# Paula Trent — Short Fiction character guide

> Paula Trent in Short Fiction by Henry Kuttner.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Paula

**First appearance:** 0000-the-secret-of-kralitz

## Snapshot

A determined young woman on a desperate expedition through the Black Forest, refusing to abandon a poisoned captain or the lost city ahead.

## Who they are

Paula is the expedition's conscience, pale-faced but unyielding when Sampson wants to turn back and Captain Brown lies entranced by Noctoli pollen. She clenches her hands and insists they must go on, weighing the brig waiting at home against the gamble of three more days. Her resolve forces Garth and the others to choose between survival and the mission's meaning.

## Relationships

### [Ed Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/ed_garth)

_romantic_

Ed and Paula share a tender romantic bond, though it is strained by external pressures.

### [Ed Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/ed_garth)

_romantic_

Ed and Paula share a tender romantic bond, though it is strained by external pressures.

### [Ed Garth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/ed_garth)

_romantic_

Ed and Paula share a tender romantic bond, though it is strained by external pressures.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/i)

An archaeologist who holds half of a map to a great treasure in the Black Forest; she persuades Garth to join their mission.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/ii)

Explores Chahnn; part of Brown's scheme to find the power source.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/iii)

Rescued by Garth and Brown; discusses the Zarno and the Ancients with Garth during a rest.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/iv)

Carries the Ancient map and collaborates with Garth to navigate the Forest.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/v)

Insists on pressing forward to find the Ancients' power-source; her determination influences Garth's decision.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/vi)

Falls into the Noctoli trance by midmorning; Garth keeps her close for protection.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/vii)

Entranced, she is the first to walk through the black curtain, leading the others into the hidden cavern.

### [The Lost City's Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/viii)

Referenced indirectly as someone who would be glad to know about the Ancients' power source.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/paula_trent
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters