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.
30. The Betrayal
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with a discussion about the perceived threat of Odium, who is dismissed by many as harmless while confined to the Rosharan system. Meanwhile, Veil interacts with a mysterious glowing cube, experiencing a disorienting sense of déjà vu. She recalls fragmented memories from her past, including training with Pattern and the traumatic event of killing her mother. The cube seems to trigger these memories, leaving her unsettled and struggling to focus on her current mission.
Veil communicates with Mraize through the cube, reporting on her journey with fellow Radiants to a coastal town. Their conversation reveals a tense dynamic, as Mraize reinforces hierarchical principles within their organization, warning Veil against overstepping her role. Despite his strict demeanor, Mraize concedes some flexibility, hinting at underlying power dynamics. Veil, however, remains distracted by the cube’s effects, which blur her perception of reality and memory.
The dialogue shifts to Veil’s observation of corrupted spren, which Mraize identifies as agents of Sja-anat, a rogue spren allied with Odium. He tasks Veil with monitoring these spren, emphasizing their importance in their broader strategy. Veil’s curiosity about the cube and her past lingers, but she refrains from pressing Mraize for answers, recognizing his reluctance to share information. The chapter highlights her internal struggle between duty and the pull of unresolved trauma.
As the conversation concludes, Veil grapples with the cube’s lingering effects, forcing herself to stay present. The chapter ends with her contemplating whether to ask Mraize about her past, though she doubts he would provide answers. The tension between her mission, her fragmented memories, and her complex relationship with Mraize leaves her in a state of emotional and psychological turmoil, setting the stage for further exploration of her character and the unfolding plot.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the glowing cube that Veil interacts with, and how does it trigger her fragmented memories?
Answer:
The glowing cube serves as both a communication device with Mraize and a trigger for Veil’s repressed memories. When holding it, Veil experiences déjà vu, recalling a nearly identical moment from her childhood—implying she had interacted with a similar artifact before her mother’s death. This memory gap is tied to her traumatic past, where she had already trained with Pattern, sworn oaths, and even wielded a Shardblade. The cube’s light and texture cause her to dissociate, blurring the present mission with buried recollections of her father’s gardens and her mother’s demise (pp. 404–405).2. Analyze the power dynamics between Veil and Mraize in their conversation. How does Veil test the boundaries of their relationship?
Answer:
Mraize asserts hierarchical control, comparing Veil to an axehound that must obey before receiving rewards (p. 405). However, Veil challenges this dynamic by withholding information about the Radiants and bargaining for details about the cube. Though Mraize rebukes her for “negotiating upward,” he tacitly concedes by not pressing further about the Radiants, revealing flexibility in their arrangement. Veil notes this “wiggle room,” demonstrating her growing agency within the Ghostbloods’ rigid structure (pp. 405–406).3. What role do the “corrupted spren” play in the chapter, and why does Mraize prioritize contacting them?
Answer:
The odd, discolored spren spying on Veil’s team are agents of Sja-anat, an ancient spren of Odium who has betrayed him. Mraize views her as a critical ally due to her knowledge and defection, assigning Veil a secondary mission to establish contact. These spren symbolize Sja-anat’s expanding influence in Shadesmar and represent a potential strategic advantage against Odium. Veil’s observation that they remain elusive suggests Sja-anat’s cautious approach to communication (pp. 406).4. How does the chapter explore Shallan/Veil’s psychological struggle with identity and memory?
Answer:
The chapter highlights Shallan’s fractured psyche through Veil’s dissociation when handling the cube. The artifact forces her to confront gaps in her memory—particularly from the period surrounding her mother’s death—which she normally avoids by “cultivating flower beds” of curated recollections. Her rapid switching between personas (Veil and Shallan) and fixation on the cube’s light reveal her instability. The tension between confronting the past (“Remember,” Veil urges) and fleeing it (“I can’t”) underscores her ongoing trauma (pp. 404–406).5. Evaluate Mraize’s analogy of hunters and hierarchy. What does it reveal about the Ghostbloods’ organizational philosophy?
Answer:
Mraize’s metaphor—comparing the Ghostbloods to hunters who must cooperate under strict hierarchy—emphasizes their emphasis on control and discipline. He warns that without clear chains of command, hunters might turn on each other, mirroring the organization’s fear of internal betrayal. This justifies their suppression of individual negotiation (“do not strike against our own”). However, Veil’s subtle defiance suggests that such rigidity may breed resentment or covert resistance over time (p. 405).
Quotes
1. “Remember, Veil thought. Remember. She’d trained with Pattern as a child. She’d spoken oaths. She’d summoned a Shardblade and struck down her own mother, frantic to survive. And—she looked back at the cube—she’d held one of these?”
This quote captures Shallan/Veil’s pivotal moment of fragmented memory recall, revealing her traumatic past and forgotten abilities. It represents the chapter’s exploration of repressed memories and identity fragmentation.
2. “Initiative is wonderful, and your possession of it is commendable. However, our organization survives based on principles of hierarchy… We do not strike against our own, and we do not negotiate upward. To do otherwise is to invite anarchy.”
Mraize’s statement encapsulates the Ghostbloods’ rigid power structure and philosophy. This reveals the tense mentor-apprentice dynamic and the organization’s operational principles that constrain Veil’s actions.
3. “Note this fact, Veil thought. There is wiggle room in this arrangement, despite what he implies.”
This brief but significant internal observation shows Veil’s growing awareness of manipulation tactics within the Ghostbloods. It marks a turning point where she begins strategizing how to navigate the organization’s constraints to her advantage.
4. “Sja-anat is important, little hunter. We must bind her to us. A spren of Odium willing to betray him? An ancient creature with equally ancient knowledge?”
Mraize’s revelation about Sja-anat introduces a crucial secondary mission and expands the chapter’s cosmic stakes. This highlights the Ghostbloods’ interest in manipulating divine forces and sets up future conflicts involving corrupted spren.