[Dragaera] random thoughts on recent (or not) Texts

[Philip Hart]

On Mon, 7 Nov 2011, Alexx Kay wrote:

>> On Sat, 5 Nov 2011, Alexx Kay wrote:
>>
>>> that StY has a more... elastic notion of honor than, say, Morrolan.
>>
>> Something she picked up from her namesake, perhaps.  I suspect Sethra's
>> pretty practical, though I don't immediately recall an example.
>
> In FHYA, she comes to the capitol to investigate Gyorg Lavode's murder,
> despite having been banished from the court.  Later in that volume, she
> has the audacity to suggest to Tortaalik that he abdicate.

I wouldn't say that her honor is involved in these events.

> In _Taltos_, she does some fairly skeezy manipulation (and, arguably,
> murder) to get Vlad to Dzur Mountain.

This is true - and Morrolan is also in on this.  Incidentally, I don't 
find the death of Quion especially consistent with what I would otherwise 
expect - a Jhereg being convincible that he can safely flee to Dzur 
Mountain (and do what there, exactly?  Why not Northport, or nowhere 
in particular?)?  Sethra killing a completely defenseless schlub?  Kiera 
thinking Vlad will be in a good mood after such a welcome?

> Interestingly, there is no clearly documented instance of Sethra Lavode
> *lying*.  She is certainly willing to conceal, obfuscate, and mislead, but
> as far as I can tell, she never tells a direct untruth.

AFT, but what about the start of Issola?  Doesn't Vlad say something like, 
"Sethra, that's not true", to Teldra's consternation?

This characteristic makes me think of Gene Wolfe - don't remember if 
Severian ever lies directly, or Silk, but iirc the avoidance of lying is 
a pervasive theme in his work.  I think Philip Marlowe cares about this too.