The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 22: Part Two — 4. Heedless in Rain
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery and Stave return to the Ramen encampment during a violent storm, both physically and emotionally battered. Riding their Ranyhyn through relentless rain and wind, they arrive exhausted, with Linden barely clinging to consciousness. Stave, though weakened by his wounds, manages to dismount, but Linden is so frozen and traumatized that she must be pried from her horse. The Ramen and Liand rush to aid them, recognizing the severity of their condition. The storm’s malice seems almost sentient, having stripped Linden of her strength and left her rigid with despair.
Liand and the Ramen immediately tend to Linden, carrying her to shelter and attempting to revive her with warmth, water, and aliantha. Stave, though drained, refuses assistance but eventually recovers enough to sit by the fire. Linden’s condition is dire—her body is wracked with cold, and her spirit seems afflicted by a deeper, almost metaphysical fever. The Ramen, skilled healers, are uncertain how to treat her ailment, fearing conventional remedies may harm her further. Meanwhile, the Ranyhyn, having ensured their riders’ safety, depart back into the storm.
As Linden’s physical cold begins to recede, it is replaced by a feverish illness that seems rooted in her soul. The Ramen debate using their remaining healing resources but hesitate, unsure of the cause. Liand, desperate, repeatedly calls her name, as if his voice alone could heal her. Slowly, Linden shows signs of recovery, swallowing water and treasure-berries, though her shivers persist. When she briefly regains consciousness, her eyes reflect a profound dismay, hinting at the trauma she endured during her absence.
Linden’s fragmented memories gradually return, piecing together the events that led to her collapse. She murmurs about the Ranyhyn and her son, suggesting the horserite—a sacred experience—has left her emotionally shattered. The chapter ends with her struggling to reconcile her fragmented recollections, the weight of her revelations still heavy upon her. The storm outside mirrors her inner turmoil, leaving both her and Stave marked by an ordeal that transcends physical suffering.
FAQs
1. What physical and emotional state is Linden Avery in when she returns to the Ramen encampment, and what factors contributed to this condition?
Answer:
Linden Avery returns in a state of severe physical and emotional distress. She is rigid with mortification, chilled to the bone, and unable to move or even shiver, breathing in shallow gasps while weeping uncontrollably. Her condition results from prolonged exposure to the brutal storm—malicious rain and wind—combined with emotional trauma, likely from the horserite experience. The text notes she might have sustained herself with white fire earlier but was eventually drained of power. Only Hyn’s warmth kept her alive, highlighting her vulnerability and the storm’s unnatural malice. Her feverish, metaphysical illness later suggests deep spiritual or psychological wounds.2. How do the Ramen and Liand respond to Linden’s condition, and what does their care reveal about their roles and relationships?
Answer:
The Ramen and Liand respond with urgent, compassionate care. Liand carries her frantically to shelter, while Ramen like Bhapa, Pahni, and Mahrtiir assist—rubbing her limbs, feeding her treasure-berries (aliantha), and offering warmed water. Char gathers fuel, and Hami administers fluids tenderly. Their actions reveal their deep reverence for Linden as the Ringthane and their commitment to her well-being. Liand’s emotional distress (“half weeping”) underscores his personal bond with her, while the Ramen’s collective effort reflects their communal values and healing expertise. Their hesitation to use stronger remedies (e.g., amanibhavam) shows cautious respect for her unique condition.3. Analyze Stave’s behavior and dialogue in this chapter. What do his actions and refusal to explain events suggest about his character and Haruchai culture?
Answer:
Stave exhibits stoic endurance, dismounting unaided despite his wounds and exhaustion, but his refusal to explain events—”Let the Chosen speak of it… I will not”—hints at Haruchai pride and emotional restraint. His “chagrin and old shame” imply personal or cultural guilt, possibly tied to the horserite’s revelations. By prioritizing Linden’s agency (or silence) over others’ needs, he upholds Haruchai values of self-determination and secrecy. His physical resilience contrasts with his emotional withdrawal, illustrating the Haruchai’s paradoxical blend of strength and isolation, even among allies.4. What symbolic or thematic significance might the storm hold in this chapter, particularly in relation to Linden’s journey?
Answer:
The storm symbolizes both external and internal turmoil. Its “malice” and “unfettered wild magic” mirror Linden’s psychological state—overwhelmed by grief (e.g., “Oh, my son”) and the horserite’s revelations. The rain’s “gnashing” and “fanged” quality suggests an almost sentient hostility, reflecting the Land’s darker forces or Linden’s own despair. The tempest’s chaos parallels her fragmented memories (“splinters of broken glass”), while the Ranyhyn’s steadfastness contrasts her fragility, underscoring themes of endurance amid suffering and the clash between human vulnerability and supernatural adversity.5. How does the chapter’s depiction of the Ranyhyn deepen their mythological role in the story?
Answer:
The Ranyhyn embody loyalty and transcendent care. Despite the storm, they bear Linden and Stave safely to the Ramen, and Hyn’s warmth literally preserves Linden’s life. Their “concern” as they watch over her—steaming rain from their coats—elevates them beyond mere mounts to near-sacred guardians. Their silent departure once reassured of Linden’s recovery underscores their mystical connection to her fate. The Ramen’s homage reinforces their revered status, while their intrusion into the shelter (despite impracticality) highlights their defiance of natural limits, cementing their role as symbols of hope and primal wisdom.
Quotes
1. “They had been away for two days and a night.”
This opening line establishes the temporal context of Linden and Stave’s arduous journey, hinting at the prolonged suffering they endured before returning to the Ramen encampment. It sets the stage for the physical and emotional toll revealed throughout the chapter.
2. “She only remained clenched, and breathed in shallow, dying gasps, and wept like the rain, ceaselessly.”
This vivid description captures Linden’s profound physical and emotional collapse upon returning. The simile “wept like the rain” powerfully connects her inner state to the harsh external environment, emphasizing her complete devastation.
3. “There was malice in the gnashing rain, the fanged wind, and she could not have endured it without her mount.”
This personification of the storm as actively malicious highlights the chapter’s theme of nature’s hostility. It also underscores the deep bond between Linden and Hyn, showing how the Ranyhyn’s protection was literally life-saving.
4. “It is an ague of the spirit, beyond our ken. We fear to harm her.”
Manethrall Hami’s diagnosis reveals that Linden’s suffering transcends physical illness, touching on spiritual and psychological trauma. This quote marks the transition from treating her bodily ailments to confronting the deeper, more mysterious wounds she carries.
5. “Oh, my son.”
Linden’s anguished exclamation upon regaining partial consciousness reveals the core emotional wound driving her suffering. These three words encapsulate the chapter’s central tragedy and hint at the maternal grief that underlies her physical collapse.