86. The Song of Mornings
Contains spoilersOverview
In a flashback, Venli accelerates her secret plan to capture stormspren and summon Odium’s storm, coercing Denshil to stockpile gemstones. Ulim confirms the storm’s approach from Shadesmar. After their mother is found injured, Venli and Eshonai share a fragile reconciliation as Eshonai asks for a diplomatic form. Venli then ventures into a storm to begin hunting stormspren, committing to stormform.
Summary
A year and a half earlier, Venli grows convinced her people cannot stand against resurging human Surgebinders without new power. Watching Eshonai’s bloodied warriors return, Venli resolves to break listener resistance by offering a form of power—and to secure her own freedom above all.
She pressures Denshil, head of farming and an illicit gem cutter, to increase a secret cache of cut gemstones for her scholars. Meeting Ulim, Venli learns Odium has split off and guided a storm toward them from Shadesmar. Together they plot to seed stormspren into gemstones as a catalyst, guessing that a highstorm itself might lure the first stormspren to trap.
Eshonai interrupts with news that their mother was found injured and confused. At her bedside, Venli and Eshonai share a rare harmony, singing the Song of Mornings. Eshonai expresses regret for the war’s costs and asks Venli to find a form that would let her speak diplomatically with humans, perhaps even Dalinar. Venli withholds her deeper schemes but promises to try.
Resolute, Venli leaves as Eshonai dozes in Shardplate and steps into the storm for the first time to hunt stormspren, advancing her plan to take stormform and bring Odium’s storm to the world.
Who Appears
- Venli
Ambitious listener scholar; coerces gemstone stockpiling, conspires with Ulim to capture stormspren, reconnects briefly with Eshonai, then hunts stormspren.
- Eshonai
Warleader in Shardplate; reports their mother’s injury, regrets the war, sings with Venli, asks for a diplomatic form.
- Ulim
Cunning red spren; confirms Odium’s storm is near, advises on stormspren capture, promises to serve Venli.
- Denshil
Head of farming and gem cutter; secretly saves hundreds of gemstones for Venli despite fear and moral qualms.
- Mikaim
Scholar-surgeon; treats Venli and Eshonai’s mother, assures the head wound is minor and sedates her.
- Venli and Eshonai’s mother
Found wandering and injured; her condition prompts the sisters’ reconciliation and shared Song of Mornings.