Beware the Halfhand

[Unfettered One]

Ok, so I'm doing a re-read of FR, and I'm at the part where TC/RC and Jeremiah translate LA back in time, and the Theomach is there. The dialogue between RC and the Theomach is quite intriguing.

Ever notice that the Theomach only refers to TC/RC as the Halfhand? He's using it as a title, like they often used to call TC "Unbeliever".

I think I'd surmise that RC is the halfhand that the Elohim were warning people about.

[Mr. Broken]

I believe that they are referring to Roger, but I also believe that they are referring to Kastenessen as well, they seem to share a common bond.

[Relayer]

This would be one of the very few things the Insequent and Elohim agree on.

[Unfettered One]

Along these same lines, when I first read FR, I remember thinking that the first section would be difficult to re-read, knowing the outcome.

However, now that I'm doing so, I'm noticing all sorts of foreshadowing. I think we all got that something was not quite right with TC and Jeremiah on the first reading, but SRD was pretty clear on giving plenty of hints.

One I just read - Theomach is speaking to RC/TC, and says something like "It is not for such as you to save or damn the earth." Then Linden remembers a snippet of the WG song where it says the WGW will save or damn the earth. After that, the action moves on without segue or any further development. Kind of odd.

I'm guessing that SRD is also implying that RC's claim to the WG is not valid.

Pretty interesting... I'm looking forward to the group re-read.

[earthbrah]

I, too, am in the middle of a reread of FR. Actually, I'm not too far ahead of you, Unfettered One.

I noticed several times where the Theomach's comments indicated that RC was infact the halfhand to beware of.

Another such instance occured to me last night while reading. It happened at the end of the section (ending on pg. 251) where Linden and TC/RC were talking to "be clear" about their intentions at Earthroot. After Linden lies to him about what she plans to do, the section ends with: Beware the halfhand. The very juxtaposition made me stop and take notice of that line at that moment.

Linden very clearly did not trust TC/RC at that point, and so she lied to him about her intentions with the Earthblood. And then SRD drops that line on us at the very end of that conversation. It just stuck out to me as a clear indication (especially knowing this time 'round that TC is in fact RC) that the halfhand to beware of was not the real TC. Remember that I'm dead.

Cool stuff, great writing.