AFTERWORD

Chapter 137

122. A Debt Repaid

Overview

Multiple plotlines converge: Kaladin reunites Bridge Four refugees and discovers Elhokar's son among them; Taravangian makes a dark bargain with Odium to preserve only Kharbranth; Shallan and Adolin are married, with Jasnah Kholin revealed as Alethkar's new queen; Moash accepts an Honorblade and is reborn as Vyre; and Dalinar begins learning to read and write, starting his personal record.

Summary

Kaladin flies across Roshar to a hidden refugee camp where he finds Drehy, Skar, and members of Bridge Four protecting Elhokar's young son—affirming their creed to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Meanwhile, Taravangian, cognitively impaired on one of his low-intelligence days, is confronted directly by Odium in a realm of golden light. The god reveals knowledge of the Diagram far exceeding Taravangian's own predictions and shows him how his plans have failed—Dalinar ascended despite predictions otherwise, and Renarin's bonding of a corrupted spren created a blind spot in Odium's sight. Desperate and outmatched, Taravangian accepts a bargain: in exchange for the Diagram's continued service, Odium will spare only Kharbranth and its inhabitants from destruction. The god demands the stolen Honorblade and intelligence on Alethi discoveries in the tower. At Urithiru, Shallan creates an illusory map of Roshar for military planning while Adolin proposes marriage. Dalinar pressure-tests Adolin toward kingship, but Adolin confesses to killing Sadeas and refuses the crown, suggesting Jasnah instead. The wedding proceeds with grand ceremony; Shallan's three brothers are unexpectedly reunited with her as a gift from Mraize, who also tasks her with finding or capturing an Unmade willing to break from Odium. Moash accepts an Honorblade (the Blade of Jezerezeh) from Leshwi and the Fused, becoming the agent Vyre and gaining their powers. Finally, Dalinar learns to read and write from Navani, discovering that masculine forms of certain words don't exist in the women's script—a symbol of how the Alethi gendered literacy. He begins writing his personal record, titled 'Oathbringer, My Glory and My Shame.'

Characters

  • KaladinArrives at Bridge Four's hidden camp after flying across Roshar, reunites with fellow bridgemen
  • DrehyBridge Four member sheltering refugees, greets Kaladin at the camp
  • SkarBridge Four member sheltering refugees, informs Kaladin of the child they protect
  • Elhokar's sonYoung child rescued and protected by Bridge Four
  • SylSpren companion of Kaladin, visible to the bridgemen
  • TaravangianMakes a binding pact with Odium in exchange for preserving only Kharbranth; surrenders the Diagram's service and demands for the Honorblade
  • OdiumDivine being who appears to Taravangian, demonstrates knowledge of the Diagram, and establishes a bargain
  • AdrotagiaTaravangian's elderly advisor, discusses coalition strategy and the Diagram's failures
  • DukarStormwarden serving Taravangian, notes his mental incapacity and consults on the Diagram
  • MrallTaravangian's bodyguard, participates in debates about the Diagram's accuracy
  • MabenRoom servant, checks on Taravangian's health
  • ShallanCreates magical illusion map of Roshar; discusses traitors and strategy with Dalinar and Adolin; prepares for and celebrates her wedding to Adolin
  • AdolinConfesses to killing Sadeas, refuses kingship, marries Shallan; appears affectionate and supportive
  • DalinarLeads military strategy discussions, recognizes a traitor among the coalition, proposes Adolin as king then accepts his refusal, learns to read and write from Navani
  • AladarHighprince who participates in military planning
  • HathamHighprince who participates in military planning
  • TeshavBrightness observing Shallan and Adolin's affection during the strategy meeting
  • NavaniTeaches Dalinar to read and write; facilitates Shallan's reunion with her brothers
  • Jasnah KholinArrives at the council chamber wearing a crown, revealed as Alethkar's new monarch
  • PalonaGossip columnist at Urithiru observing coalition disputes
  • SebarialPalona's companion at the council, pretends to sleep through discussions
  • Princess of YezierSubject of gossip discussions, rumored to be courting various nobles
  • MoashAccepts the Honorblade of Jezerezeh from Leshwi and the Fused, becomes the agent Vyre with new powers
  • LeshwiFused commander who offers Moash the Honorblade and calls him to serve in the sky as Vyre
  • KhenParshwoman who chooses to work breaking rocks with Moash instead of farming
  • PalSinger in warform who joins Moash breaking rocks
  • NamSinger who participates in breaking rocks with Moash
  • BalatShallan's oldest brother, unexpectedly arrives at her wedding
  • WikimShallan's brother, arrives at wedding after long separation
  • JushuShallan's youngest brother, arrives at wedding
  • MraizeGhostblood agent who orchestrates the reunion of Shallan's brothers and tasks her with capturing or converting an Unmade
  • LiftSends a dried fish as a wedding gift to Shallan
  • Queen FenSends a Marati rug as a wedding gift
  • KaDelivers boots from Kaladin and Bridge Four to Shallan
  • SzethThe Assassin in White, now serves as Dalinar's bodyguard
  • RialMentioned as one of Dalinar's bodyguards now serving as a squire
  • TeftMentioned as training new squires including Dalinar's former guards
  • KadashArdent mentioned as possibly being convinced by Dalinar's teachings
  • RockHorneater bridgeman mentioned as the rightful owner of Oathbringer, who insisted Dalinar take it back
  • AmaramMentioned as killed by Rock in obtaining Shards
  • PatternSpren companion of Shallan, approves of her wedding appearance
  • VeilShallan's persona, appears during her private wedding meditation
  • RadiantShallan's persona, encourages her to write a traditional prayer
  • Renarin KholinMentioned as having bonded a corrupted spren, creating a blind spot in Odium's foresight