# XXIII: Dragon Worm and Moss Death explained — The Moon Pool

> Chapter companion for The Moon Pool by A. Merritt.

## What happens

Rador leads the group through perilous paths to escape Lugur, encountering a dragon worm and a deadly fungus that instantly transforms soldiers into moss-like heaps. After surviving these dangers, Larry is struck by a mysterious light from Lugur's men, and Lakla arrives to aid him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Science vs. the Supernatural

Goodwin attempts to explain the moss death as a natural fungus, contrasting with Larry and Rador's supernatural interpretations.

### Duality of Human Experience

The chapter juxtaposes horror and humor, as seen in Larry's joking songs amid deadly threats.

## Character check-ins

### Rador

Guides the group through hidden ways, reveals his niece is Lakla, and warns of the dragon worm and moss death.

### Larry O'Keefe

Expresses frustration at Rador's superstition, jokes about the perils, and is struck by a mysterious light from Lugur's men.

### Dr. Walter T. Goodwin

Narrates the chapter, analyzes the fungus scientifically, and is knocked down during the attack.

### Olaf Huldricksson

Fires at Lugur, calls the dragon worm 'Helvede Orm', and falls beside Goodwin during the attack.

### Lugur

Pursues the group through the Portal, laughs wickedly, and orders the attack that results in Larry being struck.

### Lakla

Arrives at the end of the chapter, bending over the stricken Larry.

## Key lines

> For a small eternity—to me at least—we waited. Then as silent as ever the green dwarf returned. 'It is well,' he said, some of the strain gone from his voice. 'Grip hands again, and follow.'

After what felt like an endless wait, the green dwarf returned quietly and told them to hold hands and follow him.

_Highlights the tension and reliance on Rador's guidance._

> The head of horror mounted—and in the shield's centre, full ten feet across, glowing, flickering, shining out—coldly, was a rose of white flame, a 'flower of cold fire' even as Rador had said.

The terrifying creature rose up, revealing a ten-foot-wide shield on its neck with a glowing, cold white flame at its center, just as Rador had described.

_Describes the dragon worm's distinctive feature._

> Where but a few moments before had been men were only grotesque heaps, swiftly melting, swiftly rounding into the semblance of the mounds that lay behind us—and already beginning to take on their gleam of ancient viridescence!

In seconds, the soldiers transformed into grotesque, mossy mounds resembling the ancient green heaps nearby.

_Illustrates the rapid and horrifying effect of the fungus._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxiii-dragon-worm-and-moss-death
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters