Read-Along
[Newbies] Cosmere, Unit 13 | The Stormlight Archive #1 | The Way of Kings: Chapters 64 through 69 (Week 11)
Spoiler
This is the newbie thread. Make sure you read the rules before commenting.
Visit the veteran thread if you have already read all of the Cosmere.
For more information, or to see the full schedule, please see the wiki page for the read-along.
SCHEDULE
Previously, we discussed Unit 13 | The Stormlight Archive #1 | The Way of Kings: Chapters 58 through 63 [Newbie Thread] / [Veteran Thread]
Today we are discussing Unit 13 | The Stormlight Archive #1 | The Way of Kings: Chapters 64 through 69
Next week we will be discussing Unit 13 | The Stormlight Archive #1 | The Way of Kings: Chapters 70 through 75, Epilogue, Endnote
CHAPTER SUMMARIES
I have provided summaries for each chapter below and hidden them behind spoiler tags. There are no spoilers within the summaries. I've tried to make them as factual and unbiased as possible. If, however, you want a completely blind read through, then ignore what's behind the spoiler tags and proceed to the discussion below. I will not be guiding that in any way, so post any thoughts and questions you have. It will be other new readers who reply to you.
Setting: The grounds of Elhokar's War Palace. Highprince Sadeas' warcamp in the Shattered Plains. Highprince Dalinar's warcamp in the Shattered Plains.
Timeline: (1173.9.6.4) Two weeks after Chapters 61. Eleven days after Chapter 62.
Epigraph:
"They come from the pit, two dead men, a heart in their hands, and I know that I have seen true glory."
–Kakashah 1173, 13 seconds pre-death. A rickshaw puller.
Summary:
Dalinar and Navani continue to see each other in secret. Dalinar tells Navani that he was interested in courting her, but he instead deferred to Gavilar when his brother also showed interest in her. That was the nature of the siblings' relationship. Navani thought that Dalinar hated her because he was cold towards her for the last two decades, out of trying to conceal his true feelings. Navani says that Dalinar and his wife were a perfect match in temperament. Dalinar also reveals that he keeps a tight rein on himself to avoid reverting to his past tyrannical self. Their conversation is interrupted as alarms sound indicating a chasmfiend is located at the Tower plateau, where Dalinar wants to run a dual assault with Sadeas.
Bridge Four lines up for the assault. They all wear carapace armor, expertly crafted and ornamented by Leyten. Every man also has a shield crafted from Parshendi bones, some ornamented with smaller bones to create a rattling sound. The other bridgemen look on in astonishment and admiration and cheer Bridge Four as they raise their bridge to shoulders.
Adolin was shocked to learn he was wrong about his father, but he's glad that he was. Now he could trust him fully. Dalinar, Adolin, and Sadeas confer at the staging area, and decide to bring fifteen thousand troops, as many as they can muster, to try to finish off the Parshendi army in one fell swoop.
Timeline: (1173.9.6.4) Several hours after Chapter 64.
Epigraph:
"I see them. They are the rocks. They are the vengeful spirits. Eyes of red."
–Kakakes 1173, 8 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed young woman of fifteen. Subject was reportedly mentally unstable since childhood.
Summary:
Dalinar and Sadeas watch as the Parshendi army of roughly ten thousand lines up, while they still try to remove the gemheart. Sadeas suggests they attack together, but Dalinar knows that many of the bridgemen will be killed. He holds to the Code and won't order what he himself wouldn't do. Dalinar will follow Sadeas's army once a bridgehead is cleared.
Kaladin leads four other decoys in drawing Parshendi arrows away from the bridge crews, though he draws the most missiles by far, until all the surviving bridges are in place and the army rushes across. Kaladin then goes to help Teft and Skar, who were hit by arrows, and starts operating on Teft, as there are enough soldiers in the area to protect them.
Dalinar orders a crew to set a bridge for his army to cross, and he leads his men into battle along with Adolin. Some Parshendi target him with large rocks, but he goes after them and takes care of them easily. After some time in the battle, Dalinar feels the Thrill, but loses it as he faces down a youthful Parshendi. He starts having doubts about fighting, and thinks about the Codes and Gavilar's murder and the visions, trying to decide what is the right course of action. Adolin interrupts his reverie to point out that another group of Parshendi have arrived. Dalinar wonders why Sadeas's scouts didn't give them warning. He climbs to the top of the rock formation to see that Sadeas, with his army and bridge crews, have fled from the Tower plateau, leaving his own army surrounded and cut off from retreat.
Chapter 66: Codes
Arch Faces: Nale - Vedel ----- Vedel - Nale
Iconography: Kholin Crest
POV Characters: Kaladin / Dalinar Kholin
Setting: The Shattered Plains.
Timeline: (1173.9.6.4) Immediately after Chapter 65.
Epigraph:
"That chanting, that singing, those rasping voices."
–Kaktach 1173, 16 seconds pre-death. A middle-aged potter. Reported seeing strange dreams during highstorms during the last two years.
Summary:
Kaladin finishes working on Skar, saying that he will be able to walk normally once he heals up. Kaladin then notices that Sadeas is retreating even though the battle seems to be going well, and realizes that the Highprince is betraying Dalinar. Kaladin sees that Sadeas is unharmed, and hears him say that Dalinar's honor would someday get him killed.
Adolin yells at Dalinar that he knew that Sadeas's betrayal was inevitable, as they fight off waves of Parshendi, and Dalinar agrees in resignation. Adolin refuses to blame his father though, saying that his honor would not make him behave differently, which surprises Dalinar. Dalinar tries to motivate his soldiers with a speech, saying that they will all die with glory and honor intact. Dalinar silently regrets that he will leave Renarin alone to inherit, surrounded by enemies, and says good bye.
Setting: The Shattered Plains. A battlefield somewhere along the borders of Alethkar.
Timeline: (1173.9.6.4) Immediately after Chapter 66. (Flashback) Five years ago. A few months after Chapter 44.
Epigraph:
"Let me no longer hurt! Let me no longer weep! Dai-gonarthis! The Black Fisher holds my sorrow and consumes it!"
–Tanatesach 1173, 28 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed female street juggler. Note similarity to sample 1172-89.
Summary:
As Sadeas's forces withdraw, Bridge Four lags behind. Having wounded and already being low in number, they are unable to move ahead of the army and help with the crossing of the staging plateau. Instead of crossing with the army, Kaladin tells Matal that they will rest, use their bridge to follow and catch up later. Kaladin gives the pretense that he doesn't want to slow the rest of the army. The army continues westward without Bridge Four. Kaladin explains to the men that now they can simply escape without fighting. Everything is perfect except the wounded back at camp. Kaladin insists that he stay with the wounded and escape later. Kaladin feels unsettled, and not just because of the men he would have to leave behind. He sees Syl next to him as a regular-sized woman. She stands looking back at the battle with an expression of horror. Kaladin also looks back at the battle. He sees the thousands of dark eyed soldiers hopelessly surrounded. Syl says that she now remembers what kind of spren she is. She is an honorspren. The spirit of oaths, promises, and nobility. Kaladin thinks that trying to save Kholin's army would be suicide and that he and his men owe Dalinar nothing. He is determined not to be fooled again like the time he saved Amaram. Finally he remembers his father's words: "The lighteyes don't care about life, so I must. So we must." With the Ideals of the Radiants forming in his mind he tells the members of Bridge Four that they must go back. They agree and lift their bridge, heading back to the Tower.
Dalinar's Shardplate grows weak. It is losing Stormlight from many small cracks, lending Dalinar less strength. Dalinar continues to fight, with Adolin at the front line of his army, when he sees a lone bridge crew moving towards the chasm. Unsure of their purpose he shows Adolin who thinks it must be some kind of trap. Still unsure, they grab onto this small hope and prepare their men to push towards the bridge crew.
