust for power and selfish desires! Where is the space for love in that? How could you - a woma who does not know the meaning of respect, or honour, or truth - love anyone? You cannot give Samana, you only take take, and take until there's nothing left and," Rhiann's voice broke, "Eremon deserves more than you could begin to give. I may not be complete, but I am real. I have a heart, and I have given it to him!" Page 333
So Eremon send the woman from the above section to his wife for 'judgement' and this was the beginning of it... and I found myself nodding along with Rhiann, as she took the measure of this woman who was supposed to be a Priestess of the Isle, but turned into a Roman whore in her lust for power... riches... renown. Sometimes words just hit home, and these sure did.
The news had travelled through the entire dun already, and the yard outside the lodge was crowded with men, women and children. The Sisters were there too, standing together. Yet when Saman appeared, walking tall as if to salvage some dignity, with a rustling of clothes and feet, every single person there turned their backs on her.P336
The description of the treatment of an outcast among the tribes was simple, but powerful, and the author made it clear that this would happen wherever she went... a terrible fate... but deserved.
Rhiann," Caitlin whispered, "you give us all the greatest of love, in the things that you do. Do not speak of yourself this way - I won't have it!" She raised her chin, her lip trembling. "You put yourself in danger for us, and have done so many times. When we were trapped here by Urben, and thought Gabran might die, it was you who saved him! You found a way, because you always do..."P376
Rhiann was puting herself down, naming herself unworthy, and Caitlin provided a timely reminder of all that she, as Bran Cre and Priestess that Rhiann had done for her tribe and for her friends. I think there's a line in LOTR that embodies this idea also... this is just put in a different way.
2cedargrove
Still listening to the same soundtrack, it works so well, especially now that war is upon them.
And below all that ran something else that Rhiann could hear with her heart, and so less easily ignore: the soft murmur of women and children releasing their men and fathers to war, their hands reaching up to horses, the stumbled words that tried to gather years of love into one farewell, yet could never manage it. P 453
This struck me as poignant and relevant to any body of soldiers going off to/or riding out to war, away from their families... and I thought it was very well put.
So I started crying at around page 470... on and off. Then came this:
"You have seen me fight but once, yet you know what I have to find inside me to do it."
Rhiann swallowed and nodded, holding his eyes. "I know."
"The man you held in your arms last night, you will not see him again, not until this is all over. You understand?"
At their feet, the tumble of hides and blankets was already cooling from the heat of their bodies. "Yes," Rhiann whispered.
Eremon pressed his lips to her forehead. "Then forgive me, and love me all the same." P472
It was just... a heartbreaking farewell that touched something inside me... something lost. I had to put the book down for a while.
It didn't get any easier once I picked it up again, and by the last 20 or so pages... oh my goodness, but I couldn't stop the tears. So well written, even if it was sad and happy both together... a lot of sad... Damn fine book!
And below all that ran something else that Rhiann could hear with her heart, and so less easily ignore: the soft murmur of women and children releasing their men and fathers to war, their hands reaching up to horses, the stumbled words that tried to gather years of love into one farewell, yet could never manage it. P 453
This struck me as poignant and relevant to any body of soldiers going off to/or riding out to war, away from their families... and I thought it was very well put.
So I started crying at around page 470... on and off. Then came this:
"You have seen me fight but once, yet you know what I have to find inside me to do it."
Rhiann swallowed and nodded, holding his eyes. "I know."
"The man you held in your arms last night, you will not see him again, not until this is all over. You understand?"
At their feet, the tumble of hides and blankets was already cooling from the heat of their bodies. "Yes," Rhiann whispered.
Eremon pressed his lips to her forehead. "Then forgive me, and love me all the same." P472
It was just... a heartbreaking farewell that touched something inside me... something lost. I had to put the book down for a while.
It didn't get any easier once I picked it up again, and by the last 20 or so pages... oh my goodness, but I couldn't stop the tears. So well written, even if it was sad and happy both together... a lot of sad... Damn fine book!
