Oathbringer
by Brandon Sanderson
Contents
44. The Bright Side
Overview
Veil oversees Ishnah’s espionage training, where Vathah shows surprising talent. At a scholars’ meeting, Renarin proposes Urithiru is a single, integrated fabrial, echoing Shallan’s sense that the Unmade had been interfacing with it. After Janala belittles him, Shallan intervenes and is chastened by Jasnah. Dalinar attends to normalize Renarin’s presence, boosting his confidence, while Shallan quietly plans to volunteer for the Kholinar mission.
Summary
Veil lounges in a market tavern with Red, Gaz, and Vathah as Ishnah begins espionage training. Ishnah dismisses knife-fighting fantasies and teaches observation, memory tricks, and how to sift relevant talk. Veil demonstrates sharp perception but misses a quiet note‑taker—likely a highprince’s spy—highlighting Ishnah’s point. Vathah proves unexpectedly adept, and Veil rushes off, late for Shallan’s appointment.
As Shallan, she enters a packed scholarly meeting led by Navani, with Jasnah, Teshav, ardents, and stormwardens. Overwhelmed by expertise, Shallan wrestles with insecurity and the urge to invent a new “scholar” persona but steadies herself. Navani reports on Urithiru’s features; Kalami details inert embedded metalworks and failed attempts to infuse the gemstone pillar. Elthebar pontificates; Janala suggests designing from the tower’s needs.
Renarin quietly asserts the parts are not separate devices but components of one fabrial. Janala’s teasing draws chuckles, embarrassing him. Shallan sharply defends Renarin, and Jasnah privately rebukes her for bluntness. During the break, Renarin thanks Shallan; together they reason that Urithiru is a city‑sized fabrial, and the Unmade had been interfacing with it. Seeking autonomy from Jasnah’s orders, Shallan resolves to pursue the Kholinar mission.
When the meeting resumes, Shallan diligently takes minutes. Dalinar arrives—ostensibly to observe—but clearly to normalize Renarin’s presence, making it appropriate for a prince to attend. Renarin, encouraged, watches the proceedings with more confidence, while Shallan holds to her new plan.
Who Appears
- Shallan DavarBalances Veil’s fieldwork with scholarly duties; defends Renarin publicly; resolves to join the Kholinar mission.
- Renarin KholinAnxious but insightful; proposes Urithiru is a single, integrated fabrial; gains confidence with Dalinar’s support.
- IshnahLeads espionage training, teaching observation, memory techniques, and relevance; identifies a rival informant in the tavern.
- Jasnah KholinCurt mentor; rebukes Shallan’s blunt defense of Renarin, advocating discreet correction.
- Navani KholinChairs the Urithiru research meeting; directs inquiries into the tower’s systems and fabrials.
- Dalinar KholinAttends the scholars’ meeting to support Renarin, legitimizing his presence and easing social pressure.
- VathahShows unexpected talent in observational exercises, impressing Ishnah during spy training.
- JanalaDismissively teases Renarin about women’s arts; becomes the target of Shallan’s sharp retort.
- PatternEncourages Shallan through anxiety; visible to Renarin, who notes he does not turn invisible.
- GazParticipates in training with jokes and distractions; serves as an example of memorable features to avoid.
- RedEnthusiastic trainee, initially fixated on knives; struggles with the mental load of observation.
- KalamiReports inert embedded metalworks and failed attempts to infuse the gemstone pillar.
- ElthebarPompous stormwarden; offers dubious digitology notions about the tower’s gears.