Knife fight in Maderin

[Toss the dice]

I'm wondering if anyone has any idea exactly what the following means. What was Thom talking about? Never could guess for sure. Probably was right under my nose and I missed it.

"“I'm an old man,” Thom said suddenly, “and sometimes I imagine I see things that can't be, but luckily, I always forget them.”

Selucia paused to look up at him coolly. Lady's maid she might be, but blood seemed not to faze her at all. “And what might you be trying to forget?”

“I can't recall,” Thom replied. Selucia nodded and went back to examining his wounds."

[ShadowbaneX]

Selucia is highly trained in hand-to-hand combat and during the fight she protected Tuon and Thom must have caught a glimpse of it, but knows better then to admit it.

[Weird Harold]

I'm wondering if anyone has any idea exactly what the following means. What was Thom talking about? Never could guess for sure. Probably was right under my nose and I missed it.

"“I'm an old man,” Thom said suddenly, “and sometimes I imagine I see things that can't be, but luckily, I always forget them.”

Selucia paused to look up at him coolly. Lady's maid she might be, but blood seemed not to faze her at all. “And what might you be trying to forget?”

“I can't recall,” Thom replied. Selucia nodded and went back to examining his wounds."
Selucia is Tuon's bodyguard and her greatest strength is that nobody sees her as a bodyguard. She disassembled some of the attackers and Thom is simply assuring her that he understands the importance of her martial arts skills remaining secret.

[Davian93]

Its a great scene...Mat, Thom, Selucia and Tuon (to a lesser extent) kill over a dozen men armed with swords. Mat kills like 7 or 8 by himself with his knifes.

I love that scene.

I have nothing else to add.

[greatwolf]

Selucia is Tuon's bodyguard and her greatest strength is that nobody sees her as a bodyguard. She disassembled some of the attackers and Thom is simply assuring her that he understands the importance of her martial arts skills remaining secret.

A little more than that I'd say. Blowing Selucia cover would make her almost worthless for her role. Thom likely had reason to fear for his life. It was unlikely that such a threat to Tuon's safety would be overlooked. Thom's reassurance meant he would not tell even Matt who they see as Thom's master. It was a significant commitment, much like swearing fealty on the issue and backed by a sensible proposal.

It may have also helped that Thom may have tried to protect the two ladies in that fight. At least until they decided to rescue him. That kind of thing builds comradeship. It forges a bond.

[Weird Harold]

... Thom likely had reason to fear for his life. It was unlikely that such a threat to Tuon's safety would be overlooked. ...

It may have also helped that Thom may have tried to protect the two ladies in that fight. ...

I suspect Selicia tacitly agreed with Thom's slective lack of memory because she wasn't positive she could take him, and he was very clear that he was playing "Sgt Shultz" because he wasn't positive she couldn't.

[Neilbert]

It's part of Thom's skill with the great game too.

He understands the awkwardness of Selucia's position. She needs to keep her secret to be effective at her job, but killing Thom would also put her in an awkward position because it would at the very least violate the spirit of Mat and Tuon's promise. Thom just offered her an easy out, and likely earned some gratitude while saving his own skin.

[Jonai]

Yes, a great scene, and Thom, aint he a crafty little sly weasel.

I like how he continually talks about what an old man he is, plays up his limp, and then slaughters badguys mercilessly.

[Neilbert]

He kicked Shai'tan in the face (might be a slight exaggeration). You don't get more badass than that.

[Jonai]

Word up yo.

[greatwolf]

It's part of Thom's skill with the great game too

Yup. Knives are only needed where wits fail.
BTW how was she so sure Thom wasn't playing the same role for Mat.

[GonzoTheGreat]

BTW how was she so sure Thom wasn't playing the same role for Mat.Cause Thom hadn't protected Mat from Tylin? :D