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    [The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant 10] • The Last Dark

    by R., Donaldson, Stephen
    “The Last Dark” by Stephen R. Donaldson is the concluding volume of “The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant,” bringing the epic fantasy saga to a climactic end. The story follows Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery as they confront the ultimate destruction of the Land, battling cosmic forces and personal demons. Themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the struggle between despair and hope are central to the narrative. Donaldson’s intricate world-building and morally complex characters culminate in a resolution that tests the limits of courage and love. This finale is significant for its philosophical depth and emotional intensity, marking a definitive close to a landmark series in fantasy literature.
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    [The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant 10] • The Last Dark

    Chapter 20: Part Two — 7. At Last

    by R., Donaldson, Stephen

    The chap­ter “At Last” depicts a har­row­ing jour­ney as Thomas Covenan­t’s com­pa­ny nav­i­gates a treach­er­ous flood with­in a cave. The sud­den del­uge, reek­ing of min­er­als and ancient mal­ice, ini­tial­ly over­whelms the group, threat­en­ing to drown them. How­ev­er, the cave’s out­let absorbs much of the force, leav­ing the Giants and their com­pan­ions bat­tered but alive. The Feroce, mys­te­ri­ous allies, van­ish in the chaos, pos­si­bly swept back to their ori­gins. As the flood sub­sides, the air clears slight­ly, and Jere­mi­ah’s renewed con­trol over Earth­pow­er offers respite, con­firm­ing his safe­ty despite the ordeal.

    The com­pa­ny press­es for­ward through the crevice, now a nar­row, silt-filled pas­sage. Giants like Frost­heart Grue­burn and Cir­rus Kind­wind strug­gle against the cling­ing mire, rely­ing on a life­line to ascend. The Haruchai, includ­ing Stave, face the gru­el­ing climb with unchar­ac­ter­is­tic strain, their endurance test­ed. Lin­den, car­ried by Grue­burn, observes the per­ilous conditions—shifting silt, suf­fo­cat­ing gas­es, and the ever-present threat of col­lapse. Covenan­t’s frus­tra­tion and Jere­mi­ah’s exhaus­tion under­score the dire cir­cum­stances, while the Giants’ team­work and resilience keep the group mov­ing.

    The ascent grows more treach­er­ous as the crevice nar­rows and the silt deep­ens, with hid­den pits like the one Stout­girth falls into pos­ing addi­tion­al dan­gers. Sul­furous gas­es erupt, burn­ing lungs and eyes, but the com­pa­ny per­se­veres. Lin­den’s health-sense fails to pen­e­trate the silt’s ancient, mag­ic-laden lay­ers, leav­ing them blind to its haz­ards. Yet, hints of clean­er air and dimin­ish­ing traces of the bane’s mal­ice offer fleet­ing hope. The Giants, though exhaust­ed, con­tin­ue their relent­less climb, their cama­raderie and deter­mi­na­tion shin­ing through the dark­ness.

    As the com­pa­ny nears the crevice’s end, the kril­l’s light reveals firmer ground ahead, allow­ing the lead­ing Giants to anchor the life­line and assist the oth­ers. Grue­burn reas­sures Lin­den, though Jere­mi­ah’s strength wanes. The walls widen slight­ly, and the air improves, but fatigue weighs heav­i­ly on the group. The chap­ter clos­es with a glim­mer of hope as the com­pa­ny approach­es what may be their escape, their uni­ty and per­se­ver­ance over­com­ing the moun­tain’s relent­less chal­lenges. The ordeal high­lights their resilience and the deep­en­ing bonds forged in adver­si­ty.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What challenges did the company face while ascending the crevice, and how did they overcome them?

      Answer:
      The company encountered multiple obstacles during their ascent, including turbulent floodwaters, deep silt resembling quicksand, and toxic gases released from the pit. The silt was particularly treacherous, causing Giants like Bluff Stoutgirth to sink dangerously. They relied on a lifeline rope for stability, with those ahead anchoring it at secure points. Branl used the krill to light the way, while teamwork—such as Kindwind and Grueburn helping others navigate the pit’s rim—was critical. Jeremiah’s Earthpower also improved air quality, aiding their progress despite exhaustion and narrowing passages.

