kerravonsen | This Crumbling Pageant NOTES (2)

Here follows more of my very SPOILERY notes, ponderings and speculations about "This Crumbling Pageant", written as I am reading it.
This section is for chapters 10-15.

Chapter 10:
So, it looks like Persephone has been chosen by Elen Of The Ways, though Persephone is in MASSIVE denial about it. First refusal to cross the Threshold into the World Beyond the Hill.

They were sucking her under, these dizzying, undulating Shadows that pulsed, that whispered Dark and delicious promises, that seduced.

That promised what? That seduced towards what? I'm feeling rather frustrated about the vagueness of this threat...
All we know is that:
* they are called Shadows
* they are called Dark
* they tempt and seduce
* they are also associated with Elen-of-the-Ways who is apparently loving and joyful and welcoming and musical.
* there is some sort of "Shadow-Magic" which Vespasian can do, and which Persephone does accidentally without control.

If that's meant to be Evil, we're getting very mixed messages here.

Options:
1. It really is Evil, and the writing is bad. I don't think that's likely.
2. It is earthy carnality and Otherness, something which a Good Girl should be afraid of and run away from.
3. It is a "vampires-are-cool" kind of "evil", where it's all about sex and blood and depravity. I really hope this is not where this is going.

Also looks like Vespasian and Persephone are connected through Elen Of The Ways. Though why did Elen say to Vespasian that he had betrayed her?
1. Because he gave up?
2. Because he was using the boys to make money with?

Is Elen-of-the-Ways meant to be the Lady of the Lake?

Chapter 11-12:

Oh, I like sharp Dowager Queens.

Good on Cosmo, for not letting them make her a china doll.

Yes, of course there's a real prophecy. It doesn't say much, though. Who are the hidden messengers? Is it referring to the fact that the Magi are hidden?

Ah, I was wrong, Sir Robin does love her after all. Well, he didn't know it until that moment, so of course I didn't. Poor Sir Robin, he's doomed.

Lysander - what? Did Lysander just betray her? What is Lysander up to?

Chapter 13-14:

Good on Robin for spitting in the eye of Society. But Electra was right, too, in that it wouldn't be Robin who would have to put up with the shame of being Ruined.

People underestimate Dardanus, I think. Because he has no magic, they think he is completely useless. And kind of ignore the fact that, with his connection to his twin, he may be the best chance of finding her. Good on Robin for noticing.

So Persephone is "safe in the arms of her goddess" (who is not Hera). Hmmm.

Okay, hypothesis that Lysander is involved with the rebels, for whatever reason (possibly something to do with his wife, Rue).

Oh Vespasian is so very Snape-like! Very, very, very. (grins with glee)

Chapter 15:

So this is a rebel camp full of Earthborn (who appear to be the servant class) and the aristocracy are Fireborn. Whatever that means. Hmmmm. One more clue that "earthy carnality" is the most probable meaning of the Shadows.

I'm glad Persephone confided in Dardanus about what happened at the Vigil.

So the goddess is welcoming Sir Robin? What an intriguing development.
In regard to the "True King", if said king has already appeared on stage (which he may or may not have) then I think Sir Robin is the most likely candidate for said King. Because he has humility and compassion. Because he is a member of the aristocracy, but a mere knight - unless he takes up his cousin's offer of an Earldom. Yet here it looks as if he may end up finding the rebels... which would present him with a choice, and that is yet another reason to wonder if he is the True King, because of being faced with this choice; one or the other.

Just like Persephone is going to be faced with a choice: the false world of the aristocracy, or the real world of the Earthborn.

Just like, presumably, Lysander was faced with a choice, and left his family to be with Rue. It is interesting that Vespasian trusts Lysander. I wonder if we will find out the background to that?

So Vespasian plans to "bend her to his will, break her, and remould her", does he? Foolish plan, Mister Control Freak. I don't think that Persephone would break. And just as well, because if she did break, I don't think there would be enough pieces left to "remould" her.

I don't think "Crone magic" is what Persephone thinks it is. Because of course the Crone didn't explain what it was at all. Just because Night had her fingers cut off for "abusing" her magic, doesn't mean that it was done justly. Though of course Persephone is still naive in regard to the likely injustices that may have been perpetrated by her class.