It really does seem like Anne is dead, though. That is really unfortunate, but maybe necessary, since it might be necessary for Tom to not be tied down by anything, good or bad.
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after pondering this for more than a few moments, i agree. any of those are more likely than what i said. thanks! !Samuel Clemens said:Who says it's Tom? Maybe Tom has friends in places he doesn't know about yet. Or maybe Cassie stepped in to make sure Tom wouldn't have to go through the pain of loss twice and saved Anne from Jasen and that's why he's so upset. Or maybe Anne isn't what even she thinks she is and that's why Jasen's upset.GhostWriter said:perhaps Tom has acquired some new powers/insight/help...
if so, he sure needs it ! !
Something mysterious is bringing Black down. At least temporarily. Although the quiet coup in the Carolinas is to be applauded, I fear that Moultrie and his cohorts will be no match for Black, if the latter manages to return in full force. Oh well, if nothing else, it's a delay, an extra hurdle in Black's path before the inevitable confrontation between him and Heyward.
I hope that the sudden change in Carolina will help consolidate Preston's feelings that there's something very wrong with the Rutledge/Black regime. Perhaps some time in the company of others who dislike the course the state has been taking, as well as some extended time away from the nefarious influence of Black, will help steel his initial suspicions, so he won't roll over like a puppy when Black comes back into town.
To my shame, I must confess I am forgetful: could you please remind me of Captain Waymouth's earlier history in this tale?
I hope that the sudden change in Carolina will help consolidate Preston's feelings that there's something very wrong with the Rutledge/Black regime. Perhaps some time in the company of others who dislike the course the state has been taking, as well as some extended time away from the nefarious influence of Black, will help steel his initial suspicions, so he won't roll over like a puppy when Black comes back into town.
To my shame, I must confess I am forgetful: could you please remind me of Captain Waymouth's earlier history in this tale?
Damn you Catknigth! You trapped me with this wonderful tale of war and treachery and I was unabel to stop reading until it was finished. This happned to be at four in the morning... :wacko: And what can I say, your tale is absolutely wonderful with compeling characters and constant advancment of your exciting storyline. my top hat off to you sir!
You trapped me with this wonderful tale of war and treachery and I was unabel to stop reading until it was finished. This happned to be at four in the morning... :wacko: And what can I say, your tale is absolutely wonderful with compeling characters and constant advancment of your exciting storyline. my top hat off to you sir! 
J. Passepartout: I'm treating Moultrie as an opportunist. He does indeed think Rutledge has gone too far, but the reason he's moving now is he thinks Rutledge is done. It's also good for John to see he's not alone in his doubts.
I'll skip Black for now, though in the next post you'll get an explanation for what's happening to him...and Tom.
Tom's problem was and will remain how to deal with Black...his odds are better now than they ever have been, but clearly he still has a way to go.
GhostWriter: Exactly. Jones would never defer to ANY soldier - he wasn't even entirely deferential with a General. On the other hand, a congressman he's more likely to be defer to, at least on political matters.
Fulcrumvale: Well, I pretty much gave it away so no, Moultrie's not a double agent. Whether he stands a chance in hell may be another story
Storey: You're about to learn about Black's weakness, and what he plans to do about it. As for the insurrection...yes, it's beginning. All the pieces are starting to drift together.
The word, of course, is drift. Sometimes getting a grip on where this story is going is like nailing jello to a tree... All my characters keep changing the rules on me. For example, I've known for awhile now what is 'wrong' with Black...but only tonight while preparing dinner did I realize what he was going to do about it.
Samuel Clemens: Hmm...could be my meds() but I'm not sure where you're going in your last statement. Let me handle what I can though:
Remember Cassie has no clue about Tom's first love, Jess. The only one who knew was Anne Whiting, and of course even she didn't know everything.
Exeter isn't...upset. Consider how you might feel if you started the AAR as a vainglorious colonel, lost your reputation, lost your voice, were left penniless and desitute, THEN transformed into something horrible. Now add in Black's apparent weakness and you can guess what he's thinking.
LewsTherin: Maybe.
Sesqui: Now, just to show what my meds are doing to me: I saw that a few days ago, and thought: That son of a b****. This was serious, how dare he 'wink'? Then I came back a few days later and finally caught the part about tree pollen. Possibly. I get some small revenge this post though!
Stuyvesant: Correct. If nothing else, Moultrie buys Tom time to continue gathering his forces, and he helps confirm for John that he's not alone in wondering what's wrong with Black/Rutledge. It's been mentioned before that John's...judgement is lacking - he continually distrusts Tom, but buys almost everything Black says. Maybe having Moultrie in the fray will help Preston trust his own feelings. Maybe.
Regarding Captain Waymouth: Sergeant, later Cornet Waymouth was the man who led John's squad in New York. When John went mad following Cassie's 'death' he made sure Heyward got him help. Later he was seriously injured at Wolf Hill and wound up in a hospital in Albany. There he met Cassie, and escorted her to Charleston where they met up with Rutledge. His fighting days are over, but apparently he still thinks he has something to offer America.
Dante Essex: Thanks, and welcome! Grab a seat! The next installment will be....well, now.
I'll skip Black for now, though in the next post you'll get an explanation for what's happening to him...and Tom.
Tom's problem was and will remain how to deal with Black...his odds are better now than they ever have been, but clearly he still has a way to go.
GhostWriter: Exactly. Jones would never defer to ANY soldier - he wasn't even entirely deferential with a General. On the other hand, a congressman he's more likely to be defer to, at least on political matters.
Fulcrumvale: Well, I pretty much gave it away so no, Moultrie's not a double agent. Whether he stands a chance in hell may be another story
Storey: You're about to learn about Black's weakness, and what he plans to do about it. As for the insurrection...yes, it's beginning. All the pieces are starting to drift together.
The word, of course, is drift. Sometimes getting a grip on where this story is going is like nailing jello to a tree... All my characters keep changing the rules on me. For example, I've known for awhile now what is 'wrong' with Black...but only tonight while preparing dinner did I realize what he was going to do about it.
Samuel Clemens: Hmm...could be my meds
() but I'm not sure where you're going in your last statement. Let me handle what I can though:Remember Cassie has no clue about Tom's first love, Jess. The only one who knew was Anne Whiting, and of course even she didn't know everything.
Exeter isn't...upset. Consider how you might feel if you started the AAR as a vainglorious colonel, lost your reputation, lost your voice, were left penniless and desitute, THEN transformed into something horrible. Now add in Black's apparent weakness and you can guess what he's thinking.
LewsTherin: Maybe.
Sesqui: Now, just to show what my meds are doing to me: I saw that a few days ago, and thought: That son of a b****. This was serious, how dare he 'wink'? Then I came back a few days later and finally caught the part about tree pollen.
Possibly. I get some small revenge this post though!Stuyvesant: Correct. If nothing else, Moultrie buys Tom time to continue gathering his forces, and he helps confirm for John that he's not alone in wondering what's wrong with Black/Rutledge. It's been mentioned before that John's...judgement is lacking - he continually distrusts Tom, but buys almost everything Black says. Maybe having Moultrie in the fray will help Preston trust his own feelings. Maybe.
Regarding Captain Waymouth: Sergeant, later Cornet Waymouth was the man who led John's squad in New York. When John went mad following Cassie's 'death' he made sure Heyward got him help. Later he was seriously injured at Wolf Hill and wound up in a hospital in Albany. There he met Cassie, and escorted her to Charleston where they met up with Rutledge. His fighting days are over, but apparently he still thinks he has something to offer America.
Dante Essex: Thanks, and welcome! Grab a seat! The next installment will be....well, now.
-= 159 =-
Massachusetts
June 1784
"And how is John?" Captain, now Congressman Waymouth asked. He was thinner than when Tom saw him last, older with grey hair slowly retreating across his broad forehead. His eyes, however, were bright as he drank from a tumbler of brandy. "I've not seen him since you took him home."
"John's well," Heyward replied. "To be honest, I've not heard from him in sometime." Had not thought of him either, not with Mister Black after him. "Ah...last I saw he was in Charleston. He's the commander of the Carolina Guard."
Waymouth nodded. "That's glory, I'm sure. And a fine looking woman he has. I can see why he went mad for her. If I was twenty years younger I'd have done much the same!" He laughed, then sensing a slight chill from his guest, "It's good to hear he's well. When this all blows over you must tell him to come to Boston, we'll relive the New York campaign!"
"I'll tell him," Tom smiled slightly. They'd just spent half an hour reliving Preston's first sojourn in the army.
"But you didn't come to talk to me about him," Waymouth added after a moment. The brilliant memories of days in the sun left his eyes and his smile faded. "Captain Jones discussed your predicament with me. He thought I might be willing to help with Congress."
"I hope so. The situation is rather grave." Heyward leaned forward. Every time he repeated his story, he realized just how incredulous it sounded - and that with leaving out the part about what Black really was. "Do you think?" he nodded at the tumbler.
"Eh? Oh, I beg your pardon, General. I was so caught up with hearing about John I wasn't attending. Pray help yourself." He indicated the shelf of bottles along one wall. Tom walked there slowly, trying to still his trembling hands. He needed this man. What could he say that would make sense?
Waymouth watched him intently. He knew about pre-battle nerves.
"There is a problem in Charleston," Tom began without turning.
"So I am given to understand. General, may I save us some time?"
"By all means." Heyward turned, still filling his glass.
"As I said, Captain Jones briefed me on your story. You don't need to repeat it. What interests me is how you see this affecting Congress. Your claims against this Rutledge fellow - and I agree he seems a greasy character - don't really extend beyond South Carolina. It may be so that by restricting the slaves there he's hurt your economy...but even if I grant you intent, then that only hurts Charleston."
"It doesn't worry you that he's setting up absolute rule?"
"It doesn't please me," Waymouth allowed, "but come: Your signature is on the Articles of Confederation. You know as well as I that the individual states may do as they please. There's nothing in there about how the state governments must be set, just how we work together."
"He may not do as he pleases if it would harm the United States as a whole, however," Tom replied. "I've spoken with Captain Jones also, and he's told me of the changed character of Congress: A closed body, secretive, hostile to those wtih dissident voices. This sounds a lot like steps Rutledge took to secure South Carolina."
"And you believe he somehow changed our character from Charleston?"
"Indirectly, yes. Consider: We've known for years South and North Carolina have acted as one. I can also assure you he's tried repeatedly to pull Virginia into their circle. When he was in Congress I know he spent quite a bit of time with President Jefferson. He's had the chance to influence the man."
"Which does not prove harm to the country," Waymouth replied.
"Doesn't it?" Tom pressed. "We fought for certain inalienable freedoms. I was there when that same President Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence following the '73 war, and there he wrote about liberty. Now he acts like...like the very men we broke away from. If that doesn't prove a changed character, then what does?"
"General," Waymouth sighed. "I know it's been several years for you, but let me assure you government does change a man, and it doesn't take ill intent?"
"President Hancock didn't have anti-sedition laws," Tom returned. "Hewes? Thomson? Anyway, there's more. Carolina is once more fighting the Cherokee if you'll remember."
"A matter passed before Congress," Waymouth noted. "Legally and fairly."
"A South Carolina motion."
"Perhaps. However, a motion South Carolina had the right to make."
"A war is one thing, a slaughter another," Tom replied. "It's brought dishonor upon not just South Carolina, but the entire country ... including Massachusetts."
Waymouth narrowed his eyes at the mild rebuke. "There are enough people who would say 'to hell with the Indians', especially after their uprisings the last few years."
"And to hell with the British as well? We're still raiding them you know. That also affects the entire country. If they finally retaliate, do you really think they'll stop in Charleston or will they go for all our ports?" He stared at the congressman for a moment, then abruptly smiled as a cohesive argument formed in his mind. "Captain, do you remember why discipline is so important in the army?"
"Of course: So you don't do something stupid and get yourself killed!"
"You...or your men. We're taught that what we do affects not just us, but everyone around us and our entire command. Now, you can sit there and tell me much of this is a South Carolina problem and I can't deny it, but what hurts Charleston today will hurt Boston tomorrow. Everything we do affects everyone else one way or the other. That is why we have to deal with Mister..Rutledge, because the longer we let him twist South Carolina, the more likely the rest of the country will either follow him with their own absolutists, or turn the other way into radicalism and war."
--------
South Carolina
He was guilty of the sin of pride. He could see that now.
Mister Black slowly paced along a tiny garden attached to his house, a gift from the Daughters of Carolina for their fallen hero. He moved slowly, partly because his body trembled with every step, and partly because he was relearning how to control his powers. A flower of some sort wilted at the corrupting influence of his approach. He inhaled sharply and sought the inner serenity God had taught them so many years ago. The flower, still obviously ill, revived slightly and he nodded. Good, the apparent plant plague at his house was getting hard to explain.
