To let drop such a bomb on the unsuspecting! I think I'll borrow Denise's words to express my reaction:

Gasp! I'm glad I was sitting down when I read that. Speaks to Andra's love of Brand more than almost anything else could, I think...

Now I'm really, really eager to see more of the grown-up Brand than you have given us in this nice (but too brief;)) glimps in Recall.

Judging from the guild member, it is not really necessary to have enough land to get a seat on the council, it could also happen because of special knowledge or because of merit. Do yo have any preference to Brand's seat being because of land rather than merit alone? Or is it both?

What I forgot to say in my review is that I very much like the fact that Imrahil didn't know Raksandhar before making his move, that is was because of his general sense of justice rather than personal acquaintance.

re: the sword

I like the notion that Andra leaves Nightshade to Brand. But he should be buried with a sword, it seems fitting. Maybe one he used before Nightshade? Or one Glorfindel gifted to him?