# XII: The Knights and Their Fellows Betake Them to the Assaulting of the Red Hold explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

> Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

## What happens

The knights depart for the Red Hold, leaving the ladies behind in the Castle of the Quest. Viridis clings to Birdalone, who busies herself with embroidery and scribe-craft under Sir Leonard's tutelage. A week later, a messenger reports that the Red Hold has refused to yield and the host has besieged it, though no chieftains have been harmed yet.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Autonomy

Birdalone takes initiative in her needlework and scribe-craft, asserting her own pursuits despite the tension of waiting.

### Journey and Quest

The knights embark on the assault of the Red Hold, a key stage in the larger quest.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Takes up needlework and scribe-craft to pass the time; Viridis clings to her.

### Viridis

Weeps at the knights' departure, then clings to Birdalone and marvels at her embroidery.

### Atra

Pale and quaking when kissing Arthur goodbye, keeps to herself afterward.

### Aurea

Keeps to herself after the knights depart.

### Leonard

Hushed and abashed, fears to speak to Birdalone but resumes teaching her scribe-craft.

### Geoffrey of Lea

Left as captain of the castle, an old and wise man of war.

## Key lines

> On the morrow, when the day was yet young, the knights were ready for departure, and in the very gate they bade farewell to the ladies, who kissed them kindly one and all, and Viridis wept sore;

The next morning, the knights prepared to leave and said goodbye at the gate; all the ladies kissed them, and Viridis cried heavily.

_Depicts the emotional farewell as the knights set out._

> But as for Viridis, she waxed of better cheer after a while, but whatever betid she would not sunder herself from Birdalone; nay, not for an hour;

Viridis grew more cheerful after a time, but she refused to leave Birdalone's side, even for an hour.

_Highlights Viridis's clinging attachment to Birdalone._

> Thus wore a week, and at the end thereof came a messenger from the host and told how they had come before the Red Hold and had summoned them thereof to yield, which they had utterly denied to do, but defied the host;

A week passed, then a messenger arrived saying the host had reached the Red Hold and demanded its surrender, which was flatly refused with defiance.

_Reports the initial standoff at the Red Hold._

## Links

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