The Fatal Revenant Part 58

the Swordmainnir and the Giants of Dire's Vessel. After much debate, we determined to put aside our opposition for a time. While we could, we would set our sails to the heading of Longwrath's desire. Thereby we hoped to learn the meaning of his madness.

"Thus Lostson Longwrath became our lodestone.

"The season was now winter," Coldspray explained as if she spoke for the gravid dark. "In those seas, the gales of winter possess a legendary virulence. Yet we were neither beset nor becalmed. Guided by Longwrath's gaze, we encountered naught but favorable winds and kind pa.s.sage. The shackles did not fall from his limbs. While he retained his sword, he accepted food and care, and offered no harm. And soon it became clear to even our crudest reckonings that his face was turned toward the Land."

Liand and Pahni held each other with growing comprehension in their faces. Bhapa sat with his head lowered and his eyes covered as if he endeavored to emulate Mahrtiir's blindness. The Manethrall gripped himself fiercely. Only Stave remained unmoved.

Acknowledging the reactions of her audience, Coldspray said, "Then did we truly question the wisdom of our course. That we were unwelcome in the Land we knew, but the att.i.tude of - - -.

the Masters did not alarm us. For centuries, they have proffered only discouragement, not resistance. No, our concern was this. If indeed we traced the path of the Sandgorgons, as the Harbor Captain had suggested, we feared that a grave peril gripped the Land, and that we fared toward havoc which we were too few to oppose.

"Thus among us the words 'slay' and her and 'fools' gained new import."

She sighed. "And as winter became spring, we found new cause to debate our course, for it grew evident that Longwrath directed Dire's Vessel toward the noisome banes of Lifeswallower, the Great Swamp. There we were unwilling to follow his rapt gaze. The foulness of Lifeswallower dismayed our senses. Also we remembered the tales of the Search, which warned of the lurker of the Sarangrave, and of the lurker's servants, the corrosive skest.

"Therefore we turned aside from Longwrath's hunger. Sailing northward along the littoral of the Land, we sought a safer harborage in The Grieve of the Unhomed.

"We did not doubt our choice," Coldspray stated in sadness and defiance. "We do not question it now. Yet we learned at once that the ease of our voyage was ended. Contrary and unseasonable winds opposed our course, compelling us to beat - - -.

ceaselessly against them. And Longwrath emerged from his quiescence to rave and struggle. Had we permitted it, he would have hurled himself, iron-bound, into the sea. No less than three Swordmainnir were needed to restrain him-and five if we touched his blade. Yet we were also required among the sheets and canvas, for Dire's Vessel was sorely tried, and every element conspired to thwart us.

"Still we are Giants, not readily daunted. Our race has striven with sea and wind for millennia. We ourselves had endured the travail of the Soulbiter. We persisted, exerting our skill and strength to their utmost. At last, we gained anchorage in Coercri, ancient and ruined, The Grieve of the Unhomed."

The Ironhand paused as if to acknowledge what she and her comrades had accomplished. When Coldspray fell silent, however, Linden's attention drifted. She remembered too much. In Coercri, Covenant had given a caamora to the Dead of the Unhomed. She needed him. And she did not have to hear the rest of the Swordmain's story to know where it was going.

She had been warned often enough- After a moment, Coldspray resumed, "There we deemed that we might rest.

We wished to mourn for our lost kindred. And some of their dwellings remained habitable, defying long centuries of storm and disuse. But as we slumbered, believing Longwrath secure, he slipped again from his unopened shackles and fled.

"When his escape was discovered, we held a last, foreshortened Giantclave. We elected to separate, the Swordmainnir pursuing Longwrath while our friends and kin preserved Dire's Vessel for our future need.

"At another time"-Rime Coldspray looked in turn at each of her smaller companions-"tales will be made of our urgent, maddened, and maddening chase. Few Giants have crossed so many leagues so swiftly, for we ran and ran, and still we ran. Traversing Seareach southwestward, we skirted the foothills of the Northron Climbs to pa.s.s through Giant Woods and enter the perils of Sarangrave Flat. There, however, we scented faintly the ancient evil of the lurker. While we were compelled to caution, Longwrath continued to elude us. Yet he made no secret of his path. When every hint of the lurker had fallen behind us, we were able to gain ground in spite of our weariness.

