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

falsehood, but upon a withheld truth. For this, I again cry your pardon, Ringthane. The choice was mine. Cord Pahni spoke as she did at my command.”
    “And would do so again,” declared Pahni. “I serve my Manethrall as I do the Ranyhyn.”
    But Bhapa did not pause for her. “The dilemma of the Masters is this. They did not know of your return, Timewarden, because I did not permit them to know. They were informed of the rousing of the Worm. They were told of the Worm’s hunger for the Blood of the Earth. But naught was said concerning your resurrection, Timewarden. Your name was not spoken. I did not concede the knowledge that you were restored to us by the selfsame deed which awakened the Worm.”
    In spite of their stoicism, Handir, Canrik, and the other Masters betrayed their indignation. Branl must have explained Covenant’s return. Nevertheless they were unprepared for Bhapa’s confession. Millennia ago, the Bloodguard had trusted the Ramen—
    “Rather, Ringthane,” the older Cord continued to Linden, “I encouraged them in their belief that the blame for the world’s doom is yours.” His tone was a strangle-hold. “Speaking as I had instructed her, Pahni gave them cause to imagine that your sole purpose from first to last has been the restoration of your son, that you have given no heed to the havoc which you have unleashed. Therefore the Masters have come seeking retribution for the final crime of the Earth.”
    Covenant listened with his mouth open, wordless and appalled. Linden stared as if Bhapa had betrayed her: a man who had sworn himself to her. The Giants cursed softly, gripping their weapons. Only Jeremiah did not react. Apparently images of the Worm had reclaimed him.
    Then Handir barked, “Enough! Am I a child, that a Raman must assume my place?”
    Swift as threats, Samil and Vortin approached Bhapa. They grasped him roughly, dragged him aside.
    Linden looked like she might wail. To restrain her, distract her, Covenant said reflexively, “This is my fault.” Her distress was worse than his. She already blamed herself—“I should have told Bhapa and Pahni what to say. I didn’t because I thought the Masters deserved a chance to make their own decisions. It never occurred to me—”
    What had possessed the Cords?
    Linden did not look at him. Her whole face seemed to plead with Bhapa.
    Ignoring Handir’s indignation, Bhapa told her, “Faithful to his word, the Ardent delivered us to the vicinity of Revelstone. There we were able to speak privately ere the Masters greeted us. The burden of my wishes I gave to Cord Pahni because her need was plain. I prayed that her passion would prevail where my own ire might undermine me.”
    He tried to say more; but Samil silenced him with a hand on his throat: a choke which nearly lifted him from his feet.
    Without transition, Covenant’s wedding band burned. Sudden fire crowded his mind, straining for release.
    The threat to the Cord was too much for the Swordmainnir. In an instant, Rime Coldspray reached Samil and Bhapa, her glaive in her hands. Frostheart Grueburn followed a step behind her.
    Around them, the cordon of Masters closed like a noose. Giants brandished their weapons: swords and spears. Pahni’s garrote appeared in her fists.
    “Handir!” Covenant snapped. “
Handir!
”
    Handir’s jaws bunched. He nodded once.
    Samil released Bhapa. Samil and Vortin stepped back.
    Covenant took a deep breath, made an effort to quench his heart’s fire.
    In a small voice like a cry, Linden asked, “Why, Bhapa? Why did you do that?”
    Handir spoke over her. To the Ironhand, he said, “Withhold your blows. You cannot stand against us. For that reason, we will not strike. We scorn unequal combat. Samil sought only to impose silence upon the Cord.”
    Reluctantly Coldspray sheathed her sword. Grueburn and the other Giants lowered their weapons. As they did so, the Masters relaxed their ring around the company.
    Their Voice faced Linden. “We share your query, Linden Avery. We will hear it answered. But first we must have some confirmation of what has occurred.”
    Before she—or Bhapa—could protest, Handir turned, not to Covenant, but to Branl.
    “Are your thoughts sooth?” he demanded in the full light of High Lord Loric’s
krill
. “Stave has learned concealment. Therefore he is suspect. Concealment enables falsehood. Are you now likewise capable of falsehood?
    “Is
turiya
Herem truly slain? Has Linden Avery indeed restored a