Serpent & Dove
Modraniht: Reid
by Mahurin, ShelbyThe chapter opens with Reid, the protagonist, being swept into a chaotic gathering of witches in a snowy courtyard. The atmosphere is frenetic, filled with women of all ages celebrating the pagan goddess. Reid is overwhelmed by the crowd’s energy and the pervasive scent of magic, feeling increasingly uneasy as he realizes these witches are here to celebrate Lou’s impending death. His internal conflict is palpable—where he once would have condemned them, he now feels a hollow pit in his stomach at their joy.
As the witches move toward a grand feast, Reid is dragged along by Elaina and Elinor, who eagerly introduce him to others. The revelry becomes unbearable, and Reid attempts to excuse himself, but Elaina insists he stay. The scene shifts to a vast, ancient hall adorned with icy vines and flickering candles, where the witches gather in anticipation. At the far end, Morgane le Blanc sits on a throne, with Lou suspended lifelessly beside her, her emaciated form displayed like a macabre trophy.
Reid’s rage erupts as he witnesses the mockery of Lou, his wife, but he forces himself to remain calm under Beau’s warning. The witches’ cruel remarks about Lou’s appearance fuel his anger, yet he suppresses it, repeating “not yet” to himself. Morgane then begins a ritualistic blessing, inciting the crowd into a fervent, almost fanatical response. Reid watches in dread, his alarm growing as he searches for Madame Labelle, whose absence adds to his unease.
The chapter culminates in Morgane’s dramatic descent from the dais, leading Lou’s floating body behind her as she recites a series of blessings. The witches respond with ecstatic devotion, their collective energy heightening the tension. Reid remains frozen, his emotions a volatile mix of fury and dread, as the ritual progresses. The scene leaves readers on edge, anticipating the confrontation to come and questioning Lou’s fate amidst the witches’ celebration.
FAQs
1. How does Reid’s perception of the witches change throughout the chapter, and what causes this shift?
Answer:
Reid begins the chapter with visceral discomfort among the witches, describing the scene as “madness” and reacting strongly to their pagan practices. However, his perspective shifts when he sees Lou displayed as a spectacle. The hollow pit in his stomach and explosive rage reveal his emotional connection to Lou, contrasting sharply with his earlier detached hostility. His internal repetition of “not yet” shows strategic restraint, indicating his priorities have changed from general witch-hunting to protecting his wife. The chapter traces his evolution from seeing witches as a monolithic threat to recognizing their cruelty toward someone he loves.2. Analyze how Morgane le Blanc uses ritual and symbolism to assert power over both Lou and the gathered witches.
Answer:
Morgane employs ritualistic theater to reinforce her authority. She positions Lou’s emaciated, floating body as a centerpiece—bowed backward to expose her scarred throat—mocking her vulnerability while symbolizing total control. The “Blessed be” call-and-response ritual unifies the witches in devotion while showcasing Morgane’s command. Each body part she blesses (feet, knees, womb) emphasizes traditional feminine power tropes, aligning her leadership with pagan goddess worship. The witches’ tearful, rapturous responses demonstrate how effectively these rituals cultivate collective ecstasy and obedience, contrasting with Reid’s silent fury at their complicity in Lou’s humiliation.3. What role does sensory imagery play in establishing the chapter’s tone and Reid’s psychological state?
Answer:
Sensory overload mirrors Reid’s escalating tension. Visual details like “thousands of flickering candles” and Lou’s “ashen” skin heighten the scene’s surreal horror. Tactile descriptions—being “swept into the courtyard,” hands gripping his coat—convey physical entrapment. The “undiluted stench of magic” and witches’ laughter assault his senses, reinforcing his alienation. These details transition from chaotic revelry (barefoot children shrieking, juniper crowns) to eerie stillness when Lou appears, mirroring Reid’s shift from discomfort to lethal focus. The contrast between festive smells (evergreens) and Lou’s decay underscores his emotional whiplash.4. How does the chapter use secondary characters like Elaina, Beau, and Ansel to amplify the central conflict?
Answer:
Elaina and Elinor embody the witches’ collective callousness—their giggling critiques of Lou’s appearance (“not as pretty,” “look how slender”) highlight the community’s dehumanization of Lou. Beau serves as Reid’s anchor, physically restraining him (“hands tightened”) and whispering cautions that ground the narrative in their mission’s stakes. Ansel’s silent presence (paired with Beau’s failed humor about “the wrong deity”) underscores the group’s isolation amid enemies. These interactions magnify Reid’s internal struggle between maintaining cover and reacting to Lou’s suffering, making the tension interpersonal rather than purely psychological.5. Evaluate how the chapter’s setting contributes to its themes of power and sacrifice.
Answer:
The castle’s juxtaposition of beauty and menace reflects the witches’ duality. The courtyard’s snowy chaos—a place of laughter and danger—mirrors Reid’s conflicting emotions. The hall’s “vaulted ceilings” and ice-glittered grandeur frame Morgane’s throne as both majestic and predatory, while the natural elements (vines, moss) invading stone walls symbolize witchcraft’s pervasive influence. Lou’s positioning between Morgane’s throne and the crowd literalizes her role as a sacrificial object, the space itself reinforcing power hierarchies. The setting’s blend of pagan vitality (candles, foliage) and gothic horror (Lou’s suspended body) visually manifests the chapter’s tension between celebration and violence.
Quotes
1. “There were witches everywhere. My breath caught as they swept me into the snowy courtyard. It was almost too crowded to walk.”
This opening line vividly sets the scene of overwhelming pagan energy and establishes the protagonist’s disorientation in a world that contrasts sharply with his beliefs. The sensory overload foreshadows the cultural clash central to the chapter.
2. “These women—with their pretty smiles and shining faces—wanted Lou dead. They were here to celebrate Lou’s death.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s internal conflict as he realizes the dark irony of the festive atmosphere. It highlights his growing empathy for Lou and the moral tension between his past convictions and current loyalties.
3. “There, on a throne of saplings, sat Morgane le Blanc. And beside her—eyes closed and limbs dangling—floated Lou.”
This pivotal moment reveals Lou’s tragic state as a ritual object, visually contrasting her former vitality with her current vulnerability. The imagery underscores Morgane’s power and the chapter’s central conflict.
4. “Rage unlike anything I’d ever felt exploded through me. They were making a mockery of her. Of my wife.”
This emotional climax shows the protagonist’s complete shift in perspective, where he now claims Lou as family against his former enemies. The raw protectiveness marks a key character transformation.
5. “Morgane stretched her arms wide and threw her head back, chest heaving. ‘And blessed be thy lips, that shalt utter the Sacred Name’”
The interrupted ritual chant demonstrates the chapter’s building tension between pagan celebration and impending confrontation. Morgane’s charismatic leadership contrasts with the protagonist’s silent fury, setting up the coming conflict.