Thomas Covenant 8 — The Fatal Revenant
Chapter 23: Part Two — 10. Struggles over Wild Magic
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter delves into Linden Avery’s struggles with the implications of her presence in the Land and the mysteries surrounding wild magic. After a night of little sleep, Linden and the Giants discuss the Sandgorgons’ actions and the nature of death between worlds. Linden admits she cannot fully explain how she, Jeremiah, and Roger transitioned to the Land, only that their existence there seems permanent until death. The conversation shifts to historical parallels, as Stave recounts the tale of Hile Troy, a man from Linden’s world who became the Forestal Caer-Caveral, suggesting that Joan’s wild magic might offer Linden a way to remain in the Land and save her son.
Stave’s narrative provides hope but also underscores the uncertainty of their situation. The Giants acknowledge the complexity of interdimensional magic, though their immediate concern is the threat of Kastenessen and his skurj. Coldspray warns of the dangers ahead, emphasizing the urgency of reaching Andelain to secure High Lord Loric’s krill, a potential key to countering Kastenessen’s forces. The company faces not only external threats but also internal strife, as Longwrath’s unpredictable violence demands constant vigilance. The Giants rally around Linden, recognizing that her possession of Covenant’s white gold ring may be their only hope.
Linden reveals Covenant’s ring, acknowledging her fraught relationship with its power. She admits her fear of wielding wild magic, citing its uncontrollable nature and her own inadequacy to harness it fully. Despite her past successes, she feels constrained by the antithesis between Law and wild magic, as well as her physical limitations. Her health-sense reinforces her vulnerability, leaving her uncertain of her ability to confront Joan or Kastenessen. The chapter highlights her internal conflict, torn between her responsibility to the Land and her fear of the ring’s destructive potential.
The discussion culminates in a sober acknowledgment of the challenges ahead. Linden’s companions, though supportive, recognize the precariousness of their mission. The Giants’ leader, Coldspray, underscores the necessity of relying on wild magic despite its risks, as conventional means may not suffice against their foes. Linden’s unresolved tension with Esmer and her lingering doubts about her right to wield the ring add layers of complexity to her journey. The chapter sets the stage for a desperate struggle, blending hope with existential dread as the company prepares to face Kastenessen’s onslaught.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter explain the relationship between death in Linden’s former world and life in the Land?
Answer:
The chapter explores the complex connection between death in Linden’s world and existence in the Land through the discussion of Linden, Jeremiah, and Roger’s passage. Linden speculates that violent deaths (like bullets or lightning) in their former world may have permanently transported them to the Land, where they now exist until slain again. This is supported by Stave’s account of Hile Troy, whose death in his own world before his summoner’s demise fixed his presence in the Land. The Giants and Haruchai debate whether this precedent applies to Linden’s situation, given Joan’s continued possession of wild magic and her role as their summoner.2. What is the significance of Hile Troy’s story in relation to Linden’s current predicament?
Answer:
Hile Troy’s tale serves as a critical parallel and potential source of hope for Linden. Stave recounts how Troy, summoned to the Land, remained even after his summoner (Atiaran) died because his own death in his world preceded hers. This suggests that Linden and Jeremiah might also have a fixed presence in the Land, independent of Joan’s survival. The story implies that Linden could confront Joan using the krill without being undone, offering a way to save the Land and her son. The Giants acknowledge this as a cunning argument to alleviate doubts about Linden’s uncertain status.3. What are the key limitations and dangers Linden faces in wielding wild magic and the Staff of Law?
Answer:
Linden reveals several critical constraints:- Wild magic is difficult to control and grows more ungovernable with use, as Covenant warned.
- She questions her right to wield Covenant’s ring, as Roger claimed only its true owner can access its full power.
- Law and wild magic are antithetical—using both risks catastrophic consequences, as ordinary flesh cannot withstand their combined forces.
- Her prior feats (e.g., merging Vain and Findail) were enabled by unique circumstances (Covenant’s spiritual protection, her partial incorporeality). Now, her health-sense deems her too frail to manage both powers, compounded by Kevin’s Dirt and Esmer’s interference.
4. How does the chapter frame the immediate threats facing Linden’s company, and what strategic concerns do the Giants raise?
Answer:
The Giants identify Kastenessen and his skurj as the most urgent peril, capable of overwhelming the group with even a small force. Coldspray notes the logistical challenges: Andelain is 8–9 leagues away, possibly overrun by skurj, and Salva Gildenbourne’s dense terrain will slow progress. The company must also guard against Longwrath’s murderous intent, diverting resources during battles. The Giants emphasize reliance on wild magic as their only clear hope, given the Staff of Law’s limitations. Their analysis underscores a tense balance between urgency (reaching the krill) and survivability (navigating threats with diminished resources).5. Why does Stave’s account of Hile Troy indirectly address the doubts of both the Giants and the Humbled?
Answer:
Stave’s retelling serves a dual purpose:- For the Giants, it provides a historical precedent suggesting Linden’s presence in the Land might be permanent, justifying their support for her mission.
- For the Humbled (Haruchai Masters), it subtly challenges their rigid adherence to Law by highlighting how Hile Troy’s “violation” (becoming Caer-Caveral) ultimately aided Covenant’s victory. Stave implies that strict Law may not always be paramount, advocating for pragmatic hope. The Giants recognize this as an attempt to reconcile conflicting ideologies within the group, though they defer deeper debate for practicality’s sake.
- Wild magic is difficult to control and grows more ungovernable with use, as Covenant warned.
Quotes
1. “Like the lightning which had taken Joan, bullets were too violent for doubt. Therefore Linden could only assume that she, Jeremiah, and Roger had perished in the instant of their passage to the Land. In some sense, their presence here was permanent: they would endure until they were slain.”
This quote captures the existential dilemma of Linden and her companions, establishing the metaphysical rules governing their transition to the Land. It introduces the haunting concept of being permanently trapped between worlds, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of mortality and magic.
2. “The Council of Lords believed that his summons was not undone because in his own world his death preceded that of his summoner. Therefore his spirit could not return to its former life, and his place in the Land was fixed.”
This explanation of Hile Troy’s fate provides crucial context for understanding the mechanics of interdimensional summoning in the story’s universe. It offers both hope and warning about the permanence of transitions between worlds, foreshadowing Linden’s own predicament.
3. “If we cannot trust to the Staff of Law, then only wild magic may preserve us.”
As the Ironhand’s declaration, this statement represents the chapter’s central conflict and thesis - the desperate reliance on unpredictable wild magic when established systems of power (Law) prove inadequate. It encapsulates the story’s turning point where characters must embrace dangerous, unknown forces.
4. “All I know is that I can’t chance it when I’m holding the Staff. Apparently Law and wild magic are antithetical.”
Linden’s revelation about the fundamental incompatibility between Law and wild magic explains a core magical principle in the narrative. This insight carries significant implications for her future choices and the balance of power in their struggle.
5. “Now her health-sense insisted that she was simply inadequate—too human and frail—to contain or manage Earthpower and white gold simultaneously.”
This poignant self-assessment reveals Linden’s internal conflict and limitations, highlighting the human struggle against cosmic forces. It underscores the theme of mortal fragility facing divine powers, a recurring tension throughout the chapter.