(urth) The mystery of the image of an astronaut cleaned byRudesind

[Ryan Dunn]

On Jul 8, 2010, at 12:46 AM, James Wynn wrote:

> For the record, I don't give a hoot about Rudesind and only a little bit about Fechin.


To change tacts here...

Is it possible Rudesind was intentionally steering Severian away from the Reading Room? Is the Book of Gold in there? What would happen if Severian found it? Any other motive to avoid the direction the armiger laid forth?

"The old curator blew those directions to the winds with a puff of sour breath. "What he laid down would only get you to the Reading Room. From there it'd take you a watch to get to Ultan, if ever you did."

We're going on Rudesind's word that the armiger's directions were indeed faulty, no? We are also to trust Rudesind at HIS word, though Severian doesn't know him from the next man.

Or all may simply be as it seems here. I just want to settle the unease I feel with the Rudesind encounter.

...ryan