| Type | Prison |
|---|---|
| Located in | Night Court, Prythian |
| Head | High Lord Rhysand |
| Appears in | A Court of Mist and Fury (2016), A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017), A Court of Silver Flames (2021) |
Contents
Location
The Prison in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is a vast, hollowed-out mountainous island located in the heart of the Western Isles. From the outside, it appears as an immense rock rising out of the sea, but within its cavernous interior lies one of the most ancient and heavily warded strongholds in all of Prythian.
Description
The Prison occupies a hollow mountain on an isolated island in the Western Isles. The exterior consists of steep grassy slopes, scattered streams, and persistent mist that moves across the terrain. The island itself is cold, barren, and largely composed of rock, moss, and exposed stone. Surrounding cliffs drop sharply into a rough, pewter-colored sea.
Strong magical wards cover the entire island. These protections prevent winnowing, block aerial access, and require all visitors to approach the entrance on foot. Parts of the slope are steep enough to require crawling.
The entrance is located on the upper face of the mountain. When touched with the High Lord of the Night Court’s blood, the stone surface dissolves in a ripple of light, revealing tall gates carved from pale bone. Their tops extend beyond the visible mist.
The interior opens into a cavern of complete darkness. The Prison is monitored by entities created from ancient spells, described as shadow-like beings that reside within the rock. They emerge only when necessary, including during feeding times or when dealing with disruptive inmates.
Information revealed in House of Flame and Shadow identifies the Prison as the former Dusk Court. Despite its origins, it currently falls under Night Court jurisdiction, with Rhysand’s blood keyed to its gates. The Prison operates under its own binding laws; once an individual passes through its gates, they are claimed by the Prison and cannot be released, even by the High Lord of the Night Court.
Relevance
Historical Significance
The Prison predates the rise of the High Lords and existed before the territory was formally known as Prythian. Some inmates recall this early era. During that time, Morrigan’s family held power in the North rather than Rhysand’s.
Escapes and Sentencing
No known prisoner has successfully escaped the Prison, except for Amren, who exploited a loophole in its binding spell by anchoring herself to a new physical form. Rhysand has sentenced individuals to the Prison, and Cassian is mentioned as having carried out at least one such sentencing.
Appearances in the Series
A Court of Mist and Fury
Feyre Archeron agrees to work with Rhysand and the Inner Circle to oppose Hybern, leading them to seek information from the Bone Carver. An initial attempt to enter the Prison is aborted when Feyre experiences panic underground. After receiving a necklace from Amren, which Amren claims assisted her own escape and will prevent Feyre from becoming trapped, Feyre returns and successfully meets the Bone Carver. Before entering, Rhysand cautions that inmates can listen through the stone and often exchange overheard information for food or other favors.
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Discussion of the Prison centers on the potential release of the Bone Carver to aid in the war against Hybern. The Carver agrees to leave his cell only if he is given the Ouroboros mirror. The Inner Circle retrieves the mirror, the Carver accepts the bargain, and he exits the Prison to fight in the final battle. He was killed during the conflict. No other inmates are released or directly visited in this book.
A Court of Silver Flames
Nesta Archeron is drawn to the Prison during her search for the Dread Trove. She and Cassian travel there to recover the Harp. Inside its chamber, the door to Lanthys’s cell opens. Cassian engages him while Nesta seeks help, but she ultimately uses the Harp to return to Cassian. Nesta kills Lanthys with Ataraxia, an act felt by the other inmates, who react in fear. She then uses the Harp to transport herself and Cassian back to Velaris.
