Happy Monday, Sanderfans, and welcome to another Wind and Truth reread discussion! This week we will cover chapters 61 and 62, in which we see Jasnah arrive in Thaylen City, Sigzil watching a new kind of Fused and the arrival of a thunderclast on the Shattered Plains, Renarin and Rlain sharing a moment, and Dalinar and Navani preparing to witness the creation of the Oathpact! Let’s dive in…
The book has been out long enough that most of you will hopefully have finished, and as such, this series shall now function as a re-read rather than a read-along. That means there will be spoilers for the end of the book (as well as full Cosmere spoilers, so beware if you aren’t caught up on all Cosmere content).
Paige’s Commentary: Plot Arcs
Chapter 61 is titled “Forced to Bow” and opens with Jasnah arriving in Thaylen City with a contingent of soldiers that were former slaves. She’s proud of this, but knows that not all freed slaves have been treated as well. This weighs on her mind, as does the letter she left for Wit, ending their relationship. She thinks that she should have done it in person—yes, you should have, Jasnah—but she hadn’t wanted an argument. (Still should have done it face to face.)
Fen is rightly concerned about another invasion of her homeland and wonders how the enemy could have raised such an army when there were already so many troops stationed in Emul or the Shattered Plains. Theylenah has no ships to speak of, not in comparison to the singers, and Fen worries about another Thunderclast. Jasnah says they’ll know more in a few days and thinks resolutely to herself that this time, “either she would be enough, or she would die in this defense.”
The POV switches to Leyten and Sigzil as they watch the enemy from the wall at Narak, the Everstorm highlighting their movements. Among them are twenty of a new kind of Fused, metacha-im, known as the Focused Ones. They are huge, over seven feet tall, made of loose cords like belts. The belts tighten and pull inward like coils of rope, forming muscles. They weigh more than Magnified Ones and are so dense that they have incredible strength… and can stop a Shardblade.
A highstorm arrives and when it meets the everstorm, it kind of crashes and dies out. Sigzil is disheartened at this but then Vienta tells him that the Stormfather is trying to help. The Magnified Ones begin to tear up the planking they’d place to try to keep out the Deepest Ones but Sigzil isn’t concerned about that. He thinks that the singers remain at a disadvantage… until a huge thunderclast shows up, because of course, it does…
In chapter 62, “Keeper of the Keys,” we peek in on Dalinar in the Spiritual Realm. He has the stone disc he took from Jezrien and it pulls him, Navani, and Gav into another vision. They assume that they’ve arrived at the day when the Oathpact is formed.
POV SHIFT!
Renarin appears in a vision wearing some type of robe. Glys tells him he’s in the wrong vision, that he was supposed to be elsewhere, but that his father is there in this vision. Then two figures enter, revealing themselves to be Ishar and Chana. He realizes he’s taken the place of Vedel and tries to participate in the conversation. Ishar talks of creating the bond but states that he’ll need Vedel to use Regrowth to make certain their immortality. Renarin is relatively certain that neither of them are the Ghostbloods he’s seeking.
POV SHIFT!
Dalinar studies the camp they’ve landed in and Gav whispers that he doesn’t like this place and the way things keep changing from vision to vision. He asks if they’re looking for something. Dalinar tells him he’s looking for “a way to become a mighty warrior—capable of defeating the greatest enemy I’ve ever known.” Then Gav perks up, saying he wants that, too. Dun-dun-dunnnn…
It looks as if a Highstorm is approaching. Dalinar prepares to seek cover the but the Wind speaks to him and tells him that the people prayed to Honor, who listened to such prayers then, and that he would modulate the storm. Navani hears it too, and then it starts to rain warm rain, as people in the camp laugh, looking up at the sky.
POV SHIFT!
Renarin, in the same vision, is in the tent where Vedel was when he arrived, and he realizes that today is the founding of the Oathpact. Another woman enters and ignores Renarin but then hums and Renarin recognizes it as a rhythm. He realizes it’s Rlain and asks if he’s located Shallan, which he hasn’t. They wonder why the Ghostbloods would come here and Renarin suggests that they want to follow Dalinar as they think he’ll lead them to Mishram’s prison. But Dalinar is looking for Honor and they both wonder if the events are connected.
As they talk, Renarin feels that for once, he isn’t blindly groping his way through conversations when he speaks with Rlain. He’s always struggling to figure out what everyone else is feeling but with Rlain, it feels so much easier to talk and be understood. Then Rlain asks if he can touch Renarin, as if for support; he can’t feel his carapace and hearing the rhythms is difficult. So he reaches to Renarin and as Rlain grasps his upper arm, Renarin feels “an unanticipated fire from that touch.” He feels a warmth that he’d never experienced with any woman. He feels like saying something, but then can’t bring himself to do it. Then Rlain lets go.
Renarin tries a Lightweaving to show them people’s futures, their souls, and thinks it might help to see who’s who. He breathes out Stormlight into a sphere and asks to let them both see. Only what they see isn’t quite what Renarin had hoped for. The sphere shows a singer, standing half in the world of men while wearing a Bridge Four uniform, and half in the world of singers, wearing a singer robe. He senses that Rlain is seeing the same thing, and then…
POV SHIFT!
Dalinar, Navani, and Gav stand in the pleasant rain, and Dalinar hears the Wind speaking. Surprising him, Gav speaks up, asking the spren why it’s being nice.
We are what Adonalsium left… the Wind said. And even the storm, before Honor, could be pled with at times…
They approach Jezrien and the others and finally, Dalinar realizes that the Oathpact is about to be made. And hopefully, the Honorblades will appear and, as Kalak, Dalinar would have one in his hands—”[a]n anchor that could carry him thousands of years into the future.”
POV SHIFT!
Renarin lets go of his light and looks out of the tent, spotting his father and Navani… and Gavinor. They’re visible as themselves since they aren’t hidden by their spren as he and Rlain were. Rlain announces that his own sphere is forming and when Renarin comes back over to him, he sees himself and Rlain in the sphere, kissing.
Then everyone enters.
POV SHIFT!
Dalinar follows Jezrien into the tent and there’s some bickering back and forth. Then Jezrien refers to Navani as Midius and Dalinar is surprised, as that is another name for Wit. As they all gather, Dalinar realizes that all of the Heralds are there, save Taln. Then Jezrien tells Vedel (Renarin, who appears oddly panicked) that it’s time, and asks her to “show us” and… end of chapter!
So much happening in that chapter, Sanderfans! Shooting back and forth between POVs, it’s rather exciting! Plus the Oathpact about to be forged! How do you like those cliffhangers?
Lyndsey’s Commentary: Character Arcs and Maps
Chapter 61’s arch Heralds are Chana (Common Man, Dustbringers, Brave/Obedient, and Guard) and Battah (Elsecallers, Wise/Careful, and Counsellor). Chana may be symbolic of both of our POV characters in their capacities as brave guards; Jasnah defending Thaylen City, and Sigzil at the Shattered Plains. Battah’s presence is similar; both Jasnah and Sigzil are also being wise and careful, and embody Battah’s role as counselor.
Chapter 62, on the other hand, has Vedel and Shalash. (Lots of lady Heralds this week!) Both Vedel and Shalash are physically here in this “flashback” in the Spiritual Realm, so that accounts for their presence here on a surface level. But are there deeper symbolic connections we can dig for? In Vedel’s case, she is often depicted as holding the “keys of immortality,” as Navani points out. This whole chapter revolves around the Oathpact where the Heralds gained their immortality, so that would certainly make sense. As for Shalash… Rlain and Renarin are being honest with one another? That’s the best I got.
Jasnah
In this, she represented the change she had always wanted to see in the world. A woman capable of leading an army.
Have to say, I really appreciate this quote, popularly attributed to Gandhi, being used here.
Had she truly made headway for other women, or had she merely become an exception that was suffered?
It’s understandable that Jasnah would question this—as the saying goes, every rule has its exception. But I’d argue that she has made a difference. Alethi culture is definitely changing, as we see by all the women joining the Windrunners to fight. Those societal roles previously held solely by men are opening up, and Jasnah’s strength of will, character, intellect, and her grasp of her burgeoning powers all combine to make her a force to be reckoned with and a guiding light to other women—not only those of Alethi descent, but from other countries as well.
What did it say that, in order to present herself as strong, she put on armor and engaged in traditionally masculine activities?
Sometimes you have to make concessions to the societal norms. Too much change all at once will frighten people; but if you implement the changes gradually, they’ll be more likely to accept them.
She was accompanied by an honor guard comprised entirely of former slaves. On paper they were free, having taken up weapons and been trained as proper paid soldiers. In her employ, she made their freedom a reality—and she sensed their gratitude.
So I find something really interesting about this, from a writing perspective. This moment seems to closely mirror one of Daenerys’ entrances in A Song of Ice and Fire (it’s been ages since I read the books so you’ll have to forgive me for forgetting the specifics). If I didn’t know that Brandon had only read the first book, I’d almost say that it feels like an homage. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve seen a powerful Queen entering a city with a loyal army comprised of the former slaves she’s freed, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
Anyway. I do really appreciate just… well, everything about Jasnah.
Yet she also worried about the power she had—that any Alethi monarch had—and how to set up checks on that.
How very timely to consider this, since we’re watching the same issue play out live in real life here in the US.
The note she’d left for Wit, formally ending their relationship. It had been the right thing.
Well that’s unexpected! Or… is it? Jasnah had seemed very displeased with their relationship the last time they saw one another. It was a bit of a dick move to do it by way of a letter, though.
Stop focusing on yourself, Jasnah thought, frustrated that she’d fallen into old ways of constant self-reflection. Fen needs you.
Ah, those pesky societal norms! I think even plenty of people who aren’t some flavor of neurodivergent struggle with this from time to time. It’s human nature to want to talk about ourselves. Empathy isn’t as common a trait as it really should be.
Ishar
I do not want to be senile for a thousand years.
Okay, that’s an entirely valid concern. I can’t blame him for wanting immortality as an alternative to that.
Gavinor
Remember, nothing in here can hurt you. It’s pretend.
I get why Navani is saying this, but it’s dangerously misguided, as we’ll eventually see. Just because the visions can’t harm Gav physically doesn’t mean they can’t traumatize him.
Rlain/Renarin
“It is you,” the woman said, looking relieved. “I thought it might be, from the fidgeting.”
Aww, they’re very keyed into one another’s mannerisms, aren’t they? It’s so adorable.
And… storms, he found it so much easier to read what Rlain was thinking when he hummed those rhythms to indicate his emotional state. Why couldn’t humans do something like that?
I absolutely love the fact that Rlain’s “difference”—the very thing that’s made him feel like such an outsider among Bridge Four for so long—is one of the very things that Renarin treasures.
With someone else, Rlain would have simply reached out to grab their shoulder for support, but Renarin liked people to ask first. Right, right. That was what Rlain was asking.
Sure. You go right ahead and tell yourself that, Renarin.
In all seriousness though, I do think that this was at least partially on Rlain’s mind. He’s already proven how observant and respectful of Renarin’s individualistic quirks he is. This would be just another example of that.
Renarin felt, in return, an unanticipated fire from that touch. A warmth that spread through him, like the one that others had always expected him to feel—told him he would. But which he’d never experienced from the women his aunt and others presented for him.
I have to say, I’m such a huge fan of this pairing. They suit one another so well, and… what’s this?! Physical chemistry in my Sanderson book? ::gasp:: (I will forever good-naturedly tease him about this, despite the fact that he’s actually gotten much better at it.)
Renarin
[…] his father looked straight at him, sparking an entire host of emotions. Happiness at seeing someone who could take charge—shame at not feeling like he should take charge himself. Embarrassment at not being able to say anything to indicate who he was. Even a bit of resentment.
Much like his brother, poor Renarin has a lot of reason to be conflicted about his father. And neither of them will have a way to confront and remedy this, either.
Artwork
The many layers that formed what seemed to be a fat being began to pull inward somehow. It had the look of dozens of belts cinching tighter and tighter—weaving underneath each other.
This illustration by Audrey Hotte and Ben McSweeney is a great depiction of the Focused Ones. I’m glad to have it, because the description of all the belts originally had me thinking of Final Fantasy characters!
Battle Tactics
Odium was willing to commit thousands of troops, all of his ships, and a good portion of his air support to taking Thaylenah.
We know from later in the book that he does not actually intend to do this at all. But what a clever feint on his part!
The enemy formed up to strike at Narak Four. Sigzil’s plan was working—they’d let the gate here burn partially down, on the plateau that had the lowest and weakest walls. The enemy was drawn to the fight they thought they could win, this plateau directly north of Narak Two with its Oathgate.
