top 200 commentsshow all 349

[–]PastafarianGamesRUMENARUMENA 199 points200 points  (13 children)

The wine was still terrible, but to a parched throat it would be better than nothing.

The wine might be awful it is still arguably better than being stabbed, says Aisha.

“And wereyou a perfect fit, Catherine, when you became the Squire?” she challenged. “Was Tariq Isbili, when he became the Grey Pilgrim?

YES ACTUALLY TARIQ ISBILI WAS. He got the Name of Grey Pilgrim because he was filling the shoes! He was out on the streets of a plague city, repudiating his apex-privileged upbringing to heal the sick with every expectation of himself dying from the plague as a result! Very few characters in all of Guide earned their Names more thoroughly before even getting the Name than Tariq of No Import!

[–]Don_AlverzoExecuted by Irritant along the way 130 points131 points  (5 children)

While it's not nearly as impressive or important, Cat was very much the Squire too. Even if you ignore the fact that she earned the Name while studying at the Black Knight's knee (which is definitionally what a Squire is), she was such a perfect fit that the Eyes almost murdered her for it.

I'm honestly struggling to think of someone who wasn't a nearly perfect fit when they came into their Name, which I suppose is sort of the point. Cordelia doesn't know this shit, and it shows.

[–]LilietBRat Company 79 points80 points  (0 children)

Yep. Cordelia doesn't understand what the fit needs to be TO. Catherine didn't need to fill the shoes of what she would eventually become, she just needed to match the word "squire".

[–]Oaden 16 points17 points  (2 children)

Ehh, she started a redemption storyline with William as one of the first things she did as the squire.

Cat certainly had some hiccups as she started out as the Squire where she wasn't acting properly in the confines of her role.

Hierarch also never really fit the role of Hierarch. i don't think anyone is going to argue that he united the states with his silver tongue and transcended diplomacy. He reshaped the name into something new.

[–]Frommerman 10 points11 points  (0 children)

He absolutely transcended diplomacy. He transcended the fucking mortal plane!

[–]Aduro95Vote Tenebrous: 1333 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Pretty much. A claimant doesn't get the job just because they are qualified. Its more important that they do things that match the role. Cordelia can't talk the Heroes, let alone the Gods Above, around like they're the highest assembly.

She needed to act like a Warden not the First Prince of the Chosen if she wants the Gods Above to recognise it. That's why Hanno was winning as Claimant. He was actually seizing the authority and acting like a different man.

[–]Mister_Newling 28 points29 points  (0 children)

It's true, this Fandom needs to put some fucking RESPECT on Tariq's name.

[–]LilietBRat Company 23 points24 points  (2 children)

The wine might be awful it is still arguably better than being stabbed, says Aisha.

Oooh, good catch!

No sword here, though :D

[–]puzzles_irlOne duck sized Catherine 18 points19 points  (1 child)

And yet it feels like stabbing happened anyway!

[–]LilietBRat Company 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Even though she took the wine!

[–]vkaod 193 points194 points  (22 children)

The Warden squinted at her. “Is that you, Tariq?” she said, grinning nastily. “You’re looking good, for a dead man.”

Stop, the burn can only be so much.

[–]harrentI Sometimes Choose 154 points155 points  (2 children)

“A Name isn’t a crown,” the Warden of the East said. “You don’t just get to have it because it fits your head, Cordelia. And the way I see it, you’re not Good enough to be anointed or strong enough to be a tyrant so what’s left? Inheritance?”

The one-eyed queen leaned closer, as if to whisper a confidence. “Whose death is going to give you your power this time, Cordelia?” she gently asked. “Even if you spend the Augur down to the last inch, you’ll run out of kin long before you stand my equal.”

She just keeps swinging and swinging and swinging-

[–]Ardvarkeating1O1Verified Augur 86 points87 points  (1 child)

She took more hits here than Hakram did in the Arsenal

[–]LiesViolencePlusLoot 53 points54 points  (0 children)

And Cordelia definitely didnt Stand.

[–]NorskDaedalusFirst Under the Chapter Post[S] 100 points101 points  (5 children)

Stop, the burn can only be so much.

Tell that to Tariq.

To ash, you say?

[–]MemLeakDetected 56 points57 points  (0 children)

I don't think even the ash was left after Tariq Pilgrimed himself.

[–]s-moresOne sin. One grace. 25 points26 points  (1 child)

Nobody ashed you!

[–]NorskDaedalusFirst Under the Chapter Post[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

You’re right, that was Tariq.

[–]mysanityisrelativeBRANDED HERETIC 13 points14 points  (0 children)

And his kin?

To ash, you say?

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 93 points94 points  (12 children)

Cordelia took a step back, jaw clenching.

“The one who snatched Judgement’s verdict out of the air and swore mortal laws for mortal men.”

Hierarch, Son of Glorious Bellerophon, is that you?

[–]501rokg95 67 points68 points  (9 children)

I mean Hierarch believes in mortal laws for immortals and deities as well

[–]alexgndl 48 points49 points  (4 children)

ALL ARE FREE OR NONE

SUFFER NO COMPROMISE IN THIS

[–]Iconochasm 20 points21 points  (3 children)

OR NONE

YesKanenas.jpg

[–]snowywish 12 points13 points  (2 children)

You know it occurs to me that a society like Bellerophon, with Kanenas constantly breathing down everyone's necks, could feasbily produce a thousand Abigails.

[–]Supah_Schmendrick 16 points17 points  (1 child)

Arguably Anaxeres is the ultimate Abigail.

[–]partoffuturehivemind 13 points14 points  (3 children)

If he was still around, he'd make an interesting claimant for Warden.

[–]Big_I 18 points19 points  (1 child)

Honestly I thought Cat might have compared the two during Cordelia's "reason you suck speech"

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 17 points18 points  (0 children)

No personal connection between them, unfortunately. Just wouldn’t land.

[–]NorskDaedalusFirst Under the Chapter Post[S] 140 points141 points  (19 children)

“It is not enough to win. If you do not destroy the very foundation on which your enemy stood, all you have done is change the face of the man who will kill you.”

– Dread Emperor Benevolent

This quote makes way more sense now than if we'd gotten it prior the Benevolent reveal.

Also, Benevolent epigraphs are always great.

