The Illearth War
Chapter 20: TWENTY: Garroting Deep
by R, Donaldson, StephenThe chapter “TWENTY: Garroting Deep” opens with Lord Mhoram leading the Warward to the edge of Garroting Deep, a perilous forest, as they face imminent threat from the advancing army of moksha Fleshharrower. The Warward is exhausted, and Mhoram is burdened by the urgency of executing Warmark Troy’s risky plan, which is their only hope for survival. The stakes are high, as failure would mean annihilation between the Raver’s forces and the deadly forest. Mhoram doubts his ability to succeed, feeling helpless despite his determination to save his people.
The chapter delves into the psychological toll on key characters. Lord Callindrill, traumatized by the battle against Fleshharrower, has lost confidence in his strength, while First Haft Amorine, who bravely held her command together during the Raver’s attack, is now emotionally shattered by Troy’s blindness and the dire situation. Troy himself has withdrawn into silence, consumed by his inability to see and his guilt over the plan’s risks. His blindness symbolizes his perceived failure, and he shifts the responsibility for the Warward’s survival onto Mhoram, believing the Lord must now bear the burden.
Quaan, the Hiltmark, reacts with horror to Troy’s plan, fearing it will lead to the Warward’s destruction. He confronts Troy and Mhoram, torn between loyalty and disbelief. Troy defends his strategy, arguing that Mhoram’s lifelong dedication to the Land makes him the only one capable of saving them. Mhoram, though weary and haunted by self-doubt, accepts the responsibility but warns that the ultimate outcome may still rest with Troy, as the Despiser’s machinations are unpredictable.
The chapter concludes with a tense exchange highlighting the characters’ despair and resilience. Mhoram urges Quaan not to judge Troy prematurely, emphasizing the complexity of their predicament. The emotional and physical strains on the leaders underscore the dire circumstances, as the Warward stands on the brink of disaster, relying on a plan that may be their only hope—or their downfall.
FAQs
1. What is the strategic significance of Cravenhaw and Garroting Deep in Warmark Troy’s plan?
Answer:
Cravenhaw, the southern edge of Garroting Deep, serves as the last defensible position for the Warward against Fleshharrower’s advancing army. Troy’s plan hinges on using the deadly Forest as a natural barrier, forcing the enemy into a vulnerable position. The location is critical because it funnels Fleshharrower’s forces between the mountains and the Deep, limiting their mobility. However, failure would trap the Warward between the Raver and the lethal Forest, leaving no escape. This desperate gambit reflects Troy’s recognition that conventional tactics are insufficient against the overwhelming might of the enemy (as seen in his admission, “I can’t help it. I’m blind”).2. Analyze how the psychological toll of battle manifests in Lord Callindrill, Amorine, and Troy.
Answer:
Each character suffers distinct trauma:- Lord Callindrill loses confidence after failing to resist Fleshharrower’s vortex, leaving him clouded by self-doubt (“no longer believed in his strength”).
- Amorine absorbs her warriors’ terror during the siege, then collapses into numbness after witnessing Troy’s blindness, transferring her agency to Quaan like a “puppet.”
- Troy retreats into fatalism, interpreting his blindness as cosmic betrayal (“Foul knew what kind of man I am”). His physical injury mirrors his psychological surrender, as he fixates on the fire’s heat, symbolizing his burned-out hope. The chapter underscores how war erodes identity, whether through humiliation (Callindrill), dissociation (Amorine), or existential despair (Troy).
3. Why does Lord Mhoram accept Troy’s plan despite his doubts, and what does this reveal about his leadership?
Answer:
Mhoram accepts the plan out of duty to his promise on Kevin’s Watch and recognition that the Warward has no alternatives. His internal conflict—”he doubted that he could succeed at all”—highlights the weight of leadership, yet he shoulders the burden to preserve morale. Notably, he reframes Troy’s role (“the command must finally return to you”), emphasizing accountability even in failure. This shows Mhoram’s balance of pragmatism and compassion: he mitigates Quaan’s fears while subtly challenging Troy to reclaim responsibility. His actions reflect a leader who sustains hope amid helplessness, as seen in his efforts to “absorb parts of [others’] burdens.”4. How does the chapter use physical landscapes (Garroting Deep, mountains, the plain) to heighten thematic tension?
Answer:
The landscapes mirror the characters’ trapped desperation:- Garroting Deep symbolizes inescapable peril, its lethal reputation evoking the “fatal” stakes of Troy’s gamble.
- The mountains framing the plain act like “jaws,” reinforcing entrapment between natural and supernatural threats (Fleshharrower’s army vs. the Forest).
- The grassy plain, the first healthy terrain seen since the South Plains, offers cruel irony—a brief respite before potential annihilation. Together, these elements externalize the Warward’s psychological claustrophobia, with the environment becoming an active antagonist that underscores their dwindling options.
5. Evaluate Troy’s assertion that Lord Foul manipulated his summoning to exploit his flaws. Is this paranoia or valid self-awareness?
Answer:
Troy’s claim blends truth and despair. His insight—”Foul knew I’m the kind of man who backs into corners”—acknowledges his strategic rigidity, which Foul could exploit. However, his reduction of blindness to cosmic punishment (“just being fallible is the same as treachery”) reveals paranoia. The text supports Foul’s interference (Mhoram notes the Despiser “ridicules me in my dreams”), but Troy’s self-loathing exaggerates his culpability. His dichotomy—”it isn’t up to me anymore” vs. “it’s on [Mhoram’s] head”—shows conflicted accountability, suggesting his interpretation is both perceptive and self-defeating.- Lord Callindrill loses confidence after failing to resist Fleshharrower’s vortex, leaving him clouded by self-doubt (“no longer believed in his strength”).
Quotes
1. “The Giant-Raver drove his forces savagely. Despite the delay at Doriendor Corishev, he was now no more than two leagues away.”
This quote establishes the relentless pursuit by the enemy, creating immediate tension and highlighting the precarious situation of Lord Mhoram’s forces as they face Garroting Deep with Fleshharrower closing in.
2. “He had so little time in which to attempt Warmark Troy’s plan. From this position, there were no escapes and no hopes except the one Troy had envisioned.”
This captures Lord Mhoram’s desperation and the high stakes of Troy’s strategy, emphasizing the do-or-die nature of their predicament and the weight of leadership on Mhoram’s shoulders.
3. “He no longer believed in his strength.”
A poignant description of Lord Callindrill’s psychological state after the battle, illustrating the deep personal toll of their struggle against the Raver and the erosion of confidence that comes with trauma.
4. “He thinks Foul had a hand in summoning me—interfered with Atiaran somehow so that I showed up, instead of somebody else who might have looked less friendly.”
Troy’s bitter realization about his potential role as a pawn of Lord Foul introduces themes of manipulation and fate, questioning the nature of trust and free will in their conflict.
5. “You’ve given your whole life to the Land, and you’re going to give it now.”
A powerful statement of faith in Lord Mhoram’s dedication, underscoring the theme of sacrifice and the transfer of responsibility to Mhoram as the last hope for their survival.