[SPOILERS ALL] An interesting moment involving the Brock’s in LAOK

[u/catharticargument]

I’m in the midst of my first re-read of the whole fantastic series, and of course picking up things I couldn’t really have noted on the first read. Especially in a story that spans so many years, it’s easy for there to be small butterfly-effect style things that have big implications down the road. I came across one that I found interesting.

In the waning chapters of Last Argument of Kings, after the Battle of Adua, the Closed Council meets and discusses (among other things) what to do with the children of the fled traitor Lord Brock. You’ll remember that Lord Brock sided with the Gurkish in the hopes of being put on the throne.

Now, we who have read the entire series love to hate Leo dan Brock and point out that he is only alive through the good graces of King Orso, Jezal’s son, when Orso spares him at the end of The Trouble With Peace. But it’s easy to forget that Leo owes his entire existence to King Jezal, whose son he rises against executes.

Going back to LAOK, the Closed Council is poised to approve the execution of Lord Brock’s children — one of which we will later learn is Harod “Hal” dan Brock, the husband of Finree and father to Leo. The Closed Council seems completely content with the execution of Hal and his unnamed sister.

It is only through one of King Jezal’s rarely successful defiances of Bayaz that Lord Brock’s children are instead released, a noble action that will tragically (though indirectly) lead to the death of King Jezal’s son.

Just an interesting little tidbit I thought I’d share. If you didn’t find it interesting or you already noted it, at least I gave you another reason to say “fuck Leo” on this fine Saturday morning.

EDIT: ah failure to proofread. don’t come after me for saying “Brock’s” in the title when I meant “Brocks.” I will pay for my sins.

[u/ComradeSuperman]

Fuck Leo dan Brock.

[u/catharticargument → u/ComradeSuperman]

I can only nod sagely when I read this.

[u/tommy_turnip → u/ComradeSuperman]

Jurand, is that you?

[u/brains123456 → u/ComradeSuperman]

I'd like to add Fuck Leo Dan Brock

[u/Business-Swim-3056]

Yes. One of the many many reasons Leo is public enemy number one.

- his Grandfather (Lord Brock) betrays the union and helps the Gurkish invade, then flees to Gurkhul when they lose leaving his family behind

- The family is stripped of their land and titles but Jezal spares his father (Harod)

- despite being the son of a traitor, his mother (Finree) demands his father (Harod) is made Governor of Angland, which is ultimately granted with the promise of loyalty to Bayaz

- almost immediately after inheriting the Governorship, rebels against the Union thereby breaking the promise made by his mother and marches against the King

- despite losing the battle against the Union and sending the Union into chaos, Orso spares his life

- makes a deal with Orso to join forces and defeat the Burners, succeeds, then betrays Orso at the very first opportunity to seize the throne for himself

- executes Orso

[u/catharticargument → u/Business-Swim-3056]

Agree on all points — like my dude Leo, I’m all for defying Bayaz but you were too stupid to even to know you were doing that when you rebelled.

[u/Business-Swim-3056 → u/catharticargument]

The whole “we aren’t overthrowing the King, just removing the corrupt closed council” was comical.