Cail's End...

[The Dreaming]

Does anyone really understand why Cail decides to go back to the Merewives? Is he just totally nuts? Or does he really think he will be happy being drowned in sex? Is he suicidal or under their influence still or what?

[dlbpharmd]

I can't say anything without revealing a spoiler - just be patient, and you'll understand better soon.

[The Dreaming]

I can't say anything without revealing a spoiler - just be patient, and you'll understand better soon.

You're talking about Runes? Well, by telling me that it's a spoiler... you have spoiled it. Do the Merewives actually spawn with Cail to make some Uber- Haruchai? Man, that would be sweet.

I was also wondering if Brinn is really dead. Doesn't seem to me that a simple thing like the Island of the One Tree sinking into the ocean could kill its guardian.

P.S. Anyone who hasn't finished the second Chronicles should avoid a post called Cail's end, so I will not bother wit spoiler tags.

[Believer]

Have you really never done anything you knew would hurt, just for the sake of the pleasure that would come with it?

I think I've done just that recently. And there has been intense pleasure and intense pain. I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm not even sure I'm glad I did it. But I think it's part of living.

I understand Cail I think, even without a spoiler from Runes. If you consider the reckless passion of the Haruchai..... How could he not have done it?

[The Dreaming]

How could he not have done it?

Well, I am assuming that going to the Merewives means certain death, but quite a lot of pleasure first. I am not so quick to believe the Haruchai are so vulnerable to suicide.

Also In regards to "reckless passion" I thought one of the most important traits of the Haruchai was their temperate passion, their controlled passion. Do you ever see Brinn or Ceer of Bannor in rage? They are always fully in control and absolutely aware of what they are doing.

I do suppose you can draw a parallel between Cail's end and Ceer's gallant aid to Hergom against Nom, but it wasn’t recklessness that drove him to it, it was cold confidence and cool loyalty.

[dlbpharmd]

You're talking about Runes? Well, by telling me that it's a spoiler... you have spoiled it.

I apologize.

[Fist and Faith]

Hey, dlb, that wasn't a spoiler imo!! That's just excitement!!! I get to see (or at least hear about) my favorite Haruchai again??? WOO HOO!!!!

[CovenantJr]

I would have considered that a spoiler...if I hadn't read Runes

[Krilly]

Interesting signature Dreaming.

You have to remember, leaving their love and wives behind is the greatest weakness in the stolidity of the Haruchai.

The merewives' song, although an illusion, gave Cail and Brinn a chance to relive that passion and wish. It was Covenant who was mistaken to think that the Haruchai had no passions to drive them. Rather it was the longing to return to their homes and women that drove them to survive.

My question is why would they rather choose death and pleasure with the merewives rather than attempting to actually return home. I suppose the merewives and the Haruchai are opposing magnets... they have a natural and powerful attraction to come together and meet eachothers needs.

[duchess of malfi]

Passion can be one of life's greatest drives -- whether emotional or physical or a combination of the two. Following that drive might not be the wisest or most logical choice of action -- but for some people and some passions, it isn't really a choice at all. It is rather, a necessity.

One of the greatest novels of all time, Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, deals with exactly this issue.

[The Dreaming]

You have to remember, leaving their love and wives behind is the greatest weakness in the stolidity of the Haruchai.

The merewives' song, although an illusion, gave Cail and Brinn a chance to relive that passion and wish. It was Covenant who was mistaken to think that the Haruchai had no passions to drive them. Rather it was the longing to return to their homes and women that drove them to survive.

I didn't say that the Haruchai didn't have passions, I just wanted to draw a distinction between mad passion and cool passion. Their passions exist, but no Haruchai ever loses control (except that ONE time) because of them. And let's be a little fair, it WAS a *magical* siren song that no man could resist. It was just because the Haruchai resisted everything else that the search and Covenant were surprised that they dove in.

Anyway, about your question. dlbpharmd told us that to tell us more would be a spoiler... which completely changes my perspective.

[mairi]

I just finished rereading the second Chronicles in preparation for Runes, and when Cail announces he's going back to the merewives Linden specifically states he's not going to die. So I don't think he's suicidal at all.

I think he was heartsore...the death of Seadreamer and Honninscrave, the judgements of his own people...maybe he was looking for healing and happiness.

[hamako]

sorry to be trite,

maybe he was just overcome by a serious need for a bit of action. I mean 2000 years....it's a bloody long time!

[Avatar]

Just a nit-picking point here, but the Haruchai in the 2nd Chrons weren't 2000 years old. They'd left the mountains to answer the depredations of the Clave, and thus had not been seperated from either wives or home for that long.

They had the stories of the Vow against which to measure themselves.

--Avatar

[Brinn of the Haruchai]

Could it be like the song of the Harpies in ancient mythological stories---where men are seduced by their song to their death??
Just a thought

[Avatar]

Yeah, I think it's pretty much exactly like that, but if I recall, it was the Sirens whose song lured sailors to their deaths, (there is a similar German myth about the Lorelei).

The harpies were I think, primarily defenders of the Golden Fleece in the story of the Argonauts, although often mentioned as "snatchers" of people.

--Avatar