Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, Book 3)
Chapter 38
by Mark, Lawrence,In Chapter 36 of *Emperor of Thorns*, Jorg reunites with Ibn Fayed, the Caliph of Liba, who offers him a seat of honor and discusses the looming threat posed by the “Builder-ghosts”—ancient remnants of a lost civilization. Ibn Fayed proposes an alliance to destroy these relics, fearing their potential to enslave or annihilate humanity. Jorg, however, remains skeptical, recalling his mentor Lundist’s wisdom about learning from history. The conversation shifts to the upcoming Congression, where Ibn Fayed expresses cautious support for Orrin of Arrow as a potential emperor, citing external threats from the Cerani Empire as motivation for unity.
Jorg spends a month in Liba, studying their culture and mathematics, though he finds little passion in the latter. During his stay, he retrieves the view-ring, a mysterious artifact linked to the Builders. One evening, while poring over equations, the ring unexpectedly activates, summoning the spectral image of Fexler Brews, a long-dead Builder. Their exchange is tense and philosophical, with Jorg questioning Fexler’s true nature—whether he is a mere prediction or a living entity. Fexler deflects, probing Jorg’s plans and subtly guiding him toward Vyene, hinting at the ring’s significance and the throne’s secrets.
Their dialogue delves into existential themes, with Jorg confronting his own trapped past and Fexler challenging his assumptions about life, death, and religion. Jorg mentions encounters with supernatural beings, like an angel, but Fexler dismisses these as misunderstandings of Builder technology. The conversation underscores the chapter’s central tension: the clash between ancient knowledge and human interpretation. Fexler’s cryptic advice and Jorg’s introspection reveal the deeper stakes of their world’s unraveling order.
The chapter closes with Jorg’s resolve to travel to Vyene, driven by fragmented memories and Fexler’s nudging. His journey symbolizes both a physical and metaphysical quest—to confront the empire’s fractured legacy and his own haunted history. The interplay of politics, ancient technology, and personal reckoning sets the stage for Jorg’s next steps, leaving readers with lingering questions about power, identity, and the ghosts of the past.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Ibn Fayed’s throne placement for Jorg, and what does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Ibn Fayed has a silver throne placed one step below his own dais for Jorg, symbolizing both honor and subordination. This careful positioning reflects their complex relationship—while Ibn Fayed acknowledges Jorg’s importance by granting him a privileged seat, he still maintains his superior status as Caliph. Their dialogue reveals mutual respect but also political tension, particularly when discussing Congression and the empire’s future. Ibn Fayed’s curiosity about Jorg’s plans (“Then you will join me?”) suggests he views Jorg as a potential ally, yet their differing perspectives on governance (e.g., Ibn Fayed favoring Orrin of Arrow) highlight underlying strategic divides.2. How does Jorg’s conversation with Fexler Brews explore themes of identity and growth?
Answer:
Jorg challenges Fexler’s claim to be the “true” Fexler Brews, arguing that a being defined by static data cannot grow or change—and thus isn’t truly alive. This mirrors Jorg’s own struggle with being trapped by past traumas (referenced as “passion plays” like the thorns and his father’s knife). Fexler’s retort (“Are you sure it’s me we’re talking about?”) forces Jorg to confront his own stagnation. The exchange underscores the chapter’s theme: identity requires evolution. Fexler, as a Builder-ghost, represents frozen history, while Jorg grapples with breaking free from his past to forge a new future.3. Analyze the symbolic role of the view-ring in this chapter. How does its reactivation advance the plot and themes?
Answer:
The view-ring, initially inert, becomes active when Jorg slams his book, symbolizing how disruption can awaken hidden forces. Its oscillations and Fexler’s sudden appearance tie into the chapter’s exploration of unpredictability versus control—key themes in Jorg’s world. The ring’s link to Vyene (“Control ring”) hints at its importance in accessing Builder power, foreshadowing Jorg’s journey to Congression. Additionally, its light (which casts no shadows) contrasts with the “ghosts” of the past, suggesting that Builder technology exists outside natural laws. This moment propels Jorg toward Vyene, advancing both plot and his reckoning with legacy.4. What does Ibn Fayed’s concern about the Cerani Empire reveal about the political landscape of the story?
Answer:
Ibn Fayed fears the Cerani Empire’s expansion, noting it could “swallow Liba whole” unless the Holy Empire unites under a strong emperor. This exposes the fragility of the current power structure: without centralized leadership, border regions like Liba are vulnerable. His support for Orrin of Arrow—a “good man”—reflects a pragmatic desire for stability over personal ambition. The tension between regional autonomy (Ibn Fayed’s “free hand” in the desert) and collective security underscores the novel’s larger conflict: can fractured societies survive external threats without sacrificing their independence?5. How does the chapter juxtapose “ghosts of the past” with the potential for progress?
Answer:
The “ghosts” (Builder remnants) represent both danger and knowledge. Ibn Fayed and Jorg debate destroying them to escape their influence, yet the mathema’s equations and Fexler’s appearance show these relics also hold the key to progress. Jorg’s study of mathmagicians highlights attempts to “recivilize” using Builder wisdom, while Fexler notes their technology was “written into machines”—a lost potential. The chapter balances fear of the past (e.g., Marco’s weapon) with its utility, mirroring Jorg’s internal conflict: can he leverage history without being consumed by it? This duality drives his decision to attend Congression, where past and future collide.
Quotes
1. “‘These are sorry times when the ghosts of our ancestors reach out to take our lives.’”
This opening statement by Ibn Fayed sets the chapter’s central theme of humanity grappling with the dangerous legacy of past civilizations. It introduces the conflict between present rulers and the lingering power of ancient “Builder” technologies.
2. “‘A wise man told me that history will not stop us repeating our mistakes, but will at least make us ashamed of doing so.’”
Jorg’s recollection of Lundist’s wisdom captures the novel’s philosophical tension between cyclical history and moral progress. The quote represents a rare moment of reflection for the typically ruthless protagonist.
3. “‘You can’t grow if you’re constantly defined by this collection of frozen moments that you keep returning to. And if you can’t grow, you’re not alive.’”
In this pivotal exchange with Fexler’s projection, Jorg articulates a profound insight about identity and growth that applies both to artificial intelligence and human psychology. The moment reveals unexpected self-awareness in the protagonist.
4. “‘Few among us concerned ourselves with religion. We had answers that didn’t require faith.’”
Fexler’s revelation about Builder society’s secular worldview creates striking contrast with the medieval-religious setting of the novel. This quote expands the story’s exploration of how advanced civilizations might differ fundamentally from our own.
5. “‘For a clever boy you can be very stupid, Jorg.’”
Fexler’s cutting remark, echoing an angel’s tone, underscores the chapter’s examination of knowledge versus wisdom. This moment highlights Jorg’s intellectual limitations despite his strategic brilliance, setting up future revelations about the nature of reality in the story’s world.