[Dragaera] incident with Pel

[Steve Rapaport]

I would imagine, to elaborate, that the woman had insulted Pel, either on
account of his not being a Dragon, or being a Yendi, or being short.  Pel's
response would have been a subtle but enraging insult, which caused the
woman to suddenly attack him without warning, in a manner obvious to those
around them as a breach of all duelling codes, and simply attempted murder.

Pel would then simply have drawn his sword and spitted her in self-defense,
at which all the witnesses would have nodded and perhaps even congratulated
him.  He would not have had cause to worry about his lie being
contradicted.  However, relating the entire story to his Captain would have
brought dishonour to both his killed opponent, and Pel himself (for his
tactics).   So a tactful lie was the best response.

Ga'aereth would probably have deduced all this just as I have, only quicker,
and decided judiciously to let matters lie.

How's that?



2008/6/13 Steve Rapaport <steve at romlin.com>:

> Pel describes the death of his
>> partner.  He says they argued about sorcery, she raised her hands
>> as if to cast a spell, he drew, then talked her down, and then she
>> rushed to embrace him, spitting herself on his sword.  He tells
>> Captain G'aereth that there were many witnessess, who will confirm
>> his story.  (Note the little exchange with Khaavren which follows -
>> it's priceless.)
>>
>> The above is surely nonsense, but the Captain doesn't challenge it.
>> Is Pel sure his lie will be allowed to stand, or has he prepared
>> the scene of the duel, or what?
>
>
> My guess when I read it: He's sure that the lie will be allowed to stand,
> because it's close to the truth, and the real truth would be slandering the
> name of the dead partner.  The actual scene was probably similar from an
> visual point of view, but those who heard the actual words spoken would know
> that the woman had disgraced herself or acted in a cowardly way, and
> therefore they wouldn't wish to contradict Pel.
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> \Steve




-- 
\Steve