Chapter 48
38. The Silent Storm
Overview
Shallan arrives at the Alethi court and delivers the news of Jasnah's death to Dalinar and Navani. After a tense political meeting between the highprinces, she strategically positions herself in Sebarial's warcamp rather than Dalinar's, gaining independence while securing pardons for her soldiers.
Summary
Shallan meets with Dalinar and Navani Kholin to inform them of Jasnah's death aboard the ship. She presents a carefully crafted version of events, omitting her magical abilities and claiming she set the ship on fire to create a distraction—a choice Navani initially condemns before accepting. Dalinar agrees to pardon the deserter soldiers who rescued Shallan's caravan. Shallan encounters Adolin and finds herself drawn to him, though she remains cautious. Dalinar offers her a position as a lesser clerk in his warcamp, but during a tense highprinces' council meeting, Shallan makes a bold decision. When multiple highprinces attempt to extract information about her homeland, she claims to already hold a position with Sebarial, citing his prior offer. Sebarial, surprised but amused, plays along. Dalinar delivers a cryptic parable about stacked stones, then announces his intention to march into the Shattered Plains to either defeat the Parshendi or negotiate peace with them. He reveals the Parshendi sent a peace messenger the night before the Assassin in White struck again, suggesting possible manipulation. Dalinar declares he will soon obtain more Shards for new Shardbearers, implying Adolin will win them. The meeting concludes with the political landscape visibly shifted. Shallan secures the king's seal on pardons for her soldiers before departing with Sebarial.
Characters
- Shallan DavarFormer ward of Jasnah delivering news of her death; secures her position with Sebarial and gains pardons for her soldiers
- Dalinar KholinHighprince who receives news of his sister's death and proposes a major military campaign into the Shattered Plains to find the Parshendi
- Navani KholinJasnah's mother; receives the news of her daughter's death with grief and initially blames Shallan before apologizing
- Adolin KholinDalinar's son; meets Shallan and shows romantic interest; sits behind his father during the council meeting
- ElhokarKing of Alethkar; presides over the council meeting and receives news of Jasnah's death from Shallan
- Highprince SebarialObnoxious, outspoken highprince who unexpectedly becomes Shallan's patron and employer after she claims his prior offer
- Highprince SadeasPowerful highprince allied against Dalinar; watches him with barely concealed hostility during the meeting
- Ialai SadeasWife of Sadeas; questions Shallan about Jah Keved and the Assassin in White
- Highprince AladarRenowned duelist and highprince who engages in political maneuvering; smiles at Shallan's insult toward Sebarial
- Highprince RutharOpportunistic highprince allied with Sadeas; attempts to invite Shallan to his warcamp and is rebuffed by Sebarial
- Brightlady Jayla RutharWife of Ruthar; opens discussion about the Assassin in White threat
- Highprince RoionCowardly highprince who attempts to invite Shallan to his palace
- Highprince HathamMediating highprince who questions Shallan's presence and attempts to understand the political dynamics
- Highprince VamahNeutral highprince who first notices Shallan in the room
- PatternShallan's spren hidden on her skirt during the meetings
- VathahSoldier who helped rescue Shallan; receives a writ of pardon from the king
- GazSoldier who waits outside the conference chamber with Vathah