what moment sticks with you?

[MikeAndreas1]

am going to bring up this topic on a couple of the SRD novel threads. I'm one of those readers who absorbs intent, plot, 'feel' of a novel more so than literal words and text. Meaning, I am not a good memorizer of text. But I am always left with 'images' from SRD's novels that stick with my for a very long time and in a powerful way.
My question to you all is: "What part of 'Mordant's Need' has stuck with you?"

For me there are soooo many (it's my favourite SRD series). But one I always come back to is the scene after Saddith had the citizens of the castle in a near frenzy against Lebbick, but the Castellan quashes it. The scene shifts up to Eremis, shrouded in the shadows of the balcony and his thoughts. The way the scene is described is brilliant. I can picture it so clearly like having watched it on TV a dozen times. And it is filled with such tension and juicyness in Eremis's evil, you almost can't help wanting to yell in to the pages...

That scene you described from "Mordant's Need" is indeed vivid and intense, capturing Eremis's presence and the tension of the moment so well. It's fascinating how certain scenes can stick with us long after reading. When you discuss this on the SRD novel threads, you might find others who resonate with different scenes or characters. What other aspects of "Mordant's Need" do you find particularly memorable or impactful?

[Cord Hurn]

Welcome to the Mordant's Need forum, MikeAndreas1, and thank you for the comment!

I can't answer for Usivius, but for myself one MN scene I like, one among many, is when two of Mordant's princesses reunite, and Myste gets her sister Elega to see that there has been some serious strategic thinking going on behind their father King Joyse's actions all along! Here's the Myste quote:

"It is hard to say that I trust his decline. But I have come to trust the fact that he allowed the Congery to work this translation. I have even come to think that he did it for me--in the same way that he insulted Prince Kragen for you. Do you not see how he has made us powerful? I can guide Darsint's choices. I can ask his help. And you are in a place to affect the actions of Alend's entire army."

Another moment I like in MN is when the Tor won't bend to pressure from Master Eremis to surrender when Eremis, Gilbur and Vagel ride up to the forces of Orison and Alend the night before the Battle of Esmerel:

And the Tor said, "No.

"You are a fool, Master Eremis. In the end, you will die a fool's death. If you had the slightest wish for our service--if you had the slightest intention of turning against the High King"--his passion was too fundamental to be shouted--"you would have treated the Perdon with more respect."

Dismissing Eremis, he moved with Ribuld's support toward his tent.

"My lord Tor." Geraden's face shone; he looked ready now to tackle both Master Eremis and High King Festten single-handedly. He spoke to the old lord's back formally, and his voice seemed to defy the snow and the wind, as if he had the power to command them. "King Joyse has been fortunate in his friends--but never as fortunate as when he won your loyalty."

The Tor stumbled, but Ribuld caught him.

The Tor sees right through the evil of Eremis here in how he executed the Perdon, and he lets Eremis know he will never surrender to that evil. Mike Andreas1, I love that moment! I felt sure that the forces of Mordant and Alend (good) had a real chance to overcome the forces of evil (Cadwal army and the renegade Imagers) from the moment I knew the Tor would never quit giving his all while he lived!