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The Harfang Trap

The Silver Chair

The offer of refuge at Harfang gradually reveals itself as a scheme to lure the travelers into a deadly feast.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
An Invitation on the BridgeAn Invitation on the Bridge from "The Silver Chair". Hospitality Offered The Lady’s promise The Lady of the Green Kirtle praises the gentle giants of Harfang.
Hospitality Offered The Lady’s promise The Lady of the Green Kirtle praises the gentle giants of Harfang. She promises warm rooms, baths, and a feast for the travelers. A concealed motive Her directions appear to solve the party’s hardship but pull it away from the ruins. The invitation exploits exhaustion rather than open force.
The Children AgreeThe Children Agree from "The Silver Chair". Rest Becomes the Goal Weariness narrows judgment Jill and Eustace imagine beds, hot food, and shelter as they continue north.
Rest Becomes the Goal Weariness narrows judgment Jill and Eustace imagine beds, hot food, and shelter as they continue north. Puddleglum doubts the offer but cannot persuade them to abandon it. A promise of secrecy The children agree not to reveal their origins or mission to the giants. Their choices now make escape harder if Harfang proves hostile.
The Autumn FeastThe Autumn Feast from "The Silver Chair". Guests for the Table A warm welcome The giants receive the travelers and provide food, baths, and rooms.
Guests for the Table A warm welcome The giants receive the travelers and provide food, baths, and rooms. Their apparent gentleness makes the castle feel safer than the exposed moor. A deadly custom A cookbook reveals that humans are traditionally served at the Autumn Feast. The hospitality was a means of preparing the travelers for slaughter.
Escape Through the KitchenEscape Through the Kitchen from "The Silver Chair". Flight from the Castle A small opening Jill discovers a scullery exit while pretending to be an eager, harmless guest.
Flight from the Castle A small opening Jill discovers a scullery exit while pretending to be an eager, harmless guest. The travelers wait until the giantess falls asleep and slip outside. Danger in the open They cross the visible slope as the hunting party returns and the hounds pursue. The escape depends on patience, nerve, and a narrow refuge under the ruined city.
The Feast ExposedThe Feast Exposed from "The Silver Chair". The Menu Confirms the Threat Human lives as food Jill reads the cookbook entry identifying humans as a traditional course.
The Menu Confirms the Threat Human lives as food Jill reads the cookbook entry identifying humans as a traditional course. The discovery turns vague unease into certain knowledge of the giants’ intention. A second warning The book also identifies Marsh-wiggles as food, making Puddleglum’s danger explicit. The travelers escape before the feast can consume them.
During the journey across the mountains
Immediately after the bridge encounter
The first evening at Harfang
The afternoon before the Autumn Feast
During the travelers’ escape from the hunters