# I explained — The Jewels of Aptor

> Chapter companion for The Jewels of Aptor by Samuel R. Delany.

## What happens

The chapter opens with the captain and mate Jordde discussing the loss of ten men at Aptor and the strange survival of a priestess. Meanwhile, Geo, Urson, and a four-armed boy named Snake are recruited by the priestess, who reveals herself as a high priestess of the Goddess Argo. She tests Geo's knowledge of ancient rituals, and Snake steals a jewel identical to one she wears, proving his skill as a thief. The party agrees to sail with her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Knowledge and Understanding

Geo's recognition of the ancient ritual stanza and the priestess's quest for lost knowledge highlight the theme of seeking and preserving understanding.

### Power and Corruption

The priestess's authority over the captain and her use of the jewel suggest a dynamic of power, while the loss of men at Aptor hints at corruption or misuse of that power.

### Quest and Adventure

The recruitment of Geo, Urson, and Snake for a voyage to an unknown destination sets the stage for a quest.

## Character check-ins

### Geo

A poet who recognizes a stanza from the discarded rituals of the Goddess Argo; recruited by the priestess for his knowledge.

### Urson

Geo's large, sea-bred friend; eager to sail and hired as a sailor.

### Snake

A four-armed boy thief; steals a jewel from the priestess, demonstrating his skill.

### the Priestess

A high priestess of the Goddess Argo; recruits Geo, Urson, and Snake for a voyage.

### the captain

The ship's captain; troubled by the loss of his crew at Aptor and wary of the priestess.

### Jordde

The mate; skeptical of Snake and the priestess, and cautious about the voyage.

## Key lines

> Burn the grain speck in the hand and batter the stars with singing. Hail the height of a man, and also the height of a woman.

Destroy the small seed in your palm and challenge the heavens with your song. Celebrate both men and women equally.

_Geo recites a variant of a stanza from the banned rituals of the Goddess Argo._

> Freeze the drop in the hand and break the earth with singing. Hail the height of a man and also the height of a woman. The eyes have imprisoned a vision

Solidify the droplet in your hand and shatter the ground with your song. Honor both men and women. Sight has trapped a revelation.

_The priestess recites what she claims is the authentic version of the ritual stanza._

> Calmly brother bear, calm the winter sleep. Fire shall not harm, water not alarm. While the current grows, amber honey flows, golden salmon leap.

Stay peaceful, bear-like friend, and settle your hibernation. Neither fire nor water will trouble you. As the stream strengthens, sweet honey and leaping fish appear.

_Geo recites an old spell for taming bears, referencing Urson's name._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters