81. The Last Day
Contains spoilersOverview
Dalinar confronts stormform Parshendi and orders an immediate assault to stop their destructive song, rallying allies and deploying reserves. Adolin leads the charge, losing his horse to red lightning but discovering Shardplate resists it. Shallan’s mapping reveals an anomaly that likely indicates the Oathgate, prompting a protected expedition. As the unnatural storm builds, Dalinar hears the familiar voice from his visions, heightening the stakes.
Summary
At the heart of the Shattered Plains, Dalinar faces ranks of Parshendi with glowing red eyes. He tasks Shallan to find a path to Urithiru if an opening appears, then rallies wavering highprinces—securing Aladar’s commitment and assigning Teleb and new Shardbearers to bolster Sebarial’s troops. After a battlefield speech invoking his visions and the threat of a new Desolation, the Parshendi begin a frantic song as winds rise. Rlain identifies it as a rhythm of destruction and begs Dalinar to stop it, prompting an immediate order to attack.
Back in the warcamps, Kaladin seeks counsel from Zahel, who offers only pragmatic advice. Frustrated and weakened without Stormlight, Kaladin fails at spear forms and wrestles with a grim choice. Remembering Tien’s death, he realizes killing Elhokar would mirror that ruthless calculus, and he reconsiders the assassination.
On the southern flank, Adolin leads a charge to disrupt the singers. Red lightning erupts unpredictably; a blast kills his Ryshadium, Sureblood, throwing Adolin to the ground. He rallies the troops, discovers Shardplate absorbs the lightning’s effects, and cuts down the altered Parshendi as small red spren flee their corpses. The men regain courage, learning the foe can be killed.
In the command tent, Shallan completes a comprehensive map of the Plains while scholars debate searching the Parshendi city. Pattern identifies stormspren—Voidspren—swarming outside. A returning scout corrects one plateau to a perfect circle, breaking the expected symmetry. The anomaly gives Shallan a crucial lead to the Oathgate, and Dalinar assigns Renarin and a squad to escort the scholars.
Dalinar redeploys reserves: Sebarial’s infantry to reinforce Aladar and engage the singers, and Navani’s fabrials to aid Roion’s failing flank. He notes half the enemy remains singing as winds worsen, implying a greater catastrophe. Amid the storm, a familiar voice says, “I am sorry that you have to die this way,” which Dalinar recognizes as the Almighty from his visions.
Who Appears
- Dalinar Kholin
Commander; rallies highprinces, orders an attack to stop the song, redeploys reserves, and hears the Almighty’s voice.
- Adolin Kholin
Leads the assault; loses his Ryshadium to red lightning, discovers Shardplate resists it, and restores troop morale.
- Shallan Davar
Completes a full Plains map; identifies an anomalous circular plateau indicating the Oathgate; initiates a protected expedition.
- Kaladin
Injured and powerless; seeks counsel from Zahel, fails at forms, recalls Tien, and reconsiders the plot against Elhokar.
- Rlain
Parshendi bridgeman; identifies the destructive rhythm and urges Dalinar to stop the singing immediately.
- Navani Kholin
Insists on assisting with fabrials and later deploys them to support Roion’s threatened flank.
- Renarin Kholin
Awkward in Shardplate but obedient; assigned to protect the scholars on their Oathgate mission.
- Highprince Aladar
Doubts, then commits after Dalinar’s challenge; his flank requires reinforcement against stormform Parshendi.
- Highprince Sebarial
Stays out of the way; his well-chosen troops and Teleb provide key reserves.
- Roion
Cautious highprince on the northern flank; receives Navani’s fabrial support as his troops struggle.
- Pattern
Cryptic spren; warns of stormspren and parries accusations with sharp, truthful insults.
- Zahel
Ardent swordmaster; gives blunt advice and explains washing the training sands during the Weeping.
- General Khal
Coordinates Dalinar’s strategic changes and redeployments amid worsening conditions.
- Gaval
Officer who assembles a squad and leads Renarin and scholars toward the center plateau.
- Skar
Bridge Four veteran; guards Adolin and joins the charge onto the southern plateau.
- Drehy
Bridge Four veteran; defies orders to fight alongside Adolin against the transformed Parshendi.
- Lyn
Scout; reports on the central plateau and contributes to refining Shallan’s map.
- Inadara
Scholar overseeing the mapping; distrusts Pattern and favors a broad city search.