The Worm Ouroboros · Chapter
The First Expedition to Impland explained
Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha return to Demonland after their disastrous embassy to Carcë.
What happens
Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha return to Demonland after their disastrous embassy to Carcë. Juss, grieving for his lost brother Goldry Bluszco, reveals that a true dream has instructed him to seek tidings of Goldry on the mountain Koshtra Belorn in Impland. Despite the temptation to immediately wage war on Witchland, Juss resolves to follow the dream. Brandoch Daha recalls a book given by King Gaslark, written by Lord Gro, which describes the routes to Impland and the Moruna. The Demon lords gather at Krothering, where Brandoch Daha reads from the book, confirming that the only way to Koshtra Belorn is across the Moruna from the Gulf of Muelva. The company resolves to undertake the expedition.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Brotherhood
Juss's unwavering determination to find his brother Goldry drives the expedition, and Brandoch Daha's loyalty leads him to join despite his own strategic doubts.
Fate and Prophecy
Juss's dream is presented as a true, hallowed vision that compels him to seek Koshtra Belorn, overriding immediate plans for revenge.
Loyalty and Betrayal
The book of Gro is discussed: Gro is a turncoat now allied with Witchland, yet Juss argues he is truthful in his scholarly work, highlighting the complexity of loyalty and knowledge.
Characters to notice
- Lord Juss
Returns home grieving for his brother Goldry; receives a true dream directing him to Koshtra Belorn; resolves to undertake the expedition despite the threat of Witchland.
- Brandoch Daha
Returns with Juss; questions the wisdom of the expedition but pledges to accompany Juss; produces the book of Gro detailing routes to Impland.
- Spitfire
Greets the returning lords at Lookinghaven; eager to set forth on the expedition; questions the reliability of Gro's book.
- Lady Mevrian
Present at Krothering during the council; shares a whispered exchange with Zigg admiring her brother Brandoch Daha; approves of Juss's understanding of Gro's character.
- Lord Zigg
Arrives at Krothering before sundown; whispers to Mevrian praising Brandoch Daha's prowess and beauty.
- Volle
Summoned by Juss to meet at Krothering; arrives in the night having ridden hard.
Key passages
“Mindest thou my shepherding of the Ghoul fleet into yonder jaws? I would not tell thee for shame whenas the fit was on me. But this is the first day since the sending came upon us that I have not wished in my heart that the Races of Kartadza had gulped me down also and given me one ending with the accursed Ghouls.”
Juss recalls his destruction of the Ghoul fleet in the sound and admits that until now he has wished he had died with them, but today he feels a change.
Juss reveals his deep despair following the loss of his brother and the events at Carcë, and his first glimmer of hope.
“Is thine heart utterly bent on this journey? Or is it not preposterous, and a thing to comfort our enemies, that we should thus at the bidding of a dream fly to far and perilous lands, rather than pay Witchland presently for the shame he hath done us?”
Brandoch Daha questions whether it is wise to pursue a dream instead of immediately attacking Witchland for their wrongs.
Brandoch Daha expresses strategic caution, weighing the urgency of revenge against the mysterious call of the dream.
“My bed is hallowed by spells of such a virtue that no naughty dream flown through the ivory gate nor no noisome wizardry hath power to trouble his sleep who sleepeth there. This dream is true.”
Juss asserts that his bed is protected by powerful magic, so the dream he received is genuine and not a deception.
Juss justifies his faith in the dream by citing the protective enchantments on his bed, ensuring its truthfulness.
