# Captain Corun — Short Fiction character guide

> Captain Corun in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Corun

**First appearance:** 0000-star-ship

## Snapshot

A hard, lonely pirate captain sailing a ship of strangers toward sorcerous waters, caught between his bloody past and a dark-haired woman's pull.

## Who they are

Corun commands a voyage into the Xanthi archipelago alongside the sorcerer Shorzon and the grim Imazu, who warns him not to become any woman's blind slave. Haunted by memories of family and old comrades, he feels a cold hollow of loneliness that Chryseis seems to answer when she finds him at the rail. His hunger for connection and his hard-won freedom are set on a collision course as the ship nears enemy territory.

## In the story

### [Witch of the Demon Seas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/witch-of-the-demon-seas)

Possibly a leader or antagonist in the sea voyage.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/i)

Captured pirate prince of Conahur, defiant before the king.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ii)

Imprisoned in a cell beneath Tauros, offered freedom by Shorzon and Chryseis in exchange for guiding them to the Xanthi.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iii)

Feels at home on the sea; recounts his past voyage to the Xanthi; develops a deep emotional connection with Chryseis.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iv)

Feels lonely and conflicted, drawn to Chryseis, and asserts himself against Shorzon's orders.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/v)

Fights fiercely in the battle against the Xanthi, reflecting on his love for Chryseis and his doubts about sorcery.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vi)

Leads the human party ashore, confronts Shorzon about their hidden agenda, and is calmed by Chryseis.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vii)

Paces restlessly, distrusts Shorzon and Chryseis, decides to spy on the feast.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/viii)

Leads the assault, frees prisoners, and plans to destroy the castle with black powder.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ix)

Leads the survivors through the castle's destruction, fights and kills the erinye Perias, then is knocked unconscious by Chryseis.

### [The Breaking of the Geas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/x)

Wakes after battle, injured, and decides to serve Khroman rather than return to piracy.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as Dyann's personal joss, the motivation for her invasion of Jupiter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/corun
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters