Lord Foul’s Bane
Chapter 10: Ten: The Celebration of Spring
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with a tense confrontation between Covenant and Baradakas, a Hirebrand of the lillianrill. Baradakas attempts to strike Covenant with a club, but Covenant instinctively defends himself using the lomillialor rod, a powerful artifact. The clash results in Baradakas being violently thrown back, while Covenant is left stunned by the rod’s unexpected power. The Heers, witnesses to the event, are equally astonished, and Covenant’s anger flares as he demands an explanation for their distrust. The incident underscores the deep skepticism surrounding Covenant’s role in their world.
Atiaran, a key figure, reflects on the lore of High Lord Kevin and the Grey Slayer, suggesting that even deceptive forces can wield objects of truth like the lomillialor. This adds to Covenant’s frustration, as he feels unfairly judged. Llaura, another Heer, offers a sincere apology, acknowledging their doubts and welcoming Covenant to Soaring Woodhelven. Despite his bitterness, Covenant is disarmed by her genuineness and mutters a reluctant acceptance. Baradakas, recovering from the encounter, also salutes Covenant, signaling a shift in their dynamic.
Baradakas invites Covenant to his home, a gesture that surprises Covenant given their earlier hostility. After a moment of hesitation, Covenant agrees, recognizing that being alone with the Hirebrand might be safer than remaining with the Heers. The journey to Baradakas’ dwelling is fraught with tension for Covenant, who struggles with his fear of heights. The description of the treehouse emphasizes its organic construction and the Hirebrand’s connection to nature, which Covenant finds both impressive and unsettling.
Once inside, Baradakas provides food and drink, and Covenant eats hungrily, having subsisted on minimal sustenance. The meal temporarily eases the tension, but Covenant remains wary. When Baradakas asks how he can further assist him, Covenant confronts him about the earlier attack and his motives for the invitation. Baradakas, polishing a staff, hints at multiple reasons for his actions but leaves the explanation incomplete, maintaining an air of mystery as the chapter ends on an unresolved note.
FAQs
1. What significant event occurs between Covenant and Baradakas in the heartwood chamber, and what does this reveal about Covenant’s relationship with the lomillialor?
Answer:
The pivotal moment occurs when Baradakas attempts to strike Covenant with a club, and Covenant instinctively defends himself using the lomillialor rod. The rod shatters the club in a burst of white sparks and blasts Baradakas backward, demonstrating Covenant’s unexpected mastery over the High Wood. This contradicts the Woodhelvennin’s belief that the rod would reject him, suggesting Covenant’s wild magic or connection to Despite (as hinted by Atiaran) overrides its usual properties. The incident forces the Heers to reconsider their distrust, culminating in Llaura’s formal welcome, though Baradakas’s complex smile implies lingering uncertainty.2. Analyze Atiaran’s statement about “Despite wearing the guise of truth.” How does this reflect the chapter’s themes of trust and deception?
Answer:
Atiaran’s remark references the Grey Slayer’s (Lord Foul’s) historical betrayal of High Lord Kevin, where gifts like the lomillialor were used deceptively. Her warning implies Covenant’s power—like Foul’s—may corrupt or mimic truth, blurring moral boundaries. This theme permeates the chapter: the Heers’ initial distrust of Covenant, Baradakas’s ambivalent hospitality, and Covenant’s own skepticism. The lomillialor’s behavior (seeming to “ooze” in Covenant’s grip) physically embodies this tension. Atiaran’s words frame the central dilemma: whether Covenant’s actions stem from genuine power or a deeper, more dangerous force.3. How does the setting of Soaring Woodhelven contribute to the chapter’s tension, particularly in Covenant’s interactions?
Answer:
The Woodhelven’s vertical, tree-bound structure exacerbates Covenant’s unease—his fear of heights is highlighted when he clutches Baradakas during the climb. The precariousness mirrors his psychological state: isolated, distrustful, and physically vulnerable. The heartwood chamber’s organic, enclosed space intensifies the confrontation’s intimacy, while Baradakas’s home (woven from branches) feels both welcoming and alien, reflecting Covenant’s mixed reception. The scattered lights and unreachable ground symbolize the ambiguity of his role—visible yet distant, “saving or damning” the Land without clear footing.4. Evaluate Baradakas’s invitation to Covenant after their conflict. What might his motives be, and how does Covenant respond?
Answer:
Baradakas’s invitation is layered: superficially, it’s pragmatic (offering rest and food), but his smile and later polishing of a staff suggest scrutiny or testing. Covenant initially suspects a trap but accepts, reasoning he’s safer alone with Baradakas than among the Heers. His stiff gratitude (“You honour me”) masks lingering defiance. The Hirebrand’s reply—”In accepting a gift you honour the giver”—hints at ritual significance, possibly probing Covenant’s intentions. Their interaction becomes a tentative truce, with hospitality as both peace offering and strategic observation.5. What symbolic significance does the lomillialor hold in this chapter, and how does its behavior defy expectations?
Answer:
The lomillialor, a High Wood linked to Earthpower, traditionally rejects unworthy bearers. Here, it actively responds to Covenant—first by defending him violently, then by feeling “slick” and unstable in his grip. This duality mirrors Covenant’s conflicted identity: a reluctant savior wielding destructive magic. The sparks and force suggest his wild magic disrupts the Land’s natural order, while Atiaran’s tale positions the rod as a historical tool of deception. Its defiance of norms underscores the chapter’s tension between appearance and reality, foreshadowing Covenant’s potential to transcend or corrupt the Land’s laws.
Quotes
1. “In the older age, when High Lord Kevin trusted the Grey Slayer, he was given priceless gifts of orcrest and lomillialor. The tale says that these gifts were soon lost- but while the Grey Slayer possessed them they did not reject him. It is possible for Despite to wear the guise of truth. Perhaps the wild magic surpasses truth.”
This quote reveals the deep lore of the Land and introduces the central tension about Covenant’s nature—whether his power is a force for good or evil. Atiaran’s words highlight the theme of deception and the ambiguity surrounding Covenant’s role.
2. “`He will save or damn the Earth.’ Let us pray that we will not find damnation for our distrust.”
Llaura’s reference to the prophetic song captures the existential stakes of the story and the Woodhelvennin’s dilemma in judging Covenant. This quote underscores the chapter’s pivotal moment where the villagers must decide whether to trust or reject him.
3. “In accepting a gift you honor the giver.”
Baradakas’ proverb marks a turning point in his relationship with Covenant, shifting from hostility to hospitality. This line encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of trust and the rituals of reconciliation in the Land’s culture.
4. “You have not eaten, and the weariness of your journey lies heavily upon you. Will you accept the hospitality of my house?”
This invitation represents the chapter’s resolution, where Covenant is offered shelter despite the earlier conflict. The quote highlights the tension between Covenant’s suspicion and the Woodhelvennin’s attempt to make amends, while also emphasizing the physical and emotional toll of his journey.