Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
64. Personal Reminder
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with an epigraph reflecting on exotic artifacts from other worlds, setting a tone of wonder and mystery. Jasnah Kholin, though experienced in battle, realizes she has never truly “gone to war” until now. Despite her extensive scholarly knowledge of warfare, she confronts the visceral reality of facing an endless enemy force—transforming abstract numbers into an overwhelming tide. Dalinar’s advice echoes in her mind, emphasizing the irreplaceable understanding gained only through firsthand experience on the battlefield.
As Jasnah stands at the front of the coalition armies, the sheer scale of the enemy forces unnerves her. The Drunmu Basin, chosen for its strategic advantages, becomes a backdrop for her internal struggle between logic and instinct. Though the Mink’s plan favors their side, the physical distance to the enemy and the impending assault under arrow fire make her feel small and vulnerable. The mechanical advance of her troops, shields raised, contrasts with her heightened alertness and the chaotic reality of war.
The battle begins with a disciplined march, interrupted by enemy arrows and a counterattack by Azish cavalry. Jasnah notes the singers’ adaptability, their formations more refined than those of the Parshendi. Her Shardplate, deliberately dimmed to avoid recognition, offers little comfort as she ascends the shallow incline toward the enemy pike block. The tension builds as she prepares to engage, aware of the hidden threats among the enemy ranks—Fused and Regals lying in wait.
Jasnah charges the pike block, wielding Ivory to break the enemy lines. Despite her efforts, the singers hold their formation, forcing her to fight defensively with her honor guard. The chaos of battle surrounds her as other coalition forces clash nearby. The chapter captures her transition from scholar to warrior, highlighting the dissonance between theoretical knowledge and the brutal, unpredictable nature of war. Her resolve remains firm, but the experience leaves her emotionally and physically drained, underscoring the chapter’s theme of war’s transformative power.
FAQs
1. How does Jasnah’s intellectual understanding of war contrast with her firsthand experience in this chapter?
Answer:
Jasnah has extensively studied war through scholarly accounts and military strategy, believing herself prepared through academic knowledge. However, the chapter highlights a stark disconnect—while she could previously analyze battles numerically (e.g., comprehending “forty thousand singers”), the visceral reality overwhelms her. The enemy appears as an “endless tide” rather than statistics, and the tension of marching under arrow fire, the physical strain of the slope, and the chaos of combat defy textbook descriptions. This underscores Dalinar’s earlier point: no theoretical preparation can replicate the psychological and sensory experience of war (e.g., her shock at the “snaps” of arrows and the “grunts and crunches” of battle).2. Analyze the tactical significance of the Drunmu Basin as a battlefield. Why did the Mink advocate for engaging here?
Answer:
The Drunmu Basin offers strategic advantages for the coalition: its open terrain prevents the enemy from fortifying cities, forcing a direct confrontation. The Mink emphasizes their slight elevation and sun positioning, which hinder the singers’ visibility and provide defensive leverage. Additionally, the basin’s lack of cover allows the coalition to exploit their numerical and disciplinary superiority in formation-based combat. However, the chapter also reveals psychological trade-offs: the distance to the enemy under fire and the uphill assault test morale, as seen in Jasnah’s exhaustion even before engagement. This duality shows how tactical “advantages” on paper may still impose heavy physical and emotional costs.3. How does Jasnah’s Shardplate and her decision to dull its light reflect her leadership style and situational awareness?
Answer:
Jasnah’s choice to dim her Plate’s light demonstrates her calculated approach to leadership. While Shardplate typically signifies rank, she prioritizes practicality over prestige, reducing the risk of being singled out as the queen. This aligns with her strategic nature—she acknowledges the danger of Fused ambushes and stays close to her troops to avoid isolation. However, she still leverages her Plate’s physical advantages (e.g., enduring arrows, breaking pike formations) to support the army. This balance highlights her adaptability: she tempers scholarly caution with battlefield pragmatism, using resources optimally without sacrificing safety or effectiveness.4. What does the singers’ adaptation to modern warfare reveal about the broader conflict in the story?
Answer:
The singers’ disciplined formations, use of pike blocks, and integration of Fused Surgebinders illustrate their rapid evolution from the less-organized Parshendi tactics seen earlier. Their retention of minor weaknesses (e.g., underestimating cavalry) suggests cultural inertia, but their overall adaptability poses a grave threat. This mirrors the chapter’s theme of war’s unpredictability: even seasoned strategists like Jasnah face unexpected challenges when enemies innovate. The singers’ hybrid approach—combining ancient knowledge with modern tactics—emphasizes that the conflict is a dynamic arms race, where victory depends on flexibility as much as brute strength.5. Evaluate the role of the Edgedancers and Windrunners in this battle. How do they address the limitations of traditional warfare?
Answer:
The Edgedancers and Windrunners exemplify how Surgebinders mitigate conventional warfare’s flaws. The Edgedancers guarding Jasnah likely provide healing and mobility, ensuring her survival amid enemy focus. Meanwhile, Windrunners protect cavalry from aerial threats, exploiting the singers’ “myopia” about mounted combat. Their presence underscores the coalition’s ability to integrate magical assets into combined arms tactics—a counter to the singers’ own Fused. This synergy reflects a broader theme: traditional warfare (e.g., shield walls) remains vital, but its effectiveness is amplified by strategic use of Surgebinding to address vulnerabilities (e.g., arrow barrages, flanking risks).
Quotes
1. “She’d never gone to war. […] Until you stand in those lines, holding your sword and facing down the enemy force, you’ll never understand. No book could prepare you, Jasnah. So yes, I think you should go.”
This exchange highlights the gap between theoretical knowledge (Jasnah’s scholarly expertise) and lived experience (Dalinar’s wisdom). It sets up the chapter’s core theme: war’s reality defies academic preparation.
2. “Reports said there were about forty thousand singers here. That was a number she could comprehend, could analyze. But her eyes didn’t see forty thousand, they saw endless ranks. Numbers on a page became meaningless.”
This visceral moment captures the dissonance between strategic abstraction and frontline terror. The quote exemplifies how war transforms quantifiable data into overwhelming sensory reality.
3. “It was hard not to feel small, even in her Plate.”
A powerful contrast between the symbolic might of Shardplate and the psychological vulnerability of facing war’s scale. This brief admission humanizes Jasnah’s otherwise formidable presence.
4. “She winced as the first arrows struck. They fell with an arrhythmic series of snaps, metal on wood, like hail.”
This sensory detail marks Jasnah’s transition from observer to combatant. The simile (“like hail”) connects the unnatural violence of war to familiar natural phenomena, emphasizing its surreal quality.
5. “Her job was to break their lines; a full Shardbearer could cause entire formations to crumble around her. To their credit, this singer formation did not break. It buckled backward […] but it held.”
This climactic combat moment subverts expectations - even a Shardbearer’s power meets limits against disciplined opposition. The singers’ resilience reflects the evolving nature of the conflict.