Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
“Rhythm of War” is the fourth installment in Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. Set on the planet Roshar, the novel continues the conflict between Dalinar Kholin’s coalition of Knights Radiant and the forces of Odium, a malevolent god seeking dominion. The story delves deeper into the psychological and emotional struggles of key characters, including Kaladin, Shallan, and Navani, as they grapple with war, trauma, and the mysteries of ancient magics. Themes of resilience, identity, and the cost of power are explored amidst intricate world-building and high-stakes battles. The book expands the Cosmere universe, revealing new layers of lore and setting the stage for future confrontations.
26. A Little Espionage
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with a reflective moment, as the narrator expresses deep concern over the deaths of Devotion and Dominion, highlighting the fragility of power they once believed unbreakable. Meanwhile, Shallan enjoys a relatively peaceful journey on a barge, interrupted only by a distant sighting of Fused, which causes brief alarm. Her primary activity is drawing, often observed by Cryptics—spren fascinated by her art. Though she has grown fond of Pattern, her bonded Cryptic, the presence of multiple Cryptics begins to unsettle her, evoking past trauma when their appearances in her sketches once threatened her sanity.
Shallan struggles to maintain her composure as the Cryptics crowd around her, their humming and excitement amplifying her anxiety. She attempts to relax by sketching sunlight around Ua’pam, but their intense scrutiny makes her pencil strokes rigid and unnatural. When she mistakes Ua’pam’s arm in her drawing, the Cryptics misinterpret it as a lie, sparking a chaotic exchange. Their alien behavior and overlapping chatter overwhelm her, triggering memories of her past breakdown. Radiant, one of Shallan’s alternate personas, steps in to restore calm, allowing Shallan to retreat and recover by the barge’s stern.
After regaining her equilibrium, Shallan shifts focus to the mission: uncovering a spy among their group. Veil, another persona specializing in espionage, insists on coaching Shallan through the process rather than taking over. Despite Shallan’s reluctance, Veil emphasizes the need for her to learn these skills firsthand. Radiant interjects, urging them to first verify whether the communication device could have been moved without a spy’s involvement, a point Veil reluctantly concedes. This pragmatic approach delays their immediate plans but ensures thoroughness.
The chapter concludes with Shallan preparing to investigate the spy, starting by examining the tent on the barge’s deck. The tension between her personas—Shallan’s creativity, Veil’s cunning, and Radiant’s discipline—reflects her internal struggle to balance her roles. The narrative underscores her growth as she navigates past trauma while embracing the complexities of her mission and her evolving identity as a Lightweaver.
FAQs
1. How does Shallan react to the presence of multiple Cryptics while she is drawing, and what does this reveal about her psychological state?
Answer:
Shallan initially enjoys Pattern’s company but becomes increasingly anxious when surrounded by all four Cryptics. The chapter describes her tension building toward panic, with sharp pencil lines and a desire to scream, revealing unresolved trauma from her past encounters with Cryptics in Kharbranth. Her reaction shows how her subconscious still associates Cryptics with her earlier mental breakdown, despite her current fondness for Pattern. The scene highlights her fragile psychological state and the lingering effects of her past experiences, even as she tries to maintain composure through her art.2. What role does Radiant play in helping Shallan manage her distress, and how does this reflect the dynamic between Shallan’s personas?
Answer:
Radiant steps in when Shallan becomes overwhelmed by the Cryptics, providing stability and calm. As a persona trained to handle chaos (like battle), Radiant helps Shallan compartmentalize her anxiety by putting away the sketchpad and moving to a quieter space. This intervention demonstrates how Shallan’s personas serve as coping mechanisms—Radiant offers discipline, Veil provides espionage skills, and Shallan retains creativity and humor. The dynamic shows both cooperation and tension between the personas, as they balance each other’s strengths while negotiating control.3. Why does Veil insist on coaching Shallan through espionage rather than taking over completely, and what does this suggest about her character development?
Answer:
Veil refuses to fully take over, framing the lesson as “penance” for breaking their compact. Her insistence on teaching Shallan directly (“I need this”) implies a desire for Shallan to become self-reliant in espionage, not just dependent on Veil’s skills. This marks growth in Veil’s character—she’s no longer just a crutch but a mentor. It also reflects her acknowledgment of their shared identity; by empowering Shallan, she strengthens their collective capabilities. The moment subtly addresses themes of accountability and integration among the personas.4. How does the chapter use sensory details to contrast Shallan’s external calm with her internal turmoil?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes serene imagery (rolling beads, sunlight in sketches) with visceral descriptions of Shallan’s anxiety (“sharp and stark” pencil lines, the urge to scream). The Cryptics’ humming and clicking crescendo into an overwhelming cacophony in her mind, mirroring her escalating panic. Meanwhile, external observations—like the barge’s peaceful motion or Ua’pam’s adventurous pose—anchor the scene in tranquility. This contrast heightens the tension between her composed artist persona and the fractured psyche beneath, emphasizing the duality of her character.5. Analyze the significance of Radiant’s intervention in the spy investigation. What does her insistence on re-examining evidence reveal about her role in the trio of personas?
Answer:
Radiant interrupts Veil’s spy-hunting plan to demand stricter verification of the communication device’s movement. This highlights her role as the logical, methodical counterbalance to Veil’s impulsiveness. While Veil jumps to action, Radiant enforces discipline—a dynamic critical to their missions. Her intervention underscores how the personas collaboratively refine each other’s ideas, with Radiant acting as a safeguard against oversight. It also subtly critiques Shallan’s tendency to rush into roles (artist, spy) without full preparation, a recurring flaw Radiant mitigates.
Quotes
1. “The deaths of both Devotion and Dominion trouble me greatly, as I had not realized this immense power we held was something that could be broken in such a way. On my world, the power always gathered and sought a new Vessel.”
This introspective quote reveals the narrator’s existential unease about the fragility of divine power, contrasting with their previous understanding of its immutable nature. It sets a philosophical tone for the chapter while hinting at deeper cosmere mysteries.
2. “She’d almost forgotten how frightened she’d been when his strange symbol-headed figure had begun appearing in her drawings… She’d been peeking into Shadesmar. Her unconscious mind had begun to perceive spren as they appeared in the Cognitive Realm.”
This passage captures Shallan’s psychological tension and the thin boundary between perception and madness in her magical abilities. It provides crucial insight into her character’s traumatic past and the supernatural mechanics of her world.
3. “Contradiction! Wonderful and blessed contradiction of nonsense and human complication to be alive!”
Spoken by Mosaic the Cryptic, this exuberant declaration embodies the spren’s fascination with human paradoxes. It highlights the chapter’s theme of alien perspectives on human nature while showcasing Sanderson’s creative worldbuilding through unique non-human voices.
4. “Humor me, kid. I need this.”
Veil’s simple but powerful request reveals the complex dynamic between Shallan’s personas. This moment marks a turning point where Veil transitions from taking control to mentoring Shallan, showing character growth and the chapter’s exploration of identity integration.
5. “But both agreed that Radiant was, unfortunately, correct.”
This wry observation about Shallan’s internal conflict demonstrates the chapter’s psychological depth. It humorously captures the tension between Shallan’s personas while advancing the espionage plot, showing how her fragmented self must work together.