Lord Mhoram's Victory
Scary, a Giant-Raver. Also, I think that samadhi is wearing out this body. Might this have affected the outcome of this chapter? Perhaps.He was a Raver, insatiable for blood despite the mortal limits of the Giantish body he occupied.
The Raver and his army have sieged Revelstone. Mhoram, his fellow lords, and the people of Revelstone are holed up, supplies are low. The tower has been taken; yet samadhi cannot break the inner walls to enter the actual Keep.
However, the people of Revelstone appear doomed! Samadhi brings hordes of the Despiser. A near-infinite supply of soldiers! How can Lord Mhoram and the other lords hope to defeat such a force?
Samadhi-Satansfist shows to the Lords that he has such a force that he can simply throw his more expendable soldiers against the mighty walls of Revelstone.
Samadhi then brings more formidable Cavewights and ur-viles to attack. They scale the walls, find holes in them. Even these demented creatures, however, are no match for war-hardened Quann and his defenses. Lorewise citizens and plainspeople alike in Revelstone also help in the defense.
Quaan attempts to speak with Mhoram, who has removed the krill. It is here where Mhoram speaks with his fellow Lords, and explains to them, mentally, the Oath's flaw. The end of a era? Perhaps. There is hope! Mhoram explains. "We-and ur-Lord Covenant-must find the wisdom to attain both Peace and power." He explains that future Lords must find new Lords, but they do not have time. They must 'not betray the Land.'
Mhoram and the other Lords must rest before battle, but Loerya reponds that she will go to the place where she is needed most. Mhoram says he must help Trell endure the pain of the knowledge of what he did. He [Mhoram] appears to blame himself for what Trell did. "I am who I am-both human and mortal. I have-much to learn," Mhoram explains. A great line.
Mhoram eats with fellow lords. Amatin doubts Covenant. Mhoram remains firm in his belief that Covenant will aid the Land. In regards to the Creator, he says "We need not worry ourselves with the burdens of Gods." Again, very profound.
The assault of samadhi does not stop, even at night. An endless onslaught from an endless army. However, I think samadhi lacks tactical skills, preferring to just use a huge army to overwhelm the opponent. The Warward is helped by citizens of the Keep. I would not say the battle was going well, but it it's not hopeless.
The Lords also help the Warward. Mhoram is troubled by thoughts of the Stone coming into play. He's having visions ago, imo. The Lords meet. They discuss the question of using Desecration. Amatin, at least, knows its dangers. Quaan tells Mhoram that they have 40 days left of supplies, at the most. Basically, he says, they're screwed. No! Mhoram says. There is hope. Covenant is in the Land. Fear not. Mhoram sees Trell, and is horrified. "Covenant will make resitution...He must." Mhoram says bluntly.
The siege is going well...for samadhi-Raver. The ur-viles are starting to penetrate; only the Lords hold them from entering the Keep. The attackers are attempting to kill the defenders themselves. The Lords put an end to this with some Forbidding spells, and samadhi resumes his old tactics.
The Lords are exhuasted from all their work. Mhoram yearns for TC. "Covenant, Covenant," he says. At last, the siege stops, for now. Samadhi approaches the Keep. Alone. Samadhi says obviously and intentionally false words about his Master's despair of the pain of the Lords, blah, blah, blah...Mhoram tells him he believes him not. Samadhi drones on about the Lords possibly joining him in Foul's service and Mhoram says...
Yeah! That's right! Up yours, Raver! Cough. Excuse me.Samadhi Sheol! You mock us, but we are not mocked. We are not blind- we see the atrocity which underlies your persuasion. Begone! Foul-chattel! Take this army of torment and despication-return to your master. He has made your suffering-let him take joy in it while he can. Even as we stand here, the days of his might are numbered. When his end comes upon him, be certain he will do nothing to preserve your miserable being. Begone, Raver! I have no interest in your cheap taunts.
Without delay, samadhi continues the assault. Mhoram goes to Glimmermere to bathe. There, he realizes he must kill samadhi. So,he calls Drinny. Good ol' Drinny The Ranhyn comes to his call, even in this hour of despair for all beings of the Land. He returns to Revelstone in style. Everyone knows retaliation is at hand. The krill has gone out, but Mhoram is not yet ready to give up. Far from it. Amatin falters, and tells Mhoram that "you beg yourself to become a Desecrator."
Mhoram rests, getting ready for his assault. Loerya takes the tower back. For now anyways. Drinny, at this point, is rejuvinated. Ready for battle. Amatin shows Mhoram the gem of Loric's krill. There is hints of emerald.
Mhoram, showing great bravery, takes the krill with him to attack the Raver and his army. "I do not forget-I am the High Lord. The path of faith is clear," he says.
Suddenly, before Mhoram attacks, the Warawrd gets a huge break. A small band of Waynhim attack samadhi's weakest side, so he calls back his army attacking Revelstone to see to the attack. We ride, Mhoram says. And battle is made.
Mhoram sees first-hand the bravery of this band of Waynhim. SO, he decides to aid them. Samadhi does not see Mhoram and his 2,000 or so men rushing at him until it is almost too late. Mhoram rushes forward through the Raver's personal force. Mhoram is encircled by ur-viles, and fights them. Mhoram kicks ur-vile ass by using his newfound mastery of Kevins Lore.
He emerges from the wedge without the Warward close by, but samadhi is. Before Mhoram can reach him, the remaining ur-viles attack him again, but Mhoram simply blasts them away. "...a man born to fight for the Land," Donaldson says about Mhoram in this chapter. I would say so! He gets through many creatures on the field to get to samadhi. Scores and scores come down upon him, but he destroys all challengers. God! I had forgotten how awesome this scene is. Borillar teams up with the Waynhim to attack Mhoram's attackers.
Getting on Drinny, Mhoram gallops 50 yards to samadhi. houting the Words of Power and blasting him with Lords-fire, Mhoram charges at his nemesis. Samadhi's returning emerald blast destroys intead Mhoram's pursuers. The High Lord decides to use pure brawn, and simply hits the Raver in the head with the staff.
Before samadhi kills Mhoram, the howling wind of Lord Foul ceases. Mhoram uses the krill to stab samadhi; the two use their respective powers, krill and Stone, to battle each other.
Lo! The Stone explodes, killing Sheol and burning Lord Mhoram. Quaan rushes to his High Lord's aid, taking him back to the Keep.
Guys--gimme some time for the Colossus!