Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, Book 3)
Chapter 11
by Mark, Lawrence,The chapter opens with Jorg, the protagonist, being abruptly awakened by Makin in Lord Holland’s house, where he is staying. Still groggy and irritated, Jorg learns that his wife, Miana, has arrived. He quickly prepares to meet her, skipping his usual shaving routine, and heads to the blue room where Miana is waiting. She is accompanied by Marten, who is visibly injured, and a group of guards protecting a black coffer. Jorg embraces Miana, relieved to see her unharmed after a disturbing dream involving an assassin targeting her.
Jorg reveals that he saw the assassin in a dream, a white man sent by the Vatican or disguised as such, and recounts how Miana and Marten killed him. He speculates that the assassin’s use of dream-magic left him vulnerable to Jorg’s own latent abilities, possibly inherited from Sageous, a figure he previously defeated. Marten presents evidence from the assassin: a scroll, gold coins, and a papal seal ring. The scroll is a warrant for Miana’s death, which Jorg interprets as the Vatican’s retaliation for his past actions, particularly the sack of St Sebastian’s and the maiming of Bishop Murillo Ap Belpan.
The group turns their attention to the black coffer, which contains a vast amount of gold—two years’ worth of taxes from seven nations. Jorg proposes using the gold to build a cathedral as an act of contrition, a move he believes will force the Pope to attend its consecration. Miana, skeptical but diplomatic, sees the strategic value in this plan, while Makin and Marten are initially confused but defer to Jorg’s judgment. Jorg hints at darker intentions, suggesting he might confront the Pope directly, but Miana warns him against reckless actions.
The chapter concludes with Jorg announcing that Miana will accompany him as his advisor, despite her pregnancy, traveling in a guard wagon with Marten. Miana is initially resistant but eventually agrees, and the group prepares to depart Lord Holland’s mansion. The scene underscores Jorg’s cunning and the tension between his ruthless pragmatism and Miana’s more measured approach, setting the stage for their journey and the looming confrontation with the Vatican.
FAQs
1. What evidence suggests the assassin was genuinely sent by the Vatican, and what might be Jorg’s alternative theory about his origins?
Answer:
The assassin carried three key pieces of evidence: a papal warrant for Miana’s death, gold coins bearing the Vatican’s mark, and a signet ring with the papal seal (one bar short of a cardinal’s authority). Jorg acknowledges these could be forgeries but doubts it due to the extreme consequences for faking such items. His alternative theory is that someone may have framed the Vatican, as the assassin’s use of reckless dream-magic left vulnerabilities that allowed Jorg to witness the attack—a tactic he attributes to residual skills from killing Sageous, a dream-witch. This suggests the assassin might have been manipulated or impersonated to incite conflict.2. How does Jorg plan to resolve the conflict with the Vatican, and what strategic advantages does his solution offer?
Answer:
Jorg plans to build a cathedral using two years’ worth of taxes from seven nations as an “act of contrition” to appease the Vatican. This serves multiple strategic purposes: it buys a formal pardon for his past crimes (like maiming Bishop Murillo), exploits the Pope’s obligation to attend the consecration (giving Jorg direct access to her), and publicly demonstrates his piety to undermine further attacks. Notably, he frames this as diplomacy while privately harboring resentment, calling the Pope a “bitch” and hinting at unresolved tensions. The gold also symbolizes his power—he can afford such a gesture while others cannot.3. Analyze the dynamics between Jorg and Miana in this chapter. How does their interaction reveal their relationship and respective roles?
Answer:
Jorg and Miana’s interaction reveals a partnership blending affection, mutual respect, and political pragmatism. Jorg’s immediate embrace of Miana after his nightmare shows genuine concern, while her outrage over the Vatican’s warrant highlights her protective instincts for their unborn child. Their banter about her joining the journey (as an “advisor”) underscores her influence—she challenges him but ultimately aligns with his plans. Miana’s quick deduction about the cathedral proves her strategic acumen, and Jorg’s praise (“clever women”) acknowledges her as an equal. However, his omission of Katherine from his dream hints at lingering tensions, showing their relationship is strong but not without complexities.4. Why does Jorg dismiss the idea of using the gold to hire assassins or an army, and what does this reveal about his understanding of power?
Answer:
Jorg rejects hiring assassins or an army because brute force would escalate conflict with the Vatican and undermine his legitimacy. Instead, he chooses to build a cathedral—a symbolic and political tool—demonstrating his grasp of soft power. By appealing to tradition (the Pope’s attendance at consecrations) and displaying wealth, he positions himself as a ruler who can manipulate institutions rather than just wage war. This reflects his maturation: earlier in the series, he might have chosen violence, but now he combines intimidation with diplomacy, recognizing that lasting power requires both fear and perceived legitimacy.5. How does the chapter use sensory details and humor to characterize Jorg’s perspective and the story’s tone?
Answer:
The chapter blends grim stakes with dark humor and vivid sensory touches to reinforce Jorg’s cynical worldview. His grumpy awakening (“the new style” for not shaving) and playful evasion of Miana’s fists lighten the tension, while details like the “lurid blues” of Holland’s room or the warmth of Miana’s key add texture. Jorg’s sarcasm (“Praise the Lord for clever women”) and crude remark about the Pope (“bitch”) contrast with the gravity of assassination plots, creating a tone that is both brutal and irreverent. This duality mirrors Jorg’s character: he navigates deadly serious situations with a sharp wit that deflects vulnerability.
Quotes
1. “‘I saw the assassin,’ I said. ‘A white man, sent from the Vatican, or made to look as though he was. I saw you kill him. You and Marten both.’”
This quote reveals Jorg’s supernatural insight into the attack on Miana, hinting at his lingering connection to dream-magics after killing Sageous. It establishes the chapter’s central conflict with the Vatican while showcasing Jorg’s unsettling abilities.
2. “‘The church frowns on killing kings. It goes against their views on divine right. They’d rather slap my wrist and show me to be penitent. If that fails then perhaps I might die of an ague over the winter, but nothing so obvious as a warranted assassin.’”
Jorg’s cynical analysis of Vatican politics demonstrates his understanding of power dynamics. This quote frames his subsequent plan to build a cathedral as both a strategic maneuver and a rare moment of political subtlety from the typically violent protagonist.
3. “‘An act of contrition,’ Miana said. ‘Jorg is going to buy the most expensive pardon in history.’ […] ‘And of course the Pope is bound by tradition and duty to attend the consecration of any new cathedral.’”
These parallel statements reveal the dual nature of Jorg’s plan - surface-level repentance masking deeper intentions. The quotes capture the chapter’s turning point where gold transforms from potential war funding into a weapon of diplomacy (with implied threats), showcasing Jorg’s unconventional strategic thinking.
4. “‘Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll play nice. When she comes to see the new cathedral I’ve built for her I will thank her for coming. Only a madman would threaten the Pope. Even if she is a bitch.’”
This darkly humorous quote perfectly encapsulates Jorg’s character - outwardly compliant while dripping with menace. It foreshadows future conflict while demonstrating his complex relationship with both Miana and institutional power structures.