The Illearth War
Chapter 26: TWENTY-SIX: Gallows Howe
by R, Donaldson, StephenThe chapter “Gallows Howe” depicts Covenant’s harrowing journey after his failed attempt to confront the battle raging in the crevice of the EarthBlood. Overwhelmed by a powerful force, he loses consciousness and is later rescued by Bannor, a Bloodguard, who pulls him to safety. Covenant is left in a daze, barely aware of his surroundings, as Bannor carries him through the chaotic battlefield and into a tunnel. The scene underscores Covenant’s vulnerability and the dire consequences of his failure, setting the stage for their desperate escape.
Bannor navigates the dark tunnels with precision, eventually reaching a boat on the lake of Earthroot. As they set sail, the boat is caught in a strong current pulling it toward a massive crevice. Recognizing the danger, Bannor acts swiftly, securing Covenant to the boat and preparing for the impending plunge. He instructs Covenant to use the orcrest, a luminous stone, to light their way. Covenant, though numb and unresponsive, obeys, and the stone’s silver glow illuminates their path as they are swept toward the chasm.
The boat plunges into the crevice, launching them into a nightmarish descent through treacherous underground waterways. Bannor skillfully steers through the chaos, using broken pieces of the boat to navigate the violent currents and avoid deadly obstacles. Covenant, despite his stupor, maintains his grip on the orcrest, its light proving vital for their survival. The relentless torrent carries them through a series of caverns, each more perilous than the last, as Bannor’s unwavering resolve keeps them alive.
Their ordeal culminates in a final, desperate struggle as the boat is driven underwater by the crushing force of the current. Bannor clings to Covenant, preventing him from inhaling water, and they are eventually ejected through a side tunnel into the open air. The chapter ends with their dramatic emergence into the sunlight, battered but alive, as they are spat out onto the Black River. Bannor’s steadfastness and Covenant’s unconscious endurance highlight the themes of survival and loyalty amidst overwhelming odds.
FAQs
1. What was Covenant’s initial reaction to the battle in the crevice, and how did Bannor assist him?
Answer:
Covenant was completely overwhelmed by the force of the battle in the crevice, which instantly rendered him unconscious. When he regained awareness, he was disoriented and mentally broken by his perceived failure. Bannor physically supported Covenant, pulling him out of the crevice and carrying him through the cave and waterfall. The Bloodguard’s calm, decisive actions—including guiding Covenant through Earthroot and preparing him for the boat journey—demonstrated his unwavering commitment to protecting the Unbeliever despite Covenant’s incapacitated state.2. How did Bannor and Covenant navigate the treacherous underground currents, and what role did the orcrest play?
Answer:
Bannor used the boat’s gunwales as makeshift steering poles to navigate the violent underground currents. When the boat was caught in a powerful suction toward a crevice, Bannor instructed Covenant to activate the orcrest (a luminous stone) by holding it aloft. The stone’s silver light illuminated their path, enabling Bannor to steer them through jagged rocks, sudden drops, and labyrinthine tunnels. The orcrest’s light was crucial for survival, as it allowed Bannor to avoid deadly obstacles and maintain control during their harrowing descent.3. What critical decision did Bannor make when the boat was driven underwater, and why was it necessary?
Answer:
When the boat was forced underwater with no apparent escape, Bannor seized the orcrest from Covenant and clamped his hand over Covenant’s nose and mouth to prevent him from inhaling water. This extreme measure was necessary because the intense pressure and lack of oxygen would have drowned Covenant otherwise. Bannor’s quick thinking and physical endurance ensured they survived the underwater passage until the current ejected them into the open air at Rivenrock. His actions exemplified the Bloodguard’s absolute dedication to preserving Covenant’s life, even at great personal risk.4. Analyze the significance of Bannor’s unwavering resolve throughout the chapter. How does it reflect his role as a Bloodguard?
Answer:
Bannor’s steadfastness in this chapter embodies the Bloodguard’s sacred Vow to protect their charges without hesitation or failure. Despite Covenant’s mental collapse and the near-impossible challenges of the underground torrents, Bannor remains methodical, resourceful, and utterly focused on survival. His ability to improvise (using boat parts as tools), command Covenant when needed, and endure physical strain highlights the Haruchai’s superhuman discipline. This chapter reinforces the Bloodguard’s thematic role as unyielding guardians, whose loyalty transcends even the most dire circumstances.5. How does the setting of the underground journey contribute to the chapter’s tension and themes?
Answer:
The claustrophobic, chaotic underground environment—with its violent currents, darkness, and unpredictable rock formations—mirrors Covenant’s psychological turmoil and the larger stakes of the story. The relentless danger of the watercourse symbolizes the overwhelming forces opposing Covenant, while the orcrest’s light represents fragile hope amid despair. The transition from suffocating darkness to open sky at Rivenrock also suggests rebirth, reinforcing themes of survival and resilience. The setting thus amplifies both the physical peril and the emotional weight of Covenant’s journey.
Quotes
1. “He was defenseless against it; it snuffed out his consciousness like a frail flame.”
This opening quote vividly captures Covenant’s utter vulnerability as he enters the battle, establishing the overwhelming power of the forces at play and foreshadowing his passive role in the events to come.
2. “That sight—that perception of his failure—undid him. When Bannor set him on his feet, he stood listing amid the riot of battle… like an empty hulk, a cargoes hull sucking in death through a wound below its waterline.”
This powerful simile illustrates Covenant’s psychological collapse after his failure, comparing him to a sinking ship—a central moment showing his emotional state and the chapter’s theme of powerlessness.
3. “Ur-Lord, you must use the orcrest… Hold it above your head, so that it will light our way.”
Bannor’s command represents a turning point where Covenant must take action despite his numbness, with the orcrest becoming both literal and symbolic light in their dark journey—a key moment of potential redemption.
4. “He held his grip in the extremity of the last faithfulness—clung to the bright strength of the orcrest with one hand, and kept Covenant from breathing with the other.”
This climactic moment showcases Bannor’s supreme dedication and the paradoxical nature of salvation—his violent protection of Covenant embodies the Bloodguard’s unwavering vow and the chapter’s tension between help and harm.