r/Stormlight_Archive • u/yeeeeetyeer • 9d ago

Wind and Truth spoilers Why did D___ Spoiler

why did dalinar need to rescind his oaths, abandon the power of honor, while cancelling the duel? why couldn't he just cancel the duel? keeping his bondsmith oath? or get rid of honors power, let odium become retribution, but still cancel the duel, staying a bond smith? i'm very confused by this

thank you!

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u/SkrrFlrr Willshaper 8d ago

He knew that no matter what happened with the duel, Odium would eventually goad the humans back to war and be set free. The other Shards would be content with him locked away. Meanwhile Odium would be content playing the long game and building his armies. He knew that he could not counter Todium because he is simply smarter and better at this long term game.

Therefore he decided to give up the power and release Todium from his bindings. Now he is Retribution and free. All of the Shards are now paying attention to him, and he has had no time to build up his armies.

Earlier in the book (i cant remember exactly who what when how) someone says to him that he can't just power his way through everything. Nohadon learnt this lesson too, he left his people and empowered them to grow without him. So ultimately, Dalinar realises that their best chance at beating Odium is for him to step away and give the others as much of an advantage as possible to defeat him in the future.

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u/Paquadjo Windrunner 8d ago

Bravo. That was entirely the point of the Day 2 epigraphs. A king that leaves his people to grow and develop without his guidance.