White Gold Wielder Part 52

Slowly, she turned her head and met the alarmed and wearied gaze of Dr. Berenford.

His eyes seemed to wince in their sockets, making the heavy pouches under tfaem quiver. His old moustache drooped over his mouth. The characteristic wry dyspepsia of his tone was gone; it failed him here. Almost fearfully, he asked her the same question Covenant had asked. "Are you all right?'474 She nodded as well as the pain in her skull allowed. Her voice sc.r.a.ped like rust in her throat. "They killed him." But (389 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

no words were adequate to her grief.

"I know." He urged her into a sitting position. Then he turned away to snap open his medical bag. A moment later, she smelled the pungence of antiseptic. With rea.s.suring gentleness, he parted her hair, probed her injury, began to cleanse the wound. But he did not stop talldng.

"Mrs. Jason and her three kids came to my house. You probably saw her outside the courthouse the first day you were here. Carrying a sign that said, 'Repent.' She's one of those people who thinks doctors and writers Just naturally go to h.e.l.l. But this time she needed me. Got me out of bed a few hours ago. AU four of them*'* He swallowed convulsively. "Their right hands were terribly burned. Even the kids."

He finished tending her hurt, but did not move to face her.

For a while, she stared sightlessly at the dead ash of the bonfire. But then her gaze returned to Covenant. He lay there in his worn T-s.h.i.+rt and old jeans as if no cerements in all the world could give his death dignity. His features were frozen in fear and pain*and in a kind of intensity that looked like hope. If Dr. Berenford had not been with her. she would have taken Covenant into her arms for solace. He deserved better than to lie so untended.

"At first she wouldn't talk to me," the older man went on.

"But while I drove them to the hospital, she broke down.

Somewhere inside her, she had enough decency left to be horrified. Her kids were wailing, and she couldn't bear it. I guess none of them knew what they were doing. They thought G.o.d had finally recognized their righteousness. They all had the same vision, and they just obeyed it. They whipped themselves into a tizzy killing a horse to get the blood they used to mark his house. They weren't sane anymore.

"Why they picked on him I don't know." His voice shook.

"Maybe because he wrote unChristian' books. She kept talking about the maker of desecration.' When he was forced to offer himself for sacrifice, the world would be purged of sin. Retribution and apocalypse. And Joan was his victim. unChristian' books. She kept talking about the maker of desecration.' When he was forced to offer himself for sacrifice, the world would be purged of sin. Retribution and apocalypse. And Joan was his victim.

She couldn't be rescued any other way." His bitterness mounted. "What a wonderful idea. How could they resist it?

"To Say Fareweir 475 They thought they were saving the world when they put their hands in that fire.

"They didn't snap out of it until you interrupted them."

Linden understood his dismay, his anger. But she had pa.s.sed the crisis. Without turning, she said, "They were like Joan. They hated themselves*their lives, their poverty, their ineffectuality." Like my parents. "It made them crazy." She yearned with pity for the people who had done this to Covenant.

T suppose so," Dr. Berenford sighed. "It wouldn't be the first time." Then he resumed, "Anyway, I left Mrs. Jason in Emergency and got the Sheriff. He didn't exactly believe me (390 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

*but he came out to Haven Farm anyway. We found Joan.

She was asleep in the house. When we woke her up, she didn't remember a thing. But she looked like she had her mind back. I couldn't tell. At least she wasn't violent anymore.

"I made the Sheriff take her to the hospital Then I came looking for you."

Again he swallowed at his distress. "I didn't want him with me. I didn't want him to think you were responsible for this."

At that, she looked toward him in wonder. His concern for her*his desire to spare her the conclusions which the Sheriff might draw from finding her alone with Covenant's body*touched the spring of something new in her; and it opened as if it were blossoming. His face had sagged under the weight of his baffled care; he appeared reluctant to meet her gaze. But he was a good roan; and when she looked at him she saw that Covenant's spirit was not dead. Without knowing it, he showed her the one true way to say FarewelL She placed her hand on his shoulder. Softly, she said, "Don't blame yourself. You couldnt have known what would happen. And he got what he wanted most. He made himself innocent." Then she leaned on him so that she could rise to her feet The sunlight felt warm and kind to her weariness. Above the bare slopes of me hollow stood trees wreathed in the new green of spring, buoyant, ineffable, and clean. In this world also there was health to be served, hurts to be healed.

When the older man joined her, she said, "Come on. We've got work to do. Mrs. Jason and her kids weren't the only ones.

We have a lot more burned hands to take care of."476 After a moment. Dr. Berenford nodded. "I'll tell the Sheriff where to find him. At least we can make sure he gets a decent bunal."

"Yes," she answered. The sun filled her eyes with brightness. Together, she and her companion started up the barren hillside toward the trees.

With her nght hand. Linden Avery kept a sure hold on her wedding nng.

Here ends The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

Qlossary ak-Haru: a supreme Haruchai honorific aliantfw: treasure-berries Amith; a woman of Crystal Stonedown Anchormaster; second-in-command aboard a Giants.h.i.+p Andelain, the Hills of; a region of the Land free of the Sunbane Appointed, the; an Elohim chosen to bear a particular burden: Findail (391 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

Arch of Time, the; symbol of the existence and structure of time arghule/arghuleh: ferocious ice-beasts Atiaran: former woman of Mitha Stonedown; mother of Lena Bahgoon: character in a Giantish tale Banefire, the: fire by which the Clave wields the Sunbane Baonor: former Bloodguard Berek Halfhand; ancient hero; the Lord-Fatherer Bern! Haruchai lost to the Clave Bhrathair, the: a people who live on the verge of the Great Desert Bhrathairealm: the land of the Bhrathair Bloodguard; former servants of the Council of Lords Brinn: Haruchai; former protector of Covenant, now Guardian of the One Tree cdamwa: Giantish ordeal of grief by fire Cable Seadreamer: a Giant; member of the Search; brother of Honninscrave; possessed by the Earth-Sight; slam at the One Tree 477.

478.

Glossary Caer-Caveral; Forestal of Andelain; formerly Hile Troy Caerroil Wildwood; former Forestal of Garroting Deep Cail; Haruchai; former protector of Linden Avery; now protector of Covenant Cavewights; evil earth-delving creatures living within Mount Thunder Ceer: Haruchai; slain in Bhrathairealm Celebration of Spring, the: the Dance of the Wraiths of Andelain on the dark of the moon in the middle night of Spring Center Plains, the; a region of the Land Chant: one of the Elohim Chosen, the; t.i.tle given to Linden Avery clachan, the; demesne of the Elohim .

Clave, the i the rulers of the Land (392 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

Coercri: The Grieve; former home of the Giants in Seareach Colossus of die Fall, the: ancient stone figure formerly guarding the Upper Land Corruption: Haruchai name for Lord Foul Council of Lords: former rulers of the Land Coursen beast of transport made by the Clave by the power of the Sunbane croyel: mysterious creatures which bargain for power Crystal Stonedown: village of the Land; home of Hollian Dancers of the Sea, the: merewives Daphin: one of the Elohim Dawngreeter; highest sail on the foremast of a Giants.h.i.+p Dead, the: specters of those who have died Defiles Course: a river of the Land Demondim, the: sp.a.w.ners of ur-viles and Waynhim '

Demondim-sp.a.w.n: Vain Despiser, the; Lord Foul Despite: evil dhumgi a Waynhim diamondraught; Giantish liquor Dolewind, the; wind blowing to the Soulbiter dromonds a Giants.h.i.+p Drool Bookworm: former Cavewight During Stonedown: home of Hamako; former village destroyed by the Grim -, Dun-is: Haruchai Glossary 479 Earthfriend: t.i.tle given to Berek Halfiiand, then to Covenant Earthpower, the: source of all power in the Land Earth-Sight; Giantish ability to perceive distant dangers and needs eh-Brand: one who can use wood to read the Sunbane; Hollian Elemesnedene: home of the Elohim Elena: former High Lord; daughter of Lena and Covenant Elohim, the; a faery people first met by the wandering Giants Enemy; Lord Foul's term of reference for the Creator Far Woodhelven: a village of the Land FindaO: one of the Elohim; the Appointed FireLions: fire-flow of Mount Thunder First of the Search, the: leader of the Giants who follow the Earth-Sight FIeshharrower: former Giant-Raver; moksha Jehannum Foamldte: tyrscull belonging to Honmnscrave and Seadreamer (393 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

Pole: Haruchai Forestal: a protector of the forests of the Land Foul's Creche; the Despiser's former home; destroyed by Covenant Furl Falls: waterfall at Revelstone Gallows Howe; place of execution in Garroting Deep Garroting Deep; a former forest of the Land ghramin: a Waynhim Giants: a seafaring people of the Earth Giantclave: Giantish conference Giantfriend; t.i.tle given to Covenant Giants.h.i.+p: stone sailing vessel made by Giants Giant Woods; a forest of the Land Gibbon: the na-Mhoram; leader of the Clave Guden: a maplelike tree with golden leaves Glimmermere: a lake on the upland above Revelstone Gossamer GIowlimn: a Giant; the First of the Search Graveler: one who uses stone to wield the Sunbane; Sunder graveling: fire-stones Gravin Threndor: Mount Thunder Great Desert, the: a region of the Earth; home of the Bhrathair and the Sandgorgons Great Swamp, the; a region of the Land480 Glossary Grey River, tho a river of the Land Grieve, The; Coercri Grim, the: destructive storm sent as a curse by the Clave Grimmand Honninscrave: a Giant; Master of Starfare's Gem; member of the Search; brother of Cable Seadreamer Guardian of the One Tree, the: mystical figure warding the approach to the One Tree; also ak-Haru Kenaustin Ardenol Halfhand: t.i.tle given to Covenant as well as to Berek Hall of Gifts, the: large chamber in Revelstone devoted to artworks of the Land Bamako: former Stonedownor adopted by Waynhim Ham: Haruchai; protector of Hollian (394 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

Haruchai, the: a people who live in the Westron Mountains Hearthcoal: a Giant; cook of Starfare's Gem; wife of Se'asauce Heft Galewrath: a Giant; Storesmaster of Starfare's Gem Herem; a Raver Hergrom: Haruchai', slain in Bhrathairealm High Lord: former leader of the Council of Lords Hile Troyi a man formerly from Covenant's world who became a Forestal Hollian: daughter of Amith; eh-Brand formerly of Crystal Stonedown Home: homeland of the Giants Hotash Slay* flow of lava formerly protecting FouFs Creche IIlearth Stone, the: green stone; a source of evil power Mender; t.i.tle given to Covenant Infelice: reigning leader of the Elohim Isle of the One Tree, the; location of the One Tree Jehannum: a Raver; also known as moksha iheherrin; living by-products of Lord Foul's misshaping Kalina: wife of Na.s.sic; mother of Sunder; former woman of Mithil Stonedown Kasreyn of the Gyres a thaumaturge; former power in Bhrathairealm Kastenessen: one of the Elohim; former Appointed Keep of the na-Mhoram: Revelstone Kemper, the; chief minister of Bhrathairealm; Kasreyn Glossary 481 Kemper's Pitch: highest level of the Sandhold Kenaustin Ardenol: a figure of Haruchai legend; paragon and measure of all Haruchai virtues Kevin Landwaster; son of Loric; former Lord; enactor of the Ritual of Desecration Kevin's Watch; mountain lookout near Mithil Stonedown Kiril Threndor: Heart of Thunder; chamber of power within Mount Thunder fa-itt, the: knife of power formed by Loric Land, the: a focal region of the Earth Landsdrop: great cliff separating the Upper and Lower Lands Landsverge Stonedown: a village of the Land Landwaster: t.i.tle given to Kevin Law, the: the natural order Law of Death, the; separation of the living from the dead (395 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

Law of Life, the: separation of the dead from the living Lena: former woman of Mithil Stonedown; daughter of Atiaran; mother of Elena Uanari wood of power used by an eh-Brand Lord-Fatherer, the; t.i.tle given to Berek Lord Foul: the Despiser Lords, the: former rulers of the Land Lord's Keep: Revelstone Loric Vilesilencer; son of Damelon; father of Kevin; former Lord Lower Land, the: region east of Landsdrop lurker of the Sarangrave: a swamp-monster Marid: a man of Mithil Stonedown; Sunbane victim Master: Clave-name for Lord Foul Master, the: captain of a Giants.h.i.+p master-rukh: iron triangle in Revelstone which feeds and reads all other rukhs Memla; a former Rider of the Clave merewives: the Dancers of the Sea meiheglin: a beverage; mead Mhoram: former High Lord Mistweave; a Giant Mithil Eiver: a river of the Land Mithil Stonedown: a village of the Land 482 Glossary moksha: a Raver; also known as Jehannum Mount Thunder; a peak at the center of Landsdrop na-Mhoram, thes leader of the Clave na-Mhoram-in: highest rank of the Clave na-Mhoram-wist: middle rank of the Clave Na.s.sic; a former man of Mithil Stonedown; father of Sunder, inheritor of the Unfettered One's mission to welcome Covenant Nicon great sea-monsters; said to be offspring of the Worm of the World's End Noro: a Sandgorgon North Plains, the: a region of the Land Northron Climbs, thci a region of the Land Old Lords, the; the Lords of the Land prior to the Ritual of Desecration One Forest, the; ancient sentient forest which once covered (396 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

