Against All Things Ending Part 36

If she tried to impose her health-sense and healing on him, she might damage him somehow; perhaps cost him some vital memory. Or she might become as lost as he was.

She could not allow herself to forget the warnings of the Ranyhyn again.

Unsure of herself, she went to join Stave and Mahrtiir. The former Master did not appear to be paying any specific attention to Covenant's fissured sleep; but the Manethrall studied the Unbeliever with sharp intensity.

"We have to reach him somehow," she said without preamble. "We're helpless where we are, and this respite can't last. We have to make some decisions. We can't do that without him."

"By your leave, Ringthane," Mahrtiir replied in a low voice, "I will make the attempt. I have searched the Timewarden as deeply as my senses permit. And I have not forgotten the Ramen tales of his long past. It may be that I am able to rouse him."

"Please," Linden said without hesitation. "Almost anything is worth a try."

Nothing that Mahrtiir did would violate Covenant.

The Manethrall nodded. Around his neck, he still wore his woven garland of amanibhavam amanibhavam. It was shredded and blood-stained, and its yellow blooms had withered, but it had not fallen apart. The fibrous gra.s.s had been as tightly braided as rope. Carefully he pinched the nub of a dead blossom from the strand, rubbed it against one palm until it was little more than powder. In spite of its condition, the gra.s.s gave off a whetted odor that made Linden's nose itch.

"Fresh and living," said Mahrtiir formally, "amanibhavam may be safely consumed only by the Ranyhyn. Yet its virtues are many. According to the tales, the first Ringthane once ate of it, and did not perish. True, he fell into madness. But in the forest of Morinmoss, he was restored. It is my thought that the scent of this gra.s.s may awaken him to himself." may be safely consumed only by the Ranyhyn. Yet its virtues are many. According to the tales, the first Ringthane once ate of it, and did not perish. True, he fell into madness. But in the forest of Morinmoss, he was restored. It is my thought that the scent of this gra.s.s may awaken him to himself."

Kneeling beside Covenant, he nudged Covenant's mouth shut. Then he held the amanibhavam amanibhavam in his palm under Covenant's nose, and waited. in his palm under Covenant's nose, and waited.

The effect was swift. Scowling in his sleep, Covenant jerked away, knocked his head against the rock behind him. His eyes sprang open. "h.e.l.l and blood," he breathed. "That woman healed me. I think it killed her."

In Salva Gildenbourne, Anele had told Linden, Morinmoss redeemed the covenant, the white gold wielder Morinmoss redeemed the covenant, the white gold wielder. Apparently the old man had been right. Again.

While she watched, Covenant blinked memories out of his eyes and became present.

Now those days are lost.

"Linden," he said thickly. "I'm glad you're all right." Then he winced. Ruefully he rubbed the back of his head: he almost smiled. "Maybe next time you won't hit me quite so hard."

All vastness is forgotten.

An instant later, he scowled again. "No, wait. You didn't hit me. That was amanibhavam amanibhavam . I remember the smell. And Morinmoss." Still rubbing his head, he muttered, "I must have done this to myself." . I remember the smell. And Morinmoss." Still rubbing his head, he muttered, "I must have done this to myself."

After her first rush of relief, Linden told herself that she should not have been surprised. On other occasions, she had seen amanibhavam amanibhavam work its wonders. Among the Land's many blessings, the gra.s.s was just one more. The only surprise was that Mahrtiir's garland retained so much potency. work its wonders. Among the Land's many blessings, the gra.s.s was just one more. The only surprise was that Mahrtiir's garland retained so much potency.

"I'm glad, too." Like Covenant, she tried to smile. But she could not. Just don't touch me Just don't touch me. "I don't enjoy hitting you." She meant, I need you. Please help me. "And holding you under water feels like overkill."

She meant, Please love me. In spite of everything.

Covenant's mouth twisted: a grimace of wry humor. Mutely he extended a hand to Stave. When the Haruchai Haruchai pulled him to his feet, he said, "We have a lot to talk about." Then he glanced at the waiting food. "But maybe we should eat first. I can't believe I'm already hungry again." pulled him to his feet, he said, "We have a lot to talk about." Then he glanced at the waiting food. "But maybe we should eat first. I can't believe I'm already hungry again."