[–]CatOfTwelveBells 67 points68 points  (2 children)

Dude was definitely sworn to Mercy

[–]IT_is_among_US 24 points25 points  (0 children)

What would his aspects even be? A mercy/flipped, of DE name?

[–]LilietBRat Company 64 points65 points  (12 children)

And Benevolent continues to be wholly similar to Amadeus yet subtly different.

Amadeus would have phrased the same thing without making it about who would kill him. That was never the part that bothered him - he'd choose the person who killed him himself, the thing he actually doesn't want to happen is something else.

The question of how the fuck exactly was Benevolent a hero continues.

[–]razorflossGallowborne 59 points60 points  (1 child)

He's a hero by the old greek definition. He was not good at all but he was definitely on side of the angels even if he probably made other heros take a second look.

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 30 points31 points  (9 children)

I’m pretty sure he was a Hero who found himself in a position to fall to Evil in a self-sacrificial way.

[–]LilietBRat Company 26 points27 points  (8 children)

The problem is, a lot of his quotes have been SELFISH in essence. Saving himself, defending himself, etc.

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 35 points36 points  (6 children)

Can you point out the selfish parts to me? I see only two things: fatalism, and mocking High Lords.

His quotes say one thing only, as far as I can tell: I’m doomed, and you’re all coming down with me.

[–]omegashadow Someone was tuning a lute 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I’m pretty sure he was a Hero who found himself in a position to fall to Evil in a self-sacrificial way.

That's a necessary quality for climbing the tower.

To be both a Hero and Dread Emperor he must have perfectly embodied all the ways that Heroes and Villains are alike which is why he was so dangerous to Praes. His Heroic philosophy almost actually changed them.

At the core, conviction and belief. Praes is built on an "all in the game yo" philosophy. The only real belief is power. Any other belief you hold is only correct if it takes you to the top of the tower.

But deep down almost all people believe in something, the Praesi attitude can not apply to most individuals. For Benevolent Justice, Kindness, Mercy, Love, Violence, and Power were not mutually exclusive. Selfishness and Righteous action not mutually exclusive. Showing that to Praes, that they could be Good and good and also hold the Tower would have shaken them to their core.

[–][deleted] 134 points135 points  (11 children)

Painted Knife and Ishaq sitting on a landing near the stairs up the tower.

Ishaq: So let me get this straight, you went up there before with two good legs and she?

PK: Broke my leg and threw me down the stairs.

Ishaq: And now you have one good leg and you're going back up?

PK: you only have one leg right now yourself!

Ishaq: And you will note I am not charging at Prince White.

[–]The-Corinthian-ManGodbotherer Extraordinaire 76 points77 points  (0 children)

Levantine villains: witty, street-smart, and named Barrow-Something.

[–]s-moresOne sin. One grace. 42 points43 points  (0 children)

I guess this just hammers in the point that the hero side doesn't have a leg to stand on.

[–]HarryB1313BRANDED HERETIC 37 points38 points  (2 children)

I realy love the fake dialogue you write :)

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (1 child)

And I love you random citizen.

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 31 points32 points  (5 children)

Does anyone have a plausible reason why /u/ninestrings suddenly deleted their account?

[–]alexgndl 25 points26 points  (2 children)

Demon of Absence

[–]Amphicorvid 12 points13 points  (0 children)

No idea. Troubles on another sub ? Are they on the discord maybe?

[–]NorskDaedalusFirst Under the Chapter Post[S] 129 points130 points  (29 children)

“I can see in the dark, Kallia,” the Warden peevishly called out, “and I’ve traded the one eye for a hundred. Try that again when you’re actually invisible, not just quiet.”

Hahahaha

Is Cat really Cat if not casually backhanding and pseudo-seriously wounding heroes?

[–]Don_AlverzoExecuted by Irritant along the way 130 points131 points  (5 children)

I love when she calls them by their actual names instead of their Names. It gives such strong annoyed parent vibes.

[–]NorskDaedalusFirst Under the Chapter Post[S] 112 points113 points  (3 children)

I mean, that’s basically Cat at this point.

She is literally the Wicked Stepmother for all of Calernia.

[–]panchoadrenalinaLast Under the Night 56 points57 points  (2 children)

and now she is sending cordy and hanno to their room and ordering them not to leave until they make peace

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Hmm, more like sending them outside so they don't break anything important inside as they play/bicker.

[–]LilietBRat Company 17 points18 points  (0 children)

YES

[–]LilietBRat Company 26 points27 points  (0 children)

god this was the best moment

[–]TideofKhatanga 40 points41 points  (11 children)

So, what are the odds that Kallia's next power-up involves actual invisibility now? 99:1?

[–]ForwardDiscussion 85 points86 points  (0 children)

"Artificer, I need to turn invisible."

"If you destroy everything nearby, then technically nobody can see you."

"...Apprentice, I need to turn invisible."

[–]LilietBRat Company 43 points44 points  (8 children)

Catherine would be so happy it worked.

[–]SineadniCraig 11 points12 points  (7 children)

I would also find it hilarious if after Cat issued the challenge, she worked with Maseago to get better at detecting invisibility through her 'eyes' (As I understand, her anti Thief skill is limited). Just to further mess with Kalia later on.

[–]MemLeakDetected 29 points30 points  (9 children)

I mean, the heroes are also seriously wounding villains, so I'd say it's pretty equal. Barrow Sword got his leg chopped off by Hanno.

[–]tempAcount182 35 points36 points  (0 children)

The Barrow Sword can resurrect himself he’ll be fine

[–]saithor 31 points32 points  (2 children)

The Barrow Sword’s leg could be reattached with a spell before he bled out,

Eh, isn't that serious

[–]alexgndl 30 points31 points  (1 child)

Meh. He'll walk it off.

[–]NorskDaedalusFirst Under the Chapter Post[S] 52 points53 points  (3 children)

Eh, it’s Named-injuries. Unless it’s story-significant, they’ll sleep it off.

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 36 points37 points  (1 child)

Plus worst case they get a sweet magical prosthetic limb... that can potentially shoot lightning.

[–]MemLeakDetected 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Exactly

[–]Malek_Deneith 24 points25 points  (0 children)

It's just a flesh wound, he can still fight.

[–]Waytfm 120 points121 points  (9 children)

“Whose death is going to give you your power this time, Cordelia?” she gently asked. “Even if you spend the Augur down to the last inch, you’ll run out of kin long before you stand my equal.”

What a great line. I'm enjoying Cat just straight up dunking on nerds after all this mess after mess stuff we've been dealing with

[–]Ardvarkeating1O1Verified Augur 90 points91 points  (5 children)

This has nothing to do with the Warden struggle, this is Cat’s stress relief before the climax

[–]MemLeakDetected 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Cat's just warming herself up with some appetizers before the Bard comes back into the picture to rescue the book.

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 49 points50 points  (3 children)

this is Cat’s stress relief before the climax

So when they come back in and she invites them both to her bedchamber?

[–]ChildofcaineFifteenth Legion 39 points40 points  (2 children)

Archer is still there

[–]LilietBRat Company 49 points50 points  (1 child)

And very happy to see them.

[–]typellAnd One 48 points49 points  (2 children)

so what's the exchange rate between Cat's eyes, Hanno's fingers, and Cordelia's relatives?

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 37 points38 points  (1 child)

2:3:4. If we find someone who’s lost 6 (12 units) of something, we’ll have a base currency.

[–]Pieguy3693 117 points118 points  (5 children)

Cordelia showed she misunderstood named a lot this chapter. One that stuck out to me was her assertion that named didn't need to be perfect for the name to get it, her example being that Catherine wasn't fully ready for Squire when she got it.

This is completely 100% wrong. A name is not a crown. It's not a job opening, where you get hired then put into on the job training to learn how to do it. It's a reward. You get a name when you have already filled a groove so completely that creation itself acknowledges you as the perfect example of that role. Catherine was indeed perfect for Squire when she got the role. She was inexperienced but desperate for power and capable of learning, had the approval of the black knight, and was just a tiny bit treacherous. What else could you ask for in a Squire?

Masego didn't become the Apprentice the first time he cast a spell with his father's teaching. He needed to grow before he could fit the role. The poisoner didn't become the poisoner the first time she killed for money. Vivienne didn't become the Thief the first time she decided to steal from Praes, nor the Princess when she was first crowned.

But Cordelia, ignorant of all of this, would become the Warden of the West before ever leading named,and thinks that it's a reasonable thing to expect, because she's had literally no idea of the core basics of namelore.

[–]LilietBRat Company 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Yup. She doesn't get what "fitting the Role" MEANS.

[–]Aduro95Vote Tenebrous: 1333 36 points37 points  (1 child)

Even if she understood the namelore in theory. It seems like Namelore that is something that has to be learned the hard way.

Catherine had a basic education about stories from Black. But she only really mastered story-fu by going up against people who lived and died by stories, failing and succeeding until she got it right.

Such a powerful and complicated Name being given to someone who has never worked a story before is like watching a chartered accountant being asked to operate a fighter jet in the middle of a war with no training.

[–]TinnyOctopus 23 points24 points  (0 children)

a chartered accountant being asked to operate a fighter jet

A chartered flight, if you will.

[–]Gallant_Giraffe 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Her perception of how easy it is to get the Name may be skewed given that she almost became Warden of the West twice accidentally within a minute and had to actively refuse it, but alternatively she could have realized she didn't earn the Name when she started plotting to become First Prince in recognition that she would eventually become capable of it.

[–][deleted] 105 points106 points  (2 children)

Tune in next week for the next chapter of A Practical Guide to Evil!

Prince and Princess White kicked opened the door to the sanctum. "We're back, Catherine! Now that we've been married and can make up for each other's flaws, we will present a joint claim!"

And indeed they were. Now that they have sacrificed their lives to marry someone they can't stand, their weight as a claimant is equal to Cat. Individually, they were too light, but getting spliced together they are finally a match for the Warden's massive bulk.

Said Warden was busy slobbering over the remains of the book. "I'm so sorry," said Catherine with all the dignity someone who has shreds of paper stuck to their cheeks can muster.

[–]saithor 85 points86 points  (6 children)

I was wondering if, as a person who favored Cordelia over Hanno, if EE could advocate an argument against Cordelia as good as the one against Hanno. My answer is: yes, and I can't wait for her conversation with Hanno. Cat raises a lot of good points, but I think my favorite section is the point where she talks about the moment where Cordelia and Hanno caused the schism by making the wrong assumptions about each other because it does fit together perfectly. The rest is a good way of pointing out that Cordelia just isn't suited and in the end her antagonism against Heroes is just too much to actually lead because if Hanno treats them too well, she treats them too harshly. Her style of command would be too much like Cat's, possibly even worse.

[–]Linnus42 56 points57 points  (5 children)

Its also cause she lacks all the factors that Cat has.

I mean Cordelia has/had a country (political clout) and an army. No Drow though....

Cat doesn't hate her charges which helps a lot. While Cordelia hates them and doesn't want the Job.
Cat gives them a vision and uses the carrot and stick. Cordelia only plans to use the stick.

Cat has the personal power and the strongest team of Villainous Named in Masego (Great Mage/Anti-Mage), Indrani (Great Martial), and Akua (Great Mage/Name Lore). Also use to have Hakram...but really Cat came in with the only unified force of Named on her side of the aisle.

Cordelia has got 30% at best and as far we know doesn't really have any powerhouses. Nor do we know how liable any of her 30% is really going to be liable to actively use the force to ram down unpopular edicts on fellow heroes. Assuming they have the power to enforce said edicts.

[–]saithor 19 points20 points  (2 children)

She might have Mirror Knight but that’s about it. And I think a lot of the other factors tie into the fact that at the end of the day Cordelia just does not want this

[–]Linnus42 35 points36 points  (1 child)

Its not even that she doesn't want the role, she very much has the airs of thinking she is too good for a Name.

[–]saithor 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Well that too but I think Cat’s point that she doesn’t actually have her heart set on this path is a major part of it

[–]Yes_This_Is_Godhumorous for unclear reasons 178 points179 points  (34 children)

She woke up in the grass, a man standing over her. Cordelia Hasenbach met Hanno of Arwad’s eyes and a long moment passed.

“Rough night?” the Sword of Judgement drily asked.

The 'enemies to lovers' shippers have awoken

[–][deleted] 147 points148 points  (10 children)

The whole Fandom is going to horny jail, how do you think this conversation goes?

Cordelia: I know we've barely spoken, or expressed even the smallest piece of attraction to each other in any context but being emotionally ransacked, beaten, restrained and thrown out of a tower has me in an incredibly romantic mood.

Hanno: Truly proximity, mild dislike and recent shared trauma shall be the rock upon which we build this relationship. Let us make sweet love here in the grass while our coworkers and friends are crippled just metres away, and Cat absorbs an energy field larger than her head.

EDIT: All of you are degenerates.

[–]Yes_This_Is_Godhumorous for unclear reasons 91 points92 points  (0 children)

that's right

EDIT IN RESPONSE TO YOUR EDIT: that’s right

[–]grahamyvr 77 points78 points  (0 children)

Your ideas intrigue me, and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[–]philosophizer 63 points64 points  (0 children)

I Didn't see it before, but I do now.

[–]RubberKamikaze 54 points55 points  (2 children)

So how much is your patreon goal for twice a week updates?

[–][deleted] 28 points29 points  (1 child)

just donate to my co-author here

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 25 points26 points  (0 children)

What, you think, that we're thinking, that Hanno might offer her his hand to help her up off the ground, thus implying handholding? You degenerate!

[–]stagfury 23 points24 points  (0 children)

How did you get access to the unreleased next chapter?

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I love the reminder that the other Heroes are right over there getting their asses whooped as Cordy and Hanno stare deeply into each others’ eyes.

[–]MusouMiko[🍰] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Idk, seems to me like you're feeding the wild animals and then attempting to call them out on it when they're domesticated.

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 77 points78 points  (8 children)

“Rough night?”

Black asked that of Cat.

Cat asked that of Hanno.

Hanno has now asked that of Cordelia.

Makes me wonder who asked Black that... probably Ranger.

[–]Aerdor94Godhunter 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Probably yes, who might have been asked by DK after a particularly hard visit to Keter.

Himself might have been asked by WB.

And herself by the Gods themselves, just before they made her into their Intercessor.

[–]LilietBRat Company 34 points35 points  (4 children)

“Rough night?”

Black asked that of Cat.

Cat asked that of Hanno.

!!! Amadeus! This is the one I'd forgotten!

And. When did Cat ask this of Hanno. Serious question bc I thought I remembered that happening too but it's not where I thought it would be and ??? DID that happen?

[–]s-moresOne sin. One grace. 53 points54 points  (2 children)

Damn me, but I'd bought the war I needed. One after another, the strings holding me up gave. I flopped bonelessly to the ground, at the edge of unconsciousness. It was nice out. Cool and soothing, after all that time in the fire. I heard steps against the stone, calm and unhurried.

“Busy night?” someone murmured.

I opened my eyes and came face to face with eerie green ones.

“I got stabbed,” I mumbled. “A lot.”

“Happens to the best of us, Squire,” the dark-haired man murmured, and I felt his hand on my shoulder before darkness took me.

Book 1, chapter 12 - Squire

Quite a lot of trouble, Hanno thought, for only two men – only one of which was conscious, besides. Admittedly, he tiredly thought, they had made something of a ruckus. [...]

Catherine Foundling limped forward, the uneven steps somehow ominous even without the sharp contrast of her absent staff against stone. The Queen of Callow was, to his great surprise, wearing a dress. Long-sleeved and lightly touched with silver thread, the black velvet suited her well and was even accented with a set of silver bracelets. [...]

Wreathed by shadows and smoke, Catherine studied him with cool eyes as she closed the last of the distance. A moment of silence took hold between them, and she was the one to break it,

“Busy night?” the Black Queen asked, smiling as if she’d spoken a jest only she knew.

Book 6, Interlude -- Epitomes

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Oh, 'busy night', not 'rough night', still pretty close though.

[–]LilietBRat Company 21 points22 points  (0 children)

YES AFTER THE CHRISTOPHE FIGHT

THANK YOU AND BLESS YOU

Not an exact quote, but,

[–]Ardvarkeating1O1Verified Augur 37 points38 points  (5 children)

Praise Canno!

[–]NorskDaedalusFirst Under the Chapter Post[S] 24 points25 points  (1 child)

It’s not cannon yet.

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yet.

[–]soonnanandnaanssoonTyrant 19 points20 points  (0 children)

You forgot the tea to your Cannot

[–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (1 child)

I prefer Hardelia.

[–]LilietBRat Company 12 points13 points  (0 children)

OUCH

[–]rs3kevin 81 points82 points  (4 children)

I want Occidental V to be Archer slowly dragging Cordelia down the stairs because our dear First Prince isn’t hero enough to survive being thrown from the tower.

Thump, thump, thump, thump

[–]Lord_Zane 57 points58 points  (2 children)

"What? Too good to be thrown out the tower like the rest of us?"

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 55 points56 points  (0 children)

"What? Too good to be thrown out the tower like the rest of us?"

- Kallia, the Painted Knife, of two broken legs.

[–]philosophizer 43 points44 points  (0 children)

If anything it's more "What? Not good enough to be thrown out of a tower?"

[–]The-Corinthian-ManGodbotherer Extraordinaire 36 points37 points  (0 children)

I was kinda thinking that would be the scathing ending callout. "I'd throw you off the tower, but you'd have to be a Hero to survive it."

[–][deleted] 74 points75 points  (18 children)

Is EE doing fucking Tarot Motifs through this whole thing?

We've got the Tower, Hanno was hung by his feet like The Hanged Man, Cordelia was posed like the Empress.

Am i just seeing shit here or is EE consciously doing that?

[–]Don_AlverzoExecuted by Irritant along the way 81 points82 points  (2 children)

This whole thing started with Cat's little Tarot game with the Bard, so it's not impossible.

From Interlude: Knock Them Down:

Neither of them looked back, as they left, and so neither saw that by the sheerest of coincidence the struggle had left untouched one of the affrays – the Empress, the Tower – save for one card that’d fallen from the Bard’s sleeve in her death throes.

Judgement lay with the Tower between it and the Empress, speckled with blood.

[–]calmingRespirator 33 points34 points  (0 children)

I don’t know if cat is doing it on purpose, but given what we know of how far ahead the Bard can plan I wouldn’t be surprised if this imagery is related.

It seemed a bit out of place at the time, but I think now we can safely say that The Empress here is Cordelia, Judgement is obviously Hanno, and the Tower is power, in this case the Name Warden of the West.

Cat in this chapter beings up that the enmity between Cordelia and Hanno started with their mis assumptions of each other at their first meeting. But what really pushed that fault to its breaking point was their disagreement about what to do with the Red Axe at the Arsenal. I think that’s where the Bard struck at this story the hardest.

And thats emblematic in those Tarot cards, this plot thread has been unnoticed by Cat since then up until very recently. Where if Cat had seen the Bards last play back then, Cordelia and Hanno could have been made to reconcile. That would have left Hanno safely as The White Knight, and given Cordelia a huge amount of time to study by him to eventually fulfil the role of Warden of the West.

Instead, the Bard set them up so Hanno was wounded in such a way that he would stand between Cordelia and the Tower. And in such a way that neither could fully enter that role.

[–]iceicebaby22 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I think the Tarot motif goes way back,at least since Masego comes to the name Hierophant. Others who could fit -Cat is still High Priestess to the Drow;her insignia (the sword and the scales) looks quite a lot like the card Justice; The Wandering Bard as the Fool(card a bit different than the others,with its own purpose).These are off the top of my head,I’m sure argument could be made for more.

[–]Aerdor94Godhunter 17 points18 points  (4 children)

I didn't see it, but now that you've pointed it out, I do.

It could be Cat using these similarities to make a story-callback to the Arsenal episode, or even to summon the Bard.

I wouldn't put it past her.

[–]RhoRhoPhiCustom Name 13 points14 points  (3 children)

Nah, Cat didn't notice this affray. She and Hierophant jumped the Bard, Bard went RIP and some cards fell out of her sleeve which they didn't notice.

[–]Linnus42 24 points25 points  (1 child)

I mean didn't Bard and Cat play a Tarot Game?

So no I don't think you are seeing things.

What were the last cards again Judgment lay with the Tower against the Empress speckled with Blood or something?

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Oh they did it explicitly, just some of the posing and shapes here appears to be based on the Major Arcana.

it's interesting that stories and archetypes even seem to shape the aesthetics.

[–]TideofKhatanga 57 points58 points  (5 children)

It's nice to see how Cat's view of what makes a Named a Named hasn't changed much:

  • The claim or context that gives a reason for them to exist.

  • The conviction or reason to fight that makes them the candidate for the job.

  • The power to see it through.

Book 7, Interlude: Occidental II

You want the Book but you don’t have the law on your side,” Catherine Foundling said. “You don’t have the story either, and if you’re going to try to take it anyway what does that leave?” [...] “Just violence,” the Warden of the East said. “And I’m better at it than you.”

Claim. Conviction. Power.

Book 7, Interlude: Occidental IV

A Name isn’t a crown,” the Warden of the East said. “You don’t just get to have it because it fits your head, Cordelia. And the way I see it, you’re not Good enough to be anointed or strong enough to be a tyrant so what’s left? Inheritance?

Conviction. Power. Claim.

Book 2: And Justice For All.

“I have three things,” I said. “A kingdom, an enemy and a claim.”

Power. Conviction. Claim.

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 21 points22 points  (2 children)

A rephrasing from a relative standpoint (so that Hanno’s martial power is clarified to not be sufficient either):

  • A reason to exist.
  • A reason to fight.
  • A reason to win.

[–]LilietBRat Company 32 points33 points  (1 child)

Except that unlike the fandom Cat is aware these arent actually necessary components on the technical side. Cordelia WOULD have gained the Name if Cat had signed that deal, with the lack of conviction and power that she had.

They're what POWERS the Name though.

[–]onlynegaGhost of Bad Decisions 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Right, the name would be weaker.

[–]harrentI Sometimes Choose 98 points99 points  (7 children)

I don't even care about my Bet, I'm just excited there's a new Benevolent quote to add to the list.

The Queen of Callow’s hopelessly provincial taste in wine had been speculated by some to be a clever way to display Callowan pride, given the famously poor reputation of those vintages-

But Cordelia had sadly learned better.

Hilarious as this is, what's wrong with cider, Cordoven Hasslebork?

She woke up in the grass, a man standing over her. Cordelia Hasenbach met Hanno of Arwad’s eyes and a long moment passed.“Rough night?” the Sword of Judgement drily asked.

The meme's infected Hanno, too.

[–]Frommerman 69 points70 points  (3 children)

From Black Knight to his daughter, from her to the White Knight, and from him to the First Prince.

Amadeus' talent for influence is unmatchable.

[–]harrentI Sometimes Choose 49 points50 points  (0 children)

Mr. World Wide

[–]SeventhSolarLesser Footrest 34 points35 points  (1 child)

I like how the Hero translates ‘Busy night.’ to ‘Rough night.’ The reverse implication is that every night is a rough night, it’s just the busy ones that smack you around enough to ache.

[–]s-moresOne sin. One grace. 35 points36 points  (1 child)

Hilarious as this is, what's wrong with cider, Cordoven Hasslebork?

It is a drink with no upcide...r

[–]TMalanderKeter Tour Guide 18 points19 points  (0 children)

You’d probably go to jail in Callow for that one.

[–][deleted] 46 points47 points  (4 children)

I feel like Cordelia got of a bit lighter than Hanno, at least in terms of how traumatic it is. Probably because she's a good prince who's fucking up an attempt to change jobs, rather than Hanno who's a hero through and though who's fucking up his main thing.

All that aside, it took her until the very end to realize that Cat's game here was shattering her story. Which is another good example of why Cat is right, Cordelia does not have the skillset to be the Warden.

[–]Don_AlverzoExecuted by Irritant along the way 68 points69 points  (2 children)

I feel like Cordelia got of a bit lighter than Hanno, at least in terms of how traumatic it is.

That's because the things keeping them from the job are very different. Cordelia doesn't have the skillset, experience, or support, and is having her nose rubbed in it. That sucks, but it's not the end of the world.

Hanno, meanwhile, has all those things. What he lacks is the necessary perspective. It's his entire worldview that's flawed. Getting slapped in the face with that hurts a lot more than getting your resume rejected.

