A Wizard of Earthsea

This chapter opens as if it is telling the legend of Sparrowhawk, a dragonlord and archmage. The story introduces Ged, the main character, and begins to introduce the world of Earthsea. Ged, whose birthname is Duny, is shown to be proud and powerful as he begins learning simple magic after his natural talents are noticed by his aunt, a village witch. Ged also loves birds, and the children begin to call him Sparrowhawk, a name he retains for the public. Midway through the chapter, Ged’s village is attacked by a warlike tribe from another island. Knowing they cannot win in a fight, only a few people remain in the village. As the tribe approaches, Ged weaves an illusion of thick, ghostly fog, which obscures the village. The tribe is unable to find anyone or anything and leaves in fear. A hero to his small town, Ged has nonetheless drained his strength entirely. Ogion, a powerful but humble wizard from another town appears and helps to heal Ged. Afterward, Ogion bestows Duny with his true name—Ged (until this point, he was known as Duny), and Ged leaves the village with Ogion to learn how to use his latent power and become a wizard himself.