White Gold Wielder Part 19

Abruptly, Sunder began speaking again. "Only one village did not accord to us even that chimera of a gift*and it was the last." His voice was knotted and rough. "From it we have lately come, retracing our way because we had no more hope.

"Our path from village to village led us westward in a crescent-line, so that we pa.s.sed to the east of Revelstone wending toward the north*toward a place which named itself Landsverge Stonedown. The Woodhelven giving us that knowledge lay perilously nigh the Keep of the na-Mhoram, but Landsverge Stonedown was nigher*and therefore we feared its fear of the Clave would be too great to be countered. Yet when we gained the village, we learned that it would never suffer such fear again."

He paused, then growled, "It was altogether empty of life.180 The Riders had gutted it entirely, borne every beating heart away to feed the Banefire. Not one child or cripple remained to be consumed by the Sunbane."

After that, he stopped*gripped himself still as if he would not be able to say another word without howling.

HoIIian gave him a sad hug. '*We knew not where to turn," she said, "so we returned eastward. It was our thought that we must avoid the grasp of the Clave and await you*for surely the Unbeliever and white gold wielder would not fail of his quest"*her tone was candid, but free of sarcasm or accusation*"and when he came he would come from the east. In that, at least, we were blessed. Far sooner than we had dared desire, the Haruchai became cognizant of your presence and guided us together." A moment later, she added, "We have been blessed also in the Haruchai."

Linden was no longer facing the loose circle of her companions. She had turned toward Cail and his people; and the lines of her back were tight, insistent. But still she said nothing.

Covenant forced himself to ignore her. The Stonedownors were not done. Apprehension made his tone as trenchant as anger. "How did you meet Dun-is and Fole?" He could no longer suppress his quivering. "What happened to Stell?"

At that, a spasm pa.s.sed over Sunder's face. When the answer came, it came from the eh-Brand.

"Thomas Covenant," she said, speaking directly to him as (147 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:42 PM]

if at that moment nothing else mattered, "you have twice redeemed me from the malice of the Ciave. And though you reft me of my home in Crystal Stonedown, where I was acknowledged and desired, you have given me a purpose and a love to repair that loss. I do not wish to cause you hurt."

She glanced at Sunder, then continued, "But this tale also must be told. It is needful." Stiffening herself to the necessity, she said, "When we pa.s.sed to the east of Revelstone*

tending toward the north*we encountered a band of some score Haruchai. With fourscore more of their people, they had come to make answer to the depredations of the Clave.

And when they had heard our story, they understood why the people of the Land had not arisen in resistance.

Therefore they set themselves a task*to form a cordon around Revelstone, a barrier that would prevent the pa.s.sage 181 of any Rider. Thus they thought to oppose the Clave*and to starve the Banefire*while they also awaited your return.

"Yet four of them elected to join the purpose of our search. Dun-is and Fole, whom you see, and also Bern and Toril"*her throat closed momentarily*"who are gone*as Stel) is gone. For our ignorance betrayed us.

"It was known to all that the Clave possesses power to dominate minds. By that means were the Haruchai ensnared in the past. But none among us knew how great the power had grown. As we traversed the proximity of Revelstone, Bern, Toril, and Stell scouted some distance westward to ensure our safety. We were yet a day's journey from the Keep, and not Harn, Dun-is, nor Fole met any harm. But the slightly greater nearness of the others bared them to the Clave's touch*and to its dominion. Setting aside all caution, they left us to answer that coercion.

"Sensing what had transpired*the utter loss of mind and will*Harn, Dun-is, and Fole could not give chase, lest they also fall under the na-Mhoram's sway. But Sunder and I*"

The memory made her falter, but she did not permit herself to stop. "We gave pursuit. And we gave battle, striving with krili-fhe and force to break the hold of the Clave*though in so doing we surely made our presence known to the na-Mhoram, forewarning him of us-^and perhaps also of you.

Mayhap we would have opposed Stell "and his companions to the very gates of Revelstone. We were desperate and fevered.

But at the last we halted." She swallowed convulsively. "For we saw that Bern, Stell, and Toril were not alone. From around the region came a score and more of the Haruchai*

all ensnared, all walking mindless and deaf toward the knife and the Banefire." Tears filled her eyes. "And at that sight,"

she went on as if she were ashamed, "we were broken. We fled because naught else remained for us to do- "During the night," she finished softly, "Gibbon na-Mhoram reached out to us and attempted mastery of the krilFs white gem. But Sunder my love kept the light clean."

Then her tone hardened. "If the na-Mhoram remains in any way accessible to fear, I conceive he has been somewhat daunted*for surely Sunder gave him to believe that the (148 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:42 PM]

ur-Lord was already returned."

But Covenant hardly heard her conclusion. He was foun- 182 dering in the visions her words evoked: the immedicable stupor of the Haruchai; the frenzy of the Stonedownors as they had pleaded, opposed, struggled, driving themselves almost into the jaws of the Clave and still failing to save their comrades; the glee or apprehension implicit in Gibbon's efforts to con- quer the krill. His brain reeled with images of the enormous consequences of his earlier refusal to fight the Clave. Among the Dead in Andelain, Banner had said to him. Redeem my people. Their plight is an abomination. And he had thought himself successful when he had broken open the hold of Revelstone, set the Haruchai free. But he had not succeeded, had not. He had let the Riders and the na-Mhoram live to do again every evil thing they had done before; and the Sunbane had risen to a period of two days on the blood of ravaged villages and helpless Haruchai.

Yet Linden's sharp protest pierced him, s.n.a.t.c.hed him out of himself. An instinct deeper than panic or shame wrenched him to his feet and sent him after her as she scrambled toward Cail and Ham.

But she was too slow, had divined the meaning of their tension too late. With appalling suddenness, Harn struck Cail a blow that knocked him out into the force of the rain.

Sunder, Hollian, and the Giants sprang upright behind Covenant. One running stride ahead of him. Linden was caught by Fole and heaved aside. An instant later, Durris*

arm slammed like an iron bar across Covenant's chest. He stumbled back against the First.

She held him. He hung in her grasp, gasping for breath while small suns of pain staggered around his sight.

Veiled by torrents, Cail and Ham were barely visible. In mud that should have made footing impossible, rain that should have blinded them, they battled with the precise abandon of madmen.

Furiously, Linden yelled, "Stop ill Are you out of your minds?'*

Without inflection, Durris replied, "You miscomprehend."

He and Fole stood poised to block any intervention. "This must be done. It is the way of our people."

Covenant strove for air. Stiffly, the First demanded an explanation.

Durris' dispa.s.sion was implacable. He did not even glance 183 at the fierce struggle being waged through the rain. "In this fashion, we test each other and resolve doubt."

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Call appeared to be at a disadvantage, unable to match the sheer conviction of Ham's attack. He kept his feet, countered Ham's blows with a skill which seemed inconceivable in that downpour; but he was always on the defensive.

"Cail has spoken to us concerning ak-Haru Kenaustin Ardenol. He was companion to the victor, and we desire to measure our worth against his."

A sudden feint unbalanced Cail, enabling Ham to slash his feet from under him; but he recovered with a tumbling roll- and-kick.

"Also it has been said that Brinn and Cail betrayed their chosen fidelity to the seduction of the merewives. Cail seeks to demonstrate that the lure of their seduction would have surpa.s.sed any Haruchai in his place."

Cail and Harn were evenly matched in ability and strength.

But Ham had watched his kindred lose their wills and walk into the jaws of the Clave: be struck with the force of repudiation. And Cail had succ.u.mbed to the merewives, learned to judge himself. Brinn's victory over the Guardian of the One Tree had led to Cable Seadreamer's death. A flurry of punches staggered Cail. As he reeled, a heavy two- fisted blow drove his face into the^mire.

Cail!

Covenant grabbed a shuddering breath and twisted out of the First's hands. Fire flashed in his mind, alternately white and black. Flames spread up his right forearm as if his flesh were tinder. He gathered a shout that would stop the Haruchai, stun them where they stood.

But Durris went on inflexibly, "Also we desire to grieve for Hergrom and Ceer*and for those whose blood has gone to the Banefire."

Without warning, he spun away from the company, leaped lithe and feral into the rain toward Cail and Harn. Fole was at his side. Together, they attacked.

Then Sunder cried at Covenant, "Do nott" He caught Covenant's arm, braved fire to halt the imminent eruption.

"If the na-Mhoram is conscious of the krill in my hands, how much more clearly will your power call out to him?"

Covenant started to yell, I don't care! Let him try to stop 184 me! But Fole and Dun-is had not hurled themselves solely upon Call. They were a.s.sailing each other and Ham as well; and Cail had risen from the mud to plunge into the general melee. Blows hammered impartially in all directions.

