King's Warrior Read-Along: Chapter 2
Well, here we are on day 3 of the read-along, and so far we’re zipping right along. I am having a blast re-visiting this story and just reading it “for fun.” Thanks for joining me! I cherish your comments and questions, thank you, dear, dear Readers, for jumping into the discussion. Without you, this series of posts would feel rather lonely. Thank you for all the comments, I am reading them and loving the discussion aspect of this read-along.
Well... let’s just “dive” right on in today, shall we? hee hee!
The argument. This is by far one of my favorite scenes in the whole book, this battle of wills between Kamarie and Oraeyn. I knew they were going to start out antagonizing each other, but I also just knew they would get over that phase eventually.
“With people nearby it was easy to be brave and grown up.” Isn’t this true of real life? Have you ever been so desperately lonely that you could only pretend you weren’t when you were around people, even people you didn’t know? I know I have. Perhaps you haven’t been lost in the mountains, running out of food, with the sky threatening to rain... but I think most of us can understand Yole’s loneliness. This whole scene just makes me want to reach through the pages and give him a hug. Dear, dear Yole.
“It was a beautiful morning, bright and golden, with no trace of the black and gloomy fears of the night before.” A good night’s rest and a lovely morning are often the best medicine, don’t you think? Oh, and curiosity... not much can take one's mind off one's troubles like a good mystery to solve!
No fear of the dark, and feeling at home in caves. Hints, hints, hints!
Leaving Yole as he peers into the ring of stalagmites... we return to Kamarie and company just as they are approaching the Mountains of Dusk. And, just as we left them, Kamarie and Oraeyn are arguing.
“I have a name too, you know.” Are those undertones of respect forming in the face of mutual need to find shelter from the coming storm?
The pit, and an honest conversation. Have you ever been confronted by someone’s opinion of you and been forced to evaluate whether or not they were right? Kamarie’s first reaction is the same as mine, to get defensive. But one of the things I love most about Kamarie is her desire to grow. Just as she listened to the criticisms she received when she was younger and determined to master the skills she would need to be a graceful, gracious princess who did not embarrass herself or her family, she now receives Oraeyn’s unflattering opinion with similar grace and a determination to change what she can. Her ability to accept criticism and respond graciously lead to the ability for these two to have a real conversation, and we begin to see the glimmerings of a friendship start to form, and the hope that our feisty princess may soften a bit into a lovable character...
The fire. Oh, my heart. This was one of the hardest scenes to write, ever.
“After all these years, he’s finally tracked me down.” Foreshadowing! Intrigue! It is always important, in the midst of ripping your audience’s hearts out, to add in a little something to make them want to keep reading.
Q&A
Abi and Jack want to know: How do you pronounce Kamarie’s name? It looks like a pretty simple name, but I was just wondering because even simple things (tomato) are pronounced differently by different people.
I pronounce it kuh-MAR-ee.
Jack wants to know: Also, how do you pronounce Oraeyn? I pronounce it like the star consolation, Oryan’s Belt, but I’ve never been sure if I was saying it right.
His name is based on the star constellation Orion (my favorite!) but his name is actually pronounced or-AY-en
FYI: There is a pronunciation guide at the end of the book.
Abi also wants to know: Why did you choose to name the nanny/maid Darby? I like the name, and so am curious as to why you hit upon it. Sorry I have a pathological obsession with names.
I do, too! I am obsessed with the meanings of names, and because of this every character in this book has a name that was chosen or created based on its meaning. "Darby" can have many different meanings, but the first one I stumbled across was "free" or "free man." I thought that worked well, because I wanted to attempt to convey to the reader that Darby is not the princess' maid because she needs the money, or was born into a servant's role in life, but rather because she chooses to be so. That will make more sense later on!
Discussion Questions (These are kind of scattered through the post today, but I've organized them here so you can spot them more easily)
1. So, who do YOU think won the argument between Kamarie and Oraeyn on the riverbank?
2. Those who have read both King’s Warrior and Second Son, do you think Brant named his daughter after the young Rambler girl who might have stolen his heart? Did he ever tell Imojean who he really was? Does it matter?
3. Have you ever been confronted by someone’s opinion of you and been forced to evaluate whether or not they were right?
4. Have you ever jumped to the wrong conclusion about someone? Has anyone ever jumped to the wrong conclusion about you?
5. General reactions to this chapter?