The Last Dark: The climax of the entire Thomas Covenant Chronicles (Last Chronicles of Thomas Cove)

sure that two hundred
Haruchai
would be enough.
    And in spite of what he had said to Jeremiah, he was not confident that he could count on their help.
The Masters have been given lies
. He did not know what those lies were. Therefore he could not guess how the Masters would react to the truth.
    Together, Kindwind and Stonemage were heaved onto the ledge. When the last sailors and
Haruchai
had been pulled upward, Canrik strode among the Giants toward Rime Coldspray.
    “Ironhand,” he said at once, “we must not tarry in this passage.”
    Coldspray looked down at him. “Aye. Our foes are certain of our presence. They will surely come against us. And here we cannot retreat. We will perish—we must—if we do not discover a choice of headings. Are you able to guide us?”
    Canrik nodded. “Our older knowledge of the Wightwarrens is slight, but we have not forgotten our path hither. And as we rejoin with our kinsmen, our knowledge will increase.
    “What do you seek? Where do you hope to discover Kastenessen”—he cast a caustic glance at Linden—“if it remains your intent to confront one deranged
Elohim
while the Land and the Earth are unmade?”
    Without pausing for thought, Covenant surged to his feet. “Kastenessen?” he snapped. Lies? “Where did you get that idea? Didn’t you feel it when Kevin’s Dirt faded? What did you think that meant? Kastenessen gave up days ago.”
    Clearly the Masters knew that the Worm of the World’s End had been roused—
    “We are not blind, ur-Lord,” retorted Canrik. “We are aware that Kevin’s Dirt has ended. But we were misled, Stave does not speak to us, and Branl is”—the Master appeared to search for words—“strangely reluctant. We cannot divine your purpose.”
    Covenant made an effort to swallow his anger. The Masters were not his enemies. He was simply outraged that they thought ill of Linden.
    “I have to get to Kiril Threndor,” he rasped. “If that’s not too much to ask. I want to find the Despiser. And Cavewights aren’t our only problem. My son is here somewhere. He’s scared enough to try anything. Plus there’s
moksha
Jehannum. He’s probably mad as hell.
    “I don’t know what’s bothering you, but it’s trivial. We don’t have time for it.”
    For a moment, Canrik stood as if he had been silenced. Slowly a frown settled onto his forehead. Then he stated, “Our questions must be answered.”
    Without waiting for a reply, he strode down the tunnel.
    Coldspray glanced sharply at Covenant; but she did not delay. Hailing her Swordmainnir, she sent Halewhole Bluntfist and Frostheart Grueburn after Canrik. Then she followed him herself, taking Cirrus Kindwind with her, Ard and Ulman; leaving Onyx Stonemage with Covenant, Linden, and Jeremiah.
    A subdued Anchormaster marshaled his crew. His uninjured sailors—Wiver Setrock, Spume Frothbreeze, Keenreef, Far Horizoneyes—he sent ahead. With Scatterwit, Blustergale, Furledsail, and Dast, he trailed the rest of the company.
    Instinctively Covenant took Linden’s hand, rested his halfhand on Jeremiah’s shoulder. Accompanied by Stave and Branl, they started along the passage.
    Jeremiah did not resist, but he walked with his head down, paid no attention to where he put his feet. His hands tightened and relaxed on the Staff, urgent as heartbeats. At intervals, he jerked up his head and glared around him. But he did not speak; did not appear to notice Covenant or Linden.
    Maybe Roger had the right idea. Maybe we should all try to become gods.
    The notion made Covenant’s stomach burn as if he had swallowed acid. He refused to believe—
    Linden studied her son for a moment. Then her eyes flinched away. She looked at Covenant, pleading like a woman who had no language for her needs. Almost at once, however, she turned her attention to Stave.
    In a low voice, she asked, “What’s bothering the Masters? Did Pahni and Bhapa reach them?”
    She might have asked, Do they think that Pahni and Bhapa lied? They can’t believe that. If they do, why did they come?
    “Chosen,” replied Stave, “I must accord to our people the respect which I will require of them.” His tone suggested that he was keeping his distance. “They will speak of their doubts and indignations when we have evaded immediate pursuit. It is their right to be who they are, and to determine what they will become.
    “Yet I am free to acknowledge that the Masters have heard and questioned the Cords. True to his service, the