Thesis: Destroying authority or using force to make rebels obey may end rebellion but does not solve the problem of desire for autonomy.
I. The White Mage Revealed
A. The Entrance – Three men come to Leipwiros.
B. The Revealing – Ulcan shows his symbol.
C. The Investigation – Aquila investigates the Werra Smoke.
II. The Fight Against the Rebellion
A. The Nature of Rebellion – The innkeeper gives various responses to Aquila’s questioning.
B. The Steps Taken to Conquer Rebellion – Aquila dissipates the Werra Smoke.
C. The Inability to Conquer – The innkeeper’s attitude does not change.
III. The Rebellion of Colubra
A. The Impatience with Ineffective Authority – Colubra desires to use force.
B. The Disagreement – Colubra disagrees with the White Mage’s methods.
C. The Destruction of Authority – Colubra transforms the magi.
IV. The Result of Rebellion
A. The Transformation of Colubra’s Attitude – Colubra permits Werra Smoke.
B. The Anarchy – The Werra Smoke overwhelms Colubra.
C. The Hope – The innkeeper never conjures again.
Leipwiros – From the from the root leip-, from which the Germanic word libēn (to live) is derived; combined with the root wiros, from which the Old English word weorold (world) is derived.
Aquila – From the Latin aquila (eagle). Aquila represents the power of the law. Like the eagle, he is observant, and no transgression escapes his attention.
Aquila was known far and wide – This symbolizes the universality of the law.
Ulcan – From the Latin ul (owl) and canis (dog). Ulcan represents the wisdom and faithfulness of the law at work in society.
Ulcan…was nearly as ancient as Aquila. – The reasons for laws are secondary to laws themselves. The first law in existence was to Adam and Eve. They were commanded to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they were given no reason of why the command was.
Colubra – From the Latin colubra (snake). Colubra represents the revolutionary that succeeds in overthrowing power. He supports the idea of authority, but envisions its role differently than the controlling establishment.
he [Colubra] carried Ulcan’s staff. Colubra was given a small measure of authority in his training for leadership.
The White Mage – Representative of an overarching authority.
a presence in this village – The threat of uprising. Rebellion is already present.
“Our undertaking is to make ourselves known to it. That is all.” – The law itself does not punish, it only reproves.
“More Werra Smoke,” muttered Colubra. – Werra, Old High German for war. This epitomizes the idea of rebellion and struggle being interconnected. Werra Smoke simultaneously symbolizes rebellious activity as wel as providing an image for the abstraction of rebellion itself. This statement also explains that this sight was common to Colubra, and furthermore hints of his impatience toward rebellious individuals.
“What is the smoke from?” [Aquila] asked. – The law brings guilt.
The innkeeper paled and said nothing. – The rebel first ignores the law.
Ulcan tapped a mysterious symbol – The law has an explanation for why it exists but the reason is sometimes difficult to determine.
The man paled even more. – The rebel recognizes the consequences of disobedience, but still choose to ignore the law.
“There is no smoke,” the man said. – Confrontation transpires and the man denies wrong doing.
“I do not know!” – The innkeeper claims innocence by ignorance.
Colubra stalked angrily from the room. – Indication of Colubra’s impatience with the authorities, who he believes to be ineffective.
“I care not what the White Mage says,” – Open rebellion displayed.
the Werra Smoke disappeared from the room. – Rebellion is somewhat subdued by the presence of authority.
“You will not conjure any more Werra Smoke.” – The law made clear.
“It [Werra Smoke]is bad for your business and bad for your health,” – An explanation for the law is offered. Also carries the idea that rebellion itself is detrimental.
Werra Smoke began to curl out from under the door. – Continued rebellion with disregard for the law and for personal safety.
“Your impatience is unwise, Colubra,” [Ulcan] said. – The key to conquering rebellion is through transformation of attitudes. Ulcan recognizes the negative effects of violence to enforce will. He desires to give subjects a reason to obey.
“The only thing these people understand is the sword.” – Colubra is more interested in the external actions rather than the internal attitudes.
“You will obey us, for we are your masters.” – Aquila is not interested in the raison d'être of the law either. He just goes by the rules. Because Colubra is yet a servant; all that is important is for him to obey the law. No explanation is given.
“Does the White Mage wish for the Werra Smoke to go unchecked?” – Colubra has good intentions in his rebellion.
He took Ulcan’s staff – The danger of placing authority in the wrong hands.
in the Magi’s place stood two stone tablets. – Symbolic of the Ten Commandments and the permanence of an absolute moral law. Colubra could not destroy the principles behind the law. The best he could do was to try to censure it.
“Now to take care of that insolent innkeeper,” – Colubra fails to see a double standard.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” – The innkeeper is quick to point out the double standard.
“You are henceforth free to conjure as much Werra Smoke as you like.” – Colubra fails to see the consequences of allowing rebellion continue unchecked.
He turned around to find Colubra lifeless in the street – An illustration of the revolutionary undone by his own revolution.
“Surely these tablets are a talisman against the danger of the smoke.” – The law has power over rebellion.
The man turned and took the tablets into his inn. – The innkeeper decides to abide by the law.
The innkeeper never felt the desire to conjure Werra Smoke again. – The innkeeper’s attitude was changed from the experience.
