Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary

Orual grows friendly with the homesick new Queen, who is quickly pregnant. Wailing as on the day her mother dies frightens Orual, and she rushes to the Bedchamber. The King emerges in a rage, demanding wine. He stabs the slave who brings it. He blasphemes Ungit to the Priest, who bravely says this will bring doom to his descendants, and again at being surrounded by girls. He assaults Orual and the Fox, whom he vows to send to the mines. Orual advises the Fox to flee, but he is too old and prefers honorable suicide, to be resolved into the elements. Orual points to his trembling as proof he believes in the gods and Those Below, which he says is his disgrace.

The arrival of messengers from Phars intervenes, and the Fox proves too valuable in negotiating a treaty to be...