Asunder read-along: Chapter 18

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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)
- Chapter 12 (25-Nov)
- Chapter 13 (09-Dec)
- Chapter 14 (16-Dec)
- Chapter 15 (30-Dec)
- Chapter 16 (06-Jan)
- Chapter 17 (06-Jan)

(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 18]Chapter 18 Synopsis

Cole is aware of the activity going around, the tension in the air, but something has changed in him. He's no longer afraid of the templars, no longer the mouse, and has a plan. Embracing the 'darkness' inside him, he actively wills the guard outside Pharamond's room to not notice him and slips in. There, Pharamond can see him--because now he, like Cole's other victims, wishes to die--but Cole offers instead to help him escape. Pharamond reminiscees about winter at Adamant, then asks Cole to kill him.

The Conclave waits to begin on Pharamond's arrival. Evangeline finds Rhys, standing alone, apart from the others, reminiscing about the only other Conclave he attended, in Nevarra. They have a Moment (tm) where they recognize their mutual attraction which is interrupted by Fiona calling the meeting to order impatiently. The First Enchanters argue over Fiona's proposal to secede from the Chantry, poised on the precipice, but are interrupted by Lambert and all the templars barging in with news that Pharamond is dead, a bloody knife has been found in Rhys's quarters, and accusations of treason. They move to break up the Conclave and a fight breaks out, a templar killing one of the First Enchanters that Wynne fails to heal, and it escalates rapidly. Rhys digs deep to cast magics to allow Wynne and Evangeline to escape, tempted by the same temptation he wondered at earlier, which mage might embrace a demon in the face of mortal peril, but pushes it aside. He is surrounded by templars and beaten with Lambert watching on, but he notices Wynne and Evangeline are no where to be seen.