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

[hazelwillow]

1) About Sounis swearing to Attolis and not to Attolia

[freenarnian]

Oh, it does make sense! Truckloads of sense. In fact, you've done a good job of articulating the conclusion I've come to by degrees, via all these great comments. Thanks so much!

[hazelwillow]

Yay! Yeah, I only scanned before posting this, but now I've gone and read the discussion more thoroughly I see this has been articulated really well above. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one that sees it this way, otherwise I would know it was wrong. :D

Thanks for starting an awesome discussion!! I have been wanting one but have been too lazy to post myself. :P

[louisedennis]

This is pretty much exactly how I understood it.

[drashizu]

The Thief takes place entirely in summer; The Queen of Attolia starts in summer one year later and finishes in spring not quite two years after that; and The King of Attolia takes place entirely in the following summer, making for 3 full years (approximately) since The Thief. Sophos's captivity in A Conspiracy of Kings must begin some time before the end of the same summer, then, because it's already news in The King of Attolia.

As for when it ends, Sophos describes the way the slaves' work changes for the winter season ("Our jobs changed for the winter season. We worked on indoor tasks more often, repairing tools, patching clothes, fetching in loads of wood for the household." p. 59). Then, when he and the magus are in Attolia, it appears to be summer again ("The long summer twilight was in the sky outside, but the lamps were lit in the small dining room, casting a warm glow over the diners reclined on their couches." p. 190).

I see that as evidence that, all told, A Conspiracy of Kings spans one year, if you're counting by

[freenarnian]

Good detective work. You rock.

[drashizu]

Thanks! :)

[hazelwillow]

This is really helpful. I've never been able to keep track of exactly how many years pass. :)

[appellations]

1. Because Gen *is* king of Attolia. For all of Gen's whining and petulance there is no doubt on anybody's part that he is king and the one who was in control. And in my opinion (which could be horribly wrong because I've not read the book in ages): (a) Sophos' loyalty to Gen as a person and king is unquestioning; (b) the Magus respects the heck out of Gen's abilities; (c) Eddis doesn't doubt *King* Gen c.f. QoA and the when he's being honest you'll know; but most importantly, (d) Attolia defers to Gen. Whatever appears to be the case. Because he is king. All of them are bound to him in a way that is far beyond mere politics and treaties

[freenarnian]

Somehow two of your statements melded in my mind, creating a mental image of Megan laughing at us whilst sitting on her throne. It was weird. And really funny.

[checkers65477]

Ooh, I believe there is some fanart somewhere of this. Megan as Hephestia. :)

[penny_lane_42]

Popping my head in to say: who made your icon, and is it gakkable? I feel the need to have it....

[freenarnian]

I sized it down from an image I stole from someone else, so steal away!

[kulai_raito]

I also wonder about that question too! But I viewed it like many other here. I always had the impression that Attolia is delightfully happy inside to see Gen taking responsibility as this proves and shoves him roles to being a ruler and she inside knows Attolia rules all three nation haha Attolia wins, ok not in super literal sense. You can just almost feel her pushing Gen to rule and wants him to take charge as she always wanted