A moment later, he rested a hand on Mahrtiir's shoulder. "Thank you, Manethrall. I don't think any of us would survive if Linden didn't have friends like you."

The Manethrall responded with a Ramen bow. His bandage concealed his expression, but his aura revealed a fierce glimmer of accomplishment.

As Covenant and then Linden turned to the rest of the company, she saw that all of the Giants were grinning broadly. Several of them chuckled, shaking their heads. And Rime Coldspray acknowledged Covenant and Linden with a sweeping gesture like a flourish, welcoming them to the Insequent's provisions.

"It is now," said the Ironhand with m.u.f.fled humor, "as it has been since we first encountered Linden Giantfriend in Salva Gildenbourne. The brevity of your tales tests our hearing. 'Overkill,' forsooth. We must greet such utterances with amus.e.m.e.nt. When entire lives are thus compressed, their significance named in one mere word-" Clearly she found the notion risible. "Ah, my friends, we must respond with mirth. How otherwise can we suffer your cruelty to yourselves?

"Sadly," she continued, striving to sound grave, "we have grown accustomed to the haste of folk who measure their span in decades rather than in centuries. Also an intimate acquaintance with peril in many guises has taught us that upon occasions such as the sinking of dromonds dromonds and the destruction of worlds, we must accommodate the vagaries of circ.u.mstance." and the destruction of worlds, we must accommodate the vagaries of circ.u.mstance."

Around her, Giants chuckled again, and Frostheart Grueburn laughed outright. Apparently they heard a jest in the idea that they were familiar with the destruction of worlds.

"We would prefer," concluded Coldspray, "to expend the remainder of this season-or of this year-reveling in tales. Nonetheless we are able to recognize an exigency when it tweaks our noses, though we are Giants indeed, and by nature foolish. While the last crisis of the Earth looms, we will endeavor to emulate your concision. When we are fed once more, we will attempt a Giantclave scant enough to appease your impatience."

With that, the Ironhand bowed flamboyantly, seconded by loud applause from her fellow Swordmainnir.

Linden regarded them, bemused. Strange, she thought, that she had forgotten what Giants were like in high good humor. And stranger still that they were able to laugh and clap so soon after their ordeals. But Covenant advised her in a feigned whisper, "Don't worry. They'll calm down. Sometimes they just need to get speeches like that out of their systems."

To a chorus of laughter and a few whistles, as if he had delivered a particularly telling riposte, he sat down near one of the cloth trays.

Feeling suddenly estranged, like a ghost at a banquet, full of sorrows and fears that no one else recognized, Linden hesitated. Covenant knew Giants better than she did: he seemed to belong with them. And she was unable to match him. She had never been his equal.

For a moment, she considered taking some food and standing apart with Jeremiah. Her son's emptiness and the croyel croyel's malevolence and Galt's distrust suited her mood. But then Liand made the decision for her by taking her arm and pulling her down to sit between him and Covenant.

Sighing, she accepted a cloth tray from Grueburn.

Before long, Pahni and Bhapa came down a hillside into the dusk. Pahni dropped to the sand at Liand's side and gave him a quick hug while Bhapa informed Mahrtiir that the Cords had failed to find enough wood to sustain even a small fire during the night. Bhapa's posture suggested that he expected a reprimand; but the Manethrall replied mildly, "Have no concern, Cord. This region is too barren. A fire would have comforted our counsels, but its lack will not sadden us." He indicated the ready meal with a nod. "Eat and rest while you may."

Then his manner sharpened. With a familiar edge in his voice, he added, "Remember that you will be Manethrall when I have pa.s.sed away. You will be denied the proper ceremonies and homage, but you must bear my duties nonetheless. You are better suited to do so than you believe."

As he spoke, an involuntary shiver ran down Linden's back. She understood Mahrtiir. He had been told, You'll have to go a long way to find your heart's desire You'll have to go a long way to find your heart's desire. Just be sure you come back Just be sure you come back. The Manethrall was trying to prepare Bhapa.

Like Pahni, Mahrtiir burned to know what Covenant's prophecies meant.

The Land needs you.

