XXXIV: The Chieftains Take Counsel in the Hall of the Face explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• War and Liberation

  The council focuses on planning a war to liberate thralls and destroy the Dusky Men, highlighting the moral imperative and strategic necessity of the conflict.

• Honor and Oath-Keeping

  Face-of-god insists on fulfilling his promise to help the Wolf reclaim their own, and the chieftains deliberate with a sense of duty to protect their people.

• Community and Kinship

  The council includes leaders from both Burgdale and the Wolf, emphasizing unity and shared purpose in the face of a common enemy.

Characters to notice

• Face-of-god

  War-leader of Burgdale; argues for a cautious strategy but ultimately agrees to the single-stroke plan; emphasizes secrecy and the urgency of the threat.

• Folk-might

  Chieftain of the Wolf; insists on committing all forces to Silverdale, dismissing the idea of splitting the host; speaks from experience as a tried warrior.

• Iron-face

  Alderman of Burgdale; tests his son's resolve and supports the unified attack after hearing the arguments.

• Stone-face

  Foster-father of Face-of-god; supports Folk-might's plan, arguing the risk to Rosedale is manageable.

• Sun-beam

  Wise woman of the Wolf; advises leaving no able men behind and keeping all blades for the main stroke; praised by Iron-face for her hard thinking.

• Dale-warden

  Elder of the Dale-wardens; voices concern about the risk of leaving the Dale undefended but acknowledges the men's eagerness for war.

Key passages

• “thou hast spoken likes me well, and even so must it be done, saving that parting of our host and sending one part to fall upon Rosedale. I say, nay; let us put all our might into that one stroke on Silverdale, and then we are undone indeed if we fail; but so shall we be if we fail anywise; but if we win Silverdale, then shall Rosedale lie open before us.”

  Folk-might agrees with Face-of-god's overall plan but insists on not dividing the army; he argues that all forces should be concentrated on Silverdale, because if they lose there they are lost anyway, and victory there will make Rosedale easy to take.

  Folk-might advocates for a decisive, concentrated attack rather than a divided operation.

• “Meseemeth, War-leader, that there is nought much to dread in leaving Rosedale to itself for a while; for not only may we follow hard on the fleers if they flee to Rosedale, and be there no long time after them, before they have time to stir their host; but also after the overthrow we shall be free to send men back to Burgdale by way of Shadowy Vale. I deem that herein Folk-might hath the right of it.”

  Stone-face argues that leaving Rosedale temporarily unassailed is not risky, because they can pursue fleeing enemies quickly and later send troops back to Burgdale via Shadowy Vale, supporting Folk-might's position.

  Stone-face backs Folk-might's strategy, emphasizing speed and flexibility.

• “Yet one thing we must bear in mind, that all may not go smoothly in our day's work in Silverdale; so we must have force there to fall back on, in case we miss our stroke at first. Therefore, I say, send we no man to Rosedale, and leave we no able man-at-arms behind in the Burg, so that we have with us every blade that may be gathered.”

  Sun-beam warns that the attack on Silverdale might not succeed immediately, so they need all available fighters for the main battle, advising against leaving any able-bodied men behind or sending any to Rosedale.

  Sun-beam prioritizes overwhelming force for the primary target, accepting risk elsewhere.