TheWoundedLand(TheSecondChroniclesofThomasCovenanttheUnbeliever,Book1)isaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentseitherareproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

ADelReyeBookEdition

Copyright©1980byStephenR.Donaldson

AllRightsReserved.

PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyDelRey,animprintofTheRandomHousePublishingGroup,adivisionofRandomHouse,Inc.,NewYork.

OriginallypublishedinHardcoverin1980byDelRey,animprintoftheRandomHousePublishingGroup,adivisionofRandomHouse,

Inc.,NewYork.

DelReyandtheDelReycolophonareregisteredtrademarksofRandomHouse,Inc.

eISBN:978-0-307-81920-8

www.delreybooks.com

v3.1

Contents

CoverTitlePageCopyrightMapWhatHasGoneBeforePROLOGUE:Choice1:Daughter2:SomethingBroken3:Plight

PARTI:Need4:“YouAreMine”

5:ThunderandLightning6:TheGraveler7:Marid8:TheCorruptionoftheSun9:River-Ride10:ValeofCrystal11:TheCorruptionofBeauty

PARTII:Vision12:TheAndelainianHills13:Demondim-Spawn

14:Pursuit15:“BecauseYouCanSee”16:TheWeirdoftheWaynhim17:Blood-Speed18:RevelstoneinRain19:Soothtell

PARTIII:Purpose20:TheQuest21:Sending22:PlainofFire23:SarangraveFlat

24:TheSearch25:“IntheNameofthePureOne”26:Coercri27:GiantfriendGlossaryDedicationOtherBooksbyThisAuthor

WHATHASGONEBEFORE

Afteraninfectioncausesthe amputation of twofingers, Thomas Covenantlearns he has leprosy.Onceapopularauthor,heis now a pariah to hiscommunity.Hiswife Joandivorceshim.Lonely and bitter, hemeets an old beggar whotells him to “be true.”

Confused by the oddencounter, he stumbles infront of a car and reviveson a high mountain in astrange world. After anevil voice of one calledLord Foul gives him amessage of doom for theLordsoftheLand,heisleddown to the village ofMithilStonedownbyLena.There Covenant isconsidered the

reincarnation of thelegendaryBerekHalfhand,thefirstHighLord,andhiswhitegoldweddingringisregarded as a talisman ofgreat power, capable ofwildmagic.Lena heals him with

hurtloammud.Hissuddenrecovery is more than hecan bear, and he rapesLena. Despite this, Lena’smother Atiaran agrees to

guide Covenant toRevelstone, home of theLords. Covenant callshimself the Unbelieverbecause he cannot believein the magic of the Land.He fears it is merely adelirious escape fromreality.A friendly Giant,Saltheart Foamfollower,takes Covenant toRevelstone, where he is

greetedasanur-Lord.TheLordsareshockedatFoul’smessage that an evilCavewight holds thepowerful Staff of Law,withoutwhichtheycannotovercome Foul’s plot toruin the Land. They mustrescue the Staff from theCavewight caverns underMount Thunder. Covenantgoes with them, guardedby Bannor, one of the

Bloodguard who havetaken an ancient vow toprotecttheLords.After many encounters

with Foul’s evil creatures,they rescue the Staff fromtheCavewights.TheLordsescape when Covenant—without knowing how—somehow uses the wildmagic of his ring. ButCovenant begins to fadeandwakes in a hospital a

few hours after hisaccident—though monthspassedintheLand.A few weeks later,Covenantrushestoanswera call from Joan, only tostumbleandknockhimselfout.Heagainfindshimselfin the Land—where fortyyears have passed. TheLords are desperate. Foulhas found the IllearthStone, a source of evil

power, and prepares toattack. The weaker armyoftheLordsiscommandedby Hile Troy, who alsocomes from the “real”Earth. The High Lord isnow Elena, Covenant’sdaughter by Lena. Shegreetshimasasavior.A force of Bloodguard

andLordsissenttoCoercrito ask help of the Giants.But there Foul has

possessed three Giants tohouse the spirits of hisancient Raver lieutenants.The other Giants aremonstrously murdered.The surviving Lorddestroys one Giant-Raver,andtheBloodguardseizeapiece of the Illearth Stoneto return it to Revelstone.ButtheLorddiesbeforehecan warn them of itsdanger.

HileTroytakeshisarmysouth, accompanied byLord Mhoram, Covenant’sfriend. Foul’s army iscommanded by anotherGiant-Raver, and Troy isforced to flee toGarrotingDeep,aforestprotectedbyan ancient, mysteriousForestal, CaerroilWildwood. The Forestalsaves Troy’s army butcommands that Troy

become an apprenticeForestal.Elena has taken

Covenant and Bannor toMelenkurion Skyweir, amountain near GarrotingDeep.Insidethemountain,Elena drinks from thewater called theEarthBlood,andthusgainsthe Power of Command.She summons the spirit ofKevin, an ancient Lord,

and orders him to destroyFoul. But Foul overcomesKevin and sendshimbacktodragElenaandtheStaffto their doom within themountain.Covenant and Bannor

escape down a river, tomeet with Mhoram. Butagain Covenant fades, tocome to in his own livingroom.Filled with guilt, he

neglects himself andwanders the country atnight. Then he encountersa little girl endangered byasnake.Hesavesher,butis bitten.Againhe returnsto the Land—to Kevin’sWatch where he firstappeared in the Land. Hehas been summoned by asurviving Foamfollowerand Triock, Lena’s formerlover, who has overcome

hishatredofCovenant forthe good of the Land. InMithil Stonedown,covenantagainmeetsLena—a crazed woman whoclaimstohavekeptherselfyoung for love ofCovenant, though she isoldnow.During the seven years

since the Staff was lost,things have grown worsefor the Land. Mhoram is

about to be besieged inRevelstone,andnoplaceissafe. Only Covenant candestroy Foul with thepower of the ring, theybelieve. Finally Covenantsetsoutforfoul’sCrecheinthe far east, accompaniedby Foamfollower, Triockand Lena. They seek helpfrom theRamen, a peoplewho serve the greatRanyhyn, the wild horses

of the plains. But theRamen are betrayed. Lenagives her life to saveCovenant, but he isseriouslywounded.He is saved by an

Unfettered One andhealed. He meetsFoamfollower and Triock—buttheyarecapturedbyaRaverandbroughttotheColossus that guards theUpper Land. There the

ghost of Elena tries todestroy them, since shehasbeenenslavedbyFoul.With his ring, Covenantovercomes her anddestroys the Staff sheholds.He and Foamfollower

continue down into theLower Land toward Foul’sCreche. They are helpedby the jheherrin, pitifulcreatures of living mud,

and finally penetrate thestronghold of Foul. There,with the courage ofFoamfollower to help,Covenantdiscovershowtotapthepowerofthering—though stillwithout reallyunderstanding it.Whereupon he overcomesFoul and destroys theIllearthStone.He seems to be

destroyed also. But the

Creator of thisworld—theold beggar who first toldhim to “be true”—saveshim. After showingCovenantthatMhoramhasalsotriumphedagainsttheforces of evil—by usingthekrill,aswordactivatedby Covenant’s presence inthe Land—the Creatorsendshimbacktohisownworld.Satisfied that the Land

will survive, Covenantwillingly faces thechallenge of making hiswayas a leper inhis owntime and place. And forsome ten years, he doesface that challenge, withno further summons fromtheLand.Herebegins“TheSecondChronicles of ThomasCovenant”.

Gallow-fells

PROLOGUE:Choice

ONE:Daughter

When Linden Averyheard the knock at herdoor, she groaned aloud.Shewas in a blackmood,and did not want visitors.Shewantedacold showerand privacy—a chance toaccustom herself to thedeliberate austerity of hersurroundings.She had spent most of

the afternoon of anunnaturally muggy day inthe middle of springmoving herself into thisapartment which theHospital had rented forher, lugging her sparsewardrobe, her inadequatefurniture, and a back-breaking series ofcardboard boxescontaining textbooks fromher middle-aged sedan up

the outside stairs to thesecond floor of the oldwooden house. The housesquatted among its weedslike a crippled toad,spavinedbyantiquity;andwhen she had unlockedherapartment for the firsttime,shehadbeengreetedbythreeroomsandabathwith grubby yellowwalls,floorboards covered onlybychippedbeigepaint,an

atmosphere of desuetudebordering on indignity—and by a piece of paperwhich must have beenslipped under the door.Thickredlineslikelipstickor freshbloodmarked thepaper—a large crudetriangle with two wordsinsideit:

JESUSSAVES

She had glared at thepaper for a moment, thenhad crumpled it in herpocket.Shehadnouseforoffers of salvation. Shewanted nothing she didnotearn.But the note, combined

with the turgid air, thelong exertion of heavingher belongings up thestairs, and the apartmentitself, left her feeling

capable of murder. Theroomsremindedherofherparents’ house. That waswhy she hated theapartment. But it wascondign, and she chose toacceptit.Shebothloathedand approved the aptnessof her state. Its personalstringency wasappropriate.Shewas a doctor newly

out of residency, and she

hadpurposelysoughtajobwhich would bring her toa small half-rural, half-stagnanttownlikethisone—atownliketheonenearwhich she had been bornand her parents had died.Though she was onlythirty, she felt old,unlovely, and severe. Thiswas just; shehad lived anunlovely and severe life.Her father had diedwhen

shewaseight;hermother,whenshewasfifteen.Afterthree empty years in afoster home, she had putherself through college,then medical school,internship, and residency,specializing in FamilyPractice. She had beenlonelyeversinceshecouldremember, and herisolation had largelybecomeingrained.Hertwo

or three love affairs hadbeen like hygienicexercisesorexperimentsinphysiology; they had lefther untouched. So nowwhen she looked atherself, she saw severity,and the consequences ofviolence.Hardworkandclenched

emotionshadnothurt thegratuitous womanliness ofher body, or dulled the

essential luster of hershoulder-length wheatenhair, or harmed thestructural beauty of herface. Her driven and self-contained life had notchanged theway her eyesmisted and ran almostwithout provocation. Butlines had already markedher face, leaving her witha perpetual frown ofconcentration above the

bridge of her straight,delicate nose, and gullieslike the implications ofpain on either side of hermouth—a mouth whichhadoriginallybeenformedfor something moregenerous than the lifewhich had befallen her.Andhervoicehadbecomeflat, so that it soundedmorelikeadiagnostictool,awayofelicitingpertinent

data, than a vehicle forcommunication.But the way she had

livedherlifehadgivenhersomething more thanlonelinessandaliabilitytoblackmoods.Ithadtaughther to believe in her ownstrength. She was aphysician; she had heldlife and death in herhands, and had learnedhow to grasp them

effectively.Shetrustedherability to carry burdens.Whensheheardtheknockat her door, she groanedaloud. But then shestraightened her sweat-marked clothes as if sheweretuggingheremotionsinto order, and went toopenthedoor.She recognized theshort,wrymanwhostoodon the landing. He was

Julius Berenford, Chief ofStaff of the CountyHospital.He was the man who

had hired her to run hisOutpatient Clinic andEmergency Room. In amore metropolitanhospital, the hiring of aFamily Practitioner forsuchapositionwouldhavebeen unusual. But theCounty Hospital served a

regioncomposedlargelyoffarmers and hill people.Thistown,thecountyseat,had been calcifyingsteadily for twenty years.Dr. Berenford needed ageneralist.Thetopofhisheadwas

levelwithhereyes,andhewas twice her age. Theroundbulgeofhisstomachbelied the thinness of hislimbs. He gave an

impression of dyspepticaffection, as if he foundhuman behavior bothincomprehensible andendearing.Whenhesmiledbelow his whitemoustache, the pouchesunder his eyes tightenedironically.“Dr. Avery,” he said,

wheezing faintly after theexertionofthestairs.“Dr. Berenford.” She

wanted to protest theintrusion; so she steppedaside and said tightly,“Comein.”He entered the

apartment, glancingaround as he wanderedtoward a chair. “You’vealready moved in,” heobserved. “Good. I hopeyou had help gettingeverythinguphere.”She took a chair near

his, seated herselfsquarely,asifshewereonduty.“No.”Whocouldshehaveaskedforhelp?Dr. Berenford started to

expostulate. She stoppedhim with a gesture ofdismissal. “No problem.I’musedtoit.”“Well, you shouldn’t

be.” His gaze on her wascomplex. “You justfinished your residency at

a highly respectedhospital, and your workwas excellent. The leastyou should be able toexpect in life is helpcarrying your furnitureupstairs.”His tone was only half

humorous; but sheunderstoodtheseriousnessbehind it because thequestion had come upmore than once during

their interviews. He hadasked repeatedly whysomeone with hercredentialswantedajobinapoorcountyhospital.Hehad not accepted the glibanswers she had preparedfor him; eventually, shehad been forced to offerhim at least anapproximationofthefacts.“Both my parents diednearatownlikethis,”she

had said. “They werehardly middle-aged. Ifthey’dbeenunderthecareof a good FamilyPractitioner, they wouldbealivetoday.”This was both true andfalse,anditlayattherootof the ambivalence whichmade her feel old. If hermother’s melanoma hadbeenproperlydiagnosedintime, it could have been

treated surgically with aninety per cent chance ofsuccess.Andifherfather’sdepression had beenobservedbyanybodywithany knowledge or insight,his suicide might havebeen prevented. But thereverse was true as well;nothing could have savedherparents.Theyhaddiedbecause they were simplytoo ineffectual to go on

living. Whenever shethoughtaboutsuchthings,she seemed to feel herbonesgrowingmorebrittlebythehour.She had come to this

town because she wantedto try to help people likeher parents. And becauseshe wanted to prove thatshe could be effectiveunder such circumstances—thatshewasnotlikeher

parents. And because shewantedtodie.Whenshedidnotspeak,Dr. Berenford said,“However, that’s neitherhere nor there.” Thehumorlessness of hersilence appeared todiscomfit him. “I’m gladyou’re here. Is thereanything I can do? Helpyougetsettled?”Linden was about to

refuse his offer, out ofhabit if not conviction,whensheremembered thepiece of paper in herpocket.Onanimpulse,shedug it out, handed it tohim.“Thiscameunderthedoor.Maybeyouought totell me what I’m gettinginto.”Hepeeredatthetriangleand thewriting,muttered,“Jesus saves,” under his

breath, then sighed.“Occupational hazard. I’vebeen going to churchfaithfully in this town forfortyyears.ButsinceI’matrained professional whoearnsadecentliving,someof our good people”—hegrimaced wryly—“arealways trying to convertme. Ignorance is the onlyform of innocence theyunderstand.”He shrugged,

returned the note to her.“This area has beendepressed for a long time.After a while, depressedpeople do strange things.Theytrytoturndepressioninto a virtue—they needsomething to makethemselves feel lesshelpless. What theyusually do around here isbecome evangelical. I’mafraid you’re just going to

havetoputupwithpeoplewho worry about yoursoul. Nobody gets muchprivacyinasmalltown.”Linden nodded; but shehardly heard her visitor.She was trapped in asudden memory of hermother, weeping withpoignantself-pity.Shehadblamed Linden for herfather’sdeath—Witha scowl, shedrove

back the recollection. Herrevulsion was so strongthat she might haveconsented to having thememories physically cutout of her brain. But Dr.Berenford was watchingher as if her abhorrenceshowed on her face. Toavoidexposingherself,shepulled discipline over herfeatures like a surgicalmask. “What can I do for

you,doctor?”“Well,foronething,”he

said, forcing himself tosoundgenialinspiteofhertone, “you can call meJulius. I’m going to callyou Linden, so you mightaswell.”She acquiesced with a

shrug.“Julius.”“Linden.”Hesmiled;but

hissmiledidnotsoftenhisdiscomfort. After a

moment,hesaidhurriedly,as if he were trying tooutrunthedifficultyofhispurpose,“Actually, I cameover for two reasons. Ofcourse, I wanted towelcomeyouto town.ButI could have done thatlater. The truth is, I wanttoputyoutowork.”Work? she thought. Theword sparked aninvoluntary protest. I just

got here. I’m tired andangry, and I don’t knowhow I’m going to standthis apartment. Carefullyshe said, “It’s Friday. I’mnotsupposed tostartuntilMonday.”“This doesn’t haveanything to do with theHospital. It should, but itdoesn’t.”Hisgazebrushedher face like a touch ofneed. “It’s a personal

favor.I’minovermyhead.I’ve spent so many yearsgetting involved in thelives ofmy patients that Ican’t seem to makeobjective decisionsanymore. Or maybe I’mjust out of date—don’thave enough medicalknowledge. Seems to methat what I need is asecondopinion.”“About what?” she

asked, striving to soundnoncommittal.Butshewasgroaning inwardly. Shealready knew that shewould attempt to providewhatever he asked of her.Hewasappealingtoapartof her that had neverlearnedhowtorefuse.He frowned sourly.

“Unfortunately I can’t tellyou.It’sinconfidence.”“Oh,comeon.”Shewas

in no mood for guessinggames. “I took the sameoathyoudid.”“I know.” He raised his

handsasiftowardoffhervexation. “I know. But itisn’t exactly that kind ofconfidence.”She stared at him,

momentarily nonplussed.Wasn’t he talking about amedical problem? “Thissoundslikeit’sgoingtobe

quiteafavor.”“Could be. That’s up toyou.” Before she couldmuster the words to askhim what he was talkingabout, Dr. Berenford saidabruptly, “Have you everheard of ThomasCovenant? He writesnovels.”She felt him watchingher while she gropedmentally. But she had no

way of following his lineof thought. She had notreadanovelsinceshehadfinished her literaturerequirement in college.Shehadhadsolittletime.Striving for detachment,sheshookherhead.“He lives around here,”the doctor said. “Has ahouse outside town on anold property called HavenFarm. You turn right on

Main.” He gesturedvaguely toward theintersection. “Go throughthe middle of town, andabout two miles lateryou’ll come to it. On theright.He’saleper.”At the word leper, hermind bifurcated. This wastheresultofhertraining—dedication which hadmade her a physicianwithout resolving her

attitude toward herself.She murmured inwardly,Hansen’s disease, andbegan reviewinginformation.Mycobacterium lepra.Leprosy. It progressed bykilling nerve tissue,typicallyintheextremitiesand in the cornea of theeye. In most cases, thedisease could be arrestedby means of a

comprehensive treatmentprogram pivoting aroundDDS: diamino-diphenyl-sulfone.Ifnotarrested,thedegeneration couldproduce muscular atrophyand deformation, changesin skin pigmentation,blindness. It also left thevictimsubject toahostofsecondary afflictions, themost common of whichwas infection that

destroyed other tissues,leavingthevictimwiththeappearance—andconsequences—of havingbeeneatenalive.Incidencewas extremely rare;leprosywasnotcontagiousin any usual sense.Perhaps the onlystatisticallysignificantwaytocontractitwastosufferprolonged exposure as achild in the tropics under

crowded and unsanitarylivingconditions.But while one part ofher brain unwound itsskein of knowledge,another was tangled inquestions andemotions.Aleper?Here?Whytellme?She was torn betweenvisceral distaste andempathy.Thediseaseitselfattracted and repelled herbecauseitwasincurable—

as immedicable as death.She had to take a deepbreath before she couldask, “What do you wantmetodoaboutit?”“Well—” He was

studying her as if hethoughttherewereindeedsomething she could doabout it. “Nothing. Thatisn’twhyIbrought itup.”Abruptlyhegottohisfeet,began measuring out his

unease on the chippedfloorboards. Though hewas not heavy, theysqueaked vaguely underhim. “He was diagnosedearly enough—only losttwo fingers. One of ourbetter lab technicianscaught it, right here atCountyHospital.He’sbeenstable for more than nineyears now. The onlyreasonItoldyouistofind

out if you’re—squeamish.About lepers.” He spokewith a twisted expression.“Iusedtobe.ButI’vehadtimetogetoverit.”He did not give her achance to reply. He wenton as if he wereconfessing. “I’ve reachedthe point now where Idon’t think of him asleprosy personified. But Inever forget he’s a leper.”

He was talking aboutsomething for which hehad not been able toforgive himself. “Part ofthat’s his fault,” he saiddefensively. “He neverforgets, either. He doesn’tthinkofhimselfasThomasCovenant the writer—theman—the human being.He thinks of himself asThomas Covenant theleper.”

When she continued tostare at him flatly, hedropped his gaze. “Butthat’s not the point. Thepoint is, would it botheryoutogoseehim?”“No,” she said severely;but her severity was forherselfratherthanforhim.I’m a doctor. Sick peopleare my business. “But Istill don’t understandwhyyou want me to go out

there.”The pouches under hiseyes shook as if he werepleadingwithher.“Ican’ttellyou.”“Youcan’t tellme.”Thequietness of her tonebeliedtheblacknessofhermood.“WhatgooddoyouthinkIcanpossiblydoifIdon’t even know why I’mtalkingtohim?”“You could get him to

tell you.” Dr. Berenford’svoice sounded like themisery of an ineffectualold man. “That’s what Iwant.Iwanthimtoacceptyou—tellyouwhat’sgoingonhimself.SoIwon’thavetobreakanypromises.”“Let me get thisstraight,” She made nomore effort to concealheranger.“Youwantmetogoout there, and ask him

outright to tell me hissecrets. A total strangerarrives at his door, andwants to know what’sbothering him—for noother reason than becauseDr.Berenfordwouldlikeasecond opinion. I’ll belucky if he doesn’t haveme arrested fortrespassing.”For a moment, thedoctor faced her sarcasm

and indignation. Then hesighed. “I know. He’s likethat—he’d never tell you.He’s been locked intohimself so long—” Thenext instant, his voicebecame sharp with pain.“ButIthinkhe’swrong.”“Then tell me what it

is,”insistedLinden.His mouth opened and

shut; his hands madesupplicating gestures. But

thenherecoveredhimself.“No. That’s backward.FirstI need to know whichone of us iswrong. I owehim that. Mrs. Roman isno help. This is amedicaldecision. But I can’tmakeit.I’vetried,andIcan’t.”The simplicity withwhich he admitted hisinadequacy snared her.She was tired, dirty, and

bitter, and her mindsearchedforanescape.Buthis need for assistancestruck too close to thedrivingcompulsionsofherlife. Her hands wereknotted together likecertainty.Afteramoment,she looked up at him.Hisfeatures had sagged as ifthe muscles wereexhaustedbytheweightofhis mortality. In her flat

professional voice, shesaid, “Give me someexcuse Icanusetogooutthere.”She could hardly bear

the sight of his relief.“That I can do,” he saidwith a show of briskness.Reaching into a jacketpocket, he pulled out apaperback and handed ittoher.Theletteringacrossthedrabcoversaid:

OrIWillSellMySoulforGuilt

anovelbyTHOMASCOVENANT

“Ask forhisautograph.”The older man hadregained his sense ofirony. “Try to get himtalking. If you can getinside his defenses,somethingwillhappen.”Silently she cursed

herself. She knew nothingabout novels, had neverlearned how to talk tostrangers about anythingexcept their symptoms.Anticipations ofembarrassment filled herlike shame. But she hadbeenmortifyingherselfforso long that she had norespectleftforthepartsofher which could still feelshame. “After I see him,”

shesaiddully,“I’llwanttotalk toyou. Idon’thaveaphone yet. Where do youlive?”Her acceptance restored

his earlier manner; hebecamewryandsolicitousagain. He gave herdirections to his house,repeated his offer of help,thanked her for herwillingness to involveherself in Thomas

Covenant’s affairs. Whenhe left, she felt dimlyastonished thathedidnotappear to resent the needwhich had forced him todisplayhis futility in frontofher.Andyetthesoundofhisfeet descending the stairsgave her a sense ofabandonment, as if shehad been left to carryalone a burden that she

would never be able tounderstand.Foreboding nagged ather,butsheignoredit.Shehad no acceptablealternatives.Shesatwhereshe was for a moment,glaring around the blindyellowwalls,thenwenttotakeashower.After she had washedaway as much of theblackness as she could

reachwithsoapandwater,she donned a dull graydressthathadtheeffectofminimizingherfemininity,then spent a few minuteschecking the contents ofher medical bag. Theyalways seemed insufficient—there were so manythings she mightconceivably need whichshe could not carry withher—and now they

appeared to be aparticularly improvidentarsenal against theunknown. But she knewfrom experience that shewould have felt nakedwithout her bag. With asighof fatigue, she lockedthe apartment and wentdownthestairstohercar.Driving slowly to giveherself time to learnlandmarks, she followed

Dr. Berenford’s directionsand soon found herselfmovingthroughthecenteroftown.The late afternoon sun

andthethicknessoftheairmadethebuildingslookasiftheyweresweating.Thebusinesses seemed to leanaway from the hotsidewalks, as if they hadforgotten the enthusiasm,eventheaccessibility, that

they needed to survive;and the courthouse, withits dull white marble anditsroofsupportedbystonegiant heads atop ersatzGreek columns, lookedaltogether unequal to itsresponsibilities.The sidewalks wererelatively busy—peoplewere going home fromwork—but one smallgroup in front of the

courthouse caughtLinden’s eye. A fadedwoman with three smallchildren stood on thesteps.Sheworeashapelessshift which appeared tohave been made fromburlap; and the childrenwere dressed in gunnysacks. Her face was grayand blank, as if she wereinured by poverty andweariness to the

emaciationofherchildren.Allfourofthemheldshortwooden sticks bearingcrudesigns.The signs were marked

with red triangles. Insideeach triangle was writtenoneword:REPENT.The woman and her

children ignored thepassersby. They stooddumbly on the steps as ifthey were engaged in a

penance which stupefiedthem.Linden’sheartacheduselessly at the sight oftheir moral and physicalpenury.Therewasnothingshe could do for suchpeople.Threeminutes later, shewas outside themunicipallimits.Theretheroadbegantorun through tilled valleys,between wooded hills.

Beyond the town, theunseasonable heat andhumidity were kinder towhat they touched; theymade the air lambent, sothat it lay like immanenceacross the new crops, upthe tangled weed-and-grass hillsides, among thebudding trees; and hermoodliftedatthewaythelandscape glowed in theapproach of evening. She

had spent somuch of herlifeincities.Shecontinuedto drive slowly; shewanted to savor the fainthope that she had foundsomething she would beabletoenjoy.After a couple of miles,

she came to a wide fieldon her right, thicklyovergrown with milkweedand wild mustard. Acrossthe field, a quarter of a

mile away against a wallof trees, stood a whiteframehouse.Twoorthreeother houses bordered thefield, closer to thehighway; but the whiteone drew her attention asif it were the onlyhabitable structure in thearea.Adirt road ran into the

field.Brancheswenttotheotherhouses,butthemain

track led straight to thewhiteone.Beside the entrancestood a wooden sign.Despite faded paint andseveraloldsplinteredholeslike bullet scars, thelettering was still legible:HavenFarm.Gripping her courage,Linden turned onto thedirtroad.Without warning, the

periphery of her gazecaught a flick of ochre. Arobed figure stood besidethesign.What—?He stood there as if hehad just appeared out oftheair.Aninstantago,shehad seen nothing exceptthesign.Taken by surprise, sheinstinctively twitched thewheel, trying to evade a

hazard she had alreadypassed. At once, sherighted the sedan, steppedon the brakes. Her eyesjumped to the rearviewmirror.She saw an old man in

anochrerobe.Hewastalland lean, barefoot, dirty.His long gray beard andthin hair flared about hisheadlikefrenzy.He took one step into

the road toward her, thenclutched at his chestconvulsively, andcollapsed.She barked a warning,

though there was no oneto hear it. Moving with aceleritythatfelt likeslow-motion, she cut theignition, grabbed for herbag,pushedopenthedoor.Apprehension roiled inher, fear of death, of

failure; but her trainingcontrolledit.Inamoment,she was at the old man’sside.He looked strangely out

ofplaceintheroad,outoftime in the world sheknew. The robe was hisonlygarment; it lookedasif hehadbeen living in itfor years. His featuresweresharp,madefiercebydestitution or fanaticism.

The declining sunlightcolored his withered skinlikedeadgold.Hewasnotbreathing.Her disciplinemade hermove. She knelt besidehim,felt forhispulse.Butwithin her shewailed.Hebore a sickeningresemblance to her father.If her father had lived tobecome old and mad, hemight have been this

stricken,preteritefigure.Hehadnopulse.He revolted her. Herfather had committedsuicide. Peoplewho killedthemselves deserved todie. The old man’sappearance brought backmemories of her ownscreamingwhichechoedinherearsasifitcouldneverbesilenced.But he was dying.

Already his muscles hadslackened, relaxing thepain of his seizure. Andshewasadoctor.With the sureness of

hard training, self-abnegation whichmastered revulsion, herhands snapped open herbag. She took out herpenlight, checked hispupils.They were equal and

reactive.It was still possible to

savehim.Quicklysheadjustedhis

head,tilteditbacktoclearhisthroat.Thenshefoldedher hands together overhis sternum, leaned herweight on her arms, andbegantoapplyCPR.The rhythm of

cardiopulmonaryresuscitationwassodeeply

ingrained in her that shefollowed it automatically:fifteen firm heels of herhandstohissternum;thentwo deep exhalations intohis mouth, blocking hisnoseasshedidso.Buthismouth was foul—cariousand vile, as if his teethwere rotten, or his palategangrenous. She almostfaltered. Instantly herrevulsionbecameanacute

physical nausea, as if sheweretastingtheexudationof a boil. But she was adoctor;thiswasherwork.Fifteen.Two.Fifteen.Two.She did not permit

herselftomissabeat.But fear surged through

her nausea. Exhaustion.Failure. CPR was sodemanding that no oneperson could sustain it

alone formore thana fewminutes. If he did notcomebacktolifesoon—Breathe, damn you, shemuttered along the beats.Fifteen. Two. Damn you.Breathe.Therewasstillnopulse.Her own breathingbecame ragged; giddinesswelledupinherlikeatideof darkness. The airseemedtoresistherlungs.

Heat and the approach ofsunset dimmed the oldman. He had lost allmuscle-tone, allappearanceoflife.Breathe!Abruptly she stoppedher rhythm, snatched ather bag. Her armstrembled; she clenchedthem still as she brokeopen a disposable syringe,a vial of adrenaline, a

cardiac needle. Fightingfor steadiness, she filledthe syringe, cleared outthe air. In spite of herurgency, she took amoment to swab clean apatch of the man’s thinchest with alcohol. Thenshe slid the needledelicately past his ribs,injectedadrenalineintohisheart.Setting aside the

syringe, she riskedpounding her fist onceagainst his sternum. Buttheblowhadnoeffect.Cursing, she resumed

herCPR.Sheneededhelp.Butshe

could not do anythingabout that. If she stoppedto take him into town, ortogoinsearchofaphone,he would die. Yet if sheexhaustedherselfalonehe

wouldstilldie.Breathe!He did not breathe. His

heart did not beat. Hismouthwas as fetid as themaw of a corpse. Thewholeordealwashopeless.Shedidnotrelent.All the blackness of her

life was in her. She hadspent too many yearsteaching herself to beeffectiveagainstdeath;she

could not surrender now.She had been too young,weak,andignoranttosaveher father, couldnothavesaved her mother; nowthat she knewwhat to doandcoulddoit,shewouldnever quit, never falsifyherlifebyquitting.Dark motes began todance across her vision;the air swarmed withmoisture and inadequacy.

Her arms felt leaden; herlungscriedoutevery timeshe forced breath downthe old man’s throat. Helayinert.Tearsofrageandneed ran hotly down herface. Yet she did notrelent.She was still halfconscious when a tremorran through him, and hetookahoarsegulpofair.At once, her will

snapped. Blood rushed toherhead.Shedidnot feelherself fall away to theside.When she regained

enough self-command toraise her head, her sightwas a smear of pain andher face was slick withsweat. The old man wasstandingoverher.Hiseyeswere on her; the intenseblue of his gaze held her

likeahandofcompassion.He looked impossibly talland healthy; his veryposture seemed to denythat he had ever beenclose to death. Gently hereacheddowntoher,drewher to her feet. As he puthis arms around her, sheslumped against him,unable to resist hisembrace.“Ah, my daughter, do

notfear.”His voice was husky

with regret andtenderness.“You will not fail,

however he may assailyou. There is also love intheworld.”Then he released her,

stepped back. His eyesbecamecommandments.“Betrue.”She watched him

dumbly as he turned,walkedawayfromherintothe field. Milkweed andwild mustard whippedagainst his robe for amoment. She couldhardlysee him through theblurring of her vision. Amusky breeze stirred hishair, made it a nimbusaroundhisheadasthesunbegan to set. Then hefaded into the humidity,

andwasgone.She wanted to call outafterhim,butthememoryofhiseyesstoppedher.Betrue.Deep in her chest, herheartbegantotremble.

TWO:SomethingBroken

After a moment, thetrembling spread to herlimbs. The surface of herskinfeltfiery,asiftheraysof the sun wereconcentrated on her. Themuscles of her abdomenknotted.The old man hadvanished. He had put hisarms around her as if he

hadtheright,andthenhehadvanished.She feared thathergutsweregoingtorebel.But then her gazelurched toward the dirtwhere the old man hadlain. There she saw theused hypodermic, thesterile wrappings, theempty vial. The dust borethefaintimprintofabody.A shudder ran through

her, and she began torelax.Sohehadbeenreal.He

had only appeared tovanish. Her eyes hadtrickedher.Shescannedtheareafor

him. He should not bewalkingaround;heneededcare,observation,untilhiscondition stabilized. Butshe saw no sign of him.Fighting an odd

reluctance, shewaded outintothewildmustardafterhim.Butwhenshereachedthe place where her eyeshad lost him, she foundnothing.Baffled, she returned tothe roadway. She did notlike to give him up; butshe appeared to have nochoice in the matter.Muttering under herbreath, she went to

retrieveherbag.The debris of her

treatment she stuffed intooneoftheplasticspecimensacksshecarried.Thenshereturnedtohercar.Assheslidintothefrontseat,shegrippedthesteeringwheelwithbothhands to steadyherself on its hardactuality.She did not remember

why she had come to

HavenFarmuntilthebookon the seat beside hercaughtherattention.Oh,damn!She felt intensely

unready to confrontThomasCovenant.For a moment, she

considered simplyabandoning the favor shehad promised Dr.Berenford. She started theengine, began to turn the

wheel.Buttheexigencyofthe old man’s eyes heldher. That blue would notapprove the breaking ofpromises. And she hadsaved him. She had set aprecedent for herselfwhichwasmoreimportantthan any question ofdifficulty or mortification.When she put the sedaninto motion, she sent itstraightdownthedirtroad

toward the white framehouse, with the dust andthesunsetatherback.The lightcasta tingeof

redoverthehouse,asifitwere in the process ofbeing transformed intosomething else. As sheparkedhercar,shehadtofight another surge ofreluctance. She did notwant to have anything todowith ThomasCovenant

—not because he was aleper, but because hewassomething unknown andfierce, something soextravagant that even Dr.Berenford was afraid ofhim.But she had already

made her commitment.Picking up the book, sheleft her car and went tothe front door of thehouse,hopingtobeableto

finish this task before thelightfailed.She spent a moment

straightening her hair.Thensheknocked.Thehousewassilent.Her shoulders throbbed

with the consequences ofstrain. Fatigue andembarrassment made herarmsfeeltooheavytolift.Shehadtogritherteethtomakeherselfknockagain.

Abruptly she heard thesound of feet. They camestamping through thehouse toward her. Shecouldhearangerinthem.The front door was

snatchedopen,andamanconfronted her, a leanfigureinoldjeansandaT-shirt, a few inches tallerthan herself. About fortyyears old. He had anintense face. His mouth

was as strict as a stonetablet; his cheeks werelined with difficulties; hiseyes were like embers,capable of fire. His hairabove his forehead wasraddledwithgray,asifhehadbeenagedmorebyhisthoughtsthanbytime.He was exhausted.

Almost automatically, shenoted the redness of hisorbsandeyelids,thepallor

of his skin, the febrilerawnessofhismovements.Hewas either ill or underextremestress.She opened her mouthto speak, got no further.Heregisteredherpresencefor a second, thensnapped,“Goddamnit,ifIwanted visitors I’d post asign!” and clapped thedoorshutinherface.She blinked after him

momentarily whiledarkness gathered at herback, and her uncertaintyturned to anger. Then shehit the door so hard thatthe wood rattled in itsframe.Hecamebackalmostat

once.Hisvoicehurledacidat her. “Maybe you don’tspeakEnglish.I—”Shemethisglarewitha

mordantsmile.“Aren’tyou

supposedtoringabell,orsomething?”That stopped him. His

eyes narrowed as hereconsideredher.Whenhespoke again, his wordscamemoreslowly,asifheweretryingtomeasurethedangersherepresented.“If you know that, you

don’tneedanywarning.”She nodded. “My name

is Linden Avery. I’m a

doctor.”“And you’re not afraid

oflepers.”His sarcasm was as

heavy as a bludgeon; butshematched it. “If I wereafraid of sick people, Iwouldn’tbeadoctor.”Hisglowerexpressedhis

disbelief. But he saidcurtly, “I don’t need adoctor,” and started toswingthedoorshutagain.

“So actually,” sherasped, “you’re the onewho’safraid.”His face darkened.

Enunciating each word asifitwereadagger,hesaid,“What do you want,doctor?”To her dismay, his

controlled vehemencemade her falter. For thesecond time in the courseofthesunset,shewasheld

by eyes that were toopotent for her. His gazeshamed her. The book—her excuse for being there—wasinherhand;butherhandwasbehindherback.She could not tell the lieDr. Berenford hadsuggested to her. And shehad no other answer. Shecould see vividly thatCovenantneededhelp.Yetif he did not ask for it,

what recourse did shehave?But then a leap of

intuitioncrossedhermind.Speaking before she couldquestion herself, she said,“That oldman toldme to‘Betrue.’”Hisreactionstartledher.

Surpriseand fear flared inhis eyes. His shoulderswinced; his jaw dropped.Then abruptly he had

closed the door behindhim. He stood before herwith his face thrust hotlyforward.“Whatoldman?”She met his firesquarely. “He was out atthe end of your driveway—an oldman in an ochrerobe.AssoonasIsawhim,he went into cardiacarrest.” For an instant, acold hand of doubttouchedherheart.Hehad

recovered too easily. Hadhe staged the wholesituation? Impossible! Hisheart had stopped. “I hadto work like hell to savehim. Then he just walkedaway.”Covenant’s belligerencecollapsed. His gaze clungto her as if he weredrowning.Hishandsgapedin front of him. For thefirst time, she observed

thatthelasttwofingersofhis right hand weremissing. He wore awedding band of whitegold on what had oncebeen the middle finger ofthathand.Hisvoicewasascraping of pain in histhroat.“He’sgone?”“Yes.”“Anoldmaninanochre

robe?”“Yes.”

“You saved him?” Hisfeatures were fading intonight as the sun droppedbelowthehorizon.“Yes.”“Whatdidhesay?”“Ialreadytoldyou.”Her

uncertainty made herimpatient. “He said, ‘Betrue.’”“Hesaidthattoyou?”“Yes!”Covenant’s eyes left her

face.“Hellfire.”Hesaggedasifhecarriedaweightofcrueltyonhisback.“Havemercy onme. I can’t bearit.” Turning, he slumpedback to the door, openedit.Buttherehestopped.“Whyyou?”Then he had reenteredhis house, the door wasclosed, and Linden stoodalone in the evening as ifshehadbeenbereft.

She did not move untiltheneed todo something,takesomekindofactiontorestore the familiarity ofherworld, impelledhertohercar.Sittingbehindthewheel as if she werestunned,shetriedtothink.Whyyou?What kind of questionwas that? She was adoctor, and the old manhad needed help. It was

that simple. What wasCovenanttalkingabout?But Be true was not all

the old man had said. Hehadalso said,Youwill notfail, however he may assailyou.He?Wasthatareference

to Covenant?Was the oldman trying towarnherofsomething?Ordiditimplysome other kind ofconnection between him

and the writer? What didtheyhavetodowitheachother?Orwithher?Nobody could fakecardiacarrest!Shetookaharshgriponher scrambled thoughts.Thewhole;situationmadenosense.Allshecouldsayfor certain was thatCovenant had recognizedher description of the oldman. And Covenant’s

mental stability wasclearlyopentoquestion.Clenchingthewheel,shestartedher car, backedupin order to turn around.She was convinced nowthat Covenant’s problemwas serious; but thatconviction only made hermore angry at Dr.Berenford’s refusal to tellherwhattheproblemwas.Thedirt roadwasobscure

inthetwilight;sheslappedon her headlights as sheput the sedan in gear tocompleteherturn.A scream like a

mouthful of broken glasssnatched her to a halt. Itpierced the mutter of hersedan.Sliversofsoundcutat her hearing. A womanscreaming in agony ormadness.It had come from

Covenant’shouse.In an instant, Linden

stood beside the car,waiting for the cry to berepeated.She heard nothing.

Lightsshonefromsomeofthe windows; but noshadows moved. Nosounds of violencebetrayed the night. She Istoodpoisedtoracetothehouse. Her ears searched

the air. But the dark heldits breath.The screamdidnotcomeagain.For a long moment,indecision held her.Confront Covenant—demand answers? Orleave? She had met hishostility. What right didshehave—?Everyright,ifhe were torturing somewoman.Buthowcouldshebesure?Dr.Berenfordhad

called it a medicalproblem.Dr.Berenford—Spitting curses, shejumped back into her car,stamped down on theaccelerator,andspedawayin a rattle of dust andgravel.Two minutes later, shewasbackintown.Butthenshe had to slow down sothat she could watch for

streetsigns.Whenshearrivedat the

Chief of Staff’s house, allshe could see was anoutline against the nightsky.Itsfrontfrownedasifthis, too, were a placewhere secrets were kept.But she did not hesitate.Striding up the steps, shepoundedonthefrontdoor.That door led to a

screened veranda like a

neutral zone between thedwelling itself and theoutside world. As sheknocked, the porch lightscame on. Dr. Berenfordopened the inner door,closed itbehindhim, thencrossed the veranda toadmither.He smiled a welcome;

buthiseyesevadedhersasif he had reason to befrightened; and she could

seehispulsebeatinginthepouches below theirsockets.“Dr.Berenford,”shesaid

grimly.“Please.” He made a

gestureofappeal.“Julius.”“Dr.Berenford.”Shewas

not sure that she wantedthis man’s friendship.“Whoisshe?”His gaze flinched.

“She?”

“The woman whoscreamed.”Heseemedunabletolifthis eyes to her face. In atired voice, hemurmured,“He didn’t tell youanything.”“No.”Dr.Berenfordconsideredfor a moment, thenmotioned her toward tworocking chairs at one endof the veranda. “Please sit

down.It’scoolerouthere.”His attention seemed towander. “This heat wavecan’tlastforever.”“Doctor!” she lashed athim. “He’s torturing thatwoman.”“No, he isn’t.” Suddenlythe older man was angry.“You get that out of yourheadrightnow.He’sdoingeverythinghe can forher.Whatever’s torturing her,

itisn’thim.”Linden held his glare,measuringhiscandoruntilshe felt sure that he wasThomasCovenant’s friend,whether or not he washers. Then she said flatly,“Tellme.”By degrees, hisexpression recovered itshabitualirony.“Won’tyousitdown?”Brusquely she moved

down the porch, seatedherself to one of therockers.Atonce,heturnedoffthelights,anddarknesscame pouring through thescreens. “I think better inthedark.”Beforeher eyesadjusted, she heard thechairbesidehersqueakashesatdown.For a time, the onlysounds were the softprotestofhischairandthe

stridulationofthecrickets.Then he said abruptly,“SomethingsI’mnotgoingtotellyou.SomeIcan’t—someIwon’t.ButIgotyouinto this. Ioweyoua fewanswers.”After that,hespoke likethevoiceofthenight;andshe listened in a state ofsuspension—halfconcentrating, as shewould have concentrated

on a patient describingsymptoms,halfmusingonthe image of the gauntvivid man who had saidwith such astonishmentandpain,Whyyou?“Eleven years ago,Thomas Covenant was awriterwith one bestseller,a lovelywifenamedJoan,and an infant son, Roger.He hates that novel—callsit inane—buthiswife and

sonhestillloves.Orthinkshedoes.PersonallyIdoubtit. He’s an intensely loyalman.Whathecalls love, Icallbeingloyaltohisownpain.“Eleven years ago, aninfectiononhisrighthandturned out to be leprosy,andthosetwofingerswereamputated. He was sentdowntotheleprosariuminLouisiana, and Joan

divorced him. To protectRogerfrombeingraisedtocloseproximity toa leper.ThewayCovenant tells it,her decision was perfectlyreasonable. A mother’snaturalconcernforachild.Ithinkhe’srationalizing.Ithinkshewasjustafraid.Ithink the idea of whatHansen’s disease could dotohim—nottomentiontoher and Roger—just

terrified her. She ranaway.”His tone conveyed ashrug, “But I’m justguessing. The fact is, shedivorced him, and hedidn’t contest it. After afewmonths,hisillnesswasarrested, and he cameback to Haven Farm.Alone. That was not agood time forhim.Allhisneighbors moved away.

Some people in this fairtown tried to forcehim toleave. He was to theHospital a couple times,and the second time hewas half dead—” Dr.Berenfordseemedtowinceat the memory. “Hisdisease was active again.We sent him back to theleprosarium.“When he came homeagain, everything was

different. He seemed tohave recovered his sanity.For ten years now he’sbeen stable. A little grim,maybe—not exactly whatyou might call diffident—but accessible, reasonable,compassionate. Every yearhefootsthebillforseveralofourindigentpatients.”The older man sighed.

“You know, it’s strange.The same people who try

to convert me seem tothinkheneedssaving,too.He’s a leper who doesn’tgo tochurch,andhe’sgotmoney. Some of ourevangelicals consider thataninsulttotheAlmighty.”The professional part ofLinden absorbed the factsDr. Berenford gave, anddiscounted his subjectivereactions. But her musingraised Covenant’s visage

beforeherinthedarkness.Gradually that needy facebecame more real to her.She saw the lines ofloneliness and gall on hismien.Sherespondedtothestrictness of hiscountenance as if she hadrecognized a comrade.After all, shewas familiarwith bitterness, loss,isolation.But the doctor’s speech

also filled her withquestions. She wanted toknowwhereCovenanthadlearnedhis stability.Whathad changed him? Wherehad he found an answerpotent enough to preservehimagainstthepovertyofhis life? And what hadhappened recently to takeitawayfromhim?“Since then,” the Chiefof Staff continued, “he’s

published seven novels,and that’s where you canreally see the difference.Oh, he’s mentionedsomething about three orfour other manuscripts,but Idon’tknowanythingaboutthem.Thepointis,ifyou didn’t know better,you wouldn’t be able tobelieve his bestseller andthe other seven werewritten by the sameman.

He’s right about the firstone. It’s fluff—self-indulgent melodrama. Buttheothers—“If you had a chance to

readOrIWillSellMySoulfor Guilt, you’d find himarguingthatinnocenceisawonderfulthingexceptforthe fact that it’s impotent.Guilt is power. Alleffective people are guiltybecause the use of power

is guilt, and only guiltypeople can be effective.Effective for good, mindyou.Onlythedamnedcanbesaved.”Linden was squirming.She understood at leastone kind of relationshipbetween guilt andeffectiveness. She hadcommitted murder, andhad become a doctorbecause she had

committed murder. Sheknew that people likeherself were driven topower by the need toassoil their guilt. But shehad found nothing—noanodyne or restitution—toverify the claim that thedamned could be saved.Perhaps Covenant hadfooled Dr. Berenford:perhaps he was crazy, amadman wearing a clever

mask of stability. Orperhaps he knewsomethingshedidnot.Somethingsheneeded.Thatthoughtgavehera

pang of fear. She wassuddenly conscious of thenight, the rungs of therockerpressingagainstherback, the crickets. Sheached to retreat from thenecessity of confrontingCovenant again.

Possibilities of harmcrowded thedarkness.Butshe needed to understandher peril. When Dr.Berenford stopped, sheborethesilenceaslongasshe could, then, faintly,repeated her initialquestion.“Whoisshe?”The doctor sighed. Hischairleftafewsplintersofagitationintheair.Buthe

became completely stillbefore he said, “His ex-wife.Joan.”Linden flinched. Thatpiece of information gavea world of explanation toCovenant’s haggard,febrile appearance. But itwasnotenough.“Whydidshe come back? What’swrongwithher?”The older man beganrockingagain.“Nowwe’re

back to where we werethis afternoon. I can’t tellyou. I can’t tell you whyshe camebackbecausehetold me in confidence. “Ifhe’s right—” His voicetrailed away, thenresumed. “I can’t tell youwhat’s wrong with herbecauseIdon’tknow.”Shestaredathisunseen

face. “That’s why you gotmeintothis.”

“Yes.”Hisreplysoundedlike a recognition ofmortality.“Thereareotherdoctorsaround. Or you could callinaspecialist.”Herthroatclosed suddenly; she hadto swallow heavily inordertosay,“Whyme?”“Well,Isuppose—”Nowhis tone conveyed a wrysmile. “I could say it’sbecause you’re well

trained. But the fact is, Ithought of you becauseyou seem to fit. You andCovenant could talk toeach other—if you gaveyourselvesachance.”“I see.” In the silence,shewasgroaning,Isitthatobvious? After everythingI’ve done to hide it,makeup for it, does it stillshow? To defend herself,she got to her feet. Old

bitternessmadeher soundquerulous.“IhopeyoulikeplayingGod.”He paused for a longmoment before he repliedquietly,“If that’swhatI’mdoing—no, I don’t. But Idon’t look at it that way.I’m just in over my head.SoIaskedyouforhelp.”Help, Linden snarledinwardly.JesusChrist!Butshe did not speak her

indignation aloud. Dr.Berenfordhadtouchedheragain,placedhisfingeronthe nerves whichcompelled her. Becauseshe did not want to utterher weakness, or heranger, or her lack ofchoice, she moved pasthim to the outer door ofthe veranda. “Goodnight,”shesaidinaflattone.“Goodnight,Linden.”He

did not ask her what shewas going to do. Perhapshe understood her. Orperhaps he had nocourage.Shegotintohercarand

headedbacktowardHavenFarm.Shedroveslowly,trying

to regain a sense ofperspective. True, she hadno choice now; but thatwas not because she was

helpless. Rather it wasbecause she had alreadymade the choice—made itlong ago, when she haddecidedtobeadoctor.Shehadelecteddeliberatelytobe who she was now. Ifsomeoftheimplicationsofthat choice gave her pain—well, there was paineverywhere. She deservedwhatever pain she had tobear.

She had not realizeduntil she reached the dirtroad that she hadforgotten to ask Dr.Berenford about the oldman.She could see lightsfrom Covenant’s house.Thebuildinglayflickeringagainstalineofdarktreeslike a gleam about to beswallowed by the woodsand the night. The moon

only confirmed thisimpression; its nearly-fulllightmadethefieldalakeof silver, eldritch andfathomless, but could nottouch the black trees, orthe house which lay intheir shadow. Lindenshivered at the damp air,and drovewith her handstightonthewheelandhersenses taut, as if shewereapproachingacrisis.

Twenty yards from thehouse,shestopped,parkedher car so that it stood intheopenmoonlight.Betrue.Shedidnotknowhow.The approach of herheadlights must havewarned him. An outsidelamp came on as sheneared the front door. Hestepped out to meet her.His stance was erect and

forbidding, silhouetted bythe yellow light at hisback. She could not readhisface.“Dr. Avery.” His voicerasped like a saw. “Goaway.”“No.”Theuncertaintyofher respiration made herspeak abruptly, one pieceat a time. “Not until I seeher.”“Her?”hedemanded.

“Yourex-wife.”For a moment, he was

silent. Then he grated,“What else did thatbastardtellyou?”She ignored his anger.

“Youneedhelp.”His shoulders hunched

as if he were stranglingretorts. “He’s mistaken. Idon’t need help. I don’tneedyou.Goaway.”“No.”Shedidnotfalter.

“He’s right. You’reexhausted. Taking care ofher alone is wearing youout.Icanhelp.”“You can’t,” he

whispered, denying herfiercely.“Shedoesn’tneeda doctor. She needs to beleftalone.”“I’ll believe thatwhen I

seeit.”He tensed as if she had

moved, tried to get past

him.“You’retrespassing.Ifyoudon’tgoaway,I’llcalltheSheriff.”The falseness of herposition infuriated her.“Goddamn it!” shesnapped. “What are youafraidof?”“You.” His voice wasgravid,cold.“Me? You don’t evenknowme.”“And you don’t know

me.Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoing on here. Youcouldn’t possiblyunderstand it. And youdidn’t choose it.” Hebrandished words at herlikeblades.“Berenfordgotyou into this. That oldman—” He swallowed,then barked, “You savedhim, and he chose you,and you don’t have anyideawhatthatmeans.You

haven’t got the faintestidea what he chose youfor.Byhell, I’mnotgoingtostandforit!Goaway.”“Whatdoesithavetodo

with you?” She groped tounderstand him. “Whatmakes you think it hasanythingtodowithyou?”“BecauseIdoknow.”“Knowwhat?”Shecould

not tolerate thecondescension of his

refusal. “What’s so specialabout you? Leprosy? Doyou think being a lepergives you some kind ofprivateclaimonlonelinessorpain?Don’tbearrogant.There are other people intheworldwho suffer, andit doesn’t take being aleper to understand them.What’ssogoddamnspecialaboutyou?”Her anger stopped him.

Shecouldnotseehisface;but his posture seemed totwist, reconsidering her.After a moment, he saidcarefully, “Nothing aboutme. But I’m on the insideof this thing, and youaren’t. I know it. Youdon’t. It can’t beexplained. You don’tunderstand what you’redoing.”“Thentellme.Makeme

understand.SoIcanmaketherightchoice.”“Dr. Avery.” His voicewas sudden and harsh.“Maybe suffering isn’tprivate. Maybe sicknessandharmareinthepublicdomain. But this isprivate.”His intensity silencedher.Shewrestledwithhiminherthoughts,andcouldfindnowaytotakeholdof

him. He knew more thanshe did—had enduredmore, purchased more,learned more. Yet shecould not let go. Sheneeded some kind ofexplanation. The night airwas thick and humid,blurring the meaning ofthe stars.Because shehadno other argument, shechallenged him with herincomprehension itself.

“ ‘Be true,’ ” shearticulated, “isn’t the onlythinghesaid.”Covenant recoiled. She

held herself still until thesuspensedrovehimtoaskin a muffled tone, “Whatelse?”“He said, ‘Do not fear.

Youwillnot fail,howeverhemayassailyou.’”Thereshe halted, unwilling tosay the rest. Covenant’s

shoulders began to shake.Grimly she pursued heradvantage. “Who was hetalkingabout?You?”Hedidnot respond.His

hands were pressed to hisface,stiflinghisemotion.“Or was it somebody

else? Did somebody hurtJoan?”A shard of pain slipped

past his teeth before hecould lock them against

himself.“Or is something going

to happen to me? Whatdoes thatoldmanhavetodo withme?Why do yousayhechoseme?”“He’s using you.”

Covenant’shandsoccludedhis voice. But he hadmasteredhimself.Whenhedroppedhisarms,histonewasdullandfaint,likethefalling of ashes. “He’s like

Berenford. Thinks I needhelp.ThinksIcan’thandleit this time.” He shouldhave sounded bitter; buthe had momentarily losteven that resource. “Theonly difference is, heknows—whatIknow.”“Then tell me,” Linden

urgedagain.“Letmetry.”By force of will,

Covenant straightened sothat he stood upright

against the light. “No.Maybe I can’t stop you,but I as sure as hell don’thave to let you. I’m notgoingtocontributetothis.If you’re dead set ongetting involved, you’regoingtohavetofindsomeway to do it behind myback.”Hestoppedas ifhewerefinished.Butthenheragedather,“Andtellthatbastard Berenford he

ought to try trusting meforachange!”Retorts jumped into herthroat. Shewanted to yellback,Whyshouldhe?Youdon’t trust anybody else!But as she gathered forceinto her lungs, a screamstungtheair.A woman screaming,raw and heinous.Impossible that anybodycould feel such virulent

terror and stay sane. Itshrilled like the heart-shriekofthenight.Before it ended, Linden

was on her way pastCovenant toward the frontdoor.He caught her arm: she

broke the grip of his half-hand,flunghimoff.“I’madoctor.” Leaving him notime for permission ordenial,shejerkedopenthe

door, strode into thehouse.The door admitted her

to the living room. Itlookedbare, inspiteof itscarpeting and bookcases;therewerenopictures,noornaments; and the onlyfurniture was a longoverstaffed sofa with acoffee table in front of it.They occupied the centerof the floor, as if tomake

the space around themnavigable.She gave the room a

glance, then marcheddown a short passage tothe kitchen. There, too, atable and two straight-backed wooden chairsoccupied the center of thespace.Shewentpastthem,turned to enter anotherhall. Covenant hurriedafter her as she by-passed

two open doors—thebathroom, his bedroom—toreachtheoneattheendofthehall.Itwasclosed.Atonce,shetookholdoftheknob.He snatched at herwrist. “Listen.” His voicemusthaveheld emotion—urgency, anguish,something—but she didnothearit.“Thisyouhave

to understand. There’sonly one way to hurt amanwho’slosteverything.Give him back somethingbroken.”She gripped the knobwithher freehand.He lethergo.She opened the door,wentintotheroom.Allthelightswereon.Joan sat on an iron-framebedinthemiddleof

the room. Her ankles andwristsweretiedwithclothbonds which allowed herto sit up or lie down butdidnotpermithertobringher hands together. Thelong cotton nightgowncovering her thin limbshad been twisted aroundherbyherdistress.A white gold wedding

ring hung from a silverchainaroundherneck.

She did not look atCovenant.HergazesprangatLinden,andamad furyclenchedherface.Shehadrabid eyes, the eyes of ademented lioness.Whimpers moaned in herthroat. Her pallid skinstretched tightly over herbones.Intuitive revulsion

appalledLinden.Shecouldnot think. She was not

accustomed to suchsavagery. It violated allher conceptions of illnessor harm, paralyzed herresponses. This was notordinary humanineffectuality or painraised to the level ofdespair; this was pureferocity, concentrated andmurderous. She had toforce herself forward. Butwhen she drew near the

womanandstretchedoutatentativehand,Joanbitather like a baited cat.Involuntarily Lindenrecoiled.“DearGod!”shepanted.

“What’swrongwithher?”Joanraisedherhead,let

out a scream like theanguishofthedamned.Covenant could not

speak. Grief contorted hisfeatures.HewenttoJoan’s

side. Fumbling over theknot, he untied her leftwrist, released her arm.Instantly she clawed athim, straining her wholebody to reach him. Heevaded her, caught herforearm.Linden watched with asilentwailasheletJoan’snails rake the back of hisright hand. Blood welledfromthecuts.

Joan smeared herfingers in his blood. Thenher hand jumped to hermouth, and she sucked iteagerly,greedily.The taste of bloodseemedtorestoreherself-awareness. Almostimmediately, the madnessfaded from her face. Hereyes softened, turned totears;hermouthtrembled.“Oh, Tom,” she quavered

weakly. “I’m so sorry. Ican’t—He’s in my mind,andIcan’tgethimout.Hehates you. He makes—makes me—” She wassobbing brokenly. Herlucidity was acutely crueltoher.Hesatonthebedbeside

her, put his arms aroundher. “I know.” His voiceached in the room. “Iunderstand.”

“Tom,” shewept. “Tom.Helpme.”“I will.” His tone

promised that he wouldfaceanyordeal,makeanysacrifice, commit anyviolence. “As soon as he’sready.I’llgetyoufree.”Slowly her frail limbs

relaxed. Her sobs grewquieter. She wasexhausted. When hestretched her out on the

bed, she closed her eyes,went to sleep with herfingersinhermouthlikeachild.He took a tissue from a

box on a table near thebed,pressedittothebackof his hand. Then,tenderly, he pulled Joan’sfingers from her mouthand retied herwrist.OnlythendidhelookatLinden.“It doesn’t hurt,” he

said. “The backs of myhandshavebeennumbforyears.” The torment wasgonefromhisface;itheldnothing now except thelong weariness of a painhecouldnotheal.Watchinghisbloodsoakinto the tissue, she knewshe should do somethingtotreatthatinjury.Butanessential part of her hadfailed, proved itself

inadequate to Joan; shecould not bear to touchhim.Shehadnoanswertowhat she had seen. For amoment, her eyes werehelpless with tears. Onlythe old habit of severitykept her from weeping.Only her need kept herfromfleeingintothenight.Itdrovehertosaygrimly,“Now you’re going to tellme what’s wrong with

her.”“Yes,” he murmured. “I

supposeIam.”

THREE:Plight

He guided her back tothe living room in silence.His hand on her arm wasreluctant, as ifhedreadedthat mere human contact.When she sat on the sofa,he gestured toward hisinjury, and left her alone.Shewas glad to be alone.She was stunned by herfailure;sheneededtimeto

regain possession ofherself.What had happened toher? She understoodnothingaboutevil,didnoteven believe in it as anidea;butshehadseenitinJoan’s feral hunger. Shewastrainedtoperceivetheworld in terms ofdysfunction and disease,medication and treatment,success or death. Words

like good or evil meantnothing to her. But Joan—! Where did suchmalignant ferocity comefrom?Andhow—?When Covenant

returned, with his righthand wrapped in a whitebandage, she stared athim, demandingexplanations.Hestoodbeforeher,did

not meet her gaze. The

slouchofhis posture gavehim a look ofabandonment; the skin atthe corners of his eyescrumpled like dismaypinching his flesh. But hismouth had learned thehabit of defiance; it wastwistedwithrefusals.Aftera moment, he muttered,“So you see why I didn’twant you to know abouther,”andbegantopace.

“Nobody knows”—thewords came as if heweredredging them out of theprivacy of his heart—“except Berenford andRoman. The law doesn’texactly smile on peoplewho keep other peopleprisoner—even in hercondition.Idon’thaveanylegal rightsatallas farasshe’s concerned.What I’msupposedtodoisturnher

overtotheauthorities.ButI’ve been living withoutthe benefit of law so longnowIdon’tgiveadamn.”“But what’s wrong with

her?” Linden could notkeep her voice fromtwitching; she was tootightly clenched to soundsteady.Hesighed.“Sheneedsto

hurtme.She’sstarvingforit—that’s what makes her

soviolent.It’sthebestwayshecanthinkof topunishherself.”Withawrench,Linden’sanalyticalinstinctbegantofunction again. Paranoiac,shewincedtoherself.He’sparanoiac. But aloud sheinsisted,“Butwhy?What’shappenedtoher?”He stopped, looked atherasifheweretryingtogaugeher capacity for the

truth, then went back tohispacing.“Of course,” he

murmured,“thatisn’thowBerenford sees it. Hethinks it’s a psychiatricproblem. The only reasonhe hasn’t tried to get heraway from me is becauseheunderstandswhyIwanttotakecareofher.Orpartof it. His wife is aparaplegic, and he would

never consider dumpingtheproblemoffonanyoneelse. I haven’t told himabouthertasteforblood.”He was evading her

question.Shestruggledforpatience. “Isn’t it apsychiatric problem?Hasn’t Dr. Berenford beenable to rule out physicalcauses?Whatelse could itbe?”Covenanthesitated,then

said distantly, “He doesn’tknowwhat’sgoingon.”“You keep saying that.

It’stooconvenient.”“No,” he retorted, “it’s

not convenient. It’s thetruth. You don’t have thebackground to understandit.”“How can you be so

goddamn sure?” Theclench of her self-command made her voice

raw. “I’ve spent half mylife coping with otherpeople’spain.”Shewantedto add, Can’t you get itthroughyourheadthatI’ma doctor? But her throatlockedonthosewords.Shehadfailed—For an instant, his gaze

winced as if he weredistressedby the idea thatshe did in fact have thenecessarybackground.But

then he shook his headsharply.Whenheresumed,she could not tell whatkind of answer he haddecidedtogiveher.“I wouldn’t know about

itmyself,” he said, “if herparents hadn’t called me.About a month ago. Theydon’t have much use forme, but theywere frantic.They told me everythingtheyknew.

“I suppose it’s an oldstory. The only thing thatmakesitnewisthewayithurts. Joan divorced mewhen we found out I hadleprosy. Eleven years ago.TookRogerandwentbacktoherfamily.Shethoughtshewasjustified—ah,hell,foryearsIthoughtshewasjustified. Kids are moresusceptibletoleprosythanadults. So she divorced

me.ForRoger’ssake.“But it didn’t work.

Deep inside her, shebelieved she’d betrayedme. It’s hard to forgiveyourself for desertingsomeone you love—someonewhoneedsyou.Iterodes your self-respect.Like leprosy. It gnawsaway at you. Before long,you’reamoralcripple.Shestood it for awhile. Then

she started hunting forcures.”His voice, and the

information hewas givingher,steadiedLinden.Ashepaced, she becameconscious of the way hecarried himself, the careand specificity of all hismovements. He navigatedpastthecoffeetableasifitwereadangertohim.Andrepeatedly he scanned

himself with his eyes,checking in turn eachhand, each arm, his legs,hischest,asifheexpectedtofindthathehadinjuredhimself without knowingit.Shehadreadaboutsuch

things. His self-inspectionwas called VSE—visualsurveillanceofextremities.Like the care with whichhe moved, it was part of

thedisciplineheneededtokeep his illness arrested.Because of the damageleprosy had done to hisnerves, the largest singlethreat to his health wasthe possibility that hemightbump,burn, scrape,cut, or bruise himselfwithout realizing it. Theninfection would set inbecause the wound wasnot tended. So he moved

with all the caution hecould muster. Thefurniture inhishousewasarranged to minimize therisk of protruding corners,obstacles, accidents. Andhe scanned himselfregularly,lookingforsignsofdanger.Watching him in this

objective,professionalwayhelpedrestorehersenseofwho she was. Slowly she

became better able tolisten to his indirectexplanation withoutimpatience.He had not paused; he

wassaying,“Firstshetriedpsychology.Shewantedtobelieve it was all in hermind—and minds can befixed, like broken arms.She started going throughpsychologicalfadsthewaysomepeople trade incars,

anewoneeveryyear.Asifher problem really wasmentalinsteadofspiritual.“None of it made senseto her parents, but theytried to be tolerant, justdid what they could togiveRogerastablehome.“So they thought shewas finallygoing tobeallright when she suddenlygave that up and wentchurchy.Theybelievedall

alongthatreligionwastheanswer. Well, it’s goodenough for most people,butitdidn’tgiveherwhatshe needed. It was tooeasy. Her disease wasprogressingallthetime.Ayear ago, she became afanatic. Took Roger andwent to join a commune.Oneof thoseplaceswherepeoplelearntheecstasyofhumiliation,andtheleader

preaches love and masssuicide.“Shemusthavebeen so

desperate—Formostofherlife, the only thing shereally wanted to believewasthatshewasperfectlyallright.Butafterallthoseyearsof failure, shedidn’thave any defenses left.What did she have tolose?”Linden was not wholly

convinced. She had nomoreuse forGodthanforconceptions of good andevil. But Covenant’spassion held her.His eyeswere wet with violenceand grief; his mouth wasas sharp as a blade. Hebelieved what he wassaying.Her expression must

havebetrayedsomeofherdoubt;hisvoicetookonan

echo of Joan’s ferocity.“Youdon’thavetobelievein God to grasp what shewas going through. Shewas suffering from anaffliction forwhich there’sno mortal cure. Shecouldn’t even arrest theway it rotted her. Maybeshe didn’t know what itwasshewastryingtocure.Shewaslookingformagic,some power that could

reach into her and heal—When you’ve tried all thesalves in the world andtheydon’twork, you startthinking about fire. Burnout the pain. She wantedto punish herself, findsomekindofabnegationtomatchherpersonalrot.”His voice broke; but hecontrolled it instantly. “Iknowall about it.But shedidn’t have any defenses.

She opened the door forhim, and he saw she wasthe perfect tool, and he’sbeenusingher—using her,whenshe’stoodamagedtoevenunderstandwhathe’susingherfor.”Using her? Linden did

notcomprehend.He?Slowly Covenant

suppressed his anger. “Ofcourse, her parents didn’tknowanythingaboutthat.

How could they? All theyknew was that about sixweeks ago shewoke themup in the middle of thenightandstartedbabbling.She was a prophet, she’dhadavision,theLordhadgiven her a mission. Woeand retribution to thewicked, death to the sickand the unbelieving. Theonly sense they couldmakeoutofitwasthatshe

wanted them to take careof Roger. Then she wasgone. They haven’t seenhersince.“After a couple weeks,they called me. I hadn’tseen her—that was thefirstI’dheardaboutit.Butabout two weeks ago sheshowed up here. Sneakedinto my room during thenightand tried to tearmyfaceoff.Ifshehadn’tbeen

so weak, she would havesucceeded. She must havecomeallthewayonfoot.”He seemed too

exhaustedhimselftogoonpacing. His red-rimmedeyes made him look ill,and his hands trembled.How long had he beenwithout decent sleep orpeace? Twoweeks?Whenhe sat down on theopposite end of the sofa,

Linden turned so that shecould continue to studynun. In the back of hermind, she began trying toconceivesomewaytogivehimasedative.“Since then,” he sighed,

“Berenford and I havebeen taking care of her. Igot him into this becausehe’s the only doctor Iknow.HethinksI’mwrongabouther,buthe’shelping

me. Or he was. Until hegotyou into this.”Hewastoo tired to sound bitter.“I’m trying to reach herany way I can, and he’sgiving her drugs that aresupposed to clear hermind.Oratleastcalmherso I can feed her. I leavethe lights on in there allthe time. Somethinghappenstoherwhenshe’saloneinthedark.Shegoes

berserk—I’m afraid she’llbreak an arm orsomething.”He fell silent.Apparentlyhehadreachedtheendofhisstory—orofhis strength. Linden feltthat his explanation wasincomplete, but she heldherquestionsinabeyance.He needed aid, a relieffrom strain. Carefully shesaid, “Maybe she really

shouldbeinahospital.I’msureDr. Berenford’s doingwhathecan.Butthereareall kinds of diagnosticprocedures he can’t usehere. If she were in ahospital—”“If she were in a

hospital”—he swungtowardhersoroughlythatsherecoiled—“they’dkeepher in a straitjacket, andforce-feed her three times

a day, and turn her braininto jelly withelectroshock, and fill herup with drugs until shecouldn’trecognizeherownname ifGodHimselfwerecalling for her, and itwouldn’t do any good!Goddamn it, she was mywife!” He brandished hisrightfist.“I’mstillwearingthebloodyring!”“Is that what you think

doctors do?” She wassuddenly livid; her failuremade her defensive.“Brutalizesickpeople?”He strove to containhis

ire. “Doctors try to cureproblems whether theyunderstandthemornot.Itdoesn’t always work. Thisisn’t something a doctorcancure.”“Is thata fact?”Shedid

notwanttotaunthim;but

her own compulsionsdrove her. “Tell me whatgoodyou’redoingher.”He flinched. Rage andpain struggled inhim;buthe fought them down.Then he said simply, “Shecametome.”“She didn’t know whatshewasdoing.”“ButIdo,”Hisgrimnessdefiedher.“Iunderstanditwell enough. I’m the only

onewhocanhelpher.”Frustration boiled up inher.“Understandwhat?”Hejerkedtohisfeet.Hewas a figure of passion,held erect and potent inspite of weakness by theintensity of his heart. Hiseyeswerechisels;whenhespoke, each word felldistinctly, like a chip ofgranite.“Sheispossessed.”

Linden blinked at him.“Possessed?” He hadstaggered her. He did notseem to be talking alanguage she couldcomprehend. Thiswas thetwentiethcentury;medicalscience had not takenpossession seriously for atleastahundredyears.Shewas on her feet. “Are yououtofyourmind?”She expected him to

retreat. But he still hadresources she had notplumbed. He held herglare, and his visage—charged and purified bysome kind of sustainingconviction—made heracutely aware of her ownmoral poverty. When helookedaway,hedidnotdosobecausehewasabashedorbeaten;helookedawayin order to spare her the

implications of hisknowledge.“You see?” hemurmured.“It’saquestionof experience. You’re justnot equipped tounderstand.”“By God!” she fumeddefensively, “that’s themost arrogant thing I’veever heard. You standthere spouting the mostegregious nonsense, and

when I question you, youjustnaturallyassumetheremust be something wrongwithme.Wheredoyougetthegallto—?”“Dr. Avery.” His voicewas low, dangerous. “Ididn’t say there wasanythingwrongwithyou.”She did not listen tohim. “You’re sufferingfrom classic paranoia, Mr.Covenant.” She bit each

word mordantly. “Youthink that everybody whodoubtsyouisn’tquiterightin the head. You’re atextbookcase.”Seething irrationally,she turned on her heel,stamped toward the door—fleeing from him, andfighting furiously tobelieve that she was notfleeing. But he came afterher, caught hold of her

shoulders. She whirled onhimas ifhehadassaultedher.He had not. His hands

dropped to his sides, andtwitched as if they achedto make gestures ofsupplication. His face wasopen and vulnerable; shesawintuitivelythatatthatmoment she could haveasked him anything, andhe would have done his

best to answer. “Please,”hebreathed.“You’reinanimpossible situation, and Ihaven’tmadeitanyeasier.But please. At leastconsider the chance that IknowwhatI’mdoing.”A retort coiled in hermouth, then frayed andfellapart.Shewasfurious,not because she had anyrighttobe,butbecausehisattitude showed her how

far shehad fallen into thewrong. She swallowed tostifle a groan, almostreachedouttowardhimtoapologize.Buthedeservedsomething better than anapology. Carefully shesaid, “I’ll consider it.” Shecouldnotmeethiseyes.“Iwon’t do anything until Italktoyouagain.”Then she left thehouse,frankly escaping from the

exigency of hisincomprehensibleconvictions. Her handsfumbledliketraitorsassheopenedthedoorofhercar,slidbehindthewheel.With failure in her

mouth like the taste ofsickness,shedrovebacktoherapartment.She needed to be

comforted; but there wasnocomfortinthosegrubby

walls, in the chipped andpeeling floorboards whichmoanedlikevictimsunderherfeet.Shehadacceptedthat apartment preciselybecause it offered her nocomfort; but the womanwho had made thatdecision was a womanwho had never watchedherself buckle under thedemandsofherprofession.Now for the first time

since that moment ofmurder fifteen years ago,when her hands hadaccepted the burden ofblood, she yearned forsolace. She lived in aworldwhere therewasnosolace.Because she could thinkof no other recourse, shewenttobed.Tension and muggysheets kept her awake for

alongtime;andwhenshefinally slept, her dreamsweresweatandfearinthehot night. The old man,Covenant, Joan—allbabbled of He, trying towarn her. He whopossessed Joan forpurposes too cruel to beanswered. He whointendedtoharmthemall.Butat last shesank intoadeeper slumber, and the

evilwentbackintohiding.Shewas awakened by aknockingatherdoor.Her head felt swollenwith nightmares, and theknocking had a tentativesound, as if the knockerbelieved the apartment tobe dangerous. But it wasimperative. She was adoctor.When she unclosed hereyes, the light of

midmorning pierced herbrain.Groaning she climbed

out of bed, shrugged herarmsintoabathrobe,thenwenttoopenthedoor.A short timid woman

with hands that flutteredand eyes that shied stoodon the landing.Timorously, she asked,“Dr. Avery? Dr. LindenAvery?”

With an effort, Lindenclearedherthroat.“Yes.”“Dr. Berenford called.”The woman seemed tohavenoideawhatshewassaying. “I’m his secretary.Youdon’thaveaphone. Idon’t work on Saturdays,buthecalledmeathome.Hewantsyoutomeethim.He’s supposed to be onrounds.”“Meet him?” A pang of

apprehension wentthroughher.“Where?”“He said you’d knowwhere.” Insistently thewoman went on, “I’m hissecretary. I don’twork onSaturdays, but I’m alwaysglad to help him. He’s afine man—a fine doctor.His wife had polio. Hereally should be onrounds.”Linden shut her eyes. If

shecouldhavesummonedany strength, she wouldhave cried out, Why areyoudoing this tome?Butshe felt drained by baddreams and doubt.Muttering, “Thank you,”sheclosedthedoor.For a moment, she did

not move; she leanedagainst the door as if tohold it shut, wanting toscream. But Dr. Berenford

would not have gone tosuch trouble to send forher if the situation werenoturgent.Shehadtogo.As she dressed in theclothes she had worn theprevious day and ran acombthroughherhair,sherealized that she made achoice. Sometime duringthe night, she had givenher allegiance toCovenant. She did not

understand what waswrongwith Joan, orwhathe thought he could doabout it; but she wasattractedtohim.Thesameintransigencewhichhadsoinfuriated her had alsotouched her deeply; shewas vulnerable to thestrange appeal of hisanger, his extremity, hisparadoxically savage andcompassionate

determination to standloyaltohisex-wife.She drank a quick glass

oforangejuicetoclearherhead, then went down tohercar.The day was already

unnaturally hot; thesunlighthurthereyes.Shefelt oddly giddy anddetached, as if she wereexperiencing ahallucination, as she

entered the dirt roadwayand approachedCovenant’s house. At first,she was not sure of hervision when she descriedthedarkstainonthewall.She parked beside Dr.Berenford’s car, jumpedouttolook.Nearthedoorway,atall,crudetriangleviolatedthewhitewall.Itwasreddish-black, the color of dried

blood. The vehemence ofits intent convinced herthatitwasblood.Shebegantorun.Springingintothelivingroom,shesawthatit,too,had been desecrated. Allthe furnishings wereintact; but everythingwassplotchedandsoakedwithblood. Buckets of bloodhad been thrown into theroom.Asickly-sweetsmell

cloggedtheair.On the floor near thecoffeetablelayashotgun.Her stomach writhed.She slapped her hands tohermouth to keep herselffrom crying out. All thisbloodcouldnothavecomefrom one ordinary humanbody.Someatrocity—Then she saw Dr.Berenford. He sat in thekitchenatthetable,witha

cupbetweenhishands.Hewaslookingather.She strode toward him,started to demand, “Whatthehell—?”He stopped her with awarning gesture. “Keep itdown,” he said softly.“He’ssleeping.”For a moment, shegapedattheChiefofStaff.Butshewasaccustomedtoemergencies; her self-

command quicklyreasserteditself.Movingasiftoprovetohimthatshecouldbecalm,shefoundacup, poured herself somecoffeefromthepotonthestove, sat down in theother chair at the oldenamel-topped table. In aflattone,sheasked,“Whathappened?”He sipped his own

coffee. All the humorwas

gone out of him, and hishands shook. “I guess hewas right all along.” Hedid not meet her stare.“She’sgone.”“Gone?” For an instant,her control slipped.Gone?She could hardly breathepast the thudding of herheart. “Isanybody lookingforher?”“Thepolice,”hereplied.“Mrs. Roman—did I tell

you about her? She’s hislawyer. She went back totown after I got here—acouplehoursago.To lighta fire under the Sheriff.Right now, every able-bodiedcopinthecountyisprobably out looking. Theonly reason you don’t seecars is becauseour Sheriff—bless his warm littleheart—won’t let his menparkthisclosetoaleper.”

“All right.” Lindenmustered her training,gripped it in both hands.“Tellmewhathappened.”He made a gesture of

helplessness.“Idon’treallyknow. I only know whathetoldMrs.Roman—whathetoldme.Itdoesn’tmakeany sense.” He sighed.“Well,thisiswhathesays.Sometime after midnight,he heard people at his

door. He’d spent most oftheeveningtryingtobatheher, but after that he fellasleep.He didn’twake upuntil these people beganacting like theywanted totearthedoordown.“He didn’t have to askthemwhat theywanted. Iguess he’s been expectingsomething like this eversince Joan showed up.Hewent and got his shotgun

—did you know he had ashotgun?HadMrs.Romanbuy it for him last week.For self-defense—as ifbeing a leperwasn’tmoredefense than he ever hadany use for.” SeeingLinden’s impatience, hewent back to his story.“Anyway, he got his gun,and turned on all thelights.Thenheopenedthedoor.

“They came in—maybehalf a dozen of them. Hesays they wore sackclothand ashes.” Dr. Berenfordgrimaced. “If herecognizedanyofthem,hewon’t admit it. He wavedthe shotgun at them andtold them they couldn’thaveher.“But they acted as if

they wanted to be shot.And when it came right

down to it, he couldn’t.Not even to save his ex-wife.” He shook his head.“Hetriedtofightthemoffbymain strength, but oneagainst six,hedidn’thavemuchchance.“Sometime early this

morning, he came to longenough to call Mrs.Roman.Hewasincoherent—kepttellinghertostartasearch, only he couldn’t

explain why—but at leasthe had sense enough toknow he needed help.Thenhepassedout again.When she got here, shefoundhimunconsciousonthefloor.Therewasbloodeverywhere.Whoevertheywere,theymusthavebledanentire cow.”Hegulpedcoffee as if it were anantidoteforthereekintheair. “Well, shegothimon

hisfeet,andhetookhertocheck on Joan. She wasgone. Restraints had beencut.”“They didn’t kill her?”interjectedLinden.He glanced at her. “Hesays no. How he knows—your guess is as good asmine.”Afteramoment,heresumed, “Anyway, Mrs.Roman calledme.When Igot here, she left to see

what she could do aboutfinding Joan. I’veexamined him, and heseems to be all right.Suffering from exhaustionasmuchasanythingelse.”Linden shrugged aside

her doubts aboutCovenant’s condition. “I’llwatchhim.”He nodded. “That was

whyIcalledforyou.”She drank some of her

coffee to steady herself,then inquired carefully,“Do you know who theywere?”“I asked him that,” Dr.

Berenford replied with afrown. “He said, ‘How thehellshouldIknow?’”“Well, then, what do

theywantwithher?”He thought for a

moment, then said, “Youknow,theworstpartabout

thewholethingis—Ithinkheknows.”Frustration made her

querulous. “So why won’thetellus?”“Hard to say,” said the

doctor slowly. “I think hethinks if we knew whatwas going on we’d try tostophim.”Linden did not respond.

She was no longerprepared to try toprevent

Thomas Covenant fromdoing anything. But shewasequallydetermined tolearnthetruthaboutJoan,about him—and, yes,about the old man in theochre robe. For her ownsake. And for Covenant’s.In spite of his fierceindependence, she couldnot shake the convictionthathewasdesperately inneedofhelp.

“Which is anotherreasonforyoutostay,”theoldermanmuttered as herosetohisfeet.“I’vegottogo. But somebody has toprevent him from doinganythingcrazy.Somedays—”Hisvoicetrailedaway,then cameback in suddenvexation. “My God, somedays I think that manneeds a keeper, not adoctor.” For the first time

since her arrival, he facedher squarely. “Will youkeephim?”Shecouldseehewanted

reassurance that sheshared his sense ofresponsibilityforCovenantand Joan. She could notmake such a promise. Butshe could offer himsomething similar. “Well,at any rate,” she saidseverely,“Iwon’tletgoof

him.”He nodded vaguely. He

was no longer looking ather. As he moved towardthe door, he murmured,“Be patient with him. It’sbeen so long sincehemetsomebodywho isn’tafraidof him, he doesn’t knowwhattodoaboutit.Whenhewakesup,makehimeatsomething.” Then he leftthehouse,wentout tohis

car.Lindenwatcheduntilhe

disappearedindusttowardthe highway. Then sheturned back to the livingroom.What to do about it?

LikeCovenant,shedidnotknow. But she meant tofind out. The smell ofblood made her feelunclean; but shesuppressed the sensation

long enough to fix abreakfast forherself.Thenshe tackled the livingroom.With a scrub brush and

a bucket of soapy water,she attacked the stains asif they were an affront toher. Deep within her,where her guilt andcoercion had their roots,shefeltthatbloodwaslife—a thing of value, too

precious to be squanderedanddenied,asherparentshad squandered anddenied it. Grimly shescrubbed at the madnessor malice which hadviolated this room, tryingtoeradicateit.Whenever she needed abreak, shewentquietly tolook at Covenant. Hisbruises gave his face amisshapen look. His sleep

seemed agitated, but heshowednosignofdriftinginto coma. Occasionally,themovementsofhiseyesbetrayed that he wasdreaming. He slept withhis mouth open like asilent cry; and once hischeeks were wet withtears. Her heart went outtohimashe lay stretchedthere, disconsolate andvulnerable.Hehadsolittle

respect for his ownmortality.Shortlyafternoon,while

she was still at work, hecame out of his bedroom.He moved groggily, hisgaitblurredwithsleep.Hepeered at her across theroom as if he weresummoning anger; but hisvoice held nothing exceptresignation. “You can’thelp her now. You might

aswellgohome.”She stood up to face

him.“Iwanttohelpyou.”“Icanhandleit.”Linden swallowed bile,

triednottosoundacerbic.“Somehow you don’t lookthat tough. You couldn’tstopthemfromtakingher.How are you going tomake them give herback?”His eyes widened; her

guess had struck home.But he did not waver. Heseemed almost inhumanlycalm—or doomed. “Theydon’twanther.She’sjustaway for them to get atme.”“You?” Was he

paranoiac after all? “Areyou trying to tell me thatthiswholethinghappenedto her because of you?Why?”

“Ihaven’tfoundthatoutyet.”“No. I mean, why doyou think this hasanything to do with you?If they wanted you, whydidn’t they just take you?Youcouldn’thavestoppedthem.”“Because it has to bevoluntary.” His voice hadthe flat timbre of over-stressed cable in a high

wind. He should havesnapped long ago. But hedid not sound like a manwho snapped. “He can’tjust force me. I have tochoosetodoit.Joan—”Asurgeofdarknessoccludedhis eyes. “She’s just hisway of exerting pressure.Hehas to take the chancethatImightrefuse.”He. Linden’s breathingcame heavily. “You keep

sayinghe.Whoishe?”Hisfrownmadehisface

seem even moremalformed. “Leave italone.” He was trying towarn her. “You don’tbelieveinpossession.Howcan Imakeyoubelieve inpossessors?”She took his warning,

but not in the way heintended.Hintsofpurpose—half guesswork, half

determination—unexpectedly lit herthoughts. A way to learnthe truth. He had said,You’regoingtohavetofindsomewaytodoitbehindmyback.Well,byGod, if thatwas what she had to do,shewoulddoit.“All right,” she said,

glaring at him to concealher intentions. “I can’tmakeyoumakesense.Just

tell me one thing. Whowas that old man? Youknewhim.”Covenant returned her

stareasifhedidnotmeanto answer. But then herelented stiffly. “Aharbinger. Or a warning.Whenheshowsup,you’veonlygottwochoices.Giveup everything you everunderstood, and takeyourchances. Or run for your

life. The problem is”—histone took on a peculiarresonance, as if he weretryingtosaymorethanhecouldput intowords—“hedoesn’t usually waste histimetalkingtothekindofpeoplewhorunaway.Andyou can’t possibly knowwhatyou’regettinginto.”She winced inwardly,

fearing that he hadguessedherintent.Butshe

held herself firm. “Whydon’tyoutellme?”“I can’t.” His intensitywas gone, transformedback into resignation. “It’slikesigningablankcheck.That kind of trust,foolhardiness, wealth,whatever, doesn’t meananythingifyouknowhowmuchthecheckisgoingtobe for. You either sign oryou don’t. How much do

youthinkyoucanafford?”“Well,inanycase”—sheshrugged—“Idon’tplantosignanyblankchecks.I’vedoneaboutall I canstandto cleanup thisplace. I’mgoing home.” She couldnotmeethisscrutiny.“Dr.Berenford wants you toeat.Areyougoingtodoit,or do I have to send himbackouthere?”He did not answer her

question. “Goodbye, Dr.Avery.”“Oh, dear God,” she

protestedinasuddenrushofdismayathisloneliness.“I’m probably going tospend the rest of the dayworrying about you. AtleastcallmeLinden.”“Linden.” His voice

denied all emotion. “I canhandleit.”“I know,” she

murmured,half toherself.Shewentoutintothethickafternoon.I’mtheonewhoneedshelp.Onherwayback toher

apartment, she noticedthat the woman andchildren who advisedrepentance were nowheretobeseen.

Several hours later, as

sunset dwindled intotwilight, streaking thestreetswithmuggyorangeand pink, shewas drivingagain. She had showeredand rested; she haddressed herself in achecked flannel shirt,tough jeans, and a pair ofsturdy hiking shoes. Shedrove slowly, giving theevening time to darken.Half a mile before she

reached Haven Farm, sheturnedoffherheadlights.Leaving the highway,shetookthefirstsideroadto one of the abandonedhousesontheFarm.Thereshe parked her car andlocked it to protect hermedicalbagandpurse.Onfoot,sheapproachedCovenant’shouse.Asmuchaspossible,shehidherselfamongthetreesalongthat

side of the Farm. Shewasgamblingthatshewasnottoo late, that the peoplewhohadtakenJoanwouldnot have done anythingduringtheafternoon.Fromthe trees, she hastenedstealthilytothewallofthehouse. There, she found awindowwhich gave her aview of the living roomwithout exposing her tothedoor.

Thelightswereon.Withallhercaution,shelookedinonThomasCovenant.He slouched in the

centerof thesofawithhisheadbowedandhishandsin his pockets, as if hewere waiting forsomething.Hisbruiseshaddarkened, giving him thevisage of a man who hadalready been beaten. Themuscles along his jaw

bunched,relaxed,bunchedagain.Hestrovetopossesshimself in patience; butafteramomentthetensionimpelled him to his feet.Hebegantowalkincirclesaroundthesofaandcoffeetable.Hismovementswererigid, denying themortalityofhisheart.So that she would not

havetowatchhim,Lindenlowered herself to the

groundandsatagainstthewall. Hidden by thedarkness, she waited withhim.She did not like what

she was doing. It was aviolation of his privacy,completely unprofessional.But her ignorance and hisstubbornness wereintolerable. She had anabsolute need tounderstandwhathadmade

her quail when she hadfacedJoan.Shedidnothavetowait

long. Scant minutes aftershe had settled herself,abruptfeetapproachedthehouse.The lurching of her

heart almost daunted her.But she resisted it.Carefully she raised herheadtothewindowjustasa fist hammered at the

door.Covenantflinchedatthesound. Dread knurled hisface.ThesightofhisreactionstungLinden.Hewassucha potent individual,seemed to have so manystrengths which shelacked. How had he beenbroughttothis?But an instant later hecrushed his fear as if he

werestampingontheneckofaviper.Defyinghisownweakness, he strodetowardthedoor.It opened before hereached it. A lone manstepped uninvited out ofthedark.Lindencouldseehim clearly. He woreburlapwoundaroundhimlike cerements. Ash hadbeenrubbedunevenlyintohis hair, smeared thickly

over his cheeks. Itemphasized the deadnessof his eyes, so that helooked like a ghoul inmasque.“Covenant?” Like his

mien,hisvoicewasashen,dead.Covenantfacedtheman.

Heseemedsuddenlytaller,as if he were elevated byhisownhardgrasponlife.“Yes.”

“ThomasCovenant?”The writer nodded

impatiently.“Whatdoyouwant?”“The hour of judgment

is at hand.” The manstared into the room as ifhewereblind.“TheMastercalls for your soul. Willyoucome?”Covenant’s mouth

twistedintoasnarl.“Yourmaster knows what I can

dotohim.”The man did not react.

Hewentonasifhisspeechhad already been arrayedfor burial. “The womanwill be sacrificed at therising of the full moon.Expiation must be madeforsin.Shewillpayifyoudo not. This is thecommandment of theMaster of life and death.Willyoucome?”

Sacrificed? Lindengaped. Expiation? A flushof indignation burned herskin.Whatthehell—?Covenant’s shouldersknotted. His eyes flamedwith extreme promises,threats.“I’llcome.”No flicker ofconsciousness animatedthe man’s gray features.He turned like amarionette and retreated

intothenight.Foramoment,Covenantstood still. His armshugged his chest as if tostifle an outcry; his headstretched back in anguish.The bruises marked hisfacelikeabereavement.But then he moved.With a violence thatstartled Linden, appalledher, he struck himselfacross the cheek with his

half-hand. Abruptly, hethrew himself into thedarkness after hissummoner.Linden almost lost her

chance to follow. She feltstunned by dismay. TheMaster—? Sacrificed?Dreadsanddoubtscrawledher skin like vermin. Theman in burlap had lookedso insentient—soullessmore than any animal.

Drugs?Or—?Howeverhemayassail—Was Covenant right?

About the oldman, aboutpossession? About thepurpose—? She’s just awayforthemtogetatme.Sacrificed?Oh, dear God! Theman

in burlap appeared insaneenough,lostenough,tobedangerous. And Covenant—?Covenantwas capable

ofanything.Her guess at what he

was doing galvanized her.Fear for him brokethrough her personalapprehension, sent herhurrying around thecorner of the house inpursuit.His summoner had led

him away from thehighway, away from thehouse into the woods.

Lindencouldheartheminthe brush; without light,theywereunable tomovequietly. As her eyesadjusted, she glimpsedthem ahead of her,flickering like shadows inand out of the variegateddark.Shefollowedthem.They traveled blindly

through the woods, overhills and along valleys.Theyusednopath;Linden

had the impression thatthey were cutting asstraight as a plumb linetoward their destination.And as they moved, thenight seemed to mountaround her, growingsteadily more hostile asher trepidation increased.The trees and brushbecame malevolent, as ifshe were passing intoanotherwoodaltogether,a

place of hazard and cruelintent.Then a hill lay acrosstheir way. Covenant andhis summoner ascended,disappearedover the crestinastrangeflareoforangelight.Itpickedthemoutofthe dark, then quenchedthem like an instant oftranslation. Warned bythat brief gleam, Lindenclimbed slowly. The

keening of her nervesseemed loud in theblackness. The last fewyards she crossed on herhands and knees, keepingherselfwithinthecoveroftheunderbrush.As her head crested the

hill, she was struck by ablaze of light. Fireinvisibleafootawayburstin her face as if she hadjust penetrated the

boundary of dreams. Foraninstant,shewasblindedby the light, paralyzed bythe silence. The nightswallowed all sound,leaving the air empty oflife.Blinking furiously, she

peeredpastthehillcrest.Beyond her lay a deep

barren hollow. Its slopeswere devoid of grass,brush, trees, as if the soil

hadbeenscouredbyacid.A bonfire burned at the

bottom of the hollow. Itsflames sprangupward likelust,writhedlikemadness;but it made no noise.Seeing it, Linden felt thatshehadbeenstrickendeaf.Impossiblethatsuchafirecouldblazeinsilence.Nearthefirestretcheda

roughplaneofnativerock,perhaps ten feet across. A

large triangle had beenpaintedonitinred—colorascrimsonasfreshblood.Joan lay on her backwithin the triangle. Shedidnotmove,appearedtobe unconscious; only theslow lifting of her chestagainst her nightgownshowedthatshewasalive.People clustered aroundher, twenty or thirty ofthem. Men, women,

children—all dressed inhabiliments of burlap; allmasked with gray as ifthey had been wallowingin ashes. They were asgaunt as icons of hunger.They gazed out of eyes asdead as if the mindsbehindtheirorbshadbeenextirpated—eyes whichhad been dispossessed ofevery vestige of will orspirit. Even the children

stood like puppets andmadenosound.Their faces were turned

towardaplaceonLinden’sleft.Toward Thomas

Covenant.He stood halfway down

the hillside, confrontingthe fire across thebarrenness of the hollow.Hisshouldershunched;hishands were fists at his

sides, and his head wasthrust combativelyforward. His chest heavedas if he were full ofdenunciations.Nobody moved, spoke,

blinked. The air wasintense with silence likeconcentratedcoercion.Abruptly, Covenant

grated through his teeth,“I’m here.” The clench ofhisthroatmadeeachword

sound like a self-inflictedwound.“Lethergo.”A movement snatched

Linden’s attention back tothe bottom of the hollow.A man brawnier than therest changed positions,took a stance on the rockatthepointofthetriangle,above Joan’s head. Heraised his arms, revealinga long, curved daggergrippedinhisrightfist.In

ashrillvoicelikeamanonthe verge of ecstasy, heshouted, “It is time! Weare thewill of theMasterof life and death! This isthehourofretributionandcleansingandblood!Letusopen the way for theMaster’spresence!”The night sucked his

voiceoutoftheair,leftinits place a stillness assharp as a cut. For a

moment, nothinghappened.Covenant took a stepdownward, then jerked toahalt.A woman near the fireshambled forward. Lindennearlygaspedaloudassherecognized the womanwhohadstoodonthestepsofthecourthouse,warningpeopletorepent.Withherthree children behind her,

sheapproachedtheblaze.She bowed to it like adeadwoman.Blanklysheputherrighthandintotheflames.Ashriekofpainrentthenight. She recoiled fromthe fire, fell in agony tothebareground.A red quivering ranthrough the flames like aspasm of desire. The fireseemed to mount as if it

fedonthewoman’spain.Linden’s muscles

bunched,achedtohurlhertoher feet. Shewanted toshoutherhorror, stop thisatrocity. But her limbswere locked. Images ofdesperation or evil frozeher where she crouched.All these peoplewere likeJoan.Then the woman

regained her feet and

stood as dumbly as if thenervestoherburnedhandhad been severed. Hergazereturned toCovenantlikeacompulsion,exertingitsdemandagainsthim.The oldest of her

children took her place atthebonfire.No! Linden cried,

striving uselessly to breakthesilence.The young boy bowed,

thrust his emaciated armintotheblaze.His wail broke Linden’s

will, left her panting inhelpless abomination. Shecouldnotmove,couldnotlook away. Loathings forwhich she had no namemasteredher.Theboy’syounger sister

didwhathehaddone,asifhis agony meant nothingtoher.And the thirdwaif

followed in turn,surrendering her flesh toharm like lifeless tissueanimated solely forimmolation.ThenLindenwouldhavemoved. The rigidabhorrence of Covenant’sstance showed that hewould have moved. Butthefirestoppedthem,heldthem. At every taste offlesh, lust flared through

it;flamesragedhigher.A figure began to takeshape in the heart of theblaze.More people moved tosacrifice their hands. Asthey did so, the figuresolidified.Itwasindistinctin the flames; but theglaringredoutlinedamaninaflowingrobe.Hestoodblood-limned with hisarms folded across his

powerful chest—createdbypainoutoffireandself-abandonment.Theworshipperwiththe

knife sank to his knees,cried out in exaltation,“Master!”The figure’s eyes were

like fangs, carious andyellow; and they ragedvenomously out of theflames. Their malignancecowed Linden like a

personal assault on hersanity, her conception oflife. They were rabid anddeliberate, like voluntarydisease, fetid corruption.Nothing inallher lifehadreadied her to witnesssuchpalpablehate.Across the stillness, she

heard Covenant gasp infury, “Foul! Evenchildren?” But his wrathcould not penetrate the

dread which paralyzedher. For her, the fierysilence was punctuatedonly by the screaming oftheburned.Thenthemoonbeganto

riseoppositeher.Arimaswhite as bone crested thehill, lookeddown into thehollowlikealeer.Themanwith the knife

cametohis feet.Againheraised his arms,

brandishedhisdagger.Hispersonal transport wasapproaching its climax. Ina shout like a moan, hecried,“Nowis thehourofapocalypse! The Masterhascome!Doomisathandfor those who seek tothwart His will. Now wewill witness vengeanceagainst sin and life, wewho have watched andwaitedandsufferedinHis

name. Here we fulfill thevisionthatwasgiventous.We have touched the fire,and we have beenredeemed!”His voice roseuntilhewasshriekinglikethe burned. “Nowwewillbring all wickedness toblood and eternaltorment!”He’s mad. Linden clungto that thought, fought tothink of these people as

fanatics, driven wild bydestitution and fear.They’re all crazy. This isimpossible. But she couldnotmove.And Covenant did not

move.Sheyearnedforhimtodosomething,breakthetrance somehow, rescueJoan, save Linden herselffromherextremity.Butheremained motionless,watching the fire as if he

were trapped betweensavageryandhelplessness.The figure in the blazestirred. His eyes focusedthe flames like twin scarsof malice, searingeverything with hiscontempt. His right armmade a gesture as final asasentenceofexecution.At once, the brawnymandroppedtohisknees.Bending over Joan, he

bared her throat. She laylimp under him, frail andlost. The skin of her neckseemed to gleam in thefirelight like a plea forhelp.Trembling as if hewererapturous or terrified, theman set his blade againstJoan’swhitethroat.Now the people in thehollow stared emptily athis hands. They appeared

to have lost all interest inCovenant. Their silencewas appalling. The man’shandsshook.“Stop!”Covenant’s shout

scourgedtheair.“You’ve done enough!

Lethergo!”The baleful eyes in the

fire swung at him, nailedhimwith denigration. Theworshipper at Joan’s

throat stared whitelyupward.“Releaseher?”hecroaked.“Why?”“Becauseyoudon’thave

to do this!” Anger andsupplication thickenedCovenant’s tone. “I don’tknow how you weredriven to this. I don’tknow what went wrongwith your life. But youdon’thavetodoit.”The man did not blink;

the eyes in the fireclenchedhim.DeliberatelyheknottedhisfreehandinJoan’shair.“All right!” Covenant

barked immediately. “Allright. I accept. I’ll tradeyou.Meforher.”“No.” Linden strove to

shout aloud, but her crywas barely a whisper.“No.”Theworshipperswereas

silentasgravestones.Slowlythemanwiththe

knife rose to his feet. Healone seemed to have thecapacity to feel triumph;hewas grinning ferally ashesaid,“ItisastheMasterpromised.”He steppedback.At the

same time, a quiver ranthrough Joan. She raisedher head, gaped aroundher. Her face was free of

possession. Movingawkwardly,sheclimbedtoher feet. Bewildered andafraid,shesearchedforanescape, for anything shecouldunderstand.ShesawCovenant.“Tom!” Springing from

the rock, she fled towardhimandthrewherselfintohisarms.He hugged her, strained

his arms around her as if

he could not bear to loseher. But then, roughly, hepushed her away. “Gohome,” he ordered. “It’sover. You’ll be safe now.”He faced her in the rightdirection, urged her intomotion.She stopped and looked

at him, imploring him togowithher.“Don’tworryaboutme.”

A difficult tenderness

softened his tone. “You’resafe now—that’s theimportant thing. I’ll be allright.” Somehow hemanagedtosmile.Hiseyesbetrayed his pain. Thelight from the fire castshadows of self-defianceacross his bruised mien.And yet his smileexpressed so much valorandruethatthesightofittoreLinden’sheart.

Kneeling with her headbowed and hot tears onher cheeks, she sensedratherthansawJoanleavethe hollow. She could notbeartowatchasCovenantmoved down the hillside.I’m the only one who canhelp her. He wascommitting a kind ofsuicide.Suicide. Linden’s father

had killed himself. Her

mother had begged fordeath. Her revulsiontoward such things was acompellingobsession.But Thomas Covenant

hadchosentodie.Andhehadsmiled.ForJoan’ssake.Linden had never seen

onepersondosomuchforanother.Shecouldnotendure it.

Shealreadyhad toomuch

blood on her hands.Dashingthetearsfromhereyes,shelookedup.Covenantmoved amongthe people as if he werebeyond hope. The manwith theknife guidedhiminto the triangle of blood.Thecariouseyesinthefireblazedavidly.Itwastoomuch.Withapassionatewrench, Lindenbroke the hold of her

dismay,jumpedupright.“Over here!” she yelled.“Police! Hurry! They’reoverhere!”Sheflailedherarms as if she weresignaling topeoplebehindher.The eyes of the firewhipped at her, hit herwith withering force. Inthat instant, she feltcompletelyvulnerable, feltallhersecretsexposedand

devoured.But she ignoredthe eyes. She speddownward, daring theworshipperstobelieveshewasalone.Covenantwhirled in the

triangle. Every line of hisstancehowled,No!People cried out. Her

charge seemed to shatterthe tranceof the fire. Theworshippers were throwninto confusion. They fled

in all directions, scatteredasifshehadunpentavastpressure of repugnance.For an instant, she waswildwithhope.But the man with the

knifedidnotflee.Therageofthebonfireexaltedhim.He slapped his armsaround Covenant, threwhim to the stone, kickedhimsothathelayflat.The knife—! Covenant

wastoostunnedtomove.Linden hurled herself at

the man, grappled for hisarms. He was slick withashes,andstrong.Shelosthergrip.Covenant struggled to

roll over. Swiftly themanstooped to him, pinnedhimwithonehand, raisedtheknifeintheother.Linden attacked again,

blocked the knife. Her

fingernails gouged theman’sface.Yowling, he dealt her a

blow which stretched herontherock.Everything reeled.

Darknessspunatherfromallsides.Shesawtheknifeflash.Thentheeyesofthefire

blazedather,andshewaslost in a yellow triumphthat roared like the

furnaceofthesun.

PARTI:Need

FOUR:“YouAreMine”

Red agony spiked thecenter of ThomasCovenant’s chest. He feltthathewasscreaming.Butthe firewas toobright;hecould not hear himself.From the wound, flamewrithed through him,mapping his nerves like aterritoryofpain.Hecouldnotfightit,

Hedidnotwanttofightit. He had saved Joan.Saved Joan. That thoughtiterated through him,consoling him for theunanswerable violence ofthe wound. For the firsttime in eleven years, hewas at peace with his ex-wife. He had repaid theold debt between them tothe limit of his mortality;hehadgiveneverythinghe

possessed to makerestitution for theblameless crime of hisleprosy. Nothing morecouldbeaskedofhim.Butthefirehadavoice.

At first, itwas too loudtobe understood. It retortedin his ears like thecrushing of boulders. Heinhaled it with everyfailing breath; it echoedalong the conflagration in

his chest. But gradually itbecame clear. It utteredwordsasheavyasstones.

“Yourwillismine—Youhavenohopeoflifewithoutme,Havenolifeorhopewithoutme.Allismine.

“Your heart is

mine—There is no love orpeacewithinyou,Is no peace or lovewithinyou.Allismine.

“Yoursoulismine—Youcannotdreamofyoursalvation,Cannot plead foryoursalvation.

Youaremine.”

The arrogance of thewords filled him withrepudiation.Heknew thatvoice. He had spent tenyears strengtheninghimself against it,tightening his grip on thetruth of love and ragewhichhadenabledhim tomaster it. And still it hadthepowertoappallhim.It

thronged with relish forthe misery of lepers. Itclaimed him and wouldnotlethimgo.Nowhewantedtofight.He wanted to live. Hecould not bear to let thatvoice have its way withhim.But theknifehadstrucktoodeeply;thewoundwascomplete. A numbnesscreptthroughhim,andthe

redfirefadedtowardmist.Hehadnopulse,couldnotremember breathing.Couldnot—Out of the mist, he

rememberedLindenAvery.Hellfire!She had followed him,

even though he hadwarned her—warned herinspiteofthefactthatshehadobviouslybeenchosento fulfill some essential

role. He had been so torn—She had given anexcruciating twist to hisdilemma, had dismayedand infuriated him withher determination tomeddle in matters shecould not comprehend.And yet she was the firstwomanhehadmet in tenyears who was not afraidofhim.And she had fallen

beside him, trying to savehis life. The man hadstruck her; the fire hadcovered her as it reachedforhim. If shewerebeingtakentotheLand—!Of course shewas.Why

else had the old manaccostedher?But she had neither

knowledgenorpowerwithwhich to defend herself,hadnoway tounderstand

what was happening toher.Blindly Covenant

struggled against thenumbness, resisted thevoice. Linden had tried tosavehis life.Hecouldnotleave her to face such adoom alone.Wrath at thebrutality of her plightcrowdedhisheart.Byhell!he raged. You can’t dothis!

Suddenly a resurgenceoffireburnedoutofhim—pure white flame, the fireof his need. Itconcentrated in the knifewound, screamed throughhischestlikeanapotheosisor cautery. Heathammeredathisheart,hislungs, his half-hand. Hisbody arched in ire andpain.The next instant, the

crisisbroke.Palpablereliefpoured through him. Thepain receded, leaving himlimp and gasping on thestone. The mist swirledwith malice, but did nottouchhim.“Ah, you are stubbornyet,” thevoicesneered, sopersonal in its contemptthat it might have comefrom within his mindratherthanfromtheattar-

laden air. “Stubbornbeyondmyfondestdesires.In one stroke you haveensured your own defeat.My will commands now,and you are lost.Groveler!”Covenantflinchedatthe

virulenceofthesound.LordFoul.“Doyoumislikethetitle

I have given you?” TheDespiser spoke softly,

hardly above a whisper;but his quietness onlyemphasizedhissharphate.“You will merit itabsolutely.Neverhaveyoubeenmoretrulymine.Youbelievethatyouhavebeennear unto death. That isfalse,groveler!Iwouldnotpermit you to die. I willobtain far better servicefromyourlife.”Covenant wanted to

strikeoutat themist, flailit away from him. But hewas too weak. He lay onthe stone as if his limbshad been bled dry. Heneeded all his will todredge his voice back tolife.“Idon’tbelieveit,”hepanted hoarsely. “Youcan’t be stupid enough totrythisagain.”“Ah, you do not

believe,” jeeredLordFoul.

“Misdoubt it, then.Disbelieve,andIwillrendyour very soul from yourbones!”No! Covenant rasped in

silence. I’ve had ten yearsto understand whathappened the last time.You can’t do that to meagain.“You will grovel before

me,”theDespiserwenton,“and call it joy. Your

victory over me wasnothing.Itservesmewell.Plans which I planted inmy anguish have come tofruit. Time is altered. Theworld is not what it was.You are changed,Unbeliever.” The mistmade that word,Unbeliever, into a name ofsovereign scorn. “You areno longer free. You havesold yourself for that

paltrywomanwholoathesyou. When you acceptedher life from me, youbecame my tool. A tooldoes not choose. Did notmyEnemyexpoundtoyouthe necessity of freedom?Your very presence hereempowers me to masteryou.”Covenant flinched. Lord

Foul spoke the truth; hewas not free. In trading

himself for Joan, he hadcommitted himself tosomething he couldneithermeasurenorrecall.Hewanted to cryout;buthewas too angry to showthatmuchweakness.“We are foemen, youand I,” continued LordFoul,“enemies to theend.But theendwillbeyours,Unbeliever,notmine.Thatyou will learn to believe.

For a score of centuries Ilay entombed in the Landwhich I abhor, capable ofnaught but revulsion. Butin time I was restored tomyself.Fornearlyasmanycenturies more, I havebeenpreparingretribution.When last comes to last,youwillbetheinstrumentofmyvictory.”Bloody hell! Covenantgaggedonthethicknessof

the mist and Lord Foul’svitriol.Buthispassionwasclear. I won’t let you dothis!“Nowhearme,groveler.

Hearmyprophecy.Itisforyour ears alone—forbehold!therearenoneleftin the Land to whom youcoulddeliverit.”That hurt him. None?

WhathadhappenedtotheLords?

But the Despiser wenton remorselessly,mockingCovenant by his verysoftness.“No,toyoualoneI say it: tremble in yourheart, for the ill that youdeemmostterribleisuponyou! Your former victoryaccomplished naught buttopreparethewayforthismoment. I am Lord Foulthe Despiser, and I speakthe oneword of truth. To

youIsayit:thewildmagicisnolongerpotentagainstme! It cannot serve younow. No power willsuffice.“Unbeliever, you cannotoppose me. At the lastthere will be but onechoice for you, and youwillmakeitinalldespair.Of your own volition youwill give the white goldintomyhand.”

No! Covenant shouted.No! But he could notpenetrate Lord Foul’scertitude.“Knowing that I willmakeuseofthatpowertodestroytheEarth,youwillplaceitintomyhand,andno hope or chance underall the Arch of Time canpreventyou!“Yes, tremble, groveler!Thereisdespairlaidupfor

you here beyond anythingyour petty mortal heartcanbear!”The passionate whisper

threatened to crushCovenant against thestone. He wailed refusalsand curses, but they hadno force, could not drivetheattarfromhisthroat.ThenLordFoulbeganto

chuckle.Thecorruptionofdeath clogged the air. For

a long moment, Covenantretchedasifthemusclesofhischestwerebreaking.But as he gagged, thejeering drifted away fromhim. Wind sifted throughit, pulling the mist apart.Thewindwascold,asifachill of laughter rode it,echoing soundlessly; butthe atmosphere grewbright as the mist frayedandvanished.

Covenant lay on hisback under a brilliantazure sky and a strangesun.The sunwaswell up inthe heavens. The centralglare of its light wasfamiliar,comforting.Butitwore a blue corona like aring of sapphire; and itsradiancedeepenedtherestoftheskytothetextureofsendaline.

He squinted at itdumbly, too stunned tomoveorreact.Ofyourownvolition—Thesun’sauroradisturbedhiminawayhecould not define. Planswhich I planted in myanguish—Shiftingasithadamindofitsown,hisrighthand slowly probedtowardthespotwheretheknifehadstruckhim.His fingers were too

numbtotellhimanything.But he could feel theirpressure on his chest. Hecould feel their touchwhentheyslippedthroughtheslitinthecenterofhisT-shirt.Therewasnopain.He withdrew his hand,

took his gaze out of theskytolookathisfingers.Therewasnoblood.He sat up with a jerk

that made his head reel.For a moment, he had toprop himself up with hisarms. Blinking against thesun-dazzle, he forced hiseyes into focus on hischest.Hisshirthadbeencut—a slash the width of hishand just below hissternum. Under it lay thewhitelineofanewscar.Hegapedatit.How—?

Youarestubbornyet.Hadhe healed himself? Withwildmagic?He did not know. Hehad not been conscious ofwieldinganypower.Couldhehavedonesuchathingunconsciously? High LordMhoram had once said tohim,Youarethewhitegold.Did that mean he wascapable of using powerwithout knowing it?

Withoutbeingincontrolofit?Hellfire!Long moments passed

before he realized that hewas facing a parapet. Hewassittingononesideofaround stone slab encircledby a low wall, chest-highonhiminthisposition.A jolt of recognition

brought him out of hisstupor.Heknewthisplace.Kevin’sWatch.

Foran instant,heaskedhimself, Why here? Butthenachainofconnectionsjumpedtaut

inhim,andhewhirled,tofind Linden stretchedunconsciousbehindhim.Healmostpanicked.She

lay completely still. Hereyes were open, but shesaw nothing. The musclesof her limbs hung slackagainstthebones.Herhair

was tangled across herface.Blood seeped in slow

dropsfrombehindher leftear.Youaremine.Suddenly Covenant was

sweatinginthecoolair.He gripped her

shoulders, shookher, thensnatchedupher lefthand,started to slap her wrist.Herheadrolledinprotest.

A whimper tightened herlips. She began to writhe.He dropped her arm,clamped his hands to thesides of her face to keepher from hurting herselfagainstthestone.Abruptly her gazesprang outward. She drewa harsh gasp of air andscreamed.Hercrysoundedlike destitution under theimmense sky and the

strangeblue-ringedsun.“Linden!” he shouted.She sucked air to howlagain.“Linden!”Her eyes lurched intofocus on him, flared inhorrororrageasifhehadthreatened her withleprosy.Fiercely, she struck himacrossthecheek.He recoiled, more insurprisethaninpain.

“You bastard,” shepanted, surging to herknees. “Haven’t you evengot the guts to go onliving?” She inhaleddeeply to yell at him. Butbefore she could releaseherire,dismayknottedherfeatures.Herhandsleapedto her mouth, thencoveredherface.Shegavea muffled groan. “Oh myGod.”

He stared at her inconfusion. What hadhappened to her? Hewantedtochallengeheratonce, demand an answer.But the situation was toocomplex. And she wastotally unprepared for it.Herememberedvividlyhisfirst appearance here. IfLenahadnotextendedherhand to him, he wouldhave died in vertigo and

madness. Itwas toomuchfor anymind to accept. Ifonly she had listened tohim, stayed out of danger—Butshehadnotlistened.Shewashere,andinneed.She did not yet know theextentofherneed.Forhersake, he forced asemblance of gentlenessinto his voice. “Youwantedtounderstand,and

I kept telling you youweren’t equipped. Now Ithink you’re going tounderstand whether youwanttoornot.”“Covenant,”shemoanedthrough her hands.“Covenant.”“Linden.” Carefully hetouched her wrists, urgedhertolowerherarms.“Covenant—” She baredher face to him. Her eyes

were brown, deep andmoist, and dark with therepercussionsoffear.Theyshied from his, thenreturned. “I must havebeendreaming.”Hervoicequavered, “I thought youweremyfather.”He smiled for her,thoughthestrainmadehisbattered bones ache.Father? He wanted topursue that, but did not.

Otherquestionsweremoreimmediate.But before he could

frame an inquiry, shebegan to recollect herself.Sheranherhandsthroughherhair,wincedwhenshetouched the injury behindherear.Foramoment,shelooked at the trace ofbloodonherfingers.Thenother memories returned.She gasped sharply. Her

eyes jerked to his chest.“Theknife—”Herurgencywas almost an attack. “Isaw—” She grabbed forhim, yanked up his shirt,gaped at the new scarunder his sternum. Itappalled her. Her handsreachedtowardit,flinchedaway. Her voice was ahoarse whisper. “That’snotpossible.”“Listen.” He raised her

head with his left hand,made her meet his gaze.Hewanted todistracther,prepare her. “Whathappened to you? Thatmanhit you.The firewasall over us. Whathappenedafterthat?”“Whathappenedtoyou?”“One thing at a time.”The exertion of keepinghimself steady made himsoundgrim.“Therearetoo

many other things youhave to understand first.Please give me a chance.Tellmewhathappened.”She pulled away. Her

whole body rejected hisquestion. One tremblingfingerpointedathischest.“That’simpossible.”Impossible. At that

moment, he could haveoverwhelmed her withimpossibilities. But he

refrained, permittedhimself to sayonly, “So ispossession.”She met his gazemiserably. Then her eyesclosed.Inalowvoice,shesaid, “I must have beenunconscious. I wasdreaming about myparents.”“You didn’t hearanything? A voicemakingthreats?”

Her eyes snapped openin surprise. “No. WhywouldI?”He bowed his head tohide his turmoil. Foulhadn’t spoken toher?Theimplications both relievedand frightened him. Wasshe somehow independentof him? Free of hiscontrol?Orwashealreadythatsureofher?When Covenant looked

up again, Linden’sattentionhadslippedawaytotheparapet,thesun,thewide sky. Slowly her facefroze. She started to herfeet.“Wherearewe?”He caught her arms,heldhersitting in frontofhim. “Look at me.” Herhead winced from side toside in frantic denial.Exigencies thronged abouthim; questions were

everywhere. But at thismoment the stark need inher face dominated allother issues. “Dr. Avery.”There was insanity in theair; he knew that fromexperience. If he did nothelp her now, she mightnever be within reach ofhelpagain.“Lookatme.”Hisdemandbroughtherwildstarebacktohim.“I can explain it. Just

givemeachance.”Hervoiceknifedathim.

“Explainit.”He flinched inshame; it

washis fault that shewashere—andthatshewassounready. But he forcedhimself to face hersquarely. “I couldn’t tellyou about it before.” Thedifficulty of what he hadtosayroughenedhistone.“There was no way you

could have believed it.And now it’s socomplicated—”Her eyes clung to himlikeclaws.“There are twocompletely differentexplanations,” he said asevenly as he could.“Outside and inside. Theoutside explanation mightbeeasiertoaccept.Itgoeslike this.” He took a deep

breath.“YouandIarestilllying in that triangle.” Agrimace strained hisbruises. “We’reunconscious. And whilewe’re unconscious, we’redreaming.We’re sharingadream.”Hermienwastightwithdisbelief. He hastened toadd,“It’snotasfarfetchedas you think. Deep downin their minds—down

where dreams come from—most people have a lotincommon.That’swhysomany of our dreams fallinto patterns that otherpeoplecanrecognize.“It’s happening to us.”

He kept pouring words ather, not because hewanted to convince her,but because he knew sheneeded time, needed anyanswer, however

improbable, to help hersurvive the first shock ofher situation. “We’resharing a dream. Andwe’re not the only ones,”hewenton,denyingherachance to put herincredulity into words.“Joanhadfragmentsofthesame dream.And that oldman—the one you saved.We’re all tied into thesame unconscious

process.”Her gaze wavered. Hesnapped, “Keep looking atme!Ihavetotellyouwhatkind of dream it is. It’sdangerous.Itcanhurtyou.Thethingsburiedinusarepowerful and violent, andthey are going to comeout. The darkness in us—the destructive side, thesidewekeeplockedupallour lives—is alive here.

Everybody has some self-hate inside. Here it’spersonified—externalized,the way things happen indreams. He calls himselfLord Foul the Despiser,and he wants to destroyus.“That’s what Joan kept

talking about. Lord Foul.And that’s what the oldman meant. ‘However hemay assail you. Be true.’

Be true to yourself, don’tserve the Despiser, don’tlethimdestroyyou.That’swhat we have to do.” Hepleadedwithhertoacceptthe consequences of whathewas saying,even if shechose not to believe theexplanation itself. “Wehave to stay sane, hangonto ourselves, defendwhatweareandwhatwebelieveandwhatwewant.

Until it’s over. Until weregainconsciousness.”He stopped, forcedhimselftogivehertime.Her eyesdropped tohischest,asifthatscarwereatest of what he said.Shadows of fear passedacross her countenance.Covenant felt suddenlysure that shewas familiarwithself-hate.Tightly she said, “This

has happened to youbefore.”Henodded.She did not raise herhead. “And you believeit?”He wanted to say,Partially. If you put thetwoexplanations together,they come close towhat Ibelieve.But inherpresentstraitshecouldnottroubleher with disclaimers.

Instead he got to his feet,drewherwithhimtolookoutfromtheWatch.She stiffened againsthiminshock.Theywereonaslablikea platform that appearedto hang suspended in theair. An expanse of sky ashuge as if they wereperchedonamountaintopcovered them. The weirdhalo of the sun gave a

disturbing hue to theroiling gray sea of cloudstwo hundred feet belowthem.Theclouds thrashedlike thunderheads,concealing the earth fromhorizontohorizon.A spasm of vertigo

wrenched Covenant; heremembered acutely thathewas four thousand feetabovethefoothills.Butheignored the imminent reel

andpanicaroundhimandconcentratedonLinden.She was stunned, rigid.This leap withouttransition from night’ inthe woods to morning onsuch an eminencestaggered her. He wantedto put his arms aroundher, hide her face againsthis chest to protect her;but he knewhe could notdo so, could not give her

thestrengthtobearthingswhich once had almostshattered him. She had toachieve her own survival.Grimly he turned her tolook in the oppositedirection.The mountains risingdramatically there seemedto strikeherablow.Theysprang upward out of theclouds a stone’s throwfrom the Watch. Their

peaks were rugged anddour.FromthecliffbehindtheWatch, they withdrewonbothsideslikeawedge,piling higher into thedistance. But off to theright a spur of the rangemarched back across thecloudsbefore fallingawayagain.Lindengapedatthecliff

as if it were about to fallon her. Covenant could

feel her ribs straining; shewas caught in thepredicament of the madandcouldnotfindenoughair in all the open sky toenable her to cry out.Fearing that she mightbreakawayfromhim,loseherself over the parapet,he tugged her back downto the safety of the floor.Shecrumpledtoherknees,gagging silently. Her eyes

had a terrible glazed andemptylook.“Linden!” Because hedidnotknowwhatelse todo, he barked, “Haven’tyouevengotthegutstogoonliving?”Shegasped,inhaled.Hereyes swept into focus onhim like swords leapingfrom their scabbards. Theoddsunlightgaveherfaceanaspectofdarkfury.

“I’m sorry,” he saidthickly.Herreactionmadehim ache as badly ashelplessness.“Youwereso—” Unwittingly he hadtrespassed on somethingwhich he had no right totouch.“Ineverwantedthistohappentoyou.”She rejected his regret

withaviolentshakeofherhead. “Now,” she panted,“you’re going to tell me

theotherexplanation.”He nodded. Slowly he

released her, withdrew tosit with his back againstthe parapet. He did notunderstand her strangecombination of strengthand weakness; but at themoment hisincomprehension wasunimportant. “The insideexplanation.”A deep weariness ran

through him.He fought itfor the words he needed.“We’re in a place calledthe Land. It’s a differentworld—like being on acompletely differentplanet. These mountainsare the Southron Range,the southern edge.All therest of the Land is westand north and east fromus. This place is Kevin’sWatch.Belowus,andabit

to thewest, there used tobe a village called MithilStonedown. Revelstone is—” But the thought ofRevelstone recalled theLords;heshiedawayfromit.“I’vebeenherebefore.“Mostofwhat I can tellyou about it won’t makemuchsenseuntilyouseeitfor yourself. But there’sone thing that’s importantright now. The Land has

an enemy. Lord Foul.” Hestudiedher, trying toreadherresponse.Buthereyesbrandished darkness athim, nothing else. “Forthousands of years,” hewent on, “Foul has beentryingtodestroytheLand.It’s—sort of a prison forhim. He wants to breakout.”Hegroanedinwardlyat the impossibility ofmakingwhathehadtosay

acceptable to someonewho had never had theexperience. “He translatedus out of our world.Broughtushere.Hewantsustoservehim.Hethinkshe canmanipulate us intohelping him destroy theLand.“We have power here.”

Heprayedhewasspeakingthe truth. “Sincewe comefrom outside, we aren’t

bound by the Law, thenatural order that holdseverythingtogether.That’swhy Foulwants us,wantsto use us. We can dothings nobody else herecan.”To spare himself the

burden of her incredulity,heleanedhisheadagainstthe parapet and gazed upat the mountains. “Thenecessity of freedom,” he

breathed. “As long as wearen’t bound by any Law,or anybody—or anyexplanation,” he said toeasehisconscience,“we’repowerful.” But I’m notfree. I’ve already chosen.“That’s what it comesdown to. Power. Thepowerthathealedme.“That old man—Somehowheknowswhat’sgoingonintheLand.And

he’snofriendofFoul’s.Hechoseyouforsomething—I don’t know what. Ormaybe he wanted toreassure himself. Find outifyou’rethekindofpersonFoulcanmanipulate.“As for Joan, she wasFoul’s way of getting atme.Shewasvulnerable tohim.Afterwhat happenedthe last time Iwashere, Iwasn’t.Heusedher toget

me to step into thattrianglebymyownchoice.So he could summon mehere.” What I don’tunderstand, he sighed, iswhy he had to do it thatway. It wasn’t like thatbefore. “Maybe it’s anaccident that you’re here,too.ButIdon’tthinkso.”Linden glanced down at

the stone as if to verifythat it was substantial,

then touched the bruisebehind her ear. Frowning,she shifted into a sittingposition. Now she did notlook at him. “I don’tunderstand,” she saidstiffly. “First you tell methis is a dream—then yousay it’s real. First you’redying back there in thewoods—thenyou’rehealedby some kind of—somekind of magic. First Lord

Foul is a figment—thenhe’s real.” In spite of hercontrol,hervoicetrembledslightly. “Which is it?Youcan’t have it both ways.”Her fist clenched. “Youcouldbedying.”Ah, I have to have it

both ways, Covenantmurmured. It’s likevertigo. The answer is inthe contradiction—in theeyeoftheparadox.Buthe

did not utter his thoughtaloud.Yet Linden’s question

relieved him. Already herrestless mind—that needwhich had rejected hisefforts to warn her, haddrivenhertofollowhimtohis doom—was beginningto grapple with hersituation. If she had thestrength to challenge him,thenhercrisiswaspast,at

least for the moment. Hefound himself smiling inspiteofhisfear.“It doesn’t matter,” hereplied.“Maybethisisreal—maybe it isn’t. You canbelieve whatever youwant.I’mjustofferingyoua frame of reference, soyou’ll have some place tostart.”Her hands keptmoving,touchingherself,thestone,

as if she needed tactilesensation to assure her ofherownexistence.Afteramoment,shesaid,“You’vebeen here before.” Heranger had turned to pain.“It’syourlife.Tellmehowtounderstand.”“Face it,” he saidwithout hesitation. “Goforward. Find out whathappens—what’s at stake.What matters to you.” He

knewfromexperiencethattherewasnootherdefenseagainstinsanity;theLand’sreality and its unrealitycould not be reconciled.“Giveyourselfachance tofindoutwhoyouare.”“IknowwhoIam.”Her

jaw was stubborn. Thelines of her nose seemedpreciseratherthanfragile;her mouth was severe byhabit. “I’m a doctor.” But

she was facing somethingshe did not know how tograsp. “I don’t even havemy bag.” She scrutinizedher hands as if shewonderedwhat theyweregood for. When she methisgaze,herquestionwasa demand as well as anappeal. “What do youbelieve?”“Ibelieve”—hemadeno

effort to muffle his

hardness—“that we’ve gotto find some way to stopFoul. That’s moreimportant than anything.He’s trying to destroy theLand. I’m not going to lethim get away with that.That’swhoIam.”She stared at his

affirmation. “Why? Whatdoes it have to do withyou? If this is a dream, itdoesn’t matter. And if it’s

—” She had difficultysaying the words. “If it’sreal,it’snotyourproblem.Youcanignoreit.”Covenant tasted oldrage. “Foul laughs atlepers.”At that, a glare ofcomprehension touchedher eyes. Her scowl saidplainly, Nobody has therighttolaughatillness.In a tight voice, she

asked, “What do we donow?”“Now?” He was weakwith fatigue; but herquestion galvanized him.Shehadreasons,strengths,possibilities. The old manhad not risked hergratuitously. “Now,” hesaid grimly, “if I can holdoff my vertigo, we getdown from here, and gofind out what kind of

troublewe’rein.”“Down?” She blinked at

him. “I don’t know howwegotup.”To answer her, he

nodded toward themountains. When sheturned,shenoticedthegapinthecurveoftheparapetfacing the cliff. Hewatchedasshecrawled tothe gap, saw what healreadyknewwasthere.

The parapet circled thetipofalongspireofstonewhich angled toward thecliff under the Watch.Therewere rude stairs cutinto the upper surface oftheshaft.He joined her. One

glance told him that hisdizziness would not beeasily overcome. Twohundred feet below him,the stairs vanished in the

clouds like a fall intodarkness.

FIVE:ThunderandLightning

“I’ll go first.” Covenantwas trembling deep in hisbones. He did not look atLinden. “This stair joinsthecliff—butifwefall,it’sfour thousand feet down.I’mnogoodatheights.IfIslip, I don’t want to takeyouwithme.”Deliberatelyhe set himself at the gap,feet first so that he could

backthroughit.There he paused, triedto resist thevertigowhichunmoored his mind bygiving himself a VSE. Butthe exercise aroused apang of leper’s anxiety.Undertheblue-tingedsun,his skin had a dim purplecast, as if his leprosy hadalready spread up hisarms, affecting thepigmentation, killing the

nerves.A sudden weakness

yearned in his muscles,making his shouldersquiver. The particularnumbness of his deadnerveshadnotaltered,forbetter or worse. But thediseased hue of his fleshlookedfatalandprophetic;itstruckhimlikealeapofintuition. One of hisquestions answered itself.

Why was Linden here?Why had the old manspoken to her rather thanto him? Because she wasnecessary. To save theLandwhenhefailed.The wild magic is nolonger potent. So much forpower. He had alreadyabandonedhimselftoLordFoul’s machinations. Agroan escaped him beforehecould lockhis teethon

it.“Covenant?” Concern

sharpened Linden’s voice.“Areyouallright?”He couldnot reply.The

simple fact that she wasworried about him, wascapableofworryingabouthim when she was undersomuch stress, multipliedthe dismay in his bones.His eyes clung to thestone, searching for

strength.“Covenant!” Her

demandwas likea slap inthe face. “I don’t knowhow to help you. Tell mewhattodo.”Whattodo.Noneofthis

was her fault. Shedeserved an answer. Hepulled himself down intothe center of his fatigueand dizziness. Had hereally doomed himself by

takingJoan’splace?Surelyhe did not have to fail?Surelythepowerforwhichhe had paid such a pricewas not so easilydiscounted? Withoutraising his head, hegritted, “At the bottom ofthe stairs, to my left,there’sa ledge in thecliff.Becareful.”Coercing himself intomotion,hebackedthrough

thegap.As his head passed

below the level of theWatch, he heard herwhisper fiercely, “Damnyou, why do you have toact so impervious? All Iwant to do is help.” Shesounded as if her sanitydependedonherabilitytobeofhelp.But he could not afford

to think about her; the

peril of the stairsconsumed his attention.He worked his way downthem as if they were aladder, clutching themwith his hands, kickingeach foot into them to besure it was secure beforehe trusted it. His gazenever left his hands. Theystrainedon the stepsuntilthe sinews stood out likedesperation.

The void around himseemed fathomless. Hecould hear the emptinessofthewind.Andtheswiftseething of the cloudsbelowhimhadahypnoticpower, sucking at hisconcentration. Longplungesyawnedallaroundhim.Butheknewthisfear.Holding his breath, helowered himself into theclouds—into the still

centerofhisvertigo.Abruptly the sun faded

andwentout.Graygloomthickenedtowardmidnightat every step of thedescent.Apaleflashranthrough

the dank sea, followedalmostatoncebythunder.Thewindmounted,rushedwetlyathimasifitsoughtto lift him off the spire.The stone became slick.

Hisnumbfingerscouldnottell thedifference,but thenerves in his wrists andelbows registered everyslippageofhisgrasp.Againaboltoflightning

thrashed past him,illuminating the mad boiland speed of the clouds.The sky shattered.Instinctively he flattenedhimself against the stone.Something inhimhowled,

but he could not tellwhetherithowledaloud.Crawling painfullythrough the brutal impactof the storm, he went ondownward.He marked his progressin the intensifying weightof the rain. The fine coldsting of spray against hissorefacebecameapeltingof heavy drops like ashowerofpebbles.Soonhe

was drenched andbattered. Lightning andthunder shouted acrosshim,articulatingsavagery.But the promise of theledgedrewhimon.Atlast,hisfeetfoundit.

Thrusting away from thespire, he pressed his backto the wall of the cliff,gapingupward.Aflailofblue-whitefire

renderedLindenoutofthe

darkness. She was justabove the level of hishead.When she reached the

ledge, he caught her sothatshewouldnotstumbleover the precipice. Shegripped him urgently.“Covenant!” The windrippedher shoutaway;hecouldbarelyhearher.“Areyouallright?”Heputhismouthtoher

ear.“Stayagainstthecliff!We’vegottofindshelter!”Shenoddedsharply.Clenchingherrighthand

in his left, he turned hisbackonthefallandbeganto shuttle west along theledge.Lightning burned

overhead, to give him aglimpse of his situation.Theledgewastwoorthreefeetwide and ran roughly

level across the cliff face.From its edge, themountaindisappearedintotheabyssoftheclouds.Thunder hammered at

him like the voice of hisvertigo, commanding himto lose his balance. Windand rainas shrill as chaoslashed his back. ButLinden’s hand anchoredhim. He squeezed himselflike yearning against the

cliff and crept slowlyforward.At every lightningblast,

he peered ahead throughthe rain, trying to see theendoftheledge.There: a vertical line

likeascarinthecliffface.He reached it, pulled

Lindenpastthecorner,upa slope of mud and screewhichgushedwaterasifitwere a stream bed. At

once, the wind became aconstrictedyowl.Thenextblue glare revealed thattheyhadenteredanarrowravine sluicing upwardthrough themountainside.Water frothed like rapidspast the boulders whichcramped the floor of theravine.Hestruggledaheaduntil

heandLindenwereabovea boulder that appeared

largeenoughtobesecure.There he halted and satdown in the current withhis back braced on thewall. She joined him.Water flooded over theirlegs; rain blinded theirfaces.Hedidnot care.Hehadtorest.After a few moments,sheshifted,putherfacetohisear.“Nowwhat?”Now what? He did not

know. Exhaustion numbedhis mind. But she wasright; they could notremain where they were.Hemusteredawan shout.“There’s a pathsomewhere!”“You don’t know theway?Yousaidyou’vebeenherebefore!”“Tenyearsago!”Andhehad been unconscious thesecond time; Saltheart

Foamfollower had carriedhim.Lightninglitherfacefor

an instant.Hervisagewassmeared with rain. “Whatarewegoingtodo?”The thought of

Foamfollower, the Giantwho had been his friend,gavehimwhatheneeded.“Try!” Bracing himself onhershoulder,helurchedtohis feet. She seemed to

support his weight easily.“MaybeI’llremember!”Shestoodupbesidehim,

leaned close to yell, “Idon’t like this storm! Itdoesn’tfeelright!”Doesn’t feel—? He

blinked at her. For amoment, he did notunderstand.Tohim,itwasjust a storm, naturalviolence like any other.But then he caught her

meaning.Toher,thestormfelt unnatural. It offendedsomeinstinctivesensitivityinher.Already she was aheadof him; her senses weregrowing attuned to theLand, while his remainedflat and dull, blind to thespirit of what heperceived. Ten years ago,he had been able to dowhat she had just done:

identify the rightness orwrongness, the health orcorruption, of physicalthings and processes, ofwind, rain, stone, wood,flesh. But now he couldfeel nothing except thestorm’s vehemence, as ifsuch force had nomeaning, no implications.Nosoul.Hemutteredtiredcursesathimself.Werehissenses

merelyslowinmakingtheadjustment?Orhadhelostthe ability to be inharmony with the Land?Had leprosy and timebereft himentirely of thatsensitivity? Hell andblood! he rasped weakly,bitterly. If Linden couldseewherehewasblind—Aching at the old grief

of his insufficiency, hetriedtomasterhimself.He

expected Linden to askhimwhatwaswrong.Andthat thought, too, wasbitter;hedidnotwanthisfrailties and fears, hisinnate wrongness, to bevisible toher. But shedidnotquestionhim.Shewasrigid with surprise orapprehension.Her face was turned uptheravine.He jerked around and

tried to penetrate thedownpour.At once, he saw it—afaint yellow light in thedistance.It flickeredtowardthemslowly,pickeditswaywithcaredownthespineoftheravine.Asitneared,alongblast of lightning revealedthat it was a torch in thehand of a man. Thenblackness and thunder

crashed over them, andCovenant could seenothing but the strangeflame. It burned bravely,impossibly, in spite of thedeluge and battery of thestorm.It approached until it

was close enough to lightthe man who held it. Hewasashort,stoopedfigurewearing a sodden robe.Rain gushed through his

sparse hair and tangledbeard,streamedinrunnelsdownthecreasesofhisoldface, giving him a look oflunacy. He squinted atCovenant andLindenas ifthey had been incarnatedoutofnightmarestoappallhim.Covenant held himself

still, returned the oldman’sstaremutely.Linden touched his arm

as if she wanted to warnbunofsomething.Suddenly, the old manjerked up his right hand,raised it with the palmforward, and spread hisfingers.Covenant copied thegesture. He did not knowwhether or not Lord Foulhad prepared thisencounter for him. But heneeded shelter, food,

information. And he wasprepared to acknowledgeanyone who could keep abrand alight in this rain.As he lifted his half-handinto the light, his ringgleamed dully on thesecondfinger.The sight shocked theold man. He winced,mumbled to himself,retreated a step as if infear. Then he pointed

tremulously at Covenant’sring. “White gold?” hecried.Hisvoiceshook.“Yes!”Covenantreplied.“Halfhand?”“Yes!”“How are you named?”

themanquavered.Covenant struggled to

drive each word throughthe storm. “Ur-LordThomas Covenant,Unbelieverandwhitegold

wielder!”“Illender?” gasped the

man as if the rain weresuffocatinghim.“ProverofLife?”“Yes!”The old man retreated

another step. Thetorchlight gave his visageadismayed look.Abruptlyhe turned, startedscrambling frailly upwardthrough the water and

muck.Over his shoulder, he

wailed,“Come!”“Who is that?” Linden

askedalmostinaudibly.Covenant dismissed the

question.“Idon’tknow.”Shescrutinizedhim.“Do

youtrusthim?”“Who has a choice?”

Before she could respond,he pushed away from thestone, used all his energy

to force himself intomotionaftertheoldman.His mouth was full ofrain and the sour taste ofweakness.Thestrainofthepast weeks affected himlikecaducity.Butthetorchhelpedhimfindhandholdsonthewallsandboulders.With Linden’s support, hewasabletoheaveforwardagainst the heavy stream.Slowly, they made

progress.Some distance up theravine, the old manenteredacutbranchingoffto the right.A rough stairinthesideofthecutledtoits bottom. Freed of thetorrents, Covenant foundthestrengthtoaskhimself,Do you trust him? But thetorch reassured him. Heknewofnobodywhocouldkeep a brand burning in

rain except themasters ofwood-lore. Or the Lords.He was ready to trustanybodywhoservedwoodor stone with such potentdiligence.Carefully he followedthe old man along thebottom of the cut until itnarrowed, became a highsheercleftinthemountainrock. Then, abruptly, thecleft changed directions

and opened into a smalldell.Towering peaksshelteredthevalefromthewind. But there was noescape from the rain. Itthrashed Covenant’s headand shoulders like a club.He could barely see thetorch as the old mancrossedthevalley.With Linden, Covenantwaded a swollen stream;

and moments later theyarrived at a squat stonedwellingwhichsatagainstthe mountainside. Theentry had no door;firelight scattered out atthem as they approached.Hurrying now, they burstbedraggled and drippingintothesingleroomofthehouse.The old man stood inthe center of the room,

still clutching his torchthoughabrightfireblazedin thehearthbeyondhim.He peered at Covenantwith trepidation, ready tocringe, like a childexpectingpunishment.Covenant stopped. Hisbruises ached to be nearthe fire; but he remainedstill to look around theroom.At once, a pang of

anxiety smote him.Already he could see thatsomethinghad changed inthe Land. Somethingfundamental.The dwelling wasfurnished with anunexpected mixture ofwood and stone.Stoneware bowls and urnssat on wooden shelvesaffixed to the sidewalls;wooden stools stood

around a wooden table inonestonecorner.Andiron—there were iron utensilson the shelves, iron nailsinthestools.Formerlythepeopleofstoneandwood,Stonedownor andWoodhelvennin, had eachkept to his own lore—notbecause theywishedtobeexclusive, but ratherbecause their special skillsand knowledge required

alltheirdevotion.For amoment, he facedthe man, bore the old,half-wild gaze. Linden,too, studied the old man,measuring himuncertainly. But Covenantknew she was askingherself questions unlikethe ones which mobbedinto his mind. Had theStonedownors andWoodhelvennin grown

together, blended theirlore?Orhad—?The world is not what itwas.A raw sickness twistedhis heart. Withoutwarning, he becameconscious of smoke in theroom.Smoke!He thrust past the oldman, hastened to thehearth.

Thewood lay on a pileof ash, burning warmly.Coals cracked and fell offthe logs, red wormsgnawingthefleshoftrees.At intervals, wisps ofsmoke curled up into theroom. The rain in thechimney made a lowhissingnoise.Hellfire!The people he had

known here would never

havevoluntarilyconsumedwood for any purpose.Theyhadalwaysstriventouse the life of wood, theEarthpower in it, withoutdestroying the thing theyused. Wood, soil, stone,water—the people of theLand had cherished everymanifestationoflife.“Ur-Lord,” the old mangroaned.Covenant whirled. Grief

burned like rage in him.Hewanted to howl at theDespiser, What have youdone?ButbothLindenandthe old man were staringat him. Linden’s eyesshowed concern, as if shefearedhehadslippedoverthe edge into confusion.And the old man was inthe grip of a privateanguish.FiercelyCovenantcontainedtheyellingofhis

passion. But the strain ofsuppression bristled in histone. “What keeps thattorchburning?”“I am ashamed!” Theman’svoicebrokeas ifhewere on the verge ofweeping. He did not hearCovenant’s question; hispersonal distress devouredhim. “This temple,” hepanted,“builtby themostancient fathers of my

father’s father—inpreparation.Wehavedonenothing! Other roomsfallen to ruin, sanctuaries—” He waved his brandfervidly. “We did nothing.In a score of generations,nothing. It is a hovel—unworthy of you. We didnot believe the promisegiven into our trust—generationaftergenerationofUnfetteredtoocravento

put faith in the proudestprophecies. It would berightforyoutostrikeme.”“Strike you?” Covenant

was taken aback. “No.”There were too manythings here he did notunderstand. “What’s thematter? Why are youafraidofme?”“Covenant,” Linden

breathed suddenly. “Hishand.Look.”

Water dripped from theold man; water ran fromthem all. But the dropsfallingfromthebuttofthetorchwerered.“Ur-Lord!” The manplungedtohisknees.“Iamunworthy.” He quiveredwith dismay. “I havetrafficked in theknowledge of the wicked,gaining power against theSunbane from those who

scorn the promises I havesworn to preserve. Ah,spare me! I am shamed.”He dropped his brand,opened his left hand toCovenant.The torch went out theinstanthereleasedit.Asitstruckthefloor,itfellintoash.Acrosshis palm lay twolong cuts. Blood ran fromthem as if it could not

stop.Covenant flinched.

Thunder muttered angrilyto itself in the distance.Nothing was left of thetorch except ash. It hadbeen held together, keptwhole and burning, onlyby thepower theoldmanhadputintoit.Thepowerofhisblood?Covenant’s brain reeled.

AsuddenmemoryofJoan

stung him—Joan clawingthe back of his hand,lickinghis fingers.Vertigorefthimofbalance.Hesatdown heavily, slumpedagainst the nearest wall.The rain echoed in hisears.Blood?Blood?Linden was examiningthe old man’s hand. Sheturned it to the firelight,spreadthefingers;hergripon his wrist slowed the

flowofblood. “It’s clean.”Her voice was flat,impersonal. “Needs abandage to stop thebleeding. But there’s noinfection.”No infection, Covenantbreathed. His thoughtslimpedlikecripples.“Howcanyoutell?”She was concentratingonthewound.“What?”He labored to say what

he meant. “How can youtellthere’snoinfection?”“I don’t know.” His

questionseemedtotriggersurprise in her. “I can seeit. I can see”—herastonishment mounted—“thepain.But it’sclean.How—?Can’tyou?”He shook his head. She

confirmed his earlierimpression; her senseswere already becoming

attunedtotheLand.His were not. He wasblind to everything notwritten on the surface.Why? He closed his eyes.Old rue throbbed in him.He had forgotten thatnumbness could hurt somuch.After a moment, shemoved; he could hear hersearching around theroom. When she returned

to the oldman’s side, shewas tearing a piece ofclothtoformbandages.You will not fail—Covenant felt that he hadalready been given up forlost. The thought was salttohissoreheart.Smoke? Blood? There’sonlyonewaytohurtaman.Give him back somethingbroken.Damnation.But the old man

demanded his attention.The man had bowed hiswetgrayheadtothestone.HishandsgropedtotouchCovenant’s boots. “Ur-Lord,” he moaned, “Ur-Lord. At last you havecome.TheLandissaved.”That obeisance pulledCovenant out of his innergyre. He could not affordto be overwhelmed byignorance or loss. And he

could not bear to betreatedasifheweresomekind of savior; he couldnot live with such animage of himself. Heclimbed erect, then tookholdoftheoldman’sarmsanddrewhimtohisfeet.The man’s eyes rolledfearfully, gleaming in thefirelight. To reassure him,Covenant spoke evenly,quietly.

“Tellmeyourname.”“IamNassicsonofJous

son of Prassan,” the oldman replied ina fumblingvoice.“Descendedindirectlineage son by son fromtheUnfetteredOne.”Covenant winced. The

Unfettered Ones he hadknownwere hermits freedfrom all normalresponsibilities so thatthey could pursue their

private visions. AnUnfettered One had oncesaved his life—and died.Another had read hisdreams—andtoldhimthathe dreamed the truth. Hetook a stringent grip onhimself. “What was hiscalling?”“Ur-Lord, he saw yourreturn. Therefore he cameto this place—to the valebelow Kevin’s Watch,

whichwas given its nameinanagesolongpastthatnone remember itsmeaning.”Briefly Nassic’s tonestabilized, as if he werereciting something he hadmemorized long ago. “Hebuiltthetempleasaplaceofwelcomeforyou,andaplaceofhealing,foritwasnot forgotten among thepeople of those years that

your own world is one ofgreat hazard and strife,inflicting harm even uponitsheroes.Inhisvision,hebeheldtheseveredoomofthe Sunbane, though tohim it was nameless asnightmare,andheforesawthat the Unbeliever, ur-Lord Illender, Prover ofLife, would return tocombatit.Fromsontosonhe handed down his

vision,faithun—”Then he faltered. “Ah,shame,” he muttered.“Temple—faith—healing—Land. All ruins.” Butindignation stiffened him.“Fools will cry for mercy.They deserve onlyretribution. For lo! TheUnbeliever has come. LettheClaveandallitsworkswail to be spared. Let thevery sun tremble in its

course! It will avail themnothing! Woe unto you,wicked and abominable!The—”“Nassic.” Covenantforcedtheoldmantostop.Lindenwaswatchingthemkeenly.Questionscrowdedher face; but Covenantignoredthem.“Nassic,”heasked of the man’s whitestare, “what is thisSunbane?”

“Sunbane?” Nassic losthisfearinamazement.“Doyou ask—? How can younot—?” His hands tuggedat his beard. “Why elsehaveyoucome?”Covenant tightened his

grip. “Just tellmewhat itis.”“Itis—why,itis—yes,it

—” Nassic stumbled to ahalt, then cried in asudden appeal, “Ur-Lord,

whatisitnot?Itissunandrain and blood and desertandfearandthescreamingof trees.” He squirmedwith renewed abasement.“Itwas—itwas the fire ofmytorch.Ur-Lord!”Miseryclenched his face like afist.Hetriedtodroptohiskneesagain.“Nassic.” Covenant held

himerect,huntedforsomeway to reassure him.

“We’re not going to harmyou. Can’t you see that?”Then another thoughtoccurred to him.Remembering Linden’sinjury,hisownbruises,hesaid, “Your hand’s stillbleeding.We’vebothbeenhurt. And I—” He almostsaid, I can’t see what shesees. But the words stuckin his throat. “I’ve beenaway for a long time. Do

youhaveanyhurtloam?”Hurtloam? Linden’sexpressionasked.“Hurtloam?” queriedNassic. “What ishurtloam?”What is—? Distresslurched across Covenant’sfeatures. What—? Shoutsflaredinhimlikescreams,Hurtloam! Earthpower!Life! “Hurtloam,” herasped savagely.“Themud

thatheals.”HisgraspshookNassic’sfrailbones.“Forgiveme,Ur-Lord.Be

notangry.I—”“It was here! In this

valley!” Lena had healedhimwithit.Nassic found a moment

ofdignity.“Iknownothingof hurtloam. I am an oldman, and have neverheardthenamespoken.”“Damnation!” Covenant

spat.“Nextyou’regoingtotellmeyou’veneverheardofEarthpower!”The old man sagged.

“Earthpower?” hebreathed.“Earthpower?”Covenant’s hands

ground his giddy dismayintoNassic’sthinarms.ButLinden was at his side,trying to loosen his grip.“Covenant!He’stellingthetruth!”

Covenantjerkedhisgazelikeawhiptoherface.Her lipswere tightwith

strain, but she did not letherself flinch. “He doesn’tknow what you’re talkingabout.”She silenced him. He

believed her; she couldhear the truth in Nassic’svoice,justasshecouldseethelackof infectioninhiscuts. No hurtloam? He

bled inwardly. Forgotten?Lost?Imagesofdesecrationpouredthroughhim.Havemercy. The Land withouthurtloam. WithoutEarthpower?TheweightofNassic’srevelationwastoomuch for him.He sank tothefloorlikeaninvalid.Linden stood over him.She was groping fordecision, insight; but hecouldnothelpher.Aftera

moment, she said,“Nassic.” Her tone wassevere. “Do you have anyfood?”“Food?” he replied as ifshe had reminded him ofhis inadequacy. “Yes. No.Itisunworthy.”“Weneedfood.”Her statement brookedno argument. Nassicbowed,wentatoncetotheopposite wall, where he

began lifting down crudebowls and pots from theshelves.Linden came to

Covenant,kneltinfrontofhim. “What is it?” sheaskedtightly.Hecouldnotkeepthedespairoutofhisface.“What’swrong?”He did not want to

answer. He had spent toomanyyearsintheisolationofhisleprosy;herdesireto

understand him onlyaggravated his pain. Hecould not bear to be soexposed. Yet he could notrefuse the demand of herhardmouth,hersofteyes.Her life was at issue asmuch as his. He made aneffort of will. “Later.” Hisvoice ached through histeeth.“Ineedtimetothinkaboutit.”Her jaws locked;

darkness wounded hereyes. He looked away, sothathewouldnotbeledtospeak before he hadregainedhisself-mastery.Shortly Nassic brought

bowlsofdriedmeat, fruit,and unleavened bread,which he offeredtentatively, as if he knewthey deserved to berejected. Linden acceptedherswithadifficult smile;

but Nassic did not moveuntil Covenant hadmustered the strength tonodhisapproval.Thentheold man took pots andcollected rainwater forthemtodrink.Covenant stared blindly

athisfoodwithouttastingit. He seemed to have noreason to bother feedinghimself. Yet he knew thatwas not true; in fact, he

wasfounderinginreasons.But the impossibility ofdoing justice to them allmade his resolution falter.HadhereallysoldhissoultotheDespiser—?But he was a leper; hehad spent long yearslearning the answer tohishelplessness. Leprosy wasincurable.Thereforelepersdisciplined themselves topay meticulous attention

to their immediate needs.They ignored the abstractimmensity of theirburdens, concentratedinstead on the present,moment by moment. Heclung to that pragmaticwisdom. He had no otheranswer.Numbly he put a pieceof fruit in his mouth,begantochew.After that, habit and

hunger came to his aid.Perhaps his answer wasnot a good one; but itdefinedhim,andhe stoodbyit.Stoodor fell,hedidnot

knowwhich.Nassic waited humbly,

solicitously, whileCovenant and Linden ate;but as soon as theyfinished, he said, “Ur-Lord.” He sounded eager.

“I am your servant. It isthe purpose in my life toserve you, as it was thepurposeof Jousmy fatherand Prassan his fatherthroughoutthelonglineofthe Unfettered.” Heseemed unmindful of thequaver in hiswords. “Youarenotcometoosoon.TheSunbane multiplies in theLand.Whatwillyoudo?”Covenantsighed.Hefelt

unready todealwith suchquestions.Buttheritualofeating had steadied him.And both Nassic andLindendeservedsomekindof reply. Slowly he said,“We’ll have to go toRevelstone—” He spokethe name hesitantly.WouldNassicrecognizeit?If there were no moreLords—PerhapsRevelstoneno longer existed. Or

perhapsall thenameshadchanged.Enoughtimehadpassed for anything tohappen.But Nassic crowedimmediately, “Yes!VengeanceupontheClave!Itisgood!”The Clave? Covenantwondered. But he did notask. Instead, he testedanother familiar name.“But firstwe’ll have to go

toMithilStonedown—”“No!” the maninterrupted. Hisvehemence turnedat onceinto protest andtrepidation. “You mustnot. They are wicked—wicked! Worshippers oftheSunbane.Theysaythatthey abhor the Clave, butthey do not. Their fieldsaresownwithblood!”Blood again; Sunbane;

the Clave. Too manythingshedidnotknow.Heconcentrated on what hewas trying to ascertain.Apparently the names heremembered were knownto Nassic in spite of theirage. That ended his onedim hope concerning thefate of the Earthpower. Anew surge of futility beatat him. How could hepossibly fight Lord Foul if

therewerenoEarthpower?No, worse—if there wereno Earthpower, what waslefttofightfor?But Nassic’s distraught

stare and Linden’sclenched, arduous silencedemanded responses.Grimacing he thrust downhis sense of futility. Hewas intimately acquaintedwith hopelessness,impossibility, gall; he

knew how to limit theirpoweroverhim.He took a deep breath

andsaid,“There’snootherway. We can’t get out ofhere without goingthrough MithilStonedown.”“Ah, true,” the oldman

groaned.“Thatistrue.”Heseemed almost desperate.“Yet you must not—Theyare wicked! They harken

to the words of the Clave—words of abomination.They mock all oldpromises, saying that theUnbelieverisamadnessinthe minds of theUnfettered. You must notgothere.”“Then how—?”

Covenant frowned grimly.What’shappenedtothem?I used to have friendsthere.

AbruptlyNassic reacheda decision. “I will go. Tomy son. His name isSunder.He iswicked, liketherest.Butheismyson.Hecomes tomewhen themood is upon him, and Ispeak to him, telling himwhat is proper to hiscalling. He is notaltogether corrupted. Hewill aid us to pass by theStonedown.Yes.”Atonce,

he threw himself towardtheentryway.“Wait!” Covenantjumped tohis feet.Lindenjoinedhim.“Imustgo!”criedNassicurgently.“Wait until the rainstops.” Covenant pleadedagainst the frenzy inNassic’s eyes. The manlooked too decrepit toendureanymoreexposure.

“We’renotinthatmuchofahurry.”“It will not halt until

nightfall. I must makehaste!”“Then at least take a

torch!”Nassic flinched as if he

had been scourged. “Ah,youshameme!Iknowthepath. I must redeem mydoubt.” Before Covenantor Linden could stop him,

heranoutintotherain.Lindenstartedafternun;

but Covenant stayed her.Lightningblazedoverhead.In the glare, they sawNassic stumblingfreneticallytowardtheendof the dell. Then thunderand blackness hit, and hedisappeared as if he hadbeensnuffedout.“Lethimgo,” sighed Covenant. “Ifwe chase him, we’ll

probably fall off a cliffsomewhere.” He held heruntil shenodded.Thenhereturned wearily to thefire.Shefollowedhim.When

he placed his back to thehearth, she confrontedhim. The dampness of herhair darkened her face,intensifying the linesbetween her brows, oneither side of her mouth.

He expected anger,protest, some outburstagainst the insanityofhersituation. But when shespoke, her voice was flat,controlled.“This isn’t what youexpected.”“No.”He cursedhimselfbecause he could not riseabove his dismay. “No.Something terrible hashappened,”

She did not waver.“How can that be? Yousaidthelasttimeyouwerehere was ten years ago.What can happen in tenyears?”Herqueryremindedhimthat he had not yet toldher about Lord Foul’sprophecy. But now wasnot the time: she wassuffering from too manyother incomprehensions.

“Ten years in our world.”For her sake, he did notsay,therealworld.“Timeisdifferenthere. It’s faster—thewaydreamsarealmostinstantaneous sometimes.I’ve—” He had difficultymeetingherstare;evenhisknowledgefeltlikeshame.“I’ve actually been herethree times before. Eachtime, I was unconsciousfor a few hours, and

months went by here. Soten years for me—Oh,bloodyhell!”TheDespiserhad said, For a score ofcenturies. For nearly asmanycenturiesmore.“Iftheratiostaysthesame,we’retalkingaboutthreeorfourthousandyears.”Sheacceptedthisasifit

were just one more detailthat defied rationality.“Well, what could have

happened? What’s soimportant abouthurtloam?”He wanted to hide his

head, conceal his pain; hefelt too much exposed tothenewpenetrationofhersenses. “Hurtloam was aspecial mud that couldheal—almost anything.”Twice, while in the Land,it had cured his leprosy.But he shied away from

the whole subject ofhealing. If he told herwhat hurtloam had donefor him in the past, hewouldalsohavetoexplainwhy it had not done himany lasting good. Hewouldhavetotellherthatthe Land was physicallyself-contained—that ithadno tangible connection totheirworld.Thehealingofhis chest meant nothing.

When they regainedconsciousness, she wouldfind that their bodilycontinuity in their worldwas complete. Everythingwouldbethesame.If they did not awakensoon, she would not havetimetotreathiswound.Becauseshewasalreadyunder so much stress, hesparedherthatknowledge.Yet he could not contain

his bitterness. “But that’snot the point. Look.” Hepointed at the hearth.“Smoke.Ashes.ThepeopleI knew never built firesthatdestroyedwood.Theydidn’t have to. For them,everything around them—wood,water,stone,flesh—every part of the physicalworld—was full of whatthey called Earthpower.The power of life. They

could raise fire—or makeboats flow upstream—orsend messages—by usingthe Earthpower in woodinsteadofthewooditself.“That was what made

themwho theywere. TheEarthpower was theessence of the Land.”Memoriesthrongedinhim,visionsoftheLords,ofthemasters of stone- andwood-lore.“Itwassovital

tothem,sosustaining,thatthey gave their lives to it.Did everything they couldto serve it, rather thanexploit it. It was strength,sentience, passion. Life. Afire like this would havehorrifiedthem.”But words were

inadequate. He could notconvey his longing for aworld where aspen andgranite, water and soil,

nature itself, wereunderstood, revered fortheir potency andloveliness.Aworldwith asoul, deserving to betreasured.Lindengazedathimasifhewerebabbling.Withasilentsnarl,hegaveup trying to explain.“Apparently,” he said,“they’ve lost it. It’sforgotten. Or dead. Nowtheyhave this Sunbane. If

I understand what I’vebeen hearing—which Idoubt—the Sunbane waswhat kept Nassic’s torchburning in the rain. Andhe had to cut his hand todo it. And the wood wasstillconsumed.“He says theSunbane iscausing this rain.”Covenant shudderedinvoluntarily; firelightreflecting off the

downpour beyond theentryway made the stormlook vicious andintolerable.Her eyes searched him.The bones of her faceseemed to press againstthe skin, as if her skullitself protested against somany alien circumstances.“I don’t know anythingabout it. None of thismakessense.”Shefaltered.

He could see fearscrowding the edges of hervision. “It’s all impossible.I can’t—” She shot aharried glance around theroom, thrust her handsintoherhairasthoughshesought to pull imminenthysteria off her features.“I’mgoingcrazy.”“Iknow.”Herecognized

her desperation. His ownwildnesswhenhewasfirst

taken to the Landhad ledhim to commit the worstcrimes of his life. Hewantedtoreachouttoher,protect her; but thenumbness of his handspreventedhim.Instead,hesaid intensely, “Don’t giveup. Ask questions. Keeptrying. I’ll tell youeverythingIcan.”For amoment, her gaze

achedtowardhimlikethe

arms of an abandonedchild. But then her handsbunched into fists. Agrimace like a clench ofintransigence knotted hermien. “Questions,” shebreathed through herteeth.Withasevereeffort,she took hold of herself.“Yes.”Hertoneaccusedhimas

ifheweretoblameforherdistress. But he accepted

the responsibility. Hecould have prevented herfrom following him intothe woods. If he had hadthecourage.“All right,” she gritted.

“You’ve been here before.What makes you soimportant? What did youdo? Why does Foul wantyou?What’sanur-Lord?”Covenant sighed

inwardly—an exhalation

of relief at herdetermination to survive.Thatwaswhat hewantedfrom her. A suddenweariness dimmed hissight; but he took noaccountofit.“IwasBerekreborn.”The memory was notpleasant; it contained toomuch guilt, too muchsorrow and harm. But heaccepted it. “Berek was

one of the ancient heroes—thousands of yearsbefore I came along.According to the legends,he discovered theEarthpower,andmadetheStaffofLawtowieldit.AlltheloreoftheEarthpowercame down from him. Hewas theLord-Fatherer, thefounder of the Council ofLords. They led thedefenseoftheLandagainst

Foul.”TheCouncil,hegroaned

to himself, rememberingMhoram, Prothall, Elena.Hell and blood! His voiceshook as he continued.“When I showed up, theywelcomedme as a sort ofavatar of Berek. He wasknowntohavelostthelasttwo fingers of his righthand in a war.” Linden’sgaze sharpened

momentarily; but she didnot interrupt. “So I wasmade an ur-Lord of theCouncil. Most of thoseother titles came later.AfterIdefeatedFoul.“ButUnbelieverwasone

I took for myself. For alongtimehere,IwassureIwasdreaming,butIdidn’tknowwhattodoaboutit.”Sourlyhemuttered,“Iwasafraid to get involved. It

had something to dowithbeing a leper.” He hopedshewouldacceptthisnon-explanation; he did notwant to have to tell herabout his crimes. “But Iwaswrong.Aslongasyouhave some idea of what’shappeningtoyou,‘real’or‘unreal’ doesn’t matter.You have to stand up forwhat you care about; ifyoudon’t,youlosecontrol

of who you are.” Hepaused, met her scrutinyso that she could see theclarityofhisconviction.“Iendedupcaringabout theLandalot.”“Because of theEarthpower?”“Yes.” Pangs of lossstung his heart. Fatigueand strain had shorn himof his defenses. “The landwas incredibly beautiful.

And the way the peopleloved it, served it—thatwas beautiful, too.Lepers,” he concludedmordantly, “aresusceptible to beauty.” Inher own way, Lindenseemedbeautifultohim.She listened to him likea physician trying todiagnose a rare disease.Whenhestopped,shesaid,“You called yourself,

‘Unbelieverandwhitegoldwielder.’What doeswhitegoldhavetodowithit?”He scowled

involuntarily.Tocoverhispain, he lowered himselftothefloor,satagainstthewall of the hearth. Thatquestion touched himdeeply, and he was tootiredtogiveitthecourageit deserved. But her needfor knowledge was

peremptory. “My weddingring,” he murmured.“WhenJoandivorcedme,Iwas never able to stopwearingit.Iwasaleper—Ifelt that I’d losteverything. I thought myonly link with the humanrace was the fact that Iusedtobemarried.“Buthere it’s somekind

of talisman. A tool forwhat they callwildmagic

—‘the wild magic thatdestroys peace.’ I can’texplain it.”Tohimself, hecursed the paucity of hisvalor.Linden sat down near

him, kept watching hisface. “You think I can’thandlethetruth.”He winced at her

percipience.“Idon’tknow.ButIknowhowharditis.Itsureashellisn’teasyfor

me.”Outside, the rain beat

with steady ire into thevalley; thunder andlightning pummeled eachother among themountains. But inside thehut the air was warm,tinged with smoke like afaintsoporific.Andhehadgone for many dayswithoutrest.Heclosedhiseyes, partly to

acknowledge hisexhaustion, partly to gaina respite from Linden’sprobing.Butshewasnotfinished.“Nassic—” Her voice wasas direct as if she hadreached out and touchedhim.“He’scrazy.”With an effort of will,Covenantforcedhimselftoask, “Whatmakesyou saythat?”

She was silent until heopenedhiseyes, lookedather.Then,defensively,shesaid, “I can feel it—theimbalance in him. Can’tyou? It’s in his face, hisvoice, everything. I saw itright away. When he wascomingdowntheravine.”Grimly he put off hisfatigue. “What are youtryingto tellme?Thatwecan’t trust him? Can’t

believehim?”“Maybe.”Nowshecould

not meet his gaze. Shestudied the clasp of herhands on her knees. “I’mnotsure.AllIknowis,he’sdemented. He’s beenlonely too long. And hebelieveswhathesays.”“He’snot theonlyone,”

Covenant muttered.Deliberately he stretchedout tomake himselfmore

comfortable. He was tootired to worry aboutNassic’s sanity. But heowed Linden one otheranswer.Beforeheletgoofhimself, he replied, “No, Ican’t.”As weariness washed

over him, he was dimlyaware that she stood upand began to pace besidehisrecumbentform.He was awakened by

silence. The rain hadstopped.Foramoment,heremained still, enjoyingthe end of the storm. Therest had done him good;he felt stronger, morecapable.When he raised his

head,hesawLindenintheentryway, facing the valeand the clear cool night.Her shoulders were tense;strainmarkedthewayshe

leaned against the stone.As he got to his feet, sheturned toward him. Shemusthave replenished thefire while he slept. Theroomwasbright;hecouldsee her face clearly. Thecorners of her eyes werelined as if she had beensquinting for a long timeat something whichdiscomfitedher.“Itstoppedatnightfall.”

She indicated the absenceof rain with a jerk of herhead.“Hewasrightaboutthat.”The trouble in herworried him. He tried tosound casual as he asked,“What have you beenthinking?”She shrugged. “Nothingnew. ‘Face it. Go forward.Find outwhat happens.’ ”Her gazewasbent inward

on memories. “I’ve beenliving that way for years.It’s the only way to findouthowmuchwhatyou’retrying to get away fromcosts.”He searched her for

some glimpse ofwhat shemeant. “You know,” hesaid slowly, “you haven’ttold me much aboutyourself.”She stiffened, drew

severity across hercountenance like a shield.Her tone denied hisquestion.“Nassicisn’tbackyet.”For a moment, he

consideredherrefusal.Didshe have that much pasthurt to hide? Were herdefenses aimed at him, orat herself? But then theimport of her wordspenetrated him. “He

isn’t?” Even an old manshould have been able tomakethetriptwiceinthisamountoftime.“Ihaven’tseenhim.”“Damnation!”

Covenant’s throat wassuddenly dry. “What thehellhappenedtohim?”“How should I know?”

Her ire betrayed thefraying of her nerves.“Remember me? I’m the

onewho hasn’t been herebefore.”He wanted to snap at

her; but he held himselfback grimly. “I didn’tmean it that way. Maybehe felloff thecliff.MaybeMithil Stonedown is evenmore dangerous than hethought.Maybehedoesn’tevenhaveason.”He could see her

swallowing her vexation,

wishingherselfimmunetopressure. “What are wegoingtodo?”“What choice have wegot?We have to go downthere ourselves.” Sternlyhe compelled himself toface her doubt of Nassic.“It’shardformetobelievewe can’t trust thosepeople. They were myfriends when I didn’tdeserve to have any

friends.”She considered him.

“That was three thousandyearsago.”Yes, he muttered

bleakly.Andhehadgiventhemlittleinreturnexceptharm. If they rememberedhim at all, they would bejustified in rememberingonlytheharm.With a sudden nausea,

he realized that he was

going to have to tellLinden what he had doneto Mithil Stonedown, toLena Atiaran-daughter.The doctor was the firstwomanhehadmet in tenyears who was not afraidof him.And she had triedtosavehislife.Whatotherprotection could he giveheragainsthimself?He lacked the courage.The words were in his

mind, but he could notutter them. To escape hereyes, he moved abruptlypast her out of Nassic’sstonedwelling.Thenightwasavaultofcrystal.Allthecloudsweregone.Theairwascoldandsharp; and stars glitteredlikeflecksofjoyacrosstheimmaculate deeps. Theygavesomevisibility.Belowthe dark crouch of the

peaks, he could see thestream flowing turgidlydown the length of thedell. He followed it; heremembered this part ofthe way well enough. Butthenheslowedhispaceashe realized that Lindenwasnotbehindhim.“Covenant!”Hercryscaledthenight.

Echoes repeated againstthemountainsides.

Hewentbacktoheratawildrun.She knelt on a pile of

rubble like a cairn besidethe hut—the brokenremainsofNassic’stemple,fallen into desuetude. Shewasexaminingadarkformwhich lay strangely atopthedebris.Covenant sprang

forward, peered at thebody.

Bloodyhell,hemoaned.Nassic.The old man lay

embracingtheruins.Fromthe center of his backprotruded the handle of aknife.“Don’t touch that,”

Linden panted. “It’s stillhot.” Her mouth was fullofcrushedhorror.Still—?Covenantkicked

asidehisdismay.“Takehis

legs. We’ll carry him intothehouse.”She did not move. She

lookedsmallandabject inthenight.To make her move, he

lashedather,“Itoldyouitwas dangerous. Did youthink Iwas kidding? Takehislegs!”Her voice was a still

cold articulation ofdarkness. “He’s dead.

There’s nothing we cando.”The sound of her

desolation choked hisprotests. For one keeningmoment,hefearedthathehad lost her—that hermind had gone over theedge.Butthensheshifted.Her hair fell forward, hidherface,asshebenttoslipher arms under Nassic’slegs.

Covenant lifted him bythe shoulders. Togetherthey bore him into hishouse.Hewasalreadystiff.They set him down

gently in thecenterof thefloor. Covenant inspectedhim. His skin was cold.Therewasnoblood inhisrobe around the knife; itmust have been washedawaybytherain.Hemust

have laindead in the rainforalongtime.Linden did not watch.

Her eyes clinched theblack ironknife. “It didn’tkill him right away,” shesaidhoarsely.“Itdidn’thithim right. He bled todeath.” The bones of herface seemed to throbwithvehemence.“Thisisevil.”Thewaysheutteredthat

word evil sent cold fear

scrabbling downCovenant’sspine.Heknewwhat she meant; he hadformerly been able toperceive such thingshimself. She was lookingat the cruelty of the handwhichhadheldthatknife,seeing the eager malicewhich had inspired theblow.Andiftheironwerestill hot—He swallowedharshly. Nassic’s killer

must have been someoneofgreatandbrutalpower.He scrambled for

explanations. “Whoeverdiditknewwewerehere.Orelsewhyleavehimoutthere? He wanted us tofindthebody—afterhegotaway.”Heclosedhiseyes,forced some clarity ontohis spinning thoughts.“Nassicwaskilledbecauseof us. To keep him from

talking to the Stonedown.Or from talking to us. Byhell,thisstinksofFoul.”Linden was notlistening;herownreactiondominated her. “Nobodydoes this.” She soundedlorn,fear-ravaged.He heard thestrangeness of her protest;but he could not stophimself. His old anger forthe victims of Despite

drove him. “It takes aspecial kind of killer,” hegrowled, “to leave a hotknife behind. Foul hasplentyofthatkindofhelp.He’s perfectly capable ofhavingNassickilledjusttokeep us from getting toomuch information. Or tomanipulateussomehow.”“Nobody kills like this.Forpleasure.”Dullanguishblunted her tone, blinded

her face. “People don’t dothat.”“Of course they don’t.”

Her dismay reached him;but the frailty of Nassic’sdead limbs affronted himto the marrow of hisbones, made his replysavage. “He probablydecided to take a nap intherain,andthisknifejustfell on him out ofnowhere.”

She was deaf to hissarcasm—too intimatelyshocked to recognize himatall.“Peoplekillbecausethey’re hungry. Afraid.”Shestruggledforcertitudeagainst the indefeasibleiron. “Driven. Becausesomeone, something,forces them.” Her tonesharpened as if she weregathering screams.“Nobodylikesit.”

“No.” The sight of herdistresspulledCovenanttoher. He tried to confronthermounting repudiation.“Everybody likes it.Everybody likes power.Butmostpeoplecontrolit.Because they hate it, too.This is no different thananyothermurder. It’s justmoreobvious.”A flinch of revulsion

twisted her face; his

assertion seemed to hurther. For an instant, hefeared that her mind wasgoing to fail.But thenhereyes climbed to his face.The effort of self-masterydarkened them like blood.“I want—” Her voicequavered; she crushed itflat. “I want to meet thesonofabitch who did this.SoIcanseeformyself.”Covenant nodded,

gritted his own black ire.“Ithinkyou’regoingtogetthe chance.” He, too,wanted to meet Nassic’sslayer. “We can’t try tosecond-guess Foul. Heknows more than we do.And we can’t stay here.Butwe’velostourguide—our only chance to learnwhat’s happening. Wehave to go to MithilStonedown.” Grimly he

concluded, “Since thekillerdidn’tattackushere,he’s probably waiting forusinthevillage.”For a longmoment, she

remained motionless,mustering her resources.Then she said tightly,“Let’sgo.”He did not hesitate.

Nassic had not even beengiven the dignity of aclean death. With Linden

athisside,hemarchedoutintothenight.But in spite of the

violenceinhim,hedidnotallowhimself to rush.Thestars did not shed anabundance of light; andthe rain had left the floorofthedellslickwithmud.The path to MithilStonedownwashazardous.Hedidnotintendtocometo harm through

recklessness.Hemadehiswaystrictly

downthevalley;andatitsend, he followed thestream into a crooked filebetween sheer walls, thenturned away along acrevice that ascended atrightanglestothefile.Thecrevice was narrow andcrude, difficult going inthe star-blocked dark; butit leveled after a while,

began to tend downward.Before long, he gained asteep open slope—theeastern face of the Mithilvalley.Dimly in the distance

below him, the valleywidened like a wedgenorthward toward anexpanse of plains. Adeeperblacknessalongthevalleybottomlookedlikeariver.

Beside the river,somewhat tohis right, layaclusteroftinylights.“Mithil Stonedown,” hemurmured. But thenvertigo forcedhim to turnaway leftward along afaint path. He could notrepress hismemory of thetime he had walked thispath with Lena. Until hetold Linden what heremembered,what he had

done,shewouldnotknowwhohewas,wouldnotbeable to choose how shewished to respond tohim.OrtotheLand.He needed her tounderstandhisrelationshiptotheLand.Heneededhersupport, her skills, herstrength.Whyelsehadshebeenchosen?A cold, penetratingdampness thickened the

air; but the exertion ofwalking kept him warm.And the path becamesteadily less difficult as itdescended toward thevalley bottom. As themoon began to crest thepeaks, he gave up allpretense of caution. Hewas hunting for thecouragetosaywhathadtobesaid.Shortly the path curved

off the slopes, doubledback to follow the riveroutward. He glanced atLinden from time to time,wondering where she hadlearned the toughness,unwisdom, or desperationwhich enabled or drovehertoaccompanyhim.Heached for the capacity todescry the truth of her,determine whether herseverity came from

convictionordread.She did not believe in

evil.He had no choice; he

hadtotellher.Compellinghimselfwith

excoriations, he touchedher arm, stopped her. Shelooked at him. “Linden.”She was alabaster in themoonlight—pale and notto be touched. His mouthwinced. “There’s

somethingI’vegottosay.”His visage felt like oldgranite.“Beforewegoanyfarther.” Pain made himwhisper.“The first time I was

here, I met a girl. Lena.She was just a kid—butshe was my friend. Shekept me alive on Kevin’sWatch, when I was soafraid it could have killedme.” His long loneliness

cried out against this self-betrayal.“Irapedher.”She stared at him. Her

lips formed soundlesswords: Raped—? In hergaze,hecould seehimselfbecomingheinous.He did not see the

shadow pass over theirheads, had no warning oftheir danger until the netlanded on them, tangling

them instantly together.Figures surged out of thedarkness around them.One of the attackers hitthem in the faces withsomething which brokeopen and stank like arottenmelon.Thenhecouldnolonger

breathe. He fell withLinden in his arms as iftheywerelovers.

SIX:TheGraveler

Heawokeurgently,witha suffocatingmuck on hisface thatmade him straintomove his arms to clearthe stuff away. But hishandsweretiedbehindhisback.Hegaggedhelplesslyfor a moment, until hefound that he couldbreathe.The dry, chill air was

harsh in his lungs. But herelishedit.Slowlyitdrovebackthenausea.From somewhere nearhim, he heard Linden sayflatly, “You’ll be all right.Theymusthavehituswithsome kind of anesthetic.It’s like ether—makes youfeel sick. But the nauseagoes away. I don’t thinkwe’vebeenhurt.”He rested briefly on the

cold stone, then rolled offhis chest and struggledintoasittingposition.Thebondsmadethemovementdifficult; a wave ofdizziness went throughhim, “Friends,” hemuttered. But the airsteadied him. “Nassic wasright.”“Nassic was right,” she

echoedasifthewordsdidnotinteresther.

They were in a singleroom, as constricted as acell. A heavy curtaincovered the doorway; butopposite the entrance abarredwindowletthepalegray of dawn into theroom—the late dawn of asunrise delayed bymountains. The bars wereiron.Linden sat across fromhim. Her arms angled

behindher;herwrists,too,were bound. Yet she hadmanagedtocleanthepulpfromhercheeks.Shredsofitclungtotheshouldersofhershirt.His own face wore the

dried muck like a leper’snumbness.He shifted so that he

could lean against thewall. The bonds cut intohis wrists. He closed his

eyes. A trap, hemurmured. Nassic’s deathwas a trap. He had beenkilled so that CovenantandLindenwouldblunderinto Mithil Stonedown’sdefenses and be captured.What’s Foul trying to do?he asked the darknessbehind his eyelids. Makeusfightthesepeople?“Why did you do it?”

Linden said.Her tonewas

level,asifshehadalreadyhammeredall theemotionoutofit.“Whydidyoutellmeaboutthatgirl?”Hiseyesjumpedopentolookather.Butinthedimlight he was unable todiscernher expression.Hewanted to say, Leave italone, we’ve got otherthingstoworryabout.Butshe had an absolute rightto know the truth about

him.“I wanted to be honest

with you.”His guts achedat the memory. “Thethings I did when I washere before are going toaffect what happens to usnow. Foul doesn’t forget.And I was afraid”—hefaltered at the cost of hisdesire for rectitude—“youmight trust me withoutknowing what you were

trusting. I don’t want tobetray you—by not beingwhatyouthinkIam.”She did not reply. Her

eyes were shadows whichtoldhimnothing.Abruptlythe pressure of hisunassuaged bitternessbegan to force words outofhimlikebarbs.“After my leprosy was

diagnosed, and Joandivorced me, I was

impotentforayear.ThenIcame here. Something Icouldn’t understand washappening. The Land washealing parts of me thathad been dead so long I’dforgotten I had them.AndLena—” The pang of herstung him like an acid.“ShewassobeautifulIstillhave nightmares about it.Thefirstnight—Itwastoomuchforme.Lepersaren’t

supposedtobepotent.”HedidnotgiveLindena

chance to respond; hewent on, reliving his oldself-judgment. “Everybodypaid for it. I couldn’t getaway from theconsequences. Her motherended up committing akind of suicide. Herfather’s life was warped.The man who wanted tomarry her lost everything.

Herownmindcameapart.“ButIdidn’tstopthere.I

caused her death, and thedeath of her daughter,Elena—my daughter.Because I kept trying toescape the consequences.Everybody refused topunish me. I was Berekreborn.Theywantedmetosave the Land. Lena”—oh,Lena!—“got butcheredtryingtosavemylife.”

Linden listened withoutmoving. She looked like afigureof stone against thewall, blank andunforgiving, as if nomererecitation of guilt couldtouch her. But her kneeswere pressed tightly,defensively, to her chest.When he ceased, she saidthickly, “You shouldn’thavetoldme.”“I had to.” What else

could he say? “It’s who Iam.”“No.”Sheprotestedasif

an accusation of evil hadbeenraisedbetweenthem.“It isn’twhoyou are.Youdidn’t do it intentionally,did you? You saved theLand,didn’tyou?”He faced her squarely.

“Yes.Eventually.”“Then it’s over. Done

with.” Her head dropped

toherknees.Shesqueezedher forehead against themas if to restrain thepounding of her thoughts.“Leavemealone.”Covenant studied the

top of her head, the wayher hair fell about herthighs, and sought tocomprehend. He hadexpected her to denouncehimforwhathehaddone,notforhavingconfessedit.

Whywasshesovulnerableto it? He knew too littleabout her. But how couldhe ask her to tell himthings which she believedpeople should not knowabouteachother?“Idon’tunderstand.”His

voice was gruff withuncertainty. “If that’s theway you feel—why didyou keep coming back?You went to a lot of

trouble to find outwhat Iwashiding.”She kept her face

concealed. “I said, leavemealone.”“I can’t.” A vibration of

anger ran through him.“You wouldn’t be here ifyou hadn’t followedme. Ineedtoknowwhyyoudidit.SoIcandecidewhethertotrustyou.”Her head snapped up.

“I’madoctor.”“That’s not enough,” he

saidrigidly.The light from the

window was growingslowly.Nowhecouldreadpartsofhercountenance—her mouth clenched andsevere, her eyes like darkgouges below herforehead. She regardedhim as if he weretrespassing on her

essentialprivacy.After a long moment,

shesaidsoftly,“IfollowedyoubecauseIthoughtyouwere strong. Every time Isaw you, you werepractically prostrate onyour feet. You weredesperateforhelp.Butyoustood there acting as ifeven exhaustion couldn’ttouch you.” Her wordswere fraught with gall. “I

thought you were strong.But now it turns out youwere just running awayfrom your guilt, likeanybody else. Trying tomake yourself innocentagain, by selling yourselffor Joan. What was Isupposed to do?” Quietfurywhettedhertone.“Letyoucommitsuicide?”Beforehecouldrespond,she went on, “You use

guiltthesamewayyouuseleprosy. You want peopleto reject you, stay awayfrom you—make a victimout of you. So you canrecaptureyourinnocence.”Gradually her intensitysubsided into a dull rasp.“I’vealready seenmoreofit than I can stand. If youthink I’m such a threat toyou, at least leave mealone.”

Againshehidherfaceinherknees.Covenant stared at her

in silence. Her judgmenthurt him like ademonstration ofmendacity. Was that whathe was doing—giving hera moral reason torepudiatehimbecauseshewas unmoved by thephysical reason of hisleprosy? Was he so much

afraid of being helped ortrusted? Cared about?Gaping at this vision ofhimself, he heaved to hisfeet, lurched to thewindowasifheneededtodefendhiseyesbylookingatsomethingelse.But the view only gave

credence to hismemories.It verified that he andLinden were in MithilStonedown. The wall and

roof of another stonedwelling stood directly infrontofnun;andoneithersideof ithecould see thecornersof otherbuildings.Their walls were ancient,weatheredandbatteredbycenturies of use. Theywere made withoutmortar, formed of largeslabs and chunks of rockheldtogetherbytheirownweight, topped by flat

roofs. And beyond theroofswerethemountains.Abovethem,theskyhadabrowntinge,asifitwerefullofdust.He had been herebefore,andcouldnotdenythe truth; he was indeedafraid. Too many peoplewho cared about him hadalready paid horrendouslytogivehimhelp.Linden’s silence

throbbedathisbacklikeabruise; but he remainedstill, and watched thesunriseflowdownintothevalley. When the tensionin him became insistent,hesaidwithoutturning,“Iwonderwhatthey’regoingtodowithus.”As if in answer, the

room brightened suddenlyas the curtain was thrustaside. He swung around

and found a man in thedoorway.The Stonedownor wasabout Linden’s height, butbroader and moremuscular than Covenant.His black hair and darkskin were emphasized bythecolorofhisstiffleatherjerkin and leggings. Hewore nothing on his feet.Inhisrighthandheheldalong, wooden staff as if it

articulatedhisauthority.Heappearedtobeaboutthirty. His features had ayouthful cast; but theywere contradicted by twodeepfrownlinesabovethebridgeofhisnose, andbythe dullness of his eyes,which seemed to havebeen worn dim by toomuch accumulated anduselessregret.Themusclesat the corners of his jaw

bulged as if he had beengrinding his teeth foryears.His leftarmhungathis

side. From elbow toknuckle, it was intaglioedwithfinewhitescars.He did not speak; he

stoodfacingCovenantandLinden as if he expectedthemtoknowwhyhehadcome.Linden lurched to her

feet. Covenant took twostepsforward,sothattheystood shoulder-to-shoulderbeforetheStonedownor.The man hesitated,

searched Covenant’s face.Then he moved into theroom. With his left hand,he reached out toCovenant’sbatteredcheek.Covenant winced

slightly, then held himselfstill while the

Stonedownor carefullybrushed the dried pulpfromhisface.He felt a pang ofgratitude at the touch; itseemed to accord himmore dignity than hedeserved. He studied theman’s brown, strongmienclosely, trying to decipherwhatlaybehindit.When he was done, theStonedownor turned and

left the room, holding thecurtain open for CovenantandLinden.Covenant lookedtowardher to see if she neededencouragement. But shedidnotmeethisgaze.Shewas already moving. Hetook a deep breath, andfollowed her out of thehut.Hefoundhimselfontheedge of the broad, round,

open center of MithilStonedown.Itmatchedhismemory of it closely. Allthe houses faced inward;and the ones beyond theinner ringwerepositionedtogiveasmanyaspossibledirectaccesstothecenter.Butnowhecouldsee thatseveral of themhad fallenintoseriousdisrepair,asiftheir occupants did notknow how tomend them.

If that were true— Hesnarled to himself. Howcould these people haveforgottentheirstone-lore?The sun shone over the

easternridgeintohisface.Squinting at it indirectly,he saw that the orb hadlostitsblueaurora.Nowitwore pale brown like atranslucentcymar.The Stonedown

appeared deserted.All the

door-curtains were closed.Nothing moved—not inthe village, not on themountainsides or in theair. He could not evenhear the river. The valleylayunderthedrydawnasif it had been strickendumb.A slow scraping of fear

began to abrade hisnerves.The man with the staff

strode out into the circle,beckoning for Covenantand Linden to follow himacross the bare stone. Asthey did so, he gazedmorosely around thevillage. He leaned on hisstaffas if thethewswhichheldhis life togetherweretired.But after a moment heshook himself into action.Slowly he raised the staff

over his head. In adetermined tone, he said,“Thisisthecenter.”At once, the curtainsopened. Men and womenstepped purposefully outoftheirhomes.Theywereallsoliddarkpeople, appareled inleather garments. Theyformedaringlikeanoosearound the rim of thecircle, and stared at

Covenant and Linden.Their faces were wary,hostile, shrouded.Someofthem bore blunt javelinslike jerrids; but no otherweaponswerevisible.The man with the staffjoinedthem.Together,thering of Stonedownors satdown cross-legged on theground.Onlyoneman remainedstanding.Hestayedbehind

theothers, leaningagainstthe wall of a house withhisarmsfoldednegligentlyacross his chest. His lipsworearapacioussmilelikean anticipation ofbloodshed.Covenant guessedinstinctively that thismanwas Mithil Stonedown’sexecutioner.The villagers made nosound. They watched

Covenant and Lindenwithout moving, almostwithout blinking. Theirsilencewasloudintheair,likethecryofathroatthathadnovoice.The sun began to drawsweat from Covenant’sscalp.“Somebody saysomething,” he mutteredthroughhisteeth.Abruptly Linden nudged

his arm. “That’s whatthey’re waiting for. We’reontrial.Theywanttohearwhat we’ve got to say forourselves.”“Terrific.” He acceptedher intuitive explanationat once; she had eyeswhichhe lacked.“What’reweontrialfor?”Grimly she replied,“Maybe they foundNassic.”

He groaned. That madesense. Perhaps Nassic hadbeen killed precisely sothat he and Lindenwouldbe blamed for the crime.Andyet—Hetuggedathisbonds, wishing his handswere freeso thathecouldwipe the sweat from hisface. And yet it did notexplainwhytheyhadbeencapturedinthefirstplace.The silence was

intolerable.Themountainsandthehousescuppedthecenter of the village likean arena. TheStonedownors satimpassively, like icons ofjudgment. Covenantscanned them, musteredwhat little dignity hepossessed. Then he begantospeak.“My name is ur-Lord

Thomas Covenant,

Unbelieverandwhitegoldwielder. My companion isLinden Avery.”Deliberatelyhegaveheratitle. “TheChosen.She’sastranger to theLand.”Thedark people returned hisgaze blankly. The manleaning against the wallbared his teeth. “But I’mno stranger,” Covenantwent on in sudden anger.“You threaten me at your

peril.”“Covenant,” Lindenbreathed,reprovinghim.“I know,” he muttered.“Ishouldn’tsaythingslikethat.” Then he addressedthe people again. “Wewere welcomed by Nassicson of Jous. He wasn’t afriend of yours—or youweren’t friends of his,becauseGodknowshewasharmless.” Nassic had

looked so forlorn in death— “But he said he had ason here. A man namedSunder. Is Sunder here?Sunder?” He searched thering. No one responded.“Sunder,” he rasped,“whoeveryouare—doyouknow your father wasmurdered? We found himoutside his house with anironknifeinhisback.Theknifewasstillhot.”

Someone in the circlegave a low moan; butCovenant did not seewhoit was. Linden shook herhead; she also had notseen.The sky had becomepale brown from edge toedge. The heat of the sunwasasaridasdust.“I think the killer liveshere. I think he’s one ofyou. Or don’t you even

careaboutthat?”Nobody reacted. Everyfaceregardedhimas ifhewere some kind of ghoul.Thesilencewasabsolute.“Hellfire.” He turnedback to Linden. “I’m justmaking a fool out ofmyself. You got anyideas?”Hergazeworeanaspectof supplication. “I don’tknow—I’ve never been

herebefore.”“Neither have I.” Hecouldnot suppresshis ire.“Not to a place like this.Courtesy and hospitalityused to be so importanthere that people whocouldn’t provide themwere ashamed.”Remembering the wayTrell and Atiaran, Lena’sparents, had welcomedhim to their home, he

ground his teeth. With asilentcurse,heconfrontedthe Stonedownors. “Arethe other villages likethis?” he demanded. “Isthe whole Land sick withsuspicion? Or is this theonly place where simpledecency has beenforgotten?”The man with the stafflowered his eyes. No oneelsemoved.

“ByGod, if you can’t atleasttolerateus,letusgo!We’llwalkoutofhere,andnever look back. Someother village will give uswhatweneed.”The man behind the

circlegaveagrinofmaliceandtriumph.“Damnation,” Covenant

muttered to himself. Thesilence was maddening.Hisheadwasbeginningto

throb.Thevalleyfeltlikeadesert. “I wish Mhoramwashere.”Dully Linden asked,“Who is Mhoram?” Hereyes were fixed on thestanding man. Hecommanded her attentionlikeanopenwound.“One of the Lords ofRevelstone.” Covenantwondered what she wasseeing. “Also a friend. He

had a talent for dealingwith impossiblesituations.”She wrenched her gazefrom the gloating man,glared at Covenant.Frustration and anxietymade her tone sedulous.“He’s dead. All yourfriends are dead.” Hershoulders strainedinvoluntarilyatherbonds.“They’ve been dead for

three thousand years.You’re living in the past.Howbaddothingshavetoget before you give upthinking about the waytheyusedtobe?”“I’m trying to

understand what’shappened!” Her attackshamedhim.Itwasunjust—and yet he deserved it.Everything he saiddemonstrated his

inadequacy. He swungawayfromher.“Listen to me!” hebeseeched theStonedownors. “I’ve beenhere before—long ago,during the great waragainst the Gray Slayer. Ifought him. So the Landcouldbehealed.Andmenand women from MithilStonedown helped me.Your ancestors. The Land

was saved by the courageof Stonedownors andWoodhelvennin and LordsandGiantsandBloodguardandRanyhyn.“But something’shappened. There’ssomething wrong in theLand. That’s why we’rehere.” Remembering theold song of KevinLandwaster, he saidformally, “So that beauty

and truth should not passutterlyfromtheEarth.”Withtone,face,posture,

hebeggedforsomekindofresponse,acknowledgment,fromthecircle. But theStonedownors refusedeveryappeal.Hisexertionshad tightened the bondson his wrists, aggravatingthenumbnessofhishands.The sun began to raise

heat-wavesinthedistance.Hefeltgiddy,futile.“I don’t knowwhat youwant,” he breathedthickly. “I don’t knowwhat you think we’reguiltyof.Butyou’rewrongabout her.” He indicatedLinden with his head.“She’s never been herebefore.She’sinnocent.”A snort of derisionstoppedhim.

Hefoundhimselfstaringat the man who stoodbehind the circle. Theireyes came together like aclashofweapons.Themanhadlosthisgrin;heglaredscorn and denunciation atCovenant. He heldviolence folded in thecrooks of his elbows. ButCovenantdidnotfalter.Hestraightened his back,squaredhisshoulders,met

the naked threat of theman’sgaze.After one taut moment,themanlookedaway.Softly Covenant said,“We’re not on trial here.You are. The doomof theLandisinyourhands,andyou’reblindtoit.”An instant of silencecovered the village; thewhole valley seemed tohold its breath. Then the

lone man cried suddenly,“Must we hear more?”Contemptandfearcollidedin his tone. “He hasutteredfoulnessenoughtodamnascoreof strangers.Let us pass judgmentnow!”At once, the man withthestaffsprangtohisfeet.“Be still, Marid,” he saidsternly.“IamtheGravelerof Mithil Stonedown. The

test of silence is mine tobegin—andtoend.”“It is enough!” retorted

Marid. “Can there begreater ill thanthatwhichhehasalreadyspoken?”A dour crepitating of

assent ran through thecircle.Linden moved closer to

Covenant. Her eyes werelocked to Marid as if heappalled her. Nausea

twisted her mouth.Covenantlookedather,atMarid, trying to guesswhatlaybetweenthem.“Very well.” TheGraveler took a stepforward.“Itisenough.”Heplanted his staff on thestone. “Stonedownors,speak what you haveheard.”For a moment, thepeoplewere still. Then an

oldmanroseslowlytohisfeet. He adjusted hisjerkin, pulled his gravityabout him. “I have heardthe Rede of the na-Mhoram,asitisspokenbythe Riders of the Clave.They have said that thecoming of the man withthehalfhandandthewhitering bodes unending ruinfor us all. They have saidthatitisbettertoslaysuch

a man in his slumber,allowing the blood to fallwasted to the earth, thanto permit him one freebreathwithwhichtoutterevil.Onlytheringmustbepreserved,andgiventotheRiders, so that allblasphemymaybeavertedfromtheLand.”Blasphemy? Clave?

Covenant grappleduselessly with his

incomprehension. WhobesidesNassic’sUnfetteredancestor had foretold thereturnoftheUnbeliever?The old man concludedwithanodtotheGraveler.Opposite him, a middle-aged woman stood.Jabbing her hand towardCovenant, she said, “Hespoke thenameof thena-Mhoram as a friend. Arenotthena-Mhoramandall

his Clave bitter to MithilStonedown? Do not hisRidersreaveusofblood—and not of the old whosedeathsarenigh,butoftheyoung whose lives areprecious? Let these twodie! Our herd has alreadysufferedlongdayswithoutforage.”“Folly!” the old manreplied. “You will notspeak so when next the

Rider comes. It will besoon—our time nearsagain.InalltheLandonlythe Clave has power overthe Sunbane. The burdenoftheirsacrificingisheavyto us—but we would lacklife altogether if theyfailed to spend the bloodofthevillages.”“Yet is there not a

contradiction here?” theGraveler interposed. “He

names the na-Mhoram asfriend—and yet the mostdire Rede of the Clavespeaksagainsthim,”“For both they must

die!” Marid spatimmediately. “The na-Mhoram is not our friend,buthispowerissure.”“True!” voices said

aroundthering.“Yes.”“True.”

Linden brushedCovenant with hershoulder. “Thatman,” shewhispered.“Marid.There’ssomething— Do you seeit?”“No,” respondedCovenant through histeeth. “I told you I can’t.Whatisit?”“I don’t know.” Shesounded frightened.“Something—”

Then another womanstood. “He seeks to bereleasedsothathemaygotoanotherStonedown.Arenot all other villages ourfoes?TwicehasWindshornStonedown raided ourfields during the fertilesun, so that our belliesshrank and our childrencried in the night. Let thefriendsofourfoesdie.”Again theStonedownors

growled,“Yes.”“True.”Without warning,Marid

shouted over the grumbleof voices, “They slewNassic father of Sunder!Areweapeopletopermitmurder unavenged? Theymustdie!”“No!” Linden’s

instantaneous denialcracked across the circlelikeascourge.“Wedidnot

kill that harmless oldman!”Covenantwhirledtoher.

Butshedidnotnoticehim;her attention wasconsumedbyMarid.In a tone of acid

mockery, the man asked,“Doyoufeartodie,LindenAverytheChosen?”“Whatis it?”shegritted

back at him. “What areyou?”

“What do you see?”Covenanturged.“Tellme.”“Something—” Her

voicegroped;butherstaredid not waver.Perspiration had darkenedher hair along the line ofherforehead.“It’slikethatstorm.Somethingevil.”Intuitions flared like

spots of sun-blindnessacross Covenant’s mind.“Somethinghot.”

“Yes!”HergazeaccusedMarid fiercely. “Like theknife.”Covenant spun,confrontedMarid. He wassuddenly calm. “You,” hesaid.“Marid.Comehere.”“No, Marid,”commandedtheGraveler.“Hell and blood!”Covenant rasped likedeliberate ice. “My handsare tied.Areyouafraid to

findoutthetruth?”HedidnotglanceattheGraveler;he held Marid with hiswill.“Comehere.I’llshowyouwhokilledNassic.”“Watch out,” Lindenwhispered. “He wants tohurtyou.”Scorn twisted Marid’sface.Foramoment,hedidnotmove.Butnowall theeyes of the Stonedownwereonhim,watchinghis

reaction. And Covenantgave him no release. Aspasm of fear or gleetightened Marid’sexpression. Abruptly hestrode forward, halted infront of Covenant and theGraveler. “Speak yourlies,”hesneered.“Youwillchoke upon them beforeyoudie.”Covenant did not

hesitate. “Nassic was

stabbed in the back,” hesaid softly, “with an ironknife. Itwasa lousyjob—hebledtodeath.Whenwelefthim,theknifewasstillhot.”Marid swallowed

convulsively. “You are afool.WhatmanorwomanofMithilStonedowncouldwieldaknifewith the fireyetwithin it?Out of yourown mouth you are

condemned.”“Graveler,” Covenant

said,“touchhimwithyourstaff.”Around him, the

Stonedownorsrosetotheirfeet.“Forwhatpurpose?”the

Graveler askeduncertainly. “It is merewood. It has no virtue todetermine guilt orinnocence.”

Covenant clinchedMaridinhisgaze.“Doit.”Hesitantly the Graveler

obeyed.As the tip of the staff

neared him, Marid shied.But then a savageexaltation lit his face, andheremainedstill.The staff touched his

shoulder.Instantlythewoodburst

intoredfire.

TheGraveler recoiled inastonishment.Stonedownors gasped,gripped each other forreassurance.With an explosivemovement, Maridbackhanded Covenantacrossthesideofhishead.The unnatural power ofthe blow catapultedCovenant backward. Hetumbled heavily to the

ground. Pain like acidburned through his soreskull.“Covenant!” Lindencriedfearfully.He heard the Gravelerprotest, “Marid!”—heardthe fright of theStonedownors turn toanger. Then the painbecame a roaring thatdeafened him. For amoment,hewas toodizzy

tomove.Buthefoughtthefire, heavedhimself tohisknees so that everyonecould see the mark ofMarid’s blow among hisbruises. “Nice work, youbastard,” he rasped. Hisvoice seemed to make nosound. “What were youafraidof?Didyouthinkhewas going to help us thatmuch? Or were you justhavingfun?”

He was aware of a lowbuzzing around him, butcouldnotmakeoutwords.Marid stood with armsacrosshischest,grinning.Covenant thrust his

voice through the roar.“Why don’t you tell usyour real name? Is itHerem?Jehannum?MaybeSheol?”Linden was beside him.

She strove fervidly to free

her hands; but the bondsheld. Her mouth cheweddumbcurses.“Come on,” he

continued, though hecould barely see Maridbeyond the pain. “Attackme. Take your chances.Maybe I’ve forgotten howtouseit.”AbruptlyMaridbeganto

laugh: laughterasgelidashate. It penetrated

Covenant’s hearing,resounded inhishead likeaconcussion.“Itwillavailyou nothing!” he shouted.“Yourdeathiscertain!Youcannotharmme!”TheGravelerbrandishedhis flaming staff atMarid.DimlyCovenantheard themanrage,“HaveyouslainNassicmyfather?”“With joy!” laughed theRaver.“Ah,howit fedme

to plant my blade in hisback!”A woman shrieked.Before anyone could stopher, she sped in a blur ofgray hair across the openspace, hurled herself atMarid.He collapsed as if theimpacthadkilledhim.Covenant’sstrengthgaveout.Hefelltohisback,laypanting heavily on the

stone.Thenastenchofburned

fleshsickenedtheair.Oneof the Stonedownors criedout,“Sunder!Herhands!”Another demanded, “Is

heslain?”“No!”camethereply.Lindenwasyelling. “Let

mego!I’madoctor!Icanhelp her!” She soundedfrantic. “Don’t you knowwhatadoctoris?”

A moment later, handsgripped Covenant’s arms,lifted him to his feet. AStonedownor swamtoward him through thehurt; slowly, the faceresolved, became theGraveler. His brow was aknot of anger and grief.Stiffly, he said, “Maridsleeps. My mother isdeeplyburned.Tellmethemeaningofthis.”

“A Raver.” Covenant’sbreathingshudderedinhislungs. “Bloody hell.” Hecouldnotthinkorfindthewordsheneeded.The Graveler bunched

his fists in Covenant’sshirt.“Speak!”From somewhere

nearby, Linden shouted,“Goddamn it, leave himalone! Can’t you see he’shurt?”

Covenant fought forclarity. “Let her go,” hesaidtotheGraveler.“She’sahealer.”The muscles along the

Graveler’s jaw knotted,released. “I havenot beengiven reason to trust her.SpeaktomeofMarid.”Marid,Covenantpanted.

“Listen.” Sweating anddizzy, he squeezed thepain out of his mind. “It

wasaRaver.”The Graveler’s glarerevealed nocomprehension.“When he wakes up,he’ll probably be normalagain. May not evenrememberwhathappened.He was taken over. ThatRaver could be anywhere.Itisn’thurt.Youneedalotof power to knock one ofthem out, even

temporarily.You’vegot towatch for it. It could takeover anybody. Watch forsomebody who startsacting strange. Violent.Stay away from them. Imeanit.”The Graveler listenedfirst with urgency, thenwith disgust. Exasperationpulsed in the veins of histemples. Before Covenantfinished, the Stonedownor

turned on his heel, strodeaway.Immediately the hands

holding Covenant’s armsdragged him out of thecenterofthevillage.Linden was ahead of

him. She struggleduselessly between twoburly men. They impelledherbackintotheirjail.“Damnation,” Covenant

said. His voice had no

force. “I’m trying to warnyou.”His captors did not

respond. They thrust himinto the hut after Linden,andlethimfall.Hesanktothefloor.The

cool dimness of the roomwashed over him. Thesuddenness of his releasefrom the sun’s brownpressure made the floorwheel. But he rested his

painonthesoothingstone;and gradually that quiettouchsteadiedhim.Linden was cursing

bitterlyinthestillness.Hetried to raise his head.“Linden.”At once, she moved to

his side. “Don’t try to getup.Justletmeseeit.”He turned his head to

showherhishurt.She bent over him. He

could feel her breath onhischeek.“You’reburned,butitdoesn’tlookserious.First-degree.” Her tonetwitched with nausea andhelplessness. “None of thebonesarecracked.Howdoyoufeel?”“Dizzy,” he murmured.“Deaf.I’llbeallright.”“Sure you will,” shegrated. “You probablyhave a concussion. I’ll bet

youwanttogotosleep.”Hemumbledassent.Thedarkness in his headoffered him cool peace,and he longed to lethimselfdrowninit.She took a breaththrough her teeth. “Situp.”He did not move; helackedthestrengthtoobeyher.She nudged him with

her knee. “I’m serious. Ifyougotosleep,youmightdrift into a coma, and Iwon’t be able to doanything about it. You’vegottostayawake.Situp.”The ragged edge in her

voicesoundedlikeathreatof hysteria. Gritting histeeth,he tried to rise.Hotpain flayed the bones ofhis head; but he priedhimself erect, then

slumpedtothesidesothathis shoulder was bracedagainstthewall.“Good,” Linden sighed.

The pounding in his skullformed a gulf betweenthem. She seemed smalland lonely, aggrieved bythe loss of the world sheunderstood. “Now try tostay alert. Talk to me.”After a moment, she said,“Tellmewhathappened.”

Herecognizedherneed.Marid incarnated the fearswhich Nassic’s death hadraised for her. A beingwholivedonhate,relishedviolence and anguish. Sheknew nothing about suchthings.“A Raver.” Covenant

tried to slip his voicequietly past the pain. “Ishouldhaveknown.Maridis just a Stonedownor. He

waspossessedbyaRaver.”Linden backed away

from him, composedherself against theopposite wall. Her gazeheld his face. “What’s aRaver?”“Servant of Foul.” He

closedhiseyes, leanedhishead to the stone, so thathe could concentrate onwhat he was saying.“There are three of them.

Herem, Sheol, Jehannum—they have a lot ofdifferent names. Theydon’t have bodies of theirown, so they take overother people—evenanimals,Iguess.Whateverthey can find. So they’realways in disguise.” Hesighed—gently, tominimize the effect onhishead. “I just hope thesepeople understand what

thatmeans.”“So,” she askedcarefully,“whatIsawwasthe Raver inside Marid?That’swhyhelookedso—sowrong?”“Yes.”When he focusedon her voice, his hurtbecame lessdemanding; itgrewhotter,butalsomorespecific and limited. As afireinhisskinratherthana cudgel in his brain, it

crippled his thinking less.“Marid was just a victim.TheRaverusedhimtokillNassic—set us up for this.WhatIdon’tknowiswhy.Does Foul want us killedhere? Or is theresomething else going on?IfFoulwantsusdead,thatRavermade a bigmistakewhen it let itself getcaught. Now theStonedown has something

besidesustothinkabout.”“What I don’t know,”

Lindensaidinalornvoicelike an appeal, “is how Iwasabletoseeit.Noneofthisispossible.”Her tone sparked

unexpected memories.Suddenly he realized thattheway she had stared atMarid was the same wayshe had regarded Joan.That encounter with Joan

hadshakenhervisibly.He opened his eyes,

watched her as he said,“That’s one of the fewthings that seems naturaltome.Iusedtobeabletosee what you’re seeingnow—the other times Iwas here.” Her face wasturned toward him, butshe was not looking athim. Her attention wasbent inward as she

struggled with the lunacyof her predicament. “Yoursenses,”hewenton,tryingtohelpher,“arebecomingattuned to the Land.You’re becoming sensitiveto the physical spiritaround you. More andmore,you’regoingtolookatsomething,orhearit,ortouchit,andbeabletotellwhetherit’ssickorhealthy—natural or unnatural.”

Shedidnotappeartohearhim. Defying his pain, herasped, “Which isn’thappening to me.” Hewanted to pull her out ofherself before she lost herway. “For all I can see, Imightaswellbeblind.”Her head flinched fromside to side. “What if I’mwrong?” she breathedmiserably. “What if I’mlosingmymind?”

“No!Thatpartofyouisnever going to be wrong.And you can’t lose yourmind unless you let ithappen.” Wildnessknuckled her features.“Don’tgiveup.”Sheheardhim.With an

effortthatwrunghisheart,shecompelledherbodytorelax, muscle by muscle.She drew a breath thattrembled; but when she

exhaled,shewascalmer.“Ijustfeelsohelpless.”He said nothing,waited

forher.After a moment, she

sniffed sharply, shook herhair away from her face,met his gaze. “If theseRavers can possessanybody,” she said, “whynot us? If we’re soimportant—if this LordFoul iswhatyousayheis

—why doesn’t he justmake us into Ravers, andgetitoverwith?”With a silent groan of

relief, Covenant allowedhimself to sag. “That’s theone thing he can’t do. Hecan’t afford it. He’llmanipulate us every wayhe can, but he has toaccept the risk that wewon’t do what he wants.He needs our freedom.

What he wants from uswon’thaveanyvalueifwedon’t do it by choice.”Also, he went on tohimself, Foul doesn’t darelet a Raver get my ring.Howcouldhe trustoneofthem with that muchpower?Linden frowned. “That

might make sense—if Iunderstoodwhatmakesusso important. What we’ve

got that he could possiblywant.Butnevermindthatnow.” She took a deepbreath. “If I could see theRaver—why couldn’tanybodyelse?”Her question pangedCovenant. “That’s whatreally scares me,” he saidtautly.“Thesepeopleusedto be like you. Now theyaren’t.” And I’m not. “I’mafraideven to thinkabout

what that means. They’velost—” Lost the insightwhichtaughtthemtoloveand serve the Land—tocare about it aboveeverything else. Oh, Foul,you bastard, what haveyou done? “If they can’tseethedifferencebetweenaRaverandanormalman,thentheywon’tbeabletosee that they should trustus.”

Her mouth tightened.“You mean they’re stillplanningtokillus.”Before Covenant could

reply, the curtain wasthrust aside, and theGravelerenteredtheroom.His eyes were glazed

withtrouble,andhisbrowwore a scowlof involitionand mourning, as if hisessential gentleness hadbeen harmed. He had left

his staffbehind;hishandshung at his sides. But hecould not keep them still.Theymovedinslightjerks,half gestures, as if theysought unconsciously forsomething he could holdonto.After a moment of

awkwardness,hesatdownon his heels near theentryway.Hedidnot lookat his prisoners; his gaze

lay on the floor betweenthem.“Sunder,”Covenant said

softly,“sonofNassic.”The Graveler nodded

withoutraisinghiseyes.Covenantwaitedforhim

to speak.But theGravelerremained silent, as if hewere abashed. After amoment, Covenant said,“That woman whoattacked Marid. She was

yourmother.”“Kalina Nassic-mate,daughter of Alloma.” Heheldhimselfharshlyquiet.“Mymother.”Linden peered intentlyatSunder.“Howisshe?”“She rests. But herinjury is deep. We havelittle healing for suchhurts. It may be that shewillbesacrificed.”Covenant saw Linden

poised to demand to beallowed to help thewoman. But he forestalledher.“Sacrificed?”“Her blood belongs tothe Stonedown.” Sunder’svoice limped under aweight of pain. “It mustnotbewasted.OnlyNassicmy fatherwould not haveaccepted this.Therefore”—his throatknotted—“it is well he

knew not that I am theGraveler of MithilStonedown.ForitisIwhowillshedthesacrifice.”Linden recoiled. Aghast,

Covenant exclaimed,“You’re going to sacrificeyourownmother?”“For the survival of the

Stonedown!” croakedSunder. “We must haveblood.” Then he clampeddown his emotion. “You

alsowillbesacrificed.TheStonedown has made itsjudgment. You will beshed at the rising of themorrow’ssun.”Covenant glared at the

Graveler. Ignoring thethrob in his head, herasped,“Why?”“I have come to make

answer.”Sunder’stoneandhis downcast eyesreproved Covenant. The

Graveler plainly loathedhis responsibility; yet hedid not shirk it. “Thereasons are many. Youhave asked to be releasedso that youmayapproachanothervillage.”“I’mlookingforfriends,”

Covenantcounteredstiffly.“If I can’t find them here,I’lltrysomewhereelse.”“No.” The Graveler was

certain. “Another

Stonedown would do aswe do. Because you cameto them from MithilStonedown, they wouldsacrificeyou.Inaddition,”he continued, “you havespoken friendship for thena-Mhoram,whoreavesusofblood.”Covenant blinked at

Sunder. These accusationsformedapatternhe couldnot decipher. “I don’t

knowanyna-Mhoram.TheMhoram I knew has beendead for at least threethousandyears.”“That is not possible.”Sunder spoke withoutraising his head. “Youhave no more than twoscore years.” His handstwisted.“But that signifieslittle beside the Rede ofthe Clave. Though theRiders are loathly to us,

their power andknowledge is beyonddoubt. They have foretoldyour coming for ageneration. And they arenigh. A Rider will arrivesoontoenforcethewillofthe Clave. Retribution forany disregard would besore upon us. Their wordis one we dare not defy.Our sole concern is thatthesheddingofyourblood

mayaidthesurvivaloftheStonedown.”“Wait,” Covenant

objected. “One thing at atime.” Pain andexasperation vied in hishead. “Three thousandyears ago, a man with ahalfhandandawhitegoldring saved the Land frombeing completelydestroyed by the GraySlayer.Doyoumeantotell

me that’s been forgotten?Nobody remembers thestory?”The Graveler shifted his

weight uncomfortably. “Ihave heard such a tale—perhaps I alone in MithilStonedown. Nassic myfather spoke of suchthings. But he was mad—lost in his wits like Jousand Prassan before him.He would have been

sacrificed to the need oftheStonedown,hadKalinahis wife and I permittedit.”Sunder’s tone was a

revelation to Covenant. ItprovidedhimaglimpseoftheGraveler’s self-conflict.Sunder was torn betweenwhathisfatherhadtaughthim and what theStonedown accepted astruth. Consciously he

believed what his peoplebelieved; but theconvictionsofhishalf-madfather worked on himbelowthesurface,erodinghis confidence. He was aman unreconciled tohimself.This insight softenedCovenant’s vexation. Hesensed a range ofpossibilities in Sunder,intuitions of hope; but he

handled them1 gingerly.“All right,” he said. “Letthatpass.Howiskillingusgoingtohelpyou?”“IamtheGraveler.Withblood I am able to shapetheSunbane.”Themusclesalonghisjawclenchedandrelaxedwithoutrhythmorpurpose. “Today we lieunder the desert sun—today, and for perhaps asmany as three daysmore.

Beforethisday,thesunofrain was upon us, and itfollowed the sun ofpestilence.Ourherdneedsforage, as we need crops.Withyourblood, Iwillbeable to draw water fromthe hard earth. I will beable to raise an acre,perhapstwoacres,ofgrassand grain. Life for theStonedown, until thefertilesuncomesagain.”

This made no sense toCovenant. Fumbling forcomprehension, he asked,“Can’tyougetwateroutoftheriver?”“Thereisnowaterinthe

river.”Abruptly Linden spoke.

“No water?” The wordsconveyedthedepthofherincredulity. “That’s notpossible. It rainedyesterday.”

“I have said,” Sundersnapped like a man inpain, “that we lie underthe desert sun. Have younotbeheldit?”In his astonishment,

Covenant turned toLinden. “Is he telling thetruth?”Sunder’sheadjerkedup.

His eyes nicked back andforth between CovenantandLinden.

Through her teeth, shesaid,“Yes.It’strue.”Covenant trusted her

hearing.Heswungbacktothe Graveler. “So there’snowater.” Steadiness roseinhim—amusteringofhisresources. “Let that pass,too.”Thethrobinhisheadinsisted on hishelplessness;butheclosedhisearstoit.“Tellmehowyoudo it.Howyou shape

theSunbane.”Sunder’s eyes expressedhis reluctance. ButCovenant held theGravelerwithhisdemand.Whatever strength of willSunder possessed, he wastoounsureofhimselfnowtorefuse.Howmanytimeshad his father told himabout the Unbeliever?After a moment, heacceded. “I am the

Graveler.” He reached ahand into his jerkin. “IbeartheSunstone.”Almost reverently, he

drew out a piece of rockhalfthesizeofhisfist.Thestone was smooth,irregularly shaped. Bysometrickofitssurface,itappeared transparent, butnothingshowedthroughit.It was like a hole in hishand.

“Hellfire,” Covenantbreathed. Keen relief ranthroughhim.Herewasonehard solid piece of hope.“Orcrest.”The Graveler peered athim in surprise. “Do youhave knowledge of theSunstone?”“Sunder.” Covenantspoke stiffly to control hisexcitementandanxiety.“Ifyoutrytokilluswiththat

thing, people are going togethurt.”The Stonedownor shookhis head. “You will notresist. Mirkfruit will bebroken in your faces—thesame melon which madeyoucaptive.Therewillbenopain.”“Oh,therewillbepain,”growled Covenant. “You’llbe in pain.” Deliberatelyhe put pressure on the

Graveler. “You’ll be theonly one in this wholeStonedown who knowsyou’re destroying the lasthope of the Land. It’s toobad your father died. Hewould have found somewaytoconvinceyou.”“Enough!” Sunder

almost shouted at thelaceration of his spirit. “Ihave uttered the words Icame to speak. In this at

least I have shown youwhat courtesy I may. Ifthereisaughtelsethatyouwouldsay,thensayitandhavedone.Imustbeaboutmywork.”Covenantdidnotrelent.

“WhataboutMarid?”Sunder jerked to his

feet,stoodgloweringdownat Covenant. “He is aslayer, unshriven by anybenefit to the Stonedown

—a violator of the Redewhich all accept. He willbepunished.”“You’re going to punish

him?” Covenant’s controlfaltered in agitation.“What for?” He strugglederect,thrusthisfaceattheGraveler. “Didn’tyouhearwhat I told you? He’sinnocent. He was takenover by aRaver. Itwasn’thisfault.”

“Yes,” Sunder retorted.“And he ismy friend. Butyousayheisinnocent,andyour words have nomeaning. We knownothingofanyRaver.TheRede is the Rede. He willbepunished.”“Goddamn it!” snapped

Covenant, “did you touchhim?”“AmIa fool?Yes, Iput

my hand upon him. The

fireofhisguiltisgone.Hehas awakened and istormented with thememory of a noisomething which came uponhimoutoftherain.Yethisact remains. He will bepunished.”Covenantwantedtotake

holdoftheGraveler,shakehim. But his efforts onlymadethebondscutdeeperinto his wrists. Darkly he

asked,“How?”“Hewillbebound.”The

soft violence of Sunder’stone sounded like self-flagellation. “Borne outinto the Plains during thenight. The Sunbane willhavenomercyforhim.”Inire or regret, he evadedCovenant’sglare.Withaneffort,Covenant

put aside the question ofMarid’s fate, postponed

everything he did notunderstand about theSunbane.Insteadheasked,“Are you really going tokillKalina?”Sunder’s hands twitched

as if they wantedCovenant’sthroat.“ShoulditevercometopassthatIam free to leave thisroom,”heraspedacidly,“Iwilldomyutmost tohealher.Herbloodwillnotbe

shed until her death iswrittenonherforeheadforall to see. Do you seek toprevent me from herside?”The Graveler’s distress

touched Covenant. Hisindignation fell away. Heshookhishead,thenurgedquietly, “Untie Linden.Takeherwithyou.She’sahealer.Maybeshe—”Linden interrupted him.

“No.” Despite its flatness,her voice carried a timbreof despair. “I don’t evenhavemybag. Sheneedsahospital, not wishfulthinking.Lethimmakehisowndecisions.”Covenant wheeled

toward her. Was this thesame woman who hadinsistedwithsuchpassion,Icanhelpher!Herfacewashalf hidden by her hair.

“Isn’t there anything youcando?”“Third-degree burns”—she articulated each wordasifitwereamaskforthecontradictionsofherheart—“are hard enough totreat under the bestcircumstances. If hewantsto commit euthanasia,that’s his business. Don’tbe so goddamnjudgmental.”

Without transition, sheaddressed Sunder. “Weneedfood.”He regarded hersuspiciously. “LindenAvery, there are thingsthat I would give you foryour ease, but food is notamong them. We do notwaste food on any man,woman, or child who isunder judgment. Kalinamy mother will not be

given food unless I amable to show that she canbehealed.”She did not deign to

lookathim.“Wealsoneedwater.”Cursing sourly, Sunder

turnedonhisheel,slappedthecurtainoutofhisway.As he left, he snapped,“You will have water.”Outside he yelled atsomeone, “The prisoners

require water!” Then hepassedbeyondearshot.Covenant watched the

swaying of the curtain,and strove to still hisconfusion. He could feelhis pulse beating like therhythm of slow flame inthe bones of his skull.What was wrong withLinden? Moving carefully,he went to her. She satwithhergazelowered,her

features shrouded by thedimness of the room. Hesank to his knees to askherwhatwasthematter.She faced him harshly,

shookherhair.“Imustbehysterical. These peopleareplanningtokillus.Forsome silly reason, thatbothersme.”He studied her for a

moment, measuring herbelligerence, then

retreatedtositagainsttheopposite wall. What elsecould he do? She wasalready foundering; hecould not insist that shesurrender her secrets tohim. In her straits, duringhis first experience withthe Land, he had losthimself so badly—Heclosedhiseyes,gropedforcourage. Then he sighed,“Don’t worry about it.

They’re not going to killus.”“Naturally not.” Her

tone was vicious. “You’reThomas Covenant,Unbelieverandwhitegoldwielder.Theywon’tdare.”Her scornhurthim;but

he made an effort tosuppress his anger. “We’llgetoutofheretonight.”“How?” she demanded

bluntly.

“Tonight”—hecouldnotsilencehisweariness—“I’lltrytoshowSunderwhyheoughttoletusgo.”A moment later,

someonepushedtwolargestoneware bowls of waterpast the curtain. Lindenreacted to them as if theywere the only explicablethings in the room. Sheshuttled toward them onher knees, lowered her

headtodrinkdeeply.When Covenant joined

her, she ordered him tousethebowlshehadused.He obeyed to avoid anargument; but her reasonsbecame clear when shetold him to put his handsin the still-full bowl. Thewater might reduce theirswelling,allowmorebloodpast the bonds—perhapseven loosen the bonds

themselves.Apparently his wrists

were tied with leather; ashe followed herinstructions, the cool fluidpalliated his discomfort;and a shortwhile later hefelta tingleof recovery inhis palms. He tried tothankherwithasmile;butshedidnotrespond.Whenheleft thewater,shetookhis place, soaked her own

handsforalongtime.Gradually Covenant’s

attention drifted awayfrom her. The sun wasbeginning to slant towardafternoon; a bright hotsliverof lightdissectedbyiron bars lay on the floor.He rested his head, andthought about theSunstone.Orcrest—a stone of

power.Theformermasters

of stone-lore had usedorcrest to wield theEarthpowerinavarietyofways—toshedlight,breakdroughts, test truth. IfSunder’s Sunstone wereindeedorcrest—Butwhat if itwerenot?Covenant returned to thedread which had struckhim in Nassic’s hut. Theworld is notwhat itwas. Iftherewere no Earthpower

—Something broken. Hecould not deny hisanguish.Heneededorcrest,needed its power; he hadto have a trigger. He hadneverbeenable tocallupwild magic of his ownvolition.Even in thecrisisof his final confrontationwith the Despiser, hewould have been lostutterlywithoutthecatalyst

oftheIllearthStone.IftheSunstone were not trulyorcrest—Hewishedthathecould

feel his ring; but even ifhis hands had not beenbound, his fingers wouldhave been too numb.Leper, he muttered. Makeit work. Make it. Thesunlight became a whitecynosure, growing until itthrobbed like the pain in

his head. Slowly hismindfilled with a brightnessmore fearsome andpunishing than any night.Heopposeditasifhewereafragmentofthelastkinddark which healed andrenewed.ThenLindenwassaying,

“Covenant. You’ve sleptenough. It’s dangerous ifyou have a concussion.Covenant.”

The dazzle in his brainblinded him momentarily;hehadtosquinttoseethatthe roomwas dim. Sunsetfaintlycoloredtheair.Thesky beyond the windowlayintwilight.He felt stiff andgroggy,

asifhislifehadcongealedwithinhimwhileheslept.His pain had burrowedinto the bone; but it, too,seemed imprecise—

stupefied by fatigue. AtLinden’s urging, he drankthe remaining water. Itcleared his throat, butcouldnotuncloghismind.Foralongtime,theysat

without speaking. Nightfilled the valley like anexudation from themountains; the air turnedcool as the earth lost itswarmth to the clearheavens.At first, the stars

were as vivid as language—an articulation ofthemselves across thedistance and theunfathomable night. Butthen the sky lost itsdepthasthemoonrose.“Covenant,” Linden

breathed,“talktome.”Hervoicewasasfragileasice.She was near the limit ofherendurance.He searched for

somethingthatwouldhelpthemboth, fortifyherandfocushim.“Idon’twanttodie like

this,”shegrated.“Withoutevenknowingwhy.”He ached because he

could not explain why,could not give her hissense of purpose. But heknewa storywhichmighthelp her to understandwhatwasatstake.Perhaps

it was a story they bothneededtohear.“Allright,”he said quietly. “I’ll tellyou how this world cametobecreated.”She did not answer.

Afteramoment,hebegan.Even to himself, his

voice sounded bodiless, asif the dark were speakingfor him. He was trying toreach out to her withwords, though he could

not see her, and had noveryclearideaofwhoshewas.Histalewasasimpleone; but for him itssimplicitygrewoutoflongdistillation. It made evenhisdeadnervesyearnasifhe were moved by aneloquence he did notpossess.In the measureless

heavensoftheuniverse,hetold her, where life and

space were one, and theimmortals strode throughan ether withoutlimitation, the Creatorlookedabouthim,andhisheart swelled with thedesiretomakeanewthingto gladden his brightchildren. Summoning hisstrength and subtlety, heset about the work whichwashisexaltation.Firsthe forged theArch

ofTime,so that theworldhewished tomakewouldhave a place to be. Andthen within the Arch heformedtheEarth.Wieldingthe greatness of his loveand vision as tools, hemade the world in all itsbeauty, so that no eyecould behold it withoutjoy. And then upon theEarth he placed all themyriads of its inhabitants

—beings to perceive andcherish the beauty whichhe made. Striving forperfection because it wasthe nature of creation todesire all things flawless,hemadetheinhabitantsofthe Earth capable ofcreation, and striving, andlove for the world. Thenhewithdrewhishand,andbeheldwhathehaddone.Theretohisgreatirehe

saw that evil lay in theEarth: malice buried andabroad, banes and powerswhich had no part in hisintent. For while he hadlabored over his creation,hehadclosedhiseyes,andhadnotseen theDespiser,thebittersonorbrotherofhis heart, laboring besidehim—casting dross intothe forge, addingmalignancytohisintent.

ThentheCreator’swrathshooktheheavens,andhegrappled with the son orbrother of his heart. Heoverthrew the Despiserand hurled him to theEarth, sealing him withinthe Arch of Time for hispunishment. Thus itbecamefortheinhabitantsoftheEarthasitwaswiththeCreator;forinthatacthe harmed the tiling he

loved, and so all livinghearts were taught thepower of self-despite. TheDespiserwasabroadintheEarth, awakening ills,seeking to escape hisprison. And the Creatorcould not hinder him, forthe reachofany immortalhand through the Archwould topple Time,destroying the Earth andfreeing the Despiser. This

was the great grief of theCreator, and the unendingflaw and sorrow of thosewholivedandstroveupontheEarth.Covenant fell silent.

Telling this story,essentiallyashehadheardit ten years ago, broughtback many things to him.He no longer felt blurredand ossified. Now he feltlike the night, and his

memories were stars:Mhoram, Foamfollower,Bannor, the Ranyhyn.Whilehestillhadbloodinhis veins, air in his lungs,hewouldnotturnhisbackon the world which hadgivenbirthtosuchpeople.Linden started to ask a

question; but the rustlingof the curtain interruptedher. Sunder entered theroomcarryinganoillamp.

He set it on the floor andseatedhimselfcross-leggedin front of it. Its dim,yellow light cast haggardshadowsacrosshis visage.When he spoke, his voicewore ashes, as if he hadbeenbereaved.“I, too, have heard that

tale,” he said thickly. “Itwas told to me by Nassicmyfather.Butthetaletoldin the Rede of the na-

Mhoram is anotheraltogether.”Covenant and Linden

waited. After a moment,the Graveler went on. “IntheRedeitistoldthattheEarthwas formedasa jailand tormenting-place forthe Lord of wickedness—him whom we name a-Jeroth of the Seven Hells.And life was placed uponthe Earth—men and

women,andallotherraces—to wreak upon a-Jerothhisproperdoom.Buttimeand again, throughout theages,theracesoftheLandfailed their purpose.Rather than exacting painfrom a-Jeroth, meting outuponhimtheMaster’sjustretribution, they formedalliances with the Lord,spared him in hisweakness and bowed to

him in his strength. Andalways”—Sunder shot aglance at Covenant,faltered momentarily—“the most heinous ofthese betrayals have beenwrought by men born inthe image of the FirstBetrayer, Berek, father ofcowardice. Halfhandedmen.“Therefore in his wrath

theMaster turnedhis face

fromtheLand.HesenttheSunbane upon us, aschastisementfortreachery,so that we wouldremember our mortality,and become worthy againto servehis purpose.Onlythe intercession of theClave enables us toendure.”Protests thronged inCovenant. He knew fromexperience that this

conception of the Landwas false and cruel. Butbefore he could try toreply, Linden climbedsuddenly to her feet. Hereyes were feverish in thelamplight,afflictedbyfearand outrage and waiting.Her lips trembled. “AMasterlikethatisn’tworthbelieving in. But youprobably have to do itanyway.Howelsecanyou

justify killing people youdon’tevenknow?”The Graveler surged

erect,facedherextremely.The conflict in him madehim grind his teeth. “Allthe Land knows the truthwhichtheClaveteaches.Itismanifest at every risingof the sun. None deny itbutNassicmyfather,whodied in mind before hisbody was slain, and you,

whoareignorant!”Covenant remained on

the floor. While Lindenand Sunder confrontedeachother,hedrewallthestrands of himselftogether, braided anger,empathy, determination,memory tomake the cordon which all their livesdepended.Partofhimbledto think of the hurt hemeanttoinflictonSunder,

the choice he meant toextort; part raged at thebrutalitywhichhadtaughtpeoplelikeSundertothinkof their own lives aspunishment for a crimethey could not havecommitted; part quaveredin fear at the idea offailure, at the poverty ofhis grasponpower.WhenLinden began to retort tothe Graveler, he stopped

her with, a wrench of hishead.I’lldoit,hethoughtsilently toher. If it has tobe done. Shifting his gazeto Sunder, he asked,“How’syourmother?”A spasm contorted the

Graveler’s face; his handsbunchedintoknotsofpainand uselessness, “Herdeath is plain.” His eyeswere dull, wounded,articulating the frank

torment of his heart. “Imust shed her blood withyoursatthesun’srising.”Covenant bowed his

headforamomentintacitacknowledgment. Then,deliberately, he created aspace of clarity withinhimself, set his questionsand fears aside. All right,hemurmured.Leper.Ithastobedone.Takingadeepbreath,he

rose to his feet, faced theStonedownor.“Sunder,”hesaid softly,

“doyouhaveaknife?”The Graveler nodded as

if the question had nomeaning.“Takeitout.”Slowly Sunder obeyed.

He reached to his back,slippedalongironponiardoutofhisbelt.His fingersheld it as if they had no

ideahowtouseit.“I want you to see that

you’re safe,” Covenantsaid. “You have a knife.Myhands are tied. I can’thurtyou.”Sunder stared back at

Covenant, transfixed byincomprehension.All right, Covenant

breathed. Leper. Do itnow.Hisheartbeatseemedtofillhischest,leavingno

room for air. But he didnotwaver.“Get out that piece of

orcrest.TheSunstone.”Again Sunder obeyed.

Covenant’swillheldhim.Covenantdidnotpermit

himself to glance down atthe stone. He wasmarginally aware thatLinden regarded him as ifhewereno longersane.Ashudder of apprehension

threatened his clarity. Hehad to grit his teeth tokeep his voice steady,“Touchmewithit.”“Touch—?” Sunder

murmuredblankly.“Touchmyforehead.”Doubt pinched the

corners of Sunder’s eyes.His shoulders hunched ashe tightened his grip ontheknife,theSunstone.Doit.

The Graveler’s handseemed to move withoutvolition.TheorcrestpassedCovenant’s face, came torest cool and possibleagainsthistensebrow.His attention droppedthrough him to his ring,seeking for the linkbetweenorcrest and whitegold. He rememberedstanding in sunlight anddesperation on the slopes

ofMountThunder;hesawBannor take his hand,place his ring in contactwith the Staff of Law. Atrigger. He felt thedetonationofpower.Youarethewhitegold.The silence in the roomvibrated.Hislipsstretchedback from his teeth. Hesqueezed his eyes shutagainstthestrain.Atrigger.

He did notwant to die,did not want the Land todie.LordFoulabhorredalllife.Fiercely he brought the

orcrest and thewhite goldtogetherinhismind,chosepower.Aburstofargentsprang

offhisforehead.Lindenletoutastricken

gasp. Sunder snatchedback theorcrest. A gust of

forceblewoutthelamp.Then Covenant’s hands

were free. Ignoring thesuddenmagmaofrenewedcirculation, he raised hisarms in front of him,openedhiseyes.His hands blazed the

colorof the fullmoon.Hecould feel the passion ofthe fire,but itdidhimnoharm.The flames on his left

swiftlyfaded,died.Buthisright hand grew brighterastheblazefocusedonhisring, burning without asound.Linden stared at him

whitely, wildly. Sunder’seyesechoedtheargentfirelikea revelation tooacutetobear.You are stubborn yet.

Yes!Covenantpanted.Youdon’t begin to know how

stubborn.With a thought, he

struck the bonds fromLinden’s wrists. Then hereachedfortheSunstone.As he took it from

Sunder’sstunnedfingers,apiercing white lightexplodedfromthestone.Itshone like a sun in thesmallroom.Lindenduckedher head. Sunder coveredhiseyeswithhisfreearm,

waved his poniarduncertainly.“Wild magic,” Covenant

said. His voice felt likeflame in his mouth. Thereturnofbloodtohisarmsraked his nerves likeclaws. “Your knife meansnothing. I have the wildmagic. I’mnotthreateningyou. I don’t want to hurtanybody.” The night hadbecome cold, yet sweat

streamed down his face.“That’s not why I’m here.ButIwon’tletyoukillus.”“Father!” Sunder cried

in dismay. “Was it true?Was every,word that youspokeawordoftruth?”Covenantsagged.Hefelt

that he had accomplishedhispurpose;andatonceawave of fatigue brokethrough him. “Here.” Hisvoice was hoarse with

strain.“Takeit.”“Take—?”“The Sunstone. It’s

yours.”Torn by this vision of

power as if it turned theworld he had alwaysknown to chaos, Sunderstretched out his hand,touched the bright orcrest.Whenitslightdidnotburnhim, he closed his fingerson it as if it were an

anchor.With a groan, Covenant

released the wild magic.Instantly the firewentoutas if he had severed itfrom his hand. TheSunstone wasextinguished; the roomplungedintomidnight.He leaned back against

the wall, hugged hispounding arms across hischest. Flares danced along

his sight, turning slowlyfromwhite to orange andred.Hefeltexhausted;buthe could not rest. He hadsilenced his power so thattheGravelerwouldhaveachancetorefusehim.Nowhehadtomeetthecostofhis risk. Roughly, heforced out words. “I wantto get away from here.Before anything elsehappens.BeforethatRaver

triessomethingworse.Butwe need help. A guide.Somebodywho knows theSunbane.Wecan’t survivealone.Iwantyou.”From out of thedarkness,Sunderansweredas if he were foundering,“I am the Graveler ofMithil Stonedown. Mypeople hold me in theirfaith. How shall I betraymyhometoaidyou?”

“Sunder,” Covenantreplied, striving to conveythe extremity of hisconviction,“IwanttohelptheLand.Iwanttosaveitall. Including MithilStonedown.”For a longmoment, theGraveler was silent.Covenant clinched hischest, did not allowhimselftobegforSunder’said;buthisheartbeatover

and over again, Please; Ineedyou.Abruptly Linden spoke

in a tone of startlingpassion. “You shouldn’thave to kill your ownmother.”Sunder took a deep

quiveringbreath.“Idonotwishtoshedherblood.Oryours. May my peopleforgiveme.”Covenant’s head swam

with relief. He hardlyheard himself say, “Thenlet’sgetstarted.”

SEVEN:Marid

Foramoment,therewassilence in the small room.Sunderremainedstill,asifhe could not force hisreluctant bones to act onhis decision. Out of thedarkness, he breathedthickly, “ThomasCovenant, do not betrayme.”Before Covenant could

try to reply, the Gravelerturned, eased the curtainaside.Through the entryway,Covenant saw moonlightin the open center of theStonedown. Quietly heasked, “What aboutguards?”“There are none here.”Sunder’s voicewas a rigidwhisper.“Lives tobeshedareleftinthechargeofthe

Graveler. It is fitting thatone who will commitsacrifice should keep vigilwith those whose bloodwill be shed. TheStonedownsleeps.”Covenant clenched

himself against his fatigueand the Graveler’s tone.“What about outside thevillage?”“Those guards we must

evade.”

Grimly Sunder slippedoutoftheroom.Linden began to followthe Stonedownor. But atCovenant’s side shestopped, said softly, “Doyou trusthim?Healreadyregretsthis.”“I know,” Covenantresponded. In the back ofhis mind, he cursed theacuity of her hearing. “Iwouldn’t trust anybody

who didn’t regret adecisionlikethis.”She hesitated for a

moment. She saidbitterly,“I don’t think regret issuch a virtue.” Then shelet herself out into thenight.He stood still, blinking

wearilyatthedark.Hefeltwanwith hunger; and thethoughtofwhat layaheadsapped the little strength

remainingtohim.Linden’sseverity hurt him. Wherehad she learned to denyherself the simplehumanityofregret?But he had no time for

such things. His need toescape was absolute.Woodenly he followed hiscompanions out of theroom.After the blackness

behind him, the moon

seemedbright.SunderandLinden were distinct andvulnerableagainstthepalewalls of the houses,waiting for him.When hejoined them, the Gravelerturned northwardimmediately, beganmoving with barefootsilence between thedwellings. Lindenshadowed him; andCovenant stayed within

arm’sreachofherback.Astheynearedtheouter

houses, Sunder stopped.He signed for Covenantand Linden to remainwhere they were. WhenCovenant nodded, Sundercrept away back into theStonedown.Covenanttriedtomuffle

hisrespiration.Athisside,Lindenstoodwithherfistsclenched. Her lips moved

soundlessly as if shewerearguingwithherfear.Thenight was chilly;Covenant’s anxiety left acold trail down the smallofhisback.ShortlySunderreturned,

bearing a dark oblong thesize of a papaya.“Mirkfruit,” he whispered.At once, he moved offagain.Like spectres, the three

of them left MithilStonedown.From the last houses,

Sunder picked his waytoward the valley bottom.He traveled in a hah5crouch, reducing hissilhouette as much aspossible. Linden followedhisexample;sheseemedtoflit through themoonlightas if she had been bornsure-footed.But

Covenant’s toes werenumb, and his legs weretired. He stumbled overtheunevenground.Abruptly Sunder braced

his hands on a rock,vaulteddownintothelonghollowoftheriverbed.Linden jumped after

him. Sand absorbed herlanding.Swiftly,shejoinedSunder in the shadowunderthebank.

Covenant hesitated onthe edge. Lookingdownward, he becamesuddenly queasy withvertigo. He turned hishead away. The barrenlength of the watercoursestretchedserpentineoutofthe mountains on his lefttowardtheSouthPlainsonhisright.Last night, the Mithil

River had been full to

overflowing.“Come!” whisperedSunder. “You will beseen.”Covenant jumped. Helanded crookedly,sprawledinthesand.Inaninstant,Sunderreachedhisside,urgedhimtohisfeet.He ignored the Graveler.Hedughis hands into thesand,gropingformoisture.But even below the

surface, the sand wascompletely dry. His handsraiseddust thatmadehimgagtostifleacough.Impossible!The riverbed was as

desiccatedasadesert.Hadthe Law itself becomemeaningless?“Covenant!” Linden

hissed.Sunder tugged at his

shoulders.Fightingdowna

rush of blind rage,Covenant pulled his legsunder him, stumbled intotheshadowofthebank.Amoment passed before heregained himself enoughto look outward, awayfromhisdismay.Sunder pointed

downriver, toward theblackarcofabridgeafewhundred feet away. “Oneguard,” he breathed. “The

others can no longerdescry us. But him wecannotpassunseen.”“What are we going to

do?”whisperedLinden.The Graveler motioned

for silence. Hefting hismirkfruit, he crept awayalong the course, stayingcarefullyunder theshelterofthebank.Linden and Covenant

followed.

Theirprogresswasslow.The river bottom waslittered with rocks andunexpected holes,especially near the banks;Covenanthadtowatchhisfooting. Yet his gaze wasdrawntowardthebridge—the ominous black spanblocking their way like agate. He had crossed thatbridge with Lena. AndwithAtiaran.Thememory

madehisheartsquirm.Hecaughtnoglimpseof

the guard. The man musthave been hiding behindtheparapetsofthespan.Thentheydrewnearthe

bridge, made their wayunderit.CovenantheldhisbreathasSundermovedtothe riverbank. TheGraveler climbed withacutecaution;heeasedhisway upward as if every

pebbleandhandfulofdirtwere treacherous. Slowlyhedisappearedaroundthebaseofthebridge.Suspenseshiveredinthe

air as if the night wereabout to shatter.Covenant’s lungs knotted,demanding relief. Lindenhuddledintoherself.Theyheardasoftthud—

the impact of Sunder’smirkfruit—followed by a

groan, and the sound of abody falling on the stoneovertheirheads.The Graveler droppedwithalacritybackintotheriverbed. “Now we mustmake haste,” he warned,“before another comes toward in his place.” Hesoundedangry.Turningonhisheel,hestrodeawayasifwhathehadjustdonetosomeonehehadknownall

his life wereunsupportable.He set a stiff pace.Covenant and Linden hadto hurry to keep up withhim.Moonlight gave thenightacrisppatinaofoldsilver, as if the darknessitselfwereaworkof fine-spun craft. Stars winkedlikeinstancesofperfectionabove the rims of the

mountains, which roserugged into theunattainable heavens oneither side. While hisstrength held, Covenanttook pleasure in thisopportunity to recover thetangible loveliness of theLand.But as the moon

declined toward setting,andthespurofmountainsonhisleftbegantoshrink,

his momentum faltered.He was too weak. Hisheart limpedas if it couldnot keepupwithhim;hismusclesfeltlikesand.Andescape was not enough;there was something elsehehadtodoaswell.Witha dry croak, he calledSunder to a halt. Then hedropped to the ground,stretched out on his back,andsuckedair.

Linden stopped nearby,winded but still capable.And Sunder stood erectand impatient; he wastough as well as strong,inured to fatigue by alifetime of difficultsurvival. The little he hadseenandheardhadtaughtCovenantthatlifeinMithilStonedown was arduousand costly.Whyelsewerethese villagers willing to

sacrificetheirownparents—willing to condemnstrangers and innocents todeath? It was intolerable,that thebountifulLandhelovedhadcometothis.He was still huntingfortitudewhenSundersaidstiffly, “Here we are safeenough until the sun’srising—at least while ourabsence remainsundiscovered in the

Stonedown. But it availsnothing merely to abidehere, awaiting chance ordoom. The Rider whoapproaches MithilStonedown may comeupon us. He will surelypursuewhen he is told ofourflight.Youhaveaskedme to guide you. ThomasCovenant, where will yougo?”Groaning, Covenant

priedhimselfintoasittingposition. “First thingsfirst.” He had learnedenough to be sure Sunderwould not like the largeranswertothatquestion.Sohe concentrated on hisimmediate purpose. “FirstIwanttofindMarid.”“Marid?” The Gravelergaped. “Did I not tell youthe judgment of theStonedown? He is

condemned by ancientRede and custom to themercy of the Sunbane. Ithasalreadybeendone.”“I know,” Covenantmuttered. “You told me.And I told you. He’sinnocent.”“Guilt or innocence,”retorted Sunder, “it availsnothing. It has alreadybeen done! The men andwomen entrusted with his

doom returned before Icametospeakwithyou.”Weariness eroded

Covenant’s self-mastery.He could hardly restrainhisoldrage.“Whatexactlydidtheydotohim?”Sunder cast a look of

exasperation at the stars.“They bore him into thePlains,andlefthimhoundtoawaithisjudgment.”“Do you know where

theylefthim?”“Somewhat. They spoke

of their intent beforedeparting. I was notamongthemtobeholdtheveryspot.”“That’s good enough.”

Covenant felt as weak aswater; but he climbed tohis feet and faced theGraveler.“Takeusthere.”“There is not time!”

Sunder’s visage was a

tangle of darkness. “Thedistance is too great. Wemust find protection, lestwe also fall prey to thesun’srising.”“But Marid is innocent.”Covenant soundedwild tohimself, but did not care.“The only reason thatRaver used him wasbecause of us. I’m notgoing to let him bepunished.Goddamnit.”He

grabbed roughly atSunder’sjerkin.“Guideus!I’vegottoomuchbloodonmyhandsalready.”In a low strained tone,as if he had just glimpsedsome crucial andfrightening truth, theGravelersaid,“YoudonotunderstandtheSunbane.”“Then explain it. Whatareyousoafraidof?”“We will suffer Marid’s

doom!”From behind Sunder,

Lindensaid,“Hemeansit.Hethinkssomethingawfulis going to happen whenthesuncomesup.”Withaneffort,Covenant

forced himself to releaseSunder. He faced Linden,bit down on his voice tokeep it quiet. “What doyouthink?”She was silent for a

moment. Then she saidharshly, “I didn’t believeyou when you said Joanwas possessed. But I sawthat Raver myself. I sawMarid afterward. TheRaver was gone.” Shecarved each worddistinctly in the night air.“If you want to stay withSunder, I’ll go looking forMaridmyself.”“Heaven and Earth!”

protested Sunder. “Did Ibetraymyhomemerelysothatyoumaymeetruinforamanyoucannotsave?Ifyou place one foot amiss,youwillendinbeseechingthe stones themselves fordeath!”Covenantgazedintothe

darkness where Lindenstood, gathering strengthfromher.Softlyherepliedto Sunder, “He was your

friend.”“You are mad!” Sunderraged. “Nassic my fatherwasmad!”Hesnatchedupa stone, hurled it againsttheriverbank.“Iammad.”Then he whirled onCovenant. Angerhammered in his voice.“Very well. I will guideyou. But I will not”—hisfist hit at the night—“sufferthedestructionof

the Sunbane for any manorwoman,madorsane,”Wrenching himself intomotion, he turned andscrambled up out of theriverbed.Covenant remainedlookingtowardLinden.Hewanted to thank her forher support, herwillingness to risk herselfin the name of Marid’sinnocence. But she

brushed past him afterSunder. “Come on,” shesaid over her shoulder.“We’ve got to hurry.Whatever it is he’s afraidof, Idon’t think I’mgoingtolikeit.”He watched her whilesheclimbedthebank.Endin beseeching— He rubbedhis right hand across hischin, verified his ringagainst the stiff stubble of

his beard. Then hemarshaled his waningresources and struggled tofollowhiscompanions.On level ground, hefound himself in anentirely differentlandscape. Except for theraggedweal of theMithil,the Plains were nearlyfeatureless. They spreadnorthandwestasfarashecouldsee,markedonlyby

the faint undulations ofthe terrain—bare even ofshrubsorpilesofrock.Thelow moonlight gave theman appearance of ghostlysterility, as if they hadbeenweathered barren byagesofimplacablethirst.Sunder headed slightlyeast of north at a canter,roughly paralleling themountains which still layto the east. But Covenant

could not endure such apace. And he did notunderstand his guide’scompelling dread. Hecalled for Sunder to slowdown.TheGravelerspunonhisheel.“Thereisnottime.”“Then there’s no reasonfor us to wear ourselvesout.”Sunder spat a curse,started moving again. But

in spite of his almostfranticanxiety,hewentnofaster than a brisk walk.Sometimelater,themoonfellbelowthehorizon.Butthe scant lightof the starssufficed. The terrain wasnot difficult, and Sunderknew his way. Soon avague wash of gray fromtheeastbegantomaceratethenight.The paling of the

horizon agitated Sunder.Hesearchedtheearthnearhim while he walked,made digressions from hispathlikespurtsoffrighttostudy irregularities in theground. But he could notfind what he wanted.Withinhalfaleague,dawnhad become imminent.Urgently he facedCovenantandLinden.“Wemust find stone.Anyhard

rockfreeofsoil.Beforethesun’s rising.Search, ifyouvalue a hale life and acleandeath.”Covenant haltedwoodenly. Hissurroundings seemed toswayasiftheywereaboutto fall apart. He feltstunnedbyweariness.“There,” Linden said.Shewaspointingofftoherright.

He peered in thatdirection.Hecoulddiscernnothing. But he did nothavehereyes.Sunder gaped at her fora moment, then hastenedto investigate. With hishands, he explored thesurface.“Stone!” he hissed. “Itmay suffice.” At once, hejumped erect. “We muststand here. The stonewill

wardus.”Fatigue blurred

Covenant’ssight.Hecouldnot see the Gravelerclearly. Sunder’sapprehension made nosense to him. Sunrise wasonly moments away;luminescence cast thehorizon into stark relief.Was he supposed to beafraidofthesun?LindenaskedSunderthe

same question. “Do youthink the sun’s going tohurt us? That’s nonsense.Wespenthalfthemorningyesterday in that test ofsilence of yours, and theonly thing we sufferedfromwasprejudice.”“With stone underfoot!”fumed the Graveler. “It isthe first touch whichdestroys!Youdidnotmeetthe first touch of the

Sunbane unwarded bystone!”I don’t have time forthis,Covenantmutteredtohimself. The eyes of hismind saw Marid clearlyenough. Left to die in thesun.Unsteadilyhelurchedintomotionagain.“Fool!” Sunder shouted.“For you I betrayed mybornpeople!”Amoment later, Linden

joinedCovenant.“Find stone!” TheGraveler’spassionsoundedlike raw despair. “Youdestroy me! Must I slayyoualso?”Linden was silent for afew steps. Then shemurmured, “He believesit.”Aninnominatepangranthrough Covenant.Involuntarily he stopped.

He and Linden turned tofacetheeast.They squinted at thefirst fieryrimoftherisingsun.It flared red along theskyline; but the sun itselfworeanauraofbrown,asif it shone throughcerements of dust. Ittouched his face with dryheat.“Nothing,” Linden said

tightly. “I don’t feelanything.”He glanced back at

Sunder.TheGravelerstoodon his stone. His handshad covered his face, andhisshouldersshook.Becausehedidnotknow

what else to do, Covenantturned away, went rigidlyinsearchofMarid.Lindenstayedwithhim.

Hunger had abused her

face, giving her a sunkenaspect;andshecarriedherhead as if the injurybehind her ear still hurt.But her jaw was set,emphasizing the firm linesof her chin, and her lipswere pale with severity.She looked like a womanwhodidnotknowhowtofail. He braced himself onher determination, andkeptmoving.

Therisingofthesunhadaltered the ambience ofthe Plains. They had beensilver and bearable; nowthey became a hot andlifeless ruin.Nothinggrewor moved in the widewaste. The ground waspacked and baked until itwas as intractable as iron.Loose dirt turned to dust.The entire landscapeshimmered with heat like

the aftermath ofdestruction.Striving against the

stupefactionofhisfatigue,Covenant asked Linden totell him about theconditionoftheterrain.“It’swrong.”Shebitout

words as if the sightwereanobloquydirectedatherpersonally.“Itshouldn’tbelikethis.It’slikearunningsore. I keep expecting to

see it bleed. It isn’tsupposedtobelikethis.”Isn’tsupposedtobelikethis! he echoed. The Landhad become like Joan.Somethingbroken.The heat haze stung hiseyes.Hecouldnotseetheground except as a swathof pale ichor; he felt thathe was treading pain. Hisnumb feet stumbledhelplessly.

She caught his arm,steadied him. Clenchinghis old sorrow, he drewhimself upright. His voiceshook. “What’s causingit?”“I can’t tell,” she saidgrimly. “But it hassomething todowith thatring around the sun. Thesun itself”—her handsreleased him slowly—“seemsnatural.”

“Bloody hell,” hebreathed. “What has thatbastarddone?”Buthedidnotexpectan

answer. In spite of herpenetrating vision, Lindenknew less than he did.Deliberately he gavehimself a VSE. Then hewentonlookingforMarid.In his rue and pain, thethought of a man lyingboundat themercyof the

sunloomedastheoneideawhich made everythingelseabominable.Wearily, doggedly, heand Linden trudgedthrough the heat-leechedlandscape.Thedustcoatedhismouthwiththetasteoffailure; the glare lancedthrough his eyeballs. Ashisweaknessdeepened,hedrifted into a vaguedizziness. Only the

landmark of themountains, now east andsomewhat south of him,enabled him to keep hisdirection. The sun beatdown as if onto an anvil,hammering moisture andstrength out of him like asmith shaping futility. Hedid not know how hestayed on his feet. Attimes, he felt himselfwandering over the

colorless earth, throughthe haze, as if he were afragmentofthedesolation.He might havewandered past his goal;but Linden somehowretained more alertness.She tugged him to a stop,dragged his attention outof the slow eddying soporoftheheat.“Look.”His lips framed emptyquestions. For a moment,

he could not understandwhy he was no longermoving.“Look,” she repeated.Her voice was an aridcroak.They stood in a widebowl of dust. Cloudsbillowed from everyshuffleoftheirfeet.Beforethem, two wooden stakeshad been driven into theground. The stakes were

some distance apart, as iftheyhadbeensettosecurethe arms of a man lyingoutstretched. Tied to thestakeswereloopsofrope.Theloopswereintact.Abody’slengthfromthe

stakes were two holes inthe ground—the kind ofholes made by stakespounded in and thenpulledout.Covenant swallowed

dryly. “Marid.” The wordabradedhisthroat.“He got away,” Lindensaidhoarsely.Covenant’s legs folded.He sat down, coughingweakly at the dust heraised.Gotaway.Linden squatted in frontof him. The nearness ofherfaceforcedhimtolookat her. Her voice scrapedasifitwerefullofsand.“I

don’tknowhowhedid it,buthe’sbetteroffthanweare. This heat’s going tokillus.”His tongue fumbled. “Ihad to try. He wasinnocent.”Awkwardly she reachedout,wipedbeadsofuselesssweat from his forehead.“Youlookawful.”He peered at herthrough his exhaustion.

Dirt caked her lips andcheeks, collected in thelines on either side of hermouth. Sweat-trailsstreakedherface.Hereyeswereglazed.“Sodoyou.”“Then we’d better do

something about it.” Atremorerodedherefforttosound resolute. But shestood up, helped him tohis feet. “Let’s go back.

Maybe Sunder’s lookingforus.”He nodded. He hadforgottentheGraveler.ButwhenheandLindenturned to retrace theirway, they saw a figurecomingdarklythroughtheshimmer.He stopped, squinted.Mirage?Lindenstoodnearhim as if to prevent himfrom losing his balance.

Theywaited.The figure approacheduntil they recognizedSunder.He halted twenty pacesfromthem.In his right hand, hegripped his poniard. Thistime, he seemed perfectlyfamiliarwithitsuse.Covenant watched theGravelerdumbly, as if theknife had made them

strangers to each other.Linden’s hand touched awarningtohisarm.“Thomas Covenant.”

Sunder’s face looked likehot stone. “What is myname?”What—? Covenant

frownedattheinterveningheat.“Speak my name!” the

Graveler spat fiercely.“Donot compel me to slay

you.”Slay?Covenantmadean

efforttoreachthroughtheconfusion.“Sunder,” he croaked.

“Graveler of MithilStonedown. Holder of theSunstone.”Incomprehension

stretched Sunder’scountenance. “LindenAvery?” he askedfalteringly. “What is the

nameofmyfather?”“Was,”shesaidinaflattone. “His name wasNassic son of Jous. He’sdead.”Sunder gaped as ifCovenantandLindenweremiraculous. Then hedropped his hands to hissides. “Heaven and Earth!It is not possible. TheSunbane— Never have Ibeheld—” He shook his

headinastonishment,“Ah,you are a mystery! Howcan such things be? Doesone white ring alter theorderoflife?”“Sometimes,” Covenantmuttered.Hewastryingtofollow a fracturedsequence of memories.Everything he did was anunintentional assault onthe Graveler’spreconceptions.Hewanted

to ease Sunder with somekind of explanation. Theheat haze seemed to blurthe distinction betweenpast and present.Somethingabouthisboots—? He forced words pasthisparchedlips.“ThefirsttimeIwashere—”Boots—yes, that was it. DroolRockworm had been ableto locate him through thealientouchofhisbootson

the ground. “My boots.Her shoes. They don’tcome from the Land.Maybe that’s whatprotectedus.”Sunder grabbed at the

suggestion as if it were abenison. “Yes. It must beso. Flesh is flesh,susceptibletotheSunbane.But your footwear—it isunlike any I have seen.Surely you were shielded

atthesun’sfirsttouch,elseyou would have beenaltered beyond any powerto know me.” Then hisface darkened, “But couldyou not have told me? Ifeared—”Theclenchingofhis jaws describedeloquentlytheextremityofhisfear.“We didn’t know.”

Covenant wanted to liedown, close his eyes,

forget.“Wewerelucky.”Amoment passed before hefound the will to ask,“Marid—?”At once, Sunder puteverything else aside. Hewenttolookatthestakes,theholes.Afrownknottedhis forehead. “Fools,” hegrated. “Iwarned them toware such things. Nonecan foretell the Sunbane.Nowthereiseviluponthe

Plains.”“You mean,” askedLinden, “hedidn’t escape?Heisn’tsafe?”Inresponse,theGravelerrasped, “Did I not saythere was not time? Youhaveachievednothingbutyourownprostration. It isenough,” he went onstiffly. “I have followedyou to this useless end.Now you will accompany

me.”LindenstaredatSunder.

“Wherearewegoing?”“Tofindshelter,”hesaid

in a calmer tone. “Wecannotendurethissun.”Covenant gestured

eastward, toward a regionwith which he wasfamiliar.“Thehills—”Sunder shook his head.

“There is shelter in thehills. But to gain it we

must pass within scope ofWindshorn Stonedown.That is certain sacrifice—foranystranger,asfortheGraveler of MithilStonedown.Wegowest,totheMithilRiver.”Covenant could not

argue. Ignorance crippledhis ability to makedecisions. When Sundertook his arm and turnedhimawayfromthesun,he

began to scuffle stiffly outofthebowlofdust.Linden moved at his

side. Her stride wasunsteady; she seemeddangerously weak. Sunderwas stronger; but his eyeswere bleak, as if he couldsee disaster ahead. AndCovenant could barely lifthis feet. The sun, stillclimbing towardmidmorning, clung to his

shoulders, hag-riding him.Heat flushed back andforth across his skin—avitiating fever whichechoed the haze of thescorched earth. His eyesfelt raw from the scrapingofhiseyelids.Afteratime,he began to stumble as ifthe ligatures of his kneeswereparting.Thenhewasinthedirt,

with no idea of how he

had fallen. Sundersupported him so that hecould sit up. TheGraveler’s face was graywith dust; he, too, hadbegun to suffer. “ThomasCovenant,” he panted,“this is fatal to you. Youmusthavewater.Willyounot make use of yourwhitering?”Covenant’s respirationwas shallow and ragged.

Hestared into thehazeasifhehadgoneblind.“The white ring,”Sunderpleaded.“Youmustraisewater,lest,youdie.”Water. He pulled theshards of himself togetheraround that thought.Impossible. He could notconcentrate. Had neverused wild magic foranything exceptcontention. It was not a

panacea.BothSunder andLinden

werestudyinghimasifhewere responsible for theirhopes. They were failingalong with him. For theirsakes,hewouldhavebeenwilling to make theattempt. But it wasimpossible for otherreasonsaswell.Tortuouslyas if he had beendisjointed, he shifted

forward, got his kneesunderhim,thenhisfeet.“Ur-Lord!” protested the

Graveler.“I don’t,” Covenant

muttered, hall coughing,“don’t know how.” Hewanted to shout. “I’m aleper. I can’t see—can’tfeel—” The Earth wasclosedtohim;it layblankandmeaninglessunderhisfeet—a concatenation of

haze, nothing more. “Idon’t know how to reachit.” We need Earthpower.AndaLordtowieldit.There’s no Earthpower.

The Lords are gone. Hehad no words potentenough to convey hishelplessness.“Ijustcan’t.”Sunder groaned. But he

hesitated onlymomentarily. Then hesighed in resignation,

“Very well. Yet we musthave water.” He took outhis knife. “My strength isgreater than yours.PerhapsIamabletosparea little blood.” Grimly hedirected the blade towardthe mapwork of scars onhisleftforearm.Covenant lurched to trytostophim.Lindenwasquicker.Sheseized Sunder’s wrist.

“No!”The Graveler twistedfreeofher,grittedacutely,“Wemusthavewater.”“Notlikethat.”ThecutsonNassic’shandburnedinCovenant’s memory; herejected such powerinstinctively.“Doyouwishtodie?”“No.” Covenant upheldhimself by force of will.“But I’m not that

desperate. Not yet,anyway.”“Your knife isn’t even

clean,” added Linden. “Ifsepticemia set in, I’d havetoburnitout.”Sunder closed his eyes

asiftoshutoutwhattheyweresaying.“Iwilloutliveyou both under this sun.”His jawschewedhisvoiceintoabarrenwhisper.“Ah,my father,what have you

done to me? Is this theoutcome of all your maddevoir?”“Suit yourself,”

Covenant said brutally,tryingtokeepSunderfromdespair or rebellion. “Butat least have the decencyto wait until we’re tooweaktostopyou.”The Graveler’s eyes

burst open. He spat acurse. “Decency, is it?”he

grated. “You are swift tocast shame upon peoplewhose lives you do notcomprehend. Well, let ushastenthemomentwhenImay decently save you.”With a thrust of his arm,he pushed Covenant intomotion, then caught himaround the waist to keephim from falling, andbegan half dragging himwestward.

In a moment, Lindencame to Covenant’s otherside, shrugged his armoverher shoulders so thatshe could help supporthim. Braced in thatfashion, he was able totravel.But the sun was

remorseless. Slowly,ineluctably, it beat himtoward abjection. Bymidmorning, he was

hardly carrying a fractionof his ownweight. To hisburnedeyes,thehazesangthrenodies of prostration;motesofdarknessbegantoflitacrosshisvision.Fromtimetotime,hesawsmallclumps of night crouchingon the pale ground justbeyond clarity, as if theywerewaitingforhim.Then the earth seemedto riseup in frontofhim.

Sunder came to a halt.Linden almost fell; butCovenant clung to hersomehow. He fought tofocus his eyes. After amoment, he saw that therise was a shelf of rockjuttingwestward.Sunder tugged him andLinden forward. Theylimpedpastanotherclumplike a low bush, into theshadowoftherock.

The jut of the shelfformedanerodedleelargeenough to shelter severalpeople.Intheshadow,therock and dirt felt cool.Linden helped Sunderplace Covenant sittingagainst the balm of thestone.Covenanttriedtoliedown; but the Gravelerstopped him, and Lindenpanted, “Don’t. Youmightgotosleep.You’velosttoo

muchfluid,”Henoddedvaguely.The

coolnesswasonlyrelative,and he was febrile withthirst.Noamountofshadecouldanswertheunpityofthe sun. But the shadowitselfwasblisstohim,andhewascontent.Lindensatdown on one side of him;Sunder, on the other. Heclosedhiseyes,lethimselfdrift.

Some time later, hebecame conscious ofvoices. Linden and Sunderwere talking. Thehebetude of her tonebetrayed the difficulty ofstaying alert. Sunder’sresponses were distant, asif he found her inquiriespainfulbutcouldnotthinkofanywaytorefusethem.“Sunder,” she asked

dimly, “what is Mithil

Stonedown going to dowithoutyou?”“Linden Avery?” Heseemed not to understandherquestion.“Call me Linden. Aftertoday—”Hervoice trailedaway.He hesitated, then said,“Linden.”“You’re the Graveler.Whatwill theydowithoutaGraveler?”

“Ah.” Now he caughther meaning. “I signifylittle. The loss of theSunstone is of moreimport, yet even that losscan be overcome. TheStonedown is chary of itslore. My prentice is adeptinalltheriteswhichmustbe performed in theabsence of the Sunstone.Without doubt, he shedKalina my mother at the

sun’s rising. TheStonedown will endure.How otherwise could Ihave done what I havedone?”Afterapause,sheasked,

“You’renotmarried?”“No.”His replywas like

awince.Lindenseemedtoheara

widerangeofimplicationsin that one word. Quietlyshesaid,“Butyouwere.”

“Yes.”“Whathappened?”Sunder was silent at

first. But then he replied,“Among my people, onlythe Graveler is given thechoice of his own mate.The survival of theStonedown depends uponits children. Mating forchildren is not left to thehazard of affection orpreference. But by long

custom, the Graveler isgiven freedom. Asrecompensefortheburdenofhiswork.“Thechoiceofmyheart

felluponAimildaughterofAnest. Anest was sister toKalina my mother. Fromchildhood, Aimil and Iwere dear to each other.We were gladly wed, andgladly sought to vindicateour choosing with

children.“A son came to us, and

was given the nameNelbrin, which is ‘heart’schild.’ ” His tone was asastringent as the terrain.“He was a pale child, notgreatly well. But he grewasachildshouldgrowandwasatreasuretous.“For a score of turnings

of the moon he grew. Hewas slow in learning to

walk,andnotsteadyuponhis legs, but he came atlast to walk with glee.Until—” He swallowedconvulsively. “Until bymischance Aimil my wifeinjured him in our home.Sheturnedfromthehearthbearing a heavy pot, andNelbrin our son hadwalked to stand behindher. The pot struck himuponthechest.

“From that day, hesickened toward death. Adarkswellinggrewinhim,andhislifefaltered.”“Hemophilia,” Lindenbreathedalmostinaudibly.“Poorkid.”Sunder did not stop.“When his death waswritten upon his face forall to see, the Stonedowninvoked judgment. I wascommanded to sacrifice

him for the good of thepeople.”A rot gnawed at

Covenant’sguts.Helookedup at the Graveler. Thedryness in his throat feltlikeslowstrangulation.Heseemedtohearthegroundsizzling.Inprotest,Lindenasked,

“Your own son?What didyoudo?”Sunder stared out into

the Sunbane as if it werethe story of his life. “Icould not halt his death.Thedesertsunandthesunof pestilence had left ussorely in need. I shed hislifetoraisewaterandfoodfortheStonedown.”Oh, Sunder! Covenant

groaned.Tightly Linden

demanded, “How didAimilfeelaboutthat?”

“It maddened her. Shefoughttopreventme—andwhen she could not, shebecamewild in hermind.Despair afflicted her, andshe—” For a moment,Sunder could not summonthewordsheneeded.Thenhe went on harshly, “Shecommitted a mortal harmagainstherself.Sothatherdeath would not bealtogether meaningless, I

shedheralso.”So that her— Hellfire!Covenant understood nowwhythe thoughtofkillinghis mother had drivenSunder to abandon hishome. How many lovedones could aman bear tokill?Grimly Linden said, “Itwasn’t your fault.Youdidwhat you had to do.”Passion gathered in her

tone.“It’sthisSunbane.”The Graveler did notlook at her. “Allmen andwomen die. It signifiesnothing to complain.” Hesounded as sun-tormentedas the Plains. “What elsedo you desire to know ofme? You need only ask. Ihavenosecretsfromyou.”Covenant ached tocomfort Sunder; but heknew nothing about

comfort. Anger anddefiance were the onlyanswers he understood.Becausehe couldnot easethe Stonedownor, he triedto distract him. “Tell meabout Nassic.” The wordswere rough in his mouth.“Howdidhecometohaveason?”Linden glared at

Covenant as if she werevexed by his insensitivity;

butSunderrelaxedvisibly.Heseemedrelievedbythequestion—glad to escapethe futility of hismourning. “Nassic myfather,” he said, with awearinesswhich servedascalm, “was like Jous hisfather,andlikePrassanhisfather’s father. He was amanofMithilStonedown.“Joushis father lived in

the place he named his

temple, and from time totime Nassic visited Jous,out of respect for hisfather, and also toascertainthatnoharmhadbefallen him. TheStonedown wed Nassic toKalina, and they weretogetherasanyyoungmanandwoman.ButthenJousfell toward his death.Nassicwent to the templetobearhisfathertoMithil

Stonedown for sacrifice.He did not return. Dying,Jous placed his handsupon Nassic, and themadness or prophecy ofthe father passed into theson. Thus Nassic was losttotheStonedown.“This loss was sore to

Kalina my mother. Shewas ill content with justoneson.Manyatime,shewenttothetemple,togive

her love tomy father andto plead for his. Alwaysshe returned weeping andbarren. I fear—” Hepaused sadly. “I fear shehurled herself at Maridhopingtodie.”Gradually Covenant’sattention drifted. He wastoo weak to concentrate.Dimly he noted theshifting angle of the sun.Noon had come, laying

sunlight within inches ofhis feet. By midafternoon,the shade would be gone.Bymidafternoon—He could not survivemuch more of the sun’sdirectweight.The dark clump whichhe had passed near theshelf was still there.Apparently it was not amirage. He blinked at it,tryingtomakeoutdetails.

Ifnotamirage,thenwhat?Abush?Whatkindofbushcould endure this sun,when every other form oflife had been burnedaway?The question raised

echoesinhismemory,buthe could not hear themclearly. Exhaustion andthirstdeafenedhismind.“Die?”He was hardly aware

that he had spoken aloud.His voice felt like sandrubbing against stone.Whatkind—?Hestrovetofocus his eyes. “Thatbush.” He nodded weaklytoward the patch ofdarkness.“Whatisit?”Sunder squinted. “It is

aliantha. Such bushesmaybefoundinanyplace,butthey are most commonnear the River. In some

way, they defy theSunbane.” He dismissedthe subject. “They are amostdeadlypoison.”“Poison?” Pain sliced

Covenant’s lips; thevehemence of his outcrysplit them.Bloodbegantorunthroughthedustlikeatrail of fury cleaving hischin.Notaliantha!The Graveler reached

toward Covenant’s face as

if those dirty red dropswereprecious.Empoweredby memories, CovenantstruckSunder’shandaside.“Poison?” he croaked. Intimes past, the rarealiment of aliantha hadsustained him more oftenthan he could recollect. Ifthey had become poison—!Hewasabruptlygiddywith violence. If they hadbecome poison, then the

Land had not simply lostits Earthpower. TheEarthpower had beencorrupted! He wanted tobatter Sunder with hisfists.“Howdoyouknow?”Linden caught at hisshoulder.“Covenant!”“It is contained in theRede of the na-Mhoram,”rasped Sunder. “I am aGraveler—itismyworktomake use of that

knowledge.Iknowittobetrue.”No! Covenant grated.

“Haveyoutriedit?”Sunder gaped at him.

“No.”“Do you know anybody

whoevertriedit?”“Itispoison!Nomanor

womanwillinglyconsumespoison.”“Hell and blood.”

Bracing himself on the

stone,Covenantheaved tohisfeet.“Idon’tbelieveit.Hecan’tdestroytheentireLaw. If he did, the Landwouldn’texistanymore.”The Graveler sprang

erect, gripped Covenant’sarms, shook him fiercely.“Itispoison.”Mustering all his

passion, Covenantresponded,“No!”Sunder’s visage knurled

asifonlytheclenchofhismuscles kept him fromexploding. With onewrench of his hands, hethrust Covenant to theground. “You are mad.”His voice was iron andbitterness. “You seducedme frommyhome,askingmyaid—but at every turnyou defy me. You mustseek for Marid. Madness!Youmust refuse all safety

against the Sunbane.Madness!Youmustdeclineto raise water, nor permitme to raise it. Madness!Now nothing will contentyou but poison.” WhenCovenant tried to rise,Sunder shoved him back.“It is enough. Make anyfurtherattempttowardthealiantha, and I will strikeyousenseless.”Covenant’s gaze raged

up at the Graveler; butSunder did not flinch.Desperation inuredhim tocontradiction; he wastrying to reclaim somecontroloverhisdoom.Holding Sunder’s rigidstare,Covenantclimbedtohis feet, stood swayingbefore the Graveler.Linden was erect behindSunder; but Covenant didnot look at her. Softly he

said,“Idonotbelievethataliantha is poisonous.”Thenheturned,andbeganto shamble toward thebush.A howl burst fromSunder. Covenant tried tododge;butSundercrashedintohimheadlong,carriedhim sprawling to the dirt.Ablowon thebackofhishead sent lights acrosshisvision like fragments of

vertigo.Then Sunder fell away.

Covenant levered his legsunder him, to see LindenstandingovertheGraveler.She held him in a thumb-lockwhichpressedhimtotheground.Covenant stumbled to

thebush.His head reeled. He fell

tohisknees.Thebushwaspale with dust and bore

little resemblance to thedark green-and-viridianplant he remembered. Butthe leaves were holly-likeand firm, though few.Three small fruit the sizeofblueberriesclungtothebranchesindefianceoftheSunbane.Trembling he plucked

one, wiped the dust awayto see the berry’s truecolor.

Attheedgeofhissight,he saw Sunder knockLinden’s feet away, breakfreeofher.Gritting his courage,

Covenant put the berry inhismouth.“Covenant!” Sunder

cried.The world spun wildly,

then sprang straight. Cooljuice filled Covenant’smouth with a savor of

peach made tangy by saltand lime. At once, newenergy burst through him.Deliciousness cleansed histhroat of dirt and thirstand blood. All his nervesthrilled to a savor he hadnot tasted for ten longyears: the quintessentialnectaroftheLand.SunderandLindenwereon their feet, staring athim.

Asoundlikedrysobbingcame from him. His sightwas a blur of relief andgratitude. The seeddroppedfromhislips.“Oh,dear God,” he murmuredbrokenly. “There’sEarthpoweryet.”Amoment later, Lindenreached him. She helpedhimtohisfeet,peeredintohis face. “Areyou—?” shebegan, then stopped

herself. “No, you’re allright.Better. Icanalreadysee the difference. How—?”He could not stop

shaking.Hewantedtohugher; but he only allowedhimselftotouchhercheek,lift a strand of hair awayfrom her mouth. Then, toanswer her, thank her, hepluckedanotherberry,andgaveittoher.

“Eat—”She held it gently,

looked at it. Sudden tearsoverflowed her eyes. Herlower lip trembled as shewhispered, “It’s the firsthealthy—” Her voicecaught.“Eat it,” he urged

thickly.She raised it to her

mouth.Herteethclosedonit.

Slowlyalookofwonderspread over hercountenance. Her posturestraightened; she began tosmilelikeacooldawn.Covenant nodded to tell

her that he understood.“Spit out the seed.Maybeanotheronewillgrow.”Shetooktheseedinher

hand, gazed at it for amoment as if it had beensanctified before she

tossedittotheground.Sunder had not moved.

He stood with his armsclamped across his chest.Hiseyesweredullwiththehorrorofwatchinghis lifebecomefalse.Carefully Covenant

picked the last berry. Hisstridewasalmoststeadyashe went to Sunder, Hisheartsang:Earthpower!“Sunder,” he said, half

insisting, half pleading,“thisisaliantha.Theyusedto be called treasure-berries—the gift of theEarth to anybody whosuffered from hunger orneed. This is what theLandwaslike.”Sunder did not respond.The glazing of his gazewascomplete.“It’snotpoison,”Lindensaid clearly, “It’s immune

totheSunbane.”“Eat it,” Covenant

urged. “This is why we’rehere. What we want toaccomplish. Health.Earthpower.Eatit.”With a painful effort,

Sunder dredged up hisanswer. “I do not wish totrustyou.”Hisvoicewasawilderland. “You violateall my life. When I havelearned that aliantha are

not poison, you will seekto teach me that theSunbane does not exist—thatallthelifeoftheLandthroughallthegenerationshashadnomeaning.Thatthe shedding I have doneisnolessthanmurder.”Heswallowed harshly. “But Imust. I must find sometruth to take the place ofthetruthyoudestroy.”Abruptly he took the

berry,putitinhismouth.For a moment, his soulwasnaked inhis face.Hisinitialanticipationofharmbecame involuntarydelight; his inner worldstruggledtoalteritself.Hishands quavered when hetook the seed from hismouth. “Heaven andEarth!” he breathed. Hisawe was as exquisite asanguish. “Covenant—”His

jawworkedtoformwords.“IsthistrulytheLand—theLand of which my fatherdreamed?”“Yes.”“Thenhewasmad.”One

deep spasmof grief shookSunder before he tuggedback about him thetattered garment of hisself-command. “I mustlearntobelikewisemad.”Turning away, he went

back to the shelf of rock,seated himself in theshade, and covered hisfacewithhishands.To give Sunder’s

disorientation at least adegree of privacy,Covenant shifted hisattention to Linden. Thenew lightness of herexpressionamelioratedherhabitual severity, liftedsome of her beauty out

from under the streakeddust on her face. “Thankyou.”Hebegantosay,Fortrying to save my life.Back there in the woods.But he did not want toremember that blow.Instead he said, “Forgetting Sunder off me.” Ididn’t know you trustedmethatmuch.“Wheredidyou learn that thumb-hold?”

“Oh,that.”Hergrinwashalf grimness, halfamusement. “The medschool I went to was in apretty roughneighborhood. Thesecurity guards gave self-defenselessons.”Covenant found himself

wonderinghowlongithadbeen since a woman hadlast smiled at him. Beforehecouldreply,sheglanced

upward. “We ought to getout of the sun. Onetreasure-berry apiece isn’tgoing to keep us goingverylong.”“True.”Thealianthahad

blunted his hunger, easedhis body’s yearning forwater, restored a measureof life to his muscles. Butit could not make himimpervious to the sun.Around him, the Plains

swam with heat as if thefabric of the ground werebeingbleachedaway fiberby fiber. He rubbedabsent-mindedly at theblood on his chin, startedtowardSunder.Linden halted him.

“Covenant.”He turned. She stood

facingeastward,backoverthe shelf of rock. Bothhandsshadedhereyes.

“Something’scoming.”Sunder joined them;

together, they squintedinto the haze. “What thehell—?” Covenantmuttered.At first he saw nothing

butheatandpaledirt.Butthen he glimpsed an erectfigure, shimmering darklyinandoutofsight.Thefiguregrewsteadier

asitapproached.Slowly,it

became solid,transubstantiating itselflike an avatar of theSunbane.Itwasaman.Hewore the apparel of aStonedownor.“Who—?”“Oh, my God!” Linden

gasped.Themancamecloser.Sunderspat,“Marid!”Marid? An abrupt

weakness struck

Covenant’sknees.TheSunbanewillhaveno

mercy—The man had Marid’s

eyes, chancrous with self-loathing, mutesupplication, lust. He stillworestakestiedtoeachofhis ankles. His gait was ashambling of eagernessanddread.He was a monster.

Scales covered the lower

half of his face; bothmouth and nose weregone. And his arms weresnakes. Thick scale-cladbodies writhed from hisshoulders; serpent-headsgapedwherehishandshadbeen,brandishing fangsaswhite as bone. His chestheaved for air, and thesnakeshissed.Hellfire.Linden stared at Marid.

Nausea distorted hermouth.Shewasparalyzed,hardlybreathing.ThesightofMarid’s inflicted ill refther of thought, courage,motion.“Ah,Marid, my friend,”Sunder whisperedmiserably. “This is theretributionoftheSunbane,whichnonecanforetell. Ifyouwere innocent, as theur-Lord insists—” He

groaned in grief. “Forgiveme.”But an instant later his

voice hardened. “Avaunt,Marid!” he barked. “Wareus! Your life is forfeithere!”Marid’s gaze flinched as

if he understood; but hecontinued to advance,moving purposefullytowardtheshelfofrock.“Marid!” Sunder

snatched out his poniard.“I have guilt enough inyour doom. Do not thrustthisuponme.”Marid’s eyes shouted a

voiceless warning at theGraveler.Covenant’s throat felt

like sand; his lungslabored.Inthebackofhismind, a pulse of outragebeatlikelifeblood.Three steps to his side,

Linden stood frozen andappalled.Hissing voraciously,

Marid flunghimself intoarun. He sprinted to therock,uptheshelf.Foronesplinteroftime,

Covenant could notmove.He saw Marid launchhimself at Linden, sawfangs reaching toward herface,sawherstandingasifherhearthadstopped.

Her need snatchedCovenant into motion. Hetooktwodesperatestrides,crashed head andshoulders against her.They tumbled togetheracrosstheharddirt.Hedisentangledhimself,

flippedtohisfeet.Marid landed heavily,

rolling to get his legsunderhim.Wielding his knife,

Sunder attempted to closewithMarid.Butaflurryoffangsdrovehimback.At once, Marid rushed

towardLindenagain.Covenant met the

charge. He stopped oneserpentheadwithhisrightforearm, caught the otherscalybodyinhisleftfist.The free snake reared

backtostrike.In that instant, Sunder

reached into the struggle.Too swiftly for the snakesto react, he cut Marid’sthroat. Viscid fluidsplashed the front ofCovenant’sclothes.Sunderdroppedhisdead

friend. Blood poured intothedirt.Covenantrecoiledseveral steps. As she roseto her knees, Lindengagged as if she werebeing asphyxiated by the

Sunbane.The Graveler paid no

heedtohiscompanions.Afrenetic haste possessedhim. “Blood,” he panted.“Life.” He slapped hishands into the spreadingpool, rubbed themtogether,smearedredontohis forehead and cheeks.“At least your death willbe of some avail. It ismyguilt-gift.”

Covenant stared indismay.Hehadnotknownthat a human body couldbesolavishofblood.Snatching out the

Sunstone, Sunder bent hishead to Marid’s neck,suckedblooddirectlyfromthe cut. With the stoneheld in both palms, hespewed fluid onto it sothat it lay cupped inMarid’s rife. Then he

looked upward and beganto chant in a languageCovenant could notunderstand.Around him, the air

concentratedasiftheheattookpersonalnoticeofhisinvocation. Energyblossomedfromtheorcrest.A shaft of vermeil as

straight as the linebetween life and deathshot toward the sun. It

crackled like a dischargeof lightning; but it wassteady and palpable,sustainedbyblood.ItconsumedthebloodinSunder’s hands, drank theblood from Marid’s veins,leechedthebloodfromtheearth. Soon every trace ofred was gone. Marid’sthroat gaped like a drygrin.Stillchanting,Sunderset

down the Sunstone nearMarid’s head. The shaftbinding the orcrest to thesundidnotfalter.Almost at once, waterbubbled up around thestone. It gathered forceuntilitwasasmallspring,as fresh and clear as if itarose from mountain rockrather than from barrendust.As he watched,

Covenant’s head began tothrob.Hewas flushedandsweatingundertheweightofthesun.Still Sunder chanted;

and beside the spring, agreen shoot raised itshead. It grew withstaggering celerity; itbecame a vine, spreaditselfalongtheground,putoutleaves.Inamoment,itproduced several buds

whichswelledlikemelons.The Graveler gestured

Linden toward the spring.Her expression hadchanged from suffocationto astonishment. Movingas if she were entranced,shekneltbesidethespring,putherlipsintothewater.She jerked back at once,surprised by the water’scoldness. Then she wasdrinkingdeeply,greedily.

A maleficent firebloomed in Covenant’sright forearm. Hisbreathing was ragged.Dust filled his mouth. Hecouldfeelhispulsebeatinginthebaseofhisthroat.After a time, Linden

pulled away from thespring,turnedtohim.“It’sgood,” she said in dimwonder.“It’sgood.”He did not move, did

not look at her. Dreadspurted up in him likewaterfromdryground.“Come on,” she urged.

“Drink.”He could not stop

staring at Marid. Withoutshifting his gaze, heextended his right armtowardher.She glanced at it, then

gave a sharp cry andleapedtohim,tookholdof

his arm to look at itclosely.He was loath to see

what she saw; but heforced himself to gazedownward.Hisforearmwaslivid.A

short way up from hiswrist, twopuncturemarksglared bright red againstthe darkness of theswelling.“Bastardbitme,”he coughed as if he were

alreadydying.

EIGHT:TheCorruptionoftheSun

“Sunder!” Lindenbarked. “Give me yourknife,”The Graveler hadfaltered when he saw thefangmarks;andthespringhad also faltered. But herecoveredquickly,restoredthe cadence of his chant.The shaft of Sunbane-fire

wavered, thengrew stableonce more. The melonscontinuedtoripen.Still chanting, heextended his poniardtoward Linden. She strodeover to him, took theblade.Shedidnothesitate;all her actions werecertain.StoopingtooneofMarid’s ankles, she cut asection of the rope whichboundthestake.

The pain became ahammer in Covenant’sforearm, beating as if itmeant to crush the bones.Mutely, he gripped theelbow with his left hand,squeezedhard inanefforttorestrictthespreadofthevenom.Hedidnotwanttodie like this, with all hisquestionsunanswered,andnothingaccomplished.Amoment later, Linden

returned.Herlipsweresetin lines of command.Whenshesaid,“Sitdown,”his knees folded as if sheheldthestringsofhiswill.She sat in front of him,straightened his armbetween them. Deftly sheloopedtheropejustabovehis elbow, pulled it tightuntil he winced; then sheknottedit.“Now,” she said evenly,

“I’m going to have to cutyou. Get out as much ofthevenomasIcan.”He nodded. He tried to

swallow,butcouldnot.She set the point of the

bladeagainsttheswelling,abruptly snatched it back.Her tone betrayed aglimpse of strain.“Goddamn knife’s toodirty.”Frowning, she snapped,

“Don’tmove,”andjumpedto her feet. Purposefullyshe went to the hot redshaft of Sunder’s power.He hissed a warning, butshe ignored him. With aphysician’s care, shetouchedtheponiardtothebeam.Sparks sprayed fromthe

contact; fire licked alongthe knife. When shewithdrew it, she nodded

grimlytoherself.She rejoined Covenant,braced his arm. For amoment,shemethisgaze.“Thisisgoingtohurt,”shesaid straight intohis eyes.“Butit’llbeworseifIdon’tdoit.”He fought to clear histhroat.“Goahead.”Slowly,deliberately, shecut a deep cross betweenthe fang marks. A scream

tore his flesh. He wentrigid, but did not permithimselftoflinch.Thiswasnecessary; he had donesuch things himself. Painwaslife;onlythedeadfeltnopain.He remained stillas she bent her head tosuckattheincisions.Withhis free hand, he grippedhisforehead,clutchingthebones of his skull forcourage.

Her hands squeezed theswelling, multiplying fire.Her lips hurt him liketeeth as she drew bloodand venom into hermouth.The taste shattered her

composure; she spat hisblood fiercely at theground. “God!” shegasped.“Whatkind—?”Atonce, she attacked thewound again, sucked and

spat with violentrevulsion. Her handsshuddered as she grippedhisarm.Whatkind—?Herwords

throbbed along thepressureinhishead.Whatwasshetalkingabout?Athirdtimeshesucked,

spat.Her features strainedwhitely, like clenchedknuckles.Withunintendedbrutality, she dropped his

arm; a blaze shot upthrough his shoulder.Springing to her feet, shestampedonthespatblood,grounditintothedirtasifit were an outrage shewanted to eradicate fromtheworld.“Linden,” he panted

wanly through his pain,“whatisit?”“Venom!” She

fulminated with

repugnance.“Whatkindofplace is this?” Abruptlyshe hastened to Sunder’sspring, began rinsing hermouth.Hershoulderswereknotsofabhorrence.When she returned to

Covenant,herwholebodywas trembling, and hereyes were hollow.“Poison.” She huggedherself as if she weresuddenly cold. “I don’t

have words for it. Thatwasn’t just venom. It wassomething more—somethingworse. Like theSunbane. Some kind ofmoral poison.” She pulledher hands through herhair, fighting for control.“God,you’regoingtobesosick—! You need ahospital.Except there’snoantivenin in theworld forpoisonlikethat.”

Covenant whirled inpain,couldnotdistinguishbetweenitandfear.Moralpoison? He did notunderstand herdescription,butitclarifiedother questions. Itexplained why the RaverinMaridhadalloweditselfto be exposed. So thatMarid would becondemned to theSunbane,would become a

monster capable ofinflicting such poison. Butwhy? What would LordFoulgainifCovenantdiedlike this? And why hadMarid aimed his attack atLinden? Because she wassensitive to the Land,could see things theDespiser did not wantseen?Covenant could not

think. The reek of blood

on his shirt filled hissenses. Everything becamedread; he wanted to wail.But Linden came to hisaid. Somehow shesuppressed her owndistress. Urging himupright,shesupportedhimto the water so that hecould drink. He wasalready palsied. But hisbody recognized its needfor water; he swallowed

thirstilyatthespring.When hewas done, she

helpedhim into the shadeof the shelf. Then she satbeside him and held hislivid arm with her hands,tryinginthatwaytomakehimcomfortable.Blood dripped

unremarked fromhis cuts.The swelling spreaddarkness up toward hiselbow.

Sunder had beenchantingcontinuously;butnowhestopped.Hehadatlastbeenable tomakehisinvocation briefly self-sustaining. When he fellsilent, theorcrest’s vermeilshaft flickered and wentout, leaving the stoneempty, like a hole in theground; but the springcontinuedtoflowforafewmoments. He had time to

drink deeply before thewater sank back into thebarrenearth.Withhisponiard,hecut

themelonsfromtheirvine,then bore them into theshade, and sat down onCovenant’s left.Unsteadilyhe began slicing themelons into sections,scooping out the seeds.Theseedsheputawayinapocket of his jerkin. Then

he handed sections ofmelonacrosstoLinden.“This is ussusimiel,” hesaidinafragiletone,asifhe were exhausted andfeared contradiction. “Atneed it will sustain lifewith no other food.”Wearilyhebegantoeat.Linden tasted the fruit.She nodded her approval,then started todevour thesections Sunder had given

her. Dully Covenantaccepted a piece forhimself.Buthefeltunableto eat. Pain excruciatedthebonesofhisrightarm;and that fire seemed todrawallotherstrengthoutof him, leaving him todrown in a wide slowwhirl of lassitude.Hewasgoing to pass out—Andthereweresomanythingshis companions did not

understand.Onewasmoreimportant

thantheothers.Hetriedtofocus his sight on theGraveler.Buthecouldnotkeep his vision clear. Heclosed his eyes so that hewould not have to watchthe way the Stonedownorblurredandran.“Sunder.”“Ur-Lord?”Covenant sighed,

dreading Sunder’sreaction. “Listen.” Heconcentrated the vestigesofhisdeterminationinhisvoice.“Wecan’tstayhere.I haven’t told you wherewe’regoing.”“Let it pass,” said his

guide quietly. “You areharmed and hungry. Youmusteat.Wewillconsidersuchquestionslater.”“Listen.”Covenantcould

feel midnight creepingtoward him. He strove toarticulate his urgency.“TakemetoRevelstone.”“Revelstone?” Sunderexploded in protest. “Youwander in your wits. Doyou not know thatRevelstone is the Keep ofthe na-Mhoram? Have Inot spoken of the Redeconcerning you? TheRiders journey throughout

the Land, commandingyour destruction. Do youbelieve that they willwelcome youcourteously?”“Idon’tcareaboutthat.”Covenant shook his head,then found that he couldnot stop. The muscles ofhis neck jerked back andforth like the onset ofhysteria.“That’swheretheanswers are. I’ve got to

find out how thishappened.” He tried togesture toward thebarrenness; but all hishorizons were dark,blinded by dust and deadair.“What theSunbane is.I can’t fight it if I don’tknowwhatitis.”“Ur-Lord, it is three

hundredleagues.”“I know.But I’ve got to

go. I have to know what

happened.” He insistedweakly, like a sick child.“SoIcanfightit”“Heaven and Earth!”Sunder groaned. “This isthe greatest madness ofall.” For a long moment,heremainedstill,scouringhimself for endurance orwisdom. Please, Covenantbreathed into the silence.Sunder.Please.Abruptly the Graveler

muttered,“Ah,well.Ihaveno longer any otherdemanduponme.Andyouarenottobedenied.Inthename of Nassic my father—andofMaridmyfriend,whose life you strove toredeematyourcost—Iwillguideyouwhereyouwishto go. Now eat. Evenprophets and madmenrequiresustenance.”Covenantnoddeddimly.

Shutting his mind to thesmell of blood, he took abiteoftheussusimiel.It could not compare

withaliantha for taste andpotency;butitfeltcleaninhismouth, and seemed torelieve some of thecongestion of his pain. Ashe ate, the darknessrecededsomewhat.After he had consumed

his share of the fruit, he

settledhimselftorestforawhile.ButSunderstoodupsuddenly. “Come,”he saidto Linden. “Let us be onourway.”“He shouldn’t be

moved,”sherepliedflatly.“There will be aliantha

nigh the River. Perhapsthey will have power toaidhim.”“Maybe. But he

shouldn’t be moved. It’ll

makethevenomspread.”“Linden Avery,” Sunderbreathed. “Marid was myfriend. I cannot remain inthisplace.”Covenant becameconsciousofadimfetorinthe air. It came from hisarm. Or from Marid’scorpse.For a moment, Lindendidnot respond.Then shesighed,“Givemetheknife.

He can’t travel with hisarmlikethat.”Sunder handed her hisponiard. She lookedclosely at Covenant’sswelling. It had grownupwardpasthiselbow. Itsblack pressure made therope bite deeply into hisarm.He watched tacitly asshe cut away thetourniquet.

Blood rushed at hiswound.Hecriedout.Then thedarkness came

over him for a time. Hewas on his feet, and hisarmswerehookedovertheshoulders of hiscompanions, and theywere moving westward.Thesunbeatatthemasiftheywereanaffronttoitssuzerainty. The air wasturgidwithheat;itseemed

to resist respiration. In alldirections, the stone andsoil of the Plainsshimmeredasiftheywereevaporating. Pain laughedgarishly in his head atevery step. If Linden orSunder did not find somekind of febrifuge for himsoon—Linden was on his left

now,sothatherstumblingwould not directly jar his

sick arm. Oblivion cameandwent.WhenCovenantbecameawareofthevoice,hecouldnotbesureof it.It might have been thevoiceofadream.

“Andhewhowieldswhite wild magicgoldisaparadox—for he is everythingandnothing,

heroandfool,potent,helpless—and with the oneword of truth ortreacheryhewillsaveordamntheEarthbecause he is madandsane,coldandpassionate,lostandfound.”

Sunderfellsilent.Aftera

moment, Linden asked,“Whatisthat?”Shepantedthewordsraggedly.“A song,” said theGraveler. “Nassic myfathersangit—wheneverIbecame angry at his folly.But I have nounderstanding of it,though I have seen thewhite ring, and the wildmagic shining with aterribleloveliness.”

Terrible, Covenantbreathed as if he weredreaming.Later, Linden said,“Keeptalking.Ithelps—Doyou know any othersongs?”“What is life withoutsinging?” Sunderresponded. “We havesongs for sowing and forreaping—songs to consolechildrenduring the sunof

pestilence—songstohonorthosewhoseblood is shedfor the Stonedown. But Ihave setasidemyright tosing them.” He made noeffort to conceal hisbitterness. “I will sing foryouoneof thesongsofa-Jeroth, as it is taught bytheRidersoftheClave.”He straightened hisshoulders, harrowingCovenant’s arm. When he

began, his voice washoarse with dust, short-winded with exertion; butitsuitedhissong.

“ ‘Oh, come, mylove, and bed withme;Your mate knowsneither lust norheart—Forget him in thisecstasy.

I joy to play thetreacher’spart.’Acute withblandishments andspellsSpoke a-Jeroth oftheSevenHells.

“DiassomerMininderain,The mate of might,andMaster’swife,All stars’ and

heavens’chatelaine,With power overrealmandstrife,Attended well, thestorytells,To a-Jeroth of theSevenHells.

“Witha-Jeroththeladyran;Diassomer with fearanddreadFled from the

Master’srulingspan.On Earth she hideshertremblinghead,While all about herlaughterwellsFroma-JerothoftheSevenHells.

“ ‘Forgive!’ shecries with woe andpain;Her treacher’slaughter hurts her

sore.‘His blandishmentshavebeenmybane.IyearnmyMastertoadore.’For in her ears thespurningknellsOf a-Jeroth of theSevenHells.

“Wrath is theMaster—fire andrage.

Retribution fills hishands.Attacking comes he,swordandgage,‘Gainst treachery inallthelands.Then crippled arethecunningspellsOf a-Jeroth of theSevenHells.

“Mininderain hetreatswithrue;

Noheaven-home forbrokentrust,But children giventopursueAll treachery todeathanddust.ThusEarthbecameagallow-fellsFor a-Jeroth of theSevenHells.”

The Graveler sighed.“Her children are the

inhabitantsoftheEarth.Itis said that elsewhere intheEarth—acrosstheseas,beyond the mountains—livebeingswhohavekeptfaith. But the Land is thehome of the faithless, andon the descendants ofbetrayal the Sunbanewreaks the Master’swrath.”Covenant expostulatedmutely.Heknewasvividly

as leprosy that theClave’sview of history was a lie,thatthepeopleoftheLandhad been faithful againstLord Foul for millennia.But he could notunderstandhowsucha liehad come to be believed.Time alone did notaccount for thiscorruption.He wanted to denySunder’s tale. But his

swelling had risen blackand febrile halfway to hisshoulder.Whenhetriedtofind words, the darknessreturned.After a time, he heardLinden say, “You keepmentioning the Riders ofthe Clave.”Her voicewasconstricted, as if shesuffered from severalbrokenribs.“Whatdotheyride?”

“Great beasts,” Sunderanswered, “which theynameCoursers.”“Horses?”shepanted.“Horses? I do not knowthisword.”Do not—? Covenantgroaned as if the pain inhis arm were speaking.Not know the Ranyhyn?He saw a suddenmemoryin theheat-haze: thegreathorsesofRarearing.They

hadtaughthimalessonhecould hardly bear aboutthe meaning of fidelity.Now they were gone?Dead? The desecrationwhich Lord Foul hadwrought upon the Landseemedtohavenoend.“Beasts are few in the

Land,” Sunder went on,“for how can they endurethe Sunbane? My peoplehaveherds—somegoats,a

few cattle—only becauselarge effort is made topreserve their lives. Theanimals are penned in acave near the mountains,broughtoutonlywhentheSunbanepermits.“Butitisotherwisewiththe Coursers of the Clave.They are bred inRevelstone for the uses oftheRiders—beastsofgreatswiftness and size. It is

said that those on theirbacksarewardedfromtheSunbane.” Grimly heconcluded, “We mustevade all such aid if wewishtolive.”NoRanyhyn?Foratime,Covenant’s grief becamegreater than his pain. Butthe sun was coquelicotmalice in his face,blanchingwhatwasleftofhim. The sleeve of his T-

shirt formed a noosearoundhisblackarm;andhis arm itself on Sunder’sshoulder seemed to beraised above him like amad, involuntarysalute tothe Sunbane. Even sorrowwas leprosy, numbcorruption: meaninglessand irrefragable. Venomslowly closed around hisheart.

Sometime later, thedarkness bifurcated, sothat it filledhishead,andyethecouldgazeoutatit.Helayonhisback,lookingat themoon; the shadowsof the riverbanks rose oneither side. A breezedrifted over him, but itseemed only to fan hisfever. The molten lead inhis arm contradicted thetaste of aliantha in his

mouth.His head rested inLinden’s lap. Her headleanedagainsttheslopeofthe watercourse; her eyeswere closed; perhaps sheslept.Buthehadlainwithhishead inawoman’s laponcebefore,andknewthedanger. Of your ownvolition—He bared histeeth at the moon. “It’sgoing to kill me.” The

words threatened tostrangle him. His bodywent rigid, strainingagainst invisible poison.“I’ll never give you thering.Never.”Thenheunderstoodthat

he was delirious. Hewatched himself, helpless,whilehe faded in andoutof nightmare, and themooncrestedoverhead.

Eventually he heardSunder rouse Linden. “Wemust journey now for atime,” the Graveler saidsoftly, “if wewish to findnew aliantha. We haveconsumedallthatishere.”Shesighedasifthevigilshekeptgalledhersoul.“Does he hold?” askedSunder.She shifted so that shecould get to her feet. “It’s

the aliantha,” shemurmured. “If we keepfeedinghim—”Ah,youare stubbornyet.Are stubborn yet stubbornyet.Then Covenant waserect, crucified across theshoulders of hiscompanions. At first, hesuffered under unquietdreams of Lord Foul, ofMarid lying throat-cut

beneathanangrysun.Butlater he grew still, driftedintovisionaryfields—dew-bedizened leas deckedwith eglantine andmeadow rue. Lindenwalked among them. Shewas Lena and Atiaran:strong, and strongly hurt;capable of love; thwarted.And she was Elena,corrupted by amisbegottenhate—childof

rape, who destroyedherselftobreaktheLawofDeath because shebelieved that the deadcould bear the burdens oftheliving.Yet she was none ofthese. She was herself,Linden Avery, and hertouchcooledhis forehead.His armwas full of ashes,and his sleeve no longercutintotheswelling.Noon

held the watercourse in avise of heat; but he couldbreathe,andsee.Hisheartbeat unselfconsciously.Whenhelookedupather,the sun made her hairradiantaboutherhead.“Sunder.” Her tone

sounded like tears. “He’sgoingtobeallright.”“A rare poison, this

aliantha,” the Gravelerreplied grimly. “For that

lie,atleast,theClavemustgiveanaccounting.”Covenant wanted tospeak;buthewastorpidinthe heat, infant-weak. Heshifted his hips in thesand,wentbacktosleep.When he awakenedagain, there was sunsetabovehim.HelaywithhisheadonLinden’slapunderthewestbankoftheriver,and the sky was streaked

with orange and pink,sunlight striking throughdust-laden air. He feltbrittleasanoldbone;buthewaslucidandalive.Hisbeard itched.Theswellinghad receded past hiselbow; his forearm hadfaded from blackness tothe lavender of shadows.Even the bruises on hisface seemed to havehealed.His shirtwas long

dry now, sparing him thesmellofblood.Dimness obscured

Linden’smien;butshewasgazing down at him, andhegaveherawansmile.“Idreamedaboutyou.”“Something good, I

hope.” She sounded liketheshadows.“You were knocking at

mydoor,”hesaidbecausehisheartwasfullofrelief.

“I opened it, and shouted,‘Goddamn it, if I wantedvisitors I’d post a sign!’Yougavemea right crossthatalmostbrokemy jaw.Itwasloveatfirstsight.”At that, she turned herhead away as if he hadhurt her. His smile fellapart. Immediately hisrelief became the oldfamiliaracheofloneliness,isolation made more

poignant by the fact thatshewasnotafraidofhim.“Anyway,” he mutteredwith a crooked grimacelike an apology, “it madesenseatthetime.”Shedidnotrespond.Hervisage looked like a helmin the crepuscular air,fortified against anyaffectionorkinship.Afaintdistantpoundingaccentuated the twilight;

butCovenanthardlyheardit until Sunder leapedsuddenly down the eastbankintothewatercourse.“Rider!” he cried, rushingacross the sand to crouchatLinden’s side.“Almost Iwasseen.”Linden coiled under

Covenant,poisedherselftomove.Heclamberedintoasitting position, fought hisheart and head for

balance. He was in noconditiontoflee.Fright sharpened

Linden’s whisper. “Is hecomingthisway?”“No,” replied Sunder

quickly.“HegoestoMithilStonedown.”“Then we’re safe?”

Already the noise wasalmostgone.“No. The Stonedown

will tell him of our flight.

He will not ignore theescapeofthehalfhandandthewhitering.”Her agitation increased.“He’llcomeafterus?”“Beyond doubt. TheStonedown will not givepursuit.Though theyhavelosttheSunstone,theywillfear to encounter Marid.But no such fear willrestrain the Rider. At thesun’s rising—if not before

—hewillbeahuntforus.”Inatonelikeahardknot,he concluded, “We mustgo.”“Go?”Lindenmurmuredin distraction. “He’s stilltoo weak.” But an instantlater she pulled herselferect,“We’llhaveto.”Covenant did nothesitate. He extended ahandtoSunder.WhentheGraveler raised him to his

feet,herestedonSunder’sshoulder while frailtywhirled in his head, andforcedhismouth to shapewords. “How far have wecome?”“We are no more than

six leagues by the Riverfrom Mithil Stonedown,”Sunder answered. “See,”he said, pointingsouthward.“Itisnotfar.”Rising there roseate in

thesunsetweremountain-heads—the west wall ofthe Mithil valley. Theyseemed dangerously near.Six! Covenant groaned tohimself. In two days.SurelyaRidercouldcoverthat distance in onemorning.He turned back to his

companions. Standingupright in the waterway,he had better light; he

could see them clearly.Loss and self-doubt,knowledgeof liesandfearof truth, had burrowedintoSunder’scountenance.He had been bereft ofeverything which hadenabled him to acceptwhat he had done to hisson, to his wife. Inexchange, he had beengiven a weak driven manwho defied him, and a

hope no larger than aweddingband.And Linden, too, wassuffering. Her skin hadbeen painfully sunburned.Shewascaughtinaworldshedidnotknowandhadnot chosen, trapped in astruggle between forcesshecouldnotcomprehend.Covenant was her onlylink to her own life; andshe had almost lost him.

Ordinary mortality wasnot made to meet suchdemands.Andyetshemetthem and refused even toaccept his gratitude. Shestored up pain for herselfas if no other being hadtherighttotouchher,careabouther.Regret raked atCovenant’s heart. He hadtoomuch experience withthewayotherpeoplebore

thecostofhisactions.Butheacceptedit.There

was a promise in suchpain. It gave him power.With power, he had oncewrested meaning for alltheblood lost inhisnamefrom Lord Foul’s worstDespite.For amomentwhilehis

companionswaited, tryingto contain their haste, hegave himself a VSE. Then

he said tightly, “Comeon.I canwalk,” andbegan toshamble northward alongthewatercourse.With the thought of a

Rider pressing against hisback, he kept his legs inmotion for half a league.But the aftermath of thevenomhad left him tabid.Soonhewas forced toaskfor help. He turned toSunder; but the Graveler

told him to rest, thenscrambled out of theriverbed.Covenant folded

unwillingly to the ground,sat trying to find ananswer to the incapacitywhich clung to his bones.As themoon rose, Sunderreturned with a doublehandfulofaliantha.Eating his share of the

treasure-berries, Covenant

feltnewstrengthflowintohim, new healing. Heneeded water, but histhirstwasnotacute.Whenhewas done, hewas ableto regain his feet, walkagain.With the help of

frequent rests, morealiantha,andsupport fromhis companions, he keptmoving throughout thenight. Darkness lay cool

andsoothingontheSouthPlains, as if all the fierymalison of the Sunbanehad been swept away,absorbed by the gaps ofmidnight between thestars. And the sandybottomoftheMithilmadeeasy going. He drovehimself. The Clave hadcommanded his death.Under the moon, he heldhis weakness upright; but

after moonset, hismovementsbecamea longstagger of mortality,dependentandvisionless.They rested beforedawn; but Sunder rousedthemassunrisedrewnear.“ThedoomoftheSunbaneapproaches,” hemurmured. “I have seenthat your footwear sparesyou.Yetyouwill easemyheart if you join me.” He

nodded toward a broadplane of rock nearby—clean stone large enoughto protect a score ofpeople.Trembling with

exhaustion, Covenanttottered to his feet.Together the companionsstoodon the rock tomeettheday.When the sunbroke the

horizon, Sunder let out a

cry of exultation. Thebrown was gone. In itsplace, the sun wore acoronal of chrysoprase.The light green touch onCovenant’sfacewasbalmyandpleasant, like a caressafter the cruel pressure ofthedesertsun.“A fertile sun!” Sunder

crowed.“Thiswillhamperpursuit, even for aRider.”Leaping off the rock as if

he had been made youngagain,hehurriedtofindaclear patch of sand. Withthehaftofhisponiard,heplowed two swift furrowsacross the sand; and inthemheplantedahandfulof his ussusimiel seeds.“Firstwewill have food!”he called. “Can water befarbehind?”Covenant turned toward

Lindentoaskherwhatshe

sawinthesun’sgreen.Herface was slack and puffy,untouched by Sunder’sexcitement; she waspushing herself too hard,demanding too much ofher worn spirit. And hereyes were dull, as if shewerebeingblindedby thethings she saw—essentialthings neither CovenantnorSundercoulddiscern.He started to frame a

question; but then thesunshine snatched hisattention away. He gapedatthewestbank.The light had movedpartway down the side ofthe watercourse. Andwherever it touched soil,new-green sprouts andshootsthrustintoview.They grew with visiblerapidity.Above the rimofthe river, a few bushes

raised their heads highenough to be seen. Greenspread downward like amantle, following the sun-line cast by the east wall;plants seemed to scurryoutof thedirt.Morebushtops appeared beyond thebank. Here and there,young saplings reachedtoward the sky. Wherevertheanademedsunlightfell,the wasteland of the past

three days becamesmotheredbyverdure.“Thefertilesun,”Sunder

breathed gladly. “Nonecan say when it will rise.Butwhenitrises,itbringslifetotheLand.”“Impossible,” Covenant

whispered. He keptblinking his eyes,unconsciously trying toclearhissight,keptstaringatthewaygrassandvines

came teeming down theriverbank, at the straightnew trees which werealready showingthemselves beyond theshrubs along the river’sedge. The effect waseldritch,andfrightening.Itviolated his instinctivesenseofLaw,“Impossible.”“Forsooth,”chuckledthe

Graveler.He seemed new-madebythesun.“Doyour

eyeslackcredence?Surelyyou must nowacknowledge that there istruthintheSunbane.”“Truth—?” Covenant

hardly heard Sunder. Hewas absorbed in his ownamazement. “There’s stillEarthpower—that’sobvious. But it was neverlike this.” He felt anintuitive chill of danger.“What’s wrong with the

Law?” Was that it? HadFoul found some way todestroytheLawitself?TheLaw?“Often,” Sunder said,“Nassic my father sang ofLaw.Buthedidnotknowitsimport.WhatisLaw?”Covenant staredsightlesslyat theGraveler.“The Law of Earthpower.”Fearsome speculationsclogged his throat; dread

rotted his guts. “Thenatural order. Seasons.Weather. Growth anddecay. What happened toit?Whathashedone?”Sunder frowned as ifCovenant’sattitudewereadenial of his gladness. “Iknow nothing of suchmatters. The Sunbane Iknow—and the Redewhich the na-Mhoramhasgiven us for our survival.

But seasons—Law. Thesewordshavenomeaning.”No meaning, Covenant

groaned.No,ofcoursenot.If there were no Law, iftherehadbeennoLawforcenturies, theStonedownor could notpossibly understand.Impulsively he turned toLinden. “Tell him whatyousee.”She appeared not to

hearhim.Shestoodattheside of the rock, wearingan aspect of defenselesshebetude.“Linden!” he cried,

driven by his mortalapprehension. “Tell himwhatyousee.”Hermouth twisted as if

hisdemandwereanactofbrutality. She pushed herhands through her hair,glanced up at the green-

wreathed sun, then at thegreen-thickbank.Shuddering she

permittedherselftosee.Herrevulsionwasallthe

answer Covenant needed.It struck him like aninstant of shared vision,momentarily gifting orblighting his senses withthe acuity they lacked.Suddenly the long grassand curling vines, the

thick bushes, the saplingsno longer seemed lush tohim. Instead they lookedfrenetic, hysterical. Theydid not spring withspontaneous luxurianceout of the soil; they wereforced to grow by theunnatural scourge of thesun. The trees clawedtoward the sky likedrowners; the creeperswrithed along the ground

asiftheylayoncoals;thegrass grew as raw andimmediateasashriek.The moment passed,leavinghimshaken.“It’s wrong.” Lindenrubbedherarmsasifwhatshesawmadeherskinitchlike an infestation of lice.Therednessofhersunburnaggravated all herfeatures. “Sick. Evil. It’snot supposed to be like

this. It’s killing me.”Abruptlyshesatdown,hidher face inherhands.Hershoulders clenched as ifshedidnotdaretoweep.Covenant started to ask,

Killing you? But Sunderwasalreadyshouting.“Your words signify

nothing!This is the fertilesun! It is not wrong. Itsimply is. Thus theSunbane has been since

the punishment began.Behold!”He stabbed a gesture

toward the sandypatch inwhich he had planted hisseeds. The sun-line layacross one of his furrows.In the light, ussusimielweresprouting.“Becauseofthis,wewill

have food! The fertile sungives life to all the Land.In Mithil Stonedown—

now,whileyoustandthusdecrying wrong and ill—every man, woman, andchild sings. All who havestrength are at labor.Whilethefertilesunholds,they will labor until theyfall from weariness.Searching first to discoverplaceswhere the soil is ofa kind to support crops,then striving to clear thatground so seeds may be

planted.Thriceinthisoneday, cropswill be plantedandharvested, thrice eachdayofthefertilesun.“And if people from

another Stonedown comeupon this place, seekingproper soil for themselves,then there will be killinguntiloneStonedownislefttotendthecrops.Andthepeoplewillsing!Thefertilesun is life! It is fiber for

ropeandthreadandcloth,woodfor toolsandvesselsandfire,grabforfood,andfor the metheglin whichhealsweariness.Speaknottomeofwrong!”he criedthickly. But then hispassion sagged, leavinghim stooped andsorrowful. His arms hungat his sides as if inbetrayinghishomehehadgiven up all solace. “I

cannotbearit.”“Sunder.” Covenant’svoice shook. How muchlonger could he endurebeingthecauseofsomuchpain? “That isn’t what Imeant.”“Then enlighten me,”the Graveler muttered.“Comfort the poverty ofmycomprehension.”“I’m trying tounderstand your life. You

endure so much—justbeing able to sing is avictory.Butthatisn’twhatI meant.” He grippedhimself so that his angerwould not misdirect itselfat Sunder. “This isn’t apunishment.ThepeopleoftheLandaren’tcriminals—betrayers.No!”Ihavebeenpreparing retribution. “Yourlives aren’t wrong. TheSunbane is wrong. It’s an

evil that’s being done tothe Land. I don’t knowhow. But I know who’sresponsible. Lord Foul—you call him a-Jeroth. It’shisdoing.“Sunder, he can be

fought. Listen to me.” Heappealed to the scowlingGraveler. “He can befought.”Sunder glared at

Covenant, clinging to

ideas, perceptions, hecould understand. Butafter a moment hedroppedhisgaze.Whenhespoke, his words were arecognition. “The fertilesun is also perilous, in itsway. Remain upon thesafety of the rock whileyoumay.”With his knife,he went to clean awaygrass and weeds fromaroundhisvines.

Ah, Sunder, Covenantsighed.You’rebraver thanIdeserve.He wanted to rest,Fatiguemadethebonesofhisskullhurt.Theswellingof his forearm was gonenow;butthefleshwasstilldeeply bruised, and thejoints of his elbow andwrist ached. But he heldhimself upright, turned toface Linden’s mute

distress.She sat staring emptilyat nothing. Pain draggedher mouth into lines offailure, acutely personaland forlorn. Her handsgripped her elbows,hugging her knees, as ifshe strove to anchorherself on the stiffmortalityofherbones.Looking at her, hethought he recognized his

own first ordeals in theLand.Hemadeanefforttospeakgently.“It’sallright.Iunderstand.”Hemeant to add, Don’t

let it overwhelm you.You’re not alone. Therearereasonsforallthis.Buther reply stopped him.“No, you don’t.” She didnot have even enoughconviction for bitterness.“Youcan’tsee.”

He had no answer. Theflat truth of her wordsdenied his empathy, lefthim groping withinhimselfasifhehadlostallhis fingers. Defenselessagainst his incapacity, hisresponsibility for burdenshewasunabletocarry,hesank to the stone,stretchedouthistiredness.She was here because shehad tried to save his life.

He yearned to give hersomething in return, somehelp, protection, ease.Some answer to her ownseverity. But there wasnothing he could do. Hecould not even keep hiseyesopen.When he looked up

again, the growthonbothsides of the watercourse,anddownthewestbanktothe edge of the rock, had

become alarmingly dense.Some of the grass wasalready knee-deep. Hewonderedhowitwouldbepossible to travel undersuchasun.ButheleftthatquestiontoSunder.While melon buds

ripened on his vines, theGraveler occupied himselfby foraging for wildcreepers.Thesehecutintostrands. When he was

satisfiedwithwhathehadgathered, he returned tothe rock, and beganknotting and weaving thevinestoformameshsack.By the time he hadfinished this chore, thefirst of theussusimielwereripe. He sectioned them,stored the seeds in hispocket, then meted outrations tohis companions.Covenant accepted his

share deliberately,knowing his body’s needfor aliment. But Sunderhad to nudge Linden’sshoulder to gain herattention. She frowned attheussusimiel as if itwereunconscionable,receiveditwithalookofgall.When they had eaten,Sunder picked the rest ofthe melons and put theminhissack.Heappearedto

be in a lighter mood;perhaps his ability toprovide food hadstrengthened his sense ofhowmuchhewasneeded;or perhaps he was nowless afraid of pursuit.Firmlyheannounced,“Wemust leave the riverbed.We will find no waterhere.” He nodded towardthe east bank. “At first itwillbearduous.Butasthe

trees mount, they willshade theground, slowingtheundergrowth.Butmarkme—I have said that thefertile sun is perilous. Wemusttravelwarily,lestwefall among plants whichwill not release us. Whilethis sun holds, we willsojourn in daylight,sleepingonlyatnight.”Covenant rubbed lightly

at the scabs on his

forearm, eyed the rim ofthe bank. “Did you saywater?”“As swiftly as strength

andchancepermit.”Strength, Covenant

muttered. Chance. Helacked one, and did nottrust theother.Buthedidnothesitate.“Let’sgo.”Both men looked at

Linden.She rose slowly to her

feet. Shedidnot raisehereyes; but she noddedmutely.Sunder glanced aquestion at Covenant; butCovenant had no answer.Withashrug,theGravelerlifted his sack to hisshoulderandstarteddowntheriverbottom.Covenantfollowed, with Lindenbehindhim.Sunder avoided the

grass and weeds as muchas possible until hereachedaplacewhere thesides were less steep.Therehedughis feet intothe dirt, and scrambledupward.He had to burrowthrough the underbrushwhich lipped the slope togain level ground.Covenant watched untilthe Graveler disappeared,

then attempted the climbhimself. Handholds onlong dangling clumps ofgrass aided his ascent.After a moment ofslippage, he crawled intoSunder’sburrow.Carefully he moved

along the tunnel ofbracken and brush whichSunder had brunted clear.The teeming vegetationmadeprogressdifficult;he

could not rise above hishands and knees. He feltenclosed by incondignverdancy,asavageecstasyof growth more insidiousthan walls, and morestifling. He could notcontroltheshuddersofhismuscles.Crawling threatened to

exhaust him; but aftersome distance, the tunnelended. Sunder had found

anareawherethebrackenwas only waist-high,shaded by a crowdedyoung copse ofwattle.Hewas stamping down thebrush to make a clearingwhen Covenant and thenLinden caught up withhim.“We are fortunate,”

Sunder murmured,noddingtowardoneofthenearesttrees.Itwasanew

mimosa nearly fifteen feettall;butitwouldnotgrowany more; it was beingstrangled by a heavycreeper as thick asCovenant’s thigh. Thisplant had a glossy greenskin, and it bore a clusterofyellow-greenfruitwhichvaguelyresembledpapaya.“Itismirkfruit.”Mirkfruit? Covenant

wondered, remembering

the narcoleptic pulp withwhich he and Linden hadbeen captured by MithilStonedown. “How is thatfortunate?”Sunder took out hisknife. “The fruit is onematter, the vine another.”Drawing Covenant withhim, he stepped towardthe creeper, gripped hisponiard in both hands.“Stand ready,”hewarned.

Then he leaped upwardand spiked his blade intothe plant above the levelofhishead.The knife cut the vinelike flesh. When Sundersnatched back his blade,clear water gushed fromthewound.Inhissurprise,Covenanthesitated.“Drink!” snappedSunder. Brusquely he

thrust Covenant under thespout.Then Covenant was

gulping at water thatsplashed into his face andmouth. It was as fresh asnightair.When he had satisfied

his body’s taut thirst,Linden took his place,drankasifshewerefranticfor something, anything,which did not exacerbate

thesorenessofhernerves.Covenant feared the vinewould run dry. But aftershe stepped aside, Sunderwas able to drink his fillbeforethestreambegantoslacken.While the water lasted,

the companions used it towash their hands andfaces, sluice some of thedust from their clothes.Then the Graveler

shouldered his sack. “Wemust continue. Nothingmotionless is free ofhazardunderthissun.”Todemonstrate his point, hekicked his feet, showedhow the grass tried towind around his ankles.“And the Rider will beabroad.WewilljourneyasneartheMithilassoilandsunallow.”He gestured northward.

In that direction, beyondtheshadeofthecopse,layabroadswathofrawgraygrass, chest-high andgrowing. But then thegrassfadedintoastandoftrees, an incongruousaggregation of oak andsycamore, eucalyptus andjacaranda. “There is greatdiversity in the soil,”Sunderexplained,“andthesoil grows what is proper

toit.Icannotforeseewhatwewillencounter.Butwewill strive to stay amongtreesandshade.”Scanningthe area as if he expectedto see signs of the Rider,hebegantobreasthiswaythroughthethickgrass.Covenant followedunsteadily,with Linden athisback.By the timetheynearedthe trees, his arms were

latticedwithfinescratchesfromtheroughblades;andthe grass itself wavedabovehishead.But later,asSunderhad

predicted,theshadeofthetreesheldtheundergrowthto more naturalproportions. And thesetrees led to a woodlandeven more heavilyshadowed by cypress,floweringmulberry, and a

maple-like tree withyellow leaves whichCovenant recognizedpoignantly as Gilden. Thesightofthesestatelytrees,which the people of theLand had once treasuredso highly, now beinggrown likepuppetsby theSunbane, made ire poundlikevertigointhebonesofhisforehead.He turned to share his

outrage with Linden. Butshe was consumed by herown needs, and did notnotice him. Her gaze washaunted by misery; hereyes seemed to winceaway from everythingaroundher,asifshecouldnot blind herself to thescreaming of the trees.Neither she nor Covenanthadanychoicebuttokeepmoving.

Shortly after noon,Sunder halted in a bowerunder a dense willow.There the companions ateamealofussusimiel.Then,half a league farther on,they came across anothermirkfruit creeper. Thesethings sustained Covenantagainst his convalescentweakness. Nevertheless hereached the end of hisstamina by midafternoon.

Finally, hedropped to theground,allowedhimselftoliestill.Allhismusclesfeltlikemud;hisheadworeavise of fatigue thatconstricted his sight andbalance. “That’s enough,”he mumbled. “I’ve got torest.”“You cannot,” theGraveler said.He soundeddistant. “Not until thesun’s setting—or until we

have found barrenground.”“He has to,” panted

Linden. “He hasn’t got hisstrength back.He still hasthat poison in him. Hecouldrelapse.”After amoment, Sunder

muttered, “Very well.Remain with him—wardhim. I will search for aplace of safety.” CovenantheardtheGravelerstalking

awaythroughthebrush.Impelled by Sunder’swarning, Covenantcrawled to the shade of abroadGildentrunk,seatedhimself against the bark.Forashorttime,heclosedhis eyes, floated awayalong the wide rolling ofhisweariness.Linden brought himback to himself. Shemusthave been tired, but she

could not rest. She pacedback and forth in front ofhim, gripping her elbowswith her hands, shakingher head as if she werearguing bitterly withherself. He watched for amoment, tried to squeezethe fatigue from his sight.Then he said carefully,“Tell me what’s thematter.”“That’s the worst.” His

request triggered wordsoutofher;butsherepliedto herself rather than tohim. “It’s all terrible, butthat’stheworst.Whatkindof tree is that?” Sheindicatedthetrunkagainstwhichhesat.“It’s called a Gilden.”

Spurred by memories, headded, “Thewoodused tobe considered veryspecial.”

“It’s the worst.” Herpacing tightened.“Everything’shurt.Insuchpain—” Tremors began toscaleupward inhervoice.“But that’s the worst. AlltheGilden.They’reonfireinside.Likeanauto-da-fé.”Herhandssprangtocoverthe distress on her face.“Theyought tobeputoutoftheirmisery.”Put out of—? The

thought frightened him.Like Sunder’s mother?“Linden,” he said warily,“tell me what’s thematter.”She spun on him in

suddenrage.“Areyoudeafaswellasblind?Can’tyoufeel anything? I saidthey’re in pain! Theyought to be put out oftheirmisery!”“No.”He faced her fury

without blinking. That’swhatKevindid.TheLand’sneedbrokehisheart.Soheinvoked the Ritual ofDesecration, trying toextirpate evil bydestroying what he loved.Covenant winced toremember how close hehad come to walking thatpath himself. “You can’tfight Lord Foul that way.That’sjustwhathewants.”

“Don’ttellmethat!”shespat at him. “I don’twantto hear it. You’re a leper.Why should you careaboutpain?Let thewholeworld scream! It won’tmake any difference toyou.” Abruptly she flungherself to the ground, satagainst a tree with herknees raised to her chest.“I can’t take any more.”Suppressed weeping

knurled her face. Shebowed her head, sat withher arms outstretched andrigidacrossherknees.Herhands curled into fists,clingingfutilelytothinair.“Ican’t.”The sight of her wrung

his heart. “Please,” hebreathed. “Tell me whythishurtsyousomuch.”“I can’t shut it out.”

Hands, arms, shoulders—

every part of her wasclenched into a rictus ofdamned and demandingpassion.“It’sallhappeningtome.Icansee—feel—thetrees. In me. It’s too—personal.Ican’ttakeit.It’skillingme.”Covenant wanted to

touch her, but did notdare. She was toovulnerable. Perhaps shewould be able to feel

leprosy in the contact ofhis fingers.Foramoment,he grappled with a desiretotellheraboutKevin.Butshe might hear that storyasadenialofherpain.Yethe had to offer hersomething.“Linden,” he said,

groaning inwardly at thearduousness of what hemeant to say, “when hesummoned us here, Foul

spoke to me. You didn’thearhim.I’mgoingtotellyouwhathesaid.”Her hands writhed; but

she made no other reply.After a difficult moment,he began to repeat theDespiser’scoldscorn.Ah,youarestubbornyet.He remembered every

word of it, every drop ofvenom, every infliction ofcontempt. The memory

cameuponhimlikeageas,overwhelming hisrevulsion, numbing hisheart.Yethedidnottrytostop. He wanted her tohear it all. Since he couldnot ease her, he tried tosharehissenseofpurpose.Youwillbetheinstrumentofmyvictory.Asthewordsfellonher,she coiled into herself—curled her arms around

her knees, buried her faceagainstthem—shrankfromwhathewas saying like achildinterror.There is despair laid upfor you here beyondanything your petty mortalheartcanbear.Yet throughout hisrecitation he felt that shehardlyheardhim,thatherreaction was private, animplication of things he

did not know about her.He half expected her tobreak out in keening. Sheseemed so bereft of thesimple instinct for solace.She could have sustainedherself with anger at theDespiser, as he did; butsuch an outlet seemed tohave no bearing on hercomplex anguish. She satfolded trembling intoherself, and made no

sound.Finally he could no

longer endure watchingher.Hecrawledforwardasif he were damninghimself, and sat besideher. Firmly he pried herright hand loose from itsclinch,placedhishalfhandin her grip so that shecould not let go of hismaimed humanity unlessshe released her hold on

herself. “Lepers aren’tnumb,” he said softly.“Onlythebodygetsnumb.The rest compensates. Iwant to help you, and Idon’tknowhow.”Throughthe words, he breathed,Don’t hurt yourself likethis.Somehow the touch of

his hand, or the empathyin his voice, reached her.As if by a supreme act of

will,shebegantorelaxhermuscles,undotheknotsofher distress. She drew ashuddering breath, let hershoulderssag.Butstillsheclungtohishand,heldtheplaceofhis lost fingers asif that amputation werethe only part of him shecouldunderstand.“Idon’tbelieve inevil.”

Her voice seemed toscrape through her throat,

come out smeared withblood. “People aren’t likethat. This place is sick.LordFoulisjustsomethingyou made up. If you canblame sickness onsomebody, instead ofaccepting it forwhat it is,then you can avoid beingresponsible for it. Youdon’t have to try to endthepain.”Herwordswereanaccusation;buthergrip

on his hand contradictedit. “Even if this is adream.”Covenant could not

answer. If she refused toadmit the existenceofherown inner Despiser, howcould he persuade her?And how could he try todefend her against LordFoul’s manipulations?When she abruptlydisengaged her hand, rose

to her feet as if to escapethe implications of hisgrasp, he gazed after herwith an acheof lonelinessindistinguishablefromfearinhisheart.

NINE:River-Ride

A short time later,Sunder returned. If henoticedLinden’stensionasshe stood there pale andabsolute with her back toCovenant, he did not askfor any explanation.Quietlyheannouncedthathe had found a placewhere they could restsafely until the next

morning. Then he offeredCovenanthishand.Covenant accepted thehelp, lethimselfbepulledtohisfeet.Hismusclesfeltlikeashesinhislimbs;butby leaning on Sunder’sshoulder he was able totravel another half aleaguetoreachastretchofrock.Itwashiddenamonghigh brush, whichprovided at least some

protection againstdiscovery.Recliningontherough stone, Covenantwent to sleep for theremainder of theafternoon. After a supperof ussusimiel, he surprisedhimself by sleepingthroughoutthenight.In spite of the hardness

of his bed, he did notawaken until shortly aftersunrise. By that time,

Sunder had alreadycleared a patch of groundandplantedanewcropofmelons.When Covenant arose,Linden joined him.Avoidinghisgazeasifshecouldnottoleratethesightof his thoughts, hisconcern for her, hiscountervailing beliefs, sheexamined him mutely,then pronounced him free

of fever, fit to travel.Something she sawdisturbed her, but she didnot say what it was, andhedidnotask.AssoonasSunder’snew

crop was ripe, hereplenished his stock ofseeds and refilled his sackof melons. Then he ledCovenantandLindenawayintothebrush.The Mithil River had

turned toward thenorthwest, and theycontinued to follow itscourse as closely as theterrain permitted. Initiallytheir progress was slow;their way traversed atangleofground-ivywhichthreatened to baffle eventhe Graveler’s strength.But beyond the ivy theyentered a deep forest ofbanyan trees, andwalking

becameeasier.The second day of thefertile sun raised thebanyans to heights farbeyondanythingCovenantwould have believedpossible. Huge avenuesand galleries lay betweenthe trunks; the prodigiousintergrown branchesarched and stretched likethe high groined ceilingand towering pillars of a

place of reverence inRevelstone—or like thegrand cavern of Earthrootunder MelenkurionSkyweir.Buttheeffectwasominous rather thangrand. Every bough andtrunk seemed to besuffering under its ownweight.Several times, Covenant

thoughtheheardarumbleof hooves in the distance,

thoughhesawnothing.The next day, the

companions met some ofthe consequences of thesun’s necrotic fecundity.By midmorning, theyfound themselvesstrugglingthroughanareawhich,justthedaybefore,hadbeenastandofcedarsmanyhundredsoffeettall.Butnowit looked like thesceneofaholocaust.

Sometime during thenight,thetreeshadstartedto topple;andeach fallingcolossus had choppeddown others. Now theentire region was a chaosof broken timber—trunksand branches titanicallyrent, splintered, crushed.The three companionsspent the whole daywrestlingwiththeruins.Near sunset, they won

throughtoalowhillsideofheather, seething in thebreeze and twice theirheight. Sunder attackedthe wrist-thick stems withhis poniard, andeventually succeeded inclearing an area largeenough for them to liedown. But even then hecouldnotrest;hewastautwith anxiety. While theyate, Covenant made no

comment; and Linden,wrapped in her privacy,seemed unaware of theGraveler. But laterCovenant asked him whattroubledhim.Grimly Sunder replied,

“I have found no stone.Themoonwanes,andwillnot penetrate this heathersufficiently to aid mysearch.IknownothowtoavoidMarid’sfate.”

Covenant considered fora moment, then said, “I’llcarryyou.IfI’mprotected,yououghttobesafe,too.”The Graveler accededwithastiff shrug.Butstillhe did not relax.Covenant’s suggestionviolated a lifetime ofingrained caution. QuietlyCovenant said, “I thinkyou’ll be all right. I wasright about the aliantha,

wasn’tI?”Sunder responded by

settling himself for sleep.But when Covenantawakened briefly duringthenightandlookedabouthim, he saw the Gravelerstaring up into thedarkness of the heatherlike a man biddingfarewell to the use of hiseyes.The companions rose in

the early gray of dawn.Together they movedthrough the heather untilthey found a thinningthrough which they couldglimpse the easternhorizon. The breeze hadbecome stronger andcooler since the previousevening. Covenant felt alow chill of apprehension.PerhapsheandLindenhadnotbeenprotectedbytheir

footwear; perhaps theywere naturally immune tothe Sunbane. In that case—They had no time to

search for alternatives.Sunrise was imminent.Linden took the sack ofmelons. Covenant stoopedto let Sunder mount hisback. Then they faced theeast. Covenant had tocompelhimselfnottohold

hisbreath.Thesuncameupflaring

azure,blue-cladinanauraofsapphire.It shone for only a

moment. Then blackclouds began to rollwestward like thevanguardofanattack.“The sun of rain.”With

an effort, Sunderungnarledhis fingers fromCovenant’s shoulders and

dropped to the ground.“Now,” he rasped againstthe constriction of hischest, “we will at lastbegin to travel with someswiftness.Ifwedonotfoilpursuitaltogether,wewillatleastprolongourlives.”At once, he turned

toward the River, startedplunging hurriedlythrough the heather as ifhewereracingtheclouds.

Covenant faced Lindenacross the risingwind. “Isheallright?”“Yes,” she replied

impatiently. “Our shoesblock theSunbane.”Whenhe nodded his relief, shehastenedafterSunder.The heather spread

westward for somedistance, then changedabruptly into a thicket ofknaggy bushes as tall as

trees along the riverbank.Thecloudswereoverhead,and a few raindrops hadbeguntospatteroutofthesky, as Sunder forged intothe high brush. While hemoved,hehackedorbrokeoff stout branches nearlyeight feet along, cut looselong sections of creeper.Thesehedraggedwithhimthrough the thicket.Whenhe had collected all he

couldmanage,hegavethebranches and vines to hiscompanions,thengatheredmore wood of the samelength.By the time they camein sight of the riverbed,only a small strip of skyremainedclearinthewest.Sunder pressed forwardto the edge of the bank.Therehepreparedaspacein which he could work.

Obeying his terse orders,though theydidnot knowwhat he had in mind,Covenant and Lindenhelped him strip his vinesandbranchesof twigsandleaves. Then they put allthe wood togetherlengthwise, and Sunderlashed it into a securebundle with the vines.Whenhewasdone,hehada tight stack thicker than

thereachofhisarms.Wind began to rip the

top of the thicket. Heavydrops slapped against theleaves,producinga steadydrizzle within the brush.But Sunder appeared tohave forgotten his haste.Hesatdownanddidwhathe could to make himselfcomfortable.After a moment,

Covenant asked, “Now

what?”Sunderlookedathim,atLinden. “Are you able toswim?”Theybothnodded.“ThenwewillawaittherisingoftheRiver.”Covenant blinked thewater out of his eyes.Damnation,hemuttered.Araft.The idea was a goodone. The current of the

Mithil would provide afaster pace than anythingthey could hope to matchbytravelingoverland.AndSunder’s raft would givethem something to holdonto so that they did notexhaust themselves. TheGravelerhadbeen in sucha hurry because the choreofmaking even this smallraft would have been farmore difficult under the

full weight of the rain.Covenant nodded tohimself. Sunder was amore resourceful guidethanhedeserved.Linden seated herself

near the raft and foldedher arms over her knees.In a flat voice, she said,“It’sgoingtobecold.”That was true; the rain

was already chilly. ButCovenant ignored it,

moved to look down intotheriverbottom.The sight made himdubious. The bed waschoked with growthalmost to the level of therim.Hedidnotknowhowlongthewaterwould taketo rise; but when it did,the treesandbrushwouldmake it extremelyhazardous.As Sunder handed out

rations of ussusimiel,Covenant continuedstudying the watercourse.The downpour was hardand flat now, beating intothe brush as steadily as awaterfall, and the airdarkenedgradually;buthecould see well enough tomake out the first muddystirrings of the River.Initiallyhe feared that thewater would rise too

slowly.Butthethickethadcaused him tounderestimate the forceofthestorm.Thetorrentsfellheavily—andmoreheavilymoment by moment. Therain sounded like a greatbeast thrashing in thebrush.Thewater began to run

more rapidly.Moiling likea current of snakes, thestream slipped between

the trees, rushed slappingand gurgling through theshrubs. All this region ofthe South Plains drainedinto the watercourse.Covenant had barelyfinished his meal when asudden change came overtheflow.Withoutwarning,thecurrentseemedtoleapupward, forward, like apouncing predator; andsomeofthebushesshifted.

They were shallow-rooted.The stream tuggedthem free. They caughtpromptly in the limbs ofthe trees, hung there likedesperation in the coils ofthe current. But thewaterbuiltupagainstthem.Thetreesthemselvesstartedtotopple.Soon uprooted trunksandbranchesthrongedtheRiver, beating irresistibly

downstream. The waterseethed with the force ofanavalanche.RaincrashedintotheMithil,anditroseand ran avidly. Foot byfoot,itsweptitselfclean.The current was morethanhalfwayupthebankswhen Sunder got to hisfeet. He spent a momentensuring that his fewpossessions were secure,then stooped to the raft,

lashed the sack of melonstightlytothewood.A spasm of fear twisted

Covenant’s chest. “It’s toodangerous!” he shoutedthrough the noise of therain. “We’ll bebattered topieces!”I’maleper!“No!” Sunder returned.

“We will ride with thecurrent—with the trees! Ifthe hazard surpasses you,we must wait! The River

willnotrunclearuntilthemorrow!”Covenant thought about

theRider,aboutbeingshehad encountered whocouldsensethepresenceofwhite gold. Before hecould respond, Lindenbarked, “I’ll go crazy if Ihave to spend my timesittinghere!”Sunder picked up one

end of the raft. “Cling to

thewood, lestwe becomelosttoeachother!”Atonce,shebent to the

other end of the bundle,locked her hands amongthebranches,liftedthem.Cursing silently,

Covenant placed himselfbeside her and tried togripthewetbranches.Thenumbness of his fingersthreatened to betray him;hecouldnotbesureofhis

hold.“Wemustmoveasone!”Sunder warned. “Out intothecenter!”Covenant growled hisunderstanding. He wantedto pause for a VSE. Thewatercourselookedlikeanabysstohisreadyvertigo.The next moment,Sunderyelled,“Now!”andhurled himself toward theedge.

Hellfire!TheraftyankedatCovenantasSunderandLinden heaved it forward.Helurchedintomotion.Sunder sprang for thewater. The raft dove overthe bank. Covenant’s griptorehimheadlongpasttheedge. With a shatteringjolt, he smashed into thewater.The impact snatchedhisinadequate fingers from

the raft. TheMithil swepthim away and down. Hewhirled tumbling alongthecurrent,losthimselfinturbulence andsuffocation. An instant ofpanic made his brain asdark as the water. Heflailed about him withoutknowing how to find thesurface.Then a bush stillclinchedtoitsrootsstruck

his leg a stinging blow. Itrighted him. He clawedupward.With a gasp that madenosound,hebrokewater.Amid the tumult of therain, he was deaf toeverything except air andfear,thecurrentshovingathis face,andthegelid fireof the water. The coldstunnedhismind.But a frantic voice was

howling,“Covenant!”The urgency of Linden’scry reached him. Fightingthe drag of his boots, hesurgedheadandshouldersout of the racing boil,scannedthedarkness.Before he plungedunderwater again, hecaught a glimpse of theraft.It was nearby, ten feetfarther downriver. As he

regained the surface, hestruck out along thecurrent.An arm groped for him.He kicked forward,grabbed at Linden’s wristwith his half-hand. Hisnumb fingers could nothold.Waterclosedoverhishead.Her hand clamped ontohis forearm, heaved himtoward the raft. He

grappled for one of thebranches and managed tofastenhimselftotheroughbark.His weight upsetSunder’s control of theraft. The bundle began tospin. Covenant had animpression of perilousspeed. The riverbankswere only a vaguelooming;theyseethedpasthim as he hurtled along

thewatercourse.“Are you all right?”

Lindenshouted.“Yes!”Together they battled

the cold water, helpedSunder right the raft’splunging.The rain deluged them,

rendered them blind andmute.Thecurrentwrestledconstantly for mastery ofthe raft. Repeatedly they

had to thrash their wayout of vicious backwatersand fend off trees whichcame beating down theRiver like triremes. Onlythe width of the Mithilprevented logjams fromdevelopingateverybend.Andthewaterwascold.It seemed to suck at theirmuscles, draining theirstrength and warmth.Covenant felt as if his

bones were being filledwith ice. Soon he couldhardly keep his headabove water, hardly holdontothewood.ButastheRiverrose,itssurfacegraduallygrewlessturbulent. The current didnot slow; but the increaseof water blunted themoiling effect of theunevenbottomandbanks.The raft became easier to

manage.Then,atSunder’sinstructions, thecompanions began to taketurns riding prone on theraft while the other twosteered, striving to delaythe crisis of theirexhaustion.Later the water became

drinkable. It still left alayerofgritonCovenant’steeth; but rain and runoffslowlymaceratedthemud,

clarifyingtheMithil.He began to hear anoccasional dull boominglikethesoundsofbattle.Itwas not thunder; nolightning accompanied it.Yet it broke through theloud water-sizzle of therain.Without warning, asharp splintering rent theair. A monstrous shadowhove above him. At the

last instant, the currentrushed the raft out fromunder the fall of animmense tree. Too tall forits roots, overburdened bythe weight of the storm,the tree had riven itsmoorings and toppledacrosstheRiver.NowCovenantheardthesame rending everywhere,near and far. The Mithiltraversed a region of

megalithic trees; theclamoroftheirdestructionbroke and boomedincessantly.He feared that one ofthemwouldstrike theraftordamtheRiver.Butthatdid not happen. The treeswhichlandedintheMithiloccluded the currentwithout blocking it. Andthenthenoiseoftheirruinreceded as the River left

thatregionbehind.Rain continued to falllikethecollapseofthesky.Covenantplacedhimselfatone end of the raft andused the weight of hisboots to steady its course.Half paralyzed with cold,he and his companionsrode through a day thatseemed to have nomeasureandnoend.Whentherainbegantodwindle,

that fact could notpenetrate his doggedstupor. As the cloudsrolled back from the east,uncovering the clearheavens of evening, hegapedattheopenairasifit spoke a languagewhichhadbecomealientohim.Together the

companions flopped likedyingfishtotheriverbank,crawled out of the water.

SomehowSundermusteredthe strength to secure theraft against the rising ofthe River. Then he joinedCovenant and Linden inthewind-shelterofacopseofpreternaturalgorse,andslumped to the ground.The teeming black cloudsslidawaytothewest;andthe sun set, glorious withorange and red. Thegloaming thickened

towardnight.“Fire.” Linden’s voicequivered; she wastrembling from head tofoot.“We’vegot tohaveafire.”Covenant groaned hismind out of the mud onwhich he lay, raised hishead. Long vibrations ofcold ran through him;shivers knotted hismuscles. The sun had not

shoneonthePlainsalldayandthenightwasasclearasperfectice.“Yes,” Sunder said

through locked teeth. “Wemusthavefire.”Fire. Covenant winced

tohimself.Hewastoocoldto feel anything exceptdread. But the need wasabsolute.Andhecouldnotbear to thinkofblood.Toforestall the Graveler, he

struggledtohishandsandknees, though his bonesseemedtoclattertogether.“I’lldoit”They faced each other.The silence between themwas marked only by thechill breeze rubbing itsway through the copse,and by the clenchedshudder of breathing.Sunder’s expressionshowed that he did not

trust Covenant’s strength,did not want to set asidehis responsibility for hiscompanions.ButCovenantkept repeating inwardly,You’re not going to cutyourself for me, and didnot relent. After amoment, Sunder handedhimtheorcrest.Covenant accepted itwith his trembling half-hand, placed it in contact

with his ring, glared at itweakly. But then hefaltered.Evenintenyears,he had not been able tounlearnhisinstinctivefearofpower.“Hurry,” Linden

whispered.Hurry? He covered his

face with his left hand,striving to hide his ague.Bloodyhell.Helackedthestrength. The orcrest lay

inert in his fist; he couldnotevenconcentrateonit.You don’t know whatyou’reasking.But the need wasindefeasible. His angerslowly tightened. Hebecame rigid, clenchedagainst the chills. Ireindistinguishable frompain or exhaustion shapeditself to the circle of hisring.TheSunstonehadno

life;thewhitegoldhadnolife.Hegavethemhislife.There was no otheranswer.Cursing silently, hehammered his fist at themud.White light burst in theorcrest: flame sprang fromhis ring as if the metalwere a band of silvermagma. In an instant, hiswholehandwasablaze.

He raised his fist,brandished fire like apromise of retributionagainst theSunbane.Thenhe dropped the Sunstone.It went out; but his ringcontinued to spout flame.In a choking voice, hegasped,“Sunder!”At once, the Gravelergave him a dead gorse-branch. He grasped thewet bark in his half-hand:

his arm shook as hesqueezedwhite flame intothe wood. When he set itdown,itwasafire.Sunder supplied morewood, then knelt to tendtheweakfire.Covenantsetflame to the secondbranch, to a third andfourth. Sunder fed theburning with leaves andtwigs, blew carefully onthe flames. After a

moment, he announced,“Itisenough.”With a groan, Covenant

lethismindfallblank,andthe blaze of his ringplunged into darkness.Night closed over thecopse,huddledaroundthefaint yellow light andsmokeofthefire.Soon he began to feel

heatonhisface.Sagging within himself,

he tried to estimate theconsequences of what hehad done, measure theemotional umbrage ofpower.Shortly the Gravelerrecovered his sack ofmelons from the raft, anddealt out rations ofussusimiel. Covenant felttoo empty to eat; but hisbody responded withouthisvolition.Hesatlikean

effigy, with wraiths ofmoisture curling upwardfrom his clothes, andlooked dumbly at theinanitionofhissoul.When she finished hermeal, Linden threw therinds away. Staring intothe flames, she saidremotely, “I don’t think Ican take another day ofthis.”“Is there choice?”

Fatigue dulled Sunder’seyes. He sat close to theheat, as if his bones werethirsty for warmth. “Theur-Lord aims towardRevelstone.Verywell.Butthe distance is great.Refusing the aid of theRiver, we must journeyafoot.Togain theKeepofthe na-Mhoram wouldrequire many turnings ofthe moon. But I fear we

would not gain it. TheSunbane is too perilous.And there is thematterofpursuit.”The set of Linden’sshoulders showed herapprehension. After amoment,sheaskedtightly,“Howmuchlonger?”The Graveler sighed.“None can foretell theSunbane,”hesaidinadimvoice. “It is said that in

generationspast eachnewsunshoneforfiveandsix,even as many as sevendays. But a sun of fourdays is now uncommon.And with my own eyes Ihave beheld only one sunoflessthanthree.”“Two more days,”Linden muttered. “DearGod.”For a while, they weresilent. Then, by tacit

agreement,theybotharosetogatherwoodforthefire.Scouring the copse, theycollectedasubstantialpileof brush and branches.After that, Sunderstretched out on theground. But Lindenremainedsittingbesidethefire. Slowly Covenantnoticed through hisnumbness that she wasstudyinghim.

In a tone that seemeddeliberately inflectionless,she asked, “Why does itbother you to use yourring?”His ague had abated,

leaving only a vestigialchill along his bones. Buthis thoughts were echoesofanger.“It’shard.”“Inwhatway?” In spite

of its severity, herexpression said that she

wanted to understand.Perhaps she needed tounderstand.Hereadinhera long history of self-punishment. She was aphysician who tormentedherself in order to healothers,asiftheconnectionbetween the two wereessentialandcompulsory.Tothecomplexityofherquestion, he gave thesimplest answer he knew.

“Morally.”For a moment, theyregarded each other, triedtodefineeachother.Then,unexpectedly,theGravelerspoke. “There at last, ur-Lord,”hemurmured,“youhaveutteredawordwhichlies within mycomprehension.”Hisvoiceseemed to arise from thewetwood and the flames.“You fear both strength

andweakness,bothpowerand lack of power. Youfeartobeinneed—andtohave your need answered.AsdoI.“I am a Graveler—well

acquaintedwithsuch fear.A Stonedown trusts theGravelerforitslife.Butinthenameof that life, thattrust, he must shed thebloodofhispeople.Thosewho trust must be

sacrificed to meet thetrust.Thustrustbecomesamatterofbloodanddeath.Therefore I have fled myhome”—the simple timbreof lament in his tonerelieved what he said ofany accusation—“to serveamanandawomanwhomI cannot trust. I knownothowtotrustyou,andso Iam freedof theburdenoftrust. There is naught

between us which wouldrequire me to shed yourlives. Or to sacrifice myown.”Listening to Sunder’s

voice and the fire,Covenant lost some of hisfear. A sense of kinshipcame over him. This dourself-doubting Stonedownorhadsufferedsomuch,andyethadpreservedsomuchof himself. After a long

moment, Covenant chosetoacceptwhatSunderwassaying. He could not payevery price alone. “Allright,”hebreathedlikethenight breeze in the copse.“Tomorrow night you canstartthefire.”Quietly Sunder replied,“Thatiswell.”Covenant nodded. Soonhe closed his eyes. Hisweariness lowered him to

thegroundbesidethefire.Hewantedtosleep.But Linden held hisattention. “It isn’tenough,” she said stiffly.“You keep saying youwanttofighttheSunbane,butyoucanhardly lightafire.Youmightaswellbeafraid of rubbing stickstogether. I need a betteranswerthanthat.”He understood her

point. Surely the Sunbane—capable of torturingnature itself at itswhim—couldnotbeabrogatedbyanything as paltry as awhite gold ring. Hedistrusted power becausenopowerwaseverenoughto accomplish his heart’sdesires.Tohealtheworld.Cure leprosy. Bridge theloneliness which thwartedhis capacity for love. He

made an effort not tosound harsh. “Then findone.Nobodyelsecandoitforyou.”Shedidnotrespond.His

wordsseemedtodriveherbackintoherisolation.Buthe was too tired tocontendwith her. Alreadyhe had begun to fade. Asshe settled herself for thenight, he rode thesusurration of the River

intosleep.

He awoke cramped andchilled beside a pile ofdeadembers.Thestarshadbeen effaced; and in thedawn, the rapid Mithillooked dark and cold, asfatal as sleet He did notbelieve he could surviveanotherdayinthewater.But,asSunderhadsaid,

they had no choice.Shivering in direanticipation, he awakenedhis companions. Lindenlooked pale and haggard,and her eyes avoided theRiver as if she could notbear to think about it.Together they ate a scantbreakfast, then stood on aboulder to face the dawn.As they had expected, thesunroseinaglowofblue,

and menacing cloudsbegan to pile out of theeast. Sunder shrugged inresignation and went toretie his shrinking sack ofmelonstotheraft.The companionslaunched the bundle ofwood. The sting of thewater burned Covenant’sbreathoutofhislungs;buthefoughtthecoldandthecurrent and the weight of

his boots with his oldleper’s intransigence, andsurvivedthefirstshock.Then the raincommenced. During thenight, the River hadbecomelessviolent;ithadwashed itself free offloating brush and treesand had risen above theworstofitsturbulence.Butthe rain wasmore severe,had more wind behind it.

Gusts drove the raindropsuntil they hit like flurriesof hail. Torrents lashedinto thewaterwith ahot,scorchingsound.The downpour rapidly

became torment for thecompanions. They couldnot escape from thesoddenand insidiouscold.From time to time,Covenantglimpsedaburstof lightning in the

distance, rupturing thedark; but the unremittingslash of rain into theMithil drowned out anythunder. Soon hismusclesgrewso leaden,hisnervessonumb,thathecouldnolonger grip the raft. Hejammedhishandinamongthe branches, hooked hiselbow over one of thebindings,andsurvived.Somehow the day

passed. At last, a line ofclearskybrokeopenalongthe east. Gradually therainandwindeased.Morebychance than intent, thecompanionsgainedasmallcoveofgravelandsandinthe west bank. As theydrew their raft out of thewater, Covenant’s legsfailed, and he collapsedfacedown on the pebblesas if he would never be

abletomoveagain.Linden panted,“Firewood.”Hecouldhearthe stumbling scrunch ofher shoes. Sunder alsoseemedtobemoving.Her groan jerked up hishead, heaved him to hishands and knees.Following her woundedstare, he saw what haddismayedher.There was no firewood.

The rain had washed thegravelclean.Andthesmallpatch of shore wasimpenetrably surroundedby a tangle of briar withlong barbed thorns.Exhaustion and tearsthickenedhervoiceasshemoaned, “What are wegoingtodo?”Covenanttriedtospeak,butwastooweaktomakeanysound.

The Graveler locked hisweary knees, mustered ascant smile. “The ur-Lordhasgrantedpermission.Beof good heart. Some littlewarmth will ease usgreatly.”Lurching to his feet,

Covenantwatched blanklyas Sunder approached thethickestpartofthebriar.The muscles of his jaw

knotted and released

irrhythmically, like afalteringheartbeat.Buthedid not hesitate. Reachinghislefthandinamongthethorns, he pressed hisforearmagainstoneofthebarbsandtoreacutacrosshisskin.Covenant was too

stunned by fatigue andcold and responsibility toreact.Linden flinched,butdidnotmove.

With a shudder, Sundersmeared thewellingbloodonto his hands and face,then took out his orcrest.Holding the Sunstone sothat his cut dripped overit,hebegantochant.For a long moment,

nothing happened.Covenant trembled in hisbones, thinking thatwithout sunlight Sunderwould not be able to

succeed. But suddenly ared glow awakened in thetranslucent stone. PowerthecolorofSunder’sbloodshafted in the direction ofthesun.The sunhadalready set

behind a line of hills, butthe Sunstone wasunaffected by theintervening terrain;Sunder’s vermeil shaftstruck toward the sun’s

hidden position. Somedistancefromthecove,theshaft disappeared into thedark base of the hills; butits straight, bright powerwasnothindered.Still chanting, Sundermoved his hands so thatthe shaft encountered athickbriarstem.Almostatonce,flameburstfromthewood.Whenthestemwaswell

afire,he shiftedhispowertothenearestbranches.The briar was wet andalive;buthisshaft litnewstemsandtwigseasily,andthe tangle was so densethat the flames fed eachother.Soonhehadcreatedaself-sustainingbonfire.He fell silent; and theblood-beam vanished.Totteringweakly, hewentto the River to wash

himselfandtheSunstone.Covenant and Linden

hunchedclosetotheblaze.Twilight was deepeningaround them. At theirbacks, the Mithil soundedlike the respiration of thesea. In the firelight,Covenant could see thather lips were blue withcold, her face drained ofblood. Her eyes reflectedthe flames as if theywere

devoidofanyothervision.Grimly he hoped that shewouldfindsomewherethedesire or the resolution toendure.ShortlySunderreturned,

carrying his sack ofussusimiel.Lindenbestirredherselftotendhisarm;buthe declined quietly. “I amaGraveler,”hemurmured.“Such work would nothave fallen to me, were I

slowofhealing.”Heraisedhis forearm, showed herthat the bleeding hadalready stopped. Then hesat down near the flames,and began to prepare aration of melons forsupper.Thethreeofthematein

silence, settled themselvesfor the night in silence.Covenant was seekingwithin himself for the

courage to face anotherdayunder the sunof rain.He guessed that hiscompanions were doingthe same.Theywore theirprivate needs likecerements, and slept inisolation.

The next day surpassedCovenant’s worstexpectations. As clouds

sealedthePlains,thewindmounted to rabidproportions, whipping theRiver into froth andflailing rain like the barbsofascourge.Lightningandthunder bludgeoned eachother across the heavens.In flashes, the skybecameas lurid as the crumblingofa firmament,as loudasan avalanche. The raftrode the current likedead

wood, entirely at themercyoftheMithil.Covenant thrashed and

clung in constant fear ofthe lightning, expecting itto strike the raft, to fryhim and his companions.Butthatkillingblowneverfell. Late in the day, thelightning itself grantedthem an unexpectedreprieve. Downriver fromthem, a blue-white bolt

sizzled into a stand ofprodigiouseucalyptus.Oneof the trees burned like atorch.Sunder yelled at his

companions.Togethertheyheavedtherafttowardthebank, then left the Riverand hastened to the trees.They could not approachthe burning eucalyptus;butwhenablazingbranchfell nearby, they used

other dead wood to dragthebranchoutfromunderthe danger of the tree.Then they fed brush,broken tree limbs,eucalyptusleavesasbigasscythes,totheflamesuntilthe blaze was hot enoughtoresisttherain.Theburningtreeandthe

campfire shed heat like abenediction. The groundwas thick with leaves

which formed the softestbed Covenant and hiscompanions had had fordays. Sometime aftersunset, the tree collapsed,butitfellawayfromthem;after that they were abletorestwithoutconcern.Early in the dawn,

Sunder roused Covenantand Linden so that theywould have time to breaktheir fast before the sun

rose. The Graveler wastense and distracted,anticipating a change inthe Sunbane. When theyhadeaten,theywentdowntotheriverbankandfoundastretchofflatrockwherethey could stand to awaitthe morning. Through thegauntandblackenedtrees,they saw the sun cast itsfirst glance over thehorizon.

Itappearedbaleful,fieryandred;itworecoquelicotlikeacrownofthorns,andcastahumidheatentirelyunlike the fierce intensityof the desert sun. Itscorona seemed insidiousand detrimental. Linden’seyes flinched at the sight.And Sunder’s face wasstrangely blanched. Hemade an instinctivewardinggesturewithboth

hands.“Sunofpestilence,”he breathed; and his tonewinced.“Ah,wehavebeenfortunate. Had this suncome upon us after thedesertsun,orthefertile—”The thought died in histhroat. “But now, after asun of rain—” He sighed.“Fortunate,indeed.”“How so?” asked

Covenant. He did notunderstand the attitude of

hiscompanions.Hisbonesyearned for the relief ofoneclearcleanday.“Whatdoesthissundo?”“Do?” Sunder gritted.

“Whatharmdoesitnot?Itis the dread and tormentof the Land. Still waterbecomes stagnant.Growing things rot andcrumble. All who eat ordrinkofthatwhichhasnotbeen shaded are afflicted

with a disease which fewsurvive and none cure.Andtheinsects—!”“He’s right,” Linden

whisperedwithhermouthfull of dismay, “Oh, myGod.”“It is the Mithil River

whichmakesus fortunate,for it will not stagnate.Untilanotherdesertsun,itwillcontinue to flowfromits springs, and from the

rain.Anditwillwardusinother ways also.” Thereflected red in Sunder’seyesmadehimlooklikeacornered animal. “Yet Icannot behold such a sunwithout faintheartedness.My people hide in theirhomes at such a time andprayforasunoftwodays.Iachetobehiddenalso. Iam homeless and smallagainstthewidenessofthe

world,and inall theLandI fear a sun of pestilencemore than any otherthing.”Sunder’s frankapprehension affectedCovenant like guilt. Toanswerit,hesaid,“You’realso theonly reasonwe’restillalive.”“Yes,” the Gravelerresponded as if he werelistening to his own

thoughts rather than toCovenant.“Yes!” Covenant

snapped. “And somedayevery Stonedown is goingtoknowthat thisSunbaneisnottheonlywaytolive.When that day comes,you’re going to be justabout the only person inthe Land who can teachthemanything.”Sunder was silent for a

time. Then he askeddistantly, “What will Iteachthem?”“To remake the Land.”

Deliberately Covenantincluded Linden in hispassion. “It used to be aplace of such health andloveliness—ifyousawit,itwould break your heart.”His voice gave off gleamsofrageandlove.“Thatcanbe true again.” He glared

at his companions, daringthemtodoubthim.Lindencoveredhergaze;

butSunderturnedandmetCovenant’s ire. “Yourwords have no meaning.No man or woman canremake the Land. It is inthehandsof the Sunbane,for good or ill. Yet this Isay to you,” he gratedwhen Covenant began toprotest. “Make the

attempt.” Abruptly heloweredhiseyes.“IcannolongerbeartobelievethatNassic my father was amere witless fool.”Retrieving his sack ofmelons,hewentbrusquelyandtiedittothecenteroftheraft.“I hear you,” Covenant

muttered. He felt anunexpected desire forviolence.“Ihearyou.”

Linden touchedhisarm.“Come on.” She did notmeethisglance.“It’sgoingtobedangeroushere.”He followed mutely asshe and Sunder launchedtheraft.Soon they were out inthe center of the Mithil,riding the currentunder ared-wreathed sun and acerulean sky. The warmerairmade thewateralmost

pleasant; and the pace ofthe River had slowedduring the night, easingthe management of theraft. Yet the sun’s auroranagged at Covenant. Evento his superficial sight, itlookedlikeasecretthreat,mendacious andbloodthirsty.Becauseofit,the warm sunlight andclear sky seemed likeconcealment for an

ambush.His companions shared

his trepidation. Sunderswam with a doggedwariness,asifheexpectedan attack at anymoment.And Linden’s mannerbetrayed an innominateanxiety more acute thananything she had shownsince the first day of thefertilesun.But nothing occurred to

justify this vague dread.Themorningpassedeasilyas the water lost its chill.The air filled with flies,gnats, midges, like motesof vehemence in the red-tinged light; but suchthingsdidnotprevent thecompanions from stoppingwhenever they sawaliantha. Slowly Covenantbegan to relax. Noon hadpassed before he noticed

that the River wasbecomingrougher.During thedaysof rain,

the Mithil had turneddirectly northward; andnow it grew unexpectedlybroader, more troubled.Soonhedescriedwhatwashappening. The raft wasmovingrapidlytowardtheconfluence of the Mithilandanotherriver.Their speed left the

companions no time forchoice. Sunder shouted,“Hold!” Linden thrust herhair away from her face,tightened her grip.Covenant jammed hisnumbfingersinamongthebranches of the raft. Thenthe Mithil swept themspinningandtumblingintotheturbulentcenteroftheconfluence.The raft plunged end

over end. Covenant felthimself yanked throughthe turmoil, and fought toholdhisbreath.Butalmostatoncethecurrentrushedthe raft in anotherdirection. Gasping for air,he shook water from hiseyes and saw that nowthey were travelingnortheastward.Formore thana league,the raft seemed to hurtle

downthewatercourse.Butfinally the new streameased somewhat betweenitsbanks.Covenantstartedtocatchhisbreath.“Whatwasthat?”Linden

panted.Covenant searched his

memory. “Must have beenthe Black River.” FromGarroting Deep. And fromMelenkurion Skyweir,where Elena had broken

the Law of Death tosummonKevinLandwasterfrom his grave, and haddied herself as a result.Covenant flinched at therecollection, and at thethoughtthatperhapsnoneof the Land’s ancientforests had survived theSunbane. Gritting himself,headded,“ItseparatestheSouthandCenterPlains.”“Yes,”saidtheGraveler.

“Andnowwemustchoose.Revelstone lies north ofnorthwest from us. TheMithil no longer shortensourway.”Covenant nodded. But

the seine of hisremembering brought upother things as well.“That’s all right. It won’tincrease the distance.” Heknew vividly where theMithil River would take

him. “Anyway, I don’twant to walk under thissun.”Andelain.He shivered at the

suddenness of his hopeand anxiety. If alianthacouldenduretheSunbane,could not Andelain alsopreserveitself?OrhadthechiefgemandgloryoftheLandalreadybeenbroughttoruin?

That thoughtoutweighedhisurgencytoreach Revelstone. Heestimated that they wereabout eighty leagues fromMithil Stonedown. Surelytheyhadoutdistancedanyimmediate pursuit. Theycould afford thisdigression.He noticed that Sunderregarded him strangely.But the Graveler’s face

showednodesire at all tobravethesunofpestilenceafoot. And Linden seemedto have lost the will tocare where the Rivercarriedthem.By turns, they begantrying to get some restafter the strain of theconfluence.For a time, Covenant’sawareness of hissurroundingswasetiolated

by memories of Andelain.But then a flutter of coloralmost struck his face,snatching his attention tothe air overhis head.Theatmosphere throngedwithbugs of all kinds.Butterflies the size of hisopenhand,withwingslikeflakes of chiaroscuro,winked and skimmederratically over the water;huge horseflies whined

pasthim; clusters of gnatsswirled likemirages.Theymarked the air withconstant hums andbuzzings, like a rumor ofdistant violence. Thesound made him uneasy.Itching skirled down hisspine.Sunder showed no

specific anxiety. ButLinden’s agitationmounted. She seemed

inexplicablycold;herteethchattered until she lockedherjawstostopthem.Shesearched the sky and theriverbanks apprehensively,looking—The air became harder

to breathe, humid anddangerous.Covenant was

momentarily deaf to theswellinghum.But thenheheard it—a raw thick

growling like the anger ofbees.Bees!The noise augeredthrough him.He gaped indumb horror as a swarmdense enough to obscurethe sun rose abruptly outof the brush along theRiver and came snarlingtowardtheraft.“Heaven and Earth!”Sundergasped.

Linden thrashed thewater, clutched atCovenant. “Raver!” Hervoice scaled into a shriek.“Oh,myGod!”

TEN:ValeofCrystal

The presence of theRaver, lurid and tangible,burned through LindenAvery’s nerves like adischarge of lightning,stunning her. She couldnotmove.Covenantthrusther behind him, turned tofacetheonslaught.Hercrydrownedaswatersplashedoverher.

Then the swarm hit.Black-yellow bodies aslong as her thumb clawedthe air, smacked into theRiver as if they had beendriven mad. She felt theRaver all around her—aspirit of ravage and lustthreshing viciously amongthebees.Impelled by fear, shedove.Thewaterundertheraft

was clear; she sawSunderdiving near her. Hegripped his knife and theSunstoneas ifhe intendedto fight the swarm byhand.Covenant remained on

the surface. His legs andbody writhed; he musthave been swattingwildlyatthebees.At once, her fear

changed directions,

became fear for him. Shelunged toward him,grabbedoneankle,heavedhim downward as hard asshe could. He sanksuddenlyinhergrasp.Twobeesstillclungtohisface.In a fury of revulsion, sheslapped them away. Thenshehadtogoupforair.Sunder rose nearby. Ashe moved, he wielded hisknife.Bloodstreamedfrom

hisleftforearm.She split the surface,

gulped air, and doveagain.The Graveler did not.

Through the distortion ofthewater,shewatchedredsunfire raging from theorcrest. The swarmconcentrated darklyaround Sunder. His legsscissored, lifting hisshoulders. Power burst

from him, igniting theswarm; bees flamed likehotspangles.An instant later, the

attackended.Linden broke water

again, looked aroundrapidly.ButtheRaverwasgone.BurntbodieslitteredthefaceoftheMithil.Sunder hugged the raft,

gasping as if the exertionof so much force had

ruptured something in hischest.She ignored him. HerswiftscanshowedherthatCovenanthadnotregainedthesurface.Snatching air into herlungs, she went down forhim.Shewrenched herself incircles, searching thewater. At first, she couldfind nothing. Then she

spottedhim.Hewassomedistance away across thecurrent, strugglingupward. His movementsweredesperate. Inspiteofthe interference of theRiver, she could see thathe was not simplydesperateforair.With all the strength of

her limbs, she swam afterhim.He reached the surface;

but his body went onthrashingasifhewerestillassailedbybees.Sheraisedherheadinto

theairnearhim,surgedtohisaid.“Hellfire!” he spat like

an ague of fear or agony.Water streamed throughhis hair and his raggedbeard, as if he had beenimmersed inmadness. Hishandsslappedathisface.

“Covenant!” Lindenshouted.He did not hear her.

Wildly he fought invisiblebees,poundedhisface.Aninchoate cry tore throughhisthroat.“Sunder!” she panted.

“Help me!” Duckingaround Covenant, shecaught him across thechest, began to drag himtoward the bank. The

sensation of hisconvulsions sickened her;but she bit down hernausea, wrestled himthroughtheRiver.The Graveler came

limpingafterher,draggingthe raft. His mien wastight with pain. A thinsmearofbloodstainedhislips.Reaching the bank, she

dredged Covenant out of

the water. Spasms ranthrough all his muscles,resisting her involuntarily.But his need gave herstrength;shestretchedhimoutontheground,kneltathissidetoexaminehim.For one horrific

moment,herfearreturned,threatening to swampher.She did not want to seewhatwaswrongwithhim.She had already seen too

much; the wrong of theSunbane had excruciatedher nerves so long, sointimately, that she halfbelieved she had lost hermind. But she was adoctor;shehadchosenthiswork for reasons whichbrooked no excuse of fearor repugnance orincapacity.Settingherselfaside, she bent the newdimension of her senses

towardCovenant.Clenchings shook him

like bursts of brain-fire.His face contorted aroundthe two bee stings. Themarkswerebrightredandswelling rapidly; but theywere not serious. Or theywereseriousinanentirelydifferentway.Linden swallowed bile,

and probed him moredeeply.

His leprosy becameobvioustoher.Itlayinhisflesh like a malignantinfestation, exigent anddire.Butitwasquiescent.Something else raged in

him. Baring her senses toit, she suddenlyremembered what Sunderhad said about the sun ofpestilence—and what hehad implied about insects.Hestoodoverher.Inspite

of his pain, he swattedgrimly at mosquitoes thesizeofdragonflies,keepingthemoffCovenant.Shebither lips in apprehension,lookeddownatCovenant’srightforearm.Hisskinaroundthepale

scars left byMarid’s fangsand Sunder’s poniard wasalready bloated and dark,asifhisarmhadsufferedanew infusion of venom.

The swelling worsened asshegazedatit.Itwastightandhot,asdangerousasafresh snakebite. Again itgave her a vividimpression of moralwrong, as if the poisonwere as much spiritual asphysical.Marid’s venom had

neverleftCovenant’sflesh.Shehadbeendisturbedbyhints of this in days past,

buthad failed to grasp itssignificance. Repulsed byaliantha, the venom hadremained latent in him,waiting—Both Marid andthe bees had been formedby the Sunbane: both hadbeen driven by Ravers.The bee-stings hadtriggeredthisreaction.Thatmusthavebeenthe

reason for the swarm’sattack,thereasonwhythe

Raver had chosen bees towork its will. To producethisrelapse.Covenant gaped back at

her sightlessly. Hisconvulsions began to fadeas his muscles weakened.He was slipping intoshock. For a moment, sheglimpsed a structure oftruth behind his apparentparanoia, his belief in anEnemy who sought to

destroy him. All herinstincts rebelled againstsuch a conception. Butnow for an instant sheseemed to see somethingdeliberate in the Sunbane,something intentional andcunningintheseattacksonCovenant.The glimpse reft her ofself-trust. She knelt besidehim, unable to move orchoose. The same dismay

which had incapacitatedher when she had firstseenJoancameuponher.But then the sounds ofpain reached her—themoanof Sunder’swrackedbreathing. She looked upat him, asking mutely foranswers. He must haveguessed intuitively theconnection betweenvenomandbees.Thatwaswhy he defied his own

hurt to prevent furtherinsect bites. Meeting hersore gaze, he said,“Something in me hastorn.”Hewinced at everyword. “It is keen—but Ithink not perilous. Neverhave I drawn such powerfrom the Sunstone.” Shecould feel his pain as apalpable emission; but hehad clearly rent some ofthe ligatures between his

ribs,notbrokenanyoftheribs themselves, ordamagedanythingvital.Yet his hurt, and his

resolute self-expenditureon Covenant’s behalf,restored her to herself. Ameasure of her familiarseverity returned,steadying the labor of herheart. She climbed to herfeet. “Come on. Let’s gethimbackinthewater.”

Sunder nodded. GentlytheyliftedCovenantdownthebank.Proppinghisleftarm over the raft so thathis right arm could hangfreeinthecoolwater,theyshovedout into thecenterof the current. Then theylet the River carry themdownstream under thebaleofared-ringedsun.Duringtheremainderofthe afternoon, Linden

struggled against hermemoryofJoan,hersenseof failure. She couldalmost hear her motherwhining for death.Covenant regainedconsciousness severaltimes, lifted his head; butthepoisonalwaysdraggedhim back before he couldspeak. Through thewater,she watched the blacktumescence creep avidly

up his arm. It seemedmuch swifter than theprevious time; Marid’spoison had increased invirulence during itsdormancy. The sightblurredhereyes.Shecouldnot silence the fearsgnawingatherheart.Then, before sunset, the

River unbent among aclump of hills into a longstraight line leading

toward a wide ravinewhich opened on theMithil. The sides of theravine were as sheer as abarranca, and theyreflected the low sunshinewith a strange brilliance.Theravinewaslikeavaleofdiamonds;itswallswereformed of faceted crystalwhichcaughtthelightandreturned it in delicateshades of white and pink.

Whenthesunofpestilencedipped toward thehorizon, washing theterrain in a bath ofvermilion, the barrancabecame a place of rareglory.People moved on theriver shore; but they gaveno indication that theysaw the raft. The Riverwas already in shadow,and the brightness of the

crystalwas dazzling. Soonthey left the bank andwentupintotheravine.Linden and Sunder

shared a look, and beganto steer toward themouthof the barranca. In duskmaceratedonlybythelastgleamings along the valerim, they pulled their raftpartway up the shore andcarefully eased Covenantto dry ground. His arm

wasblackandthicktotheshoulder, cruelly pinchedby both his ring and hisshirt,andhemoanedwhentheymovedhim.She sat beside him,

stroked his forehead; buther gaze was fixed onSunder. “I don’t knowwhat to do,” she saidflatly. “We’re going tohave to ask these peopleforhelp.”

TheGraveler stoodwithhisarmsaroundhis chest,cradling his pain. “Wecannot. Have youforgotten MithilStonedown?We are bloodthatthesepeoplemayshedwithoutcosttothemselves.And the Rede denounceshim. I redeemedyou fromMithil Stonedown. Whowillredeemushere?”She gripped herself.

“Thenwhydidwestop?”He shrugged, winced.“Wemusthavefood.Littleussusimielremainstous.”“Howdoyouproposetoget it?” She disliked thesarcasm in her tone, butcouldnotstifleit.“When they sleep”—Sunder’s eyes revealed hisreluctance as clearly aswords—“I will attempt tostealwhatwemusthave.”

Linden frownedinvoluntarily.“Whataboutguards?”“They will ward the

hills, and the River fromthehills.Thereisnootherapproach to this place. Iftheyhavenotyetobservedus,perhapswearesafe.”Sheagreed.Thethought

of stealing was awkwardtoher; but she recognizedthat they had no

alternative.“I’llcomewithyou.”Sunderbegantoprotest;

she stopped him with abrusqueshakeofherhead.“You’re not exactlyhealthy. If nothing else,you’ll need me to watchyour back. And,” shesighed,“Iwanttogetsomemirkfruit.Heneedsit.”The Graveler’s face was

unreadableinthetwilight.

But he acquiescedmutely.Retrieving the last of hismelons from the raft, hebegantocutthemopen.She ate her ration, then

didwhatshecouldtofeedCovenant. The task wasdifficult; she had troublemaking him swallow thethinmorselssheputinhismouth. Again dreadconstricted her heart. Butshesuppressedit.Patiently

shefedsliversofmelontohim, then stroked histhroat to trigger hisswallowingreflex,untilhehad consumed a scantmeal.When she finished, thenight was deep aroundher, and a waning moonhadjustbeguntocrestthehills. She rested besideCovenant for a while,trying to gather up the

unraveled ends of hercompetence.Butshefoundherself listening to hisrespiration as if sheexpected every hoarseintake to be his last. Sheloathedherhelplessnesssokeenly—A distinct fetorrode the breeze fromacrosstheRiver,theeffectofthesunofpestilenceonthe vegetation. She couldnotrest.

Abruptly Covenantbegan to flinch. A faintwhite light winked alonghisrightside—burnedandvanishedinaninstant.She sat up, hissed,“Sunder.”The light came again—an evanescent stutter ofpower from the ringembedded deep inCovenant’sswollenfinger.“Heaven and Earth!”

whispered Sunder. “Itwillbeseen.”“I thought—” Shewatched stupidly as theGraveler slid Covenant’shandintothepocketofhispants. The movementmadehimbarehisteethina grin of pain. His drystare was fixed on themoon. “I thought heneeded the Sunstone. Totrigger it.” His pocket

muffled the intermittentgleaming, but did notconceal it entirely.“Sunder.”Herdomingwasstill damp; she could notstop shivering. “What’shappeningtohim?”“Ask me not,” Sunderbreathed roughly. “I lackyoursight.”Butamomentlater he inquired, “Can itbethatthisRaverofwhichhespeaks—thatthisRaver

iswithinhim?”“No!” she snapped,repudiating the idea soswiftly that she had nochance to control hervehemence. “He isn’tMarid.” Her senses werecertain of this; Covenantwas ill, not possessed.Nevertheless Sunder’ssuggestionstruckchordsofanger which took her bysurprise. She had not

realized that she wasinvesting so much ofherself in ThomasCovenant. Back on HavenFarm, in the world sheunderstood, she hadchosen to support hisembattled integrity,hopingtolearnalessonofstrength. But she had hadno conception of wherethat decision would carryher. She had already

witnessed toomuch whenshehadwatchedhimsmilefor Joan—smile, andforfeithislife.Aninchoatepart of her clung to thisimage of him; his self-sacrifice seemed so muchcleaner than her own.Now, with a pang, shewonderedhowmuchmoreshehadyettocomprehendabout him. And aboutherself. Her voice shook.

“Whatever else he is, heisn’taRaver.”Sunder shifted in thedarkness as if he weretryingtoframeaquestion.But before he couldarticulate it, the dimflicker of Covenant’s ringwas effaced by a brightspanglingfromthewallsofthebarranca.Suddenlythewholeravineseemedtobeonfire.

Linden sprang erect,expecting to findscoresofangry Stonedownorsrushingtowardher.Butashereyesadjusted,shesawthat the source of thereflection was somedistanceaway.Thevillagemust have lit an immensebonfire. Flames showedtheprofileofstonehousesbetweenherandthelight;fire echoed off the crystal

facetsinalldirections.Shecould hear nothing toindicate that she and hercompanions were indanger.Sunder touched her

shoulder. “Come,” hewhispered. “Some highpurpose gathers theStonedown. All its peoplewill attend. Perhaps wehave been granted anopportunitytofindfood.”

She hesitated, bent toexamine Covenant. Acomplex fear made herreluctant. “Should weleave him?” His skin feltcrispwithfever.“Wherewillhego?”theGraveler respondedsimply.She bowed her head.Sunder would probablyneed her. And Covenantseemedfartooilltomove,

to harm himself. Yet helooked so frail— But shehad no choice. Pullingherself upright, shemotioned for the Gravelertoleadtheway.Without delay, Sundercreptuptheravine.Lindenfollowed as stealthily asshecould.She felt exposed in thebrightness of the vale; butno alarm was raised. And

the light allowed them toapproach the Stonedowneasily. Soon they wereamongthehouses.Sunder stoppedateverycorner to be sure that thepath was clear. But theysaw no one. All thedwellings seemed to beempty.TheGravelerchosea house. Motioning forLinden to guard thedoorway,heeasedhimself

pastthecurtain.The sound of voicesreached her. For aninstant, she froze with awarning inher throat.Butthen her hearing clarified,locatedthesound.Itcamefrom the center of theStonedown. She grippedherreliefandwaited.Moments later, Sunderreturned.Hehadabulgingleatherknapsackunderhis

arm. In her ear, hebreathed that he hadfoundmirkfruit as well asfood.He started to leave. But

she stopped him, gesturedinward. For amoment, heconsidered the advantagesof knowing whattranspired in the village.Thenheagreed.Together they sneaked

forward until only one

housestoodbetweenthemandthecenter.Thevoicesbecamedistinct; she couldhearangeranduncertaintyin them. When Sunderpointed at the roof, shenoddedatonce.Hesethisknapsack down, lifted hertotheflateaves.Carefullysheclimbedontotheroof.Sunder handed her thesack. She took it, thenreacheddowntohelphim

joinher.Theexertiontorea groan from his sorechest; but the sound wastoo soft to disturb thevoices. Side by side, theyslid forward until theywere able to see and hearwhatwashappeninginthecenteroftheStonedown.The people weregathered in a tight ringaround the open space.They were a substantially

larger number than thepopulation of MithilStonedown. In an elusiveway, they seemed moreprosperous, better-fed,than the folk of Sunder’shome.Buttheirfacesweregrim, anxious, fearful.They watched the centerof the circle with tenseattention.Beside thebonfire stood

three figures—two men

andawoman.Thewomanwas poised between themen in an attitude ofprayer, as if she werepleading with both ofthem. She wore a sturdyleather shift like the otherStonedownor women. Herpaledelicatefeatureswereurgent,andthedisarrayofherravenhairgaveheranappearanceoffatality.The man nearest to

Linden and Sunder wasalso a Stonedownor, a tallsquare individual with abristling black beard andeyes darkened by conflict.But the person oppositehim was unlike anyoneLinden had seen before.His raiment was a vividred robe draped with ablack chasuble. A hoodshadowedhisfeatures.Hishandsheldashortironrod

likeascepterwithanopentriangle affixed to its end.Emanations of hieraticpride and vitriol flowedfrom him as if he weredefying the entireStonedown.“A Rider!” Sunder

whispered.“ARideroftheClave.”The woman—she was

hardly more than a girl—faced the tall

Stonedownor. “Croft!” shebegged.Tearssuffusedhermien. “You are theGraveler. You mustforbid!”“Aye, Hollian,” hereplied with greatbitterness.Whilehespoke,his hands toyed with aslim wooden wand. “Byrightofbloodandpower,Iam theGraveler. And youare an eh-Brand—a

benison beyond price tothe life of CrystalStonedown.Buthe isSivitna-Mhoram-wist. Heclaimsyou in thenameofthe Clave. How may Irefuse?”“You may refuse—”began the Rider in asepulchraltone.“You must refuse!” thewomancried.“—but should you

refuse,” Sivit continuedremorselessly,“shouldyouthink to denyme, I swearby theSunbane that Iwilllevythena-Mhoram’sGrimuponyou,andyouwillbeground under its mightlikechaff!”At the word Grim, amoan ran through theStonedown; and Sundershivered.But Hollian defied their

fear. “Croft!” she insisted,“forbid! I carenothing forthe na-Mhoram or hisGrim. I am an eh-Brand. Iforetell the Sunbane! Noharm, no Grim or anycurse, will find youunwarywhileIabidehere.Croft! My people!” Sheappealed to the ring ofStonedownors. “Am Inothing, that you cast measide at thewhimof Sivit

na-Mhoram-wist?”“Whim?” barked the

Rider. “I speak for theClave. I do not utterwhims.Harkentome,girl.I claim you by right ofservice. Without themediation of the Clave—withoutthewisdomoftheRede and the sacrifice ofthe na-Mhoram—therewouldbenolifeleftinanyStonedown or

Woodhelven, despite yourarrogance. And we musthave life forourwork.Doyou think to deny me?Condemnablefolly!”“She is precious to us,”said the tall Gravelersoftly. “Do not enforceyourwilluponus.”“Is she?” Sivit raged,brandishing his scepter.“You are sick with herfolly. She is not precious.

She is an abomination!Youthinkheraneh-Brand,aboon rare in theLand. Isay to you, she is a Sun-Sage!Damnedasaservantof a-Jeroth! She does notforetell the Sunbane. Shecauses it to be as shechooses. Against her andher foul kind the Clavestrives, seeking to undothe harm such beingswreak.”

The Rider continued torant; but Linden turnedaway. To Sunder, shewhispered, “Why does hewanther?”“Have you learned

nothing?” he repliedtightly. “The Clave haspower over the Sunbane.Forpower,theymusthaveblood.”“Blood?”He nodded. “At all

times, Riders journey theLand, visiting again andagain every village. Ateachvisit,theytakeoneortwo or three lives—everyoung and strong lives—and bear them toRevelstone, where the na-Mhoramworkshiswork.”Linden clenched heroutrage, kept her voice ata whisper. “You meanthey’regoingtokillher?”

“Yes!”hehissed.Atonce,allherinstinctsrebelled. A shock ofpurpose ran through her,clarifyingforthefirsttimeher maddeningrelationship to the Land.Some of Covenant’s readypassion became suddenlyexplicable. “Sunder,” shebreathed, “we’ve got tosaveher.”“Save—?”Healmostlost

control of his voice. “Weare two against aStonedown.And theRiderismighty.”“We’ve got to!” She

groped for a way toconvincehim.Themurderof this woman could notbe allowed.Why else hadCovenant tried to saveJoan? Why else hadLinden herself risked herlife to prevent his death?

Urgently she said,“Covenant tried to saveMarid.”“Yes!” rasped Sunder.

“Andbeholdthecost!”“No.”Foramoment,she

could not find the answershe needed. Then it cameto her. “What’s a Sun-Sage?”Hestaredather.“Sucha

beingcannotexist.”“What,” she enunciated,

“isit?”“TheRiderhassaid,”hemurmured. “It is onewhocancausetheSunbane.”She fixed him with allher determination. “Thenweneedher.”His eyes seemed tobulge in their sockets.Hishands grasped forsomething to hold onto.Buthecouldnotdeny theforce of her argument.

“Mad,”heexhaledthroughhis teeth. “All of us—mad.” Briefly he searchedthe Stonedown as if hewere looking for valor.Then he reached adecision. “Remain here,”hewhispered.“Igotofindthe Rider’s Courser.Perhapsitmaybeharmed,ordrivenoff.Thenhewillbe unable to bear heraway.Wewillgaintimeto

considerotheraction.”“Good!” she responded

eagerly. “If they leavehere, I’ll try to see wheretheytakeher.”He gave a curt nod.

Muttering softly tohimself, “Mad. Mad,” hecrept to the rear of theroof and dropped to theground, taking hisknapsackwithhim.Linden returned her

attention to Hollian’speople.Theyoungwomanwas on her knees, hidingherfaceinherhands.TheRider stood over her,denouncing her with hisscepter; but he shouted attheStonedownors.“Doyoubelievethatyou

can endure the na-Mhoram’s Grim? You arefeyandanile.BytheThreeCorners of Truth! At one

word from me, the Clavewill unleash suchdevastation upon you thatyou will grovel to bepermitted to deliver upthis foul eh-Brand, and itwillavailyounothing!”Abruptly the woman

jerked upright, threwherself to confront theGraveler. “Croft!” shepanted in desperation,“slay this Rider! Let him

not carry word to theClave. Then I will remaininCrystal Stonedown, andthe Clave will knownothing of what we havedone.” Her hands grippedhis jerkin, urging him.“Croft,hearme.Slayhim!”Sivit barked acontemptuous laugh. Thenhisvoicedropped,becamelowanddeadly.“Youhavenotthepower.”

“He speaks truly,” Croftmurmured to Hollian.Misery knurled hiscountenance. “He requiresnoGrimtoworkourruin.Imust meet his claim, elsewewill not endure to rueourdefiance.”Aninarticulatecrybrokefrom her. For a moment,Linden feared that theyoung woman wouldcollapse into hysteria. But

out of Hollian’s distresscameanangrydignity.Sheraised her head, drewherself erect. “Yousurrender me,” she saidbitterly. “I am withouthelporhope.Yetyoumustat least accord to me thecourtesy of my worth.Restoretomethelianar.”Croftlookeddownatthe

wand in his hands. Therictus of his shoulders

revealed his shame anddecision. “No,” he saidsoftly. “With this woodyou perform yourforetelling. Sivit na-Mhoram-wisthasnoclaimuponit—andforyouithasno future. CrystalStonedown will retain it.Asaprayerforthebirthofaneweh-Brand.”Triumphshonefromthe

Riderasifhewereatorch

ofmalice.At the far side of the

village, Linden glimpsed asudden hot flaring of red.Sunder’s power. He musthave made use of hisSunstone. The beam castvermeil through thecrystal,thenvanished.Sheheld her breath, fearingthat Sunder had givenhimself away. But theStonedownors were intent

on the conflict in theirmidst: the instant of forcepassedunnoticed.Mute with despair,

Hollian turned away fromtheGraveler, thenstoppedasifshehadbeenslapped,staring past the corner ofthehouseonwhichLindenlay. Muffled gaspsspattered around the ring;everyone followed the en-Brand’sstare.

What—?Linden peered over theeaves in time to seeCovenant come shamblinginto the center of thevillage. He moved like aderelict.Hisrightarmwashideously swollen. Poisonblazedinhiseyes.Hisringspaterraticburstsofwhitefire.No! she cried silently.Covenant!

HewassoweakthatanyoftheStonedownorscouldhavetoppledhimwithonehand. But the rage of hisfever commanded theirrestraint; the circle partedfor him involuntarily,admittinghimto theopenspace.He lurched to a stop,stood glaring flamesaround him. “Linden,” hecroaked in a parched

voice.“Linden.”Covenant!Without hesitation, she

dropped from the roof.Before they could realizewhat was happening, shethrust her way betweenthe Stonedownors,hastenedtoCovenant.“Linden?”Herecognized

her with difficulty;confusion and venomwrestled across his visage.

“Youleftme.”“The Halfhand!” Sivit

yelled.“Thewhitering!”The airwas brightwith

peril; it sprang from thebonfire, leaped off thewalls of the barranca.Scores of people trembledon the verge of violence.ButLindenheldeverythingelse in abeyance,concentratedonCovenant.“No.We didn’t leave you.

Wecametofindfood.Andto save her.” She pointedatHollian.Thestareofhisdelirium

did not shift. “You leftme.”“I say it is the

Halfhand!” shouted theRider.“HehascomeastheClave foretold! Take him!Slayhim!”The Stonedownors

flinched under Sivit’s

demand;buttheymadenomove.Covenant’sintensityheldthemback.“No!”Lindenaverred tohim urgently. “Listen tome!ThatmanisaRideroftheClave. TheClave. He’sgoingtokillhersothathecan use her blood. We’vegottosaveher!”His gaze twisted towardHollian, then returned toLinden. He blinked at her

uncomprehendingly. “Youleft me.” The pain offinding himself alone hadclosed his mind to everyotherappeal.“Fools!” Sivit raged.Suddenlyheflourishedhisscepter. Blood covered hislean hands. Gouts of redfire spewed from the irontriangle. Swift asvengeance, he movedforward.

“She’s going to besacrificed!”LindencriedatCovenant’s confusion.“LikeJoan!LikeJoan!”“Joan?”Inaninstant,all

his uncertainty becameanger and poison. Heswung to face the Rider.“Joan!”BeforeSivitcouldstrike,

white flame explodedaround Covenant,enveloping him in

conflagration. He burnedwith silver fury,coruscated the air. Lindenrecoiled, flung up herhands to ward her face.Wildmagicbegantoeruptinalldirections.A rampageof force tore

Sivit’s scepter from hishands. The iron firedblack, red, white, thenmelted into slag on theground. Argent lashed the

bonfire; flaming brandsscatteredacross the circle.Wild lightning sizzled intothe heavens until the skyscreamed and the crystalwalls rang out celestialpealsofpower.The very fabric of the

dirt stretched underLinden’s feet, as if itwereabout to tear. Shestaggeredtoherknees.The Stonedownors fled.

Shrieks of fear escapedamong the houses. Amoment later, only Croft,Hollian, and Sivitremained. Croft andHollian were too stunnedtomove. Sivit huddled onthe ground like a craven,with his arms over hishead.Abruptly as if Covenant

had closed a door in hismind, the wild magic

subsided. He emergedfrom the flame; his ringflickeredandwentout.Hislegsstartedtofold.Linden surged to herfeet,caughthimbeforehefell. Wrapping her armsaround him, she held himupright.Then Sunder appeared,carrying the knapsack. Heran forward, shouting,“Flee! Swiftly lest they

regain their wits andpursue us!” Blood stillmarked a new cut on hisleft forearm.As he passedher, he snatched atHollian’sarm.Sheresisted;she was too numb withshock to understand whatwas happening. He spunon her, fumed into herface,“Doyoucovetdeath?”His urgency pierced herstupor. She regained her

alertness with a moan.“No.Iwillcome.But—butI must have my lianar.”ShepointedatthewandinCroft’shands.Sundermarchedover to

the tall Stonedownor.Croft’s grasp tightenedreflexivelyonthewood.Wincing with pain,

Sunder struck Croft asharpblowinthestomach.As the tallerman doubled

over, Sunder neatlyplucked the lianar fromhim.“Come!”Sundershouted

at Linden and Hollian.“Now!”A strange grim relief

came over Linden. Herfirst assessments ofCovenant had beenvindicated; at last, he hadshown himself capable ofsignificant power. Bracing

his left arm over hershoulders, she helped himout of the center of theStonedown.Sunder took Hollian’s

wrist. He led the wayamong the houses as fastasCovenantcouldmove.Thevalewasdarknow;

only the crescent moon,andthereflectionofdyingembersalongthewalls, litthe ravine. The breeze

carriedasicklyodorofrotfromacrosstheMithil,andthewaterlookedblackandviscid, likeanevil chrism.But no one hesitated.Hollian seemed to accepther rescue with muteincomprehension. Shehelped Linden easeCovenant into the water,securehimacrosstheraft.Sunder urged them outinto the River, and they

went downstream clingingtothewood.

ELEVEN:TheCorruptionofBeauty

There was no pursuit.Covenant’s power hadstunned the people ofCrystal Stonedown; theRiderhadlostbothscepterandCourser;andtheRiverwas swift. Soon Lindenstopped looking behindher, stopped listening forthe sounds of chase. She

gave her concern toCovenant.Hehadno strength left,madenoeffort togrip theraft, did not even try tohold up his head. Shecould not hear hisrespiration over thelapping of the water, andhis pulse seemed to havewithdrawn to a placebeyondherreach.Hisfacelooked ghastly in the pale

moonlight. All her sensesgroaned to her that hesuffered from a venom ofthesoul.Hisconditiongalledher.

She clung to him,searching among herignorances andincapacities for some wayto succor him. A voice inher insisted that if shecould feel his distress soacutely she ought to be

able to affect it somehow,that surely the current ofperception which linkedher tohimcouldrunbothways. But she shied awayfrom the implications. Shehadnopower,hadnothingwith which to oppose hisillness except the privatebloodofherownlife.Herfear of so muchvulnerability foiled her,left her cursing because

she lacked even thelimited resources of hermedical bag—lackedanythingwhichcouldhavespared her this intimateresponsibility for hissurvival.For a time, her

companionsrodetheRiverin silence. But at lastHollian spoke. Lindenwasdimly cognizant of theyoungwoman’splight.The

en-Brand had beensurrendered to death byher own village, and hadbeen impossibly rescued—Eventually all the thingsshe did not understandovercame her reluctance.She breathed clenchedapprehension into thedarkness. “Speak to me. Idonotknowyou.”“Your pardon.” Sunder’s

tone expressed weariness

and useless regret. “Wehave neglected courtesy. Iam Sunder son of Nassic,at one time”—he becamemomentarily bitter—“Graveler of MithilStonedown, fourscoreleagues to the south.Withme are Linden Avery theChosen and ur-LordThomas Covenant,Unbelieverandwhitegoldwielder.Theyarestrangers

totheLand.”Strangers, Linden

murmured.Shesawherselfas an unnatural visitant.The thought had sharpedgesonallsides.The eh-Brand answered

like a girl rememberingher manners withdifficulty. “I am HollianAmith-daughter, eh-BrandofCrystalStonedown.Iam—”She faltered, thensaid

in a sore voice, “I knownot whether to give youthanks for redeeming mylife—orcursesfordamningmy home. The na-Mhoram’s Grim willblackenCrystalStonedownforever.”Sunder spoke roughly.

“Perhapsnot.”“How not?” she

demanded in her grief.“Surely Sivit na-Mhoram-

wist will not forbear. Hewill ride forthwith toRevelstone, and the Grimwill be spoken. Nothingcanpreventit.”“He will not ride to

Revelstone.IhaveslainhisCourser.” Half to himself,Sunder muttered, “TheRededidnot reveal tomethataSunstonemaywieldsuchmight.”Hollian gave a low cry

of relief. “And the rukhwith which he molds theSunbaneisdestroyed.Thushe cannot call down illupon my people.” Arecovery of hope silencedher. She relaxed in thewateras if itwereabalmforherfears.Covenant’s need was

loud in Linden’s ears. Shetried to deafen herself toit. “The Rider’s scepter—

hisrukh?Wheredidhegetthebloodtouseit?Ididn’tseehimcuthimself.”“The Riders of the

Clave,” Sunder respondeddourly, “are not requiredto shed themselves. Theyare fortified by the youngmen and women of theLand.Eachrukh ishollow,and contains the bloodwithwhichtheSunbaneiswielded.”

Echoes of the outragewhichhaddeterminedhertorescueHollianawokeinLinden. She welcomedthem, explored them,hunting for courage. Therites of the Sunbane werebarbaricenoughasSunderpracticedthem.Tobeableto achieve such powerwithout personal costseemed to her execrable.She did not know how to

reconcileherirewithwhatshe had heard of theClave’s purpose, itsreputationforresistancetothe Sunbane. But she wasdeeply suspicious of thatreputation.Shehadbegunto share Covenant’s desiretoreachRevelstone.ButCovenantwasdying.Everything returned to

Covenantanddeath.After a while, Hollian

spoke again. A differentfear prompted her to ask,“Is it wild magic? Wildmagicinsooth?”“Yes,”theGravelersaid.“Then why—?” Linden

could feel Hollian’sdisconcertion. “Howdid ittranspire that MithilStonedown did not slayhim, as the Redecommands?”“I did not permit it,”

replied Sunder flatly. “Inhis name, I turned frommy people, so that hewouldnotbeshed,”“You are a Graveler,”

Hollian whispered in hersurprise. “A Stonedownorlikemyself.Suchadeed—surely it was difficult foryou. How were youbrought to commit suchtransgression?”“Daughter of Amith,”

Sunder answered like aformal confession, “I wasbrought to it by the truthof theRede.Thewordsoftheur-Lordwerewordsofbeautyratherthanevil.Hespoke as one who ownsboth will and power togive his words substance.And inmyheart the truthof the Rede wasunbearable.“Also,” he went on

grimly,“Ihavebeenmadeto learn that the Redeitselfcontainsfalsehood.”“Falsehood?” protested

Hollian. “No. The Rede isthe life of the Land.Wereit false, allwho relyuponitwoulddie.”Sunder considered for a

moment, then said, “Eh-Brand, do you know thealiantha?”She nodded. “It is most

deadlypoison.”“No.” His certitude

touchedLinden.Inspiteofall that had happened, hepossessed an innerresilience she could notmatch. “It is good beyondany other fruit. I speakfromknowledge.Forthreesuns, we have eatenalianthaateverychance.”“Surely”—Hollian

groped for arguments—“it

is the cause of the ur-Lord’ssickness?”“No. This sickness hascomeuponhimpreviously,and thealiantha gave himhealing.”At this, she paused,trying to absorb what shehad heard. Her headturned from side to side,searching the night forguidance.When she spokeagain, her voice came

faintlyoverthewetsoundsof the River. “You haveredeemed my life. I willnot doubt you. I amhomeless and withoutpurpose, for I cannotreturn to CrystalStonedown, and theworldis perilous, and I do notcomprehend my fate. Imustnotdoubtyou.“Yet Iwouldaskyouofyour goal. All is dark to

me.YouhaveincurredthewrathoftheClaveforme.You journey greatdistances under theSunbane.Willyougivemereason?”Sundersaiddeliberately,

“Linden Avery?” passingthe question to her. Sheunderstood; he wasdiscomfitedbytheanswer,andHollianwasnot likelyto take it calmly. Linden

wanted to reject thedifficulty, force Sunderand Hollian to fend forthemselves. But, becauseher own weakness wasintolerable to her, sheresponded squarely,“We’re going toRevelstone.”Hollian reacted in

horror. “Revelstone? Youbetray me!” At once, shethrust away from the raft,

flailingforanescape.Sunderlungedafterher.He tried to shoutsomething, but hisdamaged chest changed ittoagaspofpain.Linden ignoredhim.Hislunge had rolled the raft,dropping Covenant intothewater.She grappled forCovenant, brought himback to the surface. His

respirationwasso shallowthathedidnotevencoughat the water whichstreamed from his mouth.In spite of his weight, heconveyed a conviction ofutterfrailty.Sunder fought toprevent Hollian’s flight;but he was hampered byhis hurt ribs. “Are youmad?” he panted at her.“If we sought your harm,

Sivit’s intent would havesufficed!”Struggling to support

Covenant,Lindensnapped,“Lethergo!”“Let—?” the Graveler

protested.“Yes!” Ferocity burned

throughher. “I needhelp.By God, if she wants toleave,that’sherright!”“Heaven and Earth!”

retorted Sunder. “Then

why have we imperiledourlivesforher?”“Because she was goingtobekilled!Idon’tcareifwe need her or not. Wedon’t have the right toholdheragainstherwill.Ineedhelp.”Sunder spat a curse.Abruptly he abandonedHollian, came limpingthrough thewater to takesome of Covenant’s

weight. But he was lividwithpainandindignation.Over his shoulder, herasped at Hollian, “Yoursuspicionisunjust!”“Perhaps.”Theeh-Brandtrod water twenty feetaway; her head was apiece of darkness amongthe shadows of the River.“Assuredly I have beenunjust to Linden Avery.”After a moment, she

demanded, “What purposedrivesyoutoRevelstone?”“That’s where the

answersare.”Asquicklyasit had come, Linden’sanger vanished, and abone-deep dread took itsplace. She had beenthrough too much.Without Sunder’s aid, shecould not have borneCovenantback to the raft.“Covenant thinks he can

fight the Sunbane. But hehas to understand it first.That’s why he wants totalktotheClave.”“Fight?” asked Hollian

indisbelief.“DoyouspeakofalteringtheSunbane?”“Why not?” Linden

clung to the raft. Dismayclogged her limbs. “Isn’tthatwhatyoudo?”“I?”“Aren’t you a Sun-

Sage?”“No!” Hollian declaredsharply. “That is a lie,uttered by Sivit na-Mhoram-wisttostrengthenhisclaimuponme.Iamaneh-Brand. I see the sun. Idonotshapeit.”To Linden, Sundergrowled, “Then we havenoneedofher.”Dimly Linden wonderedwhy he felt threatened by

Hollian.Butshelackedthecourage to ask him. “Weneed all the help we canget,” she murmured. “Iwant her with us. If she’swilling.”“Why?”At the same time,Hollian asked, “Of whatuseamItoyou?”Without warning,Linden’s throat filled withweeping. She felt like a

lorn child, confronted byextremities she could notmeet. She had to musterallherseverityinordertoarticulate, “He’s dying. Icanfeelit.”Inashudderofmemory, she saw Marid’sfangs. “It’s worse than itwas before. I need help.”The help she needed wasvividandappallingtoher;but she could not stop.“One of you isn’t enough.

You’ll just bleed to death.OrIwill.”Impelledbyherfear of losing Covenant,shewrenchedhervoiceatHollian.“Ineedpower.Tohealhim.”Shehadnotseentheeh-

Brand approach; but nowHollian was swimming ather side. Softly the youngwoman said, “Perhapssuch shedding isunnecessary. It may be

that I can succor him. Aneh-Brand has someknowledge of healing. ButI do not wish to fall preyto the Clave a secondtime.”Linden gritted her teeth

until her jaw ached,containing herdesperation. “You’ve seenwhat he can do. Do youthink he’s going to walkintoRevelstoneandjustlet

themsacrificehim?”Hollian thought for amoment, touchedCovenant’sswellinggently.Then she said, “I willattempt it. But I mustawaitthesun’srising.AndI must know how thisharmcameuponhim.”Linden’s self-commanddid not reach so far.Sunrisewouldbe too late.Covenant could not last

until dawn. The Chosen!sheraspedatherself.DearGod. She left the eh-Brand’s questions forSunder to answer. As hebegan a taut account ofwhat had happened toCovenant, Linden’sattention slipped away tothe Unbeliever’s wrackedandfailingbody.She could feel thepoison seeping past the

useless constriction of hisshirtsleeve.Deathgnawedlike leprosy at the sinewsof his life. He absolutelycouldnotlastuntildawn.Her mother had beggedto die; but he wanted tolive. He had exchangedhimself for Joan, hadsmiled as if the prospectwere a benison; yet hisevery act showed that hewantedtolive.Perhapshe

was mad; perhaps his talkabout a Despiser wasparanoiaratherthantruth.But the conclusions hedrewfromitwereonesshecould not refute. She hadlearned in CrystalStonedownthatshesharedthem.Nowhewasdying.Shehadtohelphim.Shewas a doctor. Surely shecould do something about

his illness. Impossible thather strange acuity couldnotcutbothways.Withaninward whimper, sheabandoned resistance,baredherheart.Slowly she reached herawareness into him,inhabited his flesh withher private self. She felthis eviscerated respirationas her own, suffered theheat of his fever, clung to

him more intimately thanshe had ever held to anyman.Then she wasfoundering in venom. Shewas powerless to repel it.Nausea filled her like thesickbreathoftheoldmanwho had told her to Betrue. No part of her knewhow to give life in thisway. But what she coulddo,shedid.Shefoughtfor

him with the same grimand secretly hopelessdetermination which hadcompelled her to studymedicine as if it were anact of rage against theineffectuality of herparents—a man andwoman who hadunderstood nothing aboutlife except death, and hadcoveted the thing theyunderstoodwiththelustof

lovers. They had taughther the importance ofefficacy. She had pursuedit without rest for fifteenyears.That pursuit had taken

her to Haven Farm. Andthere her failure in theface of Joan’s afflictionhad cast her whole lifeinto doubt. Now thatdoubt wore the taste andcorruption of Covenant’s

venom. She could notquenchthepoison.Butshetried by force of will toshore up the last preteritebarriers of his life. Thissicknesswas amoral evil;it offended her just asMaridhadoffendedher,asNassic’s murder and thehotknifehadoffendedher;and she denied it withevery beat of her heart.She squeezed air into his

lungs, pressured his pulseto continue, opposed thegnawingandspreadoftheill.Alone, she kept himalive through theremainderofthenight.The bones of herforehead ached withshared fever when Sunderbrought her back toherself. Dawn was in theair. He and Hollian had

drawn the raft toward theriverbank. Linden lookedabouthertabidly.Hersoulwasfullofashes.Apartofher panted over and over,No.Neveragain.TheRiverran through a lowlandwhich should have beencomposed of broad leas;butinstead,theareawasagray waste wheremountainsofpreternaturalgrass had been beaten

down by three days oftorrential rain, thenrottedby the sun of pestilence.As the approach of daystirred the air, currents ofputrefaction shifted backandforthacrosstheMithil.ButshesawwhySunderand Hollian had chosenthis place. Near the bank,a sandbar angled partwayacross the watercourse,forming a swath where

Covenant could lie, awayfromthefetidgrass.The Stonedownorssecured the raft, liltedCovenanttothesand,thenraised him into Linden’sarms. Hugging him erect,thoughsheherself swayedwith exhaustion, shewatched as Sunder andHollian hastened to theriverbank and beganhunting for stone. Soon

theywereoutofsight.Withthethinremnantofher strength, Lindenconfrontedthesun.Ithoveoverthehorizonwearing incarnadine likethe sails of a plague-ship.She welcomed its warmth—needed to be warm,yearnedtobedry—but itscorona made her moanwith empty repugnance.She lowered Covenant to

the sand, then sat besidehim, studiedhimas if shewere afraid to close hereyes. She did not knowhow soon the insectswouldbegintoswarm.But when Sunder andHollian returned, theywere excited. The tensionbetween them had notrelaxed; but they hadfound somethingimportant to them both.

Together they carried alargebushwhichtheyhaduprooted as if it were atreasure.“Voure!” Hollian called

assheandSunderbroughtthe bush to the sandbar.Her pale skin wasluminous in the sunlight.“This is good fortune.Voure is greatly rare.”They set the bush downnearby,andatoncebegan

tostripitsleaves.“Rare,indeed,”mutteredSunder. “Such names arespoken in the Rede, but Ihaveneverbeheldvoure.”“Does it heal?” Lindenaskedfaintly.In response, the eh-Brand gave her a handfulof leaves. They were aspulpyassponges;clearsapdripped from their brokenstems. Their pungent odor

madeherwince.“Rub the sapuponyourface and arms,” saidHollian.“Voure isapotentwardagainstinsects.”Linden stared until hersenses finally registeredthetruthoftheeh-Brand’swords. Then she obeyed.Whenshehadsmearedsapover herself, she did thesametoCovenant.SunderandHollianwere

similarly busy. After theyhadfinished,hestoredtheremaining leaves in hisknapsack.“Now,” the eh-Brand

said promptly, “I must dowhat lies within mycapacity to restore theHalfhand.”“HisnameisCovenant,”

Lindenprotesteddimly.Toher,Halfhandwas a Claveword:shedidnotlikeit.

Hollianblinkedasifthiswere irrelevant, made noreply.“Do you require myaid?” asked Sunder. Hisstiffness had returned. Insome way that Lindencould not fathom, Hollianannoyed or threatenedhim.The eh-Brand’s responsewas equally curt. “I thinknot.”

“Then I will put thisvouretothetest.”Hestoodup. “Iwill go in searchofaliantha.” Movingbrusquely,hewentbacktothe riverbank, stalkedaway through the rottinggrass.Hollianwasted no time.Fromwithinher shift, shedrewoutasmall irondirkand her lianar wand.Kneeling at Covenant’s

right shoulder, she placedthe lianar on his chest,took the dirk in her lefthand.The sun was above the

horizon now, exerting itscorruption. But thepungence of the voureseemed to form a buckleragainst putrefaction. Andthough large insects hadbegun tobuzzandgust inalldirections,theydidnot

come near the sandbar.Linden ached toconcentrate on suchthings.Shedidnotwanttowatch the eh-Brand’sbloodyrites.Didnotwantto see them fail. Yet sheattached her eyes to theknife, forced herself tofollowit.Like Sunder’s leftforearm, Hollian’s rightpalm was laced with old

scars. She drew the ironacross her flesh. A runnelof dark rich blood starteddownherbarewrist.Setting down her dirk,she took up the lianar inherbleedinghand.Herlipsmoved, but she made nosound.The atmosphere focusedaroundherwand.Abruptlyflames licked the wood.Fire the color of the sun’s

aura skirled around herfingers. Her voice becamean audible chant, but thewords were alien toLinden. The fire grewstronger; it coveredHollian’s hand, began totongue the blood on herwrist.As she chanted, her firesent out long delicateshoots like tendrils ofwisteria.Theygrewto the

sand, stretched along thewater like veins of bloodin the current, wentsearchinguptheriverbankasiftheysoughtaplacetoroot.Supported by ashimmering network ofpower tendrils, shetightened her chant, andlowered the lianar toCovenant’s envenomedforearm. Linden flinched

instinctively. She couldtastetheillinthefire,feelthe preternatural force oftheSunbane.Holliandrewon the same sources ofpower which Sundertapped with his Sunstone.ButafteramomentLindendiscerned that the fire’seffect was not ill. Hollianfoughtpoisonwithpoison.When she lifted her wandfrom Covenant’s arm, the

tensionofhisswellinghadalreadybeguntorecede.Carefullysheshiftedherpower to his forehead, setflame to the fever in hisskull.Atonce,hisbodysprangrigid, head jerked back; ascream ripped his throat.From his ring, an instantwhite detonation blastedsand over the twowomenandtheRiver.

Before Linden couldreact, he went completelylimp.The eh-Brand sagged athis side. The flamevanished from her lianar,leaving the wood pale,clean, and whole. In thespace of a heartbeat, thefire-tendrils extinguishedthemselves; but theycontinued to echo acrossLinden’ssight.

She rushed to examineCovenant. Apprehensionchoked her. But as shetouched him, he inhaleddeeply, began to breatheas if he were only asleep.She felt for his pulse; itwasdistinctandsecure.Relief flooded through

her. The Mithil and thesun grew oddly dim. Shewas prone on the sandwithout realizing that she

hadreclined.Herlefthandlayinthewater.Thatcooltouchseemedtobeallthatkeptherfromweeping.Inaweakvoice,Hollianasked,“Ishewell?”Linden did not answerbecauseshehadnowords.ShortlySunderreturned,his hands laden withtreasure-berries. Heseemed to understand theexhaustion of his

companions. Withoutspeaking, he bent overLinden, slipped a berrybetweenherlips.Itsdeliciousnessrestoredher. She sat up, estimatedthe amount of alianthaSunder held, took hershare. The berries fed apartofherwhichhadbeenstretchedpast its limitsbyher efforts to keepCovenantalive.

Hollian watched inweariness and dismay asSunder consumed hisportionofthealiantha.Butshecouldnotbringherselfto touch the berries heofferedher.As her strength

returned, Linden proppedCovenant into a half-sittingposition,thenpittedberries and fed them tohim. Their effect was

almost immediate; theysteadied his respiration,firmed his muscle tone,cleansed the color of hisskin.Deliberately she looked

atHollian.Theexertionofaiding Covenant had leftthe eh-Brand in need ofaliment.Andhersearchinggaze could find no otheranswer.Withashudderofresolution, she accepted a

berry,putitinhermouth.After a moment, she bitdownonit.Her own pleasurestartled her. Revelationglowed in her eyes, andher fear seemed to fallaway like a discardedmantle.With a private sigh,LindenloweredCovenant’shead to the sand, and letherselfrest.

The companionsremained on the sandbarfor a good part of themorning, recuperating.Then when Covenant’sswelling had turned fromblack toamottledyellow-purple, and had declinedfrom his shoulder, Lindenjudgedthathewasabletotravel. They set off downtheMithiloncemore.The voure continued to

protect them from insects.Holliansaidthesapwouldretain its potency forseveral days; and Lindenbegantobelievethiswhenshe discovered that theodorstillclungtoheraftermore than half a dayimmersedinthewater.In the lurid red of

sunset, they stopped on abroad slope of rockspreading northward out

of the River. After thestrain of the past days,Linden hardly noticed thediscomfort of sleeping onstone. Yet part of herstayed in touch withCovenant, like a stringtuned to resonatesympathetically at acertain pitch. In themiddle of the night, shefoundherselfstaringattheacute sickle of the moon.

Covenant was sittingbeside her. He seemedunawareofher.Quietlyhemovedtothewater’sedgeforadrink.She followed, anxious

thathemightbe sufferingfromarelapseofdelirium.But when he saw her, herecognizedherwithanod,and drew her away to aplacewhere they could atleast whisper without

disturbing theircompanions. The way hecarried his arm showedthat it was tender bututile. His expression wasobscureinthevaguelight;but his voice soundedlucid.“Who’sthewoman?”She stood close to him,peered into the shadowofhis countenance. “Youdon’tremember?”

“I remember bees.” Hegave a quick shudder.“That Raver. Nothingelse.”Her efforts to preservehis life had left hervulnerabletohim.Shehadshared his extremity; andnow he seemed to have aclaim on her which shewould never be able torefuse. Even her heartbeatbelongedtohim,“Youhad

arelapse,”“A relapse—?” He tried

toflexhissorearm.“You were stung, and

went into shock. It waslike another snakebite inthe same place, onlyworse. I thought—” Shetouched his shoulderinvoluntarily. “I thoughtyouweren’tgoingtomakeit.”“Whenwasthat?”

“Adayandahalfago.”“Howdid—?”hebegan,

then changed his mind.“Thenwhat?”“Sunder and I couldn’t

do anything for you. Wejustwent on.” She startedto speak rapidly. “Thatnight,wecametoanotherStonedown.” She told himthestoryas if shewere inahurrytoreachtheendofit. But when she tried to

describe the power of hisring, he stopped her.“That’s impossible,” hewhispered.“Youdon’t rememberat

all?”“No. But I tell you it’s

impossible. I’ve always—always had to have somekind of trigger. Theproximity of some otherpower. Like the orcrest. Itnever happens by itself.

Never.”“Maybe it was the

Rider.”“Yes.” He grasped the

suggestion gratefully.“That must be it. Thatscepter—his rukh.” Herepeatedthenameshehadtold him as if he neededreassurance.She nodded, then

resumedhernarration.When shewas done, he

spoke his thoughtshesitantly. “You say Iwasdelirious.Imusthavebeen—Idon’trememberanyofit.ThenthisRidertriedtoattack. All of a sudden, Ihad power.” His toneconveyed the importanceof thequestion. “What setme off? I shouldn’t havebeen able to defendmyself, if I was that sick.Did you get hurt? Did

Sunder—?”“No.” Suddenly thedarkness between themwas full of significance.She had risked herselfextravagantly to keep himalive—andforwhat?Inhispoweranddeliriumhehadbelievednothingaboutherexcept that she hadabandoned him.And evennowhedidnotknowwhathe had cost her. No. She

could hardly muffle herbitterness as she replied,“We’re all right. It wasn’tthat.”Softly he asked, “Then

whatwasit?”“Imade you think Joan

was in danger.” Heflinched; but shewent on,struck at himwithwords.“It was the only thing Icould find. You weren’tgoing to save yourself—

weren’t going to saveme.You kept accusing me ofdeserting you. By God,”she grated, “I’ve stood byyou since the first time Isaw Joan. Nomatter howcrazy you are, I’ve stoodbyyou.You’dbedeadnowif it weren’t for me. Butyoukeptaccusingme,andI couldn’t reach you. Theonly name that meantanythingtoyouwasJoan.”

She hurt him. His righthand made a gesturetoward her, winced away.Inthedarkness,heseemedto have no eyes; hissockets gaped at her as ifhe had been blinded. Sheexpected him to protestthat he had often tried tohelp her, often striven togive her what support hecould. But he stood thereas he had stoodwhen she

had first confronted himon Haven Farm, uprightunder the weight ofimpossible burdens. Whenhe spoke, his voice wasedged with rage andexquisitegrief.“She was my wife. ShedivorcedmebecauseIhadleprosy. Of all the thingsthathappened tome, thatwas theworst.GodknowsI’vecommittedcrimes.I’ve

raped—killed—betrayed—But those were things Idid,andIdideverything Icould to make restitution.ShetreatedmeasifIwerea crime. Just beingwho Iwas, just suffering from aphysical affliction Icouldn’thavepreventedorcured anymore than Icould have prevented orcuredmyownmortality, Iterrifiedher.Thatwas the

worst. Because I believedit. I felt that way aboutleprosymyself.“It gave her a claim on

me, I spent eleven yearsliving with it—I couldn’tbearbeingthecause.Isoldmy soul to pay that debt,and it doesn’t make anydifference.”Themusclesofhis face contorted at thememory. “I’m a leper. I’mnevergoingtostopbeinga

leper. I’m never going tobe able to quit her claimonme.Itgoesdeeperthanany choice.” His wordswerethecolorofblood.“But, Linden,” he went

on; and his direct appealstungherheart.“She’smyex-wife.” In spite of hisefforts to control it, hisvoicecarriedfatalitylikealament. “If thepast is anyindication,I’mnevergoing

toseeheragain.”She clung to him with

her eyes. Uncertaintiesthronged in her. Whywould he not see Joanagain? How had he soldhimself? How much hadhe withheld? But in hervulnerability one questionmatteredmorethanalltheothers. As steadily,noncommittally, as shecould, she asked, “Do you

wanttoseeheragain?”To her tense ears, the

simplicityofhisreplyborethe weight of adeclaration. “No. I don’tparticularly like being aleper.”Sheturnedawaysothat

hewouldnotseethetearsin her eyes. She did notwant to be so exposed tohim.Shewas indangeroflosingherself.Andyether

relief was as poignant aslove. Over her shoulder,she said flatly, “Get somerest. You need it.” Thenshe went back to whereSunder and Hollian lay,stretched out on the rock,and spent a long timeshivering as if she werecaught in a winter ofunshieldedloneliness.

The sun had alreadyrisen, red and glowering,whensheawoke.Apileofaliantha near Sunder’sknapsack showed that theStonedownorshad foragedsuccessfully for food.Covenant and the eh-Brand stood together,making each other’sacquaintance. Sunder satnearby as if he weregrindinghisteeth.

Linden climbed to herfeet. Her body felt abusedbythehardnessofherbed,but she ignored it.Averting her eyes fromCovenant as if in shame,she went to the river towashherface.When she returned,

Sunder divided thetreasure-berries. Thetravelers ate in silence:alianthawas a foodwhich

imposed stillness. YetLinden could not deafenherself to the ambienceofher companions. Covenantwasasrigidashehadeverbeen on Haven Farm.Hollian’s delicate featureswore perplexity as if itwere a kind of fear. Andthe darkness of theGraveler’s mood had notlifted—resentmentdirected at the eh-Brand,

orathimself.They made Linden feel

lost. She was responsiblefor their variousdiscomforts—andinadequate todoanythingabout it. In sustainingCovenant, she had openeddoors which she nowcould not close, thoughshesworeshewouldclosethem. Muttering sourly toherself, she finished her

aliantha, scattered theseeds beyond the rock,then went severelythrough the motions ofpreparing to enter theRiver.But Hollian could notbear her own trouble insilence. After a moment,she addressed theUnbeliever.“YousaythatIamtonameyouCovenant—thoughitisanameofill

omen,andsitsunquietlyinmy mouth. Very well.Covenant. Have youconsideredwhere you go?The Graveler and LindenAvery say that you aredestined for Revelstone.Myheart shrinks from thethought—but if such isyour goal, I will notgainsay it. Yet Revelstonelies there.” She pointednorthwestward. “Eleven

score leagues distant. TheMithil no longer sharesyourway.”“That is known to us,

eh-Brand,” Sundermuttered.She ignored him. “It

may be that we canjourneyafoot,withtheaidof voure.” She hesitated,recognizing the difficultyof what she proposed.“And great good fortune.”

Her eyes did not leaveCovenant’sface.“Maybe.” His tone

betrayed that he hadalreadymadehisdecision.“But I don’t want to takethechanceofgettingstungagain. We’ll stay on theRiver for another day ortwo,anyway.”“Covenant.” Hollian’s

gaze was poignant. “Doyou know what lies that

way?”“Yes.” He met her

squarely.“Andelain.”Andelain?Theconcealed

intensity with which hesaid that name broughtLindentoalertness.“Do you—” Hollian

wrestled against herapprehension. “Do youchoose to approachAndelain?”“Yes.” Covenant’s

resolution was complete.But he studied the eh-Brand closely, as if herconcern disturbed him. “Iwant to see it.Before IgotoRevelstone.”His assertion appalled

her. She recoiled. Gaspingshe strove to shout, butcould not find enough airin all the wide morning.“Youaremad.Oraservantof a-Jeroth, as the Rede

proclaims.” She turnedtoward Linden, thenSunder, beseeching themtohearher.“Youmustnotpermit it.” She snatched araw breath, cried out,“Youmustnot!”Covenant sprang at her,dug his fingers into hershoulders, shook her.“What’s wrong withAndelain?”Hollian’smouthworked;

but she could find nowords.“Sunder!” Covenantbarked.Stiffly the Gravelerreplied, “I am fourscoreleagues from my home. Iknow nothing of thisAndelain.”Hollianfoughttomasterherself. “Covenant,” shesaid in a livid tone, “youmayeataliantha.Youmay

defy the Clave. You maytrample upon the Rede,andcastyourchallengetotheSunbaneitself.ButyoumustnotenterAndelain.”Covenant lowered his

voice, demandeddangerously,“Whynot?”“It is a snare and a

delusion!” she moaned.“An abomination in theLand. It lies lovely andcruel before the eyes, and

seducesallwho look upon it to

their destruction. It isimpervious to theSunbane!”“Impossible!” snapped

Sunder.“No!”Hollianpanted.“I

speak truly.Sunafter sun,it remains unaltered,imitating paradise.” Shethrust all her dismay atCovenant. “Many people

have been betrayed—Thetaleofthemisoftentoldinallthisregion.ButIspeaknot only of tales. I haveknown four—four braveStonedownors whosuccumbed to that lure.Distraught by their lives,they left CrystalStonedown to test the taleof Andelain. Two entered,and did not return. Twomade theirway toCrystal

Stonedown once more—and the madness in themraved like the na-Mhoram’sGrim.No succorcould anile their violence.Croft was driven tosacrificethem.“Covenant,” shebegged,“donotjourneythere.Youwill meet a doom moreterrible than anyunshielded Sunbane.” Herevery word vibrated with

conviction, with honestfear. “Andelain is adesecrationofthesoul.”Roughly, Covenantthrust the eh-Brand awayfrom him. He whirled,strode down the slope tostand at the water’s edge.His fists clenched andunclenched, trembling, athissides.Linden went to him atonce, seeking a way to

dissuadehim.ShebelievedHollian. But when shetouched his arm, thesavageryinhimstruckhermute. “Andelain.” Hisvoice was taut withfatality and rage. Withoutwarning,heturnedonher.His eyes blazed throughher.“Yousayyou’vestoodby me.” His whisperexpressed more bloodshedthan any shout. “Do it

now.Nothingelsematters.Standbyme.”Before she could try to

respond, he spun towardSunder and Hollian. Theystared at him,dumbfounded by hispassion. The sun limnedhisprofilelikeacynosure.“Andelain used to be theheart of the Land.” Hesounded as if he werestrangling. “I have to find

out what happened to it.”The nextmoment, hewasin the water, swimmingdownriver with all hisstrength.Linden checked herself,

did not follow him. Hecould not keep up thatpace;shewouldbeabletorejoin him. Stand by me.Her senses told her thatHollian spoke the truth.There was something

heinous concealed inAndelain. But Covenant’sappeal outweighed anyconviction of peril. Shehad striven with theintimacyofalovertosavehis life. The cost of thatintimacy she could notendure; but she could doother things for him. Shefaced the Stonedownors.“Sunder?”The Graveler glanced

awayalongtheRiver,thenover at Hollian, before hemet Linden’s demand.“The eh-Brand is aStonedownor,” he replied,“like myself. I trust herfear. But my lot now lieswith the ur-Lord. I willaccompanyhim.”With a simple nod,Linden accepted hisdecision.“Hollian?”The eh-Brand seemed

unable to confront thechoice she had to make.Her eyes wandered thestone, searching it foranswersitdidnotcontain.“Doesitcometothis?”shemurmured bitterly, “that Ihave been rescued fromperil into peril?” Butslowly she summoned upthe strength which hadenabled her to face Croftand Sivit with dignity. “It

is stated in the RedebeyondanydoubtthattheHalfhandisaservantofa-Jeroth.”Flatly Linden said, “The

Redeiswrong.”“That cannot be!”

Hollian’sfearwaspalpablein the air. “If the Rede isfalse, how can it sustainlife?”Unexpectedly Sunder

interposed himself. “Eh-

Brand.” His voice knottedas if he had arrivedwithout warning orpreparation at a crisis.“Linden Avery speaks ofanother wrong altogether.To her, all things arewrong which arise fromtheSunbane.”Hollian stared at him.

And Linden, too, watchedhimnarrowly.Shechaffedto be onherway; but the

Graveler’s efforts toresolve his own feelingskeptherstill.“Eh-Brand,”hewenton,

gritting his teeth, “I haveheld you in resentment.Your presence is areproachtome.YouareaStonedownor. Youcomprehend what hascome to pass when aGravelerbetrayshishome.Whetheryouchooseorno,

you accuse me. And yourplight is enviable to me.Youareinnocentofwhereyou stand. Whatever pathyoufollowfromthisplace,none can lay blame uponyou. All my paths arepathsofblame.“My vindication hasbeen that I am necessaryto the ur-Lord, and toLindenAvery,andtotheirpurpose. His vision

touchedmyheart,andthesurvival of that vision hasbeeninmyhands.Lackingmy aid, they would belong dead, andwith themthe one clear word ofbeauty I have been giventohear.“Whetheryouchooseorno,youdeprivemeofmynecessity. Your knowledgeof theSunbaneandof theperils before us surely

excels mine. You givehealing where I cannot.Youhavenot shed life. Inyour presence, I have noanswertomyguilt.”“Sunder,” Hollian

breathed. “Graveler. Thiscastigation avails nothing.Thepastisbeyondchange.Yourvindicationcannotbetakenfromyou.”“All things change,” he

replied tightly. “Ur-Lord

Covenantaltersthepastatevery turning.Therefore”—hecutoffherprotest—“I am withoutchoice, I cannot bear thatthis alteration should beundone.Butthereischoicefor you. And because youown choice, eh-Brand, Iimplore you. Give yourservice to the ur-Lord. Heoffers much—and is insuch need. Your aid is

greaterthanmine.”Hollian’s gaze scoured

him as he spoke. But shedidnotfindanyanswertoher fear. “Ah,” she sighedbitterly, “I do not see thischoice. Death lies behindmeandhorrorbefore.Thisis not choice. It istorment.”“It is choice!” Sunder

shouted,unabletorestrainhis vehemence. “Neither

death nor horror iscompulsory for you. Youmaydepartfromus.Findanew people to be yourhome. They will distrustyou for a time—but thatwill pass. No Stonedownwould willingly sacrificeaneh-Brand.”His words took both

Hollian and Linden bysurprise. Hollian hadplainly given no thought

to the ideahe raised.AndLinden could not guesswhy he used such anargument. “Sunder,” shesaid carefully, “what doyouthinkyou’redoing?”“Iseektopersuadeher.”He did not take his eyesfrom Hollian. “A choicemade freely is strongerthan one compelled. Wemust have her strength—elseIfearwewillnotgain

Revelstone.”Linden strove tounderstand him. “Do youmean to tell me that nowyou want to go toRevelstone?”“I must,” he responded;but his words weredirected toward the eh-Brand. “No other purposeremains tome. Imust seethe lies of the Redeanswered. Throughout all

the generations of theSunbane, the Riders havetakenbloodinthenameofthe Rede. Now they mustbe required to speak thetruth.”Lindennodded,benther

attentiononHollianastheeh-Brand absorbed hisargument, hunted for areply.Afteramoment,shesaid slowly, holding hisgaze, “In the aliantha—if

in no other way—I havebeen given cause tomisdoubt the Rede. AndSivit na-Mhoram-wistsoughtmydeath,thoughitwasplainforalltoseethatI was of great benefit toCrystal Stonedown. If youfollowur-LordCovenantinthe name of truth, I willaccompany you.”At once,sheturnedtoLinden.“ButI will not enter Andelain.

ThatIwillnotdo.”Linden acknowledged

this proviso. “All right.Let’sgo.”Shehadbeentoolongaway fromCovenant;her anxiety for himtightened all her muscles.But one last requirementheld her back. “Sunder,”she said deliberately.“Thanks.”Hergratitude seemed to

startle him. But then he

replied with a mute bow.In that gesture, theyunderstoodeachother.Leaving the knapsackand the raft to theStonedownors, Lindendove into the water andwentafterCovenant.She found him restingon a sand-spit beyond abend in the River. Helooked weary andabandoned, as if he had

not expected her to come.But when she pulledherself out of the waternear him, shook her eyesclear, she could see therelief which lay half-hidden behind hisconvalescence and hisunkemptbeard.“Areyoualone?”“No. They’re coming.Sundertalkedherintoit.”He did not respond.

Lowering his head to hisknees,hehidhisfaceasifhe did not want to admithow intensely he felt thathehadbeenreprieved.Shortly Sunder and

Hollian swam into view;and soon the companionswere on their waydownriveragain.Covenantrodethecurrentinsilence,withhisgazealways fixedahead. And Linden, too,

remained still, trying togather up the scatteredpieces of her privacy. Shefelt acutely vulnerable, asif any casual word, anylight touch, could driveher to the edges of herown secrets. She did notknowhowtorecollectherold autonomy. Throughtheday,shecouldfeelthesun of pestilenceimpendingoverherasshe

swam;andherlifeseemedto be composed of threatsagainst which she had noprotection.Then, late in the

afternoon,theRiverbeganto run straight into theeast, and the terrainthrough which it flowedunderwent a dramaticchange. Steep hills layahead on both sides likepoised antitheses. Those

on the right were rockyand barren—a desolationunlike the wilderland ofthedesertsun.Lindensawat once that they werealways dead, that no sunof fertility ever alleviatedtheir detrition. Someancient and concentratedruin had blasted theircapacity for life long ago,before the Sunbane evercameuponthem.

But the hills on the leftwere a directcontradiction. The powerwith which they reachedher senses sent a shockthroughallhernerves.NorthoftheMithillayalush region untouched bystressorwrong.Thestandsof elm and Gilden whichcrowned the boundarywere naturally tall andvividly healthy; no fertile

sun had aggravated theirgrowth, no sun ofpestilence had corrodedtheir strong wood andclean sap. The grasssweeping away in longgreenswards from theriverbank was pristinewithalianthaandamaryllisand buttercups. Ananalystic air blew fromthese hills, forever sapidandvirginal.

The demarcationbetween this region andthe surrounding terrainwas as clear as a linedrawn in the dirt; at thatborder,theSunbaneendedand loveliness began. Onthe riverbank, like amarker and ward to thehills, stood an old oak,gnarled and somber,wearing long shrouds ofbryony like a cloak of

power—a hoary majestyuntrammeled by desert orrot. It forbade andwelcomed, according tothe spirit of those whoapproached.“Andelain,” Covenantwhispered thickly,as ifhewanted to sing, and couldnot unclose his throat.“Oh,Andelain.”ButHolliangazedontheHills with unmitigated

abhorrence. Sunderglowered at them as ifthey posed a danger hecouldnotidentify.And Linden, too, could

not share Covenant’sgladness. Andelaintouched her like the tasteof aliantha embodied intheLand.Itunveileditselfto her particularpercipience with avisionary intensity. It was

as hazardous as a drugwhich could kill or cure,according to the skill ofthephysicianwhousedit.Fear and desire tore at

her. She had felt theSunbane too personally,had exposed herself toomuch in Covenant. Shewantedlovelinessasifhersoul were starving for it.But Hollian’s dread wasentirely convincing.

Andelain’s emanations feltas fatal as prophecyagainst Linden’s face. Shesaw intuitively that theHills could bereave her ofherselfasabsolutelyasanywrong. She had no abilityto gauge or control thepotency of this drug.Impossible that ordinarytrees and grass couldarticulate so much might!She was already engaged

inarunningbattleagainstmadness.Hollian had saidthatAndelaindrovepeoplemad.No, she repeated to

herself.Notagain.Please.By mute consent, she

and her companionsstopped for the nightamong the ruins oppositethe oak. A peculiar spellwas on them, wrappingthem within themselves.

Covenant gazed,entranced, at the shimmerof health. But Hollian’srevulsion did not waver.Sunder carried distrust inthe set of his shoulders.And Linden could notshake her senses free ofthe deadness of thesouthern hills. The wasteof this region was like ashadowcastbyAndelain,aconsequence of power. It

affected her as if itdemonstrated thelegitimacyoffear.Early in the evening,

Hollian pricked her palmwiththepointofherdirk,andused theblood tocallup a slight green flamefromher lianar.When shewas done, she announcedthat the morrow wouldbring a fertile sun. ButLinden was locked within

her own apprehensions,and hardly heard the eh-Brand.When she arose in the

firstgrayofdawnwithhercompanions, she said toCovenant, “I’m not goingwithyou.”The crepuscular air

could not conceal hissurprise. “Not? Why?”When she did not answerimmediately,heurgedher.

“Linden, this is yourchance to taste somethingbesides sickness. You’vebeen so hurt by theSunbane. Andelain canhealyou.”“No.”Shetriedtosound

certain, but memories ofher mother, of the oldman’s breath, frayed herself-command. She hadshared Covenant’s illness,but he had never shared

hisstrength.“Itonlylookshealthy. You heardHollian. Somewhere inthere, it’s cancerous.” I’vealreadylosttoomuch.“Cancerous?” he

demanded.“Areyoulosingyour eyes? That isAndelain.”She could not meet his

dark stare. “I don’t knowanythingaboutAndelain.Ican’ttell.It’stoopowerful.

I can’t stand anymore. Icould lose my mind inthere.”“You could find it inthere,” he returnedintensely. “I keep talkingabout fighting theSunbane, and you don’tknow whether to believemeornot.Theanswer’sinthere.Andelain denies theSunbane. Even I can seethat. The Sunbane isn’t

omnipotent.“Of course Andelain’spowerful,”hewentoninarushofireandpersuasion.“Ithastobe.Butweneedpower.We’vegot toknowhowAndelainstaysclear.“I can understandHollian. Even Sunder. TheSunbanemade themwhatthey are. It’s cruel andterrible, but it makessense. A world full of

lepers can’t automaticallytrust someone with goodnerves. But you. You’re adoctor.Fightingsicknessisyourbusiness.“Linden.” His hands

gripped her shoulders,forcedher to look at him.His eyes were gaunt andgrim, placing demandsuponheras ifhebelievedthatanybodycoulddothethingshedid.As ifhedid

notknowthatheowedherhislife,thatallhisshowofdetermination or braverywould already have cometo nothing without her.“Comewithme.”In spite of his

presumption, she wantedtobeequaltohim.Butherrecollections of venomwere too acute to beendured. She needed torecover herself. “I can’t.

I’mafraid.”The fury in his gaze

looked like grief. Shedropped her eyes. After amoment,hesaiddistantly,“I’ll be back in two orthree days. It’s probablybetter thisway.Numbnesshas its advantages. Iprobably won’t be sovulnerabletowhatever’sinthere. When I get back,we’lldecidewhattodo.”

She nodded dumbly.Hereleasedher.The sun was rising,

clothed in a cymar ofemerald. When she raisedherhead again, hewas inthe River, swimmingtoward Andelain as if hewere capable of anything.Green-tinged light dancedon the ripples of hispassing. The venom wasstillinhim.

PARTII:Vision

TWELVE:TheAndelainianHills

As Thomas Covenantpassed the venerable oakandbegananglinghiswayupintoAndelain,heleftagrieved and limping partofhimselfwithLinden.Hewas still weak from theattackofthebees,anddidnot want to be alone.Unwillingly, almost

unconsciously, he hadcome to depend onLinden’s presence. He feltbound to her by manycords. Some of them heknew: her courage andsupport;herwillingnesstorisk herself on his behalf.Butothersseemedtohaveno name. He felt almostphysically linked to herwithoutknowingwhy.Herrefusal to accompany him

madehimafraid.Part of his fear arose

from the fear of hiscompanions;hedreadedtolearn that behind itsbeauty Andelain wassecretly chancrous. But hehad been a leper for toolong, was too wellacquainted with cunningdisease;thatkindofdreadcould only increase hisdetermination.Mostofhis

trepidation sprang fromLinden’s rejection, fromwhat that decision mightmean.For most of his hopesrevolved around her.Doubt erodedhispreviousvictory in the Land. Hecould not shake thegnawingconvictionthatinchoosing to buy Joan’ssafetyhehad soldhimselfto theDespiser, hadgiven

up the freedom on whichefficacy against Despitedepended;hehadfelt thatknife strike his chest, andknew he might fail. Thewild magic is no longerpotent against me. Of yourown volition you will givethewhitegoldintomyhand.But Linden was anotherquestion. She had beenchosen by the old manwhohadonce toldhim to

Be true. In theirsummoning,LordFoulhadbetrayed no knowledge ofordesire forherpresence.And since then she hadshowed herself capable ofmany things. Behind herself-severity, she wasbeautiful. How could henot place hope in such awoman?But now her refusal of

Andelain seemed to imply

thathishopewasbasedonquicksand, that herclenched will was anarticulation of cowardiceratherthancourage.He understood suchthings.Hewasaleper,andlepers were taughtcowardicebyeveryhurtinall the world. If anything,her decision increased hisempathy for her. But hewas alone; and he knew

from long and brutalexperience how little hecould accomplish alone.Even the apotheosis of hisformerpoweragainstLordFoul would have gone fornothing without thesupport and laughter ofSaltheartFoamfollower.So as he climbed into

Andelain, he felt that hewas walking into abereavement, a loss of

comradeship, of hope,perhaps of courage, fromwhich he might neverrecover.At the hillcrest, he

paused to wave at hiscompanions. But they didnot reply; they were notlooking at him. Their lackof response hurt him as ifthey had deliberatelyturnedtheirbacks.But he was a man who

hadalwaysbeenfaithfultohis griefs; and the Landhadbecomearendingandimmedicable sorrow tohim. He went on intoAndelain because heneeded health, power,knowledge. So that hecould try to restore whathadbeenlost.Soon, however, his

mood changed. For thiswas Andelain, as precious

to his memory as hisdearest friendships in theLand. In this air—ether ascrispassempiternalspring—he could not even seethe sun’s chrysoprasticaura; the sunshinecontained nothing exceptan abundance of beauty.The grass unrolling underhis feet was lush andberyl-green, freshlyjeweled with dew.

Woodlandsextendednorthand east of him. BroadGilden fondled the breezewith their wide goldleaves;statelyelmsfrontedthe azure of the sky likeprinces;willowsasdelicateas filigree beckoned tohim, inviting him intotheir heart-healing shade.All about the hale trunks,flowers enriched thegreensward: daisies and

columbine and elegantforsythiainprofusion.Andover everything lay anatmosphereofpristineandvibrant loveliness, as ifhereandinnootherplacelivedquintessentialhealth,nature’s pure gift toassuagethesoul.Munchingaliantha ashepassed, loping down longhillsides, burstingoccasionally into wild

leaps of pleasure, ThomasCovenant traveled swiftlyintoAndelain.Gradually he grew

calmer, became moreattuned to the taintlesstranquility of the Hills.Birds sang among thebranches; small woodlandanimalsdartedthroughthetrees. He did nothing todisturbthem.Andafterhehad walked for some

distance, drinking inthirstily the roborant ofAndelain, he returned histhoughts to hiscompanions, to Hollianand Sunder. He felt surenow that the Hills werenot cancerous, that theycontained no secret anddeadly ill. Such an ideahadbecomeinconceivable.But at the same time theintensity of what he saw

and felt and lovedincreased hiscomprehension of theStonedownors.They were like lepers;

all thepeople of the Landwere like lepers. Theywere the victims of theSunbane, victims of an illfor which there was nocure and no escape.Outcastfromthebeautyoftheworld.Andundersuch

conditions, the need tosurvive exacted harshpenalties. Nothing underthe sunwasasperilous toa leper as his ownyearning for the kind oflife, companionship, hope,deniedhimbyhisdisease.That susceptibility led todespair and self-contempt,to the conviction that theoutcastingoftheleperwasjust—condign punishment

for an affliction whichmusthavebeendeserved.Seen in that way,

Andelain was a rivingvindication of theSunbane. The Land wasnot like Andelain becausethe people of the Landmerited retribution ratherthan loveliness. What elsecould they believe, andstill endure the penury oftheir lives? Like so many

lepers,theyweredriventoapprove their owndestitution. ThereforeSunder could not trustanything which was notruledbytheSunbane.AndHollian believed thatAndelain would destroyher.Theyhadnochoice.No choice at all. Until

they learned to believethat the Sunbane was notthe whole truth of their

lives. Until Covenantfound an answer whichcouldsetthemfree.He was prepared tospend everything hepossessed, everything hewas, to open the way forSunder, and Hollian, andLinden to walk Andelainunafraid.Through the day, hejourneyedwithoutrest.Hedid not need rest. The

aliantha healed the effectsof the venom, and thewater in the cleanlystreams made him feel asfresh as a newborn; andeachnewvistawasitselfaform of sustenance, vividanddelicious.The sun set in splendorlong before he was readytostop.Hecouldnotstop.He went on, alwaysnortheastward, until the

gloaming became night,andthestarscamesmilingoutoftheircelestialdeepstokeephimcompany.But the darkness was

still young when he washalted by the sight of afaint yellow-orange light,flickering through thetrees like a blade of fire.He did not seek toapproach it; memoriesheld him still. He stood

hushedandreverentwhilethe flame wanderedtoward him. And as itcame, itmadea finecleartinkling sound, like thechimeofdelicatecrystal.Thenitbobbedintheair

beforehim,andhebowedlowtoit,foritwasoneoftheWraithsofAndelain—aflame no larger than hishanddancinguprightas ifthe darkness were an

invisible wick. Itsmovement matched hisobeisance; and when itfloated slowly away fromhim, he followed after it.Its luster made his heartswell.Toward theWraithsofAndelainhe felt akeengriefwhichhewouldhavegiven anything to relieve.At one time, scores ofthemhaddiedbecausehehad lacked the power to

savethem.Soon this Wraith wasjoined by another—andthen by still others—andthenhewassurroundedbydancingashewalked.Thebright circle and high,light ringingof the flamesguided him, so that hewent on and on as if heknewhiswayuntil a slimsliver-moonroseabovetheeasternHills.

Thus the Wraithsbroughthimtoatallknoll,bareoftreesbutopulentlygrassed.Therethechimingfaded into a strongermusic. The very airbecame the song towhichthe stars measured outthen— gavotte, and everyblade of grass was a notein the harmony. It was astern song behind itsquietude, and it held a

long sorrow which heunderstood. The Wraithsremained at the base ofthe knoll, forming a longring around it; but themusiccarriedhimupward,towardthecrest.And then the song tookon words, so distinct thatthey could never beforgotten. They were sadandresolute,andhemighthave wept at them if he

hadbeenlessentranced.

“AndelainIholdandmold within myfragilespell,Whileworld’sruin

ruins wood andwold.Sap and bough aregrief and grim tome, engrievementfell,And petals fall

withoutrelief.Astricken by my

power’sdearth,I hold the glaive ofLaw against theEarth.

“Andelain I cherishdear within mymortalbreast;And faithful I

withhold Despiser’swish.

But faithless is myachefordreamsandslumberingandrest,And burdensmake my couragebreak.The Sunbanemocks my bestreply,Andallaboutandinmebeautiesdie.

“Andelain! I strive

with need and loss,andascertainThat theDespiser’smightcanrendandrive.Each falter of myancient heart is alltheevil’sgain;And it appallswithoutrelent.I cannot spreadmypowermore,Thoughtearyvisions

come of wail andgore.

“Oh, Andelain!forgive! for I amdoomed to fail thiswar.I cannot bear to

see you die—andlive,Foredoomed tobitternessandallthegrayDespiser’slore.

But while I can IheedthecallOfgreenandtree;

andfortheirworth,I hold the glaive ofLaw against theEarth.”

Slowly through themusic, Covenant beheldthesinger.The man was tall and

strong, and robed all in

whitest sendaline. In hishand, he held a gnarledtreelimbasastaff.Melodycrowned his head. Musicflowed from the lines ofhis form in streams ofphosphorescence.His songwas the very stuff ofpower, and with it hecupped the night in thepalmofhishand.His face had neither

eyes nor eye sockets.

Though he had changedmightily in the ten yearsor thirty-five centuriessince Covenant had lastseen him, he did notappeartohaveagedatall.An impulse to kneel

swept through Covenant,but he refused it. Hesensedthatifhekneltnowthere would be no end tohis need to prostratehimself. Instead, he stood

quiet before the man’simmensewhitemusic,andwaited.After a moment, theman hummed sternly,“ThomasCovenant,doyouknowme?”Covenantmethiseyelessgaze.“You’reHileTroy.”“No.” The song wasabsolute. “I am Caer-Caveral, the Forestal ofAndelain.InalltheLandI

amthelastofmykind.”“Yes,” Covenant said. “Iremember. You saved mylife at the Colossus of theFall—after I came out ofMorinmoss. I think youmust have saved me inMorinmoss,too.”“There is noMorinmoss.” Caer-Caveral’s melody becamebleakness and pain. “TheColossushasfallen.”

No Morinmoss? Noforests?Covenantclenchedhimself, held the tearsdown.“Whatdoyouwantfromme?I’lldoanything.”The Forestal hummedfor a moment withoutanswering. Then he sang,“Thomas Covenant, haveyoubeheldAndelain?”“Yes.” Clenchinghimself.“I’veseenit.”“InalltheLand,itisthe

lastkeepoftheLaw.Withmy strength, I hold itsfabricunrenthere.WhenIfail in the end—as fail Imust, for I am yet HileTroy withal, and the daycomes when I must notrefuse to sacrifice mypower—there will be norestitution for the abysmofthatloss.TheEarthwillpass into its last age, andnothingwillredeemit.”

“I know.”Withhis jawslocked.“Iknow.”“ThomasCovenant,” thetall man sang, “I requirefrom you everything andnothing. I have notbrought you here thisnight to ask, but to give.Behold!” A sweepinggesture of his staffscattered the grass withmusic; and there, throughthe melody like

incarnations of song,Covenant saw them. Palesilverasiftheyweremadeof moonshine, though themoon had no such light,they stood before him.Caer-Caveral’s streamingargence illumined themasif they had been createdoutofForestal-fire.Covenant’sfriends.HighLordMhoram,withthe wise serenity of his

eyes, and the crookednessofhissmile.Elena daughter of Lenaand rape, herself a formerHigh Lord, beautiful andpassionate. Covenant’schild;almosthislover.Bannor of theBloodguard,wearingpoiseand capability and thepower of judgment whichcould never be wrestedfromhim.

Saltheart Foamfollower,who towered over theothers as he towered overall mortals in size, andhumor, and purity ofspirit.Covenantstaredatthem

throughthemusicasifthesinews of his soul werefraying. A moan brokefrom his chest, and hewent forward with hisarms outstretched to

embracehisfriends.“Hold!”The Forestal’s commandfroze Covenant before hecouldclosetheseparation.Immobility filled all hismuscles.“You do notcomprehend,” Caer-Caveral sangmore kindly.“You cannot touch them,for they have no flesh.They are the Dead. The

Law of Death has beenbroken, and cannot bemade whole again. Yourpresence here has calledthem from their sleep, forall who enter Andelainencounter their Deadhere.”Cannot—? After all thistime? Tears streameddown Covenant’s cheeks;but when Caer-Caveralreleased him, hemade no

move toward the specters.Almostchokingonhisloss,hesaid,“You’rekillingme.Whatdoyouwant?”“Ah, beloved,” Elena

replied quickly, in theclear irrefusable voicewhich he rememberedwithsuchanguish,“this isnot a time for grief. Ourhearts are glad to beholdyou here. We have notcome to cause you pain,

but to bless you with ourlove.Andtogiveyougifts,astheLawpermits.”“It is a word of truth,”added Mhoram. “Feel joyforus,fornonecoulddenythejoywefeelinyou.”“Mhoram,” Covenantwept, “Elena. Bannor. Oh,Foamfollower!”TheForestal’svoicetookonarumblelikethethreatofthunder.“Thusitisthat

men and women findmadness inAndelain. Thismust not be prolonged.Thomas Covenant, it iswellthatyourcompanionsdid not accompany you.The man and woman ofthe Land would break atthe sight of their Dead.And the woman of yourworld would raise grimshadeshere.Wemustgiveour gifts while mind and

couragehold.”“Gifts?” Covenant’svoiceshookwithyearning.“Why—?How—?”Hewasso full of needs that hecouldnotnamethemall.“Ah, my friend, forgiveus,” Mhoram said. “Wemay answer no questions.ThatistheLaw.”“Asinthesummoningofdead Kevin which brokethe Law of Death,”

interposed Elena, “theanswers of the Deadrebound upon thequestioner. We will notharm you with ouranswers,beloved.”“And you require noanswers.” Foamfollowerwas laughing in hisgladness. “You aresufficient to everyquestion.”Foamfollower! Tears

burned Covenant’s facelike blood. He was on hisknees,thoughhecouldnotrememberkneeling.“Enough,” the Forestal

hummed. “Even now hefalters.” Graceful andstately, he moved toCovenant’s side. “ThomasCovenant, Iwill not namethe thing you seek. But Iwillenableyoutofindit.”He touched Covenant’s

forehead with his staff. Awhite blaze of music ranthrough Covenant’s mind.“The knowledge is withinyou, though you cannotsee it. But when the timehascome,youwillfindthemeans to unlockmy gift.”Asthesongreceded,itleftnothing in its wake but avaguesenseofpotential.Caer-Caveral steppedaside; and High Lord

Mhoram came soundlesslyforward. “Ur-Lord andUnbeliever,” he saidgently, “my gift to you iscounsel. When you haveunderstood the Land’sneed,youmustdepart theLand, for the thing youseek is not within it. Theone word of truth cannotbe found otherwise. But Igive you this caution: donot be deceived by the

Land’sneed.Thethingyouseekisnotwhatitappearstobe.Intheend,youmustreturntotheLand.”He withdrew before

Covenantcouldaskhimtosaymore.Elena took the High

Lord’s place. “Beloved,”she said with a smile ofdeep affection, “it hasbefallen me to speak ahard thing to you. The

truthisasyouhavefearedit to be; the Landhas lostits power to remedy yourillness, for much greatgood has been undone bythe Despiser. Therefore Irue that the woman yourcompanionlackedhearttoaccompany you, for youhave much to bear. Butshe must come to meetherself in her own time.Care for her, beloved, so

that in the end she mayhealusall.”Then her voice grewsharper, carrying an echooftheferalhatewhichhadledhertobreaktheLawofDeath. “This one otherthing I say to you also.When the time is uponyou, and you mustconfronttheDespiser,heisto be found in MountThunder—in Kiril

Threndor, where he hastakenuphisabode.”Elena, Covenant

moaned. You still haven’tforgivenme,andyoudon’tevenknowit.Amoment later,Bannor

stood before him. TheBloodguard’sHaruchaifacewasimpassive,implacable.“Unbeliever,Ihavenogiftfor you,” he said withoutinflection. “But I say to

you, Redeem my people.Their plight is anabomination. And theywillserveyouwell.”Then Foamfollowercame forward; andCovenant saw that theGiant was not alone. “Mydear friend,” saidFoamfollower gaily, “tomehasfallenthegivingofa gift beyond price.Behold!”

He indicated hiscompanion; and Covenantcouldtellatoncethatthisfigure was not one of theDead. He wore a shortgraytunic,andunderitallhis skin fromhead to footwas as black as the gapsbetween the stars. Hisformwasperfectly shapedand strong; but his hairwas black, his teeth andgums were black, his

pupil-less eyes were puremidnight. He held himselfas if he were oblivious tothe Dead and the Forestaland Covenant. His eyesgazed emptily, regardingnothing.“He is Vain,” saidFoamfollower, “the finalspawn of the ur-viles.”Covenant flinched,remembering ur-viles. Butthe Giant went on, “He

crowns all theirgenerations of breeding.As your friend, I imploreyou: take him to be yourcompanion. He will notpleaseyou,forhedoesnotspeak, and serves nopurpose but his own. Butthat purpose is mighty,and greatly to be desired.Hismakershaveeverbeenlore-wise, thoughtormented, and when it

comes upon him he, atleast,willnotfail.“I say that he serves no

purpose but his own. Yetin order that you mayaccept him, the ur-vileshaveformedhiminsuchaway that he may becommanded once. Onceonly, but I pray it maysuffice.Whenyourneedisuponyou, and there is noother help, say to him,

‘Nekhrimah, Vain,’ and hewillobey.“Thomas Covenant. Mydearfriend.”Foamfollowerbentclosetohim,pleadingwithhim.“In thenameofHotash Slay, where I wasconsumed and reborn, Ibeg you to accept thisgift.”Covenant could hardlyrefrain from throwing hisarms around the Giant’s

neck. He had learned adeep dread of the ur-vilesand all their works. ButFoamfollowerhadbeenhisfriend,andhaddiedforit.Thickly he said, “Yes. Allright.”“Ithankyou,”theGiantbreathed,andwithdrew.Foramoment,therewassilence. Wraith-light rosedimly,andtheDeadstoodlike icons of past might

and pain. Caer-Caveral’ssong took on the cadenceof a threnody. Crimsontinged the flow of hisphosphorescence.Covenant felt suddenlythathisfriendswereaboutto depart. At once, hisheart began to labor,achingforthewordstotellthemthathelovedthem.TheForestalapproached

again; but High Lord

Mhoram stayedhim. “Onewordmore,”Mhoram saidtoCovenant.“Thismustbespoken,thoughIriskmuchinsayingit.Myfriend,theperilupon theLand isnotwhat it was. Lord Foulworks in new ways,seeking ruin, and his evilcannotbeansweredbyanycombat.Hehassaidtoyouthat you are his Enemy.Remember that he seeks

always to mislead you. Itbootsnothing toavoidhissnares, for they are everbeset with other snares,and life anddeathare toointimately intergrown tobe severed from eachother.Butitisnecessarytocomprehend them, so thatthey may be mastered.When—” He hesitatedmomentarily. “When youhavecometothecrux,and

have no other recourse,remember the paradox ofwhite gold. There is hopeincontradiction.”Hope? Covenant cried.

Mhoram! Don’t you knowI’mgoingtofail?Thenextmoment,Caer-

Caveral’s song camedownfirmly on the back of hisneck,andhewasasleepinthethickgrass.

THIRTEEN:Demondim-Spawn

Whenheawoke,hisfaceitched as if the grass hadgrown into his beard, andhis back was warm withmidmorningsun.He raised his head. Hewas still atop the knollwhere he had met Caer-Caveral and the Dead.Andelain lay around him,

unfolded like a flower tothe sun. But he observedthe trees and skyabstractly; the Hills hadtemporarily lost theirpower over him. He wastoo full of ashes to bemoved.He remembered theprevious night clearly. Heremembered everythingabout it except theconvictionofitsreality.

Butthatlastedforonlyamoment.When he sat up,changedhisrangeofsight,hesawVain.The Demondim-spawn

made everything elsecertain.He stood just as he had

the night before, lightlypoised and oblivious.Covenant was struck onceagain by Vain’s physicalperfection.His limbswere

smooth and strong; hisflesh bore no blemish; hemight have been anidealizedpieceofstatuary.He gave no sign that hewas aware of Covenant’sawakening, that he wascognizant of Covenant atall.Hisarmshungrelaxed,with the elbows slightlycrooked,asifhehadbeenmadeforreadinessbuthadnot yet been brought to

life. No respiration stirredhis chest; his eyes neitherblinkednorshifted.Slowly Covenant

reviewedtheothergiftshehadbeengiven.Theywereall obscure to him. ButVain’s solidity conveyed akind of reassurance.Covenant took hiscompanion as a promisethat the other gifts wouldprove to be equally

substantial.Seeking relief from his

senseofloss,herosetohisfeet, faced Vain. Heconsidered the dark formbriefly, then said,“Foamfollower says youdon’ttalk.Isthattrue?”Vain did not react. An

ambiguous smile hung onhis lips, butno expressionaltered the fathomlessebony of his orbs. He

might as well have beenblind.“All right,” Covenantmuttered. “You don’tspeak. I hope the otherthings he said are true,too,Idon’twanttotestit.I’m going to put offcommanding you as longas I can. If those ur-vileslied—”Hefrowned,tryingtopenetratethemysteryofhis companion; but no

intuition came to his aid.“MaybeLindencantellmesomething about you.”Vain’s black gaze did notshift. After a moment,Covenant growled, “I alsohope I don’t get in thehabit of talking to you.Thisisridiculous.”Feeling vaguely foolish,

he glanced at the sun toascertain his directions,then started down the

knoll tobegin the journeybacktohisMends.The Demondim-spawn

followed a few pacesbehind him. Vain movedasifhehadmemorizedhissurroundingslongago,andno longer needed to takenoticeof them. In spiteofhis physical solidity, hissteps made no sound, leftnoimpressioninthegrass.Covenant shrugged, and

set off southwestwardthrough the Hills ofAndelain.By noon, he had eaten

enough aliantha tocomprise a feast, and hadbegun to recover his joy.Andelain did far more forhim than give comfort tohis eyes and ears orprovidesolaceforhisloss.Lord Foul had deprivedhim of the most exquisite

pleasure of his previousvisit here—the ability tofeel health like a palpablecynosure in every greenand living thing abouthim. But theHills seemedto understand his plight,and adjust their appeal tooffer him what he couldenjoy. The air wasrefulgent with gay birds.The grass cushioned hisfeet, so thathiskneesand

thighs felt exuberant atevery stride. Alianthanourishedhimuntilallhismuscles were suffusedwithvitality.Thus Andelain

transformed his grief,melded it into a graniticsense of purpose. Heconsidered the hazardsahead of him withoutdread, and swore animplacable oath without

fear or fury, an oath thatAndelain would not fallwhilehestillhadbreathorpulsetodefendit.In the middle of theafternoon,hecameuponastream running placidlyover a bed of fine sand,and stopped to givehimself a bath. He knewthathewouldnot be ableto rejoin his companionsbynightfall, sohedidnot

begrudge the time.Stripping off his clothes,he scrubbed himself fromhead to foot with sanduntilhebegantofeelcleanfor the first time inmanydays.Vain stood beside the

stream as if he had beenrooted to that spot all hislife. A mischievousimpulse came overCovenant; without

warning, he slapped aspray of water at theDemondim-spawn.Droplets gleamed onVain’s obsidian flesh anddripped away, but hebetrayed no flicker ofconsciousness.Hellfire, Covenant

muttered. A touch ofprescience darkened hismood. He began almostgrimlytowashhisclothes.

Soonhewasonhiswayagain, with Vain trailingbehindhim.He had planned to

continue walking until hereached the Mithil valleyand his companions. Butthis nightwas the dark ofthe moon, and the starsdidnotgivemuchlight.Asthe last illumination ofeveningfadedfromtheair,hedecidedtostop.

For a time, he hadtrouble sleeping. Aninnominate anxietydisturbed his rest. Vainheldhimself like an effigyof darkness, hinting atdangers. An ur-vile,Covenant growled. Hecould not trust an ur-vile.They, the Demondim-spawn, were one of theancient races of the Land;and they had served Lord

Foul for millennia.Covenant had beenattackedtimeandagainbythe roynish creatures.Eyeless and bloodthirsty,they had devoured scoresofWraithsata timewhenhe had been empty ofpower. Now he could notbelieve that the ur-vileswhich had given Vain toFoamfollowerhadtoldthetruth.

But the air and grass ofAndelain were an elixirthat answered his vaguedistress;andeventuallyheslept.

He was awake andtraveling in the exultationof sunrise. Regret cloudedhismoodnow;hedidnotwant to leave Andelain.But he did not let that

slow him. He wasconcerned for hiscompanions.Well before noon, hecrestedthelastlineofhillsabovetheMithilRiver.He had reached thevalleytoofareast; theoldoak at the corner ofAndelainwashalfaleagueormoreawaytohisright.He moved briskly towardit along the crests,

watching intently for aglimpseofhisfriends.Butwhenheneared themajestictree,hecouldseenosignofLinden,Sunder,orHollian.Hestopped,scannedthebarren region across theMithilforsomesignofhiscompanions. It was largerthan he had realized. Inhis eagerness to enterAndelain, he had paid

littleattentiontothearea.Now he saw that thewrecked rock and deadshalespreadsomedistancesouth through the hills,andperhapsa leaguewestinto the Plains. Nothinggrew anywhere in thatblasted region; it layoppositehimlikeacorpseof stone. But its edgeswere choked by theteeming verdure of the

fertilesun.Twoperiodsoffertility without a desertinterval between them toclearthegroundmadethearea look like a deadislandundergreensiege.But of Linden and the

two Stonedownors therewasnotrace.Covenant pelted down

the hillside. He hit thewater in a shallow dive,clawed the surface of the

Mithil to the south bank.In moments, he stood onthespotwherehehadsaidfarewelltoLinden.He remembered theplace exactly, all thedetails matched hisrecollection, it was here,here—! “Linden!” Hisshout sounded smallagainst the desolation ofthe rocks, disappearedwithout echo into the

surrounding jungle.“Linden!”He could find noevidencethatshehadbeenhere,thathehadeverhadanycompanionsatall.The sun wore its greencarcanet like a smirk ofdisdain. His mind wentblank with dread for amoment. Curses he couldnot utter beat against hisstupefaction. His

companionsweregone.Hehad left them, and in hisabsence something hadhappened to them.Another Rider? Withouthim to defend them—!What have I done?Pounding his fists dumblyat each other, he foundhimself staring into Vain’sunreachableeyes.The sight jarred him.

“Theywere here!” he spat

asiftheDemondim-spawnhad contradicted him. Ashudder ran through him,became cold fury. Hebegantosearchtheregion,“They didn’t abandonme.Something chased themoff.Ortheywerecaptured.They weren’t killed—orbadly hurt. There’s noblood.”He picked a tall pile ofbouldersandscrambledup

it,regardlessofhisvertigo.Standingprecariouslyatoptherocks,helookedacrossthe River toward thePlainsborderingAndelain.But the tangle of themonstrous vegetation wasimpenetrable; hiscompanions could havebeen within hailingdistance,andhewouldnothave been able to seethem. He turned, studied

the wreckage south andwest of him. Thatwilderland was rock-littered and chaoticenough to conceal amyriadperils.“Linden!” he yelled.

“Sunder!Hollian!”Hisvoicefellstrickento

the ground. There was noanswer.He did not hesitate. A

geas was upon him. He

descended from theboulders, returned to theplace where he had lastseenLinden.Ashemoved,he gathered small stones.With them, he made anarrow on the rock,pointing toward theinterior of the wilderland,so that, if his companionsreturned for him, theywouldknowwherehehadgone.Thenhesetoffalong

thelineofhisarrow.Vain followed him likeanembodiedshadow.Covenant movedrapidly,urgently.Hisgazehunted the terrain like aVSE. He wanted to locateor fall prey to whateverwas responsible for thedisappearance of hisMends.Whenheknewthenature of the peril, hewould know how to

respond. So he made noattemptatstealth.Heonlykept his eyes alert, andwent scuttling across therocksandshalelikeamanbent on his owndestruction.He drove himself for aleague through the ruinsbefore he paused toreconsider his choice ofdirections. He was badlywinded by his exertions;

yetVainstoodnearbyasifhe had never stoodanywhere else—indefatigable as stone.Cursing Vain’s blanknessor his own mortality,Covenant chose a leaningstonespire,andclimbeditto gain a vantage on hissurroundings.From the spire, he saw

the rims of a long canyonperhaps half a league due

west of him. At once, hedecided to turn toward it;itwas the only prominentfeatureinthearea.He slid back down the

spire too quickly. As helanded, he missed hisbalance and sprawled infrontofVain.When he regained his

feet, he and theDemondim-spawn weresurroundedbyfourmen.

They were taller thanStonedownors, slimmer.They wore rock-huedrobes of a kind whichCovenant had learned toassociate withWoodhelvennin. But theirraiment was ill-kempt. Afever of violence glazedtheir eyes. Three of themwielded long stone clubs;the fourth had a knife.They held their weapons

menacingly, advancedtogether.“Hellfire,” Covenantmuttered.Hishandsmadeunconscious wardinggestures.“Hellandblood.”Vaingazedpastthemenasiftheyweretrivial.Malice knotted theirfaces. Covenant groaned.Did everyhumanbeing intheLandwanttokillhim?But he was too angry to

retreat.HopingtotaketheWoodhelvennin bysurprise, he snappedabruptly, “Where’sLinden?”The man nearest himgaveaglintofrecognition.Thenext instant, oneofthem charged. Covenantflinched;buttheothersdidnot attack. The mansprang toward Vain. Withhis club, he leveled a

smashing blow at Vain’sskull.The stone burst intoslivers.Themancriedout,backedawayclutchinghiselbows.Vain’s head shifted as ifhe were nodding. He didnotacknowledgethestrikewithsomuchasablinkofhis black eyes. He wasuninjuredandoblivious.Amazed uncertainty

frightened the other men.A moment later, theystarted forward with thevehemenceoffear.Covenant had no timeforastonishment.Hehadapurpose of his own, anddidnotintendtoseeitfaillike this. Before the menhad advanced two steps,he spread his arms andshouted, “Stop!” with alltheferocityofhispassion.

His cry made the airring.Themenhalted.“Listen!”herasped.“I’mnot your enemy, and Idon’t intend to get beatento death for myinnocence!”Themanwiththe knife waved ittentatively. Covenantjabbed a finger in hisdirection. “I mean it! Ifyouwantus,hereweare.But you don’t have to kill

us.”Hewastrembling;butthe sharp authority in hisvoiceleashedhisattackers.The man who hadrecognized Linden’s namehesitated, then revealedhimself as the leader. “Ifyou resist,”he said tautly,“all StonemightWoodhelven will arise toslayyou.”Covenant let bitternessinto his tone. “I wouldn’t

dream of resisting. You’vegot Linden. I want to gowhereversheis.”Angry and suspicious,the man tried to meetCovenant’sglare,butcouldnot. With his club, hepointed toward thecanyon.“There.”“There,” Covenantmuttered.“Right.”Turninghis back on theWoodhelvennin, he

marched off in thatdirection.The leader barked an

order; and the man withthe stunned arms hurriedpast Covenant. The manknew the rocks and nunsintimately; the path hechosewasdirectandwell-worn. Sooner than he hadexpected, Covenant wasled into a crevice whichsplit the canyon-rim. The

floor of the crevicedescendedsteeplybeforeitopenedintoitsdestination.Covenant was surprisedby the depth of thecanyon. The placeresembled a gullet; therock of the upper edgeslooked like dark teethsilhouettedagainstthesky.Unforeseen dangersseemedtocrouch,waiting,in the shadows of the

walls. For a moment, hefaltered. But his need tofind his companionsimpelled him. As he wassteered toward thedwellings of theWoodhelven, he studiedeverything he could see,searching for information,hope.He was struck initiallyby the resemblancebetween the village and

themenwhohadcapturedhim. StonemightWoodhelvenwas slovenly;its inhabitants were thefirstcarelesspeoplehehadmet in the Land. Thecanyon floor around thehouses was strewn withrefuse; and the peopleworetheirrobesasiftheyhad no interest in theappearance or even thewholenessoftheirapparel.

Manyofthemlookeddirtyand ill-used, despite thefact that they wereobviously well-fed. Andthe houses were in asimilar condition. Thewooden structures werefundamentallysound.Eachstood onmassive stilts forprotection against theforce of water which ranthroughthecanyonduringa sun of rain; and all had

framesof logsasheavyasvigas.Buttheconstructionof the walls was sloppy,leaving gaps on all sides;and many of the door-ladders had broken rungsandtwistedrunners.Covenant stared with,surprise and growingtrepidation as he movedthrough the disorganizedclusterofhuts.How—?hewondered.Howcanpeople

this careless survive theSunbane?Yet in other ways theydid not appear careless.Theireyes smolderedwithan odd combination ofbelligerence and fright asthey regarded him. TheyremindedhimstrangelyofDrool Rockworm, theCavewight who had beenravagedalmosttodeathbyhis lust for the Illearth

Stone.Covenant’s captors tookhim to the largest andbest-made of the houses.There, the leader calledout, “Graveler!” After afew moments, a womanemerged and came downthe ladder to faceCovenant and Vain. Shewastall,andmovedwithablend of authority anddesperation.Her robewas

avividemeraldcolor—thefirst bright raimentCovenanthadseen—anditwaswhole;butsheworeituntidily.Her hair lay in afrenzy of snarls. She hadbeen weeping; her visagewas dark and swollen,batteredbytears.He was vaguely

confused to meet aGravelerinaWoodhelven.Formerly the people of

wood and stone had kepttheirloresseparate.Buthehadalready seenevidencethat such distinctions ofdevotion no longerobtained.AfterLordFoul’sdefeat, the villages musthavehad a longperiodofinteraction and sharing.Therefore CrystalStonedown had raised aneh-Brand who used wood,and Stonemight

Woodhelven was led by aGraveler.Sheaddressedtheleaderofthecaptors.“Brannil?”The man pokedCovenant’s shoulder.“Graveler,” he said in atone of accusation, “thisonespokethenameofthestranger,companiontotheStonedownors.” Grimly hecontinued, “He is theHalfhand. He bears the

whitering.”She looked down at

Covenant’s hand. Whenher eyes returned to hisface, they were savage.“By the Stonemight!” shesnarled,“wewillyetattainrecompense.” Her headjerked a command.Turning away, she wenttowardherhouse.Covenant was slow to

respond. The woman’s

appearance—and themention of his friends—had stunned himmomentarily.Butheshookhimselfalert,shoutedaftertheGraveler,“Wait!”She paused. Over hershoulder, she barked,“Brannil, has he shownpoweragainstyou?”“No,Graveler,” themanreplied.“Thenhehasnone.Ifhe

resists you, strike himsenseless.” Stiffly shereenteredherdwellingandclosedthedoor.At once, hands grabbedCovenant’s arms, draggedhimtowardanotherhouse,thrust him at the ladder.Unable to regain hisbalance,hefellagainsttherungs.Immediatelyseveralmen forced him up theladder and through the

doorway with suchroughness that he had tocatch himself on the farwall.Vain followed him. No

one had touched theDemondim-spawn. Heclimbedintothehutofhisown accord, as if hewereunwilling to be separatedfromCovenant.Thedoor slammed shut.

Itwastiedwithalengthof

vine.Muttering,“Damnation,”Covenant sank down thewall to sit on the woven-wood floor and tried tothink.The single roomwasnobetter than a hovel. Hecould see through chinksin thewalls and the floor.Some of the wood lookedrotten with age. Anybodywith strength or a knife

couldhavebrokenout.Butfreedomwas not preciselywhat he wanted. Hewanted Linden,wanted tofind Sunder and Hollian.And he had no knife. Hisresources of strength didnotimpresshim.For a moment, heconsidered invoking hisone command from Vain,then rejected the idea. Hewasnotthatdesperateyet.

For some time, he studiedthe village through thegapsinthewalls,watchedthe afternoon shadowslengthen toward eveningin thecanyon.Buthe sawnothingthatansweredanyofhisquestions.Thehoveloppressed him. He feltmore like a prisoner—more ineffectual anddoomed—than he had inMithilStonedown.Asense

of impending panicconstricted his heart. Hefound himself clenchinghisfists,glaringatVainasif the Demondim-spawn’spassivity were an offensetohim.His anger determinedhim. He checked throughthe front wall to be surethe two guards were stillthere. Then he carefullyselected a place in the

center of the door wherethe wood looked weak,measured his distancefromit,andkicked.Thehousetrembled.The

wood let out a dullsplittingnoise.The guards sprang

around,facedthedoor.Covenant kicked the

spot again. Three oldbranches snapped, leavingaholethesizeofhishand.

“Ware, prisoner!”shoutedaguard.“Youwillbeclubbed!”Covenantansweredwithanother kick. Splintersshowed along one of theinnersupports.The guards hesitated,clearly reluctant toattempt opening the doorwhileitwasunderassault.Throwing his weightinto the blow, Covenant

hitagain.One guard poisedhimself at the foot of theladder. The other sprintedtoward the Graveler’sdwelling.Covenant grinnedfiercely. He went onkicking at the door, butdid not tire himself byexpending much effort.WhentheGravelerarrived,hegavethewoodonelast

blowandstopped.Ata command from the

Graveler,aguardascendedthe ladder. WatchingCovenant warily throughthe hole, he untied thelashings,thensprangawayto evade the door ifCovenantkickeditagain.Covenant did not. He

pushedthedoorasidewithhishandandstoodframedin the entryway to

confront the Graveler.Before she could addresshim, he snapped, “I wanttotalktoyou.”She drew herself uphaughtily. “Prisoner, I donot wish to speak withyou.”He overrode her. “Idon’tgiveagoodgoddamnwhat you wish. If youthink I don’t have power,you’re sadly mistaken.

Why else does the Clavewant me dead?” Bluffinggrimly, he rasped, “Askyour men what happenedwhen they attacked mycompanion.”The narrowing of hereyesrevealedthatshehadalready been apprised ofVain’s apparentinvulnerability.“I’ll make a deal withyou,”hewenton,denying

hertimetothink.“I’mnotafraid of you. But I don’twant to hurt you. I canwait until you decide torelease me yourself. Ifyou’ll answer somequestions, I’ll stopbreaking this housedown.”Her eyes wandered

momentarily, returned tohis face. “You have nopower.”

“Then what are youafraidof?”She hesitated. He could

seethatshewantedtoturnaway; but his angerundermined herconfidence.Apparentlyherconfidence had alreadytaken heavy punishmentfrom some other source.After a moment, shemurmuredthickly,“Ask.”At once, he said, “You

took three prisoners—awoman named LindenAvery and twoStonedownors. Where arethey?”The Graveler did notmeet his gaze. Somehowhis question touched thecause of her distress.“Theyaregone.”“Gone?” A lurch ofdread staggered his heart.“Whatdoyoumean?”She

didnotreply.“Didyoukillthem?”“No!”Her lookwasoneof outraged hunger, thelook of a predator robbedof its prey. “It was ourright! The Stonedownorswereenemies!Theirbloodwas forfeit by right ofcapture. They possessedSunstone and lianar, alsoforfeit. And the blood oftheir companion was

forfeit as well. The friendof enemies is also anenemy.Itwasourright.“Butwewerereftofour

right,” A corrupt whinewounded her voice. “Thethree fell tous in the firstdayofthefertilesun.Andthat same night cameSantoninna-Mhoram-inonhis Courser.” Hermalignantgriefwaslouderthan shouting. “In the

name of the Clave, wewere riven of that whichwas ours. Yourcompanions are nothing,Halfhand. I acceded themto the Rider withoutcompunction. They aregone to Revelstone, and Ipray that their bloodmayrotwithinthem.”Revelstone? Covenant

groaned. Hellfire! Thestrength drained from his

knees; he had to holdhimself up on thedoorframe.But the Graveler was

entranced by her ownsuffering, and did notnotice him. “Yes, and rotthe Clave as well,” shescreamed. “The Clave andall who serve the na-Mhoram. For by Santoninwewere riven also of thepower to live. The

Stonemight—!” Her teethgnashed.“WhenIdiscoverwho betrayed ourpossession of theStonemight to Santoninna-Mhoram-in, I will rendthebeatingheartfromthatbody and crush it in myhands!”Abruptly she thrust hergaze,asviolentasalance,at Covenant. “I pray yourwhite ring is such a

periapt as the Riders say.That will be ourrecompense. With yourring,Iwillbargainforthereturn of the Stonemight.Yes, and more as well.Therefore make ready todie,Halfhand.InthedawnIwillspillyourlife.Itwillgivemejoy.”Fear and loss whirledthrough Covenant,deafening him to the

Graveler’s threat, chokinghis protests in his throat.He could grasp nothingclearly except the peril ofhisfriends.Becausehehadinsisted on going intoAndelain—The Graveler turned on

her heel, strode away: hehad to struggle to gaspafter her, “When did theygo?”She did not reply. But

one of the guards saidwarily, “At the rising ofthesecondfertilesun.”Damnation! Almost two

days—! On a Courser! Asthe guards shoved himback into the hovel andretied the door, Covenantwas thinking stupidly, I’llnevercatchupwiththem.A sea of helplessness

broke over him. He wasimprisoned here while

every degree of the sun,every heartbeat of time,carried his companionscloser to death. Sunderhad said that the Earthwas a prison for a-JerothoftheSevenHells,butthatwasnot true: itwas a jailfor him alone, ThomasCovenant the Incapable. IfStonemight Woodhelvenhad released him at thismoment, he would not

havebeenabletosavehisfriends.And the Woodhelven

would not release him;that thought penetratedhis dismay slowly. Theyintended to kill him. Atdawn. Tomake use of hisblood. He unclenched hisfists,raisedhishead.Looking through the

walls, he saw that thecanyon had already fallen

into shadow. Sunset wasnear; evening approachedlike a leper’s fate. Madanguishurgedhim tohurlhimself against theweakened door; but thefutility of that actionrestrainedhim.Inhisfeverfor escape, for the powerto redeem what he haddone to his companions,he turned to his weddingband.

Huddling there againstthe wall in the gatheringdusk, he consideredeverything he knew aboutwild magic, rememberedeverything that had evergiven rise to white fire.Buthe foundnohope.Hehad told Linden the truth:in all his past experience,every exertion of wildmagic had been triggeredby the proximity of some

other power. His finalconfrontation with LordFoulwouldhave ended infailure and Desecration ifthe Despiser’s ownweapon,theIllearthStone,had not been so mighty,had not raised such apotent response from thewhitegold.YetLindenhadtoldhim

that in his delirium atCrystalStonedownhisring

had emitted light evenbefore the Rider had putforth power. He clung tothat idea. High LordMhoram had once said tohim,Youarethewhitegold.Perhaps the need for atriggeraroseinhim,inhisown unresolvedreluctance, rather than inthe wild magic itself. Ifthatweretrue—Covenant settled into a

more comfortable positionand composed his turmoilwith an effort of will.Deliberately he began tosearch his memory, hispassions, his need, for thekey which had unlockedwild magic in his battlewithLordFoul.He remembered the

completeness of hisabjection, theextremityofhis peril. He remembered

vividly the cruelty withwhich the Despiser hadwracked him, striving tocompel the surrender ofhis ring. He rememberedthe glee with which LordFoul had envisioned theLand as a cesspit ofleprosy.Andheremembered theawakening of his rage forlepers, for victims anddestitution.Thatpassion—

clearandpurebeyondanyfuryhehadeverfelt—hadcarriedhimintotheeyeofthe paradox, the place ofpower between conflictingimpossibilities: impossibleto believe the Land real;impossible to refuse theLand’s need. Anchored bythe contradiction itself,made strong by rage, hehad faced Lord Foul, andhadprevailed.

He remembered it all,re-experienced it with anintensity that wrung hisheart. And from hisintensity he fashioned acommand for the wildmagic—acommandoffire.The ring remained inert

onthesecondfingerofhishalf-hand. It was barelyvisibleinthedimness.Despairtwistedhisguts;

but he repressed it,

clenched his purpose inbothhandslikeastranglesTrigger, he panted.Proximity. Bearingmemorylikeanintaglioofflameinhismind,heroseto his feet and confrontedtheonlyexternalsourceofpower available to him.Swinging his half-fistthrough a tight arc, hestruck Vain in thestomach.

Pain shot through hishand; red bursts likeexploding carbunclesstaggered across hismind.But nothing happened.Vain did not even look athim. If the Demondim-spawn contained power,he held it at a depthCovenantcouldnotreach.“God damn it!”

Covenant spat, clutchinghis damaged hand and

shaking with useless ire.“Don’t you understand?They’regoingtokillme!”Vain did not move. His

black featureshadalreadydisappeared in thedarkness.“Damnation.” With an

effortthatmadehimwantto weep, Covenant foughtdownhispointlessurgetosmash his hands againstVain. “Those ur-viles

probably lied toFoamfollower. You’reprobably just going tostand there and watchthemcutmythroat.”But sarcasm could notsave him.His companionswereinsuchperilbecausehe had left themdefenseless. AndFoamfollower had beenkilled in the cataclysm ofCovenant’s struggle with

the Illearth Stone.Foamfollower, who haddone more to heal theDespiser’sillthananywildmagic—killed becauseCovenantwastoofrailandextreme to find any otheranswer. He sank to thefloorlikearuinovergrownwith old guilt, and sattheredumblyrepeatinghislast hope until exhaustiondraggedhimintoslumber.

Twice he awakened,pulse hammering, heartaflame, from dreams ofLinden wailing for him.After the second, he gaveup sleep; he did notbelievehe couldbear thatnightmare a third time.Pacing around Vain, hekept vigil among hisinadequaciesuntildawn.Gradually the eastern

sky began to etiolate. The

canyon walls detachedthemselvesfromthenight,and were left behind likedeposits of darkness.Covenant heard peoplemoving outside the hut,andbracedhimself.Feetcameuptheladder;

hands fumbled at thelashings.When the vine dropped

free, he slammed hisshoulder against the door,

knockingtheguardofftheladder.Atonce,hesprangtotheground,triedtoflee.But he had misjudged

theheightof thestilts.Helanded awkwardly,plunged headlong into aknot of men beyond thefoot of the ladder.Somethingstruckthebackof his head, triggeringvertigo. He lost control ofhislimbs.

Themenyankedhim tohis feet by the arms andhair. “You are fortunatethe Graveler desires youwakeful,” one of themsaid. “Else I would teachyour skull the hardness ofmy club.” Dizzinessnumbed Covenant’s legs;the canyon seemed tosuffer from nystagmus.The Woodhelvenninhauled him away like a

collectionofdisarticulatedbones.They took him towardthe north end of thecanyon. Perhaps fifty orsixtypacesbeyondthelasthouse,theystopped.Averticalcracksplitthestone under his feet.Wedged into it was aheavywoodenpost,nearlytwicehisheight.He groaned sickly and

tried to resist. But hewashelpless.The men turned him so

that he faced the village,then bound his armsbehind the post. Hemadea feeble effort to kick atthem; they promptlylashedhisanklesaswell.When they were done,

theyleftwithoutaword.As the vertigo faded,

and his muscles began to

recover, he gagged onnausea; but his guts weretoo empty to releaseanything.The houses were

virtually invisible, lost inthe gloaming of thecanyon. But after amoment he realized thatthe post had been placedwith great care. A deepgap marked the easternwall above him; and

through it camea slashofdawn. He would be thefirst thing in StonemightWoodhelventoreceivethesun.Moments passed.

Sunlight descended likethebladeofanaxetowardhishead.Though he was

protected by his boots,dread ached in his bones.His pulse seemed to beat

behindhiseyeballs.The light touched his

hair,hisforehead,hisface.While theWoodhelven layintwilight,heexperiencedthe sunrise like anannunciation. The sunwore a corona of lightbrown haze. A breath ofaridheatblewacrosshim.Damnation, he

muttered. Bloodydamnation.

Astheglarecoveredhismien, blinding him to theWoodhelven, a rain ofsharppebblesbegantofallon him. Scores of peoplethrewsmallstonesathim.He squeezed his eyesshut,borethepainasbesthecould.When the pebblesstopped, he looked upagain and saw theGraveler approaching out

ofthedarkness.She held a long, ironknife, single-edged andhiltless. The black metalappeared baleful in hergrasp. Her visage had notlost its misery; but it alsowore a corrupt exaltationwhich he could notdistinguishfrommadness.Twenty paces or morebehind the Graveler stoodVain, The Woodhelvennin

hadwrappedhiminheavyvines, trying to restrainhim; but he seemedunaware of his bonds. Heheldhimselfbeyondreachas if he had come simplytowatchCovenantdie.But Covenant had no

time to think about Vain.The Graveler demandedhis attention. “Now,” sherasped. “Recompense. Iwill shed your life, and

yourbloodwillraisewaterfor the Woodhelven.” Sheglanced down at thenarrowcrevice,“Andwithyour white ring we willbuy back our StonemightfromtheClave.”Clutching his dismally-

rehearsed hope, Covenantasked, “Where’s yourorcrest?”“Orcrest?” she returned

suspiciously.

“YourSunstone.”“Ah,” she breathed,

“Sunstone. The Redespeaks of such matters.”Bitternesstwistedherface.“Sunstone is permitted—yet we were reft of ourStonemight.Itisnotjust!”She eyed Covenant as ifshe were anticipating thetaste of his blood. “I havenoSunstone,Halfhand.”No Sunstone? Covenant

gasped inwardly. He hadhoped with that to ignitehis ring. But the Gravelerhad no Sunstone. NoSunstone. The desert sunshone on him like thebright, hot flood whichhad borne him into theLand. Invisible vulture-wingsbeatabouthishead—heartstrokesofinsanity.He could barely thrust hisvoice through the noise.

“How can—? I thoughtevery Graveler needed aSunstone.” He knew thiswas not true, but hewanted to make her talk,delay her.He had alreadybeen stabbed once: anysimilar blowwould surelyend him. “How else canyouworktheSunbane?”“It is arduous,” sheadmitted, though thehungerinhergazedidnot

blink.“Imustmakeuseofthe Rede. The Rede!”Abruptly she spat into thecrack at her feet. “Forgenerations StonemightWoodhelven has had noneed of such knowledge.FromGraveler toGravelerthe Stonemight has beenhanded down, andwith itwe made life! Without it,wemustgropeforsurvivalaswemay.”

The sun sent sweattrickling throughCovenant’s beard, downthemiddleofhisback.Hisbonds cut off thecirculation in his arms,tugged pain into hisshoulders. He had toswallow several times toclear his throat. “What isit?TheStonemight?”His question reached

her. He saw at once that

shecouldnotrefusetotalkabout the Stonemight. Anauseaofloveorlustcameintoher face.She loweredher knife; her eyes losttheir focus on him.“Stonemight,” shebreathed ardently. “Ah,the Stonemight.” Herbreasts tightened underher green robe as if shewere rememberingrapture. “It is power and

glory,wealthandcomfort.A stone of dearestemerald, alight withpossibility and coldbeyond the touch of anystone. That such might iscontained in so small andlovely a periapt! For theStonemight is no largerthan my palm. It is flat,and sharp of edge, like aflakestrickenfromalargerstone. And it is admirable

beyondprice.”She went on, unable torein the rush of herentrancement. ButCovenantlostherwordsina flashof intuitivehorror.Suddenly he was certainthat the talisman shedescribed was a fragmentoftheIllearthStone.That conviction blazedthrough him like appalledlightning. It explained so

many things: the ruinedcondition of this region;the easiness of theWoodhelven’s life; thegratuitous violence of thepeople; the Graveler’sobsession. For the IllearthStonewastheveryessenceof corruption, a bane somalignant that he hadbeen willing to sacrificeFoamfollower’slifeaswellas his own in order to

extirpatethatevilfromtheLand. For a moment ofdismay,hebelievedhehadfailedtodestroytheStone,that the Illearth StoneitselfwasthesourceoftheSunbane.But then another

explanation occurred tohim. At one time, theDespiserhadgiveneachofhis Ravers a piece of theStone.OneoftheseRavers

had marched to do battleagainsttheLords,andhadbeen met here, at thesouthwest corner ofAndelain—met and heldfor several days. Perhapsin that conflict a flake ofthe Raver’s Stone hadfallen undetected amongthe hills, and hadremained there, exertingits spontaneousdesecration, until some

unhappy Woodhelvenninhadstumbledacrossit.But that did not matter

now. A Rider had takenthe Stonemight. ToRevelstone. SuddenlyCovenant knew that hehad to live, had to reachRevelstone. To completethe destruction of theIllearth Stone. So that hispast pain andFoamfollower’s death

would not have been fornothing.The Graveler wassobbing avidly, “May theyrot!”Sheclenchedthehaftof her knife like a spike.“Be damned tointerminable torment forbereaving me! I cursethem from the depths ofmyheart and theabyssofmy anguish!” She jerkedthe knife above her head.

Thebladeglintedkeenandevil in thedesert sun. Shehad lost all awareness ofCovenant; her gaze wasbent inward on a savagevisionoftheClave.“Iwillslayyouall!”Covenant’s shout torehis throat. In horror anddesperation, he yelled,“Nekhrimah, Vain! Saveme.”The Graveler paid no

heed.Withthewholeforceofherbody,shedroveherknifeathischest.But Vain moved. While

thebladearcedthroughitsswing, he shrugged hisarmsfreeofthebindings.Hewastoofaraway,too

late—From a distance of

twentypaces,heclosedhisfist.Her arms froze in mid-

plunge. The knife tipstrained at the center ofCovenant’s shirt; but shecould not complete theblow.He watched wildly as

Vain approached theGraveler.Withthebackofhis hand, Vain struck her.Shecrumpled.Bloodburstfromhermouth.Asitran,she twitched once, thenlaystill.

Vain ignored her. Hegestured at the post, andthe wood sprang intosplinters. Covenant fell;but Vain caught him, sethimonhisfeet.Covenant allowed

himself no time to think.Shedding splinters andvines, he picked up theknife, thrust it into hisbelt. His arms feltferocious with the return

of circulation. His heartlabored acutely. But heforcedhimselfforward.Heknew that if he did notkeep moving he wouldcollapse in an outrage ofreaction.Hestrodeamongthe paralyzedWoodhelvennin back intothe village, and enteredthe first large house hereached.Hiseyes tookamoment

to pierce the dimness.Then he made out theinterior of the room. Thethings he sought hung onthe walls: a woven-vinesack of bread, a leatherpouch containing somekind of liquid. He hadtaken them before henoticedawomansittinginone of the corners. Sheheldherselfsmallandstillin an effort to protect the

babysuckingatherbreast.He unstopped the pouchandswalloweddeeply.Theliquid had a cloying taste,but itwashed someof thegall from his throat.Roughly he addressed thewoman.“Whatisit?”In a tiny voice, sheanswered,“Metheglin.”“Good.”Hewent to thedoor, then halted to raspather,“Listentome.This

world’s going to change.Not just here—not justbecause you lost yourbloody Stonemight. ThewholeLand is going tobedifferent. You’ve got tolearn to live like humanbeings. Without all thissickkilling.”Asheleftthehouse,the

babystartedcrying.

FOURTEEN:Pursuit

He moved brusquelyamong the stupefiedWoodhelvennin. Thebaby’s crying was like aspur in the air; the menandwomenbegantoshift,blink their eyes, glancearound. In moments, theywould recover enough toact.AshereachedVain,hemuttered, “Come on. Let’s

get out of here,” andstrode away toward thenorthendofthecanyon.Vainfollowed.The sunrise litCovenant’s path. Thecanyon lay crookedlybeyond him, and its rimsbegan to draw together,narrowing until it waslittle more than a deepsheer ravine. He marchedthere without a backward

look, clinched by the oldintransigentstrictureofhisillness. His friends werealready twodaysaheadofhim,andtravelingswiftly.Shouts started to echo

along the walls: anger,fear, loss. But he did notfalter. Borne on the backof a Courser, Linden andthe two Stonedownorsmight easily reachRevelstonetendaysbefore

him.Hecouldconceiveofno way to catch up withthem in time to do themanygood.But leprosywasalso a form of despair forwhichtherewasnoearthlycure; and he had learnedtoendureit,tomakealifeforhimselfinspiteofit,bystationing himself in theeye of the paradox,affirming the acceptablehumanity of all the

contradictions—and bylocking his soul in themost rigid possiblediscipline. The sameresources enabled him toface the futile pursuit ofhisfriends.And he had one scant

reasonforhope.TheClavehaddecreedhisdeath,notLinden’s, Sunder’s,Hollian’s. Perhaps hiscompanions would be

spared, held hostage, sothat they could be usedagainsthim.LikeJoan.Heclung to that thought,andstrodedownthenarrowingcanyontothetightbeatofhiswill.The shouts rose to a

crescendo, then stoppedabruptly. In the frenzy oftheir loss, some of theWoodhelvennin set outafter him. But he did not

lookback,didnotalterhispace. The canyon wasconstrictedenoughnowtoprevent his pursuers fromreaching himwithout firstpassing Vain. He trustedthat the Demondim-spawnwould prove toointimidating for theWoodhelvennin.Momentslater,heheardbare feet slapping stone,echoing. Apprehension

knotted his shoulders. Toeasehimself,heattemptedabluff.“Vain!”heshoutedwithout turning his head.“Killthefirstonewhotriestogetpastyou!”Hiswordsdanced between the wallslikeathreatofmurder.But the runners did not

hesitate. They were liketheir Graveler, addicts oftheIllearthStone;violencewas their only answer to

loss. Their savage criestold Covenant that theywereberserk.Thenext instant, oneof

them screamed hideously.The others scrambled to ahalt.Covenantwhirled.Vain stood facing the

Woodhelvennin—five ofthem, the nearest still tenpaces away. That mankneltwithhisbackarched

andstraining,blackagonyin his face. Vain clenchedhis fist toward the man.With a wrench, he bursttheman’sheart.“Vain!”Covenantyelled.

“Don’t—! I didn’t meanit!”The next

Woodhelvenninwasfifteenpaces away. Vain made aclawinggesture.Theman’sface,thewholefrontofhis

skull, tore open, spillingbrainsandgoreacross thestone.“Vain!”But Vain had not yet

satisfied Covenant’scommand. Knees slightlybent, he confronted thethree remaining men.Covenant howled at themto flee; but theberserkergang was onthem, and they could not

flee. Together they hurledthemselvesatVain.He swept them into his

embrace, and began tocrushthemwithhisarms.Covenant leaped at

Vain’s back. “Stop!” Hestrove to pry Vain’s headback,forcehimtoeasehisgrip.“Youdon’thavetodothis!”ButVainwasgraniteand unreachable. Hesqueezed until the men

lost the power to scream,to breathe. Their ribsbroke like wet twigs.Covenantpoundedhisfuryat the Demondim-spawn;but Vain did not releasethe men until they weredead.Then in panic Covenantsaw a crowd ofWoodhelvennin surgingtoward him. “No!” hecried, “get back!” and the

echoes ran like terrordown the canyon. But thepeopledidnotstop.He could not think of

anythingelsetodo.HeleftVain and fled. The onlywayhecouldpreventVainfrom butchering morepeople was by savinghimself, completing thecommand. Desperately hedashedaway, running likethevirulenceofhiscurses.

Soon the rims of thecanyon closed above him,forming a tunnel. But thelight behind him and theglowat the far endof thepassage enabled him tokeepuphispace.Theloudreiteration of his bootsdeafened him to thesoundsofpursuit.When he cast a glance

backward, he saw Vainthere, matching his speed

withouteffort.After some distance, he

reachedsunlightinthedryriverbed of the Mithil.Panting raggedly, hehalted, rested against thebank.As soonashe couldmuffle his respiration, helistened at the tunnel; butheheardnothing.Perhapsfive corpses were enoughto check the extremity ofthe Woodhelvennin. With

rage fulminating in hisheart,heswungonVain.“Listen tome,” he spat.

“I don’t care how bad itgets. If you ever dosomething like that again,IsweartoGodI’lltakeyouback where I found you,and you and your wholebloody purpose can justrot!”But the Demondim-

spawn looked as blank as

stone. He stood with hiselbows slightly bent, hiseyes unfocused, andbetrayed no awareness ofCovenant’sexistence.“Sonofabitch,” Covenant

muttered. Deliberately heturned away from Vain.Grittinghiswill,heforcedhis anger into anotherchannel, translated it intostrength for what he hadto do. Then he went to

climb the north bank oftheMithil.The sack of bread and

the pouch of metheglinhamperedhim,makingtheascent difficult; but whenhe gained the edge andstopped, he did not stopbecause he was tired. Hewashaltedbytheeffectofthe desert sun on themonstrousvegetation.The River was dry. He

had noticed that factwithout pausing toconsider it. But heconsidered it now. As faras he could see, grass ashighashouses, shrubs thesize of hillocks, forests ofbracken,treesthatpiercedthe sky—all had alreadybeenreducedtoanecroticgray sludge lying thigh-deepovereverycontouroftheterrain.

The brown-clad sunmeltedeveryformofplantfiber, desiccated everydrop of sap or juice,sublimatedeverythingthatgrew. Every wood andgreen and fertile thingsimplyrandownitselflikespilth, making one turgidpuddlewhichtheSunbanesucked away as if the airwere inhaling sludge.When he stepped into the

muck in order to find outwhether or not he couldtravel under theseconditions, hewas able tosee the level of the viscidslop declining. It left adead gray stain on hispants.Themucksickenedhim.

Involuntarily he delayed.To clear his throat, hedrank some of themetheglin, then chewed

slowly at half a loaf ofunleavened bread as hewatched the sludgeevaporate. But thepressureinhimwouldnotlet him wait long. As theslopsank to themiddleofhis shins, he took a finalswig ofmetheglin, stoppedthe pouch, and beganslogging northwestwardtoward Revelstone, elevenscoreleaguesdistant.

The heat wastremendous. Bymidmorning, the groundwasbareandturningarid;thehorizonshadbegun toshimmer, collapsing in onCovenant as if the desertsunshranktheworld.Nowthere was nothing tohinder his progress acrossthe waste of the CenterPlains—nothing exceptlight as eviscerating as

fire,andairwhichseemedto wrench the moisturefrom his flesh, and giddyheatwaves,andSunbane.He locked his facetoward Revelstone,marched as if neither sunnor wilderland had thepower to daunt him. Butdust and dryness cloggedhisthroat.Bynoon,hehademptied half his leatherpouch. His shirt was dark

with sweat. His foreheadfelt blistered, flushed bychills. The haze affectedhis balance, so that hestumbled even while hislegs were still strongenough to be steady. Andhis strength did not last;the sun leeched it fromhim, despite hisimprovident consumptionofbreadandmetheglin.For a time, indecision

cloudedhismind.HisonlyhopeofgainingonLindenlay in traveling day andnight without letup. If heactedrationally,journeyedonly at night while thedesert sun lasted, then theRider’s Courser wouldincrease the distancebetween them every day.But he could not endurethis pace. The hammer ofthe Sunbane was beating

his endurance thinner andthinner; at confusedmoments, he felttranslucentalready.When his brain becameso giddy that he foundhimself wondering if hecould ask Vain to carryhim, he acknowledged hislimitations. In a flinch oflucidity, he saw himselfclinging to Vain’sshoulders while the

Demondim-spawn stoodmotionless under the sunbecauseCovenantwasnotmoving.Bitterlyheturnednortheast towardAndelain.Heknewthatthemarge

of Andelain ran roughlyparallel to his direct pathtoward Revelstone; so intheHillshewouldbeableto stay near the route theRidermusthavetaken.Yet

Andelain was enough outof his way to gall him.From the Hills he mightnot be able to catch sightof Linden and hercompanions, even if bysomepieceofgoodfortunetheRiderwasdelayed;andthe rumpled terrain ofAndelain might slow him.Butthechoicewasnotoneof speed: not under thissun. InAndelainhemight

atleastreachtheSoulseaseRiveralive.And perhaps, hethought, trying toencourage himself,perhaps even a Rider oftheClave could not travelswiftlythroughthevariousavatars of the Sunbane.Clenching that idea in hissore throat, he angled inthedirectionoftheHills.With Vain striding

impassively behind him,he crossed into lushnessshortlybeforedusk. Inhisbitterness, he did notrejoice to be back withinthe Land’s last bastion ofhealth and Law; but thespring of the turf and thevitality of the alianthaaffectedhimlikerejoicing.Strength flowed back intohisveins;hissightcleared;his rawmouth and throat

begantoheal.Throughthegold-orangeemblazonryofthesunset,hestiffenedhispace and headed grimlyalong the skirts of theHills.Allthatnight,hedidnot

stop for more than scantmoments at a time.SustainedbyAndelain,hisbody bore the mercilessdemand of his will. Themoonwastoonewtogive

him aid; but few treesgrew along the edges ofthe Hills and, under anopen sky, star-glistersufficed to light his way.Drinking metheglin andchewing bread for energy,hestalkedthehillsidesandthevales.Whenhispouchwas empty, he discardedit.Andatalltimeshisgazewas turned westward,searching the Plains for

any sign of a fire whichmight indicate, beyondhope or chance, that theRider and his prisonerswerestillwithinreach.Bydawn, he was twentyleagues from StonemightWoodhelven, and stillmarching, as if by sheerstubbornness he hadabrogatedhismortality.But he could not make

himself immune to

exhaustion. In spite ofaliantha and clear springwater, bounteous grassandairasvitalasanelixir,his exertions eroded himlikeleprosy.Hehadpassedhis limits, and travelednow on borrowedendurance—staminawrested by plainintransigence from theruinous usury of time.Eventually he came to

believe that the end wasnear, waiting to ambushhim at the crest of everyrise,atthebottomofeveryslope. Then his heart roseupinhimand,becausehewas ThomasCovenant theUnbeliever, responsiblebeyond any exculpationfortheoutcomeofhislife,hebegantorun.Staggering, stumblingatevery third stride, he

lumbered northwest,always northwest, withinthemargeofAndelain,anddid not count the cost.Only one concession didhe make to his wrackedbreathing and tornmuscles: he ate treasure-berriesfromeveryalianthahe passed, and threw theseeds out into thewasteland.Throughouttheday he ran, though by

midafternoonhispacewasnobetterthanawalk;andthroughout the day Vainfollowed, matching stridefor stride with his owninvulnerability theexhaustion whichcrumbledCovenant.Shortly after dark,Covenantbroke.Hemissedhis footing, fell,andcouldnot rise. His lungsshuddered for air, but he

was not aware of them.Everything in his chestseemed numb, beyondhelp.He lay stunneduntilhispulseslowedtoa limpand his lungs stoppedshivering.Thenheslept.He was awakened nearmidnightbythetouchofacold hand on his soul. Achill that resembledregretmore than fear ranthroughhim.Hejerkedup

hishead.Three silver forms likedistilled moonlight stoodbefore him. When he hadsqueezed the blur ofprostration from his sight,herecognizedthem.Lena,thewomanhehadraped.Atiaran and Trell, herparents.Trell—tall,bluff,mightyTrell—had been deeply

hurtbytheharmCovenanthad done to Lena and bythe damage Atiaran hadinflicted on herself in herefforts to serve the Landby saving her daughter’srapist. But the crowninganguishofhislife,thepainwhich had finallyunbalanced his mind, hadbeendealthimbytheloveElena Lena-daughter boreforCovenant.

Atiaran had sacrificedall her instincts, all herhard-won sense ofrectitude, for Covenant’ssake;shehadbelievedhimnecessary to the Land’ssurvival. But theimplications of that self-injuryhadcostherherlifeintheend.And Lena—ah, Lena!

She had lived on foralmost fifty years, serene

in the mad belief thatCovenant would returnandmarry her. Andwhenhe had returned—whenshe had learned that hewas responsible for thedeathofElena,thathewasthe cause of the immensetorment of the Ranyhynshe adored—she had yetchosen to sacrifice herselfin an attempt to save hislife.

She did not appearbefore him in theloveliness of youth, butrather in the brittlecaducity of age; and hisworn heart cried out toher. He had paid everyprice he could find in anextravagant effort torectify his wrongs; but hehad never learned to shedtheburdenofremorse.Trell, Atiaran, Lena. In

eachoftheirfaces,hereada reproach as profound ashumanpaincouldmakeit.Butwhen Lena spoke, shedid not derogate him.“Thomas Covenant, youhave stressed yourselfbeyond theabilityofyourbody. If you sleep further,it may be that Andelainwillspareyoufromdeath,but you will not awakenuntil a day has been lost.

Perhapsyour spirithasnobounds. Still you are notwisetopunishyourselfso.Arise! You must eat andmoveabout,lestyourfleshfailyou.”“It is truth,” Atiaranadded severely. “Youpunish yourself for theplightofyourcompanions.But such castigation is adoom which achievesitself. Appalling yourself

thus, you ensure that youwill fail to redeem yourcompanions. And failuredemonstrates yourunworth. In punishingyourself, you come tomerit punishment. This isDespite, Unbeliever. Ariseandeat.”Trell did not speak. Buthis mute stare wasunarguable. Humblybecauseofwhotheywere,

andbecauseherecognizedwhat they said, Covenantobeyed. His body wept inevery joint and thew; buthe could not refuse hisDead. Tears ran down hisfaceasheunderstoodthatthese three—people whoinlifehadhadmorecauseto hate him than anyoneelse—had come to himhereinordertohelphim.Lena’s arm pointed

silver toward a nearbyaliantha. “Eat every berry.If you falter, we willcompelyou.”He obeyed, ate all theripe fruit he could find inthe darkness with hisnumb fingers. Then, tearscold on his cheeks, he setoff once again in thedirection of Revelstonewith his Dead about himlikeacortege.

Atfirst,everystepwasatorment. But slowly hecametofeelthewisdomofwhat his Dead requiredhim todo.His heart grewgradually steadier; theache of his breathingreceded as his musclesloosened. None of thethreespectresspokeagain,and he had neither thetemerity nor the staminatoaddressthem.Insilence,

the meager processionwound its argent, ghostlyway along the border ofAndelain. For a long timeafterhisweeping stopped,Covenant went onshedding grief inwardlybecause his ills wereirrevocable, and he couldnever redeem the miseryhe had given Trell,Atiaran,andLena.Never.Before dawn, they left

him—turned abruptlyawaytoward thecenterofAndelainwithoutallowinghim an opportunity tothank them. This heunderstood; perhaps nogall would have been asbitter to them as thethanks of the Unbeliever.So he said nothing of hisgratitude. He stood facingtheir departure like asalute, murmuring

promises in his heart.When their silver hadfaded, he continued alongthepathofhispurpose.Dawn and a fresh, gay

brook, which lay likemusic across his track,gavehimnewstrength;hewas able to amend hispace until it bore someresemblance to his earlierprogress.WithVainalwaysbehindhimlikeadetached

shadow,hespentthethirdday of the desert suntraveling Andelain asswiftlyashecouldwithoutriskinganothercollapse.That evening, hestopped soon after sunset,under the shelter of ahoarywillow.Heateafewaliantha, finished the lastof his bread, then spentsome time seatedwith hisbacktothetrunk.Thetree

stood high above thePlains, and he sat facingwestward, studying theopen expanse of the nightwithout hope, almostwithout volition, becausethe plight of hiscompanions did not allowhimtorelax.The first blink of firesnatched him instantly tohisfeet.The flame vanished as

suddenly as it hadappeared. But a momentlateritrecurred.Thistime,it caught. After severaltentative flickers, itbecamesteady.Itwasduewestofhim.In the darkness, he

could not estimate thedistance. And he knewlogically that it could notbeasignofLindenandtheStonedownors; surely a

Rider could travel fartherthan this on a Courser infive days. But he did nothesitate.GesturingtoVain,hestarteddownthehill.Thepressurewithinhimmounted at every stride.As he crossed out ofAndelain, he was movingat a lope. The firepromptly disappearedbeyond a rise in theground. But he had the

direction firmly fixed inhis mind. Across theSunbane-ruined earth hewent with alacrity andclenched breath, like aman eager to confront hisdoom.He had covered half aleague before he glimpsedthe fire again. It laybeyond still another rise.But he was close enoughnow to see that it was

large. As he ascended thesecond rise, heremembered caution andslowed his pace. Climbingthe last way in a stealthycrouch,hecarefullypeeredovertheridge.There:thefire.Holding his breath, hescanned the area aroundtheblaze,From the ridge, theground sloped sharply,

thensweptawayinalongshallow curve for severalhundred feet beforecurling steeply upward toform a wide escarpment.Inaplaceroughlyoppositehisposition,thecontourofthe ground and theoverhang of theescarpment combined tomake a depression like abowl half-buried on edgeagainst the wall of the

higherterrain.The fire burned in this

verticalconcavity.Thehalfbowlreflectedmuchofthelight,but thedistancestillobscured some details. Hecould barely see that thefire blazed in a long,narrow mound of wood.The mound lay aimedtoward the heart of thebowl; and the fire hadobviously been started at

the end away from theescarpment, so that, asnew wood caught flame,the blaze moved into thebowl. Half the length ofthe woodpile had alreadybeenconsumed.The surrounding areawas deserted. Covenantdescried no sign ofwhoever had contrivedsuch a fire. Yet thearrangement was

manifestly premeditated.Except for the hunger oftheflames,aneeriesilencelayoverthePlains.A figure snagged thecorner of Covenant’svision.Heturned,andsawVain standing beside him.The Demondim-spawnmade no attempt toconceal himself below theridge.“Idiot!” whispered

Covenant fiercely. “Getdown!”Vain paid no attention.

He regarded the fire withthesameblind,ambiguoussmile that he had wornwhile traveling throughAndelain. Or while killingthe people of StonemightWoodhelven. Covenantgrabbed at his arm; butVainwasimmovable.Through his teeth,

Covenant muttered,“Damn you, anyway.Someday you’re going tobethedeathofme.”When he looked backtoward the fire, it hadmoved noticeably towardthe escarpment, and thebowlwasbrighter.With asuddenrushofdismay,hesaw that the mound ofwood ended in a pilearoundanuprightstakeas

tallandheavyasaman.Someone or somethingwastiedtothestake.Tiedalive.The indistinct figurewasstruggling.Hell and blood!Covenant instinctivelyrecognized a trap. For amoment, he wasparalyzed. He could notdepart, leave that boundfigure to burn. And hecouldnotapproachcloser.

An abominable purposewas at work here, malicedesigned to snarehim—orsomeone else equallyvulnerable. Someone else?That question had noanswer. But as he grittedhimself, trying to squeezea decision out of hisparalysis, he rememberedMhoram’s words: It bootsnothing to avoid his snares—

Abruptly he rose to hisfeet. “Stay here,” hebreathed at Vain. “Nosense both of us gettinginto trouble.” Then hewent down the slope andstrode grimly toward thefire.Vain followed as usual.

Covenant could hardlykeep from raging at theDemondim-spawn. But hedidnotstop.

As he neared theescarpment,thefirebeganto lick at the woodpilearoundthestake.Hebrokeintoarun.Inmoments,hewas within the bowl andstaring at the bait of thetrap.The creature bound tothe stake was one of theWaynhim.Like the ur-viles, theWaynhim were

Demondim-spawn. Exceptfor their gray skin andsmaller stature, theyresembled the ur-vilesclosely. Their hairlessbodieshadlongtrunksandshort limbs,withthearmsandlegsmatchedinlengthsothatthecreaturescouldrunonall foursaswellaswalk erect. Their pointedearssathighontheirbaldskulls; their mouths were

likeslits.Andtheyhadnoeyes; they used scentinstead of vision. Widenostrils gaped in thecentersoftheirfaces.As products of the

Demondim, the Waynhimwere lore-wise andcunning. But, unlike theirblack kindred, they hadbroken with Lord Foulafter the Ritual ofDesecration.Covenanthad

heardthattheWaynhimasa race served the Landaccording to their privatestandards;buthehadseennothing more of themsince his last stay atRevelstone, when aWaynhim had escapedfrom Foul’s Creche tobring the Councilword ofLordFoul’spower.The creature before

Covenant now was in

tremendous pain. Its skinwasraw.Darkbloodoozedfrom scores of lash-marks.Oneof itsarmsbentatanangleofagony,anditsleftearhadbeenrippedaway.But it was conscious. Itshead followed hisapproach, nostrilsquivering. When hestopped to consider itssituation, it strainedtoward him, begging for

rescue.“Hang on,” he rasped,thoughhedidnotknowifthe creature couldunderstand him. “I’ll getyou out.” Fuming inoutrage, he began toscatter the wood, kickingdeadboughsandbrushoutof his way as he reachedtowardthestake.But then the creatureseemed to become aware

of a new scent. Perhaps itcaught the smell of hiswedding ring. He knewthat Demondim-spawnwere capable of suchperceptions.Itburstintoafit of agitation, beganbarking in its harsh,guttural tongue. Urgencyfilled its voice. Covenantgrasped none of itslanguage;butheheardonewordwhichsentachillof

apprehension down hisspine.Againandagain,theWaynhim barked,“Nekhrimah!”Bloody hell! The

creaturewastryingtogiveVain some kind ofcommand.Covenant did not stop.

The creature’s desperationbecamehis.Heavingwoodaside,heclearedapathtothe stake. At once, he

snatched the Graveler’sknife from his belt andbegan to slash the vinesbindingtheWaynhim.In a moment, the

creature was free.Covenant helped it limpout of the woodpile.Immediately, the creatureturned on Vain, emitted astream of language like acurse. Then it grabbedCovenant’sarmandtugged

himawayfromthefire.Southward.“No.” He detached his

arm with difficulty.Though the Waynhimprobably could notcomprehend him, he triedto explain. “I’m goingnorth. I’ve got to get toRevelstone.”The creature let out a

muffled cry as if it knewthe significance of that

word Revelstone. With aswiftness which belied itsinjuries, it scuttled out ofthebowlalong the lineoftheescarpment.Amomentlater, it had vanished inthedarkness.Covenant’s dread

mounted. What had theWaynhimtriedtotellhim?Ithadinfectedhimwithavividsenseofperil.Buthedidnotintendtotakeeven

onestepthatincreasedthedistance between him andLinden. His onlyalternative was to flee asquickly as possible. HeturnedbacktowardVain.The suddenness of thesurprisefrozehim.A man stood on theothersideofthefire.He had a ragged beardand frenzied eyes. Incontrast, his lips wore a

shy smile. “Let it be,” hesaid, nodding after theWaynhim. “We have nomore need of it.” Hemoved slowly around thefire, drawing closer toCovenantandVain.Forallits surface nonchalance,his voice was edged withhysteria.He reached Covenant’sside of the blaze. A sharpintake of air hissed

throughCovenant’steeth.The man was naked to

the waist, and his torsowas behung withsalamanders. They grewout of him likeexcrescences. Their bodiestwitched as he moved.Then:eyesglintedredlyinthe firelight, and theirjawssnapped.AvictimoftheSunbane!Remembering Marid,

Covenant brandished hisknife. “That’s closeenough,” he warned; buthis voice shook, exposinghis fear. “I don’t want tohurtyou.”“No,” the man replied,

“you do not wish to hurtme.” He grinned like afriendly gargoyle. “And Ihavenowishtohurtyou.”His hands were claspedtogetherinfrontofhimas

if they containedsomething precious. “Iwishtogiveyouagift.”Covenant groped for

anger to master his fear.“You hurt that Waynhim.You were going to kill it.What’s the matter withyou? There isn’t enoughmurder in theworld—youhavetoaddmore?”The man was not

listening. He gazed at his

hands with an expressionof mad delight. “It is awondrous gift.” Heshuffled forward as if hedid not know that hewasmoving. “Nomanbut youcan know the wonder ofit.”Covenant willed himselfto retreat; but his feetremained rooted to theground.Themanexertedahorrific fascination.

Covenant found himselfstaring involuntarily atthosehandsasiftheytrulyheldsomethingwonderful.“Behold,” the manwhispered with gentlehysteria.Slowly, carefully,like a man unveilingtreasure, he opened hishands.A small furry spider satonhispalm.Before Covenant could

flinch, recoil, do anythingto defend himself, thespiderjumped.Itlandedonhisneck.As

heslappeditaway,hefeltthetinyprickofitssting.For an instant, a

marvelouscalmcameoverhim. He watchedunperturbed as the manmoved forward as if hewere swimming throughthesuddenthicknessofthe

firelight.The soundof theblaze became woolly.Covenant hardly noticedwhen the man took awayhis knife. Vain gazed athim for no reason at all.With imponderabledelicacy, the floor of thebowlbegantotilt.Then his heart gave a

beat like the blow of asledgehammer, andeverything shattered.

Flying shards of painshreddedhisthoughts.Hisbrain had time to formonly two words: venomrelapse. After that, hisheart beat again; and hewas conscious of nothingexceptonelongrawhowl.For some time, he

wandered lorn in a mazeof anguish, gibbering forrelease. Pain waseverywhere. He had no

mind, only pain—norespiration that was notpain—no pulse which didnot multiply pain. Agonyswelled inside his rightforearm. It hurt as if hislimb were nothing but abloody stump; but thatharm was all of him,everything, his chest andbowels and head and onand on in an unbearablelitany of pain. If he

screamed,hedidnothearit; he could not hearanything except pain anddeath.Death was a dervish,vertigo, avalanche,sweeping him over theprecipice of his futility. Itwas everything he hadever striven to redeem,every pointless anguish towhich he had everstruggledtogivemeaning.

It was inconsolable griefand ineradicable guilt andsavagewrath;anditmadea small clear space oflucidityinhishead.Clinging shipwreckedthere,heopenedhiseyes.Delirium befogged hissight; gray shapesgamboledincomprehensibly acrosshis fever, threatening thelast lucidpieceofhimself.

Butherepulsedthethreat.Blinking as if themovement of his eyelidswereanactofviolence,heclearedhisvision.He was in the bowl,

bound at the stake.Heapsof firewood lay aroundhim.Flamesdancedattheedgesofthepyre.The bowl was full of

figures dancing likeflames. They capered

around the space likeghouls. Cries of blood-lustsprangoffthewallsoftheescarpment; voices shrillwith cannibalism batteredhis ears. Men withchatoyant eyes andprehensile noses leered athim. Women with adder-breasts, fingers lined byfangs, flaredpasthim likefragments of insanity,cackling for his life.

Children with hideousfacialdeformitiesandtigermaws in their belliespuked frogs andobscenities.Horror made him spin,

tearing clarity from hisgrasp. His right armblastedpainintohischest.Every nerve of that limbwas etched in agony. Foran instant, he almostdrowned.

ButthenhecaughtsightofVain.The Demondim-spawnstoodwithhisback to thePlains,regardingtheferviddancersasiftheyhadbeencreated for no otherpurpose than to amusehim. Slowly his eyesshifted across the frenzyuntiltheymetCovenant’s.“Vain!”Covenantgaspedas if he were choking on

blood.“Helpme!”In response, Vain baredhisteethinablackgrin.At the sight, Covenantsnapped.Awhiteshriekoffury exploded from hischest. Andwith his shriekcame a deflagration thatdestroyedthenight.

FIFTEEN:“BecauseYouCanSee”

No.Neveragain.After Covenant hadpassedbeyondthehillcrestinAndelain, LindenAverysat down among the deadstones,andtriedtorecoverher senseofwhoshewas.Ablackmoodwasonher.Shefeltfutileandbereftoflife, as she had so often

feltinrecentyears;allherefforts to rise above herparents had accomplishednothing. If Sunder orHollianhadspokentoher,she might have screamed,if she were able tosummontheenergy.Now that shehadmadeher decision, had struck ablow in defense of herdifficult autonomy againstCovenant’s strange power

to persuade her fromherself, she was left withthe consequences. Shecouldnotignorethem;theold and foreverunassuaged barrennessaroundherdidnotpermitthem tobe ignored.Thesedead hills climbed southand west of her,contradicting Andelain asif she had chosen deathwhenshehadbeenoffered

life.Andshewasisolatedbyher blackness. Sunder andHollian had foundcompanionship in theirmutual rejection of theHills.Their liveshadbeenso fundamentally shapedby the Sunbane that theycould not question thediscomfiture Andelaingave them. Perhaps theycould not perceive that

those lush trees andgreenswardswerehealthy.Or that health wasbeautiful.ButLindenaccepted the

attitude of theStonedownors. It wasexplicableinthecontextofthe Sunbane. Herseparateness from themdidnotdismayher.The loss of Covenant

dismayed her. She had

madeherdecision,andhehadwalkedoutofher lifeasifheweretakingallherstrength and convictionwithhim.The lightof thefertile sun had danced onthe Mithil as he passed,burning about him like arecognition of his efficacyagainst the Land’s doom.Shehadsharedtheutmostprivacyofhis life,andyethe had left her for

Andelain. And the venomwasstillinhim.She would not havebeenmorealoneifhehadrivenherofallherreasonsforliving.But she had made herdecision. She hadexperienced Covenant’sillness as if it were herown, and knew she couldnothavechosenotherwise.She preferred this lifeless

waste of stone over theloveliness of Andelainbecause she understood itbetter, could moreeffectively seal herselfagainstit.Afterhereffortsto saveCovenant, shehadvowed that she wouldneveragainexposeherselfso intimately to anything,never again permit theLand-born sensitivity ofher senses to threaten her

independent identity.Thatvow was easier to keepwhen the perceptionsagainst which she closedherheartwereperceptionsof ruin, of dead rock likethedetritusofacataclysm,ratherthanofcleanwood,aromaticgrasses,bountifulaliantha. In her privateway, she shared Hollian’sdistrust. Andelain was farmore seductive than the

stone around her. Sheknew absolutely that shecould not afford to beseduced.Lostinherolddarkness,

with her eyes and earsclosedas ifshehadnailedup shutters, barred doors,she did not understandSunder’s warning shoutuntil too late. Suddenlymenwithclubsandknivesboiledoutofhiding.They

grappled with Sunder ashe fought to raise hisponiard, his Sunstone.Lindenheardaflatthudasthey stunned him,Hollian’s arms werepinioned before her dirkcould make itself felt.Lindenleapedintomotion;but she had no chance. Aheavy blow staggered her.While she retched forbreath, her arms were

lashedbehindher.A moment later, brutal

handsdraggedherandhercompanionsawayfromtheRiver.For a time while she

gasped and stumbled, shecould not hold up herdefenses.Hersensestastedthe violence of the men,experiencing theirroughness as if it were aformofingrainedlust.She

felt the contorteddesecration of the terrain.Involuntarily she knewthat she was being takentoward the source of thedeadness, that thesepeople were creatures ofthe same force which hadkilled this region.Shehadto shut her eyes, tie hermindindireknots,tostifleherunwillingawarenessofherstraits.

Then the companionswere manhandled down anarrow crevice into thecanyon of StonemightWoodhelven.Lindenhadneverseena

Woodhelven before, andthesightofitrevoltedher.The carelessly madehomes, the slovenlypeople, the blood-eagerness of the Graveler—thesethingsdebasedthe

arduous rectitude she hadlearned to see in peoplelike Sunder and Hollian.But everything else paledwhen she caught her firstglimpse of the Graveler’ssteaming, baleful greenstone. It flooded her eyeswith ill, stung her nostrilslike virulent acid; itdwarfedeveryotherpowershe had encountered,outshone everything

except the Sunbane itself.Thatemeraldchipwasthesource of the surroundingruin, the cause of theimminent and uncaringwildness of theWoodhelvennin. Tearsblinded her. Spasmsclenched her mind like adesire to vomit. Yet shecouldnotdeafenherselftothe Graveler’s glee whenthat woman announced

her intention to slay hercaptivesthenextmorning.Then Linden and the

Stonedownors wereimpelled into a rude huton stilts, and left to facedeath as best they could.She could not resist. Shehadreachedacrisisofself-protection. This close tothe Stonemight, she wasalways aware of it. Itsemanations leeched at her

heart, sucked her towarddissolution. Rockingagainstthewall toremindherself that she stillexisted, still possessed aseparate physical identity,she repeated, No, neveragain. She iterated thewords as if they were alitany against evil, andfoughtforpreservation.Sheneededananswerto

Joan, to venom and

Ravers, to the innominatepower of the Stonemight.But the only answer shefound was to huddlewithin herself and closeher mind as if she wereone of her parents,helpless to meet life, avidfordeath.Yet when dawn came,

the door of the hut wasflung open, not by theGraveler or any of the

Woodhelvennin, but by aRider of the Clave. Thefertile sun vivified hisstark red robe, etched theoutlines of his black rukh,madethestiffthrustofhisbeard look like a gravedigger’sspade.Hewastallwith authority andunshakably confident.“Come,” he said as ifdisobedience wereimpossible.“IamSantonin

na-Mhoram-in. You aremine.”ToSunder’sglowerand Hollian’s groan, hereplied with a smile likethebladeofascimitar.Outside theWoodhelvennin stoodmoaning and pleading.The Graveler protestedabjectly. But Santonincompelled her. Weepingshe surrendered herStonemight. Another man

delivered to him theStonedownors’ Sunstone,lianar,knives.Watching the

transaction, Linden wasunable to think anythingexcept that Covenantwould return fromAndelain soon, and hiscompanions would begone.Foronemadinstant,Santonin’s smile almostdrew her to confess

Covenant’s existence; shewanted to keep him fromfalling into the hands ofStonemight Woodhelven.But Sunder and Hollianwere silent; and theirsilence reminded her thatthe Clave desiredCovenant’sdeath.Withtheremnants of her will, sheswallowed everythingwhichmightbetrayhim.After that, her will was

taken fromher altogether.Under the green doom ofthe sun, Santonin na-Mhoram-in ignited hisrukh.Coercionsprangfromthe blaze, seizedpossession of her soul. Allchoice left her. At hisword, she mountedSantonin’s Courser. Theshred of her whichremained watched Sunderand Hollian as they also

obeyed. Then Santonintook them away fromStonemight Woodhelven.AwaytowardRevelstone.Hiscontrolcouldnotbebroken. She containednothing with which shemighthaveresisted it.Fordays, she knew that sheshould attempt to escape,tofight.Butshelackedthesimple volition to lift herhands to her face or push

her hair out of her eyeswithoutSantonin’sexplicitinstructions. Whenever helooked into her dumbgaze, he smiled as if herimposed docility pleasedhim. At times, hemurmured names thatmeantnothingtoher,asifhe were mocking her:Windscour, VictuallinTayne,Andelainscion.Andyethedidnotappeartobe

corrupt. Or she was notcapable of perceiving hiscorruption.Only once did hismastery fail. Shortly aftersunrise on the first day ofa desert sun, eight daysafter their departure fromStonemightWoodhelven,asilent shout unexpectedlythrilled the air, thrilledLinden’s heart. Santonin’sholdsnappedlikeanover-

tightharpstring.As if they had beenstraining at the leash forthis moment, Sunder andHollian grappled for therukh. Linden clamped anarm-lock on Santonin,flung him to the ground,then broke awaysoutheastward in thedirectionoftheshout.Butamoment later, shefound herself wandering

almost aimlessly back toSantonin’s camp. Sunderand Hollian were packingthe Rider’s supplies.Santonin wore a fiercegrin. The triangle of hisrukh shone like blood andemerald. Soonhe tookhiscaptives on towardRevelstone, as if nothinghadhappened.Nothing had happened.

Linden knew nothing,

understood nothing, chosenothing. The Rider couldhave abused her in anywayhedesired.Shemighthavefeltnothingifhehadelected to exercise adesire. But he did not.Heseemed to have a clearsense of his own purpose.Only the anticipation inhis eyes showed that hispurposewasnotkind.After days of emptiness,

Linden would have beenglad for any purposewhichcouldrestorehertoherself.Anypurposeatall.Thomas Covenant hadceased to exist in herthoughts. Perhaps he hadceased to exist entirely.Perhaps he had neverexisted. Nothing wascertain except that sheneeded Santonin’sinstructionsinordertoput

foodinhermouth.Even the sight ofRevelstone itself, theKeepof the na-Mhoram risingfrom the high jungle of asecond fertile sun like agreatstoneship,couldnotrouse her spirit. She wasonly distantly aware ofwhat she was seeing. Thegates opened to admit theRider, closed behind hisCourser, and meant

nothing.Santonin na-Mhoram-in

was met by three or fourother figures like himself;but theygreetedhimwithrespect, as if he hadstature among them. Theyspoketohim,wordswhichLinden could notunderstand. Then hecommanded his prisonerstodismount.Linden, Sunder, and

Hollian obeyed in animmense, ill-lit hall. WithSantonin striding beforethem, they walked theways of the great Keep.Passages and chambers,stairsandjunctions,passedunmarked,unremembered.Linden moved like ahollow vessel, unable toholdanyimpressionoftheancient gut-rock.Santonin’s path had no

duration and nosignificance.Yet his purpose

remained. He brought hiscaptives to a hugechamber like a pit in thefloor of Revelstone. Itssloping sideswere blurredand blunt, as if a formergallery or arena had beenwashed with lava. At itsbottom stood a man in adeep ebony robe and a

chasuble of crimson. Hegripped a tall iron croziertopped with an opentriangle. His hood wasthrown back, exposingfeatures which were alsoblurred and blunt in thetorchlight.His presence piercedLinden’s remaining scrapofidentitylikeahotblade.Behind her passivity, shebegantowail.

HewasaRaver.“Threefools,”hesaidinavoice likecold scoria. “Ihadhopedforfour.”Santonin and the Raverspoke together in alien,empty words. Santoninproduced the Stonemightand handed it to theRaver. Emerald reflectedin the Raver’s eyes; aneloquent smile shaped thefleshofhis lips.Heclosed

his fist on the green chip,so that it plumed lushferns of force. Linden’swail died of starvation inthepovertyofherbeing.Then the Rider steppedtooneside,andtheRaverfaced the captives. Hisvisage was a smear of illacross Linden’s sight. Hegazed at her directly,searched out the vestigesofherself,measuredthem,

scornedthem.“YouImustnot harm,” he said dully,almost regretfully.“Unharmed, you willcommit all harm I coulddesire.”Hiseyesleftherasif she were too paltry tomerit further notice. “Butthesetreachersareanothermatter.” He confrontedSunder and Hollian. “Itsignifies nothing if theyarebrokenbeforetheyare

shed.”He held the Stonemightagainsthischest.Itssteamcurleduphisface.Nostrilsdilating, he breathed thesteam as if it were a rarenarcotic. “Where isThomasCovenant?”The Stonedownors didnot react, could not react.Linden stood where shehad been left, like adisregarded puppet. But

her heart contracted insuddenterror.TheRavermadeaslightgesture.Santoninmutteredsoftly over his rukh.Abruptly the controlholding Sunder andHollian ended. Theystumbled as if they hadforgotten how to managetheir limbs and jerkedtrembling erect. Fearglazed Sunder’s eyes, as if

he were beholding thedreadful font and masterof his existence. Holliancovered her face like afrightenedchild.“Where is ThomasCovenant?”Animatedbyanimpulsemore deeply inbred thanchoice or reason, theStonedownors struggledinto motion and tried toflee.

The Raver let Holliango. But with theStonemight he put out ahand of force whichcaughtSunderbytheneck.Hot emerald gripped himlike a garrote, snatchedhimtohisknees.Reft of her companion,

Hollianstoppedandswungaround to face the Raver.Her raven hair spreadaboutherheadlikewings.

TheRaverknottedgreenill at Sunder’s throat.“Where is ThomasCovenant?”Sunder’seyeswereblindwith fear and compulsion.They bulged in theirsockets. But he did notanswer. Locking his jaws,heheldhimselfstill.The Raver’s fingerstightened.“Speak.”Themuscles of Sunder’s

jaw pulled together,clenched as if he weretrying to break his teeth,grindhisvoiceintosilenceforever.Astheforceathisthroatgrewstronger,thosemuscles became distinct,rigid, etched against thedarkness of his fear andstrangulation. It seemedimpossiblethathecouldsogrit his teeth withouttearingtheligaturesofhis

jaw. But he did notanswer. Sweat seemed toburst from his pores likebone marrow squeezedthrough his skin. Yet hisrictusheld.A frown of displeasure

incused the Raver’sforehead. “You will speaktome,”hesoughed.“Iwilltearwordsfromyoursoul,if need be.” His handclinchedtheStonemightas

ifhewerecovetous touseall its power. “Where isThomasCovenant?”“Dead.” Whimperscontorted Hollian’s voice.Linden felt the lie in thecore of her helplessness.“Lost.”The Raver did notglance away from Sunder,didnotreleasehisgarrote.“Howso?”“In Andelain,” the eh-

Brand panted. “Heentered. We awaited him.He did not return.” Tocomplete her he, shemoaned, “Forgive me,Sunder.”“Andthewhitering?”“I know not. Lost. Hedidnotreturn.”Still the Raver gave nolookoranswer toHollian.But he eased slightly hisgrasp on the Graveler.

“Your refusal,” hebreathed,“says tomethatThomas Covenant lives. Ifheislost,whydoyouwishme to believe that helives?”Within the scraps ofherself, Linden beggedSunder to supportHollian’s lie, for his ownsake as well as forCovenant’s.Slowly the Graveler

unlocked his jaw. Claritymovedbehindthedullnessof his eyes. Terriblythroughhisknottedthroat,he grated, “I wish you tofear.”A faint smile like apromiseofmurdertouchedthe Raver’s lips. But, aswith Santonin, thecertainty of his purposerestrained him. To theRider, he said, “Convey

them to the hold.” Lindencould not see whether hebelieved Hollian’s lie. Shecould descry nothing butthe loud wrong of theRaver’spurpose.With a few words,

Santonin returned theStonedownors to Linden’scondition. Walking likewoodenarticulationsofhiswill, his captives followedhim dumbly out of the

stonepit.Again, they traversedhalls which had nomeaning, crossedthresholds that seemed toappear only to beforgotten. Soon theyenteredacavernlinedintothe distance on both sideswith iron doors. Smallbarred windows in thedoors exposed each cell,but Linden was incapable

of looking foranyglimpseof other prisoners.SantoninlockedawayfirstSunder, then Hollian.Farther down the row ofdoors, he sent Lindenherselfintoacell.She stood, helpless andsoul-naked, beside a rankstraw pallet while hestudied her as if he wereconsidering thecostofhisdesires. Without warning,

he quenched his rukh.Hiswill vanished from hermind, leaving her tooempty to hold herselfupright. As she crumpledto the pallet, she heardhimchucklingsoftly.Thenthedoorclanged shutandbolts rasped into place.She was left alone in hercell as if it containednothing except the louse-riddenpalletandtheblank

stoneofthewalls.She huddled foetally onthe straw, while timepassed over her like theindifference ofRevelstone’s granite. Shewas a cracked gourd andcouldnotrefillherself.Shewas afraid to make theattempt, afraid even tothink of making anyattempt. Horror hadburrowed into her soul.

She desired nothing butsilence and darkness, thepeace of oblivion. But shecould not achieve it.Caught in the limbobetween revulsion anddeath, she crouchedamong her emptinesses,and waited for thecontradictions of herdilemmatotearherapart.Guards came and went,bringingherunsavoryfood

and stale water; but shecould not muster enoughof herself to notice them.She was deaf to theclashing of iron whichmarked themovements ofthe guards, the arrival ordeparture of prisoners.Ironmeantnothing.Therewerenovoices.Shewouldhave listened to voices.Her mind groped numblyforsomeimagetopreserve

her sanity, some name oranswer to reinvoke theidentity she had lost. Butshe lost all names, allimages. The cell held noanswers.Then therewas a voice,ashoutasifaprisonerhadbroken free. She heard itthrough her stupor, clungto it. Fighting the crampsof motionlessness, therigidity of hunger and

thirst, she crawled like acrippletowardthedoor.Someone spoke in a flattone. A voice unlike anyshe had heard before. Shewas so grateful for it thatat first she hardly caughtthe words. She wasclawing herself up towardthe bars of her windowwhen the wordsthemselvespenetratedher.“Ur-Lord Thomas

Covenant,” the voice wassaying. “Unbeliever andwhite gold wielder, Isalute you. You areremembered among theHaruchai,” The speakerwasinflexible,denyinghisown need. “I am Brinn.Willyousetusfree?”Covenant! She wouldhave screamed the name,butherthroatwastoodryeventowhisper.

The next instant, sheheard the impact of irononflesh.Covenant!Abodyslumped to the stone.Guards moved around it.Hauling herself to thewindow, she crushed herface against the bars andtried to see; but no oneentered her range ofvision. A moment later,feet made heavy by aburden moved out of the

hold, leaving her lornunderacairnofsilence.She wanted to sob; but

even that was animprovement for her. Shehadbeengivenaname tofill her emptiness.Covenant. Helplessnessand hope. Covenant wasstillalive.Hewashere.Hecouldsaveher.Hedidnotknow that she neededsaving.

For a time whichseemed long and full ofanguish, she slumpedagainstthedoorwhileherchest shookwith dry sobsandherheartclungtotheimage of ThomasCovenant. He had smiledfor Joan. He wasvulnerable to everything,and yet he appearedindomitable. Surely theguardshadnotkilledhim?

Perhaps they had.Perhaps they had not. Hisname itself was hope toher. Itgavehersomethingto be, restored pieces ofwho she was. Whenexhaustion etiolated hersobbing, she crept to herwater-bowl, drank it dry,then ate as much of therancid food as she couldstomach. Afterward shesleptforawhile.

But the next ironclanging yanked herawake. The bolts of herdoor were thrown back.Her heart yammered asshe rolled from the palletandlurcheddesperatelytoherfeet.Covenant—?Her door opened. The

Raverenteredhercell.He seemed to have no

features, no hands;wherever his robe bared

his flesh, such potentemanations of ill lancedfrom him that she couldnot register his physicalbeing.Wrongscorchedtheair between them,thrusting her back againstthe wall. He reeked ofMarid, of the malice ofbees. Of Joan. His breathfilled the cell withgangrene and nausea.When he spoke, his voice

seemedtorotinherears.“So it appears that yourcompanions lied. I amastonished. I had thoughtall thepeople of the Landtobecravensandchildren.But no matter. Thedestructionofcravensandchildren is small pleasure.I prefer the folly ofcourage in my victims.Fortunately theUnbeliever”—he sneered

the name—“will notattempt your redemption.He is unwitting of yourplight.”She tried to squeeze

herself into the stone,strove to escape throughbluffgranite.Butherbody,mortal and useless,trappedher in theRaver’sstare. She could not shuthereyestohim.Heburnedalong her nerves, etching

himself into her,demeaning her soul withtheintaglioofhisill.“Buthealso,”continued

the Raver in a tone likestagnant water, “is nogreatmatter.Onlyhisringsignifies. He will have nochoicebut to surrender it.Already he has soldhimself, and no powerunder the Arch of Tunecanpreventhisdespair.

“No, LindenAvery,” theRaver said without apause. “Abandon all hopeof Thomas Covenant. TheprincipaldoomoftheLandisuponyourshoulders.”No! She had no defenseagainst so muchcorruption.Night crowdedaround her, more cruelthan any darkness—nightas old as the pain ofchildren, parents who

soughttodie.Never!“You have beenespecially chosen for thisdesecration.Youarebeingforgedas iron is forged toachieve the ruin of theEarth.” His voice violatedall her flesh. “You havebeen chosen, LindenAvery, because you cansee. Because you are opento that which no other inthe Land can discern, you

are open to be forged.Througheyesandearsandtouch,youaremadetobewhattheDespiserrequires.Descryingdestruction,youwill be driven to commitalldestruction.Iwillrelishthatrain.“Therefore I have

forewarned you. So thatyou will know your peril,andbeunable toevade it.So that as you strive to

evadeit, theDespisermaylaugh in scorn andtriumph.”No. It was not possible.

She was a doctor; shecould not be forced todestroy. No power, nocunning, no malevolence,could unmake who shechosetobe.Never!Arushofwordssurgedupinher,burst from her as if shewerebabbling.

“You’re sick. This is allsickness. It’s just disease.You have some diseasethat rots your mind.Physiological insanity. Achemical imbalance of thebrain. You don’t knowwhatyou’resaying.Idon’tbelieveinevil!”“No?” The Raver was

mildly amused. “Forsooth.That lie, at least, I mustrectify.” He advanced on

herlikeatideofslaughter.“You have committedmurder.Areyounotevil?”Hespreadhisarmsas ifhemeant to embrace her.Hehadno face,nohands.A bright hallucination atthe sleeve of his robestretched toward her,caressedhercheek.Terrorbloomedfromthetouch like anightshadeofthesoul.Gelidillfrozeher

face, spread iceacrosshersenses like theconcatenation andfulfillment of all herinstinctive revulsion. Itflamed through her andbecametruth.ThetruthofDespite.Wrongsuppuratedoverherfeatures,festeringher severity and beauty,corrupting who she was.TheSunbane shone inherflesh: desert, pestilence,

thescreamingoftrees.Shewould have howled, butshehadnovoice.She fled. There was no

other defense. Withinherself, she ran away. Sheclosed her eyes, her ears,her mouth, closed thenerves of her skin, sealedevery entrance to hermind.No.Horrorgaveherthe power of paralysis.Never. Striking herself

blind and deaf and numb,shesank into thedarknessas if it were death, theineluctable legacy of herbirth.Neveragain.

SIXTEEN:TheWeirdoftheWaynhim

Iwon’t!Covenant fought to situp, struggled againstblankets that clogged hismovements, hands thatrestrainedhim.I’llnevergiveitup!Blindly he wrestled forfreedom. But a massiveweakness fettered him

where he lay. His rightarm was pinned by apreteritememoryofpain.Idon’tcarewhatyoudotome!Andthegrassunderhimwasfragrantandsoporific.The hands could not berefused.An uncertain blurof vision eased thedarkness.Thefacebendingover him was gentle andhuman.

“Rest, ring-wielder,” themansaidkindly.“Noharmwillcomeuponyouinthissanctuary. There will betime enough for urgencywhen you are somewhatbetterhealed.”The voice blunted his

desperation. The analysticscent of the grassreassured and comfortedhim. His need to go afterLinden mumbled past his

lips, but he could nolongerhearit.The next time heawakened, he arrived atconsciousness slowly, andall his senses came withhim. When he opened hiseyes, he was able to see.After blinking for amoment at the smoothdome of stone above him,heunderstoodthathewasunderground. Though he

layondeepfreshgrass,hecouldnotmistake the factthatthisspaciouschamberhadbeencarvedoutoftheearth.Thelightcamefrombraziers in the corners oftheroom.The face he had seen

earlier returned. The mansmiledathim,helpedhiminto a sitting position.“Have care, ring-wielder.Youhavebeenmortallyill.

Thisweaknesswillbeslowto depart.” The manplacedabowlofdarkfluidin Covenant’s hands andgently pressed him todrink. The liquid had amusty, alien flavor; but itsteadied him as it wentdownintohisemptiness.Hebegantolookaround

more closely.His bedwasin the center of thechamber, raisedabove the

floor like a catafalque ofgrass. The native stone ofthe walls and dome hadbeen meticulouslysmoothedandshaped.Theceiling was not high, buthewouldbeable to standerect. Low entrywaysmarked opposite walls ofthe room. The brazierswere made of unadornedgray stone and supportedby iron tripods.The thick,

blackfluidinthemburnedwithoutsmoke.When he turned his

headfarenough,hefoundVainnearhim.The Demondim-spawn

stood with his armshanging slightly bent. Hislips wore a fault,ambiguous smile, and hiseyes, black without pupiloriris,lookedliketheorbsofablindman.

A quiver of revulsionshook Covenant. “Get—”His voice scraped histhroat like a rusty knife.“Gethimoutofhere.”Theman supported him

with an arm around hisback. “Perhaps it couldbedone,” he said, smilingwryly. “But great forcewouldberequired.Doyouhavecausetofearhim?”“He—”Covenantwinced

at chancrous memories:Sunbane victims dancing;Vain’s grin. He haddifficulty forcing wordspast the blade in histhroat. “Refused to helpme.” The thought of hisown need made himtremble.“Getridofhim.”“Ah, ring-wielder,” the

man said with a frown,“suchquestionsarenot soblithelyanswered.Thereis

much that Imust tell you—and much I wish to betold.”He faced Covenant; and

Covenant observed himclearly for the first time.He had the dark hair andstocky frame of aStonedownor, though hewore nothing but a widepiece of leather beltedaround his waist. Thesoftness of his browneyes

suggested sympathy; buthischeekshadbeendeeplycut by old grief, and thetwitching of his mouthgave the impression thathewastoowellacquaintedwith fear andincomprehension. His skinhad the distinctive pallorof a man who had oncebeen richly tanned.Covenant felt animmediate surge of

empathyforhim.“IamHamako,”themansaid. “My former namewas one which theWaynhim could not utter,and I have foresworn it.The Waynhim name youring-wielder in theirtongue—and as ring-wielder you are wellknown to them.But Iwillgladly make use of anyothernameyoudesire.”

Covenant swallowed,took another drink fromthe bowl. “Covenant,” hesaidhoarsely.“I’mThomasCovenant.”The man accepted this

with a nod. “Covenant.”Then he returned to thequestionofVain.“Fortwodays,”he said, “whileyouhave lain in fever, theWaynhim have strivenwith the riddle of this

Demondim-spawn. Theyhave found purpose inhim,butnotharm.This isan astonishment to them,for they perceive clearlythe hands of the ur-vileswhichmadehim,andtheyhave no trust for ur-viles.Yet he is an embodimentof lore which theWaynhim comprehend.Onlyonequestiondisturbsthem.” Hamako paused as

if reluctant to remindCovenant of past horrors.“When you freed dhragaWaynhim from fire, thusimperiling your own life,dhraga spoke the word ofcommand to thisDemondim-spawn,ordering him to preserveyou. Why did he notobey?”The dark fluid salved

Covenant’s throat, but he

still sounded harsh. “Ialready used thecommand. He killed sixpeople.”“Ah,” said Hamako. He

turnedfromCovenant,andcalled down one of theentryways in a barkingtongue. Almostimmediately, a Waynhimentered the chamber. Thecreature sniffedinquiringly in Covenant’s

direction, then began arapid conversation withHamako. Their voices hada roynish sound thatgrated on Covenant’snerves—he had too manyhorrid memories of ur-viles—but he suppressedhisdiscomfort,triednottothink balefully of Vain.Shortly the Waynhimtrottedawayasifitcarriedimportant information.

Hamako returned hisattentiontoCovenant.Theman’sgazewas full

of questions as he said,“Then you camenot uponthis Demondim-spawn bychance. He did not seekyou out without yourknowledge.”Covenant shook his

head.“He was given to you,”

Hamako continued, “by

those who know hispurpose. You comprehendhim.”“No.Imean,yes,hewasgiven to me. I was toldhow to command him. Iwas told to trusthim.”Hescowled at the idea ofVain’s trustworthiness.“Butnothingelse.”Hamako searched fortherightwaytophrasehisquestion.“MayIask—who

wasthegiver?”Covenant felt reluctantto answerdirectly.Hedidnot distrust Hamako; hesimply did not want todiscusshisexperiencewithhis Dead. So he repliedgruffly, “I was inAndelain.”“Ah,Andelain,”Hamakobreathed. “The Dead.” Henodded in comprehension,but it did not relieve his

awkwardness.Abruptly Covenant’s

intuition leaped. “Youknowwhathispurposeis.”He had often heard thatthe lore of the Waynhimwaswide and subtle. “Butyou’re not going to tellme.”Bamako’s mouth

twitched painfully.“Covenant,” he said,pleadingtobeunderstood,

“the Dead were yourfriends, were they not?Their concern for you isancientandfar-seeing.Itissooth—the Waynhim kenmuch, and guess more.Doubtless there are manyquestions to which theyholdanswers.But—”Covenant interrupted

him. “You know how tofight the Sunbane, andyou’renotgoingtotellme

thateither.”His tone made Hamakowince. “Surely your Deadhave given to you allwhichmaybewisely told.Ah,ThomasCovenant!Myheartyearns tosharewithyou the lore of theWaynhim. But they haveinstructed me strictly toforbear.Formanyreasons.“They are ever loath toimpart knowledge where

they cannot control theuse to which theirknowledge is placed. Forthe ring-wielder, perhapsthey would waive suchconsiderations. But theyhave not the vision of theDead, and fear totransgress the strictureswhich have guided thegifts of the Dead. This istheparadoxoflore,thatitmust be achieved rather

than granted, else itmisleads. This only I ampermittedtosay.WereItoreveal the purpose of thisDemondim-spawn, thatrevelation could wellprevent theaccomplishment of hispurpose.” Hamako’s faceheldalookofsupplication.“That purpose is greatlydesirable.”“Atanyrate,theur-viles

desire it greatly.”Frustration and weaknessmade Covenant sarcastic.“Maybe these Waynhimaren’t as different as youthink.”He emptied the bowl,then tried to get to hisfeet.ButHamakoheldhimback. Covenant hadtouchedangerintheman.Stiffly Hamako said, “Iowe life and health and

use to the succor of theWaynhim. Aye, and manythings more. I will notbetraytheirwishestoeaseyour mind, ring-wielderthoughyouare.”Covenant thrust againstHamako’sgrasp,butcouldnot break free. After aneffort like palsy, hecollapsed back on thegrass.“Yousaidtwodays,”he panted. Futility

enfeebled him. Two moredays! “I’ve got to go. I’malreadytoofarbehind.”“You have been deeply

harmed,”Hamako replied.“Your flesh will not yetbear you. What urgencydrivesyou?”Covenant repressed a

querulous retort.He couldnot denigrate Hamako’srefusal to answer crucialquestions; he had done

such thingshimself.Whenhe had mastered his gall,he said, “Three friends ofminewerekidnappedbyaRider. They’re on theirway to Revelstone. If Idon’t catch up with themintime,they’llbekilled.”Hamako absorbed this

information, then calledagain for one of theWaynhim. Another rapidconversation took place.

Hamako seemed to bestressing something,urging something; theresponses of theWaynhimsounded thoughtful,unpersuaded. But thecreature ended on a notewhich satisfied Hamako.AstheWaynhimdeparted,he turned back toCovenant.“Durhisitar will consultthe Weird of the

Waynhim,” the man said,“but I doubt not that aidwill be granted. NoWaynhim will forget theredemption of dhraga—ortheperilofthetrapwhichensnared you. Rest now,and fear not. This rhyshwill accord you power topursueyourcompanions.”“How? What can theydo?”“The Waynhim are

capable of much,”returned Hamako, urgingCovenant to lie back.“Rest,Isay.Holdonlythismuch trust, and put careaside. It will be bitter toyouifyouareofferedaid,and are tooweak to availyourselfofit.”Covenant could not

resist. The grass exuded asomnolent air. His bodywasleadenwithweariness;

and the roborant he haddrunk seemed tounderminehisanxiety.Heallowed Hamako to settlehim upon the bed. But asthemanpreparedtoleave,Covenant said distantly,“At least tell me how Iended up here. The lastthingIremember”—hedidnot look at Vain—“I wasas good as dead.Howdidyousaveme?”

Hamakosatontheedgeofthebed.Onceagain,hiscountenance wore anawkward sympathy. “ThatIwillrelate,”hesaid.“ButImusttellyouopenlythatwedidnotsaveyou.”Covenant jerked up his

head.“No?”“Softly.” Hamako

pushed him flat again.“There is no need for thisconcern.”

Grabbingtheman’sarmswithbothhands,Covenantpulledtheirfacestogether.“What thehellamIdoingalive?”“Covenant,” saidHamakowith a dry smile,“howmayI tell the tale ifyouaresoupwrought?”Slowly Covenantreleased him. “All right.”Specterscrowdedhishead;but he forced himself to

relax.“Tellit.”“It came to pass thus,”the man said. “Whendhraga Waynhim was setfree by your hand, andlearned that thisDemondim-spawn wouldnot obey the word ofcommand, it desired youto share its flight. But itcould not gain yourcomprehension. Thereforedhraga summoned all the

haste which the harm toits body permitted, andspedtoinformtherhyshofyour plight. Dhraga hadbeen made the bait of asnare.Thissnare—”Covenant interruptedhim.“What’sarhysh?”“Ah, pardon me. For ascore of turnings of themoon, I have heard nohuman voice but thosewarped by the Sunbane. I

forget that you do notspeak the Waynhimtongue.“Inourspeech,thewordrhyshmeansstead.Itgivesreference to a communityof Waynhim. In all theLand, there are manyhundred score Waynhim,butallliveinrhyshofoneortwoscore.Eachrhyshisprivateuntoitself—thoughI am told that

communication existsbetweenthem.Inthegreatwar of Revelstone, nightwo score centuries past,five rhysh fought togetheragainst the ur-viles of theDespiser.But such sharingisrare.Eachrhyshholdstoitself and interprets theWeird in its own way.Long has this rhysh livedhere, serving its ownvision.”

Covenantwanted to askthe meaning of the termWeird; but he alreadyregretted having haltedHamako’stale.“The rhysh,” Hamakoresumed,“wasinformedofyour plight by dhraga. Atoncewesetouttoattemptyour aid. But the distancewas too great. When firstdhraga was captured thedecision was taken to

make no rescue. It wasbitter to all the rhysh toabandon one of its own.But we had cause to fearthis snare. Long have welabored all too near astrong number of thosewarped by the Sunbane.”Unexplained tears blurredhiseyes.“Longhavetheillsouls that captured youstriven to undo us.Thereforewe believed the

snare tobe forus.Havingnowishtoslayorbeslain,we abandoned dhraga toitsdoom.”Covenant was struck by

the closeness with whichHamako identified himselfwiththerhysh,andbytheman’s evident grief overthe Sunbane victims. Buthedidnotinterruptagain.“Also,” Hamako went

on, suppressing his

emotion,“forthreedaysofdesert sun prior to thesetting of this snare, theWaynhim tasted Raverspoor.”A Raver! Covenantgroaned. Hellfire! Thatexplained the trap. Andthespider.“Thereforewefearedthesnaredeeply.Butwhenwelearned that the ring-wielder had fallen prey,

we comprehended ourerror, and ran to succoryou. But the distance,” herepeated, “was too great.Wearrivedonlyintimetobehold the manner inwhich you redeemedyourselfwithwildmagic.”Redeemed—! An achewrung Covenant’s heart.No!“Though your arm wasterrible and black, your

white ring spun a greatfire. The bonds droppedfrom you. The wood wasscattered. The Sunbane-warped were cast asidelike chaff, and fled interror. Rocks were rivenfromtheescarpment.Onlythis Demondim-spawnstood scatheless amid thefire.“The power ended as

you fell. Perceiving your

venom-ill, we bore youhere, and the Waynhimtended you with all theircunning until your deathreceded from you. Hereyou are safe until yourstrengthreturns.”Hamakofellsilent.Afterstudying Covenant for amoment,herosetohisfeetandbegantodepart.“The Raver?” Covenantgritted.

“All spoor of him isgone,” Hamako repliedquietly.“Ifearhispurposewasaccomplished.”Orelsehe’safraidofme,Covenantraspedinwardly.He did not see Hamakoleavethechamber.Hewasconsumedbyhisthoughts.Damnation! First Marid,then the bees, now this.Eachattackworsethantheone before. And a Raver

involved each time. Hellandblood!Why?Bilerosein him. Why else? LordFoul did not want himdead,not ifhisringmightfall to a Raver. TheDespiser wantedsomething entirelydifferent. He wantedsurrender, voluntaryabdication. Therefore thepurpose of these attackslay in their effect on him,

in the way they drewpower from his delirium,violence over which hehadnocontrol.Nocontrol!WasFoultryingtoscarehim into giving up hisring?God bloody damn it tohell!Hehadalwaysfeltanalmost overwhelmingdistrust of power. In thepast, he had reconciled

himself to the might withwhich he had defeatedLordFoulonlybecausehehadrefrainedfrommakingfull use of it; rather thanattempting to crush theDespiser utterly, he hadwithheld the final blow,thoughinsodoinghehadensured that Lord Foulwould rise to threaten theLand again. Deliberatelyhe had made himself

culpable for Lord Foul’sfuture ill. And he hadchosenthatcoursebecausethe alternative was somuchworse.For he believed thatLord Foul was part ofhimself,anembodimentofthemoralperil lurking fortheoutcastinthecomplexrageagainstbeingoutcast,a leper’s doom of Despitefor everything including

himself. Restraint was theonly possible escape fromsuch a doom. If he hadallowed his power to riseunchecked, committedhimselfcompletelytowildmagic inhisbattleagainstLord Foul, he would haveaccomplished nothing butthe feeding of his owninnerDespiser.Thepartofhim which judged,believed,affirmed,wasthe

partwhichrefrained.Utterpower, boundless andunscrupulous rage, wouldhave corrupted him, andhewouldhavechangedinone stroke from victim tovictimizes He knew howeasy it was for a man tobecomethethinghehated.Thereforeheprofoundly

feared his wildmagic, hiscapacity for power andviolence. And that was

precisely the point ofFoul’s attack. The venomcalled up his might whenhewasbeyondallrestraint—called it up andincreased it. In MithilStonedown,hehadalmostfailed to light Sunder’sorcrest; but two days agohe had apparently brokenboulders.Withoutvolition.And still he did notknow why. Perhaps in

saving Joan, he had soldhimself;perhapshewasnolonger free.Butno lackoffreedomcouldforcehimtosurrender. And everyincrease in his powerimproved his chances ofbestingtheDespiseragain.His danger lay in thevenom, the loss ofrestraint. But if he couldavoid further relapses,learncontrol—

Hewas a leper. Controland discipline were thetools of his life. Let LordFoul consider that beforehecountedhisvictory.With such thoughts,

Covenant grew grim andcalm.Slowlytheeffectsofhis illness came over him.The scent of the grasssoothed him like ananodyne. After a time, heslept.

When Hamako nudgedhim awake again, he hadtheimpressionthathehadslept for a long time.Nothing in the chamberhad changed; yet hisinstincts were sure.Groaning at the wayeverything conspired toincrease the peril of hisfriends, he groped into asitting position, “Howmany days have I lost

now?”Hamako placed a largebowl of the dark, mustyliquidinCovenant’shands.“Youhavebeenamongusforthreedaysofthesunofpestilence,” he answered.“Dawnisnotyetnigh,butI have awakened youbecause there is much Iwish to show and saybeforeyoudepart.Drink.”Three days. Terrific!

Dismally Covenant took adeep swallow from thebowl.But as the liquid passedinto him, he recognizedthe improvement in hiscondition. He held thebowl steadily: his wholebodyfeltstable.Helookedup at Hamako. To satisfyhis curiosity, he asked,“Whatisthisstuff?”“It is vitrim.” Hamako

was smiling: he seemedpleasedbywhathesawinCovenant.“Itresemblesanessenceofaliantha,buthasbeencreatedbytheloreofthe Waynhim rather thandrawn from the alianthaitself.”In a long draught,Covenant drained thebowl,andfeltimmediatelymore substantial. Hereturned the bowl, and

rosetohisfeet.“WhencanI get started? I’m runningoutofexcuses.”“Soon after the sun’s

rising,youwillrenewyoursojourn,” answeredHamako.“Iassureyouthatyou will hold your daysamongus inscantregret.”He handed the bowl to aWaynhim standing nearbyand accepted a leatherpouch like a wineskin.

This he gave toCovenant.“Vitrim,” he said. “If youconsume it prudently, youwill require no otheralimentforthreedays.”Covenant acknowledgedthe gift with a nod andtied the pouch to his beltby its drawstring. As hedid so, Hamako said,“Thomas Covenant, itpains me that we haverefused to answer your

most urgent questions.Therefore I desire you tocomprehend the Weird ofthe Waynhim ere youdepart. Then perhaps youwill grasp my convictionthattheirwisdommustbetrusted.Areyouwilling?”Covenant facedHamakowith a rueful grimace.“Hamako, you saved mylife. I may be a natural-borningrate,butIcanstill

appreciate the significanceof not being dead. I’ll tryto understand anythingyouwanttotellme.”Halfinvoluntarily, he added,“Just don’t take too long.If I don’t do somethingsoon, I won’t be able tolivewithmyself.”“Then come,” Hamako

said,andstrodeoutofthechamber.Covenantpausedtotuck

inhisshirt,thenfollowed.As he stooped to passthrough the entryway, henotedsourlythatVainwasrightbehindhim.He found himself in acorridor, scrupulouslydelved out of native rock,where he could barelywalk erect. The passagewas long, and lit atintervals by small censerssetintothewalls.Inthem,

a dark fluid burnedwarmly,withoutsmoke.After somedistance, thepassage branched, becameanetworkof tunnels. As Covenantand Hamako passed, theybegan to meet Waynhim.Some went by in silence;others exchanged a fewcommentswithHamakointheir roynish tongue; butall of them bowed to the

ring-wielder.Abruptly the tunnel

opened into an immensecavern. It was brightly-litby vats of burning liquid.It appeared to be morethan a hundred feet highand three times thatacross. At least a score ofWaynhim were busily atworkaroundthearea.With a thrill of

astonishment, Covenant

sawthatthewholecavernwasagarden.Thick grass covered the

floor. Flowerbeds layeverywhere, hedged bymanydifferentvarietiesofbushes. Trees—pairs ofGilden, oak, peach,sycamore, elm, apple,jacaranda, spruce, andothers—stretched theirlimbs toward the vaultedceiling.Vinesandcreepers

grewupthewalls.The Waynhim weretending the plants. Fromplot to tree they moved,barking chants andwielding short iron staves;anddarkdropletsofpowersprang from the metal,nourishing flowers andshrubs and vines like adistilledadmixtureofloamandsunshine.The effect was

incomparably strange. Onthe surface of the Land,the Sunbane madeeverything unnatural;nothing grew withoutviolating the Law of itsown being, nothing diedwithout ruin. Yet here,where there was nosunlight, no free air, nopollinatinginsects,noage-nurtured soil, the gardenoftheWaynhimblossomed

lushandlovely,asnaturalasiftheseplantshadbeenborn to fructify under astonesky.Covenant gazed about

with undisguised wonder;butwhenhestartedtoaska question, Hamakogestured him silent, andledhimintothegarden.Slowly they walked

among the flowers andtrees. The murmurous

chanting of the Waynhimfilled the air; but none ofthecreaturesspoketoeachother or to Hamako; theywere rapt in theconcentration of theirwork. And in theirconcentration, Covenantcaught a glimpse of theprodigiousdifficultyofthetask they had set forthemselves.Tokeepsuchagarden healthy

underground must haverequired miracles ofdevotionandlore.But Hamako had more

to show. He guidedCovenant and Vain to thefarendofthecavern, intoa new series of corridors.These angled steadilyupward; and as heascended, Covenantbecame aware of agrowing annual smell. He

had already guessed whathewasabout to seewhenHamako entered anotherlarge cave, not as high asthe garden, but equallybroad.It was a zoo. TheWaynhim here werefeeding hundreds ofdifferent animals. In smallpens cunningly devised toresemble their naturaldens and habitats lived

pairs of badgers, foxes,hounds,marmosets,moles,raccoons, otters, rabbits,lynx,muskrats. Andmanyofthemhadyoung.The zoo was lesssuccessfulthanthegarden.Animals without space toroamcouldnotbehealthy.But that problem paledbeside the amazing factthat these creatures werealive at all. The Sunbane

was fatal to animal life.The Waynhim preservedthese species fromcompleteextinction.Once again, Hamako

silenced Covenant’squestions. They left thecave, and continued toworkupward.TheymetnoWaynhiminthesetunnels.Soon their ascent becameso pronounced thatCovenant wondered just

how deep in the Earth hehad slept for three days.He felt a pang over theinsensitivity of his senses;he missed the ability togauge the rock weightabove him, assess thenatureof thevitrim, probethe spirits of hiscompanions. That regretmadehimacheforLinden.She might have knownwhether or not he could

trustVain.Then the passageway

became a spiral stairwhich rose to a smallround chamber. No egresswas visible; but Hamakoplacedhishandsagainstasectionofthewall,barkedseveral Waynhim words,and thrust outward. Thestone divided along anunseencrackandopened.Leaving the chamber,

Covenant found himselfunder the stars. Along theeastern horizon, theheavenshadbeguntopale.Dawnwasapproaching.Atthe sight, he felt anunexpected reluctance toleave the safety andwonder of the Waynhimdemesne. Grimly hetightened his resolve. Hedid not look back whenHamako sealed the

entrancebehindhim.Vague in the darkness,Hamako led him throughan impression of large,crouching shapes to arelativelyopenarea.Therehe sat down, facing theeast.AshejoinedHamako,Covenant discovered thatthey were on a flatexpanse of rock—protectionagainst the firsttouchoftheSunbane.

Vain stood off to oneside as if he neither knewnor cared about the needforsuchprotection.“Now I will speak,”Hamako said. His wordswent softly into thenight.“Have no fear of theSunbane-warped whosought your life. Neveragain will they enter thisplace. That much at leastof mind and fear they

retain.”Histonesuggestedthat he held the areasacredtosomeprivateandinextinguishablesorrow.Covenantsettledhimself

to listen; and after a deeppauseHamakobegan.“A vast gulf,” he

breathed, a darker shapeamidthedarkcrouchingofthe night, “lies betweencreaturesthatarebornandthose that aremade. Born

creatures, such as we are,do not suffer torment atthesimple factofphysicalform. Perhaps you desirekeenersight,greatermightof arm, but theembodiment of eyes andlimbs is not anguish toyou.YouarebornbyLawto be as you are. Only amadman loathes thenatureofhisbirth.“It is far otherwisewith

the Waynhim. They weremade—astheur-vilesweremade—bydeliberateactinthe breeding dens of theDemondim. And theDemondim werethemselves formedby loreratherthanbloodfromtheViles who went beforethem. Thus the Waynhimare not creatures of law.They are entirely alien inthe world. And they are

unnaturally long of life.Some among this rhyshremember the Lords andthe ancient glory ofRevelstone. Some tell thetaleofthefiverhyshwhichfought before the gates ofRevelstone in the greatsiege—and of the blueLordwhorodetotheiraidin folly and valor. But letthatpass.“The numbers of the

Waynhim are onlyreplenished because theur-viles continue theworkof their Demondimmakers. Much breeding isyet done in the deeps ofthe Earth, and some areur-viles, someWaynhim—and some are altogethernew, enfleshed visions oflore and power. Such aone is your companion. Aconscious making to

accomplishachosenaim.”In the east, the sky

slowly blanched. The laststars were fading. Theshapes around Covenantand Hamako grew moredistinct, modulatingtowardrevelation.“ThatistheWeirdofall

Demondim-spawn. EachWaynhim and ur-vilebeholdsitselfandseesthatitneednothavebeenwhat

it is. It is the fruit ofchoices it did not make.From this fact bothWaynhim and ur-vilesdraw their divergentspirits. It has inspired inthe ur-viles a quenchlessloathing for their ownformsandanoverweeninglust for perfection, for thepower tocreatewhat theyare not. Their passion isextreme, careless of costs.

Therefore they have givenmillenniaof service to theDespiser, for Lord Foulrepays them with bothknowledge and materialfor their breedings. Thuscomesyourcompanion.“And therefore the

Waynhim have beengreatly astonished to findnoillinhim.Heisan—anapotheosis. In him, itappears that the ur-viles

have at last transcendedtheir unscrupulingviolence and achievedperfection.HeistheWeirdof the ur-viles incarnate.MoreofhimImaynotsay.“But the spirit of the

Waynhim is differententirely. They are notreckless of costs; from thegreat Desecration whichKevin Landwaster andLord Foul conceived upon

the Land, they learned ahorror of such passions.They foresaw clearly thepricetheur-vilespaid,andwill ever pay, for self-loathing, and they turnedin another way. Sharingthe Weird, they chose tomeetitdifferently.Toseekself-justification.”Hamako shifted hisposition, turned moresquarelytowardtheeast.

“In the Waynhimtongue, Weird has severalmeanings. It is fate ordestiny—but it is alsochoice, and is used tosignifycouncilordecision-making. It is acontradiction—fate andchoice. A man may befated to die, but no fatecan determinewhether hewill die in courage orcowardice. The Waynhim

choose the manner inwhich they meet theirdoom.“In their loneness, they

have chosen to serve theLawofwhich they do notpartake. Each rhyshperforms its own devoir.Thus the garden and theanimals.IndefianceoftheSunbane and all LordFoul’s ill, this rhysh seeksto preserve things which

growbyLawfromnaturalseed, in the form whichthey were born to hold.ShouldtheendofSunbaneever come, the Land’sfuturewillbeassuredofitsnaturallife.”Covenantlistenedwitha

tightness in his throat.Hewas moved by both thescantness and the nobilityofwhattheWaynhimweredoing. In the myriad

square leagues whichcomprised thevast ruinoftheSunbane,onecavernofhealthyplantswasapaltrything.Andyet thatcavernrepresented suchcommitment, such faith inthe Land, that it becamegrandeur. He wanted toexpress his appreciation,butcouldfindnoadequatewords.Nothingcouldeverbe adequate except the

repeal of the Sunbane,allowing the Waynhim tohave the future theyserved.The fear that theirself-consecration mightprove futile in the endblurred his vision, madehimcoverhiseyeswithhishands.When he looked upagain,thesunwasrising.It came in pale brownacross the Plains, a desert

sun. Land features werelifted out of darkness asthenightbledaway.Whenhe glanced about him, hesaw that hewas sitting inthe center of a wreckedStonedown.Houses lay in rubble;lone walls stood withoutceilings to support;architraves sprawled likecorpses; slabs of stonecontaining windows

canted against each other.At first, he guessed thatthevillagehadbeenhitbyan earthquake. But as thelightgrewstronger,hesawmoreclearly.Raggedholesthesizeof

his palm riddled all thestoneas ifahailofvitriolhad fallen on the village,chewing through theceilings until theycollapsed,tearingthewalls

into broken chunks,burning divots out of thehard ground. The placewhere he sat was pockedwith acid marks. Everypiece of rock in the areawhich had ever stoodupright had been sievedintoruin.“Hellfire!”hemurmured

weakly. “What happenedhere?”Hamakohadnotmoved;

but his head was bowed.When he spoke, his tonesaid plainly that he wasacutely familiar with thescene.“ThisalsoIdesiretotell,” he sighed. “For thispurpose I brought youhere.”Behind him, a hillock

cracked and opened,revealing within it thechamber from which heandCovenant had left the

underground corridors.Eight Waynhim filed intothe sunrise, closing theentrance after them. ButHamako seemed unawareofthem.“This is During

Stonedown, home of theSunbane-warped whosought your life. They aremypeople.”The Waynhim ranged

themselves in a circle

around Hamako andCovenant. After an initialglance, Covenantconcentrated on Hamako.He wanted to hear whatthemanwassaying.“Mypeople,”theformerStonedownor repeated. “Aproudpeople—allofus.Ascore of turnings of themoon ago, we were haleand bold. Proud. It was amatterofgreatpridetous

thatwehadchosentodefytheClave.“Mayhap you haveheardofthewayinwhichthe Clave acquires blood.All submit to thisannexation, as did we formany generations. But itwasgallandabhorrencetous,andatlastwearoseinrefusal. Ah, pride. TheRider departed from us,andDuringStonedownfell

under the na-Mhoram’sGrim.”His voice shuddered. “It

may be that you have noknowledge of suchabominations.Afertilesunwasuponus,andwewereabroad from our homes,planting and reaping oursustenance—recking littleof our peril. Then of asudden the green of thesun became black—

blackest ill—and a fellcloud ran fromRevelstonetowardDuringStonedown,crossingagainstthewind.”He clenched his hand

over his face, gripping hisforehead in an effort tocontrol the pain ofmemory.“Thosewhoremainedin

their homes—infants,mothers, the injured andthe infirm—perished as

During Stonedownperished,inagony.Alltherest were renderedhomeless.”The events he described

were vivid to him, but hedid not permit himself todwell on them. With aneffort of will, hecontinued, “Then despaircame upon us. For a dayandanight,wewanderedthe brokenness of our

minds, heeding nothing.We had not the heart toheed. Thus the Sunbanetook my peopleunprotected. They becameasyouhaveseenthem.“Yet I was spared.Stumblingaloneinmyloss—bemoaning the death ofwifeanddaughter—Icameby chance upon three ofthe Waynhim ere the sunrose. Seeing my plight,

they compelled me toshelter.”He raised his head,made an attempt to clearhis throat of grief. “Fromthattime,Ihavelivedandworked among the rhysh,learning the tongue andlore and Weird of theWaynhim. In heart andwill,Ihavebecomeoneofthem as much as a manmay. But if that were the

extent of my tale”—heglanced painfully atCovenant—“I would nothavetoldit.Ihaveanotherpurpose.”Abruptly he stood and

gazedaroundthegatheredWaynhim.WhenCovenantjoined him, he said,“Thomas Covenant, I saytoyouthatIhavebecomeoftheWaynhim.Andtheyhave welcomed me as

kindred. More. They havemade my loss a part oftheirWeird.TheSunbane-warped live dire lives,committing all possibleharm ere they die. In myname,thisrhyshhastakenupon itself the burden ofmy people. They arewatched and warded—preserved from hurt,sustained in life—prevented from wreaking

the damage of theirwildness. For my sake,theyarekeptmuchas theanimals are kept, bothaided and controlled.Therefore they remainalive in such numbers.Therefore the rhysh wasunwilling to redeemdhraga. And therefore”—he looked squarely atCovenant—“both rhyshand Iare toblame for the

harmyousuffered.”“No,” Covenant

protested. “It wasn’t yourfault. You can’t blameyourself for things youcan’tforesee.”Hamako brushed this

objection aside. “TheWaynhim did not foreseetheirowncreation.YettheWeird remains.” But then,somehow, he managed asmile. “Ah, Covenant,” he

said, “I do not speak foranyloveofblame.Idesireonlyyourcomprehension.”He gestured around him.“TheWaynhimhavecometooffertheiraidinpursuitofyourcompanions.Iwishyou to know what liesbehind this offer, so thatyou may accept it in thespirit of its giving, andforgive us for what wehavewithheldfromyou.”

A surge of respect andempathy blurredCovenant’s responsesagain. Because he had nootherwaytoexpresswhathefelt,hesaidformally,asAtiaranhadtaughthim,“Ithank you. The giving ofthis gift honors me.Accepting it, I returnhonortothegivers.”Thenhe added, “You’ve earnedtheright.”

Slowly the strain fadedfrom Hamako’s smile.Without releasingCovenant’s gaze, he spoketo theWaynhim;and theyanswered in a tone ofreadiness. One of themstepped forward, placedsomething in his hand.When Hamako raised hishand, Covenant saw thatthe object was a stonedirk.

Hewincedinwardly.ButHamako’s smile was thesmile of a friend. SeeingCovenant’s uncertainty,themansaid,“Thereisnoharmforyouinthis.MayIhaveyourhand?”Consciously repressinga

tremor,Covenantextendedhis right hand, palmdownward.Hamako grasped his

wrist,lookedforamoment

at the scars left by Joan’snails,thenabruptlydrewacutacrosstheveins.Covenant flinched; but

Hamakoheldhim,didnotpermithimtowithdraw.His anxiety turned to

amazementashesawthatthe cut did not bleed. Itsedges opened, but noblood came from thewound.Dhraga approached. Its

broken arm hung in asplint, but its otherwoundswerehealing.It raised its uninjuredhand. Carefully Hamakomade an incision in theexposed palm. At once,darkbloodswarmeddowndhraga’sforearm.Without hesitation, theWaynhim reached out,placed its cut directly onCovenant’s. Hot blood

smeared the back of hishand.At that instant, hebecameawareoftheotherWaynhim. They werechantingsoftlyinthecleardesert dawn.Simultaneously strengthrushed up his arm, kickedhis heart like a burst ofelation. He felt suddenlytaller, moremuscular. Hisvision seemed to expand,

encompassingmore of theterrain. He could easilyhave wrested free ofHamako’s grasp. But hehadnoneedtodoso.Dhraga lifted its hand

away.The bleeding had

stopped. Its blood wasbeingsuckedintohiscut.Dhraga withdrew.

Hamako gave the dirk todurhisitar. While durhisitar

cut its palm just asdhraga’s had been cut,Hamako said, “Soon thepowerwillcometoappearunbearable, but I ask youto bear it. Remain quietuntil all the Waynhimhave shared this giving. Ifthe ritual is completed,youwillhave thestrengthyou require for a day—perhapstwo.”Durhisitar put its cut

upon Covenant’s. Moremightsurgedintohim.Hefelt abruptly giddy withenergy, capable ofanything, everything. Hisincision absorbeddurhisitar’s blood. Whenthe creature steppedback,he could hardly holdhimself still for the nextWaynhim.Only after the third

infusiondidherealizethat

he was receivingsomething more thanpower. Dhraga he hadrecognized by its injuries—but how had he knowndurhisitar? He had neverlooked closely at thatparticular Waynhim. Yethehadknownitbyname,just as he knew the thirdWaynhim,dhubha,andthefourth, vraith. He feltecstaticwithknowledge.

Drhami was fifth;ghohritsar, sixth. He wasdancing withuncontainable might.Hamako’s knuckleswhitened;buthisgriphadthe weight of a feather.Covenant had to leashhimself firmly to keepfrom exploding free andcavortingaroundtheruinslikeawildman.Therangeofhishearinghadbecome

so wide that he couldhardly distinguish wordsspokennearby.Hamakowassaying,“—remember yourcompanions. Waste notthis power. While itremains, stop for neithernightnordoom.”Ghramin.Covenantfeltascolossalas Gravin Threndor, asmighty as Fire-Lions. He

felt that he could crushboulders in his arms,destroy Ravers with hishands.Dhurng:eighthandlast.Hamako snatched back

hishandasifthepowerinCovenantburnedhim.“Gonow!” he cried. “Go forLandandLaw,andmaynomalison prevail againstyou!”Covenantthrewbackhis

head, gave a shout thatseemed to echo forleagues:“Linden!”Swinging around to the

northwest,he released theflood-fire of his givenstrength and erupted,runningtowardRevelstonelike a coruscation in theair.

SEVENTEEN:Blood-Speed

The sun ascended,brown-mantled andpotent, sucking themoisture of life from theLand. Heat pressed downlike the weight of all thesky. Bare ground wasbaked as hard astravertine. Loose dirtbecame dust and dustbecame powder until

browncloggedtheairandevery surface gave offclouds like dead steam.Chimeras roamed thehorizons, avatars of theSunbane. The CenterPlains lay featureless andunaneledunderthebaleofthatsun.But Waynhim strengthwas glee in Covenant’sveins. Running easily,swiftly, he could not have

stopped, even by choice;hismuscles throngedwithpower; gaiety exalted hisheart; his speed wasdelicious to him. Withoutexertion, he ran like theRanyhyn.His progress he

measuredonamap inhismind—namesofregionssodimlyrememberedthathecould no longer identifywhen he had first heard

them.Across the widewilderland of Windscour:eleven leagues. Throughthe ragged hills of KurashFestillin:threeleagues.By noon he had settledinto a long, fast stride,devouringdistanceasifhisappetite for it wereinsatiable. Fortified byvitrim and power, he wasimmune to heat, dust,

hallucination.Yet Vain followed as if

the Demondim-spawn hadbeen made for suchswiftness. He ran theleagues lightly, and theground seemed to leapfromunderhisfeet.Along the breadth of

VictuallinTayne,whereinancient centuries greatcrops had flourished: tenleagues.Upthelongstone

rise of Greshas Slant tohigher ground: twoleagues. Around the dryhollow of Lake Pelluce inthe center ofAndelainscion, oldenfruiterer to the Land: fiveleagues.Covenant moved like a

dreamofstrength.Hehadnosenseoftime,ofstridesmeasured by sweat andeffort. The Waynhim had

borne the cost of thispowerforhim,andhewasfreetorunandrun.Whenevening came upon him,he feared he would havetoslackenhispace;buthedid not. Stars burnishedthecrispdesertnight, andthe moon rose half full,shedding silver over thewaste. Without hesitationor hindrance, he told outthedarkinnames.

Across the CenterpithBarrens: fourteen leagues.Down the Fields ofRichloam, Sunbane-ruinedtreasure of the Plains: sixleagues. Up through thejagged ridges ofEmacrimma’s Maw: threeleagues. Along BoulderFash, strewn withconfusion like thewreckage of a mountain:tenleagues.

The night unfurled likean oriflamme: it snappedopen over the Plains, andsnapped away; and hewent on running throughthe dawn. Outdistancingmoonandstars,hecaughtthe sunrise in the drywatercourse of theSoulseaseRiver, five scoreleagues and more fromStonemight Woodhelven.Speed was as precious to

him as a heart-gift. WithVainalwaysathisback,hesipped vitrim and left theSoulsease behind, left theCenter Plains behind torun and run, northwesttowardRevelstone.Over the open flat of

Riversward: five leagues.Through the fens ofGraywightswath, whichthe desert sun madetraversable: nine leagues.

Up the rocks of theBandsoil Bounds: threeleagues.Now the sun was

overhead, and at last hecame to the end of hisexaltation. His eldritchstrength did not fail—notyet—but he began to seethat it would fail. Theknowledge gave him apang of loss. Consciouslyhe increased his pace,

trying to squeeze asmanyleagues as possible fromthegiftofBamako’srhysh.Across the rollingwidth

of Riddenstretch: twelveleagues.Gradually his mortality

returned. He had to exerteffortnow tomaintainhisspeed.Histhroatachedonthedust.Among the gentle hills,

smooth as a soft-rumpled

mantle, of ConsecearRedoin:sevenleagues.Asthelastraysofsunsetspread from the WestronMountains, he wentrunning out of the hills,stumbledandgasped—andthe power was gone. Hewas mortal again. The airrasped his lungs as heheavedforbreath.Forawhile,herestedonthe ground, lay panting

untilhis respirationeased.Mutely he searched Vainfor some sign of fatigue;buttheDemondim-spawn’sblack flesh was vague inthegloaming,andnothingcould touch him. After atime, Covenant took twoswallows from hisdwindling vitrim, andstartedwalking.He did not know how

much timehehadgained;

but it was enough torenew his hope. Were hiscompanions two daysahead of him? Three? Hecould believe that theClave might not harmthem for two or threedays. If he met no moredelays—He went briskly on his

way, intending to walkthrough the night. Heneededsleep;buthisbody

felt less tired than itusually did after ahike offive leagues. Even his feetdid not hurt. The powerand the vitrim of theWaynhim had sustainedhimwondrously.With thesharpness of the air tokeep him alert, heexpected to cover somedistance before he had torest.But within a league he

caught sight of a fireburning off to the leftaheadofhim.He couldhavebypassed

it;hewasfarenoughfromit for that. But after amoment he shruggedgrimly and started towardthe fire. His involuntaryhope that he had caughtup with his friendsdemandedananswer.Andif this light represented a

menace, he did not wantto put it behind himuntilheknewwhatitwas.Creeping over the hard

uneven ground, hecrouched forward until hecouldmakeoutdetails.The light came from a

simple campfire. A fewpieces of wood burnedbrightly. A bundle offaggots lay near threelargesacks.

Acrossthefiresatalonefigure in a vivid red robe.The hood of the robe hadbeen pushed back,revealing the lined faceandgray-raddledhairofamiddle-aged woman.Something black wasdrapedaroundherneck.Shetriggeredanobscure

memory in Covenant. Hefelt he had seen someonelike her before, but could

not recollect where orwhen.Thenshemovedherhands,andhesawthatsheheld a short iron scepterwith an open triangleaffixed to its end. Cursescrowded against his teeth.He identified her fromLinden’sdescriptionof theRider at CrystalStonedown.Gritting to himself, hebegan to withdraw. This

Rider was not the one hewanted. The Graveler ofStonemight WoodhelvenhadindicatedthatLinden’sabductor, Santonin na-Mhoram-in, was a man.And Covenant had nointentionofriskinghimselfagainst anyRideruntil noother choice remained.With all the stealth hecould muster, he edgedawayfromthelight.

Suddenlyheheardalowsnarl. A huge shapeloomed out of thedarkness, catching himbetween it and the fire.Growling threats, theshape advanced like thewallofahouse.Then a voice cut the

night,“Din!”The Rider, She stood

facing Covenant and Vain

and the snarl. “Din!” shecommanded. “Bring themtome!”The shape continued to

approach, forcingCovenant toward thecampfire. As he enteredthe range of the light, hebecame gradually able toseetheimmensebeast.Ithadthefaceandfangs

of a saber-tooth, but itslong body resembled that

of a horse—a horse withshoulders as high as thetopofhishead,abackbigenoughtocarryfiveorsixpeople,andhairsoshaggythat it hung to thecreature’s thighs. Its feetwere hooved. From thebackofeachanklegrewabarbed spur as long as aswordthorn.Its eyes were red withmalice, and its snarl

vibratedangrily.Covenanthastened to retreat asmuch as he couldwithoutmoving too close to theRider.Vain followed calmlywithhisbacktothebeast.“Halfhand!” the Riderbarked in surprise. “I wassenttoawaityou,buthadno thought to meet withyou so soon.” A momentlater,sheadded,“Haveno

fearofDin. It is true—theCoursers are creatures oftheSunbane.Butthereforetheyhavenoneedofmeat.And they are whelped inobedience. Din will liftneither fang nor spuragainst you without mycommand.”Covenant put the fire

between him and thewoman. She was a short,square individual, with a

blunt nose and adetermined chin. Her hairwas bound carelessly atthe back of her neck as ifshe had no interest in thedetails of her appearance.But her gaze had thedirectness of longcommitment. The blackcloth hanging around herneckritualizedthefrontofherrobelikeachasuble.He distrusted her

completely. But hepreferred to take hischances with her ratherthan with her Courser.“Show me.” He cast asilent curse at theunsteadiness of his voice.“Senditaway.”She regarded him overtheflames.“Asyouwish.”Without shifting her gaze,she said, “Begone, Din!Watchandward.”

The beast gave a growlof disappointment. But itturned away and trottedoutintothenightIn an even tone, the

Rider asked, “Does thiscontentyou?”Covenantansweredwith

a jerk of his knottedshoulders. “It takes ordersfrom you.” He did notrelaxajotofhiswariness.“How content do you

expectmetoget?”Sheconsideredhimasif

shehadreasontofearhim,anddidnotintendtoshowit. “You misdoubt me,Halfhand.Yetitappearstome that the right ofmisdoubtismine.”Harshlyherasped,“How

doyoufigurethat?”“In Crystal Stonedown

you reft Sivit na-Mhoram-wist of his rightful claim,

and nigh slew him. But Igive you warning.” Hertone involuntarilybetrayed herapprehension. “I amMemla na-Mhoram-in. Ifyou seek my harm, I willnot be so blithelydispatched.” Her handsgripped her rukh, thoughshedidnotraiseitHe suppressed an angrydenial.“CrystalStonedown

is just about a hundredand fifty leagues fromhere. How do you knowwhathappenedthere?”She hesitatedmomentarily,thendecidedto speak. “With thedestruction of his rukh,Sivit was made helpless.But the fate of every rukhis known in Revelstone.Another Rider whochanced to be in that

regionwassentatoncetohis aid. Then that Riderspoke with his rukh toRevelstone, and the storywas told. I knew of itbefore Iwas sent to awaityou.”“Sent?” Covenant

demanded, thinking, Becareful. One thing at atime. “Why?HowdidyouknowIwascoming?”“Where else but

Revelstone would theHalfhandgowithhiswhitering?”sherepliedsteadily.“You fled MithilStonedown in the south,and appeared again atCrystal Stonedown. Youraimwasclear.AsforwhyIwas sent—I amnot alone.Seven of the Clave arescattered throughout thisregion, so that youwouldnot find the Keep

unforewarned. We weresent to escort you if youcome as friend. And togive warning if you comeasfoe.”Deliberately Covenant

let his anger show. “Don’tlietome.Youweresenttokill me. Every village inthe Land was told to killme on sight. You peoplethink I’m some kind ofthreat.”

Shestudiedhimoverthejumping flames. “Are younot?”“That depends. Whoseside are you on? TheLand’s—orLordFoul’s?”“Lord Foul? That nameisunknowntome.”“Thencallhima-Jeroth.A-Jeroth of the SevenHells.”She stiffened. “Do youask if I serve a-Jeroth?

Have you come such adistance in the Land, andnot learned that theClaveisdedicatedentirelytotheamelioration of theSunbane?Toaccuse—”Heinterruptedherlikeablade.“Proveit.”Hemadea stabbing gesture at herrukh. “Put that thingdown. Don’t tell them I’mcoming.”She stood still, trapped

byindecision.“If you really serve theLand,” he went on, “youdon’t need to be afraid ofme.ButI’vegotnoreasonto trust you. Goddamn it,you’ve been trying to killme!Idon’tcarehowmuchtougher you are thanSivit.” He brandished hisring, hoping she had noway of recognizing hisincapacity. “I’ll take you

apart. Unless you givemesomereasonnotto.”Slowly the Rider’sshoulders sagged. In atightvoice,shesaid,“Verywell.” Taking her scepterbythetriangle,shehandeditpastthefiretohim.He accepted it with hisleft hand to keep it awayfrom his ring. A touch ofrelief eased some of histension. He slipped the

iron into his belt, thentuggedathisbeardtokeephimself from becomingcareless, and began tomarshalhisquestions.Before he could speak,Memla said, “Now I amhelplessbeforeyou.Ihaveplaced myself in yourhands.But I desire you tounderstand the Clavebefore you choose mydoom.Forgenerations,the

soothreadershave foretoldthe coming of theHalfhand and the whitering. They saw it as anomen of destruction forthe Clave—a destructionwhich only your deathcouldprevent.“Halfhand, we are thelast bastion of power intheLand.Allelsehasbeenundone by the Sunbane.Only our might, constant

andvigilant,preservesanylife fromLandsdropto theWestron Mountains. Howcan our destruction beanything other thanheinous to the Land?Therefore we sought yourdeath.“But Sivit’s tale heldgreat meaning for Gibbonna-Mhoram. Your powerwas revealed to the Clavefor the first time. The na-

Mhoram took counsel forseveral days, and at lastelected to dare his doom.Power such as yours, hedeclared, is rare andprecious,andmustbeusedrather than resisted.Better, he said, to strivefor your aid, riskingfulfillment of thesoothreaders’ word, thanto lose the hope of yourpuissance. Therefore I do

notseekyourhurt,thoughSivitdid,tohiscost.”Covenant listenedintently, yearning for theability to hearwhether ornot she spoke the truth.Sunder and Hollian hadtaught him to fear theClave. But he needed toreach Revelstone—andreach it in a way whichwould not increase thedanger to his friends. He

decidedtoattemptatrucewithMemla.“All right,” he said,moderating the harshnessofhistone.“I’llacceptthat—for now. But there’ssomething I want you tounderstand. I didn’t lift afingeragainstSivituntilheattacked me.” He had nomemory of the situation;but he felt no need to bescrupulously candid.

Bluffing for his safety, headded, “He forcedme.AllI wanted was the eh-Brand.”He expected her to ask

why he wanted an eh-Brand. Her next sentencetookhimbysurprise.“Sivit reported that you

appearedtobeill.”A chill spattered down

his spine. Careful, hewarned himself. Be

careful. “Sunbane-fever,”he replied with complexdishonesty. “I was justrecovering.”“Sivit reported,” shewent on, “that you wereaccompanied by a manand a woman. The manwas a Stonedownor, butthewomanappearedtobeastrangertotheLand.”Covenant clenchedhimself,decidedtochance

the truth. “They werecaptured by a Rider.Santonin na-Mhoram-in.I’vebeenchasingthemfordays.”He hoped to surprise arevelation from her; butshe responded with afrown, “Santonin? He hasbeen absent fromRevelstone for many days—butI thinkhehastakennocaptives.”

“He’s got three,” raspedCovenant. “He can’t bemorethantwodaysaheadofme.”She considered for amoment, then shook herhead. “No. Had he takenyour companions, hewould have spoken of itthrough his rukh to theReaders. Iamna-Mhoram-in.Suchknowledgewouldnotbewithheldfromme.”

Her words gave him asick sense of being out ofhis depth—caught in aweb of falsehood with nopossibility of extrication.Whoislying?TheGravelerof StonemightWoodhelven? Memla? OrSantonin, so thathecouldkeep a fragment of theIllearth Stone for himself?Hisinabilitytodiscernthetruth hurt Covenant like

vertigo. But he fought tokeephisvisageflat,freeofnausea. “Doyou think I’mmakingthisup?”Memla was either a

consummate prevaricatoror a brave woman. Shemet his glare and saidevenly, “I think you havetold me nothingconcerning your truecompanion.” With a nod,sheindicatedVain.

The Demondim-spawnhad not moved a musclesincehehad first come toahaltnearthefire.“HeandImadeadeal,”Covenantretorted.“Idon’ttalk about him, and hedoesn’ttalkaboutme.”Her eyes narrowed.Slowlyshesaid,“Youareamystery, Halfhand. Youenter Crystal Stonedownwithtwocompanions.You

reaveSivitofaneh-Brand.You show power. Youescape. When you appearonce more, swift beyondbelief, your threecompanions are gone,replaced by this blackenigma. And you demandto be trusted. Is it powerwhich gives you sucharrogance?”Arrogance, is it?Covenant grated. I’ll show

you arrogance. Defiantlyhepulledtherukhfromhisbelt, tossed it to her. “Allright,” he snapped. “Talkto Revelstone. Tell themI’m coming. Tell themanybody who hurts myfriends is going to answerforit!”Startlement made her

hesitate.Shelookedattheiron and back at him,debating rapidly with

herself. Then she reachedher decision. Reluctantlyshe put the rukh awaywithin her robe.Straightening her blackchasuble, she sighed, “Asyou wish.” Her gazehardened. “If yourcompanions have indeedbeentakentoRevelstone,Iwill answer for theirsafety.”Her decision softened

his distrust. But he wasstillnotsatisfied.“Justonemore thing,” he said in aquieter tone. “If Santoninwas on his way toRevelstonewhileyouwerecominghere, couldhe getpast you without yourknowingit?”“Clearly,”sherespondedwith a tired lift of hershoulders. “The Land iswide, and I am but one

woman. Only the Readersknow the place and stateof every rukh. Thoughseven of us were sent toawait you, a Rider couldpass by unseen if he sochose. I rely on Din towatch and ward, but anyRider could commandDin’s silence, and I wouldbenone thewiser.Thus ifyoudesire tobelieve illofSantonin, Icannotgainsay

you.“Please yourself,” shecontinued in a tone offatigue. “I am no longeryoung, and mistrustwearies me. I must rest.”Bending like an oldwoman, she seated herselfnear the fire. “If you arewise, you will rest also.We are threescore leaguesfrom Revelstone—and aCourserisnopalanquin.”

Covenant gazed abouthim, considering hissituation.He felt too tight—and too trapped—torest. But he intended toremain with Memla. Hewanted the speed of hermount. She was eitherhonestorshewasnot;buthe would probably notlearn the truth until hereached Revelstone. Aftera moment, he, too, sat

down. Absent-mindedly,he unbound the pouch ofvitrim from his belt, andtookasmallswallow.“Doyou require foodorwater?”sheasked.“Ihaveboth.” She gesturedtoward the sacks near herbundleoffirewood.Heshookhishead.“I’vegot enough for one moreday.”“Mistrust,” Reaching

intoasack,shetookoutablanket and spread it ontheground.WithherbacktoCovenant,shelaydown,pulledtheblanketoverhershoulders likeaprotectionagainsthis suspicions,andsettledherselfforsleep.Covenant watched herthrough the decliningflames.Hewascoldwithachillwhichhadnothingtodo with the night air.

Memla na-Mhoram-inchallengedtoomanyofhisassumptions. He hardlycared that she cast doubton his distrust of theClave;hewouldknowhowto regard the Clave whenhelearnedmoreabouttheSunbane.Butherattackonhis preconceptions aboutLinden and Santonin lefthim sweating. WasSantonin some kind of

rogue Rider? Was this adirect attempt by LordFoul to lay hands on thering? An attack similar tothe possession of Joan?The lack of any answersmadehimgroan.If Linden were not atRevelstone, thenhewouldneed the Clave’s help tolocate Santonin. And hewouldhavetopayforthathelpwith cooperationand

vulnerability.Yanking at his beard asif he could pull wisdomfrom the skin of his face,heglaredatMemla’sbackandgroped forprescience.But he could not see pasthis fear that he mightindeed be forced tosurrenderhisring.No.Not that.Please.Hegrittedhisteethagainsthischilldread.Thefuturewas

a leper’s question, and hehadbeentaughtagainandagain that the answer layin single-mindeddedication to theexigencies of the present.But he had never beentaught how to achievesingle-mindedness, how tosuppress his own complexself-contradictions.Finally he dozed. His

slumber was fitful. The

night was protracted byfragmentarynightmaresofsuicide—glimpses of aleper’s self-abandonmentthat terrified him becausethey came so close to thefacts of his fate, to themanner in which he hadgivenhimselfup forJoan.Waking repeatedly, hestrovetoeludehisdreams;but whenever he fadedback toward

unconsciousness, theyrenewed their ubiquitousgrasp.Sometimebeforedawn,Memla roused herself.Muttering at the stiffnessin her bones, she used afew faggots to restore thefire, then set a stonewarebowl Ml of water in theflames to heat. While thewaterwarmed,sheputherforeheadinthedirttoward

Revelstone and mumbledorisons in a languageCovenant could notunderstand.Vainignoredherasifhe

hadbeenturnedtostone.Whenthewaterwashot

enough, she used some ofit to lave her hands, face,and neck. The rest sheoffered to Covenant. Heaccepted. After the nighthe had just spent, he

needed to comfort himselfsomehow. While heperformed what ablutionshecould,shetookfoodforbreakfast from one of hersacks.He declined her viands.

True, she had donenothing to threaten him.ButshewasaRideroftheClave. While he still hadvitrim left, he wasunwilling to riskher food.

And also, he admitted tohimself, he wanted toremindher of his distrust.He owed her at least thatmuchcandor.She took his refusalsourly. “Thenighthasnottaught you grace,” shesaid. “We are four daysfrom Revelstone,Halfhand. Perhaps youmean to live on air anddust when the liquid in

yourpouchfails.”“Imean,”hearticulated,“to trust you exactly asmuchasIhaveto,andnomore.”Shescowledathisreply,butmadenoretort.Soon dawn approached.Moving briskly now,Memla packed away hersupplies. As soon as shehad tied up her sacks,bound her bundles

together by lengths ofrope, she raised her head,andbarked,“Din!”Covenant heard the

sound of hooves. Amoment later, Memla’sCourser came trotting outofthedusk.She treated it with the

confidence of longfamiliarity. Obeying herbrusque gesture, Dinlowered itself to its belly.

Atonce,shebegantoloadthe beast, heaving herburdens across themiddleof its back so that theyhung balanced in pairs.Then, knotting her fingersinits longhair,shepulledherselfuptoperchnearitsshoulders.Covenant hesitated to

follow. He had alwaysbeen uncomfortablearound horses, in part

because of their strength,in part because of theirdistance from the ground;andtheCourserwaslargerand more dangerous thanany horse. But he had nochoice. When Memlasnapped at him irritably,he took his courage inboth hands, and heavedhimselfupbehindher.Din pitched to its feet.

Covenant grabbed at the

hair urgently to keephimself from falling. Aspasm of vertigo madeeverything reel as Memlaturned Din to face thesunrise.The sun broke thehorizon in brown heat.Almost at once, hazebegan to ripple thedistance, distorting all theterrain. His memories ofthe aid the Waynhim had

given him conflicted withhis vertigo and with hissurprise at Memla’simmunity.Answering his unspokenquestion, she said, “Din isacreatureoftheSunbane.Hisbodywardsusasstonedoes.”Thensheswungherbeast in the direction ofRevelstone.Din’s canter wasunexpectedly smooth; and

its hair gave Covenant asecure hold. He began torecover his poise. Thegroundstillseemedfatallyfar away; but it no longerappeared to bristle withfalling. Ahead of him,Memla sat cross-leggednear the Courser’sshoulders, trusting herhands to catch herwhenever she was jostledoff balance.After awhile,

he followed her example.Keeping both fistsconstantly clutched inDin’s coat, he madehimself as secure as hecould.Memla had not offered

Vain a seat. She hadapparentlydecidedtotreathim exactly as he treatedher.ButVaindidnotneedtobecarriedbyanybeast.He loped behind Din

effortlessly and gave nosign that he was in anywayawareofwhathewasdoing.Covenant rode through

the morning in silence,clinging to the Courser’sback and sipping vitrimwhenever the heat madehim dizzy. But whenMemla resumed theirjourneyafterabriefrestatnoon, he felt a desire to

make her talk.Hewantedinformation; thewildernessofhisignorancethreatened him. Stiffly heasked her to explain theRedeoftheClave.“The Rede!” she

ejaculated over hershoulder. “Halfhand, thetimebeforeusisreckonedindays,notturningsofthemoon.”“Summarize,” he

retorted. “If you don’twant me dead, then youwant my help. I need toknow what I’m dealingwith.”Shewassilent.Deliberately he rasped,“In other words, you havebeenlyingtome.”Memla leaned abruptlyforward, hawked and spatpast Din’s shoulder. Butwhen she spoke, her tone

was subdued, almostchastened.“TheRedeisofgreat length andcomplexity, comprising allthe accumulatedknowledgeof theClave inreference to life in theLand, and to survivalunder the Sunbane. It isthe task of the Riders toshare this knowledgethroughout the Land, sothat Stonedown and

Woodhelvenmayendure.”Right, Covenant

muttered. And to kidnappeoplefortheirblood.“But little of this

knowledge would haveworth to you,” she wenton. “You have sojournedscatheless under theSunbane.What skills it totellyouoftheRede?“Yet you desire

comprehension. Halfhand,

there is only one matterwhich the bearer of thewhite ring needunderstand. It is thetriangle.” She took therukh from her robe,showed it tohimoverhershoulder. “The ThreeCorners of Truth. Thefoundation of all ourservice.”To the rhythm of Din’s

strides,shebegantosing:

“Three thedays ofSunbane’sbale:Three theRede andsooth:Three thewords na-Mhoramspake:Three theCorners of

Truth.”

When she paused, hesaid, “What do you mean—‘three the days’? Isn’tthe Sunbane accelerating?Didn’t each sun formerlylast for four or five days,orevenmore?”“Yes,” she repliedimpatiently, “beyonddoubt. But thesoothreaders have ever

foretold that the Clavewould hold at three—thatthe generations-longincreaseofourpowerandthe constant mounting ofthe Sunbane would meetand match at three days,producing balance. Thuswehopenowthatinsomeway we may contrive totiltthebalancetoourside,sending the Sunbanetoward decline. Therefore

the na-Mhoram desiresyouraid.“But I was speaking of

the Three Corners ofTruth,”shecontinuedwithasperity before Covenantcould interrupt again.“This knowledge at leastyou do require. On thesethree facts the Clavestands, and every villagelives.“First,thereisnopower

inLandorlifecomparableto the Sunbane. In mightand efficacy, the Sunbanesurpasses all otherpuissanceutterly.“Second, there is no

mortalwhocanenduretheSunbane. Without greatknowledge and cunning,none can hope to endurefrom one sun to the next.Andwithoutopposition tothe Sunbane, all life is

doomed.Swiftorslow,theSunbanewillwreak entireruin.“Third, there is no

powersufficient toopposethe Land’s doom, exceptpower which is drawnfromtheSunbaneitself.Itsmight must be reflectedagainst it. No other hopeexists. Therefore does theClave shed the blood ofthe Land, for blood is the

key to the Sunbane. Ifwedonotunlock that power,therewillbenoendtoourperishing.“Hear you, Halfhand?”

Memla demanded. “Idoubt not that in yoursojourn you have metmuchrevilingoftheClave.Despite all our labor,Stonedown andWoodhelven must believethat we exact their blood

for pleasure or self.” ToCovenant’s ears, heracidity was the gall of awoman who instinctivelyabhorred her consciousconvictions. “Be notmisled!Thecost is sore tous. But we do not flinchfrom it because it is oursolemeanstopreservetheLand. If you must castblame, cast it upon a-Jeroth, who incurred the

justwrathof theMaster—and upon the ancientbetrayers, Berek and hisilk, who leagued with a-Jeroth.”Covenant wanted toprotest. As soon as shementioned Berek as abetrayer, her speech lostits persuasiveness. He hadnever known BerekHalfhand; the Lord-Fatherer was already a

legendwhenCovenanthadentered the Land. But hisknowledgeoftheeffectsofBerek’slifewasnearlytwoscore centuries morerecent than Memla’s. Anyset of beliefs whichcounted Berek a betrayerwas foundedona lie; andso any conclusions drawnfromthat foundationwerefalse. But he kept hisprotest silent because he

could conceive of no wayto demonstrate itsaccuracy.Noway shortofvictoryovertheSunbane.To spare himself a

pointless argument, hesaid,“I’llreservejudgmentonthat forawhile. In themeantime, satisfy mycuriosity.I’vegotatleastadim notion of who a-Jerothis.ButwhataretheSevenHells?”

Memla was mutteringsourly to herself. Hesuspected that sheresented his distrustprecisely because it wasechoedbyadistrustwithinherself. But she answeredbrusquely, “They are rain,desert,pestilence, fertility,war, savagery, anddarkness.ButIbelievethatthere is also an eighth.Blindhostility.”

After that, she rebuffedhiseffortstoengageherinanymoretalk.When they halted forthenight,hediscardedhisemptypouchandacceptedfood from her. And thenextmorning,hedidwhathe could to help herprepare for the day’sjourney.SittingonDin,shefacedthe sunrise. It crested the

horizon like a cynosure ingreen; and she shook herhead. “A fertile sun,” shemurmured. “A desert sunwreaks much ruin, and asunofrainmaybeathingofgreatdifficulty.Asunofpestilencecarriesperilandabhorrence. But for thosewho must journey, noother sun is as arduous asthe sun of fertility. Speaknottomeunderthissun,I

adjureyou.Ifmythoughtswander,ourpathwillalsowander.”By the time they had

coveredhalfaleague,newgrass blanketed theground. Young vinescrawledvisibly fromplaceto place: bushes unfoldedbudsthecolorofmint.Memla raised her rukh.

Uncapping the hollowscepter, she decanted

enoughbloodtosmearherhands. Then she startedchantingunderherbreath.A vermilion flame, paleand small in the sunlight,burned within the opentriangle.Under Din’s hooves, the

grass parted along astraightlinestretchinglikea plumb towardRevelstone. Covenantwatched the parting

disappear into thedistance.Thelinebarednoground; but everythingnearby—grass, shrubs,incipient saplings—bentaway from it as if aninvisible serpent weresliding northwestwardthrough the burgeoningvegetation.Along the parting, Din

cantered as if it wereincapableofsurprise.

Memla’schantbecamealow mumble. She restedthe end of her rukh onDin’s shoulders; but thetriangle and the flameremainederectbeforeher.At every change in theterrain, the verdurethickened, compressingwhole seasons intofractions of the day. Yether line remained open.Trees shunned it; copses

partedas if theyhadbeenriven by an axe; bushesedging the line had nobranchesor leaveson thatside.When Covenant lookedbehind him, he saw notraceofthepath; itclosedthe moment Memla’spower passed.As a result,Vain had to fend forhimself.Buthedidsowithcharacteristic disinterest,

slashingthroughgrassandbrush at a run, crashingthickets, tearing acrossbriarpatcheswhichleftnomarkonhisblackskin.Hecouldnothaveseemedlessconscious of difficulty.Watching the Demondim-spawn, Covenant did notknow which amazed himmore: Memla’s ability tocreate this path; or Vain’sability to travel at such

speedwithoutanypath.That night, Memla

explained her linesomewhat. Her rukh, shesaid, drew on the greatBanefire in Revelstone,where the Clave did itsworkagainst theSunbane,and the Readers tendedthe master-rukh. Only thepower for the link to themaster-rukhcamefromher;therestshesiphonedfrom

the Banefire. So themaking of her pathdemanded sternconcentration, but did notexhaust her. And thenearer she drew toRevelstone, the easier heraccess to the Banefirebecame.Thusshewasableto formher line again thenext day, defying theresistance of huge trees,heather and bracken as

high as Din’s shoulders,grass like thickets andthicketslikeforests.Yet Vain was able to

match the Courser’s pace.Hemet thesharper testofeach new league as if nosize or density ofvegetation could everestimate his limits. Andthe third day made nochange. It intensified stillmore the extravagance of

the verdure, but did nothamper the nonchalantease with which hefollowed Din. Time andagain, Covenant foundhimself craning his neck,watching Vain’s progressand wondering at thesheer unconscious force itrepresented.But as the afternoonpassed, his thoughtsturned from Vain, and he

began to look ahead. Themammoth jungleconcealed any landmarksthe terrain might haveoffered, but he knew thatRevelstone was near. Allhis anxiety, dread, andanticipation returned tohim; and he fought to seethrough the throngingfoliage as if only an earlyglimpse of the ancientKeep would forewarn him

of the needs and hazardshiddenthere.But he received no

forewarning. Late in theafternoon, Memla’s pathstartedupasteephillside.The vegetation suddenlyended on the rock of thefoothills. Revelstoneappeared before Covenantas if in that instant it hadbeen unfurled from thestorehouse of his most

vividmemories.TheCourserhadarrived

athwart the great stonecity, Giant-wroughtmillennia ago from thegutrockoftheplateau.Outof the farthest west,mountains came stridingeastward, then, twoleagues away onCovenant’s left, droppedsheer to the uplandplateau, still a thousand

feet and more above thefoothills. The plateaunarrowed to form awedgedpromontoryhalfaleague in length; and intothis promontory theancient Giants had delvedthe immense and intricatehabitationofRevelstone.The whole cliff-face

before Covenant wascoignedandfortified,linedwith abutments and

balconies, punctuated byoriels, architraves,embrasures, from a levelfifty or a hundred feetabove the foothills to therimof theplateau.Onhisleft, Revelstone graduallyfadedintonativerock;buton his right, it filled thepromontory to thewedge-tip,where thewatchtowerguarded themassive gatesoftheKeep.

The tremendous andfamiliar size of the citymade his heart ache withpridefortheGiantshehadloved—and with sharpgrief, for thoseGiantshaddied in a body, slain by aRaver during the waragainstLordFoul’sIllearthStone. He had once heardthat there was a patterngraven into the walls ofRevelstone, an

organization of meaningtoo huge for un-Giantishminds to grasp; and nowhe would never have itexplainedtohim.But thatwas not all hisgrief. The sight ofRevelstone recalled otherpeople, friends andantagonists,whomhe hadhurt and lost: TrellAtiaran-mate; Hile Troy,whohadsoldhissoultoa

Forestal so that his armymight survive; SaltheartFoamfollower;Elena.HighLord Mhoram. ThenCovenant’s sorrow turnedto anger as he consideredthat Mhoram’s name wasbeing used by a Clavewhich willingly shedinnocentblood.His wrath tightened as

he studied Revelstoneitself.Memla’slinerantoa

point in themiddle of thecity; and from theplateauabove that point sprang aprodigious vermeil beam,aimed toward theheartofthe declining sun. It waslike the Sunbane shaft ofSunder’s orcrest; but itssheer size was staggering.Covenant gaped at it,unable to conceive thenumber of lives necessaryto summon so much

power. Revelstone hadbecomeacitadelofblood.He felt poignantly that itwould never be cleanagain.Butthenhisgazecaught

something in the west, aglitter of hope. There,halfway betweenRevelstone and theWestron Mountains, layFurl Falls, where theoverflow of Glimmermere

came down the cliff toformtheWhiteRiver.Andthe Falls held water;tumbling spray caught theapproaching sunset, andshone. The land had beeneighteen days without asun of rain, and six ofthemhad been desert; yetthe springs ofGlimmermere had notfailed.Grippingangerandhope

between his teeth,Covenant set himself tofacewhateverlayahead.Memla gave a sigh ofaccomplishment, andlowered her rukh. TurningDin’sheadwithamutteredcommand, she sent thebeast trotting toward thegates under the southeastfaceofthetower.The watchtower wasbarely half the height of

the plateau, and its upperreaches stood independentof the main Keep, joinedonly by woodencrosswalks. Covenantremembered that acourtyard lay open to thesky within the granitewalls which sealed thebase of the tower to theKeep; and the megalithicstone gates under thewatchtowerwere repeated

beyond the courtyard, sothat Revelstone possesseda double defense for itsonly entrance. But as heapproached the tower, hewas shocked to see thatthe outer gates lay inrubble. Sometime in thedistant past, Revelstonehad needed its innerdefense.The abutments over the

ruined gates were

deserted, as were thefortifications andembrasures above it; thewhole tower seemedempty. Perhaps it was nolonger defensible. Perhapsthe Clave saw no need tofeartheentryofstrangers.Or perhaps this air ofdesertion was a trap tocatchtheunwary.Memla headed directly

into the tunnel,which led

to the courtyard; butCovenant slipped offDin’sback, lowering himself byhandholds of hair. Shestopped, looked back athim in surprise. “Here isRevelstone,” she said. “Doyounotwishtoenter?”“First things first.” His

shoulders were tight withapprehension. “Send thena-Mhoram out here. Iwant him to tell me in

personthatI’llbesafe.”“He is the na-Mhoram!”she snapped indignantly.“He does not come or goaccording to thewhimsofothers.”“Good for him.” Hecontrolledhistensionwithsarcasm. “The next time Ihaveawhim,I’llkeepthatin mind.” She opened hermouthtoretort.Hecutheroff. “I’ve already been

taken prisoner twice. It’snotgoingtohappentomeagain. I’m not going inthereuntilItalktothena-Mhoram.”Onthespurofasudden intuition, headded, “Tell him Iunderstandthenecessityoffreedom as well as hedoes.Hecan’tgetwhathewants by coercion. He’sjust going to have tocooperate.”

Memlaglaredathimforamoment, thenmuttered,“As you wish.” With agruff command, she sentDin into the tunnel,leaving Covenant alonewithVain.Covenant took hold of

his anxiety, and waited.Across the peaks, the sunwas setting in green andlavender; the shadow ofRevelstonespreadoutover

themonstrousverdurelikean aegis of darkness.Watching the tower forsigns of hostile intent, heobserved that no pennonsflew from its crown.Nonewere needed: the hot redshaft of Sunbane-forcemarked Revelstone as thehome of the Clave moresurelythananyoriflamme.Unable to possess

himself in patience, he

growled to Vain, “I’mdamned if I know whatyouwanthere.ButI’vegottoo many other problems.You’llhavetotakecareofyourself.”Vain did not respond.

He seemed incapable ofhearing.Then Covenant saw

movementinthetunnel.Ashortmanwearinga starkblack robe and a red

chasublecameoutpasttheruinedgates.Hecarriedaniron crozier as tall ashimself, with an opentriangleatoneend.Hedidnot use the hood of hisrobe; his round face, baldhead,andbeardlesscheekswere exposed. His visagewas irenic, formed in amoldofhabitualbeatitudeorboredom,as ifheknewfrom experience that

nothinginlifecouldrufflehis composure. Only hiseyes contradicted thehebetudeofhismien.Theywereapiercingred.“Halfhand,” he saiddully. “Be welcome inRevelstone. I am Gibbonna-Mhoram.”The simple blandness ofthe man’s manner madeCovenant uncomfortable.“Memla tells me I’m safe

here,”he said. “HowamIsupposed to believe that,when you’ve been tryingtokillmeeversinceIfirstsetfootintheLand?”“You represent great

peril to us, Halfhand.”Gibbonspokeasifhewerehalf asleep. “But I havecome to believe that youalso represent greatpromise. In the name ofthat promise, I accept the

riskof theperil.TheLandhasneedofeverypower.Ihavecometoyoualonesothatyoumayseethetruthof what I say. You are assafeamongusasyourownpurposespermit.”Covenant wanted to

challenge that assertion;but he was not ready tohazard a test.He changedhis tack. “Where’sSantonin?”

Gibbon did not blink.“Memla na-Mhoram-inspoketomeofyourbeliefthatyourcompanionshavefallen into the hands of aRider. I know nothing ofthis. Santonin has beenlong from Revelstone. Wefeel concern for him. Hisrukh is silent. Perhaps—ifwhat you say of him istrue—your companionshave mastered him, and

taken his rukh. I havealready commanded theRiders who were sent tomeet you to begin asearch.Ifyourcompanionsare found, I assure youthat we shall value theirsafety.”Covenant had no

answer.Hescowledat thena-Mhoram,and remainedsilent.The man showed no

uncertainty or confusion.He nodded toward Vain,andsaid,“NowImustaskyou concerning yourcompanion. His power isevident, but we do notcomprehendhim.”“Youseehim,”Covenantmuttered. “You know asmuchabouthimasIdo.”Gibbon permitted hisgaze towiden. But he didnot mention his

incredulity. Instead, hesaid, “My knowledge ofhimisnothing.ThereforeIwill not permit him toenterRevelstone.”Covenant shrugged.

“Suit yourself. If you cankeep him out, you’rewelcome.”“Thatwillbeseen.”The

na-Mhoram gesturedtoward the tunnel. “Willyouaccompanyme?”

For one more moment,Covenant hesitated. Thenhe said, “I don’t think Ihavemuchchoice.”Gibbon noddedambiguously,acknowledging eitherCovenant’s decision or hislackofoptions,andturnedtowardthetower.Walking behind the na-Mhoram, Covenantentered the tunnel as if it

were a gullet into peril.His shoulders hunchedinvoluntarily against hisfearthatpeoplemightleapon him from the openingsin theceiling.Butnothingattacked him. Amid theechoingofhisfootsteps,hepassed through to thecourtyard.There he saw that theinner gates were intact.Theywereopenonlywide

enough to admit the na-Mhoram. Members of theClave stood guard on thefortifications over theentrance.Motioning for Covenant

to follow him, Gibbonslipped between the hugestonedoors.Hellfire, Covenant

rasped, denying histrepidation. With Vain athis back, he moved

forward.The gates were poised

like jaws. The instant hepassed them, they closedwith a hollow granitethud,sealingVainoutside.There was no light.

Revelstone crouchedaround Covenant, as darkasaprison.

EIGHTEEN:RevelstoneinRain

“Gibbon!” Fear and irelashedCovenant’svoice.“Ah, your pardon,” thena-Mhoram replied out ofthe darkness. “You desirelight.Amoment.”Robes rustled aroundCovenant. He flung hisarms wide to ward themoff;buttheydidnotassail

him.Thenheheardawordof command. Red flameburstfromthetriangleofarukh. Other lightsfollowed. Inmoments, thehigh, wide entry hall ofRevelstone was garishlyincarnadine.“Your pardon,” Gibbonrepeated. “Revelstone is aplaceofcaution.TheClaveis unjustly despised bymany, as your own

mistrust demonstrates.Therefore we admitstrangerswarily.”Groping to recover his

inner balance, Covenantgrated, “Have you everstopped to consider thatmaybe there’s a reasonwhy people don’t likeyou?”“Their mislike is

natural,” said the na-Mhoram, unperturbed.

“Their lives are fear fromdawntodusk,andtheydonotbeholdthefruitofourlabor. How should theybelieve us when we saythatwithoutustheywouldperish? We do not resentthis. But we take cautionagainstit.”Gibbon’s explanationsounded dangerouslyplausible. Yet Covenantdistrusted the na-

Mhoram’s lack of passion.Because he could think ofno apt retort, he simplynodded when Gibbonasked, “Will you come?”At the na-Mhoram’s side,he walked down the hall,flankedbymembersoftheClavecarryingfires.Thehallwasas largeas

a cavern; it had beenformed by Giants toaccommodate Giants. But

Gibbon soon turned fromit intoa sidepassage, andbegan to ascend broadstairways toward theupper levels of the city.Revelstonewasascomplexas a maze because it hadbeen laidoutaccording tocriteriaknownonly to thelong-dead Giants.However, it was familiarto Covenant; though hehad not been here for ten

ofhisyears,hefoundthatheknewhisway.He tooka grim satisfaction fromthefact.Loyal to the Keep heremembered, he followedGibbon upward and awayfrom the spine ofRevelstone.Oncetheentryhallwaswellbehindthem,their way was lit bytorchessmokinginsconcesalong the walls. Before

long, they entered acorridor marked at longintervals by granite doorswith wooden handles.Opposite one of themstood a hooded figurewearingaredrobebutnochasuble. When the na-Mhoram approached, thefigureopenedthedoorforhim. Covenant took amoment to be sure theentrance had no hidden

locksorbolts,thenwentinafterGibbon.Beyond the door lay a

suite of rooms: a centralarea containing stonechairs and a table; abedroomtoonesideandabathroom to the other; anouter balcony. On thetable was a tray of food.Brands lit the suite,covering the air with apatina of smoke.

Remembering theuntrammeled fires of theLords, Covenant began tomarshal bitter questionsforthena-Mhoram.“You will have comfort

here,”Gibbonsaid.“Butifyouaredispleased,wewillprovide any quarters yourequire. Revelstone islarger than theClave, andmuch unused.” Beckoningfor the hooded figure

beyond the doorway, hecontinued,“ThisisAkkasrina-Mhoram-cro. She willanswer your wants. Speakto her of any lack ordesire.” The hoodedwoman bowed withoutrevealing her face orhands, and withdrew.“Halfhand, are youcontent?”Content? Covenant

wanted to snarl.Oh, sure!

Where the goddamnbloodyhell isLinden?Buthe repressed that impulse.He did notwish to betrayhowmuchhiscompanionsmattered to him. Instead,he said, “I’ll be fine. Aslong as nobody tries tostick a knife into me—orlock my door—or poisonmyfood.”Gibbon’s beatitude

smothered every emotion.

His eyeswere as bland astheir color permitted. Heregarded Covenant for amoment, then moved tothe table. Slowly he ate abitefromeverydishonthetray—dried fruit, bread,stew—and washed themdownwithaswallowfromthe flask. HoldingCovenant’s gaze, he said,“Halfhand, this mistrustdoesnotbecomeyou.Iam

movedtoaskwhyyouarehere, when you expectsuchillatourhands.”That question Covenant

was prepared to answerhonestly. “Not countingwhat happened to myfriends, I needinformation. I need tounderstand this Sunbane.So I need the Clave. Thevillagers I’ve met—” Theyhad been too busy trying

to kill him to answerquestions. “They justsurvive. They don’tunderstand. I want toknow what causes theSunbane.SoIcanfightit.”Gibbon’s red eyes

glinted ambiguously.“Very well,” he replied ina tone that expressed nointerest in what he heardorsaid.“AstofightingtheSunbane,Imustaskyouto

waituntilthemorrow.TheClave rests at night. Butthe causes of the Sunbaneareplainenough. It is theMaster’swrathagainst theLand for the evil of pastservicetoa-Jeroth.”Covenant growled

inwardly. That idea waseither a lie or a cruelperversion.Buthedidnotintend to arguemetaphysics with Gibbon.

“That isn’twhat Imean. Ineed something morepractical. How is it done?How did it happen? Howdoesitwork?”Gibbon’s gaze did not

waver. “Halfhand, if Ipossessedsuchknowledge,I would make use of itmyself.”Terrific. Covenant did

not know whether tobelieve the na-Mhoram. A

wave of emotional fatiguerolledoverhim.Hebeganto see how hard it wouldbe to glean theinformation he needed;and his courage quailed.Hedidnotknowtherightquestions. He simplynoddedwhenGibbonsaid,“Youareweary.Eat,now.Sleep.Perhapsthemorrowwillbringnewinsight.”ButasGibbonmovedto

the door, Covenant feltcompelled to try oncemore.“Tellme.HowcomeGlimmermere still haswater?”“We moderate the

Sunbane,” the na-Mhoramanswered with easypatience. “Therefore theEarth retains somevitality.” A blink ofhesitation touched hiseyes, vanished. “An old

legend avers that anamelessperiaptliesinthedeeps of the lake,sustaining it against theSunbane.”Covenant nodded again.He knew of at least onething, powerful or not,whichlayatthebottomofGlimmermere.Then Gibbon left theroom, closing the doorbehindhim,andCovenant

wasalone.He remained still for awhile, allowing hisweakness to flow overhim.Thenhe tookachairout onto the balcony, sothathecouldsitandthinkintheprivacyofthenight.His balcony stoodhalfway up the south faceof the Keep. A gibbousmoon was rising, and hewasabletodescrythevast

darkjumbleoftreesleftbythefertilesun.Sittingwithhis feetbracedagainst therail of the balcony toappeasehisfearofheights,he ran his fingers throughhis tangled beard, andtriedtocometogripswithhisdilemma.He did not in fact

anticipate a physicalattempt upon his life. Hehad insisted on the

necessity of freedom inorder to remind theClavethat they would gainnothingbykillinghim;butthe truth was that heaccused the Clave ofmeditating murderprimarily as a release foranentirelydifferentdread.He was afraid for

Linden, poignantly afraidthathisfriendswereinfarmoredanger thanhewas.

And this fear wasaggravated by hishelplessness. Where werethey? Were Gibbon andMemla lying aboutSantonin?Ifso,howcouldhe learn the truth? If not,what couldhedo?He feltcrippled without Linden;heneededherperceptions.Shewouldhavebeenableto tellhimwhetherornotGibbonwashonest.

Cursingthenumbnessofhis leprosy, he asked thenightwhyheofallpeoplein the Land—ThomasCovenant, Unbeliever andwhite gold wielder, whohad once mastered theDespiser inmortal combat—why he should feel sohelpless. And the answerwas that his self-knowledge, hisfundamental confidence in

what hewas,was torn bydoubt. His resources hadbecome a contradiction.Alltheconsciousextremityof his will was unable tocall up one jot or tittle ofpower from his ring; yetwhenhewasdelirious, heexerted a feral mightutterly beyond consciouscontrol. Therefore hedistrustedhimself,anddidnotknowwhattodo.

But to that question thenight turned a deaf ear.Finally he abandoned theinterrogation, and setaboutpreparingforsleep.In the bathroom, hestripped off his clothes,scrubbed both them andhimself thoroughly, thendraped them over chairbacks to dry. He feltvulnerable in hisnakedness;butheaccepted

thatriskbyeatingthefoodhe had been given,drinkingtothebottomtheflask of metheglin. Themead added a physicaldrowsiness to his moralfatigue. When heinvestigated the bed, hefound it comfortable andclean-smelling. Expectingnightmares, surprises,anguish, he crouchedunder the blankets, and

slept.

He awoke to the soundof rain—torrents beatinglike the rush of a riveragainst Revelstone’sgranite. The air of thebedroomfeltmoist;hehadnot closed off the balconybefore going to bed. Butfor a time he did notmove; he lay in the

streaming susurration andlet the sound carry himtowardalertness.When at last he rolled

over onto his back andopened his eyes, he foundVain standing near thebed.The Demondim-spawn

bore himself as always—armshangingslightlybent,stance relaxed, eyesfocusedonnothing.

“What the hell—?”Covenantjerkedoutofbedand hurried into the nextroom. Rain came slashingin from the balcony,drenching the floor. Hebraved the deluge, wentoutside to look for someindicationofhowVainhadreachedhim.Through the downpour,he sawahuge tree boughleaning against the end of

the balcony. The butt ofthelimbrestedonanotherbalconythirtyorfortyfeetbelow; apparently Vainhad climbed severalhundred feet up the wallof Revelstone by scalinghis bough to the lowerabutments, then pulling itupbehindhimandusingittoreachthenextparapets,ascending by stages untilhe gained Covenant’s

room. How Vain hadknown the right roomCovenanthadnoidea.Scattering water, he

rushed back into his suiteand swung shut thebalcony-door. Naked anddripping, he gaped at theDemondim-spawn, amazedby Vain’s inexplicablecapabilities. Then a grimgrin twisted his mouth.“Goodforyou,”herasped.

“This will make themnervous.” Nervous peoplemademistakes.Vain gazed vacuously

pasthim likeadeaf-mute.Covenant nodded sharplyathisthoughtsandstartedtoward the bathroom toget a towel. But he waspulled to a halt by thesightofthelividrawpatchrunning from the left sideof Vain’s head down his

shoulder. He had beeninjured; his damaged skinoozedablackfluidasifhehadbeenseverelyburned.How—? Over the past

days, Covenant hadbecome so convinced ofVain’s invulnerability thatnow he could not think.The Demondim-spawncould be hurt? Surely—But the next instant hisastonishment disappeared

in a flaring ofcomprehension. Vain hadbeen attacked by theClave-Riders testing themysterious figure outsidetheir gates. They hadburned him. Perhaps hehad not even deigned todefendhimself.But his mien betrayedno knowledge of pain.After amoment,Covenantwent cursing into the

bathroom and began totowel himself dry.Bastards! I’ll bet he didn’tlift a finger. Swiftly hedonnedhisclothes,thoughthey were still somewhatdamp.Stridingtothedoorof his suite, he pushed itopen.Akkasri na-Mhoram-crostoodinthepassagewithafresh tray of food at herfeet. Covenant beckoned

roughlytoher.Shepickedup the tray and carried itintohissuite.He stopped her insidethedoorway,tookthenewtray and handed her theold one, then dismissedher. He wanted her tohave a chance to reportVain’s presence to the na-Mhoram. It was a smallrevenge, but he took it.Her hood concealed her

face, so that he could notsee her reaction. But sheleftwithalacrity.Mutteringdarkly,he satdowntobreakfast.Shortlyafterhefinished,there was a knock at hisdoor.Hethrusttheslabofstone open, and wasdisappointed to findAkkasrialoneoutside.“Halfhand,”shesaidinamuffled tone, “you have

asked for knowledgeconcerning the Clave’sresistance of the Sunbane.The na-Mhoramcommands me to serveyou.Iwillguideyoutotheplace where our work iswrought and explain it asbestImay.”This was not whatCovenant had expected.“Where’sGibbon?”“The na-Mhoram,”

replied Akkasri, stressingGibbon’s title, “has manyduties. Though I am onlyna-Mhoram-cro, I cananswer certain inquiries.Gibbon na-Mhoram willattend you, if I do notsufficetoyourneed.”Oh, hell, he growled.But he concealed hisdisconcertion. “We’ll see.I’vegotalotofquestions.”He stepped out into the

hallway, held the dooropenforVain.“Let’sgo.”At once, Akkasrimovedoff down the passage,ignoring Vain completely.This struck Covenant asunnatural; theDemondim-spawn was not easilydiscounted. Perhaps shehadbeentoldwhattodo?Then his revenge had notbeenwasted.His nerves tightened.

Striding at Akkasri’s side,he began his search forcomprehension by askingbluntly, “What’s a na-Mhoram-cro?”“Halfhand,” the woman

saidwithout giving him aglimpse of her face, “thena-Mhoram-cro are thenovices of the Clave. Wehave been taught much,buthavenotyetmasteredthe rukh sufficiently to

become Riders. When wehave gained that skill, wewill be na-Mhoram-wist.Andwithmuchexperienceand wisdom, some of uswill advance to becomethe hands of the na-Mhoram himself, the na-Mhoram-in. Such isMemla, who bore you toRevelstone. She is greatlyhonored for her courageandsagacity.”

“If you’re a novice,” hedemanded, “how muchcanyouexplain?”“Only Gibbon na-Mhoram holds all theknowledge of the Clave.”Akkasri’s tone was tingedwith indignation. “But Iam unskilled, notignorant.”“All right.” With Vainbehind them, she ledCovenant downward,

tending generally towardthe central depths of theKeep.“Tellmethis.WheredidtheClavecomefrom?”“Halfhand?”“It hasn’t been here

forever.OtherpeopleusedtoliveinRevelstone.Whathappened to them? Howdid the Clave get started?Whostartedit?”“Ah.”Shenodded.“That

isamatterof legend. It is

said that many and manygenerations ago,when theSunbane first appeared inthe sky, the Land wasgoverned by a Council.ThisCouncilwasdecadent,andmadenoefforttomeetthe peril. Thereforeprecious time was lostbefore the coming of theMhoram.”Covenant began torecognize where she was

taking him; this was theway to the sacredenclosure. He was faintlysurprised by the generalemptinessof thehallsandpassages. But he reflectedthat Revelstonewas huge.Several thousand peoplecould live in it withoutcrowdingeachother.“It is his vision whichguides us now,” the na-Mhoram-cro was saying.

“Seeing that the Councilhadfallentotheguileofa-Jeroth,hearosewiththosefewwhoretainedzealandforesight, and drove outthe treachers. Then beganthe long struggle of ourlivestopreservetheLand.From theMhoramandhisfew has the Clavedescended, generationafter generation, na-Mhoram to na-Mhoram,

seeking ever toconsummatehisoppositiontotheSunbane.“It is a slow work. Wehave been slow to masterthe skill and gain thenumberswhichweneed—andslowaswelltomusterblood.” She said thewordblood with perfectimpersonality, as if it costnothing. “But now weapproach the fruition of

our long dream. TheSunbane has reached arhythmofthreedays—andwe hold. We hold,Halfhand!” She claimedpride; but she spokeblandly, as if pride, too,wereimpersonal.Asifshehad been carefullygroomed to answerCovenant’squestions.Butheheldhissuspicion

in abeyance. They walked

one of the main hallwaysalong the spine of theKeep; and ahead he couldsee the passage branchingto circle left and rightaround the outer wall ofthe sacred enclosure,wherethelong-deadLordshad held their Vespers ofself-consecration to theLandandtoPeace.As he drew closer, heobservedthatallthemany

doors, which wereregularly spaced aroundthewalland largeenoughforGiants,werekeptshut.The brief opening as aRider came out of theenclosure revealed aglimpse of lurid red heatandmuffledroaringinside.The na-Mhoram-crostopped before one of thedoors, addressingCovenant. “Speech is

difficultwithinthisplace.”He wanted to behold herface;shesoundedasifshehad evasive eyes. But herhoodconcealedhervisage.If he had not seenMemlaandGibbon,hemighthavesuspected that all theClave were hiding somekind of deformity. “It isthe hall of the Banefireandthemaster-rukh.Whenyou have seen it, we will

withdraw, and I will tellyouconcerningit.”He nodded in spite of asudden reluctance to seewhat the Clave had doneto the sacred enclosure.When Akkasri opened thenearest door, he followedher into a flood of heatandnoise.The place blazed withgarish fire. The enclosurewas an immense cavity in

thegut-rockofRevelstone,a cylinder on end, risingfrombelowthelevelofthefoothills more thanhalfway up the height ofthe Keep. From a dais onthe floor, the Lords hadspoken to the city.And inthe walls were sevenbalconies circling thespace, one directly abovethenext.There thepeopleofRevelstonehadstoodto

heartheLords.No more. Akkasri had

brought Covenant to thefourth balcony; but evenhere,at leasttwohundredfeet above the floor, hewas painfully close to thefire.Itroaredupwardfroma

hollowwherethedaishadbeen, sprang yowling andraging almost as high asthe placewhere he stood.

Red flame clawed the airas if the very roots of theKeepwereafire.Theblastof heat half-blinded him;the fire seemed to scorchhis cheeks, crisp his hair.He had to blink away ablur of tears before hecould make out anydetails.The first thing he sawwas the master-rukh. Itrested at three points on

the rail of this balcony, aprodigious iron triangle.The center of each armgloweddullvermeil.Two members of theClavestoodateachcornerof the master-rukh. Theyseemed impervious to theheat. Their hands grippedthe iron, concentrated onitasiftheBanefirewereascript which they couldreadby touch.Their faces

shone ruddy and fanaticalabovetheflames.Clearly this was theplace from which the redshaft of Sunbane powerleapedtothesun.Thedoorsatthebaseofthe cavity and around thehighest balcony wereopen, providingventilation. In the luridbrilliance, Covenant sawthe domed ceiling for the

first time. Somehow theGiants had contrived tocarve it ornately. Boldfigures strode the stone,depicting scenes from theearlyhistoryof theGiantsin the Land: welcome,gratitude, trust. But thefire made the imagesappear strangely distortedandmalefic.Grinding his teeth, hecasthisgazedownward.A

movement at the base ofthe fire caught hisattention.Hesawnowthatseveral troughs had beencut into the floor, feedingthe hollow. A figureappareled like the na-Mhoram-cro approachedone of the troughs,carrying two heavy pailswhich were emptied intothe trough. Dark fluid ranlike the ichor of

Revelstone into thehollow. Almost at once,the Banefire took on aricher texture, deepenedtoward the ruby hue ofblood.Covenant wassuffocating on heat andinchoatepassion.Hisheartstruggled in his chest.Brushing past Akkasri andVain, he hastened towardthe nearest corner of the

master-rukh.Thepeopletheredidnotnotice him; the deep roarof the flame covered thesound of his boots, andtheir concentration wasintent. He jerked one ofthem by the shoulder,pulledtheindividualawayfrom the iron. The personwas taller than he—afigure of power andindignation.

Covenant yelled up atthe hooded face, “Where’sSantonin?”Aman’svoiceanswered,

barelyaudiblethroughthehowloftheBanefire.“Iama Reader, not asoothreader!”Covenant gripped the

man’s robe. “Whathappenedtohim?”“He has lost his rukh!”

the Reader shouted back.

“At the command of thena-Mhoram, we havesearched for himdiligently!Ifhisrukhweredestroyed—if he wereslainwith his rukh still inhis hands—we wouldknow of it. Every rukhanswerstothemaster-rukh,unlessitfallsintoignoranthands. He would notchoose toreleasehis rukh.Therefore he has been

overcome and bereft.Perhapsthenhewasslain.Wecannotknow!”“Halfhand!” Akkasriclutched at Covenant’sarm, urging him towardthedoor.Heletherdrawhimoutofthesacredenclosure.Hewas dizzy with heat andblind wild hope. MaybetheReaderspokethetruth;maybe his friends had

overpowered their captor;maybe they were safe!While the na-Mhoram-croclosed thedoor,he leanedagainst theouterwallandpanted at the blessedlycoolair.Vain stood near him, as

blank and attentive asever.Studying Covenant,

Akkasri asked, “Shall wereturn to your chamber?

Doyouwishtorest?”He shook his head. He

did not want to exposethat much of his hope.With an effort, he rightedhis reeling thoughts. “I’mfine.” His pulsecontradicted him; but hetrusted she could notperceivesuchthings.“Justexplain it. I’ve seen themaster-rukh. Now tell mehow it works. How you

fighttheSunbane.”“By drawing its powerfrom it,” she answeredsimply. “If more water istaken froma lake than itssprings provide, the lakewill be emptied. Thus weresisttheSunbane.“WhentheMhoramfirstcreated the Banefire, itwas a small thing, andaccomplished little. Butthe Clave has increased it

generation aftergeneration,strivingforthedaywhensufficientpowerwouldbeconsumedtohaltthe advance of theSunbane.”Covenant fumbledmentally, then asked,“What do you dowith allthis power? It’s got to gosomewhere.”“Indeed.We havemuchuse for power, to

strengthen the Clave andcontinueourwork.Asyouhave learned, much isdrawn by the Riders, sothat they may ride andlaborinwaysnolonemanor woman could achievewithout a ruinousexpenditureofblood.Withother power are theCoursers wrought, so thatthe Sunbane will have nomastery over them. And

more is consumed by thelivingofRevelstone.Cropsare grown on the uplandplateau—kine and goatsnourished—looms andforges driven. In earliergenerations,theClavewashampered by need andpaucity. But now weflourish, Halfhand. Unlesssome grave disaster fallsuponus,”Akkasrisaidinapointed tone,“wewillnot

fail.”“And you do it all by

killing people,” he rasped.“Where do you get thatmuchblood?”She turned her head

away in distaste for hisquestion. “Doubtless youpossess that knowledge,”she said stiffly. “If youdesire furtherenlightenment, consult thena-Mhoram.”

“I will,” he promised.The state of the sacredenclosure reminded himthattheClavesawasevilawholehostofthingswhichhe knew to be good; andactions which they calledgoodmadehisgutsheave.“In themeantime, tell mewhat the na-Mhoram”—toirritate her, he used thetitle sardonically—“has inmindforme.Hewantsmy

help. What does he wantmetodo?”This was obviously aquestionforwhichshehadcome prepared. Withouthesitation, she said, “Hedesires to make of you aReader.”A Reader, he mutteredtohimself.Terrific.“For several reasons,”she went on evenly. “Thedistinction between

Reading and soothreadingis narrow, but severe.Perhaps with your whitering the gap may bebridged, giving the Claveknowledge to guide itsfuture. Also with yourpower, perhaps still moreof the Sunbane may beconsumed. Perhaps youmay exert a mastery overthe region aroundRevelstone,freeingit from

the Sunbane. This is ourhope.Asyouwieldedmorepower,theSunbanewouldgrow weaker, permittingthe expansion of yourmastery, spreading safetyfarther out into the Land.Thus the work ofgenerations might becompressed into onelifetime.“It is a brave vision,

Halfhand, worthy of any

man or woman. A greatsaving of life and Land.ForthatreasonGibbonna-Mhoram rescinded thecommandofyourdeath.”But he was not

persuaded. He onlylistened to her with halfhismind.Whileshespoke,he became aware of analteration in Vain. TheDemondim-spawn nolonger stood completely

still.Hisheadshiftedfromsidetoside,asifheheardadistantsoundandsoughtto locate its source. Hisblack orbs were focused.When Akkasri said, “Willyou answer, Halfhand?”Covenant ignored her. Hefelt suddenly sure thatVain was about to dosomething. An obscureexcitement pulled himawayfromthewall,poised

him for whatever mighthappen.Abruptly Vain startedaway along the curvinghall.“Your companion!” thena-Mhoram-cro barked insurprise and agitation.“Wheredoeshego?”“Let’sfindout.”Atonce,Covenant strode afterVain.The Demondim-spawn

movedlikeamanwithanimpeccable knowledge ofRevelstone. Paying noheed to Covenant andAkkasri, or to the peoplehe passed, he traversedcorridors and stairways,disused meeting halls andrefectories; and at everyopportunity he descended,working his way towardtherootsoftheKeep.Akkasri’s agitation

increasedateverydescent.But, like Vain, Covenanthad no attention to sparefor her. Searching hismemory,he tried to guessVain’s goal. He could not.Before long, Vain led himintopassageshehadneverseen before. Torchesbecame infrequent. Attimes, he could barelydistinguish the blackDemondim-spawnfromthe

dimness.Then without warning,

Vain arrived in a cul-de-sac lit only by lightreflecting from somedistance behind him. AsCovenant and Akkasricaught up with him, hewas staring at the end ofthecorridorasifthethinghe desired were hiddenbeyondit.“What is it?” Covenant

did not expect Vain toreply; he spoke only torelieve his own tension.“Whatareyouafter?”“Halfhand,”snappedthe

na-Mhoram-cro, “he isyour companion.” Sheseemedafraid,unpreparedfor Vain’s action. “Youmustcontrolhim.Hemuststophere.”“Why?” Covenant

drawled, trying tovexher

into a lapse of caution, arevelation. “What’s sospecialaboutthisplace?”Hervoice jumped. “It isforbidden!”Vain faced the blindstone as if he werethinking. Then he steppedforward and touched thewall. For a long moment,his hands probed thesurface.Hismovements struck a

chord in Covenant’smemory. There wassomething familiar aboutwhatVainwasdoing.Familiar?The next instant, Vainreached up to a spot onthe wall above his head.Immediately lines of redtracery appeared in thestone.Theyspreadasifhehad ignited an intaglio: inmoments, red limned a

widedoorway.The door swung open,

revealing a torch-litpassage.Yes! Covenant shouted

to himself. When he andFoamfollower had tried toenter Foul’s Creche, theGiant had found andopeneda similardoor justas Vain had found andopenedthisone.But what was that kind

of door doing inRevelstone? Neither theGiants nor the Lords hadeverusedsuchentrances.In a sudden rush of

trepidation, he sawAkkasri’s movement amoment too late to stopher. Swift with urgency,she snatched a rukh fromunder her robe anddecanted blood onto herhands. Now fire sprang

from the triangle; shebegan shouting words hecouldnotunderstand.Vain had already

disappeared into thepassage. Before the doorcould close itself again,Covenant sprinted aftertheDemondim-spawn.This hall doubled back

parallel to theonehehadjustleft.Itwaswell-lit.Hecould see that this place

had not been part of theoriginalGiant-work.Walls,floor, ceiling, allwere tooroughly formed. TheGiants had never delvedstone so carelessly.Leaping intuitively aheadofhimself,heguessedthatthis tunnel had not beencut until after the passingoftheCouncil,Ithadbeenmade by the Clave fortheirownsecretpurposes.

Beyond him, a sidecorridor branched off tothe left. Vain took thisturning. Covenantfollowedrapidly.In ten strides, theDemondim-spawn reachedamassiveirondoor.Ithadbeen sealed with heavybolts sunk deep into thestone, as if the Claveintended it to remain shutforever.

A faint pearly lightmarked the cracks aroundthemetal.Vaindidnothesitate.Hewent to the door, found aplace towedge his fingersinto the cracks. His backand shoulders tensed.Pressure squeezed newfluidfromhisburns.Covenant heard runningbehind him, but did notturnaway.Hisamazement

tiedhimtoVain.With a prodigious burst

of strength, Vain tore thedoor from its moorings.Ringing like an anvil, itfelltothefloor.Inawashof nacreous illumination,he stepped past thethreshold.Covenantfollowedlikea

maninatrance.They entered a large

chamber crammed with

tables, walled to theceiling with shelves.Hundreds of scrolls,caskets, pouches, periaptsfilled the shelves. Thetableswerepiledhighwithstaffs, swords, scores oftalismans. The light camefrom three of the richestcaskets, set high on theback wall, and fromseveral objects on thetables. Dumb with

astonishment, Covenantrecognized the small chestwhich had once held thekrill of Loric Vilesilencer.The chest was open andempty.He gaped about him,

unable to think, realize,understand.Amomentlater,Akkasri

and two people dressedlike Riders raced into thechamber and leaped to a

halt. They brandishedflaming rukhs. “Touchnothing!” one of thembarked.Vain ignored them as ifhe had already forgottenthey had the power toharm him. He moved tooneofthefartables.Therehe found what he sought:two wide bands of dullgrayiron.Covenant identified

themmorebyinstinctthananydistinctivefeature.Theheelsof theStaffofLaw.The Staff of Law,greatesttooloftheCouncilof Lords, formedbyBerekHalfhandfromabranchofthe One Tree. It wasdestroyed by wild magicwhenLordFoulhadforceddead Elena to wield itagainst the Land. Bannor

had borne the heels backto Revelstone after theDespiser’sdefeat.Before anyone could

react, Vain donned thebands.One he slipped over his

righthand. It shouldhavebeentoosmall;butitwentpast his knuckles withouteffort,and fittedsnugly tohiswrist.Theotherhepulledonto

his left foot. The ironseemedelastic.Hedrewitover his arch and heeleasily, settled it tightabouthisankle.ARider gasped.Akkasri

and another woman facedCovenant. “Halfhand,”Akkasri’s companionsnapped, “this is uponyourhead.TheAumbrieofthe Clave is forbidden toall. We will not tolerate

suchviolation.”Her tone brought

Covenant back to himself.Dangersbristledintheair.Thinking rapidly, he said,“AlltheloreoftheLords—everything that used tobelong to the Council. It’sallhere.It’sallintact.”“Much is intact,”

Akkasri said rigidly. “TheCouncil was decadent.Somewaslost.”

Covenant hardly heardher.“TheFirstandSecondWards.” He gesturedtowardtheshiningcaskets.“TheThirdWard?Didtheyfind the Third Ward?”Foreseeing the Ritual ofDesecration, KevinLandwasterhadhiddenallhis knowledge in SevenWards to preserve it forfutureCouncils;butduringHighLordMhoram’s time,

only the first two and thelasthadbeenfound.“Evidently,” a Riderretorted.“Littlegooditdidthem.”“Then why”—Covenantput all his appalledamazement into his voice—“don’tyouuseit?”“Itisloreforthatwhichno longer exists.” Thereply had the force of anindictment. “It has no

valueundertheSunbane.”Oh,hell.Covenantcouldfindnootherwordsforhisdismay.Hellandblood.“Come!” The Rider’scommand cut like a lash.But it was not directed atCovenant. She and hercompanions had turnedtoward Vain. Their rukhsburned redly, summoningpower.Vain obeyed,moving as

if he had remembered thesource of his injury.Akkasri grabbed his arm,triedtopullthebandfromhis wrist; but the metalwasIronandinflexible.Gesturing with their

rukhs, she and the Ridersescorted Vain from theAumbrie as if Covenantwerenotpresent.He followed them. To

his surprise, they herded

Vain away from thehiddendoorway.They went some

distance down the roughcorridor.Thenthepassageturned sharply, anddebouchedintoahugehalllit by many torches. Theairwasgraywithsmoke.With a stab of shock,

Covenant realized that thehallwasadungeon.Scores of bolted iron

doors seriated both walls.In each, heavy barsguarded a small window.Half a thousand peoplecould have beenimprisoned here, and noone who lacked Vain’sinstincts or knowledgecould ever have foundthem.As Covenant stared

about him, theimplications of theRiders’

anger burned into clarityin his mind. Gibbon hadnot intendedhim to knowofthisplace.Howmanyother secretswerethereinRevelstone?One of the Ridershurriedtoadoorandshotback the bolts.Within laya cell barelywide enoughtocontainastrawpallet.Withtheirrukhs,AkkasriandtheotherRiderforced

Vaintowardthedoor.He turned under thearchitrave. His captorsflourished threats of fire;but he made no moveagainst them. He aimedone look at Covenant. Hisblack face wore anexpressionofappeal.Covenant glared back,uncomprehending.Vain?A gift beyond price,Foamfollowerhadsaid.No

purposebuthisown.Thenitwastoolate.The

doorclangedshutonVain.TheRiderthrusthomethebolts.Uselessly Covenant

protested, What do youwantfromme?The next instant, a

brown arm reachedbetween the window barsof a nearby cell. Fingersclawed the air, desperate

forfreedom.The gesture galvanized

Covenant. It wassomething he understood.He dashed toward thatdoor.ARider shoutedathim,

forbiddinghim.Hepaidnoheed.As he gained the door,

the arm withdrew. A flatface pressed against thebars.Impassiveeyesgazed

outathim.He almost lost his

balance in horror. Theprisoner was one of theHaruchai—one of Bannor’speople, who made theirhome high in thefastnesses of the WestronMountains. He could notmistake the sterncharacteristic mien of therace that had formed theBloodguard, could not

mistaketheresemblancetoBannor, who had so oftensavedhislife.In Andelain, Bannor’s

shadehadsaid,Redeemmypeople. Their plight is anabomination.Suppressingthetonalhit

of his native tongue, theHaruchai said, “Ur-LordThomas Covenant,Unbelieverandwhitegoldwielder, I salute you. You

are remembered amongthe Haruchai.” Theimplacable rigor of hispersonality seemedincapable of supplication.“I am Brinn. Will you setusfree?”Thenhotironstrucktheback of Covenant’s neck,and he stumbled like acrippleintodarkness.

Hisunconsciousnesswasagony, and he could donothingtoassuageit.Foratime as painful as frenzy,he laydeafandblind.Butgradually the darknessturned to rain. Torrents,muffledbygranite,poureddown walls, cascaded offeavesandparapets,rattledagainst oriels. The soundcarried him back tohimself.Hebecameaware

of the texture of blanketsagainst his skin, aware ofthedeadness inhisfingersand feet, the numbness ofloss.Remembering leprosy,

he rememberedeverything, with anacuteness that made himpress his face to the bed,knot his hands in theblanket under him. Vain.The Haruchai. The attack

oftheRiders.Thathiddendoor,which

led to the Aumbrie, andthedungeon.Itwas the same kind of

door which the Despiserhad formerly used inFoul’s Creche. What wassuch a door doing inRevelstone?A shudder ran through

him. He rolled over,wincing at themovement.

The back of his neck wasstiff and sore. But theboneswereintact,andthedamagetohismusclesdidnotseempermanent.When he opened his

eyes, he found Gibbonsittingbesidehisbed.Thena-Mhoram’s beatific facewas tightened to expressconcern; but his red eyesheldonlyperil.A quick glance showed

Covenantthathelayinthebedroom of his suite. Hestruggled to sit up. Sharppains lanced through hisback and shoulders; butthe change of positionenabled him to cast aglanceathisrighthand.His ring was still there.Whatever else the Claveintended, they apparentlydidnot intend to steal thewhitegold.

That steadied him. Helooked at the na-Mhoramagain, and made anintuitive decision not toraisetheissueofthedoor.He had too many otherdangerstoconsider.“Doubtless,”Gibbonsaidwith perfect blandness,“yourneckgivesyoupain.It will pass. Swarteemployedexcessiveforce.Ihavereprimandedher.”

“How—?” The hurtseemedtocramphisvoice.He could barely squeezeout a hoarse whisper.“How long have I beenout?”“Itisnowmiddayofthe

seconddayofrain.”Damnation, Covenant

groaned. At least onewhole day. He tried toestimatehowmanypeopletheClavehadkilledinthat

period of time, but couldnot. Perhaps they hadkilledBrinn—Hethrusttheideaaway.“Akkasri,” he breathed,

filling the name withaccusation.Gibbon nodded calmly.

“Akkasrina-Mhoram-in.”“Youliedtome.”The na-Mhoram’s

hebetude seemedimpervious to offense.

“Perhaps. My intent wasnot false. You came toRevelstone rife withhostility and suspicion. Isoughtmeanstoallayyourmistrust—and at the sametimetowardagainstyouifyour purpose was evil.Therefore I informed youthatAkkasriwasofthena-Mhoram-cro. I desired towin your faith. In that Iwas not false.Guised as a

na-Mhoram-cro, Akkasricould answer manyquestions withoutpresenting to you theapparent threat of power.This I believed because ofyour treatment of Memlana-Mhoram-in. I regretthat the outcome wentamiss.”This sounded plausible;

but Covenant rejected itwith a shake of his head.

Immediately a stab ofsoreness made himgrimace. Muttering darklyto himself, he massagedhisneck.Thenhechangedthe subject, hoping tounsettleGibbon.“Whatthehell are you doing withone of the Haruchai inyourgoddamnprison?”But the na-Mhoramappeared immune todiscomfiture. Folding his

arms,hesaid,“Isoughttowithhold that knowledgefrom you. Already youbelieve that you havesufficient cause formistrust.Idesiredthatyoushouldhavenomoresuchreasons until you learnedto see the sovereignimportanceofourwork.”AbruptlyGibbonwentinanother direction.“Halfhand, did the

Haruchai name you truly?Are you indeed ur-LordThomas Covenant,Unbelieverandwhitegoldwielder?”“What difference does

that make?” growledCovenant.“That name is

mentioned often in theancient legends. After theFirst Betrayer, ThomasCovenantwas the greatest

ofalla-Jeroth’sservants.”“That’s ridiculous.” This

new distortion of theLand’s history dismayedhim. But he wasdetermined to evadeGibbon’s snare. “Howcould I possibly be thatThomas Covenant? WhereI come from, the name’scommon. So are whitegoldrings.”Gibbon gazed redly at

him;butCovenantdidnotblink. A lie for a lie, herasped. Finally the na-Mhoram admitted, “Youhave not the look of suchage.” Then he went on,“ButIwasspeakingoftheHaruchai.“Halfhand, we have not

oneHaruchai in our hold.We have threescore andseven.”Three—!Covenantcould

notkeepthehorroroffhisface.“There.” Gibbongestured at him. “I hadcause to fear yourresponse.”“ByGod!”Covenantspatfiercely.“Yououghttofearthe Haruchai! Don’t youknowwhat you’re dealingwith?”“I respect thementirely.” The na-

Mhoram’s dull calm wascomplete. “Their blood ispotentandprecious.”They were my friends!Covenant could hardlyrefrain from shoutingaloud. What in the nameof all bloody hellfire anddamnation do you thinkyou’redoing?“Halfhand, you knowthat our work requiresblood,” Gibbon continued

reasonably. “As theSunbane grows, theBanefire must grow toresist it. We are longbeyondthe timewhenthepeople of the Land couldmeetallourneed.“Five generations past,

whenOffinna-Mhoramledthe Clave, he was facedwith the defeat of ourdream.Hehadneared thelimit of what the Land

could supply, and it didnotsuffice.Iwillnotdwellonhisdespair.Itisenoughto say that at that time—by chance or mercy—theHaruchaicametoouraid.”He shrugged. “It is true

that they did not intendtheaidwe found in them.Five came from theWestron Mountains in thename of their legends,seeking the Council. But

Offin did not flinch hisopportunity. He took thefivecaptive.“With the passage of

time, five more came insearch of their lostkindred. These also werecaptured.Theywerehardyandferal,butthepowerofthe Banefire masteredthem. And later moreHaruchaicameseekingthelost. First by five, thenby

ten,thenbythescoretheycame, with long lapsesbetween. They are astubborn people, andgenerationaftergenerationthey did not relent.Generation aftergeneration, they werecaptured.” Covenantthought he saw a glint ofamusement in Gibbon’sred eyes. “As theirnumbers increased, so

grew the Banefire. Thusnot a one of themprevailedorescaped.“Theirmostrecentforaycomprised five score—averitable army in theirsight.” Gibbon’s blandnesssounded like the serenityof a pure heart. “Threescoreandsevenremain.”An abomination. The na-Mhoram’s tale madeCovenant ache for

violence. He could hardlymuffle his vehemence asheasked,“Isthissupposedtoconvincemethatyou’remyfriend?”“I do not seek your

conviction here,” repliedGibbon. “I seek only toexplain, so that you willcomprehend why I soughtto withhold thisknowledge—and whySwarte struck you when

you beheld the Haruchai.You must perceive theextent of our consecrationtoour task.Wecountanyone life—or any score oflives—or any myriad—asnothing against the life ofthe Land. The Sunbane isan immense ill, and wemust spend immensely tocombatit.“Also I desire you tounderstandthatyouraid—

the service of your whitering—promises theredemption of the Land,the saving of many timesmany lives. Does ourshedding distress you?Then aid us, so that theneed for blood may bebrought to an end. Youcannot serve the Land inanyotherway.”Covenant held Gibbonwith a glare. Through his

teeth,hebreathed,“Iknewthe original Mhoram. Thelast time I was here, Imadehimchoosebetweenthe hope of the Land andthe life of one little girl.He chose the girl.” Nowords could articulate allthe bile in his mouth.“You’re worse than theSunbane.”He expected the na-

Mhoram to retort; but

Gibbon only blinked, andsaid,“ThenitissooththatyouaretheUnbeliever?”“Yes!” Covenant

snapped, castingsubterfuge and safetyaside. “And I’m not goingto let you commitgenocideontheHaruchai.”“Ah.” Gibbon sighed,

risingtohisfeet,“I fearedthat we would come tothis,”Hemadeaplacating

gesture. “I do not seekyour harm. But I see onlyone means by which wemay win your aid. I willready the Clave for asoothtell.Itwillrevealthetruth you covet. Lies willbe exposed, hearts laidbare.”He moved to the

doorway. “Rest now,Halfhand. Eat—regainyourstrength.Walkwhere

you wish. I ask only thatyou eschew the Aumbrieand the hold until thatwhich stands between ushas been resolved. I willsend for you when thesoothtell has beenprepared.” Withoutwaiting for an answer, heleftthesuite.Soothtell, Covenant

snarled. His inner voicesounded like a croak. By

God,yes!Ignoring the pain in his

neck, he threw off theblankets and went to thenext room in search offood.There was a fresh tray

onthetable.Theroomhadbeen closed against therain,andtheairreekedofsmoke. Strangely certainnow that the Clavewouldnot try to poison or drug

nun,heattacked the food,wolfingitdowntoappeasehisemptyrage.Buthedidnot touch the flask ofmetheglin;hedidnotwantanything to dull hisalertness, hamper hisreflexes. He sensed thatGibbon’s soothtell wouldbe a crisis, and he meanttosurviveit.He felt a compelling

needtoleavehissuiteand

roam Revelstone,measuring his tension andresolve against the hugeKeep. But he did not.Exerting a leper’sdiscipline, he sat down inoneofthechairs,stretchedhis legs to another, restedhis soreneckon the chairback,andforcedhimselftobestill.Musclebymuscle,he loosened his body,relaxed his forehead,

softened his pulse, in aneffort to achieve theconcentrationandpoiseherequired in order to beready.Faces intruded on him:

Linden, Sunder, Brinn.Brinn’s visage was asabsolute as Banner’s.Linden’s features werestrained,notbyseverityorchoice, but by fear. Heclosed his mind to them,

so that his own passionwould not blind him.Instead he thought aboutthe hidden door Vain haddiscovered.He could sense the

answer in him, mumblingtoward clarity. But it wasstill blocked by hispreconceptions. Yet itsvery nearness drew beadsof trepidation-sweat fromhis face. He was not

prepared for themendacityitrepresented.Mendacity. He reachedout for that idea, tried totake hold of itsimplications. But thehands of his mind werehalf-hands,inadequate.The knock at his doorjerked him erect. A pangstunghisneck;dropletsofsweatspatteredthefloor.Before he could leave

his chair, the door sprangopen.Memlaburstintotheroom.A tangle of gray-streaked hair framed herpale visage. She clutchedherrukhasifshemeanttostrike him with it. But itheld no flame. Her eyeswere full of brokenhonesty.“False!” she gasped.“They have been false to

me!”He lurched to confront

heracrossthetable.She gaped momentarily

for words, unable tocompress the enormity ofher indignation into merespeech. Then she brokeout, “They are here!Santonin—yourcompanions!Allhere!”Covenant gripped the

tabletokeephimself from

falling.“TwoStonedownorsand

a stranger. In the hold.”Passion obstructed herbreathing.“SantoninIsaw,wherehedidnotexpecttobe seen. The na-Mhoramuttereddirect falsehood tome!“I challenged Santonin.

He revealed the truth—whyIandothersweresenttomeetyou.Smirking!Not

to escort you, no. Toensure that you did notcatch him. He gainedRevelstone on the seconddayofthefertilesun.Onedaybeforeus!”One day? Something in

Covenant began to howl.Oneday?“HadInothaltedyou—

had you walked throughthenight—youmighthavecome upon him before

dawn.Hepassednearme.”With an inchoate snarl,

Covenant swung his arm,swept the tray from thetable. Stoneware broke;metheglin splashed thefloor. But the act steadiedhim. “Memla.” He hadbeen unjust to her. Heregained control of hislimbs, his purpose; but hecouldnotcontrolhisvoice.“TakemetoGibbon.”

She stared at him. Hisdemand took her aback.“Youmustflee.Youareinperil.”“Now.” He needed to

move, begin, so that thetrembling in his chestwould not spread to hislegs. “Take me to himnow.”Shehesitated,thengave

a fierce nod. “Yes. It isright,” Turning on her

heel, shestrodeoutof theroom.He surged after her in

anguish and fury. Downtoward the roots ofRevelstone she guidedhim,alongwayswhichheremembered.Itwasalongdescent, but it seemed topass swiftly. When sheentered a familiar hall litfromitsendbytorches,herecognized the place

where the Lords of theCouncil had had theirprivatequarters.The wide, round court

beyond the hall both wasand was not as heremembered it. The floorwas burnished granite, assmooth as if it had beenpolished by ages of useand care. The ceiling rosefar above the floor; andthe walls were marked at

intervals with coigns bywhich other levels of theKeep communicated withthe dwellings spacedaround the base of thecavity. These thingsaccordedwithhismemory.But the light wasaltogether different. TheLords had not neededtorches;theflooritselfhadshone with Earthpower.Accordingtotheoldtales,

the stone had been setaglow by KevinLandwaster and the Staffof Law. But thatillumination—soexpressive of the warmthandfidelityof theCouncil—was gone now. Thetorches which replaced itseemed garish andunreliablebycomparison.But Covenant had

neither time nor attention

tospareforlostwonder.Ascore of the Clave stoodaround the center of thefloor. All held their rukhsready; and the na-Mhoram’s crozierdominatedthem.Theyhadturned to the sound ofCovenant’sentrance.Theirhoods concealed theirfaces.Within their circle lay astone slab like a

catafalque. Heavy ironfetterschainedamantoit.OneoftheHaruchai.When Covenant stalkedahead of Memla toapproach the circle, herecognizedBrinn.“Halfhand,” the na-Mhoramsaid.For the firsttime, Covenant heardexcitement in Gibbon’stone. “The soothtell isprepared. All your

questionswillbeanswerednow.”

NINETEEN:Soothtell

The vibration of auguryin the na-Mhoram’s voicestopped Covenant. Thehigh dome of the spacewas dark, untouched bythelightofthetorches;theRiders stood on the deadfloor as if it were thebottomofanabyss.Behindthe concealment of theirhoods, they might have

beenur-viles;onlythepaleflesh of their handsrevealed that they werehumanastheypoisedtheirrukhs for fire. Santoninwasprobablyamongthem.Stonemight Woodhelven’sfragment of the IllearthStonewasprobablyhiddensomewhere in this circle.Gibbon’s tone toldCovenant that the Clavehad not gathered here to

dohimanybenefit.He came to a halt.

Echoes of his ragerepeated within him likeanother voice iteratingridicule. Instinctively heclenched his half-fistaround hiswedding band.Buthedidnotretreat.Inaraw snarl, he demanded,“What the bloody hellhave you done with myfriends?”

“The soothtell willanswer.” Gibbon waseager, hungry. “Do youchoosetoriskthetruth?”Brinn gazed atCovenant. His mien wasimpassive; but sweatsheened his forehead.Abruptlyhetensedagainsthis fetters, straining withstubborn futility to breakthechains.Memla had not left the

mouth of the hall. “Ware,Halfhand!” she warned inawhisper.“Thereismalicehere.”He felt the force of her

warning. Brinn also wasstriving to warn him. Foran instant, he hesitated.But the Haruchai hadrecognized him. SomehowBrinn’s people hadpreservedamongthemthetale of the Council and of

the old wars againstCorruption—the true tale,not a distorted version.And Covenant had metBannoramonghisDeadinAndelain.Grippinghisself-control,

he stepped into the circle,wenttothecatafalque.Herestedahandmomentarilyon Brinn’s arm. Then hefacedthena-Mhoram.“Lethimgo.”

The na-Mhoram did notreply directly. Instead heturned toward Memla.“Memla na-Mhoram-in,”hesaid,“youhavenopartin this soothtell. I desireyoutodepart.”“No.” Her tonebrandished outrage. “Youhavebeenfalsetohim.Heknows not what hechooses.”“Nevertheless,” Gibbon

beganquietly,thenlosthishebetudeinastridentyell,“youwilldepart!”For a moment, she

refused. The air of thecourt was humid withconflicting intentions.Gibbon raised his crozieras if to strike at her.Finally the combinedrepudiation of the circlewas too strong for her. Indeep bitterness, she said,

“I gave promise to theHalfhand for the safety ofhis companions. It isgreatlywrongthat thena-Mhoramholdsthewordofa na-Mhoram-in in suchslight trust.” Turning onher heel, she strode awaydownthehall.Gibbondismissedheras

if she had ceased to exist.Facing Covenant onceagain,hesaid,“Thereisno

powerwithout blood.” Heseemedunabletosuppressthe acuity of hisexcitement. “And thesoothtell requires power.Therefore this Haruchai.We will shed him toansweryourquestions.”“No!” Covenant

snapped. “You’ve killedenoughofthemalready.”“We must have blood,”

thena-Mhoramsaid.

“Then kill one of yourbloody Riders!” Covenantwas white with fury. “Idon’tgiveagoodgoddamnwhat you do! Just leavetheHaruchaialone!”“As you wish.” Gibbon

soundedtriumphant.“Ur-Lord!” Brinn

shouted.Covenant misread

Brinn’swarning.Hesprangbackward, away from the

catafalque—intothehandsof the Riders behind him.They grappled with him,caught his arms. Fasterthan he could defendhimself, two knivesflashed.Blades slit both his

wrists.Two red lines slashed

acrosshis sight, acrosshissoul. Blood spattered tothe floor. The cuts were

deep, deep enough to killhim slowly. Staring inhorror, he sank to hisknees. Pulsing rivuletsmarked his arms to theelbows. Blood drippedfromhiselbows,spreadinghispassiononthestone.Around him, the Ridersbegan to chant. Scarletrose from their rukhs; theairbecamevermeilpower.Heknelthelplesswithin

the circle. The pain in hisneck paralyzed him. Aspike of utter trepidationhad been driven throughhis spine, nailing himwhere he crouched. Theoutcry of his blood fellsilently.Gibbon advanced, black

and exalted. With the tipof his crozier, he touchedthegrowingpool,begantodraw meticulous red lines

aroundCovenant.Covenant watched like

an icon of desolation asthe na-Mhoram enclosedhim in a triangle of hisblood.The chanting became

words he could notprevent himself fromunderstanding.

“Power andblood, and

blood andflame:Soothtellvisionswithoutname:TruthasdeepasRevelstone,Making timeand passionknown.

“Time

begone, andspace avaunt—Nothing maythe seeingdaunt.Blooduncoverseverylie:Wewillknowthe truth, ordie.”

When Gibbon hadcompleted the triangle, hestepped back and raisedhis iron. Flame blossomedthetic and incarnadinefromitsend.And Covenant exploded

intovision.He lostnoneofhis self-

awareness. The firesaround him became morelurid and compelling; hisarms felt as heavy as

millstones; the chantlabored like the thuddingof his heart. But behindthe walls he saw and thestone he knew, othersights reeled, otherknowledge gyred, tearingathismind.At first, the vision was

chaos, impenetrable.Images ruptured past thecatafalque, the Riders,burstinandoutofviewso

feverishly that hecomprehended none ofthem.Butwheninanguishhesurrenderedtothem,letthem sweep him into theeye of their vertigo, someof them sprang towardclarity.Like three blows of afist, he saw Linden,Sunder, Hollian. Theywere in the hold, in cells.Lindenlayonherpalletin

astuporaspaleasdeath.The next instant, thoseimages were erased. Witha wrench that shook himto the marrow of hisbones, the chaos gatheredtoward focus. The Staff ofLaw appeared before him.He saw places: Revelstonebesieged by the armies oftheDespiser;Foul’sCrechecrumbling into the Sea;Glimmermere opening its

waterstoacceptthekrillofLoric. He saw faces: deadElena in ecstasy andhorror;HighLordMhoramwieldingthekrill to slayaRaver’s body;Foamfollower laughinghappily in the face of hisown death. And behind itallhesawtheStaffofLaw.Through everything,impliedbyeverything, theStaff. Destroyed by an

involuntarydeflagrationofwild magic when deadElenawas forced touse itagainsttheLand.Kneeling there like a

suicide in a triangle ofblood,pinnedto thestoneby an iron pain, with hislifeoozingfromhiswrists,Covenantsaw.The Staff of Law.

Destroyed.The root of everything

heneededtoknow.FortheStaffofLawhadbeen formed by BerekHalfhandasatooltoserveand uphold the Law. Hehad fashioned the Stafffrom a limb of the OneTree as a way to wieldEarthpower in defense ofthe health of the Land, insupport of the naturalorder of life. And becauseEarthpower was the

strength of mystery andspirit,theStaffbecamethething it served. Itwas theLaw; the Law wasincarnate in the Staff. Thetool and its purpose wereone.And the Staff had beendestroyed.That loss hadweakenedthe very fiber of the Law.A crucial support waswithdrawn, and the Law

faltered.From that seed grew

both the Sunbane and theClave.They came into being

together, gained masteryover the Land together,flourishedtogether.After the destruction of

Foul’s Creche, the Councilof Lords had prospered inRevelstone for centuries.Led first by High Lord

Mhoram, then bysuccessors equallydedicated and idealistic,the Council had changedthe thrust and tenor of itspast service. Mhoram hadlearned that the Lore ofthe Seven Wards, theknowledge left behind byKevin Landwaster,contained within it thecapacity to be corrupted.Fearing a renewal of

Desecration,hehadturnedhis back on that Lore,thrown the krill intoGlimmermere, andcommenced a search fornewwaystouseandservetheEarthpower.Guided by his decision,Councils for generationsafter him had used andserved, performingwonders. Trothgard hadbeen brought back to

health. All the old forests—Grimmerdhore,Morinmoss, GarrotingDeep, Giant Woods—hadthrived to such an extentthat Caerroil Wildwood,the Forestal of GarrotingDeep, had believed hislabor ended at last, andhadpassedaway;andeventhe darkest trees had lostmuch of their enmity forthepeopleoftheLand.All

the war-torn wastes alongLandsdropbetweenMountThunder and the Colossusof the Fall had beenrestored to life. Theperversity of SarangraveFlathadbeenreduced;andmuch had been done toease the ruin of theSpoiledPlains.Forascoreofcenturies,

the Council served theLand’shealthinpeaceand

fruitfulness.AndatlasttheLordsbegantobelievethatLord Foul would neverreturn, that Covenant haddrivenDespiteutterlyfromtheEarth.Paradiseseemedto be within their grasp.Then in the confidence ofpeace,theylookedbacktoHigh Lord Mhoram, andchose to change theirnames to mark thedawning of a new age.

Their High Lord theychristenedthena-Mhoram;their Council they calledthe Clave. They saw nolimit to the beauty theycould achieve. They hadnoonetosaytothemthattheir accomplishmentscamefartooeasily.FortheStaffofLawhadbeendestroyed.TheClaveflourished in part becausethe old severity of the

Law, the stringencywhichmatched the price paid tothe beauty of the thingpurchased, had beenweakened; and they didnotknowtheirperil.FindingtheThirdWard,

theyhadlookednofurtherfor knowledge. Throughthe centuries, they hadgrown blind, and had lostthe means to know thatthe man who had been

named the na-Mhoram,who had transformed theCouncilintheClave,wasaRaver.Forwhen Covenant had

defeated the Despiser,reduced him by wildmagic and laughter to apoverty of spirit socomplete thathecouldnolonger remain corporeal,theDespiserhadnotdied.Despite did not die.

Fleeing the destruction ofhisCreche,hehadhiddenat the fringes of the onepower potent enough toheal even him: theEarthpoweritself.And this was possible

becausetheStaffhadbeendestroyed.TheLawwhichhad limited him andresisted him since thecreation of the earth hadbeen weakened; and he

wasabletoendureitwhileheconceivednewstrength,new being. And while heendured, he alsocorrupted. As he gainedstature,theLawsickened.The first result of thisdecay was to make thework of the Council moreeasy; but every incrementstrengthened Lord Foul,and all his might went toincrease the infection.

SlowlyhewarpedtheLawtohiswill.His Ravers shared hisrecovery; and he did notact overtly against theLand until samadhi SheolhadcontrivedhiswayintotheCouncil,hadbegun itsperversion, until severalgenerations of na-Mhorams, each cunninglymastered by samadhi, hadbrought the Clave under

LordFoul’ssway.Slowly the Oath ofPeace was abandoned;slowly the ideals of theClave were altered.Therefore when the Clavemade a secret door to itsnew hold and Aumbrie, itmade one such as theRavers had known inFoul’s Creche. Slowly thelegendsof LordFoulweretransmogrified into the

tales of a-Jeroth, both toexplain the Sunbane andto conceal Lord Foul’shandinit.Laboring always insecret,sothattheClaveatall times had manyuncorrupted members—people like Memla, whobelieved the Raver’s lies,andwerethereforesincerein their service—samadhiSheol fashioned a tool for

theDespiser, illenoughtopreach the shedding ofblood, pure enough to bepersuasive. Only then didLord Foul let his work beseen.FortheStaffofLawhadbeen destroyed, and hishandswereonthereinsofnature. By degrees,mounting gradually overcenturies, he inflicted hisabhorrenceupontheLand,

corrupting theEarthpowerwithSunbane.Thishewasable to do because theClave had been madeincapable of conceivingany true defense. TheBanefire was not adefense, had never been adefense. Rather it wassamadhi’smeanstocommitfurther afflictions. Theshedding of blood toinvoke the Sunbane only

made the Sunbanestronger. Thus Lord Foulcaused the increase of theSunbane without cost tohimself.And all this, Covenantsawashisblooddeepenedaroundhisknees,hadbeendone in preparation forone thing, the capstoneand masterstroke of LordFoul’s mendacity: thesummoning of white gold

to the Land. Lord Fouldesired possession of thewildmagic; andhedid tothe Land what he haddone to Joan, so thatCovenant would have nofinal choice exceptsurrender.The loss of the Staff

explained why Covenant’ssummoning had been soelaborate.Inthepast,suchsummonshadalwaysbeen

an act of Law, performedby theholder of the Staff.Only when he had beenclose to death fromstarvation and rattlesnakevenom, and the Law ofDeath had been broken,had summoning beenpossiblewithout the Staff.Therefore this time theDespiser had been forcedto go to great lengths totake hold of Covenant. A

specific location had beenrequired, specific pain, atriangle of blood, freedomof choice and death. Hadany of these conditionsfailed, the summoningwould have failed, andLord Foul would havebeenlefttoharmtheLand,theEarth,withouthopeofachieving his final goal—thedestructionoftheArchof Time. Only by

destroying the Arch couldhe escape the prison ofTime. Only with wildmagic could he gainfreedom and power towage his hatred of theCreatoracrosstheabsoluteheavensofthecosmos.But the summoning had

not failed, and Covenantwas dying. He understoodnow why Gibbon haddriven Memla from the

court. If she had sharedthisvisionofthetruth,heroutragemighthaveledhertoinstigatearevoltamongtheuncorruptedRiders;forGibbon,too,wasaRaver.Heunderstoodwhathadhappened to the Colossusof theFall, Ithadbeenanavatar of the ancientforests, erected onLandsdrop to defendagainst Ravers; and the

Sunbanehaddestroyedtheforests, unbinding thewillofwoodwhichhadupheldfor millennia that stonemonolith.He understood howCaer-Caveral had beendriven to Andelain by theerosion of Morinmoss—and why the last of theForestals was doomed tofail.At its root, thepowerof the Forestal was an

expression of Law, just asAndelain was thequintessence of Law; andthe Sunbane was acorruption Caer-Caveralcouldresistbutnotdefeat.Heunderstoodwhathadbecome of the Ranyhyn,the great horses, and ofthe Ramen who servedthem.Perceiving the ill ofthe Sunbane in its earliestappearances, both

Ranyhyn and Ramen hadsimply fled the Land,sojourningsouthalongthemargeof the Sunbirth Seain search of safergrasslands.These things came tohim in glimpses, flares ofvision across the centralfact of his situation. Butthere were also things hecouldnotsee:adarkspacewhere Caer-Caveral had

touched his mind; a blurthatmight have explainedVain’s purpose; ablanknesswhichconcealedthereasonwhyLindenwaschosen. Loss gripped him:the ruin of the Land heloved;allthefathomlessillof the Sunbane and theClave was his fault, hisdoing.He had no answer for

the logic of his guilt. The

Staff of Law had beendestroyed—and he haddestroyed it. Wild magichadburst fromhis ring tosavehislife;powerbeyondall choice or mastery hadriven the Staff, so thatnothing remained but itsheels. For such an act, hedeserved to die. Thelassitude of blood-lossseemed condign andadmirable. His pulse

shrank toward failure. Hewas culpable beyond anyredemption and had nohearttogoonliving.Butavoice spoke inhismind:Ur-Lord.It was a voice withoutsound, a reaching ofthought to thought. Itcame from Brinn. He hadnever before heard themind-speech of the

Haruchai; but herecognized the speaker inthe intensity of Brian’sgaze. The power of thesoothtell made possiblethings which could nototherwisehaveoccurred.Unbeliever. Thomas

Covenant.Unbeliever,heanswered

to himself. Yes. It’s myfault.Myresponsibility.Youmustfight.

The images before himwhirled toward chaosagain.Responsible.Yes.Onmyhead. He could not fight.How could anyman hopetoresisttheDesecrationofaworld?But guilt was the voiceof the Clave, the Ridersand the Raver who hadcommitted such atrocities.Brinn strained against his

bonds as if he wouldrupture his thews ratherthanacceptfailure.Lindenstill lay in the hold,unconscious or dead. Andthe Land—Oh, the Land!That it should dieundefended!Fight!Somewhere deep withinhim,hefoundthestrengthforcurses.Areyounothingbut a leper? Even lepers

don’thavetosurrender.Visions reeled through

the air. The scarlet lightfaded as Gibbon broughtthesoothtelltoanend.Stop! He still needed

answers: how to fight theSunbane; how to restoretheLaw;tounderstandthevenom in him; to cure it.He groped franticallyamong the images, foughtto bring what he needed

intoclarity.But he could not. Hecouldseenothingnowbutthe gaping cuts in hiswrists, the ooze of hisblood growingdangerously slower. TheRiders took the soothtellaway from him before hegained the most crucialknowledge. They werereducingtheirpower—No,theywerenot reducing it,

they were changing it,translating it intosomethingelse.Intocoercion.Hecouldfeelthemnow,ascoreofwills impendingon the back of his neck,commanding him toabandon resistance, takeoff his ring and surrenderitbeforehedied.Telicredburned at him from allsides; every rukh was

aflame with compulsion.Release the ring. Set itaside.Beforeyoudie.This,he knew, was not part ofLord Foul’s intent. It wasGibbon’s greed; samadhiSheol wanted the whitegoldforhimself.Thering!Brinn’s mind-voice wasbarelyaudible:Unbeliever!Theywillslayusall!

All, he thoughtdesperately. Three scoreandsevenoftheHaruchai.Vain, if they could.Sunder.Hollian.Linden.TheLand.Releasethering!No.Hisdenialwasquietandsmall, like the first ripplepresagingatsunami.Iwillnotpermitthis.Extravagant fury and

need gathered somewherebeyond the shores of hisconsciousness, piledupwardlikeamightysea.His mind was free now

of everything excepthelplessness anddetermination.Heknewhecould not call up wildmagic to save him. Herequired a trigger; but theRiderskept theirpowerathis back, out of reach. At

the same time, his needwas absolute. Slashing hiswrists was a slow way tokill him, but it wouldsucceed unless he couldstop the bleeding, defendhimself.Hedidnotintendtodie.Brinn had brought himback to himself. He wasmore than a leper. Noabjectionscould forcehimto abide his doom. No.

There were other answersto guilt. If he could notfindthem,hewouldcreatethem out of the raw stuffofhisbeing.Hewasgoingtofight.Now.The tsunami broke.Wrath erupted inhim likethemadnessofvenom.Fire and rage consumedall his pain. The triangleand the will of the Clave

splinteredandfellaway.A wind of passion blew

through him. Wild argentexplodedfromhisring.White blazed over his

right fist. Acuteincandescence covered hishand as if his flesh werepower. Conflagration toretheredair.Fear assailed the Clave.

Riders cried out inconfusion.Gibbon shouted

commands.Foramoment,Covenantremained where he was.His ring flamed like onewhite torch among thevermeilrukhs.Deliberatelyhedrewpowertohisrightwrist;shapingthefirewithhis will, he stopped theflow of blood, closed theknifewound.Aflashofireseared and sealed the cut.Then he turned themagic

tohisleftwrist.His concentrationallowed Gibbon time tomarshal a defense.Covenant could feel theRiderssurgingaroundhim,mustering the Banefire totheirrukhs.Buthedidnotcare. The venom in himcounted no opposition, nocost.Whenhiswristswerehealed, he rose direly tohis feet and stood erect

likeamanwhohadlostnoblood and could not betouched.His force staggered the

atmosphereofthecourt.Itblasted from his entirebody as if his very boneswereavidforfire.Gibbon stood before

him. The Raverwielded acrozier so fraught withheat and might that theiron screamed. A shaft of

red malice howled atCovenant’sheart.Covenant quenched it

withashrug.OneoftheRidershurled

a coruscating rukh at hisback.Wild magic evaporated

themetalinmid-flight.Then Covenant’s wrath

became ecstasy, savagebeyond all restraint. In aninstant of fury which

shocked the very gutrockof Revelstone, his wildmagicdetonated.Riders screamed, fell.Doors in the coigns abovethe floor burst from theirhinges.Theairsizzledlikefryingflesh.Gibbon shouted ordersCovenant could not hear,threw an arc of emeraldacross the court, thendisappeared.

Under a moil of force,the floor began to shinelikesilvermagma.Somewhere amid thewreckage of the soothtell,he heard Lord Foullaughing.The sound only strunghispassiontighter.When he looked abouthim, bodies layeverywhere. Only oneRider was left standing.

Theman’s hood had beenblown back, revealingcontorted features andfranticeyes.Intuitively Covenant

guessed that this wasSantonin.Inhishands,hegrasped

a flake of stone whichsteamed like green ice,held it so that it pressedagainst his rukh. Pureemerald virulence raged

outward.TheIllearthStone.Covenant had no limits,

nocontrol.Araveofforcehurled Santonin againstthe far wall, scorched hisraiment to ashes,blackenedhisbones.The Stone rolled free,

laypulsing likeadiseasedheartonthebrightfloor.Reaching out with

flames,Covenantdrewthe

Stone to himself. Heclenched it in his half-hand. Foamfollower haddied so that the IllearthStonecouldbedestroyed.Destroyed!A silent blast stunned

the cavity—a green shriekdevoured by argent. TheStone-flake vanished insteamandfury.With a tremendous

splitting noise, the floor

crackedfromwalltowall.“Unbeliever!”He could barely hearBrinn.“Ur-Lord!”He turned and peeredthrough fire at theHaruchai.“The prisoners!” Brinnbarked. “The Clave holdsyour friends!Liveswillbeshed to strengthen theBanefire!”

The shout penetratedCovenant’s mad rapture.Henodded.Withaflickofhis mind, he shatteredBrinn’schains.At once, Brinn sprangfrom the catafalque anddashedoutofthecavity.Covenant followed inflame.At the end of the hall,the Haruchai launchedhimself against three

Riders.Theirrukhsburned.Covenant lashed argent atthem,sentthemsprawling,reduced their rukhs toscoria.He and Brinn hastened

awaythroughthepassagesofRevelstone.Brinn led;heknewhow

to find thehiddendoor tothe hold. Shortly he andCovenant reached theRaver-made entrance.

Covenant summoned fireto break down the door;butbeforehecouldstrike,Brinn slapped the properspot in the invisiblearchitrave. Limned in redtracery,theportalopened.Five Riders waited

within the tunnel. Theywerepreparedtofight;butBrinn charged them withsuch abandon that theirfirst blasts missed. In an

instant, he had felled twoof them. Covenant sweptthe other three aside, andfollowed Brinn, runningtowardthehold.The dungeon had no

other defenders; theClavehad not had time toorganizemoreRiders.Andif Gibbon were still alive,he might conceivablywithdrawhis forces ratherthan risk losses which

would cripple the Clave.WhenBrinnandCovenantrushed into the hold andfound it empty, Brinnimmediately leaped to thenearestdoorandbegan tothrowbackthebolts.But Covenant was rife

with might, wild magicwhich demandedutterance. Thrusting Brinnaside, he unleashed anexplosion that made the

very granite of Revelstonestagger. With a shrillscream of metal, all thecell doors sprang fromtheir moorings andclanged to the floor,ringinginsanely.At once, scores ofHaruchai emerged, readytofight.Tenofthemracedto defend the entrance tothe tunnel; the restscattered toward other

cells, searching for moreprisoners.Eight or nine people ofthe Land—Stonedownorsand Woodhelvennin—appeared as if they weredazzled by the miracle oftheirreprieve.Vain lefthiscell slowly.When he saw Covenant,saw Covenant’s passionatefire,hisfacestretchedintoablackgrin, thegrinof a

manwhorecognizedwhatCovenant was doing. Thegrinofafiend.TwoHaruchai supported

Sunder. The Graveler hada raw weal around hisneck, as if he had beenrescuedfromagibbet,andhelookedweak.HegapedatCovenant.Hollian came, wan and

frightened, from her cell.Her eyes flinched from

Covenant as if she fearedto know him. When shesaw Sunder, she hastenedto him and wrappedherselfinhisarms.Covenant remained still,

aching for Linden. Vaingrinned like the sound ofLordFoul’slaughter.Then Brinn and another

Haruchai bore Linden outinto thehall.She lay limpin their arms, dead or

unconscious, in sopormorecompulsorythananysleep.WhenCovenantsawher,

he let out a howl whichtore chunks from theceiling and pulverizedthemuntil theairwasfulloffinepowder.He could not stop

himself until Brinn yelledtohimthatshewasalive.

PARTIII:Purpose

TWENTY:TheQuest

Heleft thehold, lefthiscompanions, because hecould not bear to watchthe impenetrablenightmares writhe acrossLinden’smien.Shewasnotafraid of his leprosy. Shehad supported him atevery crisis. This was theresult.Noonecouldrouseher. She lay in a stupor

like catatonia, anddreamedanguish.He went toward theuplandplateaubecauseheneeded to recover somekindofhope.Alreadythefrenzyofhispowerhadbeguntorecoilagainst him. Vain’s smilehaunted him like an echoof horror and scorn. Hisrescue from StonemightWoodhelven was no

different than this. Howmany people had hekilled? He had no controloverhispower.Powerandvenomcontrolledhim.Yet he did not release

thewildmagic.Revelstonewas still fullofRiders.Heglimpsed them runningpasttheendsoflonghalls,preparing themselves fordefense or counterattack.He did not have enough

blood in his veins tosustainhimselfwithoutthefire of his ring: once hedropped his power, hewouldbebeyondanyself-protection.Hewouldhaveto trust the Haruchai tosavehim,savehis friends.Andthat thoughtalsowasbitter to him. Bannor’speople had paid suchsevere prices in his name.Howcouldhepermitthem

toservehimagain?How many people had

hekilled?Shedding flames like

tears, he climbed upthrough the levels ofRevelstone toward theplateau.And Brinn strode at his

sideasiftheHaruchaihadalreadycommittedhimselftothisservice.Somewherehe had found a cloak

which he now drapedacross Covenant’sshoulders. The Unbelievershrugged it into place,hardly noticing. It helpedto protect him against theshockofblood-loss.Covenant needed hope.

Hehadgainedmuch fromthe soothtell; but thoseinsights paled beside theshock of Linden’s straits,paledbesidethemounting

self-abomination of whathe had done with hispower.Hehadnot knownhe was so capable ofslaughter. He could notface the demands of hisnew knowledge withoutsomekindofhope.He did not knowwhereelse to turn except toGlimmermere. To theEarthpower whichremainedstillvitalenough

to provide Glimmermerewithwater, evenwhenallthe Land lay under adesert sun. To the bladewhich lay in the deeps ofthelake.Loric’skrill.He did not want it

because it was a weapon.He wanted it because itwas an alternative, a toolof power which mightprove manageable enough

to spare him any furtherrelianceuponhisring.And he wanted it

because Vain’s grincontinuedtoknellthroughhis head. In that grin, hehad seen Vain’s makers,the roynish and cruelbeings he remembered.They had lied toFoamfollower. Vain’spurposewasnotgreatlytobe desired. It was the

purpose of a fiend.Covenant had seen Vainkill, seen himself kill, andknewthetruth.And Loric, who was

Kevin’s father, had beencalledVilesilencer.Hehadformedthekrilltostemtheharm of Vain’s ancestors.Perhaps the krill wouldprovideananswertoVain.That,too,wasaformof

hope. Covenant needed

hope. When he reachedthe open plateau, thebrightness of his powermade the night seem asblack and dire as Vain’sobsidianflesh.Noonehadbeenableto

rouse Linden. She wascaught in the toils of aheinous nightmare, andcould not fight free.Whatevil had been practiceduponher?

And how many peoplehad he killed? He, whohad sworn never to killagain, and had not keptthatoath.Howmany?His own fire blinded

him;he couldnot seeanystars. The heavens gapedover him like a leper’sdoom.Howcouldanymanwho lacked simple humansensitivity hope to controlwildmagic?Thewildmagic

which destroys peace. Hefelt numb, and full ofvenom,andcouldnothelphimself.Wrappedinargentlikeanew incarnation of theSunbane, he traversed thehillstowardGlimmermere.The tarn was hidden bythe terrain; but he knewhisway.Brinn walked besidehim, and did not speak.

The Haruchai seemedcontent to supportwhatever Covenantintended. In this sameway, the Bloodguard hadbeen content to serve theLords. Their acceptancehad cost them twothousand years withoutloveorsleepordeath.Andit had cost themcorruption; likeFoamfollower,Bannorhad

been forced to watch hispeople become the thingthey hated. Covenant didnot know how to acceptBrinn’s tacit offer. Howcouldheriskrepeatingthefate of the Bloodguard?But he was in need, anddid not know how torefuse.Then he saw it:

Glimmermerelyingnestledamong the hills. Its

immaculate surfacereflected his silver againsttheblacknight,sothatthewater looked like a swathofwildmagic surrounded,about tobesmothered,bythedarkvitriolofur-viles.Avid white which onlymade Vain grin. ButCovenant’s power wasfailing; he had lost toomuch blood; the reactionto what he had done was

too strong. He lumberedstiff-kneed down to thewater’s edge, stoodtrembling at the rim ofGlimmermere, and foughthimself to remain alightjustalittlelonger.Fireanddarknesssprang

back at him from thewater.Hehadbathedoncein Glimmermere; but nowhefelttootaintedtotouchthisvestigeofEarthpower.

And he did not know thedepth of the pool. HighLord Mhoram had thrownthe krill here as an act offaith in the Land’s future.Surelyhehadbelievedtheblade to be beyond reach.Covenant would never beable to swim that fardown. And he could notaskBrinn to do it.He feltdismayed by theimplications of Brinn’s

companionship; he couldnot force himself to utteran active acceptance ofBrinn’s service. The krillseemed as distant as if ithadneverexisted.Perhapsnoneofthishad

ever existed. Perhaps hewasmerelydemented,andVain’sgrinwastheleerofhis insanity. Perhaps hewas already dead with aknife in his chest,

experiencing the hell hisleprosy had created forhim.Butwhenhepeeredpastthe flaming silver andmidnight, he saw a faintecho fromthedepths.Thekrill. It replied to hispower as it had repliedwhen he had firstawakened it. Its formerarousalhadledineluctablyto Elena’s end and the

breaking of the Law ofDeath. For a moment, hefeared it, feared thekeenness of its edges andtheweightofculpabilityitimplied. He had lovedElena—Butthewildmagicwasworse.Thevenomwasworse. He could notcontrolthem.“How many—?” Hisvoice tore the silenceclenched in his throat.

“Howmany of themdid Ikill?”Brinn responded

dispassionately out of thenight,“Onescoreandone,ur-Lord.”Twenty-one?Oh,God!For an instant, he

thought that thesinewsofhis soulwould rend,mustrend,thathis jointswouldbe ripped asunder. Butthen a great shout of

power blasted through hischest, and white flameerupted toward theheavens.Glimmermere repeated

the concussion. Suddenlythe whole surface of thelake burst into fire. Flamemounted in a gyre; thewater of the lakewhirled.Andfromthecenterofthewhirl came a clear whitebeaminanswertohiscall.

Thekrill rose into view.It shone, bright andinviolate, in the heart ofthe lake—a long double-edged dagger with atranslucent gem forgedintothecrossofitsguardsand haft. The light camefrom its gem, reiteratingCovenant’s fire, as if thejewel and his ring werebrothers. The night wascast back by its radiance,

and by his power, and bythe high flames ofGlimmermere.Stillthekrillwasbeyondreach. But he did nothesitatenow.Thewhirlofthe water and the gyringflames spoke to him ofthings which heunderstood: vertigo andparadox; the eye ofstability in thecoreof thecontradiction.Opening his

arms to the fire, hesteppedoutintothelake.Earthpowerupheldhim.

Conflagration whichrepliedtohisconflagrationspun around him andthroughhim,andborehisweight. Floating like aflicker of shadow throughthe argence, he walkedtoward the center ofGlimmermere.In his weakness, he felt

that the fire would rushhimoutofhimself,reducehim tomotes ofmortalityandhurlhimattheemptysky.Thekrillseemedmoresubstantial than his flesh;the iron more full ofmeaning than his wanbones. But when hestoopedtoitandtookholdof it, it lifted inhishandsandarcedupward,leavingaslashofbrillianceacross

thenight.He clutched it to hischest and turned backtowardBrinn.Now his fatigue closedoverhim.No longercouldhe keep his power alight.The fingers of his willunclawed their grip andfailed.Atonce, the flamesof Glimmermere began tosubside.Butstill the lakeupheld

him.TheEarthpowergavehimthisgiftasithadoncegifted Berek Halfhand’sdespair on the slopes ofMount Thunder. Itsustainedhim,anddidnotlet him go until hestumbled to the shore indarkness.Nightlayabouthimand

in him. His eyes descriednothing but the dark as ifthey had been burned out

of his head. Even theshiningofthegemseemedto shed no illumination.Shorn now of power, hecould no longer grasp thekrill. It became hot in hishands, hot enough totouch the nerves whichstilllived.Hedroppedittotheground,whereitshonelike the last piece of lightin the world. Mutely heknelt beside it, with his

backtoGlimmermereasifhe had been humbled. HefeltaloneintheLand,andincapableofhimself.But he was not alone.Brinntoreastrip fromhistunic—a garment madefrom an ochre materialwhich resembledvellum—and wrapped the krill sothat it could be handled.Foramoment,heplacedagentletouchonCovenant’s

shoulder. Then he saidquietly, “Ur-Lord, come.The Clave will attempt tostrikeagainstus.Wemustgo.”Asthegleamofthekrillwas silenced, thedarknessbecamecomplete.Itwasabalm to Covenant, solacefor the aggrievement ofpower. He ached for it togo on assuaging himforever.ButheknewBrinn

spoke the truth. Yes, hebreathed. We must go.Helpme.When he raised his

head, he could see thestars. They glittered as ifonly their own beautycould console them fortheir loneliness.Themoonwas rising. It was nearlyfull.In silence and

moonlight, Covenant

climbed to his feet andbegan to carry hisexhaustion back towardRevelstone.After a few steps, he

acceptedtheburdenofthekrillfromBrinnandtuckedit under his belt. Itswarmthrestedtherelikeacomfort against theknottedself-loathinginhisstomach.Stumblingandweary,he

moved without knowinghowhecouldeverwalkasfar as Revelstone. ButBrinn aided him,supported him when heneededhelp, lethimcarryhimself when he could.After a time that passed,like the sequences ofdelirium, they gained thepromontoryandthemouthofthena-Mhoram’sKeep.One of the Haruchai

awaited them outside thetunnel which led downinto Revelstone. AsCovenantlurchedtoahalt,the Haruchai bowed; andBrinn said, “Ur-Lord, thisisCeer.”“Ur-Lord,”Ceersaid.Covenant blinked athim, but could notrespond. He seemed tohavenowordsleft.Expressionlessly Ceer

extended a leather pouchtowardhim.Heacceptedit.Whenheunstopped the pouch, herecognized the smell ofmetheglin. At once, hebegan to drink. Hisdrained body wasdesperate for fluid.Desperate. He did notlower the pouch until itwasempty.“Ur-Lord,” Ceer said

then, “the Clave gathersabout the Banefire. Weharrythem,andtheymakeno forays—but there isgreatpowerintheirhands.And four more of theHaruchai have been slain.We have guided allprisoners fromRevelstone.Wewatchoverthemaswecan.Yet theyarenotsafe.The Clave holds coerciontoswayourminds, if they

but choose to exert it.Weknow this to our cost.Wemustflee.”Yes, Covenantmumbledinwardly.Flee.Iknow.Butwhen he spoke, the onlyword he could find was,“Linden—?”Without inflection, Ceerreplied, “She hasawakened.”Covenantdidnotrealizethathehadfallenuntilhe

found himself suspendedinBrinn’sarms.Foralongmoment, he could notforcehislegstostraighten.But the metheglin helpedhim. Slowly he took hisownweight, stooduprightagain.“How—?”“Ur-Lord, we strove towakeher.”Suppressingtheliltofhisnative tongue tospeakCovenant’s language

made Ceer soundcompletely detached. “Butshe lay as the dead, andwouldnotbesuccored.Webore her from the Keep,knowing not what else todo. Yet your blackcompanion—” He paused,askingforaname.“Vain,” Covenant said,almost choking on thememoryofthatgrin.“He’sanur-vile.”

A slight contraction ofhis eyebrows expressedCeer’s surprise; buthedidnot utter his thoughtsaloud.“Vain,”heresumed,“stoodbyunheeding for atime.Butthenofasuddenhe approached LindenAvery the Chosen.” DimlyCovenantreflectedthattheHaruchai must alreadyhave spoken to Sunder orHollian.“Knowingnothing

of him, we strove topreventhim.Buthecastusaside as if we were notwho we are. He knelt tothe Chosen, placed hishand upon her. Sheawakened.”A groan of

incomprehension anddread twisted Covenant’sthroat; but Ceer went on.“Awakening, she criedoutandsoughttoflee.Shedid

not know us. But theStonedownors yourcompanions comfortedher. And still”—a slightpause betrayed Ceer’suncertainty—“Vain hadnot done. Ur-Lord, hebowed before her—he,who is heedless of theHaruchai, and deaf to allspeech. He placed hisforeheaduponherfeet.“This was fear to her,”

Ceer continued. “SherecoiledtothearmsoftheStonedownors. They alsodonotknowthisVain.Buttheystoodtodefendherifneed be. He rose to hisfeet, and there he standsyet, still unheeding, as aman caught in thecoercion of the Clave. Heappears no longerconscious of the Chosen,orofanymanorwoman.”

Ceer did not need tospeak his thought;Covenant could read it inhisflateyes.We do not trust this

Vain.But Covenant set aside

the question of Vain. Thekrillwaswarm against hisbelly; and he had nostrength for distractions.His path was clear beforehim, had been clear ever

sincehehadabsorbed themeaning of the soothtell.And Linden was awake.She had been restored tohim. Surely now he couldholdhimself together longenough to set his purposeinmotion.Yethetookthetimeforonemoreinquiry.“Howisshe?”Ceer shruggedfractionally. “She has

gazed upon the face ofCorruption.Yetshespeaksclearly to theStonedownors.” Hepaused, then said, “She isyourcompanion.Youhaveredeemed us fromabomination. While welive, she and all yourcompanions will suffer nofurther hurt.” He lookedtowardBrinn.“Butshehaswarnedus of aRaver.Ur-

Lord,surelywemustflee.”A Raver, thoughtCovenant.Gibbon.Yes.What did he do to her?Thenightmareonherfacewas still vivid to him.What did that bastard dotoher?Without a word, helocked himself erect, andstarted stiffly down thetunnelintoRevelstone.The way was long; but

metheglin and darknesssustained him. Vain’s grinsustained him. TheDemondim-spawn hadawakened her? Had kneltto her? The ur-viles musthaveliedtoFoamfollower.Hamako’srhyshmusthavebeen mistaken or misled.Did Vain bow inacknowledgment ofGibbon’seffectonher?Whatdidthatbastarddo

toher?IfCovenanthaddoubted

hispurposebefore,orhaddoubted himself, he wassure now. No Clave ordistance or impossibilitywas going to stand in hisway.Down through the city

hewent,likeatightcurse.Down past Haruchai whoscouted the city andwatched theRiders.Down

to the gates, and thepassage under thewatchtower. He hadalready killed twenty-onepeople; he felt that forhimselfhehadnothinglefttofear.Hisfearwasforhiscompanions; andhis cursewas for the Despiser. Hispurposewasclear.As he moved throughthe tunnel, a score ofHaruchai gathered around

him like an honor-guard.They bore supplies whichthey had scoured fromRevelstonefortheflightoftheprisoners.With them, he passedthebrokenoutergatesintothenight.Belowhimon the rockyslopeofthefoothillburneda large bonfire. Starkagainst the massed junglebeyondit,itflamedwitha

loud crepitation, fightingthe rain-drenched greenwood which the Haruchaifed to it. Its yellow lightenclosed all the prisoners,defending them fromdarkness.Hecould seeagroupof

Stonedownors andWoodhelvennin huddlinguncertainly near the fire.Haruchai moved aroundthe area, preparing

supplies, wresting morefirewood from the jungle,standingwatch.Vainstoodmotionless among them.Sunder, Hollian, andLinden sat close togetherasiftocomforteachother.He had eyes only forLinden. Her back was tohim. He hardly noticedthatallBrinn’speoplehadturned toward him anddroppedtooneknee,as if

hehadbeenannouncedbysilent trumpets. With thedark citadel rising behindhim, he went woodenlytowardLinden’sbackas ifhe meant to fall at herfeet.Sunder saw him, spokequickly to Linden andHollian.TheStonedownorsjumped upright and facedCovenant as if he camebearing life and death.

More slowly, Linden, too,climbed erect. He couldread nothing but pain inthe smudged outlines ofher mien. But her eyesrecognized him. A quiverlike urgency ran throughher. He could not stophimself.He surged to her,wrapped his arms aroundher, hid his face in herhair.Around him, the

Haruchai went back totheirtasks.For a moment, shereturnedhis embrace as ifshe were grateful for it.Then, suddenly, shestiffened.Herslim,abusedbodybecamenauseainhisarms. He tried to speak,but could not, could notsever the knots in hischest. When she tried topullawayfromhim,helet

her go; and still he couldnot speak. She did notmeet his stare. Her gazewanderedhisframetotheoldcutinthecenterofhisshirt.“You’resick.”Sick? Momentarily hefailed to understand her.“Linden—?”“Sick.”Hervoice trailedlike blood between herlips. “Sick.” Moving as ifshe were stunned by

abhorrence or grief, sheturned her back on him.She sank to the ground,covered her face with herhands,began to rockbackandforth.Faintlyheheardher murmuring, “Sick.Sick.”Hisleprosy.The sight almost toreaway his last strength. Ifhe could have found hisvoice, he would have

wailed, What did thatbastarddo toyou?Buthehad come too far andhadtoo many responsibilities.The pressure of the krillupheld him. Clenchinghimselfasifhe,too,couldnotbe touched,he lookedatSunderandHollian.TheyseemedabashedbyLinden’s reaction. “Ur-Lord,” Sunder begantentatively, then faltered

into silence. The wealaround his neck appearedpainful; but he ignored it.Old frown-marksbifurcated his forehead asifhewerecaughtbetweenrageandfear,comradeshipand awe, and wantedCovenant to clarify themfor him. His jaws chewedwords he did not knowhowtoutter.“Ur-Lord,” Hollian said

for him, “she has beensorelyhurt insomeway.Iknownothow,forGibbonna-Mhoram said to her,‘YouImustnotharm.’Yetan anguish torments her.”Her pale features askedCovenant to forgiveLinden.Dumbly he wonderedwhere the eh-Brand foundher courage. She washardly more than a girl,

and her perils oftenseemed to terrify her. Yetshe had resources—Shewas a paradox of frightand valor; and she spokewhenSundercouldnot.“You have bought backour lives from the na-Mhoram,”shewenton,“atwhat cost to yourself Icannot know. I know nothowtobeholdsuchpoweras you wield. But I have

tasted the coercion of theRiders, and theimprisonmentoftheClave.Ithankyoufrommyheart.I pray I may be givenopportunitytoserveyou.”Serve—? Covenant

groaned.HowcanIletyouserveme?Youdon’tknowwhat I’m going to do. Yethe could not refuse her.Somewhere in his owninchoate struggle of need

and conviction, he hadalready accepted theservice of the Haruchai,though their claim on hisforbearance was almostforty centuries older thanhers. Gripping himselfrigidbecauseheknewthatifhebenthewouldbreak,heaskedtheonlyquestionhe could articulate in thepoverty of his courage.“Areyouallright?”

She glanced at Sunder,at his neck. When henodded, she replied, “It isnothing. A little hungerand fear. We areacquainted with suchthings. And,” shecontinued more strongly,“we have been blessedwith more than our lives.The Haruchai are capableof wonders.” With agesture, she indicated

three of Brinn’s peoplewho stood nearby. “Ur-Lord, here are Cail, Stell,and Harn.” The threesketched bows towardCovenant.“When we were guided

from the hold, I wascontent with my life. Butthe Haruchai were notcontent.” Reaching intoher robe, she brought outher dirk and lianar. “They

sought throughoutRevelstone and recoveredthese for me. Likewisethey recovered Sunder’sSunstone and blade.”Sunder agreed. Covenantwondered vaguely at thenew intimacy whichallowed Hollian to speakforSunder.Howmuchhadthey been throughtogether? “How does itcome to pass,” Hollian

concluded, “that the Landhas so forgotten theHaruchai?”“You know nothing ofus,” the one named Harnresponded. “We knownothingofyou.Wewouldnot have known to seekyour belongings, had notMemla na-Mhoram-inrevealed that they hadbeentakenfromyou.”Memla, Covenant

thought. Yes. Anotherpiece of his purposebecamemomentarilylucid.“Brinn.”Thenight seemedto be gathering aroundhim. Sunder and Hollianhad drifted out of focus.“Find her. Tell her whatweneed.”“Her?” Brinn askeddistantly. “What is it thatweneed?”Until he understood the

question,Covenantdidnotperceivethathewaslosingconsciousness.Hehad losttoo much blood. Thedarkness on all sides wascreeping toward vertigo.Though he yearned to lethimselfcollapse,helashedout with curses until hehad brought his head upagain,reopenedhiseyes.“Memla,” he said

thickly. “Tell herwe need

Coursers.”“Yes,ur-Lord.”Brinndid

notmove.ButtwoorthreeHaruchai left the fire andlopedeasilyuptowardthewatchtower.Someone placed a bowl

ofmetheglin in Covenant’shands.Hedrankit,triedtosqueeze a semblance ofclarity intohisvision,andfound himself staring atVain.

The Demondim-spawnstood with his armsslightlybent,asifhewereready to commit actswhich could not beforeseen. His black eyesstared at nothing; theghoul grin was gone fromhis black lips. But he stillworetheheelsoftheStaffof Law, one on his rightwrist, theotheronhis leftankle. The burns he had

received two nights agowerealmosthealed.As a man caught in thecoercion— Was that it?Was the Clave responsiblefor Vain? Ur-viles servingtheClave?Howfardidthena-Mhoram’s mendacityextend? Vain’s blacknessechoedthenight.Howhadhe roused Linden? Andwhy? Covenantwanted torage at the Demondim-

spawn.Buthehimselfhadkilled—without control orevenreluctance.Helackedthe rectitude to unravelVain’s intent. There wastoo much blood on hishead.And not enough in hisveins. Hewas failing. Theillumination cast by thebonfire seemed to shrinkaround him. He had solittletimeleft—

Listen,hestartedtosay.Thisiswhatwe’regoingtodo.Buthisvoicemadenosound.His hand groped for

Brinn’sshoulder.Helpme.I’vegottoholdon.Alittlelonger.“Covenant.”Linden’s voice tugged

him back into focus. Shestood before him.Somehow she had pulled

herself out of her innerrout. Her eyes searchedhim. “I thought I saw—”She regarded the wildtangleofhisbeardas if ithad prevented her fromidentifying him earlier.Then her gaze found thethick red scars on hiswrists. A sharp gaspwincedthroughherteeth.Atonce,shegrabbedhis

forearms, drew his wrists

intothelight.“Iwasright.You’velostblood.Alotofit.” Her physician’straining rose up in her.She studied him, gauginghisconditionwithhereyesand hands. “You need atransfusion.”The next moment, she

perceived the newness ofthescars.Hergazejumpedtohisface.“Whatdidtheydotoyou?”

At first, he could notrespond.Thesoothtellwastooexigent;he feltunableto bear the answer sheneeded.But she misunderstood

his silence. Abominationstretched her visage. “Didyou—?”Her apprehension broke

him out of his paralysis.“No.Not that. Theydid ittome.I’llbeallright.”

A sag of relief softenedher expression. But hereyesdidnotleavehisface.Shestruggledforwordsasif the conflict of heremotions blocked herthroat. Finally she saidhoarsely, “I heard youshout.Wealmostgotfree.”Her stare drifted out offocus, turned inward.“Fora while, I would havegivenmysoultohearyou

shout again.” Butmemories made her fleeoutward again. “Tell me—”shebegan,fightingforseverity as if it wereessential to her. “Tell mewhathappenedtoyou.”He shookhishead. “I’mall right.”Whatelsecouldhe say? “Gibbon wantedblood. I didn’t have achance to refuse.” Heknew that he should

explain, that all hiscompanions needed toknowwhathehadlearnedinthesoothtell.Buthehadnostrength.As if to spare Covenant

the necessity of speech,Brinn said flatly, “The ur-Lord’s life was forfeit inthesoothtell.Yetwithwildmagichehealedhimself.”At that, Linden’s orbs

darkened. Her lips echoed

soundlessly, Healed? Hergaze dropped to the oldscar behind the cut in hisshirt. The recovery ofdetermination which haddrawn her out of herselfseemed to crumple. Losseswhich he could not beginto understand overflowedfrom her eyes. She turnedawayfromhim,turnedherface toward the night.“Thenyoudon’tneedme.”

Hollian reached out toher. Like a child, Lindenput her arms aroundHollian’s neck and buriedher face in the eh-Brand’sshoulder.Covenant did not react.

The pressure of his rageandgriefwasallthatstoodbetweenhimanddarkness.He could not movewithout falling. What didthatbastarddotoyou?

“Ur-Lord,” Brinn said,“we must not delay. Thena-Mhoramwas not slain.Surely theClavewill soonstrikeagainstus.”“I know.” Covenant’sheartwascryinguselessly,Linden!andhot streaksofself-reproach ran from hiseyes; but his voice wasadamantine. “We’ll go. AssoonasMemlagetshere.”He did not doubt that

Memla would come. Shehad no choice; she hadalreadybetrayedtheClaveforhim.Toomanypeoplehad already done toomuchforhim.“That is well,” Brinnreplied. “Where will wego?”Covenant did not falter.He was sure of what hehad to do. His Dead hadpreparedhim for this. “To

find the One Tree. I’mgoingtomakeanewStaffofLaw.”Hisauditorsfellabruptly

silent. Incomprehensionclouded Hollian’s face.Sunder frowned as if hewantedtospeakbutcouldnot find the right words.The knot of Stonedownorsand Woodhelvennin heldthemselves still. Vainbetrayed no flicker of

interest. But the eyes oftheHaruchaishone.“The old tellers,” Brinn

said slowly, “relate thattheLords,evenatthetimeof Kevin, had a legend oftheOne Tree, fromwhichtheStaffofLawwasmade.Ur-Lord Covenant, youconceive a boldundertaking. You will beaccompanied.ButhowwillyouseektheOneTree?We

havenoknowledgeofit.”Noknowledge,Covenant

breathed wanly. He hadguessedasmuch.Southofthe Land lay the lifelessGray Desert. In the north,the long winter of theNorthron Climbs was saidto be impassable. And tothe west, where theHaruchai lived, there wasno knowledge of the OneTree. He accepted that. If

Berek had gone west tofind the One Tree, hewould surely haveencountered Brinn’speople. With an effort,Covenant answered,“NeitherdoI.Butwe’llgoeast. To the Sea.” WheretheGiantshadcomefrom.“To get away from theClave. After that—I don’tknow.”Brinn nodded. “It is

good. This the Haruchaiwill do. Cail, Stell, Ceer,Harn, Hergrom, andmyself will share yourquest, to ward you andyour companions. Twoscore will return to ourpeople, to give them theknowledge we havegained.” His voicesharpenedslightly.“Andtoconsider our reply to thedepredationsofthisClave.

Thosewhoremainwillseethese Stonedownors andWoodhelvennin to theirhomes—if such aid isdesired.”The faces of the ninefreed people of the Landexpressed immediatelytheir eagerness to acceptBrinn’soffer.“The old tellers speakmuch of the Giants—oftheir fidelityand laughter,

and of their dying,” Brinnconcluded.“Gladlywillwelookupon theirhomeandupon the Sea which theyloved.”Now, Covenant said to

himself. If ever heintended to refuse theHaruchai, escapehisbeingdependent on andresponsibleforthemagainafter four thousand years,nowwas the time. But he

could not. He was nolonger able to standwithout Brinn’s support.Isn’t it bad enough, hegroaned, that I’m the onewho destroyed the Staff?Opened the door for theSunbane? Do I have tocarry this, too? But heneeded the Haruchai andcouldnotrefuse.Foramoment,thenight

reeled; but then he felt

handstouchhischest,andsaw Sunder standingbefore him. The Gravelerheldhis chinup,exposinghis damaged neck as ifwith that injury he hadearned answers. His eyesreflected the firelight likethe echoing of his tornmind.“Covenant,”hesaidina

clenched tone, using thatname instead of the title

ur-Lord,as ifhe sought tocut through awe andpower and command tothe man behind them. “Ihavejourneyedfarinyourname, and will journeyfarther.Butthereisfearinme.Theeh-Brand foretellsa sun of pestilence—afterbut two days of rain. Infreeing us, you havedamaged the Clave. Andnow the Sunbane

quickens. Perhaps youhavedone suchharm thatthe Clave can no longermoderate the Sunbane.PerhapsyouhavewroughtagreatperilfortheLand.”Covenant heard thepersonal urgency ofSunder’s question; but fora time he lacked thefortitudetoreply.Sunder’sdoubt pained him,weakened him. His veins

wereemptyoflife,andhismuscles could no longersupport him. Even thewarmth of the krill underhisbelthad faded intohisgeneral inurement. ButSunderwashisfriend.TheGraveler had alreadysacrificed too much forhim. Fumbling among hisfrailties, he gave the firstanswerhefound.“The na-Mhoram is a

Raver.LikeMarid.”But that did not satisfy

Sunder. “So Linden Averyhas said. Yet the ClavemoderatedtheSunbaneforthe sake of the Land, andnow that moderation hasbeenweakened.”“No,”Somewherewithin

him. Covenant discovereda moment of strength.“The Clave doesn’tmoderate the Sunbane.

They’ve been using it tohurt the Land. Feeding itwith blood. They’ve beenserving Lord Foul forcenturies.”Sunder stared;

incredulity seemed tohurthis face. Covenant’sasseveration violatedeverything he had everbelieved. “Covenant.”Dismay scarred his voice.Hishandsmade imploring

gestures. “How can it betrue? It is toomuch.HowcanIknowthatitistrue?”“BecauseIsayit’strue.”

The moment passed,leavingCovenantaswearyas death. “I paid for thatsoothtell with my blood.And I was here. Fourthousandyears ago.Whenthe Land was healthy.WhattheClavetaughtyouissomethingtheymadeup

to justify all thatbloodshed.”A distant partof him saw what he wasdoing, and protested. Hewas identifying himselfwith the truth, makinghimself responsible for it.Surelynoman couldkeepsuch a promise. Hile Troyhadtried—andhadlosthissoul to the Forestal ofGarroting Deep as aconsequence.

“Then—” Sunderwrestled forcomprehension. Hisfeatures showed horror atthe implications of whatCovenant said—horrorturningtorage,“Thenwhydo you not fight? Destroythe Clave—end this ill? Ifthey are such anabomination?”Covenant droopedagainst Brinn. “I’m too

weak.” He hardly heardhimself. “And I’ve alreadykilled—” A spasm of grieftwisted his face. Twenty-one people! “I swore Iwould never kill again.”But for Sunder’s sake, hemade one more effort toarticulate what hebelieved. “I don’t want tofight them until I stophatingthem.”Slowly the Graveler

nodded. The bonfirebecame a roaring inCovenant’s ears. For aninstant of giddiness, hethought that Sunder wasNassic.Nassicwithyoung,sane eyes. The Graveler,too,was capableof thingswhichhumbledCovenant.There was movement

around him. People werereadying themselves fordeparture. They saluted

him; but his numbnessprevented him fromresponding. Escorted bynearlyascoreofHaruchai,they left the foothills. Hedidnotwatchthemgo.Hehung on the verges ofunconsciousness andfoughttoremainalive.For a time, he drifted

along the current of thebonfire. But then he felthimself turned in Brinn’s

arms, gently shaken erect.He pried his eyes wide,scraped his eyelids acrossthesabulousexhaustioninhisgaze,andsawMemla.She stood grimly beforehim. Her chasuble wasgone, and her robe hadbeensinged inplaces.Herage-stained hair straggledabout her shoulders. Fireblisters marred her rightcheek; her blunt features

were battered. But hereyes were angry, and shefaced Covenant with herrukhheldready.At her back champedfive of the Clave’s hugeCoursers.Brinn nodded to her.“Memla na-Mhoram-in,”hesaidflatly.“Theur-Lordhasawaitedyou.”ShegaveBrinnagestureof recognition without

taking her eyes fromCovenant. Her gruff voiceboth revealed andcontrolled her wrath. “Icannotlivewithlies.Iwillaccompanyyou.”Covenant had no words

forher.Mutelyhetouchedhisrighthandtohisheart,then raised the palmtowardher.“I have brought

Coursers,” she said. “They

were not well defended—butwellenoughtohamperme.OnlyfivecouldIwrestfrom so many of the na-Mhoram-cro.” The beastswere laden with supplies.“They are Din, Clang,Clangor, Annoy, andClash.”Covenant nodded. His

head went on bobbingfeebly,asifthemusclesofhis neck had fallen into

caducity.She gripped his gaze.

“But one matter must beopenbetweenus.Withmyrukh, I can wield theBanefire to aid ourjourney. This the Clavecannot prevent. But I inturn cannot prevent themfromknowingwhere I amandwhatIdo,throughmyrukh.Half-hand.”Hertonetook on an inflection of

appeal. “I do not wish toset aside the sole power Ipossess.”Herhonestyandcourage

demanded an answer.With an effort thatdefocused his eyes andmade his head spin, hesaid,“Keep it. I’ll take thechance.”His reply softened her

features momentarily.“When first we met,” she

said, “your misdoubt wasjust, thoughIknewitnot.Yet trust is preferable.”Then, abruptly, shestiffened again. “But wemust depart. Gibbon hasgathered the Clave at theBanefire. While we delay,theyraisetheGrimagainstus.”The Grim! Covenantcould not block the surgeof his dismay. It carried

himovertheedge,andheplunged like dead stoneintodarkness.As he fell, he heard acold wail from Revelstone—acrylikethekeeningofthe great Keep, promisinglossandblood.Orperhapsthe wail was withinhimself.

TWENTY-ONE:Sending

Sometime during thenight, he wandered closeto consciousness. He wasbeing rocked on the backofaCourser.Armsreachedaround him from behindand knotted together overhis heart. They supportedhim like bands of stone.Haruchaiarms.Someone said tensely,

“Areyounotahealer?Youmustsuccorhim.”“No.” Linden’s replysounded small and wan,andcomplete.Itmadehimmoandeepinhisthroat.Glints of rukh-fire hurthiseyes.Whenheshutoutthe sight, he faded awayoncemore.Thenexttimehelookedup, he saw the gray ofdawninfragmentsthrough

themonstrous jungle. Thelightening of the sky laydirectly ahead of him. HewasmountedonDin,withMemla before him andBrinn behind. AnotherCourser,carryingCeerandHergrom, led the wayalong the line Memlacreatedwithherrukh.Therest of the companyfollowedDin.As Covenant fumbled

toward wakefulness,Memla’s path ran into anarea of relatively cleargroundundertheshadeofa towering stand ofrhododendron. There shehalted.Over her shoulder,shecalledtothecompany,“Remain mounted. TheCourserswillspareusfromtheSunbane.”Behind him, Covenantheard Sunder mutter,

“Thenitistrue—”ButHergromdroppedto

the ground, began toaccept supplies handeddown by Ceer; and Brinnsaid,“TheHaruchaidonotshare this need to bewarded.”Immune? Covenant

wondereddimly.Yes.Howelse had somany of thembeen able to reachRevelstoneunwarped?

Then the sun began torise, sending spangles ofcrimson and miserythrough the vegetation.Once again, the eh-Brandhad foretold the Sunbaneaccurately.When the first touch of

the sun was past, Memlaordered the Coursers totheir knees, controllingthem all with hercommand. The company

begantodismount.Covenant shrugged offBrinn’s help and tried tostandalone.Hefoundthathe could. He felt as paleand weak as an invalid;but his muscles were atleast able to hold hisweight.Unsteadily he turned tolook back westwardthrough the retreatingnight for some signof the

na-Mhoram’sGrim.The horizon seemed

clear.Near him, Sunder and

Stell had descended fromone Courser, Hollian andHarn from another. Cailhelped Linden down fromthe fifth beast. Covenantfaced her with his frailtyand concern; but she kepthergaze toherself, lockedherselfinherlonelinessas

if the very nerves of hereyes, theessentialmarrowof her bones, had beenhumiliatedpastbearing.Heleftheralone.Hedid

notknowwhat todo,andfelttootenuoustodoit.While the Haruchai

prepared food for thecompany—dried meat,bread, fruit, andmetheglin—Memla produced fromone of her sacks a large

leather pouch of distilledvoure, the pungent sapCovenant’s friends hadonce used to ward offinsects under the sun ofpestilence. Carefully shedabbedtheconcentrateoneach of her companions,excluding only Vain.Covenant nodded at heromission.Perhapsrukh-firecould harm theDemondim-spawn. The

Sunbanecouldnot.Covenantateslowlyand

thoroughly, feeding hisbody’spoverty.Butall thetime, a weight ofapprehension impendedtowardhimfromthewest.He had seen DuringStonedown,hadseenwhattheGrimcoulddo.Withaneffort, he found his voicetoaskMemlahowlongtheraisingofaGrimtook.

Shewasclearlynervous.“That is uncertain,” shemuttered. “The size of theGrim, and its range, mustbe considered.” Her gazeflicked tohis face, leavingan almost palpable markofanxietyacrosshischeek.“I read them. Here.” Herhands tightened on herrukh. “It will be verygreat.”Very great, Covenant

murmured.Andhewassoweak. He pressed hishandstothekrill,andtriedtoremaincalm.A short time later, thecompany remounted.Memla drew on theBanefiretoopenawayforthe huge Coursers. AgainHergrom and Ceer—onAnnoy, Memla said: thenames of the beastsseemed important to her,

asifshelovedtheminherblunt fashion—went first,followed by Covenant,Brinn, and the Rider onDin, then by Cail andLinden on Clash, Sunderand Stell on Clang, Harnand Hollian on Clangor.Vain brought up the rearasifhewerebeingsuckedalong without volition inthewakeoftheCoursers.Covenant dozed

repeatedly throughout theday. He had been tooseverelydrained;he couldnot keep himself awake.Whenever the companypaused for food, water,and rest, he consumed allthe aliment hewas given,striving to recover somesemblanceofstrength.Butbetween stops the rockingof Din’s stride unmooredhis awareness, so that he

rode tides of dream anddread and insects, andcouldnotanchorhimself.In periods of

wakefulness,heknewfromthe rigidity of Memla’sback that she wanted toflee and flee, and neverstop. She, too, knewvividly what the Grimcould do. But, towardevening, her endurancegaveout.Undertheshelter

ofaprodigiousGilden,shehalted the quest for thenight.At first, while she

started a fire, the airthronged with flying bugsof every description; andthe boughs and leaves ofthe tree seethed withthings which crawled andbored.Butvoure protectedthe company. Andgradually, as dusk seeped

intothejungle,maceratingthe effect of the Sunbane,the insects began todisappear.Their viscid stridulation

faded as they retreatedinto gestation or sleep.Memla seated her wearybones beside the fire,dismissed the Coursers,and let the Haruchai careforhercompanions.Sunder and Hollian

seemed tired, as if theyhadnotsleptfordays;butthey were sturdy, withfunds of stamina stilluntapped. Though theyknewof theGrim, at leastby rumor, their relief atescaping Revelstoneoutweighed theirapprehension. They stoodand moved together as iftheir imprisonment hadmade them intimate.

Sunder seemed to draweasefromtheeh-Brand,ananodyne for his old self-conflicts; her youth andher untormented sense ofherselfwereabalmtotheGraveler,whohadshedhisownwifeandsonandhadchosen to betray hispeopleforCovenant’ssake.And she, in turn, foundsupport andencouragement in his

knotted resourcefulness,hisdeterminedstruggleforconviction. They both hadlost so much; Covenantwas relieved to think thatthey could comfort eachother. He could not havegiventhemcomfort.Buttheircompanionshiponly emphasized Linden’sisolation in his eyes. TheRaverhaddonesomethingtoher.AndCovenant,who

had experience with suchthings, dreaded knowingwhat itwas—and dreadedthe consequences of notknowing.Ashe finishedhismeal,

hearrivedattheendofhisability to support hisignorance. He was sittingnear the fire. Memlarested, half-asleep, on oneside of him. On the othersat Sunder and Hollian.

FouroftheHaruchaistoodguard beyond the tree.Brinn and Cail movedsilently around the fringesof the Gilden, alert forperil. Vain stood at theedge of the light like theessenceofallblacksecrets.And among them, acrossthe fire from Covenant,Linden huddled withinherself, with her armsclasped around her knees

and her eyes fixed on theblaze, as if she were acompletestranger.Hecouldnotbearit.Hehadinvestedsomuchhopein her and knew so littleabouther;hehadtoknowwhyshewassoafraid.Buthe had no idea how toconfront her. Her hiddenwound made heruntouchable. So for hisown sake, as well as for

the sake of hiscompanions,heclearedhisthroatandbegantotellhistale.He left nothing out.From Andelain and theDead to StonemightWoodhelven, from Vain’sviolence to Hamako’srhysh, from his run acrossthe Center Plains toMemla’s revelation of theClave’smendacity,he told

it all. And then hedescribed the soothtell asfully as he could. Hishands would not remainstill as he spoke; somuchof the memory made himwrithe. He tugged at hisbeard, knitted his fingerstogether, clutched his leftfistoverhisweddingband,and told his friends whathehadwitnessed.Heunderstoodnowwhy

theRaverhadbeenwillingto lethimsee the truthofthe Land’s history. LordFoul wanted him toperceive the fetters ofaction and consequencewhich bound him to hisguilt,wantedhimtoblamehimself for thedestructionof the Staff, and for theSunbane,andforeverylifethe Clave sacrificed. Sothat he would founder in

culpability, surrender hisring in despair and self-abhorrence. Lord Foul,who laughed at lepers.Atthelasttherewillbebutonechoice for you. In thatcontext, thevenominhimmade sense. It gave himpower he could notcontrol. Power to killpeople. Guilt. It was aprophecy of his doom—aself-fulfillingprophecy.

That, too, he explained,hopingLindenwouldraiseher eyes, look at him, trytounderstand.Butshedidnot. Her mouth stretchedinto severity; but sheheldto her isolation. Evenwhenhedetailedhow theseeds planted by his Deadhad ledhim to conceiveaquest for the One Tree,intending to make a newStaff of Law so that

thereby he could opposeLord Foul and contest theSunbane without self-abandonment, even thenshe did not respond.Finallyhefellsilent,bereftofwords.Foratime,thecompany

remained still with him.No one asked anyquestions; they seemedunwilling to probe thepain he had undergone.

ButthenSunderspoke.Toanswer Covenant, he toldwhat had happened toLinden, Hollian, and himafterCovenanthadenteredAndelain.He described Santoninand the Stonemight,described the Rider’scoercion, described theway in which he andHollian had striven toconvince Gibbon that

Covenantwaslostordead.But after that, he had notmuch to tell.Hehadbeencast into a cell with littlefood and water, and lesshope. Hollian’s plight hadbeen the same. Both hadheard the clamor ofCovenant’s first entranceinto thehold,andnothingmore.Then Covenant thoughtthat surely Linden would

speak. Surely she wouldcomplete her part of thetale. But she did not. Shehid her face against herknees and sat huddledthere as if she werebracing herself against amemoryfullofwhips.“Linden.”Howcouldhe

leave her alone? Heneededthetruthfromher.“Now you know howKevinmusthavefelt.”

Kevin Landwaster, lastofBerek’sline.Lindenhadsaid, I don’t believe in evil.Kevinalsohadtriednottobelieve in evil. He hadunwittingly betrayed theLandbyfailingtoperceiveLord Foul’s true nature intime, and had thereby settheDespiseronthepathtovictory.Thushehadfalleninto despair. Because ofwhathehaddone,hehad

challenged theDespiser tothe Ritual of Desecration,hoping to destroy LordFoul by reaving the Land.But in that, too, he hadfailed. He had succeededat laying waste the Landheloved,andatlosingtheStaffofLaw;butLordFoulhadendured.All this Covenant told

her. “Don’t you see?” hesaid,imploringhertohear

him. “Despair is noanswer.It’swhatFoulliveson.Whateverhappened toyou, it doesn’t have to belikethis.”Linden,listentome!But she did not listen,gave no sign that shewasabletohearhim.Ifhehadnot seen the shadows ofdistressshiftingbehindhereyes, he might havebelieved that she had

fallen back into the comawhich Gibbon had levieduponher.Sunder sat glowering asif he could not choosebetween his empathy forLinden and hisunderstanding ofCovenant. Hollian’s darkeyes were blurred withtears. Brinn and Cailwatched as if they werethe models for Vain’s

impassivity.None of themofferedCovenantanyhelp.Hetriedadifferenttack.“Look at Vain.” Linden!“Tellmewhatyousee.”Shedidnotrespond.“I don’t know whetheror not I can trust him. Idon’t have your eyes. Ineed you to tell me whatheis.”She did not move. Buther shoulders tautened as

if she were screamingwithinherself.“That old man.” Hisvoicewaschokedbyneedandfear.“OnHavenFarm.Yousavedhislife.HetoldyoutoBetrue.”She flinched.Jerkingupherhead,shegapedathimwith eyes as injured as iftheyhadbeengougedintotheclenchedmiseryofhersoul.Thenshewasonher

feet, fuming likeamagmaof bitterness. “You!” shecried. “You keep talkingabout desecration. This isyour doing. Why did youhave to sell yourself forJoan? Why did you haveto get us into this? Don’tyoucallthatdesecration?”“Linden.” Her passionswepthimupright; buthecouldnotreachouttoher.The fire laybetweenthem

asifshehadlit itthereinherfury.“Of course you don’t.You can’t see. You don’tknow.” Her hands clawedtheairoverherbreastsasif she wanted to tear herflesh. “You think it willhelpifyougochargingoffonsomecrazyquest.Makea new Staff of Law.” Shewassavagewithgall.“Youdon’tcount,andyoudon’t

evenknowit!”He repeated her name.Sunder and Hollian hadrisen to their feet. Memlaheld her rukh ready, andCail stood poised nearby,as if both Rider andHaruchai felt violence intheair.“What did he do toyou?”Whatdidthatbastarddotoyou?“He said you don’t

count!” Abruptly she wasspouting words, hurlingthemathimas ifhewerethe cause of her distress.“All they care about isyour ring. The rest is me.He said, ‘You have beenespecially chosen for thisdesecration.Youarebeingforgedas iron is forged toachieve the ruin of theEarth.’ ” Her voicethickened like blood

around the memory,“Because I can see. That’showthey’regoingtomakemedowhattheywant.Bytorturing me with what Isee, and feel, and hear.You’re making me doexactlywhattheywant!”The next instant, heroutburst sprang to a halt.Her hands leaped to herface, trying to block outvisions. Her body went

rigid,asifshewereontheverge of convulsions; amoantoreitswaybetweenher teeth. Then shesagged.In desolation, shewhispered, “He touchedme.”Touched—?“Covenant.” Shedroppedherhands,lethimseethe fullanguish inhervisage. “You’ve got to get

me out of here. Back towhereIbelong.Wheremylife means something.Before they make me killyou.”“I know,” he said,

because she had to haveananswer.“That’sanotherreasonwhy Iwant to findtheOne Tree.” Butwithinhimself he felt suddenlycrippled. You don’t count.He had placed so much

hope in her, in thepossibility that she wasfree of Lord Foul’smanipulations; and nowthathopelayinwreckage.“The Lords used the Staffto call me here.” In onestroke,hehadbeenreftofeverything. “A Staff is theonly thing I know of thatcan send us back.”Everythingexceptthekrill,andhisoldintransigence.

Especially chosen—Helland blood! He wanted tocover his face; he couldhaveweptlikeachild.ButLinden’seyesclungtohimdesperately, trying tobelieveinhim.SunderandHollian held each otheragainst a fear they couldnot name. And Memla’scountenance was blunt-molded into a shape ofsympathy, as if she knew

what it meant to bediscounted. Only theHaruchai appearedunmoved—the Haruchai,andVain.When Linden asked,“Your ring?” he met hersquarely.“Ican’tcontrolit.”Abruptly Memla’sexpressionbecameaflinchof surprise, as if he haduttered something

appalling.He ignored her. Whilehisheartragedforgrief,asif tearswereadebtwhichhe owed to his mortalityand could not pay, hestretched out his arms.There in front of all hiscompanions he gavehimselfaVSE.Ah,youarestubbornyet.Yes.ByGod.Stubborn.Acting with

characteristic detachedconsideration, Brinnhanded Covenant a pouchof metheglin. Covenantlifted it between himselfand his friends, so thattheycouldnotseehisface,anddrank it dry.Thenhewalked away into thedarkness around theGilden, used the night tohidehim.Aftera time,helaydownamongthethings

hehadlost,andclosedhiseyes.

Brinn roused him withthe dawn, got him to hisfeet in time to meet thesecondrisingofthesunofpestilence,protectedbyhisboots.Therestofthequestwasalreadyawake.Sunderand Hollian had joinedMemla on pieces of stone;

the Haruchai were busypreparing food; Lindenstood gazing at theapproaching incarnadine.Her face was sealedagainst its ownvulnerability; but whenshe noticed Covenant, hereyes acknowledged himsomberly. After theconflicts of the previousevening, her recognitiontouchedhimlikeasmile.

He found that he feltstronger. But withrecovery came a renewalof fear. The na-Mhoram’sGrim—Memlaboreherselfas if

throughout the night shehad not forgotten thatperil. Her aging featureswere lined withapprehension, and herhands trembled on herrukh. To answer

Covenant’s look, shemurmured, “Still he raisesit, and is not content. ItwillbeaGrim torendoursouls.” For amoment, hereyeswinced tohis face asif she needed reassurance.But then she jerked away,began snapping at hercompanions tomake themhurry.Soon the company wason its way, moving at a

hardcanterdownthepathwhich Memla invokedfrom the Banefire. Herurgency and Covenant’stight dread infected theStonedownors, markedeven Linden. The questrode in silence, as if theycould feel theGrim poisedlikeabladeatthebacksoftheirnecks.Thejungleunderthesunof pestilence aggravated

Covenant’s sense ofimpending disaster. Theinsects thronged aroundhim like incarnations ofdisease. Every malformedbough and bush was a-crawl with malformedbugs. Some of the treeswere so heavily veinedwith termites that thewood looked leprous.Andthe smell of rot hadbecome severe. Under the

aegis of the Sunbane, hisguts ached, half expectingthe vegetation to breakopen and beginsuppurating.Timedragged.Weaknesscrept through his musclesagain.When the companyfinally rode into the reliefof sunset, his neck andshoulders throbbed fromthe strain of lookingbackwardforsomesignof

the Grim. Shivers ranthroughthemarrowofhisbones. As soon as Memlapicked a camping placeunder the shelter of amegalithic stand ofeucalyptus, he dropped tothe ground, hoping tosteady himself on theEarth’sunderlyinggranite.But his hands and feetwere too numb to feelanything.

Around him, hiscompanions dismounted.Almost at once, Lindenwent over to Hollian. Theflesh of Linden’s face waspale and taut, stretchedtight over her skull. Sheaccosted the eh-Brandpurposefully,butthenhadto fumble forwords. “Theinsects,” she murmured.“The smell. It’s worse.Worsethananyothersun.

Ican’tshutitallout.”Hereyeswatched theway herhandsclungtogether,asifonly that knotheldher inone piece. “I can’t—What’s it going to betomorrow?”Sunder had moved tostand near Hollian. AsLinden fell silent, henodded grimly. “Never inall my life have I faced asun of pestilence and

encountered so littleharm.”His tonewashard.“I had not known theClave could journey sountouchedbythatwhichisfearandabhorrencetothepeople of the Land. Andnow ur-Lord CovenantteachesusthattheClave’simmunity has beenpurchased by the increaserather than the decline ofthe Sunbane.” His voice

darkened as if he wereremembering all thepeople he had shed. “I donot misdoubt him. But I,too, desire tidings of themorrow’ssun.”Memla indicated with ashrug that such tidingscouldnotalterheranxiety.But Covenant joinedLindenandSunder.Hefeltsuddenly sickened by theidea that perhaps the

soothtell had been a liedesigned by Gibbon-Ravertomisleadhim.Iftwodaysof rain were followed byonlytwodaysofpestilence— Gripping himself, hewaited for Hollian’sresponse.She acceded easily. Herlight smile reminded himthat she was not likeSunder. With her lianarand her skill, she had

alwaysbeenable to touchtheSunbaneforthebenefitof others; she had neverhadtokillpeopletoobtainblood. Therefore she didnot loathe her owncapabilities as Sunder didhis.She stepped a short

distance away to giveherself space, then tookout her dirk and wand.Seating herself on the

leaves which littered theground,shesummonedherconcentration. Covenant,Linden, and Sunderwatched intently as sheplaced the lianar on herlap,grippedherdirkinherleft hand and directed thepoint against her rightpalm. The words ofinvocation soughed pasther lips. They clasped thecompany like a liturgy of

worship for somethingfatal. Even the Haruchaileft their tasks to standready. The thought thatshe was about to cutherself made Covenantscowl;buthehadlongagoleft behind the dayswhenhe could have protestedwhatshewasdoing.Slowlyshedrewasmallcutonherpalm.Asbloodwelled from the incision,

she closed her fingers onthe lianar. Dusk haddeepened into nightaround the quest,concealing her from thewatchers. Yet evenCovenant’s impercipientsenses could feel herpower thickening likemotesoffireconcatenatingtoward flame. For a batedmoment, the air was still.Then she sharpened her

chant, and the wand tooklight.Redflamesbloomedlike

Sunbane orchids. Theyspreadup into theairanddown her forearm to theground. Crimson tendrilscurled about her as if shewere being overgrown.They seemed bright; butthey cast no illumination;thenightremaineddark.Intuitively Covenant

understood her fire. Withchanting and blood andlianar, she reached outtoward the morrow’s sun;and the flames took theircolor from what that sunwouldbe.Herfirewastheprecise hue of the sun’spestilentialaura.Athirdsunofpestilence.He sighedhis relief softly.Here, at least, he had noreason to believe that the

soothtellhadbeenfalse.But before the eh-Brandcould relax herconcentration, release herforetelling, the fireabruptlychanged.A streak of blackness asabsolute as Vain’s skinshot from the wood,scarred the flames withebony.Atfirst,itwasonlyaslashacrossthecrimson.But it grew, expanded

among the flames until itdominated them,obscuredthem.Quenchedthem.Instantly night covered

the companions, isolatingthem from each other.Covenant could perceivenothingexceptafaulttangof smoke in the air, as ifHollian’s wand had beenin danger of beingconsumed.

Hesworehoarselyunderhis breath and swung outhis arms until he touchedBrian on one side, Lindenon the other. Then heheard feet spring throughthe leaves and heardSundercry,“Hollian!”The next moment,

Memla also cried out inhorror. “Sending!” Fireraged from her rukh,cracked like a flail among

thetrees,makingthenightlurid. “It comes!”Covenant saw Ceerstanding behind the Rideras if to protect her fromattack.TheotherHaruchaiformed a defensive ringaroundthecompany.“Gibbon!” Memla

howled. “Abomination!”Herfiresavagedtheairasifsheweretryingtostrikeat Revelstone from a

distance of nearly twoscore leagues. “By all theSevenHells—!”Covenant reactedinstinctively. He surgedinto the range of Memla’sfire and gripped herforearms to prevent herfrom striking at him.“Memla!” he yelled intoher face. “Memla! Howmuchtimehavewegot?”His grip or his demand

reached her. Her gazecame into focus on him.Withaconvulsiveshudder,she dropped her fire, letdarkness close over thequest.Whenshespoke,hervoice came out of thenight like the whisperingofcondorwings.“Thereistime.TheGrimcannot instantly cross somany leagues. Perhaps asmuch as a day remains to

us.“But it is the na-

Mhoram’s Grim, and hasbeen two days in theraising. Such a sendingmight break Revelstoneitself.”Shetookabreathwhich

trembled. “Ur-Lord, wecannot evade thisGrim. Itwill follow my rukh andrendusutterly.”Hervoicewinced in her throat. “I

hadbelieved that thewildmagicwouldgiveushope.But if it is beyond yourcontrol—”At Covenant’s back, a

small flame jumped intolife and caught wood.Sunderhadlitafaggot.Heheld it up like a torch,lifting thecompanyoutofthedark.Hollian was gasping

throughherteeth,fighting

not to cry out. Theviolationofher foretellinghadhurtherintimately.“That’s right,” Covenant

gritted.“Ican’tcontrolit.”His hands manacledMemla’swrists, striving tokeep her from hysteria,“Hang on. Think. We’vegottodosomethingaboutthis.”Hiseyeslockedhers.“Can you leave your rukhbehind?”

“Covenant!” she wailedin immediate anguish. “ItiswhoIam!Iamnothingto you without it.” Hetightened his grasp. Sheflinched away from hisgaze. Her voice became adry moan. “Without myrukh, I cannot part thetrees. And I cannotcommand the Coursers. Itisthepowertowhichtheyhave been bred. Losing it,

myholduponthemwillbelost.Theywillscatterfromus. Perhaps theywill turnagainst us.” Her mienappeared to be crumblingin theunsteady torchlight.“This doom is upon myhead,” she breathed. “Inignoranceandfolly,IluredyoutoRevelstone.”“Damnation!” Covenantrasped, cursing half tohimself. He felt trapped;

and yet he did not wantMemla to blame herself.Hehadaskedforherhelp.He wrestled down hisdismay. “All right,” hepanted.“CalltheCoursers.Let’strytooutrunit.”She gaped at him. “It isthe Grim! It cannot beoutrun.”“Goddamn it, he’s onlyoneRaver!”Hisfearmadehim livid. “The farther he

has to send it, theweakerit’sgoingtobe.Let’stry!”For one more moment,

Memla could not recoverher courage. But then themuscles of her facetightened, and a look ofresolutionor fatalitycameinto her eyes. “Yes, ur-Lord,” she gritted. “Itwillbe weakened somewhat.Letusmaketheattempt.”As he released her, she

began shouting for theCoursers.They came out of the

night like huge chunks ofdarkness. The Haruchaithrew sacks of suppliesand bundles of firewoodonto the broad backs.Covenant wheeled to facehiscompanions.Sunder and Hollian

stood behind Linden. Shecrouched among the

leaves, with her handsclampedoverherface.TheStonedownors madetruncated gestures towardherbutdidnotknowhowto reach her. Her voicecame out as if it werebeingthrottled.“Ican’t—”Covenant exploded.

“Move!”Sheflinched,recoiledto

her feet. Sunder and

Hollianjerkedintomotionas if they were breakingfree of a trance. Cailabruptly swept Lindenfrom the ground andboosted her lightly ontoClash.Scramblingforward,Covenant climbed upbehindMemla. Inawhirl,hesawSunderandHollianon their mounts, saw theHaruchai spring intoposition,sawMemla’srukh

gutter,thenburstalivelikeascaracrossthedark.At once, the CourserslaunchedthemselvesdownthelineofMemla’spath.Thenightoneither sideof her fire seemed to roillike thunderheads.Covenant could not seepast her back; he fearedthat Din would careen atanymoment intoa failureof the path, crash against

boulders, plunge intolurking ravines or gullies.But more than that, hefeared his ring, feared thedemand of power whichtheGrim would put uponhim.Memla permitted no

disaster. At unexpectedmoments, her line veeredpast sudden obstacles; yetwith her fire and herwillshekeptthecompanysafe

andswift.Shewasrunningforher life, forCovenant’slife, for the hope of theLand; and she took herCoursers through theruinous jungle like boltsfromacrossbow.They ran while the

moonrose—ranasitarcedoverhead—ran and stillran after it had set. TheCourserswerecreaturesofthe Sunbane, and did not

tire. Just after dawn,Memla slapped them to ahalt. When Covenantdismounted, his legstrembled.Lindenmovedasifherentirebodyhadbeenbeaten with clubs. EvenSunder and Hollianseemed to have lost theirhardiness. But Memla’svisage was set in lines ofextremity; and she heldherrukhasifshestroveto

tune her soul to the pitchofiron.She allowed the

company only a brief restfor a meal. But even thattimewastoolong.Withoutwarning, Stell pointedtoward the sun. Themuteintensity of his gesturesnatched every eyeeastward.Thesunstoodabovethe

horizon, its sick red aura

burning like a promise ofinfirmity. But the coronawas no longer perfect. Itsleading edgewore a starkblackflaw.The mark was wedge-shaped, like an attack ofur-viles, and aligned as ifit were being hammeredinto the sun fromRevelstone.Linden’sgroanwasmoreeloquentthananyoutcry.

Shoutingacurse,Memladrove her companionsback to the Coursers. Inmoments, the quest hadremounted, and thebeastsracedagainstblackmalice.They could not win.ThoughMemla’s pathwasstrong and true—thoughtheCoursersranatthefullstretchoftheirgreatlegs—theblacknessgrewswiftly.By midmorning, it had

devoured half the sun’sanadem.Pressure mounted

against Covenant’s back.His thoughts took on therhythm of Din’s strides: Imust not—Must not—Visionsofkillingcame:tenyears or four millenniaago, at the battle ofSoaring Woodhelven, hehadslainCavewights.Andlater,hehaddrivenaknife

into the heart of the manwho had murdered Lena.He could not think ofpower except in terms ofkilling.He had no control over

hisring.Thenthecompanyburst

outof thick jungle towardasavannah.There,nothingobstructed the terrainexcept the coarse grass,growing twice as tall as

theCoursers,north,south,and east, and the isolatedmounds of rock standinglike prodigious cairns atgreat distances from eachother. Covenant had aninstant of overviewbeforethe company plungeddown the lasthillside intothe savannah. The skyopened; and he could notunderstand how theheavens remained so

untrammeled around sucha sun. ThenMemla’s pathsankintothedepthsofthegrass.The quest ran foranother league beforeHollian cried over therumble of hooves, “Itcomes!”Covenant flung a lookbehindhim.A thunderhead as starkas the sun’swound boiled

out of the west. Itsseethingwaspoised like afist; and it moved withsuch swiftness that theCoursersseemednot toberacingatall.“Run!” he gasped atMemla’sback.As if in contradiction,she wrenched Din to ahalt. TheCourser skidded,almost fell. Covenantnearly lost his seat. The

other beasts veered away,crashing freneticallythroughthegrass.“Heavenand Earth!” Sunderbarked.Controllingall theCoursers,Memlasentthemwheeling and stampingaround her, batteringdown the grass to clear alargecircle.Asthevegetationeastof

him was crushed,Covenantsawwhyshehad

stopped.Directly across her path

marched a furious columnofcreatures.For a moment, he

thought that they wereCavewights—Cavewightsrunning on all fours in atightswathsixtyfeetwide,crowding shoulder toshoulder out of the southin a stream withoutbeginning or end. They

had the stocky frames,gangrel limbs,bluntheadsofCavewights.ButifthesewereCavewights theyhadbeen hideously altered bythe Sunbane. Chitinousplating armored theirbacks and appendages;their fingers and toes hadbecome claws; their chinsweresplitintohornedjawslike mandibles. And theyhad no eyes, no features;

their faces had beenerased. Nothing markedtheirforeskullsexceptlongantennae which huntedahead of them, searchingouttheirway.They rushed as if they

were running headlongtoward prey. The line oftheir march had alreadybeen torn down to baredirtbytheleaders.Intheirhaste, they sounded like

the swarming ofgargantuan ants—formication punctuated bythesharpclackofjaws.“Hellfire!” Covenantpanted. The blacknessaroundthesunwasnearlycomplete; the Grim wasscant leagues away, andclosing rapidly. And hecouldseenowaypastthisriver of pestilentialcreatures. If they were of

Cavewightish stock—Heshuddered at the thought.The Cavewights had beenmighty earth delvers,tremendously strong. Andthese creatures werealmost as large as horses.If anything interruptedtheirsingle-mindedmarch,they would tear evenMemla’s beasts limb fromlimb.Linden began to

whimper, then bit herselfintosilence.Sunder staredat the creatures withdread-glazed eyes.Hollian’s hair lay on hershoulderslikeravenwings,emphasizing her palefeatures as if she weremarked for death. Memlasagged in front ofCovenant like a womanwithabrokenspine.Turning to Brinn,

Covenant asked urgently,“Willitpass?”Inanswer,Brinnnodded

towardHergromandCeer.Ceer had risen to standerect on Annoy’s back.Hergrom promptlyclimbed onto Ceer’sshoulders, balanced thereto gain a view over thegrass. A moment later,Brinn reported, “We arefarsighted, but the end of

thiscannotbeseen.”Bloody hell! He was

afraid of wild magic,power beyond control orchoice. I must not—! Butheknewthathewoulduseit if he had to. He couldnot simply let hiscompanionsdie.The thunderhead

approached like the blowof an axe. Blacknessgarrotedthesun.Thelight

begantodim.A rush of protest wentthrough him. Fear or nofear, this doom wasintolerable. “All right.”Ignoring the distance tothe ground, he droppedfrom Din’s back. “We’llhavetofighthere.”Brinn joined him.Sunder and Stelldismounted from Clang,Hollian and Harn from

Clangor. Cail pulledLinden down from Clashand set her on her feet.Her hands twitched as ifthey were searching forcourage; but she foundnone. Covenant tore hisgaze away, so that herdistress would not makehim more dangerous.“Sunder,” he rapped out,“you’ve got your orcrest.Memla has her rukh. Is

there some way you canwork together? Can youhit that thing”—hegrimaced at the Grim—“beforeithitsus?”The cloud was almost

overhead. It shed apreternatural twilightacross the savannah,quenchingtheday.“No.” Memla had not

dismounted. She spoke asif her mouth were full of

ashes. “There is not time.Itistoogreat.”Her dismay hurt

Covenant like a demandforwildmagic.Hewantedtoshout,Ican’tcontrolit!Don’t you understand? Imightkillyouall!Butshewenton speakingas ifhispower or incapacity hadbecome irrelevant. “Youmust not die. That iscertain.” Her quietness

seemed suddenly terrible.“When the way is clear,crossinstantly.Thismarchwill seal the gap swiftly.”She straightened hershoulders and lifted herface to thesky.“TheGrimhas found you because ofme. Let it be upon myhead.”Before anyone could

react, she turned Din andguided it toward theblind

rushing creatures. As shemoved,shebroughtupthefireofherrukh,holding itbeforeherlikeasaber.Covenant and Sunder

sprangafterher.ButBrinnand Stell interposedthemselves. Cursing, theGraveler fought to breakfree; but Stell masteredhim without effort.Furiously Sunder shouted,“Release me! Do you not

seethatshemeanstodie?”Covenant ignoredSunder: he locked himselftoBrinn’s flateyes.Softly,dangerously, he breathed,“Don’tdothis.”Brinn shrugged. “I havesworn to preserve yourlife.”“Bannor took the sameVow.” Covenant did notstruggle. But he glaredstraight at the Haruchai.

People have died becauseofme.Howmuchmoredoyou think I can stand?“That’s how Elena gotkilled. I might have beenabletosaveher.”TheGrim began to boilalmost directly above thequest. But the Cavewight-like creatures wereunaware of it. Theymarched on like blinddoom, shredding the dirt

oftheplains.“Bannor maintained his

Vow,” Brinn said, as if itcosthimnoefforttorefuteCovenant. “So the oldtellers say, and their talehas descended fromBannor himself. It wasFirstMarkMorin,sworntothe High Lord, whofailed.”HenoddedtowardCeer. In response, Ceersprinted after Memla and

vaulted lightly onto Din’sback. “We also,” Brinnconcluded, “will maintainthe promise we havemade, to the limit of ourstrength.”But Memla reacted in

ragetoothickforshouting.“By the Seven Hells!” shepanted, “I will not havethis. You have swornnothing to me.”Brandishing her rukh, she

facedCeer. “If youdonotdismount, I will burn youwith my last breath, andall this company shall diefornaught!”Memla! Covenant tried

to yell. But he could not.He had nothing to offerher;hisfearofwildmagicchoked him.Helplessly hewatchedasCeerhesitated,glancedtowardBrinn.TheHaruchai consulted

together in silence,weighing theircommitments. Then Ceersprang to the ground andsteppedoutofDin’sway.No! Covenant protested.She’s going to get herselfkilled!Hehadnotimetothink.Gloaming occluded theatmosphere. The raveningGrim poised itself aboveMemla, focused on her

fire. The heavens aroundthe cloud remainedimpossibly cerulean; butthe cloud itself was pitchandmidnight.Itdescendedas it seethed, droppingtowarditsvictims.Under it, the aircrackledasifitwerebeingscorched.The Coursers skittered.Sundertookouthisorcrest,then seizedHollian’shand

and pulled her to the farside of the circle, awayfromMemla.TheHaruchaiflowed into defensivepositions among thecompanions and themillingbeasts.Amid the swirl of

movement, Vain stood,blackunderblack,asifhewereinuredtodarkness.Hergrom placed himself

nearVain.ButMemlawas

planning to die; Lindenwas foundering in ill; andCovenant felt outraged bythe unanswerablemust/mustnotofhis ring.HeyelledatHergrom,“Lethimtakecareofhimself!”The next instant, he

staggeredtohisknees.Theair shatteredwithaheart-stopping concussion. TheGrim broke into bits,became intense black

flakes floating downwardlikeafallofsnow.Withfearsomeslowness,

they fell—crystals of sun-darkness, tangible night,forcewhichnotevenstonecouldwithstand.Howling defiance,

Memlalaunchedfireatthesky.Din bunched under her

and charged out into themarch of the creatures. A

series of tremendousheaves carried beast andRidertowardthecenterofthestream.The flakes of the Grim

drifted in her direction,following the lodestone ofher rukh. Its dense center,the nexus of its might,passedbeyondthequest.The creatures

immediately mobbed hermount. Din let out a

piercing scream at thetearing of claws andmandibles. Only theplungingofitshooves,theslash of its spurs, thethickness of its coat,protectedit.Then the Grim fellskirling around her head.Herfireblazed:shelashedout, trying to keep herselfand Din from beingtouched. Every flake her

flame struck burst in aglareofdarkness,andwasgone. But for every flakeshe destroyed, she wasassailed by a hundredmore.Covenantwatchedherinan agony of helplessness,knowing that if he turnedto his ring now he couldnot strike for her withoutstrikingher.TheGrimwasthickestaroundher;butits

edges covered the marchas well as the quest. Thecreatures were swept intoconfusionaskillingbitsasbig as fists fell amongthem.Vermeil shot from

Sunder’sorcresttowardthedarkened sun. Covenantyelled in encouragement.By waving the Sunstoneback and forth, theGraveler picked flakes out

of the air with his shaft,consuming them beforethey could reach him orHollian.Around the company,

the Haruchai dodged likedervishes. They used flailsof pampas grass to strikedown the flakes. Eachflake destroyed the whipwhich touched it; but theHaruchaisnatchedupmoreblades and went on

fighting.Abruptly Covenant was

thrust from his feet. Apiece of blackness missedhisface.Brinnpitchedhimpastit,thenjerkedhimupagain. Heaving Covenantfrom side to side, Brinndanced among the fallingGrim. Several flakes hitwhere they had beenstanding. Obsidian flaressetfiretothegrass.

Thegrassbegantoburninscoresofplaces.Yet Vain stoodmotionless,with a look ofconcentration on his face.Flakes struck his skin, histunic. Instead ofdetonating,theymeltedonhimand ranhissingdownhis raiment, his legs, likewateronhotmetal.Covenant gaped at theDemondim-spawn, then

lost sight of him as Brinnwent dodging through thesmoke.He caught a glimpse ofMemla. She foughtextravagantly for her life,hurled fire with all theoutrageofherbetrayalbythe na-Mhoram. But thefocusoftheGrimformedamad swarm around her.And themoiling creatureshadalreadytornDintoits

knees. In patches, its hidehad been bared to thebone.Withoutwarning,aflake

struck the Courser’s head.Din collapsed, tumblingtheRiderheadlongamongthecreatures.Memla! Covenant

struggled to take hold ofhis power. But Brinn’sthrustinganddodging reftnun of concentration.And

alreadyhewastoolate.YetCeer leaped forward

with the calm abandon ofthe Haruchai. Charginginto the savagery, hefoughttowardMemla.She regainedher feet in

a splash of fire. For aninstant, she stood, gallantand tattered, hacking furyat the creatures. Ceeralmostreachedher.Then Covenant lost her

asBrinntorehimoutfromunder a black flurry.Flames and Haruchaireeled about him; theflakes were everywhere.But he fought upright intime to see Memla fallwith a screamof darknessinherchest.Asshediedanddropped

her rukh, the fourremaining Coursers wentberserk.

They erupted as if onlyherwillhadcontainedthemadness of their fear.Yowling among thegrassfires, two of themdashed out of the circleand fled across thesavannah.Anotherplowedinto the breach the Grimhadmadeinthemarch.Asit passed, Ceer suddenlyappeared at its side.Fighting free of the

creatures, he grabbed attheCourser’shairandusedthe beast to pull himaway.The fourth beastattacked the company. Itsvehemence caught theHaruchai unprepared. Itseyes burned scarlet as itplunged against Hergrom,struck him down with itschest.Hergrom had been

helping Cail to protectLinden.Instantly the beast

rearedather.Cail tried to shove her

aside. She stumbled, fellthewrongway.Covenant saw her

sprawlundertheCourser’shooves. One of themclipped her head as thebeast stamped, trying tocrushher.

Again the Courserreared.Cail stood over her.Covenant could not strikewithout hitting theHaruchai.Hefoughttorunforward.As the Courserhammered down, Cailcaught its legs. For oneimpossible moment, heheld the huge animal offher.Thenitbegantobend

him.Linden!Withaprodigiouseffort,CailheavedtheCoursertotheside.ItshoovesmissedLindenastheylanded.Blood appeared. Fromshoulder to elbow, Cail’sleft arm had been rippedopenbyoneof thebeast’sspurs.Itrearedagain.Covenant’s mind went

instantly white withpower.Butbeforehecouldgrasp it, use it, Brinnknocked him away fromanother cluster of flakes.The grass was giddy fireand death, whirling. Heflipped to his feet andswung back towardLinden; but his heart hadalreadyfrozenwithinhim.Ashisvisioncleared,he

sawSunderhurlablastof

Sunbane-fire which struckthe Courser’s chest,knocking it to its knees.Lurching upright again, itpounded its pain awayfromthequest.ButLindenlayunderthe

Grim, surrounded bygrowing fires, anddidnotmove.

TWENTY-TWO:PlainofFire

Fires leaped in front ofhim, obscuring her fromhis sight. The Grim-falldarkened the air. Thethrashingandclatterofthecreaturesfilledhisears.Hecould not see if Lindenwerestillalive.Brinnkeptheaving him from side toside,keptlashinghandfulsofgrassaroundhishead.

Sunder’s fire scored theatmosphere like straightred lightning. Now thecorrosive flakes began toconcentratearoundhim.Covenant broke free ofBrinn, went surgingtowardLinden.Hergrom had lifted herfrom the ground. TheHaruchai carriedher inanelaboratedanceofevasion.Shehunglimpinhisarms.

Blood seeping from theback of her head mattedherhair.An argent shout

gathered in Covenant’schest.Butasheraisedhishead

tohowlpower,hesawtheblackness around the sunfraying. Pestilential redglistered through theebony.ThelastGrim-flakeswere drifting toward

Sunder’s head. TheGraveler was able toconsumethemall.At once, Covenantlocked his throat, left thewildmagicunspoken.Inarush, he reachedHergromandLinden.Cail stood nearby. Hehad torn a strip from histunic;withHarn’shelp,hebound the cloth as atourniquet about his arm.

His ripped flesh bledheavily.TheotherHaruchaiwere

marked with smoke andfire, but had not beeninjured. And Sunder andHollian were unharmed,though his exertions leftthe Graveler tottering.Holliansupportedhim.Vain stood a short

distanceawayasifnothinghad happened. Flames

licked about his feet likecrushedserpents.Covenant ignored them

all. Linden’s visage waslorn alabaster. Bloodstained her wheatentresses. Her lips wore anunconscious grimace ofpain. He tried to take herfrom Hergrom’s arms; butHergromwouldnotreleaseher.“Ur-Lord.” Brinn’s alien

voice seemed incapable ofurgency. “We must go.Alreadythegapcloses.”Covenant pulleduselessly at Hergrom’sgrasp. It was intolerablethat she might die! Shewasnotmeant toend likethis.OrwhyhadshebeenChosen? He called out toher,butdidnotknowhowtoreachher.“Covenant!” Sunder’s

raggedbreathingmadehistonehoarse.“ItisasBrinnsays. The na-Mhoram-inspent her life to providethispassage.Wemustgo.”Memla. That name

piercedCovenant.Shehadgiven her life. Like Lena.And somanyothers.Withashudder,he turned fromHergrom. His handsgroped for support. “Yes.”He could hardly hear

himself through theflames.“Let’sgo.”At once, the Haruchai

sprang into motion. Harnand Stell led the way;Hergrom and Brinnfollowed with Covenant;Cail guarded Sunder andHollian. They paid noattention to Vain. In abody, they dodged thegrassfires toward thebreachinthemarch.

The creatures milledinsanely around thescorched and pittedground where Memla hadfallen. Their leaders hadalready marched out ofsight, incognizant of whathad happened behindthem. But more warpedbeings poured constantlyfrom the south. Theywould have overrun thecompanyimmediately;but

their own dead delayedthem. The arrivingcreatures fellon themanyslain and injured, tearingfleshapartwithclawsandmandibles, feedingravenously. And the firesaddedfeartotheirhunger.Into the confusion, the

Haruchai guided CovenantandtheStonedownors.The quest appeared

small and fragile beside

those large, blindcreatures, vulnerableagainst those ferociousjaws, those plated limbs.But Brinn’s peoplethreaded the roil withuncanny stealth. Andwhenever a creatureblundered toward them,Stell and Harn struckcunningly, breaking theantennae so that thecreature could not locate

itsprey.Thusmaimed,thebeasts were swept intomortal combat with othercreatures. Covenant,Sunder, and Hollian wereimpelledpastgapingjaws,under rearing bellies,across moments of clearground, as if their liveswere preserved by thecharm of Haruchaicompetence.Afewshredsofredcloth

marked the place ofMemla’s death,unambergrised by anygrave or chance formourning.Running aswell as they

could, the companionsbroke into the thick grassbeyond the march.Creaturesveeredtofollow.With all their strength,Stell and Harn attackedthe grass, forcing a way

through it. Only Vain didnotmakehaste.Hehadnoneed for haste: everycreature which touchedhim fell dead, and wasdevouredbytheoncomingsurge.Ashortdistanceintothe

grass, Ceer joined thecompany. He did notspeak; but the object heheld explained what hehaddone.

Memla’srukh.The sight of it halted

Covenant. Possibilitiesreeled through his head.He grappled to take holdofthem.But he had no time. A

sharp crepitation cut thegrass like a scythe;thousands of creatureswerechewingtheirwayinpursuit.Brinn thrust Covenant

forward.Thecompanyran.Ceer, Stell, Brinn, and

Harn dropped back todefend the rear. NowCailled. In spite of hiswounded arm and theabrasion of the raw, stiffgrass, he forced a pathwith his body. Hergromfollowed, carrying Linden;and Covenant crowded onHergrom’s heels, withHollianandSunderbehind

him.Thecreaturesgavechase

asiftheywerepreparedtoreapthesavannahinorderto feast on human flesh.The noise of their chargehunted the company likefire.Cail attacked the thick

bladeswithalltheancientvalor of theHaruchai; buthe could not open a pathswiftly enough to

outdistance the pursuit.Covenant soon began towaver in exhaustion. Hewasstillconvalescingfromthe soothtell. Sunder andHollian were in littlebetter condition. Lindenlay like defeat inHergrom’s arms. And Cailleftsmearsofbloodacrossthegrass.In the back of

Covenant’s desperation, a

demand panted. Use yourring! But he could not,couldnot.Hewassoweak.He began to lose ground.Cail and Hergrom seemedto fade through thewhipping backlash of thegrass. If he let the venomrise in him, he did notknowwhat he would kill.Heheardhimselfyellingasif his exertions were aknife in his chest; but he

couldnotsilencethepain.Suddenly Brinn was athis side. Speaking onlyloud enough to be heard,the Haruchai reported,“Cail has found a placewhichmaybedefended.”Covenant staggered, fellthrashing among serratedgrass-spears. A miasma ofrot clogged his breathing.ButBrinnheavedhimbacktohisfeet.Vertigowhirled

through him. Clinging toBrinn’s shoulder as if itwere the only solid thingleftintheworld,helettheHaruchai half carry himforward.Cail’s path led to a pile

of boulders risingincongruously out of thesavannah, like a cairn leftby Giants. It stood halfagain as high thesurrounding grass.

Hergrom had alreadyclimbed to the crown, setLinden down in relativesafety, and returned tohelp Sunder and Hollianascend. Ignoring his pain,Cail joined Hergrom. Stelland Harn followed. Theycaught Covenant whenBrinn and Ceer boostedhimupward.He scrambled to

Linden’sside,foughtdown

his weakness, tried toexamine her. Lifting herhead, parting her hair asgentlyashecouldwithhisnumb fingers, he foundthat the wound in herscalp did not appearserious. The bleeding hadalmost ceased. Yet sheremained unconscious. Allher muscles were limp.Her face looked like theaftermath of a battle. His

truncatedsensescouldnotmeasurehercondition.Hewasuselesstoher.Sunder and Hollianclimbed up to him.Kneeling beside Linden,Sunder scrutinized her.Fatigue and trepidationdragged at his features.“Ah, Linden Avery,” hebreathed. “This is a soremischance.”Covenantstifledagroan

and sought to contradictthe dismay in Sunder’stone. “It doesn’t look thatserious.”The Graveler avoided

Covenant’s stare. “Theinjuryitself—PerhapsevenCail’s hurt does notthreatenhislife.Butthisisa sun of pestilence.” Hefalteredintosilence.“Ur-Lord,” Hollian said

tightly, “any wound is

fatal under a sun ofpestilence. There is nohealing for the Sunbanesickness.”“None?” The word wastornfromCovenant.“None,” Sunder raspedthrough his teeth. AndHollian said with pain inher gaze, “None that isknowntothepeopleoftheLand. If the Clave hasknowledgeofacure—”

She did not need tocomplete her thought.Covenant understood her;Memla was dead. Becauseshe was honest, she hadturned against the na-Mhoram; because she wasbrave she had drawn theGrim onto herself; andbecauseCovenant had notused his wild magic, shewas dead. His fear hadcostherherlife.

He had cost thecompany even the barepossibility that she mighthave known how to treatLinden.AndCail.Anywoundisfatal.And that was not all.

The Coursers were gone.Thequesthadnosupplies.Itwashis fault,because

he had been afraid. Withpower, he tilled. Withoutpower,hecausedpeopleto

die.Memla had given her

lifeforhim.Eyes burning, he rose

dangerously to his feet.The height of his perchthreatened him; but heignored it as if he wereimpervious to vertigo, orlost.“Brinn!”The Haruchai had

ranged themselves

defensively around therocks at the level of thegrass tops. Over hisshoulder, Brinn said, “Ur-Lord?”“WhydidyouletMemladie?”Brinn replied with ashrug. “The choice washers.” His confidence inhis own rectitude seemedimmaculate. “Ceer madeoffer of his life. She

refused.”Covenant nodded.Memla had refused.Becausehehadtoldherhecouldnotcontrolhisring.He was not satisfiedwith Brinn’s answer. TheBloodguard had oncemade a similar decisionabout Kevin—and hadnever forgiven themselvesfor the outcome. But suchquestions did not matter

now. Memla was dead.Linden and Cail weregoing to die. Blinking atthe heat in his eyes, helookedaroundhim.Thequestwaspoisedon

the mound of boulders—all except Vain, whoremained below, as if hewere comfortable amongthe grass and the stench.Thejunglelayoutofsightto the west. In all

directions, the savannahstretched to the horizons,an inland sea of gray-green, waving lightly inthebreeze.But it wore a scar of

bare dirt runningimponderably northward.And from this scar, asimilar swath had veeredtoward the company’sknoll. Already the fires ofthe Grim had faded to

smoke and smoldering.Freed from that peril, thecreatures rushed in astraight line toward theboulders. The grass boiledas it was thrust aside,tramped down, eaten.Soontheknollstoodaloneamongaseetheofbeasts.Covenant could barely

discern Vain. TheDemondim-spawnheld hisground with perfect

nonchalance, and everycreature which touchedhimdied.TheHaruchaiwerereadywhentheattackbegan.Asthecreaturesscrambledupthe rocks, Brinn and hispeopleusedtheadvantageof elevation tobreak eachassailant’s antennae, thenstrove to dislodge thecreaturesothatitfellbackinto the boil and was

consumed.They were surprisinglysuccessful. Their strength,accuracy, and balancemade them effective; andthe fallen beasts slowedtherestoftheattack.But the knoll was toolarge; five Haruchai couldnot defend it completely.Gradually they weredrivenbackward.Covenant did not

hesitate. Cold fury filledhis bones like power.Snarling at himself, hepulled the bundle fromunder his belt andunwrapped the krill ofLoricVilesilencer.The brightness of itsgem stopped himmomentarily; he hadforgotten the intensity ofthatwhite, pure light, thekeenness of the edges, the

heatofthemetal.Aleper’sfearmadehimreluctanttotouchthekrillwithout theprotectionofcloth.But then the company’sneedcameoverhimlikeageas. His fingers werealready numb, irrelevant.No burn could alter thedoom which defined him.Hedroppedthecloth,tookthe krill in his half-hand,and went to join the

Haruchai.Beings like misbornCavewights came jerkingupward on their longlimbs. Their claws scoredthestone;theirjawsgapedand clacked. One gougecould disembowel him;one bite could sever anarm. Their feelers reachedtowardhim.Moving as if he wereaccursed,hebegantoslash

atthem.The krill sliced theirplating likebare flesh, cutthrough antennae, evenmandibles, as if the bladewere a broadsword withthe weight and puissanceof a Giant behind it. ThekrillwasatoolofLaw,andthe creatures were theLawless spawn of theSunbane. A dull ache offire spread up through

Covenant’s palm to hiswrist, his arm; but hehacked and flailedurgently, and his everystroke sent a beast to theungentledeathofthemassbelowit.Soon Sunder joined thedefense. His poniard wasnot a good weapon forsuch work; but he wassturdy,andhisbladecouldcripple feelers. He was

unable to dislodge thebeastsastheHaruchaidid.But often that wasunnecessary. Withdamaged antennae, thecreatures becamedisoriented, turned aside,grappled with each other,toppledtotheground.AndStellorCeerwardedhim.Theattackdidnotfalter;

hundreds of creaturesreplaced the scores which

fell.Butthecompanyheld.In time, all the groundaround the knoll wasdenuded of grass; and astorm of mute ragecovered the bare dirt,seeking to strike upward.Butonlyacertainnumberof beasts could assail theboulders at any onemoment. Against theselimited numbers, thecompany held. Their

ordeal dragged out likeslow torture. Covenant’sarms became leaden; hehadtogripthekrillinbothhands. Sunder kept up amutter of curses, lashinghimself to continue thestruggle long after he hadexhaustedhisstrength.ButHollian gave him periodsofrestbytakinghisplace,using his poniard becauseherdirkwas too small for

thetask.AndVain’spowerhelped, though he seemedunaware of what he did.Thecompanyheld.The afternoon wore on.

Covenant became littlemore than a blank reflex.He grew numb to thepassage of time, theprogressoftheassault.Hisjoints were cramped withfire.Timeandagain,Brinnsavedhimfromattackshe

wastooslowtomeet.Hehardlynoticedwhenthe sunstarted to set,andthefrenzyofthecreaturesbegan to abate. At theonset of twilight, thebeasts seemed to losepurpose or direction. Byones and twos, then byscores,theyscuttledaway,wandering hurriedly intothe grass. As duskthickened over the

savannah, the goad of theSunbane faded. Soon allthecreatureswerefleeing.Covenant stopped. Hisheart trembled likeprostrationinhischest.Hewasgaspingforbreath.Hedropped the krill amongthe rocks. The knoll tiltedunder him. On his handsand knees, he tried tocrawluptoLinden.Buthecould not reach her. His

dizzinessbecamesuddenlyviolent.Itwhirledhimoutintotheblindnight.

Sometime after themoonhadpassed itsapex,he was awakened byLinden’s knotted retchingas she went intoconvulsions.He lurched upright andgroped through a blur of

fatigue, hunger, thirst, totry to see what washappening.The crown of theboulders was lit by thekrill; it had been wedgedamongthestonessothatitshed illuminationover thecompany. Sunder andHollian crouched besideLinden, watching heranxiously. Ceer andHergrom restrained her so

that she would not hurtherself, as long, madclenchings shook hermuscles.On the lower boulders,

the other Haruchaiclustered as if they werefightingeachother.Withaquick glance, CovenantsawBrinn,Stell,andHarnstruggling to quell Cail.Like Linden, the injuredHaruchai layinthegripof

freneticseizures.SeeingCovenant,Sunderraspedgrimly,“Thesunofpestilencehasinfectedherwound.From this sicknessnonerecover.”Oh,God.A rush of panic startedup in him, then shatteredas he realized that Lindenwas gagging, choking onhertongue.He grabbed for her face

and tried to pry her jawsopen. But he could notbreak the locking of herteeth. Her whole bodysprangrigid.“She’s swallowed hertongue! Get her mouthopen!”Instantly Ceer clinchedboth her wrists in his lefthand. With his right, hetried to wedge open herjaws. For one heartbeat,

even his strength was notenough. Then hesucceeded in forcing herteeth apart. She quiveredunder a lash of pain.Holding her mouth openwiththewidthofhishand,he reached deftly downher throat, cleared hertongue.She drew breath as if

shewanted toscream;butconvulsions blocked the

wailinherchest.Witha feral spasm,Cailhurled Brinn from him.Twisting in the air, Brinnlanded lightly on theground, came boundingupward again as Stell andHarn grappled with theirkinsman.Linden’s face wasghastlyinthesunlight.Herbreathingwept inandoutofherexcruciatedlungs.

Cail sounded as if hewere asphyxiating. Anobscure part of Covenantthought, He’s immune tothe Sunbane. There musthave been poison in thespur.He concentrated onLindenas ifhecouldkeepheralivebysheerforceofwill.Hishandshookashestroked her forehead,wipedthesweataway;but

hecouldfeelnothing.“Ur-Lord,” Hollian said

in a stretched whisper, “Imustspeakofthis.Itmustbe uttered.” He could notread her countenance; herfacewas averted from thekrill. Out of the shadow,she breathed, “I haveconsulted the lianar. Themorrowwillbringadesertsun.”Covenant clung to

Linden’storment,willingitto ease. “I don’t give adamn.”“There is more.”Hollian’s tone sharpened.She was an eh-Brand,accustomed to respect.“There will be fire, as ifthe sun were a sun offlame. This will become aplaceofill.Wemustflee.”“Now?”“At once. We must

return to thewest—to thesoilwheretreesgrow.Theearthofthisgrasslandwillbedeathtous.”“She’s in no condition!”His sudden fury shockedthe night, struck thecompany into a silencepunctuated only by thehoarse breathing of theinjured.With awrench ofhisshoulders,hedismissedHollian’swarning.“I’mnot

goingtomoveher.”She started to protest.Sunder interrupted hergruffly. “He is the ur-Lord.”“He iswrong.The truthmustbemet.Thesedeathscannot be prevented. Toremain herewill be deathforusall.”“He is the ur-Lord.”Sunder’s roughness grewgentle. “Every task to

which he sets his hand isimpossible—yet it isaccomplished. Havecourage,eh-Brand.”Linden broke intoanother series of spasms.Watching the way herillness brutalized her,Covenantfearedthateverybreath would be her last.But then, abruptly, herconvulsionsended;shefelllimp as if the puppet

strings of her plight hadbeen cut. Slowly, herrespiration deepened asshe sank into the sleep ofexhaustion.Cail’s affliction was

more advanced. The fitswhich wracked him wenton until moonset. Brinn’speople had to fightincessantly topreventhimfrom battering himself todeathontherocks.

“Dawn is near,” Sundermurmured softly, as if hefeared to disturb thestillness, feared that thesound of his voice mighttriggerLindenorCail intofrenzyagain.“We are too late.”Holliancouldnotsuppressher bitterness. “We mustremain here. We cannotgainsafetyintime.”Covenant ignored both

of them. He sat withLindeninhisembraceandsought to believe that shewouldlive.Noonemoved.Theysatin the krill-light while theeast paled toward sunrise.A dusty glow began tosilhouette the earth. Allthe stars were washedaway. The sky modulatedas brown gathered aroundthe imminence of the

dawn. The atmospheregrew palpably drier,foretellingheat.When the sun rose, it

wore a cloak ofdesiccation. Its touchremindedCovenantthathehad not had food or fluidsince the previousmorning. A giddydispassion began torevolve in him, distancinghimfromhisfate.Linden’s

flagrant slumber felt likeanaccomplishedfactinhisarms.As the Sunbane coloredthe savannah, the pampasgrass began to melt. Itsfiberturnedtoadeadgraysludge,andslumpedtotheground like spilth. This,Covenantmusedinamoodofcanteddetachment,waswhat had happened toMorinmoss. To

Grimmerdhore andGarroting Deep. A desertsun had risen over them,and tens of thousands ofyearsofsentientforesthadsimply dissolved intomuck.And the glory of theworld becomes less than itwas. For a moment, herecovered enough passionto ache out, Damn you,Foul! Itwouldbebetter ifyoujustkilledme.

In a voice likeCovenant’s inanition, butinfinitely steadier, Brinnaddressed Hollian. “Eh-Brand,youspokeoffire.”“The lianar spoke of

fire.” Both affronteddignity and nagging self-doubt marked her words.“Neverhave I seen suchaflameinmyforetelling.Donot questionme. I cannotanswer.”

Covenant thought dimlythat there was no reasonfor fire. The quest waswithout water under adesert sun. Nothing elsewasnecessary.The truth of Hollian’s

augurybecameclearwhenthe sun rose high enough,and the grass sank lowenough, for light tocontact the bare groundaroundtheknoll.Andwith

the light came a faintshimmerwhich seemed totransmogrifythetextureofthe soil.Thedirtbegan toglow.Covenant believed thathewashallucinating.Without warning, Vainascended the boulders.Everyone stared at him;but his black eyesremained unfocused,private, as if he were

unaware of his ownintentions.Brinn and HergromplacedthemselvestoguardCovenant and Linden. ButVain stopped withoutacknowledging theHaruchai and stoodgazinglike a void into the blankair.Slowlythesoiltookonareddish tinge enrichedwith yellow. The color

deepened,hardened.Heat radiated from the

ground.Aroundtheedgesof the

clearing,thesludgestartedto smolder. Viscid smokewent up in wisps, then inbillows which thickenedsteadily, clogging theatmosphere.In moments, the muck

wasafire.As it burned, smoke

began to mount in otherplaces across thesavannah.Soontherewereblazeseverywhere.And the bare dirt

continuedtodarken.The company watched

tensely; even theHaruchaiseemedtobeholdingtheirbreath. Only Linden andCail were oblivious. Vainwasnot.HestudiedLindenbetween the shoulders of

Brinn and Hergrom, andhisvisage sharpened,as ifvaguepurposeswerebeingwhetted toward claritywithinhim.Numbly Covenant

studied the ground. Thatrich, half-orange light andheat brought uprecollections. Graduallythe face of Lena’s father,Trell,becamevividtohim;he did not knowwhy. He

could see Trell standinglike granite in Lena’shome. The bigStonedownor’s face wasruddy with light.Reflections gleamed in hisbeard—theprecisecoloroftheseemanations.Then Covenantremembered.Graveling.Fire-stones.Under the touch of thedesert sun, this entire

savannah was beingtransformed into a sea ofgraveling.Fire consumed thesludge; and under it laycleargravelingwhich sentone long, silent shout ofheatintotheheavens.Covenant and hiscompanionsmight as wellhavebeenperchedaboveaflowoflava.He sat and stared as if

his eyeballs had beenscorched blind. He couldfeel death lying like afamiliarinhisarms.Memla had sacrificed

herself. Linden and Cailwere going to die.Everyonewasgoingtodie.Vaingavenohintofhis

intent. The suddenness ofhis movement took eventhe wary Haruchai bysurprise. With a

frightening swiftness, hethrust Brinn and HergromasideandsteppedbetweenthemtowardCovenantandLinden.Hergrom caught himself

onanoutcroppingofrock.Brinn was saved from afallintothegravelingonlybytheceleritywithwhichCeergrabbedforhim.Effortlessly Vain took

Linden from Covenant’s

arms.Stell surged forward,

poundedVainbetweentheeyes. The Demondim-spawn did not react; hewentabouthispurposeasif he had not beentouched.StellwasknockedbackagainstHarn.Cradling Linden gently,

Vainsteppedtotheeasternedge of the mound andleapeddown into the fire-

stones.“Vain!”Covenant was on his

feet.Hishearingroaredasif the heat had become agale. Venom pulsed in hisveins. He wanted wildmagic,wantedtostrike—!But if he hit Vain, hurt

him,theDemondim-spawnmightdropLindenintothegraveling.Linden!

Vainpaidnoheedtothedanger behind him.Firmly, surely, he strodeaway.Atthatinstant,Hergromsprangpantherishfromtheboulders. At the fartheststretch of his leap, heimpacted against Vain’sshoulders.The Demondim-spawndid not even stumble. Hewalked on across the

gravelingwithLindenheldbefore him and Hergromclinging to his back as ifhe were unconscious ofthemboth.Covenant’s shoutingdied in his chest. He washardly aware that Brinnand Sunder were holdinghis arms as if to preventhimfrompursuingVain.“He does not feel thefire,” Brinn remarked

distantly. “Perhapshewillsave her. Perhaps heintendstosaveher.”To save—? Covenant

sagged. Was it possible?The muscles of his facehurt, but he could notunclench his grimace. Tosaveher so that she couldserve Lord Foul? “Thenwhy”—his voice knotted—“didn’t he help herbefore?DuringtheGrim?”

Brinn shrugged.“Perhapshesawthenthathisaidwasnotneeded.Heacts now to save herbecausewearehelpless.”Vain? Covenant panted.

No.Hecouldnot suppressthetremorsinhim.“We’renot helpless.” It wasunbearable. Not even alepercouldbearit.Wearenothelpless.He cast one abrupt

glance toward Vain. TheDemondim-spawn wasrunning, fading into theshimmerofthegraveling.Covenantwrenched free

of Brinn and Sunder. Heconfronted hiscompanions. The effort tocontrolhistremblingmadehim savage. “Ceer. Givemetherukh.”Sunder scowled.

Hollian’s eyes widened as

ifshefeltanintuitivehopeor fear. But the Haruchaishowed no surprise. Ceertook Memla’s rukh fromhis tunicandhanded it toCovenant.With a jerk, Covenantthrust the iron towardSunder. “All right. You’retheGraveler.Useit.”Sunder’s lips formedwords without sound: Useit?

“Call theCoursers back.They’re bred to theSunbane. They can carryusoutofhere.”TheGravelerbreathedastrangled protest.“Covenant!”Covenant jabbed therukh against Sunder’schest. “Do it. I can’t. Idon’t know the Sunbanethe way you do. I can’ttouchit.I’maleper.”

“AndIamnotaRider!”“Idon’t care.”Covenant

clinched ire around hisdread. “We’re all going todie. Maybe I don’t count.But you do. Hollian does.You know the truth aboutthe Clave.” Again hepunched Sunder with therukh.“Useit.”The heat spread sweat

acrossSunder’sface,madehis features look like they

wereabouttomeltlikethegrass. Desperately heturned an imploring gazetowardHollian.She touched his scarred

forearm.Thestatureofhercalling was upon her,“Sunder,”shesaidquietly.“Graveler. Perhaps it maybe done. Surely theSunstoneempowersyoutotheattempt.AndIwillaidyou as I can. Through the

lianar, I am able toperceive the state of theSunbane. Itmay be that Icanguideyoutomastery.”Foramoment,theyheld

each other’s eyes,measuringwhat they saw.Then Sunder swung backto Covenant. TheGraveler’s expression wasrent by fear of failure, byinstinctive loathing foranything which belonged

to the Clave. But heacceptedtherukh.Grimlyheclimbedtosit

atop the highest boulder,nearthewhiteradianceofthekrill.Hollianstoodonalower

rock so that herheadwaslevel with his. Shewatched gravely as he sethisorcrest in his lap, thenfumbled to uncap thehollowhandleoftherukh.

Covenant’s legsquavered as if they couldno longer bear theweightof who he was. But hebraced himself on therocks, remained erect likeawitnessandademand.Sunder poured the lastfluidfromtherukhintohishand. Hollian placed herpalminhis,letitresttherefor amoment, sharing theblood like a gesture of

comradeship. Then shewrapped her stainedfingers around the Honor,and began to chant softlyto herself. Sunder rubbedhishandstogether,dabbedred onto his forehead andcheeks,thenpickeduptheSunstone.The rigid accents of hisinvocation formed acounterpoint to her liltingmurmur. Together they

wove the silence into askein of Sunbane-power:bloodshedandfire.Soon his familiar

vermeil shaft shot like aquarrel toward the sun. Acrepitation like thedischargeofslowlightningmadetheairsquirm.He lifted the rukh and

held it so that theSunstone’sbeamranalongthe iron. His knuckles

whitened, cording thebacksofhishands.Delicate flames opened

like buds along the lianar.Hollian closed her eyes.Her fire turned slowly tothe color of the sun’sbrown aura, began to putout tendrils. One of themreachedSunder’shands. Itwound around his grasp,then started to climb therukh and the Sunstone

shaft.He blinked fiercely at

the sweat in his eyes,glared as if the rukhwerean adder he could neitherholdnorrelease.The poignance in

Covenant’s chest told himthat he had forgotten tobreathe. When he forcedhimself to inhale, heseemed to suck in vertigofrom the air. Only his

bracedarmskepthimfromlosinghisbalance.None of the HaruchaiwerewatchingSunderandHollian.Cailhadgoneintoconvulsions. The othersfoughttokeephimstill.Memories of LindenwrungCovenant’sguts.Heshut his eyes against thenausea.He looked up againwhen the chanting ended.

Sunder’s shaft andHollian’s flame vanished.TheStonedownorsclungtoeach other. TheGraveler’sshouldersshook.Covenant knelt withoutknowing how he had losthisfeet.When Sunder spoke, hisvoice was muffled againstHollian’s neck. “After all,itisnotgreatlydifficulttobeaRider.Iamattunedto

therukh.TheCoursersaredistant. But they haveheard.Theywillcome.”

Eventually Cail’s seizurereceded. For a while, heregained consciousness;but he spoke in the alientongue of the Haruchai,and Covenant did notunderstandwhathesaid.The first of the great

beasts returned shortlybefore noon. By then,thirst and hunger hadreduced Covenant tostupefaction; he could notfocushiseyestoseewhichof the Coursers it was, orwhether the animal stillbore any supplies. ButBrinn reported, “It isClangor, the Courserwhich assailed LindenAvery.Itlimps.Itschestis

burned. But it suffers noharm from the graveling.”Amomentlater,headded,“Itsburdensareintact.”Intact,Covenantthought

dizzily.Hepeeredthroughthehaze asCeer and Stellleaped down to theCourser, then returnedcarrying sacks of waterandfood.OhdearGod.By the time he and the

Stonedownors had

satisfied the firstdesperation of their thirstand had begun to eat ameal, Annoy camegalloping from the south.Like Clangor, it wasunscathed by thegraveling; but it skittereduncomfortably around theknoll, champing to escapethefire-stones.Clash and Clang also

returned. Sunder frowned

at them as if he did notlike the pride he felt inwhathehadachieved;butHollian’ssmileshone.At once, the Haruchaibegan to prepare fordeparture.Using the piece of clothhe had discarded,Covenant rewrapped thekrill and tucked it underhis belt. Then hedescended the boulders to

the level of the Coursers’backs.At close range, the heatofthegravelingfeltsevereenoughtocharhisflesh.Ittriggered involuntarymemories of Hotash Slayand SaltheartFoamfollower. The Gianthad spent himself in lavaand agony to helpCovenant.Distrusting the Coursers

and himself, Covenantcould not leap the smalldistance to a mount. Nomore, he yearned. Don’tlet any more friends diefor me. He had to clingwhere he was, squintingagainst the radiance, untilthe Haruchai could helphim.In a moment, Ceer and

Brinnjoinedhim,carryingCail. Sunder raised the

rukh, uncertain of hismastery; but the Coursersobeyed, crowding close tothe knoll. Leaving Cail,Ceer stepped to Annoy’sback. Harn tossed thesacks to him. He placedthem across Annoy’s hugewithers,thenacceptedCailfromBrinn.Cail’sarmwas lividand

suppuratingbadly.ItmadeCovenant groan. Cail

needed Linden. Shewas adoctor.She was as sick as the

Haruchai.Practicing his control,

Sunder sent Annoy out ofthe way of the otherCoursers. Then Ham andHollian mounted Clangor.The Graveler joined StellonClang.BeforeCovenantcould suppress his dread,Brinn lifted him onto

Clash.Hedroppedtothebroadback, knotted his fists inClash’s hair. Heat blastedat him like slow roastingand suffocation. But hefought to raise his voice.“FindVain.Fast.”With a gesture, Sunderlaunched the beastseastward. They gallopedaway through airburnished orange by

graveling.Clang bore Sunder andthe rukh at a staggeringpace;buttheothermountsmatched it. Even Clangor,oozing pain from itswound, did not fallbehind;itranlikeastorm-windwithfrenzyinitsredeyes. It had been formedby the power of theBanefiretoobeyanyrukh.It could not refuse

Sunder’sauthority.Covenant could not

gauge their speed; hecouldhardlykeephiseyesopen against the sharpheat, hardly breathe. Heonly knew that he wastraveling swiftly. But hedid not know how fastVain could run. TheDemondim-spawn’s leadwas as long as themorning.

Wind scorched his face.His clothes felt hot on hisskin, as if the fabric hadbeguntosmolder.Heworewarm sweat down thelength of his body. Hiseyesbledtearsagainsttheshine and heat of thegraveling.ButtheCoursersran as if they were beingbornebythepassionofthefire-stones. Hollian clungto Harn’s back. Sunder

hunched over Clang’sneck. The Haruchai rodewith magisterialdetachment. And theCoursersran.The graveling unfurled

as if it would never end.Fire deepened the sky,colored the heavens withmolten grandeur. Throughthehaze,thesun’scoronallooked like an outer ringof incandescence. The

entiresavannahwasabedofcoals;theCoursersweretraversing an accentuatedhell. But Sunder hadmastered the rukh. Whilehe lived, the beasts couldnotfalter.They did not. They ran

asiftheyhadbeenborninflames. Smoothly,indefatigably, they sweptthe leagues behind themlike dead leaves into a

furnace.Covenant’s breathingsobbed, not because helacked air, but ratherbecause his lungs werebeing seared.He began tohave visions ofGlimmermere, the cooltarn tinged withEarthpower. His bonesthrobbed to inhale water.AndtheCoursersran.When theybrokeout of

the graveling onto harddirt,thesuddennessofthechangemadethedesertairfeel like bliss. It snatchedhis head up. Reliefslammedintohischestlikeapolarwind.Inaninstant,the Coursers wereclattering across dead,sunbaked soil, raisingpennonsofdust.Thehazeretreated; abruptly theterrain had features,

texture,meaning.As his sight cleared, he

sawVainaheadofhim.The Demondim-spawn

stood, black and fatal, onthe bank of a gullywhichtwisted emptily across thecompany’s way. The dulliron bands of the Staff ofLaw emphasized hismidnight form. Hewatched the Coursersthunder toward him as if

he had been waiting forthem.Hewasalone.Alone?Covenant tumbled from

Clash’s back as the beastpounded to a halt. Helanded hard, sprawledacross thedirt.Rollinghisfeet under him, he hurledhimselfatVain.“What have you done

withher?”

Vain did not move:Covenant crashed into theDemondim-spawn,recoiledas if hehadhit awallofobsidian.The next moment,

Hergrom appeared out ofthe gully. He seemeduninjured, though hisraiment had been singedby the graveling. Withoutexpression,asifhedidnotdeign to judge Covenant’s

precipitation,hesaid,“Sheishere.Intheshade.”Covenant surged pasthim, jumped down intothegully.Thedrywatercoursewasnot deep. He landed insand and whirled,searchingforLinden.She lay on her backunder the shadow of thegully wall. Her skinseemed faintly red in the

dimmer light; she hadbeen so close to thegraveling.Hecouldseeheras clearly as if she wereengravedonMsmind:herraw color, the streaks ofsweatinherwheatenhair,the frown scar betweenher brows like anexpostulation against thelifeshehadlived.She was in convulsions.Her heels drummed the

sand; her fingers attackedthe ground on either side;spasms racked her body,arched her back. A skull-grin clinched her face.Small gasps whimperedthrough her teeth likeshredsofpain.Covenant dove to her

side,grippedhershouldersto restrain her arms. Hecould not make a sound,could not thrust words

pasthispanic.Sunder and Hollian

joined him, followed byHarn andHergrom. Brinn,Ceer, and Stell came amoment later, bearingCail. He, too, was in thethroesofanotherseizure.Sunderrestedahandon

Covenant’s shoulder. “It isthe Sunbane sickness,” hesaid softly. “I am sorry.Shecannotendure.”

Her whimpering turnedtoaraspinherthroatlikeadeath-rattle. She seemedto be groaning,“Covenant.”Linden! he moaned. I

can’thelpyou!Abruptly her eyes

snapped open, staringwildly. They gaped overtherictuswhichbaredherteeth.“Cove—” Her throat

worked as the musclesknotted,released.Herjawswere locked together likethegripofavise.Hereyesglared white delirium athim.“Help—”Her efforts to speak

burned his heart. “I don’t—” He was choking.“Don’tknowhow.”Her lips stretched as if

she wanted to sink herteeth into the skin of his

cheek. Her neck cordsstood out like bone. Shehadtoforcethewordpasther seizure by sheersavagery.“Voure.”“What?” He clung toher.“Voure?”“Give—” Her extremitycut him like a sword.“Voure.”The sap thatwardedoffinsects? His orbs were as

dry as fever. “You’redelirious.”“No.” The intensity ofher groan pierced the air.“Mind—” Her wild, whitestare demanded,beseeched. With everyscrapofherdetermination,she fought her throat.“Clear.” The strainaggravated herconvulsions. Her bodykicked against his weight

asifshewerebeingburiedalive.“I—”Foraninstant,she dissolved intowhimpers. But she rallied,squeezedout,“Feel.”Feel? he panted. Feel

what?“Voure.”For one more horrific

moment, he hung on theverge of understandingher.Thenhehadit.Feel!

“Brinn!” he barked overhis shoulder. “Get thevoure!”Feel! Linden could feel.

She had the Land-bornhealth sense; she couldperceive the nature of herillness, understand itprecisely.Andthevoureaswell. She knew what sheneeded.The angle of her stare

warned him. With a jolt,

he realized that no onehadmoved,thatBrinnwasnotobeyinghim.“Covenant,” Sunder

murmured painfully. “Ur-Lord. She— I beg you tohear me. She has theSunbane sickness. Sheknows not what she says.She—”“Brinn.”Covenantspoke

softly,buthislucidpassionsliced through Sunder’s

dissuasion. “Her mind isclear. She knows exactlywhat she’s saying.Get thevoure.”Still the Haruchai didnot comply. “Ur-Lord,” hesaid, “the Graveler hasknowledge of thissickness.”Covenant had to releaseLinden’s arms, clench hisfists against his foreheadto keep from screaming.

“The only reason”—hisvoicejudderedlikeacablein a high wind—“KevinLandwaster was able toperform the Ritual ofDesecration, destroy allthe rife of the Land forhundreds of years, wasbecause the Bloodguardstoodbyandlethimdoit.Heorderedthemnottodoanything, and he hadknowledge, so they

obeyed. For the rest oftheir lives, their Vowwascorrupt, and they didn’tknow it. They didn’t evenknow they were tainteduntil Lord Foul rubbedtheir noses in it. Until heproved he could makethemservehim.”Foulhadmaimed three of them tomake them resembleCovenant. “Are you goingto just stand there again

and letmore people die?”Abruptly his controlshattered. He hammeredthesandwithhisfists.“GettheVOURE!”BrinnglancedatSunder,

at Cail. For amoment, heseemed to hesitate. Thenhe sprang from the gullytowardtheCoursers.He was back almost at

once, carrying Memla’sleatherflaskofvoure.With

an air of disinterest, as ifhe eschewedresponsibility, he handedittoCovenant.Trembling Covenant

unstopped the flask. Hehad to apply a crushingforce of will to steady hishands so that he couldpour just a few dropsthrough Linden’s teeth.Then he watched in atrance of dread and hope

asshefoughttoswallow.Her back arched, went

slack as if shehadbrokenherspine.His gaze darkened. The

world spun in his head.His mind became theswooping and plunge ofcondors.Hecouldnotsee,could not think, until heheard her whisper, “NowCail.”TheHaruchai responded

immediately. Herunderstanding of Cail’splight demonstrated herclarityofmind.Brinntookthe flask, hurried toCail’sside. With Stell’s help, heforced some of the vourebetween Cail’s lockedjaws.Relaxation spreadthroughLinden,musclebymuscle. Her breathingeased; the cords of her

neck loosened. One byone, her fingers uncurled.Covenant lifted her hand,folded her broken nails inhis clasp, as he watchedthe rigor slipping out ofher.Her legsbecame limpalongthesand.Heheldtoherhandbecausehecouldnot tell whether she wererecoveringordying.Then he knew. When

Brinn came over to him

and announced withoutinflection, “The voure isefficacious.Hewillmend,”he gave a low sigh ofrelief.

TWENTY-THREE:SarangraveFlat

Covenant watched herwhile she slept, humanand frail, until sometimeafter sunset. Then, in thelightofacampfirebuiltbythe Haruchai, he rousedher.Shewas tooweak forsolid food, so he fed hermetheglin diluted withwater.

She was recovering.Evenhis blunt sight couldnot be mistaken about it.When she went back tosleep, he stretched out onthesandnearher,andfellalmost instantly intodreams.They were dreams inwhich wild magic raged,savage and irremediablydestructive.Nothing couldbestopped,andeveryflare

of power was theDespiser’s glee. Covenanthimselfbecameawasterofthe world, became Kevinon a scale surpassing allconceivable Desecrations.The white fire came fromthe passions which madehim who he was, and hecouldnot—!But the stirring of the

company awakened himwell before dawn.

Sweating in the desertchill,heclimbedtohisfeetand looked around. TheembersofthefirerevealedthatLindenwassittingup,with her back against thegully wall. Hergromattended her soundlessly,givingherfood.She met Covenant’sgaze. He could not readher expression in the dimlight, didnot knowwhere

he stood with her. Hissight seemed occluded bythe afterimages ofnightmare. But theobscurity and importanceof her face drew him toher. He squatted beforeher, studied her mien.After a moment, hemurmured to explainhimself, “I thought youwerefinished.”“I thought,” she replied

in a restrained voice, “Iwas never going to makeyouunderstand.”“I know.” What else

could he say? But theinadequacy of hisresponses shamedhim.Hefeltsounabletoreachher.But while he fretted

againsthis limitations,herhand came to him,touched the tangle of hisbeard.Hertonethickened.

“Itmakesyoulookolder.”One of the Haruchaibegantorebuildthefire.Ared gleam reflected fromher wet eyes as if theywere aggravated by coals,were bits of fire in hermind. She went onspeaking, fighting theemotioninherthroat.“Youwantedmetolookat Vain.” She noddedtoward the Demondim-

spawn;hestoodacrossthegully fromher.“I’ve tried.ButIdon’tunderstand.Heisn’t alive. He’s got somuch power, and it’simperative. But it’s—it’sinanimate. Like your ring.Hecouldbeanything.”Her hand covered her

eyes. For a moment, shecould not steady herself.“Covenant, it hurts. Ithurts to see him. It hurts

to see anything.”Reflectionsformedorange-red beads below theshadowofherhand.He wanted to put his

arms around her; but heknew that was not thecomfort she needed. ARaver had touched her,had impaled her soul.Gibbon had told her thather health sense woulddestroy her. Gruffly he

answered, “It saved yourlife.”Hershouldersclenched.“ItsavedCail’slife.”She shuddered, dropped

her hand, let him see hereyes streaming in thenewlight of the fire. “It savedyourlife.”He gazed at her as

squarely as he could, butsaid nothing, gave her allthetimesherequired.

“After CrystalStonedown.” The wordscamehuskilypastherlips.“You were dying. I didn’tknow what to do.” Agrimace embittered hermouth.“EvenifI’dhadmybag— Take awayhospitals, labs, equipment,and doctors aren’t muchgood.”Butamomentlatershe swallowed herinsufficiency. “I didn’t

knowwhatelsetodo.SoIwentinsideyou.Ifeltyourheart and your blood andyourlungsandyournerves— Your sickness. I keptyou alive. Until Hollianwasabletohelpyou.”Her eyes left his,

wandered the gully likeguilt. “It was horrible. Tofeelallthatill.Tasteit.Asif Iweretheonewhowassick. It was like breathing

gangrene.” Her foreheadknotted in revulsion orgrief; but she forced hergazeback tohisvisage. “Iswore I would never doanythinglikethatagainaslongasIlived.”Paulmade him bow hishead. He glared into theshadows between them. Along moment passedbefore he could saywithout anger, “My

leprosy is that disgustingtoyou.”“No.” Her denial jerked

his eyes up again. “Itwasn’t leprosy. It wasvenom.”Before he could absorb

her asseveration, shecontinued,“It’sstillinyou.It’s growing. That’s whyit’ssohardtolookatyou.”Fighting not to weep, shesaidhoarsely,“Ican’tkeep

it out. Any of it. TheSunbane gets inside me. Ican’tkeep itout.You talkabout desecration.Everythingdesecratesme.”What can I do? he

groaned. Why did youfollow me? Why did youtry to save my life? Whydoesn’tmy leprosydisgustyou?Butaloudhetriedtogive her answers, ratherthan questions. “That’s

how Foul works. He triesto turn hope into despair.Strengthintoweakness.Heattacks things that areprecious,andtriestomakethem evil.” The Despiserhad used Kevin’s love ofthe Land, used theBloodguard’s service, theGiants’ fidelity, usedElena’spassion, to corruptthem all. And Linden hadlookedatVainbecausehe,

Covenant, had asked it ofher. “But that knife cutsboth ways. Every time hetries to hurt us is anopportunity to fight him.We have to find thestrength of our weakness.Makehopeoutofdespair.“Linden.” He reached

out with his half-hand,took one of her hands,gripped it. “It doesn’t doany good to try to hide

from him. It boots nothingto avoid his snares. “If youcloseyoureyes,you’ll justget weaker. We have toaccept who we are. Anddenyhim.”Buthis fingerswere numb; he could nottell whether or not sheansweredhisclasp.Her head had fallen

forward. Her hair hid herface.“Linden, it saved your

life.”“No.” Her voice seemed

to be muffled by thepredawn dusk and theshadows. “You saved mylife. I don’t have anypower.AllIcandoissee.”Shepulledherhandaway.“Leave me alone,” shebreathed. “It’s too much.I’lltry.”He wanted to protest.

Butherappealmovedhim.

Aching stiffly in all hisjoints, he stood up andwent to the fire forwarmth.Looking vaguely aroundthe gully, he noticed theStonedownors.Thesightofthemstoppedhim.Theysatashortdistanceaway. Sunder held therukh. Faint red flameslickedthetriangle.Holliansupported him as she had

when he had first attunedhimselftotherukh.Covenant could notguess what they weredoing. He had not paidany attention to them fortoolong,hadnoideawhattheywerethinking.Shortly they droppedtheir fires. For amoment,they sat gazing at eachother, holding hands as iftheyneededcourage.

“Itcannotberegretted.”Herwhisperwaftedupthegully like a voice ofstarlight. “We must bearwhatcomesaswecan.”“Yes,” Sunder muttered.

“Aswecan.”Thenhistonesoftened.“Icanbearmuch—with you.” As they roseto their feet, he drew herto him, kissed herforehead.Covenant looked away,

feeling like an intruder.But the Stonedownorscame straight to him; andSunderaddressedhimwithan air of grim purpose.“Ur-Lord, this must betold. From themoment ofyour request”—he stressedthe word ironically—“thatI take up this rukh, therehas been a fear in me.While Memla held herrukh, the Clave knew her.

Therefore the Grim cameupon us. I feared that ingaining mastery of herrukh I, too,wouldbecomeknowntotheClave.“Covenant—” Hefaltered for only aninstant. “My fear is true.We have ascertained it. Ilack the skill to read thepurpose of the Clave—butIhavefelttheirtouch,andknowthatIamexposedto

them.”“Ur-Lord,”askedHollianquietly, “what must wedo?”“Just what we’ve beendoing.” Covenant hardlyheardher,hardlyheardhisanswer. “Run.Fight, ifwehave to.” He wasrememberingLinden’sfacein convulsions, her rigidmouth, the sweat streaksin her hair. And wild

magic.“Live.”Fearing that he was

about to lose control, heturnedaway.Who was he, to talk to

others about living andstriving, when he couldnot even handle thefrightening growth of hisownpower?Thevenom!Itwas part of him now. Asthe wild magic becamemore possible to him,

everything else seemedmoreandmoreimpossible.He was so capable ofdestruction.Andincapableofanythingelse.He picked up a jug ofmetheglinanddrankdeeplyto keep himself fromgroaningaloud.Hewas thinking, Powercorrupts. Because it isunsure. It is not enough.Or it is too much. It

teaches doubt. Doubtmakesviolence.The pressure for powerwasgrowing inhim.Partsofhimwerehungryfortherageofwildfire.For a time, he was soafraid of himself, of theconsequences of his ownpassions,thathecouldnoteat. He drank the thickmead and stared into theflames, trying to believe

that he would be able tocontainhimself.He had killed twenty-

one people. They werevivid to him now in theapproaching dawn.Twenty-one! Men andwomen whose only crimehad been that their liveshad been deformed by aRaver.When he raised his

head, he found Linden

standingnearhim.Shewasinsecureonher

feet, still extremely weak;but she was able to holdherself upright. She gazedat him soberly. As hedroppedhis eyes, she saidwith an echo of her oldseverity, “You should eatsomething.”Hecouldnotrefuseher.

He picked up a piece ofdried meat. She nodded,

then moved woodenlyaway to examine Cail.Covenant chewedabstractly while hewatchedher.Cailappearedtobebothwelland ill.Heseemedtohave recovered from theSunbanesickness,regainedhis native solidity andcomposure. But his injurywas still hotly infected;voure had no efficacy

against the poison of theCourser’sspur.Linden glared at thewound as if it wrung hernerves,thendemandedfireand boiling water.Hergrom andCeer obeyedwithout comment. Whilethe water heated, sheborrowed Hollian’s dirk,burned it clean in theflames, then used it tolance Cail’s infection. He

bore the pain stoically;only a slight tensionbetween his browsbetrayed what he felt.Blood and yellow fluidsplashed a stain onto thesand. Her hands wereprecise in spite of herweakness. She knewexactly where and howdeeplytocut.When the water was

ready, she obtained a

blanket from Brinn.Slashing the material intostrips, she used some ofthem to wash out thewound; with others, shemade a crude bandage.Fine beads of sweatmirroredthefirelightfromCail’s forehead;buthedidnot wince. He did notappeartobebreathing.“You’ll be all right as

soon as we stop the

infection.” Her voicesounded impersonal, as ifshe were reading fromsome medical tome.“You’rehealthyenoughforanyfivepeople.”Thenherseverity frayed. “This isgoing to hurt. If I couldthinkofanywaytokillthepain,I’ddoit.ButIcan’t.Ilefteverythinginmybag.”“Have no concern,

LindenAvery,”Cailreplied

evenly. “I am well. I willserveyou.”“Serve yourself!” shegratedatonce.“Takecareofthatarm.”Asshespoke,she made sure that hisbandagewas secure. Thenshe poured boiling wateroverthefabric.Cailmadenosound.Shestumbled to her feet,movedawayfromhimandsatdownagainst thegully

wall, as if she could notbear the sight of hiscourage.A moment later, Vaincaught Covenant’sattention.Thefirstlightofthe sun touched Vain’shead, etched it out of thegloaming—a cynosure ofblackness and secrets.Sunder and Hollian wentquickly to find rock.Covenant helped Linden

erect. TheHaruchai stood.All thecompany faced thedawn.The sun broached therim of the gully, wearingbrown like the cerementsof the world. Thirst andhallucination, bleachedbones, fever-blisters. ButLinden gaspedinvoluntarily, “It’sweaker!”Then, before Covenant

could grasp what shemeant, she groaned indisappointment. “No. Imustbelosingmymind.Ithasn’tchanged.”Changed?Herbitternessleft him in a whirl ofanxietyas thequestbrokecamp, mounted theCoursers, and set offeastward. Was she sobadlystressedbyfearthatshe could no longer trust

her eyes? In herconvulsions, sweat haddarkened her hair likestreaks of damp anguish.But she seemed to berecovering. Her woundhadbeenrelativelyminor.The company rode thesun-trammeled wastelandof the North Plains as ifthey were traversing ananvil.Whydidheknowsolittleabouther?

But the next morningshe was steadier, surer.She carried her head as ifit had ceased to pain her.When she faced the dawnand saw the third desertsun rise, her whole bodytensed. “I was right,” shegritted. “It is weaker.” Amoment later, she cried,“There!” Her arm accusedthe horizon. “Did you seeit?Rightthere,itchanged!

Itwasweaker and then itbecame as strong as ever.As if it crossed aboundary.”No one spoke. Sunderand Hollian watchedLinden as if they fearedthat the Sunbane sicknesshadaffectedhermind.TheHaruchai gazed at herwithoutexpression.“I saw it.” Her voicestiffened.“I’mnotcrazy.”

Covenant winced. “Wedon’thaveyoureyes.”Sheglaredathimforan

instant,thenturnedonherheel and strode awaytoward the waitingCoursers.Now she rode as if she

wereangry.Inspiteofthedry brutality of the sunand the strain of clingingto Clash’s back, herstrength was returning.

Andwith it came ire.Herability to see had alreadycosthersomuch;andnowher companions appearedto doubt what she saw.Covenant himself halfdisbelieved her. Anyweakeningof theSunbanewasasignofhope.Surelytherefore it was false?After what she had beenthrough?When the company

stopped for the night, sheate a meal, tended Cail’sarm, and set herself tosleep. But long beforedawn, shewas pacing thedead shale as if she weretellingthemomentsuntilarevelation. Her tensionarticulated clearly howmuch she needed to beright, how sorely herexacerbated soul neededrelief.

That morning, the sunrose in red pestilence. Ittingedthestarkoutlinesofthe wilderland crimson,making thedesert roseate,lovely, and strange, like agilded burial ground; butthough he strained hissight until his braindancedwithimagesoffire,Covenantcouldnotdescryany lessening of theSunbane. Yet Linden gave

a fierce nod as if she hadbeenvindicated.Andaftera moment, Brinn saidimpassively, “The Chosenisfarsighted.”Heusedhertitle like a recognition ofpower. “The corruptionabout the sun haslessened.”“I am surpassed,”Sunder muttered infrustration. “I do not seethislessening.”

“You will,” Lindenreplied. “We’re gettingcloser.”Covenant was suddenlydizzywithhope.“Closertowhat?” Was the Sunbanefailing?“Inquireof theChosen.”Brinn’s shrug disavowedall responsibility for whathesaw.“Weknownothingofthis.”Covenantturnedtoher.

“I’ll tell you.” She didnot meet his gaze. “WhenI’msure.”He swallowed a curse,grittedhimselfstill.It’stoomuch,shehadsaid.I’lltry.He understood. She wastrying.Shewantedtotrustwhat she saw and fearedto be misled, to be hurtagain. With difficulty, heleftheralone.She continued to stare

eastward while theHaruchai distributed food,water, and voure. She ateheedlessly, ignoringBrinn’s people as theyreadied the Coursers. Butthen, just as Sunderbrought the beastsforward, her arm stabbedout, and she barked,“There!”Brinnglancedatthesun.“Yes. The corruption

regainsitsstrength.”Covenant groaned to

himself. No wonder shedid not wish to explainwhat she saw. How couldshebearit?Morosely he mounted

Clash behind Linden andBrinn. The quest movedout across the raggedwasteland.Under this sun, the

desert became a place of

silenceandscorpions.Onlythe rattle of the Coursers’hooves punctuated thewindlessair;andsoonthatnoise became part of thesilence as well. Insectsscuttledover the rocks, orwadedthesand,andmadeno sound. The skywas asempty of life as a tomb.Slowly Covenant’s moodbecame red and fatal. ThePlains seemed eerie with

all thebloodhehadshed.Involuntarily he toyedwith his ring, turning itaround his finger as if hisbones itched for fire. Yethe loathedkilling, loathedhimself. And he wasafraid.Wehavetoacceptwhoweare.Wherehadhelearnedthe arrogance or at leastthe insensitivity to saysuchthings?

Thatnight,hismemoriesand dreamsmade his skinburn as if he were eagerfor immolation, for achance to anneal his oldguilt in flame. Lena filledhissightasifshehadbeenchiseled on the backs ofhis eyes. A child, in spiteof her body’s newmaturity. He had struckher, knotted his hands inher shift and rent—The

memoryofherscreamwasdistillednightmaretohim.Amoralleper.Youaremine.He was a creature ofwildmagicanddoubt;andthe long night, like thewhole Land stretchedhelpless under theSunbane, was also adesert.But the next morning,when the sun rose in its

crimson infestation, he,too, could see that itsaurora was weaker. Itseemed pale, almostuncertain. Sunder andHollian could see it aswell.And this time theweakness did not vanishuntil midmorning.Ascending from the firstquarterofthesky,theauracrossed a threshold; and

the Sunbane closed overthe Plains like a lid.Intuitions tried to clarifythemselves in Covenant’shead; he felt that heshould have been able toname them. But he couldnot.LackingLinden’seyes,heseemedalsotolacktheabilitytointerpretwhathesaw.Astrangeblindness—That evening, the

company reached

Landsdrop.Now Covenant knewwhere he was. Landsdropwas the precipice whichseparated the Upper LandinthewestfromtheLowerLand in the east. Itstretched roughly north-northwestfromdeepintheSouthronRangefartowardthe unexplored NorthronClimbs. Many leaguessouth of him, Mount

Thunder, ancient GravinThrendor, crouchedagainst the cliff, kneelingwith its knees on theLowerLandanditselbowson the Upper. Deep in itsdark roots lay the placewhere the Illearth Stonehadbeenfound.Anddeepin its dark heart was thesecret chamber of KirilThrendor,whereLordFoultheDespisernowmadehis

home.The sun was setting asthe quest halted. Theshadow of Landsdrop,threeorfourthousandfeethigh in this region,obscured all the east. ButCovenant knew what layahead. The deadly marshofSarangraveFlat.In past ages, theSarangrave had becomewhat it was—a world of

intricatewaterways,exoticlife, and cunning peril—through the effects of theriver called the DeniesCourse. This wateremerged between theknees of Mount Thunderfrom thecatacombs in thebowels of the mountain,where it had run throughWightwarrens andDemondim breeding dens,throughcharnalsandoffal

pits, laboratories andforges, until it waspolluted by the mostirrefragable filth. Assewage spread throughoutthe Flat from the river, itcorrupted a once-fairregion, changed a marshhome for egrets andorchids into a wild havenfor the misborn. Duringthe last wars, Lord Foulhadfoundmuchoftheraw

material for his armies inSarangraveFlat.Covenant knew aboutthe Flat because at onetime he had seen it forhimself,fromLandsdroptothe south of MountThunder.HehadseenwithLand-sharpened eyes,vision he no longerpossessed. But he hadother knowledge of theregion as well. He had

heard some things duringhis visits to Revelstone.And he had learned morefrom Runnik of theBloodguard. At one time,Runnik had accompaniedKorik and two Lords,Hyrim and Shetra, on amissiontoSeareach,toaskthe aid of the Giantsagainst Lord Foul. LordShetra had been slain inthe Sarangrave, and

Runnik had barelysurvived tobringback thetale.Covenant’s guts

squirmedatthethoughtofthe Sarangrave under asun of pestilence. Beyonddoubt, he was going tohave to tell Runnik’s taletohiscompanions.TheHaruchaisetcampa

stone’s throw from thegreat cliff because

Covenant refused to goany closer in the dark; healreadyfelttoosusceptibleto the lure of precipices.After he had eaten,fortified himself withmetheglin,hehuddlednearthe jumping allusions ofthe campfire, wrapped hismemoriesaroundhim,andaskedthequesttolisten.Linden sat downopposite him. He wanted

to feel that she wasnearby; but theintervening fire distancedher. Sunder and Hollianwerevagueattheedgesofhis sight. His attentionnarrowed to the cracklingwood and the recollectionofRunnik’stale.Fist and faith, theBloodguard had said. Wewill not fail. But they hadfailed.Covenantknewthat

now.Theyhad failed,andfallenintoCorruption,anddied. The Vow had beenbroken. And the Giantshadbeenslain.Butsuchthingswerenot

partofwhathehadtotell.Tocontrol theoldacheofremembrance, heenvisioned Runnik’s facebefore him. TheBloodguard had stood,with a pang in his eyes,

before High Lord Elena,Lord Mhoram, Hile Troy,and the Unbeliever. Abonfire had made thenight poignant. CovenantcouldrecallRunnik’sexactwords. The attacks of thelurker. The fall of LordShetra.Bloodyhell.In a dull tone, he told

the essentials of that tale.WhenhehadfirstseentheSarangrave, it had been a

place of fervid luxurianceand subtle death: alivewith shy water-bredanimals and malicioustrees; adorned with poolsof clear poison; waylaidwith quicksand; spangledwith flowers of lovelinessand insanity. A placewhere nature had becomevastly treacherous,polluted and hungry. Butnot evil. It was blameless

in the same way thatstormsandpredatorswereblameless.TheGiants,whoknewhowtobewary,hadalwaysbeenable to traveltheFlat.But forty years later,when Korik’s mission hadlooked out fromLandsdrop, theSarangravehad changed. Slumberingill had been stirred towakefulness. And this ill,

which Runnik had calledthelurkeroftheSarangrave,had snatched Lord Shetrato her death, despite thefact that she had beenunder the protection offifteenBloodguard.Fifteen— The lurker had beenalert to strength, attractedto power. First theRanyhyn, then theBloodguard themselves,had unwittingly brought

peril down on Korik’smission. And of themessengersKorikhadsentto carry the tale back tothe High Lord, onlyRunnikhadsurvived.After Covenant fell

silent, his companionsremained still for amoment. Then Hollianasked unsurely, “May wenot ride around this placeofrisk?”

Covenant did not raisehishead.“Thatusedtobea hundred leagues out ofthe way. I don’t knowwhat it is now.” HadSarangrave Flat grown ordwindled under theSunbane?“We have not such

time,” Sunder saidimmediately. “Do youdesiretoconfrontasecondGrim? The Clave reads us

as we speak of suchmatters.When I placemyhand upon the iron, I feelthe eyes of the Banefirefixed in my heart. Theyholdnobenison.”“The Clave can’t—”Linden began, thenstoppedherself.“The Clave,” Covenantresponded, “kills peopleevery day. To keep thatbloody Banefire going.

How many lives do youthink a hundred leaguesaregoingtocost?”Hollian squirmed.“Mayhap this lurker nolonger lives? The Sunbanealters all else. Will notSarangrave Flat be alteredalso?”“No,” Linden said. Butwhen Covenant and theStonedownors looked ather sharply, shemuttered,

“I’lltellyouaboutitinthemorning.” Wrappingblankets around her as ifthey were a buckleragainstbeingtouched,sheturnedaway.ForawhileafterSunder

and Hollian had gone totheir rest, Covenant satand watched the fire die,striving with himself,trying to resist the wayLandsdrop plucked at the

bottom of his mind, toguess what Linden hadlearned about theSunbane, to find thecourageheneeded for theSarangrave.Youaremine.

He awoke, haggard andpower-haunted, shortlybefore dawn and foundthat Linden and the

Stonedownors, with Cail,Harn, and Stell, hadalready left their beds tostand on the edge ofLandsdrop. The air wascold;andhis face felt stiffand dirty, as if his beardwere the grip of hisdreams, clutching hisvisage with, uncleanfingers. Shivering, hearose, slapped his arms towarmthem,thenaccepted

a drink of metheglin fromBrinn.As Covenant drank,

Brinnsaid,“Ur-Lord.”His manner caught

Covenant’sattentionlikeahand on his shoulder.Brinnlookedasinscrutableasstoneinthecrepuscularair; yet his very posturegave an impression ofimportance.“We do not trust these

Coursers.”Covenant frowned.Brinn had taken him bysurprise.“The old tellers,” Brinnexplained, “know the talewhich Runnik of theBloodguard told to HighLordElena.Wehaveheardthat the mission to theGiants of Seareach wasbetrayed to the lurker ofthe Sarangrave by

Earthpower. TheEarthpower of theRanyhyn was plain to allwho rode them. And theVow of the BloodguardwasathingofEarthpower.“But we have sworn nolife-shapingVow.Thewildmagic need not be used.The Graveler and the eh-Brand need not employtheirlore.Thelurkerneednotbeawareofus.”

Covenant nodded as hecaught Brinn’s meaning.“The Coursers,” hemuttered. “Creatures oftheSunbane.You’reafraidthey’llgiveusaway.”“Yes,ur-Lord.”Covenant winced, then

shrugged. “We don’t haveany choice.We’ll lose toomuchtimeonfoot.”Brinn acquiescedwith a

slightbow.Foran instant,

the Haruchai seemed somuch like Banner thatCovenant almost groaned.Bannor, too, would havevoiced his doubt—andthenwould have acceptedCovenant’s decisionwithout question.Suddenly Covenant feltthathisDeadwerecomingback to life, that Bannorwas present in Brinn,impassive and infrangibly

faithful; that Elena wasreborn in Linden. Thethought wrenched hisheart.But then a shout

snatched him towardLandsdrop.Thesunwasrising.Gritting himself against

incipient vertigo, hehurried to join hiscompanions on the lip ofthecliff.

Across the east, the suncameup in pale red, as ifit had just begun to oozeblood. Light washed thetop of the precipice, butleft all the Lower Landdark, like a vast regionwhere night was slowlysucked into the ground.But though he could seenothingoftheFlat,thesunitselfwasvividtohim.Itsaurawasweaker.

Weakerthanithadbeenthepreviousmorning.Lindenstaredintentlyatit for a moment, thenwhirled and sent her gazearcing up and down thelength of Landsdrop.Covenant could hearinsects burring as if theyhadbeenresurrected fromthedeadground.“By God.” She wasexultant.“Iwasright.”

He held himself still,hardlydaringtoexhale.“This is the line.” She

spoke in bursts ofexcitement,comprehension.“Landsdrop. It’s like aborder.” Her hands tracedconsequences in the air.“You’ll see.When the sunpasses over the cliff—atnoon—theSunbanewillbeasstrongasever.”

Covenant swallowedthickly.“Why?”“Because the

atmosphere is different. Itdoesn’t have anything todo with the sun. Thatcorona is an illusion. Wesee it because we’relookingatthesunthroughthe atmosphere. TheSunbane is in the air. Thesun doesn’t change. Buttheair—”

Hedidnotinterrupt.Butinthebackofhismindhesiftedwhatshesaid.Someof it made sense: thepowerrequired literally tochange the sun wasinconceivable.“The Sunbane is like a

filter. A way of warpingthe normal energy of thesun. Corrupting it.” Sheaimedherwordsathimasif shewere tryingtodrive

insight through hisblindness. “And it’s allwestfromhere.TheUpperLand. What you see outthere”—she jerked herhead eastward—“is justspillover. That’s why itlooks weak. The Clavewon’t be able to reach usanymore. And theSarangrave might be justasyourememberit.”All—? Covenant

thought. But how? Windsshift—storms—Lindenseemedtoseehisquestioninhisface.“It’sintheair,” she insisted. “Butit’s like an emanation.From the ground. It musthavesomethingtodowiththe Earthpower you keeptalking about. It’s acorruption of theEarthpower.”A corruption of the

Earthpower! At thosewords, his head reeled,and his own vagueintuitionscameintofocus.She was right. Absolutely.He should have been abletofigureitoutforhimself.TheStaffofLawhadbeendestroyed—AndLordFoulhadmadehis new home in MountThunder, which crouchedon the edgeof Landsdrop,

facingwest.Naturally, theDespiser wouldconcentrate his Sunbaneon the Upper Land. Mostof the east already layunderhispower.Itwasallsoclear.Onlyablindmancould fail to see suchthings.For a long moment,

other facets of therevelation consumed him.Lord Foul had turned the

Earthpower itself againsttheLand.The Sunbane was

limited in its reach.But ifit became intense enough,deepenough—But then he seemed to

hear for the first timesomethingelseLindenhadsaid. The Sarangrave mightbe—Bloody hell! He forced

himselfintomotion,drove

hisreluctantbonestowardLandsdropsothathecouldlookovertheedge.The shadow of the

horizon had alreadydescended halfway downthe cliff. Faint, pink lightbegan to reflect off thewaters of the Sarangrave.Pale jewels, rosy andtenuous, spread across thebottom of the shadow,winking together to form

reticular lines, intaglios,likeamapofthevanishingnight. Or a snare. As thesun rose, the gemsyellowed and grew moreintricate. In links andinterstices,theyarticulatedthe venous life of the Flat—explication, trap, andanatomy in one. Then allthe waterways burnedwhite, and the sun itselfshone into Sarangrave

Flat.After five days in thewasted plains, Covenantfeltthatthelushgreenandwater below him wereexquisite, lovely andfascinating,asonlyaddersand belladonna could be.But Linden stood besidehim, staringwhite-eyed atthe marsh. Her lips saidover and over again, Oh,my God. But the words

madenosound.Covenant’s heart turned

overinfear.“Whatdoyousee?”“Do you want to go

down there?” Horrorstrangled her voice. “Areyoucrazy?”“Linden!”hesnapped,as

if her dread were anaccusation he could nottolerate. The backs of hishandsburnedvenomously,

lusting of their ownvolition to strikeher.Wasshe blind to the pressuresbuilding in him? Deaf tothevictimsoftheClave?“Ican’tseewhatyousee.”“I’m a doctor,” she

panted as if she werebleeding internally. “Or Iwas. I can’t bear all thisevil.”No! His anger vanished

atthesightofherdistress.

Don’t say that. You’lldamn us both. “Iunderstand. Better thananybody. Tell me what itis.”She did not raise her

eyes, would not look athim.“It’salive.”Hervoicewas awhisper of anguish.“The whole thing’s alive.”Gibbon had promised herthatshewoulddestroytheLand. “It’s hungry.”

Covenant knew nothingabout her. “It’s like aRaver.”A Raver? He wanted to

shout,Whatkindofpersonare you? Why did Foulchoose you? But hecrushed himself toquietness.“IsitaRaver?”Sheshookherhead.She

wentonshakingherhead,as if she could not reachthe end of all the things

she wanted to deny.“Ravers are more”—shehad to search herself foran adequate description—“more specific. Self-conscious. But it’s stillpossession,” She said thatwordas if it sickenedher.Herhandsfumbledtowardhermouth.“Helpme.”“No.” He did not meanto refuse her; his armsachedtoholdher.Butthat

was notwhat she needed.“Youcanstandit.Thatoldman chose you for areason.” Groping forwaysto succor her, he said,“Concentrate on it. Usewhat you see to helpyourself. Know whatyou’reupagainst.Canthatthing see us? Is it thatspecific? Ifwetry tocross—will it know we’rethere?”

She closed her eyes,covered them to shut outthe sight. But then sheforced herself to lookagain. Struggling againstrevulsion, she jerked out,“Idon’tknow.It’ssobig.Ifitdoesn’tnoticeus—Ifwedon’t attract its attention—”If, he finished for her,

wedon’t showthekindofpoweritfeedson.Yes.But

a sudden vision of wildmagicstunnedhim.Hedidnot know how long hecouldcontainthepressure.With a wrench, he madehimself move, turned toBrinn, then winced at theway his voice spatteredemotion.“GettheCoursersready. Find a way downthere. As soon as we eat,we’regoingthrough.”Swingingawayfromthe

Haruchai, he almostcollided with Sunder andHollian.Theywereleaningagainsteachotherasifforsupport. The knots at thecorners of Sunder’s jawbulged; a frown ofapprehension or dismayincused his forehead. Theyoung eh-Brand’s featureswerepalewithanxiety.The sight was

momentarily more than

Covenantcouldbear.Whywashe forever sodoomedto give pain? Withunwanted harshness, herasped,“Youdon’thavetogo.”Sunderstiffened.Hollianblinked at Covenant as ifhe had just slapped herface. But before he couldmaster himself enough toapologize,shereachedoutandplacedherhandonhis

arm. “Ur-Lord, youmiscomprehend us.” Hervoice was like the simplegesture of her touch. “Wehave long and long agogiven up all thought ofrefusingyou.”With an effort, Sunderloosened the clenching ofhis teeth. “That is sooth.Doyounotunderstandthisofus?Theperilisnothing.We have sojourned so far

beyond our knowledgethat all perils are becomeequal. And Linden Averyhas said that soonwewillbefreeofthethreatoftheClave.”Covenant stared at the

Graveler,attheeh-Brand.“No, Covenant,” Sunder

went on. “Our concern isotherwise. We journeywhere the Sunbane doesnotobtain.Wedonotlove

the Sunbane. We are notmad.Butwithoutit—”Hehesitated,thensaid,“Whatpurpose do we serve?What isourvalue toyou?We have not forgottenAndelain.TheSunbanehasmadeustobewhoweare.Perhapsunderanothersunwe will merely burdenyou.”The frankness of their

uncertainty touched

Covenant.Hewasa leper;he understood perfectlywhattheyweresaying.Buthe believed that theSunbane could be altered,had to believe that it wasnot the whole truth oftheirlives.Howelsecouldhe go on? Against thesudden thickness in histhroat,hesaid,“You’remyfriends. Let’s try it andsee.”

Fumbling for self-control, he went to getsomethingtoeat.His companions joined

him.Insilence,theyateasif they were chewing thegristle of theirapprehensions.Shortly Ceer brought

word of a path down thecliff. Hergrom and Cailbegan to load theCoursers. Long before

Covenant had found anycourage, the quest wasmountedandmoving.Ceer,Hergrom,andCailled the way on Annoy.WithLinden’scareandthenative health of theHaruchai, Cail hadessentially recovered fromhis wound. Brinn, Linden,andCovenant followed onClash. Then came Harnand Hollian on Clangor,

StellandSunderonClang.Vainbroughtuptherear.They went northwardforhalfaleaguetoawidetrail cut into the face ofLandsdrop. This was avestige of one of theancient Giantways, bywhich the Unhomed hadtraveledbetweenSeareachand Revelstone. CovenantlockedhishandsinClash’shair, and fought his

vertigo as the companybegantodescend.The sheer drop to the

Lower Land pulled at himconstantly. But the trailhadbeenmadebyGiants;though it angled anddoubled steeply, it waswide enough for the hugeCoursers.StilltheswingofClash’sbackmadehimfeelthat he was about to bepitched over the edge.

Even during a brief rest,when Brinn halted thecompany to refill thewaterskins from a rilltrickling out of the cliff-face, the Flat seemed toreel upward at him like agreen storm. He spun,sweating, down the lastslopeandlurchedout intothe humid air of thefoothillswithapaininhischest, as if he had

forgottenhowtobreathe.The foothills were clear

for some distance beforethey rolled down into theperil of the Sarangrave.Brinn took the Coursersforwardataclatteringrun,as if he meant to plungestraight into the verdantsea.Buthestoppedontheverge of the thickmarshgrass which lappedthehills.Foramoment,he

surveyed the quest,studyingVainbriefly,asifhe wondered what toexpect from theDemondim-spawn. ThenheaddressedLinden.“Chosen,” he said withflat formality, “the oldtellers say that theBloodguard had eyes suchas yours. That is not trueof us. We understandcaution. But we also

understandthatyoursightsurpasses ours. You mustwatchwithme,lestwefallto the snares of theSarangrave.”Linden swallowed. Herposture was taut, keyedbeyond speech by dread.But she answered with astiffnod.Now Clash led.Covenant glared out pastLinden and Brinn, past

Clash’s massive head,toward the Sarangrave.The hillside descendedinto a breeze-ruffled lakeofmarshgrass,andbeyondthe grass stood the firstgnarled brush of the Flat.Dark shrubs piled towardtrees which concealed thehorizon.Thegreenoftheirleaves seemed vaguelypoisonous under the palered sun. In thedistance, a

bird cried, then fell silent.The Sarangrave was still,as if it waited with batedbreath. Covenant couldhardlyforcehimselftosay,“Let’sgo.”Brinn nudged Clash

forward.Bunchedtogetherlike a fist, the companyenteredSarangraveFlat.Clash stepped into the

marshgrass, andimmediately sank to its

kneesinhiddenmire.“Chosen,” Brinn

murmured in reproof asthe Courser lumberedbackward to extricateitself.Linden winced. “Sorry.

I’mnot—”Shetookadeepbreath, straightened herback.“Solidgroundto theleft.”Clash veered in that

direction. This time, the

footing held. Soon thebeastwasbreastingitswaythroughchest-highgrass.An animal the size of a

crocodile suddenlythrashed out from underClash’shooves—apredatorwith no taste for suchlarge prey. Clash shied;but the rukh steadied itquickly. Clinging to hisseat, Covenant forced hisgaze ahead and tried not

to believe that he wasriding into a morass fromwhich therewasnooutletandnoescape.Guided by Linden’ssenses, Brinn led thecompanytowardthetrees.In spite of past suns, thegrowthherewasofnormalsize; yet even toCovenant’s bluntperceptions, theatmosphere felt brooding

and chancrous, like anexhalation of disease, thepalpable leprosy ofpollution.As they reached thetrees, the quest passedunder thickening blotchesof shade. At first, clearground lay between thetrunks,wind-riffledswathsof bland grass concealedthings at which Covenantcouldnotguess.Butasthe

riders moved inward, thetrees intensified.Thegrassgave way to shallowpuddles, stretches of mudwhich sucked like hungerat the hooves of theCoursers. Branches andvines variegated the sky.At the edges of hearingcame the soundsofwater,almost subliminal, as ifwary behemoths weredrinking from a nearby

pool.Theambienceof theSarangrave settled inCovenant’s chest like amiasma.Abruptly an iridescent

bird blundered, squalling,skyward out of the brush.Hisgutslurched.Sweatinghe gaped about him. Thejungle was complete; hecould not see more thanfifty feet in any direction.The Coursers followed a

path which wandered outof sight between squatgray trees with crackedbark and swollen trunks.But when he lookedbehind him, he could seenosignofthewayhehadcome. The Sarangravesealed itself after thecompany. Somewhere notfar away, he could hearwater dripping, like thelast blood from Marid’s

throat.His companions’ nerveswere raw. Sunder’s eyesseemed to flinch fromplace to place. Hollian’smien wore a look ofunconscious fright, as ifshewereachildexpectingto be terrified. Linden sathunchedforward,grippingBrinn’s shoulders.Whenever she spoke, hervoice was thin and tense,

etiolated by hervulnerability to the ill onall sides. Yet Vain lookedascarelessastheaccursed,untouched even by thepossibilityofwrong.Covenant felt that hislungswere filling upwithmoisture.The Coursers seemed toshare his difficulty. Hecould hear them snufflingstertorously. They grew

restivebydegrees,choppyof gait, alternatelyheadstrong and timorous.Whatdothey—?hebegan.But the question dauntedhim,andhedidnot finishit.At noon, Brinn halted

the company on a hillockcovered with pimpernels,anddefendedontwosidesby a pool of viscid sludgewhich smelled like tar. In

it,paleflagellantcreaturesswam. They broke thesurface, spread sluggishripples about them, thendisappeared. They lookedlike corpses, wan andnecrotic, against thedarknessofthefluid.Then Linden pointed

through the branchestoward the sun. WhenCovenant peered at thefaint aura, he saw it

change, just as she hadpredicted. The full powerof the Sunbane returned,restoring pestilence to theSarangrave.At the sight, anameless

chill clutched his viscera.The Sarangrave under asunofpestilence—Hollian’s gasp yanked

the company toward her.She was gaping at thepool, with her knuckles

jammed between herteeth.At every spot where

sunlight touched the darksurface, pale creaturesrose. They thrust blindheads into the light,seemed to yearn upward.A slight wind ruffled thetrees, shifting pieces ofsunshine back and forth.The creatures flailed tofollowthespotsoflight.

When any creature hadkept its head in the lightfor several moments, itbegan to expand. Itswelled like ripening fruit,then split open, scatteringgreen droplets around thepool. The droplets whichfell in shadow quicklyturned black and faded.But the oneswhich fell inlightbecamebright—Covenant closed his

eyes;buthecouldnotshutout the sight.Green flecksdancedagainst redbehindhis eyelids. He lookedagain. The droplets wereluminescent and baleful,like liquid emeralds. Theygrew as they swam,feeding on sludge andpestilence.“Good God!” Horror

compacted Linden’swhisper.“We’vegottoget

outofhere!”Her tone carriedcomplete conviction. TheHaruchai sprang intomotion. Sunder called theCoursers forward. Cailboosted first Linden, thenCovenant,upward, so thatClash would not have tokneel. Stell and Ham didthe same for theStonedownors.Skirting the pool, Brinn

guidedthebeastseastwardas swiftly as he dared,deeper into the toils ofSarangraveHat.FortunatelytheSunbaneseemed to steady theCoursers, enforcing thehold of Sunder’s rukh.Their ponderousskittishness eased. Whenmalformed animalsscuttled out from undertheir hooves, or shrieking

birds flapped past theirheads, they remainedmanageable. After half aleague, the riders wereabletoeatamealwithoutdismounting.As they ate, Covenant

looked for a way toquestion Linden. But sheforestalled him. “Don’task.”Spectershaunted thebacksofhereyes.“Ithurt.I just knew we were in

danger. I don’t want toknowwhatitwas.”He nodded. The plight

of the company requiredhertoacceptvisionswhichwrunghersoul.Shewassoexposed. And he had nowaytohelpher.The Haruchai passed

around a pouch of voure.Ashedabbed thepungentsap on his face and arms,Covenant became aware

thattheairwasalivewithbutterflies.Fluttering red and blue,

yellowlikecleansunshine,gleams of purple andpeacock-green, theyclouded the spacesbetween the trees likeparticolored snow, alertand lovely. The dance ofthe Sarangrave—Sarangrave Flat under asun of pestilence. The

insects made him feelstrangely bemused andviolent. They werebeautiful. And they wereborn of the Sunbane. Thevenom in him answeredtheir entrancement as if,despite himself, heyearned to fry everylambentwing in sight.Hehardly noticed when thecompany began movingagainthroughtheclutches

ofthemarsh.Atonetime,he hadwatched helplesslywhile Wraiths died. Nowevery memory increasedthepressureinhim,urgedhim toward power. But inthis place power wassuicide.Piloted by Brinn’s

cautionandLinden’ssight,the questers workedeastward.Fora time, theytraveled the edges of a

water channel cloggedwith lilies. But then thechannel cut toward thenorth, and they wereforced to a decision.Lindensaid that thewaterwassafe.Brinnfearedthatthelily-stemsmightfatallytangle the legs of theCoursers.The choice was taken

out of their hands.Hergrom directed their

attention northwestward.For a moment, Covenantcould see nothing throughthe obscure jungle. Thenhecaughtaglimpse.Fragmentsoflividgreen.

The same green he hadwatched aborning in thepooloftar.They were moving.

Advancing—Linden swore urgently.

“Come on.” She clinched

Brinn’s shoulders. “Cross.We’ve got to stay awayfromthosethings.”Without hesitation,

Brinn sent Clash into thewater.At once, the Courser’s

legs were toiled in thestems.Butthechannelwasshallowenoughtogivethebeast a purchase on itsbottom. Clash foughtforward in a series of

violent heaves, thrashingsprayinalldirections.The other mounts

followed to the east bank.Cascadingwaterfromtheirthick coats, they began tomove as swiftly asSarangraveFlatallowed.Through stretches of

jungle so dense that thetreesseemedtoclawatthequest, and the creepersdangled like garrotes.

Across wavinggreenswards intricatelybeset with quagmires.Along the edges of blackbogs which reeked likecarrioneaters,poolswhichfulminated trenchantly.Into clear streams, slime-coveredbrooks,avenuesofmud. Everywhere theriders went, animals fledfrom them; birds betrayedthem in raucous fear or

outrage; insects hove andswarmed, warded awayonlybythesmellofvoure.And behind them cameglimpses of green, elusivespangles,barelyseen,asifthe company were beingstalkedbyemeralds.Throughout theafternoon, they wrestledwiththeFlat;but,asfarasCovenant could see, theygained nothing except a

senseofpanic.Theycouldnot outdistance thoseiridescentgreenblinks.Hefelt threats crawlingbetween his shoulderblades.Fromtimetotime,his hands twitched as ifthey ached to fight, as ifhe knew no other answertofearexceptviolence.In the gloaming of

sunset, Brinn halted thecompany for supper. But

noonesuggestedthattheyshould make camp. Thepursuit was more clearlyvisiblenow.Greenshapesthesizeof

small children, burninginwardly like swamplights, crept furtivelythrough the brush—creatures of emeraldstealthandpurpose.Scoresof them. They advancedslowly, likeamalisonthat

hadnoneedforhaste.Athinrainbegantofall,

as if the ambience of theSarangrave were sweatingineagerness.One of the Coursers

snorted.Annoystampeditsfeet, tossed its head.Covenant groaned. Shetrahad been one of themostpotent Lords of Elena’sCouncil, adept at power.Fifteen Bloodguard and

Lord Hyrim had beenunabletosaveher.He clutched at his

mount and yearnedforward as Brinn andLinden picked their waythroughthedrizzle.Water slowly soakedhis

hair and trickled into hiseyes. The susurrus of therain filled the air like asigh. Everything else hadfallenstill.Theadvanceof

the lambent greencreatures was as silent asgravestones. Sunder begantomutter at the Coursers,warning them toobedience.“Quicksand,” Linden

gritted.“Totheright.”Through his knees,

Covenant could feel Clashtrembling.For a moment, the

quicksandmade a sucking

noise. Then the sound ofthe rain intensified. Itbecame an exhalation ofwet lust. Behind thedrizzle, Sarangrave Flatwaited.The creatures were

within a stone’s throw ofthe company and drawingcloser.A gasp stiffened Linden.

Covenant jerked his gazeahead,searchedthenight.

Inthedistancelayalineofgreenlights.Itcutthequestoff from

theeast.The line arced to the

north, spreading out tojointhepursuit.Hellfire!Thecompanyhadridden

into a snare. Flickeringthrough the trees andbrush and rain, the firesbegan to contract around

the riders like a noose.They were being herdedsouthward.Clangor stumbled to its

knees, then lurchedupright again, blowingfearfully.Linden panted curses

under her breath.Covenantheardthemasiftheywerethevoiceoftherain. She was desperate,dangerously close to

hysteria. Opening hersenses in this place musthave violated her likesubmittingtoarape.A stream he could not

see gave an undertone totherain,thenfaded.Foratime, the beasts slappedthrough shallow waterbetween knurled oldcypresses. The drizzle felllike chrism, anointing thecompany for sacrifice. He

did not want to die likethis, un-shriven andwithoutmeaning.Hishalf-hand clenched andloosened around his ringlike an unconsciousprophecy.Linden continuedinstructing Brinn, barkingwhat she saw into his earas if that were her onlydefense against the madnight; but Covenant no

longer heard her. Hetwisted in his seat, tryingto gauge the pursuit. Therain sounded like thesizzling of water againsthot gems. If he fell fromClash’sback, thecreatureswould be on him inmoments.Out of the darkness,Sunder croaked, “HeavenandEarth!”Anoise like awhimper broke from

Hollian.Covenant turned and

saw that the south, too,waslinedwithgreenfires.Theypentthecompanyonallsides.The terrainhadopened;

nothing obscured theencirclement. To one side,streaks of green reflectedoff a small pond. Thewater seemed to beleering. The creatures

advancedlikeleprosy.Thenightheldnosoundexceptthesighingoftherain.Clang danced like a

nervous colt. Annoysnorted heavily, wincedfrom side to side. ButSunder kept the Coursersunder control. He urgedthem forward until theystood in the center of thegreen circle. There hestopped.

In a flat voice, Brinnsaid, “Withhold yourpower. The lurker mustnotbemadetonoticeus.”Linden panted as if she

couldhardlybreathe.The creatures came

seething noiselesslythroughthedark.Theonesbeyond the water stoppedat its edge; the otherscontinued to approach.Theywere featureless and

telic, like lambentgangrene. They lookedhorriblylikechildren.Hergrom dismounted,

became a shadow movingto meet the line. For amoment,hewaslimnedbyslime fire. Rain stippledhissilhouette.Then Linden coughed,

“No!Don’ttouchthem!”“Chosen.” Brinn’s voice

was stone. “We must

breachthissnare.Hergromwill make trial, that wemaylearnhowtofight.”“No.” Her urgency

suffocated her. “They’reacid. They’re made out ofacid.”Hergromstopped.Pieces of darkness

whirledathimfromCeer’sdirection.Hecaughtthem,two brands from thequest’sstoreoffirewood.

Hefting them by theirends, he confronted thecreatures.Stark against the green,

he swung one of thefaggotslikeaclub,strikingthenearestchild-form.It burst like awineskin,

spilling emerald vitriolovertheground.Hisbrandbrokeintoflame.The creatures on either

side appeared not to care

that one of them hadfallen. But they promptlyshiftedtoclosethegap.Hestruckwiththeother

brand, ruptured anothershape. Then he returned,bearing the faggots liketorches.In the firelight,

Covenant saw that thecompany stood in anincongruouslyopenstretchof grass. Beyond the

advancing children, blacktrees crouched like cravenghouls.Thepoolonhisleftwas larger than he hadguessed it to be. Scantinches below its surfacelay thick, dark mud. Aquagmire.The green creatures

sought to herd the questintoit.As if he could read

Covenant’sthoughts,Brinn

said warningly, “Ur-Lord.Withhold.”Covenant tried to reply,

could not. His lungs werefull ofmoisture. His chesttugged at the air. Heseemed tobeasphyxiatingon rain. Water ran downhisfacetikebloodsweat.No, it was not the rain.

It was the air itself,stranglinghim.Gradually the drizzle

changedpitch. Itbegan tosound like a cry. Fromdeep in the night, a wailrosetowardthesky.It was in Covenant’slungs. The very air washowling. He could hearSunder gasp, feel Linden’smusclesjerkingtobreathe,tastehisownacridfear.Thelurker.Damnation!The cry scaled upward

in pitch and passion,became a throttlingscream. It clawed thedepthsofhischest,suckedat his courage likequicksand.Panic.The company stood likesacrificialcattle, tremblinganddumb,while theacid-creaturesadvanced.An instant later, Clash’sdistress became a

convulsion. Buckingsavagely, the Courserscattered Linden andCovenanttothegrass,thensprang insanely againstClang.WithBrinnclingingto its neck,ClashknockedSunder and Stell fromClang’s back. At once, therampagingCoursertriedtoleapoverClang.Covenant regained his

feetintimetoseeClangor

gomad.IgnoringHollian’scries and Harn’scommands, the beastplunged against Clash andClang and drove them totheirknees.Suddenly all four

mountswere possessed bya mad frenzy to attackSunder and Stell. Annoycrashed squealing into theroil of Coursers. Ceer andCail dove free. Stell and

HarnsnatchedHollianoutfrom under Clangor’shooves.Vainstoodneartheedge

of the pool, watching theconfusion as if it pleasedhim.Covenant could not

understand why the acid-creatures did not charge.They continued toapproach incrementally,but did not take this

opportunitytoattack.Brinn still clung to

Clash’s neck, fending offthe teeth of the otherCoursers with his freehand. The Haruchaiappeared insignificant,helpless,amidthemadnessofthebeasts.Darkness gathered in

Covenant like venom. Itleapedinstinctivelytowardhis ring. White gold.

Power.Hewantedtoshout,but

could not get enough air.The howl of the lurkermadetherainring,chokedhis chest, coveredhis skinwithformication.He cocked his arm. But

Linden, catching his half-hand in both her fists,gasped at him likehysteria,“No!”The force of her

desperationstruckhimstilland cold. A gelid windblew in his mind. Use it!Pressure threatened tobursthim.Hisring.Don’t!Butthelurker—The lurker was already

aware.Itwas—Whywasitaware?What

hadalertedit?Diving forward, Ceer

joined Brinn among theCoursers.Togetherthetwo

of them began castingdownsacksofsuppliesandbundlesoffirewood.Beforetheycouldfinish,

the tangle abruptlyclarified itself. Clangorsurgedtoitsfeet,followedbyAnnoy.ClashandClangheavedupright.Drivenmad by the rain

and the piercing shriek ofthe lurker, they assailedSunder.

The Graveler duckedunder Clangor, dodgedAnnoy, so that the beastscollided with each other.But the grass was slickunderhis feet.Ashe triedtospinoutof theway,hewent down. A chaos ofhooves exploded aroundhim.Linden clinched

Covenant’s arm as if hehadtriedtobreakfree.But

hehadnot,couldnothavemovedtosavehislife.Theacid-children— The howl—Courserswhirling.Rainswarmingagainsthisskin.Whathadalerted—?Stell appeared somehow

among the beasts, stoodoverSunder,andfoughttoprotect him; he heavedlegs aside, punched atheads, forced animalsagainsteachother.

BrinnandCeersoughttodistract the Coursers. ButtheirinsanefuryatSunderconsumed them.He rolledfromsidetoside,avoidingblows. But their savagerywastoogreat.The Coursers! Covenantgagged. His eyes bulgedunder the pressure ofasphyxiation, vertigo.Creatures of the Sunbane.Corrupted Earthpower.

The lurker was alert tosuchpower.Then this attack wasdirected against theCoursers. And they knewit. They were mad withfear.Whydidn’ttheyflee?Becausetheywereheld!Hellfire!Covenant sprang intomotionwithawrenchthatknocked Linden to the

ground. His eyes lockedontoSunder.Hecouldnotbreathe, had to breathe.The howl filled his lungs,strangling him. But hecould not let Sunder die.With a convulsion ofwill,he ripped words out ofhimself.“The rukh! Throw it

away!”Sunder could not have

heard him. The screaming

of the lurker drownedevery other sound. TheGraveler jerked over ontohischestasifhehadbeenpounded by a hoof, thenjerkedbackagain.With the rukh in his

hands.Stell snatched it from

him,hurledit.Arcingoverthe Coursers, it splashedinto the center of thequagmire.

Instantly the beastswheeled. They chargedafter the ironas if itwerethe lure of their doom. Intheir terror, theystrove todestroy the thing whichprevented them fromflight.One of them smashed

intoVain.He made no effort to

evade the impact. In hishabitual pose, he stood as

ifnopoweronEarthcouldtouch him. But the beastwas a creature of theSunbane, made feral andtremendous by fear. Itsmomentum knocked himbackward.He toppled into the

pool.The Coursers crashed

afterhim,drovehimdownwith their hooves. Thenthey, too, were caught in

thequagmire.Atonce,thewaterbegan

to boil. Turbulencewrithedacrossthesurface,wringingscreamsfromtheCoursers; upheavalssquirmed as if the quagwere about to erupt. Oneby one, the beasts werewrenched downward,disappearing in dark frothlike blood. Sucking noisescamefromthepoolasifit

wereagullet.Moments later, the

turmoil ended. The waterrelaxed with a sigh ofsatiation.When the heaving

subsided,Vainstoodaloneinthecenterofthepool.Hewassinkingsteadily.

Buttheunfocusofhiseyeswasasblindaseverinthelight of the torches. Thewater reached his chest.

Hedidnot struggleor cryout.“Brinn!” Covenant

panted. But the Haruchaiwere already moving.Harnpulleda coil of ropefrom one of the rescuedsacks and threw it toBrinn. Promptly butwithout haste, Brinnunwound one end of therope and tossed it towardVain.

The rope landed acrossVain’sshoulder.He did not blink, gave

nosignthathehadseenit.His arms remained at hissides. The diffusion of hisgaze was as complete asthequagmire.“Vain!” Linden’s protest

sounded like a sob. TheDemondim-spawn did notacknowledgeit.Brinn snatchedback the

rope, swiftly made a loopwithaslipknot.Thewaterlapped at Vain’s neck asthe Haruchai prepared tothrowagain.With a flick, Brinn sent

the rope snaking outward.The loop settled aroundVain’s head. CarefullyBrinn tugged it taut, thenbraced himself to haul onthe rope. Ceer and Harnjoinedhim.

Abruptly Vain sank outofsight.When the Haruchaipulled,theropecamebackempty. The loop wasintact.Until he heard himselfswearing, Covenant didnot realize that he couldbreathe.The howling of thelurkerwasgone.Theacid-creaturesweregone.They

had vanished into thenight.There was nothing leftexcepttherain.

TWENTY-FOUR:TheSearch

Covenant hugged hischestinanefforttosteadyhis quivering heart. Hislungs seized air as if eventhe rainof theSarangraveweresweet.Throughthestillness,heheard Hollian moanSunder’s name. As Sundergroaned, shegasped,“Youarehurt.”

Covenant squeezedwater out of his eyes,peered through thetorchlightattheGraveler.Pain gnarled Sunder’sface.TogetherHollianandLinden were removing hisjerkin. As they bared hisribs, they exposed a lividbruise where one of theCoursershadkickedhim.“Hold still,” Lindenordered. Her voice shook

raggedly, as if shewantedto scream. But her handswere steady. Sunderwincedinstinctivelyathertouch, then relaxedasherfingers probed his skinwithout hurting him. “Acouple broken,” shebreathed.“Threecracked.”She placed her right palmover his lung. “Inhale.Untilithurts.”Hedrewbreath;aspasm

knottedhisvisage.Butshegaveanodofreassurance.“You’re lucky. The lungisn’t punctured.” Shedemanded a blanket fromone of theHaruchai, thenaddressed Sunder again.“I’m going to strap yourchest—immobilize thoseribs as much as possible.It’s going to hurt. Butyou’ll be able to movewithout damaging

yourself.”Stellhandedhera blanket, which shepromptly tore into widestrips. Caring for Sunderseemed to calm her. Hervoicelostitsrawedge.Covenant lefther toher

work and moved towardthefireHergromandCeerwere building. Then awave of reaction floodedhim, and he had to squaton the wet grass, hunch

inward with his armswrapped around hisstomach to keep himselffrom whimpering. Hecould hear Sunder hissingthickly through his teethasLindenboundhischest;butthesoundwaslikethesound of the rain, andCovenant was alreadysoaked. He concentratedinstead on the way hisheartflinchedfrombeatto

beat, and fought forcontrol. When the attackpassed, he climbed to hisfeet,andwentinsearchofmetheglin.BrinnandCeerhadbeenable to save only half thesupplies; but Covenantdrank freely of the meadwhich remained. Thefuturewouldhave to fendforitself.Hewasbalancedprecariously on the outer

edge of himself and didnotwanttofall.He had come within

instants of calling up thewild magic—of declaringto the lurker that theCourserswerenottheonlyavailable prey. If Lindenhad not stopped him—The drizzle felt likemortification against hisskin. If she had notstopped him, he and his

companionsmight alreadyhave met Lord Shetra’sdoom.Hisfriends—hewasa snare for them, awalking deathwatch. Howmany of themwere goingto die before Lord Foul’splansfructified?He drankmetheglin as if

heweretryingtodrownafire, the fire in which hewas fatedtoburn, the fireof himself. Leper outcast

unclean.Poweranddoubt.He seemed to feel thevenom gnawing hungrilyatthevergesofhismind.Vaguelyhewatched the

Haruchai fashion scantshelters out of theremainingblankets,sothatthe people they guardedwould not have to lie inrain.WhenLindenorderedSunderandHolliantorest,hejoinedthem.

He awoke, muzzy-headed, in the dawn. Thetwo women were stillasleep—Linden lay like abatteredwifewithherhairstickingdamplytoherface—but Sunder was upbefore him. The rain hadstopped. Sunderpaced thegrass slowly, carrying hisdamaged ribs with care.Concentration or painaccentuatedhisforehead.

Covenant lurchedoutofhis sodden bed andshambled to the suppliesforadrinkofwater.Then,because he neededcompanionship,hewenttostandwiththeGraveler.Sunder nodded in

welcome. The lines abovehis nose seemed tocomplicate his vision.Covenant expected him tosay something about the

rukh or the Coursers; buthe did not. Instead hemuttered tightly,“Covenant, I do not likethis Sarangrave. Is all lifethus,intheabsenceoftheSunbane?”Covenant winced at theidea.ItmadehimthinkofAndelain. The Land wasliketheDead;itlivedonlyin Andelain, where for awhile yet the Sunbane

could not stain or ravish.He remembered Caer-Caveral’ssong:

Butwhile IcanIheedthecallOf

green andtree; andfor theirworth,

I hold theglaive ofLawagainsttheEarth.

The mourning of thatmusic brought back griefand old rage. Was he notThomas Covenant, whohad beaten the DespiserandcastFoul’sCrecheintothe Sea? “If it is,” he

answered to the tone ofdirges,poisons,“I’mgoingtotearthatbastard’sheartout.”Distantly the Graveler

asked,“Ishatesuchagoodthing?Shouldwenotthenhave remained atRevelstone, and givenbattletotheClave?”Covenant’s tongue

groped for a reply; but itwas blocked by

recollections.Unexpectedly he sawturiyaRaverinthebodyofTriock, a Stonedownorwho had loved Lena. TheRaver was saying, Onlythose who hate areimmortal.Hisirehesitated.Hate? With an effort, hetook hold of himself. “No.Whatever else happens,I’ve already got too muchinnocent blood on my

hands.”“I hear you,” Sunder

breathed.Hiswifeandsonwere in his eyes; he hadreason to understandCovenant’sdenial.Sunlight had begun to

angle into the clearingthroughthetrees,paintingstreaks across the dampair. A sunrise free of theSunbane. Covenant staredat it for amoment, but it

wasindecipherabletohim.The sun roused Linden

and Hollian. Soon thecompanybegantopreparefor travel. No one spokeVain’s name, but the lossofhimcastapalloverthecamp. Covenant had beentrying not to think aboutit. The Demondim-spawnwas unscrupulous andlethal. He smiled atunreined power. But he

was also a gift fromSaltheart Foamfollower.And Covenant feltirrationally shamedby thethought that he had let acompanion, anycompanion, sink into thatquagmire, even thoughLinden had said that Vainwasnotalive.A short time later, theHaruchai shouldered thesupplies,andthequest set

off. Now no one spoke atall. They were afoot inSarangrave Flat,surroundedbyhazardsandby the ears of the lurker.Betrayals seemed to waitfor them behind everytree,ineverystream.Noneof them had the heart tospeak.Brinn and Cail led theway,withLindenbetweenthem. Turning slightly

northofeast, theycrossedthe clearing, and madetheir way back into thejungle.Forawhile,themorning

was white and luminouswith sun-gilt mist. Itshrouded the trees inevanescence.Thecompanyseemed tobe alone in theFlat,asifeveryotherformoflifehadfled.Butasthemist frayed into wisps of

humidity and faded, themarsh began to stir. Birdsrose in brown flocks orindividual blurs of color;secretive beasts scurriedaway from the travelers.At one point, the questencountered a group oflarge gray monkeys,feeding at a thicket ofberriesasscarletaspoison.The monkeys had caninefaces and snarled

menacingly. But Brinnwalked straight towardthemwithnoexpressioninhisflateyes.Themonkeysbroke for the trees,barkinglikehyenas.Formostofthemorning,the company edgedthroughastretchofjunglewith solid groundunderfoot. But during theafternoon, they had tocreep across a wide bog,

where hillocks of soddenand mangy grass wereinterspersed with obscurepools and splotches ofquicksand. Some of thepools were clear; others,gravid and mephitic. Atsudden intervals, one oranother of them wasdisturbed, as if somethingvile lay on its bottom.Linden and the Haruchaiwerehardpressedtofinda

safe path through theregion.In the distance behind

them, the sunpassedoverLandsdropandtookontheblue aura of rain. But thesky over Sarangrave Flatstayed deep cerulean,untaintedandunscathed.By sunset, they had

traveled little more thanfiveleagues.It would have been

better, Covenant thoughtas he chewed hisdisconsolate supper, ifwe’d ridden around. Buthe knew that such regretshad nomeaning. Itwouldhavebeenbetterifhehadnever harmed Lena orElena—never lost Joan—never contracted leprosy.The past was asindefeasible as anamputation. But he could

have borne his slowprogressmore lightly if somanylives,somuchoftheLand, had not been atstake.Thatnight came rain. Itfilled the dark, drenchedthedawn, anddidnot liftuntil the company hadbeen slogging throughmudforhalfthemorning.In the afternoon, theyhad towade awetland of

weeds and bulrushes. Thewater covered Covenant’sthighs; the rushes grewhigher than his head. Apreterite fear of hiddenpits andpredators scrapedat his nerves. But thecompany had no choice;this swamp blocked theirwayasfarastheHaruchaicouldsee.The density of the

rushes forced them to

move in single file. Brinnled, followed immediatelyby Linden and Cail; thenwent Harn, Hollian, Stell,Sunder, Covenant, Ceer,and Hergrom. The waterwas dark and oily;Covenant’s legs vanishedasiftheyhadbeencutoffat the waterline. The airwas clouded withmosquitoes;andthemarshstank faintly, as if its

bottom were littered withcarcasses. The sackperched high on Stell’sshoulders blockedCovenant’sviewahead;hedid not know how far hewouldhavetogolikethis.Instinctively, he tried tohurry, but his boots couldnot keep their footing inthe mud, and the waterwasasheavyasblood.Themuckdraggedathis

legs, stained his clothes.His hands clutched thereedsinvoluntarily,thoughtheycouldnothave savedhim if he fell. His mindcursedatthoughtsofVain.TheDemondim-spawnhadnot even looked at thepeoplewhoweretryingtorescue him. Covenant’spulse labored in histemples.Without warning, the

rushes beside himthrashed. The waterseethed.Acoil as thickashis thigh broke thesurface.Instantly Sunder was

snatchedoutofsight.Twenty feet away, he

heaved up again, with amassive serpent bodylockedaroundhishipsandneck. Gleaming scalescovered strength enough

tosnaphisbacklikeadrystick.All the celerity of the

Haruchai seemedinsignificant to Covenant.He saw Stell release hissack, crouch, start a longdive forward, as if eachpiece of the action werediscrete, time-consuming.Ceer carried no sack; hewas one fraction of aheartbeat ahead of Stell.

Hollian’s mouth stretchedtoward a scream. Everyone of the reeds wasdistinct and terrible. Thewater had the texture offilthywool. Covenant sawit all: wet scales; coilsknotted to kill; Ceer andStell in the first reach oftheir dives; Hollian’smouth—Marid! A man with no

mouth, agony in his eyes,

snakes for arms. Fangsagape for Linden’s face.Sunder.Marid.Fangsfixedlike nails of crucifixion inCovenant’srightforearm.Venom.In that instant, hebecameablazeoffury.Before Ceer and Stellcovered half the distance,Covenant fried the coilsstraining Sunder’s back.Wild magic burned the

fleshtransparent,litspine,ribs, entrails withincandescence.Linden let out a cry ofdismay.The serpent’s deaththroes wrenched Sunderunderwater.CeerandStelldove intothe convulsions. Theydisappeared,thenregainedtheir feet, with theGraveler held, gasping,

between them. Dead coilsthudded against theirbacks as theybore Sunderoutofdanger.All Covenant’s powerwas gone, snuffed byLinden’s outcry. Coldgripped themarrowofhisbones. Visions of greenchildren and suffocation.Bloodyhell.His companions gapedat him. Linden’s hands

squeezed the sides of herhead, fighting to containher fear. Covenantexpected her to shoutabuse at him. But she didnot. “It’s my fault.” Hervoice was a low rasp. “Ishould have seen thatthing.”“No.”Stellspokeasifhewere immune tocontradiction. “It camewhenyouhadpassed.The

faultismine.TheGravelerwasinmycare.”Hellfire, Covenantgroaneduselessly.Hellanddamnation.With an effort, Lindenjerkeddownherhandsandforced herself to theGraveler’s side. Hebreathed in short gaspsover thepain inhis chest.She examined him for amoment, scowlingatwhat

she perceived. Then shemuttered, “You’ll live.”Outrage and helplessnessmadehervoiceasbitterasbile.The Haruchai began tomove. Stell retrieved hissack. Brinn reformed theline of the company.Holding herself rigid,Linden took her place.Theywenton through theswamp.

They tried tohurry.Butthe water became deeper,holdingthemback.Itscoldrank touch shamedCovenant’s skin. Holliancould not keep her feet;she had to cling toHarn’ssack and let himpull her.Sunder’s injury made himwheeze as if he wereexpiring.But finally the reedsgave way to an open

channel; and a shortdistance beyond it lay asloping bank ofmarshgrass. The bottomdropped away. Thecompanyhadtoswim.When they gained solid

ground, they saw that alltheir apparel was coveredwithaslickbrownslime.Itstank in Covenant’snostrils. Linden could notkeep the nausea off her

mien.With characteristicdispassion, the Haruchaiignored theiruncleanliness. Brinn stoodon the bank, studying thewest. Hergrom movedaway until he reached atreehecouldclimb.Whenhe returned, he reportedflatly that none of thegreen acid-creatures wereinsight.

Still the companyhurried.Beyond theslope,theydropped into a chaosof stunted copses andsmall poisonous creekswhich appeared to runeverywhere withoutmoving. Twilight cameupon them while theywerestillwindingthroughthe area, obeying Linden’sstridentcommandtoletnodrop of the water touch

them.In the dusk, they saw

the first sign of pursuit.Far behind them amongthe copses was a glimpseof emerald. It disappearedat once. But no onedoubted its meaning.“Jesus God,” Lindenmoaned.“Ican’tstandit.”Covenant cast an intent

look at her. But thegloaming obscured her

face.Thedarkness seemedtognawatherfeatures.In silence, the quest atea meal and tried toprepare to flee throughoutthenight.Dark tensed about themas the sunset was cut offby Landsdrop. But then,strangely, the streamsbegan to emit light. Anacreousglow,ghostlyandfebrile, shone out of the

waters like diseasedphosphorescence.And thislight, haunting the copseswith lines of pearlyfiligree, seemed to flow,though the water hadappeared stagnant. Theglow ran through theregion, commingling andthen separating again likea web of moonlight, buttendingalwaystowardthenortheast.

In that direction, somedistance away, SarangraveFlat shone brightly.Eldritch light marked thepresence of a wideradiance.Covenant touchedBrinn’s arm, noddingtoward the fire. Brinnorganized the company,thencarefully led thewayforward.Darkness made the

distance deceptive; thelight was farther awaythan it appeared to be.Before the questerscovered half theintervening ground, tinyemerald fires began togather behind them.Shiftinginandoutofsightas they passed among thecopses, the acid-creaturesstoleafterthecompany.Covenant closed his

mindtothepursuit,lockedhis gaze on the silverahead. He could notendure to think about thecoming attack—the attackwhich he had madeinevitable.Tracking the glow lines

of the streams as if theywere amap, Brinn guidedthe quest forward asswiftly as his cautionpermitted.

Abruptlyhestopped.Pearl-limned,hepointedahead. For a moment,Covenant saw nothing.Thenhecaughthisbreathbetween his teeth to keephimselfstill.Stealthy, dark shapeswere silhouetted betweenthecompanyandthelight.At least two of them, aslargeassaplings.Firmly Hergrom pressed

Covenant down into acrouch. His companionshid against the ground.Covenant saw Brinnglidingaway,ashadowinthe ghost-shine. Then theHaruchai was absorbed bythecopsesandthedark.Covenant lost sight ofthe moving shapes. Hestared toward where hehad last seen them. Howlong would Brinn take to

investigateandreturn?Heheardasound likea

violent expulsion ofbreath.Instinctively he tried to

jump to his feet.Hergromrestrainedhim.Something heavy fell

throughunderbrush.Blowswere struck. The distancemuffledthem;buthecouldheartheirstrength.He struggled against

Hergrom.An instant later,theHaruchaireleasedhim.The company rose fromhiding. Cail and Ceermoved forward. Stell andHarn followed with theStonedownors.Covenant took Linden’shand and pulled her withhimafterSunder.They crossed twostreams diagonally, andthen all the glowing rills

layontheirright.Theflowof silver gathered intothree channels, which rancrookedlytowardthemainlight. But the quest hadcome to firm ground. Thebrush between the treeswas heavy. Only theHaruchai were able tomovesilently.Near the bank of theclosest stream, they foundBrinn. He stood with his

fists on his hips. Nacrereflected out of his flateyeslikejoy.He confronted a figure

twice as tall as himself. Afigure like a reincarnationin the eldritch glow. Adreamcometolife.OroneoftheDead.AGiant!“The old tellers spoke

truly,” Brinn said. “I amgladdened.” The Giant

foldedhis thick armsoverhis chest, which was asdeepandsolidasthetrunkofanoak.Heworea sarkof mail, formed ofinterlocking granite discs,and heavy leatherleggings. Across his back,he bore a huge bundle ofsupplies. He had a beardlike a fist. His eyes shonewarilyfromundermassivebrows. The blunt distrust

of his stance showed thathe and Brinn hadexchanged blows—andthat he did not shareBrinn’sgladness.“Then you haveknowledge which I lack.”His voice rumbled likestones in a subterraneanvault. “You and yourcompanions.” He glancedover the company. “Andyour gladness”—he

touchedthesideofhisjawwith one hand—“is aweightymatter.”Suddenly Covenant’seyes were full of tears.They blinded him; hecould not blink awayvisions of SaltheartFoamfollower—Foamfollower, whoselaughter and pure hearthad done more to defeatLord Foul and heal the

Land than any otherpower, despite the factthat his people had beenbutchered to the lastchildby a Giant-Raverwieldinga fragment of the IllearthStone, thus fulfilling theunconscious prophecy oftheir home in Seareach,which they had namedCoercri,TheGrieve.All killed, all theUnhomed. They sprang

fromasea-faringrace,andin their wandering theyhadlosttheirwaybacktotheir people. Thereforethey had made a newplace for themselves inSeareach where they hadlived for centuries, untilthree of their proud sonshadbeenmadeintoGiant-Ravers, servants of theDespiser. Then they hadlet themselves be slain,

rather than perpetuate apeople who could becomethethingtheyhated.Covenantweptforthem,for the loss of so muchlove and fealty. He weptfor Foamfollower, whosedeath had been gallantbeyond any hope ofemulation. He weptbecausetheGiantstandingbefore himnow could notbe one of the Unhomed,

not one of the people hehadlearnedtotreasure.Andbecause, in spiteofeverything,therewerestillGiantsintheworld.Hedidnotknowthathehad cried aloud untilHollian touched him. “Ur-Lord.Whatpainsyou?”“Giant!”hecried.“Don’tyouknowme?”StumblinghewentpastLindentothetowering figure. “I’m

ThomasCovenant.”“ThomasCovenant.”The

Giant spoke like themurmuringofamountain.Withgentle courtesy,as ifhe were moved by thesight of Covenant’s tears,he bowed. “The giving ofyour name honors me. Itake you as a friend,though it is strange tomeet friends in this fellplace. I am Grimmand

Honninscrave.” His eyessearched Covenant. “But Iam disturbed at yourknowledge.Itappearsthatyou have known Giants,Giantswhodidnot returnto give their tale to theirpeople.”“No,”Covenantgroaned,fighting his tears. Did notreturn? Could not. Theylost their way, and werebutchered. “I’ve got so

muchtotellyou.”“At another time,”rumbled Honninscrave, “Iwould welcome a longtale, be it howevergrievous. The Search hasbeen scarce of story. Butperil gathers about us.Surelyyouhavebeheldtheskest? By mischance, wehaveplacedournecksinagarrote. The time is onefor battle or cunning

ratherthantales.”“Skest?” Sunder asked

stifflyover thepainofhisribs. “Doyouspeakof theacid-creatures, which arelike children of burningemerald?”“Grimmand

Honninscrave.” Brinnspoke as if Sunder werenot present. “The tale ofwhich the ur-Lord speaksisknownamongusalso. I

amBrinn of theHaruchai.Of my people, here alsoareCail, Stell,Harn,Ceer,and Hergrom. I give youour names in the name ofaproudmemory.”HemetHonninscrave’s gaze.“Giant,” he concludedsoftly,“youarenotalone.”Covenant ignored both

Brinn and Sunder.Involuntarily only halfconscious of what he was

doing, he reached up totouch the Giant’s hand,verify that Honninscravewas not a figment ofsilver-shine and grief. Buthis hands were numb,dead forever. He had toclench himself to chokedownhissorrow.The Giant gazed at himsympathetically. “Surely,”hebreathed, “the taleyoudesire to tell is one of

great rue. I will hear it—when the time allows.”Abruptly he turned away.“Brinn of the Haruchai,your name and the namesof your people honor me.Proper and formal sharingofnamesandtalesisajoyfor which we also lacktime. In truth, I am notalone.“Come!” he cried overhisshoulder.

Athisword, threemoreGiants detachedthemselves from thedarkness of the trees andcamestridingforward.The first to reach his

side was a woman. Shewasstarklybeautiful,withhair like fine-spun iron,and stern purpose on hervisage. Though she wasslimmer than he, andslightly shorter, she was

fully caparisoned as awarrior. She wore acorselet and leggings ofmail, with greaves on herarms; a helm hung fromher belt, a round ironshield from her shoulders.In a scabbard at her side,she bore a broadswordnearlyastallasCovenant.Honninscrave greeted

her deferentially. He toldher the names which the

company had given him,then said to them, “She istheFirstoftheSearch.ItisshewhomIserve.”The next Giant had no

beard. An old scar like asword cut lay under bothhis eyes across the bridgeof his nose. But incountenance and apparelhe resembledHonninscrave closely. Hisname was Cable

Seadreamer. LikeHonninscrave, he wasunarmed and carried alargeloadofsupplies.The fourth figure stoodno more than an arm’sreachtallerthanCovenant.Helookedlikeacripple.Inthemiddleofhisback,historso folded forward onitself, as if his spine hadcrumbled, leaving himincapable of upright

posture. His limbs weregrotesquely muscled, liketree boughs being chokedby heavy vines. And hismien,too,wasgrotesque—eyes and nose misshapen,mouth crookedly placed.The short hair atop hisbeardlesshead stooderectas if in shock.But hewasgrinning, and his gazeseemed quaintly gay andgentle;hisuglinessformed

a face of immense goodcheer.Honninscrave spoke the

deformed Giant’s name:“Pitchwife.”Pitchwife? Covenant’s

old empathy for thedestitute and the crippledmadehimwonder,Doesn’theevenratetwonames?“Pitchwife, in good

sooth,” the short Giantrepliedas ifhecouldread

Covenant’s heart. Hischuckle sounded like therunning of a clear spring.“Other names have I beenofferedinplenty,butnonepleased me half so well.”His eyes sparkled withsecretmirth. “Thinkon it,andyouwillcomprehend.”“We comprehend.” The

First of the Search spokelike annealed iron. “Ourneed now is for flight or

defense.”Covenant brimmedwith

questions. He wanted toknow where these Giantshad come from, why theywere here. But the First’stone brought him back tohis peril. In the distance,he caught glimpses ofgreen,alineforminglikeanoose,“Flight is doubtful,”

Brinn said dispassionately.

“The creatures of thispursuitareagreatmany.”“The skest, yes,”

rumbled Honninscrave.“Theyseektoherdus likecattle.”“Then,” the First said,

“wemustpreparetomakedefense.”“Wait a minute.”

Covenant grasped at hisreeling thoughts. “Theseskest. You know them.

What do you know aboutthem?”Honninscraveglancedatthe First, then shrugged.“Knowledge is a tenuousmatter. We know nothingof this place or of its life.Wehaveheard the speechofthesebeings.Theynamethemselvesskest.Itistheirpurpose to gathersacrifices for anotherbeing,whichtheyworship.

This being they do notname.”“To us”—Brinn’s tonehinted at repugnance—“itis known as the lurker oftheSarangrave.”“It is the Sarangrave.”Lindensoundedraw,over-wrought. Days of intimatevulnerability had left herfebrile and defenseless.“This whole place is alivesomehow.”

“But how do you evenknow that much?”Covenant demanded ofHonninscrave. “How canyou understand theirlanguage?”“That also,” the Giant

responded, “is notknowledge. We possess agift of tongues, for whichwebargainedmostacutelywith theElohim. Butwhatwehaveheardoffersusno

presentaid.”Elohim. Covenant

recognized that name. Hehad first heard it fromFoamfollower. But suchmemories onlyexacerbated his sense ofdanger.HehadhopedthatHonninscrave’s knowledgewould provide an escape;but that hope had failed.With a wrench, he pulledhimselfintofocus.

“Defense isn’t going todo you any good either.”He tried to put force intohis gaze. “You’ve got toescape.” Foamfollowerdiedbecauseofme.“Ifyoubreak through the lines,they’ll ignore you. I’m theonetheywant.”Hishandsmade urging gestures hecould not restrain. “Takemyfriendswithyou.”“Covenant!” Linden

protested, as if he hadannouncedan intention tocommitsuicide.“It appears,” Pitchwifechuckled, “that ThomasCovenant’s knowledge ofGiantsisnotsogreatashebelieves.”Brinn did notmove; hisvoice held no inflection.“The ur-Lord knows thathislifeisinthecareoftheHaruchai. We will not

leave him. The Giants ofold also would not departa companion in peril. Butthereisnobonduponyou.It would sadden us to seeharmcomeuponyou.Youmustflee.”“Yes!” Covenantinsisted.Frowning, Honninscraveasked Brinn, “Why doesthe ur-Lord believe thatthe skest gather against

him?”Briefly Brinn explained

that the company knewabout the lurker of theSarangrave.At once, the First said,

“It is decided.” Deftly sheunbound her helm fromher belt, settled it on herhead. “This the Searchmustwitness.Wewillfindaplacetomakedefense.”Brinn nodded toward

the light in the northeast.The First glanced in thatdirection. “It is good.” Atonce, she turned on herheelandstrodeaway.The Haruchai promptly

tugged Covenant, Linden,andtheStonedownorsintomotion. Flanked byHonninscrave andSeadreamer, withPitchwife at their backs,the company followed the

First.Covenant could not

resist. He was paralyzedwith dread. The lurkerknewofhim,wantedhim;hewasdoomedtofightordie. But his companions—the Giants—FoamfollowerhadwalkedintotheagonyofHotashSlayforhissake.Theymustnot—!If he hurt any of his

friends, he felt sure he

wouldgoquicklyinsane.The skest came in

pursuit.Theythrongedoutof the depths of the Flat,forming an unbrokenwallagainst escape. The lineson either side tightenedsteadily.Honninscravehaddescribeditaccurately:thequesters were beingherdedtowardthelight.Oh,hell!It blazed up in front of

them now, chasing thenightwithnacre,thecolorofhisring.Heguessedthatthewaterglowedas itdidprecisely because his ringwas present. They werenearing the confluence ofthe streams. On the left,the jungle retreated up along hillside, leaving theground tilted and clear asfar ahead ashe could see;but the footing was

complicated by tangledground creepers andprotruding roots. On theright, thewaters formedalake the length of thehillside.Silverhung likeapreternatural vapor abovethe surface. Thusconcentrated, the lightgave the surroundingdarkness a ghoul-begottentimbre, as if such glowingwere the peculiar dirge

and lamentation of theaccursed.Itwasaltogetherlovelyandheinous.A short way along the

hillside, the company wasblocked by a barrier ofskest.Viscidgreen fire raninclose-packedchildformsfrom the water’s edge upthe hillside to curvearoundbehindthequest.The First stopped and

scanned the area. “We

mustcrossthiswater.”“No!” Linden yelped at

once.“We’llbekilled.”TheFirst cockeda stern

eyebrow. “Then it wouldappear,” she said after amoment of consideration,“that the place of ourdefense has been chosenforus.”A deformed silence

replied. Pitchwife’sbreathing whistled faintly

in andout of his crampedlungs. Sunder huggedHollianagainstthepaininhis chest.The facesof theHaruchailookedlikedeathmasks. Linden wasunraveling visibly towardpanic.Softly, invidiously, the

atmospherebegantosweatunder the ululation of thelurker.Itmountedlikewaterin

Covenant’s throat, scaledslowly upward in volumeandpitch.Theskestpouredinterminably through thethick scream. Perspirationcrawled his skin likeformication. Venom beatinhimlikeafever.Cable Seadreamerclampedhishandsoverhisears, then dropped themwhen he found he couldnot shut out the howl. A

mutesnarlbaredhisteeth.Calmlyasiftheyfeltnoneed for haste, theHaruchai unpacked theirfew remaining bundles offirewood. They meted outseveral brands apieceamong themselves,offering the rest to theGiants. Seadreamer glaredat the wooduncomprehendingly; butPitchwife took several

faggots and handed therest to Honninscrave. Thewood looked like meretwigsintheGiants’hands.Linden’s mouth moved

asifshewerewhimpering;buttheyammerandshriekof the lurker smotheredeveryothercry.The skest advanced, as

greenascorruption.Defying the sheen of

suffocation on his face,

Brinnsaid,“Mustweabidethis? Let us attempt theseskest.”TheFirst lookedathim,

then looked around her.Without warning, herbroadsword leaped intoher hands, seemed to ringagainst the howl as shewhirled itaboutherhead.“Stone and Sea!” shecoughed—a strangledbattlecry.

AndCovenant,whohadknownGiants,responded:

“Stone andSea are deepinlife,twounalterablesymbols oftheworld.”

He forced the wordsthrough his anoxia and

vertigo as he had learnedthemfromFoamfollower.

“Permanenceat rest, andpermanenceinmotion;participantsin the Powerthatremains.”

Though the effortthreatened to burst his

eyeballs, he spoke so thatthe First would hear himandunderstand.Her eyes searched himnarrowly. “You haveknownGiantsindeed,”sherasped. The howlingthickened inher throat. “InameyouGiantfriend.Weare comrades, for good orill.”Giantfriend. Covenantalmost gagged on the

name.TheSeareachGiantshad given that title toDamelon father of Loric.To Damelon, who hadforetold their destruction.But he had no time toprotest. The skest werecoming.Hebrokeintoafitof coughing. Emeraldsdizzied him as hestruggled for breath. Thehowltoreatthemarrowofhis bones. Hismind spun.

Giantfriend, Damelon,Kevin; names in gyres.LindenMaridvenom.Venomvenomvenom.Holding brands ready,

Brinn and Ceer went outalong theedgeof the laketomeettheskest.The other Haruchai

moved the company inthatdirection.Sweat running into

Pitchwife’seyesmadehim

wink and squint like amadman.TheFirstgrippedherswordinbothfists.Reft by vertigo,

Covenant followed onlybecauseHergrom impelledhim.Marid.Fangs.Leperoutcastunclean.They were near the

burningchildrennow.Toonear.Suddenly Seadreamer

leaped past Brinn like aberserker to charge theskest.Brinn croaked, “Giant!”

andfollowed.With one massive foot,

Seadreamerstampeddownona creature. It ruptured,squirtingacidandflame.Seadreamerstaggeredas

agonyscreameduphisleg.His jaws stretched, but nosound came from his

throat.Inaninchoateflashof perception, CovenantrealizedthattheGiantwasmute. HideouslySeadreamer toppledtowardtheskest.The lurker’s voicebubbled and frothed likethelustofquicksand.Brinn dropped hisbrands, caughtSeadreamer’s wrist.Planting his strength

againsttheGiant’sweight,he pivoted Seadreamerawayfromthecreatures.The next instant,Pitchwife reached them.With prodigious ease, thecripple swept his injuredcomrade onto hisshoulders. Pain glaredacross Seadreamer’s face;butheclungtoPitchwife’sshouldersandletPitchwifecarry him away from the

skest.At the same time, Ceer

began to strike. Hesplatteredoneof theacid-children with a back-handed blow of a brand.Conflagrationtorehalfthewood to splinters. Hehurled the remains at thenextcreature.Asthisskestburst, he was alreadysnatching up anotherfaggot, already striking

again.Stell and Brinn joined

him. Roaring,Honninscrave slashed atthe line with a doublehandful of wood,scattering five skest beforethebrandsbecamefireandkindlinginhisgrasp.Together they opened a

gapinthelurker’snoose.The howl tightened in

fury,rakedthelungsofthe

companylikeclaws.Hergrom picked up

Covenant and dashedthrough the breach. Cailfollowed, carrying Linden.Brinn and Ceer kept thegap open with the last ofthe firewood whileHonninscraveandtheFirststrode past the flames,relying on their Giantishimmunitytofire.Pitchwifewaded after them, with

Seadreameronhisback.Then the Haruchai had

no more wood. Skestsurgedtoclosethebreach,driven by the lurker’sunfalteringshriek.Stell leaped the gap.

Harn threwHollianbodilytoStell,thendidthesamewithSunder.Asone,Brinn,Ceer,and

Harn dove over thecreatures.

Already the skest hadturned in pursuit. Thelurkergibberedwithrage.“Come!” shouted theFirst, almost retching todrive her voice throughthehowl.TheGiantsracedalong the lakeshore,Pitchwife bearingSeadreamer with theagilityofaHaruchai.The company fled.Sunder and Hollian

sprinted together, flankedby Harn and Stell.Covenant stumbled overthe roots and vinesbetween Brinn andHergrom.Linden did not move.Her face was alabasterwith suffocation andhorror. Covenantwrenched his gaze towardher to see the same lookwhich had stunned her

mien when she had firstseen Joan, The look ofparalysis.Cail and Ceer took her

arms and started to dragherforward.She fought; her mouth

openedtoscream.Urgently the First

gasped,“Ware!”A wail ripped Hollian’s

throat.Brinn and Hergrom

leaped to a stop, whirledtowardthelake.Covenant staggered at

the sight and would havefallen if theHaruchai hadnotupheldhim.The surface of the lake

was rising. The waterbecame an arm like aconcatenation of ghost-shine—a tentacle withscores of fingers. Itmounted and grew,

reaching into the air likethe howling of the lurkerincarnate.Uncoilinglikeaserpent,

it struck at the company,at the people who werenearest.AtLinden.Her mouth formed

helpless mewling shapes.She struggled to escape.Cail and Ceer pulled ather. Unconsciously she

foughtthem.Asvividlyasnightmare,Covenantsawher left footcatchintheforkofaroot.The Haruchai hauled ather. In a spasm of pain,her ankle shattered. Itseemed tomake no soundthrough the rage of thelurker.The arm lashedphosphorescence at her.Cailmettheblow,triedto

block it. The arm swattedhim out of the way. Hetumbled headlong towardtheadvancingskest.Theycameslowly,risingforwardlikeatide.Lindenfoughttoscream,andcouldnot.The arm swung backagain, slamming Ceeraside.Then HonninscravepassedCovenant, charging

towardLinden.Covenantstrovewithall

his strength to follow theGiant. But Brinn andHergrom did not releasehim.Instantly he was livid

with fury. A flush ofvenom pounded throughhim.Wildmagicburned.His power hurled the

Haruchai away as if theyhad been kicked aside by

anexplosion.The arm of the lurker

struck.Honninscrave doveagainst it,deflected it.Hisweight bore it to thegroundinachiaroscuroofwhitesparks.Buthecouldnot master it. It coiledabout him, heaved himintotheair.Thepainofitsclutch seemed to shatterhisface.Viciouslythearmhammered him down. He

hittheharddirt,bounced,andlaystill.The arm was already

reachingtowardLinden.Blazing like a torch,

Covenant covered half thedistance to her. But hismind was a chaos ofvisions and vertigo. Hesaw Brinn and Hergromblasted, perhaps hurt,perhaps killed. He sawfangs crucifying his

forearm, felt venomcommitting murders hecouldnotcontrol.The shining arm sprang

onitsfingersatLinden.Foronelurchingbeatof

hisheart,horrorovercamehim.Allhisdreadsbecamethe dread of venom, ofwild magic he could notmaster, of himself. If hestruck at the armnow,hewould hit Linden. The

power ranout of him likeadousedflame.The lurker’s fingersknotted in her hair. Theyyanked her toward thelake. Her broken ankleremained caught in theroot fork.The armpulled,excruciating her bones.Thenherfoottwistedfree.Linden!Covenant surgedforward again. The

howling had broken hislungs. He could notbreathe.As he ran, he snatchedout Loric’skrill, cast asidethe cloth, and locked hisfingers around the haft.Boundingtotheattack,hedrove the blade like aspikeofwhitefireintothearm.The air became adetonation of pain. The

arm released Linden,wrenched itself backward,almosttorethekrilloutofhis grasp. Argent pouredfromthewoundlikemoonflame, casting arcs ofanguish across the darksky.In hurt and fury, the

arm coiled about him,whipping him from theground. For an instant, hewas held aloft in a

crushing grip; the lurkerclenched him savagely atthe heavens. Then itpunched him into thewater.It drovehimdownas if

the lake had no bottomand no end. Cold burnedhis skin, plugged hismouth;pressureeruptedinhis ears like nailspounding into his skull;darkness drowned his

mind. The lurker wastearinghiminhalf.But the gem of the krill

shone bright and potentbefore him. Loric’s krill,forgedasaweaponagainstill.Aweapon.With both hands,

Covenant slammed theblade into the coil acrosshischest.A convulsion loosened

the grip. Lurker blood

scouredhisface.He was still beingdragged downward,forever deeper into theabysm of the lurker’sdemesne.Theneed for airshredded his vitals. Waterand cold threatened toburst his bones. Pressurespotsmarkedhiseyes likescars of mortality andfailure, failure, theSunbane, Lord Foul

laughing in absolutetriumph.No!Lindeninheragony.No!He twisted aroundbefore the lurker’s graspcould tighten again, facedinthedirectionofthearm.Downward forever. Thekrill blazed indomitablyagainsthissight.With all the passion of

his screaming heart—witheverythingheknewof thekrill, wild magic, rage,venom—he slashed at thelurker’sarm.His hot blade severed

the flesh, passed throughtheappendagelikewater.Instantly all the deep

burned.Water flashedandflared; white coruscationsflamed like screamsthroughout the lake. The

lurker became tinder intheblaze.Suddenlyitsarmwasgone,itspresencewasgone.Thoughhe stillheld the

krill, Covenant could seenothing. The lurker’s painhad blinded him. Hefloated alone in depths sodarkthattheycouldneverhaveheldanylight.Hewasdyingforair.

TWENTY-FIVE:“IntheNameofthePureOne”

Miserably, stubbornly,helockedhisteethagainstthe water and began tostruggle upward. He feltpower-seared andimpotent, could not seemtomove through the rankdepths. His limbs weredead for lack of air.Nothing remained to him

except the last convulsionof his chest which wouldrip his mouth open—nothing except death, andthe memory of Lindenwith her ankle shattered,fightingtoscream.Inmuterefusal,hewenton jerking his arms, hislegs, like a prayer for thesurface.Then out of thedarkness, a hand snagged

him, turned him. Hardpalms took hold of hisface. A mouth clampedoverhis.Thehandsforcedhis jaws open; the mouthexpelled breath into him.Thatscanttasteofairkepthimalive.The hands drew him

upward.He broke the surface

andexplodedintogasping.The arms upheld him

while he sobbed for air.Time blurred as he waspounded in and out ofconsciousness by hisintransigentheart.In the distance, a voice—Hollian’s?—called outfearfully,“Brinn?Brinn?”Brinn answered behindCovenant’s head. “The ur-Lordlives.”Another voice said,“PraisetotheHaruchai.”It

sounded like the First ofthe Search. “Surely thatname was one of greathonor among the Giantsyourpeoplehaveknown.”Then Covenant heard

Linden say as if she werespeaking from the bottomof a well of pain, “That’swhy the water looked sodeadly.” She spoke inragged bursts through herteeth, fighting to master

herhurtwithwords. “Thelurkerwas there. Now it’sgone.” In the silencebehind her voice, shewasscreaming.Gone.Slowlytheburnof

airstarvationclearedfromCovenant’s mind. Thelurker was gone,withdrawn thoughcertainlynotdead;no,thatwas impossible; he couldnot have slain a creature

as vast as the Sarangrave.Thelakewaslightless.Thefiresstartedbythespillingofskest acid had gone outfor lack of fuel. Nightcovered the Flat. Butsomehow he had retainedhis grip on the krill. Itsshining enabled him tosee.Beyond question, thelurker was still alive.When Brinn swam him to

the shore and helped himout onto dry ground, hefoundthattheatmospherewas too thick for comfort.Far away, he heard thecreature keening over itspain; faint sobs seemed tobubble in the air like theself-pityofdemons.On either hand, skest

gleamed dimly. They hadretreated;buttheyhadnotabandoned the lurker’s

prey.Hehadonly injured the

creature.Nowitwouldnotbe satisfied with merefood. Now it would wantretribution.A torch was lit. In the

unexpected flame, he sawHergrom and Ceerstanding nearHonninscrave with loadsof wood which they hadapparently foraged from

the trees along the hillcrest.Honninscraveheldalarge stone firepot, fromwhichCeerlittorches,oneafter another.AsHergrompassedbrandstotheotherHaruchai, light slowlyspreadoverthecompany.Dazedly Covenant

lookedatthekrill.Itsgemshonepurely,as

if it were inviolable. Butits light brought back to

himtheburstof furywithwhich he had firstawakenedtheblade,whenElena was High Lord.Whatever else Loric hadmade the krill to be,Covenant had made it athingofsavageryandfire.Its cleanliness hurt hiseyes.In silent consideration,

Brinnreachedoutwiththecloth Covenant had

discarded.Hetookthekrillandwrapped its heat intoa neat bundle, as iftherebyhecouldmakethetruth bearable forCovenant. But Covenantwent on staring at hishands.They were unharmed;

free even of heat-damage.He had been protected byhis own power; even hisflesh had become so

accustomed towildmagicthat he guarded himselfinstinctively, withoutexpense to any part ofhimself except his soul.Andifthatweretrue—Hegroaned.If that were true, thenhewasalreadydamned.Forwhatdiddamnationmean, if it did not meanfreedom from the mortalprice of power? Was that

not what made Lord Foulwhathewas?Thedamnedpurchasedmightwiththeirsouls;theinnocentpaidforitwith their lives.Thereinlay Sunder’s trueinnocence, though he hadslainhisownwifeandson—and Covenant’s trueguilt. Even in Foul’sCreche, he had avoidedpayingthewholeprice.Atthat time, only his

restraint had saved him,hisrefusaltoattemptLordFoul’s total extirpation.Without restraint, hewould have been anotherKevinLandwaster.But where was his

restraint now? His handswere undamaged. Numbwith leprosy, blunt andawkward, incapable, yes;yet they had held powerwithoutscathe.

And Brinn offered thebundle of the krill to himasifitwerehisfutureandhisdoom.He accepted it. What

elsecouldhedo?Hewasaleper; he could not denywhohewas.Whyelsehadhe been chosen to carrythe burden of the Land’sneed?He took the bundleand tucked it back underhis belt, as if in that way

hecouldat least sparehisfriends from sharing hisdamnation. Then with aneffort like anacknowledgment offatality, he forced himselftolookatthecompany.In spite of his bruises,

Honninscrave appearedessentially whole.Seadreamer was able tostand on his acid-burnedfoot; andPitchwifemoved

as if his own fire walkwere already forgotten.They reminded Covenantofthecaamora,theancientGiantishritualfireofgrief.He rememberedFoamfollower burying hisbloody hands among thecoals of a bonfire tocastigate and cleansethem. Foamfollower hadbeen horrified by the lustwith which he had

slaughtered Cavewightsand he had treated hisdismay with fire. Theflames had hurt him, butnot damaged him; whenhe had withdrawn hishands, theyhadbeenhaleandclean.Clean, Covenant

murmured. He ached forthepurificationoffire.Buthe compelled his eyes tofocusbeyondtheGiants.

GazingdirectlyatBrinn,he almost cried out. BothBrinn and Hergrom hadbeen scorched by the lashof wild magic; eyebrowsand hair were singed,apparel darkened inpatches. He had come soclose to doing them realharm—Like Honninscrave, CailandCeerwerebatteredbutintact. They held torches

overLinden.She lay on the groundwithherhead inHollian’slap. Sunder knelt besideher, holding her leg still.His knuckles were whitewith strain; and heglowered as if he fearedthat he would have tosacrificeherforherblood.The First stood nearbywithher arms foldedoverher mail like an angry

monolith, glaring at thedistantskest.Linden had not stopped

talking: the pieces of hervoice formed a raggedcounterpoint to themoaningofthelurker.Shekept insisting that thewater was safe now, thelurker had withdrawn, itcouldbeanywhere, itwastheSarangrave,but itwasprimarily a creature of

water, the greatest dangercamefromwater.Shekepttalking so that she wouldnotsob.Herleftfootrestedatan

impossible angle. Bonesplinters pierced the skinof her ankle, and bloodoozed from thewounds inspite of the pressure ofSunder’sgrip.Covenant’s guts turned

at the sight. Without

conscious transition, hewas kneeling at her side.His kneecapshurt as if hehad fallen. Her handsclosedandunclosedathersides, urgent to findsomething that wouldenable her to bear thepain.Abruptly the First lefther study of the skest.“Giantfriend,” she said,“herhurt issore.Wehave

diamondraught. For onewho is not of Giantishstature, it will bring swiftsurcease.” Covenant didnot lift his eyes fromLinden’s embattled visage.He was familiar withdiamondraught; it was aliquorfitforGiants.“Also,it is greatly healing,” theFirst continued, “distilledfor our restitution.”Covenant heard glints of

compassionalongher irontone. “But no healingknowntouswillrepairtheharm. Her bones will knitastheynowlie.She—”Shewillbecrippled.No. Anger mounted in

him, resentment of hishelplessness, rage for herpain.Theexhaustionofhisspirit became irrelevant.“Linden.” He hunchedforward tomakehermeet

his gaze. Her eyes weredisfocused. “We’ve got todo something about yourankle.” Her fingers duginto the ground. “You’rethe doctor. Tell me whatto do.” Her countenancelookedlikeamask,waxenandaggrieved.“Linden”Herlipswereaswhiteasbone.Hermusclesstrainedagainst Sunder’s weight.Surely she could not bear

anymore.But she breathedhoarsely, “Immobilize theleg.” Wails rose in herthroat; she forced themdown.“Abovetheknee.”At once, Sunder shiftedto obey. But the Firstgestured him aside. “Thestrength of a Giant isneeded.” She wrappedLinden’s leg in her hugehands, holding it like a

viseofstone.“Don’tletmemove.”The company answered

her commands. Her painwas irrefusable. Ceergrasped her shoulders.Harn anchored one of herarms; Sunder pinned theother. Brinn leaned alongheruninjuredleg.“Give me something to

bite.”Holliantoreastripfrom

the fringe of her robe,foldeditseveraltimes,andoffered it to Linden’smouth.“Take hold of the foot.”

Dry dread filled her eyes.“Pullitstraightawayfromthe break. Hard. Keeppulling until all thesplinters slip back underthe skin.Then turn it intolinewiththeleg.Holdthefoot so the bones don’t

shift. When I feeleverything’s right”—shepanted feverishly, but herdoctor’strainingcontrolledher—“I’ll nod. Let go ofthe foot. Slowly. Put asplint on it. Up past theknee. Splint the wholeleg.”Immediately shesqueezed her eyes shut,opened her mouth toacceptHollian’scloth.

Anauseaoffeartwistedin Covenant’s bowels; buthe ignored it. “Right,” hegrated. “I’ll do it.” Hercourage appalled him. Hemovedtoherfoot.Cailbrushedhimaway.Curses jumped throughCovenant’s teeth; but Cailresponded withoutinflection, “This I will doforher.”Covenant’s vitals

trembled. His hands hadheld power enough tomaim the lurker and hadsuffered no harm. “I saidI’lldoit.”“No.” Cail’s denial was

absolute. “You have notthe strength of theHaruchai. And the blameforthisinjuryismine.”“Don’tyouunderstand?”

Covenant could not findsufficient force for his

remonstration.“EverythingI touch turns toblood.AllI do is kill.” His wordsseemed to drop to theground, vitiated by thedistant self-pity of thelurker.“She’sherebecauseshetriedtosavemylife.Ineedtohelpher.”Unexpectedly Cail

looked up and metCovenant’s wounded gaze.“Ur-Lord,”hesaidas ifhe

hadjudgedtheUnbelieverto the marrow of hisbones, “you have not thestrength.”You don’t understand!

Covenant tried to shout.But no sound came pasttheknotofself-loathinginhis throat. Cail was right;with his half-hand, hewould not be able to gripLinden’s foot properly; hecould never help her, had

not the strength. And yethishandswereunharmed.He could not resist whenPitchwife took hold ofhim, drawing him awayfrom the group aroundLinden.Without speaking, themalformed Giant led himto the campfireHonninscrave wasbuilding. Seadreamer satthere, resting his acid-

burned foot. He gazed atCovenant with eloquent,voiceless eyes.Honninscrave gaveCovenant a sharp glance,thenpickedupastonecupfrom one of his bundlesandhandedittoCovenant.Covenant knew from thesmell that the cupcontained diamondraught,potent as oblivion. If hedrank from that cup, he

might not regainconsciousness until thenextday.Or thedayafterthat.Unconsciousnessborenoburdens,feltnoblame.He did not drink. Hestared into the flameswithout seeing them,without feeling the clenchofgriefonhisfeatures.Hedid nothing but listen tothe sounds of the night:

the lurker bubbling painsoftly to itself; Pitchwife’sfaint stertorous breathing;Linden’s gagged screamasCail started to pull at herfoot. Her bones made anoise like the breaking ofsodden sticks as theyshiftedagainsteachother.Then the First saidtightly,“Itisdone.”The fire cast streaks oforangeandyellowthrough

Covenant’s tears. He didnotwantevertobeabletosee again, wished himselfforever deaf and numb.ButheturnedtoPitchwifeand lifted the stone cuptoward the Giant. “Here.Sheneedsthis.”Pitchwife carried thecup to Linden. Covenantfollowed likeadry leaf inhiswake.BeforeCovenantreached

her, he was met by BrinnandCail.Theyblockedhisway; but they spokedeferentially. “Ur-Lord.”Brinn’s alien inflectionexpressed the difficulty ofapologizing. “It wasnecessary todenyyou.Nodisservicewasintended.”Covenant fought thetightness of his throat. “Imet Bannor in Andelain.He said, ‘Redeem my

people. Their plight is anabomination. And theywillserveyouwell.’”But no words wereadequate to articulatewhat he meant. HefumbledpasttheHaruchai,went to kneel at Linden’sside.She was just emptyingthe cup which the Firstheld for her. The skin ofher face looked as

bloodless as marble; apatinaofpaincloudedhergaze. But her respirationwas growing steadier, andthe clench of her muscleshadbeguntoloosen.Withnumb fingers, he rubbedthe tears from his eyes,trying to see her clearly,trying to believe that shewouldbeallright.TheFirst lookedathim.

Quietly she said, “Trust

the diamondraught. Shewillbehealed.”Hegroped forhisvoice.“She needs bandages. Asplint. Thatwound shouldbecleaned.”“It will be done.” Thequaver of stress inHollian’s tone told himthat she needed to help.“SunderandI—”He nodded mutely,remaining at Linden’s side

while the Stonedownorswent to heat water andprepare bandages andsplints. She seemeduntouchable in herweakness. He knelt withhis arms braced on theground and watched thediamondraughtcarryhertosleep.He also watched thecare with which Hollian,Sunder, and Stell washed

and bandaged Linden’sankle,thensplintedherlegsecurely. But at the sametime,acuriousbifurcationcame over him—a splitlike the widening gulfbetween his uselessnessand his power. He wassure now—though hefeared to admit it tohimself—that he hadhealed himself with wildmagic when he had been

summoned to Kevin’sWatch with the knife-wound still pouring bloodfrom his chest. Heremembered his revulsionatLordFoul’s refrain,Youaremine,rememberedheatandwhiteflame—Then why could he notdo the same for Linden,knit her bones just as hehad sealed his own flesh?For the same reason that

he could not draw waterfrom the Earth or opposethe Sunbane. Because hissenses were too numb forthework,unattunedtothespirit within the physicalneedsaroundhim.Clearlythis was deliberate, acrucial part of theDespiser’s intent. ClearlyLord Foul sought at everyturn to increase bothCovenant’s might and his

helplessness, stretch himon the rack of self-contradiction and doubt.But why? What purposediditserve?He had no answer. Hehad invested too muchhope in Linden, in hercapacity for healing. AndLord Foul had chosen heron precisely the samegrounds. Itwas toomuch.Covenant could not think.

Hefeltweakandabjectofsoul. For a moment, helistened to the misery ofthe lurker. Then, numbly,he left Linden’s side andreturned to the campfire,seeking warmth for hischilledbones.Sunder and Hollianjoinedhim.Theyheldeachother as if they, too, feltthecoldofhisplight.Aftera fewmoments, Harn and

Hergrombroughtfoodandwater. Covenant and theStonedownors ate like thesurvivorsofashipwreck.Covenant’s dullness

grew in spite of themeal.His head felt as heavy asprostration; his heart layunder a great weight. Hehardly noticed that theFirst of the Search hadcome to speak withHonninscrave. He stood,

leaning toward the flameslike a man contemplatinghisowndissolution.WhenHonninscrave addressedhim, veils of fatigueobscured the Giant’swords.“The First has spoken,”Honninscrave said. “Wemust depart. The lurkeryet lives.And the skest donot retreat. We mustdepartwhiletheyarethus

thinly scattered and maybe combated. Should thelurker renew its assaultnow, all your power—andalltheChosen’spain—willhavegainedusnaught.”Depart, Covenantmumbled. Now. Theimportance of the wordswas hidden.His brain feltlikeatombstone.“Youspeaktruly,”Brinnreplied for Covenant. “It

would be a gladness totravel with Giants, as theold tellers say Haruchaiand Giants traveledtogether in the ancientdays. But perhaps ourpathsdonot liewitheachother.Wheredoyougo?”The First and

Honninscrave looked atSeadreamer. Seadreamerclosed his eyes as if toignore them;butwithone

long arm he pointedtowardthewest.Brinn spoke as if hewere immune todisappointment. “Thenwemust part. Our way iseastward,anditisurgent.”Part?ApangpenetratedCovenant’s stupor. Hewanted the company oftheGiants.Hehadaworldofthingstotellthem.Andthey were important to

him in another way aswell, a way he could notseem to articulate. Heshookhishead.“No.”Honninscrave cocked aneyebrow. The FirstfrownedatCovenant.“Wejustmet,”Covenantmurmured. But that wasnotwhathehadtosay.Hegroped for clarity. “Whywest?” Those wordsdisentangled some of his

illucidity. “Why are youhere?”“Giantfriend,” the First

responded with a hint ofiron,“thattaleislong,andthe time is perilous. Thislurker is a jeopardy toovasttobedisdained.”Covenant knotted his

fists and tried to insist.“Tellme.”“Thomas Covenant—”

Honninscrave began in a

toneofgentledissuasion.“Ibeatthatthingonce,”Covenant croaked. “I’llbeat itagain if Ihave to.”Don’t you understand?Allyour people were killed.“Tellmewhyyou’rehere.”TheFirstconsideredhercompanions.Honninscraveshrugged.Seadreamerkepthis eyes closed,communingwithaprivatepain.Pitchwifehidhisface

behind a cup ofdiamondraught.Stiffly she said, “Speakbriefly, GrimmandHonninscrave.”Honninscrave bowed,recognizing her right tocommand him. Then heturned to Covenant. Hisbody took on a formalstance, as if even hismuscles and sinewsbelieved that tales were

things which should betreated with respect. Hisresemblance toFoamfollower struckCovenantacutely.“Hear, then, ThomasCovenant,” Honninscravesaidwitha cadence inhisdeep voice, “that we aretheleadersoftheSearch—the Search of the Giants,so called for the purposewhichhasbroughtusthus

far across the world fromourHome. To our people,from time to time amongthe generations, there isborn one possessed of agift which we name theEarth-Sight—a gift ofvision such as only theElohim comprehend. Thisgiftisstrangesurpassingly,and may be neitherforetold nor bound, butonlyobeyed.Manyarethe

storiesIwouldwishtotell,so that you might graspthe import of what I say.But Imust contentmyselfwith this one word: theEarth-Sight has become acommand to all Giants,which none wouldwillingly shirk or defy.Thereforewearehere.“Among our generation,

a Giantwas born, brotherofmyboneandblood,and

the Earth-Sight was inhim. He is CableSeadreamer,namedforthevision which binds him,andheisvoiceless,scaldedmute by the extravaganceand horror of what theEarth-Sighthas seen.Withthe eyes of the gift, hebeheld a wound upon theEarth,soreandterrible—awoundlikeagreatnestofmaggots, feedinguponthe

flesh of the world’s heart.Andheperceivedthatthiswound, if left uncleansed,unhealed, would grow toconsume all life and tune,devouring the foundationand cornerstone of theEarth, unbinding Stoneand Sea from themselves,birthingchaos.“Therefore a Giantclavewas held, and the Searchgiven its duty. We are

commanded to seek outthiswound and oppose it,indefenseoftheEarth.Forthat reason, we set sailfrom our Home in theproudest dromond of allGiantships,Starfare’sGem.For that reason, we havefollowed Seadreamer’sgaze across the wideoceans of the world—we,and two score of ourpeople,whotendtheGem.

And for that reason, weare here. The wound liesin this land, in the west.We seek to behold it,discoveritsnature,sothatwe may summon theSearch to resist or cleanseit.”Honninscrave stoppedand stood waiting forCovenant’s reply. Theother Giants studied theUnbeliever as if he held

the key to a mystery, theFirst grimly, Seadreameras intensely as an oracle,Pitchwifewith a gaze likea chuckle of laughter orloss. Possibilities widenedthe faces of theStonedownors as theybegan to understand whyCovenant had insisted onhearing theexplanationofthe Giants. But Covenantwas silent. He saw the

possibilities, too;Honninscrave’s narrationhad opened a small clearspace in his mind, and inthatspacelayanswers.Buthe was preoccupied withan old grief.Foamfollower’speoplehaddied because they wereunable to find their wayHome.“Ur-Lord,” Brinn said.

“Time demands us. We

mustdepart.”Depart. Covenant

nodded. Yes. Give mestrength. He swallowed,asked thickly, “Where’syourship?”“The dromond Starfare’s

Gem,” Honninscravereplied as if he desiredCovenant touse the ship’stitle, “stands anchored offthedeltaofagreatswampwhich lies in the east. A

distance of perhaps sevenscoreleagues.”Covenant closed hiseyes. “Take me there. Ineedyourship.”TheFirst’sbreathhissedthrough her teeth.Pitchwife gapedat theur-Lord’s audacity. After amoment, Honninscravebegan hesitantly, “TheFirst has named youGiantfriend. We desire to

aidyou.Butwecannot—”“ThomasCovenant,” theFirst said inavoice likeabroadsword,“whatisyourpurpose?”“Oh, forsooth!”Pitchwife laughed. “Letthis lurkerawaitourgoodreadiness. We will not behastened.” His wordscould have been sarcastic;but he spoke them in atoneofcleanglee.“Arewe

not Giants? Are not talesmore precious to us thanlife?”Quietly, almost gently,

the First said, “Peace,Pitchwife.”At her command,

Pitchwife stopped; but hisgrinwentoncontradictingthegriefofthelurker.In the core of his

numbness, Covenant heldto the few things he

understood, kept his eyesshut so that hewould notbe distracted. Distancedfrom himself by darknessand concentration, hehardlyheardwhathewassaying.“I know that wound. I

knowwhat it is. I think Iknowwhat todoabout it.That’s why we’re here. Ineedyou—yourship,yourknowledge—yourhelp.”

The thing you seek is notwithintheLand.The Staff of Law. The

OneTree.Yet Mhoram had also

said,Donotbedeceivedbythe Land’s need. The thingyou seek is not what itappearstobe.Carefully Honninscrave

said, “Cable Seadreamerasks that you speak moreplainly.”

More plainly? For aninstant, Covenant’s graspon clarity faltered. Do Ihave to tell you that it’smyfault?ThatI’mtheonewhoopenedthedoor?Buthe steadied himself in theeyeofallthethingshedidnot understand and begantospeak.There in thenight,withhiseyesclosedagainstthefirelight and the

immaculate stars, hedescribedtheSunbaneandthepurposeforwhichLordFoul had created theSunbane. He outlined itsorigininthedestructionoftheStaffofLaw,thentoldof his own role in thatdestruction, so that theGiants would understandwhy the restitution of theStaff was hisresponsibility. And he

talked about what he hadlearned in Andelain. Allthese things ran togetherin his mind; he did notknow whether the wordshe spoke aloud made anysense.Whenhefinished,hefell

silentandwaited.After a time, the First

saidthoughtfully,“Youaskthe use of Starfare’s Gemso that you may seek

across the world for thisOneTree.Youaskouraidand our knowledge of theEarth, to aid yourseeking.”Covenant opened his

eyes then, let his mortalweariness speak for him.Yes.Lookatme.Howelsecananyofthisbehealed?“Stone and Sea!” she

muttered, “this is a hardmatter. Ifyou speak truly,

thenthepathoftheSearchlieswithyou.”“The ur-Lord,” Brinn

said without inflection,“speakstruly.”She rejected his

assertion with a brusqueshrug.“Idoubtnotthathespeakstrulyconcerninghisownbelief.Butishisbeliefasureknowledge?Heasksus to place all the Searchinto his hands—without

any secure vision of whatwe do. Granted he ismighty,andhasknownthefriendship of Giants. Butmight and surety are notchildren of the sameparent.”“Do you”—Covenant

could feel himself failinginto stupidity again,becoming desperate—“know where the OneTreeis?”

“No,” she replied stiffly.She hesitated for only amoment. “But we knowwhere such knowledgemaybegained.”“Then take me there.”His voice was husky withsupplication. “TheSunbane’s getting worse.Peoplearekilledeverydayto feed it. The Land isdying,” I swore I’d neverkill again—swore it in the

name of Foamfollower’scaamora. But I can’t stop.“Please.”IndecisionheldtheFirst.Sheglaredat thedilemmahe had given her.Honninscraveknelt by thefire, tending it as if heneeded something to dowith his hands.Seadreamer’s face worepainasifheweremaimedbyhismuteness.Nearhim,

SunderandHollianwaitedinsuspense.Whistlingthinlythrough

his teeth, Pitchwife beganto repack the Giants’bundles. His featuresexpressed a completeconfidence that the Firstwould make the rightchoice.Withoutwarning, a bolt

of white shot through thedepths of the lake. It

flickered, disappeared.Firedagain.Instantly thewhole lake

caught silver. Ghost-shinesprang into thenight.Thewatercametolife.In the distance, the

lurker’s sobbing mountedtoward rage. At once, theair seemed tocongeal likefear.Sunder spat a hoarse

curse. Harn and Hergrom

dove toward the quest’ssupplies. Pitchwife tossedabundle toHonninscrave.Honninscrave caught it,slipped his shoulders intothebindings.TheFirsthadalready kicked thecampfire apart. She andHonninscrave picked upbrands to use as torches.Pitchwife threw the otherbundle to Seadreamer,then snatched up a torch

himself.Ceer andCail had liftedLinden. But the splintmade her awkward forthem. Covenant sawdazedly that they wouldnot be able to carry her,run with her, withouthurtingherankle.Hedidnotknowwhattodo. His lungs ached. Thelurker’s rising howl toreopen the scars of past

attacks. Sweat burst fromthebonesofhisskull.Theskest were moving,tightening their firearound the company.There was nothing hecoulddo.Then SeadreamerreachedCailandCeer.TheGiant took Linden fromthem; his huge armssupported her as securelyasalitter.

The sight unlockedCovenant’s paralysis. Hetrusted the Giantinstinctively.Thecompanybegantoclimbthehillsidenorthward. He left them,turned to confront thewater.Just try it! His fists

jerked threats at the felllusterandthehowl.Comeon!Trytohurtusagain!Brinn yanked him away

from the lakeshore anddraggedhim stumblingupthehill.Reeling with exertion

and anoxia, he fought tokeep his feet. Dark treesleaped across his visionlike aghast dancers in thenacreous light. He trippedrepeatedly. But Brinnupheldhim.Thelurker’scrywhetted

itself on pain and

frustration, shrilled intohis ears. At the fringes ofhis sight,he could see theskest. They moved inpursuit, as if the lurker’sfury were a scourge attheirbacks.Then Brinn impelled

him over the crest of thehill.At once, the ghost-light

was cut off. Torchesbounded into the jungle

aheadofhim.Hestruggledafter them as if he werechasing swamp-fires. OnlyBrinn’s support saved himfrom slamming intotrunks, thick brush, vinesasheavyashawsers.The howling scaled

toward a shriek, thendropped to a lower, morecunning pitch. But thesoundcontinuedtoimpaleCovenant like a

swordthorn.Heretchedforair; the night becamevertigo. He did not knowwherehewasgoing.A lurid, green blurappeared beyond thetorches. The skest angledcloser on the left, forcingthecompanytoveertotheright.Moreskest.Theflightofthetorchesswungfarthertotheright.

Lacking air, strength,courage, Covenant couldhardly bear his ownweight. His limbs yearnedto fall,hischestached foroblivion. But Hergromgripped his other arm.Stumbling betweenHaruchai, he followed hiscompanions.For longmoments, theysplashed down the lengthofacoldstreamwhichran

like an aisle betweenadvancing hordes of skest.But then the stream fadedinto quicksand. Thecompanylosttimehuntingfor solid ground aroundthequagmire.They gained a reach of

cleardirt,soilsodeadthatevenmarshgrasscouldnotgrowthere.Theybegantosprint.BrinnandHergromdrewCovenantalongmore

swiftly than he couldmove.Suddenly the whole

groupcrashedtoahalt,asif they had blunderedagainstaninvisiblewall.TheFirsthissedanoath

like a sword-cut. SunderandHolliansobbedforair.Pitchwife hugged hiscrippled chest.Honninscrave swung incircles,scanningthenight.

Seadreamer stood like atreewithLindenasleep inhis arms and stared intothe darkness as if he hadlosthissight.With his own breath

rending like an internalwound, Covenant jerkedforward to see why thecompanyhadstopped.Herded!Bloodyhell.The dead ground

stretched like a peninsula

out into a region of mud:mire blocked the way formore thana stone’s throwon three sides. The muckstank like a charnel,seething faintly, as ifcorpses writhed in itsdepths. It looked thickenough to swallow evenGiantswithoutatrace.Alreadyskest had beguntomassattheheadofthepeninsula, sealing the

company in the lurker’strap. Hundreds of skest,scores of hundreds. Theymade the whole nightgreen, pulsing likeworship.Evenarmedwitha mountain of wood, noGiant or Haruchai couldhave fought through thatthrong; and the companyhad no wood left exceptthetorches.Covenant’s respiration

became febrile withcursing.He looked at his

companions. Emeraldetched them out of thedarkness,asdistinctastheaccursed. Linden laypanting in Seadreamer’sarms as if her sleep weretroubled by nightmares.Hollian’s face wasbloodless under her blackhair, pale as prophecy.

Sunder’s whole visageclenched around thegrindingofhisteeth.Theirvulnerability wrungCovenant’s heart. TheHaruchai and the Giantscould at least give someaccount of themselvesbefore they fell. Whatcould Linden, Sunder, andHolliandoexceptdie?“Ur-Lord.” Brinn’s

singedhair anddispassion

lookedghastlyinthegreenlight.“Thewhitering.Maythese skest be drivenback?”Thousands of them?

Covenant wanted todemand. I don’t have thestrength. But his chestcouldnotforceoutwords.One of Honninscrave’s

torches burned down tohis hand.With a grimace,he tossed the sputtering

woodintothemire.Instantly the surface of

themudlakecaughtfire.Flames capered across

the mire like souls intorment. Heat like aforetaste of hell blastedagainst the company,drove them into a tightclusterinthecenterofthepeninsula.The First discarded her

torches, whipped out her

sword, and tried to shoutsomething. The lurkerdrownedhervoice.ButtheGiants understood. Theyplaced themselves aroundtheir companions, usingtheir bodies as shieldsagainsttheheat.TheFirst,Honninscrave, andPitchwife faced outward;Seadreamerputhisbacktothefire,protectingLinden.The next instant, a

concussion shook theground. Pitchwifestumbled.Hollian,Sunder,andCovenantfell.As Covenant climbedback to his feet, he saw atremendousspoutofflamemountingoutofthemud.It rose like a fire-stormand whirled toward theheavens. Its fury tore agale through the night.Towering over the

peninsula, it leaned tohammerthecompany.Thehowlofthelurkerbecameagyreofconflagration.No!CovenanteludedBrinn’s

grasp, wrenched pastHonninscrave. He forgedout into the heat to meetthefirespout.Baring the krill, he

raised it so that its gemshone clear. Purest argent

pierced the orangemudfire,defyingitashotlyaslightning.In the silence of his

clogged lungs, Covenantraged words he did notunderstand. Words ofpower.Melenkurion abatha!

Durocminusmillkhabaal!Immediately the

firespout ruptured. Inbroken gouts and fear, it

crashed backward as if hehadcutoffanotherarmofthe lurker. Flames skirtedlike frustrated ire acrossthemud. Abruptly the airwas free. Wind empty ofhowling fed the fire.Covenant’s companionscoughed and gasped as ifthey had been rescuedfrom the hands of astrangler.He knelt on the dead

ground.Pealsoflightrangin his head,tintinnabulating victory ordefeat; either one, therewasnodifference;triumphand desecration were thesame thing. He wasfoundering—But hands came tosuccor him. They weresteady and gentle. Theydrapedclothoverthekrill,took it from his power-

cramped fingers. Relativedarkness poured throughhis eye-sockets as if theywere empty pits, gapingfor night. The dark spokein Brinn’s voice. “Thelurker has been pained. Itfearstobepainedagain.”“Sooth,” the Firstmuttered starkly.“Thereforeithasgivenourdeathsintothehandsofitsacolytes.”

Brinn helped Covenantto his feet. Blinking atnumberlesskrillechoes,hefought to see. But theafter-flares were toobright. He was stillwatching them turn toemerald when he heardHollian’s gasp. The Giantsand Haruchai went rigid.Brinn’s fingers dugreflexively intoCovenant’sarm.

By degrees, the whitespots became orange andgreen—mudfire and skest.The acid-creaturesthronged at the head ofthe peninsula, shimmeringlikereligiousecstasy.Theyoozed forward slowly, notas if theywere frightened,butratherasiftheysoughttoprolongtheanticipationoftheiradvance.Covenant’s companions

stared in the direction ofthe skest. But not at theskest.Untouched amid the

green forms,as ifhewereimpervious to everyconceivable vitriol, stoodVain.His posture was one of

relaxation and poise; hisarms hung, slightly bent,at his sides. But atintervals he took a step,

two steps, drew graduallycloser to the leading edgeof the skest. They brokeagainsthislegsandhadnoeffect.His gaze was

unmistakably fixed onLinden.In a flash of memory,

Covenant sawVain snatchLinden into his arms, leapdown into a sea ofgraveling.TheDemondim-

spawn had returned fromquicksand and loss torescueher.“Who—?” the Firstbegan.“He is Vain,” Brinnreplied, “given to ur-LordThomas Covenant by theGiant SaltheartFoamfollower among theDeadinAndelain.”She cleared her throat,searching for a question

which would produce amore useful answer. Butbefore she could speak,Covenant heard a softpopping noise like thebursting of a bubble ofmud.Atonce,Vaincametoahalt. His gaze flicked pastthe company, then fadedintodisfocus.Covenantturnedintimetoseeashortfiguredetach

itself from the burningmud, step queasily ontothehardground.The figure was scarcely

taller than the skest, andshaped like them, amisbornchildwithouteyesor any other features. Butit was made of mud.Flames flickeredover itasit climbed from the fire,then died away, leaving adull brown creature like a

sculpture poorly wroughtin clay. Reddish pocketsembedded in its formgloweddully.Paralyzed by

recognition, Covenantwatched as a second clayformemergedlikeadampsponge from the mud. Itlooked like a crocodilefashionedbyablindman.The two halted on the

bank and faced the

company. Fromsomewhere withinthemselves, they producedmodulated squishingnoises which soundedeerily like language. Mudtalking.The First and Pitchwife

stared,shesternly,hewitha light like hilarity in hiseyes. But Honninscravestepped forward andbowed formally. With his

lips, he made soundswhich approximated thoseoftheclayforms.In a whisper, Pitchwifeinformed his companions,“They name themselvesthe sur-jheherrin. They askifwedesireaidagainsttheskest.Honninscrave repliesthatourneedisabsolute.”The clay creatures spokeagain. A look ofpuzzlement crossed

Pitchwife’s face. “The sur-jheherrin say that we willberedeemed.‘Inthenameof the Pure One,’ ” headded, then shrugged. “Idonotcomprehendit.”The jheherrin. Covenantstaggered inwardly asmemories struck him likeblows.OhdearGod.The softones.Theyhadlivedinthecavesandmudpits skirtingFoul’sCreche.

They had been theDespiser’s failures, therejectedmischances of hisbreeding dens. He had letthem live because thetorment of their cravenlivesamusedhim.But he had misjudged

them. In spite of theiringrown terror, they hadrescued Covenant andFoamfollower from LordFoul’sminions,hadtaught

Covenant andFoamfollower the secretsof Foul’s Creche, enablingthem to reach the throne-hall and confront theDespiser. In the name ofthePureOne—The sur-jheherrin were

clearly descendants of thesoft ones. They had beenfreed from thrall, as theirold legend had foretold.But not by Covenant,

thoughhehadwieldedthepower. His mind burnedwith remembrance; hecould hear himself saying,because he had had nochoice,Lookatme. I’mnotpure.I’mcorrupt.Thewordjheherrin meant “thecorrupt.” His reply hadstricken the clay creatureswithdespair.Andstilltheyhadaidedhim.But Foamfollower—The

PureOne.Burnedcleanbythe caamora of HotashSlay,hehadcastdowntheDespiser,brokenthedoomofthejheherrin.Andnowtheirinheritors

livedinthemudandmireof Sarangrave Flat.Covenantclung to the sur-jheherrinwithhiseyesasiftheywereanactofgrace,thefruitofFoamfollower’sgreat clean heart, which

they still treasured acrosscenturies that hadcorroded all humanmemoriesoftheLand.The acid-creaturescontinued to advance,oblivious to Vain and thesur-jheherrin.Thefirstskestwere no more than fivepaces away, radiatingdireemerald. Hergrom, Ceer,and Harn stood poised tosacrifice themselves as

expensively as possible,though they must haveknown that evenHaruchaiwere futile against somuch green vitriol. Theirexpressionlessnessappeared demonic in thatlight.The two sur-jheherrinspeaking withHonninscrave did notmove. Yet they fulfilledtheir offer of aid.Without

warning, themuck edgingthe peninsula began toseethe. Mud rose like awave leaping shoreward,thenresolvedintoseparateforms. Sur-jheherrin likestunted apes,misrecollected reptiles,ineptdogs.Scoresofthemcame wetly forward,trailingfireswhichquicklydied on their backs. Theysurged with surprising

speed past the Haruchai.And more of themfollowed. Out of mud litgarishly by the lurker’sfire, they arose to defendthecompany.The forces met, vitriol

and clay pouring bluntlyintocontact.Therewasnofighting, no impact ofstrengthor skill.Skestandsur-jheherrin pitted theiressential natures against

eachother.The skestwerecreatedtospillgreenflameover whatever opposedthem. But the clay formsabsorbed acid and fire.Each sur-jheherrinembracedoneof the skest,drewtheacid-creatureintoitself. For an instant,emerald glazed the mud.Then the green wasquenched, and the sur-jheherrinmovedtoanother

skest.Covenant watched thecontest distantly. To hisconflicted passions, thebattle seemed to have nomeaning apart from thesur-jheherrin themselves.While his eyes followedthe struggle, his earsclinchedeverywordofthedialogue betweenHonninscraveand the firstmud-forms. Honninscrave

went on questioning themas if he feared that theoutcome of the combatwas uncertain, and thesurvival of the Searchmight come to depend onwhathecouldlearn.“Honninscrave asks”—Pitchwife continued totranslate across the muteconflict—“if somany skestmay be defeated. The sur-jheherrin reply that they

are greatly outnumbered.But in the name of thePure One, they undertaketoclearourwayfromthistrap and to aid our flightfromtheSarangrave.”Moreclayformsclimbed

from the mud to join thestruggle. They wereneeded. The sur-jheherrinwere not able to absorbskestwithoutcost.Aseachcreaturetookinmoreacid,

thegreenburningwithinitbecame stronger, and itsclay began to lose shape.Already the leaders weremelting like heated wax.With the last of theirsolidity, theyoozedoutofthe combat and ran downthe sides of the peninsulabackintothemud.“Honninscrave asks if

the sur-jheherrin whodepart are mortally

harmed. They reply thattheir suffering isnot fatal.As the acid dissipates,their people will berestored.”Each of the clay forms

consumed several of theskestbeforebeingforcedtoretreat. Slowly the assaultwas eaten back, clearingtheground.Andmoresur-jheherrin continued to risefrom the mud, replacing

thosewhichfled.Another part of

Covenant knew that hisarms were clamped overhis stomach, that he wasrocking himself from sideto side, like a sore child.Everything was too vivid.Past and present collidedin him: Foamfollower’sagony in Hotash Slay; thedespair of the soft ones;innocent men and women

slaughtered; Lindenhelpless in Seadreamer’sarms; fragments ofinsanity.Yet he could hearPitchwife’s murmur asdistinctly as a bare nerve.“Honninscrave asks howthesur-jheherrinareabletosurvive so intimatelywiththelurker.Theyreplythattheyarecreaturesofmire,at home in quicksand and

bogandclaybank,andthelurkercannotseethem.”Absorbing their way

forward, the sur-jheherrinreached Vain, shoved pasthisthighs.TheDemondim-spawn did not glance atthem.Heremainedstill,asif time meant nothing tohim. The clay forms werehalfwaytotheheadofthepeninsula.“Honninscrave asks if

the sur-jheherrin know thisman whom you nameVain.Heasksif theywerebrought to our aid byVain.Theyreply that theydo not know him. Heentered their clay pits tothe west, and beganjourneying at once in thisdirection, traversing theirdemesne as if he knewallits ways. Therefore theyfollowed him, seeking an

answer to his mystery.”Again Pitchwife seemedpuzzled.“Thushebroughtthem by apparent chanceto an awareness that thepeople of the Pure OnewerepresentinSarangraveFlat—and imperiled. Atonce, they discarded thequestion of this Vain andset themselves to answertheirancientdebt.”Back-lit by emeralds,

orangemudfireinhisface,Vain gazed enigmaticallythrough the companyrevealingnothing.Behind him, the skest

begantofalter.Somesenseof peril seemed topenetratetheirdimminds;instead of oozingcontinuously towardabsorption, theystarted toretreat. The sur-jheherrinadvancedmorequickly.

Honninscrave madenoises with his lips.Pitchwife murmured,“Honninscrave asks thesur-jheherrin to speak tohim of this Pure One,whomhedoesnotknow.”“No,” the First

commanded over hershoulder. “Inquire intosuch matters at anothertime. Our way clearsbeforeus.Thesur-jheherrin

haveofferedtoaidusfromthisplace.Wemustchooseour path.” She facedCovenant dourly, as if hehad given her a dilemmashedidnot like. “It ismyword that the duty of theSearch lies westward.Whatisyourreply?”Seadreamerstoodather

side, bearing Lindenlightly. His countenancewore a suspense more

personal than any merequestionofwestoreast.Covenant hugged his

chest, unable to stoprocking. “No.” His mindwasajumbleofshardslikea broken stoneware pot,each as sharp-edged andvivid as blame, “You’rewrong.”TheStonedownorsstaredathim;buthecouldnot read their faces. Hehardly knewwho he was.

“You need to know aboutthePureOne.”The First’s eyes

sharpened. “ThomasCovenant,”sherasped,“donottauntme.Thesurvivalandpurposeof the Searchare in my hands. I mustchooseswiftly.”“Then choose.”

Suddenly Covenant’shandsbecamefists,jerkingblows at the invulnerable

air. “Choose and beignorant.” His weaknesshurt his throat. “I’mtalkingaboutaGiant.”The First winced, as if

he had unexpectedlystruckhertotheheart,Shehesitated, glancing pastthe company to gauge theprogress of the sur-jheherrin. The head of thepeninsula would be clearinmoments.ToCovenant,

she said sternly, “Verywell,Giantfriend.SpeaktomeofthisPureOne.”Giantfriend! Covenant

ached. Hewanted to hidehis face in grief; but thepassion of his memoriescouldnotbesilenced.“Saltheart

Foamfollower. A Giant.ThelastoftheGiantswholived in the Land. They’dlost their way Home.”

Foamfollower’s visageshone in front of him. Itwas Honninscrave’s face.All his Deadwere comingback to him. “Every otherhope was gone. Foul hadthe Land in his hands, tocrush it. There wasnothing left. Except me.AndFoamfollower.“Hehelpedme.He took

me to Foul’s Creche, sothat I could at least fight,

at least make that muchrestitution,die if Ihad to.He was burned—”Shuddering he fought tokeep his tale in order.“Beforewegotthere,Foultrapped us. We wouldhave been killed. But thejheherrin—his ancestors—They rescued us. In thenameofthePureOne.“Thatwastheirlegend—

the hope that kept them

sane. They believed thatsomedaysomebodypure—somebodywhodidn’thaveFoul’s hands clenched inhis soul—wouldcomeandfree them. If they wereworthy. Worthy! Theywere so tormented. Therewasn’t enoughweeping inall the world to describetheirworth.AndIcouldn’t—” He choked on his oldrage for victims, the

preterite and thedispossessed. “I hadpower,butIwasn’tpure.Iwas so full of disease andviolence—” His handsgroped the air, camebackempty. “And they stillhelped us. They thoughtthey had nothing to livefor,andtheyhelped—”His vision of theircourageheldhimsilentforamoment. But his friends

werewaiting;theFirstwaswaiting. The sur-jheherrinhadbeguntomoveoffthepeninsula, absorbing skest.He drove himself tocontinue.“Buttheycouldn’ttellus

how to get across HotashSlay.Itwaslava.Wedidn’thave any way to getacross. Foamfollower—”The Giant had shouted, ‘Iam the last of the Giants. I

willgivemylifeasIchoose.’Covenant’smemoryofthatcrywouldneverbehealed.“Foamfollowercarriedme.He just walked the lavauntil it sucked him down.Then he threw me to theother side.” His griefresounded in him like athreat of wild magic,unaneled power. “Ithoughthewasdead.”His eyes burned with

recollections of magma.“But he wasn’t dead. Hecameback.Icouldn’tdoitalone, couldn’t even getinto Foul’s Creche, nevermind find the thronehall,save the Land. He cameback to helpme. Purified.Allhishurtsseared,allhishate and lust for killingand contempt for himselfgone. He gave me what IneededwhenIdidn’thave

anything left, gaveme joyand laughter and courage.SothatIcouldfinishwhatI had to do withoutcommitting anotherDesecration. Even thoughitkilledhim.”Oh,Foamfollower!“He was the Pure One.

The one who freed thejheherrin. Freed the Land.Bylaughing.AGiant.”He glared at the

company. In the isolationof what he remembered,he was prepared to fightthem all for the respectFoamfollower deserved.But his unquenchedpassion had nowhere togo. Tears reflected orangeand green fromHonninscrave’s cheeks.Pitchwife’s mien was aclenchofsorrow.TheFirstswallowedthickly,fighting

for sternness. When shespoke,herwordswerestiffwith the strain of self-mastery,“Imusthearmoreofthe

Giants you have known.ThomasCovenant,wewillaccompany you from thisplace.”A spasm of personal

misery knottedSeadreamer’s face. Thescar under his eyes ached

like a protest; but he hadnovoice.In silence, Brinn took

Covenant’s arm and drewhim away toward the endof the peninsula. Thecompany followed. Aheadthe sur-jheherrin hadconsumed a passagethrough the skest. Brinnmoved swiftly, pullingCovenant at a half-runtowardthefreenight.

When they had passedthe skest, the Haruchaiturnedeastward.As the company fled, a

screech of rage shiveredthe darkness, rangsavagely across theSarangrave.ButinfrontofCovenant and Brinn, sur-jheherrin appeared,glowingorangeandred.Guided by clay forms,

thecompanybegantorun.

TWENTY-SIX:Coercri

Five days later, theyreached the verge ofSarangraveFlat andbrokeout of jungle andwetlandintothelateafternoonofacloudless sky. The sur-jheherrin wereunexpectedly swift, andtheirknowledgeoftheFlatwas intimate; they set apace Covenant could not

havematched.AndSunderand Hollian were in littlebetter condition. Left totheir own strength, theywould have moved moreslowly. Perhaps theywouldhavedied.Soforalargeportionofeach day, the Giantscarried them. SeadreamerstillboreLinden supine inhisarmstoprotectherleg;but Sunder sat against the

First’s back, using hershield as a sling; Hollianstraddled Pitchwife’shunched shoulders; andCovenantrodeinthecrookof Honninscrave’s elbow.No one protested thisarrangement. Covenantwas tooweary to feel anyshameathisneedforhelp.And peril prevented everyotherformofpride.At intervals throughout

those five days, the airbecame turgid screams,afflicting the companywithanatavisticdreadforwhich there was noanodyne except flight.Four times, they werethreatened. Twice, hordesof skest appeared out ofdark streams and tar-pits;twice, the lurker itselfattacked.But,aidedbythesur-jheherrin and by

plentiful supplies of greenwood, the Haruchai andthe Giants were able torepulse the skest. AndCovenant opposed thelurkerwiththelightofthekrill, lashing white firefrom the unveiled gemuntil the lurker quailedandfled,yowlinginsanely.When he had the

chance, during times ofrest or less frenetic travel,

Honninscrave asked thesur-jheherrin morequestions, gleaningknowledge of them. Theirstorywas a terse one, butit delineated clearlyenoughtheoutlinesof thepast.For a time which must

have been measured incenturies after the fall ofFoul’sCreche,thejheherrinhad huddled fearfully in

theirhomes,notdaring totrust their redemption,trust that they had beenfound worthy. But at lastthey had received proofstrong enough for theirtimorous hearts. Freedfrom the Despiser’s powerand from the corruptivemightoftheIllearthStone,the jheherrin had regainedthecapacitytobringforthchildren. That was

redemption, indeed. Theirchildren they named thesur-jheherrin, tomark theirnew freedom. In the agewhich followed, the softones began the longmigration which tookthem from the place oftheirformerhorror.From cave to mud pit,

quagmire to swamp,underground spring toriverbed, they moved

northward across theyears, seeking terrain inwhich they could flourish.Andthey foundwhat theyneeded in the Sarangrave.Forthem,itwasaplaceofsafety:theirclayfleshandmobility, their ability tolive in the bottoms ofquicksands and streams,suited them perfectly totheFlat.Andinsafetytheyhealed their old terror,

became creatures whocouldfacepainandrisk,ifneedarose.Thus their gratitude

towardthePureOnegrewrather than diminishedthrough the generations.When they saw Giants inperil, their decision of aidwas made withouthesitation for all the sur-jheherrin throughout theSarangrave.

And with that aid, thecompany finally reachedthe narrow strip of openheath which lay betweenthe time-swollenSarangrave and theboundaryhillsofSeareach.The quest was in grimflight from the mostdesperate assault of theskest. But suddenly thetrees parted, unfurling thecerulean sky like a

reprieve overhead. Thesmell of bracken replacedthe dank stenches andfearsoftheFlat.Aheadthegrass-mantled hills roselike the battlements of aprotectedplace.The Giants ran a short

distance across the heathlike Ranyhyn tastingfreedom, then wheeled tolookbehindthem.The skest had vanished.

The air was still,unappalledbylustorrage,emptyofanysoundexceptbirdcallsandbreeze.Eventhe solidity of the groundunderfoot was a surceasefromtrepidation.The sur-jheherrin, too,melted back into the Flatas if to avoid thanks. Atonce, Covenant shruggedhimself fromHonninscrave’s arm and

returned to the edges ofthe jungle, trying to findthewords hewanted. Buthis heart had become awilderland where fewwords grew. He could donothing except staredumbly through the treeswith the sun in his face,thinking like an ache,Foamfollower would beproud.TheFirstjoinedhimand

gazed into the Sarangravewithanunwontedsoftnessin her eyes. Brinn joinedhim; all his companionsjoinedhim,standinglikeasalute to theunquestionable worth ofthesur-jheherrin.Later the Haruchai

unpacked their suppliesand prepared a meal.There between theSarangrave and Seareach,

thecompanyfedandtriedto measure theimplications of theirsituation.Linden sat, alert and

awkward, with her backbraced againstSeadreamer’s shin; sheneeded the supportbecause of the rigid splinton her left leg. She hadawakenedadayandahalfafter her injury and had

taken pains to assure hercompanionsthatheranklewas knitting properly.Diamondraught was apotent healer. But sincethen,Covenanthadhadnochance to talk to her.Though Seadreamercarried a constantunhappiness on his face,hetendedLindenas ifshewereachild.Covenant sorely wanted

to speakwith her. But forthe present, sitting in thebrackenwiththeafternoonsun slanting towardevening across hisshoulders, he waspreoccupied by otherquestions. The Giants hadbrought him this far; butthey had not beenpersuaded togivehim thehelp he needed. And hehad promised them the

tale of the Unhomed. Hecould not imagine everhaving enough courage totellit.Yet he had to say

something. Sunder andHollian had moved awayinto the dark, seeking aprivate relief. Covenantunderstood. After all theirotherlosses,theynowhadbefore them a world forwhich they were not

equipped—a worldwithout the Sunbane thatmade them valuable totheir companions. But theGiants sat expectantlyaroundtheflames,waitingtohearhimarguefortheiraid. Something he mustsay.Yetitwasnotinhim.At last, the First brokethe silence. “Giantfriend.”She used the title she hadgiven him gently. “You

have known Giants—thepeople of your friend,Saltheart Foamfollower.We deeply desire to heartheir story. We have seeninyouthatitisnotagladtale. But the Giants saythat joy is in theears thathear,notinthemouththatspeaks.Wewillknowhowto hear you with joy,though the telling painsyou.”

“Joy.” Covenantswallowed thebreakingofhis voice. Her wordsseemed to leech awaywhatlittlefortitudehehadleft. He knew what theGiants would do whenthey heard his story. “No.Notyet.I’mnotready.”Fromhispositionbehind

Covenant, Brinn said,“Thattaleisknownamongthe old tellers of the

Haruchai.” He movedcloser to the fire,met thesudden dismay inCovenant’sface.“Iwilltellit, though Ihavenotbeentaughttheskillofstories.”In spite of its dispassion,his gaze showed that hewasofferingagift,offeringtocarryoneofCovenant’sburdensforhim.But Covenant knew the

story toowell.The fateof

the Bloodguard and theirVow was inextricablybound up with the doomof the Seareach Giants. Inhis Haruchai honesty,Brinn would certainlyreveal parts of the storywhich Covenant wouldneverchoosetotell.BrinnwoulddisclosethatKorik’smission to the Unhomedhad reached Coercri withLord Hyrim during the

slaughter of the Giants byaGiant-Raver.ThreeoftheBloodguard had survived,had succeeded in killingthe Giant-Raver, hadcapturedafragmentoftheIllearth Stone. But theStonehadcorruptedthem,turningthemtotheserviceof Lord Foul. And thiscorruptionhadsoappalledthe Bloodguard that theyhadbrokentheirVow,had

abandoned the Lordsduring the Land’s gravestperil. Surely Brinn woulddescribe such things as iftheywerenotagreatgriefto his people, not thereason why group aftergroup of Haruchai hadreturned to the Land,falling prey to thebutcheryoftheClave.ThisCovenant could not bear.The Bloodguard had

always judged themselvesby standards which nomortalcouldmeet.“No,” Covenant almostmoaned. He faced Brinn,gave the only answer hehad.Youdon’thave todothat. It’s past. It wasn’ttheir fault. “ ‘Corruptionwears many faces.’ ” Hewas quoting Bannor.“‘Blameisamoreenticingface than others, but it is

none the less a mask forthe Despiser.’ ” Do youknow that Foul maimedthose three Bloodguard?Made them into half-hands? “I’ll tell it.” It’s onmy head. “When I’mready.” A pang of augurytold him that Haruchaiweregoing todiebecauseofhim.Brinn studied him for amoment. Then the

Haruchai shruggedfractionally, withdrew tohis place guardingCovenant’sback.Covenantwas left with nothingbetween him and theintenteyesoftheGiants.“Giantfriend,” the First

said slowly, “such talesmust be shared to beborne. An untold talewitherstheheart.ButIdonotaskthatyoueaseyour

heart. I ask for myself.Your tale concerns mykindred.AndIamtheFirstof the Search. You havespoken of the SunbanewhichsoappallstheEarth.My duty lies there. In thewest. Seadreamer’s Earth-Sight is clear. We mustseek out this evil andoppose it. Yet you desireour aid. You ask for ourproud dromond Starfare’s

Gem.Youassert that yourpathisthetruepathoftheSearch. And you refuse tospeaktousconcerningourpeople.“ThomasCovenant,Iaskfor your tale because Imust choose. Only instories may the truth toguide me be found.Lacking the knowledgewhichmovesyourheart, Ilack means to judge your

pathandyourdesires.Youmustspeak.”Must? In his emotionalpoverty, hewanted to cryout,Youdon’t knowwhatyou’re doing! But theGiants regarded him witheyes which asked andprobed. Honninscravewore his resemblance toFoamfollower as if thatoblique ancestry becamehim. Seadreamer’s stare

seemed rife with Earth-Sight. Empathycomplicated Pitchwife’ssmile. Covenant groanedinwardly.“These hills—” He

gesturedeastward,movinghis half-hand like a manpluckingtheonlywordshecould find. “They’re theboundary of Seareach.Where the Giants I knewused to live. They had a

city on the Sea. Coercri.The Grieve. I want to gothere.”The First did not reply,

didnotblink.Heclenchedhis fist and

strove to keep himselfintact. “That’s where theyweremurdered.”Honninscrave’s eyes

flared. Pitchwife drew ahissing breath through histeeth.“Intheirhomes?”

“Yes.”The First of the Search

glared at Covenant. Hemether look, sawdismay,doubt, judgment seethelike sea shadows behindher eyes. In spite of hisfear,he felt strangely surethat her angerwould givehimwhathewanted.In a tone of quiet iron,

she said, “Honninscravewill return to Starfare’s

Gem. He will bring theGiantship northward. Wewill meet at this Coercri.Thus I prepare to answeryour desires—if I ampersuaded by your tale.And the others of theSearchwillwishtobeholdacityofGiantsinthislostland.“Thomas Covenant, Iwill wait. We willaccompany you to the

coast of Seareach. But”—hervoicewarnedhimlikea sword in her hands—“Iwill hear this tale ofmurder.”Covenant nodded. Hefolded his arms over hisknees, buried his facebetween his elbows; heneeded to be alone withhisuselessrue.You’llhearit.Havemercyonme.Without a word,

Honninscrave began topackthesupplieshewouldneed. Soon he was gone,stridingbrisklytowardtheSeaasifhisGiantishbonescould do without restforever.The sound ofHonninscrave’s departureseemed to stretch outCovenant’s exhaustionuntilitcoveredeverything.Hesettledhimselfforsleep

as if he hoped that hewouldneverawaken.But he came out ofdreamsunderthefulllightof the moon. In the lastflamesof the campfire, hecould see the Giants andthe Stonedownorsslumbering. Dimly, hemadeout thepoised,darkshapes of the Haruchai.Vain stood at the edge ofthe light, staring at

nothing like an entrancedprophet.A glimpse of orange-redreflecting from Linden’seyesrevealedthatshealsowas awake. Covenant lefthisblankets.Hisdesireforthe escape of sleep wasstrong,buthisneedtotalkto her was stronger.Movingquietly,hewenttoherside.She acknowledged him

with a nod, but did notspeak. As he sat besideher, she went on staringintotheembers.Hedidnotknowhowtoapproach her; he wasignorant of any nameswhich might unlock her.Tentatively he asked,“How’syourleg?”Herwhispercameoutofthedark,likeavoicefromanother world. “Now I

knowhowLenamusthavefelt.”Lena? Surprise andshame held himmute. Hehad told her about thatcrime when she had notwanted to hear.What diditmeantohernow?“You rapedher.But shebelievedinyouandsheletyou go. It’s like that forme.”Shefellsilent.Hewaited

for a long moment, thensaid in a stiff murmur,“Tellme.”“AlmosteverythingIsee

is a rape.” She spoke sosoftlythathehadtostraintohearher.“TheSunbane.TheSarangrave.WhenthatRavertouchedme,IfeltasifIhadtheSunbaneinsideme.Idon’tknowhowyoulive with that venom.Sometimes I can’t even

stand to lookatyou.Thattouch denied everythingabout me. I’ve spent halfmy life fighting to be adoctor. But when I sawJoan,Iwassohorrified—Icouldn’t bear it. It mademeintoalie.That’swhyIfollowedyou.“ThatRaver—ItwaslikewithJoan,buta thousandtimesworse.Beforethat, Icouldatleastsurvivewhat

I was seeing—theSunbane,whatitdidtotheLand—becauseIthoughtitwasadisease.Butwhenhetouched me, he madeeverything evil.Mywholelife. Lena must have feltlikethat.”Covenant locked hishandstogetherandwaited.Afterawhile,shewenton.“Butmyankleishealing.Ican feel it. When it was

broken, I could see insideit, see everything thatneededtobedone,howtoget the bones back intoplace. I knew when theywere set right. And now Ican feel them healing.They’refusingjustthewaythey should. The tissues,the blood-vessels andnerves—”Shepausedas ifshe could not contain allher emotion in awhisper.

“And that diamondraughtspeeds up the process. I’llbe able to walk in a fewdays.”She turned to face himsquarely. “Lenamusthavefelt like that, too. Or shecouldn’t have let you getawaywithit.“Covenant.” Her tonepleaded for hisunderstanding. “I need toheal things. I need it.

That’s why I became adoctor, and why I can’tstand all this evil. It isn’tsomething I can heal. Ican’t cure souls. I can’tcuremyself.”He wanted tounderstand, yearned tocomprehend her.Her eyesreflectedtheembersofthefire like echoes ofsupplication.Buthehadsolittle knowledge of who

she was, how she hadcome tobe suchaperson.Yetthesurfaceofherneedwasplainenough.Withaneffort, he swallowed hisuncertainty, his fear. “TheOne Tree,” he breathed.“We’ll find it. The Giantsknowwhomtoasktofindoutwhereitis.We’llmakea Staff of Law. You’ll beable to go home.Somehow.”

She looked away, as ifthis were not the answershe desired. Butwhen shespoke, she asked, “Doyouthinkthey’regoingtohelpus? Seadreamer doesn’twant to. I can see it. HisEarth-Sight is like what Ifeel. But it’s with him allthe time. Distance doesn’tmake any difference. TheSunbaneeatsathimallthetime. He wants to face it.

Fight it. End what’shappeningtohim.AndtheFirst trusts him. Do youthink you can convinceher?”“Yes.” What else could

he offer her? He madepromises he did not knowhow to keep because hehad nothing else to give.“She isn’t going to like it.ButI’llfindaway.”She nodded as if to

herself. For a while shewas still,musing privatelyover the coals like awoman who neededcourage and only knewhow to look for it alone.Then she said, “I can’t gobacktotheSunbane.”Herwhisper was barelyaudible.“Ican’t.”Hearing her, Covenantwanted to say, You won’thave to. But that was a

promisehefearedtomake.In Andelain, Mhoram hadsaid, The thing you seek isnotwhatitappearstobe.Inthe end, youmust return tothe Land. Not what itappears—? Not the OneTree?TheStaffofLaw?That thought took himfrom Linden’s side; hecouldnot face it.Hewentlike a craven back to hisblankets and lay there

hugging his apprehensionuntil his weariness pulledhimbacktosleep.

Thenextmorning,whilethe sunrise was stillhidden, lambent andalluring behind the hills,the company climbed intoSeareach.Theyascendedtheslope

briskly, in spite of

Covenant’sgrogginess,andstood gazing out into thedawnand thewide regionwhich had once beenSaltheart Foamfollower’shome. The crisp breezechilled their faces; and inthe taintless light, theysawthatautumnhadcometo the fair land ofSeareach. Below them,woods nestled within thecurve of the hills: oak,

maple, and sycamoreanademed in fall-change;Gilden gloriouslybedecked.Andbeyondthewoods lay rollinggrasslands as luxuriouslygreen as the last glow ofsummer.Seeing Seareach for thefirst time—seeing healthand beauty for the firsttime since he had leftAndelain—Covenant felt

strangely dry anddetached. Essential partsof him were becomingnumb. His ring hungheavily on his half-hand,asif,whenhistwofingershad been amputated, hehadalsolosthisanswertoself-doubt. Back atRevelstone, innocent menand women were beingslain to feed the Sunbane.While that crime

continued,nohealthinallthe world could make adifferencetohim.Yet he was vaguelysurprised that Sunder andHollian did not appearpleasedbywhattheysaw.Theygazedat theautumnas if it were Andelain—asiren-song, seductive andfalse, concealing madness.They had been taught tofeel threatened by the

natural loveliness of theEarth. They did not knowwho they were in such aplace. With the Sunbane,Lord Foul hadaccomplished more thanthe corruption of nature.He had dispossessedpeople like theStonedownors from thesimple human capacity tobemovedbybeauty.Onceagain, Covenant was

forced to thinkof themaslepers.But the others werekeenly gladdened by theview. Appreciationsoftened the First’s sterncountenance; Pitchwifechuckled gently under hisbreath, as if he could notcontain his happiness;Seadreamer’s miserymelted somewhat,allowinghimtosmile.The

Haruchai stiffened slightly,asifintheirthoughtstheystood to attention out ofrespect for the fealty andsorrow which had onceinhabited Seareach. AndLinden gazed into thesunrise as if the autumnoffered her palliation forherpersonaldistress.OnlyVain showed no reaction.The Demondim-spawnseemedtocarefornothing

underanysun.At last, the First broke

the silence. “Let us be onour way. My heart hasconceived a desire tobehold this city whichGiants have named TheGrieve.”Pitchwifeletoutalaugh

like the cry of a kestrel,strangely lorn and glad.With a lumbering stride,he set off into the

morning. Ceer andHergrom followed. TheFirst also followed.Seadreamermovedliketheshifting of a colossus, stiffand stony in his privatepain. Sunder scowledapprehensively; Holliangnawed at her lower lip.TogethertheystartedaftertheGiants,flankedbyStelland Harn. And Covenantwentwiththemlikeaman

whosespirithadlostallitsresilience.Descending toward thetrees, Pitchwife began tosing.Hisvoicewashoarse,as if he had spent toomuch of his life singingthrenodies; yet his songwas as heart-lifting astrumpets. His melody wasfullofwindandwaves,ofsalt and strain, and oftriumph over pain. As

clearlyas thenewday,hesang:

“Let breakerscrash againsttheshore—let rocks berimed withseaandweed,cliffs carvenby the storm—let calm

becalm thedeeps,or windappall thewaves, andsting—andsting—nothingoverweighsthe poise ofSea andStone.Therocksand

water-batteryof Homeendure.We are theGiants,borntolive,and bold forgoing wherethe dreaminggoes.

“Letworldbewide beyond

belief,the ocean beas vast astime—let journeysendorfail,seaquests fallin ice orblast,andwandering beforever.Roam—

androam—nothingtarnishes thepoise of SeaandStone.The hearthandharborage ofHomeendure.We are theGiants,borntosail,and bold to

go whereverdreaminggoes.”

On his song went, onthrough the trees and thefall-fire of the leaves, oninto poignancy andyearningandtheeagernesstohearanytale theworldtold. It carried the questforward, lightenedSeadreamer’sgaze;iteased

the discomfort of theStonedownors like anaffirmation against theunknown,gaveaspringtothedispassionatestridesofthe Haruchai, Echoing inCovenant’s mind like thethronged glory of thetrees, it solaced hisunambergrised heart for atime,sothathecouldwalkthe land which had beenFoamfollower’s home

withoutfaltering.He had been too long

under the Sunbane, toolong away from the Landhe remembered. His eyesdrankat the treesand thegrasslands, the scapes andvistas, as if such thingsended a basic drought,restoredtohimthereasonsfor his quest. Beyond thehills, Seareach became alush profusion of grapes,

like a vineyard gone wildfor centuries; and in itbirds flocked,beastsmadetheirhomes. Ifhehadnotlacked Linden’s vision, hecould have spent dayssimply renewing his senseofhealth.But he was condemned

to the surface of what hebeheld. As the leaguesstretched ahead of him,threescore or more to the

coast, his urgencyreturned. At his back,people were dying to payfor every day of hisjourney. Yet he could notwalk any faster. A crisiswas brewing within him.Power; venom; rage.Impossible to live withwild magic. Impossible tolivewithout it. Impossibletokeepallthepromiseshehad made. He had no

answer. He was as mortalas any leper. His tensionwas futile. Seeking todelay the time of impact,when the storm born ofvenom and doubt wouldhit, he cast around forwaystooccupyhismind.Lindenwaswrapped upin her efforts to recoverfrom the damage theSunbane and SarangraveFlat had done to her.

SunderandHolliansharedanairofdiscomfiture,asiftheyno longerknewwhatthey were doing. SoCovenant turned to theGiants, to Pitchwife, whowas as loquacious as theFirstwasstern.His misshapen featuresworked grotesquely as hetalked;buthis appearancewas contradicted by hislucid gaze and

irrepressiblehumor.Atthetouch of a question, hespoke about the ancientHomeoftheGiants,aboutthewideseasoftheworld,about the wonders andmysteries of roaming.When he became excited,his breathing wheezed inhiscramped lungs;but forhim, even that difficultsound was a form ofcommunication, an effort

to convey somethingquintessential abouthimself. His talkwas longand full of digressions,Giantish apostrophes tothe eternal grandeur ofrock and ocean; butgradually he came tospeakoftheSearch,andoftheGiantswholedit.Cable Seadreamer’s role

needednoexplanation;hisEarth-Sight guided the

Search. And hismuteness,the extravagant horrorwhich had bereft him ofvoice, as if the attempt toput what he saw intospeech had sealed histhroat, only made hisclaim on the Searchmoreabsolute.But being Seadreamer’s

brotherwasnotthereasonfor GrimmandHonninscrave’s presence.

The Giantclave hadselected him primarily forhis skill as pilot andcaptain;hewastheMasterof the dromond Starfare’sGem, and proud in theprideofhisship.AsfortheFirst,shewas

a Swordmain, one of thefew Swordmainnir amongthe current generation ofthe Giants, who hadmaintainedformillenniaa

cadre of such fighters toaid their neighbors andfriends at need. She hadbeen chosen because shewas known to be asresoluteasStone,ascraftyas Sea—and because shehad bested every otherSwordmain towinaplaceattheheadoftheSearch.“But why?” askedCovenant. “Why did shewantthejob?”

“Why?” Pitchwifegrinned. “In good sooth,whyshouldshenot?Sheisa Swordmain, trained forbattle. She knows, as dowe all, that this woundwill grow to consume theEarthunless it isopposed.Andshebelievesthatitsillisalreadyfelt,evenacrossthe land of Home, givingbirth to evil seas andblighted crops. And

cripples.” His eyes glintedmerrily, defying Covenanttopityhisdeformity.“All right.” Covenant

swallowed the indignationhe usually felt wheneverhe encountered someonewhose happiness seemedto be divorced from thehardfactofpain.“Tellmeabout yourself. Why wereyouchosen?”“Ah, that is no great

mystery. Every ship,howeverproud,musthavea pitchwife, and I am anadept, cunning to mendboth hawser andshipstone. Also my lesserstature enables me forworkinplaceswhereotherGiants lack space.And foranotherreason,betterthanallothers.”Heloweredhisvoice and spoke privatelyto Covenant. “I am

husbandtotheFirstoftheSearch.”Involuntarily Covenant

gaped. For an instant, hebelieved that Pitchwifewas jesting ironically. Butthe Giant’s humor waspersonal. “To me,” hewhispered,sothattheFirstcouldnothearhim,“sheisnamed GossamerGlowlimn.Icouldnotbearthat she should sail on

such a Search withoutme.”Covenant remainedsilent, unable to think ofany adequate response. Iam husband— Echoes ofJoanranthroughhim;butwhen he tried to call upher face, he could findnothing except images ofLinden.

During the evening ofthe quest’s third day inSeareach,LindenborrowedHollian’s dirk to cut thesplint away from her leg.Her companions watchedas she tentatively flexedher knee, then her ankle.Light twinges of paintouched her face, but sheignored them,concentratingontheinnerstate of her bones and

tissues. After a moment,her features relaxed. “It’sjuststiff.I’lltrywalkingonittomorrow.”A sigh rustled through

the company. “That isgood,” the First saidkindly. Sunder noddedgruff agreement. Hollianstooped toLinden,huggedher. Linden accepted theirgladness; but her gazereached toward Covenant,

and her eyes were full oftears forwhichhehadnoanswer.Hecouldnotteachhertodistinguishbetweenthe good and ill of herhealthsense.The next morning, she

put weight on her foot,and the bones held. Shewasnotreadytodomuchwalking; so Seadreamercontinuedtocarryher.Butthe following day she

began working toredevelop the strength ofherlegs,andthedayafterthat shewas able towalkat intervals fornearlyhalfthecompany’smarch.By that time, Covenant

knew they were nearingthe Sea. The terrain hadbeen sloping slowly fordays, losing elevationalong rumpled hills andwide,wild,hayleas,down

fields like terraces cut forGiants. Throngs of graveoldwoods leaned slightly,asiftheywerelisteningtothe Sea; and now thecrispness of the air hadbeenreplacedbymoistureand weight, so that everybreezefeltlikethesighingoftheocean.Hecouldnotsmell salt yet; but he didnothavemuchtimeleft.That night, his dreams

were troubled by thehurling of breakers. Thetumult turned his sleepinto a nightmare ofbutchery, horror made allthe more unbearable byvagueness, for he did notknow who was beingbutchered or why, couldnot perceive any detailexcept blood, bloodeverywhere, the blood ofinnocence and self-

judgment, permittingmurder. He awoke on theverge of screams, andfound that he wasdrenched by athunderstorm. He wascold, and could not stopshivering.After a time, the bluelashandclapof thestormpassed, riding a stiffwindout of the east; but therain continued. Dawn

came,shroudedintorrentswhich soaked the questuntilCovenant’sbonesfeltsodden, and even theGiants moved as if theywere carrying too muchweight. Shouting over thenoise, Pitchwife suggestedthat they find or makeshelter to wait out thestorm.ButCovenantcouldnotwait. Everydayof hisjourney cost the lives of

people whose only hopearose from their belief inthe Clave; and the Clavewas false. He drove hisfriends into movementwith a rage which madethenervesofhisrightarmacheasifhisfingerscouldfeel the hot burden of hisring.Thecompanionswentforward like lonelyderelicts, separated fromeach other by the

downpour.And when at last the

stormbroke,openingariftofclearskyacrosstheeast,there against the horizonstood the lorn stump ofCoercri’s lighthouse.Upraised like a stoneworkforearm from which thefist had been cut away, itdefied weather anddesuetudeasifitwerethelast gravestone of the

Unhomed.Giants who had lovedlaughter and children andfidelity, and had beenslaughtered in theirdwellings because theyhad not chosen to defendthemselves.As the rain hissed awayinto the west, Covenantcould hear wavespounding the base of TheGrieve, A line of gray

ocean lay beyond the rimofthecliff;andaboveit,afew hardy terns hadalready taken flight afterthe storm, crying like thedamned.He advanced until hecouldseethedeadcity.Its back was towardhim;Coercri facedtheSea.The Unhomed hadhoneycombed the sheercliffabove thebreakersso

that their city confrontedthe east and hope. Onlythree entrances markedthe rear of The Grieve,three tunnels opening therock like gullets, forevergaping in granite sorrowover the blow which hadreftthemofhabitationandmeaning.“ThomasCovenant.”The

Firstwas at his side,withPitchwife and Seadreamer

behind her. “Giantfriend.”She held her voice like abroadsword at rest,unthreatening, but readyfor combat. “You havespoken of Giants andjheherrin;andinourhaste,we did not question thatwhich we did notunderstand. And we havewaited in patience for theother tale of which yougavepromise.Butnowwe

must ask. This place isclearly Giant-wrought—clearly the handiwork ofour people. Such craft isthe blood and bone ofHome to us. About it wecouldnotbemistaken.”Hertonetightened.“But

thisplacewhichyounameTheGrievehasbeenemptyfor many centuries. Andthe jheherrin ofwhich youspokearealsoatalemany

centuries old. Yet you arehuman—more short-livedthan any other people ofthe Earth. How is itpossible that you haveknownGiants?”Covenant grimaced; he

had no room in his heartforthatquestion.“WhereIcome from,” he muttered,“time moves differently.I’ve never been herebefore. But I knew

Saltheart Foamfollower.Maybe better than I knewmyself. Three and a halfthousandyearsago.”Thenabruptly the wrench ofpaininhischestmadehimgasp. Three and a half—!Itwastoomuch—agulfsodeep it might have nobottom. How could hehope to make restitutionacrosssomanyyears?Clenching himself to

keep from panting, hestarted down the slopetoward the central tunnel,the main entrance toCoercri.The clouds hadwithdrawn westward,uncovering the sun. Itshone almost directly intothe stone passage, showedhim his way to the cliff-face. He strode the tunnelas if he meant to hurl

himself from the edgewhen he reached it. ButBrinn and Hergromflanked him, knowingwhat he knew. Hiscompanions followed himin silence, hushed as if hewere leading them into agraveyardhallowedbyoldblood. Formally theyenteredTheGrieve.At its end, the tunnel

gave onto a rampart cut

into the eastmost part ofthecliff.To thenorthandsouth, Coercri curvedaway, as if from thebluntprowofthecity.Fromthatvantage, Covenant wasable to see all The Grieveoutstretched on eitherhand. It was builtvertically, level after levelof ramparts down theprecipice; and the tiersprojected or receded to

match the contours of therock. As a result, the cityfrontfornearlyathousandfeetfromcliffedgetobasehadaknuckledaspect,likehands knotted against theweather and the erodingSea.This appearance was

emphasized by the saltdeposits of the centuries.The guard walls of thelowerrampartsworegray-

white knurs asmassive astravertine; and even thehighestlevelsweremarkedlike the mottling ofcaducity, the accumulatedhabitofgrief.Behind the ramparts,level after level, weredoorways into privatequarters and public halls,workshops and kitchens,placesforsongsandstoriesand Giantclaves. And at

thefootofthecliff,severalheavy stone piers stoodout from the flat basewhich girdled the city.Most of these had beenchewedtoruins;but,nearthe center of Coercri, twopiers and the leveebetween them hadendured. Combers rollingin the aftermath of thestorm beat up the leveelike frustration and

obstinance, determined tobreakthepiers,breachtherock,assailCoercri,evenifthe siege took the wholelife of the Earth tosucceed.Consideringthecity,the

First spoke as if she didnotwish to show that shewas moved. “Here is ahabitation, in good sooth—adwellingfitforGiants.Such work our people do

not lightly undertake orinconsiderately perform.Perhaps the Giants of thisplaceknewthattheywerelost to Home. But theywere not lost tothemselves. They havegiven pride to all theirpeople.” Her voice held afaint shimmer like theglowofhotiron.And Pitchwife lifted up

hisheadasifhecouldnot

contain his wildness, andsang like a cry ofrecognition across theages:

“We are theGiants,borntosail,and bold togo whereverdreaminggoes.”

Covenantcouldnotbearto listen. Not lost tothemselves. No. Not untilthe end, until it killedthem. He, too, couldremember songs. Now weareUnhomed,bereftof rootand kith and kin. Grippinghis passions with bothhands to control them,restrain them for a littlewhileyet,hemovedawayalongtherampart.

On the way, he forcedhimself to look into someoftheroomsandhalls,likea gesture of duty to thedead.All the stone of thechambers—chairs,utensils,tables—was intact, thoughevery form of wood orfiberhad long since fallenaway. But the surfaceswere scarred with salt:whorls and swirls across

the floors; streaks downthe walls; encrustationsover the bed frames;spontaneous slow patternsaslovelyasfrost-workandas corrosive as guilt. Dustorcobwebscouldnothavearticulated moreeloquently the emptinessofTheGrieve.Impelled by his privateurgency, Covenantreturned to the center of

the city. With hiscompanions trailingbehind him, he took acrooked stairway whichdescended back into thecliff, then toward the Seaagain. The stairs weremadeforGiants;hehadtohalf-leap down themawkwardly, and everylanding jolted his heart.Butthedaylighthadbegunto fade, and he was in a

hurry.Hewentdownthreelevels before he lookedintomorerooms.Thefirstdoorwayledto

a wide hall large enoughfor scores of Giants. Butthe second, some distancefarther along the face ofthe city, was shut. It hadbeen closed for ages; allthe cracks and jointsaroundthearchitraveweresealedbysalt.Hisinstincts

ranaheadofhismind.Forreasonshe couldnothavenamed, he barked toBrinn, “Get this open. Iwanttoseewhat’sinside.”Brian moved to obey;

butthesaltpreventedhimfromobtainingagrip.At once, Seadreamer

joined him and beganscraping the crust awaylike amanwho could notstandcloseddoors,secrets.

Soon he and Brinn wereabletogainapurchasefortheir fingers along theedgeofthestone.Withanabrupt wrench, theyswungthedooroutward.Air which had beentombed for so long that itnolongerheldanytaintofmust or corruption spilledthroughtheopening.Within was a privateliving chamber. For a

moment,dimnessobscuredit. But as Covenant’s eyesadjusted, he made out adark form sitting uprightandrigidinachairbesidethehearth.Mummified by dead airandtimeandsubtlesalt,aGiant.His hands crushed thearms of the chair,perpetuating forever hisfinal agony. Splinters of

old stone still juttedbetweenhisfingers.His forehead above his

vacant eye-sockets wasgone. The top of his headwas gone. His skull wasempty, as if his brain hadexploded, tearing awayhalfhiscranium.Hellfire!“Itwasastheoldtellers

have said.” Brinn soundedlike the dead air. “Thus

they were slain by theGiant-Raver.Unresistingintheirhomes.”Hellandblood!Trembling Seadreamer

moved forward.“Seadreamer,” the Firstsaid softly from thedoorway,warninghim.Hedid not stop. He touchedthe dead Giant’s hand,triedtounclosethoserigidfingers. But the ancient

flesh became dust in hisgrasp and sifted likesilencetothefloor.A spasm convulsed his

face. For an instant, hiseyesglaredmadly.Hisfistsbunchedatthesidesofhishead, as if hewere tryingto fight back against theEarth-Sight. Then hewhirledandsurgedtowardCovenantasifhemeanttowrest the tale of the

Unhomed from Covenantbyforce.“Giant!”The First’s command

struck Seadreamer. Heveered aside, lurched topress himself against thewall, struggling for self-mastery.Shouts that Covenant

could not still went on inhis head: curses that hadnomeaning.Heforcedhis

way from the room,hastened to continue hisdescenttowardthebaseofCoercri.He reached the flatheadrock of the piers asthe terns were settling toroostforthenightandthelast pink of sunset wasfading from the Sea. Thewaves gathered darkly asthey climbed the levee,then broke into froth and

phosphorescence againstthe stone. Coercri loomedabove him; with the sunbehind it, it seemed toimpend toward the Sea asifitwereabouttofall.He could barely discernthe features of hiscompanions. Linden, theGiants, Sunder andHollian,theHaruchai,evenVain—theywerenightandjudgment to him, a

faceless jury assembled towitness the crisis of hisstruggle with the past,with memory and power,and to pronounce doom.He knew what wouldhappen as if he hadforeseen it with his guts,though his mind was toolostinpassiontorecognizeanything except his ownneed. He had madepromises—He seemed to

hear the First sayingbefore she spoke, “Now,Thomas Covenant. Thetime has come. At yourbehest, we have beheldTheGrieve.Nowwemusthave the story of our lostkinfolk. There can beneitherjoynordecisionforusuntilwehaveheardthetale.”The water tumbled its

rhythm against the levee,

echoing her salt pain. Heansweredwithoutlisteningtohimself, “Start a fire.Abig one.” He knew whattheGiantswoulddowhenthey heard what theywanted.Heknewwhathewoulddo.The Haruchai obeyed.

With brands they hadgarnered from Seareach,and Seadreamer’s firepot,they started a blaze near

thebaseof thepiers, thenbroughtdriftwoodtostokethe flames. Soon the firewas as tall as Giants, andshadows danced likememories across theramparts.Now Covenant couldsee. Sunder and Hollianheld back theirapprehension sternly.Linden watched him as ifshe feared he had fallen

over the edge of sanity.The faces of the Giantswere suffused withfirelight andwaiting,withhunger for any anodyne.Reflecting flames, the flatcountenances of theHaruchai looked inviolateand ready, as pure as thehigh mountains wherethey made their homes.And Vain—Vain stoodblack against the

surrounding night, andrevealednothing.But none of that

matteredtoCovenant.Theuselessness of his owncursing did not matter.Only the fire held anymeaning;onlyCoercri,andthe lorn reiteration of thewaves. He could seeFoamfollower in theflames. Words which hehad suppressed for long

days of dread anduncertaintycameoverhimlikeacreed,andhebegantospeak.He told what he had

learned about theUnhomed, striving to healtheir slaughter by relatingtheirstory.Joy is in the ears that

hear.Foamfollower! Did you

letyourpeoplediebecause

you knew I was going toneedyou?The night completed

itself about him as hespoke,sparedonlybystarsfrombeingasblackasTheGrieve.Firelightcouldnoteasethedarkofthecityorthe dark of his heart.Nothing but the surge ofthe Sea—rise and fall,dirge and mourning—touchedhimasheoffered

theirstorytotheDead.Fully, formally,omitting

nothing,hedescribedhowthe Giants had come toSeareach through theirbrokenwandering.Hetoldhow Damelon hadwelcomedtheUnhomedtotheLandandhad foretoldthat their bereavementwould end when threesons were born to them,brothersofonebirth.And

he spoke about the fealtyand friendship which hadbloomed between theGiants and the Council,giving comfort and succorto both; about the highGiantishgratitudeandskillwhich had formed greatRevelstone for the Lords;about the concern whichhad led Kevin to provideforthesafetyoftheGiantsbefore he kept his mad

tryst with Lord Foul andinvoked the Ritual ofDesecration; about theloyalty which brought theGiants back to the Landafter the Desecration,bearing with them theFirstWardofKevin’s Loreso that the new Lordscould learn theEarthpower anew. Thesethings Covenant detailedas they had been told to

him.But then SaltheartFoamfollower entered hisstory, riding against thecurrent of the Soulseasetoward Revelstone to tellthe Lords about the birthof three sons. That hadbeenatimeofhopefortheUnhomed, a time for thebuilding of new ships andthe sharing of gladness.After givinghis aid to the

QuestfortheStaffofLaw,Foamfollower hadreturned to Seareach; andthe Giants had begun toprepare for the journeyHome.At first, all had gonewell. But forty years latera silence fell overSeareach. The Lords wereconfronted with the armyof the Despiser and thepower of the Illearth

Stone. Their need wassore, and they did notknow what had happenedto the Giants. ThereforeKorik’smissionwassenttoCoercri with the LordsHyrim and Shetra, to giveand askwhatever aidwaspossible.The few Bloodguard

who survived broughtback the same tale whichFoamfollower later told

Covenant.Andherelateditnowas

if it were theinassuageable threnody oftheSea.Hiseyeswerefullof firelight, blind to hiscompanions. He heardnothing except thebreakers in the levee andhisownvoice.Deepwithinhimself, hewaited for thecrisis, knowing it wouldcome, not knowing what

formitwouldtake.For doom had befallen

the three brothers: a fatemoreterribletotheGiantsthan any mere death orloss of Home. The threehadbeencapturedbyLordFoul, imprisoned by themightoftheIllearthStone,mastered by Ravers. Theybecame the mightiestservants of the Despiser.And one of them came to

TheGrieve.Foamfollower’s words

echoed in Covenant. Heused them withoutknowingwhat theywouldcall forth. “Fidelity,” theGiant had said. “Fidelitywas our only reply to ourextinction. We could nothave borne our decline ifwehadnottakenpride.“So my people were

filled with horror when

they saw their pride riven—torn from them likerotten sails in the wind.They saw the portent oftheir hope of Home—thethree brothers—changedfrom fidelity to the mostpotent ill by one smallstroke of the Despiser’sevil. Who in the Landcould hope to standagainst a Giant-Raver?ThustheUnhomedbecame

the means to destroy thatto which they had heldthemselves true. And inhorror at the naught oftheir fidelity, their follypracticed through longcenturies of pride, theywere transfixed. Theirrevulsion left no room inthem for thought orresistance or choice.Rather than behold thecost of their failure—

ratherthanriskthechancethat more of them wouldbe made Soulcrusher’sservants—they elected tobeslain.”Foamfollower’s voice

went on in Covenant’smind, giving him words.“They put away theirtools.”But a change had come

over the night. The airgrew taut. The sound of

thewaveswasmuffled bythe concentration of theatmosphere.Strangeforcesroused themselves withinthecity.“Andbankedtheirfires.”The ramparts teemed

with shadows, and theshadows began to takeform.Lightaseldritchandelusive as seaphosphorescence castrumors of movement up

and down the ways ofCoercri.“And made ready their

homes.”Glimpses which

resembled somethingCovenant had seen beforeflickeredintheroomsandsolidified, shedding a paleglowlikewarmpearls.Tallghostsofnacreanddismaybegan to flow along thepassages.

“As if inpreparation fordeparture.”TheDeadofTheGrievehad come to haunt thenight.For one mute moment,he did not comprehend.His companions stoodacross the fire from him,watchingthespecters;andtheir shadows denouncedhim from the face ofCoercri. Was it true after

all that Foamfollower haddeserted his people forCovenant’s sake? ThatLordFoul’ssolereasonfordestroying the Unhomedwas to drive him, ThomasCovenant,intodespair?Then his crisis brokeover him at last, and heunderstood.TheDeadhadtakenondefinitionas if itwere the flesh of life, haddrifted like a masque of

distress to the placeswhich had been theirhomes.Andthere,highonthe southmost rampart ofThe Grieve, came theGiant-Raver to appallthem.He shone a lurid green,

and his right fist clencheda steaming image ofemerald, dead echoof theIllearth Stone. With adeliberate hunger which

belied his swiftness, heapproached the nearestGiant. Shemade no effortto escape or resist. TheRaver’s fist and Stonepassed into her skull, intoher mind; and both weretorn away with a flash ofpower.In silence and rapine,

the Giant-Raver moved tohisnextvictim.TheDeadofTheGrieve

were reenacting theirbutchery.Theflowoftheirmovements, the Giant-Raver’s progress fromvictim to victim, was asstately as a gavotte; andtheflashofeachreiterateddeath glared across thewaves without noise orend,punctuatingheinouslythe ghost dance of theUnhomed.Damned by theway they had abandoned

themeaningof their lives,they could do nothing inthe city which was theirone great grave exceptrepeat theirdoom,utter itagainandagainacrosstheageswheneverCoercriheldany eyes to behold theirmisery.From room to room the

Giant-Raver went, metingouthisancientcrime.Soona string of emeralds

covered the highestrampartaseachnewblastpierced Covenant’s eyes,impaledhisvisionandhismind like the nails ofcrucifixion.Andasthemasquewent

on, multiplying itsatrocity, the living Giantsbroke, as he had knownthey would. His anguishhadforeseenitall.Joyisintheears thathear. Yes, but

some tales could not beredeemed by the simplecourageof the listener,bythewillingnessofanopenheart. Death such as this,death piled cruelly upondeath, century aftercentury, required anotherkind of answer. In theirdesperation, the livingGiants accepted the replyCovenanthadprovidedforthem.

Pitchwife led the way.With a sharp wail ofaggrievement,herushedtothe bonfire and plungedhis arms to the shouldersin among the blazingfirewood. Flames slappedhis face, bent his headback in a mute howlagainst the angle of hiscrippledchest.Lindencriedout.Butthe

Haruchai understood, and

didnotmove.The First joined

Pitchwife.Kneelingon thestone, she clamped herhandsaroundaraging logandheldit.Seadreamerdidnotstop

at the edge of the flames.Surging as if the Earth-Sighthaddeprivedhimofall restraint, hehurledhiswhole body into the fire,stood therewith theblaze

writhing about him liketheutteranceofhisagony.Caamora: the ritual fire

of grief. Only in suchsavagephysicalhurtcouldtheGiantsfindreleaseandrelief for the hurting oftheirsouls.Covenant had been

waiting for this,anticipating and dreadingit. Caamora. Fire.Foamfollower had walked

selflessly into the magmaof Hotash Slay and hademergedasthePureOne.The prospect terrifiedhim. But he had no othersolution to the venom inhisveins, to thepowerhecould not master, had noother answer to the longblame of the past. TheDead repeated their doomin The Grieve above him,damned to die that way

forever unless he couldfind some grace for them.Foamfollower had givenhis life gladly so thatCovenant and the Landcouldlive.Covenantbeganmoving,advancing towardthefire.Brinn and Hergromopposed him. But thenthey saw the hope andruin in his eyes. Theysteppedaside.

“Covenant!”Linden came running

toward him. But Cailcaughther,heldherback.Heat shouted against

Covenant’s face like thevoiceofhisdestiny;buthedidnotstop.Hecouldnotstop. Entranced andcompelled, he rode themourning of the Seaforward.Intothefire.

Atonce,hebecamewildmagic and grief, burningwith an intense whiteflame that no other blazecould touch. Shining likethe gem of the krill, hestrodeamongthelogsandembers to Seadreamer’sside.TheGiantdidnotseehim, was too far gone inagony to see him.RememberingFoamfollower’s pain,

Covenant thrust atSeadreamer. Wild magicblastedtheGiantfromthefire, sent him sprawlingacrossthecoldstone.Slowly Covenant looked

aroundathiscompanions.Theyweredistortedbytheflames,gazingathimasifhe were a ghoul. Linden’sappalled stare hurt him.Becausehecouldnotreplytoherinanyotherway,he

turnedtohispurpose.Hetookholdofthewild

magic,shapeditaccordingto his will, so that itbecamehis own ritual, anarticulation of compassionand rage for all torment,allloss.Burning he opened

himselftothesurroundingflames.They rushed to

incineratehim;buthewas

ready. He mastered thebonfirewithargence,bentit to his command. Flameand powerwere projectedoutward together, so thatthe blaze lashedtremendously into thenight.He spread his arms to

the city, stretched himselfas if he yearned toembrace thewholeofTheGrieve.

In wild magic, whitepuissance without sound,he shouted: Come! This isthecaamora!Comeandbehealed!And they came. His

might and his willinterrupted the masque,broke the geas whichlocked the Dead in theirweird damnation. Hearinghim,theyturnedasiftheyhad been waiting through

all the long ages of theiranguish for his call. Inthrongs and eagerness,they began flowing downthepassagesofCoercri.Like a river, they swept

out onto the headrock ofthepiers.Towardthefire.TheGiant-Ravertriedto

pursue them. But thebreaking of their eternalround seemed to break

also his hold over them,break the spell of hismaleficent glee. His formfrayed as he moved,blurreduntilhewasonlyatingling green smear ofmemoryacrossTheGrieve—until he faded into thenight,andwaslost.And theDeadcontinued

towardthefire.TheHaruchaidrewback,

taking Linden and the

Stonedownors with them.Pitchwife and the FirstwentwithachingbonestotendSeadreamer.Vain did not move. He

stood in the path of theDead and watchedCovenant’s immolationwithgaietyinhiseyes.But the Dead passed

around him, streamedforward. Need and hopeshone through their pearl

faces.Reachingouttothemasif they were all one, as ifthey were onlyFoamfollowerinmultiformguise,Covenanttookthemintohisembrace,andweptwhitefire.The wild magic struckpain into them, searedthem the way a physicalconflagration would haveseared their bodies. Their

forms went rigid, jawsstretched, eyes stared—spectersscreaminginsoul-anguish.Butthescreamingwasalsolaughter.And the laughterprevailed.Covenantcouldnotholdthem. They came into hisarms, but they had nobodies that he could hug.Nothingfilledhisembrace;no contact or benison

restored him to himself.Hemighthavebeenaloneinthefire.Yet the laughter stayed

with him. It was gladmirth, joy and restitutionwhich Foamfollowerwouldhaveknownhowtoshare.ItraninhisearsliketheSeaand sustainedhimuntil everything else wasgone—untilhispowerwasspent against the heavens,

and the night closed overhim like all the waters oftheworld.

TWENTY-SEVEN:Giantfriend

The next morning, thedromond Starfare’s Gemarrivedinagleamofwhitesails, as if it had beennewly created from thesun’sreflectionontheblueSea.Ithoveintosight likea stone castle ridinggallantly before the wind,beautifullyboth, swiftandmassive, matching the

grace and strength of theGiants.Covenant watched itsapproach from the cliffabove Coercri. He sat farenoughbackfromtheedgeto appease his fear ofheights, but close enoughto have a good view.Linden, Sunder, andHollian were with him,though he had only askedforthecompanyofthetwo

Stonedownors. Brinn andCail, Stell and Harn werethere also. And Vain hadfollowed Covenant orLinden up through TheGrieve, though hisblackness offered noexplanationofwhyhehaddone so. Only Hergromand Ceer remained belowwiththeGiants.Earlier Sunder had told

Covenanthowhehadbeen

saved when his powerfailed.Lindenhadwatchedhim amid the blaze,reading his wild magic,gauging the limits of hisendurance. One momentbeforethewhiteflamehadgutteredandgoneout,shehad shouted a warning.Seadreamer had dashedinto the bonfire and hademerged on the far sidewithCovenantinhisarms,

unharmed. EvenCovenant’s clothing hadnotbeensinged.In the dawn, he had

awakened as if from thefirstirenicsleepofhislife.Sunrisehadlainacrosstheheadrock of the city,lightingthefacesofLindenand the First as they satregarding him. The Firsthadworn her iron beautyas if behind it lay a deep

gentleness. But Linden’sgaze was ambiguous,undecided.In a severe tone, she

asked,“Whydidn’tyoutellme what you were goingtodo?”“I didn’t dare,” he

replied, giving her thetruth. “Iwas too afraid ofit. Icouldn’tevenadmit ittomyself.”Sheshiftedherposition,

drawing somewhat awayfromhim.“Ithoughtyou’dgonecrazy.”He sighed, allowedhimself to express at leastthat much of hisloneliness. “Maybe I did.Sometimes it’shard to tellthedifference.”She frowned and fellsilent, looking awaytoward the Sunbirth Sea.After a moment, the First

rousedherselftospeak.“ThomasCovenant,”she

said, “I knownotwhetherin truth the path of theSearch lies with you. Ihave not seen with myowneyestheSunbane,normetinmyownpersonthemalice of him whom younametheDespiser,norfeltin my own heart thenature of what must bedone. But Pitchwife urges

that I trust you. CableSeadreamer has beheld avisionofhealing,whenhehadlearnedtobelievethatnohealingremainedinallthe world. And formyself—”Sheswallowedthickly.“I would gladly follow aman who can so givepeacetothedamned.“Giantfriend,” she said,

containing her emotionwithformality,“theSearch

will bear you to the landof the Elohim. There webelieve that knowledge ofthe One Tree may begained.Ifitlieswithinourdoing,wewill accompanyyoutotheTree,hopingforan answer to the peril oftheEarth.Thiswewilldointhenameofourpeople,who have been redeemedfromtheirdoom.”She passed a hand over

hertearsandmovedaway,leaving him eased, as if itwere the outcome of hisdreams.But he arose, because

there were still things hehadtodo,needstobemet,responsibilities to beconsidered. He spoke tothe Stonedownors, ledthem to the upper rim ofCoercri with Linden, theHaruchai,andVainbehind

him, sat facing themorning and the Sea andtheunknownEarth.Now he would have

liked to be alonewith theaftermath of his caamora.But he could see the timeof his departure from theLandarriving.Itsailedthesame salt wind whichruffledhishairandbeard,and he knew he had nochoice. Every day, more

liveswereshedtofeedtheSunbane. The Land’s needwasaburdenhecouldnotcarryalone.For a time, he satexchanging silence withhiscompanions.Butatlasthefoundthewilltospeak.“Sunder. Hollian.” Theysatattentively,asifhehadbecome a figure of awe.Hefeltlikeabutcherashesaid, “I don’twant you to

comewithme.”The eh-Brand’s eyes

widened as if he hadslapped her withoutwarningorcause.Surpriseand pain made Sundersnap,“Ur-Lord?”Covenant winced,

fumbledtoapologize.“I’msorry.Thisishardtosay.Ididn’t mean it the way itsounded.”He tookholdofhimself. “There’s

somethingelse Iwantyoutodo.”Hollian frownedathim,

echoing Sunder’suncertainty.“It’s the Sunbane,” he

began.“I’mgoing to leavethe Land—try to find theOneTree.SoIcanreplacethe Staff of Law. I don’tknowwhatelsetodo.ButtheClave—”Heswallowedat the anger rising in his

throat. “I don’t knowhowlongI’mgoingtobegone,and every day they killmore people. Somebodyhas to stop them. I wantyoutodoit.”He stared out to Sea,

went on speaking as if hefeared the reaction of hisfriends. “Iwant you to goback to the Upper Land.To the villages—to everyStonedownorWoodhelven

youcanfind.Tellthemthetruth about the Clave.Convince them. Makethem stop surrendering totheRiders.SotheSunbanewon’t destroy everythingbeforeIgetback.”“Thomas Covenant.”

Sunder’s fists wereclenched as if to hold offoutrage. “Have youforgotten MithilStonedown? Have you

forgotten StonemightWoodhelven? The peopleof theLandshedstrangersto answer their own needfor blood. We willconvince no one. We willbe slain by the firstStonedown we dare toenter.”“No.” Covenant shook

his head flatly. He knewwhathemeant todo, andfeltsureofit.“You’llhave

something that will makethem listen to you. Andyou can use it to defendyourselvesifyouhaveto.”With both hands, heremoved the cloth-wrapped krill from underhis belt, and extended ittowardSunder.“Covenant?” The

Graveler looked hisastonishmentatLinden,atHollian, then back toward

Covenant. Linden satwithher eyes downcast,watching the way herfingers touched the stone.But Hollian’s facebrightened as if inrecognition. “The krill isyours,” Sundermurmured,asking for comprehension.“IamaGraveler—nothingmore.Ofwhatuse is suchaperiapttome?”Deliberately Covenant

heldouthishope.“Ithinkyoucanattuneyourself toit. The way you did toMemla’s rukh. I think youcan use the krill the wayyouusetheSunstone.Andif you put the twotogether, you won’t needto shed blood to havepower. You can use thekrill to rouse the orcrest.You’ll be able to raisewater, grow plants, do it

all. Without blood. Anyvillage will listen to that.Theywon’ttrytokillyou.They’lltrytokeepyou.“And that’s not all. This

is power. Proof that theSunbane isn’t the wholetruth. It proves that theyhave a choice. They don’thave to obey the Clave,don’t have to letthemselves beslaughtered.”

With a twitch of hishands,heflungoffpartofthe cloth so that the krillshone into the facesofhiscompanions. “Sunder,” heimplored. “Hollian. Takeit. Convince them. We’reall responsible—all of uswhoknowthena-Mhoramis a Raver. Don’t let theClavegoonkilling them.”The light of thekrill filledhis orbs; he could not see

howhisfriendsresponded.“Givemeachancetosavethem.”Foramoment,hefearedthe Stonedownors wouldrefuse the burden heofferedthem.Butthenthekrill was taken from him.Sunder flipped cloth backoverthegem.Carefullyherewrapped the blade,tucked it away under hisleather jerkin. His eyes

gleamed like echoes ofwhitefire.“Thomas Covenant,” hesaid, “ur-Lord andUnbeliever, white goldwielder, I thank you. It issooth that my heart didnotrelishthisquestacrossunknownseasandlands. Ihavenoknowledgeofsuchmatters and little strengthfor them.YouhaveGiantswith you, and Haruchai,

andthepowerofthewhitering.Iamofnousetoyou.“I have learned that the

Sunbane is a great evil.But it is an evil which Icomprehend and canconfront.” Hollian’scountenance supportedhiswords. Her relief was aglowofgratitude.“Idesiretostrivesomewhat formypeople—and to striveagainst this Clave, which

somalignsourlives.”Covenant blinked at therepetitions of silver arcingacross his sight. He wastoo proud of Sunder andHolliantospeak.They rose to their feet.“Ur-Lord,” the Gravelersaid, “we will do as youask. If any blow may bestruck against Clave andSunbane by mortals suchasweare,wewillstrikeit.

You have restored to methe faith of Nassic myfather. Be certain of uswhilewelive.”“And be swift,” addedHollian, “for we are buttwo,andtheSunbaneisasvastasalltheLand.”Covenant had notnoticed Stell and Harnunobtrusively leave thecliff; but they returnednow, carrying supplies on

their backs. BeforeCovenant or theStonedownorscouldspeak,Brinn said, “The Sunbaneisindeedvast,butyouwillnot meet it alone. TheHaruchai will notsurrender their service.And I say to you that mypeople alsowill not suffertheClaveunopposed.Lookfor aid wherever you go,especially when your way

leads within reach ofRevelstone.”Sunder swallowed

thickly, unable to masterhis voice. Hollian’s eyesreflected the sunshinewetly.The sight of them

standing there in theircourage and peril madeCovenant’s fragile calmache. “Get going,” he saidhuskily. “We’ll be back.

Countonit.”In a rush of emotion,Hollian came to him,stooped to grip her armsaround his neck and kisshisface.ThenshewenttoLinden. Linden returnedherembracestiffly.A moment later, theStonedownors turnedaway. They left the cliffwithStellandHarnbesidethem.

Covenant watched themgo. The two Haruchaimovedas if nothing couldever change who theywere. But Sunder andHollianwalkedlikepeoplewho had been given thegift of meaning for theirlives. They were justordinary people, pitifullysmallincomparisontothetask they had undertaken;and yet their valor was

poignant to behold. Astheypassedover theridgewhere the ruinedlighthousestood, theyhadtheir arms around eachother.After a moment, Linden

brokethesilence.“Youdidtherightthing.”Hervoicewore severity like amask.“They’ve beenuncomfortable ever sincewe left Landsdrop—the

Sunbane is theonlyworldthey understand. Andthey’ve lost everythingelse. They need to dosomething personal andimportant.Butyou—”Shestared at him as if in hereyes he had become anobjectoffearanddesire.“Idon’t know you. I don’tknow if you’re thestrongest man I’ve evermet, or the sickest. With

allthatvenominyou,youstill—I don’t know whatI’mdoinghere.”Withoutapause, as if she were stillasking the same question,she said, “Why did yougive them the krill? Ithought you needed it. AweaponagainstVain.”Yes, Covenant breathed.

Andanalternative towildmagic. That’s what Ithought. But by accepting

the krill, Sunder andHollian had made it oncemore into a tool of hope.“I don’t want any moreweapons,”hemurmuredtoLinden. “I’m already toodangerous.”She held his gaze. Thesudden clarity of herexpression told him that,of all the things he hadever said to her, this, atleast, was one she could

comprehend.Thena shoutechoedupthe face of Coercri.“Giantfriend!” It wasPitchwife’s voice. “Come!Starfare’s Gemapproaches!”The echoes went on inCovenant’s mind after theshout had faded.Giantfriend. He was whohe was, a man halfcrippled by loneliness and

responsibility and regret.But he had finally earnedthetitletheFirsthadgivenhim.The dromond camedrifting slowly, neatly,toward the piers. Itsrigging was full of Giantsfurlingthesails.Carefully like a manwho did not want to die,Covenant got to his feet.With Linden, Brinn, and

Cail,heleftthecliff.Theywentdowntomeettheship.

HereendsTheWoundedLandBookOneof

“TheSecondChroniclesofThomasCovenant.”Thestorycontinuesin

BookTwoTheOneTree.

GLOSSARY

Aimil:daughterofAnest;wifeofSundera-JerothoftheSevenHells:Lordofwickedness;Clave-nameforLordFoultheDespiserAkkasrina-Mhoram-cro:amemberoftheClavealiantha:treasure-berries

Amith:awomanofCrystalStonedownAndelain,theHillsof:aregionoftheLandfreefromtheSunbaneAndelainscion:aregionintheCenterPlainsAnest:womanofMithilStonedown;sisterofKalinaAnnoy:aCourser

AtiaranTrell-mate:formerwomanofMithilStonedown;motherofLena

AumbrieoftheClave:storeroomforformerLore

BandsoilBounds:regionnorthofSoulseaseRiver

Banefire:firebywhichtheClavewieldsthe

SunbaneBannor:formerBloodguardBerekHalfhand:ancienthero;theLord-FathererBloodguard:formerservantsoftheCouncilofLordsBoulderFash:regionintheCenterPlainsBrannil:manof

StonemightWoodhelven

caamora:Giantishordealofgriefbyfire

CableSeadreamer:aGiant;memberoftheSearch;possessedoftheEarth-Sight

Caer-Caveral:ForestalofAndelain;formerlyHileTroy

CaerroilWildwood:former

ForestalofGarrotingDeep

Cail:oneoftheHaruchaiCavewights:evilearth-delvingcreatures

Ceer:oneoftheHaruchaiCenterpithBarrens:aregionintheCenterPlains

Chosen,the:titlegiventoLindenAvery

Clang:aCourserClangor:aCourserClash:aCourserClave,the:therulersoftheLandCoercri:formerhomeoftheGiantsinSeareachColossusoftheFall,the:ancientstonefigureformerlyguardingtheUpperLand

ConsecearRedoin:aregionnorthoftheSoulseaseRiver

Corruption:HaruchainameforLordFoul

CouncilofLords:formerrulersoftheLand

Courser:abeastmadebytheClavebythepoweroftheSunbane

Croft:GravelerofCrystalStonedown

CrystalStonedown:homeofHollian

DamelonGiantfriend:sonofBerek;formerLord

DefilesCourse:riverintheLowerLand

Demondim:spawnersofur-vilesandWaynhim

Despite:evil;anamegiventothedesignsofLordFoul

dhraga:aWaynhimdhubha:aWaynhimdhurng:aWaynhimdiamondraught:Giantishliquor

Din:aCourserdrhami:aWaynhimdromond:aGiantshipDroolRockworm:formerCavewight

durhisitar:aWaynhim

DuringStonedown:homeofHamako

Earthpower,the:thesourceofallpowerintheLand

Earthroot:lakeunderMelenkurionSkyweir

Earth-Sight:Giantishpowertoperceivedistantdangersandneeds

eh-Brand:onewhocanusewoodtoreadtheSunbane

Elena:formerHighLord;daughterofLenaandCovenant

Elohim:peoplemetbythewanderingGiants

Emacrimma’sMaw:aregionintheCenterPlains

FieldsofRichloam:aregionintheCenterPlainsFire-Lions:fire-flowofMountThunderFirstBetrayer:Clave-nameforBerekHalfhandFirstMark:formerleaderoftheBloodguardFirstoftheSearch:leaderoftheGiants

FirstWard:primaryknowledgeleftbyKevin

Forestal:aprotectoroftheForestsoftheLand

Foul’sCreche:theDespiser’sformerhome

FurlFalls:waterfallatRevelstone

GarrotingDeep:formerforestoftheLand

ghohritsar:aWaynhim

ghramin:aWaynhimGiants:aseafaringpeopleoftheEarth

Giantclave:Giantishconference

Giantfriend:titlegivenfirsttoDamelon,latertoThomasCovenant

Giantship:stonesailingvesselmadebyGiants

Giantway:pathmadeby

GiantsGiantWoods:aforestoftheLand

Gibbon:thena-Mhoram;leaderoftheClave

Gilden:amaple-liketreewithgoldenleaves

Glimmermere:alakeontheuplandaboveRevelstone

GossamerGlowlimn:a

Giant;theFirstoftheSearch

Graveler:onewhousesstonetowieldtheSunbane

graveling:fire-stonesGravelingas:formermasterofstone-lore

GravinThrendor:MountThunder

GrayDesert:aregion

southoftheLandGraySlayer:LordFoultheDespiser

Graywightswath:aregionnorthoftheSoulseaseRiver

GreshasSlant:aregionintheCenterPlains

Grieve,The:CoercriGrim,the:adestructivestormsentasacurseby

theClaveGrimmandHonninscrave:aGiant;MasterofStarfare’sGem

Grimmerdhore:formerforestoftheLand

Halfhand:titlegiventoThomasCovenantandtoBerek

Hamako:soleunharmedsurvivorofthe

destructionofDuringStonedownHarn:oneoftheHaruchai;protectorofHollianHaruchai,the:apeoplewholiveintheWestronMountainsHeartthew:atitlegiventoBerekHalfhandHerem:aRaver;alsoknownasturiya

Hergrom:oneoftheHaruchaiHighLord:formerleaderoftheCouncilofLordsHileTroy:amanformerlyfromCovenant’sworldwhobecameaForestalHollian:daughterofAmith;eh-BrandofCrystalStonedownHome:homeoftheGiants

HotashSlay:flowoflavaprotectingFoul’sCreche

hurtloam:ahealingmudHyrim:aformerLordoftheCouncil

IllearthStone:greenstone,sourceofevilpower

Illender:titlegiventoThomasCovenant

Jehannum:aRaver;also

knownasmokshajheherrin:softones;livingby-productsofFoul’smisshaping

Jous:amanofMithilStonedown;sonofPrassan;fatherofNassic;inheritoroftheUnfetteredOne’smission

KalinaNassic-mate:motherofSunder;

daughterofAllomaKeepofthena-Mhoram:RevelstoneKevinLandwaster:sonofLoric;formerLord;enactoroftheRitualofDesecrationKevin’sWatch:mountainlookoutnearMithilStonedownKirilThrendor:HeartofThunder;chamberof

powerwithinMountThunderKorik:formerBloodguardkrill,the:knifeofpowerformedbyLoricVilesilencerKurashFestillin:aregionintheCenterPlains

LakePelluce:alakeinAndelainscionLandsdrop:greatcliff

separatingUpperandLowerLands

Law,the:thenaturalorderLawofDeath,the:theseparationofthelivingandthedead

Lena:daughterofAtiaran;motherofElena

lianar:woodofpowerusedbyaneh-Brand

Lordofwickedness:a-

JerothLordFoul:theDespiserLords,the:formerrulersoftheLandloremaster:ur-vileleaderLoricVilesilencer:sonofDamelon;formerLordLowerLand,the:regioneastofLandsdroplurkeroftheSarangrave:swamp-monster

Marid:amanofMithilStonedownMaster,the:Clave-namefortheCreatormaster-rukh:irontriangleatRevelstonewhichfeedsandreadsallotherrukhsMelenkurionSkyweir:amountainintheWestronMountainsMemlana-Mhoram-in:a

RideroftheClavemetheglin:abeverage;mead

Mhoram:formerHighLordoftheCouncil

mirkfruit:papaya-likefruitwithnarcolepticpulp

MithilStonedown:avillageintheSouthPlains

moksha:aRaver;also

knownasJehannumMorin:aformerFirstMarkoftheBloodguard

Morinmoss:aformerforestoftheLand

MountThunder:apeakatthecenterofLandsdrop

na-Mhoram,the:leaderoftheClave

na-Mhoram-cro:lowestrankoftheClave

na-Mhoram-in:highestrankoftheClavena-Mhoram-wist:middlerankoftheClaveNassic:fatherofSunder;sonofJous;inheritoroftheUnfetteredOne’smissionNelbrin:sonofSunder;“heart’schild”

OathofPeace:formeroath

bythepeopleoftheLandagainstneedlessviolenceOffin:aformerna-MhoramOneTree,the:mystictreefromwhichtheStaffofLawwasmadeorcrest:Sunstone;astoneofpower,usedbyaGraveler

Pitchwife:aGiant;

memberoftheSearch;husbandoftheFirstoftheSearch

Prothall:aformerHighLord

ProverofLife:titlegiventoThomasCovenant

PureOne,the:redemptivefigureofjheherrinlegend

QuestfortheStaffofLaw:formerquestwhich

recoveredtheStaffofLawfromDroolRockworm

Ramen:apeopleoftheLand;tendersoftheRanyhyn

Ranyhyn:thegreathorses;theyformerlylivedonthePlainsofRa

Ravers:LordFoul’sthreeancientservants

Reader:amemberoftheClavewhotendsandusesthemaster-rukh

Rede,the:knowledgeofhistoryandsurvivalpromulgatedbytheClave

Revelstone:mountain-cityoftheClave

rhysh:acommunityofWaynhim;“stead”

Riddenstretch:aregion

northoftheSoulseaseRiverRider:amemberoftheClaveRitualofDesecration:actofdespairbywhichKevinLandwasterdestroyedmuchoftheLandRiversward:aregionnorthoftheSoulseaseRiverrukh:irontalismanby

whichaRiderwieldspowerRunnik:formerBloodguard

sacredenclosure:formerVespershallatRevelstoneSaltheartFoamfollower:formerGiantsamadhi:aRaver;alsoknownasSheol

Santoninna-Mhoram-in:aRideroftheClaveSarangraveFlat:aregionoftheLowerLandSearch,the:questoftheGiantsforthewoundintheEarthSeareach:aregionoftheLand;formerlyinhabitedbytheGiantsSecondWard:secondunitofKevin’shidden

knowledgeSevenHells,the:a-Jeroth’sdemesne;desert,rain,pestilence,fertility,war,savagery,darknessSevenWards,the:collectionofknowledgehiddenbyKevinShatteredHills:aregionoftheLandnearFoul’sCrecheSheol:aRaver;alsoknown

assamadhiShetra:aformerLordoftheCouncilSivitna-Mhoram-wist:aRideroftheClaveskest:acid-creaturesservingthelurkeroftheSarangravesoftones:thejheherrinsoothreader:aseersoothtell:ritualof

prophecypracticedbytheClaveSoulcrusher:formerGiantishnameforLordFoulStaffofLaw,the:atoolofpowerformedbyBerekfromtheOneTreeStarfare’sGem:GiantshipusedbytheSearchStell:oneoftheHaruchai;protectorofSunder

Stonedown:avillage;formerly,avillagebasedonstone-loreStonemight,the:anameforafragmentoftheIllearthStoneStonemightWoodhelven:avillageintheSouthPlainsSunbane,the:apowerarisingfromthecorruptionofnatureby

LordFoulSunbirthSea:oceaneastoftheLand

Sunder:sonofNassic;GravelerofMithilStonedown

Sun-Sage:onewhocanaffecttheprogressoftheSunbane

Sunstone:orcrestsur-jheherrin:descendants

ofthejheherrin:inhabitantsofSarangraveFlatSwarte:aRideroftheClaveSwordmain/Swordmainnir:aGianttrainedasawarrior

testofsilence:interrogationtechniqueusedbythepeopleof

theLandThirdWard:thirdunitofKevin’shiddenknowledgeThreeCornersofTruth:basicformulationofbeliefspromulgatedbytheClavethronehall,the:theDespiser’sformerseatinFoul’sCrecheTreacher’sGorge:river-

openingintoMountThunder

treasure-berries:aliantha;anourishingfruit

Trell:fatherofLena;formerGravelingasofMithilStonedown

Triock:aformermanofMithilStonedownwholovedLena

Trothgard:aregionoftheLand

turiya:aRaver;alsoknownasHerem

Unbeliever,the:titlegiventoThomasCovenantUnfettered,the:formerly,lore-studentsfreedfromconventionalresponsibilitiesUnfetteredOne,the:founderofalineofmenwaitingtogreetThomas

Covenant’sreturntotheLandUnhomed,the:theformerGiantsofSeareachupland:plateauaboveRevelstoneUpperLand:regionwestofLandsdropur-Lord:titlegiventoThomasCovenantur-viles:Demondim-

spawn;evilcreaturesofpowerussusimiel:nourishingmelongrownbythepeopleoftheLand

Vain:aproductofur-viles’breedingexperimentsVespers:formerself-consecrationritualoftheLordsVictuallinTayne:aregion

intheCenterPlainsViles:arageofbeingswhichcreatedtheDemondimvitrim:nourishingfluidcreatedbyWaynhimvoure:aplant-sapwhichwardsoffinsectsVow,the:BloodguardoathofservicetotheLordsvraith:aWaynhim

Waynhim:Demondim-spawn,butopponentsoftheur-viles

WeirdoftheWaynhim,the:Waynhimconceptofdoom,destiny,orduty

whitegold:ametalofpowernotfoundintheLand

whitegoldwielder:titlegiventoThomas

CovenantWightwarren:catacombs;homeoftheCavewightsunderMountThunderwildmagic:thepowerofwhitegold;consideredthekeystoneoftheArchofTimeWindscour:regionintheCenterPlainsWindshornStonedown:avillageintheSouth

PlainsWoodhelven:avillage;formerly,avillagebasedonwood-loreWoodhelvennin:inhabitantsofaWoodhelvenWraithsofAndelain:creaturesoflivinglightwhichinhabitAndelain

Dedication:

ToLesterDelRey:Lestermademedoit

AndtoRossandPerryDonaldson:simplythebest.

BooksbyStephenR.Donaldson

“TheChroniclesofThomasCovenanttheUnbeliever”LordFoul’sBaneTheIllearthWarThe Power thatPreserves

“TheSecondChroniclesofThomasCovenant”TheWoundedLand

TheOneTreeWhiteGoldWielder

“The Last Chronicles ofThomasCovenant”The Runes of theEarthFatalRevenantAgainst All ThingsEndingTheLastDark

“Mordant’sNeed”The Mirror of Her

DreamsAManRidesThrough

“TheGapSequence”TheRealStoryForbiddenKnowledgeA Dark and HungryGodArisesChaosandOrderThisDayAllGodsDie

The“Axbrewder/Fistoulari”novels

The ManWho KilledHisBrotherTheManWhoRiskedHisPartnerThe Man Who TriedtoGetAwayTheManWhoFoughtAlone

ShortStoryCollectionsDaughter of RegalsandOtherTalesReave the Just and

OtherTales