A new beginning, a strange place, a cold isolation...
Summary[]
Arthur wakes up in the cabin with a voice in his head. Arthur explains to the entity, who he refers to as Yellow, how he came to be. Through a series of threats and manipulations, they leave the cabin and find an abandoned lantern in the snow surrounded by blood. In the nearby town, they find an inn called the Red Right Hand. Arthur orders a pint and a room. Whatever is in the pint quickly causes Arthur to grow dizzy and delirious. The customers at the inn start to participate in a strange dance, captivating Yellow. Arthur makes a scene at the bar by laughing and retreats to his room upstairs. Collapsing on the bed, he and Yellow share a brief conversation about humanity and the importance of hope.
Synopsis[]
Inside Arthur’s head, an entity makes himself known and tries to manipulate Arthur to his own ends. Arthur immediately calls out the entity on his lies, revealing his true identity as the fractured piece of the King in Yellow. He also gives a brief synopsis of his adventure with John, from reading the book to his deal with Kayne. Arthur asks if any of this seems familiar, the entity replies in the negative.
Arthur says he needs the entity’s help if they want to survive and notes his healed leg. Frustrated at the lopsided nature of the deal, Arthur starts to grow hostile. The entity responds by threatening Arthur, upon which Arthur withdraws ‘the Glass of the Cana’ (the Glass of Leng) from their bag and says that he can use this to send the entity to the Dark World. Beaten down, the entity agrees to explore the cabin.
They briefly discuss why Arthur brought the entity back, with the entity refusing to believe a mortal was capable of such things. Arthur initially says that he refuses to return the entity, given the name Yellow, because he owes his friend to save him. When Yellow refuses saving, Arthur amends the promise that if Yellow helps him find Anna Stanczyk, he will send Yellow back.
While investigating the cabin, they find a letter associated with the Larson Mining Company. The note itself reads ‘Leaving now, sorry Mum’. As Arthur discusses what the letter might mean, he also reveals himself to be a former investigator. Realizing that they’ll need to head out in the cold, they endeavor to find some clothes. Arthur changes; Yellow taunts both Arthur’s wooden finger and his starved appearance.
They continue investigating. Together, they briefly discuss the nature of weakness: Arthur says that weakness is thinking that power makes one valuable, whereas Yellow believes that weakness is needing someone for no reason than who they are. Yellow also calls John weak, to Arthur’s growing frustration. In the desk, they find a note containing the name ‘Jack Larson’, and some money.
Outside, Yellow sees some distant light. Rather than risk being found in the cabin, they decide to leave. Concerned about wolves and other threats, they take the gun and the ammo.
Before they leave, Yellow wonders aloud whether John was manipulating Arthur the entire while. Arthur erupts, saying that if Yellow really wants to get what he wants, he should start working with Arthur rather than arguing with him. Yellow seems to agree, pointing out snowshoes by the door.
Outside, they find a still-lit lantern, abandoned in the snow, along with some tracks leading to the forest. Yellow also spots frozen blood arcing around the area, signs that someone was dragged, and wide, star-shaped tracks. As the two start to argue again, Yellow admits that he can only recall fragments of his time as the King. Before Arthur can ask why Yellow then wants to return, they hear wolves howl, frightening Yellow.
As the wolves approach, Arthur asks why Yellow won’t even hear him out when he tries to help. Yellow responds that he’s being held prisoner. Interrupted by wolves again, Yellow commands Arthur to run, and he does.
They flee, leaving behind the lantern. Arthur shoots the rifle and scares them off. As they recover, Arthur apologies to Yellow for being unfair. The wolves approach again; instead of heading back to the cabin, they follow another light. They find a building with three dead wolves hanging out front: the Red Right Hand tavern.
They enter. Arthur wants to inform them about what they found in the snow, and Yellow asks why they ought to care. Inside the tavern, they find nearly thirty large men who looked related, all of whom are staring at Arthur. Arthur stumbles out a greeting and goes to the bar. He awkwardly tries to explain what they saw. The bartender does not react. Per the bartender and Yellow’s urging, Arthur orders a drink that tastes of motor oil and salt.
The drink immediately affects Arthur, making him disoriented and dizzy. He talks aloud to Yellow loudly about the piano, and the patrons start demanding that someone play the piano. Someone steps up and begins to play. The other patrons engage in a strange dance; in Arthur’s reduced state, he starts to laugh and draw attention. Abruptly, the piano stops.
The bartender rents Arthur a room. Yellow insists that they not sleep here, but with little other choice, Arthur takes the key. He woozily stumbles towards his room to Yellow’s growing frustration. On the stairs, they meet a man who tells him the name of the town: Addison. Arthur vomits on him.
In the room, Arthur splashes water on his face and collapses on the bed. He asks Yellow to distract him. Yellow proceeds to tell him how disgusting humans are, and Arthur tells him to shut up.
In a softer tone, Yellow admits that he was moved by the dance he saw, and the people expressing themselves. Yellow amends his previous statement about weakness, saying that humans are weak because they hope. Arthur disagrees and says that hope gives humanity strength.
Arthur recites the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley:
‘Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.'
When Yellow asks why he shared it, Arthur says because it’s beautiful, it makes him feel strong, and it just makes him feel. He finally drifts off. Yellow tells him to sleep it off, and that this too shall pass.
Votes[]
- Chapter 101: Search the Cabin [21] / Start the Fire [18]
- Chapter 102: Take the Rifle [26] / Leave the Rifle [13]
- Chapter 103: Act as if You've Found Nothing of Interest [8] / Tell People About What You Saw in the Woods [32]
- Chapter 104: Stay at the Red Right Hand [33] / Leave [9]
- Chapter 105: No vote.
Additional Notes[]
- Yellow's words to Arthur in the beginning ('I’m a friend. The only friend you have right now') are similar to what John tells Arthur in Episode 1.
- Though Arthur tells Yellow of his deal, he does not mention Kayne's name.
- Arthur lies and says the Glass of Leng is called 'the Glass of the Cana'. A cana is a being who helps (according to the Dreamlands' Trader), Lorick is a cana they met in the Dreamlands' pits.
- Arthur informs Yellow that he once knew a garment maker, but refuses to elaborate.
- When they discuss leaving the cabin, Yellow suggests killing anyone who arrives; Arthur retaliates by saying he isn't a murderer.