Dragaera

Phoenix Guards - Lavode or Warlord?

David Silberstein davids at kithrup.com
Mon Sep 9 17:18:22 PDT 2002

This is a question which I always want to ask Steve every time I read
the ending of "Phoenix Guards", and I keep forgetting.  Well, this
time I'll not forget! 

In chapter 9, "In which Certain Persons Attempt to Hold a
Private Discussion, And the Results Thereof", Khaavren
wanders through the Dragon Wing and is challenged by
Dekkaan e'Tenith.  After exchanging some Heated Words, the
door that Dekkaan is guarding opens, and a haughty Dzurlord
(who wears black, and has both a broadsword on his back and
a wizard's staff, and wears a beret with the insignia of the
Lavodes) comes out and asks what in the Hells is going on.
Khaavren spots a very old woman in the same room, who turns
away. (pgs 89-90 in the PB edition)

In chapter 11, Khaavren learns the Gyorg Lavode is upset
with him, and when he describes the Dzurlord he saw in
the guarded room to Pel, he confirms that the Dzurlord
was indeed Gyorg Lavode (pg 109, PB ed).

Khaavren also has reason to believe that the old woman
he saw was Seodra, the Athyra advisor to Tortaalik.

OK, well and good.  The thing is, in chapter 34, Khaavren
is testifying under the Orb, and the Warlord, Lytra e'Tenith,
is questioning him, and he comes right out and says "Tazendra
happened to disturb Kurich while he was on duty guarding a private
conversation between yourself and--" [... he is interrupted, but
then continues:] "... between the lady Lytra and Garland's master."
[who is of course Seodra, as he explains immediately afterwards].
(pg 464, PB ed)

I wondered if perhaps it was a different meeting in the same
room, later or earlier than Khaavren's encounter, but I note
that Tazendra only mentions the old Athyra woman.

So I am wildly curious to know what happened!  Did Steve err?  Did
Paarfi err?  Is SKZB playing with our heads?  Did someone use a memory
warping spell?  Was some text showing that Seodra had *two* meetings
get left out somehow?  Have I missed a subtle clue?  What?