Thomas Covenant 8 — The Fatal Revenant
Chapter 8: Part One — 7. Taking the Risk
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery, accompanied by Thomas Covenant and her son Jeremiah, finds herself on a frigid hilltop, overwhelmed by the lethal beauty of the cold. Though the freezing temperatures threaten her survival, she is struck by the pristine, almost sacred quality of the snow-covered landscape. Covenant, seemingly oblivious to her struggle, continues discussing the Elohim’s refusal to intervene in their quest due to their disdain for altering time. Linden, however, is preoccupied with her son’s perilous situation, as Jeremiah’s physical body remains trapped by Lord Foul, despite his presence beside her.
Covenant explains that using the EarthBlood’s Power of Command will halt Lord Foul’s actions but will also cause him and Jeremiah to vanish, returning to their original time. He assures Linden that she can then use the same power to reunite with Jeremiah, offering her a glimmer of hope. However, Covenant’s tone shifts to frustration when Linden questions his motives, insisting his actions are for her and Jeremiah’s benefit as much as for the Land. The Theomach’s sudden laughter and cryptic remarks add an unsettling layer to the conversation, hinting at deeper complexities.
Linden questions why they must travel so far into the past to reach Melenkurion Skyweir, where the EarthBlood resides. Jeremiah explains that the passages to the EarthBlood were destroyed in their own time, and Damelon’s ancient wards make it inaccessible without her abilities. Covenant’s plan involves sealing Lord Foul in their original timeline to avoid destabilizing the Arch of Time. Despite the urgency, they remain on the hilltop, leaving Linden confused and shivering, her patience wearing thin.
The chapter culminates with the Theomach’s enigmatic return, his presence blurring the boundaries of reality. Jeremiah, visibly uneasy, defers to Covenant as the Theomach approaches, heightening the tension. Linden’s physical discomfort and emotional turmoil underscore the precariousness of their mission, as the group’s dynamics and unspoken conflicts simmer beneath the surface. The chapter leaves readers questioning the true motivations of Covenant and the Theomach, while Linden’s determination to save her son remains the emotional core.
FAQs
1. How does Linden perceive the cold in this chapter, and what significance does this hold for her character?
Answer:
Linden experiences the cold as both a lethal threat and a source of numinous beauty. The chapter describes how the cold’s “uncompromising beauty” speaks to her, with its crystalline snow, wind-sculpted patterns, and glass-like air evoking a sense of awe. However, she is acutely aware of its danger—her body heat is fading, and she risks losing control of her limbs. This duality reflects Linden’s character: her health-sense attunes her to the world’s profound beauty, even in peril, while her vulnerability underscores her human limitations. The cold becomes a metaphor for her precarious situation—balancing hope for Jeremiah’s rescue against the harsh realities of their quest.2. What is Covenant’s plan to confront Lord Foul, and why does it require Linden’s participation?
Answer:
Covenant plans to use the EarthBlood’s Power of Command to “freeze” Lord Foul, halting the Despiser’s actions in their own timeline. However, this act would cause Covenant and Jeremiah to vanish, returning to their original time without resolving Jeremiah’s captivity. Linden’s role is critical because, after their departure, she must drink the EarthBlood herself and issue her own Command to reunite with Jeremiah. Covenant emphasizes that her presence is why the Elohim refrain from interfering, as her Wildwielder status reassures them. This layered plan highlights Covenant’s reliance on Linden’s power and her emotional stakes in saving her son.3. Why does Jeremiah explain that they must travel to the past to access the EarthBlood?
Answer:
Jeremiah reveals that the EarthBlood is inaccessible in their original time due to Damelon’s wards and the destruction caused by Elena’s battle with Kevin. By traveling to the past—before Damelon sealed the mountain—they bypass these barriers. This temporal strategy underscores the story’s themes of sacrifice and manipulation of time. However, it also raises ethical questions, as Covenant’s actions risk altering history. Jeremiah’s explanation ties the quest’s urgency to the Land’s deeper lore, emphasizing how ancient safeguards complicate their mission.4. Analyze the tension between Covenant and the Theomach in this chapter. What does their interaction reveal?
Answer:
The Theomach’s mocking laughter and cryptic remarks (“your justifications”) highlight his skepticism toward Covenant’s motives. Covenant reacts defensively, insisting his plan balances saving the Land with rescuing Jeremiah. This clash exposes Covenant’s moral ambiguity—his willingness to manipulate time and Linden’s emotions—while the Theomach’s disdain suggests hidden knowledge or disapproval. Their tension also foreshadows larger conflicts: the Theomach’s sudden disappearance and reappearance hint at his nonlinear existence, complicating the group’s trust in allies and their grasp of time’s rules.5. How does the chapter frame the theme of risk, particularly in relation to Linden’s choices?
Answer:
Linden’s physical risk (freezing) mirrors her emotional and metaphysical risks. She must trust Covenant’s plan despite its gaps, such as Jeremiah’s unresolved captivity and the Arch of Time’s fragility. Her hope is “sudden” and “shaking,” reflecting the precariousness of her faith. The chapter juxtaposes her vulnerability with the cold’s “frangible loveliness,” symbolizing how beauty and danger intertwine in her quest. Ultimately, her decision to proceed—despite incomplete answers—underscores the novel’s exploration of sacrifice and the costs of wielding power.
Quotes
1. “The austerity and precision of the cold gave it a numinous glory. The sunlit crystalline untrammeled brilliance of the snow on all sides defined the contours of the hilltop as distinctly as etch-work in purest glass.”
This passage captures Linden’s profound sensory experience of the winter landscape, blending beauty with danger. It establishes the chapter’s vivid setting while symbolizing the paradoxical nature of their quest—both magnificent and deadly.
2. “Of course, the Elohim could have done the same thing, saved us all this trouble, if they weren’t so damn self-absorbed. And if they didn’t object to messing around with time.”
Covenant’s bitter remark reveals key backstory about the Elohim’s limitations and Kastenessen’s fall. This quote introduces the chapter’s central tension about manipulating time and the moral compromises of their mission.
3. “Unfortunately, no. Oh, his suffering will end… But drinking the EarthBlood, using the Power of Command—Unleashing forces on that scale will pretty much overwhelm us. Jeremiah and I will disappear.”
This pivotal exchange explains the high stakes of their plan—while it may stop immediate suffering, it comes with irreversible consequences. Covenant’s explanation reveals the tragic limitations of even godlike power.
4. “I’m Thomas Covenant, for God’s sake. I’ve saved the Land twice. And I sure as hell didn’t get myself killed because I like being dead.”
Covenant’s defensive outburst showcases his complex character—equal parts heroic and flawed. This quote encapsulates his burden of leadership and the resentment underlying his sacrifices.
5. “Because, Mom, the Blood of the Earth isn’t accessible in the time where we belong… We have to get inside the mountain before Damelon seals it.”
Jeremiah’s explanation of their time-jump mission clarifies the chapter’s core paradox—they must alter the past to fix the future. This reveals the delicate temporal mechanics underlying their entire quest.