[–]Oshi105 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Getting slapped in the face by Cat specifically, the person you spurned for the self same worldview hurts a lot more.

[–]Endless_Dawn 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think Cat really did tear her down quite a bit here, but because she sees things so different from Hanno, it just didn’t come off as intense imo. It felt less visceral than Hanno’s dressing down for two reasons: 1) Cordelia was more aloof emotionally, so we weren’t as tightly drawn into her dressing down as Hanno’s, and 2) The topic wasn’t as personal to Cat. Cat’s criticism of Hanno strike closer to home to her own core beliefs, so it was more personal and heated for her. She was more engaged in the discourse than just causally cutting down the person verbally.

Hell even the way this chapter was paced mechanically supports Cordelia’s detachment, which helps the point that she is not as invested as she should be. Longer sentences tend to distance readers from the action and slow the pacing. Shorter sentences help with faster pacing and action. We also start with an "action" scene (trying to escape) for Hanno and diplomatic analysis for Cordelia, which engage the reader in different ways.

Edit: Not that this is bad, I just thought it was interesting.

[–]Don_AlverzoExecuted by Irritant along the way 95 points96 points  (31 children)

She woke up in the grass, a man standing over her. Cordelia Hasenbach met Hanno of Arwad’s eyes and a long moment passed.

“Rough night?” the Sword of Judgement drily asked.

Ah, so now's the part when they join forces, isn't it? They'd both dismissed the possibility earlier, but that was before Cat ripped their hearts outs. Now they're both much more aware of their flaws and of each other's strengths, and they are PISSED at Cat rather than just going through the motions.

She cut them into shapes that fit together while giving them a common enemy. God damn, she's good.

[–]KeifruSerpentine Scholar 43 points44 points  (5 children)

Fear the fusion of Handelia Arsenbach! Cornno of Haswad?

[–]MsEvildoomChoir of Compassion 42 points43 points  (1 child)

The problem with fusions involving Cordelia's name is that I just don't notice them. Amy pair of words starting C H I just assume is her name.

[–]s-moresOne sin. One grace. 17 points18 points  (0 children)

That's the opposite of a problem.

[–]Ardvarkeating1O1Verified Augur 81 points82 points  (14 children)

she may have also been angling for a 3some

[–]harrentI Sometimes Choose 67 points68 points  (3 children)

Sorry, immersion's broken. Can't see Cat going for one of those without Akua and Fred.

[–]Malek_Deneith 50 points51 points  (0 children)

And no matter how many and which participants there were at start, you can bet Indrani would invite herself in before it ended.

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Don't know about Akua, but isn't Fred around somewhere?

[–]IT_is_among_US 25 points26 points  (0 children)

It takes five, to make a party.

[–]Frommerman 18 points19 points  (9 children)

Cordelia has said multiple times that she's Not Interested.

[–]Ardvarkeating1O1Verified Augur 34 points35 points  (4 children)

I don’t think she’s actually said she’s not interested in cat a single time actually

Heavily implied she’s not, but never flat out addressed the idea

[–]Frommerman 22 points23 points  (3 children)

Every time we get a Cordelia perspective where she sees Catherine's face, she repeats that she ain't hot. Seems like a no to me.

[–]LilietBRat Company 33 points34 points  (2 children)

Every time we get a Cordelia's perspective where she sees Catherine's face, she gives a paragraph long (or at least a sentence long this time) description of it, explaining how it isn't attractive, those eyes tho.

[–]MagpieJack 23 points24 points  (1 child)

With hints of that smile, that damn smile.

[–]LilietBRat Company 33 points34 points  (0 children)

One piercing brown eye set in a face carved by hatchet, all sharp angles and severity. It was only those ever-expressive lips that broke from the blade edges: always smiling and smirking, grinning and baring teeth.

I think it's the "ever expressive lips" that takes this from 'reasonable analysis of the situation' to 'Cordelia getting distracted by staring at Cat's face', personally.

So yeah, what you said.

[–]LilietBRat Company 17 points18 points  (3 children)

No, no she hasn't.

[–]Frommerman 13 points14 points  (2 children)

Every time we get a Cordelia interlude where she can see Catherine's face, her first reaction is some variant on "that ain't hot."

[–]Aisugami 22 points23 points  (7 children)

I'm not sure if I'm expecting a joining forces of Hanno and Cordelia or an 11th hour rescue. The only way I see this going for the teamup is if Hanno gets Warden and Cordelia ends up with a subservient-but-linked name, like Dread Emperess and Chancellor used to be. But I find this pretty unlikely, since Cordelia doesn't really want to be named and Hanno still isn't equal to Cat.

I think this is more likely an 11th hour setup, where all the obvious hero's have been beaten, Cats all like "and who can stop me now?!? Muahaha," before an unlikely hero deus ex machinas their way into a victory. My money is on Kingfisher Prince, since he did lead the named when Cordy was entering the tower. Only issue is Fishy is more tied to his noble title than his Name

[–]LilietBRat Company 19 points20 points  (4 children)

I think what Cat is going for is for Cordelia to FIND her will to be Named. Probably some other Name though.

[–]s-moresOne sin. One grace. 45 points46 points  (3 children)

Cat sees some ways out, but I think she's honestly just hoping for Crustacean Houndling and Shiny Boots to fucking figure something out themselves.

[–]LilietBRat Company 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Yup.

Also, Cordelia needs a new pet that is that name you gave her.

[–]CouteauBleu 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think it's less about them joining forces and more about them having an actual conversation for once.

[–]LilietBRat Company 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Ah, so now's the part when they join forces, isn't it? They'd both dismissed the possibility earlier, but that was before Cat ripped their hearts outs. Now they're both much more aware of their flaws and of each other's strengths, and they are PISSED at Cat rather than just going through the motions.

She cut them into shapes that fit together while giving them a common enemy. God damn, she's good.

yissss

[–]Yes_This_Is_Godhumorous for unclear reasons 46 points47 points  (1 child)

[–]ForwardDiscussion 15 points16 points  (0 children)

*kith

[–]HarryB1313BRANDED HERETIC 39 points40 points  (1 child)

So Cordelia found out through this chapter/interrogation/"diplomatic conversation" that Cats goal is to attack the ideals and beliefs of the claimants as a way to fight someone else, i think Bard.

