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

[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! :)

[sprite6.livejournal.com]

Gen also takes lessons in Mede, and makes sure Costis starts learning it as well. I think it's very likely they're going to the Mede empire. My own suspicion is that Sophos was kidnapped by the Mede, and I think Gen and Costis will attempt to rescue him and kill Nahuseresh in the same trip.

Despite the loss of his hand, Gen is far more agile and deadly than Costis, at least at this point, so it never occurred to me that he wanted Costis to make up for his handicap. But you make a good case, and when you add it to Gen's question after the duel - "Will you serve me and my god?" - it does suggest he means to train Costis to be his thief.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Many, many good points. And you are correct in what Pol or whoever said about it being too bad Sophos couldn't be the next Magus. Ok, Sophos is wise. :)

I wouldn't surprise me at all if there was a huge conflict between Gen and Irene in the next book.

[(Anonymous)]

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?

Maybe The Magnus does have him as an apreentice - In KoA Magnus was galvating somewhere in Eddis hills - it seems noone was keeping really good wathc on him. Maybe The Magnus pulled a Gen and went to Sounis and abducted Sophos, brought him back Eddis and is hiding him in the hills somewhere.

Maybe The Magnus is really loyal to King Sounis, since Eddis said that if Sophos wasn't around she might actaully marry Sounis.

.......But that would be sad because it would mean that the Magnus was backstabbing Eddis, and then I wouldn't be able to like my Magnus Spike, (acutually I think James Marsters would fit Pol more than the MAgnus....) ohhh, or Maybe the Magnus wants to take over Sounis and marry Eddis....

-EmpMai