Happy Monday to our loyal readers, our cherished Sanderfans and Cosmere Chickens! And welcome to another Wind and Truth read-along discussion. Last week we discussed the events of chapters 23 and 24, where a disguised Shallan managed to gain entry into the secret lair of the Ghostbloods, and young Szeth danced in our first flashback! This week, we’re here to discuss what’s going on with Shallan and Dalinar in chapters 25 and 26. Check out the social media section at the end of the article to see if we spotlighted one of your comments!
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. Your comments here, however, don’t need to be spoiler tagged, so feel free to comment as you will down below!
Paige’s Summary and Commentary
Chapter 25 is titled “Purposeful Danger” and opens with Shallan descending into the depths of Narak to a large underground room filled with Ghostbloods. Oh, it’s real now! The Thaylens she admitted to the hideout while masquerading as a guard stop to admire several of Mraize’s prizes that he’s collected from various worlds. Shallan turns to find Sja-anat looking at her, reflected in the glass of another display case. Sja-anat smiles at her and then vanishes. Rather unsettling, isn’t it? Considering that we know little about Sja-anat’s plans or endgame. What is she doing there? Working for the Ghostbloods or spying, as Shallan herself is? It’s interesting to think about.
Shallan skulks around the edges of the group, scoping out the room and noting both people she had known were in the society and those who were new to her. She sees Iyatil crouched, surveying the room, and when she attracts the woman’s gaze, Shallan crouches as well, mimicking her posture, hoping to avoid Iyatil’s attention.
Mraize plays with some kind of contraption that shoots large, heavy-looking arrowheads, and another Ghostblood mentions that it’s a Thaylen weapon, intended to deliver a payload. Shallan sees Mraize with a bolt with a gemstone on it and she realizes that with anti-Stormlight, it could be used to kill a spren or a Radiant.
Mraize also pulls out his seon, which takes on the likeness of Felt, who tells those assembled that Mishram’s prison is in the Spiritual Realm. Shallan can’t stop the shockspren from manifesting around her. She realizes that Felt and the seon, Ala, had been Ghostblood spies all along.
Mraize announces that Cultivation has visited Dalinar, who will go to the Spiritual Realm and that he, Mraize, will follow him, along with Iyatil. Then Iyatil herself crosses the room, approaching Shallan; she bends down and speaks to her in a language that Shallan doesn’t know.
We jump to Dalinar, of course, because we must be left in suspense, worrying that Shallan may have been discovered by Iyatil after just a few minutes!
Dalinar is speaking with Navani in the garden room and she asks him if she’ll lose him if he ascends to Honor, which is quite a heartbreaking possibility to contemplate. After how many years of a loveless marriage to Gavilar, and all the years of being alone after he died, she finally gets together with Dalinar only to lose him again? Hasn’t Navani been through enough? Hasn’t she sacrificed enough? Does she have to give up Dalinar, as well? ::Paige has sad feels:: Navani asks why it has to be him that does this and, of course, Dalinar thinks that he’s the only one who can do it. He feels that something has been guiding him and that the contest may not be the most important thing right now.
Wit pops in and offers his thoughts. He thinks that Dalinar needs to see—to relive—the history of Roshar since the humans arrived, which will allow Dalinar access to truths and revelations that even Wit doesn’t know. And bloody hell, but Wit knows a lot—to think about the secrets that even he doesn’t know about is kind of mind-boggling. Wit also mentions that he doesn’t know why the Stormfather would lie. I thought that was unsettling back in the prologue when he lied to Gavilar; it’s still concerning to know that he’s lied to Dalinar.
Navani again wonders what would happen were Dalinar to take up the shard, and Wit chimes in:
“Dalinar would Ascend,” Wit said. “His mind would expand to see with the eyes of deity. The Shards are not omniscient—it is relatively easy to hide things from them. But they are . . . blessed with a near-infinite capacity to understand. To see into the future, in its many permutations, and to comprehend what that means.”
We saw Taravangian’s ascension, and frankly, it was alarming. Of course, the pruned Blackthorn isn’t as scary as Taravangian was—smart Taravangian, at least. So perhaps Dalinar ascending wouldn’t be as frightening? Perhaps. What do you all think, Sanderfans? What unexpected realizations might Dalinar have if he takes up the shard of Honor? Will he also think he has a plan to save everyone and fix everything? Or might he really be able to solve the problems of Roshar without being a creeping, creepy creep?
I just don’t know. He speculates that if it doesn’t work, he could find another to give the shard to but Wit says that’s not a likely scenario… that once one holds the power of a god, it’s not so easy to give it up. I mean, could you see Taravangian seeing reason and deciding to give up Odium’s shard because he’s just a little crazy with all of that knowledge and power? Yeah, neither could I.
