121. Ideals
Contains spoilersOverview
In the battle’s aftermath, Dalinar entrusts the King’s Drop to Navani and asks to learn to read, while Shallan definitively chooses Adolin. Szeth swears loyalty to Dalinar, and Venli quietly nurtures a new listener identity. Taravangian admits abandoning Dalinar. Finally, Moash uses Odium’s knife to kill Herald Jezrien, a loss Ash viscerally feels.
Summary
In ruined Kholinar, Moash labors among slaves, numb after killing Elhokar. Leshwi summons him to Hnanan, who presents a golden, sapphire‑pommeled knife and relays Odium’s command: after killing a king, will Moash kill a god?
At Thaylen City, Navani rushes to Dalinar. He entrusts her with the King’s Drop containing an Unmade and asks her to study it, then, unconventionally, to teach him to read. On the walls, a depleted Shallan grapples with her personas until Adolin arrives; later, in the streets, he offers to step aside for Kaladin, but Shallan decisively chooses Adolin, and they reaffirm their bond.
Aboard a retreating ship, Venli—secretly bonded to Timbre and able to attune old rhythms—hides her bond while listening to parshmen doubt their future. Resolving to reclaim listener identity, she begins teaching them their past. High above the city, Szeth speaks with Nin and swears to follow Dalinar Kholin; his spren accepts. Nin cautions him about the dangerous Surge of Division and departs.
Kaladin reflects on humans as invaders and the nature of Radiant oaths, resolving not to abandon Syl or his duties despite messy truths. With Bridge Four, he supports Teft—newly glowing yet struggling—and worries for Rock’s guilt. In the triage tents, Lopen comforts the wounded and, at last, speaks his Second Ideal as a Windrunner.
Dalinar pauses in a temple and confronts Taravangian, who bluntly admits abandoning him to seize control if Dalinar fell, reveals Dova/Battah warned of the Desolation, and confesses to later directing Szeth’s assassinations. Meanwhile in Kholinar’s gardens, Moash executes a deranged man—Jezrien—with the golden knife. The sapphire drinks something vital; the Herald’s death is final.
As aid continues, Kaladin departs on urgent business. Elsewhere, Ash escorts a broken Taln from Thaylen City when she feels a soul‑rending absence. Recognizing Jezrien’s severed essence, she collapses, observed and quietly identified by Jasnah’s sketches, marking the catastrophic end of a Herald.
Who Appears
- Moash
Singer slave favored by Leshwi; accepts Odium’s task and kills Herald Jezrien with a golden knife.
- Dalinar Kholin
Entrusts the King’s Drop to Navani, asks to learn reading, and confronts Taravangian’s calculated betrayal.
- Shallan Davar
Exhausted and fractured, asserts her identity and decisively chooses Adolin over Kaladin.
- Adolin Kholin
Intends to step aside for Kaladin, but is reaffirmed by Shallan’s choice; they reconcile passionately.
- Kaladin Stormblessed
Accepts Shallan’s decision; wrestles with humans as invaders; supports Teft and worries for Rock.
- Navani Kholin
Receives the Unmade‑holding gem to study and agrees to teach Dalinar to read.
- Szeth-son-Neturo
Swears to follow Dalinar; sets a quest to cleanse Shin leaders; Nightblood at his side.
- Nale (Nin)
Skybreaker patron; endorses Szeth’s oath, admits flawed judgment, and cautions about Division.
- Venli
Secretly bonded to Timbre; hides it while teaching parshmen about listener heritage.
- Timbre
Spren bonded to Venli; muffles a Voidspren within and communicates via rhythmic pulses.
- Taravangian
Admits abandoning Dalinar and later directing Szeth; claims a Herald in Kharbranth warned him.
- Ash (Shalash)
Escorts a broken Taln; senses Jezrien’s soul severed and collapses.
- Talenelat (Taln)
Broken Herald; follows Ash and collapses when Jezrien is truly slain.
- Lopen
Cheerfully aids wounded; finally speaks the Second Ideal, becoming a full Windrunner.
- Jezrien
Once king of Heralds; permanently killed by Moash’s Odium‑forged knife.
- Lady Leshwi
Fused commander who favors Moash and draws him into Odium’s designs.
- Hnanan
High-ranking Fused who delivers Odium’s command and the soul‑drinking knife to Moash.
- Teft
New Windrunner; struggles with addiction; receives Kaladin’s support and leadership.
- Rock (Lunamor)
Haunted after killing Amaram; sits apart, burdened by perceived oathbreaking.
- Sylphrena
Kaladin’s spren; confirms painful truths and reassures him about oaths and timing.
- Jasnah Kholin
Checks on Shallan; later recognizes Ash and Taln from accurate sketches.