I've struggled with this too. My thoughts so far...
˥ɐ ʎpu∀ɹ Send a noteboard - 07/02/2011 05:07:45 AM
The 2 main problems with the Graendel dunnit theory was why she was in Caemlyn and why she wasn't disguised. I could never think of a reason that would be in-character for her, so I never accepted the theory until it was confirmed. Also means that some of my assumptions about her / the situation are wrong.
Why was Graendal in Caemlyn?
To murder Asmodean?
Lets get the obvious out of the way. Graendal may have a motive to kill him to try to stop Rand's attacks on the Forsaken, but she has a better motive to keep him alive. She would want to know how much Rand knows, is he Lews Therin, does he know where she is, etc. And she could also take him to Shayal Ghul for a higher position among the Forsaken. There's still no motive here.
To place spies?
She would have been spying on Rhavin. Obviously. They would have been among the servants who stayed in the palace when Rand took over.
Looking for Rhavin's *angreal?
She has no reason to believe that Rhavin has *angreal, where he might keep them, or how he was protecting them. Unlike Sammael who kept them in his rooms and showed them off.
Looking for Rand's *angreal?
They are in Cairhien.
Meeting with Rhavin?
Ok, so maybe she didn't know that Rand attacked that morning. That would make her spy network less efficient than we expected, but it's not out of the question. She could have stayed for recon when she found Rhavin dead and Rand in charge.
Why wasn't she disguised?
' />2' />
Why was Graendal in Caemlyn?
To murder Asmodean?
Lets get the obvious out of the way. Graendal may have a motive to kill him to try to stop Rand's attacks on the Forsaken, but she has a better motive to keep him alive. She would want to know how much Rand knows, is he Lews Therin, does he know where she is, etc. And she could also take him to Shayal Ghul for a higher position among the Forsaken. There's still no motive here.
To place spies?
She would have been spying on Rhavin. Obviously. They would have been among the servants who stayed in the palace when Rand took over.
Looking for Rhavin's *angreal?
She has no reason to believe that Rhavin has *angreal, where he might keep them, or how he was protecting them. Unlike Sammael who kept them in his rooms and showed them off.
Looking for Rand's *angreal?
They are in Cairhien.
Meeting with Rhavin?
Ok, so maybe she didn't know that Rand attacked that morning. That would make her spy network less efficient than we expected, but it's not out of the question. She could have stayed for recon when she found Rhavin dead and Rand in charge.
Why wasn't she disguised?
' />2' />
Graendal's motivation
- 04/02/2011 07:26:08 AM
1703 Views
Maybe she thought to rifle through the sa'/ter'/angreal cache that Rand and co got from Rhuidean ...
- 04/02/2011 03:30:28 PM
758 Views
Yes, which could be why she was in a random hallway.
- 04/02/2011 04:48:05 PM
715 Views
I always thought she went to search for *angreal
- 04/02/2011 05:59:06 PM
768 Views
Can you imagine if Graendal got the angreal bracelet instead of Lanfear? Oh the possibilities! *NM*
- 04/02/2011 08:46:56 PM
388 Views
There could be a secondary market for 'What If...' WOT fanfiction released to the market
- 04/02/2011 11:54:33 PM
724 Views
Answers so far..
- 04/02/2011 06:05:04 PM
825 Views
Graendal is an absolute control freak. She would not entrust/risk BA or Compelled minions with ...
- 04/02/2011 08:29:19 PM
773 Views
*NM*
She had to know what was going on and fast....
- 05/02/2011 02:28:11 AM
1046 Views
I've struggled with this too. My thoughts so far...
- 07/02/2011 05:07:45 AM
747 Views
Isn't Jordan explicitly on the record saying it was an "attack of opportunity"? i.e., no motive.
- 11/02/2011 04:23:33 PM
712 Views