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The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter

XIV: The Sending Boat Disappeareth from the Isle of Increase Unsought, and Birdalone Seeketh to Escape Thence by Swimming explained

Birdalone returns to the Isle of Increase Unsought, now a barren and poisoned waste, and finds the Sending Boat gone.

What happens

Birdalone returns to the Isle of Increase Unsought, now a barren and poisoned waste, and finds the Sending Boat gone. In despair, she strips off her armor and clothes, burns two hairs from Habundia's tress as a plea for help, then plunges into the lake to swim for her life.

Themes in this chapter

  • Female Agency and Autonomy

    Birdalone takes decisive action to escape the desolate isle by swimming, refusing to passively await death.

  • Journey and Quest

    Birdalone's quest continues as she faces a critical obstacle and must find a new way forward.

Characters to notice

  • Birdalone

    Returns to the desolate isle, loses the Sending Boat, and decides to swim away in desperation.

  • Habundia

    Invoked by Birdalone through the burning of hairs from the tress she gave her years ago.

Key passages

  • “this hideous land shall not mock my dying anguish; I will give myself to the water and let it do with me as it will.”

    Birdalone resolves to entrust herself to the lake rather than perish on the cursed isle.

    Demonstrates her defiance and willingness to risk everything.

  • “O wood-mother, if only thou couldst know of me and see me, thou wouldst help me!”

    Birdalone calls out to Habundia, hoping for supernatural aid.

    Shows her reliance on the bond with the wood-wife.

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