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    Oathbringer

    by Sanderson, Brandon
    Oathbringer, the third book in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series, is an epic fantasy novel set on the planet Roshar. It follows Dalinar Kholin as he confronts his past, unravels ancient secrets, and strives to unite warring factions against existential threats. The story explores themes of leadership, memory, and redemption amid catastrophic conflicts and mystical revelations, advancing the series’ intricate world-building and character development.
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    Oathbringer

    84. The One You Can Save

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter begins with a sense of fore­bod­ing as the ene­my advances toward Fever­stone Keep, with uncer­tain­ty sur­round­ing their true inten­tions. The nar­ra­tive hints at a strate­gic inter­est in the region, pos­si­bly linked to Rall Elorim, though the specifics remain unclear. This sets a tense atmos­phere, empha­siz­ing the ongo­ing threat and the impor­tance of under­stand­ing the enemy’s motives. The excerpt intro­duces a lay­ered con­flict that com­bines mil­i­tary maneu­vers with deep­er mys­ter­ies, sug­gest­ing that the con­fronta­tion is not only phys­i­cal but also tied to broad­er polit­i­cal or mag­i­cal stakes. The mood under­scores the pre­car­i­ous­ness of the sit­u­a­tion and the need for strate­gic insight.

    Kaladin is depict­ed lead­ing a dar­ing assault through the palace, ener­gized by storm­light that bol­sters his strength and resolve. His move­ment is pur­pose­ful, aimed at con­fronting the threat with­in the heart of the enemy’s strong­hold. As he ascends the stairs with Elhokar and their sol­diers, the nar­ra­tive details their cau­tious approach, high­light­ing the dan­ger of ambush­es and the impor­tance of recon­nais­sance. Syl’s role as a scout demon­strates the lay­ered nature of their efforts, blend­ing mag­ic, strat­e­gy, and lead­er­ship. Kaladin’s aware­ness of his pow­ers’ lim­i­ta­tions adds ten­sion, empha­siz­ing the stakes of their infil­tra­tion and the urgency of their mis­sion to pro­tect the king.

    Inside the palace, the scene shifts to a tense con­fronta­tion with the palace guards and the dis­cov­ery of the queen’s loca­tion. Kaladin’s team nav­i­gates through a lav­ish but seem­ing­ly guard­ed envi­ron­ment, con­trast­ing the opu­lence with the under­ly­ing threat of vio­lence. The sol­diers’ for­ma­tion and Kaladin’s storm­light prepa­ra­tions reveal a frag­ile bal­ance between com­bat readi­ness and the risk of chaos. The nar­ra­tive under­scores the unpre­dictabil­i­ty of the sit­u­a­tion, with the palace’s inte­ri­or serv­ing as a bat­tle­ground not just phys­i­cal­ly but also psy­cho­log­i­cal­ly, as the char­ac­ters grap­ple with the threat to the roy­al fam­i­ly and the polit­i­cal sta­bil­i­ty of the realm.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with a tense encounter involv­ing the queen, who is found singing soft­ly amid the chaos. The scene shifts to her per­spec­tive, reveal­ing her youth­ful appear­ance and calm demeanor, which con­trasts with the tur­moil out­side. Her inter­ac­tion with Elhokar hints at com­plex rela­tion­ships and hid­den agen­das, rais­ing ques­tions about her alle­giance and inten­tions. Kaladin’s cau­tious approach under­scores the del­i­cate nature of the sit­u­a­tion, as he seeks to pro­tect the roy­al fam­i­ly while uncov­er­ing the deep­er secrets at play. The scene sets the stage for fur­ther rev­e­la­tions, blend­ing polit­i­cal intrigue, mag­i­cal mys­tery, and the over­ar­ch­ing threat posed by the enemy’s advances.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What strategic advantage does Kaladin perceive in the timing of the enemy’s assault on the city, and how does he plan to utilize his powers during this moment?

      Answer:
      Kaladin recognizes that the enemy’s attack is likely focused on the city’s assault, which has temporarily diverted their attention and resources. This situation provides a strategic opportunity for him to act without immediate reprisal, as the enemy’s focus on the city’s chaos means they may be less vigilant about other threats. He plans to use his Stormlight-powered abilities to defend himself and his allies, specifically intending to manipulate the environment—such as painting the walls with a power that causes projectiles like crossbow bolts to veer off course. Although he admits this is a limited application of his powers, it demonstrates his tactical thinking in exploiting the enemy’s distraction to protect the palace and his team.

      2. How does the chapter depict the political and physical environment of the Kholin palace, and what does this reveal about the Kholin leadership’s priorities?

