... And in sooth, nothing really happens. We pretty much already know what Linden is going to do -- from her just-ended conversation w/ Esmer, it seems apparent. So in this chapter, all we really have is her trying to convince the rest of her companions. And the chapter ends mid-scene! (of course, to a reader this is not a problem -- but for the dissection it leaves us hanging. SRD should really consider this when writing Or is there more? This chapter also strikes me as another "setup" chapter, like Hints and others, where there's more going on than seems at first glance. With that said...
As the chapter begins, Esmer has just left Linden, before he presumably goes nutso again. Linden has been left with some answers, and more questions. The Cords return w/ Sahah, who is healing nicely, and a supply of hurtloam, which Linden immediately takes to use to heal Stave's wounds.
Is there more to this statement than a simple reflection on the beauty of the Land? No such healing exists in Linden's "real" world. Is this a foreshadowing of things to come? Does the "real" world merit such Despite?"No world where such healing was possible merited the Despiser's malice."
Regardless, the hurtloam heals many of Stave's most grievous injuries. Stave awakens and says "you have surpassed me." What is he really saying about her ability to convince him to accept healing?
As Linden goes to meet w/ the rest of her companions, she notices the beauty of the Land's sensations, and then immediately notices how filthy she and her clothes are. It's like every time she starts to fully allow the Land into her senses, into her heart, she closes it down, by noticing something negative. But she will not spare the time to care for herself, or even eat ...
An hour to cleanse yourself and have a good meal would probably do a whole lot of good. Take care of yourself or you won't be able to help anyone else."her purpose was clear."
She finds that the Ramen have now fully accepted her. They do not question the acceptance of the Ranyhyn. Yet, this also implies that they must accept Stave; this is part of why they have accepted Esmer. But after last nights' battle it seems they have begun to question this. Though they do not like the 'sleepless ones' they are honorable and distrust Esmer's unprovoked attack upon Stave, a guest under their care and hospitality. How far does the Ramen loyalty to the horses extend? Is there ever a time when they would go against their will?
Linden meets two of the other Manethralls, Dohn and Mahrtiir, who seems to be a very interesting character for a Ramen. Unlike the others, it appeared that
He tells Linden thathis life was not arduous enough to suit him; that he hungered for struggle and bloodshed, yearned to give battle more often than his circumstances allowed.
But Linden has not seen it? Even now, she doesn't notice anything. Again it seems the Ramen have more abilities than they're letting on (I've commented on this in previous chapters). Or that Linden's missing something. And what the heck is Esmer doing now? It's interesting that she doesn't even wonder about it, nor give it another thought.Esmer "wields a storm among the mountains, power and lightning visible across all this vale."
The Manethralls appear awestruck that the Ranyhyn bowed to her. I wonder at the paradox or contradiction of how the Ramen respect and honor those who have been chosen, who the horses will carry, yet also bear animosity towards them (mostly the Haruchai, but to a lesser extent the Lords). They especially respect Covenant, for he chose to not ride. Here though, they don't seem to feel any negativity, except fear for the Ranyhyn.
But the Ranyhyn have always chosen to give battle, when they could assist the Bloodguard and Lords. I wonder if they would have preferred to remain in or near the Land for all these millennia, but as I said in an earlier dissection they could have simply led the Ramen back to the Land at any time if they'd chosen to. Perhaps their abilities with time also enabled them to know that they wouldn't be needed until this time, when Linden returned? Esmer has told Linden this is the case with the ur-viles.If we acted of our own will, we would rather turn our backs on our ancient home than submit any Ranyhyn to Fangthane's cruelty." Then she shrugged slightly. "However, we are ruled by the Ranyhyn." Her tone conveyed no taint of bitterness, although she plainly loathed any threat to the great horses. "And it is likewise certain that you have been accepted. Nor can your wish to oppose the Render be mistaken." In spite of its firmness, her voice held an almost subliminal tremor; a hint of dread. "Thus we are made to understand that the Ranyhyn also will give battle, in your service."
So why didn't the Ramen return to the Land during the centuries after the Sunbane? The Land was healing, and I doubt there was any sign that Fangthane was a threat. Did they somehow know that he had not been ultimately vanquished? Or did the Ranyhyn know this? Otherwise, they have not truly explained why they did not return.
