The Witch-Dancer's Doom
by Various · from The Diamond Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once there was a dancer named Katel. She loved to dance very much. Katel loved to dance. She danced day and night. She danced with great joy.
Katel loved to dance. She lived with her uncle. Katel was a good dancer. She danced very well. She asked knights to dance. They must dance a very long time. Many knights danced with Katel. They danced and danced. They danced for many hours. The knights got very tired. They could not dance more. Katel was not kind. She did not care.
Katel's uncle was sad. Katel's uncle did not like this. He asked her to stay. She stayed in her room. Katel was bored. Katel had a small helper. She told him to go. He went to find Salaün. Salaün was a kind knight. Salaün helped Katel leave her room. They went to a big dance. It was a grand dance.
Katel and Salaün came to a big field. Many people were there. They began to dance. Katel was happy. She loved to dance. Katel danced and danced with Salaün. They danced very fast. Salaün got very tired. He felt weak. Salaün fell down. He was too tired to move. Katel did not care. She looked away. She did not help him.
The musicians were tired. Katel was angry. She said, "I want special dancers!" She stamped her foot. She stamped it hard. Then two strange dancers came. One was a Strange Musician. The other was a Tall Dancer. They looked very strange. They took Katel's hands. The Tall Dancer danced very fast. Katel danced with him. The music got faster. Katel got tired. Katel wanted to stop. She was very tired. She was scared. Katel fell down. The strange dancers disappeared. A big storm came. The storm was very loud.
The next morning, Katel was not there. Salaün was not there. They were both gone. The story teaches us to be kind. People learned to be kind. They remembered Katel. They remembered her story.
Original Story
The Witch-Dancer's Doom.
I.
LONG, long ago, in the days of good King Arthur, Count Morriss dwelt in the old château of La Roche Morice, near Landerneau, in Brittany. With him lived his beautiful niece, Katel. Although charming in face and figure, this maiden had a somewhat uncanny reputation. For it was said—and with reason—that she was a witch.
The Count had often urged Katel to marry, but in vain. The lady had no mind to lose her freedom. Dancing was the one passion of her life. "When," said she, "I can find a knight who shall be able to dance continuously with me for twelve hours, with no break, to him I promise to give my hand!"
This scornful challenge was proclaimed by heralds in every neighbouring town and hamlet. In response came many wooers to attempt the impossible task. Those whom Katel favoured she made her partners at the rustic fêtes and open-air dances which were then in vogue. In the soft-swarded meadows, by sunlight or starlight, the dancers would meet, and, to the dreamy music of the pipes, eager couples would whirl until the hills around began to blush in the light of the early dawn. The wildest, giddiest, yet most graceful of the throng was Katel, who danced madly on until one by one her partners sank fainting upon the ground, and death released them from the heartless sorceress who had lured them into her toils.
Thus perished many suitors, until the cruel maiden became an object of general hatred and horror. When her doings came to the ears of the Count, he sternly forbade her to attend any more of the dances. In order to enforce her obedience, he shut her up in a tower, where, said he, she was to remain until she should choose a husband from among such suitors as still persisted in offering her marriage.
Now, Katel had a wizened little page, no bigger than a leveret, and as black as a raven's wing. This creature she summoned to her one morning before dawn, and, with her finger at her lips, she said to him: "Be swift and silent! My uncle still slumbers. Get thee gone by the ladder, and his thee to the castle of Salaün, who is waiting for a message from her he loves. The guards will allow thee to pass; take horse, ride like the wind, and tell Salaün that Katel calls him to deliver her from this tower before the day dawns."
"KATEL TURNED COLDLY AWAY" (p. 57).
The infatuated young knight obeyed the summons immediately. In an hour's time he was assisting the lady to mount his horse, after having got her in safety down the rope-ladder. As, from the window of the donjon, the dwarf watched them ride away, he chuckled to himself:
"Ha! ha! And so they are off to the great ball held to-day in the Martyrs' Meadow! Ah, my dear Salaün! before another sun shall rise your death-knell will be tolled!"
II.
When Katel and her gallant cavalier arrived at the Martyrs' Meadow, they excited general surprise and admiration. Some, however, shook their heads forebodingly, as they heard that Salaün, now Katel's affianced lover, was to be her partner, for they knew that the brave young knight must needs fall a victim to her spell.
The ball began. Some of the most skilful pipers in the land had been engaged for the occasion, and they played gavottes, rondes, courantes, and many other dances, without intermission. But Katel waited until night came and the torches were lit. Then she took Salaün's hand and they began to dance together.
"Round again! Once more! Ha! ha!" laughed the witch-maiden, as they spun along. "What! are you tired already? Do you give in so soon as this?"
"Never—while I am with you!" was the fervent reply. The fatal spell had begun to work.
Thus on they whirled, yet more swiftly than before, so that the other dancers stood aside to watch them. After a time, however, Katel observed that her partner was gradually becoming weaker, and that he would soon be unable to keep pace with her.
