Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archive, #5)

by Brandon Sanderson

“We’re broken,” Ishar whispered. “We need you to change the bond. Take it from us.” “Break the Oathpact?” Honor asked. “Change it, so that others can take our place,” Ishar said. “Or … or maybe make it allow half of us to hold the bond for one Isolation, then trade with the other half …” “Five?” Honor said. “No, impossible. Five is a number of weakness. No symmetry, no power. Perhaps four would work. The number of Adonalsium’s four aspects. Or ten, sixteen … one.” Dalinar felt cold. “One?” “One cosmere,” Honor said. “One Truth. One Adonalsium. A number of power and strength.” “One …” Ishar whispered. “One could remain?” “It would be a cracking of the Oathpact,” Honor said. “You would need to acknowledge that and decide. To give of your Honor, in small measure. There must yet be ten to hold the core, but one … one could stand at the forefront. Like a soldier in the lead of a formation.” “But—” Dalinar started. “Regardless,” Honor said, “I will no longer be aiding you as you go forward, Heralds. My part in this conflict is done.”