As is known by those who remember the contrast between lurch’s dissection of the first chapter of AATE and mine of the second chapter, I do not approach this from any overarching philosophy such as Surrealism. Nor do I have the depth of knowledge or the eye for layers of symbolism that Wayfriend consistently picks up on. I am a simple herd-beast and I have always trusted SRD to tell a marvelous story. Thus, what I have to say may not be deep or learned, but it is always appreciative of the author’s artistry.
One thing that is different is that last time lurch got a Covenant chapter while my chapter shifted back to Linden. This time, we both get to write about a chapter from the POV of our deuteragonist.
Nightfall
The sun sets as the Ranyhyn carry Linden, Jeremiah and Stave at a gallop away from Muirwin Delenoth. Between the creeping approach of Kevin’s Dirt as it spreads to the Lower Land and a vague distress that seems to emanate from the ground itself, there growing tension. Linden is disoriented by the moonless night and the unfamiliar terrain.
She did not know where she was, and could only guess where she was going.
Nevertheless, the Ranyhyn are sure of where they are headed.
Reunited…and it feels so goodAbruptly, Hynyn uttered a loud neigh like a blare or triumph in the face of oncoming evils. And a moment later the stallion was answered. From the distance ahead came a welcoming whinny. Linden thought that she recognized Narunal’s call.
“There, Chosen,” Stave announced over the pounding of hooves. “Our companions await us where we last found water.”
The Giants are, of course, delighted that the Chosen, her son, and the Haruchai are back, even more so that Jeremiah is restored. With their natural affinity for stories, they are quickly immersed in Jeremiah’s somewhat jumbled retelling of all that has transpired, including how he freed himself. In this tale, there is plenty of joy for the ears that hear!
While this goes on, Linden has some time to talk to Mahrtiir. These two have far more in common than SRD shows on the surface. Both have an almost-unbounded capacity for self-doubt.
Despite her concern for how to help Jeremiah, Linden is also feeling a growing need for action. The tension she felt in the night ride is still with her. Once Jeremiah has filled in the Swordmainnir on most of the detail of what has happened, she approaches them to ask whether they too feel the approach of Kevin’s Dirt and the disquiet that seems to come from the very rock under their feet.”Ringthane,” he breathed softly. “Linden Avery.” Though I trust the Ranyhyn in all things, I must acknowledge that I have been sorely afraid. Also I am much vexed that I was not permitted to stand at your side. I am diminished in my own estimation. I must remember that I am Ramen and human. I must not judge myself by the majesty of the Ranyhyn.”
As if she were answering him, Linden murmured privately, “Jeremiah saved himself. Now I don’t know how to help him.”
Like Mahrtiir, she would never be equal to miracles. She had to learn how to serve them, as he did.
Despite being encouraged by Linden’s new sense of perspective, Coldspray still counsels that Linden take the night to eat and rest, that morning will be soon enough to tackle the need for action.”The Worm must be getting close. What else can it mean?”
“…We’re running out of time. We need to decide what we’re going to do and then we need to do it.”
The Ironhand regarded Linden for a moment, apparently searching for some clue to the turmoil that goaded her. “Your reveal a welcome alteration, Linden Giantfriend – as welcome as your son’s restoration to mind and power. Heretofore you have given your concern chiefly to him, heedless of the Earth’s doom.
I do not fault you in this,” she hastened to add. “We are Giants and adore children. Nonetheless other matters also weigh upon us. Your readiness now to challenge the foes of the Land and life lifts our spirits.”
While not key to the storyline, I appreciated how SRD captured the variability of youth in these two passages:
But scant minutes later:Jeremiah yawned unexpectedly. “I’m not just hungry,” he announced. “I’m sleepy. I thought I was too excited to sleep, but maybe I’m not.”
It was a long day, and it can be no surprise that Linden’s dreams are a tangled skein of happy projections of the son restored to conscious life and the many trials she has faced in the Land.”But I don’t want to sleep…this is too exciting.”
Morning *is* Broken
Linden’s dreams end with Stave’s hand at her shoulder and his low voice bidding her to rise. It is still dark. Although he tells her there is no specific cause for alarm, he and Mahrtiir have returned from their watch, and the Swordmainnir have already risen and are donning their armor for the day.
Jeremiah is also up…and apparently feeling rather chipper.
While waiting for the dawn, the company considers again the need for action…and their lack of a clear idea what that action should be. While the Ranyhyn were the instigators of taking Jeremiah to Muirwin Delenoth where he was able to construct the door to free his mind, they express no purpose now; they are merely restless while waiting for the company to determine their own course.”Mom.” She could not read his face except with her health sense, but he sounded implausibly cheerful. “Did you get some sleep? I sure did.” He stretched his arms, rolled his head to loosen his neck. “ Now I feel like I can conquer the world.”
As if he were performing a parlor trick, he snapped his fingers and a quick spark appeared in the air above his hand; a brief instant of flame. In itself, it was a small thing, almost trivial. But it implied –
He was already learning new uses for Anele’s gift of Earthpower. Perhaps he was becoming Earthpower.
Heh. As we know, that is rather the point, isn’t it? The sun isn’t going to rise…and as the company soon notices, the stars are going out. The immensity of this hits everyone hard, especially the Giants. As a seafaring race, the loss of the stars has a very practical impact: on the trackless seas, the stars are essential to navigation.”That’s all right, Mom,” Jeremiah put it, impatient for a chance to speak. “Like I told you, Infelice gave me an idea. I want to try it.”
Linden avoided his gaze. “Can you wait a little longer, Jeremiah, honey? Just until sunrise?”
Now is the time for Jeremiah’s idea. He recognizes that the stars are vanishing because the Worm is eating the Elohim. He wants to use his construction talent to make a door that will draw the Elohim into a safe place where the Worm can’t get them…but that they can freely leave when they perceive the threat to be gone.
Linden, ever the mother, is concerned for him. She still has not come to terms with what he may have suffered in the long-ago bonfire that started his stasis, much less what happened to him when saddled with the croyel. What will this new purpose do to him if he fails at it? What will it do to him if he succeeds?
Coldspray, to whom she turns for advice, cannot offer her any insights about that.
She also points out that the construct Jeremiah proposes to build, and the Elohim it will shelter, will still require defense from the Worm…and that only Linden wields anything approximating the necessary power to provide that defense. With that thought hanging in the air, Linden knows she must not only approve Jeremiah’s plan, but will have to go to great lengths to protect its purpose once accomplished.”Your perceptions exceed any that I am able to proffer.”
More softly, the Ironhand admitted, “Yet I am able to conceive of no course more worthy of our hearts and lives than his. What greater deed can we attempt,few as we are, and friendless in this gloom? For that reason alone, I would follow him wheresoever his eagerness leads. Bu there is more.
“Linden Giantfriend, my spirit is wracked by the death of stars. In their name, my counsel is young Jeremiah’s We much do what lies within our strength to preserve the Elohim.”
Wild Horses
Returning to her son, she tells him that they will go forward with his plan to build a door to draw the Elohim. Of what will it be made? Malachite, a mineral the company has not encountered since crossing the Hazard into the Lost Deep. The Giants have seen no sign of it. Stave, even with the comprehensive shared knowledge of the Masters, knows nothing of it since it was not something that would have drawn their interest. Needless to say, none has come to blind Mahrtiir’s attention.
Yep, you guessed it. Here come the Ranyhyn. Now that the company knows what they want to do, the Earthpowerful horses of the Land are ready to bear them in search of enough of this malachite stone for Jeremiah to construct his door.Jeremiah’s consternation dominated the dusk. It demanded answers.
Linden faced him with disappointment in her eyes. “Jeremiah, honey. I’m sorry. I don’t know what else we –“
He cut her off. Ferocity flared in him as if he had suddenly become someone else: a creature of savagery and suspicion. His hands curled into claws. “That’s what you wanted to talk to Coldspray about,” he snarled. “You wanted to be sure I couldn’t get what I need before you said yes.”
His transformation shocked Linden. Suffering had done this to him, this. But she was not prepared for it. While she reeled inwardly, she could not respond.
Around her the Giants recoiled, as startled as she was and full of disapproval. But Manethrall Mahrtiir’s reaction was immediate anger. “It is not, boy,” he snapped. “There is no particle of her which does not desire your well-being – aye, and the continuance of the Land. You speak now with the voice of the croyel, and will be silent.
Surprise stopped Jeremiah. For an instant, his vehemence faltered.
At once, Mahrtiir continued, “Behold!” With one arm he flung a vehement gesture down the length of the watercourse.
Well, the Ranyhyn will bear Linden, Jeremiah, Stave and Mahrtiir. The eight Giants will still have to run…
”Make ready, Swordmainnir,” [Rime Coldspray] instructed. “We cannot estimate the leagues which lie ahead of us, but we must traverse them swiftly.”
“Yet again,”grumbled Frostheart Gruburn. “Must we run interminably?” Nevertheless, she did not dally as she tightened her armor and checked her sword.
“These great beasts,” the Ironhand explained sternly, “have given aid when we had no other. If they crave haste, they will learn that Giants comprehend its import.”
And so we conclude this condensation of Nightfall with the words of Giants. Quite appropriate, given that Frostheart herself will be delivering the next chapter dissection, Not Dead to Life and Use.
There is plenty more meat in this chapter to discuss...I've only scratched the surface here and very much look forward to the insights y'all will point out that I completely missed.
knows that Jer's eagerness is a kind of flight from his issues, she must go along with this because he and the rest of her company are answering an immediate need of the Land's world: to save the stars by saving their associated Elohim. How can she possibly veto this idea?
