# Atra — The Water of the Wondrous Isles character guide > Atra in The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Atra, sister Atra, VI Atra, Spake Atra **First appearance:** 0024-iii-birdalone-is-brought-before-the-witch-wife-s-sister ## Snapshot The wise-voiced eldest of three sister queens held captive on the Isle of Increase Unsought, she sees in Birdalone's arrival a chance at deliverance. ## Who they are Atra is the steadying presence among the three sisters, the one who counsels patience and reads a stranger's coming as providence rather than threat. Where her sisters waver, she weighs, and it is her judgment that turns Birdalone's desperate landing into an alliance. Her quiet authority gives the captive queens a spine, and her hope of rescue quietly raises the stakes of Birdalone's own flight. ## Relationships ### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone) _friendship_ Atra is a devoted companion to Birdalone, often acting as a protective and loyal friend. ### [Viridis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/viridis) _friendship_ Atra and Viridis are close companions, sharing a bond of sisterly affection and mutual support. ### [Arthur the Black Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/arthur_the_black_squire) _friendship_ Arthur and Atra are comrades, working together in service to Birdalone with mutual respect. ### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone) _friendship_ Atra is a devoted companion to Birdalone, often acting as a protective and loyal friend. ### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone) _friendship_ Atra is a devoted companion to Birdalone, often acting as a protective and loyal friend. ### [Arthur the Black Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/arthur_the_black_squire) _friendship_ Arthur and Atra are comrades, working together in service to Birdalone with mutual respect. ### [Viridis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/viridis) _friendship_ Atra and Viridis are close companions, sharing a bond of sisterly affection and mutual support. ## In the story ### [II: Birdalone Falleth in with New Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ii-birdalone-falleth-in-with-new-friends) Third sister, clad in black; gives Birdalone strawberries; devises a plan to hide her from the Queen until tomorrow night. ### [IV: Of the Witch’s Prison in the Wailing-Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iv-of-the-witch-s-prison-in-the-wailing-tower) Atra secretly allies with Birdalone, feigns harshness to deceive the witch, and promises to protect her. ### [V: They Feast in the Witch’s Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-they-feast-in-the-witch-s-prison) Leads the visit, unlocks Birdalone's hand-shackles, explains the witch's cruel intent, and reveals the sisters' longing for their lovers and their request for Birdalone to carry tokens. ### [VI: Atra Tells of How They Three Came Unto the Isle of Increase Unsought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-atra-tells-of-how-they-three-came-unto-the-isle-of-increase-unsought) Narrates the story of how she, Aurea, and Viridis came to the Isle of Increase Unsought, describing their love for the Black Squire and their capture by the witch. ### [VII: The Three Damsels Take Birdalone Out of the Witch’s Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vii-the-three-damsels-take-birdalone-out-of-the-witch-s-prison) One of the three damsels; she takes the lead in freeing Birdalone, shackling her temporarily and returning at dawn to unlock her. ### [VIII: In What Wise Birdalone Was Clad, and How She Went Her Ways from the Isle of Increase Unsought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/viii-in-what-wise-birdalone-was-clad-and-how-she-went-her-ways-from-the-isle-of-increase-unsought) Gives Birdalone her shoon and a ring, instructs her on the errand, and later weeps with emotion. ### [How Birdalone Dight Her for Meeting the Champions of the Quest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iii-how-birdalone-dight-her-for-meeting-the-champions-of-the-quest) Birdalone wears Atra's shoon and ring. ### [V: Birdalone Has True Tokens from the Champions of the Quest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-birdalone-has-true-tokens-from-the-champions-of-the-quest) Mentioned as Arthur's love; her token is the footgear. ### [X: The Champions Go Their Ways in the Sending Boat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/x-the-champions-go-their-ways-in-the-sending-boat) Mentioned by Birdalone as the one who knows most about the Isle of Increase Unsought and its guiles, and who should be consulted before attacking the witch. ### [II: Birdalone Learneth Lore of the Priest. Ten