Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, Book 3)
Chapter 22
by Mark, Lawrence,The chapter follows the protagonist as he is led through the desolate Iberico Hills by the ghostly figure of Fexler Brews. The landscape is strewn with ancient, rusting remnants of Builder technology, some emitting strange sounds or displaying inexplicable functions. Despite the eerie surroundings, Fexler remains silent, guiding the protagonist through the harsh terrain until they reach a dead end. There, Fexler abruptly vanishes, leaving the protagonist to discover a hidden circular lid made of Builder-stone, which he laboriously uncovers to reveal a deep, smooth shaft descending into darkness.
Curious but cautious, the protagonist tests the shaft’s depth by dropping a rock and estimates it to be around forty feet. Despite concerns about infection from his wounds and the risk of getting trapped, he decides to descend using a makeshift rope. The climb is grueling, and his feverish state adds to the difficulty. As he lowers himself into the shaft, he braces against the walls, fearing the lid might seal him in. The descent leaves him battered, and he eventually drops the remaining distance, landing painfully in a dust-covered tunnel.
In the dim light, the protagonist assesses his injuries, including a piece of lantern glass embedded in his thigh. After lighting a lantern, he examines the tunnel, which resembles a sewer, and realizes the impossibility of climbing back up without assistance. The rope dangles far above, and his physical condition makes escape unlikely. The chapter ends with him contemplating his next move, resigned to exploring the tunnel despite the dangers.
The excerpt blends physical struggle with eerie, post-apocalyptic imagery, emphasizing the protagonist’s isolation and resilience. The mysterious Builder artifacts and Fexler’s cryptic guidance create a sense of unresolved tension, while the protagonist’s injuries and fever add a layer of vulnerability. The chapter sets the stage for further exploration of the underground tunnel, leaving the reader anticipating what lies ahead in the darkness.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the Builder artifacts in the Iberico Hills, and how do they affect the protagonist’s journey?
Answer:
The Builder artifacts in the Iberico Hills are remnants of an ancient, advanced civilization that contrast sharply with the protagonist’s medieval world. These rusting metal hulks exhibit mysterious properties—some emit painful sounds (like the buzzing machine that forces Fexler to vanish), while others produce hauntingly beautiful music (like the singing column). These encounters highlight the protagonist’s vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of the landscape. The artifacts also serve as plot devices, guiding him toward the hidden shaft, which likely holds deeper secrets about the Builders. Their stubborn resistance to decay (“refusing the elements century after century”) underscores the theme of lost technology and the protagonist’s quest to uncover its mysteries.
2. Analyze the protagonist’s physical and mental state during his journey. How do his injuries and fever impact his decision-making?
Answer:
The protagonist is severely compromised by his injuries (infected cuts, a festering arm wound) and fever, which amplify his fatigue and pain. His physical decline is evident in his clumsiness (“each action clumsy”), exaggerated reactions to minor pains (like stubbing his toe), and impaired judgment (e.g., risking descent into the shaft despite limited rope). The fever distorts his perception, making him shiver uncontrollably and fear irrational scenarios (like someone sealing the shaft lid). Yet, his grim determination persists—he pushes through pain to explore the shaft, showcasing his resilience. However, his condition also leads to near-disasters, such as his uncontrolled fall into the tunnel, highlighting how vulnerability humanizes this otherwise ruthless character.
3. What role does Fexler Brews’ ghost play in this chapter, and why might his guidance be unreliable?
Answer:
Fexler acts as a spectral guide, leading the protagonist through the hills without explanation. His ghostly nature—visible only through the viewing ring—suggests he is a projection or remnant of Builder technology rather than a true companion. His guidance is unreliable because he vanishes abruptly (e.g., at the buzzing machine or the shaft entrance) and refuses to answer questions (like about the watch-like machine). This ambiguity raises questions: Is Fexler a programmed guide with limited functions? A test designed to weed out the unworthy? His silence and disappearances force the protagonist to rely on his own resourcefulness, reinforcing the theme of isolation in the quest for knowledge.
4. Evaluate the protagonist’s descent into the shaft. What does this sequence reveal about his survival instincts and preparedness?
Answer:
The descent is a mix of recklessness and calculated risk. The protagonist demonstrates survival instincts by testing the shaft’s depth with a rock, improvising a rope anchor, and conserving his lantern for the bottom. However, his fever and injuries undermine his preparedness—he underestimates the climb’s difficulty and falls, resulting in further harm. His decision to proceed despite inadequate rope reflects his desperation or curiosity overriding caution. The sequence also reveals his adaptability: after falling, he quickly assesses his injuries and lights the lantern to orient himself. This duality—impulsive yet resourceful—captures his character’s complexity and the harsh realities of his journey.
5. How does the chapter use sensory details to create atmosphere? Provide examples of how sight, sound, and touch immerse the reader in the setting.
Answer:
The chapter immerses readers through vivid sensory details:- Sight: The “bone-white” hills, “rusting hulks” stained with “trickled green” corrosion, and the “bright crescent of sky” in the shaft create a stark, sun-blasted landscape.
- Sound: The machines’ noises—a “high whine that hurt [his] teeth” and the column’s “voice of staggering beauty”—contrast unnatural technology with natural silence.
- Touch: Physical discomfort is palpable, from the “nagging ache” of infected wounds to the “banged-up knees” after the fall. The “inch or so of dust” cushioning his head adds tactile realism.
These details heighten tension and emphasize the protagonist’s visceral, often painful experience, making the world feel tangible and unforgiving.
- Sight: The “bone-white” hills, “rusting hulks” stained with “trickled green” corrosion, and the “bright crescent of sky” in the shaft create a stark, sun-blasted landscape.
Quotes
1. “We passed one that buzzed, a high whine that hurt my teeth, and Fexler vanished until it lay well behind me. In another place a leaning metal column, half-buried, or maybe nine-tenths buried, sang in a voice of staggering beauty and a language unknown to me.”
This quote captures the eerie, post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the Builder ruins, juxtaposing unsettling mechanical sounds with moments of unexpected beauty. It highlights the protagonist’s journey through a landscape where ancient technology feels both alien and awe-inspiring.
2. “It’s not something I could resist doing even if I had no reason for it. The pause before the distant clatter told me that I didn’t want to follow the rock.”
This moment reveals the protagonist’s recklessness and curiosity, even in dangerous situations. The act of dropping a rock into the dark shaft serves as both a practical test and a metaphor for his tendency to provoke unknown consequences.
3. “When a decision is inevitable you may as well take it as quick as possible so that you still have something left to deal with whatever consequences may arise.”
This philosophical reflection during the protagonist’s perilous descent demonstrates his pragmatic survival mentality. It encapsulates a key aspect of his character - facing unavoidable dangers head-on rather than hesitating.
4. “I dropped, doing my best to swing my feet below me. The effort proved a partial success and ended with bruised heels, banged-up knees, elbows slammed to the ground, and finally the side of my head fetching up against the floor.”
This visceral description of the protagonist’s painful fall emphasizes the physical toll of his journey. The raw, unglamorous reality of exploration contrasts with typical heroic narratives, reinforcing the story’s gritty tone.