Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass)
Chapter 9
by Maas, Sarah J.Elide Lochan is depicted as a desperate and exhausted fugitive, fleeing through the dense, labyrinthine Oakwald forest while being hunted. For three days, she has been relentlessly pursued, navigating an environment so thick and confusing that she loses track of her direction and her sense of time. Her physical state is dire—sleep-deprived, hungry, and wounded—yet her determination to escape remains strong. Her instinct is to backtrack and find safety, but the forest’s impenetrable nature and her own fatigue hinder her efforts, leaving her vulnerable and on the brink of despair as she struggles to maintain hope.
At her most vulnerable, Elide finds brief refuge by a stream, where she drinks deeply to replenish her strength. Her trembling hands and the loss of her knife symbolize her fragile state, both physically and emotionally. Just as she begins to hope for a moment of peace, she hears an ominous, unearthly howl that cuts through the forest, alerting her to the presence of something dangerous and unknown. The sound is unlike any she has heard before, evoking memories of past horrors and hinting at a dark, supernatural force closing in on her, heightening her fear and sense of imminent danger.
The narrative introduces Lorcan Salvaterre, a formidable and enigmatic figure who has been tracking Elide for days. His perception of her is complex; he senses a mixture of human vulnerability and a dark, otherworldly aura. Lorcan’s calm yet threatening demeanor contrasts sharply with Elide’s desperation. As he observes her, he recognizes her fear and her effort to hide her true nature, but he remains cautious. When she questions him, Lorcan warns her that continuing to ask questions will only lead to her death, revealing his ruthless nature and the lethal environment they inhabit.
As the threat of predators and supernatural beasts intensifies, Lorcan and Elide are forced into an uneasy alliance. Multiple packs of creatures, including wyverns, converge on their location, forcing them to flee in separate directions. Elide’s injured leg and her frantic escape demonstrate her resilience, while Lorcan’s strategic use of his powers underscores his dangerous prowess. The chapter culminates with Lorcan creating an invisible barrier to protect them, emphasizing the peril they face and hinting at deeper, darker magic at play. Both characters are caught in a deadly game of survival, each driven by secrets and motives yet bound by the immediate need to escape the relentless hunt.
FAQs
1. What circumstances lead Elide Lochan to feel she is being hunted, and how does her environment contribute to her sense of danger?
Answer:
Elide Lochan senses she is being hunted due to the relentless pursuit over three days through the dense, sprawling forest of Oakwald. Her constant movement, limited sleep, and minimal stops for food and water reflect her desperation to escape her pursuer. The environment, characterized by the thick, tangled woods and the inability to see the sun or stars, heightens her disorientation and fear. This setting isolates her, making it difficult to find safe refuge or determine her direction, amplifying her vulnerability and sense of impending danger.2. How does the chapter build suspense through the depiction of Elide’s encounter with her pursuer, and what techniques are used to convey her fear?
Answer:
The chapter heightens suspense through vivid, sensory descriptions of Elide’s frantic state—her trembling knife, her exhaustion, and her desperation for safety. The narrative employs auditory cues like howling and snarling sounds to signal the approaching threat, creating an atmosphere of imminent danger. The sudden appearance of the mysterious hunter, Lorcan Salvaterre, adds tension; his intimidating presence and cryptic warning escalate the peril. The use of silence after the howls, Elide’s trembling, and her instinct to hide or flee effectively immerse the reader in her fear, emphasizing her vulnerability and the unpredictability of her situation.3. In what ways does Lorcan Salvaterre’s character contrast with Elide Lochan, and what does this reveal about his role in the story?
Answer:
Lorcan Salvaterre is depicted as a towering, formidable figure with a commanding presence, contrasting sharply with Elide’s delicate, exhausted appearance. While Elide is vulnerable, injured, and desperate, Lorcan exudes confidence, strength, and a mysterious calm. His dark eyes and threatening demeanor suggest he is a seasoned hunter or warrior, capable of violence but also possibly harboring complex motives. This contrast highlights his role as both a protector and a threat—someone who may be hunting Elide but also potentially guiding or controlling her fate. It reveals that he is a pivotal figure whose intentions and actions will significantly influence the story’s direction.4. How does the chapter explore themes of survival and trust in the context of a dangerous pursuit?
Answer:
The chapter underscores the primal instinct for survival through Elide’s relentless flight and her instinctual reactions—drinking water, hiding, and fleeing from predators. Her physical exhaustion and mental strain illustrate the brutal reality of survival in a hostile environment. Trust is a central theme, as Elide must decide whether to trust Lorcan Salvaterre, a stranger who appears threatening yet may hold the key to her safety. The tension between self-reliance and reliance on others reflects the complex choices faced in perilous circumstances. The narrative suggests that survival often depends on quick judgment, instinct, and sometimes risking trust in uncertain allies.5. Based on the chapter’s events, what might be the significance of Lorcan’s decision to create an invisible barrier, and how could this action influence the story’s development?
Answer:
Lorcan’s choice to conjure an invisible barrier signifies his control over the environment and his readiness to confront or contain the threat. This act demonstrates his formidable magical power and strategic thinking in protecting himself and Elide from the approaching beasts. It also hints at his potential role as a protector or enforcer within the story. This action could influence the story’s development by shifting the power dynamics—either saving Elide from immediate danger or complicating her trust in him. It raises questions about his motives and the extent of his abilities, suggesting that his intervention will be pivotal in shaping subsequent events and Elide’s fate.
Quotes
1. “Elide Lochan knew she was being hunted.”
This opening line immediately establishes the chapter’s intense, perilous tone and introduces Elide as a character in imminent danger, setting the stage for her desperate struggle for survival.
2. “Her fingers closed on the cap as the first howl sounded through the forest. Elide blindly screwed the cap onto the canteen. Whatever it might be, it was closing in fast.”
This moment highlights her mounting tension and the urgency of her situation, emphasizing the threat that is rapidly approaching and her instinct to cling to survival tools amidst chaos.
3. “A warrior was crouched across the stream, a long, wicked knife balanced on his knee. His black eyes devoured her, his face harsh beneath equally dark, shoulder-length hair as he said in a voice like granite, ‘Unless you want to be lunch, girl, I suggest you come with me.’”
This quote introduces Lorcan Salvaterre, a pivotal figure, and underscores the tension between her vulnerability and the ominous authority of the pursuer, marking a key turning point in her encounter with danger.
4. “Her hoarse voice was low—not the sweet, high thing he’d expected from her delicate, fully curved frame. Low and cold and steady.”
This description reveals Elide’s resilience and inner strength despite her physical weakness, adding depth to her character and hinting at her unexpected toughness in dire circumstances.
5. “And they’d now both become someone else’s prey.”
This haunting thought encapsulates the chapter’s overarching theme of shifting predators and the unpredictable nature of danger, emphasizing that survival hinges on more than just physical endurance—it involves a constant battle of wits and fate.