Thomas Covenant 8 — The Fatal Revenant
Chapter 2: Part One — 1. Reunion
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery stands atop Revelstone’s watchtower, surrounded by companions who have sacrificed much for her—Stave, Liand, and the Ramen—yet she is oblivious to them. Her focus is entirely on the approaching riders fleeing the Demondim horde. Among them, she recognizes Thomas Covenant, her lost love, and her adopted son Jeremiah, whose mind has inexplicably been freed from its former prison. Overwhelmed by this revelation, Linden’s past struggles—her flight from the Masters, her journey with the Ramen, and her quest for the Staff of Law—suddenly seem meaningless in the face of this miraculous reunion.
Driven by urgency, Linden rushes to descend the tower, but her path is blocked by Masters preparing for battle. Undeterred, she dashes across a precarious bridge into Revelstone’s labyrinthine passages, guided by Stave and Mahrtiir. Her friends follow closely, including the unstable Anele and the enigmatic Humbled, who shadow her with ambiguous intentions. As she navigates the darkness, Linden summons light from her Staff, her desperation growing with each step. She fears the Demondim may have already overtaken Covenant and Jeremiah, but she clings to hope that they will reach safety.
Linden’s health-sense strains to perceive the Demondim’s proximity, but the stone walls of Revelstone obscure her vision. She reflects on the Demondim’s recent withdrawal, questioning their motives. Their sudden retreat the previous day, after Anele’s confrontation, suggests a calculated move—perhaps to herd Covenant and Jeremiah toward her rather than destroy them. This realization fuels her determination, yet it also raises unsettling questions about the forces manipulating events.
The chapter culminates in Linden’s frantic race against time, her emotions oscillating between joy and dread. The reappearance of Covenant and Jeremiah redefines her purpose, but the looming threat of the Demondim casts a shadow over their reunion. Her journey, once driven by defiance and survival, now centers on reaching her loved ones before it’s too late—even as the larger forces at play remain shrouded in mystery.
FAQs
1. How does Linden Avery react when she sees Thomas Covenant and Jeremiah riding toward Revelstone, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Linden Avery is utterly transfixed and emotionally overwhelmed when she recognizes Thomas Covenant and Jeremiah among the riders. The sight strikes her to her knees, altering her perception of her entire life’s meaning—rendering her past struggles and sacrifices insignificant in comparison to this moment. Her immediate impulse is to rush down and embrace them, showing her deep love for Covenant and maternal devotion to Jeremiah. This reaction highlights her passionate, impulsive nature and her capacity for profound emotional attachment, even at the expense of situational awareness (e.g., ignoring her companions and the impending Demondim threat).2. What role does Stave play in this chapter, and how does his relationship with Linden contrast with that of the other Haruchai?
Answer:
Stave serves as Linden’s steadfast guide and ally, despite being ostracized by his fellow Haruchai for supporting her. He leads her to the vantage point, accompanies her across the unstable bridge, and navigates Revelstone’s passages without hesitation, even while injured. His loyalty contrasts sharply with the distrust of the other Masters, who refuse Linden passage and view her as a hindrance. Stave’s actions demonstrate his willingness to break from Haruchai traditions for what he perceives as a greater purpose, emphasizing themes of individuality versus collective duty.3. Analyze the significance of the Demondim’s behavior in this chapter. What might their actions suggest about their motives?
Answer:
The Demondim appear to be herding rather than outright attacking Covenant and Jeremiah, as they could have easily ambushed them earlier. Their withdrawal the previous day—after Anele’s confrontation—hints at a calculated plan, possibly to manipulate Linden by delivering her loved ones into a trap. This behavior suggests the Demondim are acting under a larger design, potentially influenced by a higher power (e.g., Lord Foul or Anele’s mysterious possessor). Their “leashed seethe of theurgy” and controlled pursuit imply intelligence and strategic intent beyond mindless destruction.4. How does the chapter portray the tension between Linden’s personal desires and her responsibilities to her companions?
Answer:
Linden’s fixation on Covenant and Jeremiah causes her to disregard her friends (Liand, Stave, Mahrtiir, etc.), who are described as “not real to her” in this moment. Her single-minded rush to reach the gates—ignoring the Masters’ warnings and the logistical dangers—illustrates how her emotional drive overrides her leadership role. This tension underscores her human flaws: while her love is relatable, her neglect of her companions’ safety and contributions risks alienating those who have sacrificed for her cause.5. What symbolic or thematic importance does Revelstone hold in this chapter, and how does its depiction reinforce the story’s stakes?
Answer:
Revelstone represents both sanctuary and confinement. Its towering, labyrinthine structure mirrors the complexity of Linden’s journey—physically (as she struggles to navigate its passages) and emotionally (as she grapples with revelations about Covenant and Jeremiah). The “cavernous hall within the gates” symbolizes hope for reunion, while the Masters’ preparations for battle (firewood, oil) foreshadow impending conflict. The Keep’s ancient, unyielding rock contrasts with the fluid, chaotic advance of the Demondim, heightening the tension between stability and chaos in the Land’s fate.
Quotes
1. “In sunshine as vivid as revelation, Linden Avery knelt on the stone of a low-walled coign like a balcony high in the outward face of Revelstone’s watchtower.”
This opening line sets the scene with striking imagery, comparing sunlight to divine revelation, while introducing Linden Avery’s pivotal vantage point. It establishes the tone for a moment of profound realization and foreshadows the transformative events to come.
2. “In the instant that she recognized Thomas Covenant and Jeremiah, the meaning of her entire life changed.”
This quote captures the chapter’s emotional climax, where Linden’s perception of her journey is radically altered by seeing her loved ones alive. It represents a turning point where past struggles become insignificant compared to this miraculous reunion.
3. “Thomas Covenant was alive: the only man whom she had ever loved. Her son was free. Somehow he had eluded Lord Foul’s cruel grasp.”
These concise sentences powerfully summarize Linden’s dual revelations - the return of her lost love and the salvation of her son. The stark phrasing emphasizes the life-altering nature of these realizations that redefine her purpose.
4. “Instinctively, irrationally, she felt that her own rush to meet them might enable Jeremiah and Covenant to reach the comparative safety of the massive interlocking gates.”
This passage reveals Linden’s desperate, almost magical thinking as she races to reunite with them. It illustrates the chapter’s tension between hope and danger, while showing how emotion overrides logic in this critical moment.
5. “Jeremiah and Covenant were not being hunted: they were being herded.”
This realization marks a crucial insight about the Demondim’s true intentions, shifting the chapter’s perspective from rescue to potential manipulation. It introduces a ominous note that complicates what initially seemed like a purely joyous reunion.