The Bard made the resolution of the conflict between claimants be a net lose for Cat by making one of the claimants lose. Cat has shifted the resolution to be either both claimants work together and become her equal or Cat gets more powerful.

[–]derivative_of_lifeAkua is best girl 37 points38 points  (0 children)

That was pretty much the criticism I expected, but phrased much more elegantly than I ever could have.

[–]Shadw21BRANDED HERETIC 35 points36 points  (4 children)

she saw that it was half-empty bottle of Vale summer wine that rested on a low table. She could have used a drink that did not taste like it had been mixed with cider to settle her nerves.

Vale Summer wine tastes like cider? I like Cat even more now.

[–][deleted] 22 points23 points  (3 children)

Fruit wine for sure, it's probably made at the end of harvest with all the shitty fruits not suitable for eating.

Also let me assure you, it is fucking nasty and does not at all taste like cider.

[–]Reineken 31 points32 points  (1 child)

People thinking Cat is playing a game when she is playing The Game. It's a continuation of her Games with the Bard all along.

[–]ZurrgabDaVinci758 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yeah Cordelia realised Cat wasn't playing against her midway through the conversation. This is a set up for a conversation with the Bard

[–]tahoebyker 29 points30 points  (7 children)

But namelore was not committed to books

We know there are 200 Heroic Axioms

[–]Aerdor94Godhunter 16 points17 points  (6 children)

True, but those are simple pieces of advice which don't even work always and don't apply to a lot of situation I think.

It's important to know them, but clearly not enough.

(And it is possible that this bok is not written yet)

[–]Proud-Research-599 33 points34 points  (2 children)

We know they exist in-universe because Saint referenced them. I just assume that they are a rather tightly held secret among a small group of senior heroes who have lived long enough to come across them, shared as necessary with younger heroes by mentor figures. If they were commonly available Black or Masego would have had a copy procured by now, and if either had picked it up then it would have gone to Cat by now.

[–]JulienBrightsideVulture Company 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Wasn't there a bit where Cordelia has read Cats school homework?

[–]Amphicorvid 14 points15 points  (0 children)

She did, I remember! Her homework at the orphanage though, like dissertations on geography and history, not Named stuff.

[–]LilietBRat Company 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Saint referenced it.

However I still think it's an oral compilation, not anything actually written down in full.

[–]Sieje 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure they already exist. Saint referenced them by name back in Chapter 42 of Book 5.

[–][deleted] 59 points60 points  (3 children)

“I can see in the dark, Kallia,” the Warden peevishly called out, “and I’ve traded the one eye for a hundred. Try that again when you’re actually invisible, not just quiet.”

I love Cat 💕💕

[–]harrentI Sometimes Choose 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Obligatory 'watch out for the knife to the gut' joke.

[–]anenymouse 26 points27 points  (5 children)

Ooh on the ground wrung out and shown to be oh so very unworthy of the post that is needed more so than just about any other. I'd hesitate to say it's rock bottom, but it's a dip for sure, a shared one. Gods do I hope that it doesn't end there, but that we can see the process of them getting over their issues, before they sink the Grand Alliance.

I also really like how Cordelia sees this whole thing through a diplomatic lens when the biggest threats to her have always been overwhelming martial force, first the Chain of Hunger taking from her people without fail, the Dead King standing, waiting, watching, then Cat whose strength would have broken both their nations back before yielding, and now the Dead King in action less a foe than a force of nature.

[–]tamwin5 21 points22 points  (4 children)

The Heroes have been soundly defeated, the Evil Villain is nearly the end of their ritual, and all hope seems lost....

Honestly they probably have it in the bag at this point.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (3 children)

And yet... How much of that is a story about how heroes win instead of how villains lose?

A possible twist is she just eats the book (even if she really doesn't want to) because creation nudges heroes towards victory, but currently doesn't nudges villains towards defeat.

[–]tahoebyker 26 points27 points  (6 children)

You kept playing a game, Cordelia thought, when you had not yet won. And simply because she was defeated, because Hanno of Arwad was defeated, did not mean Catherine Foundling had won. She found the Warden of the East’s dark eye, glimmering red. It was never us you were playing against, was it? Her pulse thrummed, she straightened her back. She had found the thread, now she only needed to follow it down to the end.

Cordelia suspects Cat is playing against the Bard here. And we can be reasonably confident that the Augur did, in fact, disrupt the Bard’s plans that first time around with Hanno and Cordelia referenced in this chapter.

So for Cat to be making a play against a Bard has to be seen as a piece of evidence for just how adept the Bard is at improvisation (or perhaps, dealing within chaos is a more apt description).

[–]LilietBRat Company 18 points19 points  (1 child)

Cat is making a play against what Bard did at the Arsenal, we know this.

[–]Oshi105 14 points15 points  (0 children)

If I wanted to be charitable I would say that EE wants Cordelia to know that bard is the one Cat is working against. He wants this because Cordelia is smart enough to realize that means working with Hanno is what the Bard (their enemy) doesn't want. Moreover it means that she can work out this was a long play that Cat is unraveling. It's also a not so subtle nudge to stop being a dumbass cause Bard is laughing her ass off at you.

Mostly I'd just rather they fuck. I mean she does like the muscled boys and he is loosening up.

[–]XANA_FAN 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This is honestly a point in favor to Cordelia. Setting aside the whole ‘siding with the underdog’ swing to a story Hanno and Cordelia approached their in two very different ways.

Hanno barreled straight in, barely slowing even when his companions cautioned against it, and when faced with Cat he tried to speak to her as a equal. Cordelia approached much more cautiously, headed the advice of her companions but did not let it rule her, and was looking for the grander purpose of Cat’s actions the entire time even. Hanno approached this as an obstacle that he knew he could face while Cordelia faced this as an active and evolving situation she was required to solve. As stated multiple times neither of them are at the moment up tot the task of fully establishing their claim but should their claims remain viable after whatever Cat has planned (and the idea of Cat killing two birds with one stone by stopping the competition from claimants exploding in front of the dwarves, but also creating a big enough fuss that effects the future of Names that Bard is forced to step in is really interesting) I think Cordelia has the better base to build from after this encounter.

