IKilledAdonalsium4Free Posted January 26, 2025 Posted January 26, 2025 (edited) I am not marking this as a spoiler of any kind because this is the "open" forum where I think all spoilers are allowed. Please pardon me if I misinterpreted. ...................................................................................................................................................... Question: Is the "voice" that told the Parshendi about Szeth and the Honor Blade he possessed Ishar, or likely to be Ishar? Background: In the Oathbringer Prologue, Klade (member of the Parshendi ruling council) recalls that a "voice" told him about Szeth's abilities as an assassin (and I think it is implied the surge binding / honor blade weilding nature of his abilities). --- [sidenote] I don't remember paying any attention to this detail in prior readings / listenings; it was something I came upon when looking into this topic. Additional question: Does this also imply the heralds - or at least Ishar - were really the ones planning to kill Gavilar all along? I am not sure they would have forseen the Parshendi necessarily doing what they did, but they possessed certain key information / Ishar seems to have some level of foresight due to his "touching" the Shard of Odium, correct - ? Edited January 26, 2025 by IKilledAdonalsium4Free 1
Treamayne Posted January 26, 2025 Posted January 26, 2025 19 minutes ago, IKilledAdonalsium4Free said: I am not marking this as a spoiler of any kind because this is the "open" forum where I think all spoilers are allowed. Please pardon me if I misinterpreted. ...................................................................................................................................................... Question: Is the "voice" that told the Parshendi about Szeth and the Honor Blade he possessed Ishar, or likely to be Ishar? Background: In the Oathbringer Prologue, Klade (member of the Parshendi ruling council) recalls that a "voice" told him about Szeth's abilities as an assassin (and I think it is implied the surge binding / honor blade weilding nature of his abilities). --- [sidenote] I don't remember paying any attention to this detail in prior readings / listenings; it was something I came upon when looking into this topic. Additional question: Does this also imply the heralds - or at least Ishar - were really the ones planning to kill Gavilar all along? I am not sure they would have forseen the Parshendi necessarily doing what they did, but they possessed certain key information / Ishar seems to have some level of foresight due to his "touching" the Shard of Odium, correct - ? It was Ulim, partly prompted by Nale(not Ishar). Clarified later in the RoW Flashbacks: OB Prologue: Spoiler Klade’s slave was an assassin. Klade claimed that a voice—speaking to the rhythms—had led him to the man, who had confessed his skills when pressed. Venli had apparently been with Klade, though Eshonai hadn’t seen her sister since earlier in the day. RoW Ch 77 Spoiler “Impossible,” Nale repeated. “Ishar said only a Connection between the worlds could cause a bridge to open. And Taln has not given in. I would know if he had.…” “Do not blame us,” Venli said, “for your failure.” Nale kept his eyes forward. “So, Gavilar’s plan is working. The fool. He will destroy us all.” Nale sneered, a sudden and unexpected burst of emotion. “That foolish idiot of a man. He lures us with promises, then breaks them by seeking that which I told him was forbidden! Yes. I heard it tonight. The proof I need. I know. I know.…” Storms, Venli thought. He really is mad. “I have been vigilant,” the man ranted. “But not vigilant enough. I must take care. If the bonds start forming again … if we let the pathway open…” He suddenly stopped in the hallway, making her halt beside him. His face became flat again. Emotionless. “I believe I must offer you a service, listener. The king is planning to betray your people.” “What?” she said. “You can prevent disaster,” Nale said. “There is a man here in the city tonight. I have been tracking him due to his unusual circumstances. He possesses an artifact that belonged to a friend of mine. I have sworn not to touch said artifact, for … reasons that are unimportant to you.” Confusion thrummed in Venli’s ears. But on her shoulder, Ulim had perked up. “I have legal jurisdiction here to act on behalf of the king,” Nale said. “I cannot, however, take specific action against him. Tonight I found reason to have him killed, but it will take me months of planning to achieve the proper legality. “Fortunately, I have read your treaty. There is a provision allowing one party to legally break it and attack the other—should they have proof the other is conspiring against them. I know for a fact that Gavilar is planning to use this very provision to assault your people in the near future. I give you this knowledge, sworn by a Herald of the Almighty. You have proof that he is conspiring against you, and may act. “The man who can help you is a slave for sale in the market. The person who owns him is hoping some of the king’s wealthy visitors will want to pick up new servants before the feast. You have little time remaining. The slave you want is the sole Shin man among the crowd. The gemstones your people wear as ornaments will be enough to buy him.” “I don’t understand,” Venli said. Nale looked at Ulim on her shoulder. “This Shin man bears Jezrien’s Blade. And he is expertly trained in its employ.” Hope that helps 4
IKilledAdonalsium4Free Posted January 26, 2025 Author Posted January 26, 2025 (edited) Thank you - that nails it (no pun intended). (Also points to the benefit of doing a full re-read before doing Wind and Truth - which I didn't do, unfortunately.) Edited January 26, 2025 by IKilledAdonalsium4Free 2
Treamayne Posted January 27, 2025 Posted January 27, 2025 13 hours ago, IKilledAdonalsium4Free said: Also points to the benefit of doing a full re-read before doing Wind and Truth - which I didn't do, unfortunately. You shouldn't have to feel that full re-reads are necessary, unless it is something you want to do (I read Wat and am now re-reading to watch for foreshadowing in the second WaT reading, for example). But it sometimes helps to at least brush up on "main points" and we discuss non-reread options to do so here. Coppermind makes this very easy for Sanderson. For many other series, I enjoy the Tropes technique of finding important moments (and sometimes re-reading just that section or chapter).
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