"Twelve Months" Cover Released

[Mira]

Like maybe a Denarian will be involved in this story, but more intimate than Nicodemus showing up with his latest plan to kick of an apocalypse.

Even if I am wrong about Lashiel, if Harry is using his staff to create a sigil of some sort, what would he use it for, as a design for a summoning circle for a specific being or perhaps as a defensive ward?

Possible, however I still think it has more to do with Harry's star born status.  We've been strung along on who, what, and why way too long.  Also remember the last time Harry spoke with Listens to Wind in Peace Talks, LTW told Harry that he would get him answers if I remember correctly, I also think Eb needs to answer some questions as well about the subject.

[RobReece]

Like maybe a Denarian will be involved in this story, but more intimate than Nicodemus showing up with his latest plan to kick of an apocalypse.

Even if I am wrong about Lashiel, if Harry is using his staff to create a sigil of some sort, what would he use it for, as a design for a summoning circle for a specific being or perhaps as a defensive ward?

The only argument I would have regarding a Denarian being involved,  is that they shouldn't be showing up till book 20, unless Jim decides to change the formula, which he can if he wants to.

[prince lotore]

To me it looks almost underwater and as far as the symbol it looks more like a heart with Norse runes than a hourglass. If it was something to protect him from Laura that would make sense. Maybe a gift from Santa

[BassetFamily]

My take on the shape behind Harry is that it is an infinity symbol. Coupled with the odd script in the circle around this symbol, I’m reminded of the glowing, unrecognizable (to Harry) writing on Demonreach tower when the skinwalker approached.

Overall, the cover appears to me to be Harry gathering all his powers and support. Glowing “sparks” are the little fairies Harry employs for pizza rations.  He has his amulet (belief in magic and talisman against Rampires), presumably with the gem in the middle.  Although they look more like stalagmites or crystals, I think the shapes around Harry are ice crystals (winter knight).  The runes represent his wardenship on Demonreach and the support of Alfred.  Hate to say it, but the staff may be glowing with hellfire. Why would Harry need all his powers and support?  I don’t know…

[KurtinStGeorge]

I don't see that sign even vaguely looking like an hour glass on it's side or otherwise.  Looking at it again, I think it's something that Harry made with his staff and burned into the rock, we see what looks like fragments of molten rock here and there and possible tendrils of power coming from Harry's staff.  Also note, and I saw this the first time I viewed the cover, that Harry's pentacle seems to be glowing.  I didn't mention it the first time because I thought I was imagining it.  However, the pentacle hasn't been mentioned in a long time either, nor the jewel from his mother that was added to it back in Changes.

I believe the last time we saw Harry do anything with his pentacle; other than perhaps use it for some mild lighting, is using it to walk the ways in Changes.  The last time we saw it brightly glowing is when Harry used it as a weapon to kill the loup garou in Fool's Moon.  (Wow, that is a long time ago.)

I think you are right about Harry using his staff to carve the symbol, whatever its purpose is.  I have several thoughts about this, but right now I don't want to get into WAG territory.  My main thought is a little more basic, about the nuts and bolts of magic Harry uses.  I'm trying to remember the last time Harry did something new with magic, that didn't come from Winter or someone else.

In Battle Ground the banner that drew people to follow Harry was a function of Harry being the Winter Knight.  The device Harry used in Peace Talks to fool Embenezar came from Molly and her magical abilities.  The thing Harry did with Carlos cloak was kind of a cheap trick to distract Marcone's guests from the breakout of Thomas.  Plus, we saw Harry animate some broom sticks all the way back in Storm Front so we have already seen Harry move inanimate objects around.  When Harry summoned an army of little folk, that was just on a much larger scale than any summoning of Toot Toot and friends than any Harry had done before.

I stand to  be corrected, but the last time we saw Harry add something to his repertoire of magic skills, that was his own, was back in Cold Days when Harry was able to use his name as a weapon to confront the Walker, HWWBf.  Yes, that was a starborn thing, but it came from Harry, not someone else.

The sigil on the cover that was (apparently) created by Harry maybe something new that Harry learns to add to his magical skills and I think that would be pretty cool.   

[Mira]

The sigil on the cover that was (apparently) created by Harry maybe something new that Harry learns to add to his magical skills and I think that would be pretty cool.

Indeed it would be, question becomes is it his own?  Or someone else's that he used?  Another possibility is remember in Cold Days the first time Harry went down into the actual prison "caves" with Alfred?  Harry had swiped Bob from Butters because he needed him to translate the information that Alfred was trying to give to him about the island and the prisoners?  I remember Alfred doing a number of "security things" to open the way down into the caves that were quite complicated.  I seem to remember glowing patterns in the rock as he did that.  If I remembered that correctly, it is possible that Harry no longer needs Alfred for this, that he now is able to into any part of the prison without his help. If I am right, could a possible reason be to get around security to talk to Thomas?  Or all the cover represents is Harry now has full mastery of Demonreach, which could be a real game changer now that he has been declared "out law" by the White Council.

[prince lotore]

The more I look at the cover the more I get the feeling that Harry may have to do something drastic to release Thomas. Demonreach feels like the kind of jail that there was never a key to throw away. Other than his daughter and now his new niece/nephew who is there that Harry is willing to blow up the world and then roast marshmallows with. And who better than lash to help him do it

[Dina]

I have seen the cover and forgot to come to comment. I found it quite meh. I particularly don't like Harry's face, I rather have his face hidden by shadows. But I do like Harry generally demeanor. It seems that he is sad but absolutely resolute to do something, and we all know how stubborn he can be.
But my first impression was that the crystals and stuff were Demonreach or below it, in the water. Perhaps is some part of the Demonreach prison and it will be related with Harry retrieving Thomas.

[KurtinStGeorge]

The more I look at the cover the more I get the feeling that Harry may have to do something drastic to release Thomas. Demonreach feels like the kind of jail that there was never a key to throw away. Other than his daughter and now his new niece/nephew who is there that Harry is willing to blow up the world and then roast marshmallows with. And who better than lash to help him do it

I think it was in Peace Talks, Harry found Alfred standing right behind him when he wasn't expecting Alfred to be there.  Harry had one of those throw away thoughts that has no impact on the immediate situation, but you know it will be significant later in the story.

I don't feel like looking for the exact quote.  Harry was initially startled, but then began to wonder if Alfred had his own agenda, something that he wasn't sharing with Harry.  Talk about an example of Chekov's gun, you know it will get fired later on.

We don't have enough information to connect all the dots, but we can guess that at some point in the future Harry may have to circumvent Alfred and his intentions.

 

[Dina]

Yes, that intuition moment will definitely come back.

[g33k]

I think it was in Peace Talks, Harry found Alfred standing right behind him when he wasn't expecting Alfred to be there.  Harry had one of those throw away thoughts that has no impact on the immediate situation, but you know it will be significant later in the story.

I don't feel like looking for the exact quote.  Harry was initially startled, but then began to wonder if Alfred had his own agenda, something that he wasn't sharing with Harry.  Talk about an example of Chekov's gun, you know it will get fired later on.

We don't have enough information to connect all the dots, but we can guess that at some point in the future Harry may have to circumvent Alfred and his intentions. 

I think it was specifically noting that Alfred could be invisible to Harry's own "Intellectus" of the island .  Harry knows "everything" on the island, both the things supposed to be there and the additions.

And yet, was blind to Alfred's presence.

Leading him to believe Alfred had removed his own presence from the Intellectus (for reasons unknown), leading Harry to wonder what other info Alfred might not be providing to Harry, and why?

[Dina]

You are so right.

[g33k]

... Leading him to believe Alfred had removed his own presence from the Intellectus (for reasons unknown), leading Harry to wonder what other info Alfred might not be providing to Harry, and why?

Theory:
The role of "Warden" is important; even critical.  But it's also a weak link.  Wardens are mortal wizards, subject to temptation, corruption, etc.

Kemmler was one of Demonreach's recent Wardens!

In addition to its other purposes, the spirit of Demonreach (which Harry calls "Alfred") serves as a failsafe.  It can kill (or imprison) a Warden deemed too grave a risk.

[Dina]

I've been thinking about that too. I agree Alfred has the prerogative to kill the Warden if he seems it is the better course of action to protect the prison security and the island. But I am sure he has limited free will in that too. He cannot just choose to do it because he dislikes the Warden or disapproves one of their decisions. It has to be a real objective danger. Or so I think 

[Mira]

I've been thinking about that too. I agree Alfred has the prerogative to kill the Warden if he seems it is the better course of action to protect the prison security and the island. But I am sure he has limited free will in that too. He cannot just choose to do it because he dislikes the Warden or disapproves one of their decisions. It has to be a real objective danger. Or so I think 

I agree, Alfred cannot have free will, he cannot decide who is put in prison or who goes free.  I believe there are a set of rules somewhere that the original Merlin set down for the island when he created it.  It's Alfred's job to enforce those rules.  It obeys It's Warden in all things unless It's Warden tries to violate the laws governing the island, then it is Alfred's job to stop the Warden from violating those rules even if it means killing him or her.  Alfred doesn't have a choice in the matter, anymore that it couldn't run many of the security protocols or arrest and imprison any monster on it's own.. It requires a living breathing thinking Warden with free will to do those things.  Without a Warden, certain fail safe measures fall into place but Alfred has no control over those.. It said as much at the end of Ghost Story when it expressed relief to finally have a master again to run things that it cannot.  Back to Kemmler, there was a time when he might not have been evil when he was suitable to be Warden.. Or alternatively, since Alfred isn't into moral judgements, maybe the only requirements for Warden is strength of will and talent? 
However if that Warden has evil inclinations and violates or tries to violate the rules of the island, Alfred can end his or her tenue.  So Kemmler might have originally gotten the job because of both will and talent, but when it became clear as to why he wanted the job and he tried to use the powers of the island that were not designed for what he wanted, Alfed simply fired and removed him..  Alfred cannot advertise for a new Warden, and after the close call with Kemmler the White Council hasn't been inclined to send a new candidate, satisfied that the automated protections with a little management would keep it's secrets safe.
A secret that totally backfired when Harry, totally clueless as to what the island's purpose really was, decided to make it his own.