In a message dated 2/19/2003 6:31:14 PM Eastern Standard Time, "Dr. Elmo" <dr.elmo at whiterose.org> writes: > I have a minor question, and perhaps this is addressed in a > FAQ somewhere that I can't find, but: If it isn't, it should be. I've seen it asked several times in the past. > This question involves complete spoilage for a revelation > in ORCA. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In TALTOS, Vlad is coerced into going to Dzur Mountain > because Sethra needs him for a job and she can't leave Dzur > Mountain right then (because of an impending Jenoine > problem that we don't learn about until later). > > Vlad gets his courage up in part because while tasting > Fenarian brandies, Kiera comes into the bar and tells him > that she's got his back. > > In ORCA, we learn that Kiera is a disguise for Sethra, a > way for her to go out and about and have a bit of fun > without being (ominous drumbeat) Sethra Lavode. > > This raises the obvious question: How can Kiera encourage > Vlad in Adrilankha when Sethra can't leave Dzur Mountain? My take is that Sethra can't be seen to leave Dzur mountain; its neccessary for people to believe she's still there. That prevents her from leading a siege, but not from disguising herself and visiting a bar. Of course, I think that whole book was just a scheme by Sethra (or Verra) to put M&A in Vlad's debt. Surely Morrolan was competent enough to lead such a siege were that a viable option. --KG