Against All Things Ending
Chapter 6: Part One — 6. Seek Deep Stone
by R., Donaldson, StephenThomas Covenant finds himself abruptly pulled from his memories by the magic of the Insequent and his fears for Linden, standing on a narrow stone bridge spanning a chasm in Mount Thunder. The darkness is absolute, and the air is stale and lifeless, thick with the oppressive influence of Kevin’s Dirt, which dulls the senses of Linden and her companions. Covenant, numb from leprosy, lacks the health-sense to perceive his surroundings but knows the peril they face. The bridge leads to the Lost Deep, a place even the Harrow, who claims knowledge of Linden’s son, has never ventured beyond, relying instead on indirect knowledge.
The company is paralyzed by the suffocating darkness and cold, their senses nearly useless. Covenant, struggling to breathe, warns everyone not to move, fearing a fatal misstep on the precarious span. Linden urges Liand to use his orcrest, a Sunstone, to summon light, but the group’s disorientation delays its activation. The Harrow, indifferent to their plight, offers no aid, while the Ardent, fearful of the depths, remains silent. The Giants, though resilient, cautiously adjust their positions, unaware of the sheer drop beneath them. Stave’s calm directive to heed Covenant and Linden finally spurs Liand into action.
As Liand’s orcrest brightens, the company’s surroundings become horrifyingly clear. The bridge is alarmingly narrow, barely wide enough for the Giants, and the cavern’s ceiling looms with massive stalactites. The group’s shock is palpable as they grasp the extremity of their situation—the bridge’s fragility and the abyss below. The Harrow continues his muttered incantations ahead, while the Ardent, wrapped in his ribbands, stifles his terror. The light reveals the arched entrance to the Lost Deep, a void even the Sunstone’s radiance cannot penetrate, hinting at the unknown dangers awaiting them.
The chapter culminates in a moment of dread and realization. The bridge, built by the Viles for their slender forms, is ill-suited for the weight and size of Covenant’s group. The cavern’s vastness, with its glistening stalactites and reflective crystals, underscores their vulnerability. As Liand’s light grows stronger, the company regains their breath but remains acutely aware of their precarious position. The scene sets the stage for the challenges ahead, emphasizing the physical and psychological toll of their journey into the depths of Mount Thunder, where ancient evils and unseen threats lurk.
FAQs
1. What are the primary dangers facing Thomas Covenant and his companions as they stand on the bridge to the Lost Deep?
Answer:
The company faces multiple immediate threats: suffocation due to oxygen-deprived air, the numbing effects of Kevin’s Dirt (which dulls their health-sense and perception), the physical peril of the narrow and fragile stone span over a bottomless abyss, and the psychological terror of absolute darkness. Covenant also worries about the proximity to the source of Kevin’s Dirt, an “unanswerable evil” that could detect their presence. The cold, stagnant environment exacerbates their vulnerability, leaving them nearly insensate and unable to react effectively to their surroundings.2. How does Liand’s orcrest (Sunstone) prove critical in this chapter, and what does its activation reveal about the setting?
Answer:
Liand’s orcrest becomes a lifeline when its Earthpower-generated light pierces the darkness, purifying the air and restoring the company’s ability to breathe. The sudden illumination reveals the precariousness of their position on the narrow bridge and exposes the vast, eerie cavern around them—complete with towering stalactites and crystalline reflections. The light also underscores the group’s vulnerability, as it highlights the Harrow’s indifference and the Ardent’s fear, while emphasizing the unnatural blackness of the Lost Deep’s entrance, which even the Sunstone cannot penetrate.3. Analyze the significance of the bridge’s design and its historical context. Why is it ill-suited for Covenant’s company?
Answer:
The bridge was originally crafted by the Viles and later used by their creations (Demondim, ur-viles, and Waynhim), beings who were either incorporeal or physically slight. Its narrow, fragile structure—only “two Giants’ paces wide”—reflects their lack of need for sturdiness. For Covenant’s group, however, the bridge is a deathtrap: the Giants and Haruchai are far heavier, and their mortal forms are unstable in the darkness. The bridge’s history also foreshadows danger, as it symbolizes the Viles’ descent into doubt and destruction, mirroring the company’s current peril.4. How does Covenant’s leprosy affect his perception of the environment, and why is this both a limitation and a potential advantage?
Answer:
Covenant’s leprosy leaves him numb, devoid of health-sense, and unable to feel the cold, depth, or texture of his surroundings. This is a severe limitation, as he cannot rely on instinctive reactions to danger (like avoiding the bridge’s edge). However, his numbness also insulates him from the full brunt of panic-inducing sensory deprivation, allowing him to recognize threats logically—such as deducing oxygen starvation—while others are paralyzed by terror. His unique perspective highlights the tension between physical vulnerability and mental resilience.5. Evaluate the Harrow’s and the Ardent’s roles in this scene. How do their actions (or inactions) heighten the tension?
Answer:
The Harrow, who orchestrated this journey, refuses to assist the group, likely hoping they will perish so he can claim Linden’s Staff unimpeded. His silence and muttered invocations suggest selfish motives. The Ardent, meanwhile, is paralyzed by fear of the deep Earth, withdrawing his magical ribbands instead of aiding the company. Their failures force the group to rely solely on Liand’s untested power and Covenant’s desperate warnings, amplifying the scene’s claustrophobia and unpredictability. Their roles underscore the theme of betrayal and the fragility of alliances.
Quotes
1. “The absence of light was so complete that the stubborn granite in every direction could no longer recall illumination.”
This quote powerfully captures the oppressive darkness of the Lost Deep, emphasizing how absolute and unnatural it is—so profound that even stone seems to have forgotten light. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of despair and vulnerability.
2. “He was numb with leprosy, and had no health-sense to identify his circumstances. Nevertheless the pervasive brume of Kevin’s Dirt was stifling.”
This highlights Covenant’s unique perspective as both empowered and limited by his leprosy—unable to perceive dangers like others, yet acutely aware of the corrupting influence of Kevin’s Dirt. It underscores the chapter’s tension between knowledge and helplessness.
3. “Across this stone, the Viles had left their elaborate demesne in order to measure their lore against the wider world; and so they had learned doubt and then loathing and then doom.”
This poetic line encapsulates the tragic history of the Viles, serving as a microcosm of the chapter’s themes: ancient power, the corruption of knowledge, and inevitable downfall. It bridges the physical setting with deeper mythological significance.
4. “The cold had not reached him yet. He was numb with leprosy, and had no health-sense to identify his circumstances.”
A poignant reflection on Covenant’s condition, showing how his leprosy simultaneously insulates and isolates him. This duality becomes central to the chapter’s exploration of perception and survival in extreme adversity.
5. “In moments, every one of Linden’s companions would be effectively as eyeless as Mahrtiir, as deaf as seas, as unresponsive to touch as bluff rock.”
This vivid metaphor conveys the totality of sensory deprivation faced by the group, emphasizing their vulnerability. It’s a key moment that heightens the chapter’s tension and foreshadows their struggle to navigate the darkness.