Happy Sunday and welcome back to the next section. Holy moly-lots to discuss as Dalinar's memory returns and what the spren!?

​

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Note on spoilers: If you think it might be spoilery, just mark it as such---don't take a chance!

Please review r/bookclub's consequences for posting spoilers before commenting. The speculating is the most exciting thing for first time readers of Sanderson's books. And we want to make this read great for everyone.

To indicate a spoiler, enclose the relevant text with the > ! and ! < characters (there is no space in-between).

Please label your spoilers appropriately, e.g. use [Mistborn era 1] for things that happened in Mistborn era 1. And be aware that not everyone has read the Mistborn books. Any connection between books, that are not explicitly stated in the books, or things we can learn from Words of Brandon, is a Cosmere spoiler and should live in the Marginalia.

If you see something that looks suspicious, hit the 'report' and follow the prompts.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary:

First, the consolidated Oathbringer preface from Chapters 16-25:

"For in this comes the lesson. It is not a lesson I claim to be able to teach. Experience herself is the great teacher, and you must seek her directly. You cannot have a spice described to you, but must taste it for yourself. However, with a dangerous spice, you can be warned to taste lightly. I would that your lesson may not be as painful as my own. I am no storyteller, to entertain you with whimsical yarns. I am no philosopher, to intrigue you with piercing questions. I am no poet, to delight you with clever allusions. I have no doubt that you are smarter than I am. I can only relate what happened, what I have done, and then you draw conclusions. I will confess my murders before you. Most painfully, I have killed someone who loved me dearly".

​

Chapter 16: Wrapped Three Times

• Dalinar is contemplating Szeth's Honorblade, forged by Honor and claimed by Kaladin during their battle. The Stormfather points out other Shardblades are dead spren but this sword is one that belonged to the Heralds and is inherently different. With it, one can be, like Szeth, an unoathed Herald, with Windrunning abilities- "Like a Herald, nearly". And it can operate Oathgates.
• Shardplate requires more oaths that haven't been spoken yet.
• Their enemy has the power of ancient Adonalsium and is controlled by it, and Odium has rules of order like natural phenomenon. Dalinar thinks if Honor could have fallen, so can Odium. In his visions, he was told by Honor to vex Odium into appointing a champion for a duel so it can bound. As the Stormfather notes, "Time, which though dross to him, is the most valuable thing a man can have".
• Dalinar hides the blade back into the secret compartment he has made for it, in the piping system of a vacant section of the tower. The circle of trust around knowledge of this blade is very small-just Navani, Kaladin and the Stormfather.
• We see society adjusting to not using spheres. Dalinar interacts with Sergeant Rial of the 13th Bridge. Navani gave him a watch.
• Dalinar's happy place is the sparring station, where he considers how to announce the division of Alethkar to Elhokar and Urithiru to himself. He has a chat with Zahel, who underlines how serious the choice will be to follow Dalinar or their God for his people.
• Dalinar wrestles with General Khal's son, Aratin and the process of aging. We get some insight into the Thrill and Dalinar's uncomfortableness with what he used to easily reach for.
• Navani shows up to inform him the Iriali queen is ready to spanchat. Dalinar requests to take the meeting in the sparring room, while dueling with his old friend, Kadash. Kadash reminds him how good he used to be at killing.
• Kadash calls the Iriali as pagans worshipping superstitions, like the Shin shamans. He challenges Dalinar in parallel to the royal conversation, asking him why he is dividing his people. They discuss the nature of faith. He implores Dalinar to renounce his belief that God is dead for Vorin support for him, including his marriage to Navani.
• The Iriali have been offered terms by the Voidbringers they found pleasing and regard his opening as uncouth, reminding him of the alleged theft of his Shardplate, which he gave to Adolin.
• Dalinar reminds Kadash of Dalinar's first sword trainer, Harth. The parable of wrapping the belt three times around as unquestioning tradition, when it was done out of practicality. He needs proof not just tradition. Kadash says his request reminds him of Jasnah.
• Dalinar uses Stormlight to lash Kadash to the floor to prove his point the Knights Radiant have returned and a new reading on the situation needs to be made.
• Navani disputes the Irali queen's claim to the Shardplate since it came down through his wife, Evi! and her brother, who are from Rira. Dalinar realizes he just heard his wife's name and remembers her face.

