C. S. Friedman

[stoutfellow]

Just a quick note: I've started in on Friedman's Feast of Souls, and feel compelled to point out one very nice bit. In the early going, we are introduced to one Colivar, who is visiting the kingdom of Coldorra (is that the name of the kingdom? I'm not sure) from the often-hostile realm of Anshasa. I want to juxtapose two passages, separated by about thirteen pages; both are from Colivar's POV.

The northern language felt harsh on his tongue compared to the liquid resonance of his accustomed dialect, but he spoke it well enough to make himself understood. Little wonder the northerners did not revere poetry as his own people did; one could hardly scribe paeans to love in such a guttural and unsatisfying dialect.

Colivar started forward, but Ramirus caught his arm. "Don't you think you should dress appropriately for this?"
"Does it matter?"
"Perhaps not in your realm." The word uncivilized was all the more apparent for not being voiced. "It does here."
Colivar shrugged. His own patron didn't much care what he wore so long as he got the job done, but the northlands were notorious for their love of "proper" protocol.

Friedman does not draw attention to it, and the passages are not close together, but Colivar's lack of self-awareness is beautifully rendered. (There is at least one other doublet, catching him out in the same way in a different respect.) Very nice.