Magenta Albatross

So, the beggar did not end up getting attacked and then protected like Gavilar said would happen. So either the attack failed, or somebody redirected it to a different target.

Now that’s a fascinating idea. So what you’re saying is, for example, if we created a theory that time is relative or some such nonsense (we could maybe call it “the theory of relativity”) and tricked enough shmucks into believing in it, then we could create new spren and thus new fabrials that control the flow of time itself?? This is most interesting! It looked like the flow of time was doing a jig. Something was seriously wrong. “We better find that fabrial soon...”

“Perception. Interesting that you should bring that up. I’ve read some fascinating essays on how spren respond to perception. Perhaps this is the origin of timespren? This would be an interesting topic for further research I think. @SE_Navani_Kholin, this touches on your area of expertise. What do you make of it?”

“Understandable, that. I don’t suppose you’d like to respond to the rumors that you attacked Jasnah? Or for that matter, do you know anything about the temporal anomalies that are happening?”

Aesudan narrowed her eyes. Time was acting up again. “It would seem that we experiencing further temporal distortions. Once may have been a coincidence, but twice? Clearly, somebody is deliberately meddling with timespren. I intend to get to the bottom of this. Would anyone like to join me?”

I am sorry to hear you are unwell. Feel better soon!

“I apologize for not voicing this sooner, but I have some evidence that may be pertinent. Restares performed an Item Spy on Jasnah the cycle before she was attacked. Furthermore, I just learned he was also apparently inquiring into ways to steal an item. I already shared this information with Jasnah, which may be part of the reason behind her vote. On the other hand, Jasnah claims to have only had violet wine at the time, which she has since passed off, and it seems strange that Restares would have any interest in violet wine. I decided it is best if I share the facts I know with everybody.”

I don’t even want to know where they get the milk for it on Roshar... Thaidakar was a decent enough fellow, once you got to know him. I can see why other secret society peoples might be out to get him, but I doubt it has much to do with likeability. Edit: also, not to quibble on specifics too much, but isn’t ommiting information from a post after the fact frowned upon?

This is an interesting development. I rather did not expect that. I’m still of the opinion that coming clean about these things is a great help, so if we have assurances that Ialai’s objectives are satisfied, I say we let things be. May the Almighty lead Torol and Thaidakar to victory in the afterlife. I am sure a fitting memorial shall be arranged with all reasonable haste, but for now, perhaps a moment of silence would be in order?

“What kinds of food are normal among the Parshendi?” Aesudan asked curiously. It must be very difficult to grow food out beyond the frostlands. She was no expert, but she had read that those lands could not support much life, let alone a people as numerous as the parshendi. EDIT: Is the cycle over?

“I think we should also consider the method of attack,” Aesudan pointed out as she nibbled on a pastry. “An object was thrown. Nobody could quite spot what it was (which is telling in of itself), but if we are assuming this was an attempt on Brightlady Jasnah’s life, it is safe to assume that the object was likely a knife or similar bladed weapon. It takes considerable skill and athleticism to throw a knife in such a way as poses a mortal threat, so that narrows down the pool of suspects significantly.”

Well this sure is a killer party Rather uncivilized and direct to murder somebody during a party, though. Very un-Alethi.

Huh. This party just gets weirder and weirder.

“Hire an assassin? I doubt anyone would require additional incentive to kill Wit.”

“Probably for the best,” Aesudan remarked, glancing at Dalinar’s shattered bottle.

Yes, well, the Alethi aren’t the only ones to have invented political parties... Though our kind of political party is definitely the best kind.

Alas, politics and parties do not always mix as well as you intend them to

Chull surgebinder confirmed. A member of the Order of Partycrashers, if I am not mistaken.

“I am, in fact, equally brilliant without words. But your willingness to agree with Wit is nothing short of flattering.” “Perfect at pitching insults, yes.”

“...well at least you have a concrete understanding of musicality now.”

*chasmfiend singing intensifies*

“Yes, some good news. You may have previously run out, but with the introduction of chulls, there are now several more eligible females at the feast.”

Aesudan raised an eyebrow as she saw one of the Parshendi with beards reading the note. Could Parshendi males read? That was a crazy thought. She wondered who had written such a thing. She doubted the Parshendi were familiar enough with the Alethi tongue, and Parshmen were obviously incapable of writing anything. Probably one of the Alethi or foreign visitors trying to stir up trouble. Or another one of Wit’s pranks, perhaps.

"Well, this is rather dull," Aesudan remarked, sipping away at her third glass of yellow for the night. "You know you've taken a wrong turn when the major attraction is one of Wit's escapades." She picked at a plate of shellfish. Like everything else at the feast, it was painstakingly and perfectly prepared, with exotic ingredients like those small Shin fruits with a bunch of little seeds in them. Idly, she wondered if the Parshendi were able to appreciate the finer details of Gavilar's hospitality. Probably not. As she observed the Parshendi, Aesudan had started to form a theory for why Gavilar was making such a show of pursuing peace. For an undeveloped people, alliance and conquest would achieve more or less the same outcome: assimilation. This arrangement just allowed Alethkar to take whatever they wanted with the Parshendi's consent. It was a clever plan. Even an extravagent feast like this would be far less costly than months of campaigning to properly conquer the Parshendi. It makes a lot of sense, actually. She would have to share the idea with the others. "Is anyone able and willing to search the rafters with me? I plan to lead a search to discover who is up there." Aesudan stirred from her reverie, noticing Gavilar's request. Go up on the rafters? No thank you. Her dress was not well suited to such acrobatics, and it would be highly improper. She remained silent.