The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 3: Prologue — 2. Gathering Defenses
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with Dr. Linden Avery confronting Roger Covenant, the son of her patient Joan, after his visit triggers a violent episode in Joan. Roger’s calm demeanor and suggestion to let Joan taste her own blood unsettle Linden and the nurse, Amy Clint. Despite his claim that he alone can care for his mother, Linden refuses to release Joan, accusing Roger of unethical behavior. Their tense exchange reveals Roger’s manipulative nature and Linden’s determination to protect her patient, setting the stage for a deeper conflict.
Roger’s true motives become clearer when he demands his late father’s white gold ring, a powerful artifact from another world. Linden realizes he intends to use it for destructive purposes, possibly to free Lord Foul, an ancient enemy. She coldly informs Roger that the ring is hers, given to her by his father before his death. Roger’s insistence and cryptic remarks about “taking her place” hint at a larger, sinister plan, leaving Linden alarmed but resolved to oppose him.
After Roger leaves, Linden reflects on the danger he poses. She recognizes his ignorance of her own strength and history, but fears his next moves. Determined to stop him, she decides to gather information and allies. Her immediate priority is to safeguard Joan and her other responsibilities, but she understands the broader threat Roger represents. The chapter underscores Linden’s courage and strategic thinking as she prepares to confront him.
The chapter concludes with Linden taking action, reaching out to Bill Coty, the hospital’s security head, for assistance. Her call hints at her proactive approach and the escalating stakes. The narrative emphasizes Linden’s dual role as a protector of her patients and a defender against Roger’s dark ambitions, foreshadowing a larger struggle ahead. The tension between her practical duties and the supernatural threat adds depth to her character and the story’s unfolding conflict.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Roger Covenant’s suggestion to let Joan “taste her blood,” and how does this reveal his character?
Answer:
Roger’s suggestion to let Joan taste her blood demonstrates his disturbing familiarity with her condition and his willingness to use extreme, unsettling methods to control her. This reveals his manipulative and callous nature, as he shows no empathy for his mother’s distress. His calm demeanor amid her screams and his clinical approach to silencing her (“It’ll quiet her down”) suggest he views Joan as an object to be managed rather than a person to be cared for. This moment also establishes his authority over Joan’s condition, which he later uses to argue for her release from the hospital.2. How does Linden Avery’s reaction to Roger Covenant’s request for his father’s ring reveal her internal conflict and the stakes of the situation?
Answer:
Linden’s visceral reaction—going “cold” when Roger mentions the ring—shows her immediate recognition of its power and Roger’s dangerous intentions. Her instinct to touch the hidden ring under her blouse reveals her deep connection to Thomas Covenant and the Land, as well as her fear of Roger’s plans. Her internal conflict arises from balancing her loyalty to Covenant’s legacy with the need to protect the present world from Roger’s machinations. By openly admitting she has the ring, she asserts her moral claim to it but also potentially escalates the confrontation, as Roger now sees her as an obstacle to his goals.3. Analyze the power dynamics between Linden and Roger in this chapter. How does each character attempt to assert control, and what strategies do they use?
Answer:
Linden asserts control through professional authority (ordering Roger to leave, instructing Amy), moral arguments (calling Roger’s actions “unconscionable”), and legal leverage (demanding a court order). She also uses secrecy, withholding her full understanding of Roger’s plans. Roger, meanwhile, wields psychological manipulation (triggering Joan’s episode to prove his “qualifications”), legal threats (claiming inheritance rights), and veiled intimidation (“you have no idea what you’re interfering with”). Their clash hinges on Linden’s ethical commitment to care versus Roger’s ruthless pursuit of his agenda, with Roger exploiting familial ties and Linden relying on institutional power.4. Why is the white gold ring such a pivotal symbol in this chapter, and what thematic role does it play in the larger narrative?
Answer:
The ring symbolizes legacy, power, and moral responsibility. As the instrument of Covenant’s wild magic, it represents the capacity to shape reality—and Roger’s desire for it foreshadows his intent to wield that power destructively. Thematically, it embodies the tension between inheritance and earned right: Roger claims it through bloodline, while Linden holds it through Covenant’s trust and her own sacrifices. Its presence ties the current conflict to the larger struggle against the Despiser, suggesting that past battles have unresolved consequences. The ring also serves as a physical link between worlds, making its ownership a matter of cosmic significance.5. How does the chapter set up the central conflict for the story, and what clues suggest the direction of the coming plot?
Answer:
The chapter establishes a dual conflict: Linden’s immediate struggle to protect Joan from Roger and the looming supernatural threat tied to the ring. Roger’s cryptic remarks (“take her place,” needing the ring to free Joan “completely”) hint at a ritualistic or metaphysical goal, implying he serves forces like Lord Foul. Linden’s resolve to investigate Roger and seek help (e.g., calling security) foreshadows a practical and mystical confrontation. The abrupt silence after Joan tastes blood suggests Roger has unnatural influence, while Linden’s fear that “people are going to die” raises the stakes, positioning her as the only one who understands the true danger.
Quotes
1. “‘You knew that would happen.’ […] ‘I’m her son. She raised me.’”
This exchange captures the tense confrontation between Linden and Roger, revealing his disturbing familiarity with his mother’s mental illness and his unsettling detachment from her suffering. It introduces the central conflict of the chapter—Roger’s dangerous intentions toward Joan.
2. “‘I reached her,’ he objected. ‘That’s more than you can do.’ […] ‘Oh, you reached her, all right,’ Linden returned. ‘That’s pretty damn obvious. It’s the results I object to.’”
This dialogue highlights the ethical clash between Linden’s medical responsibility and Roger’s manipulative methods. It underscores Roger’s callousness and Linden’s growing realization of his threat.
3. “‘Can you tell me what happened to my father’s wedding ring?’ […] Roger wanted more than a chance to take his mother’s place. He wanted his father’s theurgy as well.”
This moment reveals Roger’s true motive—the pursuit of his father’s magical ring—and ties the personal conflict to the larger stakes of the story. It marks a turning point where Linden fully grasps the supernatural danger Roger represents.
4. “‘It belongs to me,’ he countered. ‘His will left everything to my mother. I inherited it yesterday.’ […] ‘No, you didn’t. It came to me before he died. It isn’t part of his estate.’”
This legal and emotional battle over the ring symbolizes the deeper struggle for Covenant’s legacy. Linden’s refusal to relinquish it shows her commitment to opposing Roger’s plans.
5. “‘Doctor Avery,’ now he sneered her title, ‘you have no idea what you’re interfering with.’”
Roger’s parting threat encapsulates the chapter’s tension and foreshadows the coming conflict. It leaves Linden—and the reader—with a sense of impending danger and unresolved stakes.