Against All Things Ending
Chapter 7: Part One — 7. Crossing the Hazard
by R., Donaldson, StephenLinden Avery is overwhelmed by the dire circumstances she and her companions face. Trapped on the wrong side of a bottomless chasm, she grapples with Covenant’s deteriorating mental state and the looming threat of the Worm of the World’s End. The Harrow’s oaths offer little reassurance, as Linden doubts his ability to open the sealed portal to the Lost Deep. Her primary focus remains rescuing her son, Jeremiah, but without her Staff or Covenant’s ring, she feels powerless. The oppressive cold and stagnant air of the cavern amplify her despair, leaving her paralyzed by fear and uncertainty.
The Giants, led by Rime Coldspray, attempt to rally the group, emphasizing the urgency of their mission. Coldspray’s words momentarily shake Linden from her trance, but the weight of their predicament remains. Anele, exhausted from revealing ancient secrets, lies unconscious, adding to the tension. Linden’s thoughts spiral as she struggles to balance her need to help Covenant, understand Anele’s revelations, and save Jeremiah. She acknowledges her own weakness, both physically and emotionally, as the shivering cold mirrors her inner turmoil.
The group debates the Harrow’s intentions and the feasibility of stopping the Worm. Mahrtiir and Stave question whether the Harrow’s plans can truly avert disaster, while the Ardent defends the Insequent’s uncertain prophecies. Covenant, lost in his fragmented mind, interjects with cryptic remarks about an unnamed female entity, further confusing the situation. His disjointed speech underscores the group’s lack of clear direction. Linden, jolted by his voice, rises to her feet, but her actions feel futile amidst the chaos.
As the Harrow remains inactive, Liand and Clyme voice their skepticism about his capabilities. The Ardent’s attempts to justify the Insequent’s role fall flat, leaving the group in a tense standstill. Linden, standing beside Covenant, mirrors his helplessness, symbolizing their shared struggle. The chapter ends with a sense of impending doom, as the characters confront their limited options and the overwhelming power of their enemies. The stakes are higher than ever, but solutions remain elusive, leaving Linden and her companions on the brink of despair.
FAQs
1. What are the primary obstacles Linden and her companions face in this chapter, and how do these challenges reflect the larger themes of the story?
Answer:
Linden and her companions face multiple obstacles: a bottomless chasm blocking their path, the Harrow’s uncertain ability to open the portal to the Lost Deep, Covenant’s deteriorating mental state, and the impending threat of the Worm of the World’s End. These challenges reflect themes of desperation, powerlessness, and time running out. Linden’s inability to act without her Staff or Covenant’s ring underscores her vulnerability, while the Worm symbolizes existential doom. The Harrow’s ambiguous motives and the Giants’ struggle to process Anele’s revelations further highlight the tension between knowledge and action in dire circumstances.2. How does Linden’s internal conflict mirror the external threats in this chapter?
Answer:
Linden’s internal conflict—her fear for Jeremiah, guilt over Covenant’s condition, and paralysis in the face of overwhelming odds—mirrors the external threats of the chasm, the Worm, and the Harrow’s unreliable promises. Her shivering heart and immobility parallel the “terrible power” lurking in the cavern, emphasizing how emotional and physical stagnation compound their peril. The chapter juxtaposes her helplessness (“too weak to move”) with the Giants’ rallying resolve, illustrating how personal despair amplifies larger dangers. Her need to “forgive herself” if Covenant recovers ties her inner turmoil to the fate of the Land.3. Analyze the significance of Anele’s revelations and their impact on the group’s dynamics.
Answer:
Anele’s unconscious state after revealing the Worm’s threat and the “blood of the Earth” leaves the group grappling with fragmented, apocalyptic knowledge. His words force the Giants to confront their limited agency (“no present import”), while Stave and Galt debate the Harrow’s reliability. The Ardent’s admission that even the Insequent cannot predict outcomes underscores how Anele’s insights deepen uncertainty. His role as a conduit for ancient secrets fractures the group’s cohesion, as seen in Mahrtiir’s uncharacteristic timidity and Coldspray’s attempt to refocus them on immediate goals.4. How does Covenant’s fragmented mental state serve as both a narrative device and a symbolic element?
Answer:
Covenant’s disjointed speech (“You can’t kill her”) and detachment from the present act as a narrative device to heighten tension, leaving Linden without her most powerful ally. Symbolically, his broken mind represents the Land’s fractured state and the erosion of hope. His sporadic, cryptic warnings (e.g., about a “she” who “feels” rather than schemes) hint at deeper lore, mirroring the chapter’s theme of obscured truths. His inability to “cling” to reality parallels Linden’s struggle to grasp control, reinforcing how both characters embody the cost of their burdens.5. Evaluate the Harrow’s role in this chapter. Is he a manipulator, a reluctant ally, or both?
Answer:
The Harrow is both manipulator and flawed ally. He binds himself with oaths, but Linden distrusts his arrogance and reliance on others’ inability to find Jeremiah. His inaction (failing to open the portal) and the Ardent’s admission that Insequent predictions are “conflicted” paint him as dangerously overconfident. Yet his potential to wield the Staff and ring positions him as a necessary, if unreliable, force against the Worm. The tension between his self-interest and the group’s survival encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of ambiguous salvation.
Quotes
1. “A terrible power lives here. The cold was already terrible.”
This quote captures the ominous atmosphere of the cavern and foreshadows the dangers lurking in the Lost Deep. It reflects Linden’s growing dread and the chapter’s central tension about the unknown threats they face.
2. “The Worm of the World’s End was coming to the Land.”
A pivotal statement about the apocalyptic threat facing their world, this quote underscores the urgency of their mission while highlighting the scale of the challenge beyond their immediate predicament.
3. “Here it will discover its final nourishment. The very blood of life from the most potent and private recesses of the Earth’s heart.”
This vivid imagery explains the Worm’s destructive purpose while emphasizing the sacredness of what’s at stake. It represents Anele’s crucial revelation about why this location is so significant.
4. “Without forbidding, there is too little time.”
This concise phrase encapsulates the chapter’s central dilemma - the need to stop the Worm with insufficient power or knowledge. It reflects both the temporal urgency and the philosophical challenge of their situation.
5. “She needed to see him freed from the croyel. And she would never be content without Covenant.”
This reveals Linden’s deepest personal motivations, showing how her maternal love for Jeremiah and her complex feelings for Covenant drive her forward despite overwhelming odds.