Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, Book 3)
Chapter 10
by Mark, Lawrence,The chapter opens with King Jorg reflecting on Hodd Town, a city he claims as his own despite its inferiority to other cities in his conquered territories. Unlike other places where the legacy of Prince Orrin of Arrow is revered, Hodd Town bears Jorg’s mark, having been brutally reclaimed during a rebellion. The townspeople enthusiastically greet Jorg and his Gilden Guard, though their cheers are more a reaction to novelty than genuine loyalty. Jorg proceeds to Lord Holland’s mansion, the grandest building in the city, where he is received with obsequious hospitality, though he remains dismissive of Holland’s attempts to impress him.
Upon entering Holland’s opulent guest chambers, Jorg and his companions—Makin and the formidable Gorgoth—remark on the excessive luxury. Jorg cynically observes that such decadence often comes at the expense of practical defenses. Gorgoth, a troll-like figure, is initially barred by Holland’s guards but is allowed entry after Jorg asserts his status. The group discusses the absurdity of their surroundings, with Gorgoth noting the fragility of the ornate furnishings compared to the rugged beauty of his mountain home. Jorg dismisses them to amuse themselves while he retires to the lavish bed, hinting at deeper thoughts he needs to ponder.
Alone, Jorg reflects on his decision to bring Gorgoth to the upcoming Congression, recognizing the troll’s value as an honest advisor who cannot be commanded. He muses on the rarity of such loyalty and the importance of having someone who will challenge him. To pass the time, Jorg plays chess, pondering the futility of the game in the face of the Builders’ advanced technology, which could outplay any human. The chess pieces become a metaphor for his broader existential concerns about power, control, and the limits of human ingenuity.
The chapter closes with Jorg succumbing to sleep, where he is drawn into a dream of the Tall Castle and memories of his father’s throne room. These visions, likely influenced by Katherine, evoke past traumas, including the death of his brother Galen and his fraught relationship with his father. The dream sequence underscores Jorg’s internal struggles, suggesting that even as a ruthless king, he remains haunted by unresolved pain and the weight of his choices. The chapter blends action, introspection, and symbolism, revealing Jorg’s complex character and the tensions between his outward dominance and inner vulnerabilities.
FAQs
1. How does Jorg’s perception of Hodd Town differ from the other cities in his domain, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Jorg views Hodd Town as uniquely “his” compared to other, more refined cities in his kingdom because he conquered it personally and brutally suppressed its rebellion (“painted the streets red”). This contrasts with cities where he is merely a distant ruler, symbolized by statues. His attachment stems from direct violence and control, revealing his preference for dominance through personal action rather than passive governance. The chapter highlights his cynical worldview—he values loyalty forged through fear (Hodd Town’s silence about Prince Orrin) over superficial admiration (other cities’ praise for Orrin’s “goodness”).
2. Analyze the significance of Gorgoth’s presence in Lord Holland’s mansion and Jorg’s declaration that he will attend Congression as “King Under the Mountain.”
Answer:
Gorgoth’s inclusion challenges social hierarchies—Holland’s guards initially bar him, but Jorg insists on his status, signaling that Gorgoth represents a legitimized power (the trolls). By declaring Gorgoth’s role at Congression, Jorg subverts traditional political norms, using the leucrota as both a strategic ally and a symbol of his unconventional rule. This also reflects Jorg’s appreciation for brutal honesty; Gorgoth’s independence (“I couldn’t order him”) makes him a rare voice of dissent in Jorg’s circle, underscoring Jorg’s awareness of his own flaws.
3. What does Jorg’s contemplation of the Builders’ chess-playing toys reveal about his philosophical outlook?
Answer:
Jorg’s musings on the Builders’ machines—which could effortlessly defeat humans at chess—reflect his existential tension between mastery and futility. He questions whether human effort matters if technology can surpass it (“any point remained in playing a game that toys could own”). This mirrors his broader struggle: he seeks power in a world where ancient, superior civilizations (the Builders) have fallen, suggesting his ambition is both defiant and haunted by inevitability. The chess pieces’ “satisfying click” contrasts with his unease, showing his attraction to control amid chaos.
4. How does the chapter portray the theme of memory, particularly through Jorg’s reflections on his “copper box” of forgotten pain?
Answer:
Jorg’s memory of the copper box (which held a suppressed trauma) illustrates his belief that even painful memories are foundational to identity. He rejects the idea of selective oblivion, arguing that “nothing can be cut away without loss.” This aligns with his later dream of Katherine forcing him to relive past horrors—he acknowledges that suffering shapes him. The box’s “whisper” symbolizes the inescapability of history, reinforcing Jorg’s view that power comes from confronting, not avoiding, darkness.
5. Evaluate the irony in Lord Holland’s lavish guest chambers and Jorg’s remark: “Decadence begins when the budget to beautify a man’s home exceeds the coin spent to ensure its defence.”
Answer:
Holland’s opulent rooms, filled with imported art and gilded ceilings, exemplify the excess Jorg critiques. His quip about “decadence” underscores a key tension: Holland prioritizes aesthetics over security, making him vulnerable despite his wealth. Yet Jorg himself indulges in the luxury (“sank into eiderdown”), revealing his hypocrisy. The scene contrasts Jorg’s warrior ethos with the complacency of nobles like Holland, but also hints that Jorg, despite his disdain, is not immune to corruption by power and comfort.
Quotes
1. “Hodd Town felt more mine. I had held it longer, taken it in person, painted the streets red when Jarco Renar raised it in rebellion.”
This quote captures Jorg’s brutal sense of ownership and connection to Hodd Town, contrasting it with the more refined cities he rules. It reveals his philosophy of power - that true control comes through personal conquest and violence rather than passive inheritance.
2. “Decadence begins when the budget to beautify a man’s home exceeds the coin spent to ensure its defence.”
A key insight into Jorg’s worldview, showing his pragmatic (and cynical) approach to power and priorities. This military-minded perspective reflects his constant awareness of threats and the fragility of luxury.
3. “Nothing can be cut away without loss. Even the worst of our memories is part of the foundation that keeps us in the world.”
This philosophical reflection represents a rare moment of vulnerability from Jorg, showing his hard-earned wisdom about trauma and identity. It’s a significant thematic statement about the inescapability of one’s past.
4. “Everyone needs somebody like that around sometimes.”
Referring to Gorgoth’s independence, this quote reveals Jorg’s surprising self-awareness about needing honest dissent. It shows his understanding of power’s corrupting influence and the value of having someone who can’t be commanded.