The Runes of the Earth is a fantasy novel by American writer Stephen R. Donaldson, the first book of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series.

He uses his strange powers to summon a caesure, allowing Linden and her companions to travel backwards in time to retrieve the lost Staff of Law.

After some initial frustration, they find (with some dubious help from Esmer) that the Staff is guarded by a group of Waynhim who – not being creatures of Law – are slowly sickening from its influence.

Linden uses the Staff to cure the Waynhim, but she and her companions are suddenly attacked by Demondim (who they suspect have been summoned from the past by the mischievous and unpredictable Esmer) wielding the power of the Illearth Stone.

Fearful that the coming battle will alter the Land's history, Linden creates a new caesure and returns herself, her companions, the ur‑viles, Waynhim, and Demondim to her own present.

As the company is enclosed in the Lord's Keep with their foes outside, they see a small group rapidly approaching: her son, Jeremiah, and Thomas Covenant, who has seemingly returned to life.

Similarly, the consequence of potentially using both the Staff of Law (enabling control of Earthpower) and white gold simultaneously is addressed by the main character Linden Avery.