# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Andre Norton.

- [The People of the Crater](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/the-people-of-the-crater.md): Garin and his companions are rescued by the lizard-folk of Tav, who reveal the history of the Ancient Ones and the Black Ones, setting the stage for the conflict ahead.
- [Through the Blue Haze](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/i-through-the-blue-haze.md): Six months after the Peace of Shanghai ends the great war, Captain Garin Featherstone, a jobless war pilot, is recruited by Gregory Farson for an Antarctic expedition to investigate a mysterious blue haze. During the fli
- [II: The Folk of Tav](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/ii-the-folk-of-tav.md): Garin awakens injured in his crashed ship and is rescued by the lizard-like Folk of Tav. They heal him with advanced technology and introduce him to their cavern society, where he learns of a prophecy that he must rescue
- [III: Garin Hears of the Black Ones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/iii-garin-hears-of-the-black-ones.md): Garin learns the Folk's language through a ray-enhanced lesson, discovers their advanced civilization inherited from the Ancient Ones, and hears of the Black Ones' atrocities. He is shown a vision of Thrala, the Daughter
- [IV: The Defeat of the Ancient Ones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/iv-the-defeat-of-the-ancient-ones.md): The chapter recounts the ancient history of the Ancient Ones, their arrival on Earth, the creation of the Folk and other races, the rise of the Black Ones from forbidden unions, and the prophecy of a sun-haired youth who
- [Into the Caves of Darkness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/v-into-the-caves-of-darkness.md): Garin is tasked by Trar to rescue Thrala from the Caves of Darkness before the Great Mists arrive. He is given a green metal rod as a weapon and is accompanied by the Ana. Urg guides him through the Place of Ancestors, w
- [VI: Kepta’s Second Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/vi-kepta-s-second-prisoner.md): Garin infiltrates the Caves of the Black Ones to rescue Thrala and Dandtan. He confronts Kepta in the morgel pit, secures Dandtan's release, and the two escape deeper into the caves, suspecting a trap as they find the gu
- [VII: Kepta's Trap](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/vii-kepta-s-trap.md): Thrala, Dandtan, and Garin are trapped by Kepta, who mocks them before sealing them in a dark corridor. Using the light-rod, they escape the room but face the dangers of the dark, including morgels and other creatures. T
- [Escape from the Caves](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/viii-escape-from-the-caves.md): Garin, Thrala, and Dandtan escape from the caves, fighting a morgel and navigating the Morgel Pit. Kepta taunts them but allows their temporary freedom. They flee through the forest, cross a river, and are aided by the A
- [Days of Preparation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/ix-days-of-preparation.md): As the Great Mists descend upon Tav, Garin, Dandtan, and Thrala race to the safety of the Caverns, which are sealed for forty days. During this time, Garin and Dandtan work tirelessly in the laboratories to prepare defen
- [X: Battle and Victory](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/x-battle-and-victory.md): Garin and Dandtan confront Kepta, who demands Thrala and the outlander. After a violent exchange, the Folk use green gas globes to defeat the Black Ones' forces. Garin rescues Thrala from Kepta, kills him in combat, and 
- [XI: Thrala's Mate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/xi-thrala-s-mate.md): After the battle, Garin feels like an outlander in Tav. Dandtan, believing Garin has refused to claim Thrala as his mate, accuses him of rebelling against the summoning and demands a death sentence. During the trial, Gar
- [The Gifts of Asti](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/the-gifts-of-asti.md): Varta, the last Maiden of Asti, takes the miniature sun and planets from the temple and escapes through a secret passage with her companion Lur. She dons a protective scaled suit and navigates the dangerous underworld, e
- [All Cats Are Gray](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/all-cats-are-gray.md): Steena, a colorblind spacer with a photographic memory, and her gray tomcat Bat join Cliff Moran on a risky mission to salvage the derelict pleasure-ship Empress of Mars. Onboard, Steena's unique perception of gray allow

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters