Thinking about Relius

[rouan1.livejournal.com]

I don't know why I'm thinking about Relius just now but since I am I have a couple of thoughts/questions I am wondering about.

Since he is no longer able to work as Irene's secretary of the Archives, what role(s) can he play to serve her. We know that at the end of TaT he's a tutor for the young Pigeon but surely he can do more than that. So,your thoughts, what else do you think he can do to help?

Comments

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

The fact that they (the Attolian royals) entrust an important heir to his teaching and influence would indicate a degree of confidence in Relius, whatever transpired previously. Sure, his days in a position of public political power may be over, but in KoA, Gen's forgiveness creates a shift in Relius's status on a more intimate level as well. He's not the master of spies anymore. He's family.

I could write an entire post on the subject of Gen building a family around Irene (something she desperately lacked and needed) but to stay on topic for now, and to ponder your question: Surely Relius would still serve well in an advisory capacity.

A quick Google search of the term "advisory capacity" produces this definition:

Status of a person or group which does not have the authority or the responsibility to take definitive actions or issue executive orders, but which may only advise or suggest what needs to be done under the circumstances.


Relius lost his authority to make decisions and give orders, but after so many years of serving Attolia as he did, there would be many ways in which his knowledge and insight would be valuable and needed. I'd imagine he'd be a hard man to replace in that particular role. (Though, he may be kept from maintaining certain connections within the structure of the spy networks, lest he be tempted to take back some of his old power and endanger Attolia again.)

So basically, I can see him being kept out of official meetings, Because Reasons, but I can also totally see Gen and Irene making secret visits to Uncle Relius's study to get his personal opinion on relevant matters.

Just my spur-of-the-moment thoughts. I'd like to hear what others think, and re-read KoA to get more ideas.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

This is exactly what I was going to say but you beat me to it and put it better than I would have. Irene and Gen trust Relius's judgement, especially after his awful experience, which made him more trusting and less power-hungry. Because of his love for them, he can now serve the king and queen from that perspective and not through his own self-interest. He can provide them with some powerful insight.

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

I was hankering after some in-depth QT discussion. 0:)

And that's a good point--his loyalty is more fixed and certain now that he's been shown mercy, and understands that Gen is an ally. He doesn't have to keep an eye out for his own interests when there are people that love him and are doing that for him.

[silverflight8.livejournal.com]

Agree that I think Relius moved to an advisory capacity - outwardly not spymaster. But someone who could advise her and that Attolia trusted absolutely (and as he moved to understanding a philosophy where that kind of trust could exist.)

[rouan1.livejournal.com]

It seemed such a waste of his talents/knowledge to not have him in the loop somewhere. He must still have contacts who could give him and them needed information. Yes, being the tutor of a baronial heir is important, I agree, but I felt that there should be more roles for him to play. I like the ideas you all have come up with. (And would welcome more too, if anyone sees fit. *vbg*)

[(Anonymous)]

I think Relius may have much more power in his strategic advisory capacity now than he had before. Remember it was him who did most of Kamet's questioning. So he may not be the spymaster any longer but he is definitely not "just the tutor of Pigeon". He is a kind of High Councillor to the royals who is now trusted unconditionally.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I'd forgotten that he was the one who questioned Kamet. So, he must still have a deep understanding of all that's going on in Attolia and Medea. Plus, I would guess he''ll not only teach Pigeon, but indoctrinate the child into the kind of heir who supports his royals, rather than tries to assassinate him, fixes him up with spying mistresses, or writes rude songs about him. :-)

[jhawkgirl86.livejournal.com]

The note to Pigeon on Kamet’s map is interesting: “I am sure that when your tutor returns he will allow it.”

Sooo...(so, so) where did Relius go? Is this significant?

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Visiting his goat farm in the Modrea Valley??

[rouan1.livejournal.com]

Intriguing question indeed. I didn't pay much attention to that sentence as I (among many here) was trying to figure out just who Pigeon is. Darn that MWT! She gives us all the hints we need but she's so tricky about it that we miss them until after the fact when they become more obvious. LOL