Not much has changed.
Drew’s Commentary: Invested Arts & Theories
Who’s here for more snark from Endowment?
If I were to give you the fuel with which to set yourself aflame, the resulting bonfire would then become my fault and not yours. For we all know what you are.
I mean, sure. We all know Hoid is a meddling annoyance and all of that. But this is a pretty strong statement, and assigning guilt this way almost makes it feel like there’s something more going on here. Maybe the Dawnshard gave Hoid more compulsions than just an aversion to harm.
Its command is Exist, which could have a pretty wide range of potential applications. The Change Dawnshard that Rysn currently holds would probably be a more likely candidate for forcing someone into meddling, but given what we know about the history of the Shards, Adonalsium, and in particular Odium/Rayse, I can see an avenue for Hoid being compelled to intervene in places he otherwise wouldn’t.
As for Valor, our dealings are none of your business—for largely the same reasons. Can you not leave her alone?
Ahh, Valor. The great dragon god Medelantorius. Apparently another old friend of Hoid’s, but one who is focused on keeping herself aloof (or at least apart). We get a fair amount of new information on Valor in this book, though in typical Brandon fashion it’s still quite limited—basically just a teaser for later Cosmere conflicts. I’m pretty darn fascinated, though. The idea of a dragon as the Vessel of Valor summons all kinds of awesome vibes, especially with where things are left in the Cosmere at the end of Wind and Truth.
The Focused Ones were beings of enormous girth, and were likely over seven feet tall, compared to the stormform nearby. They seemed obese, except their bulk wasn’t made of flesh, but instead of loose cords or… or belts. As if they were each wearing a costume made of hundreds of leather belts left loose.
This is another one of those spots where Brandon Sanderson just plain does something cool. I remember theorizing back in the day about potential other types of Fused, and I don’t recall anyone coming up with this. The idea of, essentially, walking springs is great stuff.
The highstorm struck…
And began to die.
…Speaking of extremely cool moments.
I remember reading this for the first time and getting a true sense of dread. After the sheer bombast of the first clash between highstorm and Everstorm over the Shattered Plains, the stage was set for one heck of a rematch. But then… quiet defeat.
There’s a lot of symbolism around the storms in these books, and this one really set the tone for the rest of the book. Essentially all of the major theatres of the war were settled not by some big clash of arms, but by a quiet twist: Dalinar letting Honor go, Jasnah losing a debate, Adolin sneaking into the throne room, Venli making a backroom deal.
And in chapter 62, we see the initial stages of the Oathpact itself. Is it bad that I don’t have much to say about this?
It’s fairly vague in a lot of the mechanical, Investiture-based stuff. We have a couple moments where Ishar hints at things:
“I will facilitate the bond,” he said. “But I need someone with skill in Regrowth to make certain our immortality, and to make of us deities.”
Things like that. It makes sense that Regrowth would be somehow involved in the creation of new bodies for the Heralds, but the how of it is left nebulous. My frustration with the lack of detail around the Oathpact itself doesn’t mean that this chapter gives us nothing to talk about, however.
Rlain stared into the sphere, and the light it cast from him made an image: a singer standing as if on a border, one foot in the world of men—represented by a city with human architecture—another foot in the world of singers, with each building in the more owing designs of his people. He wore half a Bridge Four uniform, half a singer robe, accentuating his carapace. All split right down the middle.
We get a very clear application of Renarin’s corrupted/Enlightened version of Lightweaving.
If I’m being honest, I always thought it was a little strange how much Rosharan/Alethi myth warned against future sight. The Surges available to Truthwatchers (and the name of the Order itself) seemed tailor-made for this: Illumination and Progression. Lighting the way forward. Seeing the future.
Back when it was first revealed that Renarin was a Truthwatcher, it all made natural sense. So when it turned out that he wasn’t a normal Truthwatcher, things stopped making so much sense to me. Why call them Truthwatchers if they don’t have visions? It’s almost like things got reverse-engineered, where Renarin’s powers should have been the cause for the name, but somewhere along the line Brandon worked in the Enlightened spren and Sja-anat… and kept the name anyway.
I dunno. Thoughts from the readers?
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 haven’t read the book yet.
See you next Monday with our discussion article on Chapters 63 and 64!