Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
4. Architects of the Future
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with Radiant, one of Shallan’s personas, awakening to find herself captured and being carried by an unknown assailant. Despite the disorientation, she remains composed, relying on her Lightweaving abilities to maintain her disguise. Radiant assesses the situation, noting her captor’s scent and the lack of physical restraints, while internally coordinating with her other personas, Veil and Shallan. Her primary focus is evaluating the danger, though she feels a sense of satisfaction from Veil, as their mission to infiltrate the Sons of Honor seems to be progressing.
Radiant reflects on the group’s suspicions that Ialai Sadeas has taken control of the Sons of Honor following Amaram’s death. The cult is believed to be plotting to seize the Oathgate on the Shattered Plains, though Radiant lacks concrete evidence. She resolves not to act against Ialai without proof, a stance supported by Dalinar. The internal conflict between her personas surfaces briefly, with Veil expressing frustration over past missed opportunities to neutralize Ialai, but Radiant dismisses these thoughts as unproductive.
The scene shifts as Radiant’s captors arrive at their destination—a hidden chasm—where she is roughly deposited on wet rock. Veil takes over, feigning confusion and fear as she observes her surroundings and the robed figures surrounding her. The Sons of Honor, adorned in ceremonial garb, question her allegiance, testing her commitment to their cause. Veil plays the role of Chanasha Hasareh, a loyalist seeking to overthrow Dalinar, while secretly searching for signs of Ialai’s involvement.
The chapter concludes with Veil’s disappointment as she realizes Ialai is not present, indicating her disguise may not have garnered the high-profile attention they hoped for. The cult members, including Ulina, a rising figure in Ialai’s circle, expound on their mission to restore the Heralds and the Almighty. Veil maintains her facade, but the absence of Ialai suggests their plan may need adjustment. The tension builds as the cult’s rhetoric hints at broader schemes, leaving Veil—and the reader—anticipating the next steps in their dangerous infiltration.
FAQs
1. What is the Arnist Method described in Navani Kholin’s lecture, and what are its limitations?
Answer:
The Arnist Method is a technique for drawing Stormlight out of an infused gemstone by placing several large empty gemstones of the same type near it. The larger gemstones slowly absorb the Stormlight from the smaller one, with multiple gemstones speeding up the process. The primary limitation is the requirement for multiple large gemstones, which makes the method resource-intensive. This is particularly problematic for creating fabrials, as noted by Navani, who highlights the Vriztl Guild’s ability to create large gemstone fabrials without this method as evidence that alternative techniques must exist.2. How does Radiant assess and respond to her captivity, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Upon waking, Radiant remains calm and methodical, using the sack over her head to hide her disorientation and avoiding movement to avoid alerting her captors. She relies on her Radiant abilities to heal and wake sooner, then focuses on evaluating the danger of the situation. This reveals her disciplined, pragmatic nature—she trusts Veil and Shallan’s expertise in deception while fulfilling her own role as the assessor of threats. Her internal dialogue shows she prioritizes rationality over emotion, even when uncomfortable, demonstrating her commitment to the mission’s success.3. What strategic and ethical dilemma does Radiant face regarding Ialai Sadeas, and how does she justify her stance?
Answer:
Radiant suspects Ialai Sadeas has taken over the Sons of Honor and plans to seize the Oathgate, but she lacks concrete proof. Despite Veil’s willingness to act aggressively, Radiant refuses to move against Ialai without evidence, citing the need for ethical justification and Dalinar’s agreement. She argues that Ialai was not a direct threat when Adolin killed her husband, making preemptive action unjust. This highlights Radiant’s adherence to principles of justice and accountability, even when it conflicts with her allies’ more opportunistic approaches.4. Analyze the Sons of Honor’s initiation ritual for Veil. What does their approach reveal about their goals and methods?
Answer:
The Sons of Honor use theatrical symbolism—black robes, glowing gemstones, and ritualistic dialogue—to create an aura of mystery and authority. Their questions to Veil focus on overthrowing Dalinar (“the false king”) and restoring the Heralds and the Almighty, revealing their reactionary goals. The absence of Ialai, replaced by her subordinate Ulina, suggests a hierarchical structure where leaders avoid direct exposure. Their emphasis on Veil’s “passion” and “worthiness” indicates they recruit based on ideological alignment, using performative rituals to reinforce loyalty and secrecy.5. How does the chapter explore the theme of identity through Shallan’s personas (Radiant, Veil, and Shallan)?
Answer:
The chapter showcases the distinct roles of Shallan’s personas: Radiant as the disciplined strategist, Veil as the deceptive infiltrator, and Shallan as the underlying consciousness mediating their conflicts. Radiant’s discomfort with deception contrasts with Veil’s adaptability, while Shallan’s fleeting thoughts (e.g., about the robes’ seamstress) reveal her humor and self-awareness. Their internal debate about Ialai underscores how each persona embodies different moral and tactical approaches, yet all contribute to a unified mission. This reflects the broader theme of fractured identity and the challenges of integrating multiple selves into a cohesive whole.
Quotes
1. “Stormlight is slowly absorbed from a small gemstone by a very large gemstone of the same type—and several together can draw the Light out quickly. The method’s limitation is, of course, the fact that you need not merely acquire one gemstone for your fabrial, but several larger ones to withdraw the Stormlight.”
This quote from Navani Kholin’s lecture introduces a key magical mechanic in the world—the transfer of Stormlight between gemstones. It highlights both the ingenuity and practical limitations of fabrial technology, which is central to the book’s exploration of magic systems and resource management in warfare.
2. “Radiant didn’t like sneaking about or pretending, but she trusted that Veil and Shallan knew what they were doing. She instead did her part: judging the danger of the current situation.”
This passage reveals the dynamic between Shallan’s multiple personas, showcasing how Radiant’s disciplined nature complements Veil’s cunning. It’s significant for understanding the protagonist’s fractured psyche and the strategic division of roles within her mind.
3. “We are the Sons of Honor… It is our sworn and sacred duty to usher in the return of the Heralds, the return of storms, and the return of our god—the Almighty.”
This declaration by the cult members encapsulates their fanatical ideology and motivations. The quote is pivotal as it reveals the antagonists’ core beliefs while mirroring the book’s larger themes of religious fanaticism and the manipulation of ancient prophecies.
4. “We guided the return of the Radiants… Have you wondered why they appeared? Why all of this—the Ever…”
This truncated quote (appearing at chapter’s end) suggests the Sons of Honor take credit for the Radiants’ resurgence, hinting at deeper conspiracies about the nature of the world’s magical rebirth. It serves as a cliffhanger that challenges the protagonists’ understanding of recent events.