Prince of Thorns
Chapter 13: — Four years earlier
by Mark, Lawrence,The chapter opens with a violent confrontation in a dungeon, where the Nuban, a formidable prisoner, swiftly overpowers his captors, Berrec and Grebbin, using their own weapons against them. His brutal efficiency and lack of hesitation set the tone for the scene, while the reactions of other prisoners—cheering or screaming—highlight the chaos. Lundist, an older man, unexpectedly rushes toward the Nuban and the narrator, Jorg, instead of fleeing, revealing a sense of urgency and hidden strength. The Nuban’s physical dominance and Lundist’s composed demeanor create a stark contrast, foreshadowing their clash.
Jorg, the young narrator, aligns himself with the Nuban, sensing a kinship in the man’s wildness and the bonds he shares with his “road-brothers.” He demands the Nuban owe him a life in return for his freedom, hinting at a deeper vendetta. Lundist intervenes, attempting to dissuade Jorg from joining the outlaws, insisting their path is not for him. However, Jorg feels drawn to their raw power and purpose, rejecting Lundist’s warnings. The tension escalates as a massive prisoner, Brother Price, emerges and nearly kills Jorg before the Nuban intervenes, honoring his debt.
The Nuban’s authority among the prisoners becomes evident as he orders the release of the others, solidifying his leadership. Jorg, now standing beside him, reflects on Lundist’s fate—lying injured or dead—and feels only a faint echo of guilt. The scene underscores Jorg’s transformation from a sheltered boy to someone hardened by trauma, as he chooses the brutal world of the outlaws over the “soft lies” of his past. The imagery of fire and memory reinforces his irreversible departure from innocence.
The chapter closes with Jorg’s introspection, recalling the violent night that shattered his childhood and forced him into a harsher reality. He acknowledges that most people transition gradually into adulthood, but his own passage was abrupt and brutal. The Nuban and the outlaws represent a new family for Jorg, one forged in violence and survival, as he rejects his former life entirely. The chapter sets the stage for his journey ahead, marked by vengeance and a ruthless pursuit of power.
FAQs
1. How does the Nuban demonstrate his combat skills and strategic thinking during the dungeon confrontation?
Answer:
The Nuban showcases exceptional combat prowess and quick decision-making during the escape. Despite being manacled, he uses Berrec’s momentum against him, redirecting the poker to kill Grebbin. His efficiency is highlighted by his lack of hesitation—elbowing Berrec’s neck to incapacitate him and swiftly unpinning his restraints. The Nuban also demonstrates strategic foresight by demanding the release of his “road-brothers” and negotiating with Jorg. His actions reveal a blend of physical skill, adaptability, and leadership, as seen when he prevents Brother Price from killing Jorg, honoring his debt (e.g., “I owe him a life, Brother Price”).
2. Analyze the significance of Jorg’s decision to join the Nuban and his “road-brothers.” What does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Jorg’s insistence on joining the outlaws reflects his rejection of his former “soft” life and his attraction to raw power and freedom. He identifies with the Nuban’s wildness and the brotherhood’s ruthlessness, seeing them as kindred spirits (“all of it echoed in me”). His demand for a life in return (“You’ll give me a life, brother”) underscores his transactional worldview and hunger for vengeance. The chapter hints at Jorg’s traumatic past (the carriage attack) and his psychological shift—choosing violence and pragmatism over Lundist’s guidance. This marks a pivotal moment in his descent into ruthlessness.
3. Contrast Lundist and the Nuban’s approaches to protecting Jorg. What do their methods suggest about their roles in his life?
Answer:
Lundist represents traditional authority and moral guidance, physically intervening to stop Jorg (“This is not the way!”) and appealing to reason. His failure—being overpowered by Brother Price—symbolizes the collapse of Jorg’s old world. The Nuban, however, offers Jorg agency and alliance, respecting his choice to join them (“You come with the brothers now”). Their clash embodies Jorg’s internal conflict: Lundist’s paternal care versus the Nuban’s brutal mentorship. Lundist’s defeat (and possible death) foreshadows Jorg’s rejection of conventional morality in favor of the outlaws’ code.
4. How does the chapter use physical descriptions to emphasize power dynamics between characters? Provide examples.
Answer:
Descriptions heighten tension and hierarchy. The Nuban’s “heavy bone” and “slabs of muscle” contrast with Lundist’s “slender as a spear,” making their standoff visually unequal yet subverted by Lundist’s skill. Brother Price’s monstrous size (“hand could almost close around [Jorg’s] waist”) establishes immediate threat, while Jorg’s small stature underscores his vulnerability. The Nuban’s burns and scars hint at past trials, aligning with his resilience. These contrasts reinforce themes of dominance, survival, and the futility of judging strength by appearance alone.
5. Interpret Jorg’s reflection about the “doorway” he cannot return through. How does this metaphor connect to his arc in the chapter?
Answer:
The “doorway” symbolizes Jorg’s irreversible loss of innocence, violently severed by trauma (the carriage attack). Unlike most who transition gradually (“sniffing the air, torn and tentative”), Jorg was thrust into brutality, leaving his “child’s life” behind. His observation of Lundist’s fate (“blood pooling around his forehead”) and choice to join the outlaws confirm his embrace of this new reality. The metaphor underscores his transformation—once a boy “in the lie” of comfort, now a hardened survivor who sees power in ruthlessness and brotherhood in shared violence.
Quotes
1. “The Nuban moved fast, but it wasn’t his speed that impressed, it was his lack of hesitation.”
This opening line introduces the Nuban’s defining characteristic—decisive action—which becomes central to the chapter’s themes of survival and brotherhood. It sets the tone for the violent, pragmatic world the characters inhabit.
2. “‘You’ll give me a life, brother, or I’ll take yours as forfeit,’ I said.”
Jorg’s demand to the Nuban encapsulates the ruthless transactional nature of their relationship and the harsh code of honor among outlaws. This moment marks a turning point where Jorg asserts his agency and aligns himself with the road-brothers.
3. “‘You’ve no place with these men, Jorg. You can’t imagine the life they lead. They don’t have the answers you want.’”
Lundist’s plea represents the conflict between Jorg’s past (civilization, mentorship) and his chosen path (violence, brotherhood). The quote underscores the chapter’s exploration of identity and the irreversible choices that define us.
4. “I remembered a time when I lived in the lie… We all of us pass through that door, but we tend to exit of our own volition, and by degrees, sniffing the air, torn and tentative.”
Jorg’s reflection on his lost innocence is the chapter’s most philosophical passage. It universalizes his traumatic transition into brutality while contrasting it with ordinary, gradual coming-of-age experiences.
5. “‘The gods sent you, boy, to loose me from that table… You come with the brothers now. If we find the man you want dead, I kill him, maybe.’”
The Nuban’s ambiguous promise crystallizes the chapter’s central dynamic—a bond forged through violence and mutual need, yet fraught with uncertainty. It leaves Jorg’s future deliberately unresolved.