      2. How does the chapter portray the theme of resilience, particularly through the Giants and Stave?

      Answer:
      Resilience is central to this chapter, exemplified by the Giants’ physical endurance and Stave’s determination. The Giants, though exhausted, persevered through silt and flooding, using their strength to anchor the lifeline and carry companions. Stave, typically self-reliant, reluctantly relied on the rope, showing adaptability despite his pride. Their collective struggle—marked by Grueburn’s panting reassurance and Jeremiah’s strained efforts—highlights their unwavering commitment to survival, even when the environment seemed “dissolving” and hostile.

      3. Analyze the significance of the Feroce’s disappearance. What might it imply about their role and fate?

      Answer:
      The Feroce’s abrupt vanishing underscores their ambiguous alliance and sacrificial role. Swept away by the flood, they may have returned to their cavern or perished, leaving their loyalty to the High God unresolved. Linden’s hope for their survival suggests gratitude for their aid, yet their absence also isolates the company, emphasizing the peril ahead. Their departure mirrors the chapter’s tension between trust and abandonment, leaving readers to ponder whether their “forgiveness” was earned or if they became another casualty of the Last Dark’s chaos.

      4. How does Donaldson use sensory details to create atmosphere in this chapter? Provide specific examples.

      Answer:
      Donaldson immerses readers through vivid sensory descriptions. The flood’s “stank of minerals and trapped hate” evokes olfactory disgust, while the silt’s “cloying as quicksand” emphasizes tactile struggle. Visual contrasts—like the krill’s “argent slashes” against the “ghostly” cave—heighten the surreal danger. Auditory details (the river’s “thunderous howl,” Giants’ gasps) and Jeremiah’s “black fire” sparks deepen the tension. These elements coalesce into an atmosphere of claustrophobic urgency, making the environment a palpable antagonist.

      5. Evaluate Jeremiah’s role in this passage. How does his Earthpower impact the group’s survival?

      Answer:
      Jeremiah’s Earthpower is pivotal, both practically and symbolically. His control over Earthpower cleanses the air of toxins, enabling the company to breathe despite “sulfur and putrefaction.” This mirrors his growth from victim to active participant. However, his strained admission—”I can’t hold on much longer”—hints at his limits, raising stakes for the group. His power is a lifeline, but its fragility underscores the precariousness of their mission, blending hope with vulnerability in the face of the Last Dark.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The air that came with the flood stank of minerals and trapped hate. It surpassed Jeremiah; surpassed the Staff of Law.”

      This quote captures the overwhelming, almost sentient malevolence of the environment, emphasizing how the natural forces here dwarf even the magical powers of the characters. It sets the tone for the chapter’s struggle against primordial forces.

      2. “Gradually the flood seemed to find its balance. Its force receded as the cleft drained. Turmoil slapped at the walls and the company, but did not claim them.”

      This represents a key turning point where the immediate danger begins to subside, showing the characters’ resilience against overwhelming odds while maintaining tension about what lies ahead.

      3. “The silt was all so old, so laden with refuse and minerals, so full of the aftereffects of dire theurgies, that it refused percipience.”

      This insightful description reveals how the very earth bears the scars of ancient magical conflicts, creating a tangible obstacle that even Linden’s health-sense cannot penetrate, emphasizing the depth of the world’s history.

      4. “The light of the krill reached farther down the cleft. It touched Kindwind’s head, flared like fire in Jeremiah’s hair.”

      This vivid imagery marks a moment of hope and progress in the arduous climb, with the magical light symbolizing both guidance and the characters’ inner strength shining through the darkness.

      5. “Soon, Giantfriend. Soon. / It better be. I can’t hold on much longer.”

      This exchange between Grueburn and Jeremiah perfectly encapsulates the chapter’s tension between hope and exhaustion, showing both the Giants’ enduring spirit and the very human limits of even powerful characters.

    Quotes

    1. “The air that came with the flood stank of minerals and trapped hate. It surpassed Jeremiah; surpassed the Staff of Law.”

    This quote captures the overwhelming, almost sentient malevolence of the environment, emphasizing how the natural forces here dwarf even the magical powers of the characters. It sets the tone for the chapter’s struggle against primordial forces.

