Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass Book 2)
Chapter 24
by J, Maas, SarahIn Chapter 24, Dorian ventures to visit Baba Yellowlegs, an aged witch, seeking answers about his mysterious magical affliction. Despite his apprehensions and the risk of revealing his identity, he offers gold in exchange for her knowledge, illustrating his desperation and willingness to bribe her for crucial information. The encounter takes place at the carnival during its midday break, emphasizing the clandestine nature of their meeting. Dorian’s curiosity is driven by his suspicions that there are hidden, forgotten powers still lingering, even if traditional magic has supposedly vanished from their world.
As the conversation unfolds, Baba Yellowlegs reveals her identity as the lastborn witch of the Witch Kingdom, hinting at her extraordinary age and long history. She discusses the origins of witches, their possible ties to Fae or Valg demons, and touches on the dark history of magic and its decline across the continent. Her cryptic responses suggest that the true reasons behind the disappearance of magic are complex and rooted in ancient curses or divine punishment, leaving Dorian with more questions than answers about the nature of the magical world.
Throughout their exchange, Baba Yellowlegs dismisses the idea that an individual could possess magic in the current era. She asserts that all magic has been eradicated and that even the Fae remain trapped in animal forms, suffering from the loss of their powers. Her blunt language and ominous tone underscore the grim reality that magic, once abundant, is now a thing of the past in their land. The possibility of any exceptions appears impossible, reinforcing the theme of a world irrevocably changed by divine or supernatural forces.
In the final part of the chapter, Dorian probes further into the potential existence of hidden or forbidden powers and the possibility of someone secretly possessing magic. Baba Yellowlegs offers a bleak perspective, suggesting that those who discover such powers would face severe consequences, such as execution. Her remarks hint at the tantalizing but dangerous nature of forbidden knowledge, emphasizing that the true cause of magic’s disappearance remains a mystery. Her dark, possibly age-extended eyes leave Dorian contemplating the deeper, perhaps darker, history behind the world’s current state, and the shadows of ancient conflicts that still linger beneath the surface.
FAQs
1. What motivates Dorian to seek out Baba Yellowlegs and ask her questions about magic, despite the risks involved?
Answer:
Dorian is driven by a desperate need to understand why he is plagued by magic, which suggests he is experiencing unexplained magical phenomena affecting him personally. His decision to seek Baba Yellowlegs, an old witch, indicates he believes she might hold crucial knowledge about the vanished magic and possibly help him find answers. The chapter reveals his willingness to risk being judged or even executed for his curiosity, highlighting his desperation and the importance of this knowledge to him. His motivation stems from a combination of fear, curiosity, and the hope that uncovering the truth could provide a solution or at least clarity regarding his condition.2. How does Baba Yellowlegs describe the current state of magic in the world, and what does her perspective reveal about her character and her worldview?
Answer:
Baba Yellowlegs states that “your kind of magic is gone,” implying that the magic most people believed in has vanished, though she mentions that other, forgotten powers still exist. She emphasizes that no one, including the Fae, can access their powers anymore, and even those who remain in animal forms are miserable. Her perspective suggests a deep cynicism and awareness of a lost era of power, reflecting her long lifespan and possibly bitter experiences. Her blunt, sarcastic tone and her comments about the gods cursing the land centuries earlier reveal her as a seasoned, somewhat jaded character who has witnessed the decline of magic and perhaps the decline of hope associated with it.3. Based on the chapter, what are the potential implications of the idea that “other, forgotten powers” still exist, and how might this influence the story’s development?
Answer:
The mention of “other, forgotten powers” hints at the possibility that magic might not be entirely eradicated, but only suppressed or lost to most. This opens the door for characters to explore or rediscover these powers, which could become pivotal in the story’s progression. If such powers are accessible, they could challenge the existing understanding of magic’s disappearance and potentially lead to new conflicts, alliances, or revelations. This idea suggests that the narrative might explore themes of hidden potential, ancient secrets, and the possibility of reclaiming lost strength, thereby shaping future plot developments and character arcs.4. What does Baba Yellowlegs’ response to Dorian’s inquiry about one person having magic suggest about the societal and magical rules in this world?
Answer:
Baba Yellowlegs’ firm statement that “there is no magic left anymore; even the surviving Fae can’t access their powers,” and her assertion that “one person could not be the exception,” indicate that magic’s disappearance is a widespread and absolute phenomenon. This suggests a society where magic is considered a closed chapter, and any claim of individual magic would be seen as foolish or dangerous, likely resulting in severe punishment (“asking for a hanging”). The rules imply that magic’s loss is a collective, universal event, and that deviations from this norm are not tolerated, reflecting a world where magic’s existence is tightly controlled and its loss has become a part of accepted reality.5. How does the chapter explore themes of history, secrecy, and the perception of power through Baba Yellowlegs’ character and her dialogue?
Answer:
Baba Yellowlegs’ character embodies the theme of secrecy and hidden knowledge. Her cryptic responses about the origins of magic, her mention of “powers that lordlings have no business knowing,” and her suggestion that the true reasons behind the vanishing of magic are buried in history, all highlight the idea that much of the world’s true history and power are concealed or lost. Her long life and her role as a witch imply she holds ancient secrets, and her attitude suggests that knowledge of the past and its connection to power is dangerous and deliberately obscured. This exploration underscores the idea that history is often manipulated or kept secret to maintain control and that understanding the true nature of power requires uncovering hidden truths.
Quotes
1. “Your kind of magic is gone, yes. But there are other, forgotten powers that work.”
This quote highlights the chapter’s exploration of the remnants of magic that persist despite its apparent absence, emphasizing that some powers remain hidden or lost to common knowledge. It sets the tone for the chapter’s inquiry into the nature of magic’s disappearance and the mysteries surrounding it.
2. “If someone discovered that they suddenly had magic …? Then they’d be a damn fool, and asking for a hanging.”
This statement underscores the danger and taboo associated with magic in the chapter’s world, illustrating the societal and divine consequences of wielding or even possessing unexpected magical abilities. It reflects the theme of forbidden knowledge and the risks involved in exploring magic’s secrets.
3. “We don’t know how or why magic vanished. I hear rumors every now and then that the power still exists on other continents, but not here.”
This quote encapsulates the central mystery of the chapter: the inexplicable disappearance of magic in this specific land, contrasting it with rumors of its survival elsewhere. It points to the chapter’s focus on the enigma of magic’s absence and the potential for its lingering existence beyond their understanding.
4. “The gods that cursed these lands ten years ago damned the witches centuries before that.”
This powerful line links divine punishment to historical conflicts, suggesting that the current state of magic and the land’s curse are the results of long-standing divine and mortal wars. It implies a deep-rooted history of violence and divine retribution shaping the present.
5. “Against his will, he found himself reaching for the ancient force slumbering inside him, wondering if it would somehow shield him from Yellowlegs the way it had from the shattering window. The thought made him queasy.”
This introspective moment reveals the protagonist’s internal struggle with the latent, forbidden power within him. It signifies the chapter’s underlying tension about the potential resurgence of magic and the inherent risks of tapping into ancient, possibly dangerous forces.