I-13. A Part to Play

Eshonai oversees the newly transformed Parshendi forces on a training plateau outside Narak, learning that the Alethi are preparing to march toward them. She strategizes with her sister Venli about when to use their ability to create a highstorm as a weapon, ultimately deciding to wait until the humans are nearly upon them to maximize the storm's tactical impact.

Eshonai walks the circular plateau outside Narak where her transformed soldiers train in their new forms, humming to the Rhythm of Fury. Venli approaches with news that an agent has confirmed the Alethi intend to march toward Narak in force, apparently spurred by Eshonai's recent visit to the Blackthorn. Venli suggests they immediately summon a highstorm to bring about something grand, but Eshonai refuses, insisting the storm must be used as a weapon during battle rather than wasted now. When Eshonai presses for details about how Venli knows the storm's direction, Venli cryptically references the songs and suggests the storm will blow the right way this time, implying other storms have blown wrong. Eshonai realizes they must wait until the Alethi are practically upon them to catch their forces in the storm. Venli departs to oversee teaching and preparation, speaking to the Rhythm of Craving, while Eshonai notices her sister seems too comfortable in the new form and reflects with irony that she, who hated being a general, will be remembered in songs as the warleader who crushed the Alethi.