The Worm Ouroboros · Chapter
The Castle of Lord Juss explained
At Lord Juss's castle Galing, a festival is interrupted by an ambassador from King Gorice XI of Witchland, who delivers an insulting summons demanding the Demons' submission.
What happens
At Lord Juss's castle Galing, a festival is interrupted by an ambassador from King Gorice XI of Witchland, who delivers an insulting summons demanding the Demons' submission. The Demons, led by Juss, Spitfire, Goldry Bluszco, and Brandoch Daha, react with restrained fury and prepare to deliberate their response.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Hubris
Witchland's demand for homage and the Demons' fierce indignation highlight the pride of both sides.
Loyalty and Betrayal
The Witches are seen as false friends who now seek to attack the Demons after they defeated the Ghouls.
Characters to notice
- Lord Juss
Host of the festival, receives the Witchland ambassador with grave composure, leaning back in his high seat.
- Spitfire
Impetuous lord who nearly attacks the ambassador, restrained by Brandoch Daha; quaffs the wine cup in defiance.
- Goldry Bluszco
Brother of Juss, scornful of the ambassador, toys with his sword hilt, and comments on the ambassador's appearance.
- Brandoch Daha
Calmly intervenes to prevent violence, calls for censers to purify the chamber, speaks in a lazy mocking tone.
- Lord Zigg
Sits on the dais and makes mocking remarks about the ambassador's appearance.
- Gorice XI
King of Witchland who sent the insulting message demanding homage from Demonland.
Key passages
“And is it to be endured that Witchland should commission this slave to cast insults in our teeth, and this in our own castle?”
Spitfire expresses outrage that Witchland would send such a lowly messenger to insult them in their own home.
Spitfire's angry reaction to the ambassador's message.
“The Ambassador hath not ended his message, cousin, and thou hast frightened him. Have patience and spoil not the comedy.”
Brandoch Daha calms Spitfire, suggesting they hear the full message before responding.
Brandoch Daha's diplomatic intervention.
“I therefore summon and command you, Juss, Spitfire, and Goldry Bluszco, to make haste and come to me in Witchland in my fortress of Carcë, and there dutifully kiss my toe, in witness before all the world that I am your Lord and King, and rightful overlord of all Demonland.”
King Gorice demands the Demons submit to him as their sovereign.
The core insult of the ambassador's message.