Before Linden can explain her plan, Stave limps to the circle, then hammers his hip back into place. OUCH!! I could feel that one. One might ask why he didn't do this before hobbling over... (but then we wouldn't have seen him do it
) Could it have been a comment to Linden? Do not shame me with your healing. Pain is irrelevant. I can take care of myself. One part of me understands... he wants to strike blows in the name of his devotion. Unlike the rest of the Ramen, he is not content to abandon the Land and do nothing but hope for a time when they can return Home. Yet another part keeps wondering, is there more to Mahrtiir than just another Raman?Mahrtiir watched her like a man who had glimpsed the struggle for which his spirit hungered.
Linden begins to explain what she learned from Esmer - about Anele, falls, the ur-viles.
Again we see her putting TC on a pedestal, while dissing her own abilities.The more she said, however, the more her intentions appalled her. Soon her companions would respond with indignation and dismay. They would certainly oppose her.
She was not Thomas Covenant: she lacked the personal extremity for such risks.
Step into your Truth. Be who you truly Are.
Yes!! This is a woman who acts in spite of her fear and doubt. Even though she doesn't know how to go back in time... as far as she knows, the falls only run forward. But she's going to do it. As the rest of her companions fire protests at her, Mahrtiir speaks up:But she knew better. She was Linden Avery the Chosen, named Ringthane and Wildwielder. Jeremiah was her son. There was no one else to whom she could offer her burdens. In spite of her trepidation, she raised her eyes to gaze at each of her companions: ... <snip>... Then she pronounced distinctly, "We need the Staff of Law. I intend to go get it."
This man is a Raman? I've always loved them but they've never shown themselves to be lorewise or much interested in such things. Yet Mahrtiir asks another question that on the surface doesn't seem out of place, yet implies a much deeper knowledge."Are you adept at Time? Are such journeys common in your world? How will you find the time you seek?"
Linden explains her reasons for feeling that it will be safe to get the Staff - Time isn't that fragile, the Staff hasn't been used (how can she be sure of this?), and
Hmmm... here's that tunnel-vision again. Linden seems to only see the one possibility - it's not in the cave, therefore she succeeded. No other possibility enters her mind. Just like "the Creator must not care about the Land because he didn't speak to me" and too many other times where she prejudges the meaning of events.And she had one reason to believe that her extravagant proposal might succeed. The Staff was no longer where Anele had left it. Obsessed by grief and recrimination, he had confirmed that fact over and over again.
Which apparently implied--that she had been able, or would be able, to retrieve it.
She tells the Manethralls what Esmer said: "Look to the Ranyhyn." Though they're afraid of what this implies, they acknowledge the right of the Ranyhyn to choose their course. Hami shares what she knows of their ability to transcend time.
I didn't understand Mahrtiir's reaction... Surely the Ramen know or assume that the Ranyhyn will choose to make the attempt. And I would assume that this man, who appears to hunger for a chance to make a difference, would want the Ranyhyn to choose to help. Then, what secret desire does he set aside?Then Dohn said softly, "The Ranyhyn will choose. They must. It is not our place. This matter is beyond us."
Mahrtiir nodded reluctantly, as if he were being asked to set aside a secret desire.
Stave, understandably, is somewhat less than enthused by this information. He makes a very valid counterargument: that Linden will threaten the Land and Law in many ways. And he is correct. But I had to laugh at this line:
Dude! She has white gold! The entire Haruchai race couldn't stop her.Yet I must prevent you. And if I cannot, even your puissance will not avail you against the combined force of the Masters."
Or have they developed some new form of power?
She cries at him "you don't understand!" and then goes off about how the Haruchai are like the Ramen, judging without information - how they weren't there to witness Covenant and Linden's struggles and successes in Mt. Thunder, don't know about the summoning and the bonfire, how they won't forgive. It appears that her arguments have no effect on Stave. He has a great reply:
Indeed, she has not. While not passionate in the way Covenant is, Linden can get very intense when she's flustered and under pressure. This doesn't bode well for the Land or the Arch. Linden thinks "he had missed the point completely." But, Stave is right. How could he know what she's about to tell him, what her true driving motivation is? Is expecting other people to read her mind also going to become an issue? And why would she think that this knowledge would sway a Master? Because Mhoram once let Covenant go, to save a little girl? From what we know of the Masters and the way they express their committment to the Land, it's very doubtful."You have not answered. Your words explain nothing. You make plain that you disdain the necessary choices of the Haruchai. You see it as a fault in us that we will never again hazard being made to serve Corruption. You also pass judgment, yet you reveal nothing."
"Lord Foul has my son."
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