(Untitled)

[avian_xj]

 Let's talk about Teleus

Comments

[checkers65477]

Oh, way to be discreet, guys. :P I suppose it should become my default icon.

What I was going to say is that Teleus is a huge failure. It's a wonder Attolia has kept him around, knowing how she usually punishes those who fail her. In Thief, he underestimates Gen and fails to stop him before Gen kills a guard. Then he, or the jailers, allow to Gen to escape when they leave the lock picks with him.

In Queen, Gen twits Teleus repeatedly. Gen has been skulking around the megaron, what, four times? He's been in her bedroom, for heaven's sake. Teleus knows the only reason they finally capture Gen is because the queen *somehow* knew they should hammer boards between the trees. Then, he allows the queen to be kidnapped from under his nose. Nahuseresh sums it up nicely, when he accuses Teleus of being in on the kidnapping attempt (p. 274 of eos edition). " '...if you look to see who that conspirator might be, I think you will find the captain of your guard a likely candidate. Who admitted the Eddisians to the megaron at Ephrata

[empmai]

Maybe she's kept him around because there's just nobody else yet that she can put into the postition that would do any better. At least the guard follows his orders.

[checkers65477]

Good point. The guard wouldn't follow that guy Attolia put in charge after Teleus's arrest. Teleus seems to run the guard well.

[avian_xj]

oh, you're very right! poor Teleus would have had a much easier time if Gen didn't cause him so much trouble. poor guy. but then again, Gen saved him from Attolia's death sentence so that makes up for it a bit :)

[checkers65477]

But doesn't that make it even worse? Now he's in debt to the person he hates AND he has to feel guilty for escaping punishment when Relius has been tortured.

[idiosyncreant]

No, no, no. Guys who earn the respect of someone else through violent and final sparring are friends 4EVR.
Di'n't ja know? ^_^

I think they've definitely come to terms by the time they're chatting in the steam room. Wrists, remember. Revealed at last.

*also hearts like Jade, but mostly for his stealth upcropping of humor while Gen's buff before them, in more ways than one, another sly reveal within a reveal.*

[peggy_2]

you know, not to read too much into it, but I'm not sure mwt has been entirely consistent with whether or not Teleus was captain of her guard in Thief. I think I've hear her say both versions - yes and no. I wouldn't build too many plot point theories on it.

Ahem. Yes. Teleus. Very hot. Very smexy. Very much the Professional Soldier Completely Dedicated To His Post/Queen. And Jade - YOU CAN'T HAVE ALL THE HOT GUYS! It's simply not fair. Besides, I'm quite certain he is too old for you and your mother would not approve.

[jade_sabre_301]

I don't want him! I simply admire him from afar. Quite afar. At Costis's insistence. You're probably right. *sighs and huggles Costis*

[emerald_happy]

*also sighs and huggles Aris*

[jade_sabre_301]

Oh and I meant to say IAWTCC. XD

[peggy_2]

She can accept all of his very human failings (especially because she knows what a demon Gen is) EXCEPT the one where Gen is injured. That's the only truly Unforgivable Offense. (lo, the transforming power of love)

[philia_fan]

I agree, Checkers. I have often wondered about the fact that Teleus has failed repeatedly. In KoA, Gen says, "She doesn't have anyone to replace him." The key, I think, is that the Guard is completely loyal to him, and he is completely loyal to the Queen. That leads to things like the fact that, while Teleus doesn't figure out the assassination attempt, Costis is at least able to warn Gen (and may have saved his life). Without Teleus, there is no Costis. He's an interesting character because he DOES fail, and yet his failure is almost always because Gen outwits him. It's not a failure of loyalty or character. I think if Attolia got rid of him, there'd be no one able to outwit Gen AND she'd lose that staunch supporter.

[scottykarrde]

Ouch.
*aching for Teleus*
But remember, no one can be all powerful. Every country in the world eventually has its 9/11 (and I'm not getting into the politics of that.) Despite his best efforts, things would - did - happen. After all, he was up against GEN.
Then again, in those days, one of those things was enough for chop-chop suey neck kablooey.
On the third hand, he is demonstratively loyal to Attolia, and she knows he whole heartedly is doing his best (as much as any other human.) So why not?

[jade_sabre_301]

Jade's initial reaction: OMG HOW DARE--you...oh. Um, you're right. You're really, really right.

And I think Philia's right in why Attolia keeps him anyway--it's like what Estarria said, and what I would've said if they hadn't said it first. Attolia needs him anyway.

But I don't blame him for hating Gen, either.

I wish I was feeling more coherent on this subject, but it would involve a reread of KoA that I don't have time to do right now. :-(

[emerald_happy]

Hey, I was good. I didn't say a thing :P

[checkers65477]

Oh, and Teleus also didn't know about the snakes and sand. Attolia seemed to blame him for that, too.