Status Updates From The Fire and The Serpent: B...

Choice, offense, being worthy, community for encouragement—great spiritual truths being revealed here.

Ronnie. Mistress of efficiency. “all secrets will be used against you whenever humor is needed.”

This is a great exchange.
“Then why waste our time with (King Durmad)?”
“Because he will have to give an account to the Fire, whether he believes in it or not.”

I’m not sure that reassurance to Nora’s whiny question about “do we matter” is the right method. If I were Queen Theora, not sure I would have resisted telling Nora that she matters as much as she’s contributing to others’ benefit (but that would probably drive her self-focus even deeper).

“You’re different than most girls.” Huh - specialness!

Apparently the group has escaped Saruman (uh, the Serpent via his catspaw the Dark One) and successfully pushed themselves to move past the Summit of the Caradhras.

Good Lord, Nola is pushy about others doing lord with their abilities. Didn’t expect Kohnrad to slip into a coma after getting beaten -not fun for a Keeper of the Path to need care from those he’d usually be leading.

Interesting that Nola is full of fear for her crush (Zeke) but exhibits no ability to lead anyone, not even herself. Ronnie, the ultimate pioneer woman, soldiers on despite her fear - turns it to activity.

Not sure Ronnie can follow through on that promise to Nola (“won’t let anything hurt you again”) but goodness, Nola has 12 personalities, not just one. Crisis of identity? Weird fixation on being loved and accepted but always longing to be in charge?

Yep, examine the eyes, not the gifts or the smiles. “His words flow like honey, smooth and sweet, whispering to our insecurities and inviting us in, but something is wrong with his eyes.” Fitting that Raoul loses them.

Off Harold goes, to the group of uniformity and decision. No weak women to hold him back. Good riddance! (Stop wailing, Bert, he’s not much loss.)

Some fun tension building between the grumble-monster Harold and the ‘women stick together’ Ronnie. Bert is like a mixture of the trolls in the Hobbit and Esau.

Interesting hesitation on accepting Nola’s offer of help. The German Shepherd (Charlie) seems great.

The irritation at the guy’s cryptic riddle style is even more fun, like the disciples with Jesus. “Why would you purposely offend people and keep them from going a certain way unless it was bad? …who are the worthy ones?” Building up a right head of steam.

The girl’s ‘what a caveman’ reaction of indignation (“did this man really just barge in and ask me to cook for him?”) is great. Way to jump between fear, anger, and disgust. Firing on all cylinders.

The golden compass seems like quite a gift from a stranger. Foreshadowing?

Interesting begin on the hiking journey - seems like the start to the ‘Magician’s Nephew’. Nothing but darkness, then stars, then birds chirping, and a backpack.