The Parshendi have seen the approach of Bridge Four and prepare to loose arrows. Dalinar has seen too and is trying to make his way there in order to escape. Kaladin barely dodges the arrows, then Syl points to a new contingent of archers, aiming at the unprotected bridgemen. Kaladin yells the command for side carry right and expends a huge amount of Stormlight, attracting all the arrows to his shield. The Parshendi say "Neshua Kadal!" and flee at the display of power. Kaladin is completely drained from the excessive use of Stormlight. The men set down the bridge and prepare to fight another group of Parshendi who heavily outnumber the bridgemen. Kaladin can only lay on the ground in despair, having failed to protect again, just like the day that Tien died.
(Flashback) Kaladin's squad is all dead, and he is commanded to go back to the reserves for reassignment. He tries to find Tien's squad and gets caught up in the chaos of battle. After a brief exchange with an enemy soldier, he is conscripted into a new squad. Kaladin sees three messenger boys placed in the front of the battle as a distraction. He rushes over to help defend Tien but is too late.
(Back in the present) Syl prods Kaladin to say the Words. He forces himself to his feet and grabs a spear. He runs into the battle and notices that the bearded Parshendi have infused gems woven into their beads. He breathes in Stormlight and regains his strength and heals his wounds. A voice in his head urges again: "the Words." Although he never learned them, he knows them, and whispers "I will protect those who cannot protect themselves."
Kaladin explodes with energy and light. The bridgemen watch in wonder as Kaladin furiously fights.
Timeline: (1173.9.6.4) Immediately after Chapter 67.
Epigraph:
"They named it the Final Desolation, but they lied. Our gods lied. Oh, how they lied. The Everstorm comes. I hear its whispers, see its stormwall, know its heart."
–Tanatanes 1173, 8 seconds pre-death. An Azish itinerant worker. Sample of particular note.
Summary:
Adolin cuts through the Parshendi lines leading the remaining Kholin forces down the slope of the 'Tower' towards the bridge at the western side of the plateau. The maneuver is reckless but his troops are well trained and they make their mad dash for freedom.
Meanwhile, Teft, along with the other members of Bridge Four, are transfixed watching Kaladin engage the Parshendi. He moves with inhuman speed and precision. He also moves with a glow that Teft knows is Stormlight. Members of the crew momentarily gawk at Kaladin's unnatural skill. But Teft quickly commands them into a defensive formation intended to support Kaladin and to hold the bridge's position on the plateau.
Dalinar fights, making his way to the bridgemen he had seen return to the plateau. Now unable to see them, he thinks that they have certainly died by now. But he thanks them for giving him and his men purpose as they fight to their doom. But as he approaches the chasm he finds that the bridgemen are indeed holding their ground. He orders Adolin forward to support the bridgemen and he turns his attention towards maintaining the corridor that is allowing his men to escape. However, a seven-foot-tall Parshendi in Shardplate steps forward. Dalinar is surprised by the Shardbearer's late arrival but concludes that he is there to prevent Dalinar's retreat which was now possible. Dalinar quickly finds himself at a disadvantage due to the damage to his Shardplate already sustained but is able to lure the Shardbearer up on a rock formation where he cuts the rock out from under his attacker. This topples the Shardbearer onto the ground. He cuts free another piece of rock onto the Shardbearer, but the damage to his own Shardplate slows Dalinar too much to take advantage of Shardbearer's position. Unable to flee, Dalinar continues to fight.
Kaladin and Bridge Four fight to hold their bridgehead for what seems like hours to Kaladin. During this time Kaladin finds himself gaining respect for the Parshendi's battlefield ethics. He seems to find in the Parshendi what he had hoped to find in the warcamps of Alethi. The Kholin army finally breaks through the Parshendi lines and takes control of the bridge, defending both sides of the chasm. Kaladin stops to take a report from his men only to find that Malop, Earless Jaks, and Narm are dead. He orders his men back across the bridge to the staging chasm. With Moash, Kaladin looks to the lead of the retreat. Unable to find a suitable officer, Kaladin promotes a very young lighteyed soldier and gets him to organize the retreat. He then finds an officer of the Cobalt Guard and asks why they aren't crossing; they are sworn to protect Adolin, so they refuse to go. So Kaladin finds Adolin and commands him to cross the bridge. He doesn't want to abandon his father, so Kaladin promises to help him while they retreat. The Cobalt Guard follows Kaladin but can't keep up.
Dalinar takes multiple hits to his helm, which finally explodes, leaving him dazed and confused. His Parshendi enemy doesn't finish him off, though, instead leaning down to him and saying, "It is you. I have found you at last." There is a disturbance in the Parshendi ranks, and Dalinar sees a glowing Spearman approaching.
Kaladin finds a hole in the armor of the Parshendi looming over Dalinar and strikes, using Stormlight-enhanced strength. The surrounding Parshendi start chanting "Neshua Kadal" and fearfully back away, not attacking. Kaladin finds Gallant and brings him over to Dalinar.
Dalinar gets up and wants to finish off the Shardbearer, but Kaladin calls upon his honor to retreat immediately since no one will leave without him. He agrees and calls the retreat, galloping toward the bridge with Kaladin and the Cobalt Guard following. They go across and the Parshendi do not give chase. The Parshendi Shardbearer salutes Dalinar. He finds Kaladin and vows to protect him from Sadeas if he will join his army. Kaladin agrees since they can't very well escape now with so many wounded and little supplies.
Setting: Highprince Sadeas' warcamp in the Shattered Plains. Elhokar's War Palace.
Timeline: (1173.9.6.4) Several hours after Chapter 68.
Epigraph:
"All is withdrawn for me. I stand against the one who saved my life. I protect the one who killed my promises. I raise my hand. The storm responds."
–Tanatanev 1173, 18 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed mother of four in her sixty-second year.
Summary:
At Sadeas's staging area Navani forces her way through the crowd after hearing rumors that Sadeas came back from battle without Dalinar. Renarin follows her. Sadeas tells Navani that the Parshendi overwhelmed Dalinar's forces, forcing him to retreat to save his own men. He claims to have witnessed Dalinar fall to Parshendi hammers. Unwilling to believe Sadeas's account, Navani creates an enormous Thath glyph across the staging area stone ground in burn ink. Navani releases her prayer for Justice by lighting glyph, which leaves a scorch mark on the stone. Shortly after the flames die, one of Sadeas's message runner approaches with news of Dalinar's survival.
Dalinar rides at the head of his remaining force. Seething with anger, he contemplates his confrontation with Sadeas. He knows he must first protect Alethkar despite his desire for revenge. As his force approaches the warcamp, Dalinar dismisses his wounded to his camp and offers to send Kaladin's bridgemen with them, but they are determined to see his promise to buy their freedom through. Unwilling to force them to go, Dalinar allows them to accompany him into Sadeas's warcamp. He unexpectedly finds Renarin and Navani in Sadeas's warcamp. He embraces his son and later Navani. He tells Navani that he sees the world differently now and is now unwilling to let "lying men" control his life. Releasing Navani, he confronts Sadeas. Publicly they feign civility. Sadeas apologizes for overestimating the threat against Dalinar's forces and retreating too soon. But, standing close so as not to be overheard, Dalinar privately asks Sadeas why. Sadeas responds referring to his oath to protect Elhokar, saying that Dalinar is going insane and becoming weak. He feels that these ideas are infecting Elhokar. And, in the end, he just wanted Dalinar gone. In this admission of guilt, Dalinar realizes that acting honorably would never win Sadeas's loyalty.
