When Christian Langland, Duke of Jervaulx is first introduced in Flowers from the Storm, he is in the middle of a tryst with his married lover. All is going according to hisunrepentant rakish plan, until his mistress's husband comes home. Jervaulx experiences a minor stroke, without knowing what has actually happened to himself. A few days later, when he is called out in a duel, Jervaulx suffers a second, greater stroke that renders him literally speechless.
In the unenlightened times, he is judged mentally ill, as his speech is almost completely impaired. He can't form proper sentences, he yells and rants and becomes abusive. He can't write, nor recall the name of everyday objects and his understanding appears damaged as well. A previously expert shot, athlete and outdoorsman, he can now no longer even button his own clothing. The messages between his brain and his hands fail to connect and he can't even explain this to people. As a result, his family admits him to a 'progressive' lunatic asylum, where he's treated like a caged animal.
In the unenlightened times, he is judged mentally ill, as his speech is almost completely impaired. He can't form proper sentences, he yells and rants and becomes abusive. He can't write, nor recall the name of everyday objects and his understanding appears damaged as well. A previously expert shot, athlete and outdoorsman, he can now no longer even button his own clothing. The messages between his brain and his hands fail to connect and he can't even explain this to people. As a result, his family admits him to a 'progressive' lunatic asylum, where he's treated like a caged animal.
