The Speculation Thread!

[rowana.livejournal.com]

I suspect this may be one of many.

This is a thread for ideas about the next book. What's Gen going to do about Nahuseresh? What will happen to Costis? Is Sophos really dead?

Those and other questions can be discussed here. :)

Comments

[chocolatepot.livejournal.com]

I firmly believe that Sophos is alive. No real "proof" or anything, just a feeling. (And hope.)

That was quick. :)

[rowana.livejournal.com]

And I think most of us feel the same way as you. At the same time though - I can't help doubting. He'd need to have matured a lot to have survived. What are the possible scenarios that would allow him to have survived anyway? If he's not dead, how could he have survived?

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

I think Gen is definitely going to do something about Nahuseresh, since he hates him so much. I just don't know what. Probably something crazy and Gen-like.

The three countries (Sounis, Eddis, Attolia) are going to have to team up if they want to fend off the Mede Empire. I guess Eugenides is going to lead the iniative for that or something, based on the 'king of kings' comment at the end of KoA.

There's no way Sophos is dead! He's out there somewhere. There's definitely something going on with that, but I don't know what. I just know he can't be dead. He's going to make a triumphant return. I love Sophos.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Do the books say specifically that there is proof Sophos was abducted? I got the impression that everyone just assumed that because he disappeared and then hadn't turned up after Sounis re-took control following the civil war. Then they figured if Sophos was still around he'd have been found. *too lazy to check facts*

I still think he wasn't abducted at all. He's hiding somewhere with kindly supporters and he's a man with a plan. Although a very young man. Hmmm, and he never seemed like a real braniac, so maybe he's a man with no plan. Or a very bad plan. But...he can't be dead!

*stops rambling*

And didn't Sounis send the assassins? The three countries have a ways to go before they can be united enough to fight the Medes.

[dannybailey.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...I thought Sophos was the smart one? A little naive perhaps, but intelligent at the same time. Didn't Pol or someone say in The Thief that Sophos would have made a good Magus, and it was a shame that the king feared the Magus too much to give him such an important apprentice? Seems that's what I remember. Also let's not forget name clues. Sophos does mean wisdom, and I doubt MWT named him that on accident.

On another note, I was rereading KOA today and thinking about starting a thread just like this one. That gosh darn book is *full* of foreshadowing. (At least, that's how I interpret it.) For example, in my book on pg. 173 (a bit different for people with the regular version) Costis is helping Eugenides after he is attacked and he looks into his eyes. The quote: "Costis knew he would march into hell for this fathomless king, as he would for his queen. So long, he worried, as they didn't order him in opposite directions at the same time. What he would do when that happened, Costis couldn't guess."

Interesting? I think it may foreshadow a disagreement that is coming in the next book, something that involves Eugenides and Attolia disagreeing over something that Costis will be involved in. What is that something? I think we have a few clues for that as well.

First, Philologos, the Young-and-Suprisingly-Perceptive attendant, remarks after Eugenides rips apart his bedroom: "'He isn't angry because Nahuseresh tried to have him killed,' Philologos told them. 'He is angry because he can't go kill Nahuseresh in return.'"

So Eugenides can't kill Nahuseresh with one hand? Guess who has two hands? Yup: Costis.

Jump to the scene in which Eugenides is on the scaffold of the palace, drunk, and Costis is trying to talk him down.

First Gen tells Costis: "'I hope you know that I could once jump from the palace to those roofs over there.' He eyed the empty space below him and said sadly, 'If I tried now, I'd probably eviscerate myself when I landed. But it does give me an idea of what to do with you. In the morning I will tell Teleus that I am detaching you from the guard.'"

Gen's inability to preform crazy physical stunts gives him an idea of what to do with Costis, because he needs Costis to make up for his handicap. Therefore, he is detaching him from the guard. What goes unsaid is that he becomes even closer to Eugenides (which is how Gen figures he can protect Costis) and eventually they go on a super sekkrit mission together. (Hold that thought.)

So, Eugenides is going to go after Nahuseresh because he hates him and he can't stand being stuck at court. Costis is going to come with him, because Eugenides feels that he ought to protect Costis, and Eugenides also needs his help because he only has one hand. Attolia is going to object to Gen leaving the court and going off on a dangerous crusade. Perhaps, because she cannot order Eugenides not to go (Just as she would not order him to stop the practice duel), she orders Costis to stay. Eugenides can't go w/out him, and so Costis finds himself torn betweent the two. That's what I've got so far, as far as clues that I found in the text. Wada'yall think?

Wow, sorry that this was so long! :)

[mandasarah.livejournal.com]

I just really hopes that Eddis doesn't have to marry Sounis. And I hope we get to learn more about Eddis in the next book and that she earns her name like Irene did.

I don't think Sophos is dead. I think Gen is being extra special cunning and is hiding Sophos somewhere until he's safe from civil unrest and his uncle. Because with Sophos dead, Eddis will have to marry Sounis and he could produce heirs that way. The bastard.

