Difference between revisions of "Summary:The Way of Kings"

{{anchor|Prelude}}

 

{{/icon|shield}}

 

{{anchor|Prologue}}

 

{{/icon|Szeth}}

{{epigraph|The love of men is a frigid thing, a mountain stream only three steps from the ice. We are his. Oh Stormfather...we are his. It is but a thousand days, and the Everstorm comes.}}

* [[Dalinar Kholin]]

* [[Elhokar Kholin]]

* [[Torol Sadeas]]

* [[Jasnah Kholin]] (mentioned only)

* [[Thaidakar]] (mentioned only)

* [[Restares]] (mentioned only)

}}

 

'''Szeth'''

* [[Cyn]]

* [[Korater]]

* [[Meridas Amaram]] (mentioned only)

* [[Gare]] (mentioned only)

* [[Hallaw]] (mentioned only)

}}

 

:''Five years later''

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

{{epigraph|Ten orders. We were loved, once. Why have you forsaken us, Almighty! Shard of my soul, where have you gone?}}

:''Eight Months Later''

 

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|A man stood on a cliffside and watched his homeland fall into dust. The waters surged beneath, so far beneath. And he heard a child crying. They were his own tears.}}

 

'''Shallan Davar'''

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

{{epigraph|I'm dying, aren't I? Healer, why do you take my blood? Who is that beside you, with his head of lines? I can see a distant sun, dark and cold, shining in a black sky.}}

 

'''Kaladin'''

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|I have seen the end, and have heard it named. The Night of Sorrows, the True Desolation. The Everstorm.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

{{epigraph|I'm cold. Mother, I'm cold. Mother? Why can I still hear the rain? Will it stop?}}

 

'''Kaladin'''

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|They are aflame. They burn. They bring the darkness when they come, and so all you can see is that their skin is aflame. Burn, burn, burn...}}

 

'''Shallan'''

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|Victory! We stand atop the mount! We scatter them before us! Their homes become our dens, their lands are now our farms! And they shall burn, as we once did, in a place that is hollow and forlorn.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

{{epigraph|Ten people, with Shardblades alight, standing before a wall of black and white and red.}}

 

 

Kaladin has now been a member of the bridge crews for somewhere between two to four weeks. Of the twenty five who survived his first bridge run, only one other man is still alive.

A few new arrivals are brought in, and Kaladin sees a young boy who reminds him of his younger brother [[Tien]]. In general, Kaladin is handling the transition to life as a bridge crew member poorly, snapping at Syl and becoming despondent. Syl leaves, unable to continue watching him in his current state.

 

 

*[[bws: annotation-the-way-of-kings-chapter-9/|Chapter 9 Annotation]]

=== Chapter 10: Stories of Surgeons ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

Kal (his nickname as a boy) helps his father, [[Lirin]], treat a young woman, [[Sani]]. He reflects over the course of the surgery on how his family is treated so differently because of his father's career.

{{epigraph|Three of sixteen ruled, but now the Broken One reigns.}}

 

 

Kaladin is outside just after a [[highstorm]], going to the [[Honor Chasm]] to commit suicide. Gaz stops him, accusing him of trying to steal spheres left out in the Highstorm from others, but Kaladin simply ignores him and goes.

=== Interlude I-1: Ishikk ===

{{/icon|shield}}

'''Ishikk'''

 

=== Interlude I-2: Nan Balat ===

{{/icon|shield}}

'''Balat Davar'''

 

=== Interlude I-3: The Glory of Ignorance ===

{{/icon|Szeth}}

'''Szeth'''

 

{{/icon|Kholin}}

{{Epigraph|Old friend, I hope this missive finds you well. Though, as you are now essentially immortal, I would guess that wellness on your part is something of a given.}}

 

'''Adolin Kholin'''

{{/icon|Kholin}}

{{Epigraph|I realize that you are probably still angry. That is pleasant to know. Much as your perpetual health, I have come to rely upon your dissatisfaction with me. It is one of the cosmere's great constants, I should think.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

{{Epigraph|Let me first assure you that the element is quite safe. I have found a good home for it. I protect its safety like I protect my own skin, you might say.}}

 

'''Kaladin'''

{{/icon|Kholin}}

{{Epigraph|You do not agree with my quest. I understand that, so much as it is possible to understand someone with whom I disagree so completely.}}

 

'''Adolin'''

=== Chapter 16: Cocoons ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

:''Seven and a half years ago''

 

{{Epigraph|Might I be quite frank? Before, you asked why I was so concerned. It is for the following reason:}}

 

 

Kaladin visits an apothecary, hoping to get some antiseptic. He is charging considerably more than Kaladin can afford, so he only gets some bandages and sewing materials.

{{/icon|Kholin}}

{{Epigraph|Ati was once a kind and generous man, and you saw what became of him. Rayse, on the other hand, was among the most loathsome, crafty, and dangerous individuals I had ever met.}}

 

'''Adolin'''

{{/icon|Kholin}}

{{Epigraph|He holds the most frightening and terrible of all the Shards. Ponder on that for a time, you old reptile, and tell me if your insistence on nonintervention holds firm. Because I assure you, Rayse will not be similarly inhibited.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

=== Chapter 20: Scarlet ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

Kaladin is performing an unexpected surgery on a girl from his village. He had fortunately been nearby when the girl was injured. He begins working to stop her bleeding. After a short time, he succeeds in stopping the bleeding, but realizes that his success was not due to his treatment but rather because the girl has died.

{{Epigraph|One need only look at the aftermath of his brief visit to Sel to see proof of what I say.}}

 

 

Kaladin lies in bed, debating whether or not to get up. Eventually, he forces himself up and realizes that the other bridgemen had all been watching to see if he would get up and continue his training routine from the previous day. Kaladin goes to check on the wounded from the previous day's bridge run. Two of them are, for the most part fine, but one of them badly needs antiseptic.

{{/icon|Kholin}}

{{epigraph|In case you have turned a blind eye to that disaster, know that Aona and Skai are both dead, and that which they held has been Splintered. Presumably to prevent anyone from rising up to challenge Rayse.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

{{epigraph|I am being chased. Your friends of the Seventeenth Shard, I suspect. I believe they're still lost, following a false trail I left for them. They'll be happier that way. I doubt they have any inkling what to do with me should they actually catch me.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

 

{{/icon|Kholin}}

{{epigraph|For I have never been dedicated to a more important purpose, and the very pillars of the sky will shake with the results of our war here. I ask again. Support me. Do not stand aside and let disaster consume more lives. I've never begged you for something before, old friend.<br />I do so now.}}

 

'''Adolin'''

While on an inspection Adolin studies his father and worries about what he sees. Teleb demonstrates a prototype of a new portable bridge which fails. Adolin encourages him to continue working on the design. As they move off to start inspections, Dalinar wonders why there are no Shards for ordinary people and asks Adolin if he feels the Thrill. On their way to the fifth Battalion, Adolin praises his father's decision to allow the soldiers to bring their families to the Shattered Plains. Dalinar muses about the political and economic impact of the continual harvesting of gemstones and de facto colonization of the Shattered Plains. He tells Adolin that soon he will have to consider this.

 

 

Adolin then questions why Dalinar keeps giving him the lead. Dalinar tells him that he has a decision to make, but before he can elaborate, he notices a messenger in [[Thanadal]]'s colors. The messenger informs Dalinar that Thanadal has to cancel their meeting. Dalinar presses the messenger, and he says he is instructed to say that Thanadal does not wish to do a joint plateau assault with him. All eight highprinces have refused his offer, leaving only Sadeas. He tells Adolin to continue the inspection without him, making a vague excuse about something that needs to be done.

=== Interlude I-4: Rysn ===

[[File:Ten Spears.svg|165px|center]]

 

'''Rysn'''

 

 

{{Anchor|Interlude 5}}

=== Interlude I-5: Axies the Collector ===

[[File:Ten Spears.svg|165px|center]]

 

'''Axies the Collector'''

=== Interlude I-6: A Work of Art ===

[[File:Szeth's Chapters.svg|125px|center]]

 

'''Szeth'''

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|The ones of ash and fire, who killed like a swarm, relentless before the Heralds}}

 

'''Shallan'''

=== Chapter 31: Beneath the Skin ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

A drunken Lirin tells Kal not to come back to Hearthstone after his studies at Kharbranth. Kal wonders if the reason that the people mistrust Lirin was because he looked under people's skin as a profession. He is angry that at a word from Roshone, people stopped giving donations to their family. Kal suggests they should spend the spheres, but his father is against it. He and Hesina even tried to get Kal accepted for an early admission, but the surgeons at Kharbranth refused. Lirin and Kal talk about the difference between Roshone and Wistiow. After that Kal gets back to his studies. He pulls a rock out of his pocket and thinks of Tien. Tien has been learning carpentry from Ral since he won't be able to learn surgery -- he can't stand the sight of blood. As Kal's thoughts wander to becoming a spearman, he is interrupted by banging on the door. It turns out to be a mob of villagers including [[Luten]], [[Horl]] and [[Balsas]], demanding the spheres that Lirin has stolen. Lirin confronts them, daring them to rob and attack him. The villagers melt away into the darkness outside.

[[File:Shallan's Chapters.svg|115px|center]]

{{epigraph| They changed, even as we fought them. Like shadows they were, that can transform as the flame dances. Never underestimate them because of what you first see.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|Taking the Dawnshard, known to bind any creature voidish or mortal, he crawled up the steps crafted for Heralds, ten strides tall apiece, toward the grand temple above.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

=== Chapter 37: Sides ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

Kal helps his mother with the cooking as Tien shows off another pretty stone he has found. Kal immediately leaves when he sees a carriage from Roshone come to pick up his father. He insists on coming along. Lirin is surprised because Kal shouldn't have known about it but lets him join. This meeting is about the spheres that Lirin got from the former citylord Wistiow. Lirin and Kal sit down to eat with Roshone, but Lirin refuses to eat. He and Roshone argue about the spheres, Roshone offering a settlement: he takes nine-tenths, leaving the rest to Lirin. Kaladin is indignant and is dismissed from the table by his father. Kal goes to the kitchen and meets Laral and Roshone's son [[Rillir]]. He treats Kal like a servant and Laral plays along initially. When Kaladin refuses to serve him, he continues to taunt him. Laral pleads with him to stop, and they leave. His experience with the haughty lighteyes has changed his mind again: he wants to be a surgeon, not a soldier.

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

{{epigraph|Born from the darkness, they bear its taint still, marked upon their bodies much as the fire marks their souls.}}

 

'''Kaladin'''

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|Within a heartbeat, Alezarv was there, crossing a distance that would have taken more than four months to travel by foot.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

{{epigraph|Death upon the lips. Sound upon the air. Char upon the skin.}}

 

 

Kaladin leaves the barrack for the first time after his judgment in the highstorm. He is fairly weak, but his wounds are mostly gone. The members of Bridge Four, doing daily bridge training, nearly stumble over one another when they see him. Moash tells him that it's only been ten days and Rock says Kaladin must have bones like granite. When the horns blow for a bridge run and Bridge Four -- on duty -- gathers, Kaladin joins them, helping Lopen and Dabbid with the water. Later he watches the battle, thinking about what he did with the side carry and comes to understand what's the purpose of bridgemen: to be bait for the Parshendi because bridgemen are cheaper than soldiers and don't need training and equipment.

=== Chapter 41: Of Alds and Milp ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

Brightlord Roshone and his son Rillir were attacked by whitespine while on a hunt. Rillir is mortally wounded. Lirin tries to save him, but realizes it is hopeless, so he turns his attention to Roshone, who demands that he go back to helping his son. Lirin refuses, explaining the guidelines of a surgeon with two patients: if the wounds are equal, treat the youngest first; if the wounds are not equally threatening, treat the worst wound first. The third guideline supersedes the first two: a surgeon must know when someone is beyond their ability to help. While stitching up part of Roshone's wound, Lirin's knife is dangerously close to a major artery. He hesitates and his hand shakes, but he continues and saves Roshone's life.

