Cnaiür looked down, startled. A young woman, her leg slicked in blood, an infant strapped to her back, clutched his knee, beseeching him in some unknown tongue. He raised his boot to kick her, then unaccountably lowered it. He leaned forward and hoisted her before him onto his saddle. She fairly shrieked tears. He wheeled his black around and spurred after the fleeing camp-followers.She appears moments after he draws his sword to face down innumerable of kianene cavalry who have just recognized him. After he takes her into his saddle the arrow misses. Fate.
He heard an arrow buzz by his ear.
Bakker, R. Scott (2008-09-02). The Warrior Prophet: The Prince of Nothing, Book Two (Kindle Locations 6508-6511). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.
The woman alternately looked forward, then yanked her head backward to the Kianene— as did, absurdly, her black-haired infant. Strange, Cnaiür thought, the way infants knew when to be calm. Suddenly Fanim horsemen erupted through the northern entrance as well. He swerved to the right, galloped along the airy white tents, searching for a way to barge between. When he saw none, he raced for the corner. More and more Kianene thundered through the eastern entrance, fanning across the field. Those behind pounded nearer. Several more arrows whisked through the air about them. He wheeled his black about, knocked the woman face first onto the dusty turf. The babe finally started screeching. He tossed her a knife— to cut through canvas …
Bakker, R. Scott (2008-09-02). The Warrior Prophet: The Prince of Nothing, Book Two (Kindle Locations 6538-6543). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.
“Who,” Cnaiür roared, so fiercely all his skin seemed throat, “will murder me?”
A piercing, feminine cry. Cnaiür glanced back, saw the nameless woman swaying at the entrance of the nearest tent. She gripped the knife he’d thrown her, gestured with it for him to follow. For an instant, it seemed he’d always known her, that they’d been lovers for long years. He saw sunlight flash through the far side of the tent where she’d cut open the canvas. Then he glimpsed a shadow from above, heard something not quite …
Several Kianene cried out— a different terror.
Cnaiür thrust his left hand beneath his girdle, clutched tight his father’s Trinket.
For an instant he met the woman’s wide uncomprehending eyes, and over her shoulder, those of her baby boy as well … Somehow he knew that now— that he was a son. He tried to cry out. They became shadows in a cataract of shimmering flame.
Bakker, R. Scott (2008-09-02). The Warrior Prophet: The Prince of Nothing, Book Two (Kindle Locations 6564-6566). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.
I think there might be more than meets the eye in this passage, but I actually disagree with the section you put in bold being significant. That specific sentence looks to me like a man in desperation, finding similarities between a woman and child that might have looked like someone he knew in the past. Or perhaps finding a kindred spirit in the common flight of a common enemy.
Other sections, like the original passage where the arrow misses, sees like it could be fate. How hard would it be to hit a stationary man on a horse? That said, later, when more arrows miss, I think that could just be difficulties hitting a moving target from horseback and much less likely to be some kind of intervention.
I didn't think that the 'whore of fate' was actually a goddess, more of an idea to describe chance, but turns out I forgot about the Goddess Anagke (The Goddess of fortune, also known as "the Whore of Fate").
(click to show/hide)
that may explain something about why the Scylvendi sided with the No-God?
So, not sure where else to put this. I don't think it requires a new thread, so this one seemed like the closest fit that I could find.
Regarding Cnaiur and possible Outside influence: we have at least one description of Cnaiur stabbing holes into the ground and, let's say, copulating with it. Any chance this is somehow utilized by Yatwer? In AE we have(click to show/hide)
Seems like it could be a thing, although probably Cnaiur was unaware of the rite which exists in the Yatwerian cult. And since he was just a raving maniac, and did not observe any religious rite we are aware of beforehand, it's probably nothing. But still, could be...?
So, not sure where else to put this. I don't think it requires a new thread, so this one seemed like the closest fit that I could find.
Regarding Cnaiur and possible Outside influence: we have at least one description of Cnaiur stabbing holes into the ground and, let's say, copulating with it. Any chance this is somehow utilized by Yatwer? In AE we have(click to show/hide)
Seems like it could be a thing, although probably Cnaiur was unaware of the rite which exists in the Yatwerian cult. And since he was just a raving maniac, and did not observe any religious rite we are aware of beforehand, it's probably nothing. But still, could be...?
That is incredibly disgusting and very much like Bakker, I don't think he intended it but if he was reading this forum he would probably envy you for thinking of it. Good job, +1.
Lmao...So, not sure where else to put this. I don't think it requires a new thread, so this one seemed like the closest fit that I could find.
Regarding Cnaiur and possible Outside influence: we have at least one description of Cnaiur stabbing holes into the ground and, let's say, copulating with it. Any chance this is somehow utilized by Yatwer? In AE we have(click to show/hide)
Seems like it could be a thing, although probably Cnaiur was unaware of the rite which exists in the Yatwerian cult. And since he was just a raving maniac, and did not observe any religious rite we are aware of beforehand, it's probably nothing. But still, could be...?
That is incredibly disgusting and very much like Bakker, I don't think he intended it but if he was reading this forum he would probably envy you for thinking of it. Good job, +1.
Hate to say it but I know sologdin had already written this over at Westeros many moons ago :P. Two isolated instances of conception ;).