Till We Have Faces

Orual tells us that the preparations for her combat with Argan seemed endless. Despite Bardia’s misgivings, she insists on fighting while veiled. As she leaves the palace, Orual is reminded of the day that Psyche was sacrificed and wonders if she, too, is a kind of offering; is that what the god meant when he said that she will also be Psyche?

The lords of Glome think she will lose the fight, but the ordinary people are excited; win or lose, this will be a day of great entertainment for them. A bull is sacrificed to Ungit, and Orual and Argan promise to keep to their agreement.

The battle finally begins, and Trunia turns pale when he realizes that Orual is his champion. The men from Phars laugh at her, and Argan fights lazily at first, thinking that he will easily defeat her. Realizing Orual’s skill, however, he quickly begins to pay more attention. For Orual, the fight doesn’t seem real, and she soon kills Argan, wondering if killing someone for the first time is like losing your virginity.

She finds herself surrounded by people and feels overwhelmed; she longs for peace and solitude, but she must address the men of Phars.