Epilogue: Of Most Worth
Contains spoilersOverview
At Kholinar’s gates, Wit muses that novelty and timeliness are what people truly prize. A Shardblade cleaves the barred doors, admitting a ragged, darkeyed man who names himself Talenel’Elin, Herald of the Almighty. He proclaims the Desolation has come and collapses, signaling the long-dreaded return of apocalyptic conflict.
Summary
Wit sits atop merchant boxes by Kholinar’s closed gates, sensing a profound change in the world. Strumming his enthir, he engages the uneasy night watch in a discourse on what men value, arguing that acclaim follows novelty and timeliness more than raw genius or beauty.
As Wit plays, he illustrates how being first earns reverence while identical achievements that come later are dismissed as derivative. His tone is wry and haunting, a philosophical prelude to the shift he feels approaching.
The gates suddenly shudder under heavy blows. Chaos erupts as a bright Shardblade pierces between the doors and slices the locking bar. The gates swing wide to reveal a ragged, dark-skinned, darkeyed man, soaked as if from a long swim, dragging a narrow, spike-like Shardblade that carves a groove in the stone.
Speaking perfect Alethi, the stranger urges the guards to raise the alarm, then identifies himself as Talenel’Elin, Stonesinew, Herald of the Almighty. He declares the Desolation has come and collapses; his Shardblade does not vanish. Wit quietly notes the cruel primacy of timeliness, as the man’s arrival confirms the world’s terrible turning.
Who Appears
- Wit
Blue-eyed wanderer who philosophizes on novelty at Kholinar’s gates and witnesses the Herald’s dramatic arrival.
- Talenel’Elin (Stonesinew)
Ragged, darkeyed man bearing a Shardblade; claims to be a Herald, declares the Desolation, then collapses.
- Kholinar gate guards
Uneasy night watch who hear Wit, panic as the gate is breached, and witness the Herald’s proclamation.