I cannot help but to wonder that if, supposing, Severian had his fate set up from the beginning, a life predestined by whomever (an earlier Severian or such) and the Forces of Entropy were determined to prevent this catalyst from bringing the New Sun, then why did the undine save him as a child? She saved him so he could gain the Phoenix Throne, but they must know he would bring the New Sun also, thus bringing their own destruction. I am obviously confused on this matter and would welcome any suggestions.
Xury
Reply: Item #1005628 from URTH at LISTS.BEST.COM@INTERNET#
Xury,
Juturna, the undine who saved Severian in SHADOW and tried to drown him in CLAW (probably the first time =she= met him) seems to have gotten the idea of saving Severian the child while talking to Severian the demigod at the deluge scene in URTH . . .
A simple reason why she would switch sides: we see in URTH that she has survived the deluge and is happily munching fish. So perhaps she saw a short and unhappy life in store for herself if the Entropy side won? (The undines swim the corridors of time, as you know.) Will she grow in size and power to take the place of Abaia, as Agia replaced Vodalus?
=mantis=