Difference between revisions of "User:Jarno87/Kaladin"

Kaladin was born in late 1153 to [[Lirin]] and [[Hesina]], a family of second [[nahn]], in the town of [[Hearthstone]] in [[Torol Sadeas]]'s [[Sadeas princedom|princedom]] in northwestern [[Alethkar]]. His younger brother, [[Tien]] was born two years later. Growing up, Kaladin preferred the shorter name Kal to his full name, whichas he felt Kaladin sounded like a lighteyes’s name. At the age of eight, Kal began training with his father in surgery, though he dreamed of becoming a soldier. At first, he became sick at the sight of wounds and injuries., Over the next couple of years,but he grewgot used to theit sightover andtime. assistedHe started assisting his father during surgeries which hethought figuredcould would come inbe handy on the battlefield. However, the amount of time Lirin spent with books and sick people, coupled with their class disparity, made people uncomfortable to be around Lirin and Kal, by association. As a result of his isolated upbringing, Kal became very close with his brother and, at the encouragement of his parents, [[Laral Wistiow]], the daughter of the city lord.{{book ref|sa1|10}} {{book ref|sa1|16}}

In {{Rosharan date|1164}}, Kal assisted his father in amputating one of the fingers of a fifteen-year oldteen girl named [[Sani]]. Once finished, [[Lirin]] asked Kal why he was late. Kal admitted it was becausethat he went withand [[Tien]] went to see what [[Jam (Hearthstone)|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 arguedand theyLirin neededargued soldiers,about butthe Lirinneed claimedfor theysoldiers neededand surgeons, more.with Lirin doubteddoubting that his sonKal 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}}

Two years later, Kal and [[Laral]] were talking atop a low ridge of boulders to thesomewhere east of [[Hearthstone]] while [[Tien]] gathered rocks at the basenearby. 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’thadn’t telltold 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 changeschanged Kal for the better. Laral continued to encourage Kal to become a soldier, and that he shouldn't let his father force him to do something he didn't want to. She even implied he could marry her if he won a [[Shardblade]]. Kal replied he still had time to decide as they wouldn't take him until he was sixteen.{{book ref|sa1|16}}

Later, they encountered a group of older boys, one of whom made 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 stopped himself from fighting anymore. Jost, having no similar inhibition, beatedbeat 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 wanted to be. Once home,where [[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}}

Half a year later, [[Roshone]] invited [[Lirin]] to the mansion for dinner. Although Lirinhis and [[Hesina]]parents tried to hide the meetingit from him, Kal found out and attended, wanting to support his father if he confronted the citylord. As they rode through the city, Kal asked his father why they tried to hide the meeting. Lirin admitted that he wasn’t sure if he even wanted to attend as a part of him just wanted to take the family and flee. Lirin confessed that he had tried to leave once, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Having cared for the townspeople for so long, he couldn’t leave them in the hands of Roshone. Once they arrived, theRoshone pairwas werealready ledeating toin athe dining room where Roshone was already eating. A servantside gesturedtable tohade a side tablebeen set up in a room off the main dining hall, but Lirin sat down at Roshone’s table insisting that he was of second nahn and surely he could have a place at his table. Not wasting any time, Roshone discussed their present situation and asked them to return the spheres, ending their defiance. When Kal responded with an outburst, Lirin sent him away to the kitchens. There, Roshone’s son, [[Rillir Roshone|Rillir]] walked in with [[Laral]], and confusing Kaladin for a servant, ordered him to fetch their supper. Kal, protesting that he wasn’t a servant, lost an argument over his calling with Rillir, leaving him humiliated. As Lirin and Kal left the mansion, the latter admitted to his father that he had been considering joining the army. However, he had resolved to becoming a surgeon so that he would have the education to stand up to the lighteyes. During their conversation, Kal realized that Lirin had indeed stolen the spheres from [[Wistiow]], changing everything, but also changing nothing. He resolved to use the spheres for his training, but would eventually pay them back to Laral.{{book ref|sa1|37}}

|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.

In the [[Weeping]] of {{Rosharan date|1168}}, Kaladin found himself increasingly hoping for the sun and the wind again, the weather making it difficult for him to get things done. One day, when Kaladin was lying on the roof during the rain after repairing a leak, [[Tien]] called up to him, wanting to join him. While Kaladin didn’t think anyone else could cheer him up, he knew Tien could because somehow he just always knew the right thing to do. At first, it wasthey just the two of them sittingsat in silence. Then, Tien presented Kaladin with a gift, an intricately carved horse that he had made at [[Ral]]’s shop. KaladinWhen asked if he showedhad theshown beautiful horseit to Ral, but Tien confessed that it gothad gotten him into trouble because it wasn’t useful. Not a bit discouraged, Tien said he would make him proud tomorrow by finishing a chair. Kaladin found himselfwas amazed at his brother’s ability to smile even in the darkest of times, swearing things grew brighter around them in that moment.{{book ref|sa1|44}}

However, it was short-lived as Kaladin admitted his concerns about their father having to spend the spheres to not only [[Tien]], but also his mother. [[Hesina]] promised him that there would be enough spheres for him to go to [[Kharbranth]] in two months. Kaladin suggested that perhaps the entire family should come with him, not wanting to leave them behind, especially with Roshone “strangling” them. Hesina informed Kaladin that they only spent the spheres to make [[Roshone]] think he was winning, not because they needed to. Once Kaladin left, the spheres would be safe in the hands of the ardents while he studied to become a surgeon. However, Hesina reminded him that that his life was his own and that he didn’t have to become a surgeon to make them proud. They sat for awhile, Kaladin considering her words and what Tien could possibly like about the rain, when Lirin came with news that there was a gathering in the square.{{book ref|sa1|44}}

|In four years, I will bring him home safely. I promise it by the storms and the Almighty's tenth name itself. I will bring him back.

[[Roshone]] assembled the townsfolk as [[Meridas Amaram]], a general for [[Highprince]] [[Torol Sadeas|Sadeas]], had arrived in [[Hearthstone]] to recruit soldiers for the army. There, Kaladin and his family were shocked to learn that [[Laral]] was now engaged to Roshone himself after [[Rillir]]’s death. Meanwhile, since only six men had volunteered, Amaram asked Roshone to announce the list of conscripts. As citylord, Roshone was barred from from placingsending [[Lirin]] or Kaladin on the conscription list because they served a vital function to the town. However, Roshone placed [[Tien]]’s name on the list instead. When Kaladin tried to take his brother’s place, he was denied because the law gave the choice to Roshone alone. Left with no other option, Kaladin enlisted in the army in order to protect Tien and promised his devastated parents that he would bring Tien back safely in four years. Amaram also promised Lirin that he would make Tien a messenger boy for a while.{{book ref|sa1|44}}

Kaladin received his initial training under [[Tukks]], who taught him the importance of controlled passion—to be passionate and to care without losing control of his emotions—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}} After freezing on the battle field the first time, Kaladin was assigned cleaning duty by Tukks. Not to punish him, but to help him fit in more. Tukks explained about how many soldiers stugglestruggle with the need to hurt the enemy. However, Kaladin didn't believe he froze because he was afraid to hurt someone, but because he realized he could kill, if needed.{{book ref|sa3|91}}

Despite [[Amaram]]’s promise to [[Lirin]], the older messenger boys, including [[Tien]], were soon organized into several squads of reserve units to make up for a shortfall in recruitment. [[Dalar]] assured Kaladin that these squads would not see combat unless the army iswas in serious danger. Less than four months after his enlistment, Kaladin took part in his third real battle. Amaram’s army was attempting to hold a hilltop, but as the battle deteriorated, messenger boys were assigned to [[Sheler]]'s company. Hearing that the messenger squad was sent to the front, Kaladin ran recklessly through the battlefield in an attempt to reach his brother. On the southeast side of the hill, Squadleader [[Varth]] placed Tien and two other boys in the front lines, successfully using them as bait. Kaladin, killing a man for the first time during his run, reached Tien only after he had been killed. Weeping and bleeding from wounds taken during his run, he hugged Tien’s dead body until long past the end of the battle.{{book ref|sa1|67}}

Kaladin sent a letter to his parents informing them of [[Tien]]’s death and his decision not to return to [[Hearthstone]]. He spent the next year driving himself to exhaustion every day on the practice yard, vowing vengeance and that he would never lettinglet another person die because of his lack of skill. He became the best spearman in his company and was rumored to be the best in the entire army.{{book ref|sa1|47}}{{book ref|sa1|63}} He eventually met [[Tarah]], the daughter of an assistant quartermaster, who coaxed Kaladin out of his single-mindedness, claiming it would burn him out. The two became romantically involved, but they separated soon after she was transferred to a scribe’s job in Mourn’s Vault. Kaladin blamed himself for their failed relationship, knowing that he’d been stupid not to send responses to her letters.{{book ref|sa2|68}}{{book ref|sa3|112}} He later joined the [[Takers]] under [[Tukks]]' leadership. There, Kaladin met [[Durk]], who became a mentor to him. Durk was impressed with Kaladin’s abilities, considering him a natural born soldier, an artist with a spear.{{book ref|sa1|46}} Unfortunately, every member of the Takers was eventually killed with Kaladin being the lone survivor. At the age of eighteen, Kaladin was promoted to squadleader, making him the youngest one in the army and becomingbecame known as Kaladin Stormblessed.{{book ref|sa1|2}}

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 cancould 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 hashad 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}}

It was during this time, that Kaladin first noticed [[Sylphrena]]. Though she’d been following him for several months, Kaladin believed her to be nothing more than the average, albeit mischievous [[windspren]]. As Kaladin was rubbing the [[blackbane]] leaves between his fingers, Syl asked him what he had. At first, he ignored her, but not without noticing some oddities about her, such as the exceptionally long period of time that she had been following him. When she called him by name, he was shocked as he didn’t believe that [[spren]] could use people’s names. To his knowledge, spren could mimic voices or expressions, but they didn’t have actual intelligence or memory. Kaladin thought he was insane at first, but he eventually started to converse with Syl. During the course of their first conversation, Syl asked Kaladin why he didn’t fight like he used to. Kaladin continued to question how she knew both his name and what he did weeks ago. He finally confessed to her that he had failed, remembering the deaths of [[Tien]], [[Cenn]], [[Dallet]], [[Tukks]], and the [[Takers]]. After the slave took ill and [[Tvlakv]] had him killed, Syl asked Kaladin why he didn’t cry. Kaladin replied that it wouldn’t change anything and maybe she should ask the [[Almighty]] why men cry. During a storm, Syl chased after it, but eventually returned. Kaladin wondered why she didn’t go with the other windspren, but she told him she liked it there with him.{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa1|4}}

Days passed and the wagons continued to roll on until one particular day when they didn’t stop at their usual time, leaving. Kaladin to wonderwondered why they hadn’t stopped for their afternoon slop. Well past noon, they finally rolled to a stopstopped and [[Bluth]] and [[Tag]] joined [[Tvlakv]]. The three quickly started arguing as they held up a piece of paper. Kaladin called out, askingasked Tvlakv if he was lost and offeredsuggested that perhaps he should seek guidance from the [[Almighty]] who had a “fondness” for slavers. Tvlakv walked over and asked Kaladin if he knew anything of the area. Kaladin requested the map and without even reading it, he ripped it into pieces, much to Tvlakv’s horror. Tvlakv called for the mercenaries, but both Bluth and Tag declined to intervene. Realizing that Kaladin was probably invaluable at that point, Tvlakv asked what the former wanted in exchange for guiding the caravan. Kaladin suggested a cliff, not for a vantage point as Tvlakv assumed, but one to throw the slaver off of.{{book ref|sa1|4}}

In {{Rosharan date|1173}}, [[Tvlakv]] releasedsold Kaladin and the other slaves from the wagon and brought them to be inspected by [[Hashal]], the wife of the [[Matal|lighteyed officer]] who was in charge of the slaves in [[Highprince]] [[Torol Sadeas|Sadeas]]'s army. HashalShe was not particularly impressed with the menslaves, Tvlakv presented until her eyes foundbut Kaladin. Despitestood eight monthsout as a slave, he was still far more muscled than the others. HashalWhen inquiredasked, ifKaladin confirmed he wasused ato militarybe mana and Kaladin stated that he wasspearman in [[Amaram]]’s's army and a citizen of second nahn. SheAfter inspectedinspecting his brands, clickingand herremarking tonguethat at thea "shash" glyph, telling him such a mark meant death., AskingHashal asked how he ended upgot here,. Kaladin told Hashalresponded that he killed someone while drunk. Despite his mistake, Kaladinand spoke of his talents with a spear and asked her to give him a chance to fight again in her brightlord’s army. However, Tvlakv told Hashal not to listen to him as he was a deserter. Enraged, Kaladin reached for Tvlakv but he was knocked to the ground and then pulled back in line. Tvlakv continued by saying that Kaladin could not be trusted as he had led rebellions againstbefore. hisAny priorslaves mastershe andmight who knows how many of the slaves hehave had corrupted. Hashal asked which ones andwhere assigned those, along with Kaladin, to be bridgemen. Duewhile toKaladin his “shash” glyph,for his reputation aswas a deserter, and his attitude during the exchange, Kaladin wasassigned specifically sent to [[Bridge Four]], the bridge crew with the worst reputation and casualty rate.{{book ref|sa1|6}}

Kaladin was placed under the command of the bridge sergeant [[Gaz]] and was immediately forced to go on a bridge run completely unprepared and unequipped. [[Bridge Four]] was sent to carry a large bridge, allowing Sadeas' soldiers to cross the plateaus of the [[Shattered Plains]] and assault the [[Parshendi]]. GazKaladin ranwas beside Bridge Four, calling out commands during the run due to their most recent bridgeleader tossing himself down the [[Honor Chasm]]. He sent Kaladinsend to the open slot at the tail of the bridge. Without a vest, the wooden supports dug into Kaladin’s skin causing his shoulders to bleed. As they ran, a nearby bridgeman offered Kaladin advice. Eventually, Gaz called them to a stop and they lifted the bridge into place, allowing the army to pass. They repeated this process, with Kaladin eventually asking why they weren’t turning around. One of the other bridgemen just chuckled and told him they weren’t there yet and to be glad they weren’t. After more than a dozen times, Gaz ordered Kaladin to the front for the final push, declaring that newcomers get to go first. Kaladin quickly realized why arriving was the worst part. The Parshendi volleys launched, killing the men around Kaladin. They eventually got the bridge dropped, but at the expense of the bridgemen, resulting in many casualties. Kaladin just collapsed, knowing he should move or at least bind his wounds, but he just couldn’t, falling unconscious instead. Kaladin was about to be left for dead by the retreating bridge crews, until [[Syl]] called out his name and urged him to move. He forced himself to his feet and asked the windspren if she had a name. As he limped through the casualties, he found the body of the leathery faced man who had been nice to him. He harvested his vest and shoes, tying them on as the windspren introduced herself as Sylphrena.{{book ref|sa1|6}}