Asunder read-along: Chapter 6

[tersa]

THE READ-A-LONG

What is this? The read-a-long is an opportunity to do a long distance book club with other Dragon Age fans, where once a week one chapter will be discussed in David Gaider's tie-in novel, Asunder

[Official book teaser blurb]The destruction of Kirkwall's Circle of Magi has brought chaos to the lives of mages and templars throughout Thedas. Some mages teeter on the bring of rebellion against their templar watchers, while others struggle to maintain order and stability amid the tides of change.

In the majestic White Spire, at the heart of templar power in Val Royeaux, tension have reached the boiling point. The actions of a few radicals draw the attention of the Seekers, a powerful and secret segment of the templars, who arrive to take command and restore order no matter the cost. To make matters worse, a mystical killer stalks the White Spire's halls, invisible to all save one lone mage.

As Rhys is the only one who can see the killer, all eyes turn to him as the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With little hope of proving his innocence, Rhys's future looks to be short and grim. But his skill with spirit magic earns him a reprieve, as he is drafted into an expedition traveling deep into the western wastelands of Orlais. There, his fate will become entwined with that of a beautiful templar, a tormented soul, and Wynne--heroine of the Blight. Together they will uncover a secrete far greater than they imagined. One that will change the fate of mages in Thedas forever.

If you've read it and have Thoughts or Feels, comment to discuss! Discussion can be serious or snarky, but please keep it constructive and not destructive.

- Chapter 1 (09-Sep)
- Chapter 2 (16-Sep)
- Chapter 3 (23-Sep)
- Chapter 4 (30-Sep)
- Chapter 5 (07-Oct)

(If the first person who gets to this post can start a comment thread entitled 'Serious Discussion' and a second one for 'Snarky Discussion', I would greatly appreciate it.)

[Chapter 6]Chapter 6 Synopsis

Cole is in a panic at news that Rhys was leaving the Tower. He regrets threatening his friend, and now tries to find out how long Rhys will be gone. Through eavesdropping, he discovers Evangeline, 'Knight-Captain', is going with Rhys and tails her all the way to her room, where she undresses and the pulls an old book from her armoire. While she's savoring the smell of the book, a knock sounds--Lambert, who walks in and seems to sense Cole's presence. But it passes, and Lambert tells Evangeline that Wynne's permission is genuine and asks her that if Wynne's suspicion is correct, and the Rite of Tranquility is reversible, that she do what is necessary to keep that information from returning.

Rhys, Adrian, Wynne, and Evangeline set off on their journey. Inconsequential stuff happens. They stop at the first highway inn they come across, Evangeline going in to get supplies they couldn't acquire at the Tower and Adrian joining her for an excuse to get off the horse she shares with Rhys. Left alone with Wynne, Rhys is given the opportunity to say the things he obviously wants to say and unloads on Wynne, that he doesn't understand why she asked for him, he doesn't need her, and she's not the warm, kind woman he met 10 years before, just after the Fourth Blight, who said she'd return and then didn't until now. Wynne argues with him gently, but no resolution is made.