Lord Foul’s Bane
Chapter 13: Thirteen: Vespers
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Thomas Covenant enters Revelstone, the imposing fortress of the Lords, through a tunnel-like entrance beneath a tower. The stark, shadowed passage echoes with the sounds of hooves and his staff, heightening his unease. Emerging into a sunlit courtyard, he observes the grandeur of the Keep, including a central Gilden tree and stone gates leading deeper inside. Despite his awe, Covenant resists the seductive pull of the fortress, clinging to his hidden white gold ring as a safeguard against expectations of power he fears he cannot fulfill.
Covenant’s internal conflict intensifies as he grapples with his desire to belong and his need for independence. He worries that his secret—the ring—might be exposed, jeopardizing his fragile position. His companion, the Giant Foamfollower, is greeted warmly by the Bloodguard, an elite group of warriors, but Covenant is met with distrust by Bannor, a Bloodguard assigned to escort him. The stark contrast between Foamfollower’s camaraderie and his own isolation deepens Covenant’s anxiety, leaving him uncertain of his reception in Revelstone.
Separated from Foamfollower, Covenant is led by Bannor through a labyrinth of passages and stairs, disorienting him further. The Bloodguard’s silent efficiency and imposing presence unsettle Covenant, who senses an unspoken threat. When they arrive at a secluded chamber, Covenant realizes the door lacks any means of opening from the inside, sparking alarm. His attempts to force it fail, and his frustration erupts into anger when Bannor confirms he is to remain confined until the Lords summon him.
The chapter ends with Covenant’s growing fear and resentment as he confronts the reality of his imprisonment. His distrust of the Bloodguard and the Lords’ intentions mirrors his broader struggle with the Land’s demands on him. The isolation and lack of control reinforce his determination to protect his secret, even as he questions whether he can trust anyone—including Foamfollower—in this unfamiliar and imposing world.
FAQs
1. How does Covenant initially react to Revelstone, and how does this reaction change?
Answer:
Covenant is initially struck with awe when he first sees Revelstone, describing it as “tall enough to provide a foundation for the heavens.” He even wishes he could claim its grandeur for himself, feeling a desire to belong there. However, this awe quickly turns to resistance as he recognizes it as another seduction that threatens his independence. He consciously shuts down his admiration with a “hard frown” and presses his hidden ring for reassurance, reminding himself of his need to maintain secrecy and avoid further emotional entanglements in the Land.2. What is the significance of Covenant’s hidden ring in this chapter?
Answer:
Covenant’s hidden white gold ring represents his only perceived hope and solution to his paradoxical situation. By keeping it secret, he believes he can deliver his message to the Lords without being pressured into using power he cannot control. The ring symbolizes his fragile independence—a way to navigate the Land’s demands while protecting himself from expectations. His anxiety about Foamfollower potentially revealing the secret underscores its importance as both a psychological anchor and a strategic concealment.3. Analyze the portrayal of the Bloodguard in this chapter. What makes them unsettling to Covenant?
Answer:
The Bloodguard, particularly Bannor, are depicted as unnervingly solid and impassive, with faces that show no age and voices that convey stiffness and distrust. Their aura of absolute competence and readiness for coercion unsettles Covenant, as they lack the Oath of Peace that typically characterizes the Land’s inhabitants. Unlike the Woodhelvennin, who acted harshly out of necessity, the Bloodguard’s calm commitment to enforcing commands feels inherently violent to Covenant, heightening his sense of vulnerability and isolation.4. How does the architectural description of Revelstone contribute to the chapter’s tone?
Answer:
The detailed depiction of Revelstone—its towering walls, hidden shafts, labyrinthine passages, and doorless rooms—creates a tone of grandeur laced with claustrophobia and unease. The fortress is awe-inspiring yet isolating, mirroring Covenant’s internal conflict. The doorless chamber where he is confined amplifies his sense of imprisonment, while the sheer scale of the Keep underscores the power dynamics at play. The architecture becomes a physical manifestation of the Land’s seductive yet oppressive nature.5. Why does Covenant’s separation from Foamfollower intensify his anxiety?
Answer:
Foamfollower has been Covenant’s sole ally and source of stability in the Land. Their separation leaves Covenant vulnerable to the Bloodguard’s control, stripping him of his only emotional anchor. Foamfollower’s obliviousness to Covenant’s distress (“Be at Peace”) contrasts sharply with Bannor’s imposing presence, exacerbating Covenant’s isolation. This moment highlights his dependence on the Giant and foreshadows the challenges he will face navigating Revelstone’s politics alone.
Quotes
1. “As he stepped between the balanced jaws, Covenant gripped his staff tightly in his left hand… filling the tunnel like a rumour of war, and even the light click of Covenant’s staff pranced about him as if shadows of himself were walking one hesitation step behind him down the Keep’s throat.”
This vivid description captures Covenant’s tense entry into Revelstone, using powerful imagery to convey both the physical environment and his psychological state—the “shadows of himself” hinting at his internal conflicts and the weight of his journey.
2. “For a moment as he gazed, his awe made him wish that he were, like Foamfollower, an inheritor of Lord’s Keep—that he could in some way claim its grandeur for himself. He wanted to belong here. But as Revelstone’s initial impact on him passed, he began to resist the desire.”
This quote reveals Covenant’s internal struggle between yearning for belonging and his resistance to being seduced by the Land’s beauty—a recurring theme in his character arc. It highlights his fear of losing his independence and identity.
3. “As long as he kept his ring secret, he could deliver his message to the Lords, satisfy his exigent need to keep moving, and still avoid dangerous expectations, demands of power that he could not meet.”
This encapsulates Covenant’s precarious strategy for survival in the Land—his reliance on secrecy and his determination to avoid being forced into a role he feels unworthy or incapable of fulfilling. It underscores his central dilemma.
4. “They conveyed such an impression of solidity to Covenant’s eyes that he was distracted from the Giant. They moved evenly across the courtyard as if they were personified rock.”
This introduction of the Bloodguard emphasizes their otherworldly, unwavering nature, setting up their role as formidable and enigmatic figures. Their “personified rock” quality foreshadows their unyielding loyalty and discipline.
5. “It had no handle, knob, latch, draw line—no means by which he could open it. What the hell—? He shoved at it with his shoulder, tried to grip it by the edges and pull; he could not budge the heavy stone.”
This moment marks Covenant’s realization of his confinement, heightening the tension and his sense of vulnerability. The door’s impenetrability symbolizes his trapped position—both physically and metaphorically—in the unfolding events.