#Adolin in Prison

[stormscience]

New Chapter on To Mend Without Thread

hey folks, for NaNoWriMo, I have decided to write a chapter a day for Mend, my main longfic. Things get really exciting in chapter 54, and I want to have something to look orwed to after reading Wind and Truth!

[isdalinarhot]

God learning Sadeas was canonically in modern day fat and so whenever Adolin is talking about Sadeas like what a bulbous freak get your bulbous hands off me he’s doing a microaggression instead of just being petty……… well it really put me off Adolin in a major way. Like oh :/ if we ever disagreed about something he’d be a bigot to me :/ sort of vibes

[nevertheless-moving]

adolin half teasing kaladin while out for drinks sometime in Urithiru: you know your feats on the shattered plains aren't quite as impressive now that I've seen more of your magic glowing powers thing.

Kalidan: hm

Adolin: knew there was something weird about you. Ha. I mean i was amazed at the time, but surviving the fall from that bridge sabotage isn't really anything now that I've seen-

Kalidan: actually I didn't have my powers for that part

Adolin: what

Shallan: it's true he didn't

Kalidan: Lost syl right after prison, I got maybe a chip of stormlight while falling , just enough to not die, no powers the rest of the time

Adolin: how

Kalidan: I already explained the whole - with elhokar and moash -

Adolin: no, i mean, the highstorm -

Kaladin: yeah that was shallan

Shallan: shardblade cubby cut out part way up the wall

Adolin: and the chasm fiend? It really was already dead -

Shallan: no very much alive, very much tried to kill us

Adolin: and you-

Shallan: no that was kaladin

Adolin: what

Kaladin: I mean you did distract it, and I wouldn't have been able to do anything without your pattern blade

Adolin: you killed a chasm fiend. Without special powers.

Kaladin: I mean shallan-

Shallan: he jumped right in its mouth!

Adolin: i - you killed a chasm fiend. Without any other fighters. By yourself. Without radiant powers. You're - you're sure? No special abilities?

Kaladin: it was a pretty painful time, yes I'm sure. Did some spear katas. Noticeable difference without the bond with syl.

Adolin: you fought the chasm fiend. handicapped.

Kaladin: I guess? I dont know if it's handicapped considering, you know, most people don't ever breathe stormlight.

Adolin: you killed a chasm fiend singlehandedly. Without shardplate. And without any powers.

Kaladin: you're repeating yourself

Shallan: ...it was pretty impressive

Kaladin: you saw how messed up my leg got!

Adolin:

Adolin: I hate you so much.

[cosmerelists]

The Shallan and Wit Podcast Presents: Insane Conspiracy Theories of Roshar

What do you mean they don't have podcasts on Roshar?

1. Conspiracy Theory #1: Adolin was replaced by a body double after the 4 v. 1 duel

Shallan: Oh, this is a fun one! Shallan: According to some conspiracy theorists, Adolin--my husband--actually died of injuries after his four versus one duel, and after that he was replaced by a body double. Wit: A good story, Shallan, but what is their so-called evidence? Shallan: Well, apparently the time he spent in "prison" after the duel was actually the time it took for him to die of his injuries, be buried, and for them to find a suitable body double. Shallan: People also claim that the new "Adolin" is far different from his predecessor, citing things like him actually getting married--ouch--and the fact that he acted out by killing a highprince, perhaps because the body double is not totally stable. Plus, people claim that his brother Renarin has since gotten weirder, possibly because he knows the truth and it's killing him. Wit: Well, as the wife of the potential body double in question, what do you have to say to these theorists, Shallan? Shallan: How dare you--I'M the one with body doubles!

2. Conspiracy #2: There was no Assassin in White

Wit: This theory actually comes in two flavors. Wit: Some claim that there simply never was an "Assassin in White" and that King Gavilar was killed by his inner circle--perhaps even by his brother Dalinar. Shallan: Gasp! Wit: Others buy that SOME killings were done by the assassin, but claim that many other high-profile killings were simply pinned on him! Basically, that it was an assassination free-for-all where you could easily get away with murder just pinning it on Szeth! Shallan: I mean, if you wanted to get away with murder, it's not a bad play...but what do you think? Wit: Met the guy. He readily admits to doing all of it. Shallan: Puts a crimp in the theory...if you believe an assassin! Wit: Dum, dum, DUM! Wit: Anyway.

3. The Plague in the Purelake was caused by ALIENS

Shallan: So there really was a plague in the Purelake--that much is true--but some people claim that it's not a natural plague, that it was caused...by aliens! Wit: As in...visitors from another planet? Shallan: Yes! Wit: Oh, well that one's true. Shallan: ... Wit: Worldhoppers. Shallan: Oh. Wit: Yup. Shallan: Score 1 for the conspiracy theorists, I guess!

4. Conspiracy Theory #4: Gavilar and Dalinar are the same person.

Wit: It's another one about your inlaws, Shallan! Shallan: Yay? Wit: This conspiracy theory holds that Gavilar and his brother Dalinar are in fact the same person! Wit: In his guise as Gavilar, he played the wise king, but when he wanted to let loose and bring bloody vengeance, he became "Dalinar." Shallan: Again, I'm the one who is multiple people! It feels like sexism somehow that it's all the men who are assumed to be, like, body doubles and fake people. Wit: You're probably right. Shallan: Anyway, I'll be interested to hear the evidence seeing as Dalinar and his brother were, like, seen together. A lot. Wit: Eh, "body double" explains that away. As for why people think this is true--well, it is apparently because it "explains so much." Why did Sadeas and Dalinar have a falling out? Because Sadeas knew the truth and didn't want to hide it any more. Why did Sades become the Highprince of Information? To signal that he had information that others needed to know. Why was Sadeas killed? Because he knew the truth, once again. Why did Navani marry her husband's "brother"--well, because she just missed him after having to pretend he was dead! Shallan (sarcastically): Well, I'm convinced. Wit: So compelling to be sure.

5. Conspiracy #5: Super-intelligent cremlings can imitate humans!

Shallan: For the final conspiracy theory of today's podcast, let's talk about all of Roshar. Apparently, there are people everywhere who aren't people at all--they're masses of cremlings pretending to be a person! Shallan: Literally ANYONE you meet could actually be BUGS! Wit: Ridiculous! Shallan: Yeah...this one is a little bit silly. Wit: The Sleepless are made of hordelings, not cremlings, and there's just not that many of them. The odds of your average person meeting one are simply not that high. Shallan: Wait...this one is true too? Wit: I just said it wasn't (quite)! Shallan: Trying to get a conspiracy started about yourself, I see. Wit: It's of course my dream.

[wuffgang-ameowdeus-moozart]

Shallan "super observant" Davar, Adolin "used cologne in prison" Kholin and Kaladin "all light-eyes suck" Stormblessed are the ultimate mean girl trio. the Plastics of the shattered planes. put in your bets which one will be run over by a bus

[diabolicalworldwriter]

Jesus, I just got to the point in Words of Radiance where Kal is in prison and Dalinar basically says "You're not going to end racism by being radical and acting upset about it. You can't just expect us to treat you like an equal because you're not one. Play nice and maybe the racists will grow to respect you"

I.

Buddy what the fuck

In general I think I've found that I'm... Not as fond of Dalinar as I used to be. Don't get me wrong, he does some great things and he's constantly trying to improve and I appreciate that. Flawed characters make stories interesting and I think Brandon does a fantastic job of writing him. However, he is overly strict and judgemental (Still not forgiving him for hating on Adolin for trying to express himself a bit more through style in ROW; let my boy dress up a bit if he wants), he struggles to accept other ways of doing things (we could look to Adolin again, being "too friendly" with those he commands and Dalinar going "noooo they might respect you less if they think you see them as an equal individual"), and while he talks about how he wants to change how everything works, if someone tries to defy convention in a way he doesn't approve of he shuts them down. (Kaladin pointing out very fair issues with how dark eyes are punished severely and light eyes get away with everything only to be talked down at until he shut up and fell in line, for example.) He wants change and has power to bring it about but won't do anything too radical for it, I guess, and that frustrates me. He tends to support systems as long as they work for his own goals, even if they're still exploitative and deeply unjust, while also complaining that everyone else is being exploitative and unjust. I dislike that he acts like he's doing Kaladin such a favor by treating him as almost an equal. "I'm sticking my neck out by treating you like a human, act civil and don't try to speak too loudly about the injustices yet, you might make the others uncomfortable." Dalinar isn't like other light eyes, he's so quirky and different and sometimes acts a bit less classist and racist!!! Aren't we lucky!! Idk maybe I'm stating my point a bit too strongly but damn. He's giving "yeah I'm a stubborn old man but really I'm quite progressive, I don't even go out of my way to hate crime people"

Words of Radiance, while I enjoy it, is rather difficult to get through because it's just so many main characters who I generally appreciate being awful to/supporting or ignoring awful behavior towards Kaladin and if he reacts they're like ":0000 how dare he attack first" (I appreciate Zahel chewing out Adolin for antagonizing and then fighting Kal in shardplate because goddamn Adolin I love you but that sucked.)

I'm finding Elhokar a lot more unlikeable on this reread as well. He's meant to be unlikeable of course, so good job on that, but Jesus he can be the worst. Honestly standing beside my past thoughts that what Moash did wrong was not in turning on the system that oppresses him and all the dark eyes, but just that he knowingly hurt Kaladin and other people who cared about him repeatedly and severely to do so.

I'm on board with killing horrible leaders (especially if it seems the only way to remove them and stop them from causing harm: people shouldn't have to suffer and die as part of a leader's learning curve and character growth, and going "they're working on it" when people are actively suffering is garbage. I'm still sad at Elhokar's death but I'm not sad that he's no longer king) but I draw the line at abusing and killing one's friends and I am just hoping he comes to terms with what he has done wrong and improves in book five.

Anyways that was long and scattered I'm sorry lmao you should have heard my rant to my poor cousin, I was rambling for like half an hour.

[almightyworm]

Reading WoR - why can’t my sweet stormblessed baby boy ever catch a break 😭😭

Kaladin: saves Adolins life 😚🙌☺️🫶

Kaladin: sent to prison immediately 🙁😔☹️

[crow-of-paradise]

This beautiful turning point in Kaladin and Adolin’s relationship. 😭

I love how Adolin doesn’t need convincing. In true himbo fashion, he lives life off pure vibes. He did NOT like Kaladin inititally bc SUS VIBES. And he does NOT like Amaram bc RANK VIBES!!! And I support u bestie, ur right his vibes aren't vibing.

Then Kaladin's prison spiraling immediately being disproven when his whole bridge crew were lowkey planning to break him out, Rock was making a stew for as long as he was incarcerated, and they were all impatiently waiting for him.......

Nothing will ever get me like Bridge Four gets me. And seeing Wit decimate Amaram and Amaram not being able to react authentically to him, bc ofc he has to play dumb, is probably gonna be my favorite part of this whole book lmao.

GET HIS ASS, WIT!!! These pre-Shattered Plains expedition chapters hit. I got sassy little fuck ass Sadeas which I always love, Kaladin going to the dark side with Moash (which is OBVIOUSLY affecting his bond with Syl) after giving him his gifted Shards lllmaaaoooo I can't wait to see how that turns out. BUT LET ME BE CLEAR: MOASH DID NOTHING WRONG OKAY, he is a supportive friend who in return offered to kill Amaram for Kaladin and that is basically equivalent to a marriage proposal TO ME. HE LOVES THAT BOY, OKAY. He just also wants to exact revenge at the same time which is v sexy of him. I deliberately slowed down last week but I think.... I'm ready to finish Wor! The Sanderlanche beckons so I think I will see y'all on the other side. Unless I freak out midway and come yell here which seems likely. :D

[thatfoxnamedfinley]

You Cannot Have My Pain aka Oathbringer thoughts

I am an empty shell

in both a good and a bad way

it's 5:28AM as I start to write this

MOASH

how DARE you

Dalinar I actually love you

Odium, u r actually a CREEP dude

spoilers will be under the cut *bows an emotionally drained bow*

*stares into the distance, watching the waves crash onto the shore*

Do you guys ever relate to a character that's nothing like you? Like, something happened in your life that CONNECTS you to a character? For me, that's Dalinar.

And I know what you're thinking

WHAT bitch?

a warlord tyrant turned peacemaker, eh? r u a criminal bitch?

No. But I did lose my mom to cancer in 2022. My internal landscape changed overnight. The things I deemed important changed. I was able to finally see my flaws, made bare by my immense regret (a normal feeling when grieving) and it look a LOT of therapy to forgive myself. I didn't like the person I was. I was selfish, was quick to judge and didn't desire human connection, and I was so mad at myself that it took my mom dying to spark that change.

Without making this a TED Talk, I deeply connected to Dalinar's grief that struck me in an unexpected way.

"Sometimes a hypocrite is nothing more than a man in the process of changing." Oh...? Oh. Oh. TEARS down my face.

LET US BEGIN.

So, we BEGIN the book with Dalinar seeing a figure in black Shardplate with nine shadows and red eyes

oh ok

Oh bro when Elhokar bowed down to Dalianr trying to abdicate and name Dalinar a Highking...& Dalinar and Navani are like

!! bro !! GET UP

OMG!!

WHEN HIS MEMORY CAME BACK OF EVI

I remember reading it and they were like "blah blah blah yeah, Evi" and I was like bro WAIT A FUCKING SECOND DUDE

oh oh oh

When Pattern asked if Adolin was an option for him to marry LMFAO ok Pattern we get it hahhhahhaha Pattern is so funny dude

Even in Shadesmar when he and Adolin were pretending to be illusions and he was happily waving a glass stick above his head, I'm like damn he's....a little touched tbh

Dalinar strolling around during a highstorm looking for a fucking knife was iconic as well as him spotting the assassin in literally 0.5 seconds and murking him and everyone in the room is like

Gavilar was like "um thanks"

Blackthorn Unleashed was an amazing chapter. He went into Bloodstance - a stance for someone who didn't care if he got hit and he was RAGING

But you know what I also noticed about this chapter? Gavilar like, casually put a hit out on Highprince Kalanor and juts points Dalinar wherever he wants. And I GET IT, right? Like, the Alethi are good at war. Everyone talks about it, it's what they're known for.

HOWEVER, the enabling of Dalinar's behavior is, at times, sickening. Even though I know this is a cultural thing and they all see it as a good thing. There were several times in this book where Sadeas or Gavilar said something to push Dalinar towards violence that I was like YO this is super fucked up.

Tangerine had a interesting quote too. He was telling a story about how if there were 3 people and one was a murderer, would you hang all of them, let them all go and risk someone killing again, or keep them all in prison despite some being innocent. And Tangerine said

"Eventually you will execute someone who does not deserve it. This is the burden society must carry in exchange for order." And I'm sitting here in the US of A like

holy fuck we're rich bitches <-- my audiobook bookmark when the Midnight Mother is chased away by Shallan's phalanges and we see all the uncut gems in the pillar thingy

JASNAH WELCOME BACK BITCH I was lit and it was so unexpected, she was such a badass in this book. At the end when she isn't even looking when she's killing The Fused and when she steps into politics and I'm like oh Jasnah will STEAMROLL these mother fuckers

OMG when Adolin was like I am NOT going to be king, dad and Shallan was like "hmm have you guys ever thought of..." and I rolled my eyes and was like "Renarin, duh. He'll have more prominence in the story this way and"

*Jasnah walks into the room with a crown on*

OF COURSE!! IM A FUCKING IDIOT!!! OF COURSE JASNAH SHOULD RULE. Omg I feel like she hates politics but she's the PERFECT one for the job! She can be the best diplomat but also fuck them up with words (or she could soulcast tf outta them)

OH! Evi suggesting the Nightwatcher first was a surprise

omg wait about Evi

she was amazing. she tried so hard despite not fully understanding everything (I do blame Dalinar because he made decisions, but I mostly blame Alethi culture, here. I cursed out loud multiple times at their NEED for conquest and war, growing frustrated at how narrow minded that can make them. as well as how cruel). she was scared of him, but she had this one moment when she told Dalinar after finding out that he had actually spared that child, that she saw BEAUTY in him. i was like oh bitch you are a baby angel

she tried so hard for Dalinar. even that scene when Adolin crawled down from the carriage and he saluted Dalinar...and Evi said Adolin asked her the best way to talk to him and when she told him he was a war general he decides to salute

that's just....that moment was so sweet despite Dalinar still not understanding how to be a father

LIFT SAYING THAT DALINAR HAS A DUMPTRUCK OF AN ASS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCENES

Lift out here like "HEY YO TIGHT BUTT WHATS GOING ON?"

holy fuck

Dalinar in canon having a nice ass is one of the funniest, most unexpected comedic jokes of this series

oh, Shallan was supposed to take notes but was drawing Kaladin instead ok girl

Teft being addicted to firemoss and Rock saving Kaladin with the Shardbow were both so amazing characters moments. teft having so much self hatred and selling his uniform which ended up coming back around when the person who attacked bridge 4 for the herald blade had his vets on PHEEWW and Rock saving the day I SCREAMEDDDDD!!! OMG ROCK!!!

"You're thinking of me," the Stormfather sent. "I can feel it."

BRO WHAT???????????? STAY IN THE STORM WHY YOU SAYING WEIRD SHIT

Jasnah vs Amaram was legendary. She REALLY said do you feel lucky today, punk

ODIUMMMMMMMMM

yo when Odium showed up literally the nicest dude wanting to braid Dalinar's hair I was like HELL NO this man is dangerous

then when he showed Dalinar his final form I GUESS he's like all hatred and passion and sex and bloodlust and im like oh HELL NO dude

"Emotion. It is what defines men - though ironically you are poor vessels for it. It fills you up and breaks you unless you find someone to share the burden with" oh ok cool odium, lol poor weak humans, fuck us then i guess

Kaza was maybe the most memorable one off character for me, the soulcaster woman who was dying and chose to kamikaze at the end because she wanted to choose how she went out

Lift and Dalinar eating fruit together in silence is, I fear, iconic

i cracked up at the myth wit told about the queen who switched places with Mishim (the moon) to fuck Nomon (the other moon) and that's why Natanatan people are blue

like wtf bitch

Adolin telling Kaladin he talks like a girl sometimes....oh? Adolin? OH?????? *smirks in Alethi*

The Rathalas scene was nuts. The thing was he tried too, Dalinar tried to offer some sort of mercy and they fucked his ass with a pole. Then he's like ok, dope *embraces Thrill in a sensual embrace* "None will be left to weep" got it cool cool cool

I do like the little hints left, like he sees red (which we see later is the Unmade) and all the times he's briefly seen red and flashes of red we know was the Nergaoul, who was thought to be the origin of the Alethi "Thrill" which I found fascinating

OOOOOOH MY GOD

MOASH

MOASH!!!

FUCKING MOASH

HOW DARE YOU!!!

after he was EMOTIONLESS when he KILLED Elhokar then SALUTED KALADIN WITH THE BRIDGE FOUR SALUTE RIGHT AFTER IT

Literally fuck Moash (his arc is fine and it's interesting because we get more lore but I dont like him)

THEN HE SHANKS JEZRIAN like MOASH wtf are you DOING bro?!?!?!?!!!!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!!?!?

I liked how cautious Queen Fen was but then remained an ally when shit hit the fan (I liked how cautious everyone was tbh because they're all just so scared of ThE BLAcKtHoRn and youre like bro come ON but then you're like oh yeah ok i get it)

I LOVED Dalinar's flashbacks. With the Nightwatcher (then Cultivation after Dalinar asked for forgiveness and NW was like ??? and Cultivation was like "I got it from here bitch"), and when he breaks down and holds Renarin ("They talk about you, but they're wrong. You just need to rest, after all the fighting you did. I know. And I miss her too." RENARIN PLEASE!!! THE TEARS I HADDD!!!!!), when Adolin lights up after Dalinar tells him he's proud of him, how he thinks of himself as an animal, that he deserves to be hated. It's all just so MUCH.

The PANIC ATTACK he was having when the Thrill like, chased him around and threatened to consume him...

It was so well done that the

YOU CANNOT HAVE MY PAIN was so GOOD it was so EARNED. God, the CATHARSIS I felt in that moment was so satisfying. Because bitches i really thought Dalinar was going to become Odium's champion and out intrepid heroes were going to have to fight DALINAR in book 4

Odium: lol I've had my champion for a long ass time, bro. ive been preparing him and watching him forever

Dalinar: Amaram?

Odium: lmfao bro its you bro

Dalinar: ...bro

and I was like

Then Dalinar said JUST KIDDING BITCHES and the GLORY SPREN!!! BY THE THOUSANDS!!! AND HE SMASHED ALL THE REALMS TOGETHER!!! AND HE SAVED ADOLIN KALADIN AND SHALLAN!!!

YOU CANNOT HAVE MY PAIN!!!!!

"I KILLED THOSE CHILDREN. I BURNED THE PEOPLE OF RATHALAS!"

oh my god I have GOOSEBUMPS AGAIN

truly one of the most cathartic reading experiences I've had. The investment of 3000+ pages was worth it for that moment, and I mean that sincerely. It was that good

(Side note when Adolin's sword spren with her clawed out eyes attacked that one Fused I was overcome with emotion. What was her name? Maya? I think? that was a great scene too)

yo. SZETH. Brandon Sanderson you brilliant bastard. You did it. You gave us Szeth. Yes. YES. He's chosen to swear and oath to DALINAR. My man DK just be picking up bitches left and right to do his bidding. Kaladin, Lift, Szeth, Rial, Kmakl.

Lift was amazing. Her parts were so much FUN and the atmosphere shift to her personality was so welcome and uplifting and funny when it happened.

Jasnah's moment with Renarin was beautiful. "You are my cousin. Family, Renarin! Hold my hand. Run with me." SO SO SO SO GOOD Jasnah you are a legend you are THE MOMENT

Venli's Timbre pulsing to Victory as he has the Voidspren of her gemheart at knifepoint lmao (Im so glad she's a Radiant now, can't wait to see if she is developed more)

I feel like I have more thoughts (there was so much lore in his book but I'm not sure I have the energy to dissect it rn) but it's 7:22am and I haven't slept so im sorry if this post was unstable

good night lovelies

*sits up violently* wtf is up with sja-anat bro

ok *passes out*

*sits up again with eye mask on* yo Tangerine is gunna be a fucking problem and wtf Renarin has a corrupted spren right??

*wakes up and crawls on top of table, swaying with exhaustion*

I LOVE DALINAR KHOLIN A LOT OK I HAVE STRUGGLED SINCE MY MOM DIED IN GRASPING THAT DESPITE YOUR PAST YOU CAN CHANGE AND ITS POSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND THE BEAUTY OF LIFE MORE AFTER YOU'VE EXPERIENCED THE PAIN OF LOSING SOMEONE YOU LOVE BECAUSE THEY CAN NO LONGER EXPERIENCE IT WITH YOU

AND THAT GRIEF ISN'T FATAL BUT SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD BE BUT IF YOU CAN FIND A WAY TO PUSH THROUGH THE PAIN OF GUILT AND REGRET IT CAN ACTUALLY MORPH YOU INTO A BETTER PERSON IF YOU LET IT

[batchild9000-blog]

SPOILER WARNING STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE WaT!!!

R&R with R&R

I love these boys, what can I say. BIG BIG SPOILER WARNING, again, right up front for Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, especially Wind and Truth. In my head this is an in-world fanfiction written by an Azish bookseller in Urithiru, who is a little too invested in the lives of the royal family. I find it hard to imagine that fanfiction and smut are not both extremely common, and unmentioned to men in good Vorin society. So take that Brandon. It's cannon to me!

 Renarin was conflicted. 

The several months within the domed tower, despite everything, may well be the happiest time in his memory. Grief for his father and aunt, anxiety for Adolin and Shallan, likewise fear and horror for the world behind their new crystalline prison, were real and omnipresent in his mind and heart. Despite them, Renarin felt joy, and hummed to it in turn. 

A warm hand at his back roused him. Renarin opened his eyes from where he was seated, cross legged, on the stone. The view from the very top of Urithiru made the dome enshrouding the place impossible to ignore. The light split on the more tightly curved peak of the dome, sending prisms of multicolored light raining down, the distorted image of the mountain tops hovering strangely in the distance. Sitting up here, so near to where his father… where his father had first bonded the Stormfather, where he at last had united them, where he had died, made Renarin thoughtful. He leaned back into the large man beside him. Their eyes met, sapphire and onyx, the ocean and the night each sparkling in the light of the setting sun. 

They kissed. 

Rlain hunching just slightly to get the right angle, even still side by side as they were, it ended up a half kiss. Renarin had promised himself that he would not take these for granted. The kiss, in its mundanity, became incredibly precious to him. He moved back. Breathed in the moment, and shifted his torso. Now on hands and knees facing Rlain who lounged on a pillow they had brought, Renarin kissed him again. Just a peck, following it up with one on his cheek, then the other for good measure. Such variety in form and function kissing had. He understood the hype now. 

His uniform was unbuttoned to the third after a long day of tending to some small portion of his aunt’s responsibilities. How on Roshar had that woman done it all? Still he wore his bridge four uniform. It was familiar even if Urithiru was technically no longer at war. Bridge four outlasted wartime. Luckily Jasnah also, remained. She did much of the work of keeping the city running. Her hours were filled to bursting with soulcasting duties, arguing with merchants, attending to her mothers remaining ardent scholars, researching the ancient Elsecallers for leads on travel to and from Shadesmar, practicing for hour upon hour with plate and blade, anything to keep herself busy, it seemed to Renarin. He was concerned for his cousin. She had confided in him though he expected there was still much she had held back. Her relationship with the suddenly MIA Wit was not a topic she seemed to be able to stomach yet. Besides that, Renarin could see just how thoroughly Odium had beaten her, and in a more profound way than one could ever hope to beat Jasnah, in her head. He wished Kaladin was here to help her through this. He was supposed to be able to deal with things like that right? He smiled slightly, imagining Kal tromping up to Jasnah as she was now in her whirlwind of distracting activity, and demanding she stop being so storming responsible for once. The image brought him a smile, and a pang in his chest. Still no word from Shinovar. The lack of knowledge about the outside world was agony. 

Waving back the thoughts, he stood, the sun having finally dipped over the horizon her warm red and gold vanishing quickly. Renarin pulled Rlain to his feet via his outstretched hand before beginning to gather the small picnic items scattered on the rooftop. They descended the lifts and stairways that led to their chambers. THEIR chambers. The thought brought Renarin’s heart a giddy little flutter. Barely a word passed between them as they entered and began settling in for the night. Renarin showered first yet another thing he refused to take for granted. He liked a few minutes to study before bed each night, it seemed to help his mind absorb the symbols more easily. Writing came slowly, but steadily as he had seen happen with his father. Reading was easier for him. Small stacks of books had begun growing at the corners of the room, on tables, and beneath papers on the room’s small wooden desk. Rlain liked buying him books nearly as much as he enjoyed reading them. Even without knowing what precisely he was buying, the idea of so much information living between the hog’s hide covers seemed to fascinate the singer. He often requested Renarin read him excerpts in a poetic facsimile of a traditional Alethi relationship. Stepping out of their washroom in his pajamas, Renarin leaned up at the passing singer, granting him another blessed kiss. This time a deep warm one, with Rlain’s carapaced hands on either side of his face, before he ducked into the now humid stone washroom. After a cursory drying of his hair near the room’s central heating fabrial, Renarin tucked in under the covers of their bed, pulling Rlain’s latest literary acquisition from the bedside table. The cover was an unassuming maroon, the title, Letters From the Moor. It seemed like a novel, similar to the kind Renarin enjoyed in his youth, although it might be less interesting to him, what without the swords and horses often illustrated on their covers. 

Page 20 nearly accomplished what a thunderclast and the fate of the world itself could not do, it damn near killed Renarin Kholin. 

The baron’s hot tongue brushed against the conch of my ear. It elicited the desired response I suppose, that being the breathy catching moan that fell to the flat of the wall in front of me. “Sir!” The exclamation, equally breathy, played at the dangerous line between admonishment and desperation. His arms, still wrapped tightly around my middle, squeezed slightly as he answered my quiet pleading. “Yes… Pet?” the nickname, spoken as he had, so ragged and dark. Storms he was as tightly wound as I was! The words flowed over me like a thick coating of something hot and sugary. and melted the tension away from my shoulders and arms before settling finally at my apex. My hands unclenched from his forearm, although they stayed in place, seeing as they were my last bastion of hope for staying upright. “What if someone hears us?” As if to punctuate my sentence with its own absurdity, the highstorm chose this moment to send a rattle of thunder boiling down followed by its characteristic maelstrom winds. We both laughed. The tension, but not the heat of the moment evaporating as he released me in truth. I turned to face him, but did not retreat. “If you do not wish for me, Evelyn, I will go. But tell me truthfully. Bear no fear, for I could not harm you. I will not harm you regardless.” The sincerity there, something so uncommon from that debonair man touched me deeply. My hand met his cheek, and pulling him down into a kiss, I spoke. “Bethyl, I wish it, more than anything” My resolve, beaten and bruised, finally gave. Thank the Almighty. 

I made quick work of his shirt, loosely tucked as it was. I may have even sent a button flying in my haste, though I didn’t stop to check mind you. I saw his smiles flickering, first surprised, then amused and truly happy, then darkly commanding, as his own hands went for mine gripping them firmly. He pulled them up above my head, and with one swift movement shifted to hold them in his large left hand alone. His right now free, he traced along the palm of my gloved safehand. It sent bolts of lightning down my spine, building up in my core, the echo -no-  the prelude to something devastating. He pulled my glove free after a few teasing tugs on each finger individually. My breathing was heavy as his large body pressed against me. He brought my left hand down in front of him with a gentle touch, releasing the other. A gentle kiss he pressed to my knuckles, then my palm, then my wrist. He undressed me, skirts and fabric fell in a circle I was more than happy to step out of, as he finally worked his belt from its place around his waist. His coverings fell, if he were wearing undercovering, they were not well fitted. His cock sprang free, the tip glistening in the warm light of the nearly dun topaz at our feet. 

I resolved at that moment to do something I had been itching to do for far far too long. I sunk to my knees the fabric of my discarded skirts acting like a nice little pad, and placed a kiss to the tender flesh rising high and regal before me. I let my tongue linger. Savoring the mild musky fragrance of him while I pressed open mouth kisses to the head, the velvety soft shaft, the pulsating vein that ran down its length, and so on. The truly debauched sound this yielded from his throat urged me onward. Taking his cockhead in my mouth finally-

The door to the bathroom opened. The book shut too hastily, Renarin realized. Reaching up to his face, that seemed now several degrees hotter than the rest of the room, he tried to steady his breathing. The progress of which was then actively thwarted by Rlain’s entrance. He looked good. Really really good, storms. Clothed only in a towel around his waist, the broad chested singer’s damp carapace seemed to take on a slight translucency deepening to a luminous crimson. Renarin felt himself swallow dryly as he traced the now familiar curves and swirls of his partner’s pattern. Quietly humming to Peace he continued to prepare for bed, Rlain seemed not to notice how quickly Renarin stowed the novel. He watched, attempting not to leer, as Rlain changed into a pair of loose sleeping pants that were his preferred garb. They often changed in the same room, that was not out of the ordinary, but the incessant beating of Renarin’s heart at his neck quickened at the intimacy of it. A more pressing matter was that of the quickly tenting fabric of Renarin’s own sleeping pants. His arousal was hidden for the moment beneath the sheets, his knees raised as they were while he read. He wasn’t so much ashamed as unsure of how to proceed. He knew that singers experienced attraction and arousal differently than humans. Outside of mateform, Rlain wouldn’t feel this sort of… demanding impulse. This was the first instance Renairin could point to where there was no straightforward way to remove himself to calm down or… relieve himself accordingly. Now Rlain approached his side of the bed, and seeing that Renarin was no longer reading, closed the shade of a sphere filled wall sconce dropping them both into a comfortably warm darkness. Renarin felt the bed dip under the weight of his partner. The mental image of Rlain crawling toward him in the darkness did not help his predicament. 

He sat up, and draped his legs over the edge of the bed. Rlain’s rhythm shifted to Confusion. “Just need to use the restroom.” He hoped his voice sounded sure. Using familiar tactile landmarks in the darkness he stood and made his way to the washroom. A chip lit the space just slightly, as a night light. He shut the wooden door behind him, and quickly pulling sleep pants and underwear to his thighs and, with a little saliva, began stroking himself. Over the toilet as he was, he was able to lean forward letting his forehead rest on the cool stone shelving above the basin. He hiked his right shin onto the edge of the inset bath. Within a few minutes he was there. Left hand shot up to his mouth in an attempt to quiet the heavy breaths and irrepressible low moans that his climax elicited. He let his shoulders drop, and breathing slow for a moment before reaching down to flush. A soft knocking at the door brought his mind back to the present. “Renarin?” Rlain’s voice was slightly concerned, though spoken to the tune of Curiosity. “Are you alright in there?” Renarin nodded, before remembering a verbal response was necessary. “Yeah.” he cleared his throat, and repeated in an attempt to clear the heady cobwebs of his orgasm from his voice. “Yes, I am alright” Flushing, then washing his hands quickly, he exited. Consequently, he smacked directly into something large and warm. “Oh!” he exclaimed quietly more out of surprise than anything else. Rlain’s voice hummed, practically purred, to Amusement, the vibrations of which Renarin could feel through where his fingertips had landed near the other man’s waist. He felt fingers brush through his hair, worrying at the roots, and tugging gently at them. The closeness and wonderfully tingly sensation on his scalp caused the momentarily abated arousal within him to jolt back to life, something he had a suspicion was related to his Radiant status and the additional physical effects of the bond. Renarin tried to move toward the bed, but Rlain’s hand at the small of his back shifted his direction slightly, setting him on a better course in the darkness… “Can you see Rlain?” A hummed answer, followed up by a verbal one “I believe that singers have more effective night vision than most humans, yes. Most of our senses are more highly tuned in all honesty.” The guiding hand at his back stopped him, and feeling. Rlain at his back, hands resting casually at Renarin’s waist said, “Our hearing especially,” a gentle squeeze wrought with implication “ tends to vastly out measure the human ear.” 

Almighty above, Rlain could hear him. 

Renarin let his head drop, nodding just a little and shutting his eyes even in the abject darkness around him. He let out a little breath realizing that the time for this conversation was here. “... Rlain, I.”  He turned so he was facing Rlain, hands falling to rest on the singer's forearms. Even in the darkness Renarin’s eyes drifted to the floor by habit. He let his words flow to Abashment “You know, of course, that humans experience arousal and attraction… differently than singers. I occasionally need a moment to… compose myself.” He allowed his fingers to gently trace the line of where carapace met skin on Rlain’s forearms, having memorized their shape. “It normally happens randomly, for no good reason…” His voice trailed off, unsure of how to proceed. These things are storming difficult to talk about, 

“I understand that.” Rlain’s voice rumbled to … Consolation? Renarin still had trouble identifying some of the rhythms. “I have experienced mateform, however uncomfortable it was. I know the signs.” As if to punctuate his words he slid his armored thigh between Renarin’s own, pressing carapace to the quickly tightening fabric there. Renarin gasped at the unexpected pressure on his now sensitive flesh. Still, he didn’t move, anchored in place as he was by Rlain’s large hands. “You hide your needs, Renarin. Needs that I feel responsible for in no small part.” Renarin fought back the urge to move against his partner’s leg. 

He spoke, disregarding how ragged his voice had become. “Don’t blame yourself, Rlain. It is the simple result of living with someone you find so attractive.” He chuckled a little “That new book is also… of an exciting nature, hence.” He gestured towards where he believed the washroom was. A measure of Surprise from Rlain, then to Amusement,

“I wondered why that shop girl gave me such a strange look. I’m used to confusion, anger, disgust; but she seemed completely dumbfounded.” Renarin laughed again, this time reveling in the feeling and letting his head fall to Rlain’s chest in front of him. “Renarin, I don’t wish for you to disregard or hide this thing. That is not what I meant.” He hummed to an unfamiliar rhythm for a moment, trying to find the right words. “I am, for all intents and purposes, your mate. Typically ‘once-mate’ is used outside of the form, however, that seems inaccurate. I believe it is my duty to help you accordingly, if you will allow it.” 

Renarin tapped his partner’s arms absentmindedly to Relief. “I couldn’t ask you to do that, Rlain. It seems… unfair? I guess. In all honesty, I don’t have enough information on the matter to know how you would be able to help.” At that the two both attuned to Consideration, humming as one. 

“I… When I was in mateform. I had time to consider this thing. If you are willing, I would like to try.” Renarin cocked his head a little, Curiosity beneath his fingertips. 

“Ok, yeah. Urk!” the exclamation being the result of Rlain pressing his hips toward the bed, tipping him backward through the darkness and onto the soft sheets. Renarin laid there for a moment, unsure of where in the room the other man had gone. The red light of the heating fabrial intensified enough to illuminate Rlain at its side adjusting the controls. In this light the red in Rlain’s pattern stood out starkly, liquid rubies running in rivulets over shoulders, across muscular shoulder blades, and down his armored stomach to where they were lost beneath those loose sleeping garments. Renarin’s throat again ran dry imagining their destination. The light also revealed his own state. Pants, only hastily redonned, held low to his hips. His erection, now fully restored, threatened the security of his waistband. Hopefully he would need it to hold for much longer. Rlain stood and stalked over to the bed. Renarin’s position made just how storming huge the man was in warform all the more obvious. He felt the rhythm of Awe bubble up in his chest. Rlain moved the pillows at the head of the bed into a little cushioned mound, then patted the area indicating that Renarin lay there. He moved accordingly, and was rewarded with Rlain’s fingers in his hair, gently running through then smoothing down his unruly locks. Rlain leaned down and proffered a kiss, his left hand remaining mussed in Renarin’s hair, the other gently holding his chin in place. The rhythm of Praise rang out as Rlain pulled away from the kiss and gazed lovingly down at his partner. 

Renarin’s eyes were glued to Rlain as he made his way to the foot of the bed, and gingerly climbed forwards onto it. The mattress dipped beneath his weight; he reached forward, pulling off Renarin’s trousers and undergarments. The fabric was discarded, leaving Renarin wholly bare. Renarin hadn’t experienced anything like this before, but he held to the familiar. The comfortable room, the man he loved, that firm gentle touch on the top of either thigh as Rlain studied his face. “You will tell me? If it becomes too much, Renarin, or if you wish to stop?” He nodded. “Good. Also tell me if you like any specific thing in particular.” he tacked on. 

Renarin’s hand moved to run through his hair as he nodded again “I will.” Seeing his partner in this position, poised just above his waiting cock, what had the book called it debauched. A fine descriptor. Rlain repositioned slightly so he was essentially lying between Renarin’s legs, large torso pinning his thighs in place. One arm draped over Renarin’s right thigh as a support. The other arm began to touch Renarin lightly. First palming the warm skin low on the stomach, he inched closer and closer to the now fully erect member which shook gently with each of Renarin’s shallow breaths. He moved his hand up and down Renarin’s shaft, a familiar movement from many years ago. A bead of preejaculate collected at the tip, and was soon swept up in the languid movements of the singer. The occasional sweeps over the head caused a quiet hitching in Renarin’s breathing. The lubrication from before was beginning to dry with the additional friction. Rlain lowered his head to the tip, and trying his best to avoid contact with any teeth, brought the man into his mouth. He added suction, and Renarin gasped, his hips jolting just a little. The smaller man’s hand fell to the bed, seeming unsure of what to do, scratching at the sheets and gripping the air ineffectually. Rlain guided the hand to his helmet crest, which ended just at the back of his skull. Renarin held to it like a lifeline, allowing Rlain to continue. Continue he did. Rlain gained some confidence that he wasn’t going to accidentally bite his partner. Once he felt comfortable he worked faster, letting his free hand stroke the final third that wouldn’t fit in his mouth with each bob. Renarin’s legs began to shiver erratically. 

“Darling-” a hoarse whisper. “I -mmn… I’m going to come.” Rlain’s left hand squeezed Renarin’s thigh in confirmation. The Alethi man’s breathing became ragged. He soon came, one hand still clutching desperately at Rlain’s crested carapace, still in the other man’s mouth. A moment later, after Renarin opened his eyes when had he squeezed them shut like that?, he felt a dry cloth gently dabbing at his sensitive groin. He saw his lover, still between his legs, with a slight smirk and a handkerchief in hand.

“Feel any better?” The singer asked. Renarin was too blissful to identify a rhythm, but the voice felt warm. He also had trouble formulating a coherent verbal answer at the moment, settling for a slight nod and a hum in response. The handkerchief was laid aside once Rlain determined him sufficiently cleaned. Renarin reached up for the singer’s head crest, a motion that fell flat, as it was just out of reach from his current seated position. With an over exaggerated huff, he let his hand fall back to the bed. Amusement played at Rlain’s features and his humming as he dipped his head forward in answer to the silent request. With the target now within reach, Renarin could take hold of the carapace, and with gentle force, haul Rlain face to face with himself. 

They kissed.

A warm, passionate, deeply grateful kiss that Renarin wanted to hold forever. He relented, however, and shifted his light grip on Rlain to have him rest his head on the smaller man’s chest. Rlain obliged, letting his weight drop. A long satisfied sigh left Renarin. Within a few minutes, both were soundly asleep. 

[swordgorl]

Wind and truth is an insane book and in the post-conclusion buzz I'm going to try and get out all my thoughts. And I mean All of them

General thoughts: How the fuck did Brandon manage to balance 3+ character povs per chapter for majority of an entire book that huge and keep them generally interesting and engaging? This book didn't quite reach the heights of others in the series but maintained a strong level of consistency. Character arcs were concluded satisfyingly. The ending is truly a rollercoaster in ways most sanderlanches, the sheer number of resolved plot threads is incredible.

Kaladin: I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Kaladin taking Jezrien's place. The more I think about it the more I think I like it. I liked his soup and his fluting, and I'm interested to see him return as a herald, having ten years of helping the others, I'm very curious to see how they read in the second arc (this will be a common point). His swearing the fifth was a little anticlimactic honestly, I wish he'd done a little more with it. The implications with the armor spren were interesting, I wanna see what that's about.

Dalinar: A fucking madlad. Interesting to see his continual bullheadedness catch up to him again. Gavinor being the enemy's champion was completely unsurprising but Dalinar's solution was compelling. I'm a bit disappointed his bondsmithing wasn't a bit more relevant in the climax but eh. Also fucking ooft with the blackthorn he accidentally gave form to lmfao. His relationship with Honor was interesting and I'm glad he went down fucking Taravangian's whole plan

Shallan: Glad she got more closure! Her mother being Chana feels like such a minor revelation all things considered, I can see why Brandon didn't really bother to keep it a secret. I'm sad to see Veil and Radiant taking more of a back seat, as I really enjoyed the Three's dynamic in RoW, but I'm glad they're not completely gone. The games with Mraize and Iyatil were clever. I wonder what she's gonna be up to for the next decade while stuck in shadesmar.

Szeth: Continues to be the funniest character. Wants more of Kaladin's shitty soup. Gets dragged into a fight in shadesmar while Kaladin's dancing with Syl. Has to be chaperoned by Nale because his highspren was a huge nerd (sorry Aux but it's true). Immediately breaks his oaths after attaining the fifth ideal before fighting the rest of the Honorbearers. The Shinovar roadtrip was everything I was hoping it'd be. Also on a serious note his becoming truthless was way more high stakes than I'd anticipated, I wasn't expecting a civil war. I hope those splinter Skybreakers have a good reason for not fucking doing anything during the war.

Adolin: He continues to be the best lad. Pushing Yanagawn to be a more active emperor is cool, and I was sad at how long Maya had to spend away from him (my favourite part of the book was her calling him a slut). Hope we get to see more of them as the Unoathed (I think that name kinda sucks ngl). Sad he never got to see Dalinar again but him reading Oathbringer is a really nice touch.

Renarin and Rlain: Finally, some good fucking homosexual behaviour in this books. I'm excited to see Renarin being more confident as well as controlling his visions better. Them breaking Mishram's prison was appropriate, and I want to see Rlain grow into his role as Bridger of Minds more. I wonder what Sja-anat is gonna do now lmfao.

Venli: Easily my favourite appearance of hers. I'm really glad the listeners took Narak, their plan to exploit the loophole was so funny. Their control of the perpendicularity is gonna be super interesting later on, I wonder if it has any special properties beyond typical Shardpools. I'm glad the listeners/willshapers will be more relevant in the second arc.

Taln and Ash: Sick fight scene. I was hoping to see them bonding radiant spren but oh well. Can't wait to see Taln in action again, and I'm curious how Ash's transition to Dustbringer occurs if she's maintaining her position as the Lightweaver herald

Navani: Nice to see her working through the last of her insecurities. She's going to wake up to a huge mess.

Lift and Zahel: I'm so fucking excited to see Lift learning under Zahel. I'd been wondering why he was actually in SA and I think this is it. Her going sicko mode was cool, I'm very happy that she's the first viewpoint for the second arc because competent Lift is gonna be so cool to read, such a compelling direction for her character imo. (Also Axindweth was a full feruchemist so I assume she had access to healing from goldminds, I assume that Lift made her burn though that instantly by tripping her which is hilarious)

Jasnah: Interesting arc! Taravangian completely undermining her philosophy means she'll begin the next arc from a new perspective, compounded by her losing Thaylen City. It was good for the "philosophy lesson" from Kharbranth was reexamined. Taravangian was at least partially right that she acts of Odium, but his expectations that she'll come to his side because of it is wrong; she'll grow instead.

Moash: Still a bit disappointed with how one dimensional he's been since RoW. Oh well.

El: He's interesting, I'm sure he'll be up to many shenanigans.

Tanavast: Bro fucked around and found out. Reading his chapters with the altered font was sick. He and Rayse really just made a mess of things both on Ashyn and Roshar. Really fucked himself with Mishram oof. Glad he got some redemption in the end.

Cultivation: Sis fucked around and found out LMFAO. I wonder if she expected Dalinar's decision, and also where she's headed.

Taravangian: He really made this book, Rayse would've been so lacklustre in comparison. As is a theme he also fucked around and found out, bro painted the biggest target in the cosmere on his back with no preparation while gloating at Dalinar. Retribution is gonna be scawy, I wonder what the plans to fight him will be, if it has much to do with Honor's growing awareness; will it spread to Odium? (Also his Dustbringers are chilling in fake Kharbranth I'm sure)

Wind, Stone and Night: Really cool to see these spren recontextualised as being so central to Roshar's history. I wonder if we'll see Wind will return to creating a Bondsmith. I'm intrigued to meet Night too.

Rysn: Hope she has a fun boat adventure and makes out with Cord on it

Sigzil: Bro had a rough time, and man is it gonna get way worse. Him meeting Aux was extremely funny.

Hoid: Can't believe this mother fucker. Fucked around and found out. Just has his dawnshard on him, I wonder if he had it before he was protected by the contract. I liked watching him get absolutely obliterated by Retribution, he deserved it.

Closing thoughts: Rollercoaster of a book, can't believe I have to wait 6 years to see what the fuck happens next. Kind of the ending I thought we'd see but certainly didn't get there the way I'd expected

[awindandtruthliveblog]

[Wind and Truth: Chapter 123]

Yeah war bad. I hope to never know.

Adolin's also being morally rigid, but he's looking at it. He says he doesn't want to not follow what he'd done in the past. He just wants war over. That's all he's known.

Can totally believe Adolin got inspired by "Kaladin did it" more than "gotta live for my wife". Fantastic.

Yeah Jasnah major whiff actually. Couldn't focus on why Thaylenah should stay with the coalition.

"At any cost" is the flaw there lmao. Not too hard to figure out. There's a line with gray area, and you just don't cross it. Easy.

Also I'm reaching the part where reading becomes physically difficult because the book is so lopsided. It's huge.

Deepest Ones are so creepy ew

Fake fabrials this whole time? Oof. Odium's really in control of Roshar.

Odium's getting mad at Jasnah?

Well. She would have to comply with Odium in that position, I gather. Just opposing him always wouldn't work. Not great! And Jasnah, no, his support is the only reason he can do things. Prisoner's dilemma, you know this.

[ardbar]

Okay I’m getting close to being 70% of the way through words of radiance so I feel like it’s times to reupdate my thoughts.

For reference I’m right after chapter 58 currently reading the interludes

Before I believed that once enough of the parshendi took on storm form this would somehow break all of the parshmen out of slave form and begin the desolation. One piece of evidence I had for this but forgot to type last time was that Shen/Rlain had left the army. Quite a bit earlier in the book it mentioned that the Parshmen “didn’t have their song” basically meaning they weren’t apart of the hive mind and lacked freedom. I thought what this was signaling was that now that storm form is being taken it is somehow returning the freedom to the parshmen. While this may be true it could also just be that being in bridge four specifically around Kaladin and the Spren was freeing him I’m not sure.

I’m not sure I still believe all of that though. Instead of freeing the parshmen I just think that once enough have storm form in will bring back their gods perhaps in a diminished state. It could also be that the Parshendi shard bearer manages to break free from the hold of storm form as it actively seem like a small part of her is resisting it. I feel like that has to be the most likely option. In the past the world was barely surviving the desolations even with probably thousands maybe hundreds(?) Of shard bearers and storm binders and right now the only ones we are aware of that are alive is Shallan Kaladin and Lift.

I don’t know how much of the status quo Brandon is willing to upheave in this book and going forward given how much of the series is left.

He’s already done stuff that I wasn’t expecting though. Right now he has Adolin fighting for all of these shards and I was expecting him to eventually lose and the Shallan would maybe have to reveal she has one and let him borrow it so he can have one more climatic duel or something along those lines. However, I feel like the opportunity for that has passed the big 4 v 1/3 already passed and that would have been the point where it made the most sense for him to lose. But instead Kaladin fucked up and now he’s in jail. Now I’m going to use a little tiny bit of spoilers I heard to make an assumption.

I was looking on Wikipedia and it said Oath bringer the third book has Dalinar as the pseudo main character. That’s all I know about the next book. However, I’m guessing that means the king fucking dies and it makes a lot of sense. Right now Kaladin is in prison so either this is the perfect time for the assassins working with moash to strike and if that doesn’t happen now Kaladin has even more reason to help those assassins or just turn a blind eye to them if he is let out. However, I really don’t think Syl would agree with this in anyway. The thing is I don’t know if she has a say. I’m pretty sure she can leave though. And I don’t think they’d make Kaladin lose his abilities. So I have no fucking clue what’s going to happen with Kaladin. Now to best girl Shallan.

She doesn’t even fucking know what she’s doing. I mean that in a nice way. Like girl is trying to infiltrate the Ghost bloods, make moves in the court, stop the apocalypse, and find a lost ancient city. Like right now she has a million and one pathways for her character to go down and none of them can really work together. Like if she joins the ghost bloods she has to leave the shattered plains to go do jobs I assume, if she wants to stay in the camps with Adolin she can’t go do all of her other things, and the stopping the apocalypse/finding the city would also likely require her to leave the camps.

Okay honestly typing this all out has given me some ideas. I think the conflict with the parshendi has to end this book or at least majorly change. The war itself has the narrative in such a chokehold that it restricts the movement of literally every character. I’m guessing the King has to die this book and Dalinar takes over, I’m also guessing the parshendi all take on storm form and go on the offensive and the war camps start being over run. While the attacks on the war camps are happening I’m assume for whatever reason Shallan, Adolin, and Kaladin were all out exploring the plains or like looking at a chrysalis for Shallan or something its not important. in this scenario Kaladin was pardoned but bitter and maybe demoted to being a regular soldier not a captain. Somehow they realize that the camps are being overwhelmed and Shallan is like this is the only chance I have to go look for the city. Maybe this sparks some contention. Anyway I think the book ends with them finding one of those warp gates and gets moved to the place.

In this scenario Dalinar might be able to force the parshendi back but the balance of power has clearly shifted in favor of them. And begin the real count down to the desolation. This would also allow the three kids to go off and do shit because they are assumed to be dead during the raid. It honestly doesn’t make much sense for Adolin to be there but Idk it feels like there is more to be done with his character that can’t be done if he’s just stuck in the camps.

Also don’t come at me if the names are spelt wrong I’ve been using the audiobook so idk I’m kinda sounding all of this shit out. You might have noticed I refused to say the name of the actually like city of the radiances because I’m not even gonna try and do that one.

[nevertheless-moving]

Continued from this au, where Kaladin gets strung up for a highstorm instead of thrown in prison during Words of Radiance, inspired by @gnecrognomicon

"The King ordered-"

Adolin rolled his eyes. "I am the King's cousin, you seriously believe I would go against his word and cut this man free? In front of a crowd of witnesses?" His tone somehow grew even haughtier the longer he talked.

"Now step back, I said l will speak with him alone."

The guards reluctantly moved away, and the prince stepped close enough that Kaladin could hear his low whisper.

"Say the word and I'll cut you free."

Kaladin blinked, looking at Adolin. He saw only open sincerity.

"...You're serious," Kaladin said.

"Sureblood is a minute's gallop away. I know you're not comfortable on horses, but a Rhysadium is different, he would never throw someone against my wishes. His saddlebags are already packed with a month's supply of food, not to mention enough bromes to hire passage on any ship in any port."

"Ship?" Kaladin asked, bewildered, but the princeling just kept going.

"We can make it to a stable in the outercamps before the stormwall hits. The moment the riddens start, we'll be gone - most won't be able to get their mounts out as early as us."

"Us?"

"Of course, they won't dare to shoot if I'm in the saddle, and anyway Sureblood wouldn't ride without me. I'll return once I see you safe to a port, there will be a punishment but -"

"Brightlord-" Kaladin said quietly. He was sure his expression was doing something strange. Hopefully the guards wouldn't read too much into it.

"Oh! A copy of your writ of freedom is also in the saddlebags - and your Horneater cook packed the meals! And when I say I packed enough bromes to hire a ship, I meant emeralds. You could buy a ship. You'd never have to work a day in your life, if you didn't want."

"Princeling, this is very -"

"Renarin will look after your men until I return, he won't let Elhokar or any of the Highprinces touch them, I swear. I wasn't able to get a spanreed, not without Aunt Navani noticing, but you should be able to hire one easily enough- I'll support your men in leaving the camps, it -"

"Adolin."

The prince finally stopped.

Kaladin took a deep breath, willing himself not to pull in stormlight to help with his throbbing headache. "I appreciate your willingness, I really do."

And he did, to his surprise. He was oddly touched by how much thought the brightlord had clearly put into the escape attempt. This wasn't a spur of the moment idea. Not to mention, there would no gain in it for Adolin, and quite a lot of risk.

"We can do it," Adolin said desperately. "Ten heartbeats and you'll be free. I can even get the soulcast manacle off completely, once we stop and rest, weaken it with -"

Kaladin laughed, the sound shocking Adolin into quiet again, the sound shocking even himself.

"I'll be alright, princeling." He smiled slightly, despite himself. "But thank you. Sorry to waste all your planning."

Adolin narrowed his eyes. "You swear it? This isn't a dramatic suicide attempt, after your earlier, equally dramatic ones failed?"

"I already decided against that, ages ago."

For some reason, the prince didn't seem comforted. The lines around his eyes tightened further.

"Your vow," he insisted.

Kaladin hesitated a moment, and he could see Adolin's right hand twitching to the side.

"I'm not going to promise I won't die," he said, exasperated. "You're a soldier, you know that there's no guarantees. I could get unlucky."

He lacked the delirious, instinctive confidence he felt last time he went into the storm. But he could feel the cool press of spheres, each from a different one of his men, sewn to the inside of his shirt by Hobber. So much more than last highstorm.

It had been difficult to breathe, in the worst of the tumult, but he also had a much better grasp on his powers this time, thanks to training with Sigzil, Rock, and Lopen. He should be able to draw in more than enough.

"I have...better reason then most to believe I'll survive this. I'll be alright. I'm not running."

Syl stood next to Adolin's shoulder. She had listened to the whole speech with thinly veiled wonder. Even though he knew she would be devastated if he broke his oath to flee, she had gasped and looked pleadingly at the mention of a ship. Kaladin smiled at her.

The prince glanced suspiciously at the air next to him, then started visibly.

Syl, in girlish form, giggled, sticking out her tongue, then turned into a ribbon of light, moving straight at the prince, causing him to blink as his yellow and black hair was shifted softly in the breeze.

She made a ring around Kaladins head, then zipped up, joining her cousins playing in the eddies above, the winds just beginning to pick up, sky growing dark.

It wouldn't be long now.

Adolin watched her go with a curious expression, then cocked his head at Kaladin.

"Stormblessed, huh?"

Kaladin just shrugged in reply. Well, he tried to anyway. The chains didn't have much give.

"Adolin, I gave my word that I'd see this through."

Adolin finally slumped, stepping back.

"Your men didn't think you'd run either. This still isn't right even if you do have... something on your side."

Kaladin didn't try and shrug again.

[cosmerelists]

Top 10 Reasons that Kaladin is a Cat

I already argued that all Stormlight characters are cats. But while writing that list, I kept coming up with reasons why Kaladin specifically is a cat. One might argue that he is most feline of all Stormlight characters.

Which is exactly what I am about to do. So here’s why Kaladin is DEFINITELY a cat.

1. He likes to be high.

As I pointed out in my original list, Kaladin LOVES heights--just like cats do. He’s happiest when he can be taller than everyone else, high up in the sky.

2. He’s good at climbing.

Cats are very good climbers, and so is Kaladin! There are two scenes in which Kaladin must scale an impossibly vertical wall, which he does using Stormlight. Cats use their claws, but it’s basically the same.

3. He hates to be wet.

Kaladin is NOT fan of the rain. He may be pro-storm, but he hates the Weeping, during which a continuous drizzle makes everything wet and gray and sad. Cats also do not like being wet. As you know if you’ve ever had to wash one.

4. He hates to be locked up.

Cats do not like closed doors. If you dare to cut off their divine right of passing through any doorway, they will scream their displeasure. Kaladin is also not a fan of closed doors--like when he was locked up in prison for a while and found himself very unhappy in captivity. 

5. He once tore a piece of paper to shreds just to be an asshole.

Have you ever had a cat look at you directly in the eye as it knocks something beloved off of a shelf or scratches your couch or violently attacks the Steris pin you just got from your Cosmere box (that last one might just be me)? Well, this reminds me of when Kaladin was in the slave wagon, and the slave trader guy asked him to help with directions and handed him a map, and Kaladin just tore it to shreds. Very justifiable and cat-like behavior, if you ask me.

6. He is not impressed by you.

Cats are not impressed by kings, as the saying goes. And neither is Kaladin. In Book 2 when he found himself working for the Kholins, he spent his time being DEEPLY unimpressed, especially by Adolin. It was like Adolin had a cat-bodyguard.

7. He has self-healing abilities.

Cats use their purring to self-heal: apparently it helps them. Kaladin uses Stormlight, which is less cute. If only he purred instead.

8. He pretends not to be hurt.

It is very difficult to tell if a cat is injured--they’re good at pretending that they’re not. And even before he could just wave a hand to heal himself, Kaladin also had trouble admitting when he was too hurt to move around. I’m thinking especially about the end of Book 2 when he hobbles around while everyone else is marching to the center of the Shattered Plains, all the while thinking to himself that he probably shouldn’t be moving around. But he does anyway.

9. He is very graceful and tends to land on his feet

In fact, Kaladin likes to land in a straight-up hero pose.

10. He likes to pretend he’s solitary, but he needs friends.

Cats are supposedly solitary creatures, but if you’ve ever had a cat, you know they tend to want to be around you. Maybe they’re just chilling in the windowsill across the room, but they’re still hanging out. Cats in the wild sleep in a big pile. They’re actually more social than their reputation claims. And in a similar way, Kaladin tries to give off big solitary energy, but really, he does better when he’s around his friends, even if he’s just sulking at the table while Adolin and Shallan talk. 

[snorange]

The most infamous line in The Words of Radiance

"And for my boon" This line manages to take Kaladin from the great high of seeing Adolin saved from certain death to the tremendous low of seeing prison because of the betrayal of the lighteyes. I have a serious problem with this scene as I feel it breaks the world building of the series. Kaladin is dismissed and punished for being an uppity dark-eyes, for challenging Ameran's honor and station without having an appropriate social ranking to do so. Kaladin is treated as foolish and is released under the idea he was caught up in the moment and not acting rationally.

The reason I take issue with this resolution is that in Alethi culture Kaladin is right. A lot of time in The Way of Kings is spent impressing upon the readers the deep cultural idea that society is social advancement is possible. And that the ultimate act of social advancement is to best a shardwielder in combat and claim it for yourself. That combined with the fact that Adolin's duel was explicitly playing for keeps means that Kaladin is a lighteyes of the 4th dahn in Alethi society when he says "and for my boon". He is not disparaging Ameran as a peasant but as someone one rank below him and very much still high class.

This interpretation of Alethi culture is likely to be unpopular with lighteyes as it is a threat to the status quo and their social status. The important ramifications being the disillusionment of the darkeyes that make up the Alethi armies. There should be riots in the war camps because the lighteyes by arresting kaladin they destroyed one of the lies that allow soliders to continue dying so their brightlord can get rich on gemhearts. This belief is shown to be at least fairly common among soliders in Sadeas's army via Gaz and the deserters that became Shallan's honor guard.