- Moderator
- #21
He may have even seen where the Shaido began to branch away from ji'e'toh/the Light, and uh...not taken it well.
This is a brilliant point. I could see that see the progressive splintering off of your clan and perhaps realizing the end state (of not even being an Aiel Clan anymore) could be horrifyingly destructive. I know as a Marine; when new developments occurred it had potentials for incredibly disruptive effect (even if the developments were positive and necessary). Similarly, the rigidity of an Aiel society and the Clans with dogmatized ji'e'toh based on historic recollection and behavior patterns could have the same disruptive effect personally (and society wide). Perhaps the ordeal served to not only remind the Clan Chiefs of their past; but ensure that the Clan Chiefs were not so rigidly brittle in cultural norms that they could survive (and lead) their Clans into and through any uncertain (changeable) future.
I can imagine many ways to end....but the end that Muradin suffered (including tearing out his eyes), seems particularly horrific. And may be a good lesson in the danger of a rigidity of ji'e'toh and the Light (enter discussion of Whitecloaks at this point).