Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
I‑1. Sylphrena
by Sanderson, BrandonSylphrena, the honorspren bonded to Kaladin, senses the approaching highstorm with childlike excitement, comparing its energy to distant music. She moves invisibly through Urithiru, preferring the company of children who treat her with casual familiarity rather than reverence. Finding few people awake, she visits Cord, Rock’s daughter, who acknowledges her with a respectful gesture and leaves an offering of food. Syl playfully transforms into a tuber in response, though she doesn’t eat, showcasing her whimsical nature. The chapter highlights Syl’s dual personality—both playful and deeply caring—as she anticipates the storm’s arrival.
Syl examines Cord’s Shardplate, noting its difference from Shardblades; while both are made of spren, the Plate feels content rather than pained. She reflects on her own divided nature: one side is responsible, driven by her bond with Kaladin and larger concerns like Honor’s ideals, while the other is childlike, easily distracted by noises, shapes, and curiosities. Her thoughts race with questions about names, sensations, and the world around her, revealing her unique perspective as an honorspren. This duality sets her apart from others of her kind, except perhaps Rua, another spren who shares her restless curiosity.
As Syl flits through the tower, she recalls faint memories of Urithiru’s vibrant past, contrasting it with its current dormant state. She checks on Kaladin, who sleeps peacefully, and worries about his inner struggles, comparing his “dark brain” to her own chaotic thoughts. She hopes his new role as a surgeon will bring him peace but fears it may not address his deeper turmoil. Despite her playful exterior, Syl’s concern for Kaladin underscores her deep bond with him and her desire to help him find solace.
The storm’s arrival pulls Syl back into her exuberant side as she joins windspren in the chaotic winds. Yet, even in her joy, she clings to her worry for Kaladin, determined to find a solution for his pain. The chapter ends with Syl pondering the origins of intelligent spren like herself, hinting at larger mysteries about their creation and purpose. Her character embodies a blend of lightheartedness and profound empathy, making her a compelling narrator who bridges the whimsical and the weighty themes of the story.
FAQs
1. How does Sylphrena perceive and interact with the world around her, and what does this reveal about her nature as an honorspren?
Answer:
Sylphrena experiences the world through a dual perspective, which she describes as having “two brains.” One is responsible and focused on important matters like her bond with Kaladin and the fate of the world, while the other is childlike, curious, and easily distracted by sensory stimuli like music, cooking, or shapeshifting. This duality highlights her unique nature among honorspren—while she shares their sense of duty and connection to Honor, she also possesses an uncommon playfulness and wonder. Her interactions with Cord (observing the cooking, playing with the tuber offering) and her excitement about the highstorm demonstrate her capacity for joy and spontaneity, traits that set her apart from other honorspren except perhaps Rua.2. What contrasting perspectives does Sylphrena offer on Shardplate and Shardblades, and why does she view them differently?
Answer:
Sylphrena distinguishes between Shardblades, which she hates, and Shardplate, which she finds less offensive. She senses “contentment, not pain” from Cord’s Shardplate, suggesting it doesn’t carry the same tragic history as Shardblades—which are implied to be the corpses of dead spren. The key difference lies in attitude and origin: Shardplate may be composed of “lots of corpses” (perhaps lesser spren), but its current state doesn’t evoke the same suffering. This reflects Syl’s deeper understanding of spren nature and her emotional sensitivity to the remnants of her kin. Her appreciation for Cord’s Plate also stems from its positive use, contrasting with the weaponized purpose of Blades.3. How does Sylphrena’s internal monologue about Kaladin reveal both her compassion and her limitations as a spren?
Answer:
Syl recognizes Kaladin’s struggle with his “dark brain” (depression) and desperately wants to help him, but she admits she can’t fully understand his human experience. She hopes his new role as a surgeon will bring peace but worries it won’t address his deeper pain. This shows her deep empathy and investment in his well-being, central to their Radiant bond. However, her inability to grasp human psychology—despite her metaphorical comparison to her own “two brains”—highlights the inherent disconnect between spren and mortal minds. Her determination to “hold onto” the problem rather than get distracted (as she normally would) underscores her growth and commitment to him.4. Analyze the significance of Sylphrena’s interactions with Cord and what they reveal about Horneater culture.
Answer:
Cord’s ability to see Syl (inherited from her father Rock) and her respectful greeting (touching shoulder-shoulder-forehead) demonstrate the Horneaters’ unique spiritual connection to spren. The tuber offering, though unnecessary since Syl doesn’t eat, reflects a cultural tradition of honoring spren as divine beings. Cord’s full name—a poetic “wedding band”—further emphasizes the Horneaters’ reverence for language and symbolism. Syl’s appreciation for these gestures shows cross-cultural respect, while Cord’s Shardplate (a rare achievement for her people) symbolizes the merging of ancient traditions with new roles in the changing world. Their interaction bridges human and spren perspectives.5. What thematic tensions does Sylphrena embody in this chapter, and how do they relate to broader themes in the story?
Answer:
Syl embodies several key tensions: between duty and playfulness (her “two brains”), between ancient history and present action (her memories of Urithiru’s past vs. current concerns), and between immortal understanding and mortal suffering (her bond with Kaladin). Her childlike wonder contrasts with her awareness of looming conflicts, mirroring the series’ balance of hope and darkness. The chapter also explores identity—through her reflections on names, her shapeshifting, and her atypical honorspren nature—which ties to broader themes of self-definition in the Stormlight Archive. Her fleeting memory of Urithiru’s lost light hints at the cyclical nature of history, a recurring motif in the series.
Quotes
1. “She had a different brain too. The brain that was fascinated by the world—the brain that acted like it belonged to a small child. A loud noise? Better go see what caused it! Music on the horizon? Dart back and forth, eager with anticipation!”
This quote captures Syl’s dual nature as an honorspren, highlighting her childlike curiosity alongside her more serious, duty-bound side. It reveals the internal tension that makes her such a unique and relatable character.
2. “He has two brains too, she thought. A light brain and a dark brain. She wished she could understand him.”
This poignant observation about Kaladin’s mental state shows Syl’s deep concern for her Radiant while mirroring her own duality. It underscores one of the chapter’s central themes - the complexity of consciousness and inner conflict.
3. “Honorspren—all of the intelligent spren—were something new to Roshar. Well, new as in ten-thousand-years-old new. So… newer.”
This quote provides important worldbuilding about the nature of spren while showcasing Syl’s characteristic humor. It hints at the deep history of Roshar and the unique nature of intelligent spren.
4. “She loved her little cousins for their joy, their simple excitement.”
This brief but powerful statement reveals Syl’s affectionate nature and her connection to other spren. It contrasts with her more serious responsibilities and shows her capacity for joy amidst her concerns.
5. “The difference, she supposed, was attitude. She could sense contentment, not pain, from the Plate.”
This insight about Shardplate versus Shardblades offers a fascinating philosophical perspective on spren perception. It suggests that intention and state of being matter more than physical form in the Cosmere.