The next morning, the dromond Starfare’s Gem arrived in a gleam of white sails, as if it had been newly created from the sun’s reflection on the blue Sea. It hove into sight like a stone castle riding gallantly before the wind, beautifully both swift and massive, matching the grace and strength of the Giants.
And so, as we all catch our breaths, and dab at the few remaining tears in our eyes from the heart wrenching triumph of Coercri, we find our hero on a high cliff watching the approach of Starfare’s Gem. With him are Linden Avery, Sunder, Hollian, Brinn, Cail, Stell, Harn, and of course Vain.
We learn that earlier in the morning, Sunder revealed how Seadreamer was the one that rushed into the fire and retrieved Covenant as Linden saw his wild magic abating. We learn that he was not harmed in anyway, even his clothes were untouched by the argent flames of his white gold caamora for the damned of the Grieve. And we learn, and this brings a smile to my face, that Linden thought he had gone crazy…
Then we learn what the First’s decision is…In a severe tone, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me what you were going to do?”
“I didn’t dare,” he replied, giving her the truth. “I was too afraid of it. I couldn’t even admit it to myself.”
She shifted her position, drawing somewhat away from him. “I thought you’d gone crazy.”
He sighed, allowed himself to express at least that much of his loneliness. “Maybe I did. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.”
As so, now we find him and the others on the cliff over looking the Sea. Covenant, we learn, has made a decision and not an easy one. He tells Sunder and Hollian that he wants them to remain behind and go back to the Upper Land, back to the Sunbane, and try to convince all the people that the Clave is a lie and they should oppose it. At first, they protest, who would listen to them? Would they not be killed on sight for their blood? Covenant tells them, no. No, because they will have the krill…”Thomas Covenant,” she said, “I know not whether in truth the path of the Search lies with you. I have not seen with my own eyes the Sunbane, nor met in my own person the malice of him whom you name the Despiser, nor felt in my own heart the nature of what must be done. But Pitchwife urges that I trust you. Cable Seadreamer has beheld a vision of healing, when he had learned to believe that no healing remained in all the world. And for myself—“ She swallowed thickly. “I would gladly follow a man who can so give peace to the damned.
“Giantfriend,” she said, containing her emotion with formaility, “the Search will bear you to the land of the Elohim. There we believe that knowledge of the One Tree may be gained. If it lies within our doing, we will accompany you to the Tree, hoping for an answer to the peril of the Earth. This we will do in the name of our people, who have been redeemed from their doom.”
She passed a hand over her tears and moved away, leaving him eased, as if it were the outcome of his dreams.
Sunder and Hollian accept the krill, and more importantly, accept the task that Covenant places upon them.”Covenant?” The Graveler looked his astonishment at Linden, at Hollian, then back toward Covenant. Linden sat with her eyes downcast, watching the way her fingers touched the stone. But Hollian’s face brightened as if in recognition. “The krill is yours,” Sunder murmured, asking for comprehension. “I am a Graveler—nothing more. Of what use is such a periapt to me?”
Deliberately, Covenant held out his hope. “I think you can attune yourself to it. The way you did to Memla’s rukh. I think you can use the krill the way you use the Sunstone. And if you put the two together, you won’t need to shed blood to have power. You can use the krill to rouse the orcrest. You’ll be able to raise water, grow plants, do it all. Without blood. Any village will listen to that. They won’t try to kill you. They’ll try to keep you.
“And that’s not all. This is power. Proof that the Sunbane isn’t the whole truth. It proves that they have a choice. They don’t have to obey the Clave, don’t have to let themselves be slaughtered.”
With a twitch of his hands, he flung off part of the cloth so that the krill shone into the faces of his companions. “Sunder,” he implored. “Hollian. Take it. Convince them. We’re all responsible—all of us who know that the na-Mhoram is a Raver. Don’t let the Clave go on killing them.” The light of the krill filled his orbs; he could not see how his friends responded. “Give me a chance to save them.”
YES!! Sunder!!!They rose to their feet. “Ur-Lord,” the Graveler said, “we will do as you ask. If any blow may be struck against the Clave and the Sunbane by mortals such as we are, we will strike it. You have restored to me the faith of Nassic my father. Be certain of us while we live.”
We then see that Harn and Stell had left the hill and retrieved supplies. Brinn informs Covenant and the Stonedowners that they will not be alone in their efforts. Harn and Stell will go with them…
And so, along with Covenant, Linden, Brinn, Cail and Vain (if he even notices), we watch the Stonedowners and the Haruchai as they depart and go over the long hill below the Grieve’s Lighthouse and disappear. But before they do, we see Sunder and Hollian put their arms around each other.”The Sunbane is indeed vast, but you will not meet it alone. The Haruchai will not surrender their service. And I say to you that my people also will not suffer the Clave unopposed. Look for aid wherever you go, especially when your way leads within reach of Revelstone.”
Linden then tells Covenant that she believes he did the right thing in sending them back. That they needed a purpose, an answer, they needed to do something important. Then she wonders why Covenant gave them the krill, for she thought he wanted it as a weapon against Vain. And of course he replies in his true fashion…
As they contemplate his answer, Pitchwife calls from Coercri..”I don’t want any more weapons,” he murmered to Linden. “I’m already too dangerous.”
And so, my friends, as we watch them make their way down through the ancient Giant city...”Giantfriend! … Come! Starfare’s Gem approaches!”
The echoes went on in Covenant’s mind after the shout had faded. Giantfriend. He was who he was, a man half crippled by loneliness and responsibility and regret. But he had finally earned the title the First had given him.
The dromond came drifting slowly, neatly, toward the piers. Its rigging was full of Giants furling the sails.
Carefully, like a man who did not want to die, Covenant got to his feet. With Linden, Brinn, and Cail, he left the cliff.
They went down to meet the ship.
Here ends The Wounded Land, Book One of The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.
He managed to figure out the rukh, and now he's gonna start on the krill. Time for the dance!
