I completely agree. Thirsk is very much like DE in that his belief in Mother Church (under proper management) is a huge part of who he is. Try to take that support away, and he'll simply reject it, since accepting that he's fought to support a lie all his life would destroy him.Expert snuggler wrote:He has no illusions about the Inquisition but he's still loyal to the idealized Church that no longer exists except in his imagination and childhood memories.Henry Brown wrote:Thirsk is loyal to the Kingdom of Dohlar, not to the CoG. In fact, from all available text-ev in recent books he is fed up with the Inquisition. So I don't think it is out of the question that he could swallow the Reveal.
He could be a Reformist. He is already in spirit. Where, though, has he shown the sort of emotional flexibility that would be required to believe that the Archangels were frauds? What could overcome his lifetime of defense mechanisms against letting doubt enter his mind?
He certainly feels no reason to support the Church of Clyntahn though, and the Inquisition is his sworn enemy. Merlin can work with that.
Merlin's goal is most likely to convince Thirsk to remain in his role as commander of the Dohlaran navy so that it will surrender quickly once the Haarahlds show up with the ability to destroy it. He'd also like Thirsk to subtlety work to convince Dohlar to sue for terms. Yes, I realize that's a tough proposition with the Inquisition breathing down Thirsk's neck, but right now he's Dohlar's golden boy, and there's nothing worse they could do to Dohlar's morale and support for the Jihad than to arrest Thirsk.