Pride. God warned his human toys of this. Except, of course, the warning hadn't really been for them but for his true children. Perhaps He hoped the humans would listen, but they couldn't even agree what or who God was. Testaments to their failures in this regard littered their history. How many thousands of slaves suffered and perished in the Egyptian sun just so their pharoahs would have a tomb that would outlive their empire? How many empires had fallen because just one of those pathetic creatures, that happened to be in command, couldn't say "Enough?" No, lessons were lost on them. God intended His messages for the angels, and he for one was prepared to listen.
Black sat on a stone bench to catch his breath. It wasn't his...Rutledge's...body failing after all, but the very angelic spark that made Black what he was. He'd underestimated this Heyward person, and for that sin he'd almost lost. Almost, but not quite.
"I should have known," he told the ailing flower. "I should have known not just anyone could answer the Summons." Black still didn't know who'd sent Heyward back in time - that angel would pay dearly for his interference - but it'd been a good stroke. When Black assaulted the man's mind, determined to possess and destroy him, he'd held on just long enough to tap into the angelic fury being used against him. The fool almost certainly didn't realize it, but he had caused Rutledge's house to explode in a blind, instinctive bid for survival. With Black's attempt at possession so brutally severed, part of his angelic essence was trapped.
Black nodded to himself. The explanation made sense. It also made them almost equal, though again the human probably didn't realize it. He'd have to rectify the situation and quickly. Fortunately, now that he knew what was wrong with him, he knew precisely what to do about it.
"Jasen!" he called. He sensed, more than heard the whimper and sob as his 'companion' practiced his predations on a helpless slave. Black sighed, that was getting harder to explain too. "Jasen! Finish what you're doing and come here. We have plans to make!"
He would not underestimate these humans again.
Oh dear. This is not going well. Not well at all. You do realize Tom will never forgive you if Anne really is dead? He will haunt your dreams forever and make you suffer untold agonies of indecision. At the very least.
Jasen really needs to curb his err, appetites. I wonder what Black is going to do about his loss of power.
Nice update! Good luck with the health problems.
DW
Jasen really needs to curb his err, appetites. I wonder what Black is going to do about his loss of power.
Nice update! Good luck with the health problems.
DW
Black being aware of what is wrong is not good, but hopefully it will not be enough to stop Heyward.
It occurs to me reading this update that Black has ruined Rutledge's reputation forever. We can tell everyone that Rutledge was being controlled by a demon but who is going to believe it?
It occurs to me reading this update that Black has ruined Rutledge's reputation forever. We can tell everyone that Rutledge was being controlled by a demon but who is going to believe it?
Wait, Hayward is now a demi-god? Well, that’s good… and it’s also nice to see him making some allies in congress.
But Black learning from the school of hard knocks is very, very bad. The one achillies heel of super villains is normally their pride and their inability to accept their own fallibility. Black has just proven himself immune to it.
But Black learning from the school of hard knocks is very, very bad. The one achillies heel of super villains is normally their pride and their inability to accept their own fallibility. Black has just proven himself immune to it.
Okay you fooled me real good this time Catknight!
So Tom is being used by an angle to stop Black and doesn’t know of his powers? So he’s, as Fulcrumvale wrote, a demi-god of some sort? So what will wake him to who he really is I wonder? You’ve just thrown a hell of a lot of curve balls this post Catknight. I just hope your arm holds up and you can finish the game.
Joe
So Tom is being used by an angle to stop Black and doesn’t know of his powers? So he’s, as Fulcrumvale wrote, a demi-god of some sort? So what will wake him to who he really is I wonder? You’ve just thrown a hell of a lot of curve balls this post Catknight. I just hope your arm holds up and you can finish the game.
Joe
That was unusually reflective for Black. Reflection on his part is bad: it makes him more dangerous. Especially if he can find a way to reverse his decomposition. And yet, on the other hand, he's still slowly losing control over Carolina (assuming the insurrection continues apace). I have this great uncertainty whether Black's position is getting worse, or getting better. At least for now: in the medium term, I fully expect him to regain control over Carolina. Moultrie will pay an exceedingly heavy price for interfering with Black...
