The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
Something Occured to Me as to Why the Senior Council is so Afraid of Harry
Arjan:
In summer knight Mab called them retainers. They are his as long as he keeps his part of the bargain and we see that when he is unable to do so Mab, Lea and Molly do so for him. Because these obligations are important.
It is not the same but think comitatus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comitatus
Kindler:
--- Quote from: Bad Alias on December 24, 2020, 08:31:39 PM ---@vincentric: The favor he called in was an army. So Eb literally raised a loyal army. They fought and died for him. As far as we know, they had no interest in Chichen Itza.
They showed up by the hundreds. Don't call it an army if you like, but many wouldn't call a bunch of pixies an army either.
Neither did the pixies. They showed up to protect pizza. Toot seemed a little nonplussed about Harry being in danger. The Kenku were just as loyal to Eb as the fairies are to Harry. It's all about debt and obligation. As soon as Harry owes them more than they owe him, the loyalty will be gone.
--- End quote ---
I mean, soldiers are paid (at least they have been for a couple thousand years. Read "Why the West Won" for a more complete explanation on the thesis that professional volunteer armies were the primary reason that Western Civilization survived and expanded rather than being eaten up by entities like Persia (who had armies primarily consisting of slaves and levies)).
Anyway, my point is mostly just that, historically speaking, armies are loyal to the ones who paid them—or, originally, the ones who ensured they were paid (via plunder). That was a big deal from the Marian Reforms in the Republican Roman period; he basically created the concept of a permanent, professional army that was paid in exchange for a term of service (they still got plunder, but they were paid salaries too). I think they had to serve for like 15-20 years or something like that, but if they survived, they were given retirement benefits. Also had professionally made, standardized equipment rather than "bring a sword if you have one."
The most immediate result of the Marian Reforms was that armies became loyal to their commanders. It basically set up the inevitable civil wars that caused the collapse of the Republic system. Julius Caesar (Marius's nephew by marriage, by the way) eventually took advantage of this, with Octavian really seizing the reins after his assassination.
Anywho, the point is that armies (good ones, anyway) render loyalty and service in exchange for payment. The Za Lord's Guard is Harry's standing "military" force. It even has a General (Major-General?) They expand the size of the force temporarily in exchange for additional pizza—if memory serves, Harry and Toot call it the Za Lord's Militia. The Guard is paid a regular salary, and has been receiving that salary since Storm Front. And Lea (or Mab?) made sure to continue paying them when Harry was dead. I think Molly covered it when he was stuck on Demonreach.
What Eb did in Changes is, I would argue, qualitatively different from what Harry did. It's closer to Marcone hiring the Einherjaren. They're Marcone's to command, but they're not his army. The Guard is most definitely Harry's, regardless of their motivation.
I think it's entirely possible (maybe even likely) that the Senior Council could call on forces similarly to Eb. But I don't think they have ones on tap. I mean, I'd expect they'd have done so in Battle Ground if they could have. But hell, the Merlin didn't even show up to fight personally (which I really would've liked to have seen).
On that note... what happens when Einrherjaren die in the mortal realm? Do they go back to Valhalla? Can they fight again? Do they have... resurrective immortality?
Mira:
--- Quote ---What Eb did in Changes is, I would argue, qualitatively different from what Harry did. It's closer to Marcone hiring the Einherjaren. They're Marcone's to command, but they're not his army. The Guard is most definitely Harry's, regardless of their motivation.
--- End quote ---
Which is a bit more to the point I was trying to make. Yes, all armies are paid, the U.S. Army is paid, but their loyalties go deeper than a mere pay check, otherwise they are merely mercenaries.
Yes, Major-General Toot and the Za'Guard are paid well in the form of pizza, but their loyalty to Harry goes a bit deeper. Harry didn't insist on Toot's friends and relatives and their friends and relatives on being freed from the White Court light show as a favor to gain something in return. He
did it because it was the right thing to do. That is what Toot was saying when he said, "for you." Toot and his pals supposedly have short term memories, but apparently not about everything, this is one of those things.
--- Quote ---Harry's treatment of the faeries made them sympathetic and willing but they aren't bound. At least I don't think they are.
--- End quote ---
I don't believe they are either, yes, pizza is important, but it is also how Harry treats them, he has earned their loyalty. This is what caught the attention of the Senior Council on that roof top in Battle Ground.
Arjan:
--- Quote from: Mira on December 29, 2020, 05:26:39 PM ---Yes, Major-General Toot and the Za'Guard are paid well in the form of pizza, but their loyalty to Harry goes a bit deeper. Harry didn't insist on Toot's friends and relatives and their friends and relatives on being freed from the White Court light show as a favor to gain something in return. He
did it because it was the right thing to do. That is what Toot was saying when he said, "for you." Toot and his pals supposedly have short term memories, but apparently not about everything, this is one of those things.I don't believe they are either, yes, pizza is important, but it is also how Harry treats them, he has earned their loyalty. This is what caught the attention of the Senior Council on that roof top in Battle Ground.
--- End quote ---
It is clearly shown that Mab and the redcap only have a limited understanding of the relationship between Harry and Toot and the white council probably understand it even less.
vincentric:
--- Quote from: Arjan on December 29, 2020, 05:32:49 PM ---It is clearly shown that Mab and the redcap only have a limited understanding of the relationship between Harry and Toot and the white council probably understand it even less.
--- End quote ---
Mab and the Redcap lack the emotional understanding, the White Council doesn't get the fae interactions of debt. Both are missing one half of the equation.
The Little folk aren't bound but a number of them are vassals and the volunteers come for the pizza and the debt they owe to Harry for the rescue.
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