The Roots of the Mountains · Chapter
Of the Gate-Thing at Burgstead explained
The chapter describes the formal convening of the Gate-thing at Burgstead, where the Alderman Iron-face presides.
What happens
The chapter describes the formal convening of the Gate-thing at Burgstead, where the Alderman Iron-face presides. The community gathers to address recent attacks by mysterious foes, and Face-of-god reveals his encounter with the people of Shadowy Vale, who are also enemies of the same marauders. The dead bodies of the attackers are presented, and the assembly debates the nature of the threat.
Themes in this chapter
Community and Kinship
The gathering of the Dale at the Gate-thing demonstrates collective decision-making and mutual defense against external threats.
War and Liberation
The chapter focuses on the escalating conflict with the Dusky Men and the potential alliance with the folk of Shadowy Vale to liberate the region.
Honor and Oath-Keeping
The sacred peace of the Thing and the oath sworn by the assembly underscore the importance of honor and binding vows.
Characters to notice
- Face-of-god
Reveals his battle with the Dusky Men and his alliance with the folk of Shadowy Vale; stands forth to answer the Alderman's questions.
- Stone-face
Offers counsel on the nature of the foes, suggesting they may be trolls or men, and urges Face-of-god to speak.
- Iron-face
The Alderman who convenes and presides over the Gate-thing, questioning his sons and the witnesses.
- Hall-face
Testifies about the ambush in the wood, describing the attackers and the intervention of the wolf-like rescuers.
- Red-coat of Waterless
Arrives late to the Thing, asking for the tidings that prompted the summons.
Key passages
“Alderman,” said Stone-face, “and ye neighbours of the Dale, maybe these foes whom ye have met are not of the race of man, but are trolls and wood-wights.”
Stone-face suggests that the enemies might be supernatural beings like trolls or wood-wights rather than human.
Stone-face speculates on the nature of the attackers, reflecting the folk's uncertainty and fear.
“Said Face-of-god: “Yesterday I saw six others like to these both in array and of body, and three of them I slew, for we were in battle with them early in the morning.””
Face-of-god reports that he encountered and killed three of the same kind of foes the previous day.
Face-of-god confirms his direct involvement in the conflict, establishing his credibility.
“So that man arose and blew three great blasts that went bellowing about the towers and down the street, and beat back again from the face of the sheer rocks and up them and over into the wildwood.”
The warden blows the horn three times, its sound echoing through the towers, streets, cliffs, and into the wildwood.
The ritual horn-blast signals the formal opening of the Thing and spreads the call across the Dale.