The Coppermind

Difference between revisions of "Kaladin"

Kaladin (edit)

Revision as of 00:48, 15 April 2019

4,340 bytes added ,  5 years ago
→‎History
====Surgeon or soldier====
 
In {{Rosharan date|1164}}, Kal assisted his father in amputating one of the fingers of a fifteen-year old girl named [[Sani]]. Once finished, [[Lirin]] asked Kal why he was late. Kal admitted it was because he went with [[Tien]] to see what [[Jam]], a boy two years older, had learned from his quarterstaff training. Kal was excited because Jam’s father was a soldier in Brightlord [[Amaram]]’s army. Lirin replied that he knew Jam’s father, having operated on his leg three times, a “gift” from his time as a soldier. Kal argued they needed soldiers, but Lirin claimed they needed surgeons more. Lirin doubted that his son could actually hurt someone as he cried nearly every time someone was brought to them. Kal promised he would get stronger, causing Lirin to ask who put these ideas in his head. Kal countered that it was about honor and that no one told stories about surgeons. Lirin told him there were two kinds of people in the world, those who save lives and those who take lives, that one couldn’t protect by killing. Lirin then informed Kal that once he turned sixteen, he wanted to send Kaladin to train with real surgeons in [[Kharbranth]]. Lirin told Kal he had a gift from the [[Herald]]s and he didn’t need to waste it on the small dreams of other men.{{book ref|sa1|10}}
 
[[File: Kaladin and Tien.jpg|325px|thumb|left|Young Kal and Tien by [[User: Botanicaxu]] ]]
 
Two years later, Kal and [[Laral]] were talking atop a low ridge of boulders to the east of [[Hearthstone]] while [[Tien]] gathered rocks at the base. Kal told her of his father’s plans to send him to [[Kharbranth]] to train to become a surgeon. Hurt, Laral asked why he didn’t tell her. He lied, saying he didn’t think his father was serious. Placing her hands on her hips, Laral wondered about his previous plans to be a soldier. His expression became gloomy as he was conflicted on which path to choose, surgeon or soldier. Sensing his distress, [[Tien]] ran up to Kal with a rock that he found, giving it to Kal to make him feel better. Kal did feel better and went with Tien to find a [[lurg]], pocketing the rock. Laral rejoined them, commenting that Tien changes Kal for the better. Once again, Laral asked Kal what he planned on doing if his father tried to send him to Kharbranth. Knowing they wouldn’t take him until he was sixteen, Kal told her that he had some time to decide. Laral said that it seemed like his father was forcing him to do what he wants, not what Kal wanted. She encouraged him to become a soldier instead, implying that he could marry her if he won a [[Shardblade]] in battle, thereby becoming a [[lighteyes]]. However, he missed the implication, even though he was attracted to her and continued looking for lurgs with Tien.{{book ref|sa1|16}}
 
Later, they encountered a group of older boys, one of whom makes the claim his father won a Shardblade in the [[wastescum skirmishes]]. At [[Laral]]’s prompting, Kal contradicted him, which led to the boy, [[Jost]], challenging Kal to a quarterstaff fight. Although it was his first time holding a weapon, his natural talent for combat manifested. However, seeing that he hurt Jost, he stops himself from fighting anymore. Jost, having no similar inhibition, beats Kal to the ground. Kal then asked Jost to teach him, but the older boy declined, telling Kal to “go be what you are.” Joined by [[Tien]], Kal made his way home while contemplating what he wants to be. Once home, [[Lirin]] informed Kal that Citylord [[Wistiow]] had died and bequeathed a goblet full of spheres to Kal so he could study in [[Kharbranth]].{{book ref|sa1|16}}
====Somebody has to start====
 
