My favorite character in all the chrons shines here, imo.
Bannor of the Bloodguard, one of the original Haruchai to speak the vow in the face of the splendor of Revelstone & all the old Lords majesty once again saves TC's a**!
He pulls TC out of the chasm created by Elena & dead Kevin's battle. I always think that Bannor has got to be thinking - "What the *&%@ is wrong with this guy??!! He's got the ability to save the Land & all the Lords, but he's either too stubborn or too weak or too stupdid or something to even make an attempt!!!!" But, alas for Bannor, he's stuck with him & he usually needs to use all his skills & knowledge to keep TC alive.
I love the passsages describing their hurtling & frenetic ride. Can you picture Bannor losing his rudder and pulling out one of the seats to replace it, very non-chalontly(?sp), lalala, a walk in the park.....all while flying thru crevises & chasms, following the path Earthroot was finding, to some outlet, deep in the bowels of Melenkurion Skyweir.
Finally, the boat dives deep underwater and Bannor clutches TC to keep him alive. Bannor himself grabs the orcrest - an object of Earthpower, which sustains him, as the Vow does.
Am I the only one who finds himself holding his breath as he reads this part????
Finally they are shot out into the Black River entering Garroting Deep (and I take a deep breath ).
They eventually come upon the company, at Gallows Howe. TC takes in the scene and is able to pretty much assess the situation - Troy has lost his 'Land sight', the guy with the white hair singing is Caerroil Wildwood and tey are all staring at him, wondering what the heck happened.
Of course, Troy has a major convulsion at the news of Elena's fall, and Mr. Stoicism, Bannor, give Mhoram the marrowmeld scuplture the Elena had made fo TC after Mhoram's remark of:
I'm not exactly sure what Bannor heard in this remark, but he hears a deeper meaning and relates it to the scuplture."It is as I have said," he breathed achingly. "Madness is not the only danger in dreams."
SRD then takes us thru a quick series of events in the next 3 pages - Troy is given the info that TC is Elena's father, he cracks TC in the head (giving him the proper injury for his return to Haven Farm) then denounces his Oath of Peace & verges on the brink of despair, desperate for a way to try to save Elena, which brings him to the point of demanding TC use the white gold to save her.
So what does our hero do?????He swung toward Covenant. "You!" he shouted stridently. "If you're too much of a coward to do anything yourself, at least give me a chance to help her! Give me your ring! - I can feel it from here. Give it to me! Come on you bastard. Its her only chance."
He gives the ring to Troy.
To my surprise, Troy is able to produce power from the ring. How is this so?? "You are the white gold" This is what TC has been told. How is it that Troy can elicit power from the ring?? I know we had a whole thread specifically addressing this question, but perhaps some of you might want to expound on it a bit here. I am not completely convinced that this is something that makes sense. Troy has no 'power', aside from the fury of emotion that could trigger the ring - is this enough?
Well, aparently it is enough for the Forestal, and he quickly snuffs it -
"No, I cannot permit this." He actually has fear that Troy could possibly develop some mastery of the wild magic and reneg on their agreement.
He then claims the payment for his forebearance -
. Thus, Caer-Caveral is "born"."Eyeless one, you have promised payment. I claim your life."
As the company processes the passing of Troy, a large blast from Rivenrock shakes the Earth and they witness the Fall of Elena, as Covenant begins to fade........