> > On Tue, 5 Aug 2003, Mark A Mandel wrote: > [snip] > And at the end of _FHYA_ we see Aliera claim the Orb - > but if the emperor's death doesn't necessarily mean anything, this > action seems a bit odd, or at least might well be discussed later. But Aliera is with Adron's party, who believe (falsely, as it turns out) that the Cycle is about to turn. Had the Disaster not occurred when it did, no doubt there would have been some "discussion" of this matter :-) > And we likely would have known who the designated Phoenix Heir > at the time was, as in this scenario it would actually matter. On page 266 of _FHYA_, we learn that Princess Loudin (Zerika's mother) is the Phoenix Heir, and Khaavren advises that she flee the city. I suppose that, technically, she *was* Empress for the last year or so of her life. Perhaps, if she had not died of a plague so soon, there might have been a Kana-like proto-empire formed around her. Alexx Alexx Kay Opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily those of my employers alexx at world.std.com http://world.std.com/~alexx "Where are we?" "On the floor..." "Is it safe?" "As long as we don't move..." "Nooo problem." -- A surprisingly drunk Roach and Astoria, Cerebus 44.