While on a hunting trip, [[Roshone]] and [[Rillir]] were seriously injured by a [[whitespine]] and were brought to [[Lirin]]’s surgery room. Kaladin and Lirin determined that Rillir’s injuries were already fatal and tended to Roshone despite his protests. They anesthetized both patients, Roshone for surgery and Rillir for mercy. During the procedure, Lirin hesitated when he discovered a piece of the whitespine’s tusk near Roshone’s femoral artery. Kaladin considered how easy it would be to fake an accident, but they continued on to save Roshone’s life as Rillir died. When Kaladin asked his father why he did not let Roshone die, Lirin answered that they have to be better men than the lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|41}}
 
{{quote|Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right. If nobody starts, then others cannot follow...Because, son. We have to be better than they are.|Lirin to Kaladin {{book ref|sa1|41}}}}
===Amaram's Army (1168–1172)===
====Natural talent====
Kaladin received his initial training under [[Tukks]], who taught him learned the importance of controlled passion, topassion—to be passionate and to care without losing control of his emotions, aemotions—a lesson that he did not initially understand. During his training, Kaladin demonstrated a natural aptitude for being a soldier, learning the spear faster than anyone else in his cohort, barely even needing instruction, much to Tukks’ surprise.{{book ref|sa1|27}}{{book ref|sa1|49}}
 
{{quote|It’s good to care when you fight, so long as you don’t let it consume you. Don’t try to stop yourself from feeling. You’ll hate who you become.|Tukks to Kaladin on his first day of training{{book ref|sa1|27}}}}
 
==== Fighting the Shardbearer ====
Four years later, in {{Rosharan date|1172|10}}, Kaladin fought his final battle in [[Amaram]]’s army. Prior to the battle, Kaladin met with a Squadleader [[Gare]] and two of his sergeants. Kaladin bribed Gare to transfer [[Cenn]], a young and inexperienced soldier, to Kaladin’s own squad, whom he entrusted to his sergeant [[Dallet]]. He also bribed the surgeons to give priority to his men. While bribing the surgeons, the money pouch stuck to his hand by what Kaladin assumed to be a [[windspren]], although it was actually his first meeting with [[Sylphrena]]. After consulting with Dallet, Kaladin went to the front lines to prepare for battle.{{book ref|sa1|47}}
 
{{sidequote
Once the signal to march was given, Kaladin’s well-disciplined squad used non-standard tactics to avoid taking any casualties. However, the larger battle didn’t go nearly as well. When the larger body of [[Amaram]]’s forces broke, Kaladin’s squad was left in the middle of the enemy. During the chaos, Kaladin single-handedly defeated six men to save Cenn, who had been stranded alone without the rest of the squad.{{book ref|sa1|1}} After treating [[Cenn]], Kaladin saw an enemy battalionlord and decided to kill him, hoping such a feat would get him transferred to the [[Shattered Plains]], where Kaladin believed the real fight and honorable men can be found. Kaladin and two of his subsquads executed their plan flawlessly, with Kaladin himself landing the killing blow on the enemy battalionlord.{{book ref|sa1|47}}
 
Immediately after, an unknown enemy, a full [[Shardbearer]], later revealed to be [[Helaran Davar]],{{book ref|sa2|52}}{{book ref|sa2|73}} appeared and cut through [[Amaram]]’s army, killing [[Cenn]], [[Dallet]], and two more of Kaladin's men. Helaran continued on to attack Amaram, whose honor guard hadhas abandoned him. Enraged, Kaladin and his twenty remaining men chased after Helaran. Helaran killed sixteen of Kaladin’s men before Kaladin finally managed to kill him, saving Amaram’s life. Amaram and [[Coreb]], one of Kaladin's men, urged Kaladin to claim Helaran’s Shards, as it was his right to do so by ancient tradition. However, Kaladin was disgusted by the thought of wielding the same Blade that claimed the lives of so many of his friends. Instead, Kaladin gave the Shards to Coreb and walked away.{{book ref|sa1|47}}
 
