Except they are. In fact, political manipulations was the entire point of the Sun Throne arc. And then someone tried to assassinate her. We are told that Elayne's schemes have created two powerful political enemies for her who are eager to kill her and claim her thrones. This hasn't created less political manipulation, it has created more.
It's Cairhein, there always will be plots, assassination attempts and political machinations going on, it's in their blood and it's natural to try to test Elayne's mettle at first. But it's logical to assume that with a strong ruler on the throne, supported by the Dragon Reborn, there will be less of this kind of activity than while the throne remains empty.
Colavaere assassinated her main rivals to get the Sun throne, Elayne didn't killed anyone to do it.
In a short time, Andor has already increased its territory to include Ghealdan, Cairhien and parts of Murandy, and it has multiplied its military power. Why is it exactly that I should not suspect that conquests are planned for the future? It's like claiming that because the Seanchan bring stability to the nations they have conquered, their invasion is a good thing.
None of this was by force, except the parts of Murandy, which wasn't done by Elayne. Also you're thinking too much in modern terms, not in terms of a feudal society. Aliandre swearing fealty to Perrin who was made an Andoran lord doesn't make Ghealdan part of Andor. This is not how the things work in a feudal society. Cairhien won't become part of Andor either, it would remain a separate nation with its own nobles, which will share a monarch with Andor. Faile explains it as a pack of nations (Andor, Cairhien, Two Rivers, Ghealdan, even Mayen and Saldae are suggested), in which Elayne will be the leader, but not an absolute monarch by any means and each nation retains a lot of autonomy to a different degree.
The Seanchan have far tighter control on their territories and the other main difference is that Andor hasn't try to conquer anyone by force under Elayne's leadership.
So about the nobility.
09/11/2010 06:53:34 AM
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Thank you. I couldn't put a finger on why that bothered me.
09/11/2010 08:27:26 AM
- 791 Views
I don't have any problems with this - they are trying to get more power to survive.
09/11/2010 04:08:22 PM
- 780 Views
If that power is needed to survive, how will those she takes it from survive?
09/11/2010 09:23:15 PM
- 747 Views
I disagree
09/11/2010 07:28:39 PM
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Re: I disagree
09/11/2010 09:29:11 PM
- 769 Views
Re: I disagree
10/11/2010 12:30:33 AM
- 704 Views
Re: I disagree
10/11/2010 01:07:19 AM
- 702 Views
Yes, of course...
10/11/2010 01:36:30 AM
- 718 Views
If you can stay on subject, yes.
10/11/2010 03:22:49 AM
- 882 Views
*Scratches head*
09/11/2010 10:59:29 PM
- 739 Views
Re: *Scratches head*
09/11/2010 11:50:00 PM
- 806 Views
Damn...
10/11/2010 01:27:28 AM
- 636 Views