Chapter 87 Summary: The Betrayal of Ba-Ado-Mishram
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
In a vision, Dalinar inhabits the ancient Windrunner Garith during a secret meeting with a Regal lover. They reveal their relationship to other Windrunners as proof that peace between humans and singers is possible. From the shadows, Ba-Ado-Mishram steps forward—appearing as a kindly singer but flickering with violent flashes. The Bondsmith Melishi arrives with a large gemstone, claiming to want unity. Following Honor’s command, Melishi traps Mishram using her desire for peace, ripping her into the gem. The world’s rhythms freeze for three seconds. The singers nearby collapse, losing their forms and becoming the mute servants known in modern Roshar. Honor shows all Radiants a horrific vision of their power destroying the planet, leading Garith and others to break their oaths—the Recreance. The Stormfather then reveals he was the god in that scene; he hid Dalinar from Odium but now stops. Odium appears and casts Dalinar, Renarin, Shallan, and Rlain into the Spiritual Realm. Renarin realizes they need a deep Connection to Mishram’s feelings to find her prison. Odium’s shadow looms, splitting the group as Day Seven ends.
Key Events
- Dalinar, in Garith’s body, kisses a Regal singer to maintain their cover as lovers working for peace.
- Ba-Ado-Mishram manifests as a peaceful, average-sized singer, but periodically flickers into a screaming, terrifying form.
- Melishi uses a Bondsmith’s Connection to trick Mishram, trapping her in a gemstone as Honor watches and approves.
- The singers in the hollow convulse, their bodies shrinking and losing identity; they become the docile parshmen of later eras.
- Honor shows every Radiant on Roshar a vision of their own destructive potential, causing them to abandon their oaths (the Recreance).
- The Stormfather admits to Dalinar that he indeed witnessed and participated in these events, and that he has been hiding Dalinar from Odium until now.
- Odium confronts the hidden group and casts them apart into the Spiritual Realm, ending the vision.
Character Development
- Dalinar experiences visceral empathy for the singers as he witnesses their betrayal firsthand. He hardens his resolve against Honor’s hypocrisy, calling him a “bastard” and recognizing that even gods can commit atrocities.
- Renarin shows a deep desire to make amends for the ancient wrong. His promise to the betrayed Windrunner across time demonstrates his growing maturity and sense of responsibility.
- Rlain delivers a poignant insight: Odium wins when people reduce others to “enemy” rather than seeing individuals capable of both good and evil. He helps Renarin resist simple hatred.
- The Stormfather is revealed as a flawed, traumatized spren who suppressed the memory of his own complicity. His confession shows guilt, but also a desire to stop protecting Dalinar from the truth.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Betrayal as a tool for “peace”: Melishi and Honor justify trapping Mishram as necessary for unity, but their actions are treachery, not diplomacy. This echoes how well-intentioned oaths can be perverted.
- Love across enemy lines: Garith and his Regal lover represent the possibility of reconciliation, making the subsequent betrayal even more tragic. Their relationship is genuine, shown by her kiss and his care afterward.
- Emotional manipulation and fear: Honor uses a vision of future destruction to frighten Radiants into giving up their powers, preying on their guilt rather than offering guidance.
- Connection as a path to truth: Renarin deduces that finding Mishram’s prison in the Spiritual Realm requires feeling her emotions, not just knowing facts—a key metaphysical insight.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the emotional and historical core of the book. It finally shows the reader the true origin of the Recreance and the enslavement of the singers, reframing the entire series’ conflict. Honor is no longer an unambiguous force for good; he enacted a plan that broke his own ideals. The Stormfather’s confession destroys any remaining trust in his reliability. Meanwhile, Odium’s direct confrontation raises the stakes for the climax of Day Seven. Renarin’s insight about Connection sets up the final search for Mishram’s prison.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Melishi succeed in trapping Mishram despite her power?
Melishi forges a deep Connection with Mishram by honestly wanting the same peace she desires. He then exploits that trust, using her openness to pull her into the gem. Mishram has no concept of fabrials and does not recognize the stone as a weapon. -
What does Honor’s vision to all Radiants reveal about his character?
Honor resorts to fear to control his creations, showing future destruction to make Radiants abandon their oaths. This contradicts his own nature as the embodiment of oaths and suggests he either lacks faith in humanity or is compromised by the pressure of Odium. -
How does Rlain reframe Renarin’s hatred of humans after seeing the betrayal?
Rlain argues that reducing any group to “the enemy” serves Odium’s goals. He insists that people individually can be good or terrible, but binary hatred prevents the possibility of forgiveness and unity. This echoes the chapter’s central lesson about love versus fear.