====Betrayal====
Though he should have been killed for his tenth escape attempt, Kaladin’s master found him “intriguing,” and branded his forehead with the ''shash'' [[glyph]], meaning “dangerous”, and sold him. Eventually, Kaladin was bought by [[Tvlakv]] and it was during this time that Kaladin hit his lowest point. He found and hid away some poisonous [[blackbane]] leaves, unsure of whether or not he wanted to use them to commit suicide, kill his master, or something else. Regardless, he took comfort in having options open to him. However, when a fellow slave took ill, Kaladin’s instinct to protect and heal re-emerged and Kaladin attempted to save his life. His attempts failed as Tvlakv had the slave killed in order to avoid the infection spreading.{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa1|4}}
 
[[File:KaladinSyl Shuravfcaravan.jpg|275px320px|thumb|left|Sylphrena meeting Kaladin within Sylthe slave wagon by Shuravf[[User: Sheep]]]]
 
====Sylphrena====
Because bridgemen were supposed to be expendable, Kaladin was told that he could keep tending to the wounded men, but they would not be paid or fed while they were unable to work. Not wanting to give in to Brightlord [[Torol Sadeas|Sadeas]], the bridgeleader asked other members of [[Bridge Four]] to pitch in money and food to care for the men. However, all refused except for [[Rock]]. He offered to share his food with [[Hobber]], who was the least injured of the three. Knowing it would only be a matter of time before the [[rotspren]] were attracted to the wounded, Kaladin came up with the idea of collecting [[knobweed]] stems during stone-gathering detail. With the stems, he could create the antiseptic the men desperately needed and even sell some to get more supplies and food. Gaining the trust of [[Rock]] and [[Teft]], Kaladin enlisted their help to find and collect the knobweed during their new detail. [[Syl]] assisted as well, finding patches of knobweed and guiding Rock—who was mysteriously able to see her—to them. While working to extract the sap that night, Kaladin started building camaraderie with the two men, even managing to get Rock to open up and share some of his life story.{{book ref|sa1|21}}{{book ref|sa1|23}}
 
[[File:Kaladin bridgemanby Rumyana fullbodyZarkova.pngjpg|thumb|right|225px425px|Kaladin andin Sylthe chasms by [[Coppermind:Artists/ExmakinaRumyana Zarkova|ExmakinaRumyana Zarkova]]]]
 
Kaladin returned to the apothecary and made a deal for his bridge crew to gather [[knobweed]] sap in return for a [[spheres|skymark]] per bottle of sap and some bandages. Upon returning from selling the sap, [[Gaz]] sent [[Bridge Four]] to do chasm duty, recovering valuables from the war dead who had fallen into the chasms. In the chasms, Kaladin continued to build rapport with the men, bringing [[Dunny]] into the fold, who sang for the men while others hovered behind. Through their work, Kaladin came across a spear in the chasms. Picking it up and holding it drew the ire of [[Moash]], [[Sigzil]], and [[Earless Jaks]], who began taunting the bridgeleader. Ignoring their gibes, Kaladin closed his eyes and went into a trance. He performed an advanced practice kata with the spear, revealing his talent as a genius spearman to the men, leaving them speechless. During the display, [[Teft]], along with some of the other men, noticed an unknown spren—actually [[Syl]]—zipping around Kaladin. Through the rest of their chasm duty and on the walk back, more men started to open up. The night culminated in Kaladin using the money he had earned to purchase food and assigning [[Rock]] to cook a stew. Not a single person refused to partake in eating around the fire. The next day, a majority of the men followed his orders to rise out of bed and practice.{{book ref|sa1|27}}
 
====Transforming Bridge Four into spearmen====
[[File:Kaladin by Rumyana Zarkova.jpg|thumb|right|<center><small>by [[Coppermind:Artists/Rumyana Zarkova|Rumyana Zarkova]]</small></center>In the chasms]]After his recovery, Kaladin accompanied [[Bridge Four]] on their next bridge run. Once they dropped the bridge, Kaladin watched the battle raging on the next plateau alongside [[Rock]] and [[Sigzil]]. The latter asked why the bridgemen weren’t allowed to use shields during runs. Rock suggested that shields would slow them down, but Kaladin realized it was because they were bait.{{book ref|sa1|40}} Kaladin slipped into despair as he realized there was no hope for his men. Things were compounded the next day when Kaladin met [[Matal]], their new commander, and was re-acquainted with his wife, [[Hashal]]. She informed Kaladin that her husband would not run the bridge crews with the same laxness as his [[Lamaril|predecessor]]. Hashal then permanently assigned Bridge Four to chasm duty. Given the new orders and knowing their place as bait, Kaladin realized that further training as bridgemen would be a futile endeavor. Instead, he proposed training the men to become spearmen in order to escape, which his men accepted.{{book ref|sa1|43}}
 
During a highstorm, Kaladin dreamed he was the storm, traveling east to west, seeing the ground from the perspective of the storm itself. He passed over the [[Shattered Plains]], the [[Sea of Spears]], [[Kholinar]], the [[Horneater Peaks]], and countless other cities and villages. His path crossed [[Szeth]]’s in the middle of an assassination. Finally, he met the [[Stormfather]] once again, who left with with a cryptic message regarding the [[Oathpact]] being shattered and [[Odium]] reigning. Kaladin gasped awake to find himself being restrained. He attacked his “assailants,” but quickly realized they were just members of [[Bridge Four]]. They told him he had been in a fever dream and that he tried to walk out into the highstorm. Shaking off his vision, Kaladin went to clean up, even letting [[Rock]] give him a shave. Later that day, Bridge Four was given a new recruit, a parshman that Kaladin named [[Shen]]. Kaladin found himself walking around [[Torol Sadeas|Sadeas]]’ warcamp an hour later, still worried about his dream. He asked [[Syl]] if she knew anything about [[Odium]], which caused her to hiss and flee immediately to a nearby building. Before he could ask why the word set her off, Kaladin heard a series of curses behind him. Turning, Kaladin witnessed [[Adolin Kholin]] saving a prostitute from being beaten by a lighteyed officer. Choosing to escort the prostitute to the border, Adolin threw an emerald chip to Kaladin and told him to deliver a message that he couldn’t make his meeting and would reschedule. Kaladin took the money, but didn’t deliver the message due to his disdain of Adolin’s attitude and lighteyes in general. Syl returned, but was distressed at Kaladin’s increasingly dark attitude concerning lighteyes and his breach of the implicit agreement to do as Adolin asked.{{book ref|sa1|46}}
During their chasm duty detail, Kaladin secretly began training [[Bridge Four]], which had now dwindled to twenty-four members, as spearmen. To assist with the training, Kaladin tricked [[Teft]] into revealing that he had been a soldier and appointed him to oversee the men. To maintain their cover of working in the chasms, he assigned [[Lopen]], [[Rock]], [[Dabbid]], and [[Shen]] to do the actual salvage work with [[Syl]]’s assistance. Kaladin was impressed at the men’s progress after only a few hours and remarked that thanks to their adverse conditions, they were ironically the most motivated and fit recruits he had ever seen.{{book ref|sa1|49}}
 
OnIn one of the next bridge runs, [[Dunny]] was killed. Frustrated, Kaladin began rescuing members from other bridge crews, commanding his men to carry them back to the barracks despite barely having enough resources to care for his own men. Kaladin’s actions coupled with the fact that the arrows seemed to dodge him when he ran point further raised [[Teft]]’s suspicions about the bridgeleader being a [[Knight Radiant]].{{book ref|sa1|53}} During chasm duty a week laterafter Dunny’s passing, [[Bridge Four]] found slightly more than [[spheres|an emerald broam]]'sbroam’s worth of money, including an actual emerald broam. KaladinWith realized that with thisthe money, they realized they could not only feed and care for the wounded bridgemen, but they could also advance their escape plan. Kaladin decided to turn over the emerald broam—an amount of money that no bridgeman could ever safely spend—but kept the rest. [[Rock]], though an avowed pacifist, took up a bow and attached the pouch to the underside of one of the permanent bridges using an arrow. [[Lopen]] covertly retrieved the money during their next bridge runs and turned the money over to Kaladin.{{book ref|sa1|55}}{{book ref|sa1|57}}▼
==== Discovery of Surgebinding powers ====▼
In one of the next bridge runs, [[Dunny]] was killed. Frustrated, Kaladin began rescuing members from other bridge crews, commanding his men to carry them back to the barracks, despite having barely enough resources to care for his own men. His actions cause [[Teft]]’s suspicions about Kaladin being a [[Knight Radiant]] to grow stronger.{{book ref|sa1|53}}
 
