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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 13 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 3/4/2007 |
| Wasnior is very good at asking questions while revealing absolutely no information about himself whatsoever…the mark of a master spy. Though I suppose he’s more of an employer of spies? Author Reply: Wasnior is in part a spy and an employer of spies, but mostly he's intended to be a diplomat, although proves not to be as good a one as had been hoped for. However, the quality of Men within Umbar isn't particularly good, and hasn't been so for quite some time, I fear. So glad you're catching up. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 12/1/2005 |
| “We Hobbits simply enjoy.” That tends to say it all right there. I loved how Frodo answered questions but managed to avoid certain topics. Very skillful. Author Reply: Frodo, after all, wasn't named vainly. Glad you appreciated his description of his people. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/13/2005 |
| Frodo doesn't like Wasnior? Same here! Even if I know him from "Lesser ring" and know he can't be completely bad, otherwise Aragorn would never have accepted him as ambassador. But I didn't trust him from the start, and what Armanthol said didn't improve my opinion of Wasnior. He is a bit too creepy for my taste. And too curious. Well, that is only understandable, he wants to know what happened and to use his knowledge to the advantage of Umbar, but still, I don't love the way he tries to gather information. And I love his companions even less than himself. Frodo did a great job in answering Wasnior without giving away anything important. And it was very reassuring to know the guards were there and had an eye on them. Loved it how Belladon was escorted back. The Umbarians are guarded for their own safety? Well, I doubt that is the whole truth *evil grin* Anyway, he didn't find out much of use, and the little he was able to find out wasn't very pleasant for them - their spy killed by their own people, their fleet taken and all that. And I wonder about the listening servant - on which side may he be? Author Reply: Wasnior from the beginning is one that grates on the psyche, I'm finding. And I think Frodo would have had a difficult time warming to him, either. And I do think his natural response would have been to fall back on "But we were so busy travelling we didn't get to know one another super well...." Umbar may have been part of Gondor for a time, but I suspect its folks have always felt alienated from the rest of the realm and were glad when at the deposition of Castamir they seceded from the nation. Their siding with Mordor and the presence of so many of the Black Numenoreans must have made it uncomfortable for Meneldil's heirs to deal with over the years, and there must have been a feeling of relief when at last the pretence was over that they were happy being part of Gondor. As for the listening servant--who's to say whom he would rather sell information to in the end, as I suspect that life in Umbar has made him as much as an undirected opportunist as the greater part of his countrymen. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/13/2005 |
| So Wasnoir and his men are after sneaking arround to find out imformation. Very astute of Frodo not to like him. He was sort of like a bug, one could not shake off. Even Wasnior's servants are out for themselves. very interesting. Author Reply: Yes, I think the atmosphere in Umbar would have promoted the development of paranoia and opportunism; and the folk of more noble lands would all find those from Umbar to be pretty difficult to deal with over time. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/13/2005 |
| They are only trying to safeguard their interests and escape the collapse of Sauron's power with the least possible damage for Umbar - but these are not nice people! And their spies are not nice people either! I don't blame Frodo for doing his best to avoid Wasnior. Seems the best thing to do! Author Reply: Remember, the Black Numenoreans settled in Numenor, and there Ar-Pharazon's folks who remained in Middle Earth tended to congregate also; then that was where Castamir and his followers fled to after his usurpation of the throne of Gondor was itself overthrown, and they lived under the oppression of Sauron. I agree, they have reason to be as they are, and also show reason not to like them or trust them. And we already know what Landrion's sculptor spy was like! Heh! | |
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/13/2005 |
| These folks from Umbar make me uneasy. I suppose it is reasonable for them to want to know what is going on and how they will fare in the new order, but it still gives me the creeps. I think they are up to no good. The profit-seeking servant is creepy too. Things are not all straightforward in the new kingdom. ~TF Author Reply: Things haven't been straightforward in Umbar for a VERY long time, for about twelve to fifteen hundred years if not longer, in fact, according to the Appendices. And I think that such a twisted atmosphere as one would expect from those who willingly allied themselves with Sauron and who have descendants of the Black Numenoreans would breed primarily folks who are NOT nice and downright creepy, from the lords of the realm to the least servants. Thanks so much for all the feedback, TF. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/13/2005 |
| Knowledge is power in (almost) all cultures. I think that the Bards had better get busy spreading the truth around and quicky before the rumour mill pieces the jigsaw together in mis-shapen form to the detriment of all good folk. I'm with Frodo - I don't like Wasnior and I am glad that the guardsman warned him off. Frodo could do without this even though he has had plenty of practice with abnoxious and interfering relatives. I am not sure I would have been quite so polite as either Frodo or the Guard but it is just as well that they were diplomatic. Author Reply: How much of what the Bards, patterers, and so on of Gondor will produce that will make it to Umbar is questionable; but there are going to be a LOT of rumors right from the start, I'd think, in such a culture as Gondor's. And you're right--it's just as well both Frodo and the guard have been diplomatic; and dealing with Lobelia, Lotho, and Otho has indeed given Frodo plenty of practice in dealing gracefully with importunistic and obnoxious busybodies! Thanks for the feedback! | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/13/2005 |
| pooey on Wasnior! yay Frodo for telling him what for.... *grin* ~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@~~~{~@ Author Reply: Yes, and he dismissed him with so much panache as well, didn't he? Heh! | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/13/2005 |
| I love this line: “We Hobbits simply enjoy.” More of us need to do that! I know I do. :) I also liked Frodo's comment to Wasnior that he respected Aragorn, but that he didn't know him well and the other way as well. Their time together so far wouldn't have allowed them to get to know each other's personal lives that much. There had been far too much danger along the way. And of course you knew that there would be guardsmen watching over Frodo wherever he was at. My first thought with the Umbaran spy being down in the lower levels of the city was how did they allow him to get down that far? And then I wondered if they allowed him to go so that they could follow him and find out his contacts in the city. Then they might have a spy within their midst! :) Author Reply: So glad you appreciated that one short statement by Frodo, Radbooks. Yes, we all need to do that, just let go and let God and just enjoy, at least from time to time. It's part of what we love about Hobbits, after all. And I suspect that indeed the Umbarian spy was allowed to get so far in part to learn whom his contacts might be, although I suspect since Varondil wasn't caught he might have managed to shake those following him at least for a short time. And am looking forward to your next chapter, of course. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/12/2005 |
| I do not like Wasnior,as nothing annoys me more than strangers asking personal questions,especially about my health.I hope these unwelcome guests are not going to cause trouble for our heroes,but then that would be a good plot twist ! Author Reply: Oh, we'll get our plot twist with them--you can count on it. And he's a busybody, but must be to represent his own land's admittedly twisted interests. Wasnior is slimy, but you may come to detest others more as the story continues. | |