The Tale of the Castaway Royals

The story of the old man and woman on the nameless isle, exiles from the Kargad Empire, and their encounter with Ged.

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Shipwreck on the Sandbar

The Storm and the Crash Ged's Stranding Ged's boat was wrecked on a shoal during a storm. He barely made it to shore, crawling onto a sandbar. He found a small hut where two old people cowered in terror. The First Night Ged built up the fire and tried to communicate, but they spoke only Kargish. He learned they were afraid of him because he was a man, not because of magic. They were utterly isolated.

The Old Woman's Gift

The Silk Dress The Broken Ring The old woman showed Ged a child's dress of silk and pearls, embroidered with the symbol of the Kargish royal family. She also gave him a broken ring, a piece of jewelry. Ged realized they were exiled royalty. The Princess and Prince Ged guessed they had been cast away as children, perhaps a prince and princess, and had lived on the rock for decades. The old woman smiled sweetly, but the old man refused to leave.

The Healing of the Well

A Gift of Sweet Water The Charm Ged blessed the brackish well with a charm, making its water sweet and clear. He also built a new boat from driftwood and magic. The old couple refused to leave their isle. The Legacy Ged left them, and the well never failed. Later, the isle was charted as Springwater Isle. The old couple lived out their lives there, and the broken ring would later lead Ged to the Tombs of Atuan.

after the shadow tricked Ged onto the rocks, winter

the second day on the isle

the third day, before Ged's departure