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

affectionate congratulations. As one, Stave, Branl, and the Masters did more than bow: they sank to one knee and lowered their heads in homage. Unable to contain himself, Manethrall Bhapa put his hands on Linden’s waist and lifted her high until she begged him to put her down. With more restraint and sadness, Pahni offered her hopes for Linden’s happiness, and for Covenant’s.
    Jeremiah joined the mirth and effusion of the Giants. Linden took the Ramen away from the others to make her peace with Pahni’s bereavement, to speak of Caerwood ur-Mahrtiir, and to share her heart with friends who had been as faithful as Liand. For his part, Covenant spoke first with the Ironhand and Stoutgirth Anchormaster, while Stave, Branl, and Canrik attended him.
    His efforts to find words for his gratitude, the Giants brushed aside. “The thanks are ours to give,” Rime Coldspray proclaimed. “We are wont to avow that joy is in the ears that hear. Upon such occasions, however, it is also in the mouth that speaks. Though our hearts are galled by loss, they also overflow with gladness. Wherever Giants remain in the Earth, the names of Covenant Timewarden and Linden Giantfriend and Jeremiah Chosen-son will be uttered in celebration and reverence.”
    Bluff Stoutgirth nodded his approval. But he smiled with difficulty, and his need for a
caamora
was plain. He was a sailor, not a warrior: his losses bore a different emotional weight than Coldspray’s. Nevertheless he accepted them with a spirit slowly lifting.
    Covenant had only one question for them: what now?
    The Anchormaster answered without hesitation. “With the Giants at my command, I will return to Dire’s Vessel. It is my hope that we will sail at once for our homeland. I pine for the harborage of Home. I ache to learn the fate of our kindred. And I yearn for new ears to soften my sorrow with their joy.”
    Covenant understood. He had his own sorrows to assuage. “And you?” he asked of Coldspray.
    Before she could reply, Stave spoke.
    “With the Ironhand’s consent, we will welcome her and her Swordmainnir to Revelstone. We have much for which we wish to atone. First among our faults, doubtless, is the ignorance which we have inflicted upon the folk of the Land. Yet more immediate to us here is the manner in which we have rebuffed the friendship and valor of the Giants. We hunger to make amends.”
    Covenant cocked an eyebrow at the outcast Master’s use of
we
. But he did not interrupt.
    “Also,” Stave went on, “I would seek a boon of the Ironhand, and perhaps of her comrades also, a boon which pertains to Revelstone, and which Revelstone may sway her to grant.”
    Now both Coldspray and Stoutgirth stared at him, as surprised as Covenant.
    Stave faced them with a smile: another surprise. “You crave explanations.” Amusement sparkled in his eye. “Know, then, that I am Stave, by right of years and attainment the Voice of the Masters. I speak for these
Haruchai
assembled here, and also for those who have retained the benison of their lives elsewhere.”
    More gravely, he said, “Your example, Covenant Timewarden, and also that of Linden Avery the Chosen, and indeed of Jeremiah Chosen-son, have turned our thoughts to new paths. We have concluded that the Land has no need of Masters. Rather it will be better served by Lords. Therefore we wish to claim a different purpose. If you do not gainsay us, ur-Lord, we will form a new Council, emulating with our best strength the service begun by Berek Lord-Fatherer.
    “And the boon which we will ask of the Ironhand is this, that she and her Swordmainnir join with us in that Council. By their kindness and merriment, we hope”—he smiled again—“to avoid the snares of our long past and severe judgments until the time when the folk of the Land discover a desire to stand among us.”
    Jeremiah had wandered closer while Stave spoke. Now the boy said, “I can tell you where to find Kevin’s Wards.”
    “And we will welcome that knowledge, Chosen-son, when our need for it is ripe.”
    Covenant shook his head, but not in disapproval. “I don’t know what to say. It sounds practically ideal. But you’ll have to give up your rejection of Earthpower. Or lore. You’ll have to start from scratch.”
    “As we should, ur-Lord,” Stave replied. “The Earth has been vouchsafed a new beginning. The
Haruchai
also must begin anew.”
    After a moment’s thought, Covenant observed, “You’ll need a High Lord. You,