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remained, and he had the majority of the preparations in place, such as mobile bridge construction and supply estimations. There was always more to plan, however. Unfortunately, the biggest variable was one he couldn’t plan for, not specifically. He didn’t know how many troops he’d have. It depended on which of the hig... |
I know that you don’t like to talk about her.” It wasn’t that it was a difficult question. It was that Dalinar didn’t remember his wife. How odd, that he could go weeks without even noticing this hole in his memories, this change that had ripped out a piece of him and left him patched over. Without even a prick of emot... |
edge of the scouted area. The Parshendi had not appeared to contest the gemheart, though their scouts had watched from a distance. Again they decide not to fight, Dalinar thought, walking the last distance to the feast. What does the change mean? What are they planning? The feast basin was made up of a series of Soulca... |
being engaging enough a conversationalist to earn a sip of what he’d managed to import was considered a political triumph by many attendees. “Vamah,” Dalinar said. “Dalinar.” “There’s a matter I’ve been wanting to discuss with you,” Dalinar said. “I find it impressive what you’ve been able to do with light cavalry on y... |
“Why, Brightlord Amaram,” Wit cried. “I was hoping I’d be able to see you tonight. I’ve spent my life learning to make others feel miserable, and so it’s a true joy to meet someone so innately talented in that very skill as you are.” Dalinar turned, noticing Amaram, who had just arrived. He wore his cape of the Knights... |
people collecting on the island, chatting and laughing, shooting glances at him. “I see,” he said softly. It made sense now, the hidden snickering. “Find Brightness Navani for me, if you would.” “As you request,” Amaram said, but stopped short, pointing. Navani stalked across the next island over, heading toward them w... |
they contain?” He nodded. “They aren’t as I wrote them,” Navani said. “They’ve changed the tone, some of my words, to imply a ridiculousness to the entire experience—and to make it sound as if I am merely indulging you. What’s worse, they added a commentary in another handwriting that pokes fun at what you say and do.”... |
and handed it to a bewildered serving woman, then hauled himself up onto the table. He set one hand on the lantern pole beside the table and looked out over the small crowd. They were the most important people in Alethkar. Those who hadn’t already been watching him turned with shock to see him up there. In the distance... |
escorting Shallan back to Sebarial’s warcamp, which was a fair ride away. Adolin seemed to be fonder of the young Veden woman than of any woman in the recent past. For that reason alone, Dalinar was increasingly inclined to encourage the relationship, assuming he could ever get some straight answers out of Jah Keved ab... |
highprinces.” “So then why?” “Because we were wrong,” Dalinar said, narrowing his eyes. “Gavilar, Sadeas, and I were wrong to do as we did all those years ago.” Wit seemed genuinely surprised. “You unified the kingdom, Dalinar. You did a good work, something that was sorely needed.” “This is unity?” Dalinar asked, wavi... |
up here it was barren. The aching feet and burning shoulders from running a bridge had been nothing compared to the slaughter that had awaited his men at the end of a bridge run. Storms . . . even looking across the Plains made Kaladin flinch. He could hear the hiss of arrows in the air, the screams of terrified bridge... |
reached the other side of the chasm. “I’m not some glorious knight of ancient days. I’m a broken man. Do you hear me, Syl? I’m broken.” She zipped up to him and whispered, “That’s what they all were, silly.” She streaked away. Kaladin watched as the soldiers filed across the bridge. They weren’t doing a plateau run, bu... |
the vaulters was speaking with Dalinar. Kaladin would have expected the man to be tall and limber, but he was short and compact, with thick forearms. He wore a Kholin uniform with white stripes edging the coat. “We did see something out here, Brightlord,” the vaulter said to Dalinar. “I saw it with my own two eyes, and... |
were misdirection.” He shook his head. “I might order you to stay with him next time. I can’t help but feel I’m missing something important, something right in front of me.” Kaladin set his jaw, trying to ignore the chill he felt. Order you to stay with him next time. . . . It was almost like fate itself was pushing Ka... |
with a cauldron on my back just because I can.” Adolin chuckled. “You should try riding more. You have to admit that there are advantages. The speed of the gallop, the height of attack.” He patted his horse on the neck. “I guess I just trust my own feet too much.” Adolin nodded, as if that had been the wisest thing a m... |
eyes meeting his. “You must speak the Words.” “I don’t know them.” “Find them.” She looked toward the sky. “Find them soon, Kaladin. And no, simply telling Moash you won’t help isn’t going to work. We’ve gone too far for that. You need to do what your heart needs to do.” She rose upward toward the sky. “Stay with me, S... |
raising a hand toward Bridge Four, who cheered him. Moash’s brilliant Shardplate—which he’d had repainted blue with red accents at the points—looked surprisingly natural on him. It hadn’t even been a week yet, but Moash walked in the armor easily. He stepped up to Kaladin, then knelt down on one knee, Plate clinking. H... |
only solution.” Kaladin nodded. Moash glanced around, then stood up, Plate clinking. He leaned in to whisper. “Don’t worry. Graves says you aren’t going to have to do much. We just need an opening.” Kaladin felt sick. “We can’t do it when Dalinar is in the warcamp,” he whispered. “I won’t risk him being hurt.” “No prob... |
Kaladin asked. “Nothing. Thankfully.” “People think I know a lot about women,” Adolin said. “The truth is, I know how to get them—how to make them laugh, how to make them interested. I don’t know how to keep them.” He hesitated. “I really want to keep this one.” “So . . . tell her that, maybe?” Kaladin said, thinking b... |
see that.” “Me skipping?” “You happy,” Adolin said, laughing. “You’ve got a face like a storm! I half think you could frighten off a storm.” Kaladin grunted. Adolin laughed again, slapping him on the shoulder, then turned as Shallan finally crossed the bridge, her sketching apparently done. She looked to Adolin fondly,... |
been showing up to fight over chrysalises lately?” “No, they haven’t,” Adolin said. “That’s precisely what makes us worried.” Kaladin nodded. “Whenever your enemy changes established tactics, you need to worry. It could mean they’re getting desperate. Desperation is very, very dangerous.” “You’re good at military think... |
“Because I called him obnoxious?” “You deliberately said it in a way you expected he wouldn’t understand. To make him look like a fool. He’s trying very hard to be nice to you.” “Yes,” Kaladin said. “He’s always so munificent to all of the little darkeyes who flock around to worship him.” Shallan snapped her pencil aga... |
the vanguard onto the next plateau. They continued like that for a time, waiting for Dalinar’s bridge to arrive before crossing, then leading the vanguard onto the next plateau. Hours passed—sweaty, muscle-straining hours. Good hours. Kaladin didn’t come to any realizations about the king, or his place in the man’s pot... |
I assume.” Dalinar nodded. “But I will have soldiers carry them. No need for your men to do so.” “Sir, that is thoughtful of you, but I don’t think you have to worry. The bridge crews will carry for you, if ordered. Many of them will probably welcome the familiarity.” “I thought you and your men considered assignment t... |
got a breath of Stormlight, life itself. He crashed into the ground at the bottom of the chasm and all went black. * * * Swimming through pain. The pain washed over him, a liquid, but did not get inside. His skin kept it out. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? The distant voice sounded like rumbling thunder. Kaladin gasped and opened... |
. . . ?” “I don’t know,” he lied, looking upward. “I’ve got a wicked crick in my neck and my elbow hurts like thunder. What happened?” “Someone threw the emergency latch on the bridge.” “What emergency latch?” “It topples the bridge into the chasm.” “Sounds like a storming stupid thing to have,” Kaladin said, fishing i... |
were among the corpses. I was a fool not to spot that an assassination attempt was coming, Kaladin thought. Sadeas had tried hard to undermine Dalinar at the feast a few days back, with the revelation of the visions. It was a classic ploy. Discredit your enemy, then kill him, to make certain he didn’t become a martyr. ... |
she paled further. That light skin of hers was so strange. It and the red hair made her look like a very small Horneater. “Dalinar is planning to march just after the final highstorm before the Weeping. That storm is close. And it will involve lots, and lots, and lots of rain.” “Bad idea, then.” “You could say so.” He’... |
