Hildegrin's motives

Thank you for this clarification, mantis. One point sticks to my mind though. A possible motive of the Badger was to prevent the coming of the New Sun. Is Vodalus for or against this coming? The point I most recall is that of when Vodalus discribes the battle in terms of black and white chess pieces. He claims that his side is the revolutionary side. Thus, is Hildegrin acting alone, or with his leader's wishes (Which would seem contradictory) ? Xury

Reply: Item #8145139 from URTH at LISTS.BEST.COM@INET02# Xury, Vodalus describes himself as revolutionary, but notice that his plans (and Thea's dreams) are usurpation of the throne, restoration of the Monarchy, and galactic empire rebuilding. He wants to go back along that old track; his version of revolution is really "restoration of exultant supremecy" rather than "transformation." In the chess analogy, Vodalus says that his side is the black side, fwiw. When Severian tells Vodalus he has the Claw, this scene might aptly be termed "The Temptation of Vodalus." And Vodalus is tempted, but he says that his masters Abaia and Erebus would think him turned traitor, so he refuses. Thus: Abaia and Erebus are in the anti-New Sun Entropy Gang (with Erebus being the big winner in the Ragnarok future timeline sweepstakes); Vodalus is their puppet. Hildegrin, learning something of the Big Picture in a Vodalarii upper echelon strategy session or by piecing it together himself, opts to go for the long shot "Terminator"-style sneak attack. =mantis=