Monday, January 14, 2013

In City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, what rune does Clary Fray draw, indicating that her sight is returning?

This question makes an assumption that Clary’s returning Sight is attached to a rune, when in fact her Sight (capitalized to indicate the ability to see demons and cloaked Shadowhunters) is a natural part of her. Since she'd been a child, Clary’s mother had been hiring the warlock Magnus Bane to suppress Clary’s Sight; however, the spell tended to wear off every two years and need to be renewed. Clary discovers her regained ability right in chapter one when she confronts Jace Wayland for bumping into her and ends up witnessing the destruction of her first demon.
Traditionally, the first rune a Shadowhunter receives is the “Voyance” rune, which either awakens or strengthens the Shadowhunter’s ability to See demons. But Clary Sees just fine without it.
In fact, the first rune that Clary receives is a “Hiding” rune, drawn on her wrist by Jace during a fight with Raveners in chapter four. The fact that the rune on her skin doesn’t burn her or drive her insane is proof, or at least a strong indication, that Clary has Shadowhunter blood.
Clary doesn’t actually draw her first rune until late in the book. Jace is imprisoned by the Inquisitor and, with Alec’s help, Clary launches a rescue. She uses the “Open” rune to blow the cell door off its hinges.

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