98. An Unwholesome Shade: Chapter Summary and Analysis
Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis contains full spoilers for Chapter 111 of Rhythm of War.
Summary
Dalinar walks the battle-scarred fields of Emul, the scent of smoke mingling with blood. He reads the dead—the positions of human and singer corpses tell the battle’s story. The blood runs orange-red, an “unwholesome shade” that reminds him of rotting methi fruit. The burning of bodies calls him back to his greatest shame: Rathalas. As always, Taravangian’s voice haunts him, urging that surrender might be the logical path to end the war, though Dalinar cannot trust Odium.
The Mink joins him, confirming that the Emul campaign is essentially over. The enemy deliberately fed troops into the region to lure a large army, then cut their losses when the battle turned. He reiterates Dalinar’s promise: Alethkar next, then Herdaz—but Urithiru must come first. Dalinar retreats to his command tent, drowning in worry over Navani and the lost tower.
Sigzil the Windrunner arrives with his team and Stargyle the Lightweaver. Stargyle weaves an illusion from above, showing an army camped along the shore. In a ringed pavilion stands an old Shin man in deep blue robes—Ishar. He spreads his hands and frost crystallizes into the glyph for “mystery,” apparently aimed straight at Dalinar. Szeth is stunned to see a Shin Herald. Dalinar orders another scouting mission and decides to meet Ishar after consulting Jasnah.
Key Events
- Dalinar surveys the aftermath of the Emul victory, noting tactical details and the mingled color of blood.
- He wrestles with the loss of the Thrill and a silent loathing for killing.
- The Mink explains the enemy’s strategic withdrawal from Emul and reminds Dalinar of his oath concerning Herdaz.
- Sigzil and Stargyle present a Lightweaving of Ishar’s camp near Tukar.
- Ishar reveals himself as a Shin man and draws a frost glyph that seems to summon Dalinar.
- Dalinar resolves to confront the Herald directly after consulting Jasnah.
Character Development
Dalinar: The former Blackthorn is now a man who reviles the battlefield. His deepest secret—that he has lost the will to kill—isolates him from the generals who still find purpose in victory. The chapter shows his shame, his haunted memories of Rathalas, and the desperate hope that drives him to seek Ishar.
Szeth: His shock at a Shin Herald underscores how cultural assumptions shape identity. He had never imagined the Heralds as anything but Alethi. This quiet moment adds a personal stake to the coming encounter.
The Mink: Pragmatic and observant, he sees what Dalinar hides. His strategic reading of the Emul campaign and his reminder of the liberation promise cement him as a wily, indispensable ally.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The Unwholesome Shade: The orange-red blood that flows across the field symbolizes the corrupting cost of war. It links directly to Dalinar’s memory of Rathalas and his inability to stomach the violence he once mastered.
The Logic of Surrender: Taravangian’s argument persists. Dalinar knows surrender is a valid tactic to preserve his people, but Odium’s untrustworthy nature makes it a trap. The tension between preserving lives and resisting evil is a central moral challenge.
Nation and Identity: Ishar’s Shin appearance shocks Szeth because the Heralds are traditionally depicted as Alethi. This moment reframes the Heralds as pre-national figures belonging to all Roshar, not just one culture.
Frost as Heraldic Symbolism: Ishar’s frost-formed glyph recalls the cold that often accompanies the Heralds. The glyph for “mystery” signals that Ishar is deliberately inviting pursuit—but on his own terms.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 111 pivots the war from a regional victory to a hunt for a Herald. It deepens Dalinar’s internal conflict, making his eventual meeting with Ishar not just tactical but personally urgent. The Lightweaving intelligence operation demonstrates the practical value of Radiant spying, while the Mink’s analysis clarifies that the enemy is playing a larger strategic game. Dalinar’s resolve to seek Ishar sets up a critical confrontation and reminds readers that Urithiru’s fall still hangs over every plan.
Study Questions and Answers
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How does Dalinar feel about the battle’s aftermath, and why is that feeling a secret? Dalinar loathes the sights and smells of the battlefield. Since banishing the Thrill, he has lost his hunger for combat, but he must hide that loss because a general who visibly reviles war cannot inspire his troops. Only the Mink seems to notice.
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What does the Mink reveal about the enemy’s strategy in Emul? The Mink explains that the enemy committed just enough resources to lure a sizable coalition army, then cut their losses rather than overextend. They knew they could not afford to move forces from Jah Keved and chose to preserve their position elsewhere. This shows the Fused are thinking like occupiers, not just destroyers.
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What is the significance of Ishar’s appearance and the frost glyph? Ishar appears as an old Shin man, challenging the Alethi-centric image of the Heralds. He deliberately creates a glyph for “mystery” with frost, signaling that he knows Dalinar is watching and is ready to be approached. It transforms a rumor into a direct, personal summons.