Short Fiction · Chapter
XIX: The Werewolf explained
As Photogen carries Nycteris toward the forest, Watho transforms into a wolf and attacks them.
What happens
As Photogen carries Nycteris toward the forest, Watho transforms into a wolf and attacks them. Photogen shoots the wolf with two arrows, killing it. Upon retrieving his arrow, he discovers the wolf was actually Watho, who had made herself invulnerable but forgot she had handled one of his arrows.
Themes in this chapter
Reality vs. Illusion
The wolf is revealed to be Watho in disguise, blurring the line between beast and human.
Suffering and Divine Chastening
Watho's death results from her own malicious actions, suggesting a form of poetic justice.
Characters to notice
- Photogen
Carries Nycteris and kills the wolf, later discovering it was Watho.
- Nycteris
Senses the wolf's approach and hides behind a tree; shudders and weeps upon learning the wolf was Watho.
- Watho
Transforms into a wolf using ointment and attacks Photogen and Nycteris; is killed by Photogen's arrow.
- Falca
Goes looking for Watho but cannot find her.
Key passages
“At the very moment when Photogen caught up Nycteris, the telescope of Watho was angrily sweeping the tableland.”
Just as Photogen reached Nycteris, Watho was angrily scanning the plateau with her telescope.
Sets the scene of Watho's surveillance and anger.
“There she anointed herself from top to toe with a certain ointment; shook down her long red hair, and tied it round her waist; then began to dance, whirling round and round faster and faster, growing angrier and angrier, until she was foaming at the mouth with fury.”
She covered herself in ointment, let down her red hair, tied it around her waist, and danced furiously until she foamed at the mouth.
Describes Watho's transformation ritual.
“Could he believe his eyes? There lay—no wolf, but Watho, with her hair tied round her waist!”
He could not believe it: instead of a wolf, Watho lay there with her hair tied around her waist.
The shocking revelation that the wolf was Watho.