Hanter-broder

Hanter-broder is both a familiar destination in Prince James’s life and the point of departure for the shipwreck that shaped his return journey. Its connection to Serpent’s Pass makes travel from the island a recurring source of danger in the narrative.

Setting and Route

Hanter-broder lies near Hanter-hwor, with the ring of protruding rocks called Serpent’s Pass between them. The passage is difficult to navigate even in calm water; at night, in rain and rising seas, the rocks can become impossible to see. The book gives no further description of the island itself, defining it chiefly through this perilous route and Prince James’s visits there.

The Shipwreck

A fortnight before recounting the disaster, Prince James had been traveling home from Hanter-broder when a storm drove his ship straight into Serpent’s Pass. The vessel was smashed to pieces, and all its crew were lost. The account establishes the island as the departure point for a voyage that ended in catastrophic loss, though the supplied passage does not explain how Prince James survived.

A Personal Connection

Hanter-broder is not only associated with danger: Prince James says he has friends there and visits often. He considers returning to the island, particularly while his mother is with his uncle at the Halls of Healing. Galahad urges him to invite his friends to come to him instead of venturing out over the water alone. Prince James’s tears fall, but his gaze clears and he almost smiles, giving the island’s pull a personal dimension while underscoring the risks of reaching it by sea.