Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, Book 3)
Chapter 12
by Mark, Lawrence,The chapter opens with King Jorg and his entourage traveling through muddy terrain, accompanied by a large cavalry. The journey is made smoother by the army’s horses churning the road ahead, though the carriage’s exterior is caked in mud. Inside, the luxurious carriage contrasts with the discomfort of its occupants, including Bishop Gomst and Chamberlain Osser Gant, who share a cold. Jorg’s wife, Miana, pregnant and unprepared for the trip, expresses frustration at the lack of proper midwives, prompting Jorg to promise finding suitable replacements in Teutonia. His restlessness is evident as he prefers the open road to the confined carriage.
Jorg reflects on the journey’s route, which will take them through Gelleth and Attar, eventually reaching the River Danoob. The logistics of transporting horses and men complicate travel plans, as barges are impractical for their large party. Jorg’s thoughts drift to his uneasy relationship with Miana, questioning whether any man truly enjoys prolonged time with his wife. His guilt over his reluctance to stay with her is tempered by his preference for action and the outdoors. A brief interaction with Miana highlights their emotional distance, leaving Jorg feeling inadequate as a husband and king.
Riding alongside the carriage, Jorg’s mood darkens as rain falls. His companion, Makin, attempts lighthearted conversation, but Jorg responds with a grim analogy about autumn leaves representing death and poison. This leads Jorg to ponder whether aging men, like leaves, accumulate the world’s evils before dying. His thoughts wander to memories of Elin, a woman from his past, contrasting with his lack of attention to Miana’s eyes until now. The chapter underscores Jorg’s introspective yet cynical worldview, blending nature’s beauty with themes of mortality and regret.
The journey progresses as they cross into Attar, where the ruins of a fort serve as a reminder of past conflicts. Jorg notes the eerie presence of the Engine of Wrong in Nathal, which has rendered northern Attar a desolate wasteland. The chapter ends with the group traversing Attar’s vineyards, hinting at the region’s contrasts between fertility and decay. Jorg’s observations reveal his keen awareness of the land’s history and his own place within it, blending practicality with philosophical musings.
FAQs
1. How does the author use the imagery of autumn leaves to convey deeper themes about mortality and human nature?
Answer:
The chapter employs vivid autumn leaf imagery as a metaphor for human mortality and the accumulation of life’s “poisons.” Jorg describes how trees pump toxins into dying leaves, comparing the vibrant reds to “a man’s skin blotching with burst veins” from poison. This reflects his philosophical musing that aging humans similarly accumulate bitterness and evil before death. The passage suggests death serves a cleansing purpose for the world, preventing it from “choking on its own evils.” The beautiful yet morbid imagery underscores the novel’s recurring themes of mortality, corruption, and nature’s cycles.2. Analyze the dynamics between Jorg and Miana in this chapter. What does their interaction reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
The carriage scene reveals a strained yet pragmatic marriage. Jorg shows physical concern for Miana’s pregnancy (arranging for midwives) but emotional detachment, admitting he “just didn’t” want to spend weeks with her. Their dialogue features Miana’s pointed sarcasm (“Farmgirls skilled in delivering cows?”) and Jorg’s deflective humor. Notably, Jorg realizes he’s never noticed his wife’s eye color before—a telling detail about his emotional distance. The interaction suggests a political union rather than romantic attachment, with Jorg feeling guilt over his indifference but unable to authentically connect, even as Miana displays subtle disappointment.3. What strategic considerations influence Jorg’s travel route to Vyene, and how do they reflect the political landscape?
Answer:
Jorg’s route reveals complex geopolitical tensions. The overland journey avoids Teutonian waterways where barges might be attacked—Teutonia opposes western kingdoms uniting, and Jorg’s father had alliances there, making him a target. The Gilden Guard’s 300 horses make river transport impractical, but also serve as protection. The path through Attar (despite its northern wasteland from the “Engine of Wrong”) demonstrates imperial control (“empire pax”), while the ruined fort at the border symbolizes shifting power dynamics after Jorg’s past conquests. These logistics underscore the fragile peace maintained through military presence and strategic alliances.4. How does the narrative style in this chapter reflect Jorg’s character and worldview?
Answer:
The first-person narration drips with Jorg’s characteristic cynicism and dark humor. His description of mud-smeared roads as “nice” and recommendation to “have an army… smearing the road” showcases his practical yet sardonic perspective. Philosophical musings about poisoned leaves and aging men reveal his tendency to find morbid metaphors in nature. The abrupt shifts from crude observations (Gomst’s “snotting”) to poetic imagery (“leaves in moonlight”) mirror his unpredictable nature. Even his guilt over Miana is analyzed with clinical detachment, demonstrating his struggle between kingly duty and emotional authenticity.5. What foreshadowing or symbolic elements appear in the Attar border crossing scene?
Answer:
The ruined fort at Attar’s border serves as potent symbolism. Once built by Redmal’s grandfather to repel Gelleth, then destroyed by Merl Gellethar, it now houses Attar soldiers awed by Jorg’s forces—a physical manifestation of shifted power dynamics. The “Engine of Wrong” reference hints at lingering supernatural threats, with the northern wasteland suggesting corruption spreading from Nathal. This echoes earlier poison metaphors, implying political landscapes can become as toxic as physical ones. The Gilden Guard’s impressive passage foreshadows future confrontations, establishing Jorg’s military might while hinting at vulnerabilities in Teutonia.
Quotes
1. “Women aren’t expected to be reasonable when getting ready to squeeze out a child. I still had my own doubts about the whole process. It seemed as though it would be a tight fit and I was glad I didn’t have to do it.”
This quote captures Jorg’s characteristically blunt and darkly humorous perspective on pregnancy, revealing both his pragmatic detachment and underlying discomfort with emotional intimacy. It highlights the tension in his relationship with Miana.
2. “I wondered if any man would want to spend three weeks sat next to his wife. Would I feel any different if I’d chosen her? If she had chosen me? If it were Katherine beside me?”
This introspective moment shows Jorg questioning the nature of love and marriage, contrasting his political union with Miana against his lingering feelings for Katherine. It’s a rare vulnerable moment that reveals his emotional conflicts.
3. “I wondered if men were the world’s leaves. If as we aged the world filled us with its poisons so as old men, filled to the brim with the bitterest gall, we could fall into hell and take it all with us.”
This poetic metaphor demonstrates Jorg’s philosophical depth, connecting his earlier observation about autumn leaves to human mortality and the cycle of suffering. It reflects his dark worldview and preoccupation with death.
4. “A tree might stand at the centre of an old man’s world. Whenever I turned my own face to the centre though, I saw a woman. Most young men do.”
This concluding thought beautifully contrasts youthful passion with aged wisdom, showing how Jorg’s perspective remains fundamentally shaped by desire despite his cynical exterior. It encapsulates the chapter’s themes of love and mortality.