Rhythm of War
by Brandon Sanderson
Contents
6. A Loose Thread
Overview
Veil allows herself to be led through a secret tunnel to Ialai Sadeas and resolves to assassinate her. As Navani manages the Fourth Bridge evacuation, she notes Dalinar’s perpendicularity and spots Moash nearby, raising an alarm. In the skies, Kaladin enforces duel honor to save Sigzil, fights Leshwi to a draw, then diverts when a ruthless red-light Fused attacks civilians—something Leshwi tacitly condemns.
Summary
Radiant is hooded and escorted by conspirators through a hidden, Shard-carved tunnel beneath the Sadeas warcamp. She plays along to reach their leader and is brought into a fortified chamber where Ialai Sadeas waits in shadow. Veil takes control, assessing Ialai’s entrenched power and concluding that the woman endangers everything Shallan values. Veil resolves to finish what Adolin began: assassinate Ialai.
Above Hearthstone, Kaladin watches Leshwi overwhelm Sigzil. When Leshwi spears Sigzil and begins draining his Stormlight, Kaladin intervenes by command, not blade—ordering Sigzil to drop his weapon and bow, which Leshwi honors. Acknowledging their code, Leshwi challenges Kaladin, and he accepts.
On the Fourth Bridge, Navani directs refugee boarding while calming a fretful Ardent Falilar. Renarin entertains frightened children with light, his unusual powers and corrupted spren lingering in Navani’s thoughts. Dalinar opens his perpendicularity; Navani and Rushu note distinct sensations and discuss the mystery of Urithiru’s ancient power, which could revolutionize airships and fabrials.
Rushu observes odd Windrunner dispositions and points out a lone, black-clad figure—Moash. Navani recognizes the traitor and urgently alerts the Windrunner squires.
Kaladin and Leshwi duel through intricate Lashings and wind-blown passes. Kaladin lures her to familiar hills, uses lurg cocoons to distract, and wounds her; she counters, and they trade crippling shoulder strikes that drain his Stormlight. Hearing screams, Kaladin sees the manor aflame and a red-light Fused brutalizing civilians with gathered soldiers. Leshwi, angered by the dishonor, signals a draw; Kaladin drops his spear in agreement and dives to protect the townspeople.
Who Appears
- Kaladin StormblessedWindrunner leader; saves Sigzil through duel protocol, fights Leshwi to a draw, then rushes to protect civilians.
- LeshwiHeavenly One; duels honorably, acknowledges Kaladin’s mercy, signals a draw and tacitly condemns a fellow Fused’s brutality.
- Navani KholinOversees the Fourth Bridge evacuation, studies Dalinar’s perpendicularity, debates Urithiru’s power, and spots Moash.
- VeilShallan’s persona; allows capture to reach Ialai and resolves to assassinate her to end lingering threats.
- RadiantShallan’s persona; endures hooded transport through a secret tunnel, ready to fight but defers to Veil’s plan.
- Ialai SadeasPower behind the remaining warcamp forces; meets Veil and becomes the target of an intended assassination.
- RushuArdent researcher; notes odd battle patterns and Moash, and discusses the tower’s potential power with Navani.
- Dalinar KholinOpens the perpendicularity; his Bondsmith power prompts Navani’s observations about realms and the tower.
- SigzilWindrunner nearly killed by Leshwi; saved when Kaladin enforces duel honor and orders his withdrawal.
- Ardent FalilarAnxious logistician on the Fourth Bridge; frets over weight, gems, and systems, reassured by Navani.
- Renarin KholinCalms children with a light trick; his unusual Truthwatcher abilities and spren concern Navani.
- MoashFormer Bridge Four traitor; observed near the battlefield, prompting Navani to raise an alarm.
- UlinaConspirator who escorts Radiant via the tunnel and helps arrange the meeting with Ialai.
- Red-light FusedRuthless Fused who attacks civilians at the manor, breaking duel honor; draws Kaladin’s intervention.