Post by Dornish Neck Tie on Sept 20, 2016 3:14:07 GMT
A Feast for Crows starts off by painting quite a different picture of the maesters than what we've been shown from Luwin's close relationship with the Starks.
The Prologue introduces us to the Oldtown and the Citadel, which have no shortage of unsavory and untrustworthy characters.
Next chapter, Aeron Damphair tells us all about his deep distrust of the maesters and their birds, the creatures of the Storm God.
The second proper chapter, shown from Areo Hotah's perspective, is a bit more subtle, but no less revealing about just how much the maesters are trusted by savvy players:
"We will wait for morn. See that my litter is ready by first light."
"As you command." Caleotte bobbed a bow. The captain stood aside to let him pass, and listened to his footsteps dwindle.
"Captain?" The prince's voice was soft.
"Shall I fetch a draught for the pain?"
"No. I need my wits about me."
The maester hesitated. "My prince, is it . . . is it prudent to allow Lady Obara to return to Sunspear? She is certain to inflame the common people. They loved your brother well."
The prince leaned back against his pillows and closed his eyes, but Hotah knew he did not sleep. He is in pain. For a moment he considered calling Maester Caleotte up to the litter, but if Prince Doran had wanted him, he would have called himself.
No sooner had she taken her leave than Maester Caleotte hurried to the dais. "My prince, she did not . . . here, let me see your hand." He examined the palm first, then gently turned it upside down to sniff at the back of the prince's fingers. "No, good. That is good. There are no scratches, so . . ."
The prince withdrew his hand. "Maester, could I trouble you for some milk of the poppy? A thimble cup will suffice."
"The poppy. Yes, to be sure."
"Now, I think," Doran Martell urged gently, and Caleotte scurried to the stairs.
- Captain of the Guards, AFfC
In the first quote, Doran Martell and his trusted guardian wait until the maester (who has served the Martells since before Doran's birth) is out of earshot before speaking to each other.
The next three show two instances of Doran refusing to take milk of the poppy from Maester Caleotte. The second of them implies that Areo Hotah knows Caleotte is not permitted open access to the prince in the way that Luwin was to the Starks. The only time Doran decides to accept milk of the poppy is the very last we see of Caleotte in this chapter, and I got the impression he commanded the maester to go fetch a token dose of the stuff simply to get him out of the room.
ETA: I should have mentioned something else from that last quote. The bit where Doran "withdrew his hand" from the offer of protection and service from his maester. I take this for a sign of the prince's reflexive unease at the prospect of relying on his maester, or placing his fate in the hands of a maester.
The Prologue introduces us to the Oldtown and the Citadel, which have no shortage of unsavory and untrustworthy characters.
Next chapter, Aeron Damphair tells us all about his deep distrust of the maesters and their birds, the creatures of the Storm God.
The second proper chapter, shown from Areo Hotah's perspective, is a bit more subtle, but no less revealing about just how much the maesters are trusted by savvy players:
"We will wait for morn. See that my litter is ready by first light."
"As you command." Caleotte bobbed a bow. The captain stood aside to let him pass, and listened to his footsteps dwindle.
"Captain?" The prince's voice was soft.
"Shall I fetch a draught for the pain?"
"No. I need my wits about me."
The maester hesitated. "My prince, is it . . . is it prudent to allow Lady Obara to return to Sunspear? She is certain to inflame the common people. They loved your brother well."
The prince leaned back against his pillows and closed his eyes, but Hotah knew he did not sleep. He is in pain. For a moment he considered calling Maester Caleotte up to the litter, but if Prince Doran had wanted him, he would have called himself.
No sooner had she taken her leave than Maester Caleotte hurried to the dais. "My prince, she did not . . . here, let me see your hand." He examined the palm first, then gently turned it upside down to sniff at the back of the prince's fingers. "No, good. That is good. There are no scratches, so . . ."
The prince withdrew his hand. "Maester, could I trouble you for some milk of the poppy? A thimble cup will suffice."
"The poppy. Yes, to be sure."
"Now, I think," Doran Martell urged gently, and Caleotte scurried to the stairs.
- Captain of the Guards, AFfC
In the first quote, Doran Martell and his trusted guardian wait until the maester (who has served the Martells since before Doran's birth) is out of earshot before speaking to each other.
The next three show two instances of Doran refusing to take milk of the poppy from Maester Caleotte. The second of them implies that Areo Hotah knows Caleotte is not permitted open access to the prince in the way that Luwin was to the Starks. The only time Doran decides to accept milk of the poppy is the very last we see of Caleotte in this chapter, and I got the impression he commanded the maester to go fetch a token dose of the stuff simply to get him out of the room.
ETA: I should have mentioned something else from that last quote. The bit where Doran "withdrew his hand" from the offer of protection and service from his maester. I take this for a sign of the prince's reflexive unease at the prospect of relying on his maester, or placing his fate in the hands of a maester.