The Sunlit Man
by Brandon Sanderson
Contents
155
Overview
Nomad deflects the Cinder King’s shot, rescues Rebeke, and escapes by hovercycle under heavy fire. Realizing the doorway’s coordinates are likely a decoy, Nomad warns Contemplation and pushes Beacon to retreat into darkness. The Beaconites begin pulling back, but enemy ships spring an ambush at the cloud line, escalating the conflict.
Summary
Nomad deflects the Cinder King’s shot with Auxiliary, seizes the moment to drag Rebeke into the pilot’s station, and bars the door. A Charred warrior briefly seizes Nomad with some control effect and pummels him, but Nomad breaks free, smashes out the windshield, and escapes with Rebeke onto a hovercycle amid gunfire.
Nomad expands Auxiliary into a large shield at the cost of Investiture to protect them from the Cinder King’s rifle as Rebeke dives for a second cycle. Nomad convinces Rebeke to abandon it to avoid being picked off from above. The Cinder King, realizing the key was swapped and the search is a ruse, withdraws.
Taking control of the cycle, Nomad radios Contemplation. He argues the doorway coordinates are likely a deliberate decoy, given the lack of fixed landmarks and the Cinder King’s misdirection. He warns that the Cinder King has connected the clues and is mobilizing an attack, urging immediate retreat into the darkness despite Beacon’s fatigue.
Contemplation agrees to consult the Greater Good and values Rebeke’s safety as a symbol for the people. The Beaconites begin pulling back toward deeper shadow. As Nomad and Rebeke dock with the quadcycle and rejoin the formation, they cross the cloud rim into true darkness—where dozens of enemy ships ignite and surge out, launching an ambush.
Who Appears
- NomadDeflects the Cinder King’s shot, rescues Rebeke, leads escape, warns Beacon about the decoy doorway, and urges a retreat.
- RebekeCaptured then rescued; pilots the cycle, resists abandoning a spare, becomes a protected symbol for Beacon.
- The Cinder KingAttempts to execute Rebeke; fires on Nomad, realizes the key swap and decoy search, and mobilizes an attack.
- AuxiliaryNomad’s shapeshifting weapon; forms a door brace, crowbar, and large shield at the cost of Investiture.
- ContemplationBeacon leader; hears Nomad’s warning about the decoy and begins organizing a retreat into darkness.
- The CharredEnforcers of the Cinder King; block exits and assault Nomad during the escape.