I'm reading "Eldest", the sequel to "Eragon"by Christopher Paolini. It's the story of a boy who finds a special blue rock that turns out to be a dragon's egg. It hatches and starts his adventures--boy and dragon are the people's only hope for defeating the evil emperor/black magician Galbatorix. I just came across a great bit about lace! Nasuada, the leader of the Varden (the resistance movement), is desperate for money to feed her people. She and her maid are taking apart her damaged gown, to salvage for a new gown.
"Intending to cut open a seam, she eextended her arm and snagged the tip of her knife on a fringe of bobbin lace, slicing it in half. She stared at the ragged wound in the lace, at the frayed ends of the parchment-colored strands that wriggled across the overgown like so many contorted worms, stared and felt a hysterical laugh claw at her throat even as a tear formed in her eye. Could her luck be any worse? "The bobbin lace was the most valuable part of the dress. Even though lace required skill to make, its rarity and expense were mainly due to its central ingredient: vast, copious, **mind-numbing, and deadening*** [Emphasis mine] amounts of time. It took so long to produce that if you attempted to create a lace veil by yourself, your progress would be measured not in weeks, but in months. Ounce for ounce, lace was worth more than gold or silver. "She ran her fingers over the band of threads, pausing on the rift that she had created. *It's not as if lace takes that much energy, just time.* [Author's emphasis] She hated making it herself...." She has an inspiration then, about using magic to make cheap lace to sell and raise the needed funds. She sends for her head (female) wizard Trianna: "...Nasuada reached down and lifted the overgown so that Trianna could see the mutilated lace. 'So then...you should be able to devise a spell that will allow you to manufacture lace with magic.' "A condescending sneer distorted the sorceress's dark lips. 'Du Vrangr Gata [the society of sorcerers helping the rebels] has more important duties than repairing your clothes, Lady. Our art is not so common as to be employed for mere whims. I'm sure that you will find your seamstresses and tailors more than capable of fulfilling your request. Now, if you will excuse me, I--' "'Be quiet, woman,' said Nasuada in a flat voice. Astonishment muted Trianna in midsentence. 'I see that I must teach Du Vrangr Gata the same lesson that I taught the Council of Elders: I may be young, but I am no child to be patronized. I ask about lace beauuse if you cna manufacture it quickly and easily with magic, then we can support the Varden by selling inexpensive bobbin and needle lace throughout the Empire. Galbatorix's own people will provide the funds we need to survive.' "'But that's ridiculous,' protested Trianna. Even Farica [Nasuada's maid] looked skeptical. 'You can't pay for a war with *lace*.' "Nasuada raised an eyebrow. 'Why not? Women who otherwise could never afford to own lace will leap at the chance to buy ours. Every farmer's wife who longs to appear richer than she is will want it. Even wealthy merchants and nobles will give us their gold because our lace will be finer than any thrown or stitched by human hands. We'll garner a fortune to rival the dwarves'. That is, *if* you are skilled enough in magic to do what I want.'" Sounds like the beginning of the machine-lace era and the destruction of the 'real' lace industry, just like in our history! Robin P. Los Angeles, California, USA (formerly Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
