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Eegah2012-06-26 16:31:31

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Chapter 38: Maidens of the Spear

Well, a point for me. The person is Aviendha, an Aiel who asks them to help her dying friend Dailin. There are three more, Bain, Chiad, and Jolien (what, Jordan couldn’t think of an “E” name?), allowing Egwene to act as The Watson on Aiel culture while Nynaeve works on Dailin. It’s a bit confusing, but I think what’s going on is that sisters always share one man between them, and women who are close friends can apply to be declared sisters so they can do it too. And they refuse to attack Aes Sedai, even in self defense. By then, Nynaeve has finished and they wait to see if it worked.

This is one where the situation is just an excuse for more exposition, but it’s all good stuff. The Aiel could easily have just been a generic Proud Warrior Race, but now they’re really starting to be developed as a fully fleshed out culture. And I’m pretty sure these are the Aiel who fought with the people Perrin’s now on the run from, so there’s a nice connection between the stories. The downside is that all the exposition leaves little room for characterization, so that right now these five new characters all just seem like the same person, except that one that’s hurt. Hopefully there will be room to improve this.

Comments

wheelreader Since: Dec, 1969
Jun 26th 2012 at 6:48:48 PM
I really should read this stuff again to see how it all exploded from these tiny little "nice connections between the stories". Another point for you.
Sabbo Since: Dec, 1969
Jun 27th 2012 at 12:47:11 AM
These aren't the same Aiel as those who Perrin encountered, if that was what you were implying/saying. You'll find out more later.
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