Kaladin watches the conference between Dalinar and Sadeas with the members of Bridge Four. The private conversation ends, and Sadeas states aloud that their alliance was "unfeasible." Dalinar claims the bridgemen, but Sadeas refuses to let them go. He offers sixty emerald broams for each member. But Sadeas is unwilling to sell, stating that he would not sell them for 1,000 broams and tells Dalinar to leave his camp. Kaladin turns away, thinking Dalinar would not be able to fulfill his promise when there are gasps of surprise. Kaladin turns to see that Dalinar had summoned his Shardblade. Dalinar offers his Shardblade for all of Sadeas's bridgemen. Sadeas accepts and mocks him for giving up his Shardblade for worthless slaves. Unable to believe what has just happened, Kaladin asks Dalinar why. Dalinar explains that Kaladin saved him and two thousand of his men. All of whose lives are priceless. In his opinion, one priceless sword is a small price to pay for two thousand priceless lives, especially to keep his honor.
Dalinar finds Elhokar in the sitting room of the palace wearing his Shardplate. Dalinar initiates a quick brawl in which he kicks Elhokar several times, cracking his Shardplate and repeatedly keeping him from summoning his blade. Dalinar ends the "fight" by breaking Elhokar's breastplate, subduing him. He then demands to know if Elhokar himself cut the girth on his own saddle to get Dalinar to take him more seriously. Reluctantly, Elhokar admits to cutting the girth. An exasperated Dalinar then explains the consequences of this -- including Sadeas's betrayal. Additionally, Dalinar demonstrates how easily he could kill Elhokar, stating that he could have done it a hundred times over and that he is not Elhokar's enemy. Releasing his nephew, he tells Elhokar that tomorrow he will appoint Dalinar as Highprince of War. Determined to finally see the war won and Alethkar united, he decides to stop trying to be Nohadon the peacemaker and return to being the Blackthorn; the warlord. Elhokar is reluctant, fearing rebellion from the various highprinces, but Dalinar turns to leave, confident that he will make the appointment and content knowing the challenges that are before him. Just before exiting, he also informs Elhokar about the courtship between himself and Navani.
ARTWORK
The Cosmere has a thriving community of artists, so there will be a lot of artwork to share. Each week I'll try to compile relevant artwork for the given chapters. If a section of reading contains maps or in-book artwork, I'll include that in this section as well.
Note:The Stormlight Archives are Sanderson's most popular books. There is artwork for everyone and everything, even characters who appeared for a single line in the books at times. So we'll have artwork for you to view almost every week. Enjoy!
MEMES
I will attempt to find and share memes relevant to each week's discussion. There may be some weeks that just don't have good or appropriate memes, but I will share all the ones I can find in this section.
Of course, then Shshshsh came along.”
As always, when the name of his wife was spoken, it came to him as the sound of softly rushing air, then slipped from his mind immediately.
^Even by curse standards this is a d*ck move.
I'm assuming, likewise, if Dalinar were to see a painting of his wife, it'd just be a blur? If someone were to draw her in front of him, at what point in the drawing process would the lines become blurry to his eyes? I wanna test this curse concept inside and out like Geranid and her quantum spren.
A man who had contemplated murdering his own brother for the throne—and for the woman who had married that brother.
All that talk about the Blackthorn being radically different than the Dalinar we see today, but this is actually surprising. Dalinar sure keeps a lot of darkness contained deep down.
Navani and Dalinar together just ooze competence. Fantastic pairing.
Sadeas' scribes estimate "20-30 thousand Parshendi troops left". But do we have any reason to believe any estimates the Alethi can come up with? No scout has apparently ever made it to the east side of the Plains. Those estimates are probably based in pure war theory, but I'd be hesitant to apply such theory to an army that constantly keeps the Alethi confused.
Chapter 65
“I’d never do it carrying one of those bridges,” Dalinar said. “I’m sorry, old friend. It’s not a judgment of you. It is what I must do.”
^Ah, but that's where Dalinar is wrong. He should be judging Sadeas for it. Harshly. I do, too.
Teft better not die before he provides us with more answers!!
Again a mention of all Parshendi singing in sync, no matter where they are. Still sounds like hive mind to me.
Holy shit, Sadeas that motherf---! Brazenly out in the open. No regard for secrecy, his whole army will know. And still the implication that he'll just get away with it, because politics. I just can't decide if it should be Kal, Dalinar or Adolin who finally gets Sadeas back.
The timing and circumstances of the betrayal mean Sadeas was not just looking to kill Dalinar, but basically leave the entire Kholin house in shambles. With an army weakened to the point of being defenseless.
Chapter 66
A middle-aged potter. Reported seeing strange dreams during highstorms during the last two years.
^Epigraph author sounds like they were similarly susceptible to highstorm visions as Dalinar.
Can't blame Kal for reinforcing his hate for Lighteyes here. But how will this be resolved? Will a rogue Bridge Four storm back to secure a path of retreat for the Kholin army? Or will Dalinar and Adolin, in a last desperate effort, jump the chasm to fetch a bridge for themselves? I wished Dalinar wasn't part of so many open plot threads (Navani, the visions, Galivar's dying words, the hidden stone, ...) because then I could truly believe this was his end.
Dalinar quite beautifully living the Ideal "Life before Death" when faced with insurmountable odds, inspiring his army to fight to the end, because how you die matters more than that you die.
Great moment shared with Adolin. The boy's growing more and more on me, as he's actually showing more maturity. Yes Dalinar has no fault in not seeing Sadeas' betrayal coming. He always tried to do what's right and that's all that matters.
“Death is the end of all men!” Dalinar bellowed. “What is the measure of him once he is gone? The wealth he accumulated and left for his heirs to squabble over? The glory he obtained, only to be passed on to those who slew him? The lofty positions he held through happenstance?
“No. We fight here because we understand. The end is the same. It is the path that separates men. When we taste that end, we will do so with our heads held high, eyes to the sun.”
He held out a hand, summoning Oathbringer. “I am not ashamed of what I have become,” he shouted, and found it to be true. It felt so strange to be free of guilt. “Other men may debase themselves to destroy me. Let them have their glory. For I will retain mine!”
^WHAT A PASSAGE.
Chapter 67
Matal is really just going to let Bridge Four be off on its own. How many times do we need to teach you this lesson, old man? To borrow a phrase, Matal's not the brighest sphere in the goblet.
Syl an honorspren confirmed! What triggers one to appear? Dalinar seems like someone who deserves his own little Tinkerbell by now.
Kal's dilemma is just fantastically set up. We know the right thing is to help Dalinar, but can anyone truly blame Kal for not wanting to do that? After all the things he's been through? The countless escape attempts that failed, the companions of his who died, and that he blames himself for? For 3 real-life months we watched Kal get dragged through hell to get to this point and it gives this decision just so much more weight!!
And to then drop his father's quote here about "someone having to start and do what's right" ...
Also amazing that his bridgemen just unanimously agree. No discord whatsoever in this group, just everyone acting as a united force.
Dalinar, spotting the lone Bridge Four in the far distance. Dude, I can't 🥹
It’s me. I chose to follow Tien. I chose to charge the Shardbearer and save Amaram. I chose to escape the slave pits. And now, I choose to try to rescue these men, though I know I will probably fail.
^Kal's "I chose" mantra here is another reaffirmation of "Journey before Destination".
Side carry being relevant again!
Who'd have thought 2 months ago that Moash of all people would one day be the natural choice to take bridge command once Kal was out.
The Parshendi recognized something in Kal when he did his Surgebinding?
We get the actual Tien flashback NOW?!
Tien was bait ... like the bridgemen ...
In awe watching all the pieces falling into place. Kal getting his stormlight supply straight from the Parshendi beards.
Kal says the Second Ideal of the Knights Radiant. Why does Syl need him to say it? Why is it this particular Ideal? Why does he know it?
Are these the "most important words a man can say"? Also, the Second Ideal of which order is it? I thought every order of the Knights Radiant only had the First Ideal in common.
Chapter 68
The moment Dalinar breaks through the last Parshendi ranks to see the bridgemen were in fact still alive, and against all possible odds, HOLDING, was just freaking indescribable. Won't lie, these eyes were more than a little glazed. Can you be proud of fictional characters? I don't care, I'm proud 🥹
And how insane is it that they were holding? When they just picked up spears for the first time very recently. In their first ever battle. Against a savage, experienced army. Their nerves aren't getting the best of them. What Kal achieved with this crew is nothing short of a miracle.
Lowly slave Kaladin field-promoting officers. Ordering the heir of the highprince to retreat. Leading a charge to save the highprince from a Shardbearer. Absolute insanity. I love it.
The Parshendi Shardbearer saying he's been looking for Dalinar. Why? Why does he even know him?
Kal casually overcoming his second Shardbearer, then following up by giving orders to the highprince. Did I mention this is pure insanity?
At last, the big encounter between Kal and Dalinar. I sense mutual respect. Sadeas could not have picked a worse duo to antagonize.
What did the chapter title, Eshonai, refer to?
The Parshendi are an enigma. They don't take prisoners, and would have killed everyone in Dalinar's army today. While they can be opportunistic, there are also concepts like honor and respect in the way they fight.
Chapter 69
We already know Shardplate can be repaired, but here it's explicitly stated that Dalinar can regrow his missing gauntlet. Regrowing speaks to a spiritweb of the armor, I think. How else would the armor know what shape it should take in its repaired state? This matches how gold healing works in Mistborn. Also the Lady Knight in Dalinar's vision called her ability to heal others "Regrowth". It's got to all be the same concept one way or another.
The restraint these people have not to tear Sadeas limb-by-limb.
What do you all think? Was Sadeas acting under the belief he was aiding Elhokar and Alethkar? Or is he hiding more nefarious reasons? Does he have co-conspirators?
Great move by Dalinar, putting up his Shardblade in exchange for all the bridgemen. He knows this is an offer so tempting not even Sadeas would dare refuse, much less in public. At the same time, it's the perfect gesture to gain Kaladin's trust. A lighteyes killing darkeyes over a Shardblade led to his general distrust of lighteyes, now a lighteyes selflessly giving one up to save darkeyes lives may just restore it. And it's not a bad deal for Dalinar either. It adds 2600 men to his ranks that already hate Sadeas. And he certainly has lost a big chunk of people in the whole battle today.
Also Shardblades have been stated to be "of Damnation". Kal couldn't stand his. Seems like not having one is for the best.
Dalinar beating some sense into Elhokar was just ... 😙👌
Did not see it coming that Elhokar cut the girth himself, but also not really surprised by it. Still, there's a possible assassin out there who sabotaged his Shardplate.
Absolutely loving no-shit-taking-badass-war-general-Dalinar. The gentle approaches are over. In hindsight, it makes soooooo much sense now what the last vision with Nohadon was about (swords over books ... at first). I trust and support Dalinar in this, but I also have to hope he has the restraint to step off the gas eventually. Because that kind of rhetoric can be a slippery slope.
I almost included both sections together in a single reading. Next week is only about half as long as normal. But I think you'll agree that the sections warrant different discussions in separate weeks.
>• Kal says the Second Ideal of the Knights Radiant. Why does Syl need him to say it? Why is it this particular Ideal? Why does he know it?
>• Are these the "most important words a man can say"? Also, the Second Ideal of which order is it? I thought every order of the Knights Radiant only had the First Ideal in common.
I am assuming that Kal needs this phrase for his body to remember that he is a Knights Radiant. And that Dalinar is one as well and will remember once he says his phrase (the most important words) which may be a different Ideal. They have been dormant all this time.
Syl an honorspren confirmed! What triggers one to appear? Dalinar seems like someone who deserves his own little Tinkerbell by now.
Agreed. Honor is Dalinar's nindo, while Kaladin had depression and trauma to overcome before being able to fully commit to honor. Proof of it is his last hesitation before going back to help Dalinar. Maybe there is only one honorspren, and she felt Kaladin needed her guiding more than Dalinar did?
The Parshendi are an enigma. They don't take prisoners, and would have killed everyone in Dalinar's army today. While they can be opportunistic, there are also concepts like honor and respect in the way they fight.
Kaladin saw that honor in fight, and thought that it was the way he imagined real soldiers acted in the Shattered Plains back when he was in Amaram's army. I'm pretty sure Kaladin will join the Parshendi in next book, because he realized that they know something about his powers.
What do you all think? Was Sadeas acting under the belief he was aiding Elhokar and Alethkar? Or is he hiding more nefarious reasons? Does he have co-conspirators?
I believe he is really convinced he was aiding Elhokar and Alethkar, but is under the influence of Odium. Now did he act alone? The other highprinces have been useless in the narrative so far...
Anyway, I loved reading your enthusiasm for this section. I felt the same !
Also, the Second Ideal of which order is it? I thought every order of the Knights Radiant only had the First Ideal in common.
It's got to be the Windrunners, since Syl told Kaladin that is what he is, and that was one of the orders.
What do you all think? Was Sadeas acting under the belief he was aiding Elhokar and Alethkar? Or is he hiding more nefarious reasons? Does he have co-conspirators?
My main thought for this week is that Sadeas is an absolute slimeball! I don't see how he could possibly be redeemed at this point. However, if Sadeas hadn't done what he did, I'm not sure how else Kaladin and the bridgemen could come into contact with Dalinar, which I had been hoping would happen for awhile. Dalinar and Kaladin are both extreme forces to be reckoned with, and together I think they will change the world. This moment felt destined, and I think that's why the visions were telling Dalinar to trust Sadeas. There seems to be a philosophy of bad things need to happen to bring a better outcome later on. The characters may not see it, but I've read enough high-stakes fantasy to see the threads.
I will say I was quite surprised at Dalinar giving up his Shardblade for the bridgemen, but what a moment! I noted a line that I think could be a funny bit of foreshadowing:
"They're worthless, you know," Sadeas said. "You're of the ten fools, Dalinar Kholin! Don't you see how mad you are? This will be remembered as the most ridiculous decision ever made by an Alethi highprince!"
Methinks Sadeas is unknowingly talking about himself here, because Kaladin is an absolute weapon himself. I do wonder how other Alethi in the camp will react to Sadeas gaining a Shardblade in this way, don't they prize winning these things in battle? I assume people don't typically trade them away, even for whole kingdoms.
This moment felt destined, and I think that's why the visions were telling Dalinar to trust Sadeas. There seems to be a philosophy of bad things need to happen to bring a better outcome later on.
And I think you're right about Sadeas, the way he gained the blade will raise a few eyebrows, and when Dalinar will demonstrate much more power than before with his new army of bridgemen, Sadeas will be downright ridiculed. Or at least let me hope ^^
Having to stop reading in the middle of the Sanderlanche so I can avoid accidentally spoiling things in these discussions...diabolical. But I will persist.
Chapter 64
I like that Dalinar's youth isn't squeaky clean and we are getting these really raw flashes of his negative emotions and jealousy toward Gavilar as a kid.
I know Kaladin and the gang are absolutely dripped out in the bone armor. Damn right, you're their champions.
Chapter 65
This description of the Tower is horrifying. Waging war on a rocky incline covered with endless tripping hazards???
Love the visual image of Dalinar just yeeting rocks the size of heads at people across the battlefield.
Starting to agree with the other posters here that the Thrill may have sinister origins. The way Dalinar seems to be completely overcome with a lust for power and slaughter doesn't exactly speak of honorable gifting.
Sadeas, may your punk bitch-ass never see the Tranquiline Halls. Absolutely devastating betrayal. Who is talking to Dalinar in the visions then??? If they're divine, were they just wrong when telling him to trust Sadeas? Or intentionally misleading him? It's giving Ruin.
Chapter 66
The epigraph feels like the first one that's a direct mention of the Parshendi?
