The Kargish Raid on Ten Alders

The invasion of Gont by Kargish warriors, the defense of Ten Alders, and Ged's first heroic act.

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The Kargish Invasion of Gont

The Red-Sailed Ships The Burning of East Port Kargish longships attacked East Port, burning it, and then advanced up the Northward Vale, looting and destroying. The people of Ten Alders saw the smoke and prepared for the worst. The Village's Fear The villagers were not warlike; they were mostly farmers and goatherds. Some fled to the forests, others stayed to fight. Ged's father worked all night forging spearheads.

The Fog-Weaving Charm

The Mist of War Ged's Quick Thinking As the Kargs approached, Ged used a fogweaving spell combined with a concealment charm to hide the village in a thick mist. The Kargs became confused, chasing phantoms and falling off the High Fall cliff. The Victory The Kargs fled, and the village was saved. Ged's father, who had struck him earlier, now saw his son's power. But Ged collapsed, having spent his strength. The witch said he had overspent his power.

The Aftermath and Ogion's Coming

The Healer Ogion's Arrival Ged lay speechless and blind. The story of his feat spread, and Ogion the Silent came to heal him. He touched Ged's forehead and lips, and Ged recovered. Ogion asked to give Ged his true name at the Passage. The Naming On Ged's thirteenth birthday, Ogion gave him the name Ged. The witch and the father consented, and Ged left with Ogion. The Kargish threat was over for now, but the memory of the raid remained.

early in the story, when Ged was twelve

morning of the attack, at Ten Alders

five days after the battle