# The Induction explained — The Worm Ouroboros

> Chapter companion for The Worm Ouroboros by E. R. Eddison.

## What happens

Lessingham and his wife enjoy a peaceful evening in their home in Wastdale, reading from the saga of Njal and discussing the mysterious Lotus Room. After a walk on the fell-side, Lessingham sleeps alone in the Lotus Room, where he is awakened by a martlet that summons him to a journey. He rides a winged horse-chariot to a great island, guided by the martlet.

## Themes in this chapter

### Magic and Sorcery

Lessingham's journey is initiated by a talking martlet and a winged horse-chariot, blending dreamlike magic with reality.

### Fate and Prophecy

The reading of Njal's saga and the martlet's command 'Time is' suggest an inevitable, fated adventure.

## Character check-ins

### Lessingham

Protagonist of the induction, who is drawn into a magical journey from his home in Wastdale.

## Key lines

> He went out on the night of the Lord's day, when nine weeks were still to winter; he heard a great crash, so that he thought both heaven and earth shook.

On a Sunday night, nine weeks before winter, a man heard a tremendous crash that seemed to shake the world.

_This is a direct quote from the saga of Njal, read aloud by Lessingham's wife, foreshadowing the supernatural events to come._

> Time is.

The moment has come.

_The martlet's cryptic utterance signals the beginning of Lessingham's otherworldly journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/the-induction
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters