The Tarot Sequence 2022 Readalong discussion

This is the readalong/discussion thread for Chapter 15 - 17 (The Swimming Hole to Siege) for Week 3! Please limit your comments to the events and characters that appear in those chapters.

It's the last week for The Last Sun!!! We've divided the last five chapters into 3 and 2 for the discussion posts, since that seemed appropriate. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

The fact that Michael took the time to save/ hide Ella still surprises me, as everything we've seen about him makes him come across as selfish and none of the characters thought he genuinely cared about her. Yet he prioritized saving her over himself.

Hannah wrote: "The fact that Michael took the time to save/ hide Ella still surprises me, as everything we've seen about him makes him come across as selfish and none of the characters thought he genuinely cared ..."

I would like to think of this as an example of "we are our best selves in the end." But really, I bet we find out why in the future.

I also hope we see more of Christian in the future. He definitely gets along better with his brothers than Ella did, and I'd like to see more of their dynamic.

And who are the friends Ashton mentioned to Geoff before summoning Rurik? I'm hoping we find out more in the future, because it seems strange that someone powerful would tell him how to someone a lich for fun.

And how did Rune ruin Ashton's life the first time which led to Ashton hating him this much? Is it just because Rune found Addam or is there something else?

The only other thing we learn later is something Ashton did to Rune, in his memory has Ashton somehow made Rune the villain in that?

Addam's concern for others, including those other people in his positron dismiss such as the groundskeepers, is one of the reasons I love him.

Hannah wrote: "And how did Rune ruin Ashton's life the first time which led to Ashton hating him this much? Is it just because Rune found Addam or is there something else?

The only other thing we learn later is..."

I theorise that whoever organised the raid of the Sun Throne then had immense blackmail material on Ashton, and used it. But if that's true, there's still no clues as to how it was used - we know nothing about Ashton's life between the raid and the events of Last Sun. Was he made to do things? Did he learn something that destroyed his world-view of Scions Are Best? What???

My theory is weakened even more when you consider that the 'powerful friends' who helped Ashton out with summoning a lich etc...were probably the same people who took out the Sun Throne. Blackmail works both ways; Ashton definitely could have leveraged favours out of someone that powerful.

(Although a) why wouldn't someone that powerful just crush him like a bug, OR, b) did they deliberately set this up to fail so as to get rid of him?)

Hannah wrote: "Addam's concern for others, including those other people in his positron dismiss such as the groundskeepers, is one of the reasons I love him."

I suspect it's also one of the reasons Rune loves him. Until Addam, Rune is the only scion we see who gives a damn about bystanders. He almost word for word tells Geof that it's a scion's responsibility to stand between non-scions and danger. Addam's the only other one we see who seems to believe the same!

Which does make me wonder where Rune learned that. Was he able to extrapolate it himself, given that he was put in the position of being unable to protect himself? Or was it taught to him? If so, by who?

Lord Tower certainly doesn't seem to care about bystanders, although I get the impression he would try to limit the splash zone of any attack/manoeuvre just out of professionalism. It's untidy and wasteful to use a canon when a scalpel will do. You know?

Siavahda wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Addam's concern for others, including those other people in his positron dismiss such as the groundskeepers, is one of the reasons I love him."

I suspect it's also one of the reason..."

I think Rune brushed against this when he said he was on his way to becoming just another spoiled scion when the attack changed his worldview. In some ways, I wonder if Adam learned this from his experience with Quinn, or if he is one of those wonderful people who are just born this way. Maybe he had a nursemaid who imparted that kind of energy. Or, (and I hope this is not the case), maybe it's all faked.

Addam is a little hit or miss for me. His genuine care for Quinn and (I hope genuine care for) Rune is wonderful. But he also seems like a touch of an airhead, unless being prodded to pay attention. I'm not sure if he's full-on living on the Sun Estate or not. Can someone say? Anyway, if he does live there, maybe he'll get a bit more organized. *shrug*

I think Addam is the real deal. I mean, look at his aspect; glowing chain mail and wielding a giant sword. He’s a regular knight in shining armour. I also think he is Rune’s talla and that Rune just refuses to believe it. But maybe I’m just a romantic optimist.

Moxi 🛼 wrote: "I think Addam is the real deal. I mean, look at his aspect; glowing chain mail and wielding a giant sword. He’s a regular knight in shining armour. I also think he is Rune’s talla and that Rune jus..."

I agree that Addam's the real deal. I don't know about the talla thing, though. I'm very worried that the reason Rune 'knows' Addam can't be his talla is that he knows he was damaged in some way that means he can't have a talla bond. (He can't have a talla already, because he was wondering what it would be like to have one when they were in the Hierophant's house, and he wouldn't have to wonder if he had one already.)