# XIII: What Helmas Directed explained — Figures of Earth

> Chapter companion for Figures of Earth by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

Dom Manuel seeks the counsel of King Helmas the Deep-Minded regarding his lifeless images. Helmas directs him to summon Queen Freydis of Audela, who possesses Schamir. Manuel follows Helmas's detailed instructions, performing a ritual on the last night of April at Upper Morven. He overcomes Freydis's transformations—a serpent, a pig, a mirror, and a dark fluid—by reciting mathematics and other knowledge, finally grasping her as a woman within a protective enclosure.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Geas of Obligation

Manuel is bound by the instructions of King Helmas, performing a dangerous ritual as a necessary step to achieve his goal.

### Appearances vs. Reality

Freydis appears as a serpent, pig, mirror, and fluid, each form concealing her true nature until Manuel's knowledge forces her real shape.

## Character check-ins

### Dom Manuel

Seeks King Helmas's advice on his images and performs the summoning ritual for Queen Freydis.

### King Helmas

The wise king who directs Manuel on how to summon Freydis.

### Freydis

Queen of Audela, summoned by Manuel through a ritual; she appears in various forms before being captured.

## Key lines

> They are not true to life, particularly this one which has the look of me.

Helmas says the images lack lifelikeness, especially the one resembling him.

_Helmas critiques Manuel's images, prompting the quest for Freydis._

> Freydis could not withstand mathematics.

Reciting multiplication tables overpowers Freydis's magical resistance.

_Mathematics serves as a counter to sorcery in the ritual._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xiii-what-helmas-directed
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/figures_of_earth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters