Dawnshard

Dalinar asks Rysn, a merchant who lost the use of her legs, to sail her ship to Aimia, a legend-shrouded island no ship comes back from. Lopen of Bridge Four goes along with other Radiants. The crew faces mysterious attacks and learns the island is guarded by the Sleepless, beings made of swarms. Deep in a cavern, Rysn touches a Dawnshard, an ancient power, and becomes bonded to it. The Sleepless let the ship leave in exchange for a cover story that hides the secret, and stay on as her guardians. On the way home, Lopen swears his Third Ideal.

1. Behind the scenesBackers got it first

   Dawnshard came out as an e-book on November 5, 2020, for backers of the leatherbound Way of Kings Kickstarter. Everyone else got it days later, and print followed in 2022.

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2. Behind the scenesIt was almost Wandersail

   The planned title was Wandersail. Sanderson changed it to avoid confusion with the story Wit tells and to save the name for a possible picture book.

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3. Behind the scenesIt had to come first

   Sanderson wrote it before Rhythm of War because the island of Aimia matters to the story, and Rysn, with her new ship, was the right character to get there.

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4. ReferenceAn old acquaintance

   Rysn first appeared in an interlude in The Way of Kings, back when she was a merchant's apprentice. Lopen, Bridge Four's joker, shares the spotlight with her.

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