So, why does Raoden keep his identity secret from Sarene? I think his explanation here is earnest—he wants to get to know her without the truth of his identity throwing a crimp into the relationship. He, of course, intends to tell her eventually. At the risk of giving a spoiler, however, you needn’t worry that this is going to turn into a ‘I’m mad at you for lying to me’ plot. Those always annoy me too. (Chick flicks are famous for them. “Oh, you’re really a rich prince? Well, I hate you for pretending to be a pauper to win my love!”)
I’m a little bit chagrined at how much faking I have going on in this chapter. Sarene isn’t telling Raoden about the outside world (a necessary plotting device because of the triad—three days have passed, and I had to have a reason why she hadn’t told Raoden about events outside the city yet.) Raoden isn’t telling Sarene who he really is. On top of that, I’m keeping the secret of Hrathen’s potion from my own characters, and I have to do some more rationalizing in this chapter—explaining why Sarene has enough food, and why she can’t do AonDor—to make it all work. Ah. . .why can’t we all just be honest.
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