White Gold Wielder
Chapter 15: Part Two — Fifteen: Enactors of Desecration
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with Sunder and Hollian bidding farewell to Covenant and Linden in the Hills of Andelain. Linden feels an unexpected sense of joy despite the recent loss of Caer-Caveral, the Forestal, as his sacrifice seems to promise hope. Covenant, however, is conflicted, grieving the cost of his friends’ healing and his inability to fully perceive the impact of the Forestal’s absence. Sunder and Hollian appear transformed, glowing with a mystical energy, and announce their decision to stay in Andelain to nurture the Land’s future and raise their unborn child.
Sunder’s cryptic words prompt Linden to question Caer-Caveral’s motives in withholding the location of the One Tree from Covenant. This leads to a revelation: Sunder and Hollian have been altered by Earthpower, though they are not the new Forestal. Hollian explains that their existence is now tied to Andelain’s magic, and leaving would mean their demise. Covenant initially hopes their transformation might offer a solution to his impending death, but this hope fades as he realizes their power is bound to the Hills.
The farewell between the companions is wordless, marked by deep understanding and unspoken emotions. As Sunder and Hollian depart, Linden comforts Covenant, who grapples with his mortality and the weight of his mission. Despite the loss of the Forestal, Andelain remains vibrant, its Earthpower undiminished. Covenant finds solace in this, though his mood shifts again as he confronts the bleak reality of his journey.
The chapter closes with Covenant and Linden reflecting on the enduring beauty of Andelain, even as they brace for the challenges ahead. Covenant’s grim determination resurfaces, but his underlying despair lingers. The chapter underscores themes of sacrifice, transformation, and the fragile balance between hope and inevitability, setting the stage for the next phase of their journey.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the “silver glow” surrounding Sunder and Hollian after their night with the Wraiths of Andelain?
Answer:
The silver glow represents their transformation through Earthpower, marking their transition into beings sustained by Andelain’s magic. This luminescence symbolizes their newfound connection to the Land’s essence, similar to how Caer-Caveral drew power from the Hills. However, unlike the Forestal, they are not bound by the old Law; instead, they embody a fragile balance between life and Earthpower. The glow also reflects the “fragile crossing” Hollian describes—their existence now depends on remaining in Andelain, as leaving would sever their tie to this energy source and cause their demise.2. How does Covenant’s reaction to Sunder and Hollian’s departure reveal his internal conflict?
Answer:
Covenant exhibits layered emotions: joy for his friends’ healing, sorrow over Caer-Caveral’s sacrifice, and personal anguish about his impending death. His initial hope—that Sunder might be the new Forestal—shows his desperation for a solution to his mortality. When Hollian clarifies their limited role, his hope extinguishes, highlighting his unresolved struggle with fate. His gruff affection (“Are you kidding?”) masks deeper vulnerability, while his advice to “not waste” their time underscores his acceptance of his own truncated future, contrasting their renewal with his inevitable end.3. Analyze Linden’s observation about Caer-Caveral’s “gift” of the One Tree’s location. Why does she call it paradoxical?
Answer:
Linden notes that Caer-Caveral gave Covenant vital knowledge (the One Tree’s location) but concealed it in a way that forced reliance on the manipulative Elohim. This paradox lies in the Forestal’s dual role: he aided Covenant’s quest while adhering to a Law that required indirect methods. The “gift” thus became a trial, testing Covenant’s resilience and trust in allies like the Appointed (Vain). Linden’s anger reflects her frustration with cosmic constraints—help that comes with costly conditions, mirroring the chapter’s themes of sacrifice and imperfect solutions.4. What does Hollian mean by “a fragile crossing,” and how does this concept relate to the Laws of Life and Death?
Answer:
The “fragile crossing” describes Sunder and Hollian’s state as beings revived by Earthpower but tethered to Andelain. Unlike Elena’s breaking of the Law of Death (allowing the dead to influence the living) or Caer-Caveral’s breaking of the Law of Life (letting the dead return), their existence is a limited exception. They are alive yet sustained by magic, evading full Law-breaking but remaining vulnerable. This “crossing” symbolizes balance—new possibilities without outright defiance of natural order, though their survival hinges on Andelain’s boundaries.5. Evaluate Covenant’s statement: “At least there’s still Earthpower.” How does this reflect his broader perspective in the chapter?
Answer:
This line reveals Covenant’s resilience amid loss. Despite Caer-Caveral’s death and his own mortality, he clings to Earthpower as an enduring force for good. It underscores his role as a champion of the Land’s essence, even when personal hopes (like Sunder becoming Forestal) fade. His grim relish that the enemy “can’t hurt us” yet further shows his tactical focus—using reprieves to fight deeper battles. The remark thus encapsulates his pragmatism and commitment to preserving beauty and power where it still exists, despite despair.
Quotes
1. “In a paradoxical way, Caer-Caveral’s self-sacrifice felt like a promise of hope.”
This quote captures Linden’s complex emotional response to the Forestal’s death, showing how loss can simultaneously contain seeds of renewal. It introduces the chapter’s theme of transformation through sacrifice.
2. “You have said that we are the future of the Land. It has become our wish to discover that future here.”
Sunder’s declaration represents the chapter’s central transition - the Stonedownors embracing their role as inheritors of Andelain’s legacy. This marks both an ending and a beginning in the narrative.
3. “We are sustained, and in some manner defined, by the sovereign Earthpower of the Andelainian Hills. Should we depart this region, we would not long endure among the living.”
Hollian’s explanation reveals the delicate balance between life and death, power and vulnerability that now governs the resurrected pair. This defines the new mystical reality they inhabit.
4. “At least there’s still Earthpower… The Hills haven’t changed.”
Covenant and Linden’s exchange highlights the enduring nature of Andelain’s fundamental magic, providing a counterpoint to the transformations they’ve witnessed. This represents the chapter’s bittersweet conclusion about permanence and change.
5. “Behind them, they left a silence that ached as if nothing would be able to take their place.”
This poignant description of Sunder and Hollian’s departure encapsulates the emotional weight of the chapter’s farewells and transitions, emphasizing both the beauty and cost of their transformation.