{{epigraph|Like a highstorm, regular in their coming, yet always unexpected.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

 

{{epigraph|They lived out in the wilds, always awaiting the Desolation—or sometimes, a foolish child who took no heed of the night's darkness.}}

 

 

 

Kaladin climbs down into the chasm. Syl wonders why he isn't happy from surviving the highstorm. Kaladin chafes from not fighting the soldiers, but it wouldn't have helped to protect the men. Syl vaguely remembers helping men kill, to Kaladin's shock. Sometimes it is right to kill. The rest of the men climb down and Kaladin starts walking. Rock asks what they are going to do next in order to fight, and Kaladin insists that the fight is over. They find a pile of bodies and get to work. Teft stops by and also asks what's next, and Kaladin angrily replies that there is no hope, leading some of the men to grumble. Teft argues that it's not about surviving, quoting part of the Radiant oath "journey before destination." Syl likes the saying and encourages Kaladin to not give up. Kaladin thinks for a while and finally decides to try again, announcing to the men that the only chance is to try to escape. He offers to train them as spearmen, hoping it will increase their poor odds of escaping. All but Rock eagerly agree. Fighting is beneath Rock; he will cook instead.

=== Chapter 44: The Weeping ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

Kaladin lays on the roof after making a temporary repair. Tien joins him and gives him a beautifully carved wooden horse. Kaladin worries because his father had to spend another sphere. Their mother comes out and joins them, trying to assuage his concerns. The only reason he spent one was to try to bluff Roshone into thinking they were growing desperate. They discuss his future prospects, including the possibility of pursuing other professions, but Kaladin is set on becoming a surgeon like his father. Lirin comes out and tells them there is a gathering in the square. When they arrive, they notice that Laral is engaged, apparently to Roshone himself. Kaladin is appalled and starts forward to "stop it," but Lirin tells him to stand down. Roshone announces that Amaram is here to recruit, and several young men volunteer. The quota is not met, however, so Amaram tells Roshone to read the list of conscripts. The last name read is Tien. Amaram is familiar with the situation and asks Roshone to provide a different name, but Roshone insists. Kaladin tries to volunteer to take his place, but again Roshone insists that Tien be conscripted. So Kaladin instead volunteers in order to protect him. He is relieved, but their parents walk away devastated and crying. Kaladin swears an oath that he'll bring back Tien in four years.

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|Yelig-nar, called Blightwind, was one that could speak like a man, though often his voice was accompanied by the wails of those he consumed.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

{{epigraph|Though I was due for dinner in Veden City that night, I insisted upon visiting Kholinar to speak with Tivbet. The tariffs through Urithiru were growing quite unreasonable. By then, the so-called Radiants had already begun to show their true nature.}}

 

 

Kaladin rides the highstorm as he sweeps across Roshar. In the dream Kaladin views many places and people, a large portion of which he had never seen or heard of before. Blowing southwest and then westward, Kaladin sees flashes of lights, almost appearing to be physical things he could touch. Approaching them he sees that they came from a building amidst a city built of a triangular pattern. He bursts in there and sees a man with large Shin eyes, a Shardblade, wearing white (Szeth - the Assassin in White), just after he has committed an assassination. It feels to Kaladin as though the assassin could see him. Nearing the western ocean, Kaladin separates from the storm after hearing a booming voice that shakes the stormwall. This voice calls Kaladin a child of [[Tanavast]] and of [[Honor]] and warns him that [[Odium]] comes. Kaladin asks why there is so much war, and the voice responds, "Odium reigns." Kaladin then awakes inside his barracks, held down by dark figures. He instinctively starts to fight them off before realizing they are his bridge mates. They had to hold him down to stop him from running out into the highstorm while dreaming. They all go out to bathe in the riddens, and Kaladin decides to accept a shave from Rock. Rock reveals that Sigzil is a [[Worldsinger]]. Bridge Four is assigned a new crew member, a Parshman who can't bother to give them his name, so they call him [[Shen]].

