The Roots of the Mountains · Chapter
XIV: Concerning Face-of-God and the Mountain explained
Gold-mane, separated from his hunting party after his skid-strap breaks, deliberately turns north-and-by-east toward the Mountain-hall.
What happens
Gold-mane, separated from his hunting party after his skid-strap breaks, deliberately turns north-and-by-east toward the Mountain-hall. After the storm clears, he encounters Bow-may, who playfully shoots three arrows near him before revealing herself. She leads him into the wood, delivers a message from the Friend warning him not to seek her again until he receives a token, and instructs him to wait at the Maiden Ward at a specific time in March. Bow-may kisses him farewell, and Gold-mane returns to Burgstead, troubled by thoughts of the Bride.
Themes in this chapter
Heroic Journey and Self-Discovery
Face-of-god deliberately chooses a path toward the Mountain-hall, setting himself apart from his hunting party and embarking on a journey that leads to a crucial message and deeper understanding of his role.
Community and Kinship
Bow-may and Face-of-god pledge brotherhood and sisterhood, and Bow-may speaks of her own kindred, the House of the Ragged Sword of the Wolf, highlighting bonds that transcend immediate family.
Characters to notice
- Face-of-god
Gold-mane deliberately turns toward the Mountain-hall after his skid-strap breaks, encounters Bow-may, receives a message from the Friend, and returns to Burgstead.
- Bow-may
Bow-may finds Face-of-god on the snow, playfully shoots three arrows near him, delivers the Friend's message about the token, and kisses him farewell.
- The Bride
Face-of-god thinks of the Bride and their childhood bond, feeling sorrow that his actions are making things dreary for her.
Key passages
“Good shooting on the Mountain! muttered he; the next shaft will be amidst my breast, and who knows whether the Alderman's handiwork will keep it out.”
Face-of-god mutters that the archer's aim is excellent and worries that the next arrow will strike his chest, questioning if his father's armor will protect him.
Face-of-god acknowledges Bow-may's skill and his own vulnerability.
“Seek not to me again till thou hast the token; else assuredly wilt thou be slain, and I shall be sorry for many a day.”
The Friend warns Face-of-god not to come back until he receives the sign, or he will be killed and she will grieve.
The Friend's message emphasizes the danger Face-of-god faces and the importance of the token.