Chapter summary of the namesake
HUNTER×HUNTER
2011.08.06 18:24 TruthTaco HUNTER×HUNTER
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2024.04.29 01:18 una_jodida The song of ice and fire and broken swords as proof
I’ve been posting a series of essays regarding Jon’s identity and I think most people didn't understand the point I’m trying to make, so I thought I’ll give it another try. There's a short summary at the end.
Here’s the point: I believe that we were fooled, ASOIAF is “the real story” that Bael’s song tells.
Let me please explain myself better.
ASOIAF begins with a mystery, a cold creature kills a boy, Waymar Royce, who seems to be the hero stereotype: he’s handsome, smart, and owns a nice sword, and the mean wildlings are trying to deceive him, so he goes there sword in hand, like a hero does.
However, when you pay close attention to his story, you realize the poor kid set himself for failure. He left his best swordsman guarding the horses, asked a man who was known for being silent to be his watcher, and went straight into a place that he had described himself as a suspicious scene.
His outcome was predictable.
In the following chapters, we get three seemingly fantasy clichés one after another, Ned, the honorable hero, Jon, the young hero with a mysterious parentage, and soon after that, we are told how Lyanna was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by the evil dragon, Rhaegar Targaryen.
Of course, the predictable outcome would be Jon being Rhaegar’s son, after all his mother spent the war with the man, right? Well,maybe she didn’t.
Why am I claiming that we are being deceived?
When you compare Waymar’s story to Ned’s fever dream, we are being told *the exact same story.*
Like Waymar, the prince seems to have left his best swords “guarding the horses”, he leaves a person in charge of the watch who seems to go against his interests, and goes straight to die a meaningless death like Gared when he decided to desert.
What’s the issue? *It’s a song.*
Ned’s story of what happened in the tower (his fever dream) follows Bael’s song to the letter, and the point of that song is the deception, it’s not about love or even the baby, but Bael being a liar.
That also happens in AGoT’s prologue, Waymar was being deceived but not by the wildlings as he assumed.
The biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
What’s the lesson? The lesson is the Stark “calling” Bael, giving a name to the “craven who preys only on the weak”.
When the singer asks for “the fairest flower” the lord knows he is asking for his daughter (even when he never names her), and tries to deceive Bael by giving him a rose. The flower proves the lord lied.
The “young lord,” was a liar (he had to recognize Bael from his own experience), and a craven who took advantage of Bael’s own weakness (his silence) to kill him.
Basically, when you go over the song, the baby, the maiden, and “the singer” are all victims of the lord of WF who never told the boy who he was, took the child “as payment”, and blamed “Bael” for the things he did.
To summarize, the biggest deception in the song is the language, or rather, the way people are named.
We’ll now examine how Lord Stark deceived us all, and later why this is “a song of ice and fire”.
Each of them helps us understand one of the stories told in Bael’s song. The prologue seems to be about these men deciding what to do regarding some dead people. In truth, they illustrate the lessons in Ned’s song for us, while we can also understand other stories of dead people: Rheagar’s and Lyanna’s.
One of the men, Will, is a craven who “wants nothing so much as to ride hellbent for the safety of the Wall”.
Waymar suspects that the wildlings are trying to deceive them, and notes that some things in Will’s story don’t seem to add up.
He wants to go personally to see the dead wildlings and prove his theory: someone is lying. Ironically his own broken sword is proof that he was right about the deceptionbut wrong about the author.
The third man, Gared,instantly recognizes what happened to the wildlings by Will’s description, even when he never actually saw them; but knew from previous experiences what “the cold” does, as he had found one of his brothers “with a smile on his face”.
Let’s examine how the song unfolds so we can find the real Bael.
We get to see how Will exemplifies the concept of being a craven when the Others appear. I mentioned earlier that one of Waymar’s mistakes was sending a brother known for being silent to act as his watcher.
Will sees the entire fight while hiding on a tree (he’s a craven after all), and never says a word, not even when he sees the shadows moving, not when he sees the Other facing Waymar, and not while the boy is being mercilessly butchered.
He realizes, however, that he should “call down a warning” as the shadows start to appear, and ironically, Waymar shouts his name instead.
Why would Lyanna use the word “Eddard”, to call her own brother; a brother that she, and everyone who knew himcalled “Ned”?
In the song, the Stark gives Bael a name because he doesn’t know the man, but he knows *he’s hiding his identity to take advantage of “the weak”.*
In the dream “Eddard” means Bael. *He’s lying.*
The “craven” who actually yells in the dream is deliberately hidden:
The parallels between the Other facing Waymar and Arthur with Dawn in hand facing Ned in the dream are clear too. This is the Other:
That’s the first lesson: In Ned’s song (his dream) he hid the truth by identifying the person who yells as Lyanna, when it was actually Howland Reed warning him.
The biggest clue is the person calling him in a way that’s not familiar to him, like “Brandon the Daughterless” is not familiar name to Jon when he hears Bael’s song. We’ll discuss that name later.
What was Ned hiding? That Lyanna was never in that tower, that’s Ned’sbiggest deception, hiding the fact that Rhaeagar spent half the war chasing shadows, like Waymar, and that Robert never “avenged” Lyanna as he believed,because the prince was deceived and Robert was too late to the vengeance train.
When Jon hears the song’s happy ending, he asks if Bael has brought back the maiden, to which Ygritte replies that she was “hiding with the dead”. Ned made people believe that he had brought Lyanna’s body from Dorne while he left his friends’ corpses buried there, but he didn’t. She died elsewhere.
As for “the craven”, Ned himself explained his issue with the man: the “laughter”.
While Ned tells us how people’s laughter freezes in their throats and chokes them to death, look what happens to the craven Will in the prologue when he thinks of doing what Howland does: calling “Bael”.
To summarize: in Bael’s song “Bael” is a name that means something, is what you call a craven who preys only on the weak.
In Ned’s dream, the word “Eddard” means “Bael”; he’s hiding the warnings: Howland warned him about Arthur Dayne trying to kill him, and Lyanna gave him her own warning:
Ned was great at hiding things in plain sight and being silent, yet his dream sang a different song.
When Ned comes home from the war with “proof” of his deception, his wife names “the reward”, Ashara Dayne, and Ned’s answeris priceless:
Ned gives Jon’s name when he’s asked about Ashara, most importantly,he establishes the link between Jon and “the blood” he later dreams of, meaning he makes us believe that the boy killed Lyanna while being born,that’s the deception.
Did you see any blood? Yes, a ‘brother’ “frozen at his watch”, a sister who allegedly died “in a bed of blood”, and the “fairest flower” blowing in the wind like the petals Ned sees when he hears his name.
They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips.” Eddard X - AGoT
Killing Arthur made him a kinslayer, but Will saw a “double-bladed” weapon.
Did you see any weapons? Yes, petals falling “dead and black”.
Let’s discuss the proof.
When Waymar falls, Will thinks he needs to take his sword as proof of what he saw, as if the entire thing had nothing to do with him.
Ned, as we know, takes Dayne’s sword to Starfall and after that visit, Ashara commits suicide. Yet, we have no idea what he told them. It seems kind of weird how Lord Dayne seems to highly respect the man who killed his brother and caused his sister’s suicide, right?
The point is how Will finds the sword that was supposed to be proof:
What matters here is “what was left” and Ned “snatching” something that ended up in Winterfell, even when he never brought his friends’ corpses back. You see, in Ned’s memory, he seems to do what Will does when everything is over, “look around warily”.
As I said earlier, in Bael’s song the flower doesn’t mean that the lord realizes who took the maiden sincethe singer *gave him a fake name, and he was welcome in WF becausethe lord had never met him* before.
The flower proves the lord is a deceiver. It wasn’t Jon being born what killed Lyanna, *it was Ned’s flower.*
That’s one of the “weapons” that Will sees in one of the “fallen” *“right by his hand”,* which makes Ned a “double-bladed” weapon, or rather a double kinslayer.
All the weapons used in Ned’s song are mentioned by Will in the crime scene beyond the Wall: “It was on the ground beside him, right by his hand.”
It was “the ground” that killed Ashara, Ned being “beside” Arthur, and the petals in Lyanna’s hand.
She died surrounded by her "brothers" too.
When Waymar rises, his gloves soaked in blood go straight for Will’s throat, and the man never gets to tell what he knows.
To summarize: in Bael’s song the flower proves the Lord’s deception, and the lie isn’t just about the maiden’s disappearance, or the boy’s identity, but about his own attempt to deceive the person who asks about “the flower” (his wife).
Like I said, the lord didn’t know the identity of “the thief”.Jon’s father is never named in any of Ned’s chapters*, not once,* not because he didn’t know him though, but because Ned stole “his song” as Will intended to steal Waymar’s, proof included.
Now, for some reason, the most experienced brother, Gared, runs south, he’s caught and beheaded.
That’s Bael’s fate in the song, and therefore, Ned’s.
What’s interesting is how Ned gets to that point. He goes south when he’s named “Hand” in the crypt, which is ironic as hell, but he only accepts the position since he’s determined to investigate a poisoning, and how that’s related to his son’s “falling” from a tower. Of course, he loses his sword at the peak of his mission, though Tywing was no singer, just a common thief and mass murderer.
Ned died singing his own song, *like Bael.*
All of that is true only if you believe Ned’s song.
When Waymar leaves Gared behind, they have a quite enlightening exchange:
Interestingly, Bael’s enemy is called Brandon “the daughterless” and he’s the deceived person in the song.
Ned’s song, like Aegon’s, was about people believing he was “the one and true hero” versus the truth proved by what happens to Waymar and his broken sword, and the true Aegon’s broken skull as proof.
Ned is “the one” because he’s the only hero in his song, even when “three heads” (Ashara, Lyanna, and Jon) would like to disagree.
Now, let’s examine the music “lingering behind” the prince and the winter rose, and how the song was playing from their point of view of “daughterless” lord and disenchanted promised bride.
His shield had a laughing weirwood tree. We already saw how Ned thought that laughing causes people to freeze and choke to death, perhaps explaining why Ghost is mute.
That explains why in Ned’s dream she’s giving the warning instead of the person who actually warned him*. They all claimed to be the knight.
In this version of the song, Bael is “a craven” because he hides his identity and “preys only on the weak”; the weakness is not knowing, and this is relevant to understanding the rest of these songs.
The reward however, is Rhaegar winning the tourney using the mystery knight’s same strategy, cheating:
Rhaegar’s incursion to the Trident is explained *by what he lacked, the daughter he was searching for and, most importantly, *the promise of magic that “Bael” meant for him. When he learns that Elia can’t have more children, he does what “the daughterless” does in the song, ***send “the crows” to look for the maiden and her Bael.*
That’s how Ned finds them, the guards end up in the tower because they were deceived and went there thinking that Lyanna and “the craven” were there. They were never there. Howland and Wylla were in the tower, she was faking to be Lyanna.
The prince got what he was searching for though in a very twisted way but still. Dany hatched the dragon’s eggs that came from Asshai, like the silk that Rhaegar wore in the tournament.
He wanted magic so Elia could have the daughter he wanted, since apparently, *that’s what the prophecy promised:* a three-headed dragon.
When Waymar is told about the dead wildlings, as we saw, he asks about their blood, their weapons, and the position of their bodies. All those things are related to Rhaegar’s quest for dragons.
In the daughterless song, the line seems to end with the woman, and the lack of recognition that happens when (the liar) Bael comes back means that Aegon is a fake, which we all suspect already since his song seems a bit too convenient. The “song of fire” now is whatever Dany decides to become, it’s her song.
Now, when you examine the song from Lyanna’s position, the story is about the maiden hiding in the crypt, and you have a completely different song because down there you can only find dead Starks, swords, and direwolves.
We know that Lyanna went to the tournament and that months after that, she disappears roughly at the same time that Rheagar was seen in the Trident.
That doesn’t mean he took her, it means she was hiding from him, because the prince wanted Bael like Waymar wanted those “dead wildlings”. He wanted to know who the man was.
The point of Lyanna’s song, however, is not so much about the tragic way in which she died, but how she convinced her father to get what she wanted: her own “sword”.
Ice as we know was divided into two swords, “Widow’s Wail” and “Oathkeeper”. Lyanna was married when she died, therefore the widow’s “wailing”, the cry that Ned remembers when she died.
The oath-keeping, however, is about Rickard and the “smell of blood and roses” Ned mentions when Lyanna dies:
Lyanna fell in love with another man right in front of him and he didn’t see it because he never cared about her until “she was stolen from him” as if the woman had been his property.
Lyanna came back from the tourney *with proof:* she knew about the bastard, and she had the flowers as proof that when the prince embarrassed her in front of the entire realm her betrothed told nothing, like Will, he just stood there.
What Ned remembers of Rickard is what happened to Lyanna in the tourney, she was sitting “holding tight” to the winter roses across her lap, the proof of her father's “sword” failing.
In Lyanna’s song, Bael comes back with an army too, he sneaks into Winterfell when Robert comes looking for Ned, he uses a fake name “Mance Rayder” to introduce himself, and sings for Lord Brandon.
When they meet, the real Bael is singing “The Dornishman’s Wife”, a song about a man who dies singing and laughing.
Jon’s true name is Brandon, like “The Daughterless”. In the song, the name of the young lord is never told, but since he grows up to become lord and the only lord in the song is Brandon, well, that’s the young lord’s name.
That’s what the Song of Ice and Fire is about names that mean something, magical proof, and young heroes dying, only to rise again *singing their own songs.*
Jon’s survival is explained by Waymar’s failed song, when he’s stabbed (like Arthur), he falls face down (like Ashara), only to rise again when someone goes for his sword.
Jon himself found his mother’s sword, *and he has proof too.*
Jon’s sword was the bastard letter. The letter told him Bael’s song again, only the names are different. The letter mentions the blood, the weapons, and the position of the bodies: Mance is in a cage cloaked by the skins of women “for all the north to see”.
That’s what Will saw coming for Waymar: *silent watchers.*
That’s how you find the winter rose and *her armor.*
To summarize, I claimed at the beginning how the biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue:
Ned’s song, his fever dream, which was closer to Will’s version, meant that he’s the only hero in three different stories: Lyanna’s mystery, Jon’s parentage, and his family’s downfall.
Rhagar’s song was closest to Ygritte’s, as his intention was having another child, which explains why she calls the lord “the daughterless”.
In the midst of those versions you find a “grey one”, Lyanna’s and what she left behind as proof:a broken sword.
The biggest hoax in Bael’s song is that it tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”. The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue and what they do regarding the dead people:
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Here’s the point: I believe that we were fooled, ASOIAF is “the real story” that Bael’s song tells.
Let me please explain myself better.
ASOIAF begins with a mystery, a cold creature kills a boy, Waymar Royce, who seems to be the hero stereotype: he’s handsome, smart, and owns a nice sword, and the mean wildlings are trying to deceive him, so he goes there sword in hand, like a hero does.
However, when you pay close attention to his story, you realize the poor kid set himself for failure. He left his best swordsman guarding the horses, asked a man who was known for being silent to be his watcher, and went straight into a place that he had described himself as a suspicious scene.
His outcome was predictable.
In the following chapters, we get three seemingly fantasy clichés one after another, Ned, the honorable hero, Jon, the young hero with a mysterious parentage, and soon after that, we are told how Lyanna was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by the evil dragon, Rhaegar Targaryen.
Of course, the predictable outcome would be Jon being Rhaegar’s son, after all his mother spent the war with the man, right? Well,maybe she didn’t.
Why am I claiming that we are being deceived?
When you compare Waymar’s story to Ned’s fever dream, we are being told *the exact same story.*
Like Waymar, the prince seems to have left his best swords “guarding the horses”, he leaves a person in charge of the watch who seems to go against his interests, and goes straight to die a meaningless death like Gared when he decided to desert.
What’s the issue? *It’s a song.*
Ned’s story of what happened in the tower (his fever dream) follows Bael’s song to the letter, and the point of that song is the deception, it’s not about love or even the baby, but Bael being a liar.
That also happens in AGoT’s prologue, Waymar was being deceived but not by the wildlings as he assumed.
The biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
- The Stark of WF wanted Bael’s head, but couldn’t take him.He calls Bael “a craven who preys only on the weak”, so Bael decides to teach him a lesson and goes to WF.
What’s the lesson? The lesson is the Stark “calling” Bael, giving a name to the “craven who preys only on the weak”.
- Bael fakes to be a singer called Sygerrik (which means deceiver) and spends the night singing for the Stark, when he’s done, the lord offers him to “name” his reward. Bael asks for “the fairest flower” and the Stark gives him a winter rose. After leaving with the lord’s daughter, Bael leaves the flower as proof.
When the singer asks for “the fairest flower” the lord knows he is asking for his daughter (even when he never names her), and tries to deceive Bael by giving him a rose. The flower proves the lord lied.
- Bael comes back years later with an army; he’s faced in battle by his own son who doesn’t recognize him. Bael stays silent and lets the boy kill him. The word “recognize” implies that he knew the man; the very definition of recognition is “the identification of someone from previous encounters.”
The “young lord,” was a liar (he had to recognize Bael from his own experience), and a craven who took advantage of Bael’s own weakness (his silence) to kill him.
Basically, when you go over the song, the baby, the maiden, and “the singer” are all victims of the lord of WF who never told the boy who he was, took the child “as payment”, and blamed “Bael” for the things he did.
“Will had known they would drag him into the quarrel sooner or later. He wished it had been later rather than sooner. "My mother told me that *dead men sing no songs*," he put in.” AGoT - PrologueBael is the lord of WF in the three stories and the “hero” of his own songs: a name that means something, a flower as proof of his deception, and dead men*singing songs.*
To summarize, the biggest deception in the song is the language, or rather, the way people are named.
We’ll now examine how Lord Stark deceived us all, and later why this is “a song of ice and fire”.
A hero of his own songs
We are first introduced to the song in AGoT’s Prologue when we meet three men on a mission: Waymar Royce, Will, and Gared.Each of them helps us understand one of the stories told in Bael’s song. The prologue seems to be about these men deciding what to do regarding some dead people. In truth, they illustrate the lessons in Ned’s song for us, while we can also understand other stories of dead people: Rheagar’s and Lyanna’s.
One of the men, Will, is a craven who “wants nothing so much as to ride hellbent for the safety of the Wall”.
Waymar suspects that the wildlings are trying to deceive them, and notes that some things in Will’s story don’t seem to add up.
He wants to go personally to see the dead wildlings and prove his theory: someone is lying. Ironically his own broken sword is proof that he was right about the deceptionbut wrong about the author.
The third man, Gared,instantly recognizes what happened to the wildlings by Will’s description, even when he never actually saw them; but knew from previous experiences what “the cold” does, as he had found one of his brothers “with a smile on his face”.
Let’s examine how the song unfolds so we can find the real Bael.
1. The Craven and the given name.
In the song, “Bael” is a name that means something, is what you call a craven who preys only on the weak.We get to see how Will exemplifies the concept of being a craven when the Others appear. I mentioned earlier that one of Waymar’s mistakes was sending a brother known for being silent to act as his watcher.
Will sees the entire fight while hiding on a tree (he’s a craven after all), and never says a word, not even when he sees the shadows moving, not when he sees the Other facing Waymar, and not while the boy is being mercilessly butchered.
He realizes, however, that he should “call down a warning” as the shadows start to appear, and ironically, Waymar shouts his name instead.
The Others made no sound. Will saw movement from the corner of his eye. Pale shapes gliding through the wood. He turned his head, glimpsed a white shadow in the darkness. Then it was gone. Branches stirred gently in the wind, scratching at one another with wooden fingers. Will opened his mouth to call down a warning, and the words seemed to freeze in his throat. Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps it had only been a bird, a reflection on the snow, some trick of the moonlight. What had he seen, after all? "Will, where are you?" Ser Waymar called up. "Can you see anything?" He was turning in a slow circle, suddenly wary, his sword in hand. He must have felt them, as Will felt them. There was nothing to see."Answer me! *Why is it so cold?"*Interestingly, that’s exactly what happens in Ned’s dream, he tells us how he gets to the Tower with a bunch of shadows and how he sees three men in white waiting for him, and curiously, the person yelling in the dream was recognized before by Ned himself as being*so weak* that she could only whisper:
He could hear her still at times. Promise me, she had cried, in a room that smelled of blood and roses. Promise me, Ned. The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave her his word, the fear had gone out of his sister's eyes.” Eddard I - AGoTLyanna’s fear as she dies seems far more interesting considering how Will never yells fearing “the shadows”, since Ned gets to his dream surrounded by shadows. Now, while we are told by Ned himself how she could barely speak, somehow, she calls ‘Bael’ loud and clear:
"As they came together in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. "Eddard!" *she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky,as blue as the eyes of death. *"Lord Eddard," Lyanna called again.See the first lesson in the song?
Why would Lyanna use the word “Eddard”, to call her own brother; a brother that she, and everyone who knew himcalled “Ned”?
In the song, the Stark gives Bael a name because he doesn’t know the man, but he knows *he’s hiding his identity to take advantage of “the weak”.*
In the dream “Eddard” means Bael. *He’s lying.*
The “craven” who actually yells in the dream is deliberately hidden:
"The finest knight I ever saw was Ser Arthur Dayne, who fought with a blade called Dawn, forged from the heart of a fallen star. They called him the Sword of the Morning, and he would have killed me *but for Howland Reed*." Bran III - ACoKIn Ned’s “song” Lyanna yells even when she is so weak that she can barely speak. In truth, the one yelling, Howland, is warning him about the “white shadow”, Arthur Dayne, who was moving towards Ned to kill him as the shadows move to kill Waymar. That’s what Will should have done when he saw them: warn his brother.
The parallels between the Other facing Waymar and Arthur with Dawn in hand facing Ned in the dream are clear too. This is the Other:
The Other slid forward on silent feet. In its hand was a longsword like none that Will had ever seen. No human metal had gone into the forging of that blade. It was alive with moonlight, translucent, a shard of crystal so thin that it seemed almost to vanish when seen edge-on. There was a faint blue shimmer to the thing, a ghost-light that played around its edges, and somehow Will knew it was sharper than any razor.This is Arthur, holding his sword made from “no human metal”.
"And now it begins," said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was pale as milkglass,*alive with light*. Eddard X - AGoTYou see, Ned did in his dream what Lord Stark does in the song: the “weak” (Lyanna), are identified as a Stark; Bael takes advantage of weak people to sing his song, to tell his own version of things.
"Your Bael was a liar," he told her, certain now. "No," Ygritte said, "buta bard's truth is different than yours or mine. Anyway, you asked for the story, so I told it." Jon VI - ACoKIn fact, Lyanna ends up buried in WF’s crypt (like the maiden in the song) because she’s identified by Ned as a Stark, so that was “her place”.
That’s the first lesson: In Ned’s song (his dream) he hid the truth by identifying the person who yells as Lyanna, when it was actually Howland Reed warning him.
The biggest clue is the person calling him in a way that’s not familiar to him, like “Brandon the Daughterless” is not familiar name to Jon when he hears Bael’s song. We’ll discuss that name later.
What was Ned hiding? That Lyanna was never in that tower, that’s Ned’sbiggest deception, hiding the fact that Rhaeagar spent half the war chasing shadows, like Waymar, and that Robert never “avenged” Lyanna as he believed,because the prince was deceived and Robert was too late to the vengeance train.
When Jon hears the song’s happy ending, he asks if Bael has brought back the maiden, to which Ygritte replies that she was “hiding with the dead”. Ned made people believe that he had brought Lyanna’s body from Dorne while he left his friends’ corpses buried there, but he didn’t. She died elsewhere.
As for “the craven”, Ned himself explained his issue with the man: the “laughter”.
"They say it grows so cold up here in winter that a man's laughter freezes in his throat and chokes him to death," Ned said evenly. "Perhaps that is why the Starks have so little humor." Eddard I - AGoTHowland Reed was identified as “the Knight of the Laughing Tree” by his children, he wasn’t, but he’s one of the three main suspects: Howland, Ned and Lyanna. None of them was the “laughing” one though.
While Ned tells us how people’s laughter freezes in their throats and chokes them to death, look what happens to the craven Will in the prologue when he thinks of doing what Howland does: calling “Bael”.
Will opened his mouth to call down a warning, and *the words seemed to freeze in his throat*.You likely remember how Will dies, choked to death by the un-dead Waymar.
To summarize: in Bael’s song “Bael” is a name that means something, is what you call a craven who preys only on the weak.
In Ned’s dream, the word “Eddard” means “Bael”; he’s hiding the warnings: Howland warned him about Arthur Dayne trying to kill him, and Lyanna gave him her own warning:
"I hear he has gotten a child** on some girl in the Vale." Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart. Lyanna had only smiled. "Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but *it cannot change a man's nature*." Eddard IX - AGoTWhat Ned is trying to hide (mostly from himself) is the fact that killing Arthur turned him into a kinslayer, since Ashara got pregnant in Harrenhal, explaining why he links “the laughter” with “the freezing cold”: he fathered a bastard.
Ned was great at hiding things in plain sight and being silent, yet his dream sang a different song.
2. The deceiver and the flower.
When Will reports he found the wildlings dead, Waymar doesn’t believe him. To confirm his suspicions he asks the most experienced of the group, Gared, his views about the scene that Will had described, andhe says without hesitation “it was the cold”."I've had the cold in me too, lordling." Gared pulled back his hood, giving Ser Waymar a good long look at the stumps where his ears had been. "Two ears, three toes, and the little finger off my left hand. I got off light. We found my brother frozen at his watch, *with a smile on his face*."Waymar asked Will a series of questions that Ned diligently answer for us:
"Did you see *any blood?" "Well, no," Will admitted. "Did you see *any weapons?" "Some swords, a few bows. One man had an axe. Heavy-looking, **double-bladed, a cruel piece of iron.It was on the ground beside him, right by his hand." "Did you make note of the position of the bodies?" Will shrugged. "A couple are sitting up against the rock. Most of them on the ground. Fallen, like."In Bael’s song, the lord offers the singer to “name” his reward, and the man asks for “the fairest flower” which as we know, is then left behind as proof of the lord’s deception.
When Ned comes home from the war with “proof” of his deception, his wife names “the reward”, Ashara Dayne, and Ned’s answeris priceless:
It had taken her a fortnight to marshal her courage, but finally, in bed one night, Catelyn had asked her husband the truth of it, asked him to his face. That was the only time in all their years that Ned had ever frightened her. "Never ask me about Jon," he said, cold as ice. "He is my blood, and that is all you need to know. And now I will learn where you heard that name, my lady." She had pledged to obey; she told him; and from that day on, the whispering had stopped, and Ashara Dayne's name *was never heard in Winterfell again*." Catelyn II - AGoTIn this memory, Catelyn parallels Bael singing (marshaling his courage) until he’s asked to name the reward, and not daring to name the maiden, he asks for “the fairest flower”, to which the lord gives him not what he asked for, but “a rose from the gardens”.
Ned gives Jon’s name when he’s asked about Ashara, most importantly,he establishes the link between Jon and “the blood” he later dreams of, meaning he makes us believe that the boy killed Lyanna while being born,that’s the deception.
Did you see any blood? Yes, a ‘brother’ “frozen at his watch”, a sister who allegedly died “in a bed of blood”, and the “fairest flower” blowing in the wind like the petals Ned sees when he hears his name.
They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips.” Eddard X - AGoT
Killing Arthur made him a kinslayer, but Will saw a “double-bladed” weapon.
Did you see any weapons? Yes, petals falling “dead and black”.
Ned remembered **the way she had smiled then, how tightly her fingers had clutched his as she gave up her hold on life, the rose petals spilling from her palm, *dead and black*. After that he remembered nothing. They had found him still holding her body, silent with grief. The little crannogman, Howland Reed, had taken her hand from his. Ned could recall none of it. "I bring her flowers when I can," he said. "Lyanna was … fond of flowers."What about the position of the bodies? They all waited for Ned and ended up “fallen”: Ashara, Arthur, *and Lyanna.*
Let’s discuss the proof.
When Waymar falls, Will thinks he needs to take his sword as proof of what he saw, as if the entire thing had nothing to do with him.
Ned, as we know, takes Dayne’s sword to Starfall and after that visit, Ashara commits suicide. Yet, we have no idea what he told them. It seems kind of weird how Lord Dayne seems to highly respect the man who killed his brother and caused his sister’s suicide, right?
The point is how Will finds the sword that was supposed to be proof:
He found what was left of the sword a few feet away,the end splintered and twisted like a tree struck by lightning. Will knelt, looked around warily, and snatched it up. The broken sword would be his proof.We know that Ashara killed herself (explaining the sword splintered and twisted like Bran). We also know that Ned killed Arthur since that was the talking in Winterfell when he returned from the war (as Will intended to get to the Wall with a story), the proof being he took Dawn to Starfall.
What matters here is “what was left” and Ned “snatching” something that ended up in Winterfell, even when he never brought his friends’ corpses back. You see, in Ned’s memory, he seems to do what Will does when everything is over, “look around warily”.
“…the rose petals spilling from her palm, *dead and black. After that, he remembered nothing. *They had found him** still holding her body, silent with grief. The little crannogman, Howland Reed, had taken her hand from his…”The scene is not just weirdly similar to the way that the un-dead Waymar finds Will withhis sword, but also the proof of the crime that “Bael” left behind for the lord to find: a dead flower instead of the maiden as proof of the kidnapping.
As I said earlier, in Bael’s song the flower doesn’t mean that the lord realizes who took the maiden sincethe singer *gave him a fake name, and he was welcome in WF becausethe lord had never met him* before.
The flower proves the lord is a deceiver. It wasn’t Jon being born what killed Lyanna, *it was Ned’s flower.*
Ned Stark reached out his hand to grasp the flowery crown, but beneath the pale blue petals the thorns lay hidden. He felt them clawing at his skin, sharp and cruel, saw the slow trickle of blood run down his fingers, and woke, trembling, in the dark.” Eddard XVNed mentions how he always brings Lyanna flowers, and that’s exactly what happened the last time he saw her. Except this time the flower was poisonous and killed her.
That’s one of the “weapons” that Will sees in one of the “fallen” *“right by his hand”,* which makes Ned a “double-bladed” weapon, or rather a double kinslayer.
“…the rose petals spilling from her palm, dead and black. After that he remembered nothing. They had found him still holding her body, silent with grief. The little crannogman, Howland Reed, had taken her hand from his…”Howland clearly realizes what happened and takes her hand from Ned’s so he wouldn’t die too.
All the weapons used in Ned’s song are mentioned by Will in the crime scene beyond the Wall: “It was on the ground beside him, right by his hand.”
It was “the ground” that killed Ashara, Ned being “beside” Arthur, and the petals in Lyanna’s hand.
"The trees press close here," Will warned. "That sword will tangle you up, m'lord. Better a knife." AGoT - PrologueWe get to see the proof of all victims in the way that Waymar raises being a portrayal of all three fallen.
Will rose. Ser Waymar Royce stood over him. His fine clothes were a tatter, his face a ruin. A shard from *his sword* transfixed the blind white pupil of his left eye. The right eye was open. The pupil burned blue. It saw.Waymar is the proof: the white pupil “transfixed” by the sword is for Arthur he died from multiple stabb wounds, the right eye “burning blue” is for Ashara (what Catelyn saw) while the “dead and black” Waymar stands for Lyanna in “her bed of blood”.
She died surrounded by her "brothers" too.
When Waymar rises, his gloves soaked in blood go straight for Will’s throat, and the man never gets to tell what he knows.
To summarize: in Bael’s song the flower proves the Lord’s deception, and the lie isn’t just about the maiden’s disappearance, or the boy’s identity, but about his own attempt to deceive the person who asks about “the flower” (his wife).
Like I said, the lord didn’t know the identity of “the thief”.Jon’s father is never named in any of Ned’s chapters*, not once,* not because he didn’t know him though, but because Ned stole “his song” as Will intended to steal Waymar’s, proof included.
3. The cold ending
In the song, when Bael comes back years later he’s faced in battle by his own son who doesn’t recognize him. I said earlier how the lack of recognition is related to previous experiences that “the young lord” should have seen coming.Now, for some reason, the most experienced brother, Gared, runs south, he’s caught and beheaded.
That’s Bael’s fate in the song, and therefore, Ned’s.
What’s interesting is how Ned gets to that point. He goes south when he’s named “Hand” in the crypt, which is ironic as hell, but he only accepts the position since he’s determined to investigate a poisoning, and how that’s related to his son’s “falling” from a tower. Of course, he loses his sword at the peak of his mission, though Tywing was no singer, just a common thief and mass murderer.
Ned died singing his own song, *like Bael.*
Your Bael was a liar.
Since we get AGoT’s prologue from Will’s point of view and Bael’s song from Ygritte’s, (therefore the song of ice and fire), we might forget that there are other songs to be learned here.Will had known they would drag him into the quarrel sooner or later. He wished it had been later rather than sooner. "My mother told me that dead men sing no songs," he put in. "My wet nurse said the same thing, Will," Royce replied. "Never believe anything you hear at a woman's tit. There are things to be learned even from the dead." His voice echoed, too loud in the twilit forest. "We have a long ride before us," Gared pointed out. "I claimed at the beginning how the prince seemed to have left his best swords “guarding the horses”, how Lyanna seemed to go against his interests even when we are led to believe that she's there on her own will, and how Rhaegar goes straight to die a meaningless death.
All of that is true only if you believe Ned’s song.
When Waymar leaves Gared behind, they have a quite enlightening exchange:
Gared dismounted. "We need a fire. I'll see to it." "How big a fool are you, old man? If there are enemies in this wood, *a fire is the last thing we want."* AGoT - PrologueWe know that “a fire” was exactly what Rhaegar was looking for, what he called the “one more”, apparently a daughter to complete his three-headed dragon.
Interestingly, Bael’s enemy is called Brandon “the daughterless” and he’s the deceived person in the song.
"Will you make a song for him?" the woman asked. "He has a song," the man replied. "He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire." He looked up when he said it and his eyes met Dany's, and it seemed as if he saw her standing there beyond the door. "There must be one more," he said, though whether he was speaking to her or the woman in the bed she could not say. "The dragon has three heads." He went to the window seat, picked up a harp, and ran his fingers lightly over its silvery strings. Sweet sadness filled the room as man and wife and babe faded like the morning mist, only the music lingering behind to speed her on her way.” Dany IV- ACoKSee the issue? Rhaegar parallels “Brandon the daughterless”, while Ned parallels Aegon, the promised one, as if the heads *had been exchanged.*
Ned’s song, like Aegon’s, was about people believing he was “the one and true hero” versus the truth proved by what happens to Waymar and his broken sword, and the true Aegon’s broken skull as proof.
Ned is “the one” because he’s the only hero in his song, even when “three heads” (Ashara, Lyanna, and Jon) would like to disagree.
Now, let’s examine the music “lingering behind” the prince and the winter rose, and how the song was playing from their point of view of “daughterless” lord and disenchanted promised bride.
- The first lesson in the song is The Stark giving a name: “Bael” and the future “king” deciding *to teach a lesson.*
His shield had a laughing weirwood tree. We already saw how Ned thought that laughing causes people to freeze and choke to death, perhaps explaining why Ghost is mute.
The watchers moved forward together, as if some signal had been given. Swords rose and fell, all in a deathly silence. It was cold butchery. The pale blades sliced through ringmail as if it were silk. Will closed his eyes. Far beneath him, he heard their voicesand laughter sharp as icicles.The lesson in the daughterless song is Lyanna claiming to be the knight to hide “the true Bael”, who was teaching a lesson to the squires who had bullied the little Howland when he arrived at the tourney.
That explains why in Ned’s dream she’s giving the warning instead of the person who actually warned him*. They all claimed to be the knight.
In this version of the song, Bael is “a craven” because he hides his identity and “preys only on the weak”; the weakness is not knowing, and this is relevant to understanding the rest of these songs.
- The second lesson is “the singer” asking for a reward without ever naming it and *leaving the flower as proof.*
The reward however, is Rhaegar winning the tourney using the mystery knight’s same strategy, cheating:
“The pale blades sliced through ringmail as if it were silk.” AGoT - PrologueThis is how Ned remembers the prince’s success in the tourney:
A plume of scarlet silk streamed behind him when he rode, and it seemed no lance could touch him. Brandon fell to him, and Bronze Yohn Royce, and even the splendid Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning.” Eddard XV - AGoTTruly, no lance could touch the man, that’s the proof that “Bael” left behind, “scarlet silk streaming”; he won by cheating.
- The final proof is Bael coming back, and here’s where we need to split the songs between ice and fire.
Rhaegar’s incursion to the Trident is explained *by what he lacked, the daughter he was searching for and, most importantly, *the promise of magic that “Bael” meant for him. When he learns that Elia can’t have more children, he does what “the daughterless” does in the song, ***send “the crows” to look for the maiden and her Bael.*
That’s how Ned finds them, the guards end up in the tower because they were deceived and went there thinking that Lyanna and “the craven” were there. They were never there. Howland and Wylla were in the tower, she was faking to be Lyanna.
The prince got what he was searching for though in a very twisted way but still. Dany hatched the dragon’s eggs that came from Asshai, like the silk that Rhaegar wore in the tournament.
He wanted magic so Elia could have the daughter he wanted, since apparently, *that’s what the prophecy promised:* a three-headed dragon.
When Waymar is told about the dead wildlings, as we saw, he asks about their blood, their weapons, and the position of their bodies. All those things are related to Rhaegar’s quest for dragons.
In the daughterless song, the line seems to end with the woman, and the lack of recognition that happens when (the liar) Bael comes back means that Aegon is a fake, which we all suspect already since his song seems a bit too convenient. The “song of fire” now is whatever Dany decides to become, it’s her song.
Now, when you examine the song from Lyanna’s position, the story is about the maiden hiding in the crypt, and you have a completely different song because down there you can only find dead Starks, swords, and direwolves.
We know that Lyanna went to the tournament and that months after that, she disappears roughly at the same time that Rheagar was seen in the Trident.
That doesn’t mean he took her, it means she was hiding from him, because the prince wanted Bael like Waymar wanted those “dead wildlings”. He wanted to know who the man was.
The point of Lyanna’s song, however, is not so much about the tragic way in which she died, but how she convinced her father to get what she wanted: her own “sword”.
Ice as we know was divided into two swords, “Widow’s Wail” and “Oathkeeper”. Lyanna was married when she died, therefore the widow’s “wailing”, the cry that Ned remembers when she died.
The oath-keeping, however, is about Rickard and the “smell of blood and roses” Ned mentions when Lyanna dies:
Lord Rickard Stark, Ned's father, had a long, stern face. The stonemason had known him well. He sat with quiet dignity, stone fingers holding tight to the sword across his lap, but *in life all swords had failed him*.” Eddard I - AGoTRickard had broken his word towards Robert when he allowed Lyanna to marry someone she liked instead of the man whose “nature” wouldn’t change no matter what he vowed. Robert *was blind. He didn’t care.* His lack of interest caused his downfall starting in Harrenhal when Lyanna saw him for what he was, and she seized that chance.
Lyanna fell in love with another man right in front of him and he didn’t see it because he never cared about her until “she was stolen from him” as if the woman had been his property.
Lyanna came back from the tourney *with proof:* she knew about the bastard, and she had the flowers as proof that when the prince embarrassed her in front of the entire realm her betrothed told nothing, like Will, he just stood there.
What Ned remembers of Rickard is what happened to Lyanna in the tourney, she was sitting “holding tight” to the winter roses across her lap, the proof of her father's “sword” failing.
He sat with quiet dignity, stone fingers holding tight to the sword across his lap, but*in life all swords had failed him*.”She had “the blood” (the bastard daughter) and “the weapon” (the crown) that Waymar asks for as proof of the deception. The position of her body changes after that because *Rickard agrees with her.*** Like Will, Robert couldn't be trusted, he would ruin Lyanna's reputation making her the laughing stock of the realm.
In Lyanna’s song, Bael comes back with an army too, he sneaks into Winterfell when Robert comes looking for Ned, he uses a fake name “Mance Rayder” to introduce himself, and sings for Lord Brandon.
When they meet, the real Bael is singing “The Dornishman’s Wife”, a song about a man who dies singing and laughing.
Jon’s true name is Brandon, like “The Daughterless”. In the song, the name of the young lord is never told, but since he grows up to become lord and the only lord in the song is Brandon, well, that’s the young lord’s name.
That’s what the Song of Ice and Fire is about names that mean something, magical proof, and young heroes dying, only to rise again *singing their own songs.*
Jon’s survival is explained by Waymar’s failed song, when he’s stabbed (like Arthur), he falls face down (like Ashara), only to rise again when someone goes for his sword.
Jon himself found his mother’s sword, *and he has proof too.*
Jon’s sword was the bastard letter. The letter told him Bael’s song again, only the names are different. The letter mentions the blood, the weapons, and the position of the bodies: Mance is in a cage cloaked by the skins of women “for all the north to see”.
That’s what Will saw coming for Waymar: *silent watchers.*
“The Others *made no sound.* Will saw movement from the corner of his eye. Pale shapes gliding through the wood. He turned his head, glimpsed a white shadow in the darkness. Then it was gone.”Jon is an “Other”, all you need to become one *is knowing,* finding the truth hidden inside the lies to realize that the lord is a liar and craven who preys only on the weak.
That’s how you find the winter rose and *her armor.*
"The armor of the Others is proof against most ordinary blades, if the tales can be believed, and their own swords are so cold they shatter steel.. Jon II - ADwDIf you know, then you’re not weak anymore, your “armor” is proof against ordinary blades, because some tales should be believed.
To summarize, I claimed at the beginning how the biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue:
- Waymar telling Rhaegar’s story and how his failure turned into success when Dany achieved what he never could, finding real magic.
- Gared telling Ned’s story, thinking how he “needed” a fire to keep away “the enemies”. As Aemon told Sam, “fire consumes, but cold preserves”, explaining why Ned wanted some fire.
- The silent Will telling Jon’s story of finding his own “broken sword” as proof of his identity: a widow and an “oathkeeper”.
Summary:
The song of ice and fire is about how we are told the exact same song in two different ways: from Will’s point of view in AGoT’s prologue were “the Others” are the villains, and from Ygritte’s point of view were the Stark in Winterfell is the villain.Ned’s song, his fever dream, which was closer to Will’s version, meant that he’s the only hero in three different stories: Lyanna’s mystery, Jon’s parentage, and his family’s downfall.
Rhagar’s song was closest to Ygritte’s, as his intention was having another child, which explains why she calls the lord “the daughterless”.
In the midst of those versions you find a “grey one”, Lyanna’s and what she left behind as proof:a broken sword.
The biggest hoax in Bael’s song is that it tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”. The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue and what they do regarding the dead people:
- Waymar tells Rhaegar’s story and how his failure was turned into success when Dany achieved what he never could, finding real magic.
- Gared tells Ned’s story, thinking how he “needed” a fire to keep away “the enemies”.
- The silent Will tells Jon’s story of finding a “broken sword” as proof of his identity: a widow’s wai and an “oathkeeper”.
2024.04.29 01:15 una_jodida (Spoilers Main) The song and the broken sword as proof.
I’ve been posting a series of essays regarding Jon’s identity and I think most people didn't understand the point I’m trying to make, so I thought I’ll give it another try. There's a short summary at the end.
Here’s the point: I believe that we were fooled, ASOIAF is “the real story” that Bael’s song tells.
Let me please explain myself better.
ASOIAF begins with a mystery, a cold creature kills a boy, Waymar Royce, who seems to be the hero stereotype: he’s handsome, smart, and owns a nice sword, and the mean wildlings are trying to deceive him, so he goes there sword in hand, like a hero does.
However, when you pay close attention to his story, you realize the poor kid set himself for failure. He left his best swordsman guarding the horses, asked a man who was known for being silent to be his watcher, and went straight into a place that he had described himself as a suspicious scene.
His outcome was predictable.
In the following chapters, we get three seemingly fantasy clichés one after another, Ned, the honorable hero, Jon, the young hero with a mysterious parentage, and soon after that, we are told how Lyanna was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by the evil dragon, Rhaegar Targaryen.
Of course, the predictable outcome would be Jon being Rhaegar’s son, after all his mother spent the war with the man, right? Well,maybe she didn’t.
Why am I claiming that we are being deceived?
When you compare Waymar’s story to Ned’s fever dream, we are being told *the exact same story.*
Like Waymar, the prince seems to have left his best swords “guarding the horses”, he leaves a person in charge of the watch who seems to go against his interests, and goes straight to die a meaningless death like Gared when he decided to desert.
What’s the issue? *It’s a song.*
Ned’s story of what happened in the tower (his fever dream) follows Bael’s song to the letter, and the point of that song is the deception, it’s not about love or even the baby, but Bael being a liar.
That also happens in AGoT’s prologue, Waymar was being deceived but not by the wildlings as he assumed.
The biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
What’s the lesson? The lesson is the Stark “calling” Bael, giving a name to the “craven who preys only on the weak”.
When the singer asks for “the fairest flower” the lord knows he is asking for his daughter (even when he never names her), and tries to deceive Bael by giving him a rose. The flower proves the lord lied.
The “young lord,” was a liar (he had to recognize Bael from his own experience), and a craven who took advantage of Bael’s own weakness (his silence) to kill him.
Basically, when you go over the song, the baby, the maiden, and “the singer” are all victims of the lord of WF who never told the boy who he was, took the child “as payment”, and blamed “Bael” for the things he did.
To summarize, the biggest deception in the song is the language, or rather, the way people are named.
We’ll now examine how Lord Stark deceived us all, and later why this is “a song of ice and fire”.
Each of them helps us understand one of the stories told in Bael’s song. The prologue seems to be about these men deciding what to do regarding some dead people. In truth, they illustrate the lessons in Ned’s song for us, while we can also understand other stories of dead people: Rheagar’s and Lyanna’s.
One of the men, Will, is a craven who “wants nothing so much as to ride hellbent for the safety of the Wall”.
Waymar suspects that the wildlings are trying to deceive them, and notes that some things in Will’s story don’t seem to add up.
He wants to go personally to see the dead wildlings and prove his theory: someone is lying. Ironically his own broken sword is proof that he was right about the deceptionbut wrong about the author.
The third man, Gared,instantly recognizes what happened to the wildlings by Will’s description, even when he never actually saw them; but knew from previous experiences what “the cold” does, as he had found one of his brothers “with a smile on his face”.
Let’s examine how the song unfolds so we can find the real Bael.
We get to see how Will exemplifies the concept of being a craven when the Others appear. I mentioned earlier that one of Waymar’s mistakes was sending a brother known for being silent to act as his watcher.
Will sees the entire fight while hiding on a tree (he’s a craven after all), and never says a word, not even when he sees the shadows moving, not when he sees the Other facing Waymar, and not while the boy is being mercilessly butchered.
He realizes, however, that he should “call down a warning” as the shadows start to appear, and ironically, Waymar shouts his name instead.
Why would Lyanna use the word “Eddard”, to call her own brother; a brother that she, and everyone who knew himcalled “Ned”?
In the song, the Stark gives Bael a name because he doesn’t know the man, but he knows *he’s hiding his identity to take advantage of “the weak”.*
In the dream “Eddard” means Bael. *He’s lying.*
The “craven” who actually yells in the dream is deliberately hidden:
The parallels between the Other facing Waymar and Arthur with Dawn in hand facing Ned in the dream are clear too. This is the Other:
That’s the first lesson: In Ned’s song (his dream) he hid the truth by identifying the person who yells as Lyanna, when it was actually Howland Reed warning him.
The biggest clue is the person calling him in a way that’s not familiar to him, like “Brandon the Daughterless” is not familiar name to Jon when he hears Bael’s song. We’ll discuss that name later.
What was Ned hiding? That Lyanna was never in that tower, that’s Ned’sbiggest deception, hiding the fact that Rhaeagar spent half the war chasing shadows, like Waymar, and that Robert never “avenged” Lyanna as he believed,because the prince was deceived and Robert was too late to the vengeance train.
When Jon hears the song’s happy ending, he asks if Bael has brought back the maiden, to which Ygritte replies that she was “hiding with the dead”. Ned made people believe that he had brought Lyanna’s body from Dorne while he left his friends’ corpses buried there, but he didn’t. She died elsewhere.
As for “the craven”, Ned himself explained his issue with the man: the “laughter”.
While Ned tells us how people’s laughter freezes in their throats and chokes them to death, look what happens to the craven Will in the prologue when he thinks of doing what Howland does: calling “Bael”.
To summarize: in Bael’s song “Bael” is a name that means something, is what you call a craven who preys only on the weak.
In Ned’s dream, the word “Eddard” means “Bael”; he’s hiding the warnings: Howland warned him about Arthur Dayne trying to kill him, and Lyanna gave him her own warning:
Ned was great at hiding things in plain sight and being silent, yet his dream sang a different song.
When Ned comes home from the war with “proof” of his deception, his wife names “the reward”, Ashara Dayne, and Ned’s answeris priceless:
Ned gives Jon’s name when he’s asked about Ashara, most importantly,he establishes the link between Jon and “the blood” he later dreams of, meaning he makes us believe that the boy killed Lyanna while being born,that’s the deception.
Did you see any blood? Yes, a ‘brother’ “frozen at his watch”, a sister who allegedly died “in a bed of blood”, and the “fairest flower” blowing in the wind like the petals Ned sees when he hears his name.
They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips.” Eddard X - AGoT
Killing Arthur made him a kinslayer, but Will saw a “double-bladed” weapon.
Did you see any weapons? Yes, petals falling “dead and black”.
Let’s discuss the proof.
When Waymar falls, Will thinks he needs to take his sword as proof of what he saw, as if the entire thing had nothing to do with him.
Ned, as we know, takes Dayne’s sword to Starfall and after that visit, Ashara commits suicide. Yet, we have no idea what he told them. It seems kind of weird how Lord Dayne seems to highly respect the man who killed his brother and caused his sister’s suicide, right?
The point is how Will finds the sword that was supposed to be proof:
What matters here is “what was left” and Ned “snatching” something that ended up in Winterfell, even when he never brought his friends’ corpses back. You see, in Ned’s memory, he seems to do what Will does when everything is over, “look around warily”.
As I said earlier, in Bael’s song the flower doesn’t mean that the lord realizes who took the maiden sincethe singer *gave him a fake name, and he was welcome in WF becausethe lord had never met him* before.
The flower proves the lord is a deceiver. It wasn’t Jon being born what killed Lyanna, *it was Ned’s flower.*
That’s one of the “weapons” that Will sees in one of the “fallen” *“right by his hand”,* which makes Ned a “double-bladed” weapon, or rather a double kinslayer.
All the weapons used in Ned’s song are mentioned by Will in the crime scene beyond the Wall: “It was on the ground beside him, right by his hand.”
It was “the ground” that killed Ashara, Ned being “beside” Arthur, and the petals in Lyanna’s hand.
She died surrounded by her "brothers" too.
When Waymar rises, his gloves soaked in blood go straight for Will’s throat, and the man never gets to tell what he knows.
To summarize: in Bael’s song the flower proves the Lord’s deception, and the lie isn’t just about the maiden’s disappearance, or the boy’s identity, but about his own attempt to deceive the person who asks about “the flower” (his wife).
Like I said, the lord didn’t know the identity of “the thief”.Jon’s father is never named in any of Ned’s chapters*, not once,* not because he didn’t know him though, but because Ned stole “his song” as Will intended to steal Waymar’s, proof included.
Now, for some reason, the most experienced brother, Gared, runs south, he’s caught and beheaded.
That’s Bael’s fate in the song, and therefore, Ned’s.
What’s interesting is how Ned gets to that point. He goes south when he’s named “Hand” in the crypt, which is ironic as hell, but he only accepts the position since he’s determined to investigate a poisoning, and how that’s related to his son’s “falling” from a tower. Of course, he loses his sword at the peak of his mission, though Tywing was no singer, just a common thief and mass murderer.
Ned died singing his own song, *like Bael.*
All of that is true only if you believe Ned’s song.
When Waymar leaves Gared behind, they have a quite enlightening exchange:
Interestingly, Bael’s enemy is called Brandon “the daughterless” and he’s the deceived person in the song.
Ned’s song, like Aegon’s, was about people believing he was “the one and true hero” versus the truth proved by what happens to Waymar and his broken sword, and the true Aegon’s broken skull as proof.
Ned is “the one” because he’s the only hero in his song, even when “three heads” (Ashara, Lyanna, and Jon) would like to disagree.
Now, let’s examine the music “lingering behind” the prince and the winter rose, and how the song was playing from their point of view of “daughterless” lord and disenchanted promised bride.
His shield had a laughing weirwood tree. We already saw how Ned thought that laughing causes people to freeze and choke to death, perhaps explaining why Ghost is mute.
That explains why in Ned’s dream she’s giving the warning instead of the person who actually warned him*. They all claimed to be the knight.
In this version of the song, Bael is “a craven” because he hides his identity and “preys only on the weak”; the weakness is not knowing, and this is relevant to understanding the rest of these songs.
The reward however, is Rhaegar winning the tourney using the mystery knight’s same strategy, cheating:
Rhaegar’s incursion to the Trident is explained *by what he lacked, the daughter he was searching for and, most importantly, *the promise of magic that “Bael” meant for him. When he learns that Elia can’t have more children, he does what “the daughterless” does in the song, ***send “the crows” to look for the maiden and her Bael.*
That’s how Ned finds them, the guards end up in the tower because they were deceived and went there thinking that Lyanna and “the craven” were there. They were never there. Howland and Wylla were in the tower, she was faking to be Lyanna.
The prince got what he was searching for though in a very twisted way but still. Dany hatched the dragon’s eggs that came from Asshai, like the silk that Rhaegar wore in the tournament.
He wanted magic so Elia could have the daughter he wanted, since apparently, *that’s what the prophecy promised:* a three-headed dragon.
When Waymar is told about the dead wildlings, as we saw, he asks about their blood, their weapons, and the position of their bodies. All those things are related to Rhaegar’s quest for dragons.
In the daughterless song, the line seems to end with the woman, and the lack of recognition that happens when (the liar) Bael comes back means that Aegon is a fake, which we all suspect already since his song seems a bit too convenient. The “song of fire” now is whatever Dany decides to become, it’s her song.
Now, when you examine the song from Lyanna’s position, the story is about the maiden hiding in the crypt, and you have a completely different song because down there you can only find dead Starks, swords, and direwolves.
We know that Lyanna went to the tournament and that months after that, she disappears roughly at the same time that Rheagar was seen in the Trident.
That doesn’t mean he took her, it means she was hiding from him, because the prince wanted Bael like Waymar wanted those “dead wildlings”. He wanted to know who the man was.
The point of Lyanna’s song, however, is not so much about the tragic way in which she died, but how she convinced her father to get what she wanted: her own “sword”.
Ice as we know was divided into two swords, “Widow’s Wail” and “Oathkeeper”. Lyanna was married when she died, therefore the widow’s “wailing”, the cry that Ned remembers when she died.
The oath-keeping, however, is about Rickard and the “smell of blood and roses” Ned mentions when Lyanna dies:
Lyanna fell in love with another man right in front of him and he didn’t see it because he never cared about her until “she was stolen from him” as if the woman had been his property.
Lyanna came back from the tourney *with proof:* she knew about the bastard, and she had the flowers as proof that when the prince embarrassed her in front of the entire realm her betrothed told nothing, like Will, he just stood there.
What Ned remembers of Rickard is what happened to Lyanna in the tourney, she was sitting “holding tight” to the winter roses across her lap, the proof of her father's “sword” failing.
In Lyanna’s song, Bael comes back with an army too, he sneaks into Winterfell when Robert comes looking for Ned, he uses a fake name “Mance Rayder” to introduce himself, and sings for Lord Brandon.
When they meet, the real Bael is singing “The Dornishman’s Wife”, a song about a man who dies singing and laughing.
Jon’s true name is Brandon, like “The Daughterless”. In the song, the name of the young lord is never told, but since he grows up to become lord and the only lord in the song is Brandon, well, that’s the young lord’s name.
That’s what the Song of Ice and Fire is about names that mean something, magical proof, and young heroes dying, only to rise again *singing their own songs.*
Jon’s survival is explained by Waymar’s failed song, when he’s stabbed (like Arthur), he falls face down (like Ashara), only to rise again when someone goes for his sword.
Jon himself found his mother’s sword, *and he has proof too.*
Jon’s sword was the bastard letter. The letter told him Bael’s song again, only the names are different. The letter mentions the blood, the weapons, and the position of the bodies: Mance is in a cage cloaked by the skins of women “for all the north to see”.
That’s what Will saw coming for Waymar: *silent watchers.*
That’s how you find the winter rose and *her armor.*
To summarize, I claimed at the beginning how the biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue:
Ned’s song, his fever dream, which was closer to Will’s version, meant that he’s the only hero in three different stories: Lyanna’s mystery, Jon’s parentage, and his family’s downfall.
Rhagar’s song was closest to Ygritte’s, as his intention was having another child, which explains why she calls the lord “the daughterless”.
In the midst of those versions you find a “grey one”, Lyanna’s and what she left behind as proof:a broken sword.
The biggest hoax in Bael’s song is that it tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”. The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue and what they do regarding the dead people:
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Here’s the point: I believe that we were fooled, ASOIAF is “the real story” that Bael’s song tells.
Let me please explain myself better.
ASOIAF begins with a mystery, a cold creature kills a boy, Waymar Royce, who seems to be the hero stereotype: he’s handsome, smart, and owns a nice sword, and the mean wildlings are trying to deceive him, so he goes there sword in hand, like a hero does.
However, when you pay close attention to his story, you realize the poor kid set himself for failure. He left his best swordsman guarding the horses, asked a man who was known for being silent to be his watcher, and went straight into a place that he had described himself as a suspicious scene.
His outcome was predictable.
In the following chapters, we get three seemingly fantasy clichés one after another, Ned, the honorable hero, Jon, the young hero with a mysterious parentage, and soon after that, we are told how Lyanna was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by the evil dragon, Rhaegar Targaryen.
Of course, the predictable outcome would be Jon being Rhaegar’s son, after all his mother spent the war with the man, right? Well,maybe she didn’t.
Why am I claiming that we are being deceived?
When you compare Waymar’s story to Ned’s fever dream, we are being told *the exact same story.*
Like Waymar, the prince seems to have left his best swords “guarding the horses”, he leaves a person in charge of the watch who seems to go against his interests, and goes straight to die a meaningless death like Gared when he decided to desert.
What’s the issue? *It’s a song.*
Ned’s story of what happened in the tower (his fever dream) follows Bael’s song to the letter, and the point of that song is the deception, it’s not about love or even the baby, but Bael being a liar.
That also happens in AGoT’s prologue, Waymar was being deceived but not by the wildlings as he assumed.
The biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
- The Stark of WF wanted Bael’s head, but couldn’t take him.He calls Bael “a craven who preys only on the weak”, so Bael decides to teach him a lesson and goes to WF.
What’s the lesson? The lesson is the Stark “calling” Bael, giving a name to the “craven who preys only on the weak”.
- Bael fakes to be a singer called Sygerrik (which means deceiver) and spends the night singing for the Stark, when he’s done, the lord offers him to “name” his reward. Bael asks for “the fairest flower” and the Stark gives him a winter rose. After leaving with the lord’s daughter, Bael leaves the flower as proof.
When the singer asks for “the fairest flower” the lord knows he is asking for his daughter (even when he never names her), and tries to deceive Bael by giving him a rose. The flower proves the lord lied.
- Bael comes back years later with an army; he’s faced in battle by his own son who doesn’t recognize him. Bael stays silent and lets the boy kill him. The word “recognize” implies that he knew the man; the very definition of recognition is “the identification of someone from previous encounters.”
The “young lord,” was a liar (he had to recognize Bael from his own experience), and a craven who took advantage of Bael’s own weakness (his silence) to kill him.
Basically, when you go over the song, the baby, the maiden, and “the singer” are all victims of the lord of WF who never told the boy who he was, took the child “as payment”, and blamed “Bael” for the things he did.
“Will had known they would drag him into the quarrel sooner or later. He wished it had been later rather than sooner. "My mother told me that *dead men sing no songs*," he put in.” AGoT - PrologueBael is the lord of WF in the three stories and the “hero” of his own songs: a name that means something, a flower as proof of his deception, and dead men*singing songs.*
To summarize, the biggest deception in the song is the language, or rather, the way people are named.
We’ll now examine how Lord Stark deceived us all, and later why this is “a song of ice and fire”.
A hero of his own songs
We are first introduced to the song in AGoT’s Prologue when we meet three men on a mission: Waymar Royce, Will, and Gared.Each of them helps us understand one of the stories told in Bael’s song. The prologue seems to be about these men deciding what to do regarding some dead people. In truth, they illustrate the lessons in Ned’s song for us, while we can also understand other stories of dead people: Rheagar’s and Lyanna’s.
One of the men, Will, is a craven who “wants nothing so much as to ride hellbent for the safety of the Wall”.
Waymar suspects that the wildlings are trying to deceive them, and notes that some things in Will’s story don’t seem to add up.
He wants to go personally to see the dead wildlings and prove his theory: someone is lying. Ironically his own broken sword is proof that he was right about the deceptionbut wrong about the author.
The third man, Gared,instantly recognizes what happened to the wildlings by Will’s description, even when he never actually saw them; but knew from previous experiences what “the cold” does, as he had found one of his brothers “with a smile on his face”.
Let’s examine how the song unfolds so we can find the real Bael.
1. The Craven and the given name.
In the song, “Bael” is a name that means something, is what you call a craven who preys only on the weak.We get to see how Will exemplifies the concept of being a craven when the Others appear. I mentioned earlier that one of Waymar’s mistakes was sending a brother known for being silent to act as his watcher.
Will sees the entire fight while hiding on a tree (he’s a craven after all), and never says a word, not even when he sees the shadows moving, not when he sees the Other facing Waymar, and not while the boy is being mercilessly butchered.
He realizes, however, that he should “call down a warning” as the shadows start to appear, and ironically, Waymar shouts his name instead.
The Others made no sound. Will saw movement from the corner of his eye. Pale shapes gliding through the wood. He turned his head, glimpsed a white shadow in the darkness. Then it was gone. Branches stirred gently in the wind, scratching at one another with wooden fingers. Will opened his mouth to call down a warning, and the words seemed to freeze in his throat. Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps it had only been a bird, a reflection on the snow, some trick of the moonlight. What had he seen, after all? "Will, where are you?" Ser Waymar called up. "Can you see anything?" He was turning in a slow circle, suddenly wary, his sword in hand. He must have felt them, as Will felt them. There was nothing to see."Answer me! *Why is it so cold?"*Interestingly, that’s exactly what happens in Ned’s dream, he tells us how he gets to the Tower with a bunch of shadows and how he sees three men in white waiting for him, and curiously, the person yelling in the dream was recognized before by Ned himself as being*so weak* that she could only whisper:
He could hear her still at times. Promise me, she had cried, in a room that smelled of blood and roses. Promise me, Ned. The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave her his word, the fear had gone out of his sister's eyes.” Eddard I - AGoTLyanna’s fear as she dies seems far more interesting considering how Will never yells fearing “the shadows”, since Ned gets to his dream surrounded by shadows. Now, while we are told by Ned himself how she could barely speak, somehow, she calls ‘Bael’ loud and clear:
"As they came together in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. "Eddard!" *she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky,as blue as the eyes of death. *"Lord Eddard," Lyanna called again.See the first lesson in the song?
Why would Lyanna use the word “Eddard”, to call her own brother; a brother that she, and everyone who knew himcalled “Ned”?
In the song, the Stark gives Bael a name because he doesn’t know the man, but he knows *he’s hiding his identity to take advantage of “the weak”.*
In the dream “Eddard” means Bael. *He’s lying.*
The “craven” who actually yells in the dream is deliberately hidden:
"The finest knight I ever saw was Ser Arthur Dayne, who fought with a blade called Dawn, forged from the heart of a fallen star. They called him the Sword of the Morning, and he would have killed me *but for Howland Reed*." Bran III - ACoKIn Ned’s “song” Lyanna yells even when she is so weak that she can barely speak. In truth, the one yelling, Howland, is warning him about the “white shadow”, Arthur Dayne, who was moving towards Ned to kill him as the shadows move to kill Waymar. That’s what Will should have done when he saw them: warn his brother.
The parallels between the Other facing Waymar and Arthur with Dawn in hand facing Ned in the dream are clear too. This is the Other:
The Other slid forward on silent feet. In its hand was a longsword like none that Will had ever seen. No human metal had gone into the forging of that blade. It was alive with moonlight, translucent, a shard of crystal so thin that it seemed almost to vanish when seen edge-on. There was a faint blue shimmer to the thing, a ghost-light that played around its edges, and somehow Will knew it was sharper than any razor.This is Arthur, holding his sword made from “no human metal”.
"And now it begins," said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was pale as milkglass,*alive with light*. Eddard X - AGoTYou see, Ned did in his dream what Lord Stark does in the song: the “weak” (Lyanna), are identified as a Stark; Bael takes advantage of weak people to sing his song, to tell his own version of things.
"Your Bael was a liar," he told her, certain now. "No," Ygritte said, "buta bard's truth is different than yours or mine. Anyway, you asked for the story, so I told it." Jon VI - ACoKIn fact, Lyanna ends up buried in WF’s crypt (like the maiden in the song) because she’s identified by Ned as a Stark, so that was “her place”.
That’s the first lesson: In Ned’s song (his dream) he hid the truth by identifying the person who yells as Lyanna, when it was actually Howland Reed warning him.
The biggest clue is the person calling him in a way that’s not familiar to him, like “Brandon the Daughterless” is not familiar name to Jon when he hears Bael’s song. We’ll discuss that name later.
What was Ned hiding? That Lyanna was never in that tower, that’s Ned’sbiggest deception, hiding the fact that Rhaeagar spent half the war chasing shadows, like Waymar, and that Robert never “avenged” Lyanna as he believed,because the prince was deceived and Robert was too late to the vengeance train.
When Jon hears the song’s happy ending, he asks if Bael has brought back the maiden, to which Ygritte replies that she was “hiding with the dead”. Ned made people believe that he had brought Lyanna’s body from Dorne while he left his friends’ corpses buried there, but he didn’t. She died elsewhere.
As for “the craven”, Ned himself explained his issue with the man: the “laughter”.
"They say it grows so cold up here in winter that a man's laughter freezes in his throat and chokes him to death," Ned said evenly. "Perhaps that is why the Starks have so little humor." Eddard I - AGoTHowland Reed was identified as “the Knight of the Laughing Tree” by his children, he wasn’t, but he’s one of the three main suspects: Howland, Ned and Lyanna. None of them was the “laughing” one though.
While Ned tells us how people’s laughter freezes in their throats and chokes them to death, look what happens to the craven Will in the prologue when he thinks of doing what Howland does: calling “Bael”.
Will opened his mouth to call down a warning, and *the words seemed to freeze in his throat*.You likely remember how Will dies, choked to death by the un-dead Waymar.
To summarize: in Bael’s song “Bael” is a name that means something, is what you call a craven who preys only on the weak.
In Ned’s dream, the word “Eddard” means “Bael”; he’s hiding the warnings: Howland warned him about Arthur Dayne trying to kill him, and Lyanna gave him her own warning:
"I hear he has gotten a child** on some girl in the Vale." Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart. Lyanna had only smiled. "Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but *it cannot change a man's nature*." Eddard IX - AGoTWhat Ned is trying to hide (mostly from himself) is the fact that killing Arthur turned him into a kinslayer, since Ashara got pregnant in Harrenhal, explaining why he links “the laughter” with “the freezing cold”: he fathered a bastard.
Ned was great at hiding things in plain sight and being silent, yet his dream sang a different song.
2. The deceiver and the flower.
When Will reports he found the wildlings dead, Waymar doesn’t believe him. To confirm his suspicions he asks the most experienced of the group, Gared, his views about the scene that Will had described, andhe says without hesitation “it was the cold”."I've had the cold in me too, lordling." Gared pulled back his hood, giving Ser Waymar a good long look at the stumps where his ears had been. "Two ears, three toes, and the little finger off my left hand. I got off light. We found my brother frozen at his watch, *with a smile on his face*."Waymar asked Will a series of questions that Ned diligently answer for us:
"Did you see *any blood?" "Well, no," Will admitted. "Did you see *any weapons?" "Some swords, a few bows. One man had an axe. Heavy-looking, **double-bladed, a cruel piece of iron.It was on the ground beside him, right by his hand." "Did you make note of the position of the bodies?" Will shrugged. "A couple are sitting up against the rock. Most of them on the ground. Fallen, like."In Bael’s song, the lord offers the singer to “name” his reward, and the man asks for “the fairest flower” which as we know, is then left behind as proof of the lord’s deception.
When Ned comes home from the war with “proof” of his deception, his wife names “the reward”, Ashara Dayne, and Ned’s answeris priceless:
It had taken her a fortnight to marshal her courage, but finally, in bed one night, Catelyn had asked her husband the truth of it, asked him to his face. That was the only time in all their years that Ned had ever frightened her. "Never ask me about Jon," he said, cold as ice. "He is my blood, and that is all you need to know. And now I will learn where you heard that name, my lady." She had pledged to obey; she told him; and from that day on, the whispering had stopped, and Ashara Dayne's name *was never heard in Winterfell again*." Catelyn II - AGoTIn this memory, Catelyn parallels Bael singing (marshaling his courage) until he’s asked to name the reward, and not daring to name the maiden, he asks for “the fairest flower”, to which the lord gives him not what he asked for, but “a rose from the gardens”.
Ned gives Jon’s name when he’s asked about Ashara, most importantly,he establishes the link between Jon and “the blood” he later dreams of, meaning he makes us believe that the boy killed Lyanna while being born,that’s the deception.
Did you see any blood? Yes, a ‘brother’ “frozen at his watch”, a sister who allegedly died “in a bed of blood”, and the “fairest flower” blowing in the wind like the petals Ned sees when he hears his name.
They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips.” Eddard X - AGoT
Killing Arthur made him a kinslayer, but Will saw a “double-bladed” weapon.
Did you see any weapons? Yes, petals falling “dead and black”.
Ned remembered **the way she had smiled then, how tightly her fingers had clutched his as she gave up her hold on life, the rose petals spilling from her palm, *dead and black*. After that he remembered nothing. They had found him still holding her body, silent with grief. The little crannogman, Howland Reed, had taken her hand from his. Ned could recall none of it. "I bring her flowers when I can," he said. "Lyanna was … fond of flowers."What about the position of the bodies? They all waited for Ned and ended up “fallen”: Ashara, Arthur, *and Lyanna.*
Let’s discuss the proof.
When Waymar falls, Will thinks he needs to take his sword as proof of what he saw, as if the entire thing had nothing to do with him.
Ned, as we know, takes Dayne’s sword to Starfall and after that visit, Ashara commits suicide. Yet, we have no idea what he told them. It seems kind of weird how Lord Dayne seems to highly respect the man who killed his brother and caused his sister’s suicide, right?
The point is how Will finds the sword that was supposed to be proof:
He found what was left of the sword a few feet away,the end splintered and twisted like a tree struck by lightning. Will knelt, looked around warily, and snatched it up. The broken sword would be his proof.We know that Ashara killed herself (explaining the sword splintered and twisted like Bran). We also know that Ned killed Arthur since that was the talking in Winterfell when he returned from the war (as Will intended to get to the Wall with a story), the proof being he took Dawn to Starfall.
What matters here is “what was left” and Ned “snatching” something that ended up in Winterfell, even when he never brought his friends’ corpses back. You see, in Ned’s memory, he seems to do what Will does when everything is over, “look around warily”.
“…the rose petals spilling from her palm, *dead and black. After that, he remembered nothing. *They had found him** still holding her body, silent with grief. The little crannogman, Howland Reed, had taken her hand from his…”The scene is not just weirdly similar to the way that the un-dead Waymar finds Will withhis sword, but also the proof of the crime that “Bael” left behind for the lord to find: a dead flower instead of the maiden as proof of the kidnapping.
As I said earlier, in Bael’s song the flower doesn’t mean that the lord realizes who took the maiden sincethe singer *gave him a fake name, and he was welcome in WF becausethe lord had never met him* before.
The flower proves the lord is a deceiver. It wasn’t Jon being born what killed Lyanna, *it was Ned’s flower.*
Ned Stark reached out his hand to grasp the flowery crown, but beneath the pale blue petals the thorns lay hidden. He felt them clawing at his skin, sharp and cruel, saw the slow trickle of blood run down his fingers, and woke, trembling, in the dark.” Eddard XVNed mentions how he always brings Lyanna flowers, and that’s exactly what happened the last time he saw her. Except this time the flower was poisonous and killed her.
That’s one of the “weapons” that Will sees in one of the “fallen” *“right by his hand”,* which makes Ned a “double-bladed” weapon, or rather a double kinslayer.
“…the rose petals spilling from her palm, dead and black. After that he remembered nothing. They had found him still holding her body, silent with grief. The little crannogman, Howland Reed, had taken her hand from his…”Howland clearly realizes what happened and takes her hand from Ned’s so he wouldn’t die too.
All the weapons used in Ned’s song are mentioned by Will in the crime scene beyond the Wall: “It was on the ground beside him, right by his hand.”
It was “the ground” that killed Ashara, Ned being “beside” Arthur, and the petals in Lyanna’s hand.
"The trees press close here," Will warned. "That sword will tangle you up, m'lord. Better a knife." AGoT - PrologueWe get to see the proof of all victims in the way that Waymar raises being a portrayal of all three fallen.
Will rose. Ser Waymar Royce stood over him. His fine clothes were a tatter, his face a ruin. A shard from *his sword* transfixed the blind white pupil of his left eye. The right eye was open. The pupil burned blue. It saw.Waymar is the proof: the white pupil “transfixed” by the sword is for Arthur he died from multiple stabb wounds, the right eye “burning blue” is for Ashara (what Catelyn saw) while the “dead and black” Waymar stands for Lyanna in “her bed of blood”.
She died surrounded by her "brothers" too.
When Waymar rises, his gloves soaked in blood go straight for Will’s throat, and the man never gets to tell what he knows.
To summarize: in Bael’s song the flower proves the Lord’s deception, and the lie isn’t just about the maiden’s disappearance, or the boy’s identity, but about his own attempt to deceive the person who asks about “the flower” (his wife).
Like I said, the lord didn’t know the identity of “the thief”.Jon’s father is never named in any of Ned’s chapters*, not once,* not because he didn’t know him though, but because Ned stole “his song” as Will intended to steal Waymar’s, proof included.
3. The cold ending
In the song, when Bael comes back years later he’s faced in battle by his own son who doesn’t recognize him. I said earlier how the lack of recognition is related to previous experiences that “the young lord” should have seen coming.Now, for some reason, the most experienced brother, Gared, runs south, he’s caught and beheaded.
That’s Bael’s fate in the song, and therefore, Ned’s.
What’s interesting is how Ned gets to that point. He goes south when he’s named “Hand” in the crypt, which is ironic as hell, but he only accepts the position since he’s determined to investigate a poisoning, and how that’s related to his son’s “falling” from a tower. Of course, he loses his sword at the peak of his mission, though Tywing was no singer, just a common thief and mass murderer.
Ned died singing his own song, *like Bael.*
Your Bael was a liar.
Since we get AGoT’s prologue from Will’s point of view and Bael’s song from Ygritte’s, (therefore the song of ice and fire), we might forget that there are other songs to be learned here.Will had known they would drag him into the quarrel sooner or later. He wished it had been later rather than sooner. "My mother told me that dead men sing no songs," he put in. "My wet nurse said the same thing, Will," Royce replied. "Never believe anything you hear at a woman's tit. There are things to be learned even from the dead." His voice echoed, too loud in the twilit forest. "We have a long ride before us," Gared pointed out. "I claimed at the beginning how the prince seemed to have left his best swords “guarding the horses”, how Lyanna seemed to go against his interests even when we are led to believe that she's there on her own will, and how Rhaegar goes straight to die a meaningless death.
All of that is true only if you believe Ned’s song.
When Waymar leaves Gared behind, they have a quite enlightening exchange:
Gared dismounted. "We need a fire. I'll see to it." "How big a fool are you, old man? If there are enemies in this wood, *a fire is the last thing we want."* AGoT - PrologueWe know that “a fire” was exactly what Rhaegar was looking for, what he called the “one more”, apparently a daughter to complete his three-headed dragon.
Interestingly, Bael’s enemy is called Brandon “the daughterless” and he’s the deceived person in the song.
"Will you make a song for him?" the woman asked. "He has a song," the man replied. "He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire." He looked up when he said it and his eyes met Dany's, and it seemed as if he saw her standing there beyond the door. "There must be one more," he said, though whether he was speaking to her or the woman in the bed she could not say. "The dragon has three heads." He went to the window seat, picked up a harp, and ran his fingers lightly over its silvery strings. Sweet sadness filled the room as man and wife and babe faded like the morning mist, only the music lingering behind to speed her on her way.” Dany IV- ACoKSee the issue? Rhaegar parallels “Brandon the daughterless”, while Ned parallels Aegon, the promised one, as if the heads *had been exchanged.*
Ned’s song, like Aegon’s, was about people believing he was “the one and true hero” versus the truth proved by what happens to Waymar and his broken sword, and the true Aegon’s broken skull as proof.
Ned is “the one” because he’s the only hero in his song, even when “three heads” (Ashara, Lyanna, and Jon) would like to disagree.
Now, let’s examine the music “lingering behind” the prince and the winter rose, and how the song was playing from their point of view of “daughterless” lord and disenchanted promised bride.
- The first lesson in the song is The Stark giving a name: “Bael” and the future “king” deciding *to teach a lesson.*
His shield had a laughing weirwood tree. We already saw how Ned thought that laughing causes people to freeze and choke to death, perhaps explaining why Ghost is mute.
The watchers moved forward together, as if some signal had been given. Swords rose and fell, all in a deathly silence. It was cold butchery. The pale blades sliced through ringmail as if it were silk. Will closed his eyes. Far beneath him, he heard their voicesand laughter sharp as icicles.The lesson in the daughterless song is Lyanna claiming to be the knight to hide “the true Bael”, who was teaching a lesson to the squires who had bullied the little Howland when he arrived at the tourney.
That explains why in Ned’s dream she’s giving the warning instead of the person who actually warned him*. They all claimed to be the knight.
In this version of the song, Bael is “a craven” because he hides his identity and “preys only on the weak”; the weakness is not knowing, and this is relevant to understanding the rest of these songs.
- The second lesson is “the singer” asking for a reward without ever naming it and *leaving the flower as proof.*
The reward however, is Rhaegar winning the tourney using the mystery knight’s same strategy, cheating:
“The pale blades sliced through ringmail as if it were silk.” AGoT - PrologueThis is how Ned remembers the prince’s success in the tourney:
A plume of scarlet silk streamed behind him when he rode, and it seemed no lance could touch him. Brandon fell to him, and Bronze Yohn Royce, and even the splendid Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning.” Eddard XV - AGoTTruly, no lance could touch the man, that’s the proof that “Bael” left behind, “scarlet silk streaming”; he won by cheating.
- The final proof is Bael coming back, and here’s where we need to split the songs between ice and fire.
Rhaegar’s incursion to the Trident is explained *by what he lacked, the daughter he was searching for and, most importantly, *the promise of magic that “Bael” meant for him. When he learns that Elia can’t have more children, he does what “the daughterless” does in the song, ***send “the crows” to look for the maiden and her Bael.*
That’s how Ned finds them, the guards end up in the tower because they were deceived and went there thinking that Lyanna and “the craven” were there. They were never there. Howland and Wylla were in the tower, she was faking to be Lyanna.
The prince got what he was searching for though in a very twisted way but still. Dany hatched the dragon’s eggs that came from Asshai, like the silk that Rhaegar wore in the tournament.
He wanted magic so Elia could have the daughter he wanted, since apparently, *that’s what the prophecy promised:* a three-headed dragon.
When Waymar is told about the dead wildlings, as we saw, he asks about their blood, their weapons, and the position of their bodies. All those things are related to Rhaegar’s quest for dragons.
In the daughterless song, the line seems to end with the woman, and the lack of recognition that happens when (the liar) Bael comes back means that Aegon is a fake, which we all suspect already since his song seems a bit too convenient. The “song of fire” now is whatever Dany decides to become, it’s her song.
Now, when you examine the song from Lyanna’s position, the story is about the maiden hiding in the crypt, and you have a completely different song because down there you can only find dead Starks, swords, and direwolves.
We know that Lyanna went to the tournament and that months after that, she disappears roughly at the same time that Rheagar was seen in the Trident.
That doesn’t mean he took her, it means she was hiding from him, because the prince wanted Bael like Waymar wanted those “dead wildlings”. He wanted to know who the man was.
The point of Lyanna’s song, however, is not so much about the tragic way in which she died, but how she convinced her father to get what she wanted: her own “sword”.
Ice as we know was divided into two swords, “Widow’s Wail” and “Oathkeeper”. Lyanna was married when she died, therefore the widow’s “wailing”, the cry that Ned remembers when she died.
The oath-keeping, however, is about Rickard and the “smell of blood and roses” Ned mentions when Lyanna dies:
Lord Rickard Stark, Ned's father, had a long, stern face. The stonemason had known him well. He sat with quiet dignity, stone fingers holding tight to the sword across his lap, but *in life all swords had failed him*.” Eddard I - AGoTRickard had broken his word towards Robert when he allowed Lyanna to marry someone she liked instead of the man whose “nature” wouldn’t change no matter what he vowed. Robert *was blind. He didn’t care.* His lack of interest caused his downfall starting in Harrenhal when Lyanna saw him for what he was, and she seized that chance.
Lyanna fell in love with another man right in front of him and he didn’t see it because he never cared about her until “she was stolen from him” as if the woman had been his property.
Lyanna came back from the tourney *with proof:* she knew about the bastard, and she had the flowers as proof that when the prince embarrassed her in front of the entire realm her betrothed told nothing, like Will, he just stood there.
What Ned remembers of Rickard is what happened to Lyanna in the tourney, she was sitting “holding tight” to the winter roses across her lap, the proof of her father's “sword” failing.
He sat with quiet dignity, stone fingers holding tight to the sword across his lap, but*in life all swords had failed him*.”She had “the blood” (the bastard daughter) and “the weapon” (the crown) that Waymar asks for as proof of the deception. The position of her body changes after that because *Rickard agrees with her.*** Like Will, Robert couldn't be trusted, he would ruin Lyanna's reputation making her the laughing stock of the realm.
In Lyanna’s song, Bael comes back with an army too, he sneaks into Winterfell when Robert comes looking for Ned, he uses a fake name “Mance Rayder” to introduce himself, and sings for Lord Brandon.
When they meet, the real Bael is singing “The Dornishman’s Wife”, a song about a man who dies singing and laughing.
Jon’s true name is Brandon, like “The Daughterless”. In the song, the name of the young lord is never told, but since he grows up to become lord and the only lord in the song is Brandon, well, that’s the young lord’s name.
That’s what the Song of Ice and Fire is about names that mean something, magical proof, and young heroes dying, only to rise again *singing their own songs.*
Jon’s survival is explained by Waymar’s failed song, when he’s stabbed (like Arthur), he falls face down (like Ashara), only to rise again when someone goes for his sword.
Jon himself found his mother’s sword, *and he has proof too.*
Jon’s sword was the bastard letter. The letter told him Bael’s song again, only the names are different. The letter mentions the blood, the weapons, and the position of the bodies: Mance is in a cage cloaked by the skins of women “for all the north to see”.
That’s what Will saw coming for Waymar: *silent watchers.*
“The Others *made no sound.* Will saw movement from the corner of his eye. Pale shapes gliding through the wood. He turned his head, glimpsed a white shadow in the darkness. Then it was gone.”Jon is an “Other”, all you need to become one *is knowing,* finding the truth hidden inside the lies to realize that the lord is a liar and craven who preys only on the weak.
That’s how you find the winter rose and *her armor.*
"The armor of the Others is proof against most ordinary blades, if the tales can be believed, and their own swords are so cold they shatter steel.. Jon II - ADwDIf you know, then you’re not weak anymore, your “armor” is proof against ordinary blades, because some tales should be believed.
To summarize, I claimed at the beginning how the biggest hoax is that Bael’s song tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”.
The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue:
- Waymar telling Rhaegar’s story and how his failure turned into success when Dany achieved what he never could, finding real magic.
- Gared telling Ned’s story, thinking how he “needed” a fire to keep away “the enemies”. As Aemon told Sam, “fire consumes, but cold preserves”, explaining why Ned wanted some fire.
- The silent Will telling Jon’s story of finding his own “broken sword” as proof of his identity: a widow and an “oathkeeper”.
Summary:
The song of ice and fire is about how we are told the exact same song in two different ways: from Will’s point of view in AGoT’s prologue were “the Others” are the villains, and from Ygritte’s point of view were the Stark in Winterfell is the villain.Ned’s song, his fever dream, which was closer to Will’s version, meant that he’s the only hero in three different stories: Lyanna’s mystery, Jon’s parentage, and his family’s downfall.
Rhagar’s song was closest to Ygritte’s, as his intention was having another child, which explains why she calls the lord “the daughterless”.
In the midst of those versions you find a “grey one”, Lyanna’s and what she left behind as proof:a broken sword.
The biggest hoax in Bael’s song is that it tells three different stories in which the “hero” is always “Bael”. The stories are all related to the brothers in AGoT’s prologue and what they do regarding the dead people:
- Waymar tells Rhaegar’s story and how his failure was turned into success when Dany achieved what he never could, finding real magic.
- Gared tells Ned’s story, thinking how he “needed” a fire to keep away “the enemies”.
- The silent Will tells Jon’s story of finding a “broken sword” as proof of his identity: a widow’s wai and an “oathkeeper”.
2024.04.29 00:49 fieatsbees Ozymandias, King of Kings Ch. 12: I Feel Your Heartbeat In My Soul
this chapter came about a lot faster than my previous one did. for. reasons. you'll have to read it. them. ugh whatever words are hard
Ozymandias, King of Kings Ch. 12: I Feel Your Heartbeat In My Soul
Summary:
submitted by fieatsbees to OnlyFangsbg3 [link] [comments]
Ozymandias, King of Kings Ch. 12: I Feel Your Heartbeat In My Soul
Summary:
Astarion admits his own feelings for Ozymandias, unfortunately he struggles with the aftermath of his attack almost immediately after. Ozymandias does his best to help him recover, a discussion is held about boundaries, Astarion finally lets Ozymandias in to tell him about some of his past trauma, and he consciously makes the decision he'd been struggling with between safety and understanding.
CW: allusions to non-con, brief mention of assault, PTSD flashback, responses to trauma
Recommended listening: "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails
2024.04.28 23:20 EybeFioro Writers Guild Presents: Undercover
 | "Undercover" is a collaboration between me and CaptainBlou, two unhinged minds sharing one filthy brain cell! It's our no-pressure/no-deadline/no-plot smut fest, in which we throw every single idea we ever had, with a plot that fits on a napkin (and some more because our stubborn writer's mind decided to plot anyway). submitted by EybeFioro to GoodOmensAfterDark [link] [comments] Every change of POV is a change of writer, with very little communication between the two of us – we have to go with whatever the other throws at us! This leads to unexpected developments that are both tasty and fun (we hope you’ll think so too). This is an ongoing project that we’ll be carrying on as long as we feel like, and as long as we have ideas. As a result the tags are likely to evolve with every new chapter, and we will add content warnings in the notes at the end of each chapter. Chapters will be mostly independent, so you’ll be able to skip one if the tags are not your cup of tea, because as one says: to each his own. We hope you have as much fun reading as we had writing this, please leave comments to tell us what you think!! Love, Eybe & Blou Undercover Chapter One: Love in an ElevatorCW/TW: Rated E for explicit sexual content. Light angst to be resolved pretty quickly next chapter. Just a little bit of feels. Word count: ~2,5k words Summary: After Aziraphale becomes the Supreme Archangel, Crowley is appointed as Prince of Hell. Some may think they aren't talking, but that's only true when they're busy with more pressing activities.(A collection of sexy times between our favorite angel and demon, trapped in an office hell/heaven scape, where the second coming that matters is not the Jesus one) In this chapter: A demon and an angel meet in the lift to heaven. Excerpt: “I bet you couldn't stop thinking about my tongue, stuck as you are up there,” Crowley sputtered in a snarl, aiming for a snarky provocation but failing. “Bet you can't stop thinking about my hands fisting your clothes-” Crowley let his fingers lightly travel the wall as he walked, his steps echoing in the silence the confined space provided, “nor how my stubble rubbed your face, huh?” He said as he tilted his head upwards, showing his neck, as Aziraphale's breath hitched. Crowley took the last step, and their noses were nearly touching. Crowley's voice was low, almost a growl, soaked with lust, as he looked down at Aziraphale “Bet you couldn't forget my breath against yours.” “I think you might be entirely projecting, my dear fellow.” He could picture Crowley’s pupils widening, the gold of his irises taking all the space in his eyes and oh- how badly he wanted to get rid of those glasses now… “Lucky for you,” he went on, his voice as low as Crowley’s had been moments ago, “I can help you with that.” Continue reading on Ao3! |
2024.04.28 23:05 DragonKnov Kunlun Sect's Weakest Disciple: Chapter 05
[📖First ⏮️Previous Next⏭️]
In the cavernous Hall of Insight that same night, the Elders and the venerable Patriarch of the ancient Kunlun sect gathered amid the flickering crimson glow of numerous lanterns.
Towering pillars lined the vast space, their shadows stretching across the polished stone floors. Large rounded tables of intricately carved redwood filled the chamber, their surfaces gleaming under the warm illumination.
The Elders, legendary for their profound martial prowess, wore stern expressions, their brows furrowed in contemplation. The Patriarch, his wizened face etched with deep lines, was seated in the central position of honor, back ramrod straight.
He raised a gnarled hand, silencing the hushed murmurs, and spoke in a voice roughened by decades of experience, "What is this, Elders?" His piercing eyes, the only visible feature in the dimness, scanned the gathered council.
"This illusion, Patriarch," confidently spoke one of the Elders, straightening his posture as all eyes turned towards him. "It must be the work of the Illusionary Sect. We have all borne witness to the sudden and inexplicable appearance of the 'Tower of God.'"
A heavy silence blanketed the hall as the gravity of the situation sank in. Even the revered Patriarch was not exempt from the effects of this powerful sorcery.
Another Elder spoke up, leaning forward with furrowed brows and eyes sharp as daggers, "I disagree. The simultaneous abduction of all of us, using the name of 'God.' This is not the usual approach of the Illusionary Sect." Their voice carried an edge of consternation.
A muscular Elder with a rough, weathered face adorned by a thick beard nodded firmly. "Elder Fang's point is valid, but aside from this strange occurrence, I am more concerned about our missing disciples." His words hung in the air like a tangible weight, silencing everyone once more.
The creak of the large wooden door suddenly shattered the tense quiet as a disciple slipped inside, promptly bowing low with hands cupped at chest level.
"Forgive my impudence, but I am here to deliver a report about our missing disciples, as instructed by Elder Xia."
The disciple, fighting to keep his voice steady, proceeded to narrate the gathered reports in full detail.
In summary, all the missing disciples had inexplicably vanished at the exact moment when the strange hovering illusion first manifested before their eyes.
He confirmed this sobering fact personally, having witnessed his friend's absence upon their return from the mysterious occurrence.
A palpable unease settled over the hall as the Elders and the Patriarch exchanged weighted glances, eyebrows raised in shared trepidation at this alarming development.
"It is evident that only the disciples above 17 years old are missing. This aligns with what the mysterious Spirit Illusion has stated," the Patriarch declared, shaking his head slowly in the encompassing darkness.
Despite his steady tone, weariness lined his voice, a testament to the heavy toll this sudden crisis had already taken on the aged master after so long without major incident.
"Gather all of them in the Central Courtyard immediately. Whether this is a ploy by the Illusionary Sect or the insidious Demonic factions, as leaders of the Orthodox Faction, we must prioritize the safety of our own people above all else."
...
The tense night eventually gave way to the vibrant warmth of the rising sun, its golden rays filtering through the trees as the melodic chorus of songbirds welcomed the new day.
In the Outer Disciple Courtyard of the renowned Kunlun Sect, typically alive with the sounds of disciples engaging in rigorous morning training exercises, an unusual stillness prevailed.
Not a single figure moved amid the empty training grounds.
Within the humble Outer Disciple dormitory, Ji Wuye, the lone occupant with long flowing white hair and striking aristocratic features, slept peacefully.
His closed eyes twitched briefly before slowly opening, revealing piercing crimson irises that scanned the vacant beds surrounding him.
He let out a long yawn, his unbound hair cascading in silken waves over the simple sheets. As the last vestiges of sleep finally released their hold on his mind, his gaze sharpened with harsh reality.
"So this is not merely a dream..."
Once again, he was forced to accept the bitter truth of his circumstances. It seemed unfathomable that just the day before, he had been diligently performing push-ups and triumphantly conquering the first floor of the Tower of God.
"Let's see... after the first day..." Ji Wuye muttered to himself as he deftly changed into a fresh set of pristine white martial robes, tying the sash neatly at his slim waist. There could be no doubt as to their next course of action.
"They must be gathering at the Central Courtyard." As for the puzzling question of why no one had bothered to rouse him from slumber, the obvious answer soon became clear - he had no male friends.
...
As Ji Wuye made his way from the quiet Outer Disciple dorm towards the Central Courtyard, the winding path remained utterly deserted, an eerie stillness permeating the air.
Normally this route would be alive with the sounds of disciples making their way to the Outer Courtyard for early morning training sessions.
However, as he passed by those vacant practice grounds, not a single figure could be seen moving amidst the neatly raked sand and wooden practice dummies, confirming Ji Wuye's deduction that all able disciples had been summoned elsewhere.
Upon finally reaching the expansive Central Courtyard, he was met with a stark contrast - a bustling scene of disciples lined up in orderly rows, nervous murmuring carrying on the crisp morning breeze.
Furtive glances were exchanged as friends and peers reunited after the harrowing events of the previous night.
"I still can't believe it..." one lanky disciple muttered, vigorously rubbing his palms together as if to ground himself.
"One moment I was sleeping soundly, and the next, this bizarre symbol just appeared out of nowhere and transported me to some mysterious room!"
He nervously tapped the toe of his cloth shoe against the hard-packed earth, crimson eyes scanning the assembling crowd with thinly veiled trepidation.
"My heart was racing the entire time," another disciple, shorter and sporting a rumpled topknot, chimed in with a tremulous voice.
His hand visibly trembled as it clutched the fabric of his robe. "I thought it was all just some bizarre dream!"
A young woman standing nearby pursed her lips, brow furrowed as she regarded her fearful peers. "At least we're back safely at the sect for now. But I can't help worrying about Liu Fei and the others who didn't return with us last night. Do you think they..."
"Don't say it!" The lanky disciple cut her off sharply, shaking his head adamantly. "I'm sure they're fine. They're strong, capable disciples - they can definitely take care of themselves out there."
"Still, it's very strange that only those of us above the age of seventeen were taken," a taller disciple mused, one hand stroking his clean-shaven chin as he calmly analyzed the situation despite the palpable tensions.
"I overheard the Elders speculating that it might have something to do with that Hidden Sect faction you mentioned."
The shorter disciple rolled his eyes derisively. "The Hidden Sect? Those sniveling cowards? I thought for sure that Unorthodox faction was behind all of this!"
The gathered disciples continued to murmur and chatter, swapping tales of their individual experiences, some faces etched with fear while others were practically vibrating with reckless excitement at the prospect of danger.
Ji Wuye observed the diverse array of attire among his peers, able to easily distinguish the Inner Disciples by their martial sect robes adorned with crisp dark purple stripes along the hems and sleeves.
These elite few maintained a composed, aloof demeanor even in the midst of such chaos, observing the commotion with critical eyes.
Among these disciples, those with dark blue stripes on their robes were mostly filled with youthful excitement and bravado, practically bouncing on the balls of their feet with eagerness.
In contrast, those like Ji Wuye with aqua-colored striped robes appeared visibly shaken, eyes wide and knuckles pale from anxiously clenching their trembling hands.
'Well, our strength can't even begin to compare to the Official Disciples or Inner Disciples,' Ji Wuye thought to himself with a inward sigh, absently toying with the aqua-striped hem of his own robe.
The Official Disciples, characterized by their dark blue striped robes, were accomplished martial artists who had attained the 4th realm or above and received advanced Inner Art Pulse Cleansing Gongfa instruction to further elevate their skills.
The prestigious Inner Disciples, on the other hand, were personally handpicked by the revered Elders themselves from among the most exceptional talents.
Most had reached at least the 5th realm, with some even managing to break through to the immensely formidable Seventh Realm.
The Elders themselves were said to have achieved the sublime 8th realm, while the venerable Patriarch alone stood at the pinnacle - the mythical 9th realm.
A martial artist of the 9th realm was likened to an untouchable ruler of the world, with fewer than fifteen such experts existing across all of the sects and clans. Most had formed their own powerful factions or even entire royal lineages.
Just as Ji Wuye was lost in his awed recollections regarding the uppermost echelons of power, a sudden thunderous clap abruptly shattered the tense atmosphere.
BANG-!
The subtle shockwave compelling the gathered disciples to fall into an uneasy silence as every head snapped towards the source of the disturbance.
[📖First ⏮️Previous Next⏭️]
submitted by DragonKnov to HFY [link] [comments]
I just noticed that the chapters were reversed between Chapter 3 and 4, but it's been fixed now. Thanks for the heads-up!
In the cavernous Hall of Insight that same night, the Elders and the venerable Patriarch of the ancient Kunlun sect gathered amid the flickering crimson glow of numerous lanterns.
Towering pillars lined the vast space, their shadows stretching across the polished stone floors. Large rounded tables of intricately carved redwood filled the chamber, their surfaces gleaming under the warm illumination.
The Elders, legendary for their profound martial prowess, wore stern expressions, their brows furrowed in contemplation. The Patriarch, his wizened face etched with deep lines, was seated in the central position of honor, back ramrod straight.
He raised a gnarled hand, silencing the hushed murmurs, and spoke in a voice roughened by decades of experience, "What is this, Elders?" His piercing eyes, the only visible feature in the dimness, scanned the gathered council.
"This illusion, Patriarch," confidently spoke one of the Elders, straightening his posture as all eyes turned towards him. "It must be the work of the Illusionary Sect. We have all borne witness to the sudden and inexplicable appearance of the 'Tower of God.'"
A heavy silence blanketed the hall as the gravity of the situation sank in. Even the revered Patriarch was not exempt from the effects of this powerful sorcery.
Another Elder spoke up, leaning forward with furrowed brows and eyes sharp as daggers, "I disagree. The simultaneous abduction of all of us, using the name of 'God.' This is not the usual approach of the Illusionary Sect." Their voice carried an edge of consternation.
A muscular Elder with a rough, weathered face adorned by a thick beard nodded firmly. "Elder Fang's point is valid, but aside from this strange occurrence, I am more concerned about our missing disciples." His words hung in the air like a tangible weight, silencing everyone once more.
The creak of the large wooden door suddenly shattered the tense quiet as a disciple slipped inside, promptly bowing low with hands cupped at chest level.
"Forgive my impudence, but I am here to deliver a report about our missing disciples, as instructed by Elder Xia."
The disciple, fighting to keep his voice steady, proceeded to narrate the gathered reports in full detail.
In summary, all the missing disciples had inexplicably vanished at the exact moment when the strange hovering illusion first manifested before their eyes.
He confirmed this sobering fact personally, having witnessed his friend's absence upon their return from the mysterious occurrence.
A palpable unease settled over the hall as the Elders and the Patriarch exchanged weighted glances, eyebrows raised in shared trepidation at this alarming development.
"It is evident that only the disciples above 17 years old are missing. This aligns with what the mysterious Spirit Illusion has stated," the Patriarch declared, shaking his head slowly in the encompassing darkness.
Despite his steady tone, weariness lined his voice, a testament to the heavy toll this sudden crisis had already taken on the aged master after so long without major incident.
"Gather all of them in the Central Courtyard immediately. Whether this is a ploy by the Illusionary Sect or the insidious Demonic factions, as leaders of the Orthodox Faction, we must prioritize the safety of our own people above all else."
...
The tense night eventually gave way to the vibrant warmth of the rising sun, its golden rays filtering through the trees as the melodic chorus of songbirds welcomed the new day.
In the Outer Disciple Courtyard of the renowned Kunlun Sect, typically alive with the sounds of disciples engaging in rigorous morning training exercises, an unusual stillness prevailed.
Not a single figure moved amid the empty training grounds.
Within the humble Outer Disciple dormitory, Ji Wuye, the lone occupant with long flowing white hair and striking aristocratic features, slept peacefully.
His closed eyes twitched briefly before slowly opening, revealing piercing crimson irises that scanned the vacant beds surrounding him.
He let out a long yawn, his unbound hair cascading in silken waves over the simple sheets. As the last vestiges of sleep finally released their hold on his mind, his gaze sharpened with harsh reality.
"So this is not merely a dream..."
Once again, he was forced to accept the bitter truth of his circumstances. It seemed unfathomable that just the day before, he had been diligently performing push-ups and triumphantly conquering the first floor of the Tower of God.
"Let's see... after the first day..." Ji Wuye muttered to himself as he deftly changed into a fresh set of pristine white martial robes, tying the sash neatly at his slim waist. There could be no doubt as to their next course of action.
"They must be gathering at the Central Courtyard." As for the puzzling question of why no one had bothered to rouse him from slumber, the obvious answer soon became clear - he had no male friends.
...
As Ji Wuye made his way from the quiet Outer Disciple dorm towards the Central Courtyard, the winding path remained utterly deserted, an eerie stillness permeating the air.
Normally this route would be alive with the sounds of disciples making their way to the Outer Courtyard for early morning training sessions.
However, as he passed by those vacant practice grounds, not a single figure could be seen moving amidst the neatly raked sand and wooden practice dummies, confirming Ji Wuye's deduction that all able disciples had been summoned elsewhere.
Upon finally reaching the expansive Central Courtyard, he was met with a stark contrast - a bustling scene of disciples lined up in orderly rows, nervous murmuring carrying on the crisp morning breeze.
Furtive glances were exchanged as friends and peers reunited after the harrowing events of the previous night.
"I still can't believe it..." one lanky disciple muttered, vigorously rubbing his palms together as if to ground himself.
"One moment I was sleeping soundly, and the next, this bizarre symbol just appeared out of nowhere and transported me to some mysterious room!"
He nervously tapped the toe of his cloth shoe against the hard-packed earth, crimson eyes scanning the assembling crowd with thinly veiled trepidation.
"My heart was racing the entire time," another disciple, shorter and sporting a rumpled topknot, chimed in with a tremulous voice.
His hand visibly trembled as it clutched the fabric of his robe. "I thought it was all just some bizarre dream!"
A young woman standing nearby pursed her lips, brow furrowed as she regarded her fearful peers. "At least we're back safely at the sect for now. But I can't help worrying about Liu Fei and the others who didn't return with us last night. Do you think they..."
"Don't say it!" The lanky disciple cut her off sharply, shaking his head adamantly. "I'm sure they're fine. They're strong, capable disciples - they can definitely take care of themselves out there."
"Still, it's very strange that only those of us above the age of seventeen were taken," a taller disciple mused, one hand stroking his clean-shaven chin as he calmly analyzed the situation despite the palpable tensions.
"I overheard the Elders speculating that it might have something to do with that Hidden Sect faction you mentioned."
The shorter disciple rolled his eyes derisively. "The Hidden Sect? Those sniveling cowards? I thought for sure that Unorthodox faction was behind all of this!"
The gathered disciples continued to murmur and chatter, swapping tales of their individual experiences, some faces etched with fear while others were practically vibrating with reckless excitement at the prospect of danger.
Ji Wuye observed the diverse array of attire among his peers, able to easily distinguish the Inner Disciples by their martial sect robes adorned with crisp dark purple stripes along the hems and sleeves.
These elite few maintained a composed, aloof demeanor even in the midst of such chaos, observing the commotion with critical eyes.
Among these disciples, those with dark blue stripes on their robes were mostly filled with youthful excitement and bravado, practically bouncing on the balls of their feet with eagerness.
In contrast, those like Ji Wuye with aqua-colored striped robes appeared visibly shaken, eyes wide and knuckles pale from anxiously clenching their trembling hands.
'Well, our strength can't even begin to compare to the Official Disciples or Inner Disciples,' Ji Wuye thought to himself with a inward sigh, absently toying with the aqua-striped hem of his own robe.
The Official Disciples, characterized by their dark blue striped robes, were accomplished martial artists who had attained the 4th realm or above and received advanced Inner Art Pulse Cleansing Gongfa instruction to further elevate their skills.
The prestigious Inner Disciples, on the other hand, were personally handpicked by the revered Elders themselves from among the most exceptional talents.
Most had reached at least the 5th realm, with some even managing to break through to the immensely formidable Seventh Realm.
The Elders themselves were said to have achieved the sublime 8th realm, while the venerable Patriarch alone stood at the pinnacle - the mythical 9th realm.
A martial artist of the 9th realm was likened to an untouchable ruler of the world, with fewer than fifteen such experts existing across all of the sects and clans. Most had formed their own powerful factions or even entire royal lineages.
Just as Ji Wuye was lost in his awed recollections regarding the uppermost echelons of power, a sudden thunderous clap abruptly shattered the tense atmosphere.
BANG-!
The subtle shockwave compelling the gathered disciples to fall into an uneasy silence as every head snapped towards the source of the disturbance.
[📖First ⏮️Previous Next⏭️]
2024.04.28 22:51 AstarionFixation *I am not a glass doll* Chapter 11 of *Am I Fucking Insane!?!* An Astarion POV Fanfic
AO3 link https://archiveofourown.org/works/54356776/chapters/140917522
submitted by AstarionFixation to OnlyFangsbg3 [link] [comments]
Rating: EXPLICIT Pairing type(s): Astarion X OFC Tav Setting: During-Canon with poetic license Content Warnings/Enticements: this is it: smut, sex, fingering, fellatio, Soft Dom Astarion, constant consent check ins CW: Sex, sex, sex, and more sex and specifically rough sex and blood in this chapter Short Summary / teaser: In this chapter we simply finish the sex marathon we started 3 chapters ago -to jog your memory, she's on top, for the first time ever- Cause I imagine Pacing is of the essence for someone who's been around over two centuries like Astarion. If we had caring cuddly Astarion in the previous two chapters let's just say things get a fair bit rougher here... consider this your content warning for serious Rough stuff.
This is a new kind of kiss, ravenous, she’s not just kissing him she is…
Biting!
Her teeth are pulling as his bottom lip and yet in a flash her tongue is pressing harder against his own. Teeth clashing against his own and for a moment he still tries to focus on covering his own fangs with his lips for fear of hurting her. But that’s when her words resonate and unlock something is his body
+I am not a glass doll+
2024.04.28 22:25 rascacielos Someone ruin book 9 for me please - spoilers
I started reading this series last year and devoured them all, then once I got to 8.5 I just hit a wall. I don’t know if the writing quality went down or if I just lost interest, but I couldn’t get through the book.
I thought I would be more interested in Restless Stars once it came out but I’m finding out that’s not the case. I’m like 15% through the book and struggling to get through it.
Can someone either give me a summary of what happens in this book or like key chapters I NEED to read to get to the heart of the story? I’ve invested so much time that I still want to know how the story ends but just struggling to get through this.
submitted by rascacielos to zodiacacademy [link] [comments]
I thought I would be more interested in Restless Stars once it came out but I’m finding out that’s not the case. I’m like 15% through the book and struggling to get through it.
Can someone either give me a summary of what happens in this book or like key chapters I NEED to read to get to the heart of the story? I’ve invested so much time that I still want to know how the story ends but just struggling to get through this.
2024.04.28 22:11 Platinum_Duke_6 Self-Promotion: Dance of Blue and Black (English version)- Chapter 20
Name: Dance of Blue and Black
Author: Kalistos60 (me)
Rating: Mature content
Language: English
Lenght: 41,067 words
Status: Ongoing
Link of chapter 19: Rhaenyra V
Summary: In the year 127 A.C., King Viserys I, seeing the division among his family, decides to convene a Great Council to define the succession. The Great Council of 127 A.C. chooses Princess Rhaenyra. In 132 A.C., King Viserys the Peaceful dies and his daughter Rhaenyra I ascends the throne in his place. However, whispers in the Seven Kingdoms about the supposed bastardy of her children continue and those whispers also say that Aegon, the Queen's fourth son, is the rightful heir, instead of Jacaerys. When Rhaenyra dies and the dragons begin to dance, who will emerge victorious? Aegon with his Blacks? or Jacaerys with his Blues? And how will the Greens play in this?
Chapter 20 summary: Effects of the Winter Fever after three moons of the start of the outbreak. Rhaenyra and Alicent have a talk.
submitted by Platinum_Duke_6 to TheCitadel [link] [comments]
Author: Kalistos60 (me)
Rating: Mature content
Language: English
Lenght: 41,067 words
Status: Ongoing
Link of chapter 19: Rhaenyra V
Summary: In the year 127 A.C., King Viserys I, seeing the division among his family, decides to convene a Great Council to define the succession. The Great Council of 127 A.C. chooses Princess Rhaenyra. In 132 A.C., King Viserys the Peaceful dies and his daughter Rhaenyra I ascends the throne in his place. However, whispers in the Seven Kingdoms about the supposed bastardy of her children continue and those whispers also say that Aegon, the Queen's fourth son, is the rightful heir, instead of Jacaerys. When Rhaenyra dies and the dragons begin to dance, who will emerge victorious? Aegon with his Blacks? or Jacaerys with his Blues? And how will the Greens play in this?
Chapter 20 summary: Effects of the Winter Fever after three moons of the start of the outbreak. Rhaenyra and Alicent have a talk.
2024.04.28 21:47 1994BackToBuisness The Dour Griffin - Chapter XI, 'So The Urges Of Evildoers Are Satisfied'
After a four-month long hiatus - We are so back.
Title: The Dour Griffin
Author: k1ngfisher
Rating: Mature
Language: English
Length: 44,605 words
Status: Ongoing, Chapters: 11/?
Link: AO3
Tags: Bronze Prince, Faith of the Seven, The Old Gods, Gods of Valyria, Magic and Miracles, Worldbuilding, Andalos, Essos, Faith, Steel, Daemon tries to be a good Dad, No Bashing, despite the premise, Artys is a renaissance prince
Summary:
Ser Artys Royce, the Dour Griffin. Rider of most Noble and Loyal Deathclaw, the first Griffin in millennia's. A true Hugorist knight, an example to all.
He should've never been born. An extra piece in the puzzle that is the universe.
An aberration. An abomination. A dark hope.
A man with no past, or future.
And soon, hopefully, no present.
submitted by 1994BackToBuisness to AsoiafFanfiction [link] [comments]
Title: The Dour Griffin
Author: k1ngfisher
Rating: Mature
Language: English
Length: 44,605 words
Status: Ongoing, Chapters: 11/?
Link: AO3
Tags: Bronze Prince, Faith of the Seven, The Old Gods, Gods of Valyria, Magic and Miracles, Worldbuilding, Andalos, Essos, Faith, Steel, Daemon tries to be a good Dad, No Bashing, despite the premise, Artys is a renaissance prince
Summary:
Ser Artys Royce, the Dour Griffin. Rider of most Noble and Loyal Deathclaw, the first Griffin in millennia's. A true Hugorist knight, an example to all.
He should've never been born. An extra piece in the puzzle that is the universe.
An aberration. An abomination. A dark hope.
A man with no past, or future.
And soon, hopefully, no present.
2024.04.28 21:47 1994BackToBuisness The Dour Griffin - Chapter XI, 'So The Urges Of Evildoers Are Satisfied'
After a four-month long hiatus - We are so back.
Title: The Dour Griffin
Author: k1ngfisher
Rating: Mature
Language: English
Length: 44,605 words
Status: Ongoing, Chapters: 11/?
Link: AO3
Tags: Bronze Prince, Faith of the Seven, The Old Gods, Gods of Valyria, Magic and Miracles, Worldbuilding, Andalos, Essos, Faith, Steel, Daemon tries to be a good Dad, No Bashing, despite the premise, Artys is a renaissance prince
Summary:
Ser Artys Royce, the Dour Griffin. Rider of most Noble and Loyal Deathclaw, the first Griffin in millennia's. A true Hugorist knight, an example to all.
He should've never been born. An extra piece in the puzzle that is the universe.
An aberration. An abomination. A dark hope.
A man with no past, or future.
And soon, hopefully, no present.
submitted by 1994BackToBuisness to TheCitadel [link] [comments]
Title: The Dour Griffin
Author: k1ngfisher
Rating: Mature
Language: English
Length: 44,605 words
Status: Ongoing, Chapters: 11/?
Link: AO3
Tags: Bronze Prince, Faith of the Seven, The Old Gods, Gods of Valyria, Magic and Miracles, Worldbuilding, Andalos, Essos, Faith, Steel, Daemon tries to be a good Dad, No Bashing, despite the premise, Artys is a renaissance prince
Summary:
Ser Artys Royce, the Dour Griffin. Rider of most Noble and Loyal Deathclaw, the first Griffin in millennia's. A true Hugorist knight, an example to all.
He should've never been born. An extra piece in the puzzle that is the universe.
An aberration. An abomination. A dark hope.
A man with no past, or future.
And soon, hopefully, no present.
2024.04.28 21:36 NightAngelRogue [Discussion] Red Rising by Pierce Brown - Part IV: Chapter 35: Oathbreakers - Part IV: Chapter 44: The Beginning (End) (Red Rising Saga Book 1)
"You do not follow me because I am the strongest. Pax is. You do not follow me because I am the brightest. Mustang is. You follow me because you do not know where you are going. I do”
Welcome, all to the end! Here we see how Darrow finally faces off with the Jackal and everything that happens after. This week , we have finished Red Rising by Pierce Brown! In this FINAL discussion, we are looking at Part IV: Chapter 35: Oathbreakers - Part IV: Chapter 44: The Beginning (End)
Now, a note about spoilers!
The Red Rising Saga is an extremely popular book series. Keep in mind that not everyone has read any of these items. This book may be the first time a person learns about it. Please keep bookclub's rules on spoilers, and the consequences for posting spoilers, in mind.