"Finally we caught him, for we are more fleet than he." Again she sighed. "At the foot of Landsdrop, we shackled him once more. And for a handful of - - -.

days thereafter, he ceased his escapes. Perhaps because we followed the path of his madness, or mayhap because the ascent of Landsdrop and the obstructions of this woodland hindered him, he permitted us to remain his captors. Thus we were granted a measure of rest.

"Yet our fear increased, for now when he spoke of 'slay' and 'her' and 'fools,' we heard eagerness as well as fury. By this sign, he revealed that he drew ever nearer to the object of his wish for murder."

"Indeed," murmured Onyx Stonemage. "I am a Swordmain and deem myself valorous. Yet I knew such dread at his p.r.o.nouncements that I am shamed by it."

At Stonemage's side, Stormpast Galesend nodded. "Though he uttered only, 'Slay her,' and 'Are you fools?' his enflamed and avid vehemence prophesied ruin as much as death."

Touched by an ire of her own, Coldspray said in a voice of metal, "It was then that we first encountered the were-menhirs, which you name skurj. They were two, and they did not threaten us. Indeed, they appeared ignorant of our presence. We might have pa.s.sed by in safety, as Longwrath clearly wished.

"Yet when we had witnessed their devouring of this great wood, their carnage and savagery, we could not refrain from combat. We are Giants and Swordmainnir, and our love for the living world is not limited to stone and sea. Though Longwrath howled in protest, we gave battle to the skurj.

"Tales will one day be made of that struggle, as they will of our pursuit of Longwrath, for we were unacquainted with our foes, and their monstrous fire and ferocity hindered our efforts to learn how they might be slain. Nevertheless at last they lay dead. And still Longwrath suffered himself to remain among us, bound and armed.

"In our ignorance, we sought to ascertain that the skurj were indeed lifeless by severing them into less ominous portions." She snorted a bitter laugh. "However, our error was soon made plain to us. Two were dead-but in a short time, five more came to consume the fallen, and by that means their number became ten."

Linden s.h.i.+vered in spite of the campfire's warmth.

"Then in dismay we fled, though we are Giants and Swordmainnir. We had met a foe which we could not defeat. Still guided by Longwrath's greed for bloodshed, we ran.

"Since that day, we have once more fought the skurj, though not by our own choosing. In some fas.h.i.+on which we do not comprehend, they have become aware of us. After our first battle, they did not appear to seek us out. When we chanced to draw near them, they paid no heed. Yestereve, however, we found ourselves hunted deliberately, with cunning as well as hunger. By some means, three skurj contrived to pa.s.s unsensed through the earth, emerging beneath our feet to catch us unprepared.

"It was there, Linden Avery, that we lost our supplies. While we gave battle, Longwrath slipped his shackles once more. Having stricken me to the ground"-she indicated the bruise on her cheek-"he escaped. What food, raiment, and weapons were not devoured by our foes, we of necessity abandoned. And it is well that we did so. Had we delayed to gather our burdens, we could not have pursued Longwrath swiftly enough to forestall the fulfillment of his madness."

Again the Ironhand paused to regard Linden and her companions. Then Coldspray concluded, "Thus our tale ends, though I have refrained from telling it as Giants do, fully, exploring each inference. The time is strait, and hazards await every heading. Therefore I ask. Do you now grasp how it is that we have come to be in this place at this time, and how we may be certain that happenstance has played no part in our meeting? Do you recognize that your own tale has become as necessary to us as breath and blood?

"Linden Avery, you have attained the stature of legends among the Giants. Had the Search not informed us that time flows otherwise in your world, your presence-aye, and your comparative youth-would surpa.s.s belief. You have been a redeemer of the Land, and mayhap of the wide Earth also. Yet now Lostson Longwrath craves the sacrifice of your life upon the altar of his derangement. Across a year of the world and thousands of leagues, he has pursued your death. If you do not grant us comprehension, we will remain as lost as he, and as bereft."

Linden swallowed heavily, trying to clear her throat of implications and dread. She understood too much as well as too little, and her heart trembled. Instead of answering the Ironhand directly, she murmured, "I don't think that they're aware of you. I think that they're being commanded."