    2. “Gradually the flood seemed to find its balance. Its force receded as the cleft drained. Turmoil slapped at the walls and the company, but did not claim them.”

    This represents a key turning point where the immediate danger begins to subside, showing the characters’ resilience against overwhelming odds while maintaining tension about what lies ahead.

    3. “The silt was all so old, so laden with refuse and minerals, so full of the aftereffects of dire theurgies, that it refused percipience.”

    This insightful description reveals how the very earth bears the scars of ancient magical conflicts, creating a tangible obstacle that even Linden’s health-sense cannot penetrate, emphasizing the depth of the world’s history.

    4. “The light of the krill reached farther down the cleft. It touched Kindwind’s head, flared like fire in Jeremiah’s hair.”

    This vivid imagery marks a moment of hope and progress in the arduous climb, with the magical light symbolizing both guidance and the characters’ inner strength shining through the darkness.

    5. “Soon, Giantfriend. Soon. / It better be. I can’t hold on much longer.”

    This exchange between Grueburn and Jeremiah perfectly encapsulates the chapter’s tension between hope and exhaustion, showing both the Giants’ enduring spirit and the very human limits of even powerful characters.

    FAQs

    1. What challenges did the company face while ascending the crevice, and how did they overcome them?

    Answer:
    The company encountered multiple obstacles during their ascent, including turbulent floodwaters, deep silt resembling quicksand, and toxic gases released from the pit. The silt was particularly treacherous, causing Giants like Bluff Stoutgirth to sink dangerously. They relied on a lifeline rope for stability, with those ahead anchoring it at secure points. Branl used the krill to light the way, while teamwork—such as Kindwind and Grueburn helping others navigate the pit’s rim—was critical. Jeremiah’s Earthpower also improved air quality, aiding their progress despite exhaustion and narrowing passages.

    2. How does the chapter portray the theme of resilience, particularly through the Giants and Stave?

    Answer:
    Resilience is central to this chapter, exemplified by the Giants’ physical endurance and Stave’s determination. The Giants, though exhausted, persevered through silt and flooding, using their strength to anchor the lifeline and carry companions. Stave, typically self-reliant, reluctantly relied on the rope, showing adaptability despite his pride. Their collective struggle—marked by Grueburn’s panting reassurance and Jeremiah’s strained efforts—highlights their unwavering commitment to survival, even when the environment seemed “dissolving” and hostile.

    3. Analyze the significance of the Feroce’s disappearance. What might it imply about their role and fate?

    Answer:
    The Feroce’s abrupt vanishing underscores their ambiguous alliance and sacrificial role. Swept away by the flood, they may have returned to their cavern or perished, leaving their loyalty to the High God unresolved. Linden’s hope for their survival suggests gratitude for their aid, yet their absence also isolates the company, emphasizing the peril ahead. Their departure mirrors the chapter’s tension between trust and abandonment, leaving readers to ponder whether their “forgiveness” was earned or if they became another casualty of the Last Dark’s chaos.

    4. How does Donaldson use sensory details to create atmosphere in this chapter? Provide specific examples.

    Answer:
    Donaldson immerses readers through vivid sensory descriptions. The flood’s “stank of minerals and trapped hate” evokes olfactory disgust, while the silt’s “cloying as quicksand” emphasizes tactile struggle. Visual contrasts—like the krill’s “argent slashes” against the “ghostly” cave—heighten the surreal danger. Auditory details (the river’s “thunderous howl,” Giants’ gasps) and Jeremiah’s “black fire” sparks deepen the tension. These elements coalesce into an atmosphere of claustrophobic urgency, making the environment a palpable antagonist.

    5. Evaluate Jeremiah’s role in this passage. How does his Earthpower impact the group’s survival?

    Answer:
    Jeremiah’s Earthpower is pivotal, both practically and symbolically. His control over Earthpower cleanses the air of toxins, enabling the company to breathe despite “sulfur and putrefaction.” This mirrors his growth from victim to active participant. However, his strained admission—”I can’t hold on much longer”—hints at his limits, raising stakes for the group. His power is a lifeline, but its fragility underscores the precariousness of their mission, blending hope with vulnerability in the face of the Last Dark.

    Note