I found the Dolph conversation intersting. Just before Lyon duals him, Dolph reveals himself to be an emotionless creature who lived to kill. Stereotypical Nether Gate stuff. But he's also a damn clever schemer, that Dolph.
My take is that in the meeting with Sialeeds in the fortress, Dolph pointed out to her that the Prince wasn't the kind of person who could provide the absolute solution that the country needed -- namely killing off the families that had caused so much strife in the country.
Sialeeds on the other had, is the kind of person who lets her emotions rule her and a ruthless political thinker. She's a tomboy who's first thought is violence when her nephew's name is besmirched, and Haswar aknowledges her political skill when she deals with Logg & Lunn in Lunas. A little word in her ear from Dolph would have been all that was needed to get her to reach the required conclusion. And Dolph would have the satisfaction of spreading more destruction and killing -- just what he and Nether Gate live for.
I agree that her logic was perhaps flawed. There's always another option than killing, and the new philosophy of Lym & the Prince's Falena would certainly have followed this more peaceful philosophy. But Sialeeds actions certainly made is easier for those who rebuilt after the conflict to make sweeping changes -- I agree with a previous poster who suggests that Barrows & Godwin (or their supporters) in the senate would not have allowed them to abolish and set up the Parliament. Sialeeds actions meant that a line could firmly be drawn under the 'old' Falena and a new era begun under Lym and the Prince.
And yes. I realise that if I were to tell this to Ferid & Arshtat they would tell me that it was all just 'conjecture.' But that doesn't make it any less valid, of fun!
As Lucretia points out that she, Sialeeds, could have killed the Prince several times, and yet, she didn't, Sialeeds laughs because she realizes that Lucretia hasn't understood at all, and so she says that she really hates Lucretia.
