> -----Original Message----- > From: Dr. Elmo [mailto:dr.elmo at whiterose.org] > Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 5:31 PM > To: dragaera at dragaera.info > Subject: Speaking of Vlad and Kiera > > > I have a minor question, and perhaps this is addressed in a > FAQ somewhere > that I can't find, but: > > > > 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? > > 1. Kiera has an independent existence and Sethra can possess > her remotely. > > 2. Kiera doesn't have an independent existence, but is just a > spare body > that Sethra can remotely possess. > > 3. Kiera is a projected image (as the D&D spell) of Sethra. > > 4. SKZB made a mistake. > > 5. Other? > -- This is covered on Mark's Cracks-and-Shards page but hasn't been discussed on this list. Here's my take on it: 1. In the initial books, Steve had no idea that Kiera is Sethra. 2. When he "discovered" that, he either didn't remember that inconsistency, or more likely did remember and cackled evilly and left it as it was. I base my conclusion on what he has said about his own style of writing (through Savn reading the Book of Wizards in _Athyra_, which meant nothing to me until it was discussed here). Which seems to be, he drops little hints as he's writing, but has no idea yet what he's dropping hints about. He makes that up later. Rachel