The Illearth War
Chapter 18: EIGHTEEN: Dooms Retreat
by R, Donaldson, StephenThe chapter “Doom’s Retreat” begins with Troy and his companions standing atop Kevin’s Watch at dawn, where Troy’s enhanced sight allows him to survey the Land in unprecedented detail. As sunlight spreads across the landscape, he observes the vast terrain, from the mountain wedge to the Mithil River, feeling a sense of awe and power akin to High Lord Kevin. However, this moment of elevation quickly turns to horror as he witnesses the devastating reality of the war. His army, the Warward, is still days away from Doom’s Retreat, while Hiltmark Quaan’s decimated forces flee from a massive horde of kresh and ur-viles, barely holding on with the help of Lords Callindrill and Verement.
Troy’s horror deepens as he sees the sheer scale of Lord Foul’s army, a monstrous force of Cavewights, ur-viles, griffins, and countless other creatures, all driven by bloodlust. The army has already crossed the Mithil River and is advancing rapidly, outpacing the Warward. The realization that his forces will arrive too late to mount an effective defense crushes Troy, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt and despair. He collapses under the weight of his failure, believing he has unwittingly served the Despiser and doomed the Land to destruction. His anguish is compounded by the futility of his efforts, as he sees no way to avert the impending slaughter.
Lord Mhoram intervenes, demanding that Troy find hope and act to save his warriors. He insists he can send a warning to the surviving Lords if Troy can devise a plan. Troy, however, is consumed by hopelessness, convinced that the enemy’s numbers are insurmountable. In a moment of frustrated anger, he lashes out, declaring that the only option is for the Warward to flee through Doom’s Retreat into the barren Wastes beyond. His outburst hints at a desperate, if unspoken, possibility—though he cannot yet see it himself.
The chapter captures Troy’s emotional collapse and the dire strategic situation, emphasizing the overwhelming might of Lord Foul’s forces and the seeming inevitability of defeat. Mhoram’s insistence on hope contrasts sharply with Troy’s despair, setting the stage for a potential turning point. The tension between resignation and resilience underscores the chapter’s themes of leadership, responsibility, and the struggle to find light in the face of utter darkness.
FAQs
1. What does Troy see from Kevin’s Watch that fills him with horror, and why is this vision so devastating to him?
Answer:
From Kevin’s Watch, Troy witnesses the overwhelming forces of Lord Foul’s army, including decimated Eoman riders pursued by thousands of kresh and ur-viles, followed by a massive main force of Cavewights, ur-viles, griffins, and other corrupted creatures. The devastation is devastating because Troy realizes his Warward will arrive too late to ambush this army at Doom’s Retreat, condemning his forces to slaughter. This failure is compounded by his guilt over previous strategic mistakes, including Korik’s doomed mission and the loss of the Giants. The sheer scale of Foul’s army—far beyond his worst expectations—shatters his confidence and leaves him feeling responsible for the Land’s impending doom.2. How does Lord Mhoram attempt to rally Troy from his despair, and what does this reveal about Mhoram’s leadership style?
Answer:
Mhoram physically shakes Troy out of his stupor, slapping him and demanding he “find hope” as Warmark. He insists he can communicate with surviving Lords like Callindrill or Verement to warn the Warward but needs Troy to strategize a viable plan first. This reveals Mhoram’s pragmatic and resilient leadership: he balances urgency with reason, refusing to accept defeat while recognizing that action requires purpose. His grip on Troy’s shoulders symbolizes his attempt to anchor Troy’s spiraling guilt, showing a blend of compassion and fierce resolve to salvage their forces.3. Analyze the significance of Troy losing his sunglasses in this chapter. How does this detail reflect his emotional and psychological state?
Answer:
Troy’s sunglasses, a crutch for his eyelessness, tumble off Kevin’s Watch during his breakdown, leaving him fully exposed—both physically and metaphorically. This mirrors his shattered illusions of control; just as he can no longer hide behind tinted lenses, he can no longer obscure the brutal reality of his failures. The loss underscores his vulnerability and the collapse of his strategic façade, emphasizing his transition from confident Warmark to a man overwhelmed by the “avalanche” of his miscalculations. The imagery reinforces the theme of unavoidable confrontation with truth.4. Why is the Warward’s inability to reach Doom’s Retreat in time such a catastrophic tactical failure? Consider both immediate and broader consequences.
Answer:
Immediately, the delay ensures Quaan’s riders and the Warward will be overtaken by Foul’s forces, leading to annihilation without the advantage of ambush terrain. Broader consequences include the Land losing its primary defense, leaving it open to Foul’s domination. Troy’s plan hinged on the Retreat’s geography to offset their numerical disadvantage; without it, the army’s sacrifice becomes meaningless. This failure also erodes morale and trust in leadership, exacerbating the Land’s desperation. The chapter frames it as a point of no return, where tactical misjudgment escalates into existential doom.5. Evaluate Troy’s reaction to his failure. Is his self-blame justified, or does it overlook other contributing factors?
Answer:
Troy’s self-blame is partially justified—he underestimated Foul’s forces and miscoordinated troop movements—but it overlooks external factors: the Despiser’s unforeseeable army size, the Bloodguard’s limited intelligence, and the inherent unpredictability of war. His guilt stems from viewing himself as Foul’s unwitting pawn, yet this ignores the broader context of Foul’s overwhelming power. While accountability is necessary, his collapse into despair risks paralyzing decisive action. The chapter critiques both his responsibility and his inability to adapt, suggesting leadership requires resilience beyond self-reproach.
Quotes
1. “Standing on the Watch was like being on the pinnacle of the Earth.”
This quote captures Troy’s awe and sense of power as he surveys the Land from Kevin’s Watch, mirroring High Lord Kevin’s legendary perspective. It represents a moment of grandeur before the horrific revelations to come.
2. “What he saw staggered him where he stood. Horror filled his eyes like the rush of an avalanche. It was worse than anything he could have imagined.”
This pivotal moment marks Troy’s devastating realization of Lord Foul’s overwhelming forces. The visceral imagery conveys both the scale of his shock and the chapter’s turning point from observation to despair.
3. “Like jagged hunks of rock, these facts beat Warmark Troy to his knees. ‘Dear God!’ he breathed in anguish. ‘What have I done?’”
This emotional collapse shows Troy taking personal responsibility for the impending disaster. The raw physicality of the metaphor (“jagged hunks of rock”) emphasizes how his strategic failures have become a tangible burden.
4. “He had served the Despiser from the start without knowing it, and what Atiaran Trellmate had given her life for was worse than nothing.”
This quote reveals Troy’s crushing epiphany about his unintended complicity with the enemy. It encapsulates the chapter’s theme of devastating self-realization and the futility of sacrifice.
5. “‘Discover a way!’ the Lord raged. ‘They will be slain! You must save them!’”
Mhoram’s desperate command represents both the urgency of the situation and the chapter’s central conflict - Troy being forced to confront impossible odds. The imperative tone underscores the moral weight of leadership.