# VI: The Claws of Witchland explained — The Worm Ouroboros

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

## What happens

King Gaslark leads a night assault on Carcë with Juss and Brandoch Daha, but the attack fails due to poor reconnaissance and a counter-ambush by Corinius and Corund. The Goblins are routed, and Juss and Brandoch Daha are captured after a fierce stand, being netted and dragged into the fortress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Chivalry

Brandoch Daha and Juss display exceptional martial prowess and courage, fighting back-to-back against overwhelming odds.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Gaslark's rash decision leads to the Goblins' rout, while the Demons remain loyal to each other in battle.

### Revenge and Retribution

Gorice XII seeks vengeance on the Demons, viewing their capture as retribution for his sending against Goldry.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Juss

Leads the assault with Gaslark and Brandoch Daha; fights back-to-back with Brandoch Daha against overwhelming odds; captured and netted.

### Brandoch Daha

Fights valiantly, wounding Corinius and slaying many Witches; captured alongside Juss.

### King Gaslark

Commands the assault against Juss's advice; believed slain in the initial charge.

### Corinius

Leads the counter-ambush; wounded in the wrist by Brandoch Daha; later kicks the captured Brandoch Daha.

### Corund

Co-leads the Witchland forces; taunts Corinius; fights against the Demons.

### Gorice XII

Observes the battle from the walls; orders the Demons to be netted; gloats over their capture.

### Lord Gro

Stands with the King on the wall; identifies Juss and Brandoch Daha.

### Corsus

Carries out the King's order to net the Demons.

## Key lines

> So when the sun set and all the ways were darkened they muffled their oars and rowed silently to the low shore that showed strangely near in the darkness, yet ever seemed to flee and keep its distance as they rowed toward it.

At sunset, they muffled their oars and rowed silently toward a shore that seemed to recede as they approached.

_Describes the stealthy approach to the Witchland coast._

> Nor could one hope in one night's space to behold such deeds of derring-do as were done that night by Lord Brandoch Daha, that played his sword lightly as one handleth a willow wand; yet death sat on the point thereof.

Brandoch Daha's swordplay was so swift and deadly that eleven Witches were slain and fifteen wounded by him alone.

_Highlights Brandoch Daha's exceptional combat skill._

> The King said, 'So by degrees cometh my sending home to me. For by my art I have intelligence, albeit not certainly, that Goldry was taken by my sending; so have I my desire on him I hold most in hate.'

King Gorice XII believes his magical sending has captured Goldry, and now Juss and Brandoch Daha have fallen into his hands.

_Reveals the King's satisfaction with his sorcery's outcome._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/vi-the-claws-of-witchland
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters