Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
67. Song of Stones
by Sanderson, BrandonVenli, a Regal tormented by guilt over her past actions, wanders the halls of Urithiru, haunted by memories of her deceased mother, Jaxlim. A stranger’s song triggers her grief, reminding her of simpler times before her betrayal. She reflects on her culpability in her mother’s death during a catastrophic flood, acknowledging that while her choices were influenced by her form’s power, she alone bears responsibility. Timbre, her spren companion, offers consolation, reminding Venli that she has grown stronger and more resistant to Odium’s influence, though the weight of her past remains heavy.
Determined to explore her newfound path as a Radiant, Venli prepares to experiment with both Stormlight and Voidlight. She selects a secluded area on the tower’s eighth floor, away from prying eyes, to practice her abilities. As she attempts to use Stormlight, she finds herself blocked by the tower’s defenses, unable to channel its power effectively. Timbre encourages her to try Voidlight instead, despite Venli’s reservations about relying on Odium’s power. The pragmatic spren insists that using available resources is necessary for their goals.
Venli’s internal conflict deepens as she grapples with the moral implications of wielding Voidlight. She recalls how her past ambitions led her to embrace destructive forms of power, contrasting her experience with her sister Eshonai’s complete transformation. Unlike Eshonai, Venli retained more of her identity, which now fuels her guilt but also her resolve to resist Odium. Timbre’s presence has been pivotal in strengthening her resistance, and Venli expresses gratitude for the spren’s unwavering faith in her, despite her self-perceived unworthiness.
The chapter culminates in Venli’s cautious experimentation with Voidlight, symbolizing her fraught journey toward redemption. As she prepares to test her Radiant abilities, the tension between her past allegiance to Odium and her current desire for liberation remains palpable. The setting—a silent, stone-walled space reminiscent of the chasms where her mother died—underscores the cyclical nature of her grief and determination. Venli’s story is one of painful accountability, tentative hope, and the complex interplay of power and identity in her quest for atonement.
FAQs
1. How does Venli’s encounter with the femalen on the balcony reveal her internal conflict and emotional state?
Answer:
The encounter highlights Venli’s grief and guilt over her mother’s death. When she hears the femalen singing a song reminiscent of her mother’s voice, she is momentarily transported back to happier times, which contrasts sharply with her current emotional turmoil. The femalen’s shift to humming to Anxiety upon noticing Venli suggests Venli’s distressed appearance unsettles others, reinforcing her isolation. Venli’s subsequent attunement to Disappointment and her reflection on her mother’s death (“Dead by my hand as surely as if I’d stabbed her”) underscore her unresolved guilt and self-blame for her past actions during the storms. This scene encapsulates her struggle between longing for the past and confronting the consequences of her choices.2. Analyze the significance of Timbre’s role in Venli’s journey, particularly in this chapter. How does their relationship evolve?
Answer:
Timbre serves as Venli’s moral anchor and source of resilience. In this chapter, Timbre consoles Venli about her mother’s death, acknowledging Venli’s responsibility but also mitigating her guilt by noting the influence of the forms. This reflects Timbre’s dual role: a compassionate ally and a reminder of accountability. Their relationship evolves as Venli expresses gratitude (“Thank you… I’m not worthy of your faith”), showing her growing reliance on Timbre’s support. Timbre’s pragmatic encouragement to use Voidlight for their goals, despite its origin, demonstrates their partnership’s adaptability. The spren’s presence symbolizes hope—Venli resists Odium’s corruption more effectively with Timbre’s help, contrasting with Eshonai’s fate.3. What does Venli’s experimentation with Stormlight and Voidlight reveal about her understanding of her Radiant abilities and her ethical dilemmas?
Answer:
Venli’s experimentation highlights her technical and moral struggles as a budding Radiant. She discovers Stormlight infuses her body but is blocked by the tower’s defenses, while Voidlight—though accessible—feels tainted by its connection to Odium. Her hesitation (“It doesn’t seem right to use his power”) reveals her ethical conflict: she must harness Odium’s power to achieve her goals, which parallels her broader tension between redemption and past sins. The chapter underscores her pragmatic yet uneasy relationship with Voidlight, as Timbre justifies its use for survival. This duality mirrors her journey—using flawed means to pursue a righteous path.4. How does the setting of Urithiru’s eighth floor mirror Venli’s psychological state?
Answer:
The eighth floor’s silence and stone walls evoke the chasms of the Shattered Plains, where Venli’s mother died. This physical resemblance triggers her grief (“Her mother had died in those pits”), linking the environment to her trauma. The isolation of the location reflects her emotional isolation, while its distance from others symbolizes her self-imposed exile due to guilt. The smooth walls, unlike the vibrant strata she expects, mirror her numbness and the void left by her mother’s absence. The setting thus becomes a metaphor for her internal landscape—barren, haunted by memories, yet chosen deliberately for its seclusion, much like her emotional withdrawal.5. Evaluate Venli’s statement, “I’m not worthy of your faith.” How does this reflect her character development and the theme of redemption in the chapter?
Answer:
This statement encapsulates Venli’s fractured self-worth and her awareness of her past crimes. Unlike earlier in her arc, where she might have deflected blame, she now acknowledges her culpability (“I’d chosen those forms”). Yet, her gratitude toward Timbre shows a willingness to accept support despite feeling unworthy—a key step in redemption. The theme is reinforced by her actions: she channels her guilt into helping others (e.g., aiding Rlain and the surgeon) and pursues Radiance despite ethical compromises. Her humility here contrasts with her earlier ambition, suggesting growth. The chapter frames redemption as a balance between accountability and the courage to move forward, even when “unworthy.”
Quotes
1. “Do not mourn for what has happened. This notebook was a dream we shared, which is itself a beautiful thing. Proof of the truth of my intent, even if the project was ultimately doomed.”
This epigraph sets the reflective and melancholic tone for the chapter, highlighting themes of loss, memory, and the bittersweet nature of failed endeavors. It foreshadows Venli’s own struggles with regret and responsibility.
2. “Timbre, she drowned down there. Dead by my hand as surely as if I’d stabbed her.”
A raw confession from Venli about her guilt over her mother’s death during the Everstorm. This quote encapsulates her internal conflict and the weight of her past actions as a key turning point in her character arc.
3. “She seemed more resistant somehow. More herself, regardless of form.”
This insight into Venli’s unique relationship with her forms reveals a core tension in her identity - her capacity for independent thought despite Odium’s influence, which makes her culpability more personal and tragic.
4. “Today she was going to see what it really meant to be on this path of Radiance.”
A pivotal moment marking Venli’s transition from passive participant to active seeker of her Radiant potential. This represents both hope and danger as she experiments with combining Voidlight and Stormlight.
5. “It doesn’t seem right, for some reason, to use his power to fuel our abilities.”
This moral dilemma captures the central conflict of Venli’s journey - the paradox of using Odium’s Voidlight to pursue honorable Radiant powers, reflecting the complex interplay between means and ends in her redemption.