Editors
295
edits
Difference between revisions of "Adolin Kholin"
→The Chasmfiend Hunt
|
<!--In which Adolin trusts Sadeas about as far as he can throw him (which is not very far because no one will let him try, storm it all!)-->
Adolin and his brother Renarin accompany King [[Elhokar]] and the Highprinces Dalinar, [[Sadeas]] and [[Vamah]] on a chasmfiend hunt and Adolin spends the early part of the trip worrying about the state of his father’s mind and his reputation. He worries that Sadeas will make a move against his father now that Dalinar is appearing weak the eyes of Alethi society. Because of his suspicions he constantly remains close to the front of the procession for the purposes of eavesdropping. All the while it is he who has effective command of the Kholin army, setting up outriders and scouts the way his father would want even if he feels they are unnecessary. This is a situation that is becoming more frequent as Dalinar has been giving him command more often. Adolin also detests the restrictions and limitations the [[Alethi Codes of War]] have placed on his duelling, something else his father has been insisting on.{{ref|b|twok|c|12}}
Dalinar reveals he’s thinking of leaving the Shattered Plains Adolin is flabbergasted and vehemently opposed to the idea, not only because it is un-Alethi in its conception but also in concern for his father’s reputation. He even suggests striking at the [[Parshendi]] rather than simply playing games like the other highprinces are doing.{{ref|b|twok|c|12}} When the [[chasmfiend]] appears on the wrong plateau, threatening unarmed attendants, guests and scribes, Adolin helps his father and Elhokar kill it. During the fight he is knocked down and when he rises to protect the King his father gets there first and Adolin is momentarily awed by seeing his father display the prowess that earned him the title of [[Blackthorn]].{{ref|b|twok|c|13}}
After the catastrophic hunt he oversees the cleanup while the other lighteyes on the trip relax leisurely. Adolin however is happy to be doing something after such a disaster. When Sadeas insults his father Adolin is quick to defend him, though his manner in doing so is brash and leads to rebuke from his father and gentle restraint from Renarin. Sadeas then turns his attention to his brother and Adolin nearly summons his shardblade but stops when he is ordered to by Dalinar. He is disappointed when his father does not have to make due on his threats to fight Sadeas for insulting Renarin.
Later Dalinar takes Adolin aside to inspect the king's saddle as Elhokar had requested of them. Adolin initially assumes that his cousin wants them to discipline the grooms but quickly realises that Elhokar believes the girth was cut deliberately. Adolin points out his cousin’s worsening paranoia, juxtaposing it against what would amount to an incompetent assassination attempt and expresses his annoyance about the fact that he and his father seem to have become Elhokar's bodyguards. Dalinar keeps the conversation on track and they both seem to agree that if the girth was cut there may be plot to kill the king as Alethi lighteyes are fond of their overly complicated plots. Adolin wonders if Sadeas may be behind it, not trusting or liking the highprince, but Dalinar shuts down the suggestion and shows Adolin that though they and Sadeas may not get along they both have invested interest and desire to keep Elhokar safe and will work together to manipulate other highprinces for the King’s benefit. After that Dalinar reveals to Adolin his brother’s final words before he died and tells his son that he hopes Adolin will learn to see the importance of the Codes. He then asks Adolin to at least respect Sadeas. Adolin reluctantly agrees but reiterates that he does not trust the other highprince and requests that his father at least consider that Sadeas is not as committed to Elhokar as he is and may be playing him. Dalinar says he will consider Adolin's concerns and then reveals that Gavilar’s actual final words were written, asking him to "find the most important words a man can say."{{ref|b|sa1|prologue}} He tells Adolin they are from the book [[Way of Kings|The Way of Kings]] which was used by the Knights Radiant as a guide on how to live their lives. Adolin connects this to his father’s presumed delusions and assumes they are a product of guilt over [[Gavilar]]'s death.{{ref|b|twok|c|15}}
Elhokar later queries them about their opinions on the strap. When Dalinar tells him that while it may have been cut there is no definitive proof the king insists that there is a plot to kill him and that perhaps someone on the hunt had planned it. Adolin catches the king giving them a suspicious look and when Elhokar leaves he asks his father if he saw it too. Dalinar cuts him off and tells Adolin he will talk to Elhokar about it later and gives his son the task of looking into the cut girth further. When the bridges finally arrive Adolin resumes control of the army, directing its movements back towards the camps.{{ref|b|twok|c|15}}
| |||