Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
96. A Thousand Lies
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with Venli in emotional turmoil, having discovered a map revealing that thousands of her people, the listeners, survived by fleeing the Shattered Plains. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, she confesses to Rlain her role in their near-destruction, admitting she would have had them killed if not for Eshonai’s intervention. Rlain reacts with shock and anger, calling her a monster, but acknowledges the enemy might have succeeded without her. Despite her remorse, Venli insists on leaving immediately to find the survivors, even if it risks leading the Fused to them.
Rlain urges Venli to stay and help rescue the captive Radiants, arguing that her actions now could redeem her past betrayals. However, Venli, consumed by the need to see her people, refuses. Their confrontation highlights the tension between her desire for atonement and her desperation to confirm the survival of the listeners. Rlain’s final words underscore the depth of her betrayal, leaving Venli isolated as she resolves to depart.
Venli prepares to leave, gathering supplies and allies among the remaining listener refugees. She reveals Raboniel’s writ, which grants her authority to travel through the Oathgates, potentially bypassing Fused scrutiny. Her companions, Dul and Mazish, express cautious optimism but question their next steps after reaching Kholinar. Venli’s determination to reunite with her people overrides practical concerns, showcasing her single-minded focus on redemption through reunion.
The chapter closes with Venli’s departure, symbolizing her break from the Radiants’ cause and her embrace of a personal quest. Her actions reflect a complex mix of guilt, hope, and recklessness, leaving her future uncertain. Meanwhile, Rlain’s condemnation lingers, emphasizing the moral ambiguity of her choices and the unresolved tension between her past sins and potential for change.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Venli’s emotional breakdown at the start of the chapter, and how does it contrast with her typical behavior?
Answer:
Venli’s crying represents a rare moment of vulnerability and remorse, as she notes she can count on her fingers the times she’s truly cried—not just attuned Mourning, but genuinely wept. This contrasts sharply with her usual guarded and manipulative nature, revealing the depth of her guilt upon learning that Thude and other listeners survived. Her emotional collapse stems from realizing Eshonai spared them despite Venli’s earlier willingness to have them killed. This moment humanizes Venli and marks a turning point where she begins confronting her past atrocities rather than hiding behind lies or rhythms like Consolation.2. Analyze Rlain’s shifting reactions to Venli’s confession. How does his response reflect both personal betrayal and pragmatic leadership?
Answer:
Rlain’s reaction evolves from shock to anger, calling Venli a “monster” and humming Betrayal—a stark condemnation of her role in the listeners’ near-extinction. However, despite his visceral disgust, he demonstrates pragmatism by acknowledging they still need her help to free the Radiants. His duality reflects his conflicted identity: as a listener, he feels profound betrayal, but as a bridge between groups, he prioritizes survival. His final words (“I now realize I didn’t have the first notes of understanding what it meant to be a traitor”) underscore his disillusionment while highlighting Venli’s deeper moral failure.3. Why does Raboniel’s writ of authority present both an opportunity and a danger for Venli’s plan to find the surviving listeners?
Answer:
The writ allows Venli to bypass restrictions and travel to Kholinar, expediting her search for the survivors. However, as Rlain warns, it likely serves Raboniel’s agenda—using Venli to locate the hidden listeners for the Fused. Venli recognizes this risk but prioritizes her desperate need for redemption over caution. The writ symbolizes Raboniel’s manipulation: it grants freedom while ensuring Venli remains a pawn. This tension between Venli’s genuine desire to reunite with her people and her inadvertent role as a tool of the enemy drives the chapter’s conflict.4. How does the theme of truth versus deception unfold in Venli and Rlain’s confrontation?
Answer:
Venli’s confession (“A thousand lies, Rlain”) marks her first full admission of guilt without excuses or rhythmic manipulation. By delivering the truth “raw,” she rejects her past deceptions, including blaming Voidspren or forms. Rlain’s horror stems from this unfiltered honesty, contrasting with his earlier trust in her. Meanwhile, Raboniel’s “gift” of the map and writ introduces new layers of deception, as Venli risks perpetuating lies by leading the Fused to the survivors. The scene underscores that truth-taking—even painful—is the first step toward atonement, but lingering deceit threatens to undermine progress.5. Evaluate Venli’s decision to leave despite Rlain’s plea to help rescue the Radiants. Is her choice selfish or justified?
Answer:
Venli’s choice is both selfish and emotionally justified. While abandoning the Radiants’ rescue seems cowardly, her insistence on verifying the survivors’ existence reflects a need for personal redemption—a chance to amend her crimes directly. Rlain frames staying as the moral path (“the best way to prove [remorse]”), but Venli, overwhelmed by guilt, sees finding her people as her only meaningful act. Her decision highlights her flawed but relatable humanity: she prioritizes immediate emotional relief (seeing the survivors) over strategic collaboration, suggesting her redemption arc remains incomplete.
Quotes
1. “A thousand lies, Rlain.”
This pivotal confession from Venli captures the weight of her deception and guilt. It represents the moment she fully acknowledges her role in betraying her people, marking a turning point in her character arc.
2. “You are a monster. You did this. You are responsible.”
Rlain’s harsh judgment underscores the devastating consequences of Venli’s actions. This quote is significant as it forces Venli to confront the truth about her past decisions and their impact on her entire people.
3. “I wondered deep down if I was a traitor. I now realize I didn’t have the first notes of understanding what it meant to be a traitor.”
Rlain’s bitter reflection highlights the chapter’s exploration of betrayal and loyalty. This quote powerfully contrasts his previous self-doubt with Venli’s actual treachery, emphasizing the moral complexity of their situation.
4. “I need to see them with my own eyes, even if I have to walk there.”
Venli’s desperate determination to find her surviving people reveals her motivation for redemption. This quote shows her shifting priorities from self-preservation to making amends, while also demonstrating her emotional vulnerability.
5. “If you leave her as she is, she will remain imprisoned for eternity.”
This mysterious statement about the “captive Unmade” introduces an important supernatural element to the chapter. It suggests larger cosmic stakes beyond the immediate conflict and hints at future plot developments.