The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 29: Part Two — 11. The Masters of the Land
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery awakens from a deep sleep, disoriented by dreams of Thomas Covenant warning her of danger. Initially mistaking Liand’s knocking for Covenant’s voice, she struggles to shake off her grogginess and respond to the urgency. Her alarm grows as she realizes her health-sense—her ability to perceive the Land’s vitality—has vanished, leaving her vulnerable and disconnected. Despite her frustration, she prepares to face the Masters, who have summoned her to discuss Anele’s imprisonment and other pressing matters.
Liand and Galt inform Linden that the Demondim, who had besieged Revelstone, have mysteriously withdrawn overnight. Galt reveals that scouts have been sent to confirm their departure, but no results have been reported yet. Linden is stunned by this development, questioning how the Demondim could abandon their attack, especially with the Illearth Stone in their possession. The absence of her health-sense leaves her unable to verify the situation, deepening her unease. Meanwhile, Galt’s lack of deference hints at the Masters’ reluctance to cooperate with her.
Determined to secure Anele’s release, Linden adopts a calm, resolute demeanor, masking her inner turmoil. She requests time to eat breakfast, using the delay to gather her strength for the impending confrontation with the Masters. As she prepares, she reflects on her dependence on the Staff of Law, which she crafted to combat the Land’s corruption. However, without her health-sense, she cannot access its power, leaving her feeling powerless. This realization sparks panic, but she forces herself to think logically, recognizing the cyclical dilemma: she needs the Staff to restore her senses, but her senses are required to wield the Staff.
The chapter underscores Linden’s isolation and the mounting challenges she faces. Her inability to use the Staff or perceive the Land’s threats leaves her at a disadvantage, yet she refuses to yield to despair. The mysterious withdrawal of the Demondim and the Masters’ ambiguous intentions add layers of uncertainty. Linden’s internal struggle—balancing her fear with her determination to protect the Land—sets the stage for a pivotal confrontation, emphasizing her resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Linden’s loss of health-sense in this chapter, and how does it impact her ability to use the Staff of Law?
Answer:
Linden’s loss of health-sense, caused by Kevin’s Dirt, is a critical setback because it severs her connection to the natural vitality of the Land and her ability to perceive its hidden truths. This deprivation leaves her unable to sense the Staff of Law’s power, which she relies on to counteract threats like the Demondim and Kevin’s Dirt itself. The chapter emphasizes her frustration and helplessness, as she realizes she cannot activate the Staff without percipience—a paradox that traps her. This moment underscores the broader theme of vulnerability in the face of the Land’s corrupting forces.2. How does Galt’s demeanor toward Linden reflect the Masters’ attitude toward her role as the Chosen?
Answer:
Galt’s impassive and dismissive behavior—such as refusing to bow and implying Linden’s weakness—signals the Masters’ distrust of her authority. Unlike Stave, who respects her title, Galt represents a faction that questions her decisions and motives. His indifference to her concerns (e.g., the Demondim’s disappearance) and his focus on controlling Anele suggest the Masters prioritize their own rigid governance over collaboration. This tension foreshadows conflicts about power, autonomy, and who has the right to wield influence in the Land.3. Analyze the symbolic role of dreams and waking realities in Linden’s struggle at the start of the chapter.
Answer:
Linden’s blurred transition from dreaming of Covenant to waking to Liand’s voice mirrors her broader struggle to distinguish between prophetic visions and immediate dangers. The flashlight imagery (Covenant’s warning) versus sunlight (reality) highlights her psychological evasion—she initially prefers the dream’s escapism to facing her responsibilities. This duality reflects her internal conflict: she must reconcile her grief and fear with her duty to act. The chapter uses this motif to explore themes of denial, agency, and the weight of leadership.4. Why might the Demondim’s sudden withdrawal be alarming, despite appearing to be a reprieve for Revelstone?
Answer:
The Demondim’s unexplained retreat is unsettling because their earlier siege seemed inevitable and single-minded. Their disappearance, coupled with the absence of the Illearth Stone’s detectable influence, suggests a larger, more sinister strategy—possibly orchestrated by Anele’s possessor. Linden’s suspicion (“What did that fiery being want?”) implies the enemy is regrouping or redirecting its forces elsewhere (e.g., Mount Thunder). This unpredictability undermines any relief, as the Masters’ scouts cannot confirm safety, leaving the threat unresolved and potentially more dangerous.5. How does Linden’s “physician’s detachment” shape her approach to confronting the Masters about Anele?
Answer:
Linden’s clinical detachment, honed through her medical training, allows her to compartmentalize fear and focus on strategic action. Instead of reacting emotionally to Galt’s implied resistance, she methodically prepares (eating, dressing) and plans to leverage persuasion or defiance. This mindset mirrors her earlier struggles in the Land, where she balances compassion with pragmatism. However, the chapter also hints at its limits—her panic over the Staff’s inertness reveals how even her discipline can be overwhelmed by existential threats to her purpose.
Quotes
1. “She knew that she ought to heed him, rouse herself; make choices which her companions could not gainsay or refuse. But instead she endeavored not to hear him, thinking that if she could make herself deaf he would go away. Perhaps he would cease to exist, and then all of her woes would end at last.”
This quote captures Linden’s internal struggle between responsibility and escapism, illustrating her emotional exhaustion and desire to avoid painful realities. It sets the tone for her conflicted state of mind at the chapter’s opening.
2. “Although she had expected the loss, it hurt her nonetheless.”
This simple yet powerful statement reflects Linden’s grief over losing her health-sense, a fundamental connection to the Land’s vitality. It underscores the personal cost of Kevin’s Dirt and her growing vulnerability.
3. “A physician’s detachment came to her aid, a separation of emotion which she had learned from years of training. Precisely because a struggle awaited her, she comported herself as though she were unafraid.”
This quote reveals Linden’s professional discipline surfacing in crisis, showing how her medical training shapes her responses to challenges. It marks a turning point where she gathers strength for the coming confrontation with the Masters.
4. “She needed the Staff to restore her health-sense, and needed percipience to use the Staff.”
This paradoxical realization captures Linden’s central dilemma - being trapped in a catch-22 situation with her powers. It represents a key moment of self-awareness about her limitations in the chapter’s climax.
5. “Trust yourself. You’re the only one who can…”
The chapter’s closing thought serves as both admonition and encouragement, summarizing Linden’s journey toward self-reliance. This incomplete sentence leaves the resolution hanging, creating tension for future developments.