Donaldson, Stephen - Thomas Covenant 01 - Lord Foul's Bane by Donaldson Stephen

Author:Donaldson, Stephen [Donaldson, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Unexpectedly, Lord Tamarantha raised her nodding head. "Who will go?" she asked toward the ceiling of the Close.

"It has not yet been determined that anyone will go," Prothall replied in a gentle voice.

"Nonsense," she sniffed. Tugging at a thin wisp of hair behind her ear, she coaxed her old bones erect. "This is too high a matter for caution. We must act. Of course I trust him. He has a Hirebrand's staff, does he not? What Hirebrand would give a staff without sure reason? And look at it-one end blackened. He has fought with it-at the Celebration, if I do not mistake. Ah, the poor Wraiths. That was ill, ill." Looking across at Variol, she said, "Come. We must prepare."

Variol worked himself to his feet. Taking Tamarantha's arm, he left the Close through one of the doors behind the High Lord.

After a respectful pause for the old Lords, Osondrea leveled her stare at Covenant and demanded, "How did you gain that staff?"

"Baradakas-the Hirebrand-gave it to me."

"Why?"

Her tone sparked his anger. He said distinctly, "He wanted to apologize for distrusting me."

"How did you teach him to trust you?"

Damnation) "I passed his bloody test of truth."

Carefully, Lord Mhoram asked, "Unbeliever-why did the Hirebrand of Soaring Woodhelven desire to nest you?"

Again, Covenant felt compelled to lie. "Jehannum made him nervous. He tested everyone."

"Did he also test Atiaran?"

"What do you think?"

"I think," Foamfollower interposed firmly, "that Atiaran Trell-mate of Mithil Stonedown would not require any test of truth to demonstrate her fidelity."

This affirmation produced a pause, during which tie Lords looked at each other as if they had reached an impasse. Then High Lord Prothall said sternly,

"Thomas Covenant, you are a stranger, and we have had no time to learn your ways. But we will not surrender our sense of what is right to you. It is clear that you have spoken falsehood. For the sake of the Land, you must answer our questions. Please tell us why the Hirebrand Baradakas gave to you the test of truth, but not to Atiaran your companion."

"No."

"Then tell us why Atiaran Trell-mate chose not to accompany you here. It is rare for a person born of the Land to stop short of Revelstone."

"No."

"Why do you refuse?"

Covenant glared seething up at his interrogators. They sat above him like judges with the power of outcasting in their hands. He wanted to defend himself with shouts, curses; but the Lords' intent eyes stopped him. He could see no contempt in their faces. They regarded him with anger, fear, disquietude, with offended love for the Land, but no contempt. Very softly, he said, "Don't you understand? I'm trying to get out of telling you an even bigger lie. If you keep pushing me-we'll all suffer."

The High Lord met his irate, supplicating gaze for a moment, then sighed catarrhally, "Very well. You make matters difficult for us. Now we must deliberate. Please leave the Close. We will call for you in a short time."

Covenant stood, turned on his heel, started up the steps toward the big doors.

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