Key Out of Time · Chapter
XIII: The Sea Gate of the Foanna explained
Ross Murdock participates in a Rover council of war, arguing against a direct assault on the Baldies and proposing instead to infiltrate the Foanna citadel to rescue Gordon Ashe and seek an alliance.
What happens
Ross Murdock participates in a Rover council of war, arguing against a direct assault on the Baldies and proposing instead to infiltrate the Foanna citadel to rescue Gordon Ashe and seek an alliance. With Torgul and Jazia's support, he attempts the sea gate alone, navigating its misty defenses and hearing the Foanna's chanting.
Themes in this chapter
Alliance and Trust
Ross proposes allying with the Foanna despite past enmity, highlighting the theme of forming unlikely alliances.
Power and Corruption
The Baldies manipulate factions to weaken them, demonstrating corrupt use of power.
Survival and Resilience
The Rovers and Terrans seek a clever strategy to survive against a technologically superior enemy.
Characters to notice
- Ross Murdock
Proposes infiltrating the Foanna citadel to rescue Ashe and treat with the Foanna; attempts the sea gate alone.
- Torgul
Rover captain who supports Ross's plan and provides knowledge of the sea gate.
- Lady Jazia
Represents the Power of Phutka; supports Ross's plan and explains Foanna magic.
- Ongal
Rover commander who argues for direct fighting but is countered by Ross.
- Karara Trehern
Warns Ross about the gate's defense; remains on the ship due to sensitivity.
- Loketh
Hovers behind Ross during the council; contributes knowledge of the sea gate.
- Gordon Ashe
Ross's sword-lord, imprisoned in the Foanna citadel; Ross hopes to rescue him.
- Vistur
Rover officer who points out the impracticality of moving salkars inland.
Key passages
“Instead of fighting the Foanna, we must warm, cherish, try to ally ourselves with them. And do all that while we still have time!”
Ross argues that they should seek an alliance with the Foanna rather than fight them, and time is running out.
Ross's key proposal to the Rover council.
“The Foanna have a powerful magic; they can order wind and wave, man and creature—if so be their will. Well might these killers fear the Foanna!”
Jazia explains that the Foanna's magic controls nature and beings, which is why the Baldies fear them.
Jazia's explanation of Foanna power.
“These could kill you before you came in blade range.”
Ross warns that the Baldies' weapons can kill from a distance, making a direct charge futile.
Ross's argument against a frontal assault.