The Well at the World’s End · Chapter
XII: Ralph Falleth in with Friends and Rideth to Whitwall explained
Ralph, waiting at a ford, encounters a company of travelers including his eldest brother Blaise and Richard the Red.
What happens
Ralph, waiting at a ford, encounters a company of travelers including his eldest brother Blaise and Richard the Red. He joins them and learns of Blaise's successful trading ventures. They ride together to the prosperous town of Whitwall, where Ralph hopes to hear tidings of the Well at the World's End, though he conceals his deeper sorrows.
Themes in this chapter
Home and Wandering
Ralph, having left Upmeads secretly, meets his brother in an alien land, highlighting the tension between the pull of home and the call of the road.
Quest and Adventure
Ralph continues his quest for the Well at the World's End, hoping to hear tidings in Whitwall, while concealing his personal sorrows.
Characters to notice
- Ralph of Upmeads
Ralph encounters his brother Blaise and Richard the Red at a ford, joins their company, and rides with them to Whitwall, concealing his grief over the Lady.
- Blaise
Ralph's eldest brother, clad in a black coat welted with gold, riding a grey palfrey; he shares news of his successful trading ventures and invites Ralph to ride with him to Whitwall.
- Richard the Red
Richard is with Blaise, armed well and knightly; he expresses joy at seeing Ralph and fetches a horse for him to ride.
- Clement Chapman
Mentioned by Ralph as having staked gold on his luck, providing him with funds for his journey.
- Dame Katherine
Recalled fondly by Ralph as he remembers her kind face and the glad setting forth from Upmeads.
Key passages
“O happy day! when two of the Upmeads kindred meet thus in an alien land!”
What a joyful day it is to find a fellow Upmeads family member in a foreign place!
Blaise expresses his delight at encountering Ralph unexpectedly.
“Said I not, Lord Blaise, that this chick would be the hardest of all to keep under the coop?”
Didn't I tell you, Lord Blaise, that this young one would be the most difficult to keep confined?
Richard the Red remarks on Ralph's adventurous spirit, predicting he would not stay at home.
“I have had good hap in these days, though scarce kingly or knightly, for I have been buying and selling: what matter? few know Upmeads and its kings to wite me with fouling a fair name.”
I've been fortunate lately, though not in a noble or knightly way—I've been trading. But who cares? Hardly anyone in Upmeads knows me well enough to blame me for tarnishing the family name.
Blaise explains his mercantile pursuits, unconcerned about any loss of honor.