XXIII: The Weird Begun of Ishnain Nemartra explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Loyalty and Betrayal

  The Witchland lords show fractured loyalty, with Corinius accusing Laxus and Heming of self-interest, while Gro struggles with his inner conflicts and loyalty to Witchland.

• Pride and Hubris

  Corinius's pride drives him to insist on taking Krothering despite strategic advice, and his hubris leads him to insult his fellow lords, nearly causing a rift.

• War and Conquest

  The chapter focuses on the military campaign in Demonland, with the siege of Krothering as a key objective and the debate over the best strategy for conquest.

Characters to notice

• Corinius

  Leads the Witchland army in the siege of Krothering, insists on taking the castle against the advice of his peers, and ultimately accepts Mevrian's surrender.

• Laxus

  Advises Corinius to abandon the siege and seek out the main Demonland forces, criticizes the focus on Krothering as a waste of time.

• Heming

  Supports Laxus's counsel, is struck by Corinius during the argument, and warns Corinius against insulting Queen Prezmyra.

• Lord Gro

  Attempts to mediate the conflict between Corinius and the others, agrees with Laxus's strategy, and is deeply troubled by Corinius's insults regarding Queen Prezmyra.

• Lady Mevrian

  Defends Krothering against the Witchland assaults, initially refuses Corinius's demand to yield, but ultimately surrenders under terms that protect her people and the castle.

• Cargo

  Fights alongside Heming in the assault on the main gates of Krothering.

• Astar

  One of Mevrian's defenders who would have remained as a prisoner but is forced to depart by Corinius's threat.

• Ravnor

  Another of Mevrian's defenders who is compelled to leave Krothering under Corinius's ultimatum.

Key passages

• “How say ye? Or what rede shall we take? They be few only within to man the walls; and great shame it is to us and to all Witchland if we get not this hold taken, so many as we be here gone up against it, and so great captains.”

  Corinius asks his fellow lords for their advice, noting that the defenders are few and it would be shameful if they failed to take the castle with their large force and experienced leaders.

  Corinius opens the council, emphasizing the urgency and potential disgrace of failing to capture Krothering.

• “Thou madest a mighty victory on Switchwater Way; which had we followed up, pushing home the sword of our advantage till the hilts came clap against the breastplate of our adversary, we might now have exterminated from the land the whole nest of them, Spitfire, Zigg, and Volle.”

  Laxus argues that after their victory at Switchwater Way, they should have pressed their advantage to destroy the remaining Demonland leaders instead of besieging Krothering.

  Laxus criticizes Corinius's strategy, suggesting that the siege was a missed opportunity to eliminate the enemy's leadership.

• “Abiding here by Krothering, we fare as idle cooks toying with sweetmeats while the roast spoils. We should seek out power and destroy it where still it fareth free, lest it swell again to a growth may danger us.”

  Gro compares their siege of Krothering to cooks wasting time on sweets while the main meal burns, urging them to seek out and destroy the remaining free enemy forces before they regroup.

  Gro supports Laxus's view, using a metaphor to argue for a more strategic approach.

• “I am schooled to bear with it for Witchland's sake and until thine own venom choke thee. But this shalt thou not do whiles I live, thou or any other: to let thy bawdy tongue meddle with Queen Prezmyra's name.”

  Gro warns Corinius that he will tolerate insults for the sake of Witchland, but will not allow anyone to speak disrespectfully of Queen Prezmyra.

  Gro draws a line at Corinius's insult to Queen Prezmyra, showing his loyalty to her despite his tolerance of other slights.