Shallan reading

[kraefzke]

I know, I know, it has been discussed in another thread, but I'd like this one to be only about that specific reading.

 

So, my two cents on that:

 

Everybody seems to think that the

 

"No... no... This affection wasn't right. A monster should not be held in love, a monster who killed, who murdered.

No... But she could not move."

 

part means "Shallan doesn't understand why her father still loves her". When I read the scene, however, I got the impression that quite the opposite is the case. To me, this reads like her father did all (or most of) the killing and she's trying to suppress HER affection for HIM. Maybe this was the event leading up to her killing him ("mother" would obviously have to be her stepmother in that case).

 

While, on reflection, I came to the conclusion that in all likeliness my first interpretation was wrong and the common one is right, I could find no evidence. That's why I'm putting it out there.

 

Oh and if it turns out true, I claim this as my theory

 

Just a quick note on the safe: I'm on the soulcaster/other fabrial train. Probably another fabrial. One that's powered by an enourmous gemstone, to shine so brightly. And one that's capable of pretty awful things.

[Morsk he/him]

I agree this is very confusing. I read it as Shallan being unable to understand why a monster still loved her, and that she shouldn't return the love. It does make "murdered" a bit of a tease though. Probably the first thing everyone is looking for in Shallan's flashbacks is "Ok, how is she a murderer?" Then the word gets used, but it's not about her.

Brandon read us an early draft. Maybe this is one of the things that will be made clearer before release.

[kraefzke]

I actually hope not. I think that it will be much more enjoyble to read this and have the context explained in a later flashback, not in the same one.

[hoser he/him]

part means "Shallan doesn't understand why her father still loves her". When I read the scene, however, I got the impression that quite the opposite is the case. To me, this reads like her father did all (or most of) the killing and she's trying to suppress HER affection for HIM. Maybe this was the event leading up to her killing him ("mother" would obviously have to be her stepmother in that case).

I read it wanting to exculpate her because I empathize w/POV characters. 

 

While, on reflection, I came to the conclusion that in all likeliness my first interpretation was wrong and the common one is right,

The passage seems to really clearly indicate to me that your reflective conclusion is correct.

 

At a deeper level I think you are correct. Her father's response to her having murdered and his wife being dead seems wrong and I keep think that it will turn out that he helped create the situation that led to her monstrosity and his wife's death. 

 

Of course, I could just be still wanting to reduce her guilt ...

[Miyabi She/Her]

Perhaps the interaction here is that he is trying to make himself seem like the good guy. I got the feeling that he forced her to commit these murders. Which could lend credence to both of the aforementioned theories as to who the monster is. It could have a dual meaning. Him being a monster for forcing her to do it, her being a monster for doing it. Perhaps that's the only connecting that keeps her connected to him is that they're both monsters in this situation.

[Gloom he/him]

I feel it's time for me to weigh in on this subject. I know, I know, you've all been waiting with baited breath.

 

Okay, these are my feelings and insights on this little flashback.

 

I agree with the OP. I think Shallan witnessed her father using what appeared to be a Shardblade to kill. We have reasons to believe that Shallans father was a Ghostblood, or at least Shallan has reason to believe this.

 

"Almighty above," Shallan whispered. She looked up. "Jasnah, I think... I think my father might have been a member of this group."

 

It's possible that the bodies were members of an opposing group that tried to assassinate Shallans' father. It's also possible that Shallans' mother was involved in that assassination attempt, which is why she was killed. Not only killed, but killed in a manner that made looking at the eyes horrible.

 

This may also be the origin of the fabrial. If the faction that wanted Shallans' father assassinated were aware he had what appeared to be a Shardblade, then a means to combat that advantage would have been required. He would have then advised his fellow conspirators of the captured fabrial, and at some point taken Luesh into his service to operate the device.

 

So what about the blood? I have two theories here. Either Shallans father didn't fight alone (ie: his house guard assisted him), or one or more people were soulcast into blood.

 

Now you may be asking yourselves why I'm not straight out calling the weapon a Shardblade.

 

I have a good reason for this. A Shardblade can be called and dismissed by its owner.

 

They passed father's safe on the wall. It glowed brightly, light streaming from the cracks around the closed front. A monster was inside.

 

This could be a fabrial, but I tend to doubt it. We've seen fabrials that weren't active. They don't go all glowy. Shardblades don't really do that either, they may glow a little when they appear, I forget, but they don't stay glowing.

 

You will find out, those who have read the first book know that there are things going on in Shallan’s past, she mentions one of them near the end of the book, if you’ll remember, and there is supposition about something with Shallan mentioning several times the phrase, “ten heartbeats” which is a somewhat important measure in this world.

 

So what else might glow? What might be locked in the safe? Could it be that this is not a Shardblade, but an Honorblade? A blade that refused to bond with Shallan's father, but later bonded with her instead? I think the end of the prelude was significant. Why would Brandon take the time to make that little note at the end if it wasn't a significant hint?

 

Yes, I know the Honorblades weren't glowing in the prelude to TWoKs, but we don't know a lot about them, they may glow during and briefly after being used.

 

I know that there are holes all over this, but I thought it was worth posting despite its holiness.

[Shardlet he/him]

Seems like it would have to be a very large safe to contain a shardblade of any kind.  My guess is that the glow comes from something we have little frame of reference for.  Although it could conceivably be a trapped baddy spren.  But, I suppose that would qualify as something we have little frame of reference for.

[moonchild she/her]

I don't think a shard blade was in the vault, they turn to mist when not in use.

[Shardlet he/him]

Well, If the previous 'owner' of the blade gave it up (voluntarily or by death) and it was collected carefully to avoid bonding with it, then it could still be present.  Also, if the 'owner' willed it to stay, it could have stayed that way also.  Either circumstance seems an unlikely and unsafe means of storing a blade.