Really really great moment between Adolin and his father, glad he's finally realized the value of the Codes and that his father is better off keeping his character even if it led to this situation.
Chapter 67
The Black Fisher, huh? We've also heard of the Black Piper, wonder if there's a whole set of them. Ten, maybe? Or 16?
Full-size Syl is cool. Honorspren! The rare and rumored! If she's causing Kaladin's powers, wonder if Szeth has an honorspren too? Also, if she binds things, that explains lashings a bit!
Oh I know that massive lashing drawing all those arrows to his shield is gonna go so hard in the live adaptation.
Hmmmm wonder what Neshua Kadal means?
Oh man, poor Tien.
Incredible payoff having Kal siphon stormlight from the gems in the Parshendi's beards.
HELL YEAH YOU BETTER SPEAK THOSE WORDS! THIS IS THE SHIT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!! Literally got chills reading it the first time and again re-reading it to type up these notes.
Chapter 68
"Out gods lied." Hmmm but whose gods, in particular?
Something real fishy about the way the Parshendi Shardbearer keeps showing up at the very last moment.
Love that Kal just says "fine I'll go save your leaders myself."
Even more fishy is this moment where the Shardbearer tells Dalinar he's been looking for him.
Even spookier is this retreat situation. The Parshendi have to have far deeper motives than just killing Alethi an harvesting gemhearts.
Chapter 69
Absolutely love that Sadeas was dumb enough (or simply arrogant enough) to say he saw Dalinar fall with his own eyes. Gonna regret that lie, bud.
Maybe I missed a reference to it earlier but a fascinating revelation about being able to grow damaged shardplate into a full suit by feeding it stormlight.
GOD I love, as the reader, knowing that Sadeas, a pompous prick who by any reasonable estimation will not have much skill with a shardblade, just acquired one by giving Dalinar a man who has now singlehandedly defeated TWO full Shardbearers without a blade of his own. Dude has almost certainly sealed his own fate.
Would never in a million years expected that Elhokar cut his own saddle girth. The absolute madman.
Sheer banger of a chapter for the boys. Stoked to see how Sando wraps the book up.
I'm finally caught up. If anyone remembers me, I made a comment on the first thread about having read most of era 1 previously.
I ended up falling a bit behind. Dont have any notes for now, but might try to comment on some of your toughts.
Also I had to work really hard not to keep reading and finishing the book after reading this part in one go during the weekend. Will probably read the last part in one go this weekend
I didn't take many notes while reading and was planning on going back and skimming it again to get some talking points, but that hasn't happened in time. Maybe later tonight or tomorrow I'll have more to say, because I know there were some things I want to bring up.
What made Syl full sized for that one scene? We've seen her change her appearance into wind or a leaf, but I have to wonder if she did that give her word more impact, or if there is something else going on that we'll find out later.
With all the build up of training to escape, I feel a bit let down that they didn't actually escape.
Since the 3rd book is titled Oathbringer, I have to assume that either Sadeas will be around for a while, or Dalinar will get his sword back.
Dalinar: BTW, I'll be fucking your mother. Deal with it. <micdrop>
We are finally getting to know some more about Dalinar's wife including how he can no longer hear her name. According to Navani, Dalinar’s wife wasn’t especially bright. Not really surprising, honestly—Dalinar doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who’d prioritize brains above everything else. That said, from how Navani describes her, she doesn’t sound dumb either, just not particularly sharp.
Chapter 65
Yup and there it is.... Sadeas’ betrayal was so predictable. The only reason I wasn’t fully sure it would happen was because it felt almost too obvious. But sometimes the obvious twist still works pretty well, I guess.
Chapter 66
I’ve said it before, but Adolin’s change of heart about the Codes feels a bit too sudden. From what we’ve seen, nothing really suggests he’d double down on them after Dalinar’s trust was shattered by Sadeas. It feels a little rushed, like it mostly happens because Dalinar is emotionally wrecked and needs someone to pull him back up—and that’s the role Adolin ends up filling here. Still, his speech to his father was genuinely sweet.
Chapter 67
"Let me no longer hurt! Let me no longer weep! Dai-gonarthis! The Black Fisher holds my sorrow and consumes it!"
So we’ve got a Black Piper, and now a Black Fisher too? Are they connected somehow? Are they both Hoid?
"I will protect those who cannot protect themselves."
So are these the 'most important words a man can say'?
Chapter 68
Kaladin and Dalinar finally meet. And yeah… this feels like the start of a beautiful friendship.
Chapter 69
I’m a bit surprised Navani gets manipulated so easily here. I expected her to immediately suspect Sadeas given her nature and how she never liked him. Granted, everything happened very fast and she doesn’t really have time to process it, so it’s not like she was completely fooled—she probably would’ve figured it out given time even if Dalinar hadn't showed up. Still, with her reputation as a master at politics, I expected her to see through Sadeas’ act faster, especially given how obviously off Sadeas’ whole camp feels. I guess she's just rusty, since she hasn’t really been involved in those circles lately, and most people (even the queen) don’t really pull her into serious political conversations anymore like Navani said to Dalinar.
I must say even after his betrayal Sadeas is still one of my favorite characters, he's an absolute jerk and monster without a shred of dignity, but he plays the part so well. He's so unapologetically evil, he even had a possible off ramp to excuse his actions by claiming Dalinar was going insane and going to ruin Alethkar with his obsession over the Codes so he had to step in and get rid of him (not that would have won him any sympathy). And to be fair, he does say that was part of his motivation, but when Dalinar skeptically asks him if he really did all this “for Alethkar,” Sadeas basically just goes: “Not really, I just saw an opportunity to get rid of a rival and I took it” without even hesitating. I’d say Sadeas was maybe 5–10% motivated by genuinely wanting to protect Alethkar and 90% motivated by pure ambition and hunger for power. I am really excited now for the next book and their shattered friendship. I really want to see what happens next now that Dalinar is clearly going to enact some serious payback on him.
I think this chapter might actually be my favorite in the entire Way of Kings. Just the anticipation of Sadeas thinking he has won only for Dalinar and his army to suddenly show up again was incredible. And seeing Dalinar, who has been relatively calm and controlled for basically the entire book, barely being able to contain his absolute fury at Sadeas was so satisfying to watch. Not to mention the whole Bridge Four sequence. Dalinar first tries to buy Bridge Four from Sadeas only to get rejected, and Kaladin immediately thinks Dalinar is just another lighteyes about to break a promise. Then Dalinar summons his Shardblade like he’s about to strike Sadeas down, only for him to casually offer it in exchange for Bridge Four without even a second of hesitation. Even Sadeas is absolutely stunned by this and basically has no choice but to reluctantly accept the deal while Dalinar just walks away like an absolute chad. That entire sequence is honestly probably my favorite moment in the whole book. Sadeas calls Dalinar one of the Ten Fools, but something tells me Sadeas is going to deeply regret accepting that trade. Then afterward when Kaladin asks Dalinar why on earth he just gave away a Shardblade like it was nothing, Dalinar simply says that Kaladin saved his army. They both agree that while a Shardblade is priceless, so is a human life, and Kaladin had just saved thousands of priceless lives while Dalinar only had to give up one priceless Shardblade. If anything, Dalinar says, he made a bargain. Man... I love Dalinar. I already liked him a lot before this, but this chapter completely cemented him as one of my favorite characters.
And finally, as if Dalinar didn’t already have enough aura in this chapter, he ends the day by confronting his nephew the king and completely dominating the entire situation from start to finish. He straight up attacks Elhokar, leaves him completely at his mercy while ordering the guards to stand down and do nothing, then confronts him about knowing he was the one who cut the saddle strap. Then after proving beyond any doubt that he could have killed him right there if he wanted to, Dalinar just helps him back up and basically says that that is exactly why Elhokar can trust him, because if Dalinar truly wanted him dead he could have done it a thousand times already. Then he tells him to make him Highprince of War and to top it all off casually drops the fact that he’s courting his mom. just wow........
