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Patricia Reding
a book bubble about
Ephemeral and Fleeting
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author Insight
Is it Flattery?
It is not often readers get to see Broden interact with his father, Zarek. This is one of those few moments, yet it is telling, I think. Broden, a bold young man, is a bit calculating here in that he's trying to get something from Zarek. Yet, he full well knows that the best way to succeed is to get Zarek on his side. Flattery would be a waste of breath and would put all else in question. So Broden is truthful about something Zarek takes as flattery. In some ways, this shows that even the most negative of characters may have some personality characteristics that aren't all bad. How would you handle someone of power if you wanted something from them?
Book Excerpt
Ephemeral and Fleeting
Biting the inside of his cheek, Broden approached. Then, recollecting that he didn’t want to portray any weakness, he clamped his jaw tight, squared his shoulders, and looked his father in the eye.
“I’m tired of wasting time, of studying and being of no use to anyone,” he said. “I’d like an assignment, and I’ve got just the one in mind.”
“Brother Pestifere said I was not to trust you.”
“Brother Pestifere!” Broden scoffed. “Because I question him, because I insist on answers to my queries, he belittles me.” His eyes held his father’s gaze. “But you are different. You can appreciate that I cannot make firm decisions without first possessing all the pertinent information.”
“Oh? You know me so well then?”
“I know what I see.”
“And what is that?”
“I see a man of power. I see a man who doesn’t accept things for what they seem, but for what they are. To do that, you must satisfy yourself that you have the necessary information before acting in any given situation. You don’t take things at face value. You— You prod at them,” Broden said, gesturing as though plunging a knife.
“Your flattery is—”
“I’m not flattering you,” he interrupted. “I’m stating facts. Just because a statement is complimentary, doesn’t mean it’s insincere.”
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