The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 20: Part Two — 2. Dangerous Choices
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with the arrival of Sahah, a wounded Cord, at the Verge of Wandering, carried by her companions on a travois. Despite her severe injuries, she has survived due to the miraculous healing properties of hurtloam, a rare and potent mud that mends wounds with preternatural speed. Linden Avery, the protagonist, is astonished by the hurtloam’s power as she uses it to treat Stave, a Haruchai warrior, whose injuries begin to heal rapidly. However, Stave’s dislocated hip remains a problem, symbolizing a wound beyond physical healing—one tied to his sense of honor and shame.
Linden’s actions in saving Stave from death have violated the Haruchai’s strict code of personal rectitude, leaving him to face harsh judgment from his people. Stave acknowledges this, warning Linden that they must now endure the consequences of her choice. Despite her weariness, Linden remains resolute, refusing to shy away from the outcomes of her decisions. She offers to set Stave’s hip, but he declines, insisting on tending to it himself, further emphasizing his pride and the cultural weight of his people’s traditions.
Linden turns her attention to other pressing matters, including speaking with Manethrall Hami and checking on Anele, an old man who had been possessed by a malevolent force. Char, a young Cord, informs her that Anele is wandering aimlessly but appears physically unharmed. Linden feels a sense of urgency, knowing she must act soon to address the larger threats facing the Land. Her love for the Land is juxtaposed with her awareness of her own limitations and the stains of her journey, both literal and metaphorical.
The chapter closes with Linden preparing to confront the challenges ahead, despite her exhaustion and the weight of her responsibilities. She is hungry and weary, yet driven by a clear purpose, underscored by her determination to find the Staff of Law and protect the Land from the Despiser’s malice. The dawn brings a moment of quiet beauty, but Linden knows she cannot pause for comfort—the time for action has come.
FAQs
1. What is hurtloam, and why is it significant in this chapter?
Answer:
Hurtloam is a miraculous healing substance found in the Land, described as a “vital mud” containing flecks of gold that glow with Earthpower. It possesses preternatural healing properties, mending severe injuries like torn bowels and ripped organs with astonishing speed, as seen with Sahah and Stave. Linden Avery marvels at its potency, noting it transforms agony into bearable pain and even soothes sunburn. Its significance lies in its contrast to the Despiser’s malice, representing the Land’s inherent goodness and vitality. However, it cannot cure all wounds (like Stave’s dislocated hip), highlighting its limitations despite its power.
2. How does Linden’s intervention in saving Stave create tension with Haruchai culture?
Answer:
Linden’s decision to heal Stave violates the Haruchai’s extreme code of personal rectitude. By sparing him the “natural consequences” of his defeat by Esmer, she overrides their cultural belief in accepting outcomes without interference. Stave acknowledges this, stating she has “surpassed” him, implying his shame at being saved. The chapter references historical parallels (Brinn and Cail withdrawing service after rescue) to foreshadow Stave’s potential repudiation by his people. This tension underscores the clash between Linden’s compassionate ethics and the Haruchai’s rigid self-judgment, setting up future conflict.
3. Analyze the symbolism of Linden’s grass-stained jeans in this chapter.
Answer:
The grass stains on Linden’s jeans symbolize her outsider status and limitations in the Land. Unlike the Ramen, who move gracefully without disturbing the grass, Linden’s stains reflect her “unclean” human nature and struggle to navigate this world. The stains are described as a “latticework,” suggesting both entanglement and a map of her journey. They also foreshadow her unresolved challenges, as she lacks time to wash them—just as she cannot “cleanse” her deeper conflicts (e.g., Stave’s shame, Anele’s possession). This imagery reinforces themes of alienation and the cost of her choices.
4. What critical dilemma does Linden face regarding Anele, and why is he important to her goals?
Answer:
Linden worries about Anele’s well-being after his possession by a malevolent fire-being and Stave’s physical assault. The Ramen may now distrust him, but Linden needs him urgently: he is the son of Sunder and Hollian (key figures from the Land’s history) and holds clues to finding the Staff of Law, as hinted by Esmer. Her dilemma balances protecting Anele’s fragile mental state against leveraging his knowledge for larger goals. This reflects her broader tension between compassion and pragmatism in her quest to oppose the Despiser.
5. How does the chapter use contrasts between healing and injury to develop its themes?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes physical healing (via hurtloam) with emotional/spiritual wounds to explore themes of consequence and choice. While hurtloam mends Sahah and Stave’s bodies, Stave’s dislocated hip—untreatable by Earthpower—represents deeper, unresolved pain. Similarly, Linden’s sunburn is soothed, but her guilt over violating Haruchai ethics lingers. These contrasts highlight that some wounds (like shame or trauma) require more than magic, emphasizing the complexity of “healing” in moral and cultural contexts. The Land’s vitality contrasts with its undercurrent of suffering, mirroring Linden’s inner conflict.
Quotes
1. “No world where such healing was possible merited the Despiser’s malice.”
This quote captures Linden’s awe at the miraculous healing properties of hurtloam and her philosophical reflection on how such benevolence contradicts the Land’s suffering under Lord Foul. It represents a key moment of thematic contrast between healing and destruction.
2. “She would not turn aside from the course she had chosen.”
This statement demonstrates Linden’s resolve as she commits to her decisions despite potential consequences. It marks a turning point where she transitions from caretaker to active agent in the story’s conflicts.
3. “Again and again, Linden was forced to remember that she loved the Land.”
This poignant reflection shows Linden’s emotional connection to the Land resurfacing amidst her practical concerns. The quote encapsulates the chapter’s underlying tension between duty and personal attachment.
4. “The stains which she had acquired in their company might have been the map of her limitations, or an augury of her fate.”
This beautifully metaphorical passage reveals Linden’s self-doubt and foreshadowing of challenges to come. The imagery connects her physical journey to larger thematic concerns about capability and destiny.
5. “He met her eyes, steady as a promise.”
This simple yet powerful description of Char’s demeanor illustrates the deep bonds forming between Linden and the Ramen. It represents the theme of loyalty that runs through the chapter’s interactions.