Moultrie reminds me of the authoritarian politicians in 1930s Germany, who thought that that little corporal with the funny mustache would make an excellent counter against those darned Communists, and who also thought it would be a piece of cake to co-opt and control his unsavory political party, once he was given a taste of power. To me, Moultrie seems a lot like those people: he thinks that Rutledge has done bad, but he has also strengthened Carolina, which is good. Now that Rutledge is ill, Moultrie and his colleagues can step right in and easily take his place: Rutledge has done the nasty work and now these people can reap the fruits of his labor... They are going to be just as much, if not even more, disappointed than those German politicians, once they realize their mistake.
Concerning Heyward, I hope he can convince Waymouth. So far, he hasn't alienated the Congressman yet, but neither has he delivered a truly compelling argument.
Moultrie reminds me of the authoritarian politicians in 1930s Germany, who thought that that little corporal with the funny mustache would make an excellent counter against those darned Communists, and who also thought it would be a piece of cake to co-opt and control his unsavory political party, once he was given a taste of power. To me, Moultrie seems a lot like those people: he thinks that Rutledge has done bad, but he has also strengthened Carolina, which is good. Now that Rutledge is ill, Moultrie and his colleagues can step right in and easily take his place: Rutledge has done the nasty work and now these people can reap the fruits of his labor... They are going to be just as much, if not even more, disappointed than those German politicians, once they realize their mistake.
Concerning Heyward, I hope he can convince Waymouth. So far, he hasn't alienated the Congressman yet, but neither has he delivered a truly compelling argument.
Cat,
are you at all a fan of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time? Somehow I get the feeling that there are certain paralells between the two stories. Definitely not strong, but certain aspects, what with the whole magic/angelic powers and Tom having some incredible latent powers that he isn't aware of yet but once awakened can change everything.
Anyway, very interesting update. The pieces on the chessboard are being manouvered with great energy by both sides.
are you at all a fan of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time? Somehow I get the feeling that there are certain paralells between the two stories. Definitely not strong, but certain aspects, what with the whole magic/angelic powers and Tom having some incredible latent powers that he isn't aware of yet but once awakened can change everything.
Anyway, very interesting update. The pieces on the chessboard are being manouvered with great energy by both sides.
Now... now Mr. Black is at his most dangerous. He has realized that he made a big mistake in underestimating his foes, and that won't happen again. Things just got a whole lot more difficult for our heroes.
Excellent writing, CatKnight, I enjoyed the Weymouth conversation. Nothing like a good political discussion to bring one up to speed on your world.
CatKnight: ..."Captain, do you remember why discipline is so important in the army?"
discipline is also necessary so that the military unit acts as one. no mob will capture a well defended hill, etc. but a well coordinated attack can capture that same hill, etc.
hopefully, that same argument ("as one") will carry over to what Tom has been telling Congressman Waymouth...
CatKnight: ...He would not underestimate these humans again.
nasty! !
excellent update! !
discipline is also necessary so that the military unit acts as one. no mob will capture a well defended hill, etc. but a well coordinated attack can capture that same hill, etc.
hopefully, that same argument ("as one") will carry over to what Tom has been telling Congressman Waymouth...
CatKnight: ...He would not underestimate these humans again.
nasty! !
excellent update! !
An extremely interesting twist, that Thomas could somehow "fight" toe to toe with Black if he ever realized his own powers (presumably though his own possessing angel.) I wonder how you will impart that information to him?
And so Anne is truly dead. So very sad as she never did anything that would deserve such a fate. But sometimes innocents are caught in the crossfire. I wonder if that realization won't assist Thomas in understanding his true nature?
Caught up again, CatKnight. This gets more and more interesting as we move along. And good to hear the health is on the mend.
And so Anne is truly dead. So very sad as she never did anything that would deserve such a fate. But sometimes innocents are caught in the crossfire. I wonder if that realization won't assist Thomas in understanding his true nature?
Caught up again, CatKnight. This gets more and more interesting as we move along. And good to hear the health is on the mend.
coz1: An extremely interesting twist, that Thomas could somehow "fight" toe to toe with Black if he ever realized his own powers (presumably though his own possessing angel.) I wonder how you will impart that information to him?...
