Before reading this part, ask yourself 'how would I feel after betrayal?' I'm sure you would say 'Pissed off!' but most people say that because they don't want to think 'depressed'. Well, thats they way this goes.

This is the final chapter of Solaris. At this point there were plans to expand the story into a second book at least, and maybe a third book. As such I needed to tackle some issues in the back story here. The clan leadership, his own feelings, the introduction of his half-brother and even managed to squeze in some clan tradition too with the funeral rites.

I also found that I was able to explore some more of the history and let some lose ends wrap themselves up, such as his father being enslaved, the holder who enslaved him and the history between the holder and the clan. It added a more malicious element to the storyline with the holder in charge of the Shakor home island back in the occupation being killed by Gol'Dar at the end of the rebellion. Then the holders son takes pleasure many years later in searing off the clan tattoo on his faters face. Then, again, he dies at the hands of a Shakor.

I like the whole cycle it produces, like a never ending dance. It was entirely unintentional at that point, but worked out nicelly.

Also, Darius' brood in this chapter is vital to his character in Penumbra, and the beauty is that I have not lost the ability for him to change later if the need arises. If anything, more flexibility has arisen.

Ahh well, enough now. Enjoy the story.