      Answer:
      The palace is described as less lavish than expected, appearing more like a bunker with plain, unornamented architecture, even in the seat of power. This suggests that the Kholin leadership values practicality and resilience over ostentation, perhaps prioritizing defense and security during turbulent times. The presence of soldiers forming a defensive line within the palace further emphasizes a focus on preparedness for conflict. This environment reflects a leadership that is pragmatic, emphasizing strength and safety over luxury, which aligns with their need to withstand sieges or assaults in a volatile political landscape.

      3. In the scene where Shallan interacts with the heart of the Oathgate control building, what challenges does she face in understanding and manipulating it, and what does this reveal about her character development?

      Answer:
      Shallan faces the challenge of understanding an unfamiliar and alien object that resembles a giant, dark violet spren in the shape of a heart, which she initially suspects might be a parshman heart. Her difficulty lies in discerning its true nature and how to manipulate it, especially since it is not a typical human organ and appears to be connected to powerful, possibly dangerous magic. Her trembling and cautious approach, along with her attempt to sense and touch the heart, reveal her growing bravery, curiosity, and willingness to confront the unknown. This moment highlights her development from a hesitant novice to someone willing to face complex and perilous magical phenomena.

      4. What are the implications of the queen’s behavior and appearance in the palace chamber for the broader political or emotional tensions in the story?

      Answer:
      The queen, Aesudan, appears calm and composed, singing softly as she sits at a vanity, which contrasts with the chaos of the city’s fall and the ongoing conflict. Her youthful appearance and serene demeanor suggest a sense of detachment or control amid turmoil. Her interaction with Elhokar, where she smiles broadly and claims to have heard him, indicates familiarity and possibly a complex relationship that could involve political alliances, secrets, or underlying tensions. Her calmness might mask deeper emotional or political tensions, hinting at hidden motives or a strategic facade. This scene underscores the fragility of political stability and the personal stakes involved in the palace’s internal dynamics.

      5. How does the chapter illustrate the themes of leadership and loyalty through Kaladin’s interactions with the soldiers and the king?

      Answer:
      Kaladin demonstrates a sense of responsibility and protective instinct in his interactions, especially when he takes charge of the soldiers and advises Elhokar on how to navigate the dangerous palace environment. His concern for the king’s safety and his efforts to organize the soldiers into a defensive formation reflect his leadership qualities. Noro and the other soldiers’ decision to follow Kaladin, despite the lack of a formal captain, underscores their loyalty to him and their trust in his judgment. Kaladin’s focus on safeguarding the king and maintaining order amidst chaos highlights themes of leadership rooted in duty, loyalty, and the willingness to step into a protective role even in perilous circumstances.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The enemy makes another push toward Feverstone Keep. I wish we knew what it was that had them so interested in that area. Could they be intent on capturing Rall Elorim?”

      This quote highlights the ongoing threat and mystery surrounding the enemy’s motivations, setting a tone of uncertainty and strategic concern early in the chapter.

      2. “Stormlight pulsed within him, lending a spring to each step. The Fused had taken time to come attack him on the Sunwalk, and had left soon after Shallan had created her ruse. He could only assume that the city assault was consuming the enemy’s attention, which meant he might be able to use his powers without drawing immediate reprisal.”

      This passage emphasizes Kaladin’s growing awareness of the enemy’s tactics and his strategic hope that the chaos elsewhere provides him a tactical advantage.

      3. “Even from here, he could see that the chamber beyond the doors finally displayed some of the lavish ornamentation he had expected. Rich carpets, too much furniture, everything covered in embroidery or gilding.”

      This description underscores the contrast between the palace’s outward austerity and the wealth within, reflecting the political and cultural values of the Kholin power structure.

      4. “She tried Pattern first, stabbing him into the heart as a Shardblade. The mass simply split around the Blade. She slashed with it, and the spren cut, then sealed up behind. So. Time to try what she’d done in Urithiru.”

      This quote reveals Shallan’s innovative and adaptive approach to dealing with the mysterious heart, illustrating her resourcefulness and the escalating stakes in her investigation.

      5. “Husband! So it was you I heard. You have returned at last? Victorious over our enemies, your father avenged?”

      This line captures the queen’s familiarity and the political tension, hinting at underlying motives and the complex relationship between her and Elhokar amidst the chaos.

    Quotes

    1. “The enemy makes another push toward Feverstone Keep. I wish we knew what it was that had them so interested in that area. Could they be intent on capturing Rall Elorim?”

    This quote highlights the ongoing threat and mystery surrounding the enemy’s motivations, setting a tone of uncertainty and strategic concern early in the chapter.

    2. “Stormlight pulsed within him, lending a spring to each step. The Fused had taken time to come attack him on the Sunwalk, and had left soon after Shallan had created her ruse. He could only assume that the city assault was consuming the enemy’s attention, which meant he might be able to use his powers without drawing immediate reprisal.”

    This passage emphasizes Kaladin’s growing awareness of the enemy’s tactics and his strategic hope that the chaos elsewhere provides him a tactical advantage.

    3. “Even from here, he could see that the chamber beyond the doors finally displayed some of the lavish ornamentation he had expected. Rich carpets, too much furniture, everything covered in embroidery or gilding.”

    This description underscores the contrast between the palace’s outward austerity and the wealth within, reflecting the political and cultural values of the Kholin power structure.

    4. “She tried Pattern first, stabbing him into the heart as a Shardblade. The mass simply split around the Blade. She slashed with it, and the spren cut, then sealed up behind. So. Time to try what she’d done in Urithiru.”

    This quote reveals Shallan’s innovative and adaptive approach to dealing with the mysterious heart, illustrating her resourcefulness and the escalating stakes in her investigation.

    5. “Husband! So it was you I heard. You have returned at last? Victorious over our enemies, your father avenged?”

    This line captures the queen’s familiarity and the political tension, hinting at underlying motives and the complex relationship between her and Elhokar amidst the chaos.

    FAQs

    1. What strategic advantage does Kaladin perceive in the timing of the enemy’s assault on the city, and how does he plan to utilize his powers during this moment?

    Answer:
    Kaladin recognizes that the enemy’s attack is likely focused on the city’s assault, which has temporarily diverted their attention and resources. This situation provides a strategic opportunity for him to act without immediate reprisal, as the enemy’s focus on the city’s chaos means they may be less vigilant about other threats. He plans to use his Stormlight-powered abilities to defend himself and his allies, specifically intending to manipulate the environment—such as painting the walls with a power that causes projectiles like crossbow bolts to veer off course. Although he admits this is a limited application of his powers, it demonstrates his tactical thinking in exploiting the enemy’s distraction to protect the palace and his team.

    2. How does the chapter depict the political and physical environment of the Kholin palace, and what does this reveal about the Kholin leadership’s priorities?

    Answer:
    The palace is described as less lavish than expected, appearing more like a bunker with plain, unornamented architecture, even in the seat of power. This suggests that the Kholin leadership values practicality and resilience over ostentation, perhaps prioritizing defense and security during turbulent times. The presence of soldiers forming a defensive line within the palace further emphasizes a focus on preparedness for conflict. This environment reflects a leadership that is pragmatic, emphasizing strength and safety over luxury, which aligns with their need to withstand sieges or assaults in a volatile political landscape.

    3. In the scene where Shallan interacts with the heart of the Oathgate control building, what challenges does she face in understanding and manipulating it, and what does this reveal about her character development?

    Answer:
    Shallan faces the challenge of understanding an unfamiliar and alien object that resembles a giant, dark violet spren in the shape of a heart, which she initially suspects might be a parshman heart. Her difficulty lies in discerning its true nature and how to manipulate it, especially since it is not a typical human organ and appears to be connected to powerful, possibly dangerous magic. Her trembling and cautious approach, along with her attempt to sense and touch the heart, reveal her growing bravery, curiosity, and willingness to confront the unknown. This moment highlights her development from a hesitant novice to someone willing to face complex and perilous magical phenomena.

    4. What are the implications of the queen’s behavior and appearance in the palace chamber for the broader political or emotional tensions in the story?

    Answer:
    The queen, Aesudan, appears calm and composed, singing softly as she sits at a vanity, which contrasts with the chaos of the city’s fall and the ongoing conflict. Her youthful appearance and serene demeanor suggest a sense of detachment or control amid turmoil. Her interaction with Elhokar, where she smiles broadly and claims to have heard him, indicates familiarity and possibly a complex relationship that could involve political alliances, secrets, or underlying tensions. Her calmness might mask deeper emotional or political tensions, hinting at hidden motives or a strategic facade. This scene underscores the fragility of political stability and the personal stakes involved in the palace’s internal dynamics.

    5. How does the chapter illustrate the themes of leadership and loyalty through Kaladin’s interactions with the soldiers and the king?

    Answer:
    Kaladin demonstrates a sense of responsibility and protective instinct in his interactions, especially when he takes charge of the soldiers and advises Elhokar on how to navigate the dangerous palace environment. His concern for the king’s safety and his efforts to organize the soldiers into a defensive formation reflect his leadership qualities. Noro and the other soldiers’ decision to follow Kaladin, despite the lack of a formal captain, underscores their loyalty to him and their trust in his judgment. Kaladin’s focus on safeguarding the king and maintaining order amidst chaos highlights themes of leadership rooted in duty, loyalty, and the willingness to step into a protective role even in perilous circumstances.

    Note