no idea how she’d saved herself, let alone him. Pattern rode on her skirts, and before she’d found the bridgeman, he’d been speculating that the Stormlight had kept her alive. Alive after a fall of at least two hundred feet? It only proved how little she knew about her abilities. Stormfather! She’d saved this man too. ... |
but the name escaped her. The bridgeman continued on his way. Shallan jogged after him, pack thumping against her back. She almost tripped over a snarled pile of dead vines and sticks as she reached him. She cursed, hopping on one foot to stay upright before steadying herself. He reached out and took the pack from her.... |
“To whom? To you only? When have you seen me treat someone of a lesser station like a plaything? Give me one example.” “When I was imprisoned,” he said immediately, “for doing what any lighteyes would have been applauded for doing.” “And that was my fault?” she demanded. “It’s the fault of your entire class. Each time ... |
man, full of spite. Incapable of being pleasant around others. Your life must be very lonely.” That seemed to get under his skin, as his face turned red in the spherelight. “I’m starting to revise my opinion,” he said, “of you not being as bad as the others.” “Don’t lie,” she said. “You’ve never liked me. Right from th... |
He grabbed her and pulled her after him. They ran down two chasms without stopping. It was still chasing, though he could only hear it. He had no idea how close it was, but it had their scent. Or their sound? He had no idea how they hunted. Need a plan! Can’t just— At the next intersection, Shallan turned the opposite ... |
Yes, princeling. I let your betrothed wander off alone in the darkness to get eaten by a chasmfiend. No, I didn’t go with her. Yes, I’m a coward. There was light ahead. It showed Shallan—her outline, at least—crouching beside a turn in the chasm, peeking around. Kaladin stepped up to her, crouching down and taking a lo... |
Without the strength and endurance it lent, she’d never have been able to keep up with Kaladin longlegs. Now, however, she was storming exhausted. As if the Light had inflated her capacity, but now left her deflated and worn out. At the next intersection, Kaladin paused and looked her over. She gave him a weak smile. “... |
more a picture of the chasms as if she could see them from above. It was imaginative enough to be interesting, though she was certain she got a few of the ridges and corners wrong. “What is that?” Kaladin asked. “A picture of the Plains?” “Something of a map,” she said, though she grimaced. What did it say about her th... |
smirked, taking a piece of dried chull meat from her shoulder and popping it in his mouth. “In my home town growing up, bath day was once a week. I think even the local lighteyes would have found it strange that everyone out here, even the common soldiers, finds a bath more frequently.” How dare he be this chipper in t... |
swear that you were cheerful. Well, mildly content. Anyway, if you start to be in a better mood, it will destroy the whole variety of this trip.” “Variety?” he asked. “Yes. If we’re both pleasant, there’s no artistry to it. You see, great art is a matter of contrast. Some lights and some darks. The happy, smiling, radi... |
What would the bridgeman think if he heard her clothing buzz? “Just a moment,” she said, finally snatching one of the vines. Kaladin watched, leaning on his spear, as she cut the tip off the vine with the small knife from her satchel. “Jasnah’s research,” he said. “It had something to do with structures hidden out here... |
parshmen murdered.” “I said nothing of the sort,” she said. “Though I am worried that they might betray us. It’s a moot point, as I doubt I’ll persuade the highprinces without more evidence.” “If you got your way, though,” Kaladin said, sounding curious, “what would you do? About the parshmen.” “Have them exiled,” Shal... |
through the middle of a deep pond on the chasm floor. The ground was usually flat—all of that crem settling—but the water in this pool looked a good two or three feet deep. She crossed with hands out to the sides, balancing. “So, let me see,” she said as she stepped carefully. “You think I’ve lived a simple, happy life... |
A cold wind blew in. Highstorm tonight. He’ll be back before then. Surely by then. A cremling scuttled past. Teft threw a rock at it, driving it toward a nearby crack. “I don’t know why you want to hear all of these things anyway. They aren’t any use.” Sigzil nodded. Storming foreigner. “All right, fine,” Teft said. “I... |
. .” “And you watched?” “Storms, no! You think they’d let her son watch that? Are you mad?” “But—” “Did watch my father die, though,” Teft said, looking out over the Plains. “Hanged.” He shook his head, digging in his pocket. Where had he put that flask? As he turned, however, he caught sight of that other lad sitting ... |
make certain you were caring for yourselves. No men are to skip meals to wait here, and I don’t want you getting any ideas about waiting during a highstorm.” “Er, yes, sir,” Teft said. He had used his morning meal break to put in duty here. How had Dalinar known? “Good luck, soldier,” Dalinar said, then continued on hi... |
better if he could see her again, if he could know that she was all right. That scream . . . To distract himself, he moved over to Shallan, then leaned down to see her sketch. Her map was more of a picture, one that looked eerily like the view Kaladin had had, nights ago, when flying above the Shattered Plains. “Is all... |
said, handing him the sheet of paper. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” She jogged off, skirt swishing. Kaladin stared at the paper, inspecting the path she’d drawn. Though they’d started the morning going the right way, it was as he’d feared—Kaladin had eventually wound them around until they were going directly south ... |
gasped. She began scribbling notes on the side. “Cymatics.” “What?” “I know where the Parshendi are.” Her eyes widened. “And the Oathgate. The center of the Shattered Plains. I can see it all—I can map almost the entire thing.” He shivered. “You . . . what?” She looked up sharply, meeting his eyes. “We have to get back... |
began shouting. “Hello! Please reply! We’re trapped in the chasms! Please reply!” He walked for a time, shouting, then stopped to listen. Nothing came back. No questioning shouts echoing down from above, no signs of life. They’ve probably all withdrawn into their cubbies by now, Kaladin thought. They’ve broken down the... |
mood further. “You still think I’m too optimistic, don’t you?” Shallan said. “It’s not your fault,” Kaladin said. “I’d rather be like you. I’d rather not have lived the life I have. I would that the world was only full of people like you, Shallan Davar.” “People who don’t understand pain.” “Oh, all people understand pa... |
flood.” “So our clothing will get washed,” she said with a grin. “See! Positive.” He snorted. “Ah, that bridgeman grunt dialect again,” she noted. “That grunt meant,” he said, “that at least if the waters come, it will wash away some of your stench.” “Ha! Mildly amusing, but no points to you. I already established that... |
get back, he’ll be ecstatic. He might even let me kiss him in public.” Adolin. Right. That dampened his mood. “We probably need to stop so I can draw out our map,” Shallan said, frowning at the sky. “And so that you can yell some more for our potential salvation.” “I suppose,” he said as she settled down to get out her... |
the hole, and then the head withdrew. Scraping rock and chitin sounded in the chasm, but the thing didn’t go far before stopping. Silence. A steady drip somewhere fell into a pool. But otherwise, silence. “It’s waiting,” Shallan whispered, head near his shoulder. “You sound proud of it!” Kaladin snapped. “A little.” Sh... |
have.” “We don’t have time to talk about it,” Kaladin said, twisting around, his back to her. “You can’t do this.” “I can.” He took a deep breath. “Who knows,” he said more softly, “maybe I’ll get in a lucky hit.” He reached up and ripped the spheres off his spearhead, then tossed them out into the chasm. He’d need a s... |
He barely knew how to use one of these. Training with a practice sword did not make you an expert with the real thing. Unfortunately, a spear was going to be of little use against a creature so large and so well armored. “Also . . .” Shallan said. “Could you not do that ‘reporting me’ thing I mentioned? That was a joke... |
the distant slit high above and the spheres he’d tossed out into the chasm, which now were behind the monster. Shallan’s Blade glowed softly too, from a strange pattern along its length. Kaladin had never seen one do that before, but then, he’d never seen a Shardblade in the dark before. Looking up at the rearing, alie... |
the snapping jaws caught his leg. Blinding pain ran up the limb, and he struck out with the Blade even as the beast flung him about. He thought he hit its face, though he couldn’t be certain. The world spun. He hit the ground and rolled. No time to be dizzy. With everything still spinning, he groaned and turned over. H... |
. . as if distantly . . . Weeping. No power entered him. The chasmfiend swung and Kaladin twisted, and strangely found himself. The other version of him stood above him, sword raised, larger than life. It was bigger than him by half. What in the Almighty’s own eyes . . . ? Kaladin thought, dumbfounded, as the chasmfien... |
