AFTERWORD

Chapter 2

Part One: Burdens

Overview

Set seven years before the main timeline, this chapter depicts Queen Navani managing the logistical chaos of a lavish feast while Gavilar meets secretly with mysterious visitors about strange spheres and a hidden project. After a heated confrontation where Gavilar reveals his contempt for her, Navani learns he has been assassinated by the Parshendi during the celebration.

Summary

Navani works frantically to accommodate her husband King Gavilar's last-minute additions to a grand feast—including Parshendi drums and numerous unexpected guests—while managing palace staff and attending dignitaries. She encounters the master artifabrian Rushur Kris in the gardens but is intercepted by Aesudan before she can speak with him. Discovering that Gavilar has hidden wine stores and frequently absents himself with mysterious "uncommon figures," Navani finds him in her study meeting with two unidentified men (one Makabaki, one Vorin) discussing strange glowing spheres, a "Connection" to Braize, and a "box" that allows travel. When confronted, Gavilar refuses to explain himself and cruelly dismisses her intellect and accomplishments, claiming she married him only for power and that she loves Dalinar instead. He reveals he is pursuing something grand—entering the realm of gods and legends—and warns that her words cannot touch his legacy. After their devastating argument, Navani channels her fury into painting a glyphward prayer for his death. During the feast, Gavilar is assassinated by the Parshendi, who have secretly fled the palace. Jasnah witnesses him fall from a balcony. Though Navani experiences shock, regret, and pity rather than true grief, she discovers the pouch of spheres is now empty. She retrieves spheres from her hair, places them in the pouch with Gavilar's body, and composes herself to help stabilize the kingdom in the aftermath.

Characters

  • NavaniQueen of Alethkar managing the feast while confronting Gavilar about his secrets; witnesses his body after his assassination
  • GavilarKing of Alethkar who conducts secret meetings about mysterious spheres and a project involving Braize; is assassinated by the Parshendi during the feast
  • MarathamPalace organizer who helps coordinate the expanded feast preparations
  • Brightlord AmaramMentioned as having stores of grain and being involved in Gavilar's plans; later appears to offer condolences
  • AesudanNavani's daughter-in-law and Elhokar's wife; interrupts Navani's conversation with the artifabrian and socializes with highlords
  • Rushur KrisMaster artifabrian visiting the palace with new fabrial inventions; briefly encounters Navani in the gardens
  • ElhokarNavani's son and Aesudan's husband; presides over the pre-feast gathering in his father's absence
  • AdolinNavani's grandson who appears at the feast in formal uniform, delighting young women
  • RenarinNavani's grandson who appears awkwardly at the feast in formal uniform
  • DalinarGavilar's brother whose presence at the feast affects Navani emotionally; Gavilar mentions he is aware of Navani's former love for him
  • JasnahGavilar's daughter who witnesses his assassination from the balcony and is instructed by Gavilar to marry Amaram against her wishes
  • Highlord Rine HathamGuest seeking an audience with Gavilar about a border dispute
  • The Makabaki ambassadorOne of two mysterious visitors meeting with Gavilar about the spheres and Braize project; leaves abruptly
  • The Vorin ambassadorThe second mysterious visitor who expresses concern about the project and mentions another operative is present at the palace
  • GerehElderly palace steward who informs Navani of Gavilar's assassination with great distress
  • SadeasPresent at the palace and later explains to Navani his role in the events surrounding Gavilar's death
  • Sister TalanahNun at the monastery where Navani keeps a private wine store
  • ParshendiMysterious humanoid beings who perform at the feast and orchestrate Gavilar's assassination before fleeing the palace