In the white, warmless light of the moon, his people's fear rose up like a tide towards Malke, and it seemed to Oriel that the King drank in that fear, as if it were wine to give him strength and rejoicing.
In the novel "The Wings of a Falcon" by Cynthia Voigt, the atmosphere is charged with an almost palpable tension as the King, Malke, draws strength from the fear of his people. The imagery of the moonlight serves to illuminate the distress felt by the community, which metaphorically swells like a tide, indicating a deep collective dread that is almost overwhelming.
Oriel perceives this dynamic and reflects on how the King's empowerment is rooted in the fear he instills. Rather than seeing this fear as a negative force, it is suggested that Malke thrives on it, much like indulging in wine, potentially hinting at the dark relationship between a ruler and their subjects in times of turmoil.
