Maybe all that buys Thomas some measure of undertanding and leniency from the Svartelves, but does that help how the Svartelves view Harry?
... if Thomas has a trial a lot will come out.Might come out... but we've seen how political some of these supernatural trials can be; remember how much the findings of Morgan's trial were so complete and comprehensive!
I could see the duress being a reason the svartelves to forego killing Thomas, but he still murdered one of their own and a very high weregild would still be demanded.
This, so who is going to pay it? The White Court, since Thomas is a vampire, or the White Council because Thomas is the half brother of a then White Council member, Harry and the grandson of Eb who not only is a member of the White Council, but a sitting member of the Senior Council.. Even if Eb claims he didn't know, would they believe him?The Whamps (specifically, Lara) would pay it.
The Whamps (specifically, Lara) would pay it.
The White Council would not -- Thomas is a Vamp, it's Vamp-business.
I suspect Eb hates the very idea of Thomas existing, and would just as soon the Svartalven vengeance erased that blot on the McCoy family honor.
Will she?I'm pretty sure she would... if they'd accept a weregild instead of blood (which I think a very chancy bet).
It's only money, which I think
(a) the Whamps don't really value that much (it's just a mortal-centric scorekeeping device)
and
(b) Lara is in control of the decision, and repeatedly goes to great lengths for Thomas
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Will the discovery that Nemesis was behind the attack on Etri, will that remove the charges and enmity against Thomas?
“What about the turtlenecks?” I asked.
“What of them?”
“Will you . . . deal with them?”
Etri just looked at me. “Why would we?”
“They were sort of in on it,” I said.
“They were property,” said the svartalf. “If a man strikes you with a hammer,
it is the man who is punished. There is no reason to destroy the hammer.
We care nothing for them.”
The turtlenecks are property under the Accords. Thomas isn't. He also wasn't controlled by another force. He was coerced. Etri may or may not view that as different.
If Etri knows the whole story, he may want to kill Thomas, Justine, and the child as deterrence.
Controlled or coerced? Was Thomas physically forced? You can argue that he wasn't, but when he was told that his wife and unborn child would be murdered if he didn't? I'd say it's a distinction without a difference.
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I don't think so because(click to show/hide)
“There is a spirit I will not name,” I said. “A being that works toward chaos and conflict. One who can possess almost anyone and cause them to act against their will.” “No,” Etri said calmly. “I know the being of which you speak. Our security measures would have detected any such invasive spirit the moment it crossed our threshold—even that one. You cannot excuse his actions thus.”Emphasis added.
“There is a spirit I will not name,” I said. “A being that works toward chaos and conflict. One who can possess almost anyone and cause them to act against their will.” “No,” Etri said calmly. “I know the being of which you speak. Our security measures would have detected any such invasive spirit the moment it crossed our threshold—even that one. You cannot excuse his actions thus.”
Emphasis added.
This implies that if Thomas was controlled, not merely coerced, his actions would have been excused.
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Etri took a slow drink of his ale, studying me. “In that event,” he said, “then the onus of my wrath belongs to a different being.” “And Thomas would be free of reprisal?” “No,” Etri said with slow, granite intonation. “Though he may have been compelled, that does not change the consequence of his actions. Nor will I permit my nation to be seen as weak.” He turned one hand palm up. “However. There might be more latitude as to the nature of the reprisal.”
Here is where Etri is saying coercion results in mitigation. The "You cannot excuse his actions thus” quote implies that control would result in no personal responsibility for Thomas. This I think Etri distinguishes between control and coercion.
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