White Gold Wielder
Chapter 20: Part Two — Twenty: The Sun-Sage
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens in the aftermath of a climactic battle in Kiril Threndor, where the cavern is now quiet and dimly lit by remnants of rocklight. Linden Avery cradles the lifeless body of Thomas Covenant, her grief palpable as she reflects on his sacrifice. His face bears an expression blending defeat and victory, a testament to his final act. Covenant’s spirit, now a revenant, hovers near her, radiating empathy and sorrow. He apologizes for his actions, explaining he had no choice but to stop Lord Foul, though Linden understands and mourns his loss deeply.
Covenant’s spirit urges Linden to pick up his white gold ring, which lies powerless on the dais. He insists the Land is still in peril, as the Sunbane persists and Foul’s influence lingers. Linden resists, fearing her own capacity for darkness and the corrupting effects of power. She clings to Covenant’s body, unwilling to let go, and questions the purpose of the ring now that its wielders are gone. Covenant presses her, emphasizing that only she can heal the Land, as he is no longer physically alive and can be dismissed by those who know how.
As Linden’s connection to the world begins to fade, Covenant warns her that she is being pulled back to her own reality. He implores her to act before it’s too late, revealing that Foul could return through the Sunbane. Despite her despair, Linden resolves to honor Covenant’s plea, though she moves slowly, weighed down by grief. Just as she prepares to reach for the ring, an unexpected voice interrupts—a commanding presence that dismisses Covenant’s spirit against his will.
The chapter ends abruptly as Covenant’s revenant is forcibly banished, leaving Linden alone and bereft. His final cry of her name echoes as his presence vanishes entirely, stripping her of any remaining solace. The sudden dismissal leaves the fate of the Land uncertain, with Linden now facing her next trial without Covenant’s guidance. The unresolved tension sets the stage for the next phase of her journey.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Covenant’s ring in this chapter, and why does his spirit urge Linden to pick it up despite her reservations?
Answer:
Covenant’s ring, once a powerful artifact of wild magic, now lies empty and devoid of power after his death. His spirit insists Linden take it because the Sunbane still ravages the Land, and the corrupted Earthpower cannot heal itself. Covenant, as a spirit, cannot wield the ring’s potential power, but he believes Linden can use it to restore the Land. Despite her fear of being corrupted by power (as she fears becoming “another Raver”), Covenant emphasizes the urgency—the Sunbane will revive Lord Foul, and her own existence in this world is fading. His plea underscores the ring as the last hope for salvation (Chapter 20, “The Sun-Sage”).2. Analyze Linden’s emotional state in this chapter. How does her grief and sense of failure influence her actions?
Answer:
Linden is consumed by grief and guilt, cradling Covenant’s lifeless body as she confronts her perceived failures. Her sorrow is paralyzing; she fears embracing power because of her past darkness and self-doubt (“I can’t stop hurting the people I want to help”). Yet, her love for Covenant and her oath to end the Sunbane compel her to obey his final request, even as she resists. The chapter highlights her internal conflict—between despair and duty—and her gradual acceptance of responsibility as her connection to the Land weakens (“she was dwindling”). Her emotional turmoil makes Covenant’s appeal both painful and necessary (Chapter 20, “The Sun-Sage”).3. How does the chapter portray the theme of sacrifice, particularly through Covenant’s actions and Linden’s dilemma?
Answer:
Sacrifice is central: Covenant dies to stop Lord Foul, embodying a “grimace of defeat and victory,” while his spirit pleads for Linden to continue his work. His sacrifice is framed as inevitable (“Nobody else could’ve done it”), but incomplete—the Land remains unhealed. Linden’s potential sacrifice is moral; she must risk her own corruption by wielding power, a fear rooted in her past. The chapter contrasts physical sacrifice (Covenant’s death) with spiritual sacrifice (Linden confronting her darkness). Both characters grapple with the cost of salvation, emphasizing that true heroism often demands personal ruin (Chapter 20, “The Sun-Sage”).4. What role does the setting of Kiril Threndor play in this chapter’s tone and events?
Answer:
Kiril Threndor, a cavern shattered by battle, mirrors the characters’ turmoil. The lingering rocklight and gaps in the ceiling reflect Covenant’s fragmented legacy and Linden’s fading presence. The “brimstone atmosphere” contrasts with earlier corruption, symbolizing partial purification after Foul’s defeat. The cavern’s instability (“long tremors still rumbled”) parallels Linden’s precarious state—both are remnants of a cataclysm. As the setting sharpens while Linden “dwindles,” it underscores her displacement between worlds, heightening the urgency of Covenant’s plea. The chamber becomes a liminal space where death and duty collide (Chapter 20, “The Sun-Sage”).5. Critical Thinking: Why might the sudden dismissal of Covenant’s spirit (by an unnamed voice) be a pivotal moment for Linden’s character arc?
Answer:
The abrupt dismissal strips Linden of Covenant’s guidance, forcing her to act alone. This moment tests her growth: will she succumb to grief or embrace agency? Historically, she relied on Covenant’s moral clarity; now, she must confront power and responsibility without him. The voice’s intervention (possibly a future antagonist or ally) adds narrative tension, suggesting her trials are far from over. For Linden, this loss may catalyze her transition from a reactive figure to a true leader—if she can overcome her fear of becoming what she hates. The chapter sets up her ultimate choice: paralysis or redemption (Chapter 20, “The Sun-Sage”).
Quotes
1. “His face wore a grimace of defeat and victory—a strange fusion of commandment and grace—that was as close as he would ever come to peace.”
This poignant description captures Covenant’s final state—a paradoxical blend of triumph and sacrifice. It represents the chapter’s central theme of costly victory and the complex nature of heroism in the face of impossible choices.
2. “I didn’t know what else to do. I had to stop him.” […] “All I did was stop him. I haven’t healed anything.”
These lines reveal Covenant’s posthumous realization that his sacrifice was only half the battle. The quote underscores the chapter’s tension between destruction and restoration, setting up Linden’s subsequent dilemma about continuing his work.
3. “You’re starting to fade.” […] “This is the way it usually works. The power that called you here recoils when whoever summoned you dies.”
This urgent warning marks the chapter’s turning point, where metaphysical rules of the world come into play. It creates both temporal pressure and existential stakes for Linden’s final decision about the ring.
4. “Pick up the ring!” […] “I need you to save the Land.”
Covenant’s climactic plea distills the chapter’s central conflict into a single imperative. This represents the transfer of responsibility from one hero to another, and the painful transition between sacrifice and continued struggle.
5. “—Avaunt, shade! Your work is done! Urge me no more dismay!”
This sudden, disruptive command (whose speaker remains mysterious) provides the chapter’s shocking denouement. It represents the cruel irony that even after death, Covenant’s spirit cannot find rest, and Linden is left truly alone with her choice.