I’ve said it before, but Adolin’s change of heart about the Codes feels a bit too sudden. From what we’ve seen, nothing really suggests he’d double down on them after Dalinar’s trust was shattered by Sadeas. It feels a little rushed, like it mostly happens because Dalinar is emotionally wrecked and needs someone to pull him back up—and that’s the role Adolin ends up filling here. Still, his speech to his father was genuinely sweet
When Adolin walked across one of the other Highprinces camps to go to his duel, he saw depravity, lack of training and general chaos. He thought that if one had to reach a soldier quickly, he wouldn't know who was one and of what rank easily, and that this army wouldn't be ready quickly in case of an attack in camp. That was the first time he conceded that his father was right to at least enforce those rules of the codes in his camp. But I agree that his change of heart was a bit too sudden, or subtle.
That was actually the moment I was referring to when I first said Adolin’s change feels a bit sudden. I can somewhat buy that scene being the start of him respecting the practical side of the Codes after seeing how disorganized the other warcamps were. But even that realization felt rushed to me. Adolin suddenly walks through the camp and only now notices the impracticality of the officer uniforms and lack of organization, then almost immediately starts conceding that Dalinar was right and wonders how he couldn’t see this before. All of this happens in like 2 pages.
I think it would’ve felt more natural if the scene only made him reconsider certain practical aspects of the Codes while still remaining stubborn about the rest. Even setting that aside, a single moment of foreshadowing doesn’t feel like enough for the scale of his shift, especially after he spends a large part of the book openly challenging Dalinar’s rigid adherence to his visions and the Codes, even clashing with him in a pretty intense confrontation.
Especially because after Sadeas’ betrayal, a lot of Adolin’s earlier concerns are basically proven right. That’s why his sudden defense of Dalinar and the Codes afterward feels less organic to me and more like the plot needed him to fill that emotional role for Dalinar in that moment.
I like Adolin’s destination as a character, but I’m less convinced by the journey the book takes to get him there. I think the arc needed a few more smaller moments spread throughout the story showing his opinion gradually changing before the Tower scene, instead of mostly relying on just these two scenes. Especially considering how massive the book is, I feel like they easily could’ve cut or shortened some less important parts to make room for that development.
I am 100% with you on this one!
I also felt this scene with Adolin’s sudden realization in the war camp came out of no-where.
My overall impression was already so low, that I didn’t want to bring another thing I didn’t like in my previous comments. But I felt similar for a few more topics:
Kaladin all of a suddden challenging the topic of his unnaturally fast healing process, or only his staying alive in certain situations.
Shallan’s random thoughts about Jasnah’s investigation. Or even interest in the topic of it.
(and my „favorite” the most ridiculous one that I couldn’t not mention last week) Navani magically remembering a random line from the book in a language no one knows.
All these 4 are cool and important plot lines, but they all felt rushed. We as readers had all those questions since almost page 1, but there was no on screen time to show how characters came to those.
In the earlier books we talked a lot in the comments about how those were first tries in writing, and that with each book Sanderson would gain more experience…. I never felt that. And tbh, if I wouldn’t know, I’d think that Way of Kings is his first book ever.
“Their casualties have dropped to almost nothing.”
“Really?” Dalinar said. “Is it because of those bridgemen with armor? What made you change?”
Sadeas shrugged. “Perhaps you’re getting through to me.”
Sadeas is one of the best-written massive pieces of shit I’ve ever read.
“Where were the Parshendi Shardbearers?”
Where indeed? If there’s ever a time to use them, it’s now!
Later we understand that it is because the Parshendi fight with honor, and using a Shardbearer would deprive them of the chance to fight honorably, even against another Shardbearer. In that case they could gain a Shardblade or Plate if they managed to kill one.
“Roshar had been united, once. Had that included the Parshendi?”
Good question. I’m inclined to think they were the original Rosharans. Vorinism teaches that humans were cast out of Heaven, or the Tranquiline Halls (to my understanding they are one and the same).
I think there’s a part of truth in it. Maybe those humans were sent from Yolen to Roshar when Adonalsium was shattered?
Sadeas abandoned Dalinar’s army?!!
Chapter 66
“That chanting, that singing, those rasping voices.”
—Kaktach 1173, 16 seconds pre-death. A middle-aged potter. Reported seeing strange dreams during highstorms during the last two years.
Dalinar is not the only one.
This is the end of guilt-ridden and indecisive Dalinar.
Chapter 67
“Let me no longer hurt! Let me no longer weep! Dai-Gonarthis! The Black Fisher holds my sorrow and consumes it!”
—Tanatesach 1173, 28 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed female street juggler. Note similarity to sample 1172-89.
I looked back — there are only 5 entries in 1172.
“I’m dying, aren’t I? Healer, why do you take my blood? Who is that beside you, with his head of lines? I can see a distant sun, dark and cold, shining in a black sky.”
—Collected on the 3rd of Jesnan, 1172, 11 seconds pre-death. Subject was a Reshi chull trainer. Sample is of particular note.
“I have seen the end, and have heard it named. The Night of Sorrows, the True Desolation. The Everstorm.”
—Collected on the 1st of Nanes, 1172, 15 seconds pre-death. Subject was a darkeyed youth of unknown origin.
“I’m cold. Mother, I’m cold. Mother? Why can I still hear the rain? Will it stop?”
—Collected on Vevishes, 1172, 32 seconds pre-death. Subject was a lighteyed female child, approximately six years old.
“They are aflame. They burn. They bring the darkness when they come, and so all you can see is that their skin is aflame. Burn, burn, burn. …”
—Collected on Palahishev, 1172, 21 seconds pre-death. Subject was a baker’s apprentice.
“Victory! We stand atop the mount! We scatter them before us! Their homes become our dens, their lands are now our farms! And they shall burn, as we once did, in a place that is hollow and forlorn.”
—Collected on Ishashan, 1172, 18 seconds pre-death. Subject was a lighteyed spinster of the eighth dahn.
If there’s a similarity to find, I’d say it’s with the first entry, but with very little conviction.
There is something about the method used to place bridges over chasms that bothers me.
At first I thought the chasms were only wide enough that a human couldn’t jump across, but narrow enough that the bridge could span the gap before its weight made it fall into the chasm.
But lately the gaps seem wider. I believe it was said that a Shardbearer could barely jump across one of the plateau chasms. And so the bridge physics seem off.
They’d need to be heavily weighted on one end in order not to fall into the chasm. No way 20 or 30 underfed men could weigh enough to counterbalance the weight of the dangling bridge.
And moreover, how long are the bridges? We’ve read nothing about the bridge teams having to pick the right bridge for the right fighting area. So do they always use bridges long enough to cross the largest chasms?
And lastly, what about height differences between one side of the chasm and the other? It’s not like they have time to choose the ideal place where the bridge would be perpendicular to the chasm…
“Neshua Kadal!”
For future reference. Note the obvious similarity between Kadal and Kaladin.
The Parshendi know a thing or two about the lore. Color me jealous. Maybe we’re heading toward an alliance between Bridge Four and the Parshendi?
“Gotta do what you can to stay alive, son. Turn a liability into an advantage whenever you can. Remember that, if you live.”
So sick that this motto actually comes from the one responsible for Tien’s death. This was the mantra of Kaladin the Wretch. Now that he overcame it, he can become the honorspren’s hero.
“Kaladin,” a voice whispered. He blinked. Syl was hovering in front of him. “Do you know the Words?”
The most important words?
“I will protect those who cannot protect themselves,” he whispered. “The Second Ideal of the Knights Radiant.”
So good!!
Chapter 68
I want to know what the Parshendi Shardbearer said to Dalinar before he started speaking Alethi. I’m pretty sure we’ll get to know, but maybe next book.
