The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
The value of Harry's debt is punching above its weight in Summer Knight
isoycrazy:
It is my belief that Maeve was infected during the battle of the Stone Table during Summer Knight. In all that confusion and focus on Harry killing Aurora and Lily's ascension, it would be an ideal time to spread the infection to Maeve.
Initially Mab only saw Lea having both a strong Word-promised debt of Harry which would allow her to manipulate and control the young mortal wizard, and the Athame as too much power initially, so, she took Harry's debt because that would be a better long term use than the evil blade. After all, Harry used impressive guile to outwit Lea while in Winter's domain specifically when she had all the power and courage to risk his own life in saving himself. Mab probably watched the confrontation of Harry and Bianca, either in live form or some fae observing (she isn't bound from not using the information to harm Bianca because she is dead), and sees Harry's wrath and love driving him to make war. Remember that Mab respects Love and the way it can drive people to do some very dark things.
--- Quote ---Mab: So many terrible things are done for love. For love will men mutilate themselves and murder rivals. For love will even a peaceful man go to war. For love, man will destroy himself, and that right willingly.
--- End quote ---
During the in between of Summer Knight and Dead Beat, Lea tried something more overt, a direct confrontation of Mab, insubordination, or something which should never happen in their old dynamics. Lea has enough strength of will to recognize her ailment and condition, and this is what makes Mab decide to spare her and heal her, rather than remove a dangerous and infected person. Perhaps on some level Mab even loves Lea, making the choice to destroy her all the harder.
After Dead Beat, maybe during one cleansing of Lea, Lea is able to confess or Mab is able to determine based on Maeve's lack of response to the Vampires invading their domain, Maeve was infected too. This is what leads to her anger in Small Favor and needing to use a translator.
Mira:
--- Quote ---
Initially Mab only saw Lea having both a strong Word-promised debt of Harry which would allow her to manipulate and control the young mortal wizard, and the Athame as too much power initially, so, she took Harry's debt because that would be a better long term use than the evil blade. After all, Harry used impressive guile to outwit Lea while in Winter's domain specifically when she had all the power and courage to risk his own life in saving himself. Mab probably watched the confrontation of Harry and Bianca, either in live form or some fae observing (she isn't bound from not using the information to harm Bianca because she is dead), and sees Harry's wrath and love driving him to make war. Remember that Mab respects Love and the way it can drive people to do some very dark things.
--- End quote ---
I think Mab is well aware that Harry is starborn as well as a wizard, she most likely impressed how he managed to clear her of the charges of murdering the Summer Knight, which also left her short a Winter Knight... So quite natural she'd want him on her team.... Let's not forget that though Mab may have taken on Harry's debt to Lea, she still could not force him to become her Knight. As a mortal, Harry still has free will...
g33k:
--- Quote from: Mira on June 12, 2019, 06:17:01 PM --- I think Mab is well aware that Harry is starborn as well as a wizard ...
--- End quote ---
Indeed!
I think Mab knew Harry as a Starborn wizard from his birth. I think that is WHY she interacts with him at all, and the entirety of her intention toward him.
His mom was well-known to the upper echelons of Winter. Bargaining with the Leanansidhe -- Mab's Right Hand -- to be Harry's godmother? The Ruby Waystone? These are not small matters! Harry's birth was well-known to Winter; Harry's wizardly potential as Margaret's child, his Starborn potential from his birth-circumstances... obvious to Winter.
But if his Mom's preperations were not small matters, neither is Harry a "small matter" -- a Starborn wizard never is! As an apprentice, he defeated one of the most-mighty Outsider Knights there is. How big a deal is that, really?
Well... when the cadre of WC refugees arrived (and settled the Molly case in favor of a Doom over her and Harry), we learned that the Outsider assault would have likely taken them all (if not for Michael); and who was the wizard fighting those outsiders? The Blackstaff, the WC's most dangerous and deadly combatant. And apprentice-Harry was punching in that weight-class.
To be brutally frank -- Mab NEEDS that kind of power to be part of the defenses of the Outer Gates. Therefore, she needs Harry.
All of Mab's interactions with Harry -- including making him Winter Knight -- are about making him a better, stronger wizard, so he can fight the Outsiders better.
Mira:
--- Quote ---To be brutally frank -- Mab NEEDS that kind of power to be part of the defenses of the Outer Gates. Therefore, she needs Harry.
--- End quote ---
Yes, and Harry is well aware that she needs him more than he needs her... That is why he is able to give her crap in Harry fashion and she takes most of it pretty well..
--- Quote ---All of Mab's interactions with Harry -- including making him Winter Knight -- are about making him a better, stronger wizard, so he can fight the Outsiders better.
--- End quote ---
Yes, she is toughening him up to make the hard choices...
g33k:
--- Quote from: Mira on June 14, 2019, 04:31:47 PM ---Yes, and Harry is well aware that she needs him more than he needs her... That is why he is able to give her crap in Harry fashion and she takes most of it pretty well...
--- End quote ---
I don't think Harry has realized, yet.
I think he hasn't delved into the implications of being a "Starborn" and what that REALLY means. I don't think he has spotted Mab's special interest in them.
I think he's still stuck in the OMG-ness of being in Mab's crosshairs.
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