Tales from Earthsea 2006

Storm and Dragon Duel Signal Balance Shifts

A violent storm capsizes the royal war galley in Enlad as two dragons duel above the clouds. One dragon falls in a final, fatal clash, suggesting a deep disruption of the world’s order. Royal wizard Root interprets the omen as a sign that balance has broken.

Wisdom Interprets the Threat to Balance

Root explains that the celestial duel reflects the world’s imbalance. The king lies ill and Arren’s fate grows tangled with the omen. The warning casts a shadow over the palace as rumors spread.

Arren Murders His Father

Transfixed by fear and anger, Arren murders his father, seizing the royal sword and fleeing the castle. The act shatters trust and triggers a desperate flight across the kingdom. The murder intensifies the world’s imbalance as the king’s illness deepens.

Desert Escape and Rescue

Arren wanders through a harsh desert where predatory wolves threaten him, but Sparrowhawk saves him from danger. The two form a wary alliance as they press on toward Hort Town. This marks the start of Arren’s journey toward responsibility.

Rescuing Therru and Lost Sword

On the road, Arren defies danger to rescue Therru from Hare’s predation. His triumph is short-lived when his sword is dumped into the sea, removing a crucial weapon from his grasp. Sparrowhawk’s intervention keeps them moving toward safety.

Sanctuary at Tenar’s Farm

Sparrowhawk leads Arren and Therru to a farm kept by his oldest friend, Tenar, where they find a measure of safety. The farm becomes a temporary sanctuary against the world’s threats. Bonds among the trio deepen as they settle in.

Cob’s Shadow and the Sealed Sword

Sparrowhawk’s defiance against Hare unsettles Hort Town’s ruler, the warlock Cob. To keep Arren’s sword from hostile hands, Sparrowhawk buys it from a merchant, concealing it from both sides as Cob’s influence grows. The threat of Cob looms over their fledgling alliance.

Arren Confesses and Is Captured

Back at the castle, Arren confesses to Therru that he killed his father and senses a strange, unseen presence trailing him. The presence feels like a malevolent double, driving him toward Cob’s fortress where he is captured. Cob’s domain marks the start of his manipulation.

Cob Forces Arren to Reveal His True Name

Cob manipulates Arren by forcing him to reveal his true name, Lebannen, giving Cob control over him. The revelation is used to strengthen Cob’s bid to upset the balance through immortality. Sparrowhawk and Tenar sense that Cob’s plans are gathering momentum.

Tenar Taken as Bait; Therru Frees Herself

To lure Sparrowhawk into Cob’s fortress, Hare captures Tenar as bait. Therru is bound but manages to free herself, reigniting hope for a rescue. Sparrowhawk’s resolve hardens as he returns to confront Cob.

Break-In and Discovery

In a daring assault, Sparrowhawk penetrates Cob’s fortress to rescue Tenar. He uncovers Cob’s plan to open a door between life and death in pursuit of immortality, revealing the depth of the threat. The rescue escalates the conflict toward its final confrontation.

Arren’s Dilemma: Kill Sparrowhawk

Cob dispatches Arren to kill Sparrowhawk, while Hare seizes the mage himself. The prince is pulled deeper into Cob’s web as the battle lines tighten. Arren must choose between loyalty, fear, and the chance for redemption.

The Light Within and Tehanu

Therru witnesses a second eerie copy of Arren and follows it into Cob’s domain. The light within Arren reveals his true name to Therru and explains Sparrowhawk’s and Tenar’s looming sunrise execution. Therru declares her own true name, Tehanu, and encourages Arren to reclaim his dignity.

Final Confrontation with Cob

Arren confronts Cob, drawing his sealed blade and severing Cob’s hand as Cob’s magic drains away. Cob ages rapidly and tries to escape with Therru to the highest tower. Therru reveals her dragon form and saves Arren in the struggle.