Everyone has a different perception of what is a spoiler, so here are a few examples of what would be spoilers:
To indicate a spoiler, enclose the relevant text with the > ! and ! < characters (there is no space in-between).
For any type of comment or idea that may be a part of The Red Rising Saga, just use proper spoiler labels, for example “In ” then describe the connection between books. Please be mindful when posting.
If you see something that you consider to be a spoiler, you can report it. It will be removed and the mods will look into it. To do so hit the “report” button, click on “breaks bookclub rules”, “next,” “spoilers must be tagged” and finally “submit”.
Schedule
Marginalia
Looking forward to discussing these chapters with you all! See you in the discussion!
Chapter 35: Oathbreakers - Darrow has decided to set his eyes on a bigger target than just winning the competition: Capturing Olympus, the Proctor’s castle. Darrow tries to build an army by recruiting Oathbreakers and setting them free. Darrow is done taking slaves, deciding to appeal to their desire to win instead of their obedience. Darrow and Mustang capture some House Mars slaves and set them free, including Pax.
Chapter 36: A Second Test - Darrow plans to capture House Ceres. They hide outside in the snow and manage to capture the castle. Later, an ally, Tactus, rapes a Ceres slave. Milia, an ally, catches him. Darrow orders a gathering of his allies and gives Tactus 25 lashes. He then has Pax whip him as well. He tells his assembled allies that any crimes committed by his allies will be shared by all of them.
Chapter 37: South - Fitchner reveals that the Proctors have high stakes in the Jackal winning. Fitchner also lets slip that if a House is eliminated, the Proctor has to leave. Darrow takes this chance to knock out Fitchner and put in one of House Apollo’s cells. Darrow sets his eyes on House Apollo. Proctor for Apollo lures Darrow into a trap, setting a Carved bear on him.
Chapter 38: The Fall of Apollo - Darrow barely is able to escape the bear, thanks to a trap set by Sevro. Proctor Apollo appears to Darrow and Darrow keeps him talking, even as he traps Darrow and him in a JamField which blocks sound. During their conversation, Apollo realizes that Darrow tricked him as Sevro and Tactus take House Apollo. Apollo gives his pulseSpear to the Primus and Darrow beats him, tossing the spear in the air at Olympus to show the fight is now to the Proctors and Olympus.
Chapter 39: The Proctor’s Bounty - Fitchner reveals that he is Sevro’s father and does not want to risk his life.
Chapter 40: Paradigm - Darrow goes to capture House Jupiter but a guy named Lucian offers a proposal to surrender. Later the whole army gets drunk in House Jupiter’s castle. Pax finds troops hidden in the castle. Turns out, Darrow made the army pretend to get drunk and let their guard down. He reveals he knows Lucian is the Jackal.
Chapter 41: The Jackal - The Jackal tries to buy off Darrow by telling him that his father will give him anything he wants. Darrow forces the Jackal to cut off his own hand. The Proctors reveal themselves trapping Darrow. The Jackal tries to kill Darrow but Pax covers him, dying himself. The Proctors make the Jackal run away and Darrow chases Apollo. Darrow kills Apollo and salvages his gear. Apollo reveals that the Proctor’s took Mustang hostage.
Chapter 42: War on Heaven - Darrow now sets his sights on capturing Olympus. With the stolen gear, Darrow, Sevro and their allies assault Olympus. Most Proctors are caught off guard while some, like Jupiter and Mercury, come in full armor. However, Darrow manages to capture and kill them all.
Chapter 43: The Last Test - Darrow frees Mustang, gives her gear and instructs her to get the Jackal. Later, Fitchner reveals Mustang is the Jackal’s twin sister and asks if he’s sure he trusts her. Darrow assaults House Mars, defeats Cassius and becomes Primus. Roque is also alive and Cassius swears a blood feud against Darrow.
Chapter 44: Rise - Darrow readies Olympus for assault, preparing for the possibility of fighting both the Jackal and Mustang. Mustang brings her brother the Jackal tied up for Darrow, showing her loyalty and handing Darrow victory. Darrow asks Sevro to edit the footage of the competition to show Darrow’s side and the Proctors’ cheating. Sevro edits out the ‘bloodydamn’ Darrow said in front of Apollo, hiding his Red origins. Everybody asks Darrow to let them recruit him but Darrow accepts ArchGovernor Augustus's offer to be a lancer.
submitted by NightAngelRogue to bookclub [link] [comments]
Welcome, all to the end! Here we see how Darrow finally faces off with the Jackal and everything that happens after. This week , we have finished Red Rising by Pierce Brown! In this FINAL discussion, we are looking at Part IV: Chapter 35: Oathbreakers - Part IV: Chapter 44: The Beginning (End)
Now, a note about spoilers!
The Red Rising Saga is an extremely popular book series. Keep in mind that not everyone has read any of these items. This book may be the first time a person learns about it. Please keep bookclub's rules on spoilers, and the consequences for posting spoilers, in mind.
Everyone has a different perception of what is a spoiler, so here are a few examples of what would be spoilers:
- “Just wait till you see what happens next.”
- “This won't be the last time you meet this character.”
- “Your prediction is correct/incorrect.”
- “You will look back at this theory.”
- “Here is an Easter Egg: ...”
- “You don't know enough to answer that question yet.”
- “How do you first-time-readers feel about this detail that was intentionally not emphasized by the author?”
To indicate a spoiler, enclose the relevant text with the > ! and ! < characters (there is no space in-between).
For any type of comment or idea that may be a part of The Red Rising Saga, just use proper spoiler labels, for example “In ” then describe the connection between books. Please be mindful when posting.
If you see something that you consider to be a spoiler, you can report it. It will be removed and the mods will look into it. To do so hit the “report” button, click on “breaks bookclub rules”, “next,” “spoilers must be tagged” and finally “submit”.
Schedule
Marginalia
Looking forward to discussing these chapters with you all! See you in the discussion!
- Rogue
Chapter 35: Oathbreakers - Darrow has decided to set his eyes on a bigger target than just winning the competition: Capturing Olympus, the Proctor’s castle. Darrow tries to build an army by recruiting Oathbreakers and setting them free. Darrow is done taking slaves, deciding to appeal to their desire to win instead of their obedience. Darrow and Mustang capture some House Mars slaves and set them free, including Pax.
Chapter 36: A Second Test - Darrow plans to capture House Ceres. They hide outside in the snow and manage to capture the castle. Later, an ally, Tactus, rapes a Ceres slave. Milia, an ally, catches him. Darrow orders a gathering of his allies and gives Tactus 25 lashes. He then has Pax whip him as well. He tells his assembled allies that any crimes committed by his allies will be shared by all of them.
Chapter 37: South - Fitchner reveals that the Proctors have high stakes in the Jackal winning. Fitchner also lets slip that if a House is eliminated, the Proctor has to leave. Darrow takes this chance to knock out Fitchner and put in one of House Apollo’s cells. Darrow sets his eyes on House Apollo. Proctor for Apollo lures Darrow into a trap, setting a Carved bear on him.
Chapter 38: The Fall of Apollo - Darrow barely is able to escape the bear, thanks to a trap set by Sevro. Proctor Apollo appears to Darrow and Darrow keeps him talking, even as he traps Darrow and him in a JamField which blocks sound. During their conversation, Apollo realizes that Darrow tricked him as Sevro and Tactus take House Apollo. Apollo gives his pulseSpear to the Primus and Darrow beats him, tossing the spear in the air at Olympus to show the fight is now to the Proctors and Olympus.
Chapter 39: The Proctor’s Bounty - Fitchner reveals that he is Sevro’s father and does not want to risk his life.
Chapter 40: Paradigm - Darrow goes to capture House Jupiter but a guy named Lucian offers a proposal to surrender. Later the whole army gets drunk in House Jupiter’s castle. Pax finds troops hidden in the castle. Turns out, Darrow made the army pretend to get drunk and let their guard down. He reveals he knows Lucian is the Jackal.
Chapter 41: The Jackal - The Jackal tries to buy off Darrow by telling him that his father will give him anything he wants. Darrow forces the Jackal to cut off his own hand. The Proctors reveal themselves trapping Darrow. The Jackal tries to kill Darrow but Pax covers him, dying himself. The Proctors make the Jackal run away and Darrow chases Apollo. Darrow kills Apollo and salvages his gear. Apollo reveals that the Proctor’s took Mustang hostage.
Chapter 42: War on Heaven - Darrow now sets his sights on capturing Olympus. With the stolen gear, Darrow, Sevro and their allies assault Olympus. Most Proctors are caught off guard while some, like Jupiter and Mercury, come in full armor. However, Darrow manages to capture and kill them all.
Chapter 43: The Last Test - Darrow frees Mustang, gives her gear and instructs her to get the Jackal. Later, Fitchner reveals Mustang is the Jackal’s twin sister and asks if he’s sure he trusts her. Darrow assaults House Mars, defeats Cassius and becomes Primus. Roque is also alive and Cassius swears a blood feud against Darrow.
Chapter 44: Rise - Darrow readies Olympus for assault, preparing for the possibility of fighting both the Jackal and Mustang. Mustang brings her brother the Jackal tied up for Darrow, showing her loyalty and handing Darrow victory. Darrow asks Sevro to edit the footage of the competition to show Darrow’s side and the Proctors’ cheating. Sevro edits out the ‘bloodydamn’ Darrow said in front of Apollo, hiding his Red origins. Everybody asks Darrow to let them recruit him but Darrow accepts ArchGovernor Augustus's offer to be a lancer.
2024.04.28 20:29 Autumn_Lleaves Promotion: Alysanne, Lady of Winterfell; Chapter 33
In this chapter, Rogar Baratheon dies, and the maester of Nightsong suspects foul play.
Title (link to the start): Alysanne, Lady of Winterfell
Author: Autumn_Llleaves (me)
Rating: T (save for a few fade-to-black suggestive scenes)
Length: currently 103,070 words
Status: ongoing
Summary: Jaehaerys dies of the Shivers along with Daenerys, which turns a severe blow to the Doctrine of Exceptionalism into a defeating one. Alysanne has to marry a man who isn’t her relation, and she chooses Alaric Stark.
Genres: family feels, politics and romance in varying proportions
submitted by Autumn_Lleaves to TheCitadel [link] [comments]
Title (link to the start): Alysanne, Lady of Winterfell
Author: Autumn_Llleaves (me)
Rating: T (save for a few fade-to-black suggestive scenes)
Length: currently 103,070 words
Status: ongoing
Summary: Jaehaerys dies of the Shivers along with Daenerys, which turns a severe blow to the Doctrine of Exceptionalism into a defeating one. Alysanne has to marry a man who isn’t her relation, and she chooses Alaric Stark.
Genres: family feels, politics and romance in varying proportions
2024.04.28 20:07 adamlaxmax So How Did Reading the Black Swan Change your Outlook and Day to Day Lifestyle? Did I misunderstand the Book?
I read the book. My first introduction to Taleb. I just read out of curiosity.
I won't lie, compared to many of his fans, I didn't necessarily feel profoundly moved by reading the book. Maybe it was the writing style and book topic. I don't typically read books like these. I probably read books Taleb would criticize because they may potentially fall victim to platonicity from the social sciences lol. It opened up a lot of questions for me. Namely, Im now curious to read about the Black Swan criticisms from opposing intellectuals that he names, economists and statisticians, etc.
Taleb name drops more theoretical concepts and items which he prefers not divulge in his writing style. Stuff about 4th quadrant problems, asymptotes, nonergodic systems, mandelbrotian fractals and randomness (wtf is this). None of which I fully grasp likely because it's been years since I was asked to think in terms of mathematical concepts. Frankly, none of the online summaries dive into these. Ironically, Taleb had a chapter on Intellectuals behaving like they have Aspergers due to how they pathologically attempt to classify ontic vs epistemic uncertainty (seems like Im the type of personality to fall victim to this).... Completely forgetting that from a pragmatic perspective, these nuances do not matter in an everyday ethics standpoint. That he offers an anti-forecasting strategy. Points out how Gaussian Bell Curves fail to represent reality. Some sort of primer to becoming robust (ahem anti-fragile) to the unknown unknowns (Black swans). That we could strategize and perhaps turn Black swans into Gray ones (Known Unkowns) (Did I understand this correctly?)
I guess Im wondering what his proposition means on a theoretical standpoint as well, not sure what to think of the academic implications in research and analysis...
So uhh I don't know, I feel like I missed something important. I keep running the idea through my head. Taleb is a staunch "do-er" it seems. So I extracted some common and novel ideas from the book but for whatever reason I do not know what to "do" with this information.
I assume Taleb was writing this book so that people can become practitioners and intellectual practitioners in particular so that they could benefit or avoid the incoming inevitable unknown unknown black swan events in their lives. That perhaps a society with this mentality can void the mistakes he observes i.e. pretending to live in Mediocristan and optimizing only for that reality.
Do I read Anti Fragile next then? Is the solution there?
submitted by adamlaxmax to nassimtaleb [link] [comments]
I won't lie, compared to many of his fans, I didn't necessarily feel profoundly moved by reading the book. Maybe it was the writing style and book topic. I don't typically read books like these. I probably read books Taleb would criticize because they may potentially fall victim to platonicity from the social sciences lol. It opened up a lot of questions for me. Namely, Im now curious to read about the Black Swan criticisms from opposing intellectuals that he names, economists and statisticians, etc.
Taleb name drops more theoretical concepts and items which he prefers not divulge in his writing style. Stuff about 4th quadrant problems, asymptotes, nonergodic systems, mandelbrotian fractals and randomness (wtf is this). None of which I fully grasp likely because it's been years since I was asked to think in terms of mathematical concepts. Frankly, none of the online summaries dive into these. Ironically, Taleb had a chapter on Intellectuals behaving like they have Aspergers due to how they pathologically attempt to classify ontic vs epistemic uncertainty (seems like Im the type of personality to fall victim to this).... Completely forgetting that from a pragmatic perspective, these nuances do not matter in an everyday ethics standpoint. That he offers an anti-forecasting strategy. Points out how Gaussian Bell Curves fail to represent reality. Some sort of primer to becoming robust (ahem anti-fragile) to the unknown unknowns (Black swans). That we could strategize and perhaps turn Black swans into Gray ones (Known Unkowns) (Did I understand this correctly?)
I guess Im wondering what his proposition means on a theoretical standpoint as well, not sure what to think of the academic implications in research and analysis...
So uhh I don't know, I feel like I missed something important. I keep running the idea through my head. Taleb is a staunch "do-er" it seems. So I extracted some common and novel ideas from the book but for whatever reason I do not know what to "do" with this information.
I assume Taleb was writing this book so that people can become practitioners and intellectual practitioners in particular so that they could benefit or avoid the incoming inevitable unknown unknown black swan events in their lives. That perhaps a society with this mentality can void the mistakes he observes i.e. pretending to live in Mediocristan and optimizing only for that reality.
Do I read Anti Fragile next then? Is the solution there?
2024.04.28 19:56 WearyBluesRed Sow the Tide, Reap the Storm - Chapter 42: Stranger in the North
Title: Sow the Tide, Reap the Storm
Author: WearyBlues
Link: AO3
Rating: M
Language: English
Length: 207k
Status: Ongoing
Fic Summary:
Chapter Summary:
submitted by WearyBluesRed to TheCitadel [link] [comments]
Author: WearyBlues
Link: AO3
Rating: M
Language: English
Length: 207k
Status: Ongoing
Fic Summary:
Quen felt peculiar up on the dais, flanked by Lannisters, Baratheons, and Starks. The Usurper had once been a formidable man, with blazing eyes and a massive war hammer. Now, he was just a red-faced fat man, a pathetic drunk who ate as gracefully as a half-starved hog.(Or: The gods in their blind malice give Theon the feeble body of a woman.)
His Queen seemed to be a perpetually unhappy woman. Cersei Lannister was beautiful as singers said, though she had all the warmth of a dead fish.
She might have done well in the north, Quen thought, almost pitying.
Chapter Summary:
The Reeds ignored her, telling Bran about Lord Stark and his brothers, and Ashara Dayne and Jaime Lannister, the kingslayer. Quen already knew how their story ended, but Bran seemed to think it was only that—a story.
I wonder what story they will tell of us, she thought, looking out over the trees. The day was growing old, and shadows were creeping in, sending long black fingers through the pines.
Not a sad story, I hope.
2024.04.28 19:51 WearyBluesRed Sow the Tide, Reap the Storm - Chapter 42: Stranger in the North
Title: Sow the Tide, Reap the Storm
Author: WearyBlues
Link: AO3
Rating: M
Language: English
Length: 207k
Status: Ongoing
Fic Summary:
Chapter Summary:
submitted by WearyBluesRed to AsoiafFanfiction [link] [comments]
Author: WearyBlues
Link: AO3
Rating: M
Language: English
Length: 207k
Status: Ongoing
Fic Summary:
Quen felt peculiar up on the dais, flanked by Lannisters, Baratheons, and Starks. The Usurper had once been a formidable man, with blazing eyes and a massive war hammer. Now, he was just a red-faced fat man, a pathetic drunk who ate as gracefully as a half-starved hog.(Or: The gods in their blind malice give Theon the feeble body of a woman.)
His Queen seemed to be a perpetually unhappy woman. Cersei Lannister was beautiful as singers said, though she had all the warmth of a dead fish.
She might have done well in the north, Quen thought, almost pitying.
Chapter Summary:
The Reeds ignored her, telling Bran about Lord Stark and his brothers, and Ashara Dayne and Jaime Lannister, the kingslayer. Quen already knew how their story ended, but Bran seemed to think it was only that—a story.
I wonder what story they will tell of us, she thought, looking out over the trees. The day was growing old, and shadows were creeping in, sending long black fingers through the pines.
Not a sad story, I hope.
2024.04.28 18:55 Tigerfruits Misfits of fortune comic
 | Summary: A runaway prince, avoiding the responsibility thrust upon him before he was ready, and his unlikely band of misfits, embark on a journey through a war-torn world of monsters, magic, and revelations in an attempt to become more than they were and find their place in society; That is...until the prince's tyrannical older sister changes everything. submitted by Tigerfruits to webcomics [link] [comments] https://globalcomix.com/c/misfits-of-fortune-/chapters/en/1/1 |
2024.04.28 18:33 Mleman1946 Pokémon: Source - 250K Word Milestone (Also Its First Birthday)
Pokémon: Source Summary
For years, hidden in the shadows of society, an organization rose up, extending its reach across several regions. It's eyes spread across its five leaders, manipulating, lying, destroying, creating, all pointing to one impossible, yet oh so tantalizing, goal.
To Harness the Power of Evolution.
The clock struck, and mysteries of Source were unchained. In a matter of days, what once remained of civilization was nothing more than ruin.
Three years after the Source Storm unleashed, Ash and his remaining pokémon sacrificed their lives in one final suicidal battle against the Conduit, the center of the Storm. In death, he passed the Veil of Fate, and met the Creator, who sent him back to change the past, whether in creation or destruction.
Now ten years in the past, Ash and his pokémon must unravel a decades' long conspiracy spanning the regions. With nothing but minimal information and his wits, Ash must go forth, and prevail.
I published the second interlude about an hour ago, pushing the word count of this fic to just over 250K words. Today also marks the first birthday of this fic's publication date!
I have 7 Acts planned for the story, and I am currently about 2/3 done with Act 1. Based on my current rate, I expect this fic to end up being anywhere from 2 million to 3 million words long, so this will be a multi-year venture, easily.
A couple of notes:
M Rating - Heavy Topics, but NO EXPLICIT SCENES; Stuff like major character death and romance is still here.
This primarily uses the Anime as the base for the world, but there is considerably more world-building, along with several tie-ins with Game/Manga exclusive material.
The broad strokes of the story has been planned out, though smaller details tend to get added as they come to me.
Either way, feel free to review/comment. So far, from what I can tell, readers enjoy it, so hopefully you do too. If not, please let me know why. If it's something I can fix (AKA something that's not a cornerstone of the story), I'll see what I can do to fix it.
Any and all feedback is appreciated, whether in the form of discussion, critique, conspiracy theories, etc.
Hopefully you enjoy.
FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14226822/1/Pok%C3%A9mon-Source
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46812772/chapters/117912271
Spacebattles: https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-source.1113169/
Royal Road: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73681/pokemon-source
submitted by Mleman1946 to pokemonfanfiction [link] [comments]
For years, hidden in the shadows of society, an organization rose up, extending its reach across several regions. It's eyes spread across its five leaders, manipulating, lying, destroying, creating, all pointing to one impossible, yet oh so tantalizing, goal.
To Harness the Power of Evolution.
The clock struck, and mysteries of Source were unchained. In a matter of days, what once remained of civilization was nothing more than ruin.
Three years after the Source Storm unleashed, Ash and his remaining pokémon sacrificed their lives in one final suicidal battle against the Conduit, the center of the Storm. In death, he passed the Veil of Fate, and met the Creator, who sent him back to change the past, whether in creation or destruction.
Now ten years in the past, Ash and his pokémon must unravel a decades' long conspiracy spanning the regions. With nothing but minimal information and his wits, Ash must go forth, and prevail.
I published the second interlude about an hour ago, pushing the word count of this fic to just over 250K words. Today also marks the first birthday of this fic's publication date!
I have 7 Acts planned for the story, and I am currently about 2/3 done with Act 1. Based on my current rate, I expect this fic to end up being anywhere from 2 million to 3 million words long, so this will be a multi-year venture, easily.
A couple of notes:
M Rating - Heavy Topics, but NO EXPLICIT SCENES; Stuff like major character death and romance is still here.
This primarily uses the Anime as the base for the world, but there is considerably more world-building, along with several tie-ins with Game/Manga exclusive material.
The broad strokes of the story has been planned out, though smaller details tend to get added as they come to me.
Either way, feel free to review/comment. So far, from what I can tell, readers enjoy it, so hopefully you do too. If not, please let me know why. If it's something I can fix (AKA something that's not a cornerstone of the story), I'll see what I can do to fix it.
Any and all feedback is appreciated, whether in the form of discussion, critique, conspiracy theories, etc.
Hopefully you enjoy.
FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14226822/1/Pok%C3%A9mon-Source
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46812772/chapters/117912271
Spacebattles: https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-source.1113169/
Royal Road: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73681/pokemon-source
2024.04.28 18:00 electrosovereign Electro Sovereign's Possible Physical Appearance (Very Crack)
 | Please do bear with me. This theory is 110% crack and I had to pick at scraps to get anything. submitted by electrosovereign to Genshin_Lore [link] [comments] Unlike any other element, Electro has no Vishaps nor Elemental Dragons that originate purely from it. Furthermore, we see virtually no Electro-aligned dragons in Inazuma. If any exist, then we have yet to see them in-game. I am not counting either the Bolteater or Blitzroarer Bathysmal Vishaps as they are merely evolved Hydro Vishaps, and also technically dwell within the Dark Sea; they also lack elemental purity and so would not be pure Electro Vishaps. To clear some things up before I fully delve into this:
Dragons in each nation & for each respective elementMondstadt (Anemo)
"As far as I'm aware, Natlan can be said to be 'a nation of dragons'..."Snezhnaya is also excluded as we have yet to get to it in-game. Inazuma is the only nation so far that we have played through that lacks both dragons and Vishaps that align with Electro. So, I will now be moving onto what I hypothesize the Electro Sovereign may look like. Possible sighting of the Electro SovereignThe Electro Sovereign will most likely be presented in the form of a dragon. Unless it can shapeshift (like many Youkai in Inazuma), or has a similar reason to present itself in the form of a human like Neuvillette (having no pure elemental Vishaps left to reincarnate into), which I already heavily doubt, then it should be serpentine in appearance. As such, I will be going off of the idea that the Electro Sovereign is not humanoid, or that it can at the very least shapeshift.Below, pictured, is Orobashi (the giant serpent god) fighting with a dragon-like being that we have never seen before. From here on out I will be referring to it as a dragon. Could this possibly be an Electro Dragon of some kind (not even necessarily the Sovereign)? The Serpent and Drakes of Tokoyokoku Some may argue that this dragon represents Rex Lapis fighting Orobashi. However, I would disagree. Mainly because the creature on the left differs from any dragons we see in-game. On the left, The Serpent and Drakes of Tokoyokoku. On the right, Rex Lapis' Exuvia. Even from afar, there are distinct differences between the two. I have made a summary of some of the differences between the two:
This could possibly an Inazuman dragon. I doubt that it is an Electro Vishap as all the Vishaps we have seen so far in-game are quite small in comparison to Orobashi. However, Elemental Dragons seem able to grow to such sizes over time. And, of course, this dragon could also be the Electro Sovereign or some kind of representation of it. The dragon is green-ish in coloring. It could be argued that this is an artistic choice as Orobashi, generally seen in flashbacks/art as being mostly white, is predominantly purple in this cover. Although it is important to note that this might tie into Inazuma's connection with aquatic life as it is an island nation. Inazuma and Electro as an element seem to foster some kind of relationship with aquatic life, which would explain why this dragon could possibly be adapted to dwell in bodies of water. Furthermore, looking into Japanese mythology, most dragons do tend to live in bodies of water of some kind, as even the Dragon god himself has an underwater palace. It is also important to note here that Inazuma seems to never speak of any native dragons to the nation or of Electro Elemental Dragons at all at any point in its story or lore. Dragons are also never mentioned regarding any of the known religious groups in Inazuma, extinct or otherwise. Again, in Mondstadt Dvalin/Stormterror is known. Geovishaps (such as Azhdaha) are known to the people of Liyue. Apep is referenced in old texts, has ties to Deshret and ancient civillisations. The Hydro Dragon seems well-known to the people of Fontaine, to the point where they have the saying: "Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, Don't Cry..."We also know for a fact that Natlan is a nation of dragons. Snezhnaya is filled with many interesting characters already so I don't doubt that the Tsaritsa likely has something to do with the Cryo Sovereign. And yet, we have literally nothing on the Electro Sovereign at all. If anything, this is incredibly odd. So, again, I have literal scraps to work off of. For the time being, I believe that this dragon may be some kind of Electro Elemental Dragon (possibly a reincarnation of the Electro Sovereign). Inspirations from Japanese mythologyI am no expert on Japanese mythology, so please do forgive me if I get anything wrong here.Ryūjin (龍神; literally translating to Dragon God) is a tutelary deity and protector of Japan. In some traditions he is considered equivalent to Ōwatatsumi no kami (大綿津見神; this translates literally to the "great deity of the sea"). Ōwatatsumi/Watatsumi is seemingly the namesake of Watatsumi island in the game. Now, onto Ryūjin. Ryūjin is often depicted as having the ability to take on the form of both a dragon and a human (shapeshifting). He is also depicted as having control over the waves and all forms of aquatic life; he is said to have a palace beneath the sea/ocean that he dwells in. By some he is considered to be a demon/Youkai. He is also said to be an ancestor of the Japanese Imperial family. I honestly don't have a lot for this section, but if anybody more knowledgeable on this wants to correct me then please do. Illustration of Ryūjin on the left. The remainder are of various Japanese dragons throughout the centuries. The Electro Sovereign could take inspiration from any of these. The dragon pictured fighting Orobashi on the cover of The Serpent and Drakes of Tokoyokoku already seems to. The Hand Symbols and EnvironmentsNow, this may be a bit of a reach, however I saw somebody point this out on twitter and this has not left my mind since. These symbols could possible be a sign of the Sovereign's power. If the Electro Sovereign does have hand-like limbs, then it could possibly have this symbol on them, or something adjacent to it and more reminiscent of Neuvillette's.Hand symbol(s) on Neuvillette and the Magatsu Mitake Narukami no Mikoto Sea SlugsMany of the dragons or draconic beings we see in game take inspiration from sea slugs. Note: I am not a sea slug expert or a marine biologist. This is from general observation, research, and, in Dvalin's case, official confirmation.For example, Dvalin takes inspiration from the sea slug pictured below. Dvalin on the left. Glaucus atlanticus on the right. Melusines, who originate from Elynas, seem to take inspiration from the slugs pictured below. Melusines on the left. Chromodoris slugs on the right. Neuvillette likely takes similar inspiration from sea slugs. Apep, a highly adaptable Dendro Elemental Dragon, seems to take inspiration from these sea slugs to some extent. Apep on the left. Dendronotus iris slugs on the right. Adding onto this: Guardian of Apep's Oasis on the left. Melibe viridis on the right. And yes, this is an absolutely massive reach, but the Bathysmal Vishaps reminded me slightly of this sea slug. Mostly because they both are noted for convergent evolution. Phylliroe on the left. Bathysmal Vishap on the right. However, it is important to note that the Guardian of Apep's Oasis seems to be surrounded by DNA strands in some official art, whilst Neuvillette's has X and Y chromosomes, perhaps signifying their roles as Sovereigns or powerful Elemental Dragons. We knows that Apep (Dendro) adapts and that Bathysmal Vishap (Hydro) evolve. Is is possible that Electro could represent mutation which in the field of biology, though associated with the other two, is a distinctly different thing. This could tie into how Inazuma's Youkai and supernatural/non-human being seem to be products of mutations, but that would be getting off topic so I will return to the Electro Sovereign's possible inspiration(s) and appearance as a result. From the top of my head, I think that the few following sea slugs may be possible insparations:
Other notesI am also considering the possibility that, like an Electric Eel, the Electro Sovereign can conduct electricity through its tail or throughout its body as a defense mechanism or just at will. There is also the Electric Catfish which, when considering Japanese mythology on catfish, may also tie into this. There are multiple animals that conduct/produce electricity in real life that it could take inspiration from aside from these.Who knows. Maybe Hoyo will keep the Electro Sovereign locked in their basement along with all the characters they've forgotten about. Maybe the Electro Sovereign will show up in Natlan. Maybe the Electro Sovereign is dead. It's up to Hoyo at this point. At the very least I do hope that we hear something about them in Natlan or anywhere because I am desperate at this point. |
2024.04.28 17:38 Color-Me-Redhead They Shall Not Be Named - Fairytale - ‘Ladyhawke’ inspired - Illustrated
 | Self promoting my WIP They Shall Not Be Named submitted by Color-Me-Redhead to Dramione [link] [comments] 11/15 chapters - 66k words - chapter 12 coming Monday Each chapter is illustrated (art by me) Summary: Ten years post-Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger have been secretly dating when they are plunged into a sinister curse, tethering them to the relentless cycle of day and night. Yearning to sever the chains of enchantment, they delve into ancient magic, navigating a labyrinth of mysteries with the help of friends. Partially inspired by the 1985 film 'Ladyhawke,' this is a tale of longing and the injustice of loving and being parted. For readers who enjoy: - plot driven stories - fairytales - adventure - the angst of lovers separated - love letters - folklore - magical lore - nature-based magic - dragons - ensemble cast (Art by me: Hermione and the dragon from Chapter 11) |
2024.04.28 17:22 Media_Dunce First Chapter of "Secret Invasion (Sylene Edition)" posted
Fiction Summary:
Warnings: Chose not to use Archive Warnings (Currently. Major Character Death or Graphics Depictions of Violence might be added, but I have yet to write anything that warrants such warnings)
Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55530667/chapters/140926906
submitted by Media_Dunce to MarvelFanfiction [link] [comments]
Fury sighed. Of course, Loki had a daughter! And of course, she too wants to rule Earth! “Any idea if and when she plans to try and take Earth?”Rating: Teen and up Audiences
“She’s already started,” Talos said.
At this, Fury got up, frightened, and he drew a communicator.
“I wouldn’t call the Avengers,” Talos said. “Or the Marvels. Not yet. Sylene is not about to openly invade Earth like Loki did. She’s hoping for a more diplomatic approach. Given that the Frost Giants are the ones who knocked out the Chitauri, and are the ones poised to conquer the Kree (should they get past Dar-Benn), many Skrulls are eager to repay her in kind and given her interest in the Earth, they now have an opportunity to do just that.”
Fury sat back, stunned, as the weight of what Talos just said bared down upon his shoulders. Having interacted with the Skrulls, he knew what an invasion by them would look like. How bad it would be, he could only guess.
Warnings: Chose not to use Archive Warnings (Currently. Major Character Death or Graphics Depictions of Violence might be added, but I have yet to write anything that warrants such warnings)
Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55530667/chapters/140926906
2024.04.28 15:01 thebowedbookshelf [Discussion] Victorian Ladies' Detective Squad: Armadale by Wilkie Collins, Book 3 Chapters 1-8
Welcome back to the book. My, my, my, we are in the thick of it now! There's so much drama, it's downright scandalous! Let's rehash the plot, shall we?
Summary
Mrs Milroy is expecting a letter, and when she asks a servant, they talk down to her. She puts on makeup, a wig, and rings on her fingers to hide how much she has deteriorated. She is determined to rid the household of “Miss” Gwilt. Mrs Milroy had married young, and the Major was much older. When her daughter was eight, Mrs M lost her health, and her husband lost his fortune. Their marriage soured. She felt like she was robbed of her youth and beauty. Thus her jealous nature got worse.
When Mrs M saw Gwilt for the first time, she was determined that the hussy must go! She bribed her servant with a nice dress to spy on her. Gwilt was above reproach. Next Mrs M wrote to Gwilt's reference about her past. Her letter was returned because no one lived at that address. Miss Rachel the nurse has a second letter to Miss G. She opens it. Mrs M thinks the letter is talking about the right time to tell the Major of her family.
Eleanor brought up her meager breakfast. That alone makes Mrs M suspicious. Eleanor looks out of sorts, and her mom rightly guesses that it's the fault of Miss Gwilty. Armadale broke her heart, but she doesn't tell her mom that. Instead she says she wants Miss G gone. Music to Mrs M’s ears! A mutual hatred. But to accuse her father of impropriety is too much! Mrs M insults her own daughter. Eleanor apologizes to her when Mrs M should be apologizing to Neelie.
Mrs M takes a gentler tack and asks why Neelie hates Gwilt. She stole the affections of Allan Armadale. Allan had asked the Major if he knew anything about Gwilt's past. That news got Mrs M apoplectic with jealousy. It's enough to make a girl wish to attend boarding school!
Mrs M demands a writing desk and will write a letter to Allan that her maid will deliver in private. If Allan travels to Gwilt's reference’s door, then he'll see for himself that it was a lie. (Seems awfully elaborate and Allan is awfully impulsive.)
Allan already feels unsettled about the previous three day's events. Anne Milroy's letter arrives. She starts off apologizing for returning the fruit then provides the answer to his question of Miss G’s references. Why don't you go to London and look for Mrs Mandeville yourself? Splendid idea! I'll be there directly.
He meets Pedgift Junior at the station and shares a train carriage. Mr Bashwood hurriedly places a letter from Gwilt to Oldershaw in his hands. Gwilt knows she is suspected and that mother and daughter are in on a plot to oust her. Pedgift takes the lead in securing Allan a room in a hotel. That evening, Allan tells him that Mrs Mandeville had gone away. Pedgift would have known the right questions to ask, and he promises to accompany him tomorrow.
Pedgift found out that Mandeville left the lodging house in a cab. Next they ask the cabmen nearby if they remember her and where she went. One did, and drove them to the place. It was Oldershaw’s shop in a sus-looking building. There's a shop but no goods in it. (Red curtains. Are these ladies of ill repute? Dr Downwards is the perfect name for that, js.) Pedgift asks a woman with jaundice reading a French novel, a servant, and Dr D himself if they've heard of Mandeville. I bet they'd know Oldershaw if he knew to ask. The two men regroup and agree to meet later.
Both men are dejected when they meet at the hotel. No leads yet. The cabman could have been mistaken. The shop at Pimlico was a den of thieves! (Like another book the Squad has read.) He wrote back to Mrs Milroy that he couldn't find the reference. Allan vows to keep her secret. He grieves the love he had for her.
He receives a letter from Mrs M demanding to know the truth. (You can't handle the truth!) She'll tell her husband of this sordid business. Allan wrote a letter apologizing. She told her husband anyway, and the Major wrote a letter to Allan. He's caught up in their drama and aims to protect Gwilt. The Major wrote a last angry letter. Alan is dead to him now. (Allan should evict them from the cottage.)
Allan is depressed and reminisces about Gwilt and even Neelie. He plans to wait for Ozzy to return then take his yacht for a ride down the coast. Then he receives a letter from Pedgift Senior that changes his plans. The gentry of Norfolk found out about the drama at the Milroy's and blamed Allan for it. Miss Gwilt quit her job and their household and moved into other lodgings. The public is on her side. (Allan stepped in it now. Bish spun it to her benefit.) Mr Darch spun it to his favor. That'll teach him not to rent the cottage out to me!
The public thinks he's afraid to show his face. He should come back and defend himself. Pedgift advises him to send a telegram to the whole town via Pedgift Senior that he's coming back. Gwilt sends a telegram of her own to Oldershaw that things are working out in her favor.
Allan returns, and Pedgift Sr visits in the evening. He asks if Allan went to London on his own initiative or because of someone else. He lies and says it was all his idea. Pedgift knows he's lying. Another option is to pay a private investigator to dig deeply into Gwilt's affairs. A letter arrives from Gwilty requesting a meeting. Pedgift has seen it all before from women like her. Pedgift is incredulous that Allan would even want to see her. It's a trap!
His heart is too tender to refuse despite Pedgift’s objections. They compromise. Pedgift writes a refusal note for him. Pedgift believes she belongs in jail and will keep trying to meet with Allan. He can't bring himself to order the servant to say he's not home. Gwilt had called on Pedgift Sr to say that she didn't blame Allan. He had profiled conwomen as actresses confident in their performance and lies.
As Pedgift Sr predicted, Gwilty forced her way into the house. He won't have her watched (he wants her to lie to him). Pedgift takes a pinch of snuff and makes to leave but stays and makes his case to have Gwilt watched.
When Pedgift Sr saw Major “What's-o’clock,” he was annoyed to see him. Neelie looked distressed. She didn't want Allan to think she was involved in this mess. Gwilt had told her, “You are not Mrs Armadale yet.” The nerve of her! Gwilt vowed to get her back. Neelie is kept in the dark about the whole matter. Allan should protect her from Gwilty. He finally agrees to have Gwilt watched.
Bashwood makes his way to the poor side of town. He appears bashful and crushes on a woman coming towards him. It's Gwilt of course. She knows she's being followed by another man. Bashwood is a spy for her. She must know if Allan and Neelie make up.
Gwilt walks in the countryside and catches the spy outright. She throws his hat in a pool of water. Who should come along but Ozzy. Gwilt tells him she's being followed but not who sent him. She turns on the charm and pretends to be a damsel in distress. She invites him to have tea at her apartment. Ozzy still loves her. Absence only made his heart grow fonder.
She spins a story that Miss Milroy is out to marry Allan, and she is the wronged party. Allan was used by others to tarnish her good name. (Bish is projecting like a camera obscura.) They have an understanding because Ozzy has a tragic painful past, too. She doesn't even love Allen (or Ozzy). Oh, poor little Gwilty was wronged and is the victim.
Ozzy refuses to believe that Allan would do such a thing, and he will find out who used him. Ozzy leaves, and Gwilty looks at herself in the mirror and questions whether she has any conscience and whether she loves him. Nah! Of course not. She writes to “Mother Jezebel” Oldershaw that she can use Ozzy to get to Allan. Then she tore it up, unpinned her hair, and went to bed.
Ozzy makes his way to Thorpe Ambrose and overhears two servants betting that Allan will be kicked out of town soon. He declares himself, and tells them not to wake Allan.
The next morning, Allan is nowhere in the house. The groom said he had left with some flowers. Allan was trying to meet Neelie, to no avail. The friends reunite. How did Ozzy hear of his troubles? From Miss Gwilt?! They cheated me. I can explain.
But Ozzy doesn't want his justification or explanation. He believes that Allen wasn't to blame for Gwilty getting fired. Allen can sense there's something coming between them. (That woman!) Ozzy doesn't believe that the spy was hired by his friend. But he was! Gwilty threatened Neelie. No big deal, thinks Ozzy. Poor little Gwilty is so persecuted!
Ozzy wouldn't be so quick to defend her unless he was in love with her. Allan figured it out. They glare at each other until Ozzy raises his fist in anger. The statue falls and breaks like in the dream. Ozzy leaves. Allan has no allies now. It starts to thunder and rain.
Extras
The Marginalia in case you read ahead.
Prunella is a fabric made of twill or silk used in women's shoes or judge's robes.
Mens sana in corpore sano: a healthy mind in a healthy body
Mesmerism
Come back next week, May 5, for Book 3 Chapters 9-13 when u/DernhelmLaughed takes the reins.
submitted by thebowedbookshelf to bookclub [link] [comments]
Summary
Mrs Milroy is expecting a letter, and when she asks a servant, they talk down to her. She puts on makeup, a wig, and rings on her fingers to hide how much she has deteriorated. She is determined to rid the household of “Miss” Gwilt. Mrs Milroy had married young, and the Major was much older. When her daughter was eight, Mrs M lost her health, and her husband lost his fortune. Their marriage soured. She felt like she was robbed of her youth and beauty. Thus her jealous nature got worse.
When Mrs M saw Gwilt for the first time, she was determined that the hussy must go! She bribed her servant with a nice dress to spy on her. Gwilt was above reproach. Next Mrs M wrote to Gwilt's reference about her past. Her letter was returned because no one lived at that address. Miss Rachel the nurse has a second letter to Miss G. She opens it. Mrs M thinks the letter is talking about the right time to tell the Major of her family.
Eleanor brought up her meager breakfast. That alone makes Mrs M suspicious. Eleanor looks out of sorts, and her mom rightly guesses that it's the fault of Miss Gwilty. Armadale broke her heart, but she doesn't tell her mom that. Instead she says she wants Miss G gone. Music to Mrs M’s ears! A mutual hatred. But to accuse her father of impropriety is too much! Mrs M insults her own daughter. Eleanor apologizes to her when Mrs M should be apologizing to Neelie.
Mrs M takes a gentler tack and asks why Neelie hates Gwilt. She stole the affections of Allan Armadale. Allan had asked the Major if he knew anything about Gwilt's past. That news got Mrs M apoplectic with jealousy. It's enough to make a girl wish to attend boarding school!
Mrs M demands a writing desk and will write a letter to Allan that her maid will deliver in private. If Allan travels to Gwilt's reference’s door, then he'll see for himself that it was a lie. (Seems awfully elaborate and Allan is awfully impulsive.)
Allan already feels unsettled about the previous three day's events. Anne Milroy's letter arrives. She starts off apologizing for returning the fruit then provides the answer to his question of Miss G’s references. Why don't you go to London and look for Mrs Mandeville yourself? Splendid idea! I'll be there directly.
He meets Pedgift Junior at the station and shares a train carriage. Mr Bashwood hurriedly places a letter from Gwilt to Oldershaw in his hands. Gwilt knows she is suspected and that mother and daughter are in on a plot to oust her. Pedgift takes the lead in securing Allan a room in a hotel. That evening, Allan tells him that Mrs Mandeville had gone away. Pedgift would have known the right questions to ask, and he promises to accompany him tomorrow.
Pedgift found out that Mandeville left the lodging house in a cab. Next they ask the cabmen nearby if they remember her and where she went. One did, and drove them to the place. It was Oldershaw’s shop in a sus-looking building. There's a shop but no goods in it. (Red curtains. Are these ladies of ill repute? Dr Downwards is the perfect name for that, js.) Pedgift asks a woman with jaundice reading a French novel, a servant, and Dr D himself if they've heard of Mandeville. I bet they'd know Oldershaw if he knew to ask. The two men regroup and agree to meet later.
Both men are dejected when they meet at the hotel. No leads yet. The cabman could have been mistaken. The shop at Pimlico was a den of thieves! (Like another book the Squad has read.) He wrote back to Mrs Milroy that he couldn't find the reference. Allan vows to keep her secret. He grieves the love he had for her.
He receives a letter from Mrs M demanding to know the truth. (You can't handle the truth!) She'll tell her husband of this sordid business. Allan wrote a letter apologizing. She told her husband anyway, and the Major wrote a letter to Allan. He's caught up in their drama and aims to protect Gwilt. The Major wrote a last angry letter. Alan is dead to him now. (Allan should evict them from the cottage.)
Allan is depressed and reminisces about Gwilt and even Neelie. He plans to wait for Ozzy to return then take his yacht for a ride down the coast. Then he receives a letter from Pedgift Senior that changes his plans. The gentry of Norfolk found out about the drama at the Milroy's and blamed Allan for it. Miss Gwilt quit her job and their household and moved into other lodgings. The public is on her side. (Allan stepped in it now. Bish spun it to her benefit.) Mr Darch spun it to his favor. That'll teach him not to rent the cottage out to me!
The public thinks he's afraid to show his face. He should come back and defend himself. Pedgift advises him to send a telegram to the whole town via Pedgift Senior that he's coming back. Gwilt sends a telegram of her own to Oldershaw that things are working out in her favor.
Allan returns, and Pedgift Sr visits in the evening. He asks if Allan went to London on his own initiative or because of someone else. He lies and says it was all his idea. Pedgift knows he's lying. Another option is to pay a private investigator to dig deeply into Gwilt's affairs. A letter arrives from Gwilty requesting a meeting. Pedgift has seen it all before from women like her. Pedgift is incredulous that Allan would even want to see her. It's a trap!
His heart is too tender to refuse despite Pedgift’s objections. They compromise. Pedgift writes a refusal note for him. Pedgift believes she belongs in jail and will keep trying to meet with Allan. He can't bring himself to order the servant to say he's not home. Gwilt had called on Pedgift Sr to say that she didn't blame Allan. He had profiled conwomen as actresses confident in their performance and lies.
As Pedgift Sr predicted, Gwilty forced her way into the house. He won't have her watched (he wants her to lie to him). Pedgift takes a pinch of snuff and makes to leave but stays and makes his case to have Gwilt watched.
