The use of different diction in each character of this novel creates a different mood in each plot of the story. A scene from the novel that illustrates this occurrence is when Halt catches the three battle school bullies attacking Will after they had already beaten Horace and allows Horace to sword fight them. However, Halt forces the fight to prolong even though the fight would be considered ‘over’ in a training without mercy. As Bryn, one of the bully, becomes injured from the fight, Halt asks “‘I didn’t hear anybody call stop,’ halt said mildly. ‘But… he’s disarmed me!’ Bryn whined. Halt smiled at him. ‘So he has. But I’m sure he’ll let you pick up your cane and start again. Go ahead.’ ‘I don’t want to,’ he said in a small voice. Horace found it hard to reconcile this cringing figure with the sneering bully who had been making his life hell for the past few …show more content…
Halt appeared to consider Bryn’s statement. ‘We’ll note your protest,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Now continue, please.’” (Flanagan 160), creating a mood of hatred and no mercy towards the bullies and fear and regret from the bullies. Halt’s ruthlessness presented toward Bryn and the rest of the bullies created a tense, furious, war-like mood, especially because although the bullies asked for mercy, he continued the fight as the bullies received more injuries and developed fear. The author chose this mood for this scene to create an greater effect of hatred and revenge toward the bullies for harassing Horace for months and for attacking Horace and Will unfairly. He made the point clear that people who look down on people and take advantage of them should not be accepted into society and