Soo... I'm going to make a lot of people mad, but this needs to be said about Kalmar and Maraly.
Not only would they never work together, the book never puts that sort of dynamic between them, and she was just a bad influence on him, but they also lowkey could be cousins. This is based on the fact that Maraly's grandma was Podo's sweetheart that she lived with as a pirate for years, until she mysteriously decided she wanted to go home, even though she still loved him. Why?? I'm basing this on the fact that stranders don't seem to have any marital conditions... anyway, I think Nurgabog went home because she wanted Claxton to grow up under her care...
Gross? yes
Possible? definitely.
Also we never hear who maraly's mom is, or grandad, so it's entirely possible normal strander procedure is that the stronger one decides who takes the kid, and Nurgabog left Podo bc she actually loved her kid.
that's my theory. Plz tell me if there is any holes in it.
ow my head
I thought that was the popular opinion here…
So the Royal Family of Anniera could be related to... Stranders? Aaah! (conservatist monarchist scream) (remembering every human is an Image of God and deserves respect) (calming gradually).
But, anyway: marrying daughter of Podo Helmer, unverified former pirate, was, erm, egaliatarian. Esben had to really love Nia, and also... some fragment about him digging totatoes with farmers complements this pro-people aspect of Annieran monarchy.
It’s certainly possible. I can’t think of anywhere where it mentions any more relatives of Maraly, other than the fourth-aunt-cousin Poggy or whoever it was from book 4.
That's a very interesting theory!
Kalmar and Maraly definite have a cousin-like dynamic. I don't think she was a very good influence on him, but it would be interesting to see if they could develop a healthier friendship later on, after all that transpired after the first meeting.
(Edited because brain was not braining)