The Confrontation with the Dragon of Pendor

A Wizard of Earthsea

Ged's battle and diplomatic victory over the dragon Yevaud, using the power of true names.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
The Dragon's ChallengeThe Dragon's Challenge
The Young Dragons The First Kills Ged sailed to Pendor and summoned the dragons. He killed five young dragons with binding spells, but the sixth forced him to transform into a dragon to fight. The Old Dragon Appears Yevaud, the great dragon, rose from the ruins. He was huge and ancient, and he tried to bargain with Ged, offering to tell him the shadow's name in exchange for leaving him alone.
The BargainThe Bargain
The Name of Power Ged's Gamble Ged refused the dragon's offer. Instead, he spoke Yevaud's true name, which he had guessed from old lore. The dragon was forced to obey. The Oath Ged made Yevaud swear by his name never to fly to the Archipelago. The dragon, enraged, agreed. He could not break the oath, and his threat was neutralized.
The AftermathThe Aftermath
The Victory without Bloodshed The Wisdom of Names Ged's victory was not through brute force, but through knowledge. This was a key lesson in the power of names. He left Pendor, and the dragon remained bound. The Celebration Ged returned to Low Torning as a hero. The song of the Sparrowhawk was sung. But Ged knew the shadow was still his real enemy.
the day of the battle
immediately after the dragon's appearance
after the oath, Ged's departure