AFTERWORD

Chapter 24

Chapter 28

Overview

In a war council, Wit reveals that Odium now has a new Vessel—the original holder, Rayse, is dead. The council discusses the three-pronged invasion threat to Azimir, Thaylen City, and the Shattered Plains, with only eight days to defend all three locations. Dalinar, the Mink, and other leaders devise a defensive strategy, assigning Adolin to Azir, Jasnah to Thaylen City, and Sigzil to the Shattered Plains, while tension between Dalinar and Adolin surfaces over a secret Shallan has been keeping about foreign spies in Urithiru.

Summary

The council chamber grows silent after Wit announces that Odium is no longer Rayse but a new, unknown Vessel. The Stormfather and Sibling confirm this subtle but profound change, expressing regret that the old Odium cannot be destroyed and concern that the new one will be more brash and willing to take risks. Wit explains that while formal agreements bind the divine power itself, lesser promises—like Odium's pledge not to exploit loopholes—are easily broken by a new Vessel who never made them. When Navani suggests relocating the capitals to thwart Odium's conquest clause, Wit reveals he already considered this; Alethi law makes the agreement immutable. The council faces a dire military situation: three armies are approaching three vital locations (Azimir, Thaylen City, and the Shattered Plains) within eight days. The Mink presents the troop situation—their main force is five to six days away from Azimir, a naval fleet of forty thousand approaches Thaylenah, and nearly a thousand Fused march on the Plains. After debate, Dalinar decides to send a skeleton force to Azimir (which can be reinforced by the returning army), concentrate most troops at Thaylen City's walls, and deploy Radiants to the Shattered Plains. Adolin volunteers to lead the Azir contingent with two thousand troops, Jasnah assumes command at Thaylen City, and Windrunner Sigzil is given the Shattered Plains. Tension erupts when Adolin delivers a message from Shallan: foreign spies working for offworld interests have infiltrated Urithiru and attempted to recruit her. Dalinar reluctantly authorizes Shallan's strike against them. The chapter ends with Dalinar and Adolin's strained relationship evident in their brief, guarded exchange, followed by Dalinar's cryptic statement that he encountered a god on the way to the meeting—something he needs to discuss privately.

Characters

  • NavaniAttends the council, consults with the Sibling and Stormfather telepathically, suggests relocating capitals as a strategy, and observes the tension between Dalinar and Adolin
  • DalinarLeads the war council with the Mink, makes final decisions on troop deployments to the three battlefronts, struggles with his relationship with Adolin, and hints at an encounter with a god
  • WitReveals that Odium has a new Vessel, explains the binding nature of divine agreements and loopholes, and assists in analyzing the military situation
  • The StormfatherConfirms Odium's change of Vessel and expresses rage at Rayse's death
  • The SiblingCommunicates with Navani during the meeting, confirms the Vessel change, and demonstrates the tower's ability to repel Fused
  • FenRepresents Thaylenah, expresses concern about defending her island against forty thousand invaders, advocates for troop allocation to defend Thaylen City
  • YanagawnThe Azish Emperor, worries about Azimir's defense with limited forces, stands up for his homeland and asks the Mink to consider its vulnerability
  • The MinkA Herdazian general serving as military strategist, analyzes each battlefield and advises Dalinar on troop deployment and defensive priorities
  • KmaklA Herdazian navy man, takes notes on contracts with gods and provides input on military matters
  • JasnahSuggests the strategy of committing minimal forces to Azir, volunteers to lead the defense of Thaylen City, and rises to take command of the western front
  • AdolinSteps forward to volunteer for the Azir mission with two thousand troops, returns to deliver Shallan's message about foreign spies, and has a tense exchange with Dalinar
  • NouraA vizier representing the Azish, studies Alethi legal codes and confers with Wit about imperial consequences
  • KzalA vizier who reports Azimir's city defender count to the council
  • SigzilA Windrunner scout who provides intelligence on the three invading armies and is appointed by Dalinar to command the Shattered Plains defense
  • StargyleA military officer who creates a brilliant illusory map of Roshar for the council's tactical discussion
  • ShallanMentioned as having discovered foreign spies in Urithiru working for offworld interests; sends a message via Adolin requesting authorization for a strike operation
  • Yezier and Desh representativesSmaller kingdom leaders within the Azish imperial state who listen to the council's deliberations