Gen's plan for Costis is to send him to protect Sophos. Then Sophos and Costis fall in love. And Sophos and Costis both have to use what they've learned from Gen to escape danger and intrigue and plots within plots.

P.S. Hi! I'm new. *wanders away to actually join the community*

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

I hope Eddis doesn't have to marry Sounis either. :S I'm going to cry if she has to marry him. Ugh.

Then Sophos and Costis fall in love.

XD You are a woman after my own heart...

[dannybailey.livejournal.com]

Slashers! Yay, now I don't feel like such a minority. (I'm so all about Nahuseresh/Kamet.)

Welcome to the community!

[octopirock.livejournal.com]

If Gen were just were being awesome hand hiding Sophos, that would be really cool, but isn't there a part in KoA where Gen is very woried as to Sophos' wheabouts? It would be a toatally Gen-like thing to do though...

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Then Sophos and Costis fall in love.

Slashers! The fandom is complete. Welcome. :)

I think that's an interesting idea about Gen, but if he were hiding Sophos, why wouldn't he tell Irene? Or Eddis? It would suck if Eddis had to marry Sounis, but it would be more realistic than Sophos popping up from nowhere. Maybe.

Also, what was going on with the Magus and Helen in the last book?

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

Aaauughhh!! I am NOT NOT NOT going to read this discussion till I've read the book! (Having much enjoyed the first two.)

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Run and hide! And read the book and then wander back and talk to us. :)

[octopirock.livejournal.com]

My theory on the King of Kings statement: Gen decides he is bi and takes on Eddis and Sophos in a polygamis (is that even a real word?) marriage. Because that would be the easiest solution for everything.

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

XD This is the best response so far.

[rowana.livejournal.com]

XD

[xie-kitchin.livejournal.com]

Gen decides he is bi
...
YES.
*hearts you*
But if Helen was married to Gen who's married to Irene...would Helen and Irene then be married to eachother? Do they all get to share Sophos? (Oh, the possibilities...^_^ this is fun!)

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Alright, now you guys are really creeping me out...

[sprite6.livejournal.com]

I think we all suspect Gen and Costis will leave Attolia, probably heading for the Mede Empire. My questions:

1. How will Gen and Irene spin his absence? Will they stage a fight? Will they fight in earnest? She may not want him to go....

2. Will Irene be pregnant? It would be really risky for the KoA to travel to the Mede Empire, but *insanely* risky to do so before he has an heir. What do you think?

[rowana.livejournal.com]

Will Irene be pregnant?

That's a question and a half. I think if Gen does leave Attolia (though I can't even see that happening) Irene would have to be pregnant. I don't think the barons would stand for his leaving though - Gen has to be there, or the Nahusaresh will be able to take advantage of the powerful subjects in the kingdom.

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

I'm actually not so sure about Gen and Costis going to the Mede Empire. I don't know why, because the evidence for that seems kind of overwhelming. But Kings can't just take off from their kingdoms to chase after ambassadors for extended periods of time. I don't know.

If Gen does take off to the Mede Empire, maybe Irene will find out she's pregnant AFTER he's gone? That would be interesting.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I think it would be really, really cool if there was an actual dancing bear in the next book. Just a circus passing through town, or something, with a very fierce bear. Wearing a ruffle. :)

[anon8.livejournal.com]

If that happened, I think Gen would try to rescue the bear and everyone would think he was nuts.

[sprite6.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

More foreshadowing. There were lines in KoA that Gen and Helen may have to make difficult decisions involving those they love. Gen might have to make a decision that favored Attolia, his new country, over the interests of his family in Eddis. In the past Attolia wanted to send troops through Eddis to get to Sounis. I wonder what would happen if Gen felt he had to do that? And how awful would it be if the countries went to war, with his father being Minister of War?

I also didn't like his comment about queens having to do what's best for their country when he and Irene were talking about Helen marrying Sounis if Sophos was gone.

[rowana.livejournal.com]

In the past Attolia wanted to send troops through Eddis to get to Sounis. I wonder what would happen if Gen felt he had to do that? And how awful would it be if the countries went to war, with his father being Minister of War?

I agree about the point that Gen will probably have to make difficult descisions concerning Attolia and Eddis, but wasn't it Sounis who wanted to bring its army across Eddis? And I'd have thought that Eddis may be accomodating now towards Attolia, and vice versa.

Though yes, it would be awful for everyone involved if they had to go to war. What would Gen ultimately do if Helen became engaged to Sounis? Simply let her do it in the interests of uniting the three countries? That's certainly forsaking the people he loves for Attolia's interests. I thought that was what the book was implying.

Costis in love

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Here's another idea.

Costis + Ileia = <3

Re: Costis in love

[rowana.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting idea. :) Costis in love would be fun to see. I suspect he'd blush and stammer a bit.