From:    Raymond E. Feist
Date:    25 August 1995

Those are old enemies/allies, historically.  Obviously when the Kingdom came ashore and conquered Bas-Tyra then the other areas, these were areas that successfully resisted Kingdom expansion.  I presume that due to alliances and marriage Roldem is the Kingdon's Finland, i.e. independent, but always basing it's foreign policy on what keeps the Soviet Union happy. Queg is a tough nut, and like England, it's navy keeps it safe.  The Free Cities were supported by Queg when Bosania was being conquered by the Kingdom during it's last expansion.