Talk Theories, Developments, & Things That Stood Out

[Mike]

SPOILERS PRESENT

As the topic states: Talk Theories, Developments, & Things That Stood Out.

For me, Im going to need to complete a re-read before I can productively contribute to this thread. However, there is one matter Id like to mention now that immediately stood out to me and has created a bit of confusion.

In chapter 27, when Davian is having his vision regarding his encounter with the split Gassandrid the subsequent conversation with the slave girl Aniria stuck out to me. Primarily as it was a bit of a mystery without any context.

Reference: “That must have been quite a performance,” she murmured once they were through. “But I have to admit, I am curious. Why the charade? Why allow them to send you back?”

“Because you said that you owed me nothing,” Davian replied softly. “But I don’t believe that is true anymore. My name—my real name—is Davian.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Now figure out a way to get me out of here, Nethgalla.”

Then in chapter 31, when Breshada and Ashalia are talking after the incident with the administrators on the road to Deilannis the "you owe me nothing" exchange leaped off the page at me.

Reference: “Why?” asked Breshada suddenly, not looking up from where she was erecting a tent.

Asha paused, then glanced around to ensure that the question was actually directed at her. There was no one else nearby. “Why what?” she asked.

“I know you surely consider me … a burden,” said Breshada slowly. “You have no love for me and you owe me nothing. So why speak up, why save me?” Asha squinted at her for a moment, seriously considering the answer.

This connection immediately made me believe Breshada was most likely Nethgalla. Which was later confirmed. However, that leads one to believe that Davian is also Ashalia somehow. Which doesnt really add up for multiple reasons. I havent dedicated too much thought to this but I will soon. Id like to figure it out.

On a different topic, I wonder if Davian has somehow split himself just as Gassandrid has done. Ive always assumed he is like Caeden, one of the Venerate. The Epilogue even further strengthens my theory that Davian has split himself considering Caeden beheads Davian with Licanius. Perhaps that is but a split of Davian who somehow managed to shape shift that particular body to mirror his own.

I assume Davian used one of the named swords to behead Caeden. That is how he is aware of just what to say in order to relay what Caeden needs to hear which results in Caeden taking action against him. If that Davian was a split of himself then there would be no fear of dying, even from Licanius. We know the purpose of three of the five named swords. It makes me curious as to the purpose of the other two (Thief & Sight) and how theyll come into play.

Another theory is that Davian is actually an Echo. It makes sense considering he is technically dead. Perhaps some force from the Darklands is using the body in an attempt to do some good. Knowing that like Nethgalla they can remain in Andarra after stopping it from falling to the Darklands. That only makes sense though if the split theory works assuming the entity from the Darklands is capable of doing such.

I believe the Princess is in fact Nethgalla. For many reasons, but Ive said enough on this post.

[Mike]

Reading over the "you owe me nothing" exchange again and it just doesnt line up. There must be a different conversation between Davian and Nethgalla where that is stated at some point. It was just coincidence that I connected Breshada to Nethgalla I guess.

[Umar]

Massive spoilers up ahead.

What I am confused about is that in one timeline Davian uses the Jha'vett to go back in time and warn tal'kamar that El is not real. yet now tal'kamar in the form of Caeden knows this, so does Davian still need to go back in time to fulfill the timeline, or can it be that Davian can choose not to do it, and then what?

Or is it as someone stated in the first book that people's decisions have already been accounted for in the making of the timeline and we are merely seeing these decisions play out.

Either way this book was absolutely fantastic, read it the day after it came out and need to do a reread this week so I can remember everything and start coming up with some theories.

There are parallels to how elliavias body was taken control of by nethgalla and how davian is still alive, davian was dead but had essence poured into him, as you said could it be that something from the darklands has taken control of the body?

First I will do a reread though and then I will be back as well with more theories, hopefully some more people contribute to the discussion.

[AV]

I did think Karaleine is Ath at first, but i now think it was just a red herring. How can Nethgalla be there in Talan Gol and talking to Davian if she is here pretending to be the princess.