Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
34. A Flame Never Extinguished
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter delves into the philosophical and strategic discussions among Adolin and the Radiants as they prepare to negotiate with the honorspren. Odium’s destructive nature is highlighted, emphasizing his preference for annihilation over assimilation to maintain his purity as a god. Meanwhile, Adolin stands as a striking figure, clad in a black uniform, leading the council with a mix of warmth and authority. The cold, symbolic fire contrasts with his demeanor, setting a tone of tension and urgency as the group debates their approach to the honorspren.
Veil, pretending to sketch while observing the meeting, struggles to coax Shallan out of her shell, sensing her resentment over past conflicts. The Stump, an outspoken Truthwatcher, critiques Adolin’s proposals, arguing that guilt and threats will not sway the honorspren. Her pragmatic wisdom and fearless demeanor stand out, as she challenges Adolin’s strategies and urges a more honorable appeal. Veil admires her depth, noting how others reduce her to her age, while she sees the richness of her character.
The Radiants, including Godeke and Zu, weigh in on the debate, with Zu dismissing the honorspren’s stubbornness with blunt honesty. Adolin’s uncertainty grows as the group nears Lasting Integrity, and Veil worries about the mission’s success. The stakes are high: if the delegation fails, Veil may need to infiltrate alone to find Restares. Adolin’s lack of confidence in his plans becomes evident, and the group’s skepticism further undermines his resolve, leaving him visibly disheartened.
Radiant attempts to rally Adolin by seeking input from Beryl, a knight-in-training, but her inexperience leaves the question unanswered. The Stump reiterates the need to appeal to the honorspren’s sense of honor, a point Adolin slowly considers. Radiant reflects on Jasnah’s scholarly but impractical approach, realizing that honor must be the cornerstone of their appeal. The chapter ends with Adolin dismissing the group for breakfast, still grappling with how to craft a compelling argument that resonates with the honorspren’s ideals.
FAQs
1. What is Odium’s motivation for destroying other Shards rather than absorbing them, according to the chapter?
Answer:
Odium chooses to destroy and Splinter other Shards rather than absorb them because combining powers would fundamentally change and distort his nature. As an entity that is “essentially infinite,” he perceives no need for additional power. By eliminating other Shards, Odium aims to remain the sole god in the cosmere, uncorrupted by external influences and unchanged in his essential character. This reveals his desire for purity and dominance, as well as his fear of transformation through integration with other powers.2. How does the chapter portray the internal conflict within Shallan through her personas Veil and Radiant?
Answer:
The chapter highlights Shallan’s fractured psyche through the interactions of her personas Veil and Radiant. Veil attempts to provoke Shallan into resurfacing by poorly sketching and taunting her about past pains, while Radiant emerges to handle tactical discussions but struggles to support Adolin effectively. Shallan herself remains hidden, resentful of Veil’s actions and unwilling to confront painful memories. This triad dynamic illustrates Shallan’s avoidance of trauma and the personas’ competing priorities—Veil’s provocations, Radiant’s pragmatism, and Shallan’s withdrawal.3. Analyze Adolin’s leadership challenges in persuading the honorspren. What strategic flaws do the Radiants identify in his approach?
Answer:
Adolin’s proposals fail to address the core values of the honorspren. The Stump criticizes his reliance on guilt-tripping and empty threats (e.g., appealing to the honorspren’s nonexistent guilt or suggesting they’ll recruit inkspren instead). Godeke emphasizes the need for sincerity, while Arshqqam identifies the missing key: an appeal to honor itself. Adolin’s tactics reflect a political mindset, but the Radiants argue that honorspren—as embodiments of an ideal—require principled arguments aligned with their nature. This reveals a disconnect between human diplomacy and spren psychology.4. How does the chapter use contrasting imagery to characterize Adolin and the campfire setting?
Answer:
The chapter employs paradoxical imagery to underscore Adolin’s presence and the surreal environment. The manifested fire is described as cold and artificial—”a painting of a fire”—yet Adolin, dressed in a stiff black uniform, radiates warmth. This contrast emphasizes his natural charisma and the disconnect between appearances and reality in Shadesmar. Similarly, the fire’s lack of heat mirrors the group’s strained discussions, while Adolin’s vitality persists despite the bleak setting, reinforcing his role as an anchoring figure amid uncertainty.5. What significance does Arshqqam’s character hold in challenging societal perceptions of age and authority?
Answer:
Arshqqam defies stereotypes about aging through her demeanor and actions. Despite her nickname (“the Stump”) and advanced age, she commands respect by engaging Adolin as an equal—braving criticism without hesitation. Her careful braids and simple quartz ring symbolize understated dignity, while her insights reveal wisdom often overlooked in elderly characters. The chapter critiques ageism by showing how others reduce her to “how old she was,” whereas Veil admires her depth. Arshqqam thus becomes a foil to superficial judgments, proving that authority and identity transcend physical age.
Quotes
1. “To combine powers would change and distort who Odium is. So instead of absorbing others, he destroys them. Since we are all essentially infinite, he needs no more power. Destroying and Splintering the other Shards would leave Odium as the sole god, unchanged and uncorrupted by other influences.”
This opening italicized passage establishes Odium’s core philosophy and motivation—his refusal to compromise his nature by merging with other Shards, preferring destruction to maintain purity. It frames the cosmic conflict underlying the narrative.
2. “Too many people refused to look past a person’s age. To them this woman—as exemplified by her nickname—would be defined by how old she was. Veil saw more.”
This reflection by Veil highlights a key theme of perception versus reality, criticizing societal tendencies to reduce people to stereotypes (like the elderly “Stump”) while emphasizing Shallan/Veil’s ability to see deeper truths.
3. “Honor. How to appeal to the honor of these spren?”
This concise question—posed by Radiant—captures the chapter’s central dilemma as the group strategizes how to negotiate with honorspren. It crystallizes their shift in approach from political maneuvering to principled appeals, mirroring the book’s broader themes of integrity and ideology.
4. “My people are storming stupid,” Zu said, shrugging again.”
Zu’s blunt self-deprecating humor provides a memorable moment of levity while subtly critiquing factional stubbornness—a recurring obstacle throughout the story. The casual profanity (“storming”) also reinforces the series’ distinctive vernacular.
5. “The pain of a past best left forgotten.”
This haunting single-sentence paragraph reveals Shallan’s psychological struggle, encapsulating the tension between her fractured identities (Veil/Shallan/Radiant) and foreshadowing unresolved trauma—a driving force in her character arc.