Chapter 17: Trapped in Shadows

• The Parshmen debate what to do with Kaladin, their prisoner. Kal caught a brief glance at the spren directing them. They have a tent of Parshmen children with them, which confound his view of the Parshmen.
• Kaladin speaks with the Parshmen who he saw playing cards, giving him a tip on how to play. They begin a conversation about the game.
• The situation reminds Kaladin of his escape from Tasinar, when he was a slave but before being sent to the Shattered Plains, when he escaped for 5 days with compatriots. He sees finally the Parshmen as what they are, runaway slaves, which angers his Parshmen guard. Comparing his slave brand with their situation-where they had their minds taken from them and their families separated underlines the difference.
• Syl is keeping a low profile since the Parshmen can see her and she's also avoiding the other higher spren who is a Voidspren. Syl explains the Everstorm healed the Parshmen and restored their identities. However the Alethi managed to subdue them, it tore away their ability to change forms, a crucial part of their existence.
• Kaladin talks to his captor again, giving him tips on how to avoid detection. He has a chat with his daughter, who gives him water. Syl helps him untie his rope and Kaladin shows them how to use the inner layer of a rockbud to start a fire for their camp. He also tells them they need to cook their grain before it spoils.

Chapter 18: Double Vision

• Shallan goes out as Veil, taking refuge in her illusion, and takes the balcony route out as a precaution. She thinks back on Mraize and the Ghostbloods. Pattern says he now likes Adolin and has begun to understand their attitude to the dead, including Shardblades. Shallan brings up their uncomfortable conversation and tells Pattern not to leave her, which pleases him.
• As Veil, she is trying to uncover the murder and goes out drinking. A lot of drinking which amuses the bar staff. She flirts with the bouncer, Jor, who tells her to sip slowly instead of downing the whole thing in one. She gets the tip that All's Alley is dangerous and the site of another stabbing.
• Shallan talks to Pattern about her brothers. Pattern is disturbed she can't tell what a lie is and what the truth is.
• The second tavern of the night has Shallan drinking Horneater white and telling a cover story about tracking her sister's killer. The barkeeper tells her that the killing that was dealt with by a group in the corner. Veil takes Ur's seat and starts some knife drama, invoking the Ghostbloods. They talk quickly after that, about Ned-a drunk from Sadeas's camp, who strangled two women, his wife and a barmaid, leaving the bodies in the same location and-yet, claiming he didn't kill the second woman. Another double murder!

Chapter 19: The Subtle Art of Diplomacy (31 Years Ago)

• Dalinar is a feast where Gavilar is entertaining Brightlord Tor. Dalinar is bored by the new need for diplomacy and politics instead of warfare. We see Sadeas entertaining the other side of the table and Dalinar reflects on Ialai's role in eliminating problematic allies. His knife is missing.
• Gavilar and Toh discuss Sadees the Sunmaker and we learn the alliances he forged dissolved by the time his sons came into power. The Sunmaker failed to settle the kingdom on one heir and the sons couldn't agree between themselves. Gavilar calls him greedy for more, trying to conquer the whole world.
• Dalinar goes for a walk in the storm to see if Teleb has his knife. He feels uneasy with the new direction of things. He has a view of something big with glowing legs in the distance.
• He comes back in cross and talks with Gavilar, who salutes him on showing Toh something he had been trying to explain in words. He also shows him the polite way to get a server's attention as they are now at a higher social level.
• Navani and Ialai make an entrance to sit with them. Dalinar drinks to deflect his feelings toward his brother's wife. Toh and his sister are exiles with only one thing to offer in exchange for safety, Shardplate from his homeland, Rira. His kinsmen are angry their precious heirloom has gone missing.
• Sadeas comes over to share a seat with his wife and feed her the masculine food she so enjoys. Ialai discusses the prospect of Dalinar's marriage to Toh's sister, Evi, to secure their alliance. Gavilar is pleased to have people coming to him for alliances and protection as a way to cement their new status.
• We see the first view Dalinar has of Evi, who struggles with the modesty of safehands and has glowing blonde hair.
• Dalinar spots his knife and saves his brother's life, thwarting an assassination attempt while Toh and Evi watch with awe. Dalinar accepts Evi as his bride and is set to court her.

