Against All Things Ending
Chapter 15: Part Two — 3. —Whatever the Cost
by R., Donaldson, StephenThe chapter opens with the Giants, led by Rime Coldspray, withdrawing to hold their own private discussion, or “Giantclave,” away from Linden and Covenant. Linden observes their frustration but trusts their judgment implicitly. Meanwhile, other companions display varying states of tension: Mahrtiir paces restlessly, Bhapa masks his anxiety, and Anele sleeps deeply, exhausted by their ordeal. Linden herself is weighed down by unresolved concerns, waiting for Covenant or Mahrtiir to offer clarity, but the only illumination comes from the fading dusk and the krill’s light.
Linden retreats to the stream with Stave, seeking solace and reflection. She muses on the cost of their escape from the Lost Deep, feeling the lingering toll of their ordeal. Stave reveals how Covenant persuaded Esmer to leave, explaining that Anele, in a moment of clarity, summoned the Dead—specifically Sunder, Hollian, and later Elena—to distract the bane. This allowed Covenant to negotiate with Esmer, though the details remain unclear. Linden is shaken by the revelation, realizing Covenant indirectly sacrificed Elena, and she shares the blame for Elena’s torment.
Stave further explains that Covenant’s arguments to Esmer involved the peril to Kastenessen if the bane obtained white gold, but Esmer’s response was cryptic. He hinted at unseen forces that should have aided Covenant but failed to do so, leaving Linden baffled. She expresses frustration at the constant ambiguity surrounding their allies and enemies, wishing for straightforward communication. Stave defends the Demondim-spawn, noting their intentions are clear even if their language is not, highlighting a rare instance of transparency in their struggles.
The chapter underscores the emotional and psychological burdens carried by Linden and her companions. Themes of sacrifice, trust, and the elusive nature of truth dominate as Linden grapples with the consequences of their actions and the mysteries yet to be unraveled. The Giants’ solidarity, Stave’s unwavering support, and the cryptic hints of unseen forces all contribute to a sense of impending confrontation, leaving Linden exhausted but determined to press forward despite the darkness surrounding them.
FAQs
1. How did Covenant and Anele manage to divert the bane’s attack in the Lost Deep?
Answer:
Covenant initially attempted to sway the bane directly, but when this failed, he turned to Anele for aid. Because Anele stood upon stone—or perhaps due to the clarity brought by their extreme peril—he responded by claiming the sunstone and reaching out to his deceased parents, Sunder Graveler and Hollian eh-Brand. They appeared briefly but withdrew, summoning instead the tormented spirit of High Lord Elena. Elena’s anguish drew the bane’s attention, creating a diversion that allowed Covenant to persuade Esmer to leave, thereby averting immediate destruction. This sequence highlights Anele’s latent power and Covenant’s desperate cunning in leveraging available resources.2. What is Linden’s emotional state in this chapter, and how does it influence her interactions with others?
Answer:
Linden is exhausted, overwhelmed, and burdened by unresolved guilt. She values the solidarity of Liand and Pahni but feels unworthy of their support, and Stave’s unwavering devotion only amplifies her sense of inadequacy. Her trust in the Giants contrasts sharply with her self-doubt, as she believes their hearts are more reliable than her own. This emotional turmoil leads her to seek solitude by the stream, where she reflects on the costs of their escape and the moral weight of Elena’s sacrifice. Her internal struggle underscores the chapter’s themes of responsibility and the psychological toll of leadership.3. What role does Esmer play in the events of this chapter, and why is his departure significant?
Answer:
Esmer’s presence embodies the tension between aid and betrayal, as his dual nature (descendant of both Haruchai and Elohim) makes him unpredictable. Covenant convinces him to leave by appealing to the threat posed to Kastenessen if the bane gains white gold, though Esmer also hints at unseen forces that should have “redeemed” Covenant. His departure is significant because it temporarily removes a volatile element, yet Stave warns that Esmer will strike again. This foreshadows future conflict and raises questions about the “other powers” Esmer references, deepening the mystery of who might still intervene in the group’s fate.4. Analyze the symbolism of the Staff of Law in this chapter. How does it reflect Linden’s current challenges?
Answer:
The Staff, described as “an ebon shaft” akin to the Earth’s deepest caverns, symbolizes both Linden’s power and her feelings of inadequacy. Caerroil Wildwood’s runes act as commandments she cannot decipher, mirroring her struggle to navigate moral and strategic dilemmas without clear guidance. Its stark blackness contrasts with the “dwindling glow of dusk,” emphasizing her dwindling hope. The Staff’s inert state parallels Linden’s paralysis—she holds immense potential but lacks the clarity to wield it effectively, reinforcing the chapter’s focus on unresolved tension and the price of survival.5. Why does Linden blame herself for Elena’s fate, and how does this connect to broader themes in the story?
Answer:
Linden blames herself because, in Andelain, she denied Elena’s spirit absolution, leaving the High Lord’s tormented essence vulnerable to the bane’s consumption. This guilt ties into the recurring theme of unintended consequences: Covenant’s manipulation of Anele and Elena’s sacrifice were desperate acts, but Linden’s earlier choices compounded their severity. Her self-reproach reflects the narrative’s exploration of moral ambiguity—how survival often demands painful compromises. This moment also deepens her character arc, as she grapples with the weight of leadership and the impossibility of pure redemption in a fractured world.
Quotes
1. “They were Giants: she trusted their hearts more than she trusted her own.”
This quote captures Linden’s deep respect for the Giants and her own self-doubt. It highlights the contrast between her confidence in others and her lack of faith in herself, a recurring theme in her character development.
2. “Escape has a price. I learned that a long time ago. There’s always a price.”
This profound statement reflects the chapter’s central theme of consequences and sacrifice. Linden recognizes that every victory comes with a cost, setting up the emotional weight of the difficult choices made in this section.
3. “Such was her anguish, Chosen, that she drew the heed of the bane. While the bane sought to consume her, the Unbeliever gained an opportunity to dissuade Esmer from our immediate ruin.”
This pivotal moment reveals how Covenant used Elena’s suffering as a distraction to save the group. It’s significant for showing the morally complex decisions characters must make in desperate situations.
4. “Just once, I want to meet someone who calls a spade a damn shovel.”
This frustrated outburst from Linden perfectly encapsulates her exhaustion with cryptic messages and half-truths. It represents the broader narrative challenge of characters working with incomplete information.
5. “The Demondim-spawn do so. That we cannot comprehend their speech is a lack in us, not in them. It is not their intent to thwart understanding.”
Stave’s defense of the ur-viles and Waynhim offers an important perspective on communication and understanding. This quote challenges assumptions about intentional obscurity versus genuine differences in perception.