Dave had been located hanging out with a Plains Indian-like people called the Dalrei, where he has not only learned how to fight but captured the attention of a Goddess; Kimberly has transformed into a visionary seer with powers she's just beginning to understand; Paul has become known as the twice-born after spending three days and nights hung on the Summer Tree as a voluntary sacrifice, in an attempt to call down the rain; Jennifer has been impregnated by the evil God; while Kevin has remained Kevin.
When we find them at the beginning of The Wandering Fire, they are awaiting a chance to return to Fionavar, which means waiting for Kimberly to find them a means of getting there. But there is somebody from our world who she must bring with them, and she is waiting to dream the right words of command.
Throughout the whole tapestry, Kay draws upon a variety of Earth-based mythologies and stories to create the world of Fionavar. Celtic flavours predominate, but Greek influences, as well as others, pop up in the names of some of the Gods and Goddesses. But in the Wandering Fire, he brings to life one of great Romantic heroes of English literature, King Arthur.
It is Arthur who Kimberly must collect and bring to Fionavar to fight on their side against the forces of evil. But even she can't foresee what this will result in for her dearest friend Jennifer. For in Jennifer lies the soul of the woman who was once Guinevere, and her meeting with Arthur in Fionavar awakens that long-dormant force.
Jennifer already has her own burden to bear. Imprisoned, tortured and raped by the evil Rakoth, she was to have been killed. Kimberly's timely rescue prevented that, but has also left her pregnant with the child of the evil God. Although all her friends try to convince her that she should abort, she is resolute in her determination to see the child born. Her logic is that since Rakoth wanted her dead so badly, there is a reason why he doesn't want the child born.
On their return to Fionavar they find the world trapped in an endless winter, devised in some manner by their foe. If they are to have any hope in winning this war they must first break the winter's spell, and than discover Rakoth's means of controlling the weather. Book two is taken up with that quest and the opening battle of the war.
Article comments
1 - johnboy
Interesting you didn't draw similarities with the Silmarillion.
I read the books thinking all the way how stylistically similar I thought they were.
Only when I got to the end did I notice Kay's involvement.
OK so I prefer to know the work before i check out the author.