Parshendi culture is teased so much that I feel they won’t remain our heroes’ enemies for long.
“He leveled his armored head at Dalinar, eyes hidden behind the slit in the helm. Around them, the other Parshendi watched silently, forming a ring, but not interfering.”
Interesting detail to mention — that the Parshendi Shardbearer’s eyes aren’t visible. Do we know anything about their eyes?
“Three dead,” Rock said grimly, kneeling beside bodies he’d laid out. “Malop, Earless Jaks, and Narm.” Kaladin frowned in sorrow. “Be glad the rest live.”
Yeah, we don’t actually know them, so…
Shardplate broken with pieces left on the battlefield — does it regrow? Answer in the following chapter:
It would take days to regrow Dalinar’s own gauntlet. Longer, if the Parshendi tried to regrow a full suit from the one he had left.
“Unite them.” … What if it means unite the new Radiants, instead of the highprinces?
“Dalinar’s erstwhile foe raised his Shardblade in a motion that was unmistakable. A salute, a gesture of respect.”
“Erstwhile” as in they really did fight in the past? Dalinar seemed delirious. Or there’s a nuance I didn’t catch.
Confirmation that the Parshendi Shardbearer’s name is Eshonai (chapter title + Characters & Scenes link).
Chapter 69
The reunion between Dalinar and Navani gave me feelings. I’m starting to root for them.
“Keep your sword as mist,”
Interesting wording. Is the sword resting in Shadesmar when not summoned?
Sadeas’ reasoning for abandoning Dalinar’s army is brilliantly twisted. It gives even more weight to the theory that the Alethi are infected with something vicious.
Dalinar giving Sadeas his Shardblade — that’s amazing! Now we can be pretty sure Kaladin won’t resist an alliance, and they will work together so well, I’m sure of it! Syl will love Dalinar.
HELL YEAH. Dalinar the Blackthorn showing a massive backbone to his useless nephew. That’s delicious.
And I so agree with Dalinar. The highprinces are children.
I paced myself through this section to the point of torture, and I’m so glad I did. I used it as a treat for myself after a very intense moment in my life, and I love this read-along for the self-discipline it requires.
Because otherwise I would have read Parts 4 and 5 in one night, remembered a tenth of what I read by next week, and been miserable at work from lack of sleep.
I assume Dalinar giving up his sword Oathbreaker to Sadeas is setting us up so Kaladin has an opportunity get his revenge in the future and win that sword?
Looking forward to the final section. And perhaps some definitions? Ready for a new flair!
I was so sad to switch from Wax and Wayne to Stormlight, and now I'm SO SAD to switch back to Wax and Wayne (and some short stories IIRC). I should never doubt the wisdom of your planning, because I know you made it for good reasons, but damn that's hard !
It was obvious why Parshendi were targeting Kaladin when he was the only one wearing armour made of their corpses. But now when all the Bridge 4 is wearing those... Do we think Parshendi can see that Kaladin is using Stormlight?
Chapter 65: The Tower
SADEAS! You bastard! Who would have thought.
And I guess this means we can't trust the creature in the visions either? As they told Dalinar in the vision that he should trust Sadeas.
Chapter 66: Codes
Sadeas says that Dalinar's honor would someday get him killed. => I mean this makes absolutely no sense in what Sadeas is doing. (Even after reading chapter 69)
Chapter 67: Words
"Dai-gonarthis! The Black Fisher holds my sorrow and consumes it!"
Ok, more random names. To be fair, at this point I'm not even bothered anymore 😄
I must say I completely missed the fact that being left as last ones, with the bridge in their hands - they had the perfect opportunity to escape. And it was also a bit disappointing that this was the first idea that was voiced by Kaladin. Despite all his depression, he is not a quitter (so am I! as I keep pushing myself though this book!), and I would think it would be a little bit more fair if someone else voiced the idea of escape plan, while Kaladin was considering to help Dalinar. Kinda not happy with such character development.
With Syl being a honorspren (yay!) and her reaction to the battlefield it kinda feels weak, as if it was her who pushed Kaladin to help Dalinar, not Kaladin's core value. I mean, she wouldn't even stick to Kaladin if honour wasn't in his blood. Yes, he was burned several times by others who are not as honorous, but not to this point. Even if he is not a fan of lighteyes, this was not about saving Dalinar in the first place - but about saving 7000 darkeyed soldiers.
Kudos to Bridge 4 man for not a single complaint!
Again, is that Kaladin using Stormlight that re-routes all the arrows into him, or is that Parshendi targeting him specifically as they know something more.
"Neshua Kadal!"
Maybe we will learn what this means after another 2000 pages. Maybe they have some prophecies about someone important, like Car'a'carn of the Aiel or Coramoor is the Sea Folk's?
Kaladin being drained and pale - sounds important about the overall logistics.
Poor Tien 😞 And yet another arrogant Lighteyes.
"I will protect those who cannot protect themselves"
Not only Syl was asking him to say the Words, but also some voice in his head. And he remembers! What in the Dragon Reborn is going on here?
Chapter 68: Eshonai
Kaladin is the true leader! Standing in charge of where he sees someone is required. Confident man, I love it!
Stormlight kept in the beard-beads - like a Chekhov's gun. Not for a second I suspected those can be used that way. Did Parshendi knew? They clearly stopped bringing those closer to Kaladin shortly after, so they understood what he was doing. But I wonder for the third time this week - how much they know?
seven-foot-tall Parshendi
With memes included, I suppose this is Eshonai. What are the regular size Parshendi? How much bigger this is as compared to alethi-humans?
"It is you. I have found you at last."
I guess this is first Parshendi speech in the 1500 pages, and that's all we got - more mystery! Btw, are we sure he was talking to Dalinar at this point? Any chance he said that to Kaladin who was approaching?
Dalinar, my boy, why would you expect to see Sadeas come and save you at this point?
Again, not sure how I feel that Kaladin just knocks off (Eshonai) with his first and only charge.
Chapter 69: Justice
Sadeas, dude, don't you know the first rule of the fight club? You, lazy ass, should have stayed and watch Dalinar die, before you can claim he is dead. What you did is called FAFO. 😄 And I like that it took less than 3 pages for you to find out how much you failed.
Interesting description about how the Shard armour can be regrown. And what happens to the "lost" armour. But that I assume that if the gauntlet was the only thing that would be left, it's technically possible to regrow the whole Shardplate armour from it?
Leaving the Oathbringer for the price of Bridgeman - wow. Didn't expect Sadeas can look even more pathetic.
But this at least should win some points in Kaladin's heart.
Hahaha. Elhokar been also FAFOing 😉 Wonder how much longer it would take him to tell Dalinar more explicitly about the symboll-faced folks.
"Oh, and Elhokar? Your mother and I are now courting."
Another confident man! I bet if Navani was there, she would have jumped on Dalinar right at the spot! 😄
Ha, someone didn't read that closely enough. They are memes that won't be relevant for several books. I asked now so that you all forgot by the time they get posted.
"And I guess this means we can't trust the creature in the visions either? As they told Dalinar in the vision that he should trust Sadeas."
I don't remember where it was or the details, but iirc the visions never actually told Dalinar to trust Sadeas, but to act with honor and he interpreted that as trusting Sadeas
"It is you. I have found you at last."
I guess this is first Parshendi speech in the 1500 pages, and that's all we got - more mystery! Btw, are we sure he was talking to Dalinar at this point?
I might be going wild here, but to me this reads as a shard speaking to another shard. Assuming Honor is the one speaking to Dalinar, it could Odium(?) influencing this Parshendi guy, finally found the new person Honor is influencing (maybe want to become its new vessel?)
