Figures of Earth · Chapter
Ascent of Vraidex explained
Manuel and Niafer seek shelter in a windmill, where a mysterious old man feeds them.
What happens
Manuel and Niafer seek shelter in a windmill, where a mysterious old man feeds them. They discuss their pagan beliefs and Manuel reveals his parentage: his mother is Dorothy of the White Arms and his father is Oriander the Swimmer, son of Mimir. The next day, they encounter and overcome the Serpent of the West and the Serpent of the South using Niafer's clever tricks, including a turtle and a hazel-wood figure. Manuel grows increasingly fond of Niafer, dreading their eventual fight for the Count's daughter.
Themes in this chapter
The Geas of Obligation
Manuel and Niafer are bound by their pact to fight for the Count's daughter, a duty that looms over their growing friendship.
The Search for Meaning and Immortality
Manuel's discussion of his divine parentage and the pagan afterlife reflects a search for identity and meaning beyond mortal life.
Characters to notice
- Dom Manuel
Reveals his parentage to Niafer, claiming Oriander the Swimmer as his father and Dorothy of the White Arms as his mother. Praises Niafer's cleverness and dreads their future fight.
- Niafer
Displays resourcefulness by using a turtle to frighten the Serpent of the West and other tricks to overcome the Serpent of the South. Discusses pagan beliefs with Manuel.
- Oriander
Mentioned as Manuel's father, a blind swimmer who battles the sea and never leaves the water.
- Mimir
Mentioned as the father of Oriander, famed for his wise head.
- Dorothy of the White Arms
Mentioned as Manuel's mother, a zealous Christian who married Emmerick.
- Emmerick
Mentioned as Manuel's nominal father, who married Dorothy of the White Arms.
Key passages
“Now if you were a Christian, and died thus unholily in trying to murder me, you would have to go thereafter to the unquenchable flames of purgatory or to even hotter flames: but among the pagans all that die valiantly in battle go straight to the pagan paradise.”
Manuel tells Niafer that if Niafer were Christian, dying while trying to kill him would lead to purgatory or worse, but as a pagan, a valiant death in battle ensures a place in the pagan paradise.
Manuel's pragmatic view of religion and his acceptance of Niafer's paganism.
“Oh, out of the void and the darkness that is peopled by Mimir's brood, from the ultimate silent fastness of the desolate deep-sea gloom, and the peace of that ageless gloom, blind Oriander came, from Mimir, to be at war with the sea and to jeer at the sea's desire.”
Manuel describes Oriander as a blind figure born from the void and darkness, who eternally battles and mocks the sea.
Manuel's poetic account of his father Oriander's origin and nature.
“The serpent howled, as though a thousand dogs had been kicked simultaneously, and the serpent fled.”
When Niafer shows the turtle, the serpent makes a terrible noise and runs away in fear.
Niafer's turtle, Tulapin, frightens the Serpent of the West.