=== Chapter 47: Stormblessings ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

Kaladin's enlistment is almost up, but he has already decided to re-up because he can't face his parents for his failure to protect Tien. Kaladin bribes another [[Gare|squadleader]] to transfer a new recruit (Cenn) to his squad. Kaladin wonders why the Alethi fight amongst themselves so much when they also join together to fight against real foreign invaders. He walks by the surgeons to hand over another bribe so his men will receive quick aid on the battlefield. A windspren makes the pouch stick to his belt, making him stumble. He tosses it to [[Ven]], the chief surgeon. When he gets to his squad, Cenn is already there. He looks so much like Tien, Kaladin has to look away. After scanning the battleground and conferring with Dallet, Kaladin's squad charges forward at the horn call.

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|They take away the light, wherever they lurk. Skin that is burned.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

{{epigraph|Radiant / of birthplace / the announcer comes / to come announce / the birthplace of Radiants.}}

 

 

Kaladin and the rest of Bridge four are walking through the chasms. Kaladin thinks about where the water goes and if it might be possible to escape to the east if his dreams were real. He is pulled out of his thoughts by Teft who questions him about his health, whether he feels surges of strength or perhaps light. Thinking about it, Kaladin notes how fast he healed and wonders if he might be cursed like someone who sought out the old Magic. He considers if maybe Syl is not the only spren following him, but maybe an evil one as well. They find themselves at a crossroads and Kaladin decides to use this spot for their training. He tells the Bridgemen that normally in military training, the sergeant will attempt to humble the soldiers at first. But they don't need that because they don't dream of glory; they just want to escape and survive. His first lesson is that a soldier should care, not be cold and emotionless. He drops the spear and tells them that the second lesson is to learn to stand before holding a spear. He tells Skar to push him over, and he can't do it, even when others come in to help. He tells Teft to pair them off to practice and to oversee the training, and Teft responds like a soldier, revealing his past military experience. When he looks at Kaladin he can see that Kaladin also noticed it. Kaladin goes a little apart with Rock, who explains why he can't fight. Kaladin sends him along with Lopen, Dabbid, and Shen to collect salvage. When Rock notes that they can't do the work of a whole Bridge crew, Kaladin has Syl make herself visible to the rest so that she can help them search more quickly. Kaladin assures Lopen that he will still receive training but that it is more important now to bring up the quota of salvage so as not to be discovered. He rejoins the crew and helps Teft. The men learn in hours what should have taken them days to learn. Kaladin realizes that the Bridgemen have been prepared for training by the physical intensity of their bridge duty.

{{/icon|Shallan}}

{{epigraph|Flame and char. Skin so terrible. Eyes like pits of blackness.}}

 

'''Shallan'''

=== Chapter 51: Sas Nahn ===

{{/icon|Kaladin}}

 

 

Kaladin is waiting in one of Amaram's waiting rooms. Only four of his twenty-six men survived -- he had actually begun to believe those who called him lucky. Numb, he thinks how he can now be considered among those who have killed a Shardbearer like [[Lanacin]] the Surefooted, or [[Evod Markmaker]], but he just doesn't care. Refusing the Shards was probably the stupidest thing anyone has ever done, but the thought of taking them revolts him. Amaram enters the room along with a [[Stormwarden]]. They are discussing the identity and motives of the shardbearer. The rest of the squad enters along with some lighteyed officers. Amaram asks Kaladin why he charged the Shardbearer and why he rejected the Shards. Kaladin doesn't want to reveal his disdain of lighteyes, and becoming one of them, so he replies that he doesn't know why. Amaram makes a signal, then his soldiers slaughter the four spearmen while Kaladin is held back by guards, shrieking in anger and agony at seeing his men murdered. Amaram looks guilty, but he justifies his actions by saying that he is trained in the sword and that Kaladin would demand the Shards back in a few days anyway. Since Kaladin saved his life, he will spare his. He will promulgate the story that he (Amaram) killed the Shardbearer and that Kaladin fled the scene, the rest of the squad killed by the Shardbearer. The Stormwarden brands Kaladin a slave.