IIRC, Thomas could "fight" toe to toe with Black because Thomas has some of Blacks angel "essence" (don't remember the exact word CatKnight used...)
also IIRC, Thomas is not "possessed" by an angel. he may have a guardian angel, but i don't remember one helping him directly (other than transporting him back in time?).
i wonder what circumstances will make that information needed by Thomas.
IIRC, Thomas could "fight" toe to toe with Black because Thomas has some of Blacks angel "essence" (don't remember the exact word CatKnight used...)
also IIRC, Thomas is not "possessed" by an angel. he may have a guardian angel, but i don't remember one helping him directly (other than transporting him back in time?).
i wonder what circumstances will make that information needed by Thomas.
Brilliant as usual, CatKnight. Hopefully Heyward's words got through to Waymouth.
:sighs and :
You folk are making me feel bad about running silent on 'Resurrection', which means you're doing a great job as readAARs. I figured I should answer your kind responses and explain.
As I mentioned last round I had an asthmatic attack in early September. They were obliged to use heavy doses of corticosteroids to get my lungs to knock it off, and one of the drugs I went home with is prednisone.
Pred is a wonderful drug for this kind of thing: It absolutely crushes inflammations. It's also cheap, which is nice given I'm one of those poor American bastards without health insurance. Pred has some physical side effects....bloating and dependence, the latter meaning you can't just stop it. You have to slowly reduce the dosage until you're off of it again.
For me personally, prednisone also changes my mood. Usually it's very hard to detect, but as I started posting here I noticed my writing style seemed off. Certainly I felt more confused about where I was going with it. Offline my perceptions and reactions were steadily off. A few people seemed uncertain where I was going with Tom this last post, which only seemed to confirm my writing was off. I figured I'd better drop anchor and wait for the prednisone to drop down before I wrote us into a corner a deus ex machina couldn't save us from.
I started 'Tannenberg II' mainly to keep my hand in AAR writing, and because given it was a brand new project told in a different style, if I wrote something strange early on it'd be easier to dismiss it as an anomaly.
So, I wanted to thank everyone for their incredible support. We'll be back to Resurrection very soon. Now some specific comments:
Dead William: At this point Jasen's out of control, only helping to prove Black's not himself. Black needs to clamp down on him soon or the resulting confrontation might be...interesting.
J. Passepartout: You're right about Rutledge. Well, sort of.... His reputation is certainly ruined among men like Moultrie. Most of Carolina thinks he's still a hero, though again if Black can't stop the anomalies (disappearing slaves, wilting flowers) from happening the crowd's going to turn ugly fast. If it gets to the point Rutledge's rep is destroyed, Black might as well find a new host - Ned's usefulness is over.
Fulcrumvale, Storey: Alright, here we go.
Tom is not a demigod. Then again, neither is Black. Demigod strongly implies invincibility or at least very-hard-to-kill. Black's mortal, and the only thing immortal about Tom (and all humans) is his soul.
To understand what happened we need to go back to Tom's battle with Black. Up until that point, Tom's only 'power' was uncanny luck that kept him alive through intentionally unlikely means, such as when the coin he kept around to remember Jess deflected Stewart's assassination attempt.
Black thought he'd possess Tom and be done with it. To do so he funnelled HIS essence, his 'power' into him. Somehow, Tom's instinct figured out what was happening, tapped in to this 'power' and caused the explosion that nearly killed both of them. It was exactly like if you or I lit a match in a gas-filled room. I figured Tom's instinct only cared about surviving that one instant. Anne Whiting's finding his body so fast and getting him out of Charleston was more of his uncanny luck.
By forcibly severing the connection before Black was done, Tom trapped some of that 'power' inside of him, which is why Black's had such a miserable time of it lately. The cause is different of course, but Black pretty much feels like we would if we'd been sick for a very long time - weak, uncertain, trying to figure out how to get healthy again. Black thinks he knows how now, which as you all say, is NOT good.
Tom doesn't know what he's have, which is why he's acting a little strange....and getting a sense of precognition. The power running around inside of him might drive him mad if he's not careful, though he's keeping a better grip so far than I thought he might. If he realizes what's going on.... it could be useful. Even if it stays on an instinctive level for him, it might give him just enough of an edge to deal with Herr Black.
Are other angels helping Tom? Mm....not directly. They might explain his luck, but no one's directly assisting at this point.
Stuyvesant: As you say, Tom's not alienated Waymouth, which is at least something. Waymouth knows him from the earliest days of Tom's 'political' career - happier days for Waymouth - so he's more inclined to listen.
