Chapter 40
Shallan’s Sketchbook: Honorspren
Overview
Adolin realizes the Tukari humans were not following his group but rather trailing the honorspren Notum, and he gallops back alone to rescue him from a coordinated attack. With help from Maya, who joins him mid-fight, and the arriving soldiers, Adolin defeats the much larger Tukari force and saves Notum's life, though sustaining a serious wound in the process.
Summary
The chapter opens with Adolin and Shallan finding peace during a morning walk. As the group travels through Shadesmar, Felt reports that the Tukari humans who had been traveling nearby have turned south and appear to be leaving. Adolin suddenly realizes the Tukari were never pursuing his party—they were following Notum. He immediately races after them on Gallant. Meanwhile, Shallan (appearing as Radiant) realizes the truth simultaneously and mobilizes the camp to follow. Adolin arrives to find Notum surrounded by over a dozen Tukari, bound and being repeatedly stabbed, with Notum's three Reacher attendants also restrained. Adolin dismounts, leaving Maya with instructions to free Notum, and charges into the fray with his greatsword. He uses speed, training, and brutality to keep the larger force at bay, quickly killing several men and intimidating the rest. However, he is eventually wounded by a spear strike to his right side while surrounded. Just as he begins to tire, Maya joins him, positioning her back to his and wielding a sword in a kata stance they practiced together. Her presence—perceived as a deadeye fighter—terrifies the Tukari and prevents them from surrounding Adolin. With his back protected and his soldiers approaching on horseback, Adolin rallies and drives the Tukari into retreat, killing several more and forcing their leader to flee. When Felt and the others arrive, they find Adolin bloodied but alive, Notum rescued, and the threat eliminated.
Characters
- AdolinHighprince leading the mission who recognizes the Tukari threat to Notum, charges into combat alone, and fights the larger force using skill and brutality, sustaining a serious wound before help arrives
- Shallan/RadiantTakes leadership when Adolin rushes off, quickly mobilizes the camp and soldiers to follow him into the battle
- MayaDeadeye spren who unexpectedly joins Adolin in combat, protecting his back with a sword and intimidating the Tukari through her fearsome presence
- NotumHonorspren being tortured by the Tukari when Adolin arrives; rescued and defended by Adolin though gravely wounded
- GallantRyshadium warhorse who carries Adolin and Maya to Notum's location and returns to help disrupt the battle
- FeltForeign scout who reports the Tukari's departure and arrives with soldiers to reinforce Adolin at the battle's end
- GodekeEdgedancer who scouts ahead and participates in the forced march to support Adolin
- ZuStoneward who marches with the group to support Adolin's rescue effort
- Ua'pamCharacter who suggests the alone time between Adolin and Shallan
- ArshqqamCharacter who suggests appealing to honor as a diplomatic strategy
- MalliFelt's wife who brings Maya to Adolin for the journey
- MeritSoldier who helps care for Gallant during the rest break
- Tukari leaderCommands the attacking Tukari force against Notum and flees when overwhelmed by Adolin's reinforcements
- Notum's attendantsThree Reachers bound and set aside during the attack on Notum