"Courage!" exclaimed she, in a bantering tone. "We cannot stop yet; it wants but a very short time to midnight, and then I shall be yours!"
Salaün, although almost exhausted, strained every nerve and muscle in a frantic, final effort to continue the dance. Round the field they flew, at lightning speed; but it was for the last time. The knight's knees shook—his breath came more quickly—then with difficulty he gasped out the words:
"Oh, Katel! have mercy! I can do no more! Katel, my love, have I not won you yet?"
But as he sank lifeless upon the grass Katel turned coldly away. His fate was nothing to her. At that moment the clock in a neighbouring tower struck twelve. All the lights flickered and expired; darkness reigned supreme. And through the darkness, shrilling high above every other sound, rang the mocking laugh of the impish dwarf.
III.
"What!" exclaimed Katel derisively, glancing angrily at the worn-out pipers, who had at last paused in their wild music, "exhausted already by such slight exertions? I wish the Evil One would send me some musicians and dancers worthy of me! Of what use are these miserable, puny creatures?"
As she uttered the words, stamping her foot in her fury, a weird, red light gleamed in the sky; there was a terrible peal of thunder, and a strange stir in the trees. Then suddenly, in the centre of the field, appeared two phantom forms, at the sight of whom the panic-stricken by-standers would fain have fled. To their horror, however, they found flight impossible; they were rooted to the spot!
One of the phantoms was attired in a red garment, covered with a black cloak. Beneath his arm he held a large double pipe, coiled around which were five hissing, writhing serpents. The other stranger, who was exceedingly tall, was dressed in a tightly fitting black suit, and heavy, red mantle, while upon his head waved an imposing tuft of vultures' plumes.
The ghostly piper began at once to play an unearthly dance-tune, so wild and maddening that it made all the hearers tremble. His tall, grim companion seized Katel by the waist, and the couple whirled round to the mad measure, which grew ever faster and more furious. In an instant the torches were relit. A few others joined in the dance; not for long, however. Katel and her phantom were soon the only dancers. Shriller still shrieked the pipes, faster yet grew the music, more and more swiftly spun the feet. Ere long the witch-maiden felt that her strength was deserting her; the torches swam before her eyes, and, in the last extremity of terror, she struggled to release herself from the iron grip which held her so relentlessly.
"What! so soon tired?" cried the spectre, jeering at her. "Do you give in so soon as this? Come! round once more! Ha! ha!"
"THE COUPLE WHIRLED ROUND TO THE MAD MEASURE" (p. 58).
Thus was Katel treated as she had treated others. She had no breath left wherewith to answer; her last hour had come. She made one more wild, despairing bound, then fell to the ground in the throes of death. At the same moment, the phantoms vanished. There was a vivid lightning-blaze, a terrific crash of thunder; then fell black darkness hiding everything. A tempestuous wind arose, and rain fell in torrents.
When the storm had cleared, and the morning sun shone out, those who found courage to visit the spot beheld the forms of Katel and her lover Salaün lying dead upon the shrivelled turf.
Ever since that time, the spot has been shunned by all, and still, by their firesides on the winter nights, the peasants tell the tale of Katel, the witch-dancer, and her fearful fate.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who inflict cruelty upon others will eventually suffer a similar fate.
Plot Summary
Katel, a beautiful but cruel witch-dancer, challenges suitors to a twelve-hour dance, leading many to their deaths. After her uncle confines her, she escapes with an infatuated knight, Salaün, whom she also dances to death. In her hubris, Katel wishes for dancers worthy of her, inadvertently summoning two demonic figures who force her into a relentless, fatal dance. She perishes, mirroring the fate of her victims, and her body is found alongside Salaün's, serving as a cautionary tale.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to terror to doom
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Brittany has a rich tradition of folklore and legends, often featuring supernatural elements and moralistic themes. The mention of King Arthur places it within a broader European mythological context, though the story itself is distinctly Breton.
Plot Beats (13)
- Katel, a beautiful witch-dancer, lives with her uncle and refuses to marry, instead challenging suitors to an impossible twelve-hour dance.
- Many knights attempt the challenge, but Katel dances them to death, earning her a reputation for cruelty.
- Count Morriss, disgusted by Katel's actions, locks her in a tower to prevent her from dancing and force her to choose a husband.
- Katel uses her page to summon Salaün, an infatuated knight, who helps her escape the tower to attend a ball.
- Katel and Salaün arrive at the Martyrs' Meadow, where they begin their dance, despite foreboding from onlookers.
- Katel relentlessly dances with Salaün, who gradually weakens under her spell.
- Salaün collapses and dies from exhaustion at midnight, and Katel coldly dismisses his fate.
- Katel, frustrated with the exhausted pipers, defiantly wishes for musicians and dancers worthy of her.
- Two demonic phantoms appear, one a piper with serpents and the other a tall dancer, who seize Katel.
