![]() The passing of time brings changes to the lives of the Geats as it does to everyone. The mutability of time is central to Hrothgar's sermon (1700-84), and it provides the framework for the final third of the poem. Courageous and determined, if not quite the man he once was, the old warrior sets off. Always conscious of weapons and tactics, Beowulf prepares by ordering a new shield, made of iron, since the dragon-fire would make short sparks of his usual linden-wood. He remembers victories against Grendel and Grendel's mother, as well as a heroic escape from Frisia after Hygelac was killed. Although he is now an old man, Beowulf believes that he can defeat the dragon by himself. Before long, however, the aging warrior focuses on his responsibility as protector and prepares to face the monster in battle. ![]() ![]() When Beowulf hears of the dragon's night raids, the king initially wonders if he could have angered God in some way, bringing this trouble to his people. A lone Geat fugitive, apparently a servant or slave escaping a cruel master, has stolen a single flagon from the hoard, outraging the dragon and inciting him to vengeance. For 300 years, the dragon has peacefully guarded a treasure-trove, originally the riches of a now-defunct tribe but long hidden in a "high barrow-hall, / towering stone-mound" (2212-13). To everyone's alarm, however, a terrifying dragon begins to stalk the countryside at night, destroying homes - including Beowulf's great hall - with his fiery breath. Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules well for 50 years. His son, Heardred, inherits the throne, with Beowulf's support, but is also slain. The two women share a deep kinship with the dragons: Thymara can instinctively communicate with them, and Alise, captivated by their beauty and majesty, has devoted her life to studying them.Įmbarking on an arduous journey that holds no promise of return, the band of humans and dragons must make their way along the toxic and inhospitable Rain Wild Riveran extraordinary odyssey that will teach them lessons about themselves and one another, as they experience hardships, betrayals, and joys beyond their wildest dreams.Years pass. Among them is Thymara, an unschooled forest girl of sixteen, and Alise, a wealthy Trader's wife trapped in a loveless marriage, who attaches herself to the expedition as a dragon expert. To ensure their safe passage, the Traders recruit a disparate group of young people to care for the damaged creatures and escort them to their new home. To avert catastrophe, the dragons decree a move even farther up the treacherous river to Kelsingra, their ancient, mythical homeland whose mysterious location is locked deep within the dragons' uncertain ancestral memories. The Trader leadership fears that if it stops providing for the young dragons, the hungry and neglected creatures will rampageor die along the river's acidic muddy banks. The few who survive cannot use their wings earthbound, they are powerless to hunt and vulnerable to human predators willing to kill them for the fabled healing powers of dragon flesh.īut Tintaglia has vanished and the Traders are weary of the labor and expense of tending useless dragons. But too much time has passed, and the newly hatched dragons are damaged and weak, and many die. In return, the Traders promised to help her serpents migrate up the Rain Wild River after a long exile at seato find a safe haven and, Tintaglia hopes, to restore her species. ![]() But they could not have staved off invasion without the powerful dragon Tintaglia. In this enthralling new novel, she returns to the territory of her beloved Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogies with a story of dragons and humans, return and rebirth, and the search for meaning, belonging, and home.įor years, the Trader cities valiantly battled their enemies, the Chalcedeans. One of the most gifted fantasy authors writing today, New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb has dazzled readers with brilliantly imaginative, emotionally resonant, and compulsively readable tales set in far-flung realms not unlike our own.
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