Bhapa felt the same desire: Linden saw it in his eyes as he bowed to Mahrtiir and seated himself. But he was also afraid. Through Anele, Covenant's spirit had addressed both Bhapa and Pahni by name. In some ways, you two have the hardest job In some ways, you two have the hardest job. You'll have to survive You'll have to survive. And you'll have to make them listen to you And you'll have to make them listen to you. Linden guessed or feared that this was a reference to the Masters; but she could not imagine what its import might be. From the Lower Land, Revelstone and its guardians were effectively out of reach.

They won't hear her. She's already given them too many reasons to feel ashamed of themselves She's already given them too many reasons to feel ashamed of themselves.

When she began eating, she chewed slowly, too troubled to enjoy what she tasted. And she avoided the wine. In retrospect, giving the Masters any any reason reason to feel ashamed of themselves to feel ashamed of themselves seemed like a mistake; perhaps a fatal one. They were too well acquainted with humiliation, and did not know how to grieve. seemed like a mistake; perhaps a fatal one. They were too well acquainted with humiliation, and did not know how to grieve.

Around her, the company ate well, but sparingly, at least by the standard of their previous meal. Being Giants, Coldspray and her comrades took longer to satisfy themselves. But when they had finished the last of the Ardent's rich wine, they were done. Together they rose to pack away the rest of the supplies.

Having stored the food in its wrappings and bundles, and set aside the bedrolls and waterskins, the Swordmainnir sat down again. As before, they arrayed themselves in a circle. At the same time, Covenant moved to resume his seat leaning against his chosen boulder. As if she saw him as an antagonist, Linden positioned herself opposite him. He had pushed her away: she needed to keep her distance.

Like a shaft of midnight in the thickening gloom, the Staff rested on her crossed legs. Holding hands, Liand and Pahni took places near her: a subtle declaration of allegiance. And Stave stood behind the rock that supported her back. But Mahrtiir and Bhapa sat among the Giants. Once again, the circle included Anele in his protective cradle.

Beyond the company, Jeremiah stood silhouetted by the light of the krill krill as if he and the as if he and the croyel croyel were wrapped in their own gloom. The argent glow illuminated Galt's face, reflected in his flat gaze, but cast the rest of his form into darkness. Streaks of silver reached across the circle, shifting slightly as Jeremiah breathed, until they found Covenant. There they seemed to ignite his white hair; but they left his eyes in shadow. were wrapped in their own gloom. The argent glow illuminated Galt's face, reflected in his flat gaze, but cast the rest of his form into darkness. Streaks of silver reached across the circle, shifting slightly as Jeremiah breathed, until they found Covenant. There they seemed to ignite his white hair; but they left his eyes in shadow.

As far as Linden could see, the Ardent had left the company in an untenable position. They were too far from their foes. And here, or anywhere, they could do nothing to stop the Worm.

"Well, then," began the Ironhand abruptly. "A Giantclave tailored to the brevity of humans, and to the stoicism of Haruchai Haruchai. It is an arduous task in all sooth. Yet we must prove worthy of it. Doubtless there are needs and queries nurtured within each of us. How shall we consider them?"

Directly or indirectly, the whole circle seemed to refer Coldspray's question to Linden. While her friends waited for her, however, Covenant spoke.

"We're too weak the way we are. Anywhere on the Upper Land, Kevin's Dirt cramps Linden and her Staff. And as long as there are caesures caesures, she can't afford to risk the ring." He did not call it his-or hers. "We need power.

"Kastenessen is responsible for Kevin's Dirt. He gets its force from She Who Must Not Be Named, but it's his doing. His and Esmer's and moksha moksha Raver's. We have to do something about him." Raver's. We have to do something about him."

"And about Joan," Linden put in harshly. She needed to be angry. Don't touch me Don't touch me. Otherwise she could not face him now.

"I know." Covenant rubbed his cheeks with his foreshortened fingers; ran them through his hair. Dusk cut by slashes of argent emphasized his maimed hands. "And Joan."

"And Roger," Linden continued.

"Yes," Covenant sighed. "My son. I know that, too."

"Also," Mahrtiir added, "the Ardent has spoken of Sandgorgons and skurj skurj in rampage against treasured Salva Gildenbourne. And it is his word that the first Ringthane's son has ama.s.sed an army of Cavewights." in rampage against treasured Salva Gildenbourne. And it is his word that the first Ringthane's son has ama.s.sed an army of Cavewights."

