Prince of Thorns
Chapter 22
by Mark, Lawrence,Jorg and Makin sit in The Falling Angel tavern, surrounded by their rowdy companions and the raucous atmosphere of Low Town. Makin, uneasy and abstaining from his ale, questions Jorg about his knowledge of Castle Red, a formidable stronghold built into a mountain. Jorg admits ignorance, prompting Makin to recount his past visit as a squire, describing the castle’s imposing walls and lavish throne room. The scene is chaotic, with Rike devouring a chicken and Brother Burlow stumbling by, but Makin’s tension hints at deeper concerns about the castle’s defenses.
Makin warns Jorg that attacking Castle Red would be suicidal, emphasizing its near-impregnable design: towering walls, iron doors, and extensive underground provisions. His grim tone contrasts with the tavern’s debauchery, as a whore named Sally interrupts, only to be dismissed abruptly. Makin’s focus remains on the castle’s strategic challenges, explaining that even ten thousand well-equipped men might take a year to conquer it. The whore’s failed seduction attempt underscores the gravity of their discussion, as Jorg remains fixated on the castle’s vulnerabilities.
Jorg probes further, asking how many men would be needed if they could find a secret entrance. Makin estimates nine hundred veteran garrison troops would still pose a significant threat, even with an open door. Meanwhile, Sally shifts her attention to Jorg, flattering him and offering to “teach” him, but he twists her wrist and pulls her close, unnerving her. The tavern’s chaos escalates as Rike and others brawl in the background, but Jorg’s cold demeanor and Makin’s warnings create a tense undercurrent.
In the final exchange, Jorg mockingly renames the whore “Katherine” and asserts control, mirroring his ruthless approach to the looming battle. His indifference to her fear reflects his broader recklessness, as he contemplates attacking Castle Red with only two hundred men and no clear plan. The chapter ends with a stark contrast between the tavern’s disorder and Jorg’s calculated menace, foreshadowing the deadly stakes of his ambition.
FAQs
1. What are the key strategic challenges Jorg faces regarding Castle Red, according to Makin’s assessment?
Answer:
Makin outlines several formidable challenges about Castle Red that make Jorg’s ambitions nearly suicidal. The castle is built into a mountain with towering walls, iron doors as thick as a sword’s length, and extensive underground provisions that could sustain a siege for years. The garrison consists of 900 seasoned veterans, as Lord Gellethar rotates fresh troops to the borders first. Makin estimates that even with 10,000 well-supplied men and siege engines, it might take a year to capture the castle—and that’s without interference from allies. With Jorg’s current force of only 200 men and no secret entry point, the odds are overwhelmingly against him (Makin’s dialogue about defenses, provisions, and garrison strength).2. How does the author use the character of Sally the whore to reveal aspects of Jorg’s personality and current mindset?
Answer:
Sally serves as a mirror for Jorg’s complex psychology. Initially, she tries to seduce Makin, displaying professional adaptability when rejected. When she turns her attention to Jorg, he manipulates the interaction—twisting her wrist and threatening her—while projecting his obsession with Katherine onto Sally (“Tonight we’ll call you Katherine”). This reveals Jorg’s capacity for cruelty, his fixation on Katherine, and his need for control in chaotic circumstances. The contrast between Sally’s dream-weed haze and Jorg’s calculating coldness underscores his detachment from human connection, using fear as a tool even in intimate encounters (Jorg’s physical coercion and psychological projection onto Sally).3. Analyze how the tavern’s chaotic atmosphere contrasts with the serious strategic discussion about Castle Red. What effect does this create?
Answer:
The Falling Angel tavern’s bedlam—Rike inhaling chicken, Brother Burlow staggering drunk, tables splintering from brawls—forms a visceral counterpoint to Makin’s grave warnings. This juxtaposition heightens the stakes: while the brothers revel in immediate gratification (gorging, whoring), Jorg and Makin confront existential threats. The chaos mirrors Jorg’s inner turmoil—outwardly composed but planning a near-impossible siege—while emphasizing the disconnect between his band’s brutish present and the calculated warfare required for Castle Red. The bard’s cracked voice struggling to be heard symbolizes how reason (Makin’s counsel) is drowned by both literal noise and the gang’s reckless culture (descriptions of tavern chaos intercut with siege dialogue).4. What does Makin’s behavior in this scene reveal about his role within Jorg’s band and their relationship dynamics?
Answer:
Makin acts as both advisor and foil to Jorg. His untouched ale and focus on lanterns suggest unease, while his detailed knowledge of Castle Red (from squire days) establishes him as the group’s strategic mind. His outburst (“Which son of a whore threw that?”) shows he’s not above the brothers’ roughness, yet his white-knuckled grip on the flagon when discussing the siege signals genuine fear. This tension—between Makin’s knightly background and current outlaw life—creates friction with Jorg, who dismisses his warnings. Their dynamic reflects Jorg’s leadership style: he values Makin’s counsel but ultimately prioritizes reckless ambition over prudence (Makin’s physical cues, siege details, and thrown-ale interruption).5. Evaluate how Jorg’s final line—”It seemed only right that somebody should be worried”—reflects his worldview and approach to leadership.
Answer:
This closing remark encapsulates Jorg’s fatalistic pragmatism and dark humor. Recognizing the hopelessness of attacking Castle Red with 200 men, he transfers his own unacknowledged anxiety onto Sally’s fear, using her as an emotional proxy. This reveals his tendency to externalize vulnerability—asserting control over others when facing uncontrollable odds. The line also underscores his nihilistic leadership: if he can’t guarantee survival, he’ll at least orchestrate the fear surrounding it. Unlike Makin, who visibly worries, Jorg converts apprehension into domination, a pattern that defines his rule over the brothers (Jorg’s manipulation of Sally juxtaposed with siege logistics).
Quotes
1. “It’s suicide, Jorg.”
This blunt statement from Makin captures the central tension of the chapter—Jorg’s reckless ambition versus the impossible odds of attacking Castle Red. It sets the stage for the strategic debate that follows.
2. “It’s built into a mountain. What shows above the rock are walls so high it hurts your neck to look up at the battlements.”
Makin’s vivid description emphasizes the impregnable nature of Castle Red, highlighting why Jorg’s plan seems so foolhardy. The imagery underscores the physical and symbolic power of the fortress.
3. “If you had ten thousand men…well supplied, and with siege machines…then you might have him in a year.”
This tactical assessment reveals the stark military reality Jorg faces. Makin’s expertise contrasts sharply with Jorg’s ambition, creating dramatic tension about whether the protagonist will listen to reason.
4. “Tonight we’ll call you Katherine, and you can show me how it works with girls.”
This disturbing moment reveals Jorg’s psychological complexity—his violent tendencies, his obsession with Katherine, and his willingness to use others as substitutes. It’s a chilling demonstration of his character.
5. “I had two hundred men and no secret door into the Castle Red. It seemed only right that somebody should be worried.”
Jorg’s darkly humorous conclusion perfectly encapsulates his fatalistic worldview and leadership style. The quote reveals both his self-awareness about the impossible odds and his determination to proceed anyway.