And Conclave concludes with a bang

[rthstewart]

Chapter 11 is posted.  I've not heard from a number of usual readers about the last chapter and I have lots to say about visuals and such, but for now,  here it is, and I hope you'll share your thoughts.

I wanted to share this, courtesy of Syrena, La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia, the Silk Exchange in Valencia, which she thought was rather like the conference room and the Bankers' Counting House and I agree.

 



Thanks so much for being so supportive.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Absolutely. And exaggeration goes both ways, too. Some would take the story of his betrayal and salvation, and the subsequent battle and blow it way out of proportion ("The boy king fell at Aslan's feet, begging - crying! - for mercy. And the Great Lion bade the clouds to part, and a beam of sun shone through, bathing the boy in forgiveness! And all was good).

Whereas others, like the Islanders, would say it was all a perfectly reasonable mistake. ("Apparently, there was a misunderstanding amongst the siblings, as is wont with siblings, you know, but it all got settled in the end. It was all just a matter of getting everyone's facts straight and on the same page.)

And with time, the story could get more exaggerated, or more... well, boring and forgettable.

--Indil

[rthstewart.livejournal.com]

I really think that Aslan's line about no need to talk of the past is incredibly significant. Would they have discussed how she seduced/tricked him with the Turkish Delight and the promise of being King? I'm thinking, no. I don't think they would discuss the nature of the betrayal, I don't think they would know it. And yes, the Witch talks about him being a traitor and such but that is the army and how much would they want to keep thinking of Edmund as traitor when he breaks her wand and almost dies? Where I"m going with this (obviously) is that Edmund's head, during the Lone Islands departure, is very much on Seth Stanleh and family betrayals, and meting out a just punishment. Tender and loving farewells, not so much.

[min023.livejournal.com]

Well given that neither one is terribly capable of communicating their emotional state, to themselves or another, that makes a good bit of sense

[(Anonymous)]

These are not only Witch’s words. If I recall well, Mr Beaver said that Edmund betrayed his siblings and joined the Witch when they first appeared in Aslan’s camp.
But anyway, I stand in a position, that Edmund’s betrayal wasn’t known in the country afterwards. Few reasons:
- as already mentioned, Aslan said there’s no need to talk more about it; anyone who would elaborate on this subject would go against Aslan’s straight wish; I don’t suppose that creatures which were in the camp then would be willing to do so;
- the treason was in fact against his siblings, not Narnians; so it was for them to decide whether to keep resentment against Edmund or not;
- also mentioned – just afterwards Edmund was fighting against Witch, side by side with those creatures, which were earlier in Aslan’s camp; and he was nearly killed when doing so;
- then he was made a king by Aslan himself.
How many of veterans from Beruna would be willing to spread rumores about Edmund being a traitor? Especially that none of them new precisely what happened. And even if there would be someone to speak about it, he would have grave difficulties with finding someone to listen. Just try to immagine such a situation (we’re talking about a newly appointed, long awaited king):
„You know what? He was a traitor. He...”
„How dare you?! One word more and I’ll send for guards to arrest you for laesa maiestas!”
End of conversation.

Krystyna

[rthstewart.livejournal.com]

This is indeed the direction I'm going. I can see arguments spinning in various ways, but I think this is the most plausible. Also, while I assume Sallowpad knows, as he is older and Knows Things, the other animals are younger and so would not know the story unless someone told it. Edmund so strongly acquitted himself at Beruna and since, I can construct an argument for the story not being well know. Thank you for helping me work through this!!