"Thorne once dominated most of the entire continent." This is why Istredd's historian mindset usually gets him information quickly. He knows where to look and who to ask. Most people don't think that sort of thing matters, but it's his go-to when arriving somewhere new.

"My guess is that they've been scheming ever since that changed to get it all back. Having an excuse to go to war with one of the rebel factions and perhaps conquer it again? One way to do it. They won't stop there when they can have it all."

And that is why he thinks Solvunn should be wary. Watching how things go for now might make sense, but he also doubts they're fools there. They have been smart enough to play this right for now. Maybe there are gods protecting them after all. He's heard of stranger things.

"That's how conquerors are. And the current royals would probably see them getting the rest of the continent back as the biggest success of their line."