The Illearth War
Chapter 17: SEVENTEEN: Tull’s Tale
by R, Donaldson, StephenThe chapter “Tull’s Tale” begins with Troy’s intense reaction to the arrival of Tull, a Bloodguard, who brings news of Korik’s mission to Seareach. Troy, who had repressed thoughts of the Giants, now eagerly calculates their possible arrival, believing they could reinforce the Warward against Lord Foul’s army. He speculates that Tull has come ahead to announce their approach, imagining a strategic attack on Lord Foul’s rear during the battle of Doom’s Retreat. Troy’s excitement is palpable as he questions Tull, desperate for confirmation of the Giants’ imminent aid.
However, Tull’s demeanor quickly shatters Troy’s expectations. The Bloodguard, usually emotionless, reveals a rare and profound grief, signaling that the news is dire. Lord Mhoram, sensing the gravity of the situation, insists on hearing Tull’s report despite his own dread. Tull’s struggle to maintain composure hints at a tragedy, and Terrel’s swift intervention underscores the severity of the moment. The chapter shifts from Troy’s hopeful anticipation to a foreboding sense of loss, setting the stage for Tull’s tale.
Tull recounts the mission’s harrowing journey, detailing how the group was forced to travel on foot around the Sarangrave Flat, losing precious time. He reveals that Shull and Vale, two Bloodguard, fell to Lord Foul’s forces, leaving him as the sole survivor. His arduous journey to Mithil Stonedown, riding a Ranyhyn without rest, emphasizes his determination to deliver his message. The chapter builds tension as Tull prepares to disclose the fate of the Giants and the ill doom that has befallen The Grieve, the Giants’ homeland.
The final paragraph delves into the mission’s earlier struggles, including Lord Hyrim’s sickness and the group’s losses during their river journey. The rain and ruined supplies compounded their hardships, leaving Hyrim feverish and delirious. Despite the Bloodguard’s efforts to aid him, his condition worsens, symbolizing the mission’s dire straits. The chapter ends on a somber note, with Korik’s desperate attempt to rally the group around a fire, foreshadowing the tragic revelations to come in Tull’s full account.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Tull’s emotional reaction when delivering his tidings, and how does it contrast with typical Bloodguard behavior?
Answer:
Tull’s emotional reaction is highly significant because it breaks the characteristic stoicism of the Bloodguard, who typically show no outward emotion due to their Vow. His grief-stricken tone when speaking to Lord Mhoram reveals the profound tragedy of his message—likely the loss of the Giants—and underscores the severity of the situation. This contrasts sharply with the Bloodguard’s usual “flat voice” and emotional detachment, highlighting Tull’s relative youth and inexperience with the Vow. The moment is so striking that Terrel physically intervenes to restore Tull’s composure, emphasizing the Bloodguard’s cultural expectation of emotional control even in extreme circumstances.2. Analyze Troy’s initial assumptions about the Giants’ arrival and how they reflect his strategic mindset. What does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Troy’s immediate calculations about the Giants’ potential arrival demonstrate his tactical, optimistic nature. He assumes the Giants are close behind Tull, reasoning that they would follow his battle plan to attack Lord Foul’s rear at Doom’s Retreat. This reflects his tendency to focus on actionable solutions—he had previously repressed thoughts of the Giants to concentrate on the war effort. However, his eagerness blinds him to Tull’s distress, revealing a flaw: Troy prioritizes strategic advantage over emotional nuance. His rapid-fire questioning (“Where are they?”) and dismissal of Tull’s pain underscore his desperation for hope in a dire war.3. How does the chapter portray the physical and psychological toll of the mission to Seareach? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The chapter vividly depicts the mission’s hardships through Tull’s tale and Lord Hyrim’s suffering. Physically, the group endures ruined supplies: rain spoils food, stains clothing black, and extinguishes lillianrill rods, leaving them without warmth or light. Lord Hyrim’s sickness from river water and fever renders him delirious, his rants “demeaning him as if he were without worth.” Psychologically, the Bloodguard’s helplessness is stark—they cannot ease Hyrim’s pain until Korik orders a risky nighttime forage for firewood and aliantha. These details emphasize the mission’s relentless brutality, foreshadowing its tragic outcome.4. Why does Lord Mhoram insist on sitting to hear Tull’s tidings, and what does this suggest about his leadership style?
Answer:
Mhoram’s decision to sit—described as moving “like an old man”—signals both physical exhaustion and emotional preparedness for devastating news. Unlike Troy, who impulsively demands answers, Mhoram recognizes the gravity of Tull’s tone and braces himself. This reflects his wisdom and empathy as a leader: he acknowledges his own limits (“I lack the strength”) while prioritizing the dignity of the message. His calm instruction (“Speak, Bloodguard”) contrasts with Troy’s urgency, showing Mhoram’s ability to balance compassion with authority, even when anticipating doom.5. Evaluate the symbolic importance of the ruined lillianrill rods and blackened clothing in the mission’s narrative.
Answer:
The destroyed lillianrill rods and blackened robes symbolize the mission’s loss of hope and identity. The rods, which normally provide light and warmth, are rendered powerless by the Defiles Course water, mirroring how the group’s purpose is corrupted by the land’s malevolence. The staining of Hyrim’s white robe and the Bloodguard’s raiment black visually represents their descent into darkness, both literally and metaphorically. These details reinforce the chapter’s themes of decay and futility, foreshadowing the mission’s failure while underscoring the pervasive reach of Lord Foul’s influence.
Quotes
1. “Troy could understand how Tull had come here. It made sense. The other Bloodguard would be leading the Giants, and Tull had come ahead to tell the Warward that help was on the way.”
This quote captures Troy’s initial hopeful interpretation of Tull’s arrival, showcasing his strategic thinking and desperate optimism for Giant reinforcements in the war against Lord Foul. It sets up the dramatic irony of the tragic news to come.
2. “Lord!” The word vibrated with a grief so keen that the Bloodguard could not master it.”
This moment is shocking because it shows the normally emotionless Bloodguard overcome by profound sorrow, foreshadowing the catastrophic news about the Giants. It marks a pivotal emotional turning point in the chapter.
3. “I must tell you of the mission to Seareach, and of the ill doom which has befallen The Grieve.”
Tull’s ominous declaration serves as the chapter’s central revelation, hinting at the disaster that has occurred in Seareach. The phrase “ill doom” carries significant weight in the narrative’s darkening tone.
4. “But because of the evil which is awake, we were compelled to journey on foot around the Sarangrave, and so twelve days were gone.”
This quote illustrates the growing power of Lord Foul’s influence across the land, showing how his malevolence actively hinders and delays even the most determined allies of the Lords.
5. “He told his tale clearly and coherently, as if he had rehearsed it many times during his journey from Seareach.”
This observation about Tull’s storytelling emphasizes how deeply the traumatic events have affected him, requiring repeated mental rehearsal to maintain composure when delivering the devastating news.