Greetings, Sanderfans and Cosmere Chickens, and welcome to another Monday morning Wind and Truth preview chapter read-along discussion. This week, we’re diving into chapters 10 and 11, picking up once again with Kaladin and Shallan. We know some of you might be wishing for more of a mix of POVs, but fear not… as you’ve surely noticed, we’re on Day 1 of the book. Perhaps you can guess how things will go from here?
Note that this post will possibly contain full Cosmere spoilers, so beware if you aren’t caught up on all Cosmere content. And please remember, when posting or commenting about these preview chapters on social media, to follow your platform’s spoiler rules. We’ve had a couple of things spoiled for people who are waiting for the book to arrive in December and we want to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Your comments here, however, don’t need to be spoiler tagged so feel free to comment to your heart’s content down below!
Let’s get to it!
Paige’s Summary and Commentary
Chapter 10 is titled “Book-Quartermaster” and the epigraph (which Lyndsey quotes in full below), mentions that Szeth’s quest “would shape all our futures.” This is intriguing because it almost reads as if Szeth’s quest has more bearing on the future of Roshar than the contest of champions. And it kind of shifts the urgency, at least for me, from that contest to Kaladin and Szeth’s buddy cop adventure. I can’t wait to find out who wrote this book. I’m still thinking Jasnah or Sigzil. What say you all, now that Szeth himself has been eliminated as a possibility?
This chapter starts with Kaladin following Syl to what he thinks of as the scribe’s supply depot. Here, a very snooty “book-quartermaster” reluctantly places a book on the counter. It’s a book made with moveable type—pretty cool, huh?—and Syl tells Kaladin that it’s a copy of The Way of Kings. She said she got it for him because she’s his scribe, and it’s so amazingly sweet that he doesn’t complain about its weight, and simply thanks her.
Then Syl asks the book-quartermaster for her other things and the woman sends a runner girl to fetch them. While they’re waiting, a woman passes wearing a type of uniform the book-quartermaster identifies as a ko-takama, female warrior clothing. Syl instantly changes her outfit to match and when the woman suggests she wear leggings beneath it, Syl guesses that’s so that people won’t see her “chull.” She then teases the woman about creating a chull head, down there, because humans seemed so embarrassed by what was between their legs that Syl assumed it must be ugly. Hence, a chull head. Then she tells the woman that sometimes she feeds it grass and scares the old biddy away. I found this exchange to be particularly funny, because it’s so obvious that Syl is messing with the haughty woman.
The book-quartermaster brings back paper, ink, and pens, which sound like quills crafted from feathers since Kaladin has heard that they’re made of chicken parts. ::giggle:: He’s impressed when Syl manages to pick up one of the pens which, really, is quite impressive for a spren. She’s really growing by leaps and bounds! But then the bitchy—can I say bitchy here?—book-quartermaster watches Syl painstakingly write a letter and witheringly congratulates her on having the skill of a four-year-old. Kaladin is understandably angry and, taking a minute to consider his words, asks what she’s afraid of—since she must be afraid of something to treat people in such a way. He tells her he feels sorry for her and suggests that she talk to someone about her problems and try to grow… and the woman actually attracts a shamespren. So hopefully, Kaladin’s words got through to her.
Syl happily tells Kaladin that now she can actually be his scribe and then corrects his use of the term “book-quartermaster” by explaining that the woman is the head librarian, of the library (and not “the scribes’ supply depot”). She doesn’t tease him, though, just calls him adorable. And they fly off, presumably to Rlain’s celebration.
Chapter 11 is titled “Musicspren” and the epigraph states that the Wind swore there was a contest in Shinovar that was equally as vital as the contest of champions. What do you think Sanderfans? Is “the one that the Wind swore was equally vital” referring to Szeth’s contest or something else?
I’m not sure we’ve ever heard of a musicspren before. Let me check the previous books… Hold, please. ::elevator music:: And I’m wrong. There are musicspren in the Prologue of The Way of Kings (and also in Oathbringer), which took the form of spinning translucent ribbons. They sound pretty. Let’s see what they look like in Shadesmar.
Yes, Shadesmar—meaning we’re back to Shallan who, when we left her, had somehow manifested Radiant, who then stabbed a Fused with a Shardblade. The Fused had named himself Abidi the Monarch. Oh, gee, how novel… a Fused who’s full of themself. ::rolls eyes:: Anyway… Unfortunately, Radiant’s Shardblade didn’t burn out his eyes—which makes me wonder if it was only an approximation of a Shardblade—or pierce his gemheart. It didn’t seem to do much of anything, really, as Abidi dodges Radiant, swinging for his neck. He does seem amazed at Radiant’s presence, however, and asks Shallan if she’s learned substantiation. Which (I checked) is something we’ve definitely never heard of before now.
“I thought your kind had forbidden that skill. Odium will need to know.”
Hmm… very interesting. Substantiation sounds like creating a substance, perhaps. Shallan does manifest Radiant from, well, nothing. It seems to wear her down to do it, but somehow she does it. Could it be something that, with her increasing skill with her surge of Illumination, she’s only able to do in Shadesmar? Could she possibly do it in the Physical Realm? I have so many questions. But let’s continue.
Abidi the Obnoxious flees and the bubble collapses as the illusion of Radiant disappears. Shallan searches through the beads, wanting to find one that represents a room and, voila, she finds one immediately.
A part of her mind acknowledged that it was incredibly—even supernaturally—convenient to find the exact bead she needed so quickly.
That is a bit odd, considering she used to have to search and search to find something she could use for a given situation, and she just happened to find this bead instantly? Interesting. What’s stranger is that she hears Adolin in her mind calling her name and she knows just which direction to go to find him in the beads.
Feeling overwhelmed, Shallan walked to him, still clutching the bead. It seemed… eager to be helpful.
What?
She’d never felt such a sensation from a bead before. And what was that voice that had led her toward Adolin?
Okay, I’m really curious about this. The bead is eager? Shallan is encountering all of these new abilities and sensations and I’m wondering if she’s about to level up.
Then Shallan has a moment where she wonders if Adolin is real or one of her illusions. It’s kind of sad that she can’t trust her own mind. I know what that’s like and, I assure you, it’s no fun to wonder if something is real or if you made it up.
She starts to move the bead room to go help Drehy and the others and suddenly, a face forms from the beads on one side of the room. Okay, this is hella creepy, Sanderfans. Big time. Sorry to keep quoting the text I’m supposed to be summarizing but I’m so excited about what’s happening with Shallan!
In her mind, a woman’s voice speaking to the rhythms.
I will kill you. I will burn everything you love. I will exact vengeance in a river of blood!
Adolin’s voice was a panicked but distant sound. Darkness tunneled around Shallan.
I will rampage across this world until not a single human remains drawing breath. Betrayers, thieves, monsters! I will send you back to the flames from whence you—
Adolin slammed an oversized, massive greatsword into the face. An eruption of beads burst from it, like a wellspring of water. The entire cavern disintegrated.
What. In. Braize. Was. That? It wasn’t some illusion that Shallan’s tired mind conjured up. Adolin saw it and, presumably, heard it, too. And when he stabbed the face with his sword, it disappeared, along with the voice. So bizarre… and I am here for it! Give us more creepy faces and voices, Brandon!
Shallan again reaches for a bead, looking for something like Navani’s traveling sphere (used in Rhythm of War, if you recall) and, just like that, she finds one. This is more than just coincidence, as she thinks. This is something more. I swear, she’s about to level up. I actually thought that’s what she was doing in Chapter 9 when she talked about being afraid, when Radiant asked her, “What are the Words?” Did that not seem like Radiant was asking her to speak a truth and level up? I mean, is it just me or did anyone else get that from her admitting her fears? Her words weren’t accepted… maybe she needs more truth than just being afraid of herself? How much more real can one get beyond admitting that?
Moving on… They emerge from the bead ocean and again engage the Fused. Abidi the Arrogant goes after Shallan but is stopped by Adolin, who stabs the Fused through his side. He tries to fly away but runs out of Voidlight and crashes into the bead ocean. Shallan manifests the illusion of Radiant again, who uses a Shardbow to shoot large arrows at the Heavenly Ones, who retreat.
Shallan forms a room again and moves them all down to the bottom of the bead ocean where they are able to retrieve the spren. Fearing the Fused would pursue them into the ocean, Shallan moves the beads in the direction of the Azimir Oathgate. Adolin is, understandably, concerned about Gallant and asks if he would still be going in the same direction. Drehy has a fabrial from Navani that he calls a compass, and states that he thinks they’re going in the right direction. To quote the text again:
“You think?” Shallan asked.
“This device points to something far in the distance. Something the Sibling called ‘the Grand Knell, source of the Current, the death of a god.’ ”
“Not at all ominous,” Shallan said, sitting up.
The source of the Current? What the what? And the death of a god? Surely they’re not going to where Honor died. Right? Would that be in Shadesmar? Admittedly, I’m grasping at straws, but what other god has died on Roshar?
Adolin is worried about Gallant so Drehy goes out to find him. The Ryshadium is alive and well, and Drehy fetches the others, as he says there’s something they’ve got to see. And they find musicspren. They’re in the shape of glowing horses, in a herd all around Gallant. They definitely look different than the translucent ribbons they appear as in the Physical Realm.
Not a horse, but something that evoked the same impression: with a long, smooth neck and flowing strands of hair. Glowing, lithe, ethereal.
Gallant sees Adolin and gallops toward him. Reunited and it feels so good! The musicspren turn to leave, all except one, which turns to look back at Adolin. Then it goes to him and puts out its muzzle, which Adolin lifts a hand to touch. I’m like… Sureblood? Is that you? This was my first thought. What about you, Sanderfans?
The last section of the chapter sees the party sneaking forward to get a glimpse of what the Heavenly Ones had been guarding. Much to their dismay, they find hundreds of singer ships headed to Azimir. Dun-dun-dunnnn.
So what do you think about this week’s chapters? Will Syl actually teach Kaladin to read and write? I personally think he has no interest in that kind of thing. Is there yet another contest besides the contest of champions and Szeth’s contest in Shinovar? Does it concern Kaladin and the Wind? Kaladin working with Ishar? WHAT IS IT? I feel that we have no further evidence, this week, of who the writer of the in-world book might be. I know that Jasnah and Sigzil are foremost in many people’s minds, including mine. How about the discovery of the singer fleet in Shadesmar? That was quite a bomb to drop on us at the end of this week’s preview! What do you think will happen there? Let us know in the comments! Can’t wait to discuss these chapters with you!
Lyndsey’s Commentary
The Herald portrayed in all four spots in the arch for chapter ten is Nalan (Nale), Herald of Justice, patron of the Skybreakers. His attributes are Just/Confident and his role is Judge. It seems very odd that Nale’s the Herald of this chapter. He never shows up, nor do any of his Skybreakers, and neither Kal nor Syl seem to be embodying any of the roles or attributes associated with him. I guess we could make a case that Kal’s being quite confident here, but that seems like a stretch.
Chapter eleven features Shalash (Ash), Herald of Beauty and the Lightweavers in all four spots. Her attributes are Creative/Honest, and her role is Artist. It’s pretty clear that Ash is here because this is a Shallan chapter, so this one’s pretty straightforward.
The second moment had happened already. It is when Szeth himself decided to take upon him this quest. The one that would shape all of our futures.
—From Knights of Wind and Truth, page 8
For while the contest of champions was to happen in the East, a different contest was to happen in Shinovar. And one that the Wind swore was equally vital. Perhaps more so.
—From Knights of Wind and Truth, page 8
MORE vital than the contest of Champions with Odium? Well isn’t that an interesting tidbit… What’s going to happen in Shinovar that’s so integral to the survival of the entire Cosmere?
Syl
A woman came to the counter and received prompt service, even deferential. Kaladin watched with annoyance. They treated Syl differently because she was a spren?
There’s a lot of interesting stuff in this chapter regarding Syl and how she’s grown as a person, and how she reacts to others. The librarian in this chapter disregards her and puts her down, and Syl reacts as any young girl, unsure of herself, might—she wilts. That veneer of being “high and mighty” gets stripped away and we see her for who she really is. She’s only recently begun showing herself to people other than Kaladin and, later, the members of Bridge Four. So suddenly she’s going to start encountering people who don’t treat her like a “little piece of a god,” or a princess. It’s rather telling to see how Syl reacts. She doesn’t immediately tell the librarian off. She doesn’t ignore her. She wilts.
“Changing is what takes the effort.” She gestured to herself. “This is me, my shape, my face—it’s who I am. I can change to be other things—bits of nature are easier. But eventually I will snap back to this shape. The same one I have in Shadesmar. That changes only in exceptional circumstances.”
I find it interesting that she makes this distinction, considering how much we’ve seen her personality shift and change over the course of the series so far. I’m sure Drew will delve more into the “I am who I perceive myself to be” aspect of Investiture and I wouldn’t want to cramp his style, so I’ll leave that in his capable hands. But when it comes to thinking about Syl’s character arc and personality, which is my purview, I’ll say that there are some interesting parallels here between her physical self and her emotional self.
Kal/ Syl
Syl wilted, and Kaladin immediately felt a jolt. His annoyance at this woman simmered into something hotter. He opened his mouth, a dozen different options springing to mind. She wanted a scene? Oh, he could make a scene.
“You are absolutely adorable sometimes.”
It sure does look as though this ship is setting sail, doesn’t it? I’m still not a fan, personally. I’m sure there’s a contingent of fans out there who are jumping in glee and more power to you, my friends. I’m legitimately happy for you. Just not my personal cup o’ tea. I think, for me, I’ve just always seen Syl as a younger sister type to Kal. This reminds me of that anime trope of the boy who gets a new stepsister and suddenly a romance develops. Is there anything wrong with it? Technically, no. It just squicks me out.
Kaladin
Makes me wonder if you’re the same, and have some reason you’re so angry and unpleasant.
Seeing Kal shift from righteous anger to empathy is very telling. I think a lot of us know that feeling of wanting to jump to a friend or lover’s aid, to defend them and stop someone from hurting them. But Kal stops himself before he can say anything hurtful and instead pivots to doing what he does best—helping people to heal. He opens the librarian’s eyes to the fact that she’s being mean and spiteful, but he does it in a relatively gentle way that allows her the opportunity to change rather than shutting her down and turning her defensive. That’s quite a feat, honestly, and it speaks to his recent efforts to counsel people and help guide them to heal themselves.
Adolin/ Shallan
“I created Radiant,” Shallan whispered. “I could have created you… Maybe that’s why you’re so wonderful.”
These two continue to be such a breath of fresh air, relationship-wise, though I do feel like the relationship is a little one-sided. Adolin does a lot of supporting and cheering Shallan on, and she doesn’t outwardly do a lot of supporting back. And I don’t mean saving his life, because she does do that a fair amount. I mean emotional support. I don’t recall her ever talking to him about his troubles with his dad for instance… but then, my memory’s notoriously bad. Can any of you chickens out there think of times when Shallan was emotionally supportive of Adolin?
Shallan
For years, Shallan had hated herself. Now she merely feared herself. That was progress.
The first step towards acceptance, I suppose.
Adolin
“What about Gallant?” Adolin asked, his voice pained. “Will his Lashing still be working?”
I know that Gallant is more than a simple pet, but I still find it immensely relatable how worried Adolin is for his fur-baby. (Let’s be honest here though, if it were a human he knew, Adolin would be just as worried, because he’s the Best Boy.)
Drew’s Commentary: Invested Arts and Theories
Back to two chapters this week, and one of them is fairly light on magic—much more focused on character moments, as Lyn’s discussed above. Thankfully, the second chapter is an absolute doozy when it comes to Investiture, Realmatics, and the frankly weird. Thanks for that, Shallan.
“You have learned substantiation?”
While I gave one possible theory last week for what the heck it was that Shallan did when she stabbed Abidi the Fused, we get some information here that might allow for a different interpretation. “Substantiation” sounds like something much more in line with the Surge of Transformation, rather than simply using Lightweaving/Illumination to essentially create laser weapons.
It’s clearly not the same thing as Soulcasting, especially given Abidi’s comment that the Radiants had “forbidden” substantiation in the past. Perhaps this is a unique resonance between Transformation and Illumination—perhaps also the sort of thing that isn’t easily achievable for normal Radiants. But Shallan is Shallan, and these recent chapters have made it abundantly clear that her double bond situation allows for all sorts of weirdness.
Shallan! a voice said in her mind.
Maybe this book should’ve been titled Voices and Truth, because there sure seem to be a bunch of different mysterious voices already. Shallan doesn’t think this is Pattern or Testament, and based on the sequence of events here, it almost seems like it’s Adolin. Shallan has demonstrated Spiritual Connection to people in the past, via her art, so maybe she’s developing a Cognitive Connection to Adolin? Was it a precursor to Mishram speaking, moments later? Or maybe this is Shardplate spren talking to her… We still don’t really know what the deal is with Shallan’s Plate, despite hints as far back as Oathbringer and a major truth unlocked in Rhythm of War.
As last week highlighted, Shallan is not progressing in a normal manner, even for a Lightweaver—the “I’m terrified” truth unlocked her substantiation ability, at least in some manner, but she already used “I’m terrified” as a truth back in The Way of Kings. It’s more and more apparent that Shallan is often taking one step forward and then taking a half step back.
…the Grand Knell, source of the Current, the death of a god.
Well then. This definitely feels like it should be referring to the distant white sun in Shadesmar, with clouds streaking out from it. But it opens up all kinds of questions, at the same time. The Current of what? Which god’s death? Is it Honor, or maybe even Adonalsium?
And last but not least:
Eventually the herd moved off, giving Gallant nuzzles before going. All except one, who lingered, looking over its shoulder at Adolin.
Yeah, that’s definitely Sureblood.
Fan Theories
brinton_k over on Reddit had it spot-on last week after Shallan’s party was attacked: “Now that the Azimir Oathgate is allowing people to transfer to Shadesmar, I wonder if this is something Odium can make use of. I’ve been thinking that Odium might strike Azimir through the pass along the Yulay-Azir border, but what if he strikes through Shadesmar instead? Notum has said that the enemy has ‘full control of the Shadesmar seas.’ Perhaps the reason that Shallan and Adolin’s party is attacked is because they were about to see Odium’s fleet closing in and the Fused wanted to stop them from sending warning.” Did anyone else call this happening, with the singers attacking through Shadesmar?
Also over on Reddit, regarding the author of the in-world book, Okush said: “What if the epigraph author is grown up Lift? Writing this history in the back half of the series.
That Edgedancer comment makes me think… also the comments about knowing the Wind as a child… feels more like a Lift thing rather than a Jasnah thing.” Could Lift become studious enough as she ages to turn into a historian, philosopher, and writer?
Regarding Shallan manifesting Radiant, Redditor Royal-Foundation6057 said: “I actually think what Shallan does manifesting radiant might not require multiple bonds. It seems like you could accomplish this with a combination of light weaving and soul casting.” To which valgerth replies: “I came here just to be hype about this specific thing. That was my theory since Oathbringer.” Do you think this line of thinking has any merit, Sanderfans? There’s more discussion there and you can check it out here.
Along the same lines, Hirinjay had this to say about Shallan here on Reactor: “For Shallan, when else were her illusions more solid? I can’t recall.
Be. Drehy.
Woah. I wonder what else her Identity manipulation can do? Especially with her double Cryptic bond. Both of her Surges are strongly connected to Identity, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a lot more powerful stuff coming out of her.”
In one Discord server, “Seraphem” has this to say about the earlier epigraph stating people are less familiar with spren: “What if the author of this is one of the Fused, and they are talking about back in the Dawnsinger days as when that was common?”
This is a fascinating possibility, and not one that gets brought up often—if at all. It does make sense that the Fused would have a different, perhaps lesser, relationship with spren on Roshar after they made their deal with Odium.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the comment sections of posts about this article on various social media platforms and may include some of your comments/speculation (with attribution) on future weeks’ articles! Keep the conversation going, and PLEASE remember to spoiler-tag your comments on social media to help preserve the surprise for those who choose to wait for the full release. See you next Monday with chapters twelve and thirteen!