Forgive me from highlighting another section, here, but it’s better read from Brandon than from me:
“Surely it has been done,” Dalinar said.
Wit grew distant, a faint smile on his lips. “Once. It wasn’t a full Ascension, but a mortal did give up the power once. It proved to be the wrong choice, but it was the most selfless thing I believe I’ve ever witnessed. So yes, Dalinar, it is possible. But not easy.”
Is he talking about Vin? I kind of feel like he’s talking about Vin. I could be wrong, but she did take up Preservation for a minute, right? So that’s got to be who Wit’s talking about, right? Or am I overlooking something, Sanderfans?
Moving on, Navani tells Dalinar that she’s going with him. Because of course, she is. And is he really going to argue with her? No. No, he’s not. Wit wants to stage a test run into the Spiritual Realm and suggests that they find a place lower in the tower, in case it doesn’t work. That way, they won’t have as far to fall. …I’m sorry, what?
Chapter 26 is titled “Hunting the Hunter” and thankfully, we return to Shallan, who tries to think of how to field Iyatil’s question or order, which the woman repeats after a moment. After Iyatil glances toward the other mask-wearer, the man, Shallan takes a chance and simply responds with “a curt nod,” which seems to satisfy Iyatil. She goes to speak to the other off-worlder and Shallan follows. Iyatil and the male Scadrian have a hurried conversation and Shallan understands none of it.
To save her own… assets, her interior Veil voice encourages her to find a distraction, so Shallan stares at a doorknob and when it’s obvious that it’s her turn to speak, she points and whispers, “Sja-anat.” This has the desired effect of pulling Iyatil’s attention from the conversation that Shallan doesn’t understand. Iyatil checks out the doorknob and seeing nothing, she leaves the others to go talk to Mraize. Shallan is left alone when the male Scadrian follows Iyatil, leaving her to pretend to study the doorknob.
Then, who should show up in the shiny doorknob but Sja-anat. She tells Shallan that she’s clever for managing to get out of that conversation without being able to speak their language. Shallan holds a whispered conversation with the Unmade and flat out asks her whose side she’s on. Hey, someone’s being direct and trying to get useful info? Well done, Shallan!
Sja-anat says that she fights for “survival” and that Odium has proven that he doesn’t care about her or her children. She basically suggests that Shallan should join her. It’s rather refreshing to see her lay the cards out on the table this way. How do you feel about Sja-anat and her seeming rejection of Odium, Sanderfans?
Iyatil and Mraize approach and, surprisingly, Sja-anat does not hide. Iyatil tells the other Scadrian, Lieke, to stay and entertain the others while she and Mraize (with Shallan following) enter the alcove occupied by Mraize’s trophy case. Only it’s not his, it’s Iyatil’s, who points to the glass and Sja-anat’s reflection. She asks Sja-anat why she’s there when she’s supposed to be watching the Bondsmiths. The Unmade answers that she would draw attention from the Sibling so her children watch instead.
Then… ::drumroll:: Mraize drops a bomb right on Shallan’s head. He reminds Sja-anat, who is questioning why they’d want to risk becoming lost in the Spiritual Realm, that she had told him that “our spren could guide us.”
Yup… they’re Radiant, bonded to Sja-anat’s children. Shallan remembers being the one to arrange Sja-anat’s meeting with the Ghostbloods. Radiant reassures her and tells her not to be too hard on herself for this unforeseen consequence.
Meanwhile, Sja-anat warns Mraize and Iyatil that Mishram is not “fond of humans,” which we gleaned when she appeared to Shallan in Shadesmar. Angry Unmade is angry.
Then Mraize asks Sja-anat if Shallan is hunting them. The Unmade confirms that she does hunt them and does not look at Shallan! She’s totes covering for her. I love it! Then Iyatil tells Mraize that he fixates too much on Shallan, that her attention will be on protecting her loved ones. She sends Mraize away and tells Shallan (still in disguise, of course) that something is wrong with him:
“I do not think he has been replaced with a duplicate, but I do question his loyalty to our cause.”
Wait, what? Replaced with a duplicate? She’s his Babsk and she thinks it’s possible to “replace” someone that she knows so well? To the point that she can’t tell if it’s really him? How…?
Then Iyatil talks of finding Mishram for her purposes and says that Thaidakar can protect his land if the Shards can be controlled. She asks Shallan if this will fit her plans as well and Shallan doesn’t know how to answer so she nods again.
Then Iyatil focuses on Shallan and, presumably, realizes that her eyes are wrong. Shockspren appear as she realizes it’s not her cohort behind that mask. She shouts:
“Radiants! We are discovered!”
Wait. Radiants? Are they ALL storming Radiants? Holy guacamole on a chouta, Sanderfans… the Ghostbloods have leveled up in the most dangerous way. How can Shallan and her Unseen Court go head to head with Radiant Ghostbloods? What do you all think of this development?
Please, please discuss all the things in the comments because we want to see your thoughts on these super interesting developments!
Lyndsey’s Commentary
For chapter 25, all four Herald portraits are of Jezrien (Jezerezeh), Herald of Kings, patron of the Windrunners. His attributes are Protecting/Leading, and his role is King. This doesn’t seem to relate to Shallan’s section, but it does relate to Dalinar’s part. He’s talking about ascending to hold the Shard of Honor, and leading/protecting the entirety of the world, if not the Cosmere.
Chapter 26 is also a pretty obvious choice, with all four portraits being of Battah (Battar), patron of the Elsecallers. Her attributes are Wise/Careful and her role is Counsellor, and if Shallan’s not the embodiment of care and wisdom in this chapter, I don’t know who is.
The Almighty has given us the limbs to move and the minds to decide. Let no monarch take away what was divinely granted. The Heralds also taught that all should have the sacred right of freedom of movement, to escape a bad situation. Or simply to seek a brighter dawn.
I continued on my way, contemplating dust and the nature of desertion. For I, as king, had walked away from my duties, and it was different for me. Had I not renounced a throne the Almighty had granted, and in so doing, undermined my very own words? Was I abandoning that which was divinely given me?
—From The Way of Kings, fourth parable
Interesting that these excerpts are coming now, when Dalinar is considering abandoning his duties as “king” and seeking a higher power.
Felt
Felt was a Ghostblood.
Reminder that Felt was one of the men that went with Dalinar to visit the Nightwatcher, and was with Adolin and Shallan on their trip to Lasting Integrity. I’ll let Drew go into more detail about his status as a worldhopper.
Dalinar
From Jasnah or Adolin, perhaps those words would have been a challenge. A question why he always put himself in the center of the issue. He found such questions ridiculous—who else could he trust with a problem of such magnitude? Someone needed to walk the difficult roads, and—as ruler—it was his duty.
Hubris vs. responsibility… it’s a fine line to walk, to be sure, and a fundamental part of Dalinar’s personality. Where does the line between tyrant and leader fall? Is he right about his understanding of when to lead vs when to delegate responsibility… or is his ego getting the better of him?
Sja-anat
I am on the side of preserving a world for my children.
And who can blame her for that, truly? The more we see of her, the more I question whether she’s the villain she’s been labeled. Though… that said, what villain really considers themselves to be a villain? Taravangian also only wanted to protect his own, and look at the atrocities he committed to provide that protection…
Iyatil & Thaidakar (Kelsier)
He works to protect his homeland above all else, but once we find Mishram for my purposes, he will see. Master Thaidakar can only protect his land if the Shards can be controlled.
Something gives me the feeling that Kelsier wouldn’t be terribly pleased with this secret being withheld from him. He always has been the type to appreciate his compatriots having plans and agency, but this seems to be going too far.
Drew’s Commentary: Invested Arts & Theories
All right, Cosmere fans. Here we go.
Straight away, we follow Shallan down into this new Ghostblood lair, and we’re treated to Mraize’s Cosmere Goodies 2.0. (Well, not Mraize’s. Iyatil’s. We’ll get to that.) First, we have to break down what exactly we’re looking at, here.
Housed in a small room full of glass-fronted cases, each unlabeled artifact had its own shelf lit by a handful of chips. A silvery horn or claw from some great beast.
Brandon leads off with something sure to get some eyebrows raised: Dragonsteel. This is almost certainly from a dragon, just like we’ve previously seen in Tress of the Emerald Sea on the great scholar dragon Xisis.
A chunk of light red crystal, like pink salt—though of a deeper, more vibrant color.
Here we have some Roseite Aether, again as seen in Tress of the Emerald Sea (and The Lost Metal). This actually showed up in Words of Radiance as well, the first time Shallan saw Mraize’s collection. Knowing what we do now about how Aethers work, though, raises the question of whether this is the same bit of Roseite Aether, or if Mraize/Iyatil/the Ghostbloods have another source of it on Roshar. It sure doesn’t seem like TwinSoul is visiting them, given what we find out in The Lost Metal.
A violet stone egg, partly crystalline, with silver swirling around its shell.
