Will Szeth be loyal to Retribution?

[+Oltux72 he/him]

As Dalinar Kholin arguably wanted Retribution to form, does this mean that Szeth is bound to support Retribution by his oath? Does this go as far as him needing to uphold the peace agreement, because that is Retribution's will?

[alder24]

1 hour ago, Oltux72 said:

As Dalinar Kholin arguably wanted Retribution to form, does this mean that Szeth is bound to support Retribution by his oath? Does this go as far as him needing to uphold the peace agreement, because that is Retribution's will?

What Oath? Szeth's 3rd Skybreaker Oath bound him to Dalinar who's dead, but Szeth broke his Oaths and he is no longer a Radiant. He isn't bound by any Oaths now. He chose peaceful life over war.

[+Oltux72 he/him]

21 hours ago, alder24 said:

What Oath? Szeth's 3rd Skybreaker Oath bound him to Dalinar who's dead, but Szeth broke his Oaths and he is no longer a Radiant. He isn't bound by any Oaths now. He chose peaceful life over war.

I am not so sure that the world will let him live that peaceful life. It seems to me that his wife writing books indicates that he is involved in some kind of mentorship role.

[alder24]

22 minutes ago, Oltux72 said:

I am not so sure that the world will let him live that peaceful life. It seems to me that his wife writing books indicates that he is involved in some kind of mentorship role.

I do not remember that. He has a wife now and has been living a normal life for six years since the events of WaT. His wife is indeed Jasnah's apprentice (possibly as a Veristitalian), but in epigraphs nothing indicates that he's involved in something at all. He still has Nightblood though, so it's possible he will get forcefully involved in the future because of the sword. Yet Retribution left him alone for so long so it seems he's safe for now. Also he lost his right arm to Nightblood and while he broke his bond with Aux, he said he will search for the dissenters of Skybreakers to bond with. Anyway, he's free from Retribution now as he is no Radiant and even if he becomes a Radiant he can choose to swear such Oaths to avoid falling under Retribution's control or even to avoid getting involved in bigger affairs. Now he's finally free to choose whatever he likes.

WaT Epigraphs:

Quote

ch 5: "As a historian, I find such nuances relevant. As a philosopher, I find them enticing."

ch 133: "Much of what I know of the Knight of Wind, I get from Jasnah Kholin. Now head of our order, and a woman who has shown much patience for a simple Shin bookworm who thinks herself worthy of the task of writing this account."

ch 146: "But it was not a complete success, as I have not heard the Wind—neither has Szeth—in years. Save that one whisper."

ch 147: "This account will not be without flaws. But it is the best I have been able to create from available information—and from the witness of my husband, Szeth, and the witness of the black sword he bears. For I myself helped him bury the Knight of Wind’s body, the day after Stormfall."

Ch 135:

Quote

“I will seek out the dissenters who live the old ways of the Skybreakers. There, I will find another spren. I release you from your bond. I wish we could have been friends.”

[earthexile]

Szeth appears to be completely free, at the end of what we've seen. He's renounced his Radiant oaths, there's no sign that he's sworn any new ones, he doesn't believe in Stone Shamanism so he's not a slave anymore. And Dalinar is dead anyway, even if Szeth still felt personal loyalty or responsibility to the man.

He says he's going to seek out the Even More Secret Order of Skybreakers, but there's been a bit of an apocalypse and it wouldn't surprise me if that takes him years or decades, all things considered.