Shallan said as she worked. “Here, I have a reasonably perfect specimen of a chasmfiend—with only a minor case of being dead—and I’m chopping it apart for you instead of studying it.” “I’m eternally grateful.” “How did you get in its mouth, anyway?” Shallan asked, prying off a piece of carapace with a sickening sound. ... |
up to the top of the plateau?” The farther westward they’d gone, the shallower the chasms had grown. Kaladin looked up. “That’s still a good eighty feet of climbing, Shallan. And what would we do on the top of the plateau? The storm would blow us off.” “We could at least try to find some kind of shelter . . .” she said... |
suddenly wasn’t.” “Then remind me to try to kill you once in a while,” she snapped. “If I succeed, it will make me feel better, and if I fail, it will make you feel better. Everyone wins!” She heard him chuckling as she dug deeper into the stone. It was more difficult than she’d have imagined. Yes, the Blade cut the ro... |
made the climb. Storms, those handholds were slick. Once up, she crawled into the shallow cubby and perched precariously, reaching down with one hand as she braced herself with the other. He looked up at her, then set his jaw and started climbing. He mostly pulled himself with his hands, wounded leg dangling, the other... |
Yet, the better off they were, the darker Father grew. Walking the hallways grumbling. Lashing out at servants. Shallan scanned the letter’s contents. “That’s not a pleased face,” Balat said. “They still haven’t been able to find him?” Shallan shook her head. Helaran had vanished. Really vanished. No more contact, no m... |
do something.” Shallan felt cold as she stepped into the hallway. That coldness . . . was that panic? Overwhelming panic, so sharp and strong it washed away everything else. This had been coming. She’d known this had been coming. They tried to hide, they tried to flee. Of course that wouldn’t work. It hadn’t worked wit... |
had left a pitcher of wine, with cups, for Father. “Malise,” Balat said. He hadn’t looked toward Shallan; he was just guessing. “She broke down and told you, didn’t she? Damnation. We shouldn’t have trusted her.” “Yes,” Father said. “She talked. Eventually.” Balat’s sword made a whispering rasp as he pulled it from its... |
what happened next. Shouts. The poker connecting with a sound like a dull thump. The storm raging above. “Why.” Smack. “Can’t.” Smack. “You.” Smack. “Do.” Smack. “Anything.” Smack. “Right?” Shallan’s vision cleared. Father drew deep breaths. Blood had splattered his face. Balat whimpered on the floor. Eylita held to hi... |
get him a surgeon. Shallan stood, wiping bloodied hands on her dress, and took the Soulcaster from Jushu. The delicate metal was broken where the sword had struck it. “I don’t understand,” Jushu said. “Isn’t that blasphemy? Don’t those belong to the king, only to be used by ardents?” Shallan rubbed her thumb across the... |
seemed to belie her smaller form, she heaved. Kaladin shoved with his good leg as water washed over it, and forced himself up the remaining distance to join her in the rocky alcove. The hollow was barely three or four feet deep, shallower than the crack they’d hid in. Fortunately, it faced westward. Though icy wind twi... |
out into the river. Shallan screamed and Kaladin gripped the rock on either side, holding on in a panic. The river retreated, though he could still hear it rushing. They settled back into the alcove. Light came from above, too steady to be lightning. Something was glowing on the plateau. Something that moved. It was ha... |
I loved him. And I strangled him as he lay on the floor, watching me, unable to move. I killed my own father . . .” He didn’t prod her, though he wanted to know. Needed to know. She went on, fortunately, speaking of her youth and the terrors she had known. Kaladin had thought his life terrible, but there was one thing ... |
smartest women in the world?” “Er . . . yes. Remember that bit about ‘stupid and naive’? Anyway, Jasnah found out. Fortunately, I intrigued her and she agreed to take me on as a ward. The marriage to Adolin was her idea, a way to protect my family while I trained.” “Huh,” he said. Lightning flashed outside. The winds s... |
YOU WILL NOT RIDE MY WINDS AGAIN. “No, I—” The storm returned. Kaladin collapsed back into the alcove, gasping at the sudden restoration of pain and cold. “Kelek’s breath!” Shallan said. “What was that?” “You saw the face?” Kaladin asked. “Yes. So vast . . . I could see stars in it, stars upon stars, infinity . . .” “T... |
fallen asleep. She snored softly. “You must be the only person,” he whispered, “to ever fall asleep while outside in a highstorm.” Uncomfortable though he was, he realized he really didn’t fancy the idea of climbing down with this wounded leg. Strength sapped, feeling a crushing darkness at what the Stormfather had sai... |
took Dalinar by the arm. “We have bigger problems than you and Sadeas, my friend. Yes, he betrayed you. Yes, he likely will again. But we can’t afford to let the two of you go to war. The Voidbringers are coming.” “How can you be certain of that, Amaram?” Dalinar asked. “Instinct. You gave me this title, this position,... |
back up and give him room. Some of the men saw Dalinar and saluted, hastily pulling out of the way. The blue parted like waters blown in a storm. And there he was. Ragged, hair matted in snarls, face scratched and leg wrapped in an improvised bandage. He sat on a triage table and had removed his uniform coat, which sat... |
Navani gasped when she saw Shallan, then ran to her, snapping angrily at the surgeons. She fussed and bustled around Shallan, who seemed far less the worse for wear than Kaladin, despite the terrible state of her dress and hair. In moments, Navani had Shallan wrapped in a blanket to cover her exposed skin, then she sen... |
like an eternity. “You can’t take her, Dalinar.” Navani’s voice came from Pattern on the table beside Shallan’s couch. She didn’t feel a moment’s guilt for sending him to spy on the two of them while she bathed. After all, they had been talking about her. “This map . . .” Dalinar’s voice said. “She can draw you a bette... |
old ones are patterns in nature now, like Cryptics unborn. We have tried to restore them. It does not work. Mmmm. Perhaps if their knights still lived, something could be done . . .” Stormfather. Shallan pulled the blanket around her closer. “An entire people, all killed?” “Not just one people,” Pattern said, solemn. “... |
Adolin said, “one at a time and delivering Father’s final ultimatum—to join us in this assault, or forever be known as those who refused to see the Vengeance Pact fulfilled. Father thought giving me something to do would help distract me from . . . well, you.” He leaned back, holding her by the arms, and gave her a sil... |
Jasnah was searching for them. So, then, must I.” “This expedition will be dangerous,” Navani said. “You understand the risks, child?” “Yes.” “One would think,” Navani continued, “that considering your recent ordeal, you would wish for a time of shelter.” “Uh, I wouldn’t say things like that to her, Aunt,” Adolin said,... |
with some measure of . . . ah . . . persistence.” She walked with him, and each step revealed her reluctance. Or perhaps confusion. They passed into the Circle of Memories, a round room with ten lamps on the walls, one for each of the ancient Epoch Kingdoms. An eleventh lamp represented the Tranquiline Halls, and a lar... |
said, watching to notice if she reacted. Yes, it did seem he’d gotten the name right. His memory must be improving. “This is what your superiors wanted me to talk to you about. They fear that if you’re not properly instructed, you might cause a bit of a storm here in Kholinar. Nobody wants that.” He and Pai passed othe... |
the queen’s personal stables, music and art . . . Pai’s expression grew darker with each item. Bother. This wasn’t working. New plan. “Here,” Lhan said, steering her toward the steps. “There’s something I want to show you.” The steps twisted down through the palace complex. He loved this place, every bit of it. White s... |
fear physical harm.” “Storms,” Lhan said. “You think we’d— Girl, I have someone else put my slippers on for me in the morning. Don’t be dense. We’re not going to hurt you. Too much work.” He shivered. “You’d get sent away, quickly and quietly.” “I do not fear that either.” “I doubt you fear anything,” Lhan said, “excep... |
All of this is just so very wrong.” She looked to him, then climbed to her feet. “I have accepted your proposal.” “You have?” “I will not leave Kholinar,” she said. “I will stay here and do what good I can.” “You won’t get the other ardents into trouble?” “My problem is not with the ardents,” she said, offering a hand ... |
course, this could still turn into a disaster.” “No,” Eshonai said. “No. It is perfect.” Venli looked to her, stopping on the rock field. “We need no more training. We should act, right now, to bring a highstorm.” “We will do it when the humans near,” Eshonai said. “Why? Let us do it tonight.” “Foolishness,” Eshonai sa... |
stewed and spiced grain mush. It was supposed to be good for his constitution. Tasted like dishwater. Bland dishwater. Maben stepped forward to set out the meal, but Mrall—a Thaylen man in a black leather cuirass who wore both his head and eyebrows shaved—stopped her with a hand to the arm. “Tests first,” Mrall said. T... |
