Eddis, Attolia, Sounis

2) The immediate outcome wouldn't have been different, but the long term one would. If Gen hadn't been captured, Irene would have felt forced into the marriage and they wouldn't have started off on the equal footing they did. Remember, when she accepted his proposal she told him to never drink from her wine cup. But, once the tables were turned and she was in control of him again, she realized that she loved him and even wanted him to be king. Gen's capture was necessary, the same way that the loss of his hand was. I guess is was the only way the gods to arrange for Eddis, their favored country, to survive.