In a message dated 6/17/2002 1:35:25 PM Mountain Daylight Time, dd-b at dd-b.net writes: > Khaavren is heading to Dragaera city to join the Phoenix guard, even > though he's not a Phoenix (and he expects to find many Dragons in the > guard, too). But there's a reference specifically to the *wizards* of > the Athyra Guard, in the recent past. I note that doesn't say they're > all *Athyra* wizards, though; I guess it's just noting the degree of > stylistic differences imposed on various parts of the empire when the > cycle turns. > Actually, I think in this particular case, the reference may very well be to only Athyra. I say that because the fist mention of them says they have recently "retired" because of the Cycle change. Later on, Khaavren sees one of these fellows in the inn, and then a little later we get a clue as to the real reason he expected there will be open slots in the Guard - it's the reign of the Phoenix. Since Phoenix is the smallest House, they do not have enough of their own to burgeon the ranks of the Guard, so it is a perfect opportunity for people to try and join up. I seem to remember a reference somewhere in books that states the Imperial Guard majority belong to the House currently in power. Which may be why, when the Cycle shifts to Phoenix, the Athyra wizards find themselves "retired." Kinda makes sense - no Emperor or Empress would want to keep guards from a reign they just toppled, no matter how "peaceful." I find the use of the word "wizard" interesting. We are told that bandits and highwaymen sometimes "brave the wizards of the Athyra Guard, just lately retired..." which indicates to me that they have become something akin to bounty hunters? Did anyone else get that impression? And does this really tell us what the heck a "wizard" really is, or what exactly the branch of magic called "wizardry" entails? Stacy