The Worm Ouroboros · Chapter
Zora Rach Nam Psarrion explained
Lord Juss ascends the dread mountain Zora Rach to rescue his brother Goldry Bluszco, enduring illusions and horrors conjured by the powers of the place.
What happens
Lord Juss ascends the dread mountain Zora Rach to rescue his brother Goldry Bluszco, enduring illusions and horrors conjured by the powers of the place. He finds Goldry frozen and unresponsive, carries him down, and with Queen Sophonisba's aid, restores him with a kiss that breaks the enchantment.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Brotherhood
Juss's unwavering determination to rescue his brother Goldry, carrying him down the mountain and refusing to believe him dead.
Magic and Sorcery
The illusions and enchantments on Zora Rach, the frozen state of Goldry, and Queen Sophonisba's ritual kiss that restores him.
Characters to notice
- Lord Juss
Climbs Zora Rach, resists illusions, rescues and carries his brother Goldry down the mountain.
- Goldry Bluszco
Found frozen and unresponsive on the mountain; restored by Juss's kiss given on Queen Sophonisba's instruction.
- Queen Sophonisba
Provides ambrosia, instructs Juss on the final remedy, and kisses Juss to pass the restorative kiss to Goldry.
- Brandoch Daha
Waits with Spitfire and a boat at the appointed spot to meet Juss and Goldry.
- Spitfire
Waits with Brandoch Daha and a boat at the appointed spot to meet Juss and Goldry.
Key passages
“Well nigh had he clasped to his bosom that vision of dazzling loveliness. But fortune, or the high Gods, or his own soul’s might, woke yet again in his drugged brain remembrance of his purpose, so that he turned violently from that bait prepared for his destruction”
Juss nearly succumbs to a seductive illusion but resists, remembering his mission to save his brother.
Juss overcomes a temptation on the mountain.
“If thou be dead, said Juss, then am I dead with thee. But till then I’ll ne’er think thee dead.”
Juss refuses to accept his brother's apparent death, vowing to stay with him.
Juss's loyalty to Goldry.
“This give unto the lord thy brother. And Juss did so, kissing his dear brother in like manner on the mouth; and she said, Take him, dear my lords. And I have utterly put out the remembrance of these things from his heart.”
Queen Sophonisba instructs Juss to kiss Goldry, which breaks the enchantment and restores his memory.
The magical cure for Goldry's frozen state.