▲==== Discovery of Surgebinding powers ====
▲On chasm duty a week later, [[Bridge Four]] found slightly more than [[spheres|emerald broam]]'s worth of money, including an actual emerald broam. Kaladin realized that with this money, they could not only feed the wounded bridgemen, but they could also advance their escape plan. Kaladin decided to turn over the emerald broam—an amount of money that no bridgeman could ever safely spend—but kept the rest. [[Rock]], though an avowed pacifist, took up a bow and attached the pouch to the underside of one of the permanent bridges using an arrow.{{book ref|sa1|55}}
In one of the next runs, [[Bridge Four]] dropped to just twenty-six members when both [[Maps]] and [[Arik]] died. Kaladin struggled to deal with their deaths, worried that soon he’d be the only one left. The rest of Bridge Four also appeared anxious as they fell in with their bridgeleader. Returning to camp, Kaladin dismissed the men, who in turn gave him a salute that [[Teft]] taught them. Teft lingered, allowing the bridgeleader to look at his arm. Under the ruse, Teft punched Kaladin, forcing him to unconsciously use his powers to defend himself. Kaladin demanded to know what Teft was doing, who just replied that he was testing something. Before either man could discuss it further, [[Lopen]] pointed out that Kaladin was glowing. Grabbing Teft, Kaladin demanded to know what he’d done to him. Teft denied doing anything, pointing out that Kaladin had been feeding off [[Stormlight]] since he’d been sick. Seeing [[Syl]] out of the corner of his eye, Kaladin confronted the spren about his powers. Realizing they come from the [[Knights Radiant]], Kaladin grew scared and wanted to be rid of them. Syl questioned why he’d want to be rid of something of the [[Windrunners]]. Kaladin wondered if he was cursed, which caused Syl to run away. When Lopen and Teft found him, Kaladin fled, overwhelmed at his new discovery.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
 
[[File:Wandersail by Ryland Malcom.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Wit telling Kaladin the story of Wandersail by [[Coppermind:Artists/Ryland Malcolm|Ryland Malcolm]] ]]
[[Lopen]] covertly retrieved the money during one of the next bridge runs and turned the money over to Kaladin. During the run, Teft’s suspicions about Kaladin came to a head and he tricked Kaladin into unconsciously using his powers. Kaladin, realizing that his powers were of the Knights Radiant, grew scared and wanted to be rid of them. He confronted [[Syl]], and during the argument, Syl grew angry and ran away.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
 
LaterThat that eveningnight, Kaladin came across [[Hoid]], who told him the story of [[Derethil]] and the ''[[Wandersail]]'', a story that Kaladin interpreted as one about taking responsibility. Before Hoid left, he gave Kaladin a [[Trailman's flute]] and toldcharged him towith looklooking after his apprentice, [[Sigzil]], leavingwho Kaladinhe tonow tellgraduated Sigzil that he is nowto a full [[Worldsinger]]. [[Syl]], who was present for the story, returned to Kaladin and explained what she rememberedwas andbehind knewwhat aboutwas hishappening powersto him. Syl offered to cut off their bond, whichbut it would leave them both crippled. However, but Kaladin finally decided to take onaccept the responsibility that [[Surgebinding]] represented and to use the power to help others.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
 
Kaladin spent athe next week trying to learn how to use his [[Surgebinding]] powers alongsidewith [[Teft]]’s help with little to no success while [[Bridge Four]] continued to train tounder become[[Rock]]’s spearmenleadership. While trying to learn Surgebinding, Teft told Kaladin what he knew of the [[Knights Radiant]], teaching him the First Ideal of the [[Immortal Words]].{{book ref|sa1|59}}
 