We desire to grieve. Slowly, the fire ran out of Covenant.

Ah, h.e.l.l, he sighed. Have mercy on me. He had no right to question what the Haruchai were doing. He had too much experience with the violence of his own grief.

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Linden studied the combatants intently. Her face showed a physician's alarm at the possibility of injury. But Sunder met Covenant's gaze and nodded mute comprehension.

As abruptly as it had begun, the fighting stopped. The four Haruchai returned stoically to the shelter of the cave. They were all bruised and hurt, though none as sorely as Cail. But his visage concealed defeat, and his people wore no aspect of triumph.

He faced Covenant squarely. "It is agreed that I am unworthy." Slow blood trickled from a cut on his lip. a gash over one cheekbone- "My place at your side is not taken from me, for it was accorded by ak-Haru Kenaustin Ardenol. But I am required to acknowledge that the honor of such a place does not become me. Fole will ward the Chosen." After a fraction of hesitation, he added, "Other matters have not been resolved."

"Oh, Cail!" Linden groaned. Covenant spat a curse that'was covered by the First's swearing and Pitchwife's expostulation.

But there was nothing any of them could do. The Haruchai had pa.s.sed judgment, and they were as untouchable as Bloodguard.

Muttering direly to himself, Covenant hugged his arms over his heart and retreated to the simple comfort of the fire.

After a moment, Sunder and Hollian joined him. They stood nearby in silence until he raised his head. Then, in a softer voice, as if his own plight had been humbled by astonishment, Sunder said, "You have much to tell us, ur-Lord."

"Stop calling me that," Covenant growled. His mouth was full of gall. Ur-Lord was the t.i.tle the Haruchai typically used for him. "There haven't been any Lords worth mentioning for three thousand years."

But he could not refuse to give the Stonedownors the story of his failed quest.

185 The task of narration was shared by Linden, the First, and Pitchwife. Sunder and Hollian gaped at the tale of the Elohim and Findail, of the way in which Covenant had been silenced; but they had no words for their incomprehension. When the companions began to speak of Cable Seadreamer, Honninscrave rose abruptly and stalked out into the rain; but he returned shortly, looking as sharp and doomed as a boulder gnawed by the sempiternal hunger of the sea. His voice rising in grief at loss and celebration of valor, Pitchwife described the crisis of the One Tree. Then the First related the sailing of Starfare's Gem into the bitten cold of the north.

She explained the company's harsh decision to abandon the dromond; and the stem iron of her voice made the things she said seem more bearable.

It fell to Covenant to speak of Hamako and the Waynhira, of the company's reentry into the Sunbane. And when he was finished, the violence of the storm had become less.

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The rain was fading toward sunset As the downpour receded to a drizzle, the clouds broke open in the east and followed the sun away, exposing the Land to a night as clear and cold as the stars. A moon with a look of roe on its face swelled toward its full.

The fire seemed brighter now^as dark deepened outside the cave. Sunder stirred the embers while he considered what he had heard. Then he addressed Covenant again, and the 'flames glinted like eagerness in his eyes. "Is it truly your intent to a.s.sail the Clave? To bring the Banefire to an end?"

Covenant nodded, scowling.

Sunder glanced at Hollian, then back to Covenant. "I need not say that we will accompany you. We have been thwarted beyond endurance. Even Hollian*s child*" For a moment, he faltered in confusion, murmured, "My son," as if he had just realized the truth. But then he resumed firmly, "Even he is not too precious to be hazarded in such a cause."

Covenant started to retort. No, you're wrong. You're all too precious. You're the future of the Land. If it has a future.

But the Graveler had come too far to be denied. And Covenant had lost the right or the arrogance to try to withhold the consequences of their own lives from the people he loved.

He took a deep breath, held it to steady himself. The force of Durris' arm had left a pain in his chest that would not go away. But Sunder did not ask the question he feared, did not 1S6 say. How can you think to confront the might of Revelstone, when your power threatens the very foundation of the Earth?

Instead, the Graveler inquired, "What will become of the Haru.cha.i1'"

That question, too, was severe; but Covenant could face it.

Slowly, he let the pent air out of his lungs. "If I succeed, they'll be all right." Nightmares of fire had annealed him to his purpose. "If I fail, there won't be much left to worry about."

