# IX: Davidson Gives a Warning explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## What happens

Davidson recounts his college encounter with Varduk, describing how Varduk's mysterious influence led to the death of a football player named Schaefer and how Davidson himself became Varduk's sworn vassal. He warns Pursuivant and the narrator not to cross Varduk.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fear and Control

Varduk exerts psychological control over Schaefer and Davidson through fear and mysterious power.

### The Power of Belief and Ritual

Davidson's oath of vassalage and Varduk's use of a black book highlight ritualistic power.

### Supernatural Evil and Occultism

Varduk's black book and his ability to cause Schaefer's death suggest occult influence.

## Character check-ins

### Elmo Davidson

Narrates his past with Varduk, including the death of Schaefer and his oath of vassalage.

### Keith Pursuivant

Listens to Davidson's story and receives the warning about Varduk.

### Varduk

Described as a mysterious college freshman who uses a black book to exert control, leading to Schaefer's death.

### Schaefer

College football captain who confronts Varduk and later dies after jumping from Varduk's window.

## Key lines

> Varduk lifted those big, deep eyes of his as we appeared among the ruins of his door. No fear, not even surprise. Just a long look, traveling from one of us to another. When he brought his gaze to me, I felt as if somebody was pointing two guns at me, two guns loaded to their muzzles.

Varduk looked at us calmly, and his stare felt threatening and intense.

_Davidson describes Varduk's unnerving gaze during the hazing incident._

> He ordered me to kneel, and I did. Then he showed me how to put my hands together and set them between his palms. The oath I took was the medieval oath of vassalage. And I have kept my oath from that day to this.

Varduk made me kneel and swear a medieval oath of loyalty, which I have never broken.

_Davidson explains his binding oath to Varduk._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ix-davidson-gives-a-warning
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters