Hell's Foundations Quiver

Last updated
Hell's Foundations Quiver
Hell's Foundations Quiver.jpg
Author David Weber
Cover artist Stephen Youll
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
Publisher Tor Books
Publication date
October 13, 2015
Media typeHardcover
Pages784
ISBN 978-0765321879
Preceded by Like a Mighty Army  
Followed by At the Sign of Triumph  

Hell's Foundations Quiver is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, the eighth book in the Safehold Series. It was released on October 13, 2015. Like the preceding novel, the title comes from the hymn "Onward, Christian Soldiers" (second stanza).

Contents

Plot

Merlin Athrawes is confronted by Aivah Pahrshan, who reveals to him her suspicions that he and Ahbraim Zhevons are one and the same and that she had been tracking his activities for several years now. She reveals that she is the leader of the "Sisterhood of Saint Kohdy," an ancient secret society founded after the death of Seijin Kohdy (who was previously believed to be mythical) under suspicious circumstances; the Church subsequently deleted his existence from its official record and annihilated the original Abbey of Saint Kohdy in a Rakurai strike. Aivah also reveals that Kohdy's tomb, journal and sword ("Helm Cleaver") were all relocated before the destruction of the Abbey and that large portions of the journal are in Spanish, a language the Sisterhood cannot understand. Despite the grave risks involved, the Inner Circle decides to bring Aivah and her personal maid Sandaria to Nimue's Cave and expose them to the complete truth, a truth that shocks them to their very core; neither suspected (despite the Sisterhood's essential doubts about some of the "archangels" and the Church) that the Holy Writ itself was based on falsehoods. Eventually, both accept the truth.

The Spanish portions of Saint Kohdy's journal are translated and the Inner Circle discovers previously unknown details about the War Against the Fallen. Saint Kohdy was in fact Sergeant Major Cody Cortazar, late of the Terran Federation Marine Corps. He had been drafted due to his combat skills and training by the surviving command crew to combat the "Fallen Angels" and their "mortal" supporters while winning the support of the ignorant population. To accomplish this, the command crew had sought to selectively reactivate his suppressed memories and in doing so had allowed him to remember his native tongue and fragments of his previous life on Earth. His experiences against someone the church had ruled a "demon" had shaken him to the point of questioning the "archangels" and he sought to meet with Schueler himself for reassurance (a meeting from which he did not return alive). Ultimately, the Inner Circle and Sisterhood agree to work together, and Merlin travels to Zion in disguise to make contact with the Sisterhoods' agents there.

In northern Siddarmark, Baron Green Valley takes troops specialized in winter combat and seizes key positions to the north of Bishop Militant Bahrnabai Wyrshym's positions in the Sylmahn Gap. Despite the wisdom of pulling Wyrshym and his troops back, the Grand Inquisitor refuses to yield any ground. Having blocked the Church's forces from the north, the allies subsequently attack Wyrshym's positions from the south in the Gap. With Harchong's relief force still five-days away from being able to relieve him and after sustaining heavy losses, Wyrshym is forced to surrender. Green Valley then orders the liberation of as many of the Church's concentration camps while Merlin, whose assassination of specific inquisitors and overzealous church guardsman cause the Inquisition to tone down its atrocities, rescues a family of "suspected heretics" and brings them to the Cave. They're given a new chance to rebuild their lives elsewhere.

In the south, the Dohlaran Army is forced to retreat while Bishop Militant Cahnyr Kaitswyrth's forces are surrounded and defeated by the Allies (Kaitswyrth subsequently commits suicide). In the aftermath of such massive reversals, Vicar Zhaspahr Clyntahn attempts to have Maigwair removed from his position through political maneuvering. However, the secret meeting of his loyalists at a secluded church in Zion is bombed by the Sisterhoods' agents (named the "Fist of God") with Merlin's help. The attack, coupled with Maigwair's swift action to secure his position and the propaganda broadsheets claiming responsibility for this attack (as well as for the assassination of other vicars), seriously undermines Clyntahn's position and the Inquisition's aura of invincibility. However, the evidence leads Wyllym Rayno, Chyntahn's second in command in the Inquisition, to conclude that the Fist of God is indeed, in league with "demons."

In Dohlar, Ahlverez finds himself fighting for his political career after his defeat in Siddarmark. Meanwhile, Dohlar's new "screw galleys" are pitted against a Charisian squadron of galleons and one ironclad with both sides sustaining heavy losses. The battle ends with a Dohlaran victory and the capture of the iron clad and over 500 Charisian seamen, though some Charisian ships escape. Despite attempts by the Dohlaran leadership to convince the Church otherwise, Clyntahn demands the extradition of all the Charisian prisoners for a huge auto-da-fé in Zion, with the intent to shore up the Inquisition's position in the eyes of the faithful.