The skurj had attacked the Giants because Kastenessen wished it. So that Longwrath could elude his guardians. Now the creatures held back so that the mad Swordmain could get close to Linden again. Kastenessen meant to help him carry out his geas.

Liand shook himself as though he were rousing from a trance. "Aye," he whispered. "It must be so. The skurj would not otherwise act as they have done. They are appet.i.te incarnate. Hunger rules them, as Longwrath also is ruled."

Like Joan, Linden thought. Joan's despair was a kind of hunger. And turiya Raver tormented her, urging destruction.

Kastenessen and Longwrath, Joan and Roger and Lord Foul: they all sought the same thing.

Apart from the claiming of your vacant son, I have merely whispered a word of counsel here and there, and awaited events.

Understanding too much, Linden knew that her need for the aid of the Swordmainnir was absolute, if only so that she might reach Andelain and Loric's krill alive.

And she could not tell them the truth. Not all of it: not the one thing which she had never revealed to anyone. If she did, they might turn their backs on her. Even Stave, Liand, and Mahrtiir might prefer a doom of their own making. The Humbled would oppose her with all of their great strength.

He did not know of your intent.

While Linden attempted to sort her conflicting priorities, Stave said, "A question, Rime Coldspray, if you will permit it?"

Unsteady flames made Coldspray's grin look crooked; broken. "I would 'permit' questions to any Master, Stave of the Haruchai, regardless of their unwelcome. But you stand with Linden Avery as Brinn, Cail, and others of your kind did with Thomas Covenant. You require no permission of mine."

"Then I ask if you have encountered Masters in your pursuit of Longwrath."

The Ironhand shook her head. "We - - -.

have sighted none. But I cannot say that we have not been sighted. Our haste"-she scowled up at the stars- "has precluded care. Apart from forests, and the skurj, and Longwrath, we have observed little. If any Master discerned us at a distance, he did so without our notice.

"Indeed," she added, "we pray that we have been observed-that even now some Master bears word of us, and of the skurj, to mighty Revelstone. The folk of the Land must be forewarned.

"Yet even a mounted Master will require many days to convey his tidings westward. For good or ill, your kinsmen will know naught of what transpires here until events have moved beyond their power to thwart or succor."

Stave bowed gravely. His flat mien concealed his reactions. But Mahrtiir said gruffly, "It is well. I doubt neither the valor of the Masters nor their dedication to the Land. Yet it is evident that no human flesh can withstand the skurj. Only Giants will serve here. The Masters would merely perish." He turned his bandaged face toward Stave. "As will the Ramen, and indeed the Ringthane herself, if these Swordmainnir do not accompany us-and if the Ringthane does not call upon powers other than Law to preserve her."

Linden took a deep breath. "Mahrtiir is right," she told Coldspray. "We need you. When were attacked again, I'm going to try using Covenant's ring." These Giants had heard the tales of the Search: they knew that she had claimed his wedding band. "But I haven't exactly mastered it. And I don't know how many skurj I can face at once."

Still hugging her Staff for rea.s.surance, she began.

"Here's the short version. I want to reach Andelain. I hope to talk to the Dead." She yearned to find Thomas Covenant among the Land's attending ghosts-"And I need to locate Loric's krill." The Giants of the Search would not have neglected to mention High Lord Loric's eldritch weapon. "I'm too weak the way I am. We've all seen that. The krill might let me use my Staff and Covenant's ring at the same time."

Coldspray stared at her. In that event,"

the Ironhand said cautiously, "your strength will exceed comprehension."

"I hope so," Linden responded. "I need to be that strong."

Then she told her story as well as her secret intentions permitted. She glossed over those details which the Giants might already know. For Stave's sake, she said nothing of the ancient meeting of the Haruchai with the Insequent. And she did not dwell on the frightening similarities between Joan and Longwrath. But for herself, she omitted only the personal ramifications of her trials in the Land's past, and of her experiences with the Mandoubt. Everyone that she had encountered, everything that she had learned or done, since Roger had first taken Jeremiah from her, she endeavored to explain.