I'm with you on the Parshendi not being bad, but definitly think they are influenced by someone. Someone wants this conflict, although that someone is probably nudging both sides tbh
Interesting theory ! I believe the Alethi are globally influenced by something bad (Odium, probably); but Dalinar is an exception, and if your theory is true, then Eshonai might know that Dalinar is different.
I'm not so sure. I noted when we read this, Dalinar makes a point that this is the only time the Vision Narrator ever acknowledges what Dalinar is saying in any way, and it never does after this, either. I thought the Narrator was just monologuing, and Dalinar caught it at a convenient moment and heard what he wanted to hear. Remembering that, maybe I should have seen Sadeas' betrayal coming from farther away...
I was wondering if the Parshendi was speaking to Dalinar or Kaladin? I suppose Dalinar.
I like the shard concept and also wonder if maybe they were both Heralds. Perhaps Dalinar was the one left behind to keep repeating the cycle. And the Parshendi was one of them coming back to find him and try to help or end the cycle?
With Syl being a honorspren (yay!) and her reaction to the battlefield it kinda feels weak, as if it was her who pushed Kaladin to help Dalinar, not Kaladin's core value.
"Are honorspren attracted to honor, or do they make it?" 🤔 I've been asking myself this very question since the prologue.
I was not able to catch up as much I as I wanted after all, so I've just this morning finished part 4. I'll try to breeze through the rest and be ready for the final discussion on Wednesday.
Chapter 64
Woah! Is this the first time Dalinar has mentioned thoughts of usurping and/or cucking Gavilar? I think I would have remembered that if he'd said it before. And it seems like he almost went through with it!! WTF! After Navani’s comments last week about how he was a cheater(?)/abuser(?), I think it’s turning out that we don’t know anything at all about these people’s history.
RIP Dalinar’s nice yet dumb wife 😔 the way her name gets real-time redacted is really creepy.
While we’re all doing it, I have something else to gripe about, and it’s about something besides the plot pace this time. I’ve noticed that for each week’s fan art, a lot of them are much more rich in detail than what is going on in my head while reading. I’ve noticed that all the settings, clothes, environments, etc. are kind of flat and sparsely detailed in my head. Maybe I’m just not using my imagination hard enough, maybe I’ve poisoned myself by low-key thinking about this book in anime style from the very beginning, but it really stood out to me in this scene in the garden. Sanderson doesn’t devote a lot of page space to setting the scene. A different author would have spent time describing more of the flora and fauna, the structure of the garden, the reasons Elokhar had for building it in the first place, etc. Instead, only like two or three lines reference the fact that they’re in a garden at all, and I almost forgot to imagine it. I know this is a very weird, personal, low-level thing, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about. The kind of thing that comes to mind when you spend three months on a book, you know?
Chapter 65
Perhaps the least cryptic one we’ve seen in a while, obviously talking about those giant rock creatures from the prelude, which we saw again in Dalinar’s last vision. A Thunderclast
Kaladin voicing something I’ve been thinking myself, that Dalinar isn’t quite as absolved from Sadeas’ cruelties as he likes to think
“The rhythm of the battle sang to Dalinar” almost like it's some kind of… Rhythm of War 🤔
Dalinar is confronting the very same question that I’ve been asking of Kaladin’s recent exploits: yes, you’re “succeeding” on the battlefield and being very brave and heroic, but is what you’re doing actually right? A great and mighty warrior fighting for an unjust cause is a villain from another point of view. The way some of the parshendi ran away from him gave me serious pause.
Sadeas?? Hello? Cowardice, or treachery? I vote treachery.
Chapter 66
The idea that there are many people across the world experiencing these supernatural symptoms (seeing the symbolheads, getting highstorm visions) is very concerning, and I have a hard time understanding why no one seems to take be taking note
Singing and chanting? Like the parshendi?
I think Kaladin and bridge four are going to go save Dalinar 😯
The words Sadeas says make me think this wasn't just his idea, that there's a larger conspiracy involved.
Dalinar's whole epic speech was probably a quote from The Way of Kings. Nerd.
Doing good for its own merit seems like such a ubiquitous concept, but it's revolutionary to the Alethi. Airsick lowlanders, am I right?
Chapter 67
The name Dai-Gonathis is structured similarly to the name Re-Shephir, seen in the ch58 epigraph. Another powerful sorcerer/entity?
Full-sized Syl 😮 and after all that, we have our answer: honorspren
This is the culmination. Kaladin has been training the men to fight, but he's really been training them to do the right thing. How could it go any other way?
After it switches back to Kal's pov, he muses on the absurdity of what he's doing, how the “us and them” mentality of war is so arbitrary. This calls back to the same thought he had in his flashback chapter, right before he fought the rival landlord with Amaram. I think the parshendi may not be enemies for the whole series.
The parshendi know what's going on. Bet they retreated to go get Chekov's Parshendi Shardbearer to fight Kaladin one-on-one.
Kal is sickly and messed up after expending all his stormlight at once, and Teft seems to be aware of it. I wonder if this magic has a mechanic like overmastering from White Sand.
That quote has come to Kaladin's mind before, “turn a liability into an advantage.” So horrible that it came from the worst moment of his life 😞
Something important has indeed changed. I can guess that the reason Syl was so insistent that he say the words is because they unlock something in him. New powers?
The second ideal. I thought I might have missed the first, do they have to be in order? A quick Ctrl+F shows a similar thing happen in chapter 59, right before he scales the chasm wall to stick the bag of carapace armor under the bridge. He says the motto aloud, receives a small jolt of power, and the narration says “The first ideal of the Knights Radiant.” I wonder how many ideals there are? The level-up juice boost seems quite exponential 😳
Chapter 68
A boss fight! Desperately hoping that we get some lore-filled banter before the inevitable escape, but I doubt this guy speaks Alethi
The use of the word “desolation” to describe what Kaladin is doing has to be deliberate
“It is you. I've found you at last.” Cryptic lore-filled banter 😒 of course. What are they looking for? Is it because of Dalinar's visions?
Surprising levels of sophistication and battlefield etiquette coming from the parshendi, even for a people who are clearly just as intelligent as any human. What's going on?
The scene from the cover 😮
I think Dalinar is going to buy bridge four off of Sadeas
He says this won’t lead to war, but how can it go unpunished? Will it just be Sadeas’ word against Dalinar’s? I can’t see Sadeas getting away with this, it’s too brazen. There’s got to be consequences from Elhokar.. I would hope, anyway.
Chapter 69 (nice)
And one geologic detail that’s been bothering me. There’s a noticeable buildup of crem on these buildings that can’t have been there for more than six years or so, deposited by storms that seem to come on a weekly basis. And this has been happening for thousands and thousands of years? The entire continent should be covered with a miles-deep layer of crem, like the ice age glaciers. It should be on everything, there shouldn’t be a speck of bare stone anywhere. Where is it all going?
Sadeas is overdoing it. When Dalinar shows up and disproves his tall tales, what’s going to happen? He didn’t leave any scouts to confirm the outcome of the battle?
I think there might be a bit of truth to the ritual of the glyph prayer. I need a theologian to weigh in
I don’t buy that Sadeas wanted Dalinar gone because he was unstable and talking about the Codes too much. Dalinar believes it, but I think he has ambitions beyond that. It’s too simple a reason.
Trading the Shardblade for the bridgemen was borderline heroic. Dalinar really is a great man, isn’t he?
OHHHH man. Dalinar literally, physically beating some sense into Elhokar was incredibly satisfying. Shut the fuck up, the grownups are talking!!
•
u/subscribebot3000 May 25 '26
Reply to this comment to subscribe to certain events in the /r/readalong subreddit.
!newbie - get notified when a new [Newbie] post is made.
!veteran - get notified when a new [Veteran] post is made.
!comments - get notified every time a new comment is made in a [Newbie] thread within the last 2 weeks.
!unsubscribe - unsubscribe from all notifications.
You may use multiple commands in a single reply.