The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 26: Part Two — 8. “Contrive their salvation”
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery and her companions, exhausted yet resolute, follow the Waynhim into a cave after healing one of their kind. The group, including Stave, Mahrtiir, Liand, Anele, and the enigmatic Esmer, is greeted warmly by the rest of the rhysh in a chamber lit by mystical fires. The atmosphere is peaceful, and Linden senses the nearness of the Staff of Law, which fills her with contentment. The Waynhim’s gratitude is evident, as Linden’s actions have validated their purpose, and the cave’s soothing environment offers respite from their arduous journey.
The chamber is illuminated by lore-fed flames emitting a scent of cloves and coriander, creating an otherworldly ambiance. Linden, now seated, feels the Staff’s presence more strongly, its power resonating with her. Stave stands in respect, while Esmer wanders restlessly, burdened by unspoken sorrows. Anele, though still mumbling, appears more composed, his madness eased by the Staff’s proximity. The Waynhim offer vitrim to the group, then assemble to retrieve the Staff, their reverence underscoring its significance as a symbol of Law and hope.
The Staff of Law is presented to Linden, its pale wood gleaming and its iron bands a testament to its storied past. Crafted from the union of Vain and Findail, it embodies the fusion of wild magic and Earthpower. As Linden grasps it, memories of Andelain’s beauty flood her mind, along with the Creator’s grief over Lord Foul’s corruption. The Staff’s power feels natural to her, instilling confidence and healing. Overwhelmed, she weeps, realizing its potential to aid her in opposing Lord Foul and restoring the Land’s intended splendor.
Anele, trembling with longing, approaches Linden but refrains from touching the Staff, declaring himself unworthy. His poignant renunciation moves Liand and Mahrtiir, who stand ready to support him. Anele’s sorrow underscores the weight of his past failures, yet he finds solace in Linden’s stewardship of the Staff. The chapter closes with a sense of bittersweet resolution, as Linden’s connection to the Staff strengthens her resolve, while Anele’s sacrifice highlights the personal costs of their quest.
FAQs
1. How does Linden’s healing of the Waynhim impact their perception of her, and what significance does this hold for her role in the Land?
Answer:
Linden’s healing of the Waynhim validates their purpose and restores their well-being, as evidenced by their “delighted” chittering and the loss of their grieving air. This act symbolizes her alignment with their values and the broader struggle against corruption in the Land. By healing them, she not only demonstrates her power but also earns their reverence, positioning herself as a figure of hope and renewal. The Waynhim’s ceremonial welcome and the peaceful atmosphere they create in the cave further underscore their acknowledgment of her importance in the fight to preserve the Land’s integrity.2. Analyze the symbolic and practical significance of the Staff of Law in this chapter. How does its presence affect Linden and Anele differently?
Answer:
The Staff of Law represents both a tool of healing and a beacon of hope against Lord Foul’s corruption. For Linden, it instills a sense of purpose and mastery, as its “stern beneficence” fills her with contentment and confidence. She feels instinctively connected to its power, which aligns with her role as a healer. In contrast, Anele is tormented by its proximity; though it could heal his madness, he deems himself unworthy and refuses to touch it. His reaction highlights the Staff’s dual nature—it is a source of potential salvation but also a reminder of his past failures and unresolved guilt.3. What does the chapter reveal about the Creator’s relationship with the Land, and how does this context shape Linden’s understanding of her mission?
Answer:
The chapter reflects the Creator’s grief over the Land’s corruption and his inability to intervene directly without violating the Arch of Time. This limitation forces the Land’s inhabitants to rely on tools like the Staff of Law to oppose Lord Foul. For Linden, this history underscores her responsibility as a steward of such power. Holding the Staff, she senses the Creator’s original vision for the Land—a vision of beauty and vitality now threatened. This realization deepens her resolve to fight for the Land’s preservation, as she recognizes that its fate hinges on the actions of those within the Arch, like herself.4. How does the setting of the Waynhim’s cave contribute to the chapter’s themes of healing and sanctuary?
Answer:
The cave’s cool, soothing atmosphere and the lore-light’s warm glow create a stark contrast to the harshness of the South Plains, symbolizing refuge and renewal. The Waynhim enhance this effect by shaping the stone ledges to “embrace” Linden, reinforcing the theme of sanctuary. The scent of cloves and coriander from the fires adds to the sensory experience of peace, mirroring Linden’s emotional and physical restoration. This setting underscores the chapter’s focus on healing—not just of bodies, but of spirits and purpose—as the characters regroup and prepare for their larger struggle.5. Why does Anele choose not to take the Staff of Law, and what does his decision reveal about his character and the broader narrative?
Answer:
Anele refuses the Staff out of a belief that he is “unworthy” and that his time for healing has not yet come. This moment reveals his enduring guilt and self-awareness, even in his fractured state. His restraint also serves the narrative by deferring his potential redemption, maintaining tension about his future role. His acknowledgment that the Staff is safe in Linden’s care, however, hints at a latent trust in her leadership. This choice reinforces the theme of sacrifice and the complex interplay between personal suffering and collective salvation in the story.
Quotes
1. “She had in some sense validated the meaning of their lives.”
This quote captures the profound impact of Linden’s healing on the Waynhim, suggesting her actions have given purpose to their existence. It highlights the theme of redemption and the interconnectedness of beings in the Land.
2. “The Staff’s unique nature spoke to her senses… It was taller than the Waynhim—nearly as tall as she was herself—and formed of a pale wood which gleamed in the lore-light; wood so pale that it might have been carved from the heart of a tree.”
This vivid description of the Staff of Law emphasizes its mystical significance and Linden’s deep connection to it. It represents both the physical embodiment of Law and the hope it brings to the Land’s inhabitants.
3. “Such treasures as the Staff of Law had been brought into being so that the inhabitants of the Land would have the means to oppose Lord Foul themselves; to fight for the intended beauty of the world.”
This quote explains the fundamental purpose of the Staff and other artifacts in the Land’s cosmology. It underscores the Creator’s design for free will and resistance against corruption.
4. “Unlike Covenant’s ring, the Staff suited her. She understood its uses instinctively; trusted herself with it. Its natural rightness seemed to send healing into every cell and impulse of her being.”
This passage marks a pivotal moment of self-realization for Linden, contrasting her relationship with the Staff against her fraught connection with Covenant’s ring. It shows her coming into her own power.
5. “I am unworthy of such astonishment. The day has not yet come when I may be whole… Until that time, I must remain as I am.”
Anele’s heartbreaking renunciation of the Staff reveals both his tragic self-awareness and the complex theme of worthiness that runs through the series. This moment represents a key emotional turning point in the chapter.