107. The First Step
Contains spoilersOverview
Dalinar regains focus, corrects the coalition’s assumptions, and identifies Thaylen City—not Jah Keved—as Odium’s next objective. He pivots strategy to a naval defense, refuses to recant his heresy, and retains the ardents. Meanwhile, Taravangian mobilizes Malata and Adrotagia to undermine Dalinar by leaking explosive revelations, as Moelach’s activity resurges.
Summary
Dalinar wakes after a week of drinking, cleans himself, and tests his bond with the Stormfather—who denies sending his vivid Nohadon dream but admits a fleeting sense that Kaladin might still live. Dalinar escorts Taravangian to a war meeting in Urithiru, where he apologizes for his absence and listens as the coalition outlines a defense of Jah Keved.
As strategy debates unfold—spurred by Navani, Aladar, the Veden highprince Nan Urian, and Jasnah’s cool retorts to Ialai—Dalinar senses a flaw. A brusque exchange between Ruthar and Jasnah jolts his thinking: the enemy will not commit to Jah Keved’s grinding front. Dalinar instead identifies Thaylen City as the true target, citing its Oathgate, naval position, Everstorm damage, and preserved ships. Plans pivot: more troops are ordered, but Queen Fen and her admiral stress the fight will be decided at sea.
Taravangian offers merchant vessels; Vedens have hulls but lack crews; Azir can spare a ship-rotated battalion. Dalinar commissions Fen’s admirals to assemble a joint fleet while Fen warns that Thaylen religious unrest may worsen unless he addresses charges of heresy. Dalinar refuses to recant. Later, Dalinar meets Kadash, offers to release the ardents; Kadash declines, insisting the people need them and asking Dalinar for a clarifying public statement.
Pondering the enemy’s chain of command, Dalinar asks the Stormfather about a leader; the spren notes he can see a particular woman among Odium’s forces. Dalinar inquires after the next highstorm, implying a plan to engage through a vision.
Elsewhere, Taravangian, feeling his age, learns Moelach has moved to the Horneater Peaks and dismisses Graves as irrelevant. He meets Malata, a Releaser bonded to the ashspren Spark, who eagerly demonstrates Division and affirms willingness to work against other Radiants. Taravangian orders Adrotagia to have Dova anonymously leak damaging secrets and Dawnchant translations to sabotage Dalinar, lamenting that harming a good man is now necessary.
Who Appears
- Dalinar Kholin
Recovers from a week of drinking, identifies Thaylen City as the enemy’s target, mobilizes a fleet, and retains the ardents.
- Taravangian
Excluded from tactics meeting; privately orders leaks to sabotage Dalinar; offers ships; conflicted yet resolute.
- Navani Kholin
Supports Dalinar, maintained order during his absence, attends the council, and shares research via Jasnah.
- Queen Fen
Insists on naval strategy for Thaylen City; warns of religious unrest among sailors; commits admirals to planning.
- Jasnah Kholin
Delivers scholarly papers, rebuffs Ialai, and helps frame the council’s thinking that precedes Dalinar’s realization.
- Highprince Aladar
Leads the coalition’s tactical session, coordinates deployments, and adapts plans toward Thaylen City.
- Kadash
Ardent who refuses reassignment; urges a public statement to steady faith amid Dalinar’s heresy.
- Ialai Sadeas
Skeptical observer; prods for secrets; trades barbs with Jasnah but withholds open confrontation.
- Ruthar
Blunt highprince whose jibe at Jasnah coincides with Dalinar’s strategic epiphany.
- Nan Urian
Veden highprince who argues to hold the Horneater borderlands; contributes tactical insight.
- Thaylen High Admiral
Explains fleet realities, crew shortages, and deck-fighting needs for the defense of Thaylen City.
- Fen’s son
Warns that an enemy fleet can bypass strongpoints; argues for true naval coverage.
- Adrotagia
Manages spanreeds and Diagram operations; prepares anonymous leaks to strike Dalinar.
- Malata
Releaser Radiant bonded to ashspren Spark; spies on Urithiru and eagerly demonstrates Division.
- Spark
Ashspren allied with Malata, driven by vengeance against Radiants; supports destructive aims.
- Stormfather
Denies sending Dalinar’s dream; hints Kaladin may live; notes a visible female enemy leader.
- Mrall
Taravangian’s wary bodyguard; escorts him and monitors his frailty.
- Moelach
Unmade reported to have settled in the Horneater Peaks, suggesting Death Rattles may resume.