Hindsight (Oathbound)

[@hunnybee971]

"Death is always waiting for a fool".

[@djomega8462]

Thank you for posting these songs. You introduced me to the Mercedes Lackey series, and it now resides on my special shelves where only my favourite books/authors go.

[@carlinkag2525]

I also discovered her through these songs😄 It's really so amazing!

[@ShethTora]

I’m with both of you.

[@TheHistorian1066]

I've been meaning to get started on them, any suggestions which book to start off with?

[@willparry530]

@@TheHistorian1066 If you haven't yet, I would recommend starting with the Arrows trilogy, the first book being Arrows of the Queen, since while not the first chronologically, these were the first books written in the setting. If you want to start chronologically, though, start with The Mage Wars trilogy, the first being Black Gryphon.

[@TheHistorian1066]

@@willparry530 thanks for the recommendations, I think I'll go for the chronological route though. I'm not an all too great fan of jumping around time wise

[@MegaMementoMori]

Very wise lesson can be learned from the tale. Next time a beggar asks me for shelter, I will pre-emptively strike him or her, because it will surely be a demon in disguise.

[@MichalSoukup1995]

better safe than sorry?

[@GnarledStaff]

Thats stupid. Why invite more ill will than you have too? There are countless stories of deities and other beings wandering as beggars and rewarding those who let them in and feed them. The moral of the story is to keep a watch on all strangers in your camp. You don’t know who will turn out to be a monster or even a thief. But you also don’t know who will turn out to be a prince or a being of standing.

[@Nyrufa]

That's how you get cursed by Dragons...

[@dragoncatgaming5481]

@@Nyrufa That really seems to be referencing something, but I can't put my finger on it, would you mind telling me where that is from?

[@Nyrufa]

@@dragoncatgaming5481 Dragons going around town disguised as simple beggars, or ugly crones is a popular fantasy trope. If you show them kindness and charity, they may reward you. But if you display vanity and selfishness, they'll either curse your household, or just flat out kill you!

[@guinevereeastes8519]

seems to me that while he didnt have to bring her into the middle of camp, he also would not have felt comfortable leaving her to freeze and starve. The best compromise is something along the lines of giving her a tent on the outskirts.

[@voicesoftheoutworld3617]

And letting the community know to be on watch.

[@REgamesplayer]

Sure, because a random hobo is certainly a demon in disguise. That happens so damn often these days!

[@seand.g423]

@@REgamesplayer yup... probability is a b!tch... Especially in literal fantasy worlds...

[@willparry530]

@@REgamesplayer no, but you don't know what the hobo might do in desperation. Honestly you have no idea what any stranger will or won't do when you invite them into your home, doesn't matter how much or little they have.

[@REgamesplayer]

@@willparry530 That was sarcasm.

[@KrimzonFlygon1]

But what if the beggar woman was an enchantress who would turn me into an aardvark if I *didn’t* let her in?

[@dragoncatgaming5481]

You let them into your camp/house, but watch them closely, that is the moral of the story here, watch those in your camp, never let your caution fall, for you never know who may be a demon in disguise, or a god among mortals even.

[@draakgamer2366]

Offer some money to buy a room in a nearby inn. Not your problem anymore, you get the beggar housing, and the demon isn't inside your house.

[@martijnbakker1277]

@@draakgamer2366 That's clever. And no one is hurt either, because the demon still doesn't know where to find the inn.

[@AbsolXGuardian]

Or a deity. The singer referenced how he let the stranger in "as I thought I must". A lot of cultures have stories about beings digusing themselves as beggars to test one's kindness. If you treat the beggar well, you're given great boons. Otherwise you're cursed with terrible things. In a fantasy world, such stories would probably be real advice, not just a way to convince people to be nicer

[@manpig3377]

I see that as an absolute win!

[@nadinemolver7296]

Savitar, I get your name. I'm glad there is another fan

[@GreebleClown]

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

[@dragonlady3852]

The song Snow Beast is part 1 of this song this is part 2.

[@wintersking4290]

Are you sure? I feel like this is directly from the source and Snow Beast is the way they retell the story in other villages.

[@dragonlady3852]

@@wintersking4290 Well this tells the aftermath of the snow beast's attack on the them and is a recap and continuation of the first story. I suppose the first part could be used as a tale of caution for children with this being the adult version of the tale. We both could be right, in Mercedes Lackey's book Oathbreakers Tarma references the snow demon. She uses it while playing at a battle of snowballs with the children in Hawksnest. Later when Kethry askes about it she says it was a real event and the warrior who died killing the beast was one of her spirit guide teachers. I don't know if you've ever read any of Mercedes Lackey's books. I've read a number of them and found that many of her songs are set in the world of her books and some of her books even reference them. Personally My favorite characters of hers are Tarma, Kethrey, and the poor tragic herald mage Vanyel. Although my favorite series of hers is her Dragon Jousters series.

[@wintersking4290]

@@dragonlady3852 I think you know more about the series than me. I didn't mean that you were wrong necessarily. I think it could be either way. Like you said one is a song to make sure children behave and don't endanger the community and the other is a more detailed story adults would understand. I think they both have good purpose. Have an awesome day and thanks for not yelling at a random stranger on the internet 😉.

[@dragonlady3852]

@@wintersking4290 You have a good day too and try the series Oathbound by Mercedes Lackey you won't regret it!!!!

[@nevaeha4048]

@@dragonlady3852 I don’t know if I would call this part 2 I think it’s part 1; and that snow beast is being told by someone who’s looking in from the outside. I don’t really think that one or the other is part 1 or 2. I think they tell the same story just one’s first person and ones narrated (forgot the exact name) but that neither one came first or last.

[@nakeemiller8842]

Thanks. I tried to order from Firebird Arts, they took my money but no CD. Anywhere else to order from?

[@SavitarTheSurfingGod]

+nakee miller No unfortunately that is the only place that sells them, how long has it been since you ordered? Mine took 6 months before it arrived at my house apparently Canada shipping is very slow, by the time it arrived i had completely forgot that i even ordered it.

[@lyllydd]

+nakee miller You may try looking for Bill Roper's booth at conventions. He often has the Mercedes Lackey stuff, along with some of the old Heather Alexander/Alexander James Adams cds.

[@nakeemiller8842]

Thank you.

[@sandranight5803]

As it has been over a year I have to ask, did you ever get your CD? or a refund? I've been wanting to order some CDs but didn't want to repeat your experience.

[@domthestar3251]

Did you ever get your cd

[@Mojo_3.14]

Mercedes Lackey, writing LBQT+ characters in the 1980's, 90's and beyond. Giving representation before it was a thing and writing some damn good stories. "There is no one true way"

[@tangytango2749]

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