{{quote| Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination| First Ideal of the Knights Radiant}}
GivenTheir Bridgetraining Four’swas excellentinterrupted performance thanks to their training,when [[Hashal]] came to visit. She informed Kaladin that [[Bridge Four]] would now go on every bridge run, withoutciting they were a “model” for the other crews. They would no longer get the normal break between runs, a further reprisal for the side carry incident, and would now do chasm duty at night. Responding to the increased danger this change brought, Kaladin came up with a plan to use the skins of dead [[Parshendi]] found in the chasms as armor. In order to bring the armor out of the chasms, Kaladin successfully managed to use his powers to run up a wall and attach the armor to the underside of the permanent bridge they originally used to hide the spheres.{{book ref|sa1|59}} ▼
 
During one of the next bridge runs, Kaladin donned the carapace armor and ran ahead of the bridge crews, drawing the attention of the [[Parshendi]]. The desecration of a Parshendi corpse enraged the warriors who focused all of their efforts on Kaladin, ignoring everyone else on the battlefield. Drawing in [[Stormlight]], Kaladin dodged arrows, his muscles reacting quickly. As [[Bridge Four]] came into range, an arrow cut open Kaladin’s arm, but to his surprise, it began to seal up instead of bleed. Continuing to serve as a distraction, Kaladin’s [[Surgebinding]] abilities protected him and the bridge crews from any harm, marking his plan a resounding success. While Bridge Four was resting and watching Kaladin treat a [[Thaylen]] man, a group of Parshendi soldiers attempted to ambush them. However, [[Dalinar Kholin]] came to their rescue and saluted them as he left. Given the success of the carapace armor, [[Matal]] gave Kaladin permission to outfit all of Bridge Four in the armor, with his wife [[Hashal]] claiming it was her idea the entire time. He set [[Leyten]], an apprentice armorer, to work on making the sets of carapace armor with the help of the wounded men. Meanwhile, the spearmen’s training advanced rapidly, with [[Moash]] and [[Skar]] emerging as the most skilled.{{book ref|sa1|62}}{{book ref|sa1|63}}
▲Given Bridge Four’s excellent performance thanks to their training, [[Hashal]] informed Kaladin that Bridge Four would go on every bridge run, without the normal break between runs, a further reprisal for the side carry incident. Responding to the increased danger this change brought, Kaladin came up with a plan to use the skins of dead [[Parshendi]] found in the chasms as armor. In order to bring the armor out of the chasms, Kaladin successfully managed to use his powers to run up a wall and attach the armor to the underside of the permanent bridge they originally used to hide the spheres.{{book ref|sa1|59}}
 
[[File:Kaladin charging the Parshendi.jpg|thumb|rightleft|400px|Kaladin charging the [[Parshendi]] by [[Coppermind: Artists/Pam Hage|Pam Hage]]]] ▼
During the next bridge run, Kaladin wore the carapace armor, drawing the attention of the Parshendi. The desecration of a Parshendi corpse enraged the Parshendi warriors who focused all their attention on Kaladin, ignoring everyone else on the battefield. Kaladin’s Surgebinding, which had slowly grown, protected him from any harm, marking his plan a resounding success. While Bridge Four was resting, a group of Parshendi soldiers attempted to ambush Bridge Four, but [[Dalinar Kholin]] came to their rescue and saluted them as he left.{{book ref|sa1|62}}
Since the armor was so effective, Kaladin ordered [[Leyten]] to make a set of armor for every man in Bridge Four, not just those running in front. Meanwhile, the spearmen’s training advanced rapidly, with [[Moash]] and [[Skar]] emerging as the most skilled.{{book ref|sa1|63}}
 
==== Battle of the Tower ====
Ten days later, on {{Rosharan date|1173|9|6|4}}, Bridge Four participated in the [[Battle of the Tower]], where the combined armies of Highprinces [[Sadeas]] and [[Dalinar]] assaulted the [[Tower]]. By this time, they had not only perfected using the carapace armor, but they had made enough sets to outfit the entire unit.{{book ref|sa1|64}} The battle began well, with only [[Skar]] and [[Teft]] receiving relatively minor injuries.{{book ref|sa1|65}}
 
Ten days later, on {{Rosharan date|1173|9|6|4}}, [[Bridge Four]] participated in the [[Battle of the Tower]], where the combined armies of Highprinces [[Sadeas]] and [[Dalinar]] assaulted the [[Tower]]. By this time, they had not only perfected using the carapace armor and large wooden shields, but they had made enough sets to outfit the entire unit. Kaladin led the charge, staying in front of the other decoys, trying to distract the [[Parshendi]] forces as best he could. However, his efforts weren’t as successful as the first time he donned the armor. Five bridge crews dropped, slaughtered right where they ran. While Bridge Four fared better, they didn’t arrive unscathed. [[Skar]] and [[Teft]] both suffered injuries, which Kaladin tended to once they reached the Tower. Once Kaladin finished, he surveyed the battlefield and to his surprise, Sadeas was retreating. At first, he thought something must be wrong, but then he quickly realized that Sadeas had set up a trap, abandoning Dalinar and his men on the Tower with no means of escape.{{book ref|sa1|64}}{{book ref|sa1|65}}{{book ref|sa1|66}}
Shortly after the battle’s start, Kaladin received the order to retreat. Kaladin, who quickly assessed the state of the army, realized that Sadeas had set up a trap, abandoning Dalinar on the Tower with no means of escape.{{book ref|sa1|66}} During the retreat, Kaladin had the idea of using the chaos of battle to escape, allowing the army to think that his men had been killed.
 
While[[Bridge Four]] retreated with the rest of [[Sadeas]]’ army, lagging behind so they could carry their wounded. As Kaladin wascarried workingthe outbridge, he had the detailsidea of using the battle to escape, allowing the army to think that his men had been killed. Once [[SylMatal]] ugedagreed to leave them behind, Kaladin explained the details of the escape to the men and offered to stay behind with the wounded men. Bridge Four protested, but Kaladin commanded them to stick to the plan. However, there was more than just the wounded men plaguing him. Looking back to savethe Dalinar’s[[Tower]], armyhe watched as [[Dalinar]] and his men continued fighting. The men of Bridge Four asked if there was anything they could do, revealingbut Kaladin refused, claiming it would be suicide. [[Syl]], who had taken up the form of a full-sized person, spoke up and revealed that she remembered her being an [[honorspren]], a spirit of oaths, promises, and nobility. After a moment of internal conflict, Kaladin ordered his men to turn around and head back towards Dalinar’s army.{{book ref|sa1|67}}
 
Kaladin led [[Bridge Four]] as they charged the plateau in hopes of giving [[Dalinar]]’s army a chance to escape. He was filled with one purpose only and that was to protect. He ran ahead, dodging arrows, but he quickly realized something was wrong. [[Syl]] drew his attention back to Bridge Four and the many arrows pointed at their unshielded flank. He ordered them into side carry position to deflect the arrows, something they hadn’t done in weeks. Reaching his crew, he turned just in time to see more archers behind them drawing for a large volley. He screamed and threw every bit of [[Stormlight]] he could into his shield, pulling over a hundred arrows into it. Seeing what Kaladin had done, both groups of [[Parshendi]] that had released volleys turned and fled. Knowing that Kaladin was in no condition to run the bridge, [[Moash]] led the rest of the men onwards to help Dalinar. Kaladin crawled to the edge of the chasm and asked Syl if she could help make him stronger, who shook her head. As he listened to the sounds of war and death around him, he was transported back to the most horrible of days, the day [[Tien]] died. When he snapped out of his trance, Syl asked him if he knew the Words. Wanting to save his men, Kaladin took up a spear and spoke the [[Immortal Words|Second Ideal]] of the [[Windrunner]]s, progressing his path to becoming a member of the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa1|67}}
▲[[File:Kaladin charging the Parshendi.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Kaladin charging the [[Parshendi]] by [[Coppermind: Artists/Pam Hage|Pam Hage]]]]
 
Bridge Four charged the plateau to set their bridge and to give Dalinar’s army a chance to escape. During this charge, Kaladin overtly performed two great feats of Surgebinding: first, he drew over a hundred arrows to his shield. A few moments later, he spoke the [[Immortal Words|Second Ideal]] of the [[Windrunner]]s, progressing his path to becoming a member of the [[Knights Radiant]] and unlocking a new level of power. Having spoken the Second Ideal, Kaladin generated a wave of [[Stormlight]] powerful enough to throw back an entire enemy rank of Parshendi.{{book ref|sa1|67}}
 
{{quote|I will protect those who cannot protect themselves| Second Ideal of the Windrunners}}
 
[[File: The Leap by Grant Hansen.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Kaladin jumping over a chasm and onto the Tower to save Dalinar and his army by [[Coppermind:Artists/Grant M. Hansen|Grant M. Hansen]] ]]
Kaladin fought with amazing prowess, his natural talents enhanced to unnatural levels by Stormlight. He single-handedly engaged and defeated dozens of Parshendi. Kaladin and his men held the bridge until Dalinar’s soldiers were able to fight their way to them. Kaladin organized the retreat, but neither Highprince Dalinar or [[Adolin]] were with them. Adolin was still fighting nearby, forcing the [[Cobalt Guard]] to stay on the field as well. Kaladin convinced Adolin to order a retreat while he went to retrieve Dalinar. Kaladin found Dalinar fighting with [[Eshonai]], both of whom were utilizing a full set of Shards. Fighting a Shardbearer for a second time, Kaladin rescued Dalinar and retreated with what remained of his army. While returning to the warcamps, Dalinar promised Kaladin he would ensure their safety from Sadeas.{{book ref|sa1|68}}▼
 
▲Kaladin fought with amazing prowess, his natural talents enhanced to unnatural levels by [[Stormlight]]. He single-handedly engaged and defeated dozens of [[Parshendi]]. Kaladin and his men held the bridge until Dalinar’s[[Dalinar]]’s soldiers were able to fight their way to them. During the brief respite, the bridgeleader checked on his men, learning they had suffered three casualties and several injuries. Kaladin organized the retreat, butputting [[Teft]] in charge of the bridgemen and keeping [[Moash]] by his side. Upon closer inspection of the [[Alethi]] soldiers, Kaladin realized that neither Highprince Dalinar ornor [[Adolin]] were with them. AdolinHeading wasback stillto fightingthe front nearbylines, forcingKaladin found the [[Cobalt Guard]], the group sworn to stayprotect onAdolin, thestill fieldfighting. asKnowing wellthey wouldn’t leave without their highprince, Kaladin searched for Adolin and ordered him to retreat. However, Adolin refused to leave without his father. Kaladin convinced Adolinhim to ordergo awith retreatMoash while he went to retrieve Dalinar. Kaladin foundleapt over the chasm to where Dalinar was fighting with [[Eshonai]], both of whom were utilizing a full set of [[Shards]]. Fighting a [[Shardbearer]] for a second time, Kaladin rescued Dalinar and retreated with what remained of his army. WhileDalinar returningcommended toKaladin thefor warcamps,his Dalinaractions and promised Kaladinthat he would ensure their safety from [[Sadeas]].{{book ref|sa1|68}}
 
When they arrived back at the warcamps, Kaladin accompanied Dalinar to confront Sadeas. Dalinar offered to pay an exorbitant sum of money for the freedom of the bridgemen, but Sadeas refused. Finally, Dalinar offered his Shardblade [[Oathbringer]] in exchange for the men, which proved to be an offer Sadeas couldn’t refuse.{{book ref|sa1|69}}
Ammcclain15
Editors
644

edits

Retrieved from "https://coppermind.net/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/101960"