=== Interlude I-8: Geranid ===

[[File:Ten Spears.svg|165px|center]]

 

'''Geranid'''

=== Interlude I-9: Death Wears White ===

[[File:Szeth's Chapters.svg|125px|center]]

 

'''Szeth'''

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|I'm standing over the body of a brother. I'm weeping. Is that his blood or mine? What have we done?}}

 

'''Adolin'''

{{epigraph|He must pick it up, the fallen title! The tower, the crown, and the spear!}}

 

 

Dunny is trampled on a bridge run, and Kaladin blames himself for not being able to save him. To cope with Dunny's loss, Kaladin decides to save the wounded bridgemen from other bridges. The bridgemen hesitate at first because helping other bridges drains their resources. Kaladin lectures them on honor and the hypocritical lighteyes, and they start helping him, ashamed. While working, Teft reminds Kaladin to keep his pouch of spheres infused and on his person at all times, and comments on the good luck Bridge Four had, sustaining zero casualties during all their approaches. Four of the wounded bridgemen survive.

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|The burdens of nine become mine. Why must I carry the madness of them all? Oh, Almighty, release me.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

{{epigraph|A woman sits and scratches out her own eyes. Daughter of kings and winds, the vandal.}}

 

 

Kaladin witnesses the first joint plateau assault of Sadeas and Dalinar. The fight goes so quickly and so well that Bridge Four is sent down into the chasms right after returning from the run. They find a dead lighteyed officer who has an emerald broam (worth two hundred days of a bridgeman's pay), in addition to a pouch of lesser spheres. Kaladin hatches a plan to sneak the pouch out of the chasms without surrendering it, but it hinges on the ability of someone to tie the pouch to an arrow, and then shoot the arrow at the underside of a permanent bridge so it can be picked up later. As nobody else has the necessary proficiency with a bow, Rock finally admits that he can make the shot and nails it perfectly, all the while insisting that he may shoot bridges with it, but that he will never use a bow in battle.

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|Light grows so distant. The storm never stops. I am broken, and all around me have died. I weep for the end of all things. He has won. Oh, he has beaten us.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

{{epigraph|I hold the suckling child in my hands, a knife at his throat, and know that all who live wish me to let the blade slip. Spill its blood upon the ground, over my hands, and with it gain us further breath to draw.}}

 

 

Maps dies of an arrow wound in the chest, and Kaladin agonizes over the loss, as he always does. After the bridge run, Kaladin insists on treating Teft's wounded arm. Teft prods Kaladin to see if he has had any "odd experiences" lately. When Kaladin tells him he's noticed nothing, Teft moves to punch Kaladin. Reacting instinctively, Kaladin breathes in all the Stormlight in the spheres he's carrying in preparation for self-defense. Teft points out that all the spheres are now dun, and Lopen notices that Kaladin's medical pack is sticking to the side of a barrel. Panicking at finally noticing his powers, Kaladin runs off to try to get rid of the Stormlight and figure out what's wrong with him. Syl admits that she's not a Windspren. She doesn't remember much, but she knows that she binds things. She says that Kaladin is changing because of her, that she takes something from him, and gives something in return.

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|Re-Sephir, the Midnight Mother, giving birth to abominations with her essence so dark, so terrible, so consuming. She is here! She watches me die!}}

 

'''Adolin'''

{{epigraph|Above the final void I hang, friends behind, friends before. The feast I must drink clings to their faces, and the words I must speak spark in my mind. The old oaths will be spoken anew.}}

 

 

Kaladin and Teft are in the Bridge Four barracks while Rock runs drills outside and Lopen stands watch at the entrance. Kaladin tries to draw light from an infused sphere but fails, and wonders if he really is a Surgebinder and potential Knight Radiant as Teft insists he is. Teft lectures Kaladin on the First Oath and speaks of The Way of Kings which his mother had read, and which the Radiants based their Ideals on. Brightness Hashal appears, stating that Bridge Four would be on full-time bridge run duty during the day, and chasm duty at night, and that they should feel honored by this, though Kaladin realizes it is a death sentence for his men. After Hashal leaves, Kaladin and the others debate their options, and Kaladin accidentally breathes in Stormlight and starts glowing faintly.

[[File:kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|The death is my life, the strength becomes my weakness, the journey has ended.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|In the storm I awaken, falling, spinning, grieving.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

{{epigraph|The darkness becomes a palace. Let it rule! Let it rule!}}

 

 

Kaladin and Bridge Four are on another bridgerun. He's nervous because this time he wants to try distracting the Parshendi archers with his self-made Parshendi armor and shield. On the way to the battlefield a soldier who doesn't want to wait for the army's water crews tries to force his way to Bridge Four's water skin. Because Kaladin's armor is hidden with the water Bridge Four persuades the soldier to back down. On the final approach Kaladin manages to draw the full attention of the Parshendi archers by wearing Parshendi armor and shield. He uses Stormlight to improve his speed, heal his wounds, and draw arrows to his shield. Sadeas rides up and is forced to promote Matal because "his" idea of distracting the Parshendi worked. Kaladin himself suffers from shock after using so much Stormlight. As always, the members of Bridge Four look for wounded from other bridge crews and care for them. Suddenly Lopen calls out, as he spots a group of Parshendi archers coming back to the chasm and aiming at Bridge Four. While the men try to escape out of range they are surprised to see Dalinar dashing into the Parshendi force and striking them down. When done, Dalinar raises his blade in a salute at Bridge Four.

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|They come from the pit, two dead men, a heart in their hands, and I know that I have seen true glory.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|I see them. They are the rocks. They are the vengeful spirits. Eyes of red.}}

 

'''Dalinar'''

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|That chanting, that singing, those rasping voices.}}

 

'''Kaladin'''

{{epigraph|Let me no longer hurt! Let me no longer weep! Dai-gonarthis! The Black Fisher holds my sorrow and consumes it!}}

 

 

'''Kaladin'''

'''Kaladin'''

 

 

'''Kaladin (flashback)'''

 

Kaladin explodes with energy and light. The bridgemen watch in wonder as Kaladin furiously fights.

 

=== Chapter 68: Eshonai ===

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|They named it the Final Desolation, but they lied. Our gods lied. Oh, how they lied. The Everstorm comes. I hear its whispers, see its stormwall, know its heart.}}

 

'''Adolin'''

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

{{epigraph|All is withdrawn for me. I stand against the one who saved my life. I protect the one who killed my promises. I raise my hand. The storm responds.}}

 

'''Navani'''

{{anchor|Chapter 70}}

 

[[File:Shallan's Chapters.svg|115px|center]]

 

 

Shallan lay in her hospital bed lamenting her actions and, to her surprise, Kabsal's death. But as she recalls the events leading up to her poisoning, things do not completely add up. She wonders why the antidote did not work for Kabsal and why Jasnah was not poisoned since she too had eaten the poisoned bread. She finds her sketchpad and draws an imperfect drawing of Jasnah examining the strawberry jam, remembering that she was not repulsed by the smell. Then she draws Jasnah eating the bread. In her drawing, it looks like it is melting. Realizing something, she leaves the hospital and walks in the darkness to the Conclave wearing only her hospital robe. She tells Jasnah that she knows that Jasnah uses a fake Soulcaster. Showing her the picture Shallan had drawn of Shadesmar to a shocked Jasnah, she concludes that Jasnah never had a working Soulcaster. Jasnah disregards Shallan's statements as fatigue induced delusions. To prove her statements Shallan attempts to return to Shadesmar. Holding her partially dun garnet sphere, she speaks with the twisted symbol-headed spren. They request a truth, preferably a secret truth, to form a bond. To form the bond, Shallan admits to killing her father. She falls into the sea of beads. She begins to drown but is rescued by Jasnah who reprimands her for going to Shadesmar with only a single dim sphere. Shallan asks to be part of Jasnah's work in truth and be trained in Soulcasting. At first Jasnah objects, but Shallan apologizes and explains that she could be someone that can share Jasnah's secrets. Jasnah relents and makes Shallan promise never to lie or steal again and gives Shallan her notes on the Voidbringers.

