jvj

I realize at the end of book 3, it is made to seem that Raina will become chief, but I still can't shake the thought of Drey becoming chief. I can't say why exactly, but his character seems perfect for the role of chief to me.

True enough. But obviously, he has to come back to Blackhail first.

Although there still is the possibility that the Clanholds will get so messed up soon that it does not matter anymore who is Chief.

quite true...

I'm still waiting for all (or at least most) of the chiefs to realize that the wralls are the enemies, and they always have been the enemies. all the clan boasts I can think of are clues, not just bludd's. Like Blackhail's, none of them ever bothered to think about what they're getting revenge on, but it only makes sense that its the wralls. Which is why Raif was born into Blackhail in my opinion.

But that was a little of topic. Drey would have to get back to the clanholds, but I'm not sure how dificult that will be for him. Marafice Eye, however many horrible things he's done, is supposed to be a "respectable" leader. With Iss dead and the seat of Surlord for himself, he may decide he doesnt like Iss' ambition of ruling over the clanholds, at which point, he wont need prisoners anymore, he may let them go. Or maybe he's going to try and kill them and Drey escapes.

How should the Clans realize an enemy they never encountered? There are few that have met Wrall and none of them is (any longer) in a position to talk sense into anyone. If there is a large, dark, plotting existence that formed/influenced the world in a way such that the invasion would be simple, it has planned masterfully. Just consider how much damage Mace Blackhail and Iss dealt to the military strenght and trust* in the Clanholds.

* I should explain what I mean here. The Clans have fought among each other like forever. But they have had a strict code of honor. If there had been a major threat for all Clans, they would have banded together. But not anymore. Mace killed not only many fighters, but also the code of honor of the living. The big Clans are easy prey now. And this is exactly where, I think, small Clans like Grey or White will come into play, for they have remained uncorrupted until now. If I am correct, ignoring the power of the small Clans united will prove to be the fault in the great plan against the living. If there is such a plan.

I think Eye will kill or use anyone anytime - if he can profit. What can he gain of killing Drey or any of the captured Clansmen? Using them is another question. They might even be valuable Captains for him. Who knows.

Well, saying the clans NEVER encountered wralls could very well be wrong. Remember, there is only that one clan that keeps the histories. Perhaps they may remember that far back. It would be 1000 years after all.

And yes, the clanholds are in a serious state of disrepair, and i believe this is supposed to give us an impending sense of doom and urgency for the clans to unite. I have no idea how it will happen, but I firmly believe the trust you talked about, Akerbos, will be repaired.

And on a sidethought: perhaps we will learn the histories of the clans in the next book from Bram's POV

Another sidethought: Could that be why Clan Grey is gathering magic users?

Reina should take over as Chief of Blackhail but if Drey returns I believe she will turn it over to him. I believe Clan Grey has the secrets about the prophecies and is collecting clansmen with magic powers for a purpose related to fighting the Endlords. Once all the fighting is over I would like to see Effie and one of the Bludd grandchildren marry and unite Blackhail and Bludd after Vaylo's death.

heavymetalb0rdr, if there have been encounters with Wrall in times that are remembered, I don't think those who met them made it back to tell. Remember how Vaylo lost a hole group of fit warriors. One or the other patrol or hunting party getting lost every decade or so won't cause a sense of threat. But I remember the fact given in book one that the prison was shut tightly until Ash's power burst. That implies that there were no Wrall in the world since the imprisoning. And that has been back a long, long time, obviously.

We will see if your belief in the Clan's "trust" is well-founded.

If we assume there is a malicious plan, it is also natural to assume that there are counter-plans. There certainly is the Phage (?) and maybe Clan Grey is allied with them somehow. So, yes, I do not think they gather Old Blood stealthily just for the pleasure of it.