Chapter 20: Cords to Bind

• Kaladin uses his medical knowledge to help Khen. The Parshmen have managed to organize the grain to dry in cakes and gather wood for a fire as they set up camp. Kaladin is giving orders left and right.
• Sah, his captor, asks him where he learned to order everyone as a slave but Kal tells him this wasn't always his life. He feels frustrated about learning things he should already know and complains the yellow spren is the same- bossy! She wants them to move quickly. Free but not free. Sah can hear the songs of his people in the distance. They discuss if war is inevitable. Sah is willing to fight to prevent a re-enslavement and disdains the Alethi order that has taken over their society.
• Syl, avoid the Voidspren, tells Kal a highstorm is coming. He starts planning on where to shelter with the Parshmen but then feels divided, caring for them while knowing war is coming. Syl suggests he finds the middle ground, but Kal doesn't think it's possible.

Chapter 21: Set Up to Fail

• Adolin comes to wake up a late-rising Shallan, who is recovering from last night's expedition and Horneater wine. He is sympathetic about her "girls stuff", which Shallan debates but then agrees to, and gives her water to wash her face.
• He is impressed by her jug of Horneater white and she tells him she's been investigating. He is worried about her going alone but she waves it off. He gives her his last sphere so she can finish healing her hand and hangover.
• Adolin has come to ask if she would accompany him to meet Ialai and see if she has any clues about her husband's murder. She gets cleaned up and meets Sebarial, Palona and Adolin on the balcony, where Sebarial plans to head to Alethkar to reclaim his land from the Parshmen.
• Adolin and Shallan take her guards over to the Sadeas quarter. He tells her to keep her guards busy and to take them with her for prestige-hers and theirs. She tells him he sounds like his father and notices something is wrong with him.
• The Sadeas corridor is disorderly. They meet Ialai on her throne, and by her side is Mraize, one leader of the Ghostbloods!

Chapter 22: The Darkness Within

• Mraize is wearing a Sadeas camp uniform and has a chicken on his shoulder. He shows no recognition.
• Ialai and Adolin trade barbs over her husband's death. Ialai directs Shallan to get teas from the next room so she can speak with Adolin. Mraize leads and Shallan confront him.
• Mraize tells her he is keeping an eye on Ialai and that she's not a Ghostblood. She and her husband were too unpredictable for the group. He notes Shallan's use of the Ghostblood symbol on the bar table. Shallan is taken aback, but her approves of her task to uncover the darkness of the tower.
• He reminds her he knows what happened to Heleran and asks her to secure Urithiru so the Ghostbloods can use the Voidbringers' return to further their own purpose as an exchange.
• Ialai thinks the killer was someone in Dalinar's camp who was trying to do him a service, even if Dalinar himself wasn't responsible.
• Shallan brings up the other murders, but Ialai isn't interested. She tells Adolin that Amaram is heading her investigation. He is back!
• When they leave, Adolin notes that Kaladin will be furious to find Amaram on his return. Shallan points out Ialai is forming an alternative to Dalinar's leadership.
• She tells him what she discovered about the multiple murders when it is announced a highstorm has returned!

Chapter 23: Storming Strange

• Kaladin finds a storm bunker to rent and food for his pretend highlord.
• The Everstorm hit again and the Voidspren gave them warning so they could take shelter in a mine.
• The Parshmen come into the bunker at night, as the storm hits. They have picked up other Parshmen on the way, so now there are hundreds of them. Khen leaves their sphere to charge, so Kaladin can access Stormlight soon.
• He is not sure what to do yet, whether to head to Urithiru, the Shattered Plains or see what else is going on. He really needs to get word to Navani via spanreed.
• The Voidspren reveals herself to Kaladin and asks why he is still with the Parshmen. She asks if he would fight for them and says she will know at the destination but won't tell him where or where. She wants to know how he knew the storm would hit.

Chapter 24: Men of Blood and Sorrow

• Dalinar remembers his wife, Evi and wonder why his memories are returning. He only used to have memories of the years after her death, that culminated with Gavilar's assassination. He tries to remember why he went to the Nightwatcher.
• He is waiting for the arrival of King Taravangian, of Kharbranth and now Jah Keved following the civil war, and his scribe, Adrotagia. He recalls Taravangian was a friend to Gavilar. He seems to have lost his mind. Navani assumes he's had an apoplexy and is permenently damaged mentally.
• Taravangian has brought his Knight Radiant, Malata of Jah Keved. Adotagia tells Dalinar the Oathgate is safe since their Parshmen headed east, toward Alethkar. Tarvangian drops that he was anticipating this event but swerves.
• Dalinar asks Navani if any news from Kaladin has come in. He tells her the Knight Radiant is a Releaser or Dustbringer. He tells her that his memories are returning but she is adamant that the Old Magic is permanent. She wants to know if the bond with the Stormfather is causing this, but the Stormfather says no. All Dalinar can recall is asking the Nightwatcher to take his pain away and he assumes she also took his memories. Navani is angry she took him seriously while he was do distraught but spren will do what they do.
• Taravangian asks who else is coming and is disappointed to learn he is the only one yet. The latest message from the Tukari claim their king, Tezim the Great is the only Herald/Radiant/etc and they should give Urithiru to him. Taravangian wants to know who to attack first.
• Daliar is chastened by his reputation and Altehkar's for warfare but tells him the Voidbringers are the true enemy.

Shallan's Sketchbook: Horses

Chapter 25: The Girl Who Looked Up

• Shallan is scoping out the tower, well supplied with spheres, trying to figure out what is so wrong with this tower. There are no records or technology that Jasnah expected to find there.
• She finds a theatre and tries to explain what a play is to Pattern, who wants to understand people through the lies they want to be told.
• Shallan begins to tell him The Girl Who Looked Up, which she saw a child, using Stormlight to illustrate her narrative. A girl with a red scarf wants to know why there is a wall. The people in her village tell her it is to keep out bad things. Still, she is curious and climbs the wall, which takes several days. When she reaches the top, she finds stairs. It turns out the wall was built to keep the villagers inside. They were the bad thing.
• As she tells the story, Shallan remembers her childhood and get chocked up.
• The story ends with her steal Stormlight and bringing it back to her people, and then a storm follows that tears down the wall. Pattern asks if that is how the storms started.
• Shallan is emotional and starts to unwind her illusion, when she notices someone was in the back of the theatre!
• She runs after the figure, becoming Radiant but is surprised by a room full of drawings of herself come to life. She notices she is near the Breakaway market and finds something strange.
• A dark, gooey, strange spren is hidden in the gaps and looks at her.
• Shallan heads to the market as Veil and looks at the ventilation slots. A scream brings her to the market where she sees Rock with a bleeding hand that's been stabbed through the center (sound familiar??).
• The Alethi woman from All's Alley interrupts her to introduce herself as Ishnah and wants to join the Ghostbloods to make sense of the chaos of the world. Shallan tells her they're not recruiting and to forget her.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Discussion questions down below! See you on October 22 for Chapter 22- Interlude 3!

Helpful Links:

Schedule (with past discussion links)

Marginalia -with Cosmere spoilers! Beware the spoilers!