As interesting an idea as that is, I doubt it's true. Why would she conspire with Hikusaak to end up blind, with only half a rune, and the near-inability to fight anyone unless she had support? If they were indeed working together, it sounds to me like Leknaat got the crap end of the deal.
It's actually quite simple, we don't actually know how Leknaat ended up blind. It could have been a result of separating the Gate Rune. It could have been simply an accident. Recall that Leknaat was not as strong as she is today long ago when she first became the bearer of the Back Half of the Gate Rune. So, any possible reason could explain it. Also, sacrifices are needed to forge one's ideals.
Her loss of eye sight could have just been an exchange for her current abilities. We just don't know. And I think you are quite wrong in saying she got the crap end. Recall that she knows more about True Runes and the future of the world than anyone and now bears the title as The Executor of Balance. Seems like she got something quite special out of it at the expense of her eye sight which she doesn't seem to need anyway.
I'm probably wrong about this, but I would attribute this to her high defense--security, lack of detection and whatnot. She doesn't have to be in cahoots with anyone. Besides, once or twice in 400 years doesn't exactly qualify as "roaming freely."
It is considered roaming freely when only one person managed to accomplish that feat before her. Recall that the Harmonian capital, Crystal Valley is home of the most powerful magic known. To pass through those walls once is a big deal and to take a host for a True Rune is an even bigger deal. Lets not forget that Harmonia went through a great deal of trouble to kill her clan off and yet she seems to have been forgotten.
It is inconceivable to even suggest that they do not know that Windy and Leknaat survive seeing as they know the Gate Rune is missing. And I doubt her high defensive wards had anything to do with it. High magic triggers other high magic. Surely, someone noticed her but just didn't care.
Hey, she's had four hundred years to brush up on her True Rune trivia. I don't think it's odd she'd know a thing or two. Or fifty. Especially being a True Rune bearer herself.
You act as if she is the only 400 plus year old person mentioned. Sierra has lived almost twice as long as her and she doesn't seem to know as much as her. True Rune trivia is fine, but to seemingly know the powers of all True Runes in existence seems quite a stretch for one person without help. Plus, we can't even be sure that all of the True Runes have been discovered. So, the fact that she has lived long and bears a True Rune really doesn't mean anything.
Provided she's even able to do such a thing, why would she need to keep Tir under her control? What are these "wants" and "needs"?
If Leknaat wanted to "keep Tir in her good favor," what stops her from bringing back Odessa, Teo, or Ted? Honestly, I really think you're giving an old gal a lot of credit where it isn't (yet) due.
She obviously is able to do such a thing and if you played the first Suikoden and any other one, then you would already know the answer to this question which I believe I have already explained. She needs him, a Tenkai Star and bearer of a True Rune, to control the Wheels of Fate and move destiny into the direction she has envisioned.
And what stopped her from bringing back Odessa is the limit of her power which she already explained by herself in Suikoden 1. Plus, if Odessa survived then there would be no point for Tir to lead the army and thus manipulate the thoughts of the 107 who followed him.
They would all be following Odessa and recall that Odessa is quite less able to be manipulated than a simple child plus she does not bear a True Rune. And I think you aren't giving her enough credit or enough thought. I think you need to look deeper at the evidence presented to us.
Yeah but she isn't a God either, she can't be there every time they are in danger. She's not their babysitter, Tir and the rest have to do this on their own just because she didn't save Gremio in the first place doesn't make her nafarious.
Who said she was a God? And you say she couldn't be there everytime, but clearly she knows the fate of those who she has locked her vision on. And you contradict yourself by stating that Leknaat gave Cleo the Fire Rune because she knew what was going to happen to Ted, Gremio and Pahn. If she knew that much and she had watched him the whole game, then why all of a sudden did she turn a blind eye at the time he needed her most?? Ok, even if I do consider that, then you would find it pointless for her to go out of her way to bring Gremio back if he wasn't needed in her schemes.
And I don't recall calling her nefarious, at all. I do believe she has a motive and an agenda. I won't say whether it is good or bad, but it obviously involves manipulating the bearers of True Runes which we have seen her do throughout the whole series..starting with Lazlo, then Ted, then Luc, then Tir, and then Riou and Jowy. Ignoring these facts would be faulty, not to mention how she just happened to become the astrologist for Scarlet Moon when Windy took up there, as well.
It only makes sense that Leknaat is either a spy or a conspirator. She can get close to people who use True Runes and she is unassuming enough to not be detected. It makes obvious sense that she is conspiring with Harmonia. Her knowledge and actions make her very suspicious.