The Roots of the Mountains · Chapter
XX: Those Two Together Hold the Ring of the Earth-God explained
Face-of-god and Folk-might discuss the threat of the Dusky Men and the upcoming muster of the Dalesmen.
What happens
Face-of-god and Folk-might discuss the threat of the Dusky Men and the upcoming muster of the Dalesmen. Folk-might plans to come to the spring market at Burgstead to offer blood-wite for his deeds. Later, Face-of-god and Sun-beam share an intimate conversation about their feelings and the future, culminating in a feast where songs are sung and the bond between them deepens.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Face-of-god and Sun-beam's conversation explores the tension between personal desire and duty to their people, with Sun-beam acknowledging the pain she has caused the Bride.
War and Liberation
Folk-might and Face-of-god plan a decisive strike against the Dusky Men to liberate the land, with the battle seen as a necessary step for freedom.
Community and Kinship
The feast and songs celebrate the unity of the Wolf kindreds, and the bond between the Dalesmen and the Shadowy Vale folk is strengthened through shared purpose.
Characters to notice
- Face-of-god
Discusses military strategy with Folk-might, then shares a tender and conflicted conversation with Sun-beam about love and duty.
- Folk-might
Plans the campaign against the Dusky Men, expresses jealousy over Face-of-god and the Bride, and leads the feast.
- Sun-beam
Engages in a deep emotional exchange with Face-of-god, revealing her conflicted feelings and her commitment to her people.
- Bow-may
Sings a duet with Wood-wont during the feast, contributing to the evening's entertainment.
- The Bride
Mentioned by Sun-beam as the one she has supplanted, highlighting the emotional tension.
Key passages
“These are of the kind that ye must cast fear into their hearts by falling on them; for if ye abide till they fall upon you, they are like the winter wolves that swarm on and on, how many soever ye slay.”
You must attack these enemies first to instill fear; if you wait for them to attack, they will keep coming no matter how many you kill.
Folk-might advises Face-of-god on the strategy against the Dusky Men.
“Yet time may amend it; and if not, there is the battle, and maybe the end. Now be we merry!”
Time might heal this, and if not, the battle may bring an end. Let's be cheerful now.
Folk-might tries to set aside his jealousy and focus on the feast.
“I have been seeking pleasant and cunning words, and can find none such. But tell me this if thou wilt: dost thou desire me as I desire thee?”
I've tried to find elegant words but can't. Just tell me: do you want me as much as I want you?
Face-of-god directly asks Sun-beam about her feelings.
“Let me see thee in the Folk-mote and the battle, and then may I answer thee.”
Let me see how you act in the assembly and in war, and then I can give you an answer.
Sun-beam asks Face-of-god to prove himself before she fully commits.