60. Essai
Contains spoilersOverview
Venli discovers Rlain imprisoned, confirms his allegiance against Odium, and—pushed by his challenge—wins permission to take him into her custody. Meanwhile, a brazen human emissary bribes Raboniel and delivers a captive, Lifelight-fueled Edgedancer. Venli’s attempted oath to free the oppressed is rejected, exposing her selfish motives and reframing her path.
Summary
Venli visits the tower’s prison and is stunned to find Rlain alive in a cell. The direform head jailer labels him an essai and distrusts Venli. As Venli moves to speak with Rlain, she spots a Voidspren hiding inside a cremling and pointedly shoos it away, wary of being watched.
Revealing herself in the listener tongue, Venli learns that Rlain was never discovered by humans; he lived among them and now refuses to serve Odium. He urges Venli to free him, insisting she act for the greater good and take him to Hesina, claiming he can help. Stung by his rebuke yet moved, Venli vows to try.
Seeking authority, Venli finds Raboniel in the Blackthorn’s rooms, where high-ranking Fused meticulously inventory Dalinar’s belongings. A scarred human emissary arrives, boldly offers wealth for Oathgate access, then unveils a caged teenage girl—an awake Edgedancer fueled by Lifelight. Raboniel, intrigued, orders the prisoner secured.
Venli presses her case with Passion and wins Rlain’s release to her custody, accepting responsibility for any trouble. Back in her rooms, inspired by Timbre and recent rescues, Venli attempts a new oath—promising to seek freedom for the oppressed—but a distant voice rejects the words. She recognizes her selfish motives, especially in ignoring the captured child, and resolves to truly act for others.
Who Appears
- Venli
Listener Regal and would-be Radiant; secures Rlain’s release, witnesses a captive Edgedancer, and fails a freedom oath due to selfish motives.
- Rlain
Listener spy living among humans; imprisoned as an essai. Rejects Odium and implores Venli to free him and aid Hesina.
- Raboniel
Lady of Wishes; oversees Urithiru, accepts a human emissary’s bribe, and takes custody of a Lifelight-fueled Edgedancer.
- Human emissary
Scarred, confident envoy who offers wealth for Oathgate access and delivers a caged Radiant as leverage.
- Timbre
Venli’s spren; urges honesty, suffers when Venli uses Odium’s rhythms, and rejects an insincere oath.
- Direform head jailer
Regal overseeing the prison; distrusts Venli, brands Rlain an essai, and defers to Raboniel’s authority.
- Caged Edgedancer girl
Teenage Radiant, awake in the tower and fueled by Lifelight; delivered in a barred box to Raboniel.
- Leshwi
High-ranking Fused assisting with cataloging Dalinar’s belongings, signaling leadership interest in the Blackthorn.
- Voidspren in cremling
Hidden observer in the prison; flees when Venli notices, highlighting surveillance risks within the tower.