Chapter 38: Interlude 3 – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
El, a Fused with no title, enters the Kholinar palace vault by ordering the four Regal guards to unlock it, using their automatic obedience. Inside, he finds the gemstone prison containing Herald Jezrien’s soul. El takes out an anti-Stormlight gemstone, touches it to the dagger holding Jezrien, and the anti-Light annihilates Jezrien forever. A Regal named Heshual witnesses this in horror. El explains that trapping Heralds is shameful and that the prisons did not hold humans as effectively as believed.
The new Odium (Taravangian) appears and converses with El. Odium admits he has a problem: he is confident in capturing Thaylenah and Azir but worries about the Shattered Plains. El deduces that Odium sent many Fused there and needs more forces. Odium suggests using Dai-Gonarthis (the Black Fisher) to open an Elsegate from the Horneater Peaks. El agrees to lead the assault, asking for no titles. Odium accepts, promising El rule over human lands. El leaves the vault, composing a poem in honor of this new god.
Key Events
- El forces the Regal guards to open the Kholinar vault; they obey instinctively.
- El finds Jezrien’s gemstone prison and destroys it with an anti-Stormlight gemstone.
- The Regal Heshual panics; El suggests he tell the Nine it was their fault for not warning him.
- Odium appears, first as a voice, then in human form (elderly, no intimidation).
- Odium tests El by asking how to move forces to the Shattered Plains.
- El identifies Dai-Gonarthis as the solution for an Elsegate.
- Odium appoints El ruler of his armies with no title, instructing him to take the Plains via the Horneater Peaks.
- El accepts and begins composing a celebratory poem.
Character Development
- El: Introduced as a Fused without a title, he is calm, analytical, and deeply passionate about destroying the Heralds. He shows compassion toward the Regal while still being ruthless. His respect for the new Odium grows because Odium listens and does not discard failure. El’s arc here moves from a potential outcast to a trusted commander.
- Odium (Taravangian): Displays a more nuanced, almost playful side. He laughs genuinely and tests El’s reasoning rather than overpowering him. His willingness to listen and his policy on failure suggest a different leadership style from the previous Odium.
- Heshual: Represents the common Regal caught between Fused authority and fear. His panicked reaction underscores the gravity of Jezrien’s destruction.
- Jezrien: Though absent, his permanent death marks a major shift in the cosmere’s power balance.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Mercy and annihilation: El argues that destroying Jezrien is kinder than eternal imprisonment. This redefines “mercy” as finality rather than preservation.
- Names and identity: El’s lack of a title and his questions about name-changing reflect themes of self-definition and legacy among the Fused.
- Serving a worthy master: El’s delight in Odium’s competence highlights the motif of finding purpose under effective leadership.
- The Black Fisher (Dai-Gonarthis): A symbol of dangerous power, used when conventional means fail—foreshadowing catastrophe.
Why This Chapter Matters
This interlude permanently removes Jezrien from the story, altering the stakes for Honor’s side. It also establishes El as a major antagonist with a personal code, and reveals the new Odium’s strategic focus on the Shattered Plains. The introduction of Dai-Gonarthis as an active weapon signals a fresh, devastating tactic in Odium’s campaign.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does El destroy Jezrien rather than keep him imprisoned? El believes that trapping a Herald’s soul is a punishment no one deserves; eternal imprisonment is shameful. He considers the annihilation a mercy, especially since Jezrien’s soul was already nearly gone.
2. How does the new Odium’s management style differ from the previous Odium, according to El? El observes that the new Odium does not discard followers for failure unless it is due to negligence. This is a notable contrast to the old Odium, who became erratic after millennia on Braize. The new Odium also listens to reasoned arguments and tests his servants instead of commanding through fear.
3. What is the strategic problem Odium faces regarding the Shattered Plains, and how does El propose to solve it? Odium has already sent many Fused to the Shattered Plains but still worries about its capture. El deduces that Odium needs a way to rapidly bring additional forces. He suggests using Dai-Gonarthis to create an Elsegate from the Horneater Peaks, provided a strong source of Investiture is available on both sides.