Welcome back to our second discussion. Life in Urithiru is getting extra interesting now and Kaladin makes a surprising discovery about the Voidbringers.

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Summary:

First, the consolidated Oathbringer preface from Chapters 10-15:

"Perhaps my heresy stretches back to those days in my childhood, where these ideas began. I ask not that you forgive me. Nor that you even understand. I ask only that you read or listen to these words. In this record, I hold nothing back. I will not try to shy away from difficult topics or paint myself in a dishonestly heroic light. I will express only direct, even brutal, truth. You must know what I have done, and what those actions cost me".

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Chapter 10: Distractions

• Kaladin feels happy chasing down the Voidbringers using his new-found powers. Syl feels happy if Kal isn't his usual, dour self. He's been using ruined villages for shelter as he travels.
• All the towns around Hearthstone had felt the effects. He has been traveling to spread the word on the Everstorm and the Parshmen transforming.
• We get some insight into spren formation, as Syl came from the Stormfather and she, in turn, can do the same perhaps with wind or honor spren.
• When Kaladin arrives in Hornhollow, he finds his reputation has preceded him. The Parshmen in this village carried away their stores of grain. There were 50 of them but they didn't attack the local guard, which they could have easily outnumbered and it's not clear if they had glowing red eyes. They assume, based on their scout's observation, they are heading to Kholinar.
• Syl notices the ardent's attraction to Kal and goes on a tangent to Shallan. Syl says she doesn't trust Adolin but Kaladin reassures her that a Shardblade is not a bad mark of character (Renarin would disagree perhaps?)
• Meanwhile, Adolin is in the new stables, reminiscing, and visiting Gallant, his father's horse. He feels sad about losing his beloved Sureblood, killed in battle. Ryshadium chose their riders, much like spern who chose their bearers.
• Renarin arrives and learn about his tendency to be more thoughtful than verbal. He wants to return his Shadblade because it hurts to hold a dead blade. He's given it to the ardents for safekeeping.
• We learn Glys, Renarin's spren, has already transformed to a Shardblade to help open the Oathgate.
• Renarin feels out of place now he's a Radiant and no longer Bridge Four. He still hasn't figured out his ability and feels uncomfortable with it. Adolin holds his hand to reassure him and gets a hit of power. He later realizes Renarin healed his broken wrist completely.

Chaper 11: The Rift (33 Years Ago)

• Dalinar has Shardplate and carries a Shardbearer's hammer, and the Kholin's are on a military campaign, with Sadeas by their side. Gavilar, with Sadeas's agreement it could bring Shardsblades and alliances, wants his brother to marry but Dalinar isn't in a hurry, still being in love with Navani.
• After two years of fighting, they've gained four out ten kingdoms (including Kholin and Sadeas). There is a union of kingdoms against House Kholin.
• Sadeas reminds Dalinar that there are the practical and political things to consider, not only warfare.
• We are at Rathalas, or "The Rift", the place the ardent, Khadesh mentioned in the last section. Their prince, Tanalan, is a Shardbearer. Dalinar barely remembers the planning as he was drunk. Gavilar and Dalinar charge ahead, with Sadeas following, and the army to follow later.
• Rathalas has ballistas-or catapults, crossbows and nets to trap the Shardbearers. Dalinar charges ahead feeling his best fighting life with his best friend and brother.
• He is still getting used to the abilities of the Shardplate.
• Dalinar admires the unique architecture of "The Rift", built into the side of a cliff to avoid the storms-however it is impossible to defend from the high ground.
• The Rathalans (Rathalanians?) have booby-trapped the view platform to collapse, so Dalinar and his elite troops end up falling down into the rift. His armor prevents any injury but is damaged.
• We learn Dalinar knows Tanalan socially. Tanalan waits with his troops and his Shardblade; he reminds Dalinar that his people had no quarrel with them. Dalinar knows the advantages and disadvantages of both the Shardblade and the Shardplate. The politics of his statements make it clear the Alethi don't recognize a king as the throne of Alethkar has been empty for generations. This makes it clear that Gavilar's task was a heavy one.
• The fight is messy and ends with Dalinar sitting on Tanalan while Tanalan's troops attack. He fends them off while Tanalan tells him he is "an uncivilized brute" and a "monster". They end up falling another platform down and the soldiers are concerned with getting Tanalan away from him.
• Dalinar pursues and finds a secret door in the rock. More soldiers guard a secret room, where Tanalan's family, his wife and young son are huddled around his body. Tanalan's young son reiterates his father's words.
• The next scene is a few hours later after the battle. Dalinar has a new Shardblade, which naturally means the Shardbearer is dead. Gavilar comes to talk with him, congratulating him over winning the Shardblade over Sadeas. Gavilar asks what to do with all the civilians they just conquered, who are itching to rebel. Dalinar suggests recruiting soldiers in exchange for sparing their families. Gavilar knows it's time they start governing, not only conquering. He is a father now and his priorities have changed.
• Gavilar notes Dalinar's new Shard is called "Oathbringer", the sword of Sadees, the Sunmaker--the last man to unite Alethkar centuries ago. All Dalinar can hear is the cries of the small boy.

Chapter 12: Negotiations

• Dalinar speaks with the Stormfather to try and understand how the Radiants went wrong. Stormfather brings up his patchy memory.
• Dalinar returns to the conference room where he and a team are contacting other kingdoms via spanreed. First up, our old friend, Prime Aqasix of Azir and, theoretically, Emperor of Makabak. Although they are thanked for the warning about the storm, they are hesitant to accept the invitation to Urithiru.
• Dalinar has flashbacks to his fighting days. It seems the memories might be returning?
• He warns them war is coming and would like an alliance. They give away they are negotiating with Parshedi and have exchanged contracts, which shocks everyone! Then, they prevaricate that their Oathgate isn't functional, which Navani knows is a lie. They quickly leave the discussion.
• The Thaylens call up earlier than expected. The queen of Thaylenah herself, Brightness Fen Rnamdi is on the spanreed. She is pretty forward but direct conversation is a good sign. Their Voidbringers stole the best Thaylien ships instead of attacking. The town itself was busy with structural damage.
• They wonder if their " most Passionate" can open the Oathgate. Still, she is not interested in a conference, she's got a city to rebuild-still, something seems off about her response. Dalinar offers troops to help rebuild. He tells her how to open her side of the Oathgate. His advisor Aladar points out that he is giving away an advantage, as so far they've been working to get Radiants working together, where each kingdom might start recruiting instead.
• Still, nothing has come through from Kholinar. They also contact kingdoms without Oathgates.
• Elothkar shows up for a truth-telling session and ends up pledging himself to Dalinar. Dalinar is ashamed but wants details. Basically, Dalinar can be Highking of Urithiru and Elothkar remains king of Althekar. Elthokar wants to take troops and recover Kholinar; is the queen causing the riots?
• Dalinar agrees, as long as it's with a small team and a Radiant. Elothkar request Kaladin.
• They get a surprise acceptance from Taravangian, King of Jah Keved and Kharbranth, of all people!

Chapter 13: Chaperone

• Shallan is working on her illusions as Veil. She's moved to Sebarial's section to get a balcony.
• Someone knocks and she assumes it's Palona with food and says come in-but it's Adolin with food and books. He is surprised but delighted. Shallan kicks him out to get dressed.
• They flirt and Adolin reveals he has a birthmark on his thigh. Shallan introduces Pattern and Adolin and tells him Pattern is a Cryptic. They eat together after recruiting Pattern to chaperone them in her bedroom. Adolin offers her some men's food...scandalous!
• Adolin brings her books about Makabaki politics since she revealed at the group meeting she doesn't know too much. They discuss the betrothal and relationships. They move one to the murders.

Chapter 14: Squires Can't Capture

• Kaladin is staking out the Voidbringer camp but finds them playing cards with no red eyes or warlike carapace. It's raining and the grain they stole is getting wet.
• The Voidbringers finally notice him in the bush and Kaladin is about to take in Stormlight but hesitates when he sees they are not trained. He decides to surrender instead.

Shallan's sketch of a corridor in Urithiru

Chapter 15: Brightness Radiant

• Shallan and Adolin discuss the murders, including the fact that Brightlord Perel was found in the same area as Sadeas. Adolin holds that the murders could have been done by two different people. Shallan thinks there are too many similarities.
• Sadeas was hated; Perel was well-liked. Besides being lighteyes, they have nothing in common. Oathbringer-Sadeas's sword he took off Dalinar is still missing.
• Adolin brings up he'd like to train her with her Shardblade, putting aside all his prejudices of Althei womanhood.
• Shallan is, of course, still traumatized by her memories of her mother. She has a moment of panic, with Pattern willing to die for her so she can bond with a new spren, which she doesn't want. She thinks about Jasnah and calls up on an illusion, Brightness Radiant, who can handle anything.
• They practice stances, strikes and the art of the dual. Adolin has his ideas on the relationships between sword and bearer. Shallan admires how passionate he is about dueling.
• They have a long practice and Shallan sleeps peacefully afterwards.

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Discussion questions down below! See you on October 15 for Chapter 16- Chapter 25.

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