Excellent analogy between Moultrie and the politicians of 1930s Germany. You're pretty much right: He's not expecting much trouble so long as he's careful...and if he's not ready when Black comes for him, he's going to regret it extremely.
LewsTherin: I read the first two books of 'Wheel of Time' then gave up. Jordan's an excellent writer, but perhaps a little too gritty for my taste... at least in the high fantasy genre. The torture/attempted breaking of Egwene(?) in book 2 by the Sea Folk didn't please me.
The analogy IS interesting though, and you're right: There are some superficial similarities including to the point Tom's knowledge/situation/'power' could drive him over the edge. I don't forsee battles quite as hm.. over the top as we expect from the high fantasy genre though
Draco Rexus: That's true, but Black also has to rethink his tactics. It's true he's less likely to underestimate people now, (or is it? Realizing you've a character flaw and doing something about it are different things) but even with this realization there's only so much he can do. If he does anything overtly 'demonic' then EVERYONE will turn on him.
Mettermrck: Thanks! As I said, I wasn't sure I liked how my writing was going those last two posts. I'm glad it made sense to you.
GhostWriter: Thanks, and that's exactly the point Tom's hoping to make: Waymouth and most everyone's still thinking of the US as a coalition of twelve mostly independent states. A coalition has little reason to worry about what Black might be doing. If he can convince them the entire country rises or falls together, then they might tell Carolina to knock it off.
Part of his (..and my...) problem is figuring out exactly what he wants Congress to do: Condemn Rutledge/Black? Make them stop fighting the Cherokee? Occupy Charleston and force an election? The more he wants Congress to do, the less likely they are to listen, AND should he succeed the more likely it'll radicalize Carolina and play into Black's hands.
coz1: IF Anne's dead, I don't know if it'll help Tom understand his nature... I do know it will really upset him. He might just drop what he's doing and go back to chat with Black right now. He's proven that, though he's usually pretty good at thinking things through, he can fly off the handle with the best of them. Maybe that's where John picked it up.
GhostWriter: Perfect. Right: Any 'powers' Tom may have now is a result of 'stealing' some of Black's during the attack, and he may well have a guardian angel but no one's directly interfering.
As you say though, SOMEONE 'summoned' him through time.
Fiftypence: I hope so too. As I said, Waymouth's certainly more likely to listen than almost anyone else. Ironically, he could probably swing John right now... and they're half a continent away.
:You folk are making me feel bad about running silent on 'Resurrection', which means you're doing a great job as readAARs. I figured I should answer your kind responses and explain.
As I mentioned last round I had an asthmatic attack in early September. They were obliged to use heavy doses of corticosteroids to get my lungs to knock it off, and one of the drugs I went home with is prednisone.
Pred is a wonderful drug for this kind of thing: It absolutely crushes inflammations. It's also cheap, which is nice given I'm one of those poor American bastards without health insurance. Pred has some physical side effects....bloating and dependence, the latter meaning you can't just stop it. You have to slowly reduce the dosage until you're off of it again.
For me personally, prednisone also changes my mood. Usually it's very hard to detect, but as I started posting here I noticed my writing style seemed off. Certainly I felt more confused about where I was going with it. Offline my perceptions and reactions were steadily off. A few people seemed uncertain where I was going with Tom this last post, which only seemed to confirm my writing was off. I figured I'd better drop anchor and wait for the prednisone to drop down before I wrote us into a corner a deus ex machina couldn't save us from.
I started 'Tannenberg II' mainly to keep my hand in AAR writing, and because given it was a brand new project told in a different style, if I wrote something strange early on it'd be easier to dismiss it as an anomaly.
So, I wanted to thank everyone for their incredible support. We'll be back to Resurrection very soon. Now some specific comments:
Dead William: At this point Jasen's out of control, only helping to prove Black's not himself. Black needs to clamp down on him soon or the resulting confrontation might be...interesting.
J. Passepartout: You're right about Rutledge. Well, sort of.... His reputation is certainly ruined among men like Moultrie. Most of Carolina thinks he's still a hero, though again if Black can't stop the anomalies (disappearing slaves, wilting flowers) from happening the crowd's going to turn ugly fast. If it gets to the point Rutledge's rep is destroyed, Black might as well find a new host - Ned's usefulness is over.
Fulcrumvale, Storey: Alright, here we go.
Tom is not a demigod. Then again, neither is Black. Demigod strongly implies invincibility or at least very-hard-to-kill. Black's mortal, and the only thing immortal about Tom (and all humans) is his soul.
To understand what happened we need to go back to Tom's battle with Black. Up until that point, Tom's only 'power' was uncanny luck that kept him alive through intentionally unlikely means, such as when the coin he kept around to remember Jess deflected Stewart's assassination attempt.
Black thought he'd possess Tom and be done with it. To do so he funnelled HIS essence, his 'power' into him. Somehow, Tom's instinct figured out what was happening, tapped in to this 'power' and caused the explosion that nearly killed both of them. It was exactly like if you or I lit a match in a gas-filled room. I figured Tom's instinct only cared about surviving that one instant. Anne Whiting's finding his body so fast and getting him out of Charleston was more of his uncanny luck.
By forcibly severing the connection before Black was done, Tom trapped some of that 'power' inside of him, which is why Black's had such a miserable time of it lately. The cause is different of course, but Black pretty much feels like we would if we'd been sick for a very long time - weak, uncertain, trying to figure out how to get healthy again. Black thinks he knows how now, which as you all say, is NOT good.
Tom doesn't know what he's have, which is why he's acting a little strange....and getting a sense of precognition. The power running around inside of him might drive him mad if he's not careful, though he's keeping a better grip so far than I thought he might. If he realizes what's going on.... it could be useful. Even if it stays on an instinctive level for him, it might give him just enough of an edge to deal with Herr Black.
Are other angels helping Tom? Mm....not directly. They might explain his luck, but no one's directly assisting at this point.
Stuyvesant: As you say, Tom's not alienated Waymouth, which is at least something. Waymouth knows him from the earliest days of Tom's 'political' career - happier days for Waymouth - so he's more inclined to listen.
Excellent analogy between Moultrie and the politicians of 1930s Germany. You're pretty much right: He's not expecting much trouble so long as he's careful...and if he's not ready when Black comes for him, he's going to regret it extremely.
LewsTherin: I read the first two books of 'Wheel of Time' then gave up. Jordan's an excellent writer, but perhaps a little too gritty for my taste... at least in the high fantasy genre. The torture/attempted breaking of Egwene(?) in book 2 by the Sea Folk didn't please me.
The analogy IS interesting though, and you're right: There are some superficial similarities including to the point Tom's knowledge/situation/'power' could drive him over the edge. I don't forsee battles quite as hm.. over the top as we expect from the high fantasy genre though
Draco Rexus: That's true, but Black also has to rethink his tactics. It's true he's less likely to underestimate people now, (or is it? Realizing you've a character flaw and doing something about it are different things) but even with this realization there's only so much he can do. If he does anything overtly 'demonic' then EVERYONE will turn on him.
Mettermrck: Thanks! As I said, I wasn't sure I liked how my writing was going those last two posts. I'm glad it made sense to you.
GhostWriter: Thanks, and that's exactly the point Tom's hoping to make: Waymouth and most everyone's still thinking of the US as a coalition of twelve mostly independent states. A coalition has little reason to worry about what Black might be doing. If he can convince them the entire country rises or falls together, then they might tell Carolina to knock it off.
Part of his (..and my...) problem is figuring out exactly what he wants Congress to do: Condemn Rutledge/Black? Make them stop fighting the Cherokee? Occupy Charleston and force an election? The more he wants Congress to do, the less likely they are to listen, AND should he succeed the more likely it'll radicalize Carolina and play into Black's hands.
coz1: IF Anne's dead, I don't know if it'll help Tom understand his nature... I do know it will really upset him. He might just drop what he's doing and go back to chat with Black right now. He's proven that, though he's usually pretty good at thinking things through, he can fly off the handle with the best of them. Maybe that's where John picked it up.
GhostWriter: Perfect. Right: Any 'powers' Tom may have now is a result of 'stealing' some of Black's during the attack, and he may well have a guardian angel but no one's directly interfering.
As you say though, SOMEONE 'summoned' him through time.
Fiftypence: I hope so too. As I said, Waymouth's certainly more likely to listen than almost anyone else. Ironically, he could probably swing John right now... and they're half a continent away.