Dawnshard

How it opens

Rysn, a trademaster who lost the use of her legs two years ago, is choosing her ship's next voyage while her larkin, Chiri-Chiri, grows sick. Talik, a Reshi man, arrives with the island's answer to take Chiri-Chiri home, which Talik says means Akinah, the lost city. At Urithiru, Queen Navani Kholin asks Rysn to carry a scribe through a strange storm off Aimia, where Navani believes Akinah lies and where she says something can undermine the powers of the Knights Radiant. Rysn accepts, and her ship, the Wandersail, is placed at Navani's disposal.

Who you meet early

• Rysn FtoriRysn is a trademaster with her own ship, the Wandersail, and her own crew, two weeks back from her first voyage as a shipowner. She lost the use of her legs in an accident two years ago.
• Chiri-ChiriChiri-Chiri is Rysn's larkin, given to her on a trading expedition in the Reshi Isles. Lately she is sick, her shell has whitened, and she spends her days curled up asleep.
• TalikTalik, a Reshi man, has kept up two years of letters with Rysn. He was in Azimir with his king, who wants to meet Dalinar Kholin and see the Knights Radiant, when her letter about Chiri-Chiri arrived. He comes to her office to see the larkin.
• Navani KholinNavani Kholin is the recently crowned queen of Urithiru. She has asked for a ship to travel to Aimia and investigate a strange storm where the ruins of Akinah are rumored to lie.