The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 18: Part One — 12. The Verge of Wandering
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery is overwhelmed by grief and confusion after witnessing Thomas Covenant’s spirit being violently dismissed while attempting to reach her. Despite the Ramen’s care for the unconscious Anele, Linden is consumed by despair, unable to process the cruelty of Covenant’s silencing and the parallels to her son’s suffering. Liand and Stave try to comfort her, but she remains detached, fixated on Covenant’s plea for help. A poultice of amanibhavam briefly stirs her, reminding her of her mission to find the Staff of Law, but her exhaustion and emotional turmoil leave her teetering on the edge of collapse.
Determined to act, Linden insists on seeing Anele, despite her physical and emotional frailty. With Liand’s support, she staggers to the shelter where Anele lies unconscious, his injuries superficial but his mind deeply scarred. Fearless in her desperation, Linden entrusts Covenant’s ring to Liand, warning him to flee if she is endangered. She then attempts to psychically penetrate Anele’s mind, hoping to uncover the source of his torment, but her efforts are met with an impenetrable wall of Earthpower shielding his core identity.
Linden’s attempt to heal Anele fails, revealing that his self-protective barriers are too strong for her percipience alone. She realizes that only a power as potent as wild magic—or the Staff of Law—could breach his defenses, but using Covenant’s ring risks destroying his mind entirely. Defeated, she acknowledges her helplessness without the Staff, echoing Covenant’s earlier insistence that she needs it. Liand expresses his sorrow for Anele’s suffering, condemning the forces that manipulate him as evil, but Linden is too bitter to respond.
The chapter closes with Linden’s resolve hardening despite her failures. Though she cannot help Anele directly, her determination to find the Staff of Law grows stronger. The presence of a young Ramen Cord hints at further developments, but Linden’s focus remains on her next steps. Her grief and frustration are tempered by a steely resolve, setting the stage for her continued struggle against the forces threatening the Land.
FAQs
1. What significant event occurs between Linden and Covenant in this chapter, and how does it affect her emotionally?
Answer:
In this chapter, Covenant’s spirit attempts to reach Linden from beyond death, striving to communicate with her through the Arch of Time. However, a malignant power violently thrusts him aside, silencing his efforts. This event devastates Linden, as it reinforces her feelings of helplessness and grief. She is tormented by the thought that Covenant—like her son with Lord Foul—is at the mercy of a malevolent force. The chapter describes her emotional breakdown, with tears streaming uncontrollably as she grapples with the pain of losing this connection and the implications of his apparent suffering.2. How does Linden attempt to help Anele, and why does she ultimately fail?
Answer:
Linden tries to help Anele by using her percipience to delve into his mind, hoping to understand and heal the damage caused by the possessing force. She removes Covenant’s ring (a source of wild magic) and entrusts it to Liand for safety before mentally probing Anele. However, she fails because Anele’s mind is protected by a natural barrier of Earthpower, which shields his core identity. Linden realizes that without a more precise tool like the Staff of Law, she cannot penetrate his defenses without risking severe harm to his psyche. This failure deepens her sense of inadequacy and desperation.3. Analyze the role of Liand in this chapter. How does his support contrast with Stave’s actions?
Answer:
Liand serves as Linden’s steadfast supporter, offering physical and emotional aid throughout her ordeal. He helps her rise when she is weak, applies a healing poultice to her burns, and follows her instructions without question—even when she hands him Covenant’s dangerous ring. His compassion contrasts sharply with Stave’s pragmatic violence; Stave knocks Anele unconscious to stop the possession, believing it necessary for everyone’s safety. While Stave acts out of duty (and remains unapologetic), Liand acts out of empathy, highlighting the tension between utilitarian protection and personal loyalty in Linden’s journey.4. Why does Linden insist on seeing Anele immediately after recovering, despite her injuries?
Answer:
Linden rushes to Anele because she fears that any traces of the possessing entity—or clues about its nature—might fade if she delays. Her urgency stems from both guilt over failing to protect him and a desperate need to take action against the forces tormenting him. She also recognizes that hesitation might allow fear to paralyze her. This reflects her broader struggle against helplessness; by acting decisively, she asserts control in a situation where she otherwise feels powerless, even if her efforts are ultimately unsuccessful.5. What broader thematic conflict is highlighted by Linden’s realization that she needs the Staff of Law?
Answer:
Linden’s need for the Staff of Law underscores the novel’s central theme of balance between power and responsibility. The Staff represents ordered, controlled power (as opposed to wild magic’s destructiveness), which is necessary for precise healing. Her inability to help Anele without it illustrates the limitations of raw force and the importance of having the right tools for ethical intervention. This ties into the larger narrative of her quest: to wield power wisely in a world where misuse can cause catastrophic harm, mirroring Covenant’s own struggles in earlier chronicles.
Quotes
1. “From beyond death, Covenant had tried to reach her. His spirit still endured somewhere within the spanning possibilities of the Arch of Time.”
This quote captures the profound emotional and metaphysical tension in Linden’s journey, revealing Covenant’s enduring presence and the cosmic stakes of their connection. It underscores the chapter’s themes of loss, love, and the struggle against overwhelming forces.
2. “She was sick to death of helplessness.”
A pivotal moment of resolve for Linden, this quote marks her transition from despair to determination. It encapsulates her emotional arc in the chapter and sets the stage for her subsequent actions to reclaim agency.
3. “She needed the Staff of Law. Without it, there was nothing she could do for Anele.”
This quote represents both Linden’s realization of her limitations and the central quest that drives the narrative forward. It highlights the interdependence of power and purpose in her mission to heal Anele and confront the evils plaguing the Land.
4. “At that moment, her attempt to possess him seemed a lesser evil than abandoning him to more torment.”
This ethically charged moment reveals Linden’s desperation and compassion, illustrating the moral complexities of using power to help others. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of sacrifice and the blurred lines between protection and violation.
5. “It is evil. More so than kresh. As evil as Falls and Kevin’s Dirt.”
Liand’s impassioned declaration crystallizes the chapter’s confrontation with profound evil, comparing Anele’s torment to known horrors in the Land. This quote reinforces the escalating threats and moral clarity that propel the characters forward.