alderpodlogoChapter Thirteen – Initiation Rites

Don’t think this is going to be a habit or anything, but here’s the next Alderpod. Yes, indeed–and in spite of the sniffles!

We join up once again with Brick and the Order of the Asp and learn about some of their rather… well, let’s say “unique” practices. This is a chapter that, for some reason, has seen an inordinate amount of editing and still, parts of it don’t make me happy. But such is the way it goes, right? I honestly think that if left to my own devices I would edit until I passed out and there was nothing left on the page but: “The Aldersgate Cycle” Sometimes you have to let it go, knowing it’s not perfect (which is the theme with some of these middle chapters, as the meat of the book… they’ll need more tinkering than the rest).

But enough self-criticism. I do love this chapter, and it was once featured on this site, in fact, though in quite different form. About the only thing that’s the same is the conversation between the woman in the wood and Brick in his dream. I spent a lot of time trying to construct the ritual that went into it this time, giving Renmen a much bigger role, but also adding a touch of humor to it. As Gawen says,  “Of course, the whole vision could have been a metaphor! We shall see.”

Writing the Asp is some of the most fun I have, and now that they’re going rogue (in more ways than one) it’s even more so. One of these day’s I’ll get a post together that gives profiles of all the Aspguard, so you can meet the entire 30-person retinue a little more inimately. For the sake of the narrative, I cut back a little, focusing on the handful of core knights, but they really are a wacky bunch.

As to the next episode, we’re back with Emry and Cora for two chapters, respectively, so there won’t be quite so much bouncing around. I’ll likely record them back-to-back as well, as they both take place in the Nithings and have a lot of… well, needed exposition. It happens to the best of us.

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