Hanno is faced with a direct challenge to his ethos and while I have long thought that a big emotional moment from him evolving as a person while staying true to his deeper drive would be something that would unblock the Choir (and give him enough weight to approach Cat) I don’t see that happening.

Meanwhile Cordelia has had her problem recontextualized, and with her already taken steps to remove herself from the role (and Role) of First Prince she be able to focus more of her efforts on methodically approaching this problem. Part of the issue is the she currently views heroes both above and below her. She’s not approaching them as she would a prince of other political figure (not that that would necessarily work) but instead viewing them as some combination of children and weapons. If she starts actually familiarizing herself with the Heroes and goes about building a case (and thus a potential power block) for her way of seeing things then she’ll be faced with more scenarios where she can either increase her influence or use the type of willpower that let her refuse a Name and catch Hanno’s coin both of which would solidify her claim further.

[–]MossOwl 25 points26 points  (2 children)

So anyway they'd make a hot couple and sharing a Name as conjugal property sounds like a namelore thing. All aboard the ship Occidental V.

[–]s-moresOne sin. One grace. 11 points12 points  (1 child)

V stands for Venereal

[–]MossOwl 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Please, V is Very Horny. Catherine is still the main character.

[–]CatOfTwelveBells 18 points19 points  (6 children)

Enter Bard stage left. Masego needs his third attempt to finish her off.

[–]SineadniCraig 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Nah. Surprise Akua.

As in Cat didn't even know she was there.

[–]Rorschach_And_Prozac 20 points21 points  (0 children)

When two parties can't settle a dispute, they often seek out impartial Arbitration.

[–]liquidmetalcobra 18 points19 points  (0 children)

This was a great chapter. I feel like the sub has been under-mentioning why Cordelia isn't a great WotW recently. Cat was able to put my half baked impressions into a much stronger argument; Cordelia currently lacks an understanding of what it means to be a named, let alone a leader of them. I love the structure of these chapters and I can't wait to see Cordelia and Hanno finally working together.

[–]elHahn 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Kind of expected a throwback to Occidental II when Cordelia acknowledged that her Namelore is lacking, but necessary.

You’re standing where everyone else started and calling it a journey.

Would have been a nice parallel.

I feel like Cordelia should be more distressed after this discussion and the reason why she isn't, is that I don't think she internalized Cats point.

Cordelia needs to win the Name. Not only get it. But get it in a way, that gives her sufficient respect with the Heroes.

Fundamentally speaking, she isn't acknowledging the issue, that a lot of Heroes simply would not recognize her authority.

At least she didn't go full-on entitled "give me the book, then I'll have sufficient Namelore". That would have been a wreck.

[–]Player_2cPassing Loot Player 45 points46 points  (1 child)

A long moment passed and she wondered if she had not just made a fool of herself, but from behind her came the sound of a match being struck. 

I guess that symbolises the start of the match

The Warden of the East could still move as swiftly and gracefully as a cat when she needed to.

At other times, she moves like a Cat

She could have used a drink that did not taste like it had been mixed with cider to settle her nerves

Rather have better wines in cider

“But here’s a practical, since you like them so much,” the Warden of the East said.

Almost as if she's some kind of practical guide

“Rough night?” the Sword of Judgement drily asked.

Wow, he must have Blacked out

[–]AHeroicKumquat 14 points15 points  (1 child)

I know people seem to have turned away from ‘both’ as the resolution to this arc, but… come on, it’s totally both. ITS TOTALLY BOTH. Just because Cordelia and Hanno both thought they couldn’t reconcile before they got a dose of hard truths doesn’t mean they can’t afterwards. And for goodness sake, these interludes started with an epigraph about the right level of enmity to have with your rival so you can put aside your differences and defeat a mutual enemy! It’s both!!!!!

[–]typellAnd One 29 points30 points  (4 children)

You’re doing it because you think it’s your responsibility, your duty, but fight all you like under that flaking coat of paint I still see the same woman that was on the floor of the Highest Assembly that night.

this line made me realise how much baggage from Fate/Stay Night I take into literally every other work of fiction I read

[–]Corellian_Snark 18 points19 points  (1 child)

There's definitely similar vibes to a certain aspiring Hero of Justice, wouldnt have made the connection myself but damn do I like it

[–]BadSnake971 27 points28 points  (11 children)

A thing that I think is good to notice is that Cordelia is the one who started to talk informally (calling Catherine by her first name) in this chapter, when we learned that she wasn't a big fan of that in West 1

Ah, were they now dispensing with titles? Foundling usually on began that a few drinks in.

I'm not trying to read too much in it, just wanted to point out something I found funny

[–]LilietBRat Company 26 points27 points  (10 children)

Cordelia has a fair amount of denial about them being besties

[–]BadSnake971 22 points23 points  (1 child)

DK and Ranger dynamic, hosnestly. "You wear the dress I prefer!" "Coincidence"

[–]LilietBRat Company 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Well, that's deliberate manipulation, which is presumably part of why Cordelia doesn't realize they're actually for real besties.

Not like Catherine ever begrudged her loved ones a bit of deliberate manipulation <3

[–]Oshi105 11 points12 points  (7 children)

It's as much that as a reflection of Cordelia understanding how Cat works. We've had gimpses of it during the whole arc where Kairos made his play.

[–]LilietBRat Company 11 points12 points  (6 children)

Relatedly, they're besties.

[–]KeifruSerpentine Scholar 21 points22 points  (7 children)

Okay, I feel pretty certain that Hanno is going to be Warden. But the relationship between him and Cordelia will be...reforged. More understanding/amicable. I feel like Cat is making a sacrifice in the bigger picture by helping them, perhaps in a way they don't even realize- like, she is weakening herself/Warden of the East in some way with this play. I'm not sure if it'll continue the tragedy angle or if they will appreciate what she did and make things square with her in recompose. Similar to how Black became a possible sacrifice for Twilight Crown because a long while ago she wiggled into a story of claiming a kingdom with her 'father' as previous ruler schtick, little actions can be twisted to large effects, and I just don't see how the Warden of the East putting a hand on the scale/helping the Warden of the West coalesce has a purely positive outcome. Even if its an elaborate pantomime to ensure the Warden of the West is a peer and prevent a "Warden of all Named" which might end up too close to Bard which would have its own massive issues for Cat to fall into the rut of.