The Rule of Names

The Rule of Names

The Rule of names(1964) is a short story by Ursula K. Le Guin, first published in the April 1964 issue of "Fantastic", and reprinted in collections such as "The Wind's Twelve Quarters". This story and "The Word of Unbinding" help explain the underpinnings of the world of Earthsea, in particular the importance of true names to magic.

The story is set on Sattins Island, a small rural island, and opens with the schoolteacher, Palani, introducing the concept of naming to her pupils: people have one name as children, then are given their adult name at puberty, but this name must be kept private as it can be used by magicians to cast spells on the person. Sattinsmen are very superstitious. They believe that to wish a neighbor "Good Morning" will change the weather for the worse; that dragons are fond of eating virgin girls; that two wizards in one town are trouble. Their resident magician is a fat, incompetent man nicknamed "Underhill" because he lives in a cave outside the village.

One day, a stranger from the Archipelago arrives on the island, whom the locals dub Blackbeard. He hires a village lad called Birt to guide him to Underhill's home. Once there, Blackbeard reveals that he is a mage, searching for the treasure of his ancestors, which was stolen by a dragon. He believes Mister Underhill to be the wizard who defeated the dragon and made off with the treasure.

The two enchanters engage in a shapechanging battle, ending with Underhill in dragon's form. Blackbeard uses his secret weapon by using Underhill's true name, Yevaud, in a spell which will lock him into his true form. This proves effective, but not as Blackbeard planned or expected; Mister Underhill proves to be the dragon who stole the treasure of Pendor. Yevaud devours Blackbeard. Birt flees the island, taking his love Palani with him. With his true identity revealed, and with his predatory dragon nature reinforced by being called by his true name, Yevaud wreaks havoc on Sattins.

In "A Wizard of Earthsea", Ged knows this tale as an ancient bit of lore and makes a desperate gamble based on it.


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