most of the Land One Tree, the; mystic tree from which the Staff of Law was made orcresfi Sunstone; a stone of power, used by a Graveler pitchbrew: a beverage combining diamondraught and Wfrfm, conceived by Pitchwife Pitchwife; a Giant; member of the Search; husband of Gossamer Glowlimn Prover of Life; t.i.tle given to Covenant Pure One, the; redemptive figure of fheherrin legend; Saltheart Foamfollower Kamen: a people of the Land; tenders of the Ranyhyn Baoyhyni the great horses; formerly inhabited the Plains of Ra Ravers; Lord Foul's three ancient servants Kawedge Him, the: mountains around Elemesnedene Header! a member of the Clave who tends and uses the master-rukh Kevelstone; mountain-city of the Clave rhysh: a community of Waynhim rhy shy s.h.i.+m: a gathering of rhysh; a place in which such gathering occurs Eider; a member of the Clave -, Glossary 483 ring-wlelder: Elohim term of reference for Covenant Ritual of Desecration: act of despair by which Kevin Landwaster destroyed much of the Land rocklighti light emitted by glowing stone ruJUt; iron talisman by which a Rider wields power sacred enclosure; former Vespers hall in Revelstone; now site of the Banefire and the master-rukh Saltheart Foamfollower: former Giant Salttooth; jutting rock in the harbor of Home samadhi: a Raver: also known as Sheol Sandgorgon; a monster of the Great Desert Sandgorgons Dooms imprisoning storm created by Kasreya to trap the Sandgorgons Sandhold, the: castle of the rulers of Bhrathairealm Saodwall, the: great wall defending Bhrathairealm Sarangrave Flat; a region of the Lower Land Search, the: quest of the Giants for the wound in the Earth seen by the Earth-Sight Seareach; a region of the Land; formerly inhabited by Giants Seasauce: a Giant; cook of Starfare's Gem; husband of Hearthcoal ^ Seven Wards, the: collection of knowledge hidden by Kevin (397 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

Sevinhand: a Giant; Anchormaster of Starfare's Gem Sheol: a Raver; also known as samadhi s.h.i.+psheartthew; the wheel of a Giants.h.i.+p Sivit: a Rider goothtell: ritual of prophecy practiced by the Clave Soulbiter, the: dangerous ocean of Giantish legend Soulsease River, the: a river of the Land South Plains, the: a region of the Land Staff of Law, the: a tool of power formed by Berek from the One Tree Starfare's Gem: Giants.h.i.+p used by the Search Stell: Haruchai; former protector of Sunder Stonedown; a village of the Land Stonedownor; inhabitant of a Stonedown Stonemight Woodhelven: a village of the Land Storesmaster; third-in-command aboard a Giants.h.i.+p Sunbane, the; a power arising from the corruption of nature by Lord Foul Sunder; son of Na.s.sic; former Graveler of Mithi! Stonedown484 Glossary Sun-Sage, the; t.i.tle given to Linden Avery by the Elohim; one who can affect the progress of the Sunbane Sunstone; orcrest Swordmain/ Swordmainnir; Giant trained as a warrior thronehall, the; the Despiser's former seat in Foul's Creche Toril: Haruchai lost to the Clave Treacher's Gorge: river-opening into Mount Thunder treasure-berries: aliantha a nouris.h.i.+ng fruit Trothgardi a region of the Land tyrscull: a Giantish training vessel for apprentice sailors Unbeliever, thci t.i.tle given to Covenant Unhomed, the; former Giants of Seareach upland: plateau above Revelstone Upper Land, the; region west of Landsdrop ur-Lord; t.i.tle given to Covenant ur-vuesi sp.a.w.n of the Demondim; creatures of power; creators of Vain ussusimiel: nouris.h.i.+ng melon grown by the people of the Land Vain: Demondim-sp.a.w.n; bred by the ur-viles for a secret purpose citrim: nouris.h.i.+ng fluid created by Waynhim coure: a plant-sap which wards off insects; a medicine for Sunbane-sickness Vow, the: BIoodguard oath of service to the Lords craifhi a Waynhun Warrenbridge: bridge leading to the catacombs under Mount (398 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:45 PM]

Thunder Waynhim: sp.a.w.n of the Demondim; opposed to ur-viles Weird of the Waynhim, the: Waynhim concept of doom, destiny, or duty Westron Mountains: mountains bordering the Land white gold; a metal of power not found in the Earth White Biver, the: a river of the Land Wightbarrow, the; caim under which Drool Rockworm is buried Wightwarrens; catacombs; home of the Cavewights under Mount Thunder Glossary 485 wild magict the power of white gold; considered the keystone of the Arch of Time Woodhelven: a village of the Land Worm of the World's End, Ac: mystic creature believed by the Elohim to have formed the foundation of the Earth Wraiths of Andelaim creatures of living light which inhabit Andelain Wurd of the Earth, thci term used by the Elohim to suggest variously their own nature, the nature of the Earth, and their ethical compulsions; could be read as Word, Worm, or Weird

About the Author.

Born in 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio, Stephen R. Donaldson made his publis.h.i.+ng debut with the first Covenant trilogy in 1977.

Shortly thereafter he was named best New Writer of the Year and given the prestigious John W. Campbell Award. He graduated from the College of Wooster (Ohio) in 1968, served two years as a conscientious objector doing hospital work in Alo-on, then attended Kent State University where he received his M.A. in English in 1971. Donaldson now lives in New Mexico.