A Wizard of Earthsea

by

Ursula K. Le Guin

Skiorh is an Osskilian man Ged meets on a longship bound for the north. Skiorh, a rough-spoken and imposing man, gives Ged a bad feeling after Ged senses a strange blurring of Skiorh’s features during their sea journey. Nevertheless, when the ship makes port in Osskil, Ged reluctantly agrees to follow Skiorh to the Court of the Terrenon—only to realize halfway there that he has been duped. Skiorh has become a puppet, or gebbeth, of the shadow. Out on the wintry moors, Skiorh slowly disappears and reveals to Ged that he has all along been possessed by Ged’s shadow. The two fight until Ged pulls himself into the Court’s enchanted gate and escapes.
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Skiorh Character Timeline in A Wizard of Earthsea

The timeline below shows where the character Skiorh appears in A Wizard of Earthsea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6
Knowledge and Patience vs. Power and Pride Theme Icon
...Ged keeps to himself for most of the journey, but one day, a man called Skiorh taunts Ged’s pet otak. When another oarsmen stands up for Ged, Skiorh scowls and turns... (full context)
Knowledge and Patience vs. Power and Pride Theme Icon
Identity and the Shadow Self Theme Icon
...arrives in the harbor of Osskil. Ged begins asking directions to the Court of the Terrenon—Skiorh, overhearing him, says he is on his way there and offers to lead Ged the... (full context)
Identity and the Shadow Self Theme Icon
Cosmic Balance Theme Icon
After a day of walking, Ged is exhausted, yet Skiorh insists they are not far. The weakened Ged follows Skiorh through darkness and snow, asking... (full context)