Thomas Covenant 8 - The Fatal Revenant by Stephen R. Donaldson Page A

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    somebody who could tell me what’s going on, so I called Esmer.” Awkwardly she explained, “I have no idea what he can and can’t do. I thought that he might be able to hear me.”
    While Stave studied her, and Mahrtiir stared with open surprise, she described as concisely as she could what Cail’s son had said and done.
    “Ur-viles,” the Manethrall breathed
    when she was finished, “and Waynhim. So many-and together. Have these creatures indeed come to your aid? Do they suffice against the Teeth of the Render?”
    Stave appeared to consult the air. With his tongue, he made a sound that suggested vexation. “The actions of these Demondim-spawn are unexpected,” he said aloud, “but no more so than those of their makers. If the spirit of Kastenessen is able to
    possess our companion Anele, much is explained.”
    Our companion-Linden could not remember hearing Stave speak the old man’s name before. Apparently the former Master had extended his friendship to include all of her comrades.
    “For that reason, however,” he continued, “the peril that the same spirit moves Esmer, and with him the
    ur-viles and Waynhim, cannot be discounted.
    “Did Esmer reveal nothing of the urŹLord, or of your son?”
    “No,” she muttered bitterly. “I asked him whether Kastenessen helped Covenant and Jeremiah reach Revelstone, but he just changed the subject.”
    Mahrtiir opened his mouth, then closed
    it again grimly. Stave had more to say.
    “I mislike this confluence. Plainly the return of the Unbeliever from the Arch of Time holds great import. It appears to promise that the Land’s redemption is at hand. Yet his account of his coming troubles me. That he is able to cast a glamour of confusion upon the Demondim, I do not greatly question. However, his avowal concerning distortions of the Law of Time-” He hesitated momentarily, then said, “And
    Esmer’s grandsire connives with Demondim while Esmer himself removes Waynhim and ur-viles from their proper time.
    “Chosen, here is cause for concern. It cannot lack meaning that such divergent events have occurred together.”
    “Stave speaks sooth, Ringthane,” the Manethrall said in a low growl. “Esmer has been altered by your return to the
    Land. He is not as he was when he first gained the friendship of the Ramen. Had he answered you, his words would have held too much truth and falsehood to be of service.”
    Linden agreed; but the thought did not comfort her. She had suffered too many shocks.
    Jeremiah is here, but Foul still has him.
    What you can’t see is how much it hurts that I’m not just here.
    What were Esmer’s surprises-or his betrayals-compared to that?
    Fiercely she set aside her failures. Supporting her resolve, if not her heart, on the Staff of Law, she met Stave’s flat gaze.
    “I’m worried about the same things. Maybe Covenant can explain them.” Or
    perhaps the Mandoubt might share her obscure knowledge. “Is he ready to see me yet? Has something else happened? I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
    “There is no new peril,” replied the Haruchai. “The Demondim remain in abeyance, without apparent purpose. But the ur-Lord has indeed announced his readiness to speak with you. I have been instructed to summon you.”
    His manner suggested that he disliked being “instructed” by either Covenant or the Masters.
    “Then let’s go.” At once, Linden started into motion. “Foul still has my son.” Somehow. “If I don’t do something about that soon, it’s going to tear me apart.”
    Lord’s Keep was at least a league away.
    Stave and the Manethrall joined her promptly, walking at her shoulders like guardians. She set a brisk pace, borne along by Glimmermere’s lingering potency; but they accompanied her easily. Either one of them could have reached Revelstone far more swiftly without herAs they followed low valleys among the hills and trees, Linden asked Stave, “Did you find the Mandoubt? Will she talk to me?”
    The