Against All Things Ending
Chapter 11: Part One — 11. Private Carrion
by R., Donaldson, StephenThe chapter opens with Linden and her companions in a state of shock and dismay as they confront the rising threat of She Who Must Not Be Named. Covenant, though aware of potential treachery, had not warned them, leaving the group unprepared. Esmer warns them that their only chance of survival lies in fleeing through the Hazard, guided by the ur-viles and Waynhim. The Ardent, rendered powerless by Esmer’s presence, resigns himself to impending doom, while the Humbled silently vindicate their earlier opposition to Linden’s decisions. The croyel, despite being threatened by the krill, remains defiant, its grin hinting at impending chaos.
Linden, torn between despair and determination, struggles to focus as the group debates their next move. Stave and Coldspray urge action, emphasizing the need to resist Corruption’s influence. Drawing strength from Mahrtiir’s unwavering spirit and Covenant’s past lessons, Linden resolves to trust the ur-viles and Waynhim, ordering the company to run. The Giants, carrying their companions, sprint through the moonstone passage, with Linden using the Staff’s Earthpower to shield them from the palace’s disorienting magic. The urgency is palpable as the bane’s presence grows stronger, its pulse resonating in their very bones.
The race through the palace is fraught with peril as the group navigates its enchanted wonders. Linden’s concentration wavers under the strain of resisting the Viles’ lingering magicks, but she regains control, ensuring the Giants can descend the crystal stairs safely. However, the rear of the company, including Galt, Coldspray, and Jeremiah, falls behind, raising concerns about the croyel’s potential escape. Linden, realizing the danger, urges Grueburn to slow down, fearing the croyel could exploit the gap to attack. The ur-viles, sensing the crisis, split their ranks to assist, their barks echoing through the chaotic scene.
As the chapter concludes, the tension escalates with the bane’s approach and the group’s fragmented progress. Linden’s leadership is tested as she balances the need for speed with the safety of her companions. The palace’s illusions and the croyel’s malevolence threaten to unravel their efforts, but the ur-viles’ loyalty and the Giants’ strength offer a glimmer of hope. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the outcome uncertain as the company races against time to escape the Lost Deep before She Who Must Not Be Named consumes them all.
FAQs
1. How does Linden Avery react to the imminent threat of She Who Must Not Be Named, and what does her response reveal about her character development?
Answer:
Linden initially freezes in shock, fixated on Covenant while her companions display various forms of dismay—Giants in stunned silence, Mahrtiir grinding his teeth, and Pahni clutching Liand’s hand in distress. Despite her terror, Linden ultimately rallies, drawing strength from the Staff of Law and Mahrtiir’s earlier counsel: “Attempts must be made, even when there can be no hope.” Her decision to trust the ur-viles and order a retreat demonstrates her growth from paralysis to leadership, echoing Covenant’s past lessons about perseverance. This moment highlights her resilience and willingness to act under extreme pressure, even as she feels herself “breaking” under the weight of cumulative defeats.
2. Analyze the role of Esmer in this chapter. How does his behavior align with or contradict his established nature?
Answer:
Esmer embodies his characteristic duality: he aids the company by urging them to flee (“you must cross the Hazard”) yet reinforces their despair by declaring their doom inevitable. His stern tone and dismissive gesture toward the ur-viles reflect his conflicted heritage—both Cherek and Haruchai, torn between loyalty and betrayal. Notably, he moves effortlessly alongside the Giants, underscoring his supernatural capabilities. His actions align with his tragic role as a figure who simultaneously provides critical information and exacerbates their peril, a paradox that deepens the chapter’s tension.
3. What symbolic significance does the krill’s presence hold in the confrontation with the croyel, and how does this reflect broader themes of the narrative?
Answer:
The krill, a tool of Law, contrasts starkly with the croyel’s malevolent grin—a manifestation of Corruption’s power. While the krill’s light threatens the croyel, its grin persists, symbolizing the resilience of evil even under constraint. This duality mirrors the chapter’s broader tension between hope and futility: the company clings to the krill’s protection, yet Jeremiah’s vacant expression (“as vacant as Covenant’s home on Haven Farm”) foreshadows impending catastrophe. The krill thus represents fragile hope amid overwhelming darkness, a recurring theme in the series.
4. How does Donaldson use sensory details to convey the rising threat of She Who Must Not Be Named?
Answer:
The bane’s approach is rendered through visceral, non-physical sensations: a “drumbeat in the spirit” that throbs in Linden’s bones, a “pulse” felt through percipience rather than sound. The walls’ nacre glow and the Staff’s Earthpower create a stark contrast with the encroaching evil, emphasizing its metaphysical nature. These details immerse the reader in Linden’s heightened awareness, making the threat feel imminent and inescapable. The absence of physical tremors (the walls do not shake) underscores the bane’s otherworldly power, heightening suspense.
5. Evaluate the strategic decision to place Jeremiah and the croyel at the rear of the fleeing company. What risks and rationales does this reveal?
Answer:
Positioning Jeremiah and the croyel at the rear, guarded by Galt and Coldspray, is a tactical compromise. It limits the croyel’s ability to attack the group but risks isolating their most vulnerable members. Linden acknowledges this trade-off, noting the croyel’s fear and residual power. The arrangement reflects the company’s desperation: they prioritize speed (Giants lead the charge) while containing the croyel’s threat. However, their lagging progress (“falling behind”) foreshadows potential disaster, illustrating the precarious balance between survival and sacrifice in their quest.
Quotes
1. “Attempts must be made, even when there can be no hope. The Manethrall had told her that. And betimes some wonder is wrought to redeem us.”
This quote encapsulates the chapter’s central theme of perseverance against impossible odds. It reflects Linden’s internal struggle as she faces overwhelming despair, drawing strength from Mahrtiir’s wisdom about hope and redemption in dire circumstances.
2. “Against Her ire, only white gold may hope for efficacy.”
A pivotal statement about the power dynamics in the chapter, highlighting the existential threat posed by “She Who Must Not Be Named” and establishing white gold (Covenant’s power) as the only potential counterforce. This sets up the stakes for the coming confrontation.
3. “If you desire to flee your doom, you must cross the Hazard and discover some passage upward. Here you must perish. There is no escape from the Lost Deep.”
Esmer’s dire warning creates a crucial turning point in the narrative, forcing the company to make a desperate choice. The quote’s ominous tone and finality heighten the chapter’s tension while presenting the physical and metaphorical challenge they must overcome.
4. “The knowledge and purposes of the Insequent are made naught by the mere-son’s presence. I am an empty vessel awaiting only the fulfillment of death.”
The Ardent’s despairing admission reveals the profound disruption caused by Esmer’s presence. This quote is significant for showing how even powerful beings are rendered helpless, emphasizing the scale of the threat facing the company.
5. “She was breaking; drowning in defeats. She felt it. But she also knew that Mahrtiir was right.”
This introspective moment captures Linden’s emotional state at a critical juncture. The juxtaposition of her fragility with her determination to act despite it makes this a powerful character moment that drives her subsequent decisions.