Geralt's expression changes in that subtle way only Sam and Jaskier may recognize. It's a face that says, I don't like this any better, but it is what it is.
"Jaskier is right." On both accounts. Thancred may not mean an assassination, and Sam may not want to hear it, but Geralt will not pretend they can find a peaceful method to depose the crown. "There are no halfway measures to removing those in power. The people will see to it."
This isn't about what they will do. It's about what the citizens of Thorne will want and accept, and from what he was told of their bloody history, the queen has good reason to fear losing her head to her subjects. If they're ever at the stage where a change in the throne will happen, the common folk need to support it, too—to a degree. And that support will no doubt come at the expense of the former royal family. As Jaskier said, Grigory's elimination could easily have come from within the court.
Except Thorne isn't the sole reason Geralt is here.
"The queen is merely one piece. Marlo's eliminated elections," he continues. "Her army marches strong behind her. In all but name, she's crowned herself emperor. Thorne's monarchy may be undesirable, but the kingdom is the only force preventing the Free Cities from conquering the continent."
And once the Free Cities have the continent under their boots, little will stand between them and their aims to destroy the Singularity. That is, to him, a bigger problem than a queen too quick to turn to violence. He and Sam are on the same page where killing Ellya is concerned. (For now.) Just for entirely different reasons.
no subject
"Jaskier is right." On both accounts. Thancred may not mean an assassination, and Sam may not want to hear it, but Geralt will not pretend they can find a peaceful method to depose the crown. "There are no halfway measures to removing those in power. The people will see to it."
This isn't about what they will do. It's about what the citizens of Thorne will want and accept, and from what he was told of their bloody history, the queen has good reason to fear losing her head to her subjects. If they're ever at the stage where a change in the throne will happen, the common folk need to support it, too—to a degree. And that support will no doubt come at the expense of the former royal family. As Jaskier said, Grigory's elimination could easily have come from within the court.
Except Thorne isn't the sole reason Geralt is here.
"The queen is merely one piece. Marlo's eliminated elections," he continues. "Her army marches strong behind her. In all but name, she's crowned herself emperor. Thorne's monarchy may be undesirable, but the kingdom is the only force preventing the Free Cities from conquering the continent."
And once the Free Cities have the continent under their boots, little will stand between them and their aims to destroy the Singularity. That is, to him, a bigger problem than a queen too quick to turn to violence. He and Sam are on the same page where killing Ellya is concerned. (For now.) Just for entirely different reasons.