The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
How long did Thomas know?
Second Aristh:
--- Quote from: Basil on August 17, 2021, 02:09:17 AM ---Justine can still do a great deal of harm. Who knows what secrets she had access to as Lara's Privy Secretary. Granted, some of that information will eventually go stale, but there will be more damage to the White Court for certain.
One easy example: Justine/Nemesis knows that Lord Raith is a drooling moron. That is not public knowledge, but suspected by some.
Another easy example: Justine's "betrayal" of Lara demonstrates Lara's relative incompetence at scheming, justifying (more) plots to depose her. Yes, many of her serious enemies died during Blood Rites and Turn Cloak, but many remain, certainly.
--- End quote ---
I'd imagine any secrets would very quickly go stale. Moving safe houses and the like. Swapping security protocols in the Raith estates.
After this long, I think Lara being the White Queen is an all but open secret (especially to the people that play the information game like the White Court). She's pretty well solidified her power base beneath her in WN (finishing up in TC) and has been expanding White Court power politically through the mortal world (remember the navy cruiser in Changes?). You don't move like that if there's a real threat of your base of power being ripped from under you. Losing Justine is a hit to her, but I don't think it'll make other whampires think it is time to take a shot at her. If anything, I think losing Justine would be an emotional toll instead of a political one. Lara probably doesn't have that many close friends, tbh.
Mira:
--- Quote ---Now that Harry knows Justine has been taken, Justine can't do anything active to help Nemesis. At best, she's a hostage instead of a well placed spy that can act in Nemesis's interests. Nemesis gave those options up when it sent Thomas on the assassination.
--- End quote ---
I doubt that Justine is a hostage, at least at this point anyway, because so far no demands are being made for her freedom.
I think Nemesis counted on Thomas being killed in the act and Justine playing the grieving lover and mother of his child.. Thus getting herself even more deeply embedded into Lara's inner circle and in closer contact with her associates, and perhaps access to Vadderung. Remember until Harry forced the issue, no one had any clue that Justine was possessed.
Second Aristh:
--- Quote from: Mira on August 17, 2021, 05:20:10 AM ---I doubt that Justine is a hostage, at least at this point anyway, because so far no demands are being made for her freedom.
I think Nemesis counted on Thomas being killed in the act and Justine playing the grieving lover and mother of his child.. Thus getting herself even more deeply embedded into Lara's inner circle and in closer contact with her associates, and perhaps access to Vadderung. Remember until Harry forced the issue, no one had any clue that Justine was possessed.
--- End quote ---
Hostage in the sense that Nem!Justine can tell Harry, "Back off or I will kill this vessel" type scenario, but true for the ransom note. It's a card that Nemesis could play against Harry, but not many others.
Even with Thomas being killed in the act, I think Harry would have been suspicious of what motivated him to attempt it. With time to think, that road almost certainly leads to Justine again anyway. It is exactly what an exhausted Harry came to the conclusion of once he had a bit of breathing room post-Ethniu. I think there may be more to the motivation puzzle we don't see yet.
Mira:
--- Quote ---Hostage in the sense that Nem!Justine can tell Harry, "Back off or I will kill this vessel" type scenario, but true for the ransom note. It's a card that Nemesis could play against Harry, but not many others.
--- End quote ---
But so far not played, leaving a Walker tied up in a pregnant woman's body.
--- Quote ---Even with Thomas being killed in the act, I think Harry would have been suspicious of what motivated him to attempt it. With time to think, that road almost certainly leads to Justine again anyway. It is exactly what an exhausted Harry came to the conclusion of once he had a bit of breathing room post-Ethniu. I think there may be more to the motivation puzzle we don't see yet.
--- End quote ---
Of course he would have been suspicious of what motivated Thomas, but he had no time for an investigation. Lara would have insisted on that had they all survived the attack. I don't think the bread crumbs would lead all that easily back to Justine.. She'd also have time to get her act together and Lara would have been even more protective of her, remember she never saw through her.
Second Aristh:
--- Quote from: Mira on August 17, 2021, 05:44:25 AM ---But so far not played, leaving a Walker tied up in a pregnant woman's body.
--- End quote ---
If the assumption is that Nemesis can't hop back and forth among several. My guess is 13 bodies based on the cornerhounds and the number keeping on popping up in other contexts, but that's only a guess.
It would tie up at least one of the slots that Nemesis might hop into at a given time, though. Depending on its options, that might be worth it to eventually play the hostage card against Harry.
--- Quote from: Mira on August 17, 2021, 05:44:25 AM ---Of course he would have been suspicious of what motivated Thomas, but he had no time for an investigation. Lara would have insisted on that had they all survived the attack. I don't think the bread crumbs would lead all that easily back to Justine.. She'd also have time to get her act together and Lara would have been even more protective of her, remember she never saw through her.
--- End quote ---
Lara never saw through Justine's ruse in what 48 hours? Less? When the supernatural world was exploding all around her. I have confidence that given time, Lara would have come to the same conclusions as Harry did on the boat. He did learn about the pregnancy significantly earlier than she did. More investigation wasn't needed. Time to think was what was missing. Sending Thomas off may not have been a 100% chance of outing Justine, but it was more likely than not going to do so.
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