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Szeth, working as a porter, walks the streets of Kharbranth towards the King's palace. Having assassinated the other names on the list given him by his unseen master, he is in Kharbranth to finish his work and kill King Taravangian. Using his Shardblade, he cuts a hole in the servants privy to access the king's portion of the palace. Szeth easily subdues Taravangian's guards and enters the king's study. Following his instructions, Szeth informs the king that he has killed the others and is there to finish the job. But the king reveals himself to be Szeth's unknown master. He put his name on the list to deflect suspicion should Szeth fail. The king claims the assassinations are necessary to build a stronger Roshar for the coming years. Szeth accuses the king of using him to do his dirty work and, as a response, the king takes him to his secret hospital. The hospital is filled with dying people who are having their blood slowly drained. Here the king shows Szeth that his hands are not clean, having drained the blood of many. He explains that the dying see something important as they die, and here they record their words. He believes their words may contain the key to everyone's salvation. He then adds a name to Szeth's list that he had hoped to avoid but recent events had made necessary: Dalinar Kholin.

[[File:Shallan's Chapters.svg|115px|center]]

 

 

Before reading Jasnah's notes on the Voidbringers, Shallan asks Jasnah how she soulcasted her blood multiple times if she was so unskilled in organic material. Jasnah replies that blood is one of the Essences and is therefore easy to soulcast, unlike the strawberry jam which she had never seen before. Shallan has a great many additional questions about soulcasting, but Jasnah returns the conversation back to the Voidbringers. Shallan asks how Jasnah could believe in these myths when so many trusted scholars considered the Voidbringers a fabrication. Jasnah replies that she in general seeks to find natural meanings to supernatural events. She believes that something real caused the legends of the Voidbringers. Reading from her notes, Jasnah helps Shallan see that the humans on Roshar did not destroy or banish the Voidbringers. They instead enslaved them as the Parshmen.

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Kaladin waits at Dalinar's warcamp's staging ground as requested by Dalinar himself. As he waits he wonders with Syl whether he can trust Dalinar. Syl seems to feel that Dalinar is indeed honorable. Kaladin feels conflicted about his actions that day. He wonders again whether he could truly protect by killing and whether the three lives lost from his bridge crew were worth the thousands of soldiers and lighteyes that they saved.

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Shallan finishes reading Jasnah's notes concerning the Voidbringers and comes to the same conclusion as Jasnah, that the parshmen are the Voidbringers. They discuss the frightening ramifications of this conclusion, and they make plans to travel to the Shattered Plains to continue investigating King Gavilar's death and the Parshendi transformation into warriors. They also discuss the Ghostbloods, a secret organization seeking answers about the Voidbringers. Jasnah names Kabsal a member of the Ghostbloods and after seeing their secret symbol, Shallan realizes that her father was also likely a member.

[[File:Kholin Crest.svg|165px|center]]

 

 

During the next highstorm after Sadeas's betrayal, in one of Dalinar's visions, he finds himself in a white rocky landscape with smokey figures rising around him. The voice again tells Dalinar to "... unite them." Dalinar then demands to know why the voice lied to him with regards to trusting Sadeas. But instead of answering, the voice appears in human form and continues exhorting Dalinar to prepare for the [[Everstorm]], showing him a wall of darkness approaching a ruined Kholinar. Dalinar continues to ask questions and demand answers but soon realizes that the voice cannot hear him and never could. The voice continues telling Dalinar that this vision is a glimpse into the future born of his fears. Dalinar then sees that the wall of darkness is a wall of dust and as it passes by, the ground falls away leaving the land and where Kholinar was an empty void. Only the space where Dalinar stands remains. The voice tells Dalinar that someone must lead, unite and protect the people. He then commands Dalinar to rebuild the Knights Radiant, explaining that unity will be key in facing The True Desolation. The voice then ends by proclaiming that he was God (the Almighty) and that he is now dead after being killed by Odium.

[[File:Ten Spears.svg|165px|center]]

 

 

Wit has a conversation with some guardsmen in Kholinar. He asks them "What is the talent that men value most?" One of the guardsmen suggests art, to which Wit replies in the negative. At this point, [[Taln]] stumbles into the main courtyard, bearing a prophecy about the Everstorm, before collapsing on the ground, his Honorblade beside him. Hoid finishes by saying it is timeliness that men value most, and that Taln has arrived 'too late'.