Perhaps the forces of winged retribution. The prophet Elijah being fed to the ravens. Like Baida, I have killed my three pigeons.''Two,' Adam said.'Two died instead of Vishnevetsky. One died instead of my brother. Long ago. Attar, the Persian poet, saw the destiny of souls as a flight of birds across the seven valleys of Seeking, Love, Knowledge, Independence, Unity, Stupefaction and Annihilation, before at last being lost in the divine Ocean and thenceforth happy. A charming, if sterile, conceit. Next time, the bird may escape,' Lymond said. 'Happy pigeon. Next time, the archer may die.
In this excerpt, the characters reflect on themes of sacrifice, death, and the soul's journey. The mention of Elijah being fed to the ravens and the killing of pigeons symbolizes acts of loss and the costs associated with seeking higher understanding or fulfillment. The characters compare their own sacrifices and losses to those of biblical or poetic figures, emphasizing the universality of such struggles.
Attar’s poetic image depicts the soul’s ascent through various spiritual stages as a flight of birds, ultimately merging into the divine Ocean, representing enlightenment and happiness. Lymond’s comment about the possibility of escape or death suggests an acknowledgment of the uncertainty and peril inherent in the spiritual quest, portraying it as a delicate balance between hope and danger.