- The phantom dancer forces Katel into a wild, accelerating dance, mirroring her own cruelty.
- Katel's strength fails, and she struggles in terror, realizing her own doom.
- Katel collapses and dies, just as the phantoms vanish in a storm.
- The next morning, Katel and Salaün are found dead on the field, and the story becomes a local legend.
Characters
Katel
Charming in face and figure, with an uncanny aura. She is graceful and possesses remarkable stamina for dancing.
Attire: Likely wears elegant, yet practical, dresses suitable for dancing at rustic fêtes and open-air balls in medieval Brittany. Perhaps a flowing gown of fine linen or wool, possibly in deep jewel tones or rich earth tones, with a fitted bodice and a full skirt that allows for free movement. Details like simple embroidery or a modest belt would be appropriate for the period.
Wants: To dance continuously and freely, to prove her superiority, and to avoid marriage and the loss of her freedom. She seeks the ultimate dancing partner.
Flaw: Her hubris, cruelty, and insatiable desire for dancing, which ultimately leads to her downfall. She underestimates the forces she invokes.
Starts as a heartless witch-dancer who causes the death of many suitors. She is eventually trapped in her own game, experiencing the same fate she inflicted on others, dying from exhaustion while dancing with a phantom, thus receiving her 'doom'.
Scornful, heartless, cruel, infatuated with dancing, defiant, proud, unmerciful.
The Dwarf Page
Wizened, very small, no bigger than a leveret (young hare).
Attire: Likely wears simple, dark, and practical attire befitting a page in a medieval château, perhaps a dark tunic and breeches, allowing for swift movement and stealth.
Wants: To serve Katel's desires, to witness the unfolding drama, and to revel in the dark consequences of her actions.
Flaw: His small stature might be a physical weakness, but his cunning makes him effective. His loyalty to Katel's dark side is also a moral weakness.
Remains a consistent, sinister observer and enabler of Katel's actions, showing no change in his impish nature.
Impish, mocking, cunning, loyal to Katel's desires (or perhaps his own dark amusement), observant.
Salaün
A brave young knight, described as a 'gallant cavalier'. He is strong but ultimately succumbs to exhaustion.
Attire: As a knight, he would wear fine, practical riding attire when rescuing Katel, and then more formal, yet still comfortable, clothing for the ball. Perhaps a tunic of rich wool or velvet, possibly in blue or red, over a linen shirt, with fitted hose and soft leather boots. A short cloak might be worn for travel.
Wants: To win Katel's hand and deliver her from the tower, driven by his love and infatuation.
Flaw: His infatuation with Katel, which blinds him to her true nature and leads him to his doom.
Starts as a hopeful suitor, eager to win Katel. He becomes a victim of her spell, dancing to his death, fulfilling the pattern of her previous suitors.
Infatuated, brave, fervent, determined, ultimately desperate.
The Phantom Piper
One of two phantom forms. Attired in a red garment, covered with a black cloak. Beneath his arm, he holds a large double pipe, coiled around which are five hissing, writhing serpents.
Attire: A red garment covered by a black cloak. The red garment suggests a fiery or infernal nature, while the black cloak adds to his ominous presence. The serpents coiled around his pipe are a key visual element.
Wants: To fulfill Katel's wish for 'musicians and dancers worthy of me' and to deliver her ultimate punishment.
Flaw: None apparent; he is a supernatural entity of immense power.
Appears to deliver Katel's doom and then vanishes, serving as an instrument of divine or infernal justice.
Unearthly, maddening, relentless, a bringer of doom.
The Tall Phantom
Exceedingly tall. Dressed in a tightly fitting black suit and a heavy, red mantle. Upon his head waves an imposing tuft of vultures' plumes.
Attire: A tightly fitting black suit, suggesting a lean, imposing figure. A heavy red mantle adds a dramatic and ominous flair. The vultures' plumes on his head are a distinctive and macabre detail.
Wants: To fulfill Katel's wish for 'musicians and dancers worthy of me' and to deliver her ultimate punishment.
Flaw: None apparent; he is a supernatural entity of immense power.
Appears to deliver Katel's doom and then vanishes, serving as an instrument of divine or infernal justice.
Grim, relentless, jeering, powerful, a bringer of doom.
Locations
Château de La Roche Morice
An old Breton château, likely a fortified manor house with stone walls and at least one prominent tower (donjon) where Katel is imprisoned.
Mood: Initially grand and imposing, later becomes a place of confinement and secrecy.
Katel is confined here by her uncle; she summons her page and escapes with Salaün.
Martyrs' Meadow
A soft-swarded meadow, an open-air space used for rustic fêtes and dances, which later becomes the site of a supernatural event. It is large enough for many dancers and has a 'neighbouring tower' with a clock.
Mood: Initially festive and lively, then becomes increasingly eerie and terrifying, culminating in desolation.
Katel's dance challenges take place here, Salaün dies here, and Katel meets her doom at the hands of the phantoms.