Sunder nodded, looked away. Carefully, he asked, "Thomas Covenant, will you accept the kriU from me?"

More abruptly than he intended. Covenant snapped, "No."

When he had first given away Loric's blade, Linden had asked him why he no longer needed it. He had replied, I'm already too dangerous. But he had not known then how deep the danger ran. "You're going to need it," To fight with if he failed.

Or if he succeeded.

That was the worst gall, the true root of despair*that even a complete victory over the Clave would accomplish nothing.

It would not restore the Law, not heal the Land, not renew the people of the Land. And beyond all question it would not cast down the Despiser, The best Covenant could hope for was a postponement of his doom. And that was as good as (152 of 399) [1/19/03 11:38:42 PM]

no hope at all.

Yet he had been living with despair for so long now that it only confirmed his resolve. He had become like Kevin Landwaster, incapable of turning back, of reconsidering what he meant to do. The sole difference was that Covenant already knew he was going to die.

He preferred that to the death of the Land.

But he did not say such things to his companions. He did not want to give the impression that he blamed Linden for her inability to aid his dying body in the woods behind Haven Farm. And he did not wish to quench the Stonedownors'

nascent belief that they had one more chance to make what they had undergone meaningful. Despair belonged to the lone heart, and he kept it to himself. Lord Foul had corrupted everything else*had turned to ill even the affirmative rejection of hate which had once led Covenant to withhold his hand from the Clave. But Sunder and Hollian had been restored to him. Some of the Haruchai and the Giants could 187 still be saved. Linden might yet be returned safely to her natural world. He had become ready to bear it.

When Honninscrave left the cave again to pace out his tension under the unpitying stars. Covenant followed him.

The night was cold and poignant, the warmth of the earth drenched away by the long rain. Apparently unconscious of Covenant, Honninscrave climbed the nearest hillside until he gained a vantage from which he could study the southwestern horizon. His lonely bulk was silhouetted against the impenetrable sky. He held himself as rigid as the fetters in Kasreyn's dungeon; but the manacles on him now were more irrefragable than iron. From far back in his throat came small whimpering noises like flakes of grief.

Yet he must have known that Covenant was there. After a moment, he began to speak.

This is the world which my brother purchased with his soul." His voice sounded like cold, numb hands rubbing each other to no avail. "Seeing that the touch of your power upon the One Tree would surely rouse the Worm, he went to his death to prevent you. And this is the result. The Sunbane waxes, perpetrating atrocity. The human valor of the Stonedownors is baffled. The certainty of the Haruchai is thwarted.

And against such evils you are rendered futile, bound by the newbom doom to which Cable Seadreamer served as midwife.

Do you consider such a world worthy of life? I do not."

For a time. Covenant remained silent He was thinking that he was not the right person to hear Honninscrave's hurt. His own despair was too complete. His plight was constricted by madness and fire on all sides; and the noose was growing tighter. Yet he could not let the need in Honninscrave's question pa.s.s without attempting an answer. The Giant was his friend. And he had his own losses to consider. He needed a reply as sorely as Honninscrave did.

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Slowly, he said, "I talked to Foamfollower about hope once." That memory was as vivid as healthy sunshine. "He said it doesn't come from us. It doesn't depend on us. It comes from the worth and power of what we serve." Without flinching, Foamfollower had claimed that his service was to Covenant When Covenant had protested. It's all a mistake, Foamfollower had responded. Then are you so surprised to learn that 1 have been thinking about hope?

But Honninscrave had a different objection. "Aye, verily?*

188 he growled. He did not glance at Covenant. "And where now under all the Sunbane lies the 'worth and power' that you serve?"

"In you," Covenant snapped back, too vexed by pain to be gentle. "In Sunder and Holiian. In the Haruchai." He did not add, In Andelain. Honninscrave had never seen that last flower of the Land's loveliness. And he could not bring himself to say, In me. Instead, he continued, "When Foamfollower and I were together, I didn't have any power. I had the ring*but I didn't know how to use it. And I was trying to do exactly what Foul wanted. I was going to Foul's Creche.

Walking right into the trap. Foamfollower helped me anyway." The Giant had surrendered himself to agony in order to cany Covenant across the fierce lava of Hotash Slay. "Not because there was anything special or worthy or powerful about me, but simply because I was human and Foul was breaking my heart. That gave Foamfollower all the hope he needed."