Days of Waiting Wear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ii-birdalone-learneth-lore-of-the-priest-ten-days-of-waiting-wear) Birdalone broiders a goodly pair of shoon for Atra, having worn her borrowed ones. ### [VI: Of the Talk Betwixt Birdalone and Viridis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-of-the-talk-betwixt-birdalone-and-viridis) Says little but accepts fate; Viridis fears Birdalone's story may hurt her. ### [VII: Birdalone Telleth the Tale of Her Wandering Up the Valley of the Greywethers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vii-birdalone-telleth-the-tale-of-her-wandering-up-the-valley-of-the-greywethers) Weeps on Birdalone's bosom, then speaks with glittering eyes about sorrow leading to doughty deeds, supporting the war. ### [VIII: Atra and Birdalone Talk Together While the Lords Sit at the Murder-Council](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/viii-atra-and-birdalone-talk-together-while-the-lords-sit-at-the-murder-council) Atra reveals her inner turmoil: she had hoped Hugh might die so she could start anew, but now longs for him to live. She weeps and asks Birdalone for a future promise of help. ### [IX: Hugh Tells the Story of the Quest's Ending](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ix-hugh-tells-the-story-of-the-quest-s-ending) Atra is rescued and wears the Black Squire's battle-coat. ### [X: How It Fared with the Three Ladies After the Escape of Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/x-how-it-fared-with-the-three-ladies-after-the-escape-of-birdalone) Atra shows boldness in confronting the witch, kneeling to give the scrolls, and endures torment alongside her sisters. ### [XI: Birdalone and the Black Squire Talk Together in the Hall of the Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xi-birdalone-and-the-black-squire-talk-together-in-the-hall-of-the-castle) Mentioned as having returned the ring to Arthur; Arthur feels shame and confusion when thinking of her. ### [XII: The Knights and Their Fellows Betake Them to the Assaulting of the Red Hold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xii-the-knights-and-their-fellows-betake-them-to-the-assaulting-of-the-red-hold) Pale and quaking when kissing Arthur goodbye, keeps to herself afterward. ### [XIII: Birdalone Bethinks Her to Fulfil the Promise Made Unto Atra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xiii-birdalone-bethinks-her-to-fulfil-the-promise-made-unto-atra) Watches Birdalone closely, pines for the siege to end, and swoons upon hearing of Arthur's injury. ### [XIV: Birdalone Leaves the Castle of the Quest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xiv-birdalone-leaves-the-castle-of-the-quest) Gives Birdalone a farewell and blessing, with a kiss of peace, appearing meek and humble. ### [XXIX: Those Twain Will Seek the Wisdom of the Wood-Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xxix-those-twain-will-seek-the-wisdom-of-the-wood-wife) Discussed by Birdalone and Arthur; they wonder if she is still alive and express regret over their past actions toward her. ### [XXXII: Of the Fight in the Forest and the Rescue of Those Friends from the Men of the Red Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xxxii-of-the-fight-in-the-forest-and-the-rescue-of-those-friends-from-the-men-of-the-red-company) Captured by the Red Company, rescued by Arthur, and leads the group to free Sir Hugh. ### [XXXIII: Viridis Telleth the Tale of Their Seeking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xxxiii-viridis-telleth-the-tale-of-their-seeking) Proposes sleeping in the haunted hall; perceives the vision as not quite Birdalone; her heart is set on the journey's end. ### [II: Birdalone Taketh Counsel with Her Wood-Mother Concerning the Matter of Sir Hugh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ii-birdalone-taketh-counsel-with-her-wood-mother-concerning-the-matter-of-sir-hugh) Habundia specifically asks Birdalone to bring Atra to her, that she may teach her wisdom and solace her heart. ### [Of the Journeying Through the Forest of Evilshaw Unto the Town of Utterhay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iii-of-the-journeying-through-the-forest-of-evilshaw-unto-the-town-of-utterhay) Grows close to Habundia, learns earth-lore, and becomes ruddier and merrier of countenance. ### [IV: Of the Abiding in Utterhay in Love and Contentment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iv-of-the-abiding-in-utterhay-in-love-and-contentment) Atra has the longest dealings with Habundia, often leaving Utterhay to stay with the wood-wife for a month or more, returning calm and well-liking. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/atra - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters