Serpent & Dove
A Question of Pride: Reid
by Mahurin, ShelbyThe chapter opens with Reid and Lou sharing an uncomfortably intimate night in a cramped dormitory bed. The tension between them is palpable as Lou struggles to sleep, her movements and proximity driving Reid to distraction. Despite his restraint, Reid reluctantly joins her in bed after she insists, their forced closeness igniting a mix of irritation and unspoken attraction. The awkward silence between them underscores the unresolved tension, with Lou’s playful teasing and Reid’s guarded responses highlighting their complicated dynamic.
As the night progresses, Lou breaks the silence by asking Reid about his past, shifting the tone from physical tension to emotional vulnerability. Reid reveals his traumatic childhood—abandoned as a baby and raised by the Archbishop, who trained him to become a Chasseur. His matter-of-fact delivery contrasts with Lou’s horrified reaction, emphasizing his hardened exterior. The conversation then turns to the rigorous process of becoming a Chasseur, including the competitive tournaments for coveted Balisarda swords. Lou’s surprise at Ansel’s status as an initiate rather than a full Chasseur leads to a brief discussion about his open-minded nature, which Reid dismisses with defensive pride.
The dialogue deepens as Lou probes Reid about his past rivalry with Jean Luc, whom he defeated in a tournament to earn his position. Reid admits to the lingering resentment between them, hinting at the personal costs of his ambition. Lou’s playful teasing about his arrogance lightens the mood momentarily, but the conversation takes a darker turn when she asks about Célie, Reid’s former lover. His abrupt defensiveness and evasion suggest unresolved guilt or conflict, leaving Lou—and the reader—questioning the true nature of his past relationships and vows.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Lou presses Reid about why he continued his courtship with Célie despite his vows to the Chasseurs, a question that visibly unsettles him. His tense reaction and the abrupt cutoff in the text leave the confrontation unresolved, foreshadowing deeper revelations about Reid’s loyalties and personal struggles. The interplay of physical tension, emotional vulnerability, and unresolved history paints a vivid portrait of Reid’s internal conflict and the growing complexity of his relationship with Lou.
FAQs
1. How does the physical proximity between Reid and Lou create tension in this chapter, and what does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
The chapter vividly portrays the intense physical and emotional tension between Reid and Lou as they share a bed. Reid describes their closeness as “physically painful,” noting how Lou’s movements and breathing keep him acutely aware of her presence (page 297-298). Their forced intimacy—with half of Reid’s body pressed against Lou—becomes a metaphor for their growing attraction and emotional conflict. This tension reveals their suppressed desires: Reid struggles to control his thoughts when Lou’s breasts brush his arm (page 298), while Lou uses humor (“I don’t bite… much”) to mask her nervousness. Their inability to relax around each other underscores both their magnetic pull and the barriers (like Reid’s vows) that complicate their relationship.2. What significant revelations does Reid share about his past during this conversation, and how do these details shape our understanding of his character?
Answer:
Reid discloses two pivotal aspects of his background: his abandonment as an infant (“found in the garbage”) and his rigorous path to becoming a Chasseur (page 299). These revelations highlight his deep-seated need for belonging—first with the Archbishop who took him in, then within the Chasseur hierarchy. His description of the competitive tournament system (where he defeated Jean Luc at sixteen) demonstrates his determination and skill (page 300-301). Notably, his pride in overcoming stronger opponents contrasts with his vulnerability when discussing Célie (page 301), showing how his identity is rooted in professional achievements rather than personal connections. These details paint Reid as a self-made man who compensates for early abandonment through discipline and loyalty to the Chasseurs.3. Analyze the significance of Lou’s question about why Reid continued courting Célie after his vows. What does this line of questioning reveal about their dynamic?
Answer:
Lou’s probing question about Célie (page 301) serves multiple purposes: it challenges Reid’s adherence to Chasseur norms (noting no other wives in the Tower), exposes his hypocrisy, and tests his emotional honesty. Her persistence (“Why?”) forces Reid to confront contradictions between his vows and actions, making him defensive (“What do you mean why?”). This exchange reveals Lou’s role as a truth-teller in their relationship—unafraid to question Reid’s choices, unlike others who accept his authority unquestioned. Simultaneously, it highlights Reid’s internal conflict: his rigid principles (“It’s not a crime to have principles,” page 299) clash with his human desires, a tension Lou consistently brings to the surface through such challenges.4. How does the author use contrasting imagery and tone to depict the shift between Reid’s memories of his tournament victory and his current emotional state with Lou?
Answer:
The chapter employs stark contrasts in imagery and tone to juxtapose Reid’s past triumphs with his present vulnerability. His tournament memories are described with visceral, masculine energy—”the clang of steel and tang of sweat” (page 300)—evoking a tone of nostalgic pride. However, these vibrant memories “wither and die” (page 301) when Lou asks about Célie, shifting to a subdued, ceiling-staring introspection. Physical contrasts also abound: Reid’s former “growth spurt” and combat strength differ sharply from his current stiff, hesitant movements around Lou. This dichotomy emphasizes how Lou disrupts Reid’s controlled worldview, replacing the certainty of battle with the ambiguity of emotion. The author thus uses sensory-rich flashbacks to highlight how Lou’s presence unsettles Reid’s previously unshakable identity.5. Evaluate how Ansel’s character serves as a foil to both Reid and Lou in this chapter. What thematic purpose does this comparison serve?
Answer:
Ansel’s mention (page 299-300) creates a three-way contrast that underscores key themes. Unlike Reid—a disciplined Chasseur—Ansel is “tolerant” and “open-minded,” representing a middle ground between Reid’s rigidity and Lou’s rebelliousness. Lou’s surprise that Ansel isn’t yet a Chasseur (“Are you telling me Ansel beat out all the other contenders?”) highlights how Reid’s elite status isn’t easily attained, reinforcing the hierarchy theme. Meanwhile, Ansel’s pending tournament participation mirrors Reid’s past, inviting reflection on how institutions mold individuals. This foil arrangement critiques blind adherence to systems: while Reid embodies the Chasseurs’ ideals, Ansel’s unfinished journey suggests alternative paths, and Lou’s questioning (“Why continue your courtship?”) challenges the system’s contradictions—making Ansel a benchmark for growth potential in both main characters.
Quotes
1. “The tension in our room that night was physically painful.”
This opening line immediately sets the charged atmosphere between Reid and Lou, capturing the unspoken attraction and emotional intensity that drives their interactions throughout the chapter.
2. “I was abandoned. A maid found me in the garbage when I was a baby.”
This vulnerable revelation about Reid’s origins provides crucial insight into his character, explaining his fierce loyalty to the Chasseurs and the Archbishop while highlighting the deep wounds beneath his disciplined exterior.
3. “There are only one hundred Balisardas—one drop of St. Constantin’s relic in each. It limits the positions available.”
This quote explains the sacred significance of the Chasseurs’ weapons and the competitive hierarchy within their ranks, underscoring the prestige Reid has earned and why his position defines him.
4. “I battled Jean Luc in the championship… It made beating him even sweeter.”
Reid’s admission about his rivalry with Jean Luc reveals his competitive pride and the complex relationships among the Chasseurs, while showing glimpses of his less rigid, more human side.
5. “Why continue your courtship after you swore yourself to the Chasseurs?”
Lou’s probing question challenges Reid’s contradictions—his devotion to the Chasseurs’ celibacy vows versus his lingering attachment to Célie—forcing him to confront unresolved tensions in his identity.