The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
XII: How Those Twain Get Them from Out of the Black Valley of the Greywethers explained
Birdalone and the Black Knight, having dined, debate whether to wake the Greywethers.
What happens
Birdalone and the Black Knight, having dined, debate whether to wake the Greywethers. Birdalone confesses her fear of the knight's desire and her determination to resist. The knight admits he wants her to stay longer. Birdalone decides to risk the waking, but they spot armed men in the dale. The Black Knight insists they flee, leading her through a narrow, treacherous cleft to escape, while Birdalone grieves for her lost friends at the Castle of the Quest.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone asserts her will against the Black Knight, refusing his advances and choosing to wake the Greywethers despite her fear.
Power and Sorcery
The Greywethers and the waking ritual represent supernatural forces; Birdalone carries a hidden weapon, asserting her own power.
Journey and Quest
Birdalone's escape through the Black Valley and the narrow cleft continues her perilous journey, fraught with danger and uncertainty.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Birdalone confesses her fear of the Black Knight's desire, decides to wake the Greywethers, then flees with him through a dangerous pass, grieving for her friends.
- The Black Knight
The Black Knight pressures Birdalone to wake the Greywethers, admits his desire for her, and leads her through a cleft to escape armed men, swearing to protect her.
Key passages
“My mind it was to wake the dale here tonight, and take what might befall me. And well indeed might I fear the adventure, which few, meseemeth, would not fear. But so strong is my longing for that which I would crave of these wights, that it overmastered my fear, and my purpose held when I entered the dale.”
Birdalone admits she intended to wake the Greywethers despite her fear, driven by a powerful longing.
Birdalone reveals her initial plan to the Black Knight.
“I shall now tell thee that I shall abide the adventure of the waking tonight, whatever befall.”
Birdalone declares she will stay and face the waking ritual, no matter the outcome.
Birdalone commits to the dangerous waking.
“Upon my soul and my salvation I swear it, that the men yonder be of the worst unfriends to thee that may be in the world.”
The Black Knight swears the armed men are Birdalone's worst enemies.
The Black Knight warns Birdalone of the approaching threat.