Son: Book 3, Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Gabe is freezing and afraid: he expected to have some time to prepare for this. His eyes glittering, Trademaster says it’s so lovely to have someone seek him out for once. As Gabe holds tight to his paddle and introduces himself, Trademaster suddenly appears closer. Though he looks clean, he stinks. Getting too close to Gabe, Trademaster sneers that he knows Gabe’s name, and they both know why they’re here: they both want to “destroy” the other. Asking about Gabe’s weapons, Trademaster insults Gabe’s paddle. As Gabe says that he can’t kill, Trademaster winces and the moon shines bright.

Meanwhile, Jonas and Kira wait at Claire’s cottage. Earlier, when Jonas looked beyond, he saw (but didn’t tell Gabe) that Trademaster was waiting for Gabe. But Gabe has always been tenacious, and it’s always been clear he has some sort of gift. Hopefully, Gabe’s gift will be able to help him fight Trademaster, who’s “inhuman,” “dangerous,” and “evil.”

Back on the riverbank, Gabe touches the names carved into his paddle and feels calmer. Trademaster, though, angrily pulls a knife out of his cloak and tosses it to Gabe. Gabe drops his paddle and catches it as Trademaster pulls out another weapon, a massive, curved blade. He disarms Gabe and holds the blade to Gabe’s neck. Then, Trademaster insults Gabe, calling him unworthy and describing bigger, more important people and societies he has destroyed. Suddenly, Gabe realizes Trademaster isn’t a man: he’s “a force disguised as a man,” “simple evil, wearing a cloak.” Gabe suggests he’s not worth killing, then, if Trademaster is so powerful. Trademaster suggests that instead of dueling, they’ll trade.

As the moon suddenly shines through the window in Claire’s cottage, Jonas thinks he sees her skin smooth and that her breath becomes more even. But the moon disappears again and he decides to not disturb her. Nodding off, Jonas doesn’t see Claire’s body continue to grow younger. Back on the riverbank, Trademaster offers Gabe a boat. Gabe isn’t interested, even when Trademaster offers to throw in sun and wind—he already found “belonging” and “love” when he found his mother. But Trademaster then offers to add first Deirdre, and then Claire. Gabe just picks up his paddle and recites his friends’ names. He notices that Claire’s name has appeared on his paddle—and he declines Trademaster’s trade. Remembering Jonas’s advice to use his power, Gabe veers into Trademaster.