Hektor Aplyn-Ahrmahk and Baron Sarmouth (a recent inductee to the Inner Circle), with the assistance of the SNARCs, lead a daring nighttime mission to save the Charisian prisoners from the church's ships and return the Dohlaran prisoners from the raid back to Gorath. His plans for the prisoners in ruins, a furious Clyntahn orders the arrest of all the Dohlaran officers involved but is swayed (barely) by Rayno's logical argument that doing so might damage the war effort, as the Dohlaran Navy has provided the only victory against Charis that year. Clyntahn, still suspicious of the Dohlaran Navy's commander, "invites" Thirsk's family for their pilgrimage to Zion. Anticipating these actions, Merlin and Nimue intercept the ship carrying Thirsk's daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, rescuing his family and blowing the ship up in the middle of the sea to eliminate any witnesses.

In the aftermath of their presumed deaths, a deeply depressed Thirsk contemplates what he is likely to be forced to say in support of the Church's version (that his family died in a battle with Charisian ships). The book concludes when he is suddenly interrupted by Merlin Athrawes, in his own townhouse study, who tells him that they "need to talk."

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inquisition</span> System of tribunals enforcing Catholic orthodoxy

The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the Catholic Church whose aim was to combat heresy, conducting trials of suspected heretics. Studies of the records have found that the overwhelming majority of sentences consisted of penances, but convictions of unrepentant heresy were handed over to the secular courts, which generally resulted in execution or life imprisonment. The Inquisition had its start in the 12th-century Kingdom of France, with the aim of combating religious deviation, particularly among the Cathars and the Waldensians. The inquisitorial courts from this time until the mid-15th century are together known as the Medieval Inquisition. Other groups investigated during the Medieval Inquisition, which primarily took place in France and Italy, include the Spiritual Franciscans, the Hussites, and the Beguines. Beginning in the 1250s, inquisitors were generally chosen from members of the Dominican Order, replacing the earlier practice of using local clergy as judges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pope Paul IV</span> Head of the Catholic Church from 1555 to 1559

Pope Paul IV, born Gian Pietro Carafa was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 May 1555 to his death, in August 1559. While serving as papal nuncio in Spain, he developed an anti-Spanish outlook that later coloured his papacy. In response to an invasion of part of the Papal States by Spain during his papacy, he called for a French military intervention. After a defeat of the French and with Spanish troops at the edge of Rome, the Papacy and Spain reached a compromise: French and Spanish forces left the Papal States and the Pope thereafter adopted a neutral stance between France and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady of the Lake</span> Enchantress and sorceress in Arthurian legend

The Lady of the Lake is a name or a title used by several either fairy or fairy-like but human enchantresses in the Matter of Britain, the body of medieval literature and mythology associated with the legend of King Arthur. She plays several important roles in many stories, including providing Arthur with the sword Excalibur, eliminating Merlin, raising Lancelot after the death of his father, and helping to take the dying Arthur to Avalon. Different sorceresses known as the Lady of the Lake appear concurrently as separate characters in some versions of the legend since at least the Post-Vulgate Cycle and consequently the seminal Le Morte d'Arthur, with the latter describing them as a hierarchical group, while some texts also give this title to either Morgan or her sister.

"The Way of Cross and Dragon" is a science fiction short story by American writer George R. R. Martin. It involves a far-future priest of the One True Interstellar Catholic Church of Earth and the Thousand Worlds investigating a sect that reveres Judas Iscariot. The story deals with the nature and limitations of religious faith.

<i>Directorium Inquisitorum</i> 1376 book by Nicholas Eymerich

The Directorium Inquisitorum is Nicholas Eymerich's most prominent and enduring work, written in Latin and consisting of approximately 800 pages, which he had composed as early as 1376. Eymerich had written an earlier treatise on sorcery, perhaps as early as 1359, which he extensively reworked into the Directorium Inqusitorum. In compiling the book, Eymerich used many of the magic texts he had previously confiscated from accused sorcerers. It can also be considered as an assessment of a century and a half of official Inquisition in the "albigensian" country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amsterdam Dungeon</span>

The Amsterdam Dungeon, in the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands, follows a similar format to the London Dungeon, York Dungeon, Berlin Dungeon and Hamburg Dungeon which are owned and operated by UK-based Merlin Entertainments and attempts to show history through an interactive adventure. Live actors, a ride, shows and special effects simulate historical dark and bleak times, it was first opened in September 2005.

<i>The Winter King</i> (novel) 1995 novel by Bernard Cornwell

The Winter King: A Novel of Arthur is the first novel of the Warlord Chronicles trilogy by Bernard Cornwell, originally published in the UK in 1995 by Penguin Group. The book is based on characters and plot elements from Arthurian myth, but considerably changed and re-worked.

<i>Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur</i> 1997 novel by Bernard Cornwell

Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur is a historical fiction novel by English writer Bernard Cornwell, first published in the UK in 1997. It is the third and final book in The Warlord Chronicles series, following The Winter King and Enemy of God. The trilogy tells the legend of King Arthur through the eyes of his follower Derfel Cadarn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish Inquisition</span> System of tribunals enforcing Catholic orthodoxy

The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition, was established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. It began toward the end of the Reconquista and was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms and to replace the Medieval Inquisition, which was under papal control. It became the most substantive of the three different manifestations of the wider Catholic Inquisition, along with the Roman Inquisition and the Portuguese Inquisition. The "Spanish Inquisition" may be defined broadly as operating in Spain and in all Spanish colonies and territories, which included the Canary Islands, the Kingdom of Naples, and all Spanish possessions in North America and South America. According to modern estimates, around 150,000 people were prosecuted for various offences during the three-century duration of the Spanish Inquisition, of whom between 3,000 and 5,000 were executed, approximately 2.7 percent of all cases. The Inquisition, however, since the creation of the American courts, has never had jurisdiction over the Indians. The King of Spain ordered "that the inquisitors should never proceed against the Indians, but against the old Christians and their descendants and other persons against whom in these kingdoms of Spain it is customary to proceed".

Ecclesiastical prisons were penal institutions maintained by the Catholic Church. At various times, they were used for the incarceration both of clergy accused of various crimes, and of laity accused of specifically ecclesiastical crimes; prisoners were sometimes held in custody while awaiting trial, sometimes as part of an imposed sentence. The use of ecclesiastical prisons began as early as the third or fourth century AD, and remained common through the early modern era.

<i>Off Armageddon Reef</i> 2007 novel by David Weber

Off Armageddon Reef is a science fiction novel by American author David Weber, published by Tor Books. It is the first book in the open-ended Safehold series. It follows a group of survivors who have settled a planet they name Safehold, a place where they had sought to escape from a terrible war, but that becomes the scene of a new struggle to uphold the principles of human civilization.

<i>By Schism Rent Asunder</i> 2008 novel by David Weber

By Schism Rent Asunder is a science fiction book by American writer David Weber. It is the second book in the open-ended Safehold series, after Off Armageddon Reef. The publication date was July 22, 2008. The third book in the series is named By Heresies Distressed

<i>Safehold</i> Fictional world by David Weber

Safehold is a science fiction book series by David Weber, currently consisting of ten titles, the latest released in January 2019. The series is mostly set around the 31st century, on a distant world dubbed "Safehold" where a group of humans are in hiding from the Gbaba, an alien enemy responsible for the end of all other human civilization.

<i>By Heresies Distressed</i> Novel by David Weber

By Heresies Distressed is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, published by Tor Books. It is the third book in the Safehold series. It debuted at number 11 on the July 17, 2009, New York Times best-selling hardcover fiction list, number 25 on the July 24, 2009, list, and number 30 on the July 30, 2009, list.

<i>A Mighty Fortress</i> (novel) Novel by David Weber

A Mighty Fortress is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber. The fourth book in the Safehold series, it was published by Tor Books on April 13, 2010. It debuted at #9 on the New York Times Bestseller List for hardcover fiction, following in the steps of previous titles in the series which also debuted on the list. The book dropped to #24 in the second week, then to #29 in week three before dropping off the list, for a total of three weeks on the list.

<i>How Firm a Foundation</i> (novel) Novel by David Weber

How Firm a Foundation is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber. The fifth book in the Safehold series, it was published by Tor Books on September 13, 2011. The novel debuted at #8 on the New York Times hardcover fiction best seller list. The title of the novel comes from the hymn of the same name.

<i>Midst Toil and Tribulation</i> Novel by David Weber

Midst Toil and Tribulation is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber. The sixth book in the Safehold series, it was published by Tor Books on September 18, 2012. The title comes from the fourth stanza of the hymn "The Church's One Foundation", which has already been the source for several titles in the series.

<i>Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment</i> 1971 film

Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment is a 1971 East German drama film directed by Konrad Wolf. It was entered into the 7th Moscow International Film Festival where it won a Special Prize. It is based on a novel with the same title by Lion Feuchtwanger.

Birth (<i>Once Upon a Time</i>) 8th episode of the 5th season of Once Upon a Time

"Birth" is the eighth episode of the fifth season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, which aired on November 15, 2015. The episode serves as the first part of a 2-episode airing night that were unrelated, with the second part being "The Bear King".

<i>Cursed</i> (2020 TV series) American fantasy drama television series

Cursed is an American fantasy drama television series that premiered on Netflix on July 17, 2020. It is based on the illustrated novel of the same name by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler. The set location of the series is the United Kingdom. In July 2021, the series was canceled after one season.

References