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in the air. The Mink is right, Dalinar thought. They made a real effort here to strike at us—but something is wrong. We’re missing a piece of the enemy’s plan. As he was watching, a nondescript soldier stepped up beside him. Dalinar had brought only a handful of bodyguards today: three men from the Cobalt Guard, and a ... |
strange Blade. Nale moved with a skyeel’s grace, twisting Szeth about and slamming him to the deck of the wooden platform. The Herald slapped aside Szeth’s sheathed sword, punching him in the crook of the elbow and making him drop his weapon. Nale casually reached up and caught the arrow launched from Cord’s Shardbow m... |
of holding the enemy in Damnation.” A cage, forged of their spirits, the Stormfather said in his mind. It was broken. Even before Jezrien’s death, they shattered it by what they did long ago. “No, only one line of it is completely broken. The rest are there, but weak, impotent.” Dalinar pointed to one line, bright and ... |
entire family came to bother them. Eshonai thought this foolish. The humans wouldn’t grow frightened. They knew ancient things. Methods of forging metal and of writing sounds on paper. Things that the listeners had forgotten during the long sleep, the time they’d spent wearing dullform, memorizing songs by sheer force ... |
different.” “Different?” Eshonai said. “We see different?” “Yes,” the woman said. “You seem to see the reality of the spren, or closer to it. Tell me. We have stories, among the humans, of windspren that act like people. Taking different shapes, playing tricks. Have you ever seen one like that?” Eshonai went over the w... |
wouldn’t respect a beast so mighty? “Their gods, Brightlord,” said the scribe to the king. “As I suspected, they worship these beasts. We must take care with future hunts.” Eshonai hummed to Anxiety, to indicate she was confused—but they didn’t recognize this. They had to say everything with words. “Here,” the king sai... |
They were to it as it was to the sun—indeed, it turned upward at the light to bask. Gorgeous and mighty, as if the Rhythm of Awe had been given life. “Blood of my fathers…” the king’s brother said, stepping up. “How big is that thing?” “Bigger than any we have in Alethkar,” the king said. “You’d have to make your way t... |
other ruins. When the humans finally left for their lands several days later, King Gavilar gave Eshonai’s people a gift: several crates of modern weapons, made of fine steel. They were no replacement for the ancient weapons, but not all of her people had those. No family had enough to outfit all their warriors. All Gav... |
seemed to fit that description. She often stared off into nothingness, then giggled to herself. She would let her head flop from one side to the other. Why would Raboniel put this one here to watch them? Were there possibly so few sane Fused left that there was no other choice? Navani leaned against the wall, touching ... |
out what the enemy had done to negate Radiant powers. According to the Sibling, it involved a corruption of ancient tower protections. Navani needed to deactivate it. Finally, she needed to turn that power upon the invaders. Barring that, she needed to use the awakened Radiants to mount a counterattack. Standing here, ... |
system needs to be fed by external sources of Stormlight. Raboniel might realize this—especially if she researches the remnants of the node you used to activate the shield. There are other nodes like that one, with crystals connected directly to my heart. There were four. You destroyed one. If she finds one of the othe... |
defense?” I suppose. It doesn’t seem possible. I feel … like we’re doomed. The mood shift seemed familiarly human. Indeed, Navani felt a little of the same. She rested her head against the wall, closing her eyes. Break it down into little pieces, she reminded herself. Protect the Sibling long enough to figure out the o... |
back into the bowels of the eleventh floor. That corridor was basically a straight shot to his hiding place. His stupid brain imagined forgetting the way and leaving Teft to die, wasting away, perhaps waking at the end. Alone, trapped, terrified … Kaladin shook his head, then inched out into a balcony room where he cou... |
him crouched in the stairwell, armed with his scalpel. Kaladin shivered, wishing he had a coat or jacket. It felt colder now than it ever had in the tower. Whatever the enemy had done to stop the Radiants had also interfered with the tower’s other functions. That made him worry about the people. Syl eventually returned... |
tried pushing on the latch, but it was too heavy for her. She put her hands on her hips, glaring at it. “Try a Lashing,” Syl called, her voice echoing against the glass, louder than her tiny form would have suggested. “Lashings don’t work,” Kaladin said softly, keeping an eye down the corridor for guard patrols. “Gravi... |
You don’t use them as instinctively as the other two.” He nodded, thoughtful, and reclaimed the Stormlight he’d pressed into the lantern housing. Then the two of them moved furtively along the corridor, dropping it into darkness with each gemstone stolen. “Reverse Lashings take effort,” Kaladin told Syl softly. “It mak... |
everything he needed. A hospital robe and bedpan for Teft. Various other articles of clothing. A sponge and washbasin, even a large syringe for feeding someone unconscious. Kaladin packed these into a sack along with bandages, fathom bark for pain, and some antiseptic. Some dried rations followed, mostly Soulcast, but ... |
The garnet light sparkled on the floor beside him, and he brushed the crystal vein with his fingers. A voice immediately popped into his head. Highmarshal? Is it true? Are you awake and functioning? Kaladin started. It was the queen’s voice. * * * Brightness Navani? Kaladin’s voice said in Navani’s head. I am awake. Ba... |
Oathgates to do that, Kaladin said. And not be seen doing so. “Yes. Can you manage that? I know you said your powers aren’t functioning completely.” I … I’ll find a way, Brightness. I suspect the enemy won’t be using the Oathgates until nighttime. I think they’re trying to keep up a front of nothing being wrong with th... |
helping prepare for the larger offensive against the singers in Emul. Just behind him stood Szeth in disguise. Nobody gave the man a second glance; Dalinar often had members of the Cobalt Guard with him. Dalinar surveyed the war table with its maps and lists of troop numbers. So many different pieces, representing the ... |
stared, everything but the map seemed to fade from his view. Something was still wrong. Taravangian had been so subtle for so many months. Yet now he let himself be captured? His armies in Jah Keved seem not to care much about him, Dalinar thought, reading the displayed battle reports and figures as if they were whispe... |
this betrayal is going to make recovering your homeland even more difficult.” “I do,” Dalinar said. “I still believe that the best thing we can do for Alethkar’s eventual recovery is to first secure the West.” Each of those words was a knife stabbing at his heart. It meant giving Alethkar up for years. Perhaps longer. ... |
about a three-day march from the battlefront, where their lines—soon to be reinforced—held against the enemy forces to the south. Little more than a village, Laqqi had been overrun by troops setting up supply stations and command tents. Workers reinforced the eastern approach to block storms, and Windrunners soared thr... |
the perpendicularity.” “I appreciate someone wanting to learn, Uncle,” Jasnah said. “But you are already a powerful weapon. You are one of our greatest military minds.” “I need to become something more,” Dalinar said. “I’m worried that this war is going to be an endless give-and-take. We seize Emul, but lose Jah Keved.... |
good argument, Uncle,” Jasnah admitted. “I’m simply worried. If your powers are so incredible, it feels dangerous to experiment with them. My own first forays into Soulcasting were deadly at times. What will your greater abilities do, by accident, in similar situations?” It was a valid point, one that left them solemn ... |
off to turn her attention to the maps the Mink was marking up on the war table. Wit lingered, smiling at Dalinar. “I agree with her,” he whispered. “And on the topic of monarchs, I will have you know that I find you to be an endearing despot. You’re so pleasant, I almost don’t find it horrifying that I’m living among a... |
to do with Ruthar, didn’t it? Further musings were interrupted as a figure in blue entered the tent. Lyn the Windrunner wore her hair in a braid, though wisps had pulled free during her flight. She’d led the most recent scouting of Urithiru. Dalinar waved her over, and noted Jasnah at the map table quieting and turning... |
like Ruthar. Oily, belligerent, aggressive. The last representation of old Alethkar. Jasnah was making herself into bait. And Ruthar bit. Hard. “Am I the only one seeing this?” Ruthar asked a little too loudly to his attendants. “I didn’t say anything when she was made queen. Other nations have queens. But are any of t... |
in exile, Blackthorn. Maybe I should challenge you. You’ve lost our kingdom, and now you expect me to waste my time in foreign lands? Protecting those we should have conquered? We would have, if your nephew had been half the man his father was.” “Ruthar,” Wit said, “you don’t need to fight him. Or me. I accept your cha... |
new handkerchief.” Both Wit and Jasnah pointedly ignored the horrified expressions of the room’s attendants. The standout exception was the Mink, who was grinning at the show. Dalinar almost expected him to begin applauding. Dalinar felt no such mirth. Although she hadn’t gone all the way, he didn’t like Jasnah’s state... |
with kind words. You use raw meat.” She eyed the still-stunned people in the tent. They were all quite deliberately staying away from Ruthar. Dalinar met Fisk’s eyes, then nodded again. The lockdown could be eased. Ruthar’s closest allies were fickle, and would see his fallen state as a disease to be avoided. Jasnah ha... |
Odium? What, on all of Roshar, could a god possibly fear or hate so much? He’d have to bring up the matter with Jasnah and Wit. Though … not today. Today he’d had enough of their machinations. This song—this tone, this rhythm—sounds so familiar, in ways I cannot explain or express. —From Rhythm of War, page 5 “Only the... |
year ago that they finally figured out how to read the Dawnchant.” “Yes, curious,” Raboniel said, smiling and speaking to Craving. “Tell me, Venli. Why is it you serve so eagerly after knowing what Odium did to your people?” Timbre pulsed in worry, but Venli had already prepared an answer. “I knew that only the very be... |
an attack will come, or perhaps that captive queen will find a way to turn fabrials against the Fused. “When that happens, whatever it is, we’re going to be ready to run. I was led here through the mountains, and I memorized the route. We can sneak through those valleys, hiding from the Heavenly Ones in the tree cover.... |
humans. Though you obviously had to be careful not to let them get too much power over you. “When you get back to the others,” Venli said, continuing to climb, “put a few of our people on the crews that are gathering and caring for the unconscious Knights Radiant. We should watch them for an opportunity, just in case.”... |
had promised to return, and since their departure months ago, the family had been abuzz with different ideas of what to do about the strange creatures. “Go,” Jaxlim said. “Find your sister. She said she’d come listen to a recitation, and at least learn the Song of Listing. I will get some sleep. That’s what I need.” Ve... |
With us. Together. I need my sister. “I’m going to lead a scout group to go investigate that smoke,” Eshonai said, moving toward the ladder. “Tell Mother for me, will you?” She was gone before Venli could say anything. A day later, Eshonai came back triumphant. The humans had indeed returned. * * * It didn’t take long ... |
work metal as if it were wax,” another said. “Look at that armor.” “Far less practical than carapace would be,” Venli said. “We don’t have carapace armor anymore,” another said. That was true, of course; their current forms didn’t have much carapace. Most of what they knew about grander forms such as warform came from ... |
her exposed hand. Some kind of surgeon, Venli had been told. She didn’t seem important. Most everyone ignored her—she was basically one of the servants. “It’s quite impressive, isn’t it?” the human said in the listener tongue, looking over the Shattered Plains. “Something terrible must have happened here. Doesn’t seem ... |
find a path toward saving those you love.” The woman stood and left the gem sitting on the rock. I am led to wonder, from experiences such as this, if we have been wrong. We call humans alien to Roshar, yet they have lived here for thousands of years now. Perhaps it is time to acknowledge there are no aliens or interlo... |
of Wishes her terrible reputation: an attempt long ago to create a disease that would end the war by exterminating all of humankind. Well, Venli might have her own use for these Radiants. She listened with half an ear to the reports, until the relayform said something that drew her full attention. “Wait,” Venli said. “... |
the murderous human’s family. It’s a pity the Lady of Wishes has ordered us to be so tame during this occupation, but at least we’ll get a little blood tonight.” Venli tried to hum to Conceit as she left, but found nothing. No rhythms at all—it was unnerving. She shoved the list of descriptions in her pocket, and as so... |
her long clothing drifting beneath her, with only two servants to see to her needs. She’d donated the others to Raboniel. Leshwi noticed Venli immediately, cracking an eye. Venli sent the two servants away and hummed to Craving, standing patiently and waiting for her mistress to formally acknowledge her. Leshwi drifted... |
the family of the Windrunner would be an excellent resource for us, mistress. If you wish to find him before the Pursuer, then perhaps holding them would give us an advantage.” Leshwi hummed to Thoughtfulness. “You are merciful, Venli. Do not reveal this Passion to others. Wait here.” Leshwi pushed off and soared downw... |
“Don’t leave me to them!” “Fine,” Ulina said from somewhere nearby. “You two, grab her. You, guard the doorway from inside. Try to jam the mechanism closed. Quickly!” Rough hands grabbed Radiant by the shoulders and pulled her along, steering her into what sounded—from the echoing footsteps—like a tunnel. Stone ground ... |
demand she replace it. She was sitting in a stiff wooden chair right inside the door of a stone room with a large circular rug. The rug didn’t do much to liven the otherwise bare chamber. These warcamp buildings were so fortresslike: few windows, little ornamentation. Shallan had always viewed Sadeas as a blowhard. A f... |
was nothing. It was excruciating to watch one of his soldiers fight for his life against a skilled, dangerous opponent—and do nothing to help. Leshwi was a being of incredible age, the spirit of a singer long dead turned into something more akin to a spren—a force of nature. Sigzil was a capable fighter, but far from t... |
be reborn with each new storm. Then again, Leshwi probably knew that if Sigzil were killed, a new Radiant could be raised up using his spren. It wasn’t exactly the same— in fact, in terms of Kaladin’s relief, there was a huge difference. At any rate, as Leshwi raised her spear to him, he was glad to accept the challeng... |
robes. Navani passed her checklist to another ardent, then climbed the steps to the top deck. Dalinar said he’d reopen the perpendicularity soon, and she wanted to be there—her pencil poised—when he did. Down below, the townspeople kept clustering and looking up at the strange battle overhead. All this gawking was real... |
“Capture it.” “Very well,” Rushu said, opening her notebook again. She glanced up as Kaladin skimmed the deck overhead, dangerously close, following one of the Fused. “Focus, Rushu,” Navani said. “If you wish depictions or descriptions of Shadesmar,” Rushu said, “Queen Jasnah has released journals of her travels there.... |
think him a Windrunner. He wore a uniform after the exact cut of Bridge Four. In fact, Rushu—who paid attention to the oddest things, but never seemed to notice important details—might have once seen this man in their ranks. He’d often been at Kaladin’s side during the early months of Bridge Four’s transition into Dali... |
battle. Kaladin had Syl re-form as a sword—but Leshwi was prepared for his lunge. She slid her spear through her hands and gripped it near the head, then dove in and struck at his neck, throwing off his next attack. Kaladin took a slice on the neck—but not enough for her to siphon away his Stormlight. He pulled away fa... |
lance and pulled a short sword from her belt, then came in closer than Kaladin had expected, knocking aside his spear and trying to grab him by the arm. Her greyed flesh healed slowly enough that he was able to ram his shoulder into her wound, making her grunt. When she tried to slide the sword into his neck, he deflec... |
didn’t strike. She watched the Fused and his soldiers below, and the sound of her angry humming intensified. She looked to him, then nodded toward the Fused and the unfortunate people. He understood the gesture immediately. Go. Stop him. Kaladin moved forward, then paused and held up his spear before Leshwi. Then he dr... |
legality of Jasnah’s actions would not be questioned. And he’d personally talked to Relis, Ruthar’s son. The young man had lost a bout to Adolin back in the warcamps, and Dalinar had worried about his motivations now. However, it seemed that Relis was eager to prove he could be a loyalist. Dalinar had made certain that... |
found the Windrunners agreeable to proper military decorum, they had absolutely refused to follow proper quartermaster requisition and mess requirements for their evening stews. Eventually Dalinar had done what any good commander did when faced by such persistent mass insubordination: He backed down. When good men diso... |
“Any information—even if you suspect your enemy is feeding it to you—is useful, son. More wars are lost to lack of information than are lost to lack of courage.” Renarin set his bowl beside his seat. It was easy to fall into the habit of underestimating Renarin. He always moved in this deliberate, careful way. It made ... |
you, who you were, who you become. The more important part is the enemy. He makes up the bulk of this image. A window of yellow-white light breaking into smaller and smaller pieces, into infinity. “He is like the sun, Father. He controls and dominates everything—and although your figure raises a sword high, it’s facing... |
blackness that will be, Renarin? Glys said. “Friction between the two of you,” Renarin said, pointing up at the stained glass. “And a blackness interfering, marring the beauty of the window. Like a sickness infecting both of you, at the edges.” “Curious,” Dalinar said, looking where Renarin had pointed, though he’d see... |
as they popped into their heads. Instead he waited. “How many corrupted spren are we talking about?” Dalinar finally asked. “Only a handful,” Renarin said. “She won’t change intelligent spren without their consent.” “Well, that’s valuable to know. I’ll consider it. Are you … in contact with her?” “Not in months. Glys i... |
She plastered a smile on her face. “Sorry.” “I didn’t mean it that way, Syl,” Kaladin said. “You don’t have to pretend.” “I’m not.” “I’ve used enough fake smiles to not be fooled by one. You were doing this earlier too, before the problems in the tower started. What happened?” She looked down. “I’ve … been remembering ... |
“I like thinking like that. Being like that. A lot of the other honorspren, they talk about what we were made to be, what we must do. I talked like that once. I was wrong.” “A lot of humans are the same,” he said, leaning down so he was eye level with her. “I guess we both need to remember that whatever’s happening in ... |
man didn’t often volunteer information. Holding the pot awkwardly, Dabbid tapped his wrists together. Bridge Four. “I am so glad to see you,” Kaladin said, leading him into the room. “How did you get broth? Never mind. Here, come sit by Teft.” Dabbid was one of the first men Kaladin had saved when he’d started administ... |
scalpel, leaving them flat on the front but with a curved handle for holding. Kaladin couldn’t paint his hands with a Full Lashing to stick them to things. Lopen kept sticking his clothing or hair to the floor, but a Radiant’s skin seemed immune to the power. Perhaps Kaladin could have rigged some gloves that worked, b... |
difficult to get the boots to stick right, with just the toes. He’d release one brush from the wall, then slide it into place while holding on with only one hand, then move his feet before moving the other. Though Radiant, he was sweating from exertion by the time he reached the fifth floor. He decided to take a break,... |
from the occupied balcony. He could climb across the next balcony over. As he moved, he heard the singers chatting in Alethi—femalen voices he thought, though some singer forms made gender difficult to distinguish from the voice. Judging by the conversation, they were indeed watching for Windrunners. They did Oathgate ... |
Navani was trying to figure out how the enemy was operating fabrials. What if he could hand her one? Surely that would lead to more valuable information than he would get by observing the Oathgates. Syl zipped over to the balcony the scouts had been using. “I can see them!” she said. “They’ve packed up, and they’re lea... |
her face twitched, as if she were in the grip of a terrible nightmare. She might be. Odium had invaded Venli’s mind in the past; who knew how far his corrupting touch could reach? Windrunner, Venli thought, reading the markings on the floor next to the woman. They listed whatever Venli’s team had been able to learn abo... |
sores and drawing rotspren. Others won’t take any broth, though they have hungerspren buzzing around them.” Venli attuned Peace as an idea occurred to her. “I’m sure I could get you surgeons. In fact, I know of one who might be willing to help our cause. A human. He’s in hiding, because of certain matters we shouldn’t ... |
mentioned the field was created by a fabrial—which she theorized would have several gemstones, called nodes, maintaining it, hidden somewhere in the tower. The Deepest Ones did not directly reprimand her for speaking without first being addressed. As Raboniel’s Voice, Venli had a certain amount of authority, even with ... |
those,” Venli said. “You could sink into the rock and find them, then trace them outward.” “No,” said another to Derision. “We cannot see while embedded. We can hear, and we can sing, and the tones of Roshar guide us. But this fabrial is made to be silent to us. To trace the lines, we would need to break apart the ston... |
Yet they are also lazy. They want to do none of what they should. Would you not say this is true?” “I … Yes, of course,” Venli said. This was not a Fused wanting someone to object. “Yes,” said another Deepest One. “Would they not put the gemstone nodes, at least one of them, where Stormlight could renew it naturally?” ... |
packing, storing everything in wagons for the day’s storm. The humans were good at judging the arrival of those—though they were often wrong on the hour, they were usually right on the day. This, however, was no routine pre-storm packing job. They would soon leave; she could read this in the way they talked to each oth... |
were surprised whenever a complex conversation happened. As if they were amused that the listeners were not as dull-minded as parshmen. “I would like to go to see places where you live,” Eshonai said. “I would visit you, and have you visit us, more.” Dalinar dismissed his Blade, sending it away with a puff of white fog... |
to Joy or Appreciation while they ate beside the fire, listening as Venli’s mother sang songs by the light of uncut gemhearts. Those could be organic, lumpish things. While they took in Stormlight, none were nearly as bright as the strange gemstone in her pocket. The one the human had given her. Venli felt as if it sho... |
foolish, now spoke of Eshonai with respect. The person who had found the humans. The person who had changed the world. Venli had done what she was supposed to. She’d remained with her mother, she’d spent endless days memorizing songs, dutiful. But Eshonai got the praise. Before her nerves betrayed her, Venli stepped ou... |
OF THE PLAINS. CHILD OF ODIUM. The vision ended as abruptly as it had begun, and Venli was again in the storm. She nearly dropped her burdens in shock, but then—huddling against the gleeful wind—she set the glowing gemstone on the ground. She gripped the rock in her hand, slick with rain. She wavered. Should she take m... |
away from official adulthood. “Younger ones have made the decision,” Thude said, rubbing at his beard. “I’ve thought about it, you know? There’s a certain bond to once-mates.” “You just think it sounds fun,” Eshonai said to Reprimand. He laughed. “I do at that.” Thunder shook the enclosure, silencing both of them for a... |
Venli remained in workform. A wet, shivering femalen in workform. “Didn’t work, eh?” Thude asked her. Venli looked at him, as mute as a human, her mouth opening a little. Then, unnervingly, she grinned. A frantic, uncharacteristic grin. “No, Thude,” Venli said. “It didn’t work. I will have to try many, many more times ... |
split up, pick the one with the blue havah—the embroidery indicates she’s the more important. Once you know where her room is, come back, then we can sneak in another way and steal the spanreed.” “Right. If they get too far away from you though, I’ll lose myself.…” “Return if you start to feel that,” he said. “We can t... |
the tunnel.” Frowning, he did as she requested, peeking out and watching down the tunnel. He was confused, until he saw something pass in the air—like rippling red lightning. “That’s a new kind of Voidspren,” he said. The ones he’d seen in the past that looked like lightning moved along the ground. “It’s not, though,” ... |
rope risk causing a bigger disturbance? Like, what if they go for backup?” “We need something reasonable enough to have caused a Voidspren to get riled up. I know guard duty though, and those are common warforms. Regular soldiers. I’m guessing that so long as there’s no danger, they’ll just make a report on it.” He hid... |
peek in—hidden mostly behind the stone—at the room from the top of the wall. Spanreeds stood poised on many pieces of paper, waiting for reports. There was no sign of the two singer women from earlier—they’d delivered their spanreed and gone off duty. However, two other femalens in rich dresses maintained the reeds, ch... |
to try another path, as he worried that these soldiers might grow suspicious at the same ruse. But he also knew they’d fallen for it once, and he knew a direct way to the perimeter using this path. Safer this way. As Syl was getting ready, however, Kaladin spotted something farther down this hallway, away from the guar... |
them, but as long as his Stormlight held, Kaladin’s only real danger was getting outnumbered and overwhelmed. Kaladin caught the spear as the singer thrust it. He then yanked, throwing the enemy off balance. He’d been taught that maneuver by Hav, who said it was necessary to learn, but almost impossible to execute. Kal... |
to the railing as he stepped up in a fluid motion and leaped off, sticking the other end to his shirt in case he slipped, then holding tight. He swung out and around, then onto the balcony below. This one, unfortunately, was occupied. So after he recovered his rope, he charged through a family’s room—leaping and slidin... |
nets and stick it to the floor so it couldn’t be recovered, but he couldn’t bend over to touch it. Maybe I should remove my boots, he thought. That idea flew counter to all of his training, but he didn’t fight like he once had. These days, a stubbed toe would be healed instantly—while being able to infuse the ground he... |
managed to cross the entire floor, but he was now so deeply embedded within the tower that he was essentially surrounded. The light led him around to the northern side of the tower, through some residential hallways, with lights under the doors. Rooms near the atrium and its grand window were popular—here, people could... |
Pursuer would land. He thrust on instinct, hoping to catch the Fused as he materialized. This time, however, the Pursuer’s ribbon jogged and looped a few times, disorienting Kaladin. He thrust again, missing the mark as the Pursuer coalesced to the side of Kaladin’s spear. The creature lunged for Kaladin, who danced ba... |
will never be able to sleep soundly again, little Radiant. I will always come, always hunt you. As sure as the storms. I will—” “Put him down!” a stern voice said as a red spren strode across the floor. “Right now! We need him. You can kill him after!” The Pursuer relaxed his grip, perhaps stunned to be given an order ... |
shield Navani had set up—and if the enemy had found this one so quickly, how long would it be until they discovered the others? He glanced to Syl on his shoulder, and she shook her head. She didn’t know what to do either. “Ah,” the Fused said. “He’s back. On with you, then.” Kaladin risked looking over his shoulder, cu... |
making the same mistake, but he was still so very confident. Use that. Let him defeat himself. Kaladin turned and started running in the opposite direction. Behind, the Pursuer began laughing. “That’s right, human! Flee! You see it now! Run and be pursued.” Syl zipped up alongside Kaladin. “What’s the plan?” “He’s call... |
approaching. So, taking a deep breath, Kaladin ducked through the once-hidden doorway. As he’d asked, it immediately began to grind closed. Kaladin turned to face outward, anxious as he pulled free his scalpel. He made it look like he intended to stand and fight. Go for my back again, like you’ve done before. Please. T... |
done, and backed away. In that moment though—his Stormlight running low, his energy deflating, the darkness growing stronger—he flagged. He reached out for the wall as his vision wavered, and the fatigue seemed to be almost too much. A shadow moved in front of him, and he forced himself alert—but not before the Fused i... |
out of principle. But he thought better of it and fled into the corridors—his side aching—trusting in the tower spren and Syl to guide him out of danger and to a safe hiding place. Who is this person? You used no title, so I assume they are not a Fused. Who, then, is El? —From Rhythm of War, page 10 undertext Venli fel... |
away?” she asked. “He’s an essai,” the direform said to Derision, using an ancient word they’d picked up from the Fused. It meant something along the lines of “human lover,” though her form told her it technically meant “hairy.” “He was a spy my people sent to watch them.” “Then he betrayed you,” the direform said. “He... |
experiment. They put me in the bridge crews. I don’t think anyone ever suspected I was a spy. They just thought I was too smart for a parshman.” “You’ve been living among them all this time? That guard says you’re an ess—a human sympathizer. I can’t believe you’re alive, and I’m not the … I mean…” Language failed her, ... |
if I’m going to pick one to walk through, Venli, I’ll pick the highstorm. That was once our storm. The spren were our allies. And yes, the humans tried to exploit the listeners, then tried to destroy us—but the Fused are the ones who succeeded. Odium chose to destroy our people. I’m not going to serve him. I…” He trail... |
systematically going through the warlord’s belongings—cataloguing them, making notations about them, and packing them away. Venli passed through and saw one crate contained socks: each pair recorded and carefully stored. They were putting all of his things into storage, but why had they dedicated Fused to such a mundan... |
sat there for a long moment, and when she next spoke, her voice was devoid of rhythms. “How? Where did you get this?” “I bring a gift,” was all the man said. “To encourage you to meet with my babsk to negotiate terms. I had thought to wait until the current … turmoil subsided, but my babsk is determined. We will have a... |
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