"But how may we counter such evils," asked Liand, "when we are few and weak, and the distance is great? Surely we cannot journey so far before the coming of the Worm? And can we deny that the Ardent has been our great ally? He has kept hidden his reasons for placing us in this region. Yet surely those reasons exist. Do we not dismiss them at our peril?"

Without hesitation, the Manethrall replied, "We need have no fear of distance. The Ranyhyn will answer when they are summoned. And these Giants have demonstrated beyond all question that they can run. The leagues are an obstacle, aye, but they are not our peremptory concern."

The thought of Hynyn roused an ache in Linden's chest. Mahrtiir was right. The horses would answer. And Hynyn's devotion was a poignant argument against the dire images which had filled Linden's partic.i.p.ation in the horserite.

But the help of the Ranyhyn could wait. They had cautioned her-and she had failed to heed them too often.

With iron in her voice, Rime Coldspray was saying, "Our peremptory concern is with the Worm of the World's End. By that measure, both Kastenessen and Thomas Covenant's former mate are of small import, as are mere Sandgorgons and skurj skurj. And in the matter of the Worm, we must give close consideration to the insights imparted by Anele. Though his madness is evident, there can be no doubt of his gifts."

Covenant shook his head. But if he had any reservations, he did not express them.

Thinking about the old man, Linden winced. Sprawled on obsidian at one foot of the Hazard, the son of Sunder and Hollian had articulated the mourning of the mountain's oldest rock.

Even here it is felt. Written Written. Lamented Lamented. The rousing of the Worm The rousing of the Worm.

"We are Giants," murmured Cirrus Kindwind, ma.s.saging the stump of her forearm, "lovers of both Sea and Stone. We well recall the old man's words. He spoke of the Worm's compelled hunger, as necessary as death is to life."

When it has consumed lesser sustenance, it must come to the Land.

"Aye," a.s.sented the Ironhand. "And in his revelation lay no scope for uncertainty."

Here it will discover its final nourishment.

"I remember," Covenant muttered darkly. "We all remember. It's not the kind of thing anybody forgets."

If it is not forbidden, it will have Earthpower. The very blood of life from the most potent and private recesses of the Earth's heart The very blood of life from the most potent and private recesses of the Earth's heart. Like the tolling of the world's last heartbeats, Anele had p.r.o.nounced its doom. When the Worm of the World's End drinks the Blood of the Earth, its puissance will consume the Arch of Time When the Worm of the World's End drinks the Blood of the Earth, its puissance will consume the Arch of Time.

"Well, then," repeated Coldspray grimly. "If it is remembered, then it lacks only explication. Our comprehension of 'the Blood of the Earth' does not suffice. We have no tales of such fell mysteries. And Linden Giantfriend has revealed little more than the skeleton of her sojourn in the Land's past. Since we must oppose or forbid the Worm, we would know more of its 'final nourishment.' "

Covenant ducked his head. Recalling Roger and Jeremiah under Melenkurion Melenkurion Skyweir, Linden felt too much turmoil to answer. None of this was relevant to Jeremiah or the Skyweir, Linden felt too much turmoil to answer. None of this was relevant to Jeremiah or the croyel croyel. But Stave replied with his usual stoicism.

"Only one Haruchai Haruchai has borne witness to the Blood of the Earth and lived, the Bloodguard Bannor. Thus our awareness of EarthBlood is not limited to the overheard converse of the Lords." has borne witness to the Blood of the Earth and lived, the Bloodguard Bannor. Thus our awareness of EarthBlood is not limited to the overheard converse of the Lords."

Linden seemed to see memories of Bannor flit like spectres across Covenant's darkened gaze. But he did not interrupt Stave.

Characteristically terse, Stave told the Giants what Linden and Covenant-and, indirectly, Liand and the Ramen-already knew. He spoke of Earthpower in its purest and most concentrated form: magic so potent that it conferred the Power of Command. And he described what his people knew of its hazards.

"Therefore High Lord Damelon Giantfriend deemed it too perilous for any use. Such absolute might exceeds mortal conception. Any Command outruns both foresight and control. It may prove ruinous to the one who utters it."

"In sum," growled the Ironhand, "you deem that we must not seek out this EarthBlood and Command the Worm to resume its slumber."

Stave shrugged. "If Earthpower is the Worm's food, then the Worm is itself Earthpower. Can Earthpower suppress Earthpower? Will you Command the cessation of all life and death?"