While she spoke, the night grew deeper. Darkness gathered close around her, relieved only by firelight and the faint silver gilding of the stars. During her tale, the rest of the Giants arrived with Longwrath still shackled in their midst. When he saw Linden, he tried to roar around his gag; began to struggle feverishly. But the Swordmainnir quelled him with as much gentleness as possible. And she did not pause for him. She had to finish her story.

Her friends listened uncomfortably.

Until now, events had prevented her from telling them how Kevin's Dirt inhibited the power of her Staff. And doubtless they knew her well enough to recognize-or guess at-some of her elisions. But they did not protest. Perhaps they had grown accustomed to the ways in which she did not allow herself to be fully understood. Although that possibility grieved her, she valued their silence. She had her own reasons for truncating her story, and some of her intentions were honest.

After she was done, the Giants murmured together for a time, clearly troubled. Their fire-lit bulk seemed to fill the glade with apprehension. Then Rime Coldspray met Linden's gaze across the erratic dance of the flames.

It is an extraordinary tale, Linden Avery. Your gift for brevity discomfits us. There is much that you have set aside. At another time, perhaps, we will ask more of you concerning the Insequent, Esmer, Kastenessen, and halfhands. Certainly we wish to grasp how it is that you remain among the living when you have been slain."

She glanced around at the rest of the Swordmainnir. When Stonemage, Grueburn, Galesend, and the others nodded, she faced Linden again.

"However, the night grows short, and we cannot foretell how Kastenessen will direct his skurj. Therefore we must give precedence to a different concern."

Linden tightened her embrace on the Staff. She knew what was coming.

The Ironhand appeared to select her words with care as she said, We cannot do otherwise than surmise that Longwrath's craving for your death bears upon your purpose in some fas.h.i.+on. Do you dispute this?"

Linden shook her head. "Lord Foul seems to be everywhere these days. He told me that he hasn't done anything himself. He just gives advice and waits to see what happens. But even if he's telling the truth, he has a whole list of surrogates who could have twisted Longwrath's mind." Or his madness might be a distorted form of Earth-Sight-"One way or another, the Despiser wants to stop me."

"Then, Linden Avery," Coldspray p.r.o.nounced distinctly, "Chosen and Sun-Sage, it behooves me to observe that you have not named your purpose."

Linden feigned incomprehension.

"What do you mean? I told you-"

"You wish to speak to the Dead," countered the Swordmain. "You desire their knowledge and counsel. This we acknowledge. But you also seek the krill of Loric-and you have not justified your need for its immeasurable magicks." Her voice had a whetted edge. "What use will you make of such vast puissance'?"

"I thought that I was clear," Linden insisted. "I want to find my son. I want to free him from the croyel. I might have to fight my way through the Despiser to do that. I'll certainly have to deal with Kastenessen and Roger-and the skurj. And I want to do as much as I can for the Land."

In that, she meant what she said.

"Does your intent end there, Chosen?" asked Stave quietly. "Do you not also seek retribution?"

I do not forgive.

Linden rounded on him. "So what?" He did not deserve her anger, but she made no effort to restrain it. "That comes last." She had too much to conceal. "If I want to pay back some of my son's pain after I've rescued him, what do you carer Coldspray folded her arms across her chest. "Linden Avery, you are not forthright." Her eyes caught a combative glint from the firelight. "Your words have another meaning which you do not name. It is audible.

"Will you not reveal how you propose to accomplish your ends? The power which you seek will not in itself uncover your son's hiding place. It may defeat Kastenessen and his skurj, but it will not halt the ruptures which you name caesures, or silence the madness of Thomas Covenant's lost mate. Nor will it reveal the machinations of the Despiser-or of the Elohim. It will merely enable the riving of the world.

"Why do you wish to wield illimitable might? What will you accomplish with Loric's krill that does not serve the Despiser'?"

Linden resisted an impulse to duck her head, hide her eyes. Coldspray searched her, and she did not mean to be exposed. The Waynhim believed that Good cannot be accomplished by evil means. Instinctively she agreed with them. Therefore she had to trust that her intended means were not evil. Nonetheless her desire to protect her secret was inherently dishonest: it compelled her to tell lies of omission.

Yet some of her intentions were honest. She clung to that, and held the Ironhand's probing gaze.

"I'm sorry," she said carefully. "I know this is hard. But I'm not going to tell you. I won't say it out loud." If she did, the granite of her heart might crack open, spilling more rage and terror and shame than she could bear. "I need your help. I want your friends.h.i.+p. But I'm not going to answer you."

Within her she holds the devastation - - -.

of the Earth Long ago, she had learned the cost of escape. If she told the truth, someone here would try to stop her. Even her friends might oppose her. The Humbled would attack her without hesitation. Then she would be spared the burdens that she had chosen to bear-and Jeremiah would be lost to her-and she would not be able to endure it.

Liand, Pahni, and Bhapa stared at her openly. Mahrtiir's stiffness suggested surprise. Apparently they had not thought so far ahead: they had focused their attention on the hazards of Linden's journey rather than on its outcome. Only Stave betrayed no reaction. He may have recognized her need to avoid the enmity of the Humbled.

Surely Galt, Branl, and Clyme would not have left the glade if Stave had not agreed to let them hear what he heard?

"You p.r.i.c.k my curiosity," remarked Coldspray, poised and casual, like a woman ready to strike. "Do you seek to encourage our doubts? Is that your intention here?"

In spite of his gag, Longwrath fought to make himself heard. Linden was sure that he wanted to howl, Slay her!

How quickly, she wondered, could the Ironhand reach her glaive? Coldspray would not need it. None of the Swordmainnir would need their weapons. Linden was too small; too human. Any blow of their heavy fists would kill her.

Trust yourself. The Giants of the Search had become her friends long before the Haruchai had learned to respect her.

"Yes," she answered as firmly as she could. "I need you to doubt me. If you don't decide to help me for your own reasons instead of for mine, I'm doomed anyway. I don't know how else to explain it. This is as close as I can come to the truth," as close as she could afford to come. "I've told you what I want to accomplish. If you aren't satisfied, you should walk away."

Coldspray considered Linden for a long moment while Longwrath writhed in protest and stars thronged the cold sky.

One by one, the Ironhand looked into the eyes of each of her comrades. In the moving shadows spread by the fire, some of them appeared to glower. Others grimaced.

Then she c.o.c.ked her fists on her hips, threw back her head, and began to laugh.

Her laughter was as rich and open-throated as an act of defiance. At first, Linden heard strain in it, effort and constriction: a difficult choice rather than humor. Almost at once, however, two or three and then more of the other Giants joined her; and her laughing loosened until it became untroubled mirth, full of gladness and freedom. Soon all of the Swordmainnir laughed with her, and their voices reached the heavens.

Liand laughed as well, as if he had been released from his cares. Pahni and Bhapa smiled broadly, and Mahrtiir grinned below his bandage. Anele stroked the smooth stone of Coldspray armor and crooned as though he were being cradled. For a time, Longwrath ceased his struggles: his gagged rage fell silent. Stave surveyed them all impa.s.sively; but the firelight in his eye hinted at relief.

Linden, too, would have laughed, if she could. The unfettered pleasure of the Giants rea.s.sured her. But she did not know what it meant.

Gradually Rime Coldspray subsided. Still chuckling, she said, "Stone and Sea! We are Giants indeed. Though we live and die, we change as little as the permanence that we adore. In spite of our many centuries, we have not yet learned to be other than we are.

"After our children," she continued, speaking more directly to Linden. "tales are our greatest treasures. But there can be no story without hazard and daring, fort.i.tude and uncertainty.

Events and deeds which lack peril seldom enthrall. And joy is in the ears that hear, not in the mouth that speaks. Already you have supplied our most exigent need. You have allowed us to see that our seemingly lost and aimless voyages in Longwrath's name are but the prelude to a far larger tale.

"Linden Avery," she proclaimed while her comrades went on laughing, "it is enough. Seeking the import of our many labors, we will accompany you. If Stave of the Haruchai stands at your side, joined by the courteous and considerate Ramen-and likewise this wide-eyed Stonedownor and the anguished son of Sunder and Hollian-the Swordmainnir can do no less. Indeed, I name you Giantfriend, both for your known love toward the Giants of the Search, and in token of our own esteem.