27. Playing Pretend
Contains spoilersOverview
During a high-level strategy meeting, Dalinar concludes the enemy is maneuvering for the Oathgates as communications fail across Roshar. Ialai installs Amaram as Sadeas’s regent, provoking Adolin and reshaping Alethi politics. Shallan links Helaran’s Blade to Amaram and Kaladin, then discovers disturbing, unremembered sketches. Resolute, she suspects an Odium-aligned spren mimicking murders and mobilizes Vathah’s crew to hunt it.
Summary
Shallan sketches during a strategy session at Urithiru while politicians argue. Pattern confirms her drawing of a thing in the cracks is an ancient spren tied to Odium, not to him. Reports show cities going dark and spanreeds cut off; a lone glyph from Kaladin says “time,” implying patience. Dalinar judges the enemy to be positioning for the Oathgates, possibly striking Azir or even Jah Keved, as Aladar supports him and Ruthar heckles.
Studying murder sketches, Shallan notes similarities among the victims and theorizes a spren is copying recent attacks. Malata, Taravangian’s Dustbringer, approaches, skeptical about the Desolation; Pattern warns Dustbringers like to break things to see what’s inside.
Ialai interrupts with Amaram and declares him regent and heir to House Sadeas. Elhokar ratifies the legality, and Dalinar—seeking unity—accepts, though Adolin erupts and leaves. Shallan follows, finding Adolin furious that Amaram now holds Sadeas’s title.
Shallan admits she believes Amaram killed her brother Helaran to take his Blade; Adolin reveals the shards came from Kaladin’s feat—Amaram slaughtered Kaladin’s men and claimed them. The implication that Helaran was the Shardbearer shocks Shallan, who pushes the thought aside.
Alone in the halls, Shallan discovers grotesque drawings in her sketchbook she doesn’t remember making. Pattern uneasily suggests fleeing, but Shallan refuses, compelled by the tower’s secrets. She seeks out Vathah and his crew, admits she has neglected them, and assigns dangerous work—likely involving drink—preparing them to help hunt the mimic-killing spren.
Who Appears
- Shallan Davar
Sketches during the strategy meeting, connects murders to an Odium spren, confronts Helaran–Amaram revelation, finds disturbing drawings, and recruits Vathah’s team.
- Amaram
Installed by Ialai as regent and de facto Highprince Sadeas; pleads to postpone his trial for the greater good.
- Ialai Sadeas
Announces Amaram as House Sadeas’s regent and heir, consolidating power after Sadeas’s death.
- Dalinar Kholin
Leads strategy; concludes the enemy targets Oathgates; accepts Ialai’s regency for unity and restrains Adolin.
- Adolin Kholin
Furious at Amaram’s elevation; reveals to Shallan that Amaram stole Shards from Kaladin’s deed.
- Pattern
Confirms the crack-creature is an ancient Odium spren; warns of Dustbringers; unsettled by Shallan’s unremembered sketches.
- Malata
Taravangian’s Dustbringer; skeptical about the Desolation and curious about the Radiants at Urithiru.
- King Elhokar Kholin
Ratifies Ialai’s appointment of Amaram as regent after confirming its legality.
- Navani Kholin
Affirms the legality of Ialai’s regency request during the meeting.
- Brightness Kalami
Scribes for Elhokar and reports on enemy movements and regions going dark.
- Highprince Aladar
Supports Dalinar’s strategic assessment of the enemy’s aims.
- Highprince Ruthar
Mocks Aladar during the meeting, fueling tensions among Alethi lighteyes.
- Renarin Kholin
Stands with Dalinar in Bridge Four uniform, uneasy under scrutiny.
- Vathah
Leads Shallan’s hired crew; receives new, dangerous assignments to help hunt the mimic-killing spren.
- Gaz
With Vathah’s crew in the barracks; present as Shallan reactivates the team.