White Gold Wielder
Chapter 4: Part One — Four: Sea of Ice
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter “Sea of Ice” opens with the Giantship *Starfare’s Gem* battling a violent storm in the frigid Soulbiter Sea. The wind tears through the sails, threatening to destroy the vessel, but the sturdy dromond withstands the onslaught and begins to outpace the danger. As the ship navigates thinning ice floes, the immediate peril recedes, but Covenant remains oblivious to the chaos around him, consumed by his desperate attempt to save Linden’s life.
Linden lies near death, her body pale and unresponsive, as Covenant frantically tries to revive her. Ignoring offers of help from the Giants, he rubs her limbs and demands warm water, his fear driving him to near hysteria. When Pitchwife attempts to administer diamondraught, Linden fails to swallow, prompting Covenant to resort to desperate measures, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. His efforts are fraught with tension as he battles his own vertigo and the ship’s violent movements.
A breakthrough comes when the cooks prepare a stone stewpot filled with warm water. Covenant channels his wild magic to heat it, carefully controlling his power to avoid harming Linden. The intense heat revives her, and she begins coughing, regaining consciousness. As she recovers, she weakly strips off her wet clothes and drinks the diamondraught, her strength slowly returning. Covenant, overwhelmed with relief, hides his face against Pitchwife, his emotions raw.
Linden’s first words upon waking reveal her lingering anguish over their inability to help others in the Soulbiter. Covenant explains that the figures they saw were illusions, and aiding them would have led to damnation. The chapter closes with Covenant and Linden grappling with the moral weight of their choices, their survival tempered by the haunting consequences of their decisions.
FAQs
1. What challenges did Starfare’s Gem face in the Sea of Ice, and how did the crew respond?
Answer:
The Giantship encountered violent winds and treacherous icebergs in the Sea of Ice, with the initial gusts causing Dawngreeter’s sail to split. The crew, led by Honninscrave and the steerswoman, skillfully navigated to avoid collisions, as contact with the bergs could have shattered the ship’s granite hull. Despite the extreme conditions, Starfare’s Gem was designed to withstand such blasts, and the crew’s expertise allowed them to push through the thinning flotilla of ice. The chapter highlights both the ship’s resilience and the Giants’ seamanship under pressure.2. How did Covenant attempt to save Linden, and what limitations did he face?
Answer:
Covenant fought desperately to revive Linden after she fell unconscious, using physical methods like chafing her limbs and artificial respiration. His efforts were hampered by his inability to use his wild magic safely—without health-sense, he risked harming her. The Giants assisted by providing diamondraught (a healing liquor) and a stone stewpot filled with warm water, which Covenant heated using controlled bursts of his power. His struggle underscores his emotional turmoil and the precarious balance between his destructive potential and his need to heal.3. Why did Linden ask, “Why couldn’t we help them?” and what does this reveal about the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
Linden’s question refers to the illusions of the Soulbiter, which tormented the crew with visions of people in distress. Helping would have been futile (as they were illusions) but refusing left them guilt-ridden. This dilemma explores themes of moral responsibility, helplessness, and the psychological toll of impossible choices. Covenant’s explanation—that the Soulbiter preyed on their compassion—highlights the chapter’s focus on the cruelty of false dilemmas and the scars they leave behind.4. Analyze the significance of Covenant’s use of wild magic in this chapter. How does it differ from previous instances?
Answer:
Here, Covenant demonstrates uncharacteristic restraint, channeling his power precisely to warm the stewpot without causing collateral damage. Unlike earlier outbursts, where his magic was explosive and uncontrolled, this scene shows his hard-won discipline. However, his vertigo and fear afterward reveal the emotional cost of wielding such power. The moment symbolizes his growth—he can now harness his abilities for healing, but the burden of responsibility remains overwhelming.5. How does the chapter portray the relationship between Covenant and the Giants?
Answer:
The Giants (Pitchwife, Mistweave, and the cooks) are steadfast allies, providing physical and emotional support. Pitchwife offers diamondraught, while Mistweave and Seasauce assist with Linden’s recovery. Covenant’s abruptness with them reflects his distress, but their patience underscores their deep loyalty. The scene reinforces the Giants’ role as both practical helpers and moral anchors—their unwavering solidarity contrasts with Covenant’s isolation and self-doubt, emphasizing the importance of community in survival.
Quotes
1. “But then Starfare’s Gem gathered its legs under it, thrust forward, and the pressure eased. As the clouds came boiling overhead, the Giantship took hold of itself and began to run.”
This vivid description captures the moment the Giantship overcomes the storm’s initial assault, symbolizing resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming natural forces.
2. “He had no power to save her life except the one he could not use.”
This poignant line reveals Covenant’s agonizing dilemma - possessing immense power (wild magic) yet being unable to wield it safely to help Linden, showcasing the central tension of his character.
3. “Closing his eyes against the ghoul whirl of his vertigo, he let wild magic pour down his arms. This he could do safely. He had learned enough control to keep his power from tearing havoc through the galley.”
This passage marks a crucial turning point where Covenant carefully channels his dangerous power to save Linden, demonstrating his hard-won control over the wild magic that once threatened to consume him.
4. “‘Why couldn’t we help them?’ ‘It was the Soulbiter. They were illusions. We were damned if we refused to help. Because of how we would’ve felt…’”
This exchange encapsulates the chapter’s moral dilemma - the painful realization that some suffering cannot be alleviated, and that attempting to help illusions would have only caused deeper psychological harm to the would-be rescuers.