Then we get our first big question mark. This object doesn’t resemble anything we’ve seen in published canon (or really anything in readily available unpublished canon, either.) My gut instinct upon reading this was that it’s a dragon egg, hence the silver swirl. That’s an easy leap to make, with a Dragonsteel claw or horn sitting right next to it.
But there’s a wrench in that possibility. This Word of Brandon indicates that his plan, at least a couple years ago, was to have dragons be born like humans and live the first stretch of their lives entirely in human form. But curiously, he waffles a lot while answering the question, leaving room for some changes.
What if the birth of a dragon depends on who the parents are? Maybe a female dragon mating with a human male could end up with a hatching situation, and the inverse being a live birth?
Or perhaps this is a Sho Del egg. In canon, we’ve still seen very little of them—just a couple brief glimpses in The Sunlit Man and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, along with the MeLaan epilogue in The Lost Metal. They certainly have some draconic qualities, and they don’t seem to have the same ability as dragons when it comes to shapeshifting.
It could also be something entirely new, something Brandon is saving for something more in the future. Maybe The Isles of the Emberdark will hold an answer? Maybe we have to wait for the Dragonsteel series itself…
A fat, succulent leaf that pulsed red and seemed to radiate heat.
Another one that doesn’t have an easy answer. There are a couple of places in the known Cosmere with noteworthy vegetation, and Words of Radiance showed that the collection includes the Tears of Edgli flower from Nalthis. But this leaf, emitting heat, doesn’t really line up with anything we saw in Warbreaker; nor does it immediately fit with the local flora of Patji in Sixth of the Dusk.
It seems we have a couple new things to keep our eyes peeled for in forthcoming Cosmere publications.
A vial of pale sand she now recognized as having a very practical application.
Unfortunately the final item named in the collection is a well-known quantity at this point, so there’s not much room for speculation. White Sand has become more and more of a ubiquitous tool in the Cosmere, though that brings its own ramifications.
The Lost Metal shows that Autonomy is aggressively moving against Scadrial, yes, but Wind and Truth takes place before Mistborn Era 2—and Arcanum Unbounded indicates that there was some sort of blockade or closure, preventing visitors from reaching the world. Word of Brandon is that that was only temporary, but we don’t know when the restriction was lifted. Certainly during the events of Secret History it was still closed off, which we know thanks to Khriss’ comments to Kelsier.
How long has Iyatil been working on this? Perhaps she visited everyone’s favorite tidally locked planet before Autonomy said “no thanks” to foreigners?
A quick aside for a random theory on a throwaway line:
If there is room for my children, there will be room for yours.
Is Shallan pregnant? Anyway…
“My trophy case. I see her reflection.”
And there’s the boom. Of course all this was Iyatil’s rather than Mraize’s. She’s the boss, after all—Shallan just gets fixated on Mraize because he’s the one who steals the spotlight. Speaking of stealing the spotlight, it’s easy to forget all the neat little things in the trophy case when this just happened:
“You said our spren could guide us,” Mraize said, stepping closer to the mirror.
Whoo boy, things just got a whole lot more difficult for Shallan and the Unseen Court. Mraize and Iyatil, bonded to Enlightened spren sent by Sja-anat… they have a serious Investiture arsenal at this point. Mraize holds Breath, as we saw in Rhythm of War. He’s got an Aviar, he’s got anti-Light, and now he’s in control of two indeterminate Surges.
And now the jig is up, and Shallan is surrounded by a bunch of Ghostbloods.
Fan Theories
Lyn: In the weekly discussion thread over on Reddit, Saruphon has this interesting theory based on the epigraphs:
From this i predicted that someone will get to leave Roshar at the end of WAT, maybe Odium (in case odium lose) or the knights radiant (in case Dalinar lose). … This is Alethi Right of Travel, but BS putting this here foreshadow that someone or some group will get right of travel to leave Roshar even if their team lose (likely Knight Radiant)
As for hilarious off-the-wall tinfoil hat theories that will cause me to eat one of my many renaissance faire hats if it’s right, we’ve got redshadow310 speculating:
What if Stick is a shardblade? In an earlier chapter it’s mentioned that abandoned blades fade in the physical world after time. What if they don’t fade completely but the perception of them changes? A deadeye radiant spren, abandoned on an isolated beach for millennia begins to perceive itself as a stick like all the other driftwood around it and changes form.
I’m not saying it’s impossible. Sanderson’s thrown some pretty wild curveballs at us, after all. But mark my words, if this turns out to be true, I’ll be consuming a cap.
I think Mastpar speaks for us all when they say “I would die for Bippy!” I have similar thoughts about Molli the ewe which can be summed up thusly.
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 27 and 28!