When Pedgift Sr saw Major “What's-o’clock,” he was annoyed to see him. Neelie looked distressed. She didn't want Allan to think she was involved in this mess. Gwilt had told her, “You are not Mrs Armadale yet.” The nerve of her! Gwilt vowed to get her back. Neelie is kept in the dark about the whole matter. Allan should protect her from Gwilty. He finally agrees to have Gwilt watched.
Bashwood makes his way to the poor side of town. He appears bashful and crushes on a woman coming towards him. It's Gwilt of course. She knows she's being followed by another man. Bashwood is a spy for her. She must know if Allan and Neelie make up.
Gwilt walks in the countryside and catches the spy outright. She throws his hat in a pool of water. Who should come along but Ozzy. Gwilt tells him she's being followed but not who sent him. She turns on the charm and pretends to be a damsel in distress. She invites him to have tea at her apartment. Ozzy still loves her. Absence only made his heart grow fonder.
She spins a story that Miss Milroy is out to marry Allan, and she is the wronged party. Allan was used by others to tarnish her good name. (Bish is projecting like a camera obscura.) They have an understanding because Ozzy has a tragic painful past, too. She doesn't even love Allen (or Ozzy). Oh, poor little Gwilty was wronged and is the victim.
Ozzy refuses to believe that Allan would do such a thing, and he will find out who used him. Ozzy leaves, and Gwilty looks at herself in the mirror and questions whether she has any conscience and whether she loves him. Nah! Of course not. She writes to “Mother Jezebel” Oldershaw that she can use Ozzy to get to Allan. Then she tore it up, unpinned her hair, and went to bed.
Ozzy makes his way to Thorpe Ambrose and overhears two servants betting that Allan will be kicked out of town soon. He declares himself, and tells them not to wake Allan.
The next morning, Allan is nowhere in the house. The groom said he had left with some flowers. Allan was trying to meet Neelie, to no avail. The friends reunite. How did Ozzy hear of his troubles? From Miss Gwilt?! They cheated me. I can explain.
But Ozzy doesn't want his justification or explanation. He believes that Allen wasn't to blame for Gwilty getting fired. Allen can sense there's something coming between them. (That woman!) Ozzy doesn't believe that the spy was hired by his friend. But he was! Gwilty threatened Neelie. No big deal, thinks Ozzy. Poor little Gwilty is so persecuted!
Ozzy wouldn't be so quick to defend her unless he was in love with her. Allan figured it out. They glare at each other until Ozzy raises his fist in anger. The statue falls and breaks like in the dream. Ozzy leaves. Allan has no allies now. It starts to thunder and rain.
Extras
The Marginalia in case you read ahead.
Prunella is a fabric made of twill or silk used in women's shoes or judge's robes.
Mens sana in corpore sano: a healthy mind in a healthy body
Mesmerism
Come back next week, May 5, for Book 3 Chapters 9-13 when u/DernhelmLaughed takes the reins.
2024.04.28 14:40 UnDead_Ted Daily Dose Verse John 13:35 Everyone Will Know
 | John 13:35 NIV submitted by UnDead_Ted to TheDailyDose [link] [comments]
John reiterates this idea in his first letter (1 John 3:14; 4:20). Jesus sets love as the primary outward sign of a person's Christian faith. He is especially referring to love between those who claim to be His followers. Earlier in the evening, Jesus humbly washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:2–5). He explained that this was an example of service for them to follow (John 13:12–17). In the prior verse, Jesus indicated that this command to love falls under that same umbrella: we are to love as Jesus loved (1 John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25). This was phrased as a renewed, re-emphasized command stemming from those He had given before (Matthew 22:36–40). No aspect of Christian faith can be dismissed, though some are more pressing than others . These include sound doctrine (Titus 2:1; 1 Timothy 6:3–5) and moral behavior (1 John 1:7; Colossians 3:1–10). But the gold standard for living out Christian belief, and the means by which believers are to distinguish themselves from non-believers, is expressed in this verse. As Paul expresses in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, nothing is commendable unless it is done out of love (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Love must be pursued truthfully and with good judgment (Ephesians 4:15; John 7:24; 1 John 3:18), but it cannot be set aside under any circumstances. In Other Words: Indeed, the centrality of love in the Christian faith is a theme that echoes throughout the New Testament, underscored repeatedly by Jesus and expounded by His apostles in their writings. Here are some thoughts on how love serves as the foundational principle for Christian living, as referenced in your discussion: Jesus' Example of Service: Jesus demonstrated love through acts of service, most notably when He washed His disciples' feet. This act was not only a lesson in humility but also a directive to love others through tangible, selfless actions (John 13:2-5, 12-17). This emphasizes that love in the Christian context is not merely emotional but actively demonstrated in daily life. The New Commandment: Jesus' command to love as He loved is a direct call to His followers to exhibit a deeper, sacrificial kind of love, as illustrated in His own life. This is a love that goes beyond normal expectations and societal norms, aiming to reflect the unconditional love Jesus Himself showed (1 John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25). Love as the Identifying Mark of Believers: The notion that love is the primary way Christians are distinguished from non-believers is powerfully stated in John's letters and reinforced by Jesus’ teachings. This love is not only a private virtue but a public testimony to the transformative power of faith in Christ (1 John 3:14; 4:20). The Supremacy of Love in Christian Ethics: Paul's discourse in 1 Corinthians 13 highlights the supremacy of love over all other virtues and gifts. Without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts or sacrifices are rendered empty (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). This underscores that love is the greatest spiritual gift and should be the driving force behind all actions. Love Combined with Truth and Judgment: While love is paramount, it does not negate the necessity for truth and sound judgment. Believers are encouraged to speak the truth in love and make righteous judgments, ensuring that love does not devolve into mere sentimentality or compromise on moral and doctrinal integrity (Ephesians 4:15; John 7:24; 1 John 3:18). Living Out This Love: The challenge for believers is to live out this high calling of love in everyday interactions and in the broader community. This involves both heart attitudes and practical actions, continually seeking to embody the love of Christ in all relationships and circumstances. These reflections invite believers to constantly evaluate their lives against the standard of love that Jesus set and the apostles reiterated, ensuring that their faith is not just professed but powerfully demonstrated through love in action. Context Summary....John 13:31–35 contains one of the most powerful commands given to Christians: that love for others is the defining sign of faith for ''all people,'' marking the life of a true believer. Jesus frames this as a new commandment, using His own example as the standard. In giving this charge, Jesus once again predicts His impending death and departure from earth.In Other Words: John 13:31-35 captures a pivotal moment in the life and ministry of Jesus, particularly as it pertains to His instructions about love and the example He sets for His followers. This passage comes at a critical juncture—the Last Supper—when Jesus, aware of His imminent betrayal and crucifixion, prepares His disciples for His departure. Here's an exploration of these verses and their significance: Context and Overview: After Judas leaves the supper to betray Him, Jesus begins to speak more openly about what is to come, referring to His glorification through His death, resurrection, and ascension. This "glorification" refers to the culmination of His earthly ministry and the fulfillment of His redemptive mission. It's within this charged, solemn context that He gives the new commandment. The New Commandment: Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This commandment is "new" not because the concept of love was unknown in Jewish teaching but because it is now grounded in the nature and extent of Jesus' love. His love—sacrificial, unconditional, and self-emptying—becomes the benchmark for His followers. Implications of the New Commandment: Defining Mark of Discipleship - The love Jesus commands isn't just any kind of love; it is a love modeled after His own. This love is proactive, not reactive; it acts selflessly and seeks the good of others, even at great personal cost. A Witness to the World - Jesus underscores that by this love, "all people will know that you are my disciples." The distinctive quality of this love would be so profound that it would serve as the primary witness to the world of the truth and transformative power of the gospel. Love as a Reflection of Jesus' Own Love- By linking the command to love one another with the way He has loved them, Jesus sets a high standard. His love was about to be supremely demonstrated through His death on the cross—this is the measure of love He calls His followers to emulate. Application and Reflection: Reflect on the Sacrificial Nature of Love - Consider how Jesus' willingness to go to the cross defines the way we should approach our relationships and service to others. How might we more fully embody this type of sacrificial love in our own lives? Identify Practical Ways to Love Others: Jesus showed His love through actions—from washing His disciples' feet to laying down His life. Reflect on practical ways to demonstrate love in everyday interactions and commitments. Consider the Witness of Our Love: Think about how our love for one another can testify to the gospel's power. In what ways can stronger demonstration of love among believers impact our witness to the world around us? John 13:31-35 thus not only sets a profound theological and ethical framework but also challenges believers to live out these principles in tangible, transformative ways Chapter Summary....Jesus meets with a smaller group, possibly only the twelve disciples, in a private setting. Before eating a meal, Jesus performs the work of a lowly servant, washing the feet of the disciples. He explains that this is an object lesson. Their Lord is willing to serve in humility, so they are obligated to do the same. Jesus also predicts His impending betrayal, subtly telling Judas to leave and complete His conspiracy. The disciples don't realize what's happened, however. Peter foolishly brags about his loyalty. Jesus responds with a cutting prediction: Peter will deny his relationship to Christ three times in the next few hours.In Other Words: In the scenes you've described, we see a dramatic and profound moment in the Gospel narratives, particularly in John 13. This chapter is rich with symbolic acts and foretelling events that shape the foundational principles of Christian discipleship and community. Here’s a deeper look into the key components of this passage: Foot Washing as a Lesson in Servanthood: Symbol of Service and Humility - Jesus washing the disciples' feet was a powerful act that inverted social norms and expectations about leadership and service. By performing a task reserved for household servants, Jesus illustrated a new way of leadership grounded in humility and service to others. Mandate to Follow - After washing their feet, Jesus explained that He had set an example for them. Just as He, their Lord and Teacher, had washed their feet, they should also wash one another's feet (John 13:14-15). This act was meant to be a tangible lesson in servanthood, emphasizing that no service is too menial when done out of love and care for others. The Prediction of Betrayal Announcement of Betrayal - The meal also becomes a backdrop for the revelation of Judas' impending betrayal. Jesus' announcement is subtle, not directly naming Judas at first, but making clear that His betrayal is imminent (John 13:21). Reaction and Confusion - The disciples are puzzled by Jesus' statement about betrayal, and even after Jesus indicates who the betrayer is through the giving of the morsel of bread, they struggle to understand the full meaning of the events unfolding around them. Peter's Misplaced Confidence Peter’s Vow - In the course of the Last Supper, Peter boldly declares his loyalty to Jesus, even to the point of laying down his life for Him (John 13:37). Jesus’ Response - Jesus responds to Peter's boast with a sobering prophecy—that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows (John 13:38). This prediction highlights not only Peter's misunderstanding of his own capacity for faithfulness but also underscores the theme of human frailty and the need for divine grace. Reflections: These events at the Last Supper serve as profound lessons in discipleship: Humility and Service - The act of foot washing serves as a continual reminder for believers about the core Christian values of service and humility. Reflect on how you can incorporate these principles into your interactions and responsibilities. Understanding Human Weakness - Peter’s bravado and subsequent denial remind us of our own vulnerabilities and the need for vigilance in our spiritual commitments. It challenges us to examine our own assurances and to seek strength and humility in our faith journey. Readiness to Forgive - Jesus’ foreknowledge of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, yet His continued love and instruction towards them, exemplifies the readiness to forgive and redeem that characterizes divine love. These lessons culminate in a rich tapestry that underscores the transformative and countercultural ethos of Christian life as taught and exemplified by Jesus. The narrative invites deep reflection on personal faith, the nature of true leadership, and the unconditional love that should define the community of believe. ReflectJohn 13:35 is a pivotal verse where Jesus says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." This verse provides a foundational principle for Christian identity and witness. Reflecting on this verse can help deepen understanding and inspire practical application in one's life. Here are some of my questions and a reflective prompts to consider:Questions for Reflection on John 13:351) What does it mean to love "as Jesus loved"? Consider the context in which Jesus spoke these words, including His actions and teachings at the Last Supper.
1. Sacrificial LoveJesus’ love was primarily sacrificial, exemplified most clearly through His crucifixion. He willingly laid down His life for the sake of humanity, demonstrating that true love often involves self-sacrifice for the good of others. This means putting others’ needs, wellbeing, and salvation before one's own comfort or safety. 2. Unconditional LoveJesus loved without conditions. He did not base His love on the attractiveness, merit, or reciprocity of those He loved. This is evident in His outreach to society's outcasts, His forgiveness of sinners, and His care for the oppressed and marginalized. 3. Servant LeadershipJesus introduced a radical concept of leadership and greatness founded on servanthood rather than power or control. He washed His disciples' feet, a task typically performed by servants, to demonstrate how His followers should treat one another with humility and service. 4. Inclusive LoveJesus broke down cultural and social barriers of His time. He interacted with Samaritans, Gentiles, tax collectors, women, and others who were often excluded from religious and social privileges. His love crossed boundaries and embraced all people, regardless of their social status or past. 5. Forgiving LoveOne of the most profound aspects of Jesus’ love is His willingness to forgive. From forgiving those who crucified Him to offering redemption to those who betrayed and denied Him, His love was marked by a capacity to forgive and restore relationships. 6. Teaching LoveJesus also loved by teaching. He spent much of His ministry teaching His disciples and followers about the Kingdom of God, challenging them to think differently about God, themselves, and the world. His teachings were an integral part of His love, guiding people toward truth and liberation. 7. Empathetic and Compassionate LoveJesus often moved with compassion, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the sorrowful. His empathy wasn’t just emotional but also led to concrete actions to alleviate suffering. Implementing This Love
1. Demonstrates the Reality of the GospelThe Gospel is not only a message to be heard but a reality to be seen. When believers love one another in the self-sacrificial, unconditional way that Jesus loved, it provides a visible proof of the Gospel's transformative power. This kind of love is countercultural and can draw others to inquire about the faith that inspires it. 2. Offers a Contrast to Societal NormsIn a world often characterized by division, self-interest, and strife, the love among believers offers a stark contrast. This love showcases a community built on forgiveness, unity, and mutual care, which can be incredibly appealing to those tired of the typical societal conflicts and breakdowns. 3. Validates Believers’ TestimoniesWhen believers proclaim a message of love and redemption but live out a reality of conflict and hypocrisy, their message is undermined. Conversely, when their lives reflect genuine love, it validates their words about who Jesus is and what He teaches. This congruence between message and lifestyle makes the Christian testimony more credible and compelling. 4. Reflects God’s Love to the WorldBelievers are called to be mirrors reflecting God’s love to the world. The Bible describes God as love, and when believers live out this love, they provide a glimpse of God’s character to those who might not otherwise know Him. 5. Creates a Sense of BelongingLove within a community creates a welcoming environment that can draw others in. Many people are looking for a place to belong and feel valued; a loving community can meet this deep human need, serving as a bridge to the Gospel. 6. Encourages ReconciliationThe love among believers often transcends cultural, racial, and economic barriers that typically divide societies. This can be a powerful witness to the reconciliatory power of the Gospel, showing that it is possible to unite under a common identity in Christ despite external differences. 7. Motivates Social Justice and CompassionA community that practices Jesus’ command to love will naturally be involved in acts of compassion and justice, addressing the needs of the less fortunate and standing up for the oppressed. Such actions not only alleviate suffering but also point to Jesus’ teachings about caring for the "least of these," which can intrigue and inspire outsiders.The love among believers is essential not only for healthy community life but also as a vital form of outreach. It serves as both a preview of the heavenly kingdom and a practical demonstration of the Gospel's power, inviting others to explore and eventually embrace the Christian faith. 3) Are there limits to this commandment of love? Think about situations where loving others might be challenging. How should Christians handle such scenario?
1. Loving in the Face of Harm or AbuseIn situations involving harm, abuse, or any threat to someone's well-being, loving others doesn’t mean permitting or enduring wrongdoing. Christians are called to seek justice, protect the vulnerable, and promote healing. Loving in such situations may involve taking action to stop the abuse and helping both the victim and the perpetrator find help and redemption. This might include intervention, reporting crimes, and supporting both justice and rehabilitation efforts. 2. Loving Those Who Oppose or PersecuteLoving those who are antagonistic or hostile towards one's beliefs can be particularly challenging. This type of love involves praying for them, responding with kindness rather than retaliation, and maintaining integrity. It means showing respect and compassion even when it is not reciprocated. 3. Boundaries in LoveLoving others does not imply a lack of boundaries. It’s healthy and necessary to establish limits that prevent relationships from becoming enabling, codependent, or harmful in other ways. Boundaries help sustain long-term, healthy interactions by ensuring that relationships are mutually respectful and edifying. 4. Loving and Truth-TellingLove does not avoid confronting difficult truths. In fact, part of loving another person well is being willing to speak truth when it is needed, even if it is uncomfortable. This should always be done in a spirit of kindness and grace, aiming for restoration and growth rather than condemnation. 5. Loving in Forgiveness and ReconciliationForgiveness can be extremely difficult, especially in cases of deep hurt or betrayal. While Christians are called to forgive as an act of will, in alignment with how Jesus forgave, reconciliation can be a more complicated process that might require time, repentance, and restoration. Sometimes, full reconciliation is not possible if the offending party is unrepentant or continues in harmful behaviors. 6. Practical Challenges of Everyday LoveDay-to-day irritations and conflicts also test the command to love. Practicing patience, kindness, and self-control in the face of daily challenges is also a part of living out this command. This might mean taking time to understand others' perspectives, managing one’s own reactions, and seeking peace and unity actively. Handling Challenges in Love
1. Radical InclusivityCultural norms often dictate that we associate primarily with those who are similar to us—whether in terms of race, socioeconomic status, political beliefs, or lifestyle choices. However, the command to love one another challenges these norms by calling Christians to embrace radical inclusivity. It requires believers to love and accept people from all walks of life, regardless of their differences or backgrounds. 2. Selfless SacrificeIn many cultures, individualism and self-interest are highly valued, often at the expense of others. However, the command to love one another challenges this mindset by calling Christians to selfless sacrifice and service. It teaches believers to prioritize the needs of others above their own desires and comforts, even when it requires personal sacrifice. 3. Forgiveness and ReconciliationCultural norms around conflict resolution often prioritize winning, revenge, or holding grudges. However, the command to love one another challenges these norms by emphasizing forgiveness and reconciliation. It teaches believers to seek peace and restoration in relationships, even when it's difficult or costly. 4. Embracing DiversityCultural norms may perpetuate prejudice, discrimination, or exclusion based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. However, the command to love one another challenges these norms by calling Christians to embrace diversity and celebrate the unique gifts and contributions of all people. It teaches believers to value every individual as a beloved child of God, worthy of dignity and respect. 5. Counter-cultural WitnessIn a world marked by division, conflict, and hostility, the command to love one another presents a counter-cultural witness. It demonstrates to wider society the transformative power of love to bridge divides, heal wounds, and build community across differences. It challenges cultural norms that perpetuate division and encourages a vision of unity, reconciliation, and mutual flourishing. Implications for InteractionIn practical terms, the command to love one another challenges Christians to actively engage with wider society in ways that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God. It calls believers to advocate for justice, promote reconciliation, and embody the love of Christ in their interactions with others, both individually and collectively. This includes advocating for the marginalized, standing against injustice, and working towards the common good of all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. The command to love one another challenges Christians to be agents of transformation in the world, challenging cultural norms that perpetuate division, inequality, and injustice, and striving to create communities of love, inclusion, and reconciliation that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God.5) In what ways have you experienced this kind of love within the Christian community? Reflect on how these experiences have impacted your faith and your view of God. 1. Unconditional AcceptanceMany individuals within the Christian community have reported experiencing a profound sense of unconditional acceptance and belonging. This often occurs through supportive relationships within a church or small group setting, where individuals feel fully embraced for who they are, regardless of their background or struggles. This kind of love can have a transformative impact, fostering a deep sense of security and identity as beloved children of God. 2. Practical Acts of ServiceAnother common experience is witnessing and receiving practical acts of service and kindness within the Christian community. Whether it's providing meals for those in need, offering a listening ear during difficult times, or volunteering to help with practical tasks, these acts of love demonstrate the tangible expression of Christ-like love in action. Experiencing such acts of service can deepen one's faith by reinforcing the belief that love is not just a feeling but a tangible force for good in the world. 3. Forgiveness and ReconciliationForgiveness and reconciliation are central themes within the Christian faith, and experiencing these firsthand within the Christian community can have a profound impact on one's faith journey. Whether it's experiencing forgiveness for past mistakes or witnessing the reconciliation of broken relationships, these experiences can offer a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God's love and grace. They can also challenge and reshape one's understanding of God as a loving and forgiving Father. 4. Empathy and Support in Times of NeedFinally, many individuals within the Christian community have experienced genuine empathy and support during times of need or crisis. Whether facing illness, loss, or other hardships, the outpouring of love and support from fellow believers can provide a source of strength and comfort. These experiences can deepen one's trust in God's provision and care, as well as foster a sense of interconnectedness and mutual dependency within the body of Christ.Experiencing love within the Christian community can profoundly impact one's faith and view of God by providing tangible demonstrations of God's love in action. These experiences can reinforce core Christian beliefs about the nature of God's love, as well as inspire and empower individuals to live out their faith more fully in their own lives. 6) What are practical ways you can show this kind of love in your daily interactions? Think about specific actions or changes you can implement to better reflect this commandment in your life. 1. Acts of Kindness
2. Active Listening
3. Random Acts of Generosity
4. Words of Encouragement
5. Forgiveness and Grace
6. Volunteerism and Service
7. Hospitality
8. Prayer and Support
Reflection PromptReflect on the concept of sacrificial love: Jesus not only taught the principle of love but demonstrated it throughout His life, culminating in His sacrifice on the cross. This kind of sacrificial love goes beyond feelings and encompasses actions taken for the good of others, even at personal cost. Consider how you can embody this type of love in your relationships with family, friends, and even strangers. Are there habits or attitudes you need to change to better reflect this love? How might your relationships transform if this type of love was the foundation?This verse invites believers to evaluate not just their personal faith but also the quality of their relationships within the community of faith. It challenges individuals to live out their faith visibly and tangibly, making love the defining characteristic of their interactions both inside and outside the church. Prayer for John 13:3 Prayer for John 13:3. Let's Pray: Gracious God, As we turn our hearts to Your Word in John 13:31-35, we are reminded of the profound commandment You have given us—to love one another as You have loved us. Lord, this call to love is not just a suggestion but a fundamental aspect of our identity as Your followers. We thank You, Father, for the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who demonstrated love in its fullest measure through His sacrificial life and death on the cross. Help us to emulate His love in our daily lives, that our actions may be a reflection of Your love to the world around us. Grant us, Lord, the grace to love not only those who are easy to love but also those who may be difficult or different from us. May Your love transcend barriers of race, ethnicity, social status, and ideology, uniting us as one body in Christ. Lord, we pray for the strength to love sacrificially, putting the needs of others above our own desires and interests. Help us to be generous with our time, resources, and compassion, seeking opportunities to serve and uplift those in need. Father, as we endeavor to love one another, we pray that Your love may shine brightly through us, drawing others into Your kingdom and glorifying Your holy name. May our love for one another be a testimony to the world of Your grace, mercy, and unfailing love. We lift up this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. In Jesus precious name Amen. |