For a long moment, the company was silent. Linden felt distress skirling among her companions, sensed their thwarted desire for comprehension. They needed to know what to do do. None of them were people who could remain pa.s.sive in the face of calamity. But they had no outlet for their pa.s.sion and resolve.

And Linden could not guide them. She could speak only for herself-and she had already chosen her immediate path.

When no one else responded to Stave's challenge, Liand ventured hesitantly, "Mayhap the insight we require lies elsewhere in Anele's utterance. Did he not state that the Worm will bring destruction 'If it is not opposed by the forgotten truth of stone and wood-'? What is this truth?"

Covenant's reply was a grimace. "Beats the h.e.l.l out of me. If I ever knew, it's gone now. There's just too much. I've lost most of it. And every time I come back, I lose more."

Sternly Mahrtiir said, "Yet other aspects of Anele's p.r.o.nouncement invite consideration as well. He did not speak only of 'forgotten truth' and EarthBlood. He also urged 'forbidding.' "

"The Forestals knew how to do that," Covenant admitted. "They made the Colossus of the Fall. The Interdict against the Ravers. But it failed eventually." His frown kept his eyes hidden from the krill krill. Only his transubstantiated hair held the light. Over the centuries, the Colossus itself had crumbled. "Too many trees were slaughtered. Every one that fell made the Forestals weaker.

"And that brings us back to power. Even Berek wasn't strong enough to do what they did. Before Kevin's Lore was lost, the Lords used what they called a Word of Warning. But their version of forbidding was trivial compared to the Colossus."

All vastness is forgotten.

"If the knowledge endures among the Insequent," Stave stated with a hint of grimness, "the Ardent did not speak of it."

Frostheart Grueburn lifted her head. "Doubtless the Elohim Elohim possess that which we lack." possess that which we lack."

"And you expect them to answer?" countered Covenant. "If you can think of a way to ask them?" He shook his head. "They're too busy running for their lives. They probably won't even notice us unless we do something that scares them worse than the Worm-"

He left the obvious futility of the idea hanging. According to the tales that Linden had heard in various forms, the Forestals had created their Interdict by imprisoning an Elohim Elohim within the Colossus. Now, she felt sure, Infelice's people were done with self-sacrifice. They were already dying. within the Colossus. Now, she felt sure, Infelice's people were done with self-sacrifice. They were already dying.

"Then," Rime Coldspray said like a growl, "since we have named the Elohim Elohim, I will add one more to our litany of concerns.

"The Swordmainnir do not forget Lostson Longwrath, who remains abroad in the Land, driven by purposes which we do not comprehend. With the resurrection of Thomas Covenant, the geas geas inflicted upon him by the inflicted upon him by the Elohim Elohim has been thwarted. Has he now been released? Does rage still compel him to insanity and murder? We are Giants, and his people. We cannot forget him." has been thwarted. Has he now been released? Does rage still compel him to insanity and murder? We are Giants, and his people. We cannot forget him."

Longwrath had tried to kill Linden. More than once. But what could the Elohim Elohim possibly gain by her death now? possibly gain by her death now?

A moment later, Manethrall Mahrtiir rose to his feet. Impatiently he stepped into the circle. Through his teeth, he said, "This accounting of perils accomplishes naught. At one time, a measure of guidance was proffered to us. In the absence of other counsel, we must rely upon it. Will you speak of that that, Timewarden?"

Covenant flinched. "What do you mean?"

Linden winced as well. She knew what was coming.

"On the plateau of Lord's Keep," Mahrtiir stated, "you addressed those of us who are the Ringthane's first companions. In Anele's voice, you delivered prophecies and counsel. We have forgotten none of your words, yet their import eludes us.

"Will you shed some light upon them now, that we may see our paths before us?"

Again Covenant scrubbed his unfeeling hands over his face as if to remind himself that his palms and the remains of his fingers still existed. Briefly he avoided the Manethrall's bandaged scrutiny. Then he raised his head, met the stare of Mahrtiir's empty eye sockets. Compa.s.sion or regret blurred his gaze.

"I'm sorry. I don't remember. And I'm afraid to try. Sometimes digging into the past makes me slip. When that happens, I don't know how to bring myself back."