VEILED ROSE Read-Along: Chapter 12, Part Four

A little bit late in the day yet again, but here I am! It's a short chapter anyway, so hopefully you don't feel too deprived.

We're coming close to the end of this read-along. Tell me, dear readers, would you like to do something fun to celebrate? I was thinking about a facebook chat party from 8:00-9:00pm eastern on Thursday evening perhaps. Over on my author page. Everyone who participates will have her/his name entered for a chance to win Veiled Rose, Goddess Tithe, and one other Goldstone Wood book of choice. Just a chance for chatting about the book, asking/answering questions, sharing art, thoughts, insights . . . basically what we've been doing, but all at once! Let me know if you like this idea, and I will add it into the schedule.

Anyway, here is our daily chapter!

PART FOUR
Chapter 12

The Eldest’s Hall: Upon waking, Rose Red finds herself lying in the ruins of the Eldest’s Hall.

Which may at first seem quite dreadful, until we realize that at least she back in her own world!

We also realize just how deeply connected the Eldest’s House had become with the Dragon’s Netherworld. As the Dragon, in his rage, tore apart the cavern of the Village, he simultaneously tore down the stones of the mortal hall. He is a supernatural force, unbound by single times or single spaces, but moving in many times and places all at the same time. Truly a dreadful foe.

But he is gone. Long gone, even. Rose Red regains consciousness in ruins, but ruins free of the Dragon.

Beana: Though the last we glimpsed of her she was wearing human form, Beana has returned to her goat shape as she reunites with Rose Red. The lantern is gone too, you’ll notice. It is probably not easy to carry it out of the Netherworld (readers of Starflower will recall that the moment Eanrin left the Netherworld, he lost his hold of the lantern as well. If I remember correctly, the same happened to those who carried it in Dragonwitchtoo. Is it terrible that I don’t always remember details like this from my own work? It’s been a while since I wrote those, though! LOL).

“The prince left us long ago.” Rose Red tells Daylily that the Prince saved them from the Dragon, but Daylily is unable to receive this sort of information, not at this time. Though she was there and quite possibly witnessed the entire climactic events, she could not conceive of what transpired. And when Rose Red speaks, Daylily immediately assumes that she means Prince Lionheart. And Lionheart did not face the Dragon. He hasn’t even returned yet, leaving them to get by as best they can.

And the poison in Daylily’s veins continues to work on her, making her perceive Lionheart’s absence on a personal level Lionheart himself probably never intended.

Five years: Beana informs Rose Red that five years of mortal time have passed since Rose Red passed through the gates into the Eldest’s House. Yet it seems like so little time to Rose Red! And those who have been imprisoned, though sick with poison, are not long-since starved and dead. No, they appear to be waking from a long, restless sleep.

I wonder if they aged at all during that time? The Eldest is obviously aged by the dragon-poison, but that’s not the same. And the text doesn’t say if their hair has grown long or their nails (poor Foxbrush still hasn’t grown a beard!), so I would think they were in a state of stasis. Not aging nor feeling any bodily needs. Completely frozen. Rather like Sleeping Beauty and her long sleep.

Daylily glanced at Rose Red. There is a strong implication here that Daylily knew exactly what would happen the moment everyone in that room set eyes upon Rose Red. The text doesn’t say overtly that she intended for Rose Red to be chased away by the terrified inhabitants of the House . . . but the fact that she looked from her to Foxbrush and back implies a certain calculation. And why else would she call his name suddenly, effectually drawing Foxbrush’s attention to her . . . and the unveiled creature supporting her.

Foxbrush’s reaction I do not blame (all considering, this is a pretty brave moment for him!). Nor the reaction of the others. It’s sad to see such violence and fear turned upon our beloved Rose Red, but it’s hard to cast stones at these poor, poisoned souls so newly wakened from dreadful sleep.

But Daylily . . . for the first time, I find I cannot forgive Daylily. She has been a tough cookie all along, on a difficult character to quite get a handle on. But I’ve been able to sympathize with her, understand her actions and point of view. But this? This is just wrong.

However, even now I would beg the reader to remember that Daylily is suffering under terrible dragon-poison . . .

Questions on the text

1. Were you surprised at the reaction to Rose Red demonstrated by Foxbrush and the others? Or did you remember that she was unveiled?

2. Any favorite lines?

Q&A

Allison wants to know: "Did any of Leo's reasons behind his choices-- such as why he did not take Una's ring by force-- surprise you as you wrote Veiled Rose?"

I wish I could say yes, but not really, honestly. For one thing, I knew he couldn't take Una's ring by force because he hadn't in Heartless, so all along I had to be developing reasons for him not to. That was such a key element, there wasn't much room for surprise.

Also, you have to bear in mind that I had already drafted Moonblood before writing this version of Veiled Rose . . . so I knew Lionheart pretty well already and was carefully structuring everything to lead to the events in Moonblood. Again, not a lot of room for surprise! At least, not in this respect.

Allison also wants to know: "Also, would you mind if I made a Wikipedia page for you? I know computer programming, so it won't be a problem. I just want to make sure you don't have a particular reason for not wanting it."

I would LOVE to have a Wikipedia page! What a concept, being able to look myself up Wikipedia . . . :) Feel free to build one, and also feel free to email me if you have any questions about content details. I'm happy to help (even if, as I said in the previous post, it takes me a little while to get back to you due to the current schedule).

Jemma wants to know: "Will we get to read the story of the child with a white lion?"

You sure will! Very soon now, actually . . . click here to find a hint.