Short Fiction · Chapter
IX: Davidson Gives a Warning explained
Davidson recounts his college encounter with Varduk, describing how Varduk's mysterious influence led to the death of a football player named Schaefer and how Davidson himself became Varduk's sworn vassal.
What happens
Davidson recounts his college encounter with Varduk, describing how Varduk's mysterious influence led to the death of a football player named Schaefer and how Davidson himself became Varduk's sworn vassal. He warns Pursuivant and the narrator not to cross Varduk.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it marks the protagonist’s psychological and emotional peak of self-discov…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Fear and Control
Varduk exerts psychological control over Schaefer and Davidson through fear and mysterious power.
- The Power of Belief and Ritual
Davidson's oath of vassalage and Varduk's use of a black book highlight ritualistic power.
- Supernatural Evil and Occultism
Varduk's black book and his ability to cause Schaefer's death suggest occult influence.
Characters to notice
- Elmo Davidson
Narrates his past with Varduk, including the death of Schaefer and his oath of vassalage.
- Keith Pursuivant
Listens to Davidson's story and receives the warning about Varduk.
- Varduk
Described as a mysterious college freshman who uses a black book to exert control, leading to Schaefer's death.
- Schaefer
College football captain who confronts Varduk and later dies after jumping from Varduk's window.
Key passages
“Varduk lifted those big, deep eyes of his as we appeared among the ruins of his door. No fear, not even surprise. Just a long look, traveling from one of us to another. When he brought his gaze to me, I felt as if somebody was pointing two guns at me, two guns loaded to their muzzles.”
Varduk looked at us calmly, and his stare felt threatening and intense.
Davidson describes Varduk's unnerving gaze during the hazing incident.
“He ordered me to kneel, and I did. Then he showed me how to put my hands together and set them between his palms. The oath I took was the medieval oath of vassalage. And I have kept my oath from that day to this.”
Varduk made me kneel and swear a medieval oath of loyalty, which I have never broken.
Davidson explains his binding oath to Varduk.
