A Darker Shade of Magic
Chapter 12: White Throne III
by Schwab, V. E.The chapter opens with a brutal scene in which Athos, the ruthless king of White London, whips a defiant sixteen-year-old boy named Beloc, who refused to bow during a public procession. Beloc is bound to a metal frame, his body bloodied but his spirit unbroken. Athos and his sister Astrid revel in the fear of their subjects, but Beloc’s quiet resistance sparks a dangerous defiance in the crowd. Athos, recognizing the threat of rebellion, decides to make an example of the boy, offering his mother a mocking compensation before having him violently abducted and brought to the palace.
Beloc is dragged before Athos’s throne, where the king taunts him before subjecting him to a torturous binding ritual. Athos uses a knife and enchanted ink to carve a spell into Beloc’s skin, stripping him of bodily autonomy while leaving his mind intact—a cruel punishment designed to force obedience while preserving his awareness. Beloc’s hatred burns as his body betrays him, compelled to obey Athos’s commands. The king takes perverse pleasure in the boy’s suffering, admiring his handiwork as Beloc struggles against the spell’s control.
The scene shifts when Holland, an Antari with a complex relationship to Athos, arrives. Though Holland feigns indifference, Athos sees through his facade, recognizing the anger and pain he tries to conceal. Their exchange is charged with tension, as Athos deliberately provokes Holland, reminding him of his own past suffering. Holland delivers news of an arriving guest, prompting Athos to leave Beloc temporarily, but not before asserting his dominance over both the boy and Holland.
The chapter concludes with Athos and Holland preparing to meet the mysterious guest, whom Astrid has already intercepted. Athos’s parting words to Holland reveal his manipulative nature, as he takes pleasure in the Antari’s hidden emotions. The chapter underscores Athos’s tyranny, his obsession with control, and the psychological games he plays with those around him, leaving Beloc’s fate—and the identity of the new arrival—unresolved.
FAQs
1. What methods does Athos use to assert his power and control over the people of White London, and how do these methods reflect his character?
Answer:
Athos employs psychological and physical terror to maintain dominance, as seen in his public punishment of Beloc for defiance. He first humiliates the boy by tossing a coin to his mother “for your loss,” then has him violently abducted and tortured. The binding spell—carved into Beloc’s skin—symbolizes Athos’s obsession with stripping autonomy while savoring his victims’ suffering. His theatrical cruelty (e.g., coiling the whip like “liquid silver,” whispering threats) reveals a sadistic, calculating nature. The chapter underscores his belief that defiance must be “ripped out at the roots,” illustrating his tyrannical worldview and need to dominate even emotions, as seen when he provokes Holland’s hidden anger.2. Analyze the significance of Beloc’s defiance and its impact on the crowd and Athos. How does this moment challenge Athos’s authority?
Answer:
Beloc’s refusal to bow fully—a subtle but public act—creates a “visceral ripple” of awe in the crowd, undermining Athos’s illusion of total control. This defiance is dangerous because it inspires others; the crowd’s “amazement bordering on approval” suggests latent resistance. Athos’s extreme response (torture, binding spells) reveals his insecurity: he cannot tolerate even symbolic dissent. The scene mirrors real-world tyranny, where small acts of rebellion expose systemic fragility. Beloc’s later declaration, “I don’t fear death,” further threatens Athos, who seeks to break his spirit rather than kill him, proving the king’s need to dominate minds, not just bodies.3. How does Holland’s interaction with Athos reveal the dynamics of their relationship and Holland’s hidden resistance?
Answer:
Holland’s apparent detachment (“distant surprise and disinterest”) masks suppressed defiance, which Athos deliberately provokes. Athos recognizes Holland’s “ruse” of numbness and takes pleasure in eliciting his pain, as seen when he taunts, “No one suffers as beautifully as you.” Their exchange—especially Athos gripping Holland’s face—reveals a power struggle: Holland’s obedience is performative, while Athos seeks to expose his vulnerability. The “anger” in Holland’s expression when provoked confirms his lingering resistance, contrasting with Beloc’s overt rebellion. This dynamic suggests Holland’s role as a coerced ally, whose true allegiance might shift under pressure.4. Interpret the symbolic meaning of the binding spell Athos carves into Beloc. What does this reveal about the magic system and Athos’s rule?
Answer:
The binding spell—etched with a blade and ink—represents Athos’s perversion of magic into a tool of subjugation. By leaving Beloc’s mind intact but controlling his body, Athos weaponizes autonomy, forcing him to “obey my will instead of yours.” The spell’s physicality (blood mingling with ink) mirrors the fusion of violence and artistry in Athos’s tyranny. This magic system reflects White London’s oppressive hierarchy: power is literalized through irreversible marks, stripping victims of agency. The public knowledge of Athos’s “prowess” for such spells also serves as psychological terror, deterring dissent through horrific examples.5. Contrast Athos’s and Astrid’s expressions of power in this chapter. How do their methods differ, and what might this foreshadow?
Answer:
While Athos engages in hands-on brutality (whipping, carving spells), Astrid observes with amusement, suggesting a more detached, strategic cruelty. Her implied threat—”before Astrid swallows our young guest whole”—hints at a predatory, possibly more chaotic style of control. Athos’s theatricality (e.g., the whip’s “liquid silver” imagery) contrasts with Astrid’s offscreen menace, foreshadowing potential conflict between their approaches. The difference is clearest in their treatment of the “young guest”: Athos delays to torture Beloc, while Astrid acts immediately, implying she may be more impulsive or hungry for power, setting up future rivalry.
Quotes
1. “The boy was sixteen, and he had not bowed.”
This opening line establishes the central conflict of the chapter - Beloc’s defiance against Athos’s tyrannical rule. It encapsulates the theme of resistance against oppression that drives the narrative forward.
2. “Athos had learned many lessons in the struggle for the White crown, and many more since taking it as his own, and he knew above all that defiance was like a weed, something to be ripped out at the roots.”
This quote reveals Athos’s philosophy of power and control, showing how he justifies his brutal methods of maintaining authority. It’s key to understanding his character and the political dynamics of White London.
3. “I’m going to let you keep your mind… So I can watch the war play in your eyes every time your body obeys my will instead of yours.”
This chilling statement demonstrates Athos’s particular brand of cruelty - his desire not just to control bodies but to break spirits. It highlights the psychological torture aspect of his binding spells.
4. “No one suffers as beautifully as you.”
This disturbing compliment to Holland reveals the twisted relationship between the two characters and Athos’s fascination with pain and control. It shows how cruelty has become aestheticized in this world.
5. “Before Astrid swallows our young guest whole.”
The chapter’s closing line creates anticipation for what comes next while reinforcing the predatory nature of the ruling class in White London. It suggests the cycle of violence and control will continue.