his meal, which had gone cold during the testing. “Horrible,” Mrall said with a grin. “Just as we wanted it.” “Do not take pleasure in suffering,” Taravangian replied. “Even when it is a work of our hands.” He took a bite of the mush. “Particularly when it is a work of our hands.” “As you wish. I will do so no more.” “... |
those nights crying for what he had done, knowing that the atrocities he committed were important, but not understanding why. When he was dull, he could not change policy. Interestingly, he had decided that when he was too brilliant, he was also not allowed to change policy. He’d made this decision after a day of geniu... |
this. The wind was blowing in off the ocean, pushing at him from behind. It swept the smoke inland, away from the ship, so that Taravangian could barely smell it. An entire city burned just beyond his fingertips, and yet the stench vanished into the wind. The Weeping would come soon. Perhaps it would wash away some of ... |
if they could discover even one more glimmer about the future, one fact that could save hundreds of thousands, would it not be worth the lives of the few now? “Tell Dova to continue the work,” he said. He had not anticipated that their covenant would attract the loyalty of an ardent, of all things. The Diagram, and its... |
point represents the day you finished the most complex problems you’d left for yourself, and the day you devised new ones for use in future tests.” “I remember that day,” he said. “It was when I solved Fabrisan’s Conundrum.” “Yes,” she said. “The world may thank you for that, someday, if it survives.” “I was smart on t... |
you were to live another two thousand years, Vargo,” she said, “you’d maybe have one single day like this among them. Maybe. Even odds, I’d say.” Mrall snorted. “So it was luck.” “No, it was simple probability.” “Either way,” Taravangian said, folding the paper. “This was not the answer I wanted.” “Since when has it ma... |
of Kharbranth and cheered him. “The Diagram said it would happen,” Taravangian said. “I thought for certain that was an error,” she replied, shaking her head. “They know,” Mrall said. “We are the only victors this day. Our healers, who earned the respect of all sides. Our comforters who helped the dying pass. Their hig... |
through the crowd of men, listening to them beg for more relief and for drugs to ease their pain. Listening to their thanks. These soldiers had suffered a fight that—even yet—seemed to have no victor. They wanted something to hold to, and Taravangian was neutral, supposedly. It was shocking how easily they bared their ... |
like a plea. As if Szeth’s voice were being squeezed on the sides. This man was not sane. Szeth-son-son-Vallano was the most dangerous weapon on all of Roshar, and he was broken. Storms, why couldn’t this have happened on a day when Taravangian had more than half a wit? “What makes you say this?” Taravangian said, tryi... |
and out, struggling to regain control. He looked to Adrotagia, who sat in the middle of a circle of servants and soldiers, all sworn to the Diagram. “Who is it?” he asked softly. “Who is this Surgebinder?” “Jasnah’s ward?” Adrotagia said. They had been startled when that one arrived on the Shattered Plains. Already the... |
is a beast who gnaws at his leg to escape his bonds. If he gets free . . .” She nodded, moving off to do as he commanded. She hesitated at the flaps to their temporary tent. “We might have to reassess our methods of determining your intelligence. What I have seen in the last hour makes me question whether ‘average’ can... |
to a Veden princess some three generations back?” “I am not aware,” Taravangian said. “Didn’t you hear me about being coy?” “We both have a role to play in this production, Your Majesty,” Taravangian said. “I am merely speaking the lines as they were written.” “You talk like a woman,” Valam said. He spat blood to the s... |
“The bastard will be known as a patricide on the official records. If he had interest in the throne, this will make it . . . difficult for him, even more so than his parentage.” Taravangian pulled his fingers away from the knife. “Might I have a moment with the fallen king? I would speak a prayer for him.” The others l... |
stepped into the sunlight. He shaded his eyes and scanned the sky. No clouds yet. The Weeping, the worst part of the year, would roll in sometime tomorrow. Four weeks of ceaseless rain and gloom. It was a Light Year, so not even a highstorm in the middle. Misery. Kaladin longed for the storm within. That would have awa... |
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