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.
61. Oil and Water
bySanderson, Brandon
Navani finally connects with Kaladin through the Sibling after a tense delay, reassuring him that his efforts to protect the tower have not been in vain. Despite his self-doubt, she emphasizes that his role is to buy time for her to reverse the enemy’s corruption of the tower’s Light. Kaladin reports on the worsening conditions, including slower healing due to the Sibling’s corruption, and the challenges of navigating the tower without his usual abilities. Navani remains determined to find a solution, focusing on understanding the nature of Stormlight and Voidlight to reclaim the tower’s defenses.
Kaladin updates Navani on his failed attempt to reach the Oathgates, explaining his inability to use Lashings and the need for alternative methods like climbing. He also delivers crucial news about the corrupted spanreeds, confirming Navani’s suspicion that Voidlight-powered fabrials rely on corrupted spren. This revelation complicates their efforts, as acquiring such spren would alert Raboniel. Despite the setbacks, Navani urges Kaladin to rest and prepare for further challenges, while she strategizes how to warn Dalinar and regain control of the tower’s systems.
The conversation shifts to the possibility of Kaladin escaping the tower to deliver a message, though both acknowledge the risks of leaving Navani unprotected. Kaladin expresses concern over his limited mobility, particularly if nodes on higher floors are discovered. Navani agrees to explore solutions, and they plan to reconvene the next day. Meanwhile, she continues to feign cooperation with the enemy, secretly working on a plan to secure their freedom, with step one being maintaining their current position and step two involving communication with Dalinar.
Navani’s internal resolve strengthens as she reflects on her next steps, determined to move beyond mere stalling tactics. She recognizes the urgency of understanding the Sibling’s mechanisms and the nature of the enemy’s corruption. With Kaladin’s help and the newly acquired spanreeds, she aims to devise a way to reverse the tower’s takeover. The chapter underscores the tension between their immediate survival and the larger goal of reclaiming the tower, highlighting Navani’s strategic mind and Kaladin’s unwavering dedication despite overwhelming odds.
FAQs
1. What is the primary conflict Navani and Kaladin are facing in this chapter, and how are their roles complementary in addressing it?
Answer:
The primary conflict is the corruption of the Sibling and the tower’s Light by Raboniel and the Fused. Navani’s role is to research and reverse the corruption by understanding the nature of Stormlight and Voidlight, while Kaladin’s role is to buy her time by protecting the remaining nodes and maintaining their defensive position. Their efforts are complementary because Kaladin’s physical resistance prevents further degradation of the tower’s systems, allowing Navani the opportunity to work on a solution. This dynamic is highlighted when Navani reassures Kaladin that his job isn’t to save the tower single-handedly but to enable her scholarly work through his efforts (pages 727-728).2. How does the chapter illustrate the limitations imposed on Kaladin’s abilities, and what strategic implications does this have?
Answer:
Kaladin’s Windrunner abilities are severely limited because his Lashings don’t work within the tower’s suppressed environment, forcing him to use Adhesion to create handholds for climbing. This limitation has significant strategic implications: it slows his movement, making it difficult to protect distant nodes or reach the Oathgates quickly. For example, he mentions that climbing to the fortieth floor would take hours, leaving nodes vulnerable (page 729). This constraint forces Navani and Kaladin to prioritize their actions carefully and consider alternative solutions, such as finding another way to navigate the tower or focusing on localized defense.3. What critical discovery does Kaladin make about the spanreeds, and why is this troubling for Navani?
Answer:
Kaladin discovers that the spanreeds work on Voidlight because the spren inside them have been corrupted, similar to Renarin’s spren. This is troubling for Navani because it confirms her fear that Raboniel’s corruption has penetrated fabrial technology, making it difficult to create or use uncorrupted fabrials without the enemy’s knowledge. Navani realizes that acquiring uncorrupted spren would be nearly impossible under current circumstances, limiting her ability to devise countermeasures or communicate externally (page 728). This revelation underscores the pervasive nature of the enemy’s influence and the urgency of finding a solution.4. Analyze Navani’s leadership approach in this chapter. How does she balance urgency with the need to maintain morale?
Answer:
Navani demonstrates a balanced leadership approach by acknowledging the urgency of their situation while actively bolstering her team’s morale. She reassures Kaladin that his efforts are valuable, telling him, “You didn’t fail. You accomplished something incredible” (page 727), which strengthens his resolve. At the same time, she remains focused on her long-term plan, dividing her strategy into actionable steps (e.g., protecting nodes, contacting Dalinar, and researching Light). Her internal monologue reveals her frustration with merely “wasting time,” showing her drive to achieve tangible progress (page 729). This balance of encouragement and strategic focus helps maintain cohesion and determination among her allies.5. What does the chapter suggest about the broader theme of collaboration between scholars and warriors in times of crisis?
Answer:
The chapter emphasizes the necessity of collaboration between scholars like Navani and warriors like Kaladin to overcome complex threats. Navani’s scholarly expertise is critical for understanding and reversing the tower’s corruption, while Kaladin’s combat skills are essential for holding their ground. Their partnership highlights how intellectual and physical efforts are interdependent: Kaladin’s defense creates the space for Navani’s research, and her discoveries could ultimately empower his actions. This theme is encapsulated when Navani states, “Your job is to buy me time enough to reverse what has been done” (page 728), illustrating how their roles are mutually reinforcing in the face of a multifaceted crisis.
Quotes
1. “Highmarshal, your job is not to save the tower. Your job is to buy me time enough to reverse what has been done. You didn’t fail. You accomplished something incredible, and because of it we can still fight.”
Navani reframes Kaladin’s perceived failure as a critical success—his efforts bought them the time needed to continue resisting. This moment captures the chapter’s theme of perseverance against overwhelming odds.
2. “It came down to the nature of Stormlight, Voidlight, and the way the Sibling worked. Navani needed to take a crash course in Light, and figure out exactly what had gone wrong.”
This quote highlights the central scientific mystery Navani must solve—the interaction between different Light types and the Sibling’s mechanisms. It represents the chapter’s exploration of magical physics.
3. “Brightness, the spren inside have been corrupted, like Renarin’s spren. The rubies work on Voidlight now, as you suspected, and these spren must be the reason.”
Kaladin’s revelation about corrupted spren marks a turning point, confirming Navani’s fears about the enemy’s technological advantage. This discovery shapes their strategic limitations moving forward.
4. “I need to do more than waste time. I need to work toward our freedom.”
Navani’s internal resolution captures the chapter’s shift from passive resistance to active problem-solving. This determination drives her subsequent plans to reclaim the tower.