Words of Radiance
by Brandon Sanderson
Contents
57. To Kill the Wind
Overview
Kaladin jumps into Adolin’s rigged four-on-one duel, using Stormlight and guile to crack Shardplate, force yields, and save Renarin. Relis flees after a Shardblade contact triggers terrifying screams only he and Kaladin hear. Adolin wins and claims the Right to challenge Sadeas. Kaladin publicly challenges Amaram, and Elhokar orders Kaladin’s arrest.
Summary
From the stands, Shallan watches Adolin’s four-on-one duel spiral out of control, blaming herself for not anticipating the ploy. She sends Pattern to distract the Shardbearer menacing Renarin, while the crowd and lighteyes refuse to intervene. Kaladin then drops to the sands to aid Adolin.
Kaladin coordinates with Adolin and draws Relis away, then uses rapid Lashings to deliver a devastating kick that cracks Relis’s Plate, breaking his own legs but healing with Stormlight. Adolin shatters Elit’s breastplate, and Kaladin forces Elit to yield. Grabbing Elit’s helm as a makeshift shield—at the cost of his Stormlight—Kaladin fends off two Shardbearers to buy Adolin time.
Adolin defeats the orange-armored foe, then uses his last strength to leap onto the green-armored Shardbearer, Jakamav, locking their armor and toppling him. Relis sprints for Renarin; the boy dismisses his Blade rather than fight. Kaladin arrives and catches Relis’s Shardblade with his bare hands, provoking a piercing scream only he and Relis hear. Panicked, Relis drops his Blade and flees, forfeiting.
Kaladin presses a knife to Jakamav’s armor gap, forcing a final yield. Adolin, laughing in exhaustion, claims the victory and its Shards. After they free him from his drained Plate, King Elhokar praises the spectacle and offers a boon. Adolin demands the Right to challenge Sadeas; Kaladin immediately demands the Right to challenge Amaram, publicly accusing him of theft and murder. The king orders Kaladin arrested, and soldiers move on him—not Amaram.
Who Appears
- Kaladin StormblessedLeaps into the duel; Lashes to crack Plate; forces yields; saves Renarin; challenges Amaram; is ordered arrested.
- Adolin KholinFights outnumbered; coordinates with Kaladin; defeats one foe; grapples Jakamav; wins the bout; claims Right to challenge Sadeas.
- Relis RutharBlack-armored Shardbearer; harried by Kaladin; Plate cracked; tries leveraging Renarin; hears screams; flees the arena, forfeiting.
- Renarin KholinOverwhelmed in his duel; sits weeping; dismisses Blade as Relis approaches; is spared when Kaladin intervenes.
- Shallan DavarWatches helplessly; blames herself; sends Pattern to distract Renarin’s foe; glares at Amaram.
- Sylphrena (Syl)Encourages Kaladin, returns joyfully with the winds; a piercing scream coincides when he catches the Blade.
- King ElhokarPraises the duel, offers a boon, then orders Kaladin arrested after the public accusation.
- Highlord AmaramTarget of Kaladin’s accusation and challenge; recognizes him in horror; does not act before soldiers move.
- Highprince SadeasTries to leave; becomes Adolin’s declared target for an immediate Right of Challenge.
- JakamavGreen-armored Shardbearer; tackled by Adolin; yields when Kaladin threatens him with a knife.
- ElitHammer-wielding Shardbearer; breastplate shattered by Adolin; yields to Kaladin; loses his helm.
- PatternSent by Shallan to distract Renarin’s opponent on the sands.
- Dueling judgeReluctantly announces yields and victory; confirms Relis’s forfeit and Adolin’s win.
- SebarialComments on Adolin’s arrogance from the stands; observes alongside Palona.
- PalonaSits with Sebarial, watching the duel and its aftermath.