[Dark Mac]

First, is Kettle's transformation supposed to be her path to the Throne of Shadow? It's mentioned that ST and Cotillion plan on heading to her Azath house, so perhaps she'll end up going back to Shadow to replace them.

Secondly, is the Empty Hold Kurald Emurlahn? Given Feather Witch's comments about Letherii people taking positions instead of Tiste Edur (the true denizens of Shadow) throughout the book, I really got the impression that Kurald Emurlahn and the Empty Hold were one and the same.

Third...does this mean Tehol's the new Emperor of Shadow? It'd be a pretty amazing rise for him, and it would be so fitting for him to be the pure being assailed on every side by those who want the Throne to remain empty. Of course, he's not Edur, but that's just a minor issue. >_>

[Gem Windcaster]

I don't think Kettle was ever considered for the throne of Shadow. The way I understood it, she was a means of strengthening the Azath as a whole, since it had grown weaker for some reason. Azath is probably more important than we know - and there have been plans to make it stronger for a long time. Probably getting a master of the Deck was part of it. And Icarium is certainly connected to the Azath aswell. We don't know what will happen there though. Maybe Kettle will come back - but she will probably have closer connection to the Azath than anything else.

[Giles]

maybe icarium is the mortal sword of the azath?