# XI explained — Armed with Madness > Chapter companion for Armed with Madness by Mary Butts. ## What happens Picus and Scylla venture to a hidden cove beneath Gault Cliff, a secret place Picus discovered. They encounter a rare Great Black Woodpecker, which Scylla associates with the god Zeus. Their intimacy deepens as they share the space, but Picus's underlying grief surfaces. They discuss Carston and the missing cup, hinting at further intrigue. ## Themes in this chapter ### Nature as a Living Force The hidden cove, the cliff, the stream, and the woodpecker are depicted as a living, sacred space that shapes the characters' experience. ### Sexuality and Desire The intimate encounter between Picus and Scylla in the secluded cove underscores their physical and emotional connection. ### The Search for Meaning and Transcendence Scylla's identification of the woodpecker with Zeus and her reflections on love and transformation suggest a quest for deeper understanding. ## Character check-ins ### Picus Leads Scylla to his secret cove, reveals his grief, and discusses Carston and the cup. ### Scylla Taverner Accompanies Picus, identifies the woodpecker as Zeus, and reflects on their love and the situation with Carston. ### Dudley Carston Mentioned as a potential threat to the secret cove and as the subject of the cup mystery. ## Key lines > This is Bari, the warm wood. Scylla names the hidden cove 'Bari,' referencing Baldur's wood. _Mythological allusion to a sacred grove._ > I have only found one. Picus tells Scylla he has only found one lover. _Affirms their unique bond._ > Carston and the cup. That ought to get him going more than us. Scylla suggests Carston's interest in the cup will distract him from their secret. _Foreshadows conflict involving Carston._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/armed_with_madness_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters