# X: Alianora explained — Figures of Earth > Chapter companion for Figures of Earth by James Branch Cabell. ## What happens Manuel is betrothed to Princess Alianora, who plans to poison her father so Manuel can become King of Arles. Manuel, however, is preoccupied with his geas to create an animated figure from clay, and he reveals his lingering devotion to the dead Niafer. Alianora, jealous and frustrated, eventually tells Manuel about the talisman Schamir, which can animate his images, but it is owned by Queen Freydis and can only be obtained through a complex ritual involving a falcon's egg. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Geas of Obligation Manuel is driven by a geas to create an admirable figure, which overrides his interest in kingship and love. ### Love and Disillusionment Alianora's love for Manuel is strained by his obsession with Niafer and his art; Manuel finds love insufficient to satisfy his geas. ### The Artist and the Creation Manuel's modeling of clay images and his desire to animate them reflects the artist's struggle to create something significant. ### Appearances vs. Reality Alianora insists on preserving appearances even in parricide, while Manuel's true desires lie elsewhere. ## Character check-ins ### Dom Manuel Betrothed to Alianora but still preoccupied with his geas and the memory of Niafer; he models a third clay image combining his and Alianora's features. ### Alianora The Princess of Provence, betrothed to Manuel; she is jealous of Niafer, plans to poison her father, and reveals the secret of Schamir to Manuel. ### Niafer Dead servant girl whom Manuel still idealizes; Alianora resents her memory. ### Freydis Queen of Audela, mentioned as the owner of the Schamir ring. ### King Ferdinand Referenced in the context of Manuel's past sorcery against him. ### King Helmas Referenced in the context of Manuel's past sorcery against him. ## Key lines > “Ah, and does one have to preserve appearances even in such matters as parricide?” “But certainly it looks much better for Father to be supposed to die of indigestion.” Manuel questions the need for decorum in murder, and Alianora insists that a death by indigestion is more respectable than parricide. _Highlights Alianora's pragmatic and cynical approach to morality._ > “No, I am Manuel: and it means more to me to be Manuel than to be King of Arles, and Count of Provence, and seneschal of Aix and Brignoles and Grasse and Massilia and Draguignan and so on.” Manuel values his identity and his geas over any royal titles or lands. _Reinforces Manuel's prioritization of personal destiny over political power._ > “If that desire were satisfied,” asks Alianora, rather queerly, “would you be content to settle down to some such rational method of living as becomes a reputable sorcerer and king?” “I think so, for a king has no master, and he is at liberty to travel everywhither, and to see the ends of this world and judge them. Yes, I think so, in a world wherein nothing is certain.” Alianora asks if animating his figures would make Manuel settle down; he replies that a king's freedom might satisfy him, but nothing is certain. _Shows Manuel's restless nature and his conditional acceptance of kingship._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/x-alianora - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/figures_of_earth_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters