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rule, if they live long enough. The king is called the Most Ancient.” “Sounds fair,” Moash said, walking over to join Sigzil beneath the overhang. “Better than deciding who rules based on eye color.” “Ah yes,” Sigzil said. “The Babath are very fair. Currently, the Monavakah Dynasty reigns.” “How can you have a dynasty ...
his bald head. The Horneater approached them. “I have heard of this place you spoke of, Sigzil,” Rock said. “Babatharnam. My cousin cousin cousin visited there one time. They have very tasty snails.” “That is a long distance to travel for a Horneater,” Sigzil noted. “Nearly same distance as for an Azish,” Rock said. “A...
nothing Kaladin could do for him, and with Yake wounded, Kaladin’s team was down to twenty-eight bridge-capable members. Sure enough, about an hour into their morning activities—caring for equipment, oiling the bridge, Lopen and Dabbid running to fetch their morning gruel pot and bring it back to the lumberyard—Kaladin...
back down the hill. The parshman dutifully followed. Teft cursed and did so as well. “What trick are they trying on us, do you think?” Teft asked. “I suspect it’s just what he said. A test to see if a parshman can be trusted to run bridges. Perhaps he’ll do as he’s told. Or perhaps he’ll refuse to run, or will try to k...
to treat him like the lighteyes treat us, Skar. That’s all there is to it. Rock, find him a vest and sandals.” The bridgemen split up, all save Teft. “What about…our plans?” Teft asked quietly. “We proceed,” Kaladin said. Teft looked uncomfortable about that. “What’s he going to do, Teft?” Kaladin asked. “Tell on us? I...
was determined to help the bridgemen. But something itched at him, a worry that he couldn’t yet explain. “You seem troubled,” Syl said, landing on his shoulder. She wore a cap and jacket over her usual dress, as if imitating nearby shop keepers. They passed the apothecary’s shop. Kaladin barely bothered to glance at it...
maybe just because of the traditions of healing that are said to have come from the Heralds. The ardents ignore us bridgemen. They used to visit the soldiers, when I was in Amaram’s army, but I haven’t seen a single one in the lumberyard. I haven’t given it much thought. Believing never seemed to help any of the soldie...
The other two were holding fine halberds with gleaming half-moon heads. A group of soldiers in red moved out of the crowd and began to surround those in blue. The air grew tense, and Kaladin realized that the street—bustling just moments ago—was quickly emptying. He stood practically alone, the only one watching the th...
Sleek, with tan skin, the fingers long and delicate. Kaladin found himself staring at it and blushing. She sidled up to the brightlord while his two comrades watched the sides of the streets, halberds ready. Even with her hair disheveled and her makeup smudged, she was quite pretty. “Thank you, Brightlord. Perhaps I co...
when you talk of them frightens me, Kaladin. You stop being yourself when you think about lighteyes.” He didn’t respond, just continuing on his way. He owed that brightlord nothing, and besides, he had orders to be back in the lumberyard. But the man had stepped up to protect the woman. No, Kaladin told himself forcefu...
really belonged to Sadeas and had been stolen years before. Kaladin didn’t know what to make of that. Of all lighteyes, Amaram was the only one he trusted. But it did seem like they were doing the same thing as the armies they fought. “Kaladin?” Gare asked impatiently. “You have something I want,” Kaladin said. “New re...
that. You can’t kill to protect…. He found the surgeon’s station easily; he could smell the scents of antiseptics and of small fires burning. Those smells reminded him of his youth, which now seemed so far, far away. Had he ever really planned to go become a surgeon? What had happened to his parents? What of Roshone? M...
“He found his way here just a few minutes ago, sir,” Dallet said. “I’ve been gettin’ him ready.” Kaladin shook himself out of the moment. Tien was dead. But Stormfather, this new lad looked a lot like him. “Well done,” Kaladin said to Dallet, forcing himself to look away from Cenn. “I paid good money to get that boy aw...
it seemed to envelop him. All six enemy spearmen were dead or incapacitated. Kaladin breathed in and out once, then turned to see to Cenn’s wound. He dropped his spear beside him, kneeling. The cut wasn’t that bad, though it probably pained the lad terribly. Getting out a bandage, Kaladin gave the battlefield one quick...
officers. He might be the one.” “You don’t know that, sir.” “Regardless, he’s a battalionlord. If we kill an officer that high, we’re all but guaranteed to be in the next group sent to the Shattered Plains. We’re taking him. Imagine it, Dallet. Real soldiers. A warcamp with discipline and lighteyes with integrity. A pl...
beautiful divinity—could be an enemy. The fact that the Shardbearer had come through their side reinforced that illusion. Kaladin’s confusion lasted right up until the moment the Shardbearer trampled Cenn, Shardblade dropping and cutting through Dallet’s head in a single, easy stroke. “No!” Kaladin bellowed. “No!” Dall...
Ahead, the Shardbearer rode past Amaram. With a sweep of the Blade, the Shardbearer slashed through the neck of Amaram’s mount. Its eyes burned into two great pits, and it toppled, jerking fitfully, Amaram still in its saddle. The Shardbearer wheeled his destrier in a tight circle, then threw himself from horseback at ...
front of him. Kaladin rebounded and lunged forward. He made an expert thrust at his enemy’s neck. The neck brace rebuffed the attack. Kaladin’s spear barely scratched the Plate’s paint. The Shardbearer turned on him, holding his Blade in a two-handed grip. Kaladin dashed past, just out of range of that incredible sword...
his Blade would have vanished. His armor is falling off of him. He is dead. Blood of my ancestors…you killed a Shardbearer!” Oddly, Kaladin wasn’t surprised. Just exhausted. He looked around at the bodies of men who had been his dearest friends. “Take it, Kaladin,” Coreb said. Kaladin turned, looking at the Shardblade,...
think about that strangest of afternoons, when she’d seen ghosts, transformed glass to blood, and had an ardent offer to resign the ardentia to be with her. She’d done several drawings of this hospital room. The creatures lurked in her sketches, staying at the distant edges of the room. Their presence made it difficult...
of her day’s sketches. It depicted one of the symbolheads. No eyes, no face, just that jagged alien symbol with points like cut crystal. They had to have something to do with the Soulcasting. Didn’t they? I visited another place, she thought. I think…I think I spoke with the spirit of the goblet. Did a goblet, of all t...
Majesty.” He shook his head. “You mustn’t be allowed to have another accident.” “I…I understand. But I promise that I’m feeling much better. The episode that struck me was caused by overwork. Now that I’m relaxed, I’m not in any further danger.” “That is good,” he said. “But we still need to keep you for a few more day...
“I’m sorry. I’ve learned poorly, haven’t I?” “Or perhaps you are just practicing the art of the apology. So that you will not be unsettled when the need arises, as I am.” “How very clever of me.” “Indeed.” “Can I stop now, then?” Shallan asked. “I think I’ve had quite enough practice.” “I should think,” Jasnah said, “t...
because you want to prove that Vorinism is false.” Jasnah sniffed in derision. “I would not dedicate four years of my life to such an empty pursuit. It’s idiocy to try to prove a negative. Let the Vorin believe as they wish—the wise among them will find goodness and solace in their faith; the fools would be fools no ma...
“No,” Jasnah said. “Thank you.” “Jasnah,” Shallan said. “Would you please at least try some?” It bothered her that the two of them got on so poorly. The older woman sighed. “Oh, very well.” She took the bread, holding it as Shallan and Kabsal ate. The bread was moist and delicious, though Jasnah grimaced as she put her...
of her safehand’s sleeve. Why…why does she want… But no, I can’t show her that. The Soulcaster! Her mind was so fuzzy. “Shallan,” Jasnah’s voice said, anxious, very soft. “I’m going to have to Soulcast your blood to purify it. It will be dangerous. Extremely dangerous. I’m not good with flesh or blood. It’s not where m...
Teft asked, hustling up, splashing through a puddle where bits of empty cremling carapace floated. “You all right?” “Fine.” “You look thoughtful.” “More breakfast-full,” Kaladin said. “That gruel was particularly dense this morning.” Teft smiled. “I never took you for the glib type.” “I used to be more so. I get it fro...
points out their weakness, perhaps spars with a few of them, tossing them on their backsides to teach them humility. I did that a few times myself when training new spearmen.” Kaladin shook his head. “Today, that’s not how we’ll begin. You men don’t need humbling. You don’t dream of glory. You dream of survival. Most o...
if you don’t care about anything, what are you? An animal, driven only to kill. Our passion is what makes us human. We have to fight for a reason. So I say that it’s all right to care. We’ll talk about controlling your fear and anger, but remember this as the first lesson I taught you.” Several of the bridgemen nodded....
knees the moment you’re threatened, learning to hold your center of balance. It will take time, but I promise you if we start here, you’ll learn to be deadly far more quickly. Even if it seems that all you’re doing at first is standing around.” The men nodded. “Teft,” Kaladin ordered. “Split them into pairs by size and...
that haven’t been picked clean. I think we can work a lot faster. We need to work a lot faster, if we’re going to train with the spear. Fortunately, we have an advantage.” He held out his hand, and Syl alighted on it. He’d spoken to her earlier, and she’d agreed to his plan. He didn’t notice her doing anything special,...
Airsick lowlanders. Ha!” “Great. Look, see if you can memorize the chasms, perhaps make a map of some kind. I suspect that most who come down here stick to the established routes. That means we’re much more likely to find salvage down side passages; that’s where I’ll be sending Syl.” “Side passages?” Rock said, still a...
them a chance to fight back. That kind of opportunity changed a man. Watching them stand resolute and capable in stances they had only been just been taught, Kaladin realized something. These men—cast off by the army, forced to work themselves near to death, then fed extra food by Kaladin’s careful planning—were the mo...
but for whom?” “For me,” Shallan said. “Is it so hard to believe that I could act for myself? Am I such a miserable failure that the only rational answer is to assume I was duped or manipulated?” “You have no grounds to raise your voice to me, child,” Jasnah said evenly. “And you have every reason to remember your plac...
Jasnah was taking pity on her; best not to give her reason not to. But what of the strange things Shallan had seen and experienced? Might Jasnah have an explanation for them? Looking at Jasnah, seeing the cold rage hidden behind her calm exterior, frightened Shallan enough that her questions about the symbolheads and t...
had ever done. As a Shardbearer, Kaladin would have been more important than Roshone—more important than Amaram. He’d have been able to go to the Shattered Plains and fight in a real war. No more squabbling over borders. No more petty lighteyed captains belonging to unimportant families, bitter because they’d been left...
on his walking staff, inspecting Kaladin with bright tan eyes. He’d been in conference with his counselors for several hours now, trying to discover who the Shardbearer had been. “You did a brave thing today, soldier,” Amaram said to Kaladin. “I…” What did you say to that? I wish I’d left you to die, sir. “Thank you.” ...
his arm, then finally his corpse. Coreb lasted the longest, backing away, hands held forward. He didn’t scream. He seemed to understand. Kaladin’s eyes were watering, and soldiers grabbed him from behind, stopping him from helping. Coreb’s fell to his knees and began to beg. One of Amaram’s men took him at the neck, ne...
slave will be ignored. The warcamp will be told that you didn’t try to help your fellows—but you didn’t try to stop them, either. You fled and were captured by my guard.” Amaram hesitated by the door, resting the blunt edge of the stolen Shardblade on his shoulder. The guilt was still there in his eyes, but he grew har...
his cousin, rubbing his belly. “Baxil,” the mistress said. “My tools.” He opened the bag, handing over a folded tool belt. It clinked as she took it, not looking at him, then she strode down the hallway to their left. Baxil watched, uncomfortable. This was the Hallowed Hall, the place where a wealthy man placed images ...
“Saw the world upside down from then on.” “Really?” “Yeah,” Av said. “Twisted all about. Like people walk on the ceilings and the sky was underneath him. Said he got used to it pretty quickly, though, and didn’t really think it a curse by the time he died.” Even thinking about that curse made Baxil feel sick. He looked...
I’ve read the speculations, but it just doesn’t seem rational to me. The body must be fed in the Physical Realm, but the spirit exists in a completely different state.” “A state of ideals,” she replied. “So, you could create ideal foods, perhaps.” “Hmm…What would be the fun in that? No experimentation.” “I could do wit...
this morning. Still don’t know what species they are. Tasty, though.” He hesitated, then looked up at the hearth and its spren. “Geranid, what is this?” “I think I’ve had a breakthrough,” she said softly. “But the figures,” he said, tapping the writing board. “You said they were erratic, and they still are.” “Yes,” she...
her notation. It immediately began pulsing and changing erratically like the other one. “Wow,” Ashir repeated. “It’s as if it knows, somehow, that it has been measured. As if merely defining its form traps it somehow. Write down a number.” “What number?” “Any number,” he said. “But one that might be the size of a flame...
that he secretly kept a Shardblade. Near Szeth, men and women scrambled away, stumbling over one another. He dropped among them, his white clothing rippling. He cut through a man who was drawing his sword–but also sliced through three women who wanted only to escape. Eyes burned and bodies collapsed. Szeth reached behi...
couldn’t he have retired early? Why had he invited so many people? Szeth charged at the king. He passed the dead, who lay twisted on the floor, burned-out eyes staring in lifeless accusation. The king cowered behind his high table. That high table shuddered, quivering oddly. Something was wrong. Instinctively, Szeth La...
into the air as Szeth ducked another sword thrust. He touched the attacker’s leg, inhumanly lithe. With a look and a blink, he Lashed that man to the ceiling as well. Soldiers cursed, slashing at him, their bulky half-shards suddenly becoming hindrances as Szeth moved among them, graceful as a skyeel, touching arms, le...
ducked out of the way. The two Shardbearers attacked as bodies fell from above, but Szeth was too quick, too limber. The Shardbearers didn’t work together. They were accustomed to dominating a battlefield or dueling with a single enemy. Their powerful weapons made them sloppy. Szeth ran on light feet, held to the groun...
the wood of a shattered tabletop, the legs of which had broken free. The king finally realized his trap was failing. He started to flee. Ten heartbeats, Szeth thought. Return to me, you creation of Damnation. Szeth’s heartbeats began to thump in his ears. He screamed–Light bursting from his mouth like radiant smoke–and...
the man to the ground. Szeth swept his blade through the surprised soldiers, who fell as their legs died beneath them. Finally, Szeth raised his Blade over his head, looking down at the king. “What are you?” the man whispered, eyes watering with pain. “Death,” Szeth said, then drove his Blade point-first through the ma...
and Ishi, Heralds above. Let me find a way to right this. Please. “I will return to Alethkar,” Dalinar said. “Though I hate to leave our army here down a Shardbearer. Could I…but no, I could not give them up.” “Of course not!” Adolin said, aghast. A Shardbearer, giving up his Shards? It almost never happened unless the...
He didn’t let that piece gain too much control—a man had to do what was right. But Dalinar would give it this much: He would treat the vision as real while he was part of it. If there were secrets to be found here, only by playing along would he find them. He looked about him. What was he being shown this time, and why...
caught one of the men referring to this place as “Feverstone Keep.” He’d never heard of it. Scouts galloped from the keep on horses. Why didn’t they have outriders already? “It has to be the rear defense force,” one soldier muttered. “They can’t have gotten through our lines. Not with the Radiants fighting….” Radiants?...
we identified them.” “Well, go back and find out why they’re here!” the officer bellowed, causing the scout to flinch, then turn to ride away. The Radiants. They were usually connected to Dalinar’s visions in one way or another. As the officer began to call commands to his attendants, telling them to prep empty bunkers...
summoning their Blades. The weapons appeared in their hands, like fog forming and condensing. It was done in silence. Their visors were down. “If them charging without swords was a good sign,” whispered one of the men beside Dalinar, “then what does this mean?” A suspicion began to rise within Dalinar, the horror that ...
that dreadful feeling, that screaming he swore he could almost hear? The Radiants. They walked away from their discarded weapons. They all seemed individuals now, each walking alone despite the crowd. Dalinar charged after them, tripping over discarded breastplates and chunks of armor. He finally stumbled free of it al...
you. The Night of Sorrows will come, and the True Desolation. The Everstorm.” “Then answer my questions!” Dalinar said. “Read the book. Unite them.” “The book? The Way of Kings?” The figure turned and walked from him, joining the other Radiants as they crossed the stone plain, walking toward places unknown. Dalinar loo...
began seeing these visions, I believed them to be from the Almighty. You have convinced me that I may have been too hasty in my judgment. I don’t know enough to trust them. I could be mad. Or they could be supernatural without being of the Almighty.” “How could that happen?” Adolin said, frowning. “The Old Magic,” Rena...
we do?” Adolin said. “We make the choice,” Dalinar said. “I make the choice.” “Step down or keep heeding the delusions,” Adolin spat. “Either way we’re letting them rule us.” “And you have a better option?” Dalinar demanded. “You’ve been quick to complain, Adolin, which seems a habit of yours. But I don’t see you offer...
what she does? As a Veristitalian?” Dalinar looked at Adolin. “It sounds like it’s worth a try, son.” “Maybe,” Adolin said. “But we can’t take the existence of a single place as proof. You could have heard of this Feverstone Keep, and therefore included it.” “Well,” Renarin said, “that may be true. But if what Father s...
these things are not delusions, I face another decision. Do I accept what they tell me or not? It may very well be better for Alethkar if I prove to be mad. It will be easier, at the least.” Adolin considered that, his brow furrowed, his jaw tense. “And Sadeas? He seems to be nearing the completion of his investigation...
analysis.” “I reserve judgment, dear,” Navani said, standing up and folding the paper by pressing down with her safehand, holding it in place while she creased the fold tight. She smiled, walking by Adolin and patting him on the shoulder. “Let’s see what Jasnah says before we do any analyzing, shall we?” “I suppose,” A...
to him. “And what will you do if I don’t go? Will you call for help? Have me hauled away?” “Navani,” he said sufferingly. “Please. Don’t do this again. I’m tired.” “Excellent. That might make it easier to get what I want.” He closed his eyes. I can’t take this right now. The vision, the confrontation with Adolin, his o...
Ten shafts struck the wood near Kaladin’s head, their force throwing a shudder through it, chips of wood splintering free. But not a one struck flesh. Across the chasm, several of the Parshendi lowered their bows, breaking off their chanting. Their demonic faces bore looks of stupefaction. “Down!” Kaladin yelled as the...
sorry.” There’s nothing you could have done…. There isn’t ever anything I can do. Stormfather, why can’t I save them? The bridge stopped shaking, the cavalry smashing into the Parshendi and making space for the foot soldiers, who clanked across next. The cavalry would retreat after the foot soldiers gained purchase, th...
of open stone. Kaladin remembered lying like that after his first bridge runs. Now he barely felt winded. As usual, the other bridge crews had left their wounded behind as they retreated. One poor man from Eight was crawling toward the others, an arrow through his thigh. Kaladin walked up to him. He had dark brown skin...
back to camp.” “How…” the man said. He didn’t have even a hint of an accent. Kaladin had expected him to be Azish because of the dark skin. “How will I get back if I can’t walk on the leg?” “We will carry you,” Kaladin said. The man looked up, obviously shocked. “I…” Tears formed in his eyes. “Thank you.” Kaladin nodde...
was all they’d found. Bridgemen who fell often ended up like Dunny, getting trampled. Well, at least Bridge Four wouldn’t have to make a return trip to the plateau. The three had bad arrow wounds, and so Kaladin left the man with the gash on his arm to them, instructing Skar to keep pressure on the unfinished sewing jo...
not fashion or tradition, but to distinguish him easily for those who followed him. He wouldn’t have nearly the problem with the other lighteyes if they would at least wear their colors. He stepped onto the king’s feasting island. Stands had been set up at the sides where the braziers normally stood, each one bearing o...
glanced at her. Was he a fool to off end her as he had? Would it make her use the knowledge of his visions against him? No, he thought. She wouldn’t be that petty. Navani did seem to care for him, though her affection was inappropriate. The chairs around him were left empty. He was becoming a pariah, first because of h...
“Is that your name, then? Your real name?” “No, my friend,” Wit said, standing up. “I’ve abandoned my real name. But when next we meet, I’ll think of a clever one for you to call me. Until then, Wit will suffice—or if you must, you may call me Hoid. Watch yourself; Sadeas is planning a revelation at the feast tonight, ...
basin. “I think we should position them over there. It’ll make a good line of retreat in case the king tries to have you arrested.” “I still don’t think it will come to that.” “You can’t be sure. Elhokar allowed this investigation in the first place, after all. He’s growing more and more paranoid.” Dalinar glanced over...
Sesemalex Dar,” Dalinar said, rubbing his chin. “The city is quite spectacular, filling rifts cut into the stone.” “Indeed,” Au-nak said. “There’s a particular composition of the stone there that lets water drain. The design is amazing. It’s obviously one of the Dawncities.” “My wife would have something to say on that...
the ardent said softly, taking a sip of his wine—orange, of course, as he was a man of the clergy. Dalinar frowned at him. “You are bold, ardent,” he said sternly. “Perhaps foolishly so. You insult a man Hatham wants to do business with.” “Actually, I belong to Brightlord Hatham,” the ardent said. “He asked me to insul...
in his right hand, his long, red velvet robe open at the front to expose a ruffled white shirt. “Dalinar, are you—” “Your investigation, Sadeas,” Dalinar said firmly. Sadeas sighed, looking at Elhokar. “Your Majesty. I was actually planning to make an announcement regarding this very subject tonight. I was going to wai...
Dalinar fell still. Around them, more and more of the important light-eyes were gathering. He could sense their tension. “But when was it cut?” Sadeas said, turning to address the crowd. He did have a flair for the dramatic. “That was pivotal, you see. I took leave to interview numerous men who were on that hunt. None ...
Majesty would fall while fighting a great-shell, allowing it to attack him. The gemstones would fail, the Plate would break, and His Majesty would fall to an ‘accident’ while hunting.” Sadeas raised a finger as the crowd began to whisper again. “However, it is important to realize that these events—the switching of the...
out his eyes and been done with it!” Sadeas took a drink of his steaming violet wine. “The problem is, Elhokar kept on and on about that blasted strap. And people started talking, since he was under your protection and you two rode off together like that. Stormfather only knows how they could think you would try to hav...
to hold off the Parshendi? You could hold until my stronger, but slower, forces arrive.” That gave Sadeas pause. “It could mean a Shardblade, Sadeas.” Sadeas’s eyes grew hungry. “I know you’ve fought Parshendi Shardbearers,” Dalinar said, seizing on that thread, “But you’ve lost. Without a Blade, you’re at a disadvanta...
around. Usually they didn’t get this close before doing so. “That’s the standard of Dalinar Kholin,” Skar said, joining them. “Dalinar,” Moash said appreciatively. “They say he doesn’t use bridgemen.” “How does he cross the chasms, then?” Kaladin asked. The answer soon became obvious. This new army had enormous, siege-...
understood the kinds of corruption a well-polished breastplate could hide. Though, he thought, that man who protected the whore on the street, he wore blue. Adolin, Dalinar’s son. He seemed genuinely selfless in his defense of the woman. Kaladin set his jaw, casting aside those thoughts. He would not be taken in again....
to get spheres out of the chasms.” “We could swallow them,” Moash said. “You would choke. Spheres are too big, eh?” “I’ll bet I could do it,” Moash said. His eyes glittered, reflecting the verdant Stormlight. “That’s more money than I’ve ever seen. It’s worth the risk.” “Swallowing won’t work,” Kaladin said. “You think...
fade into existence around him, bobbing around the moss and haspers. A few frillblooms opened up fronds of red and yellow beside his head. Kaladin had thought again and again about Dunny’s death. Bridge Four was not safe. True, they’d lost a remarkably small number of men lately, but they were still dwindling. And each...
protects against highstorms, as each trough has a lip at the side, keeping water from streaming in off the stone plain around it. That, mixed with a drainage system of cracks, protects the city from flooding. “The people there are known for their expert crem pottery; the city is a major waypoint in the southwest. The E...
to love, or was it just about proving something to himself? His experience told him that men who could not fight were at a severe disadvantage in this world of war and storms. Perhaps sneaking out would have been the better option, but he knew little of stealth. Besides, if they sneaked away, Sadeas would send troops a...
time we come scavenging, we’ll save a few spears and stash them down here. It shouldn’t take long to gather enough to practice with.” “How will we get them out when it’s time to escape?” Teft asked, rubbing his chin. “Spears left down here won’t do these lads much good once the real fighting starts.” “I’ll find a way t...
together, the differences were much more obvious. Shen—like most parshmen—was short and a little plump. Stout, strong, but not threatening. The corpse at Kaladin’s feet, however, was muscled and built like a Horneater, easily as tall as Kaladin and far broader at the shoulders. While both had the marbled skin, the Pars...
respond. He tucked the bow and string away in his bag, added a few arrows, then helped the others. An hour later, they marched through the chasms toward the ladder, their torches sputtering, dusk approaching. The darker it grew, the more unpleasant the chasms became. Shadows deepened, and distant sounds—water dripping,...
need to get arrow close to side of bridge, so Lopen can reach. If you miss with this thing, you could lose all spheres. And what if scouts near bridges above see arrow come from chasm? Will think it suspicious, eh?” Kaladin eyed the Horneater. Is simple, he’d said. Point away from self…let go… “Well,” Kaladin said, wat...
never get anything done?” He shook his head. “No. This is just one more danger. It’s a real one, but we can’t waste energy spying on each other. So we keep on going.” Skar didn’t look convinced. “We’re Bridge Four,” Kaladin said firmly. “We’ve faced death together. We have to trust each other. You can’t run into battle...
shove him off his mount. Those axes and maces—swung repeatedly—could crack his Plate. It was a very costly tactic; corpses lay scattered around Dalinar. But when fighting against a Shardbearer, every tactic was costly. Dalinar kept Gallant moving, dancing from side to side, swinging his Blade in broad sweeps. He stayed...
scholars had suggested this was some kind of primitive apprenticeship. Dalinar inspected the clean-shaven ones for signs of any stubble. There was none, and more than a few had a faintly feminine shape to their faces. Could the ones without beards all be women? They didn’t appear to have much in the way of breasts, and...
army forcing them forward, almost against their will. These Parshendi attacked with bravery. Dalinar spun, laying about him, the Thrill surging within. With an ordinary sword, a fighter focused on controlling his blows, striking and expecting recoil. You wanted quick, rapid strikes with small arcs. A Shardblade was dif...
Then he swung with his other arm, smashing his fist into the Parshendi’s shoulder. The blow tossed the man to the ground. The Parshendi’s song cut off. Gritting his teeth, Dalinar stepped up and kicked the man in the chest, throwing the body a good twenty feet through the air. He’d learned to be wary of Parshendi who w...
onto the battlefield. Stormfather, but they can jump, Dalinar thought, watching the Parshendi span the gap in powerful leaps. Six years of fighting had shown Dalinar that human soldiers—particularly if lightly armored—could outrun Parshendi troops if they had to go more than a few dozen yards. But those thick, powerful...
approached the northwestern Parshendi line. There, his enemies formed up, raising spears and setting them against the ground. Blast! Dalinar thought. Parshendi had never set spears like that against heavy cavalry before. They were starting to learn. Dalinar charged the formation, then wheeled Gallant at the last moment...
from behind. He stumbled on a swath of green cloth. Sadeas’s banner. Dalinar spun, searching. Behind him, he’d left a line of corpses that was quickly yet carefully being stepped past by more Parshendi focused on him. Except just to his left. None of the Parshendi there turned toward him. Sadeas! Dalinar thought, leapi...
down through a Parshendi, burning out his eyes, dropping the man without a mark on his skin. Dalinar brought his Blade up, spinning, cutting through the legs of another foe. His insides were a tempest of emotions, and his brow beneath the helm streamed with sweat. What would happen to the Alethi army if both he and Sad...
watch for that. Sadeas, however, smiled a wide grin. “Stormfather, but that was close! How goes the battle?” “The Parshendi are routed,” Adolin said. “The last force resisting was the one around you. Our men are cutting the gemheart free at this moment. The day is ours.” “We win again!” Sadeas said triumphantly. “Dalin...
battlefield. His men should not see that. He stumbled away, one hand to his head, the other carrying his helm. He should be exulting. But he couldn’t. He just…couldn’t. You will need luck trying to understand me, Sadeas, he thought. Because I’m having Damnation’s own trouble trying to do so myself. “And all the world w...