Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, Book 3)
Chapter 31
by Mark, Lawrence,The chapter opens with the protagonist engaging in a strategic board game called the game of twelve lines with Yusuf, a mathmagician whose analytical prowess unsettles him. As they play, the protagonist becomes increasingly aware that Yusuf and his associates may have predicted his every move, leaving him feeling trapped in a web of calculated probabilities. The tension escalates as he contemplates whether his actions—even drawing his dagger—are already anticipated, adding a layer of psychological intensity to the encounter.
Amid the game, the protagonist considers six possible courses of action, each reflecting the traits of different characters he knows, ranging from brute force to diplomacy. He decides to let chance guide him by rolling dice to select an option, hoping to disrupt the predictability of his behavior. The dice land on a diplomatic approach, frustrating him as he struggles to feign friendship with Yusuf. This moment highlights his internal conflict between his natural instincts and the need to outmaneuver his adversaries.
The scene shifts when the protagonist notices a commotion outside: a banker named Marco, besieged by children, struggling with his belongings. Seizing an opportunity to break free from Yusuf’s scrutiny, he intervenes, scattering the children and offering assistance. His attempt to charm Marco is awkward, revealing his discomfort with deception, yet he persists, hoping to forge an alliance or at least gain an advantage. The interaction underscores his adaptability and resourcefulness in unpredictable situations.
The chapter closes with the protagonist and Marco exchanging wary pleasantries, their mutual distrust palpable. Despite his reluctance, the protagonist commits to playing the role of a helpful friend, though his true intentions remain ambiguous. This encounter sets the stage for further intrigue, as the protagonist navigates a world where every move seems calculated, and trust is a dangerous gamble.
FAQs
1. How does the protagonist’s interaction with Yusuf reveal the theme of predetermination versus free will in this chapter?
Answer:
The game of twelve lines serves as a microcosm for the broader tension between fate and agency. Yusuf’s mathmagician skills symbolize calculated prediction—he anticipates moves “before I did what course I would take,” making the protagonist feel like “the subject of calculation.” This unnerving dynamic reflects the chapter’s central conflict: whether the protagonist’s actions are truly his own or already mapped by others’ equations. His internal monologue (“Did they know the hour when I might elect to slip away?”) underscores this existential dread, while his eventual decision to randomize choices (rolling dice for his “six options”) represents a rebellion against deterministic thinking.2. Analyze how the protagonist’s “list of six options” reflects his understanding of his companions’ personalities and strategies.
Answer:
Each option mirrors a companion’s core traits: Rike’s brute force (“slam his face into the table”), Makin’s diplomacy (“turn on the charm”), and Gorgoth’s protective instincts. The Father’s option highlights political pragmatism (“purchase loyalties”), while Gomst’s suggests passive faith. Sim’s choice reveals deceptive cunning—a trait the protagonist himself employs later with Marco. This list demonstrates his analytical mind; he doesn’t just consider actions but embodies others’ worldviews to escape predictability. The irony lies in his forced adoption of Makin’s approach (option #2 via dice roll), which clashes with his natural inclination toward violence (shown by his grip on the dagger).3. What significance does the introduction of Marco serve in the narrative, and how does the protagonist’s interaction with him subvert expectations?
Answer:
Marco’s arrival disrupts the tense game scenario, providing an unexpected avenue for the protagonist to practice “making a friend” as dictated by chance. The banker’s mistrust (“No… quick enough”) contrasts with the protagonist’s forced charm offensive, revealing his discomfort with genuine rapport-building. Their exchange—where the protagonist offers help “gratis” while Marco still treats him as hired help—creates dark comedy. This interaction subverts the “hero aids stranger” trope by highlighting transactional motives beneath pretended camaraderie. Marco’s description (“fish-belly scalp… talent for self-deception”) also mirrors the protagonist’s own manipulative nature, suggesting they’re more alike than either would admit.4. How does the author use sensory details and cultural references to establish the story’s setting and atmosphere?
Answer:
The chapter immerses readers through Moorish cultural touches like the “dark and bitter brews,” “game of twelve lines” (a variation of the real-world game senet), and Yusuf’s “java” versus the protagonist’s orange-blossom tea. The “white heat outside” and “sun-stained” faces evoke a North African setting, while the Keshaf ship at the quay hints at maritime trade routes. Tactile details—the “thin porcelain” cup, Marco’s “moist” gloved hand—ground the tension in physicality. Even the dice game’s terminology (“Alea iacta est,” Caesar’s famous phrase) layers European classical education over the Eastern setting, reflecting the protagonist’s cross-cultural position as an outsider.
Quotes
1. “Either way it unsettled me to find myself the subject of calculation.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s discomfort at realizing he is being strategically analyzed and predicted by his adversaries. It reflects the chapter’s central tension of psychological warfare and the unnerving power of mathematical prediction in conflict.
2. “If they all had Qalasadi’s skill I would not be surprised to find they had already written down the next words to come from my mouth.”
A powerful expression of paranoia and the extreme capabilities attributed to the mathmagicians. This quote illustrates the protagonist’s growing sense of being trapped in a web of premeditated strategies where even his thoughts feel anticipated.
3. “I reminded myself that even mathmagicians are fallible. They had meant to poison grandfather, and yet he lived.”
This moment represents a turning point where the protagonist regains agency by recognizing his enemies’ limitations. It’s significant as it shifts the power dynamic and foreshadows his subsequent actions to break free from their predictions.
4. “If I let the die choose, if I let chance decide among unlikely options, that might break the network of prediction that had me snared.”
This quote reveals the protagonist’s clever strategy to outmaneuver his opponents’ calculations by introducing randomness. It demonstrates the chapter’s exploration of free will versus determinism in a world of mathematical prophecy.
5. “I didn’t mention that none of those were Moorish, but I find hand gestures and a sharp edge go a long way toward cutting through misunderstanding.”
A characteristic and darkly humorous insight into the protagonist’s pragmatic worldview. This quote showcases his brutal practicality and adaptability in unfamiliar situations, while also revealing his deceptive nature.