Lord Foul’s Bane
Chapter 23: Twenty Three: Kiril Threndor
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with the discovery of the Second Ward, a radiant scroll that emits a pearly glow, evoking reverence from Prothall, Mhoram, and the company. Prothall handles the scroll with awe, while Covenant, though nauseated and uneasy, recognizes its significance. The Lords and warriors kneel in respect, but Covenant and the Bloodguard remain detached. Covenant’s hope that the Ward’s power could send him home is quickly dashed when Mhoram explains that mastering its lore would take generations, and attempting to use it prematurely could be perilous. The discovery brings both hope and risk, as the company is unprepared for its power.
Covenant presses the Lords about their decision to let the ur-viles escape, but Prothall and Mhoram emphasize their commitment to the Oath of Peace, avoiding unnecessary violence. Covenant’s deeper concern—whether the Ward could return him to his world—is met with regret. Mhoram reveals that the Wards were designed to be unlocked in sequence, and using the Second Ward without mastering the First could lead to disaster. The Lords acknowledge the dual nature of their discovery: it offers potential salvation for the Land but also great danger, possibly even playing into Lord Foul’s hands.
Prothall and Mhoram reflect on the weight of their responsibility, with Prothall finding renewed resolve despite the risks. The company rests briefly in the tunnel, though Covenant remains troubled, his hopes shattered. Prothall’s calm demeanor contrasts with the tension felt by others, such as Lithe, who struggles with the oppressive underground environment. As they resume their journey, the atmosphere grows heavier, the air thick with the sounds of distant torment and the ominous boiling of a hidden molten lake.
The chapter concludes with the company descending deeper into Mount Thunder, surrounded by darkness and the unsettling noises of the Wightwarrens. The path leads them past a cavern illuminated by a seething orange lake of rocklight, symbolizing the growing peril of their quest. The weight of their mission and the loss of their fallen companions linger as they press onward, their silence reflecting both determination and dread. The chapter underscores the precarious balance between hope and despair as the company moves closer to the heart of the mountain’s ancient evils.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the Second Ward discovered by Prothall, and why does its discovery present both hope and peril for the company?
Answer:
The Second Ward is an ancient scroll of immense power that shines with a pearly glow, representing advanced knowledge from High Lord Kevin’s Lore. Its discovery offers hope because mastering it could potentially double the Lords’ power against Lord Foul, as Covenant initially hopes when he asks if it could send him back. However, it also brings peril because the Lords have not yet fully mastered the First Ward, and Kevin designed the Wards to be accessed in sequence. Attempting to use the Second Ward prematurely risks dangerous consequences, as its powers may be hazardous without proper foundational knowledge. Prothall and Mhoram acknowledge this duality—while the Ward could be pivotal for the Land’s survival, it may also be a trap set by Lord Foul to lead them into uncontrolled dangers.2. How does Covenant’s reaction to the Second Ward differ from that of the Lords and warriors, and what does this reveal about his character and situation?
Answer:
While the Lords and warriors show reverence—Prothall with “beatitude,” Quaan’s Eoman kneeling, and Mhoram standing erect—Covenant remains physically uncomfortable and emotionally detached, leaning against the wall to steady his nausea. His lack of reverence contrasts sharply with the others, highlighting his outsider status and skepticism. However, his questions about the Ward reveal a desperate, private hope: he indirectly asks if it could return him to his world. This underscores his internal conflict—he is torn between disbelief in the Land’s reality and a yearning for solutions to his predicament. His collapsed hope when Mhoram denies the possibility further emphasizes his isolation and lack of solid footing in this world.3. Analyze the Lords’ justification for letting the ur-viles escape. How does this reflect their philosophical principles, and why might Covenant find this unsatisfactory?
Answer:
Mhoram states that the company avoids “unnecessary death” to uphold the Oath of Peace, fighting only out of need rather than “lust or rage.” This reflects the Lords’ commitment to ethical restraint, even in war. However, Covenant’s question hints at deeper concerns—perhaps tactical risks or missed opportunities to weaken their enemies. His dissatisfaction suggests he views their principle as naive or impractical in the face of Lord Foul’s threat. The Lords prioritize moral integrity over short-term gains, but Covenant, as an outsider, may see this as a luxury they cannot afford, especially when survival is uncertain.4. What symbolic and literal weight does the setting of Mount Thunder’s depths carry in this chapter, and how does it affect the company’s morale?
Answer:
Literally, the descent into Mount Thunder’s “bottomless roots” exposes the company to oppressive heat, thick air, and the sounds of suffering (anvils, furnaces, and boiling lakes), foreshadowing encounters with evil. Symbolically, the darkness and downward journey mirror their psychological burden—grief for the dead (Birinair and the warriors), the weight of their Quest, and the growing proximity to “slumbering ills.” The narration describes their silence as “stiff with resisted sobs,” showing how the environment saps their morale. The loss of light becomes a metaphor for their dwindling hope, making even rest feel like a pause before greater trials.5. Evaluate Mhoram’s warning about Lord Foul potentially leading them to the Second Ward as a trap. How does this theory complicate the company’s mission?
Answer:
Mhoram’s theory introduces dramatic irony: the Ward, a seeming triumph, might be a ploy to lure them into wielding powers they cannot control, leading to self-destruction. This complicates their mission by casting doubt on every decision—whether to study the Ward (risking betrayal) or ignore it (wasting potential power). Prothall’s resolve (“his time would be well remembered”) contrasts with Mhoram’s caution, highlighting tension between hope and pragmatism. The uncertainty forces them to balance optimism with vigilance, amplifying the psychological stakes of their Quest.
Quotes
1. “We fight in need, not in lust or rage. The Oath of Peace must not be compromised.”
This quote from Mhoram encapsulates the Lords’ philosophical stance on violence and their commitment to the Oath of Peace, even in dire circumstances. It highlights the moral framework that distinguishes their quest from mere warfare.
2. “It may be that Lord Foul has led us here so that we may be betrayed by powers we cannot control.”
Mhoram’s ominous reflection reveals the deeper peril of their discovery—the possibility that their enemy has manipulated them into accessing dangerous knowledge prematurely. This quote marks a turning point in the chapter’s tension.
3. “The doom of the Land is now doubly on our heads. If we are to defeat Lord Foul in the end, we must master powers for which we are not ready.”
Prothall’s admission underscores the tragic dilemma at the chapter’s core: the Ward offers hope but also immense risk. This duality defines the company’s precarious position moving forward.
4. “They could not see. It affected them like a bereavement.”
This poetic description of the company’s descent into Mount Thunder’s depths metaphorically connects their physical journey with emotional and spiritual loss. It emphasizes the psychological toll of their quest.
5. “On and on they walked as if they were amazed by darkness, irremediable night.”
A powerful evocation of the company’s grim perseverance, this line captures both the literal darkness of their path and the symbolic weight of their seemingly hopeless mission against Lord Foul.