Obvious in retrospect.

[freenarnian]

I hope I'm not the only one ready for another round of obsessive, in-depth, delight-and-amuse-Megan-by-finding-what-isn't-(or-is-it?)-there book discussion!

Because I just finished a 2nd reading of A Conspiracy of Kings.

Comments

[booksrgood4u]

1) Because everyone *knows* Attolia is a monster, of course! I don't mean to imply that you missed the obvious, I mean that I think that that is the natural conclusion every average Sounisian and Eddisian comes too. She poison's her husbands and hangs people by their thumbs. They probably use her to scare their children into exemplary behavior! I think the thought of Attolia makes the other Penninsular-ians (If that's a word!) nervous. So they went with her husband, who has a *little* less frightening reputation. Just my opinion ;)

2) I think the beginning overlaps KoA - but I got the impression that Sophos was a slave for some time, so he was still a slave after the events of KoA, and then made his way to Attolia. Again, Just my opinion!

Thanks for the excuse to dissect!

[freenarnian]

Perhaps Gen is just the better diplomat. (Scary thought.)

[1221bookworm]

1.) I think becuase it cements Gen on his throne, and becuase he was the one who controlled the negotiations (the first thing is to admit that you've lost - sorry for the bad paraphrase) ALSO, because it would give Gen something to do instead of constantly pestering his wife, or sitting in his room feeling homesick!! :) (hey, it's a theory !! :)

2.) KoA discusses the fact that Sophos is missing, so some part of the earlier parts of a CoK must overlap with that part of KoA, and then the rest takes place after KoA (though of course, there is the mysterious other half of KoA floating around out there that maybe we will see soon ....) It always upset me though that Gen seems to have gone backward with his attendants, (or it could just be Gen over exagerating the situation as usual)

I hope that made sense ....

[zephyranthia]

Other half of KoA? What is this?

[agh_4]

THIS is the future of awesomeness that awaits us in the next book (possibly?)!

[1221bookworm]

Wedding scene, wedding scene, wedding scene!

*crosses fingers*

elle

[ladraove]

As for the first point, I always thought that Sounis trusted Gen more than he trusted Attolia, simply because of their history together. So I read it as being for the sake of Sounis' comfort - if he had to swear loyalty, at least he could swear it to his friend. I'm not sure, though.

When it comes from the timeline, I imagined the beginning taking place maybe a year or so after the end of King of Attolia, just because Gen seemed more comfortable in his role as Attolis, and his relationship with Attolia seemed more...stable? I'm not sure what the word would be, it's hard to explain.

[freenarnian]

It crossed my mind that it had strongly to do with their friendship too, and possibly it does, but then Gen makes it clear that friendship alone doesn't trump the delicate politics of it all. So I thought, Surely there has to be more to it than that.

[ladraove]

Yes, I thought of how Gen said that, too. But then I thought that while Gen was putting the politics first, perhaps Sounis wasn't?

[freenarnian]

Good point. I'd be like, "I want to talk to Gen... er, Attolis, please..." too, nevermind the risk of Attolia glaring at me. They are two entirely different brands of frightening.

[zephyranthia]

I believe the reason he swears loyalty to Attolis is because Attolia still wants Gen to take more control and further prove his worth as a monarch, and in a matter of such importance it would be somewhat scandalous if the 'dominant' ruler (traditionally the king, I guess?) were to take the backseat. Furthermore, the matter is resolved 'without so much as a blink' because Sounis is at such a disadvantage. At least that was my understanding. Sophos needs help desperately and immediately, which means that politically speaking he has no room to bargain. He can either comply with Attolis's terms or let his country go to ruin.

[freenarnian]

True, but that doesn't stop him and the Magus from spending loads of time arguing back and forth over all the details of the alliance, so it struck me that it was never questioned whether he would swear to Attolis or Attolia, or why not both?

[zephyranthia]

Oh goodness, I don't really remember what happens that well. I'd have to dust off my books and read them again. I probably should anyway, actually.

[brandy_painter]

1. My take: He swears allegiance to Attolis because HE is the sovereign head of state, whatever arrangements Gen and Irene make for its day to day operations. She has also sworn him her allegiance and given him that power. (Remember in KoA when she says, "Then you will unmake decisions?" and he responds with, "You said I could."-That's right before she smacks him.) Eddis will swear loyalty to him to. This is what is so brilliant about how they are approaching the union of the three countries. Gen is the Annux of all three countries but they will be ruled in their domestic and day to day operations by their own rulers. That makes it easier for all three countries to accept. They are not getting a foreign king with an invading army. It is the decisions and plans that affect all three countries together he is responsible for.

2. I thought the same way you did. I always - thought the first part of Sophos' captivity overlapped with KoA. Somewhere during his time as slave is where KoA ends I think.

[freenarnian]

Wow. Always so much to ponder!

I'm still not sure why it's so important that it be Attolis, though. Why not both of them? I wouldn't have thought twice if Sophos swore loyalty to the Attolian throne in general.

[rldsky]

Perhaps, because Gen is an 'annux', he can be expected to have a more objective view of a situation that would involve all three countries? If Sounis swore allegiance to Attolia as well, he's basically putting his own country under a foreign ruler's power. While Gen's Attolis, or King of Attolia, I believe that role is separate from his role of 'annux'--Sounis isn't swearing allegiance to Gen as Attolis per say, but as the head of all three nations. Attolia is responsible only for Attolia--she would be apt to manipulate any unstable political situation to favour her own country, as would Sounis or Eddis

[freenarnian]

Makes perfect sense. Great thoughts!