The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 5: Prologue — 4. Malice
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with Linden Avery, the protagonist, reacting to the aftermath of a violent incident involving Roger Covenant, the son of her former patient Joan. Police sirens signal Sheriff Lytton’s belated response to a call for help from Berenford Memorial Hospital. Linden, shaken, realizes Bill Coty, a volunteer protecting Joan, has been shot by Roger—a threat she previously underestimated. Fearing for her adopted son Jeremiah’s safety, she calls Sandy Eastwall for help, then rushes upstairs to check on him. Despite her panic, Jeremiah appears unharmed, sleeping peacefully, though Linden remains unsettled by Roger’s unpredictable violence.
As Sandy arrives, her unusual unease mirrors Linden’s growing dread. Sandy explains she felt an inexplicable foreboding, as if sensing Linden’s distress. Linden, avoiding detailed explanations, leaves Jeremiah in Sandy’s care and heads to the hospital. The harsh, gritty wind outside seems almost unnatural, amplifying the tension. Linden battles the storm’s force as she drives, her fear for Jeremiah mingling with guilt over Bill Coty’s death. The weather’s intensity mirrors the chaos Roger has unleashed, leaving Linden emotionally and physically battered.
Upon reaching Berenford Memorial, Linden finds the entrance damaged, the lock shattered—evidence of Roger’s forced entry. She recalls the staff who might have confronted him, particularly Avis Cardaman, a formidable orderly whose strength may have been no match for Roger’s ruthlessness. The presence of multiple police cars underscores the severity of the situation. Linden steels herself to face the aftermath, unsure how many others have been harmed in Roger’s rampage. The chapter builds suspense, highlighting the escalating threat Roger poses and Linden’s mounting desperation.
The final scene shifts to the hospital lobby, now crowded with law enforcement. Sheriff Lytton and his deputies dominate the space, their presence a stark reminder of the violence Linden must confront. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the full extent of Roger’s actions unclear. Linden’s resolve is tested as she steps into the chaos, torn between her duty as a healer and her fear for Jeremiah’s safety. The narrative underscores themes of maternal protectiveness, the consequences of underestimating evil, and the relentless advance of an impending storm—both literal and metaphorical.
FAQs
1. What key events demonstrate Roger Covenant’s escalating violence in this chapter, and how do they affect Linden Avery’s perception of him?
Answer:
Roger’s violence escalates dramatically in this chapter, beginning with the shooting of Bill Coty (a volunteer protecting Joan) and culminating in his forced entry into Berenford Memorial, where he likely overpowered Avis Cardaman—a physically imposing orderly. These events shatter Linden’s initial assessment that Roger wasn’t “dangerous enough for guns.” His actions reveal a calculated malice, as he targets caregivers and breaches secure locations. Linden’s trembling and fear for Jeremiah underscore her realization that Roger is far more unhinged than she assumed, forcing her to confront her own underestimation of his threat.2. Analyze the significance of the storm imagery in this chapter. How does it mirror or amplify the story’s tension?
Answer:
The storm serves as both a literal and metaphorical reflection of the chapter’s chaos. The wind is described as “abrasive, full of grit,” slapping Linden’s face and nearly tearing her car door off—mirroring Roger’s violent intrusion into her life. Dust and debris swirl like “tortured things,” paralleling the disruption of safety (e.g., the shattered hospital door) and Linden’s emotional turmoil. The storm’s unnatural cold and intensity also foreshadow the crisis Roger is accelerating, suggesting an impending climax as destabilizing as the weather.3. How does Linden’s maternal instinct conflict with her professional duties in this chapter, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Linden is torn between her duty as a doctor (responding to the hospital emergency) and her fear for Jeremiah’s safety. She pauses to check on him despite the urgency, revealing her deep maternal protectiveness. Her trembling and desire to “flee with him” contrast with her disciplined resolve to face the crisis. This conflict highlights her complexity: she is both a caregiver burdened by responsibility (e.g., guilt over Bill Coty’s death) and a mother whose love exposes her vulnerabilities. Her choice to leave Jeremiah with Sandy—despite her terror—shows her prioritization of others’ needs.4. What role does foreshadowing play in Sandy Eastwall’s arrival, and how does it contribute to the chapter’s atmosphere?
Answer:
Sandy’s unexplained unease—her “feeling” that something was wrong before Linden called—acts as subtle foreshadowing. Her preemptive readiness (“I already had my coat on”) suggests an almost supernatural intuition, heightening the sense of impending doom. This detail deepens the chapter’s tension by implying that Roger’s malice has ripple effects beyond Linden’s awareness. Sandy’s distracted listening to the wind (rather than Linden) further ties her unease to the storm’s ominous presence, reinforcing the theme of an encroaching, inescapable threat.5. Evaluate the security measures at Berenford Memorial and their failure. What does Roger’s breach suggest about his preparedness and motives?
Answer:
Berenford Memorial’s security is robust: locked outer doors, an intercom system, and staff like Avis Cardaman trained to handle threats. Roger’s breach—smashing the lock and cracking the glass—reveals both his physical force and his disregard for consequences. The fact that he likely overpowered Avis (a formidable opponent) suggests he came armed and willing to escalate violence. This preparedness indicates his actions are premeditated, not impulsive. His targeting of a high-security area for Joan underscores his determination to “precipitate the crisis,” as Linden notes, aligning with his broader, yet unclear, destructive agenda.
Quotes
1. “Bill Coty was dead because Linden had underestimated Roger’s madness.”
This quote marks a pivotal moment of realization for Linden, highlighting the deadly consequences of misjudging Roger’s capacity for violence. It underscores the chapter’s theme of escalating danger and the protagonist’s growing awareness of the threat.
2. “Joan’s son would be in a hurry now. He meant to precipitate the crisis for which his heart hungered immediately.”
This passage reveals Roger’s malicious intent and foreshadows imminent danger. It captures the chapter’s tension and the antagonist’s relentless pursuit of chaos, serving as a key turning point in the narrative.
3. “She yearned to flee with him now, take him and run—Surely Roger was unaware that she had a son?”
This internal monologue showcases Linden’s maternal fear and the psychological toll of the crisis. It introduces the vulnerability of her son Jeremiah as a potential target, heightening the stakes of the conflict.
4. “The gust felt unnaturally cold; and abrasive, full of grit. A storm was on its way, a serious storm—”
This atmospheric description serves as both literal foreshadowing of bad weather and a metaphor for the coming turmoil. The unnatural quality of the wind mirrors the unnatural violence unfolding in the story.
5. “Berenford Memorial’s entrance had two sets of heavy glass doors… From the hole, cracks spread crookedly through the glass.”
This vivid imagery of the shattered door visually represents the violation of safe spaces and the spreading impact of Roger’s violence. It marks the physical evidence of the antagonist’s destructive path through the chapter.