Storm Over Warlock · Chapter
XVI: Third Prisoner explained
Shann recovers from his wound and is summoned by the Wyverns to undertake a solo mission to a skull-shaped island where a Throg officer is trapped.
What happens
Shann recovers from his wound and is summoned by the Wyverns to undertake a solo mission to a skull-shaped island where a Throg officer is trapped. The Wyverns explain that dreams hold power and that Shann must confront the Throg, who is unarmed and pinned by fallen rock, to break a destructive pattern. Thorvald attempts a mental link with a Wyvern to aid Shann, but Shann enters the island alone, armed only with a green crystal and his wits.
Themes in this chapter
Alien Contact and Communication
Shann and Thorvald engage in mental dialogue with the Wyverns, who explain that dreams are a form of power and that the Throg's mind is closed to them, highlighting the challenges of interspecies understanding.
Dreams and Shared Consciousness
The Wyverns emphasize that each being follows a 'pattern' set by the Greatest Power, and Shann's dream of the skull island is realized. The chapter explores how dreams guide actions and connect beings across species.
Survival Against Overwhelming Odds
Shann must confront a Throg alone, unarmed except for a stunner and a crystal, in a dark, fetid cave, while the Throg itself is trapped but dangerous. The mission requires courage against a physically superior foe.
Characters to notice
- Shann Lantee
Healed from his wound and eager to act, Shann is chosen by the Wyverns to confront the trapped Throg, accepting the task as part of his 'true dreaming.'
- Ragnar Thorvald
Thorvald accompanies Shann to the Wyvern chamber and attempts to link mentally with the elder Wyvern to support Shann's mission, though he is skeptical of the plan.
- Throgs
A Throg officer is trapped under rock inside the skull island, unarmed and fearful, having fled there after his air rider crashed. Shann is sent to make peace or take him away.
- Wyverns
The elder Wyvern who judged Shann earlier and the younger witch he trapped are present. They explain the power of dreams and task Shann with breaking the pattern by confronting the Throg.
Key passages
“We are different, star man, yet still are we both dreamers. And dreams hold power.”
Despite our physical differences, we share the ability to dream, and those dreams have real influence.
The elder Wyvern explains the common ground between Terrans and Wyverns, emphasizing the importance of dreams.
“Make your peace with him if you can, and also take him hence, for his dreams are not ours, and he brings confusion to the Reachers when they retire to run the Trails of Seeking.”
Try to reconcile with the Throg and remove him, because his alien dreams disrupt our meditative practices.
The Wyverns task Shann with dealing with the Throg, who is causing spiritual interference.
“The other one has no arms. This fact gives him great fear. That which he has depended upon is broken. And since he has no weapon, he is shut into a prison of his own terrors.”
The Throg is unarmed and terrified, trapped not only by rock but by his own fear without his usual tools.
The younger Wyvern explains the Throg's psychological state, making him a pitiable rather than purely threatening figure.