# XVII: The Token Cometh from the Mountain explained — The Roots of the Mountains

> Chapter companion for The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

## What happens

Face-of-god receives a secret message from the Woman of the Mountain via an arrow, instructing him to journey to the Mountain Hall, where he will find a hound named Sure-foot and be guided to the Shadowy Vale. He prepares for the journey, concealing the token, and sets out at dawn, navigating through the wilderness with the hound.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroic Journey and Self-Discovery

Face-of-god embarks on a journey to the Mountain Hall, driven by a sense of purpose and the desire to prove his manliness and gain fame.

### Nature and the Wilderness

The chapter vividly describes the wilderness—pinewoods, tarns, rocky valleys, and barren mountains—through which Face-of-god travels.

### Honor and Oath-Keeping

Face-of-god follows the instructions from the token precisely, demonstrating his commitment to the oath or promise implied by the message.

## Character check-ins

### Face-of-god

Receives the token from the Mountain, reads the scroll, and prepares for the journey to the Mountain Hall.

### Stone-face

Observes Face-of-god's happiness and offers to accompany him into the wood, warning of dangers.

### Hall-face

Accompanies Face-of-god to deal with lambs and ewes, part of the daily routine.

### Iron-face

Mentions the Bride to Face-of-god, teasing him as a sluggish groom.

### Sun-beam

Implied as the sender of the token; the Woman of the Mountain who arranged the message.

## Key lines

> Come thou to the Mountain Hall by the path which thou knowest of, on the morrow of the day whereon thou readest this.

Travel to the Mountain Hall using the familiar route, the day after you read this message.

_The token instructs Face-of-god to journey to the Mountain Hall._

> If the day is then far spent, as it is like to be, abide thou with the hound in the hall through the night, and eat of what thou shalt find there; but see that the hound fares not abroad till the morrow’s morn: then lead him out and bring him to the northeast corner of the Hall, and he shall lift the slot for thee that leadeth to the Shadowy Yale.

If it is late in the day, stay overnight in the hall with the hound, eating what you find, and keep the hound inside until morning; then take him to the northeast corner, where he will show you the path to the Shadowy Vale.

_Detailed instructions for Face-of-god's stay and guidance from the hound._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xvii-the-token-cometh-from-the-mountain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters