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Eilonwy rescues Taran, Gurgi, Gwydion, Coll and Smoit from their captivity in the larder. She hurriedly fills them in on the uses of the mushrooms, eggs and powder, and tells them “Fflewddur’s trapped in the courtyard. Everything’s gone wrong. Our plan has failed!” I’d say …

Sure enough, this chapter picks up right where the last one left off (meaning we still haven’t shifted back to Taran’s POV). Gwystyl explains that each egg is filled with smoke that, when the shell is cracked, will come out “in considerable quantity.” He tells …

You. Guys. I am thunderstruck by the unprecedented liberty that Alexander takes in this chapter: He shifts the action to Fflewddur, Eilonwy, Rhun, and Glew as they leave Avren Harbor to rejoin the rest of the party. For the first time in the series, we …

In the morning, the party splits up, with Rhun, Fflewddur, Glew, and Eilonwy detouring to the harbor: Rhun to let his shipmaster know of the change in plans, Fflewddur as a guide, Glew so Fflewddur can watch him, and Eilonwy because she’s left some things …

Taran urges Gwydion to let him ride after Achren, who has departed on one of Rhun’s horses. Gwydion doesn’t really say no, but says that he can’t delay his own quest to protect Achren, though there is “no safety for her beyond Caer Dallben.” He …

Achren says that Arawn can’t leave Annuvin in his true form, but fortunately for him, he has the ability to assume any form he wishes, such as appearing as Taran in order to entrap Gwydion. Well, that’s convenient! There’s a catch, though – when he’s …

This is it, friends – the final book in the Prydain series! The High King opens pretty much right where Taran Wanderer leaves off, with Taran and Gurgi traveling home to Caer Dallben from Commot Merin. They’ve stopped to camp for the night, when suddenly, …