Rhythm of War
by Brandon Sanderson
Contents
7. The Rarest Vintage
Overview
Shallan confronts Ialai, chooses capture over assassination, and learns pointed hints about Ghostblood motives and a cryptic “rarest vintage.” Before interrogation, Ialai dies by apparent blackbane, suggesting an infiltrator. In Hearthstone, Kaladin defeats a teleporting Fused despite a Voidlight fabrial that suppresses Radiant powers, securing the device for Navani.
Summary
Navani’s lecture outlines how zinc and brass wires in a fabrial cage strengthen or dim a spren’s manifestation, stressing properly infused, drilled gemstones.
Veil confronts a gaunt, haunted Ialai Sadeas in her chambers. Through barbed wine metaphors, Ialai frames herself as a patriot backing young Gavinor against Dalinar and Jasnah. Veil wavers over assassination as Shallan and Radiant debate morality and Dalinar’s orders. Ialai pointedly treats Shallan as a Ghostblood operative, hints the Ghostbloods slew Thanadal and Vamah, and teases secrets about “entire worlds” and a clue to the “rarest vintage.”
Adolin and soldiers breach the room with Shallan’s Lightweavers. The Three choose capture over murder, bind and disguise Ialai for extraction, and plan to search for proof. Ialai warns she won’t be allowed to answer.
Meanwhile in burning Hearthstone manor, Kaladin enters a trap: a Voidlight-powered fabrial suppresses Radiant abilities. Fighting without Surges or Blade, Kaladin kills four singers and knifes the red‑light teleporting Fused before it can jump. Lift drags the wounded Edgedancer Godeke to safety and deactivates the device, restoring powers; Kaladin orders the fabrial delivered to Navani.
Back at the warcamp, Ialai collapses with foaming lips while under guard. Vathah suspects blackbane; Ishnah notes rapid-acting delivery likely via blood. Shallan asserts control of the search, suspects a Ghostblood assassin within their ranks, and pursues Ialai’s “rarest vintage” clue while distrust spreads.
Who Appears
- Shallan Davar (Veil/Radiant)Infiltrates Ialai, debates assassination, opts for capture, disguises her, then investigates her sudden poisoning and suspects a mole.
- Ialai SadeasHaggard highprincess; claims to back Gavinor, hints at Ghostblood aims and a “rarest vintage,” then dies by apparent blackbane.
- Adolin KholinLeads the breach and arrests, prefers proof over killing, orders searches; shaken when Ialai dies in custody.
- Kaladin StormblessedWalks into a suppression trap, fights without Surges, kills the teleporting Fused, protects civilians, and secures the strange fabrial.
- LiftSneaks into the manor, drags Godeke to safety, and deactivates the Voidlight fabrial suppressing Radiants.
- SylphrenaWarns of the trap, observes the strange Voidlight fabrial, returns when suppression ends.
- IshnahTrusted agent; guards Ialai, then examines the body and discusses blackbane’s use and delivery.
- VathahFormer deserter turned agent; identifies the signs of blackbane poisoning from past experience.
- GodekeEdgedancer captive; wounded and powerless until suppression ends, then begins healing.
- Red-light teleporting FusedLures Kaladin into a Voidlight suppression trap; killed by a knife before he can teleport.
- PatternSpren partner; reacts to Shallan’s partial summons and urges finding evidence.
- Gaz and RedShallan’s agents; begin gathering Ialai’s effects while she takes over the search.