Asunder read-along: Chapter 12

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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)
- Chapter 6 (14-Oct)
- Chapter 7 (21-Oct)
- Chapter 8 (28-Oct)
- Chapter 9 (04-Nov)
- Chapter 10 (11-Nov)
- Chapter 11 (18-Nov)

(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 12]Chapter 12 Synopsis

Evangeline and Rhys travel the Umbra until they find a dilapidated house in the middle of area that looks like the hinterlands of Orlais, where Evangeline feels an aura of fear emanating from it. Inside, they find a demon in the guise of a cruel man searching for Cole and defeat it. They find a much younger Cole himself huddling inside a cabinet with a younger girl he calls Bunny that he's smothered to death trying to quiet her whimpering. He threatens them both, but Rhys breaks through the fear and Cole breaks down. He manages to calm Cole, the cabin dissolves, and they depart.

Meanwhile, back with Wynne, Adrian, and Shale, they come to Val Royeaux, but it is definitely a dream version of it. They travel the roads like and unlike the real version of it, but it is also a maze with dead ends; Wynne comments that it is likely the demon trying to make it more difficult for them to find him, due to the extra help she's getting. Adrian reflects on her relationship with Rhys and her fear of losing him and notices how she is the odd man out, unwanted company. At one point, she tries to castigate Wynne for her actions, and Wynne turns it back on her, shutting her up for a time. They finally reach the White Spire and enter to find a Circle peopled only by Tranquil, something to which Adrian reacts in horror. The common room is teaming with them, and when they find Pharamond there, Wynne confronts him. A battle ensues, until Wynne, apparently on the verge of losing the contest of wills with the demon, counters with renewed energy.