It’s Thursday again! That means it’s Rhythm of War Reread Day again! Welcome back, as we take a look at a new Interlude—the next-to-last one of the book. In it, Sanderson returns to the kind of Interlude we haven’t seen for a while: a true outsider’s perspective. Every Interlude in this book so far has been from a character we either know well, or know about as an important player. This time, though, we’ve got Adin: a 13-year-old boy with ambitions to become a Windrunner. We’ve seen him precisely once before this, early in Part Two, when Kaladin treated him for an ankle injury sustained while taking the stairs too fast. At that time, he informed Kaladin that he’d consent to taking the stairs one at a time for now, until he gets his spren; then he’ll float, because that’s what the Lopen told him. For what it’s worth, there’s a good chance he didn’t know he was talking to Stormblessed at the time!
Reminder: We’ll be discussing spoilers for the entirety of the series up until now. If you haven’t read ALL of the published entries of The Stormlight Archive (this includes Edgedancer and Dawnshard as well as the entirety of Rhythm of War), best to wait to join us until you’re done.
Heralds: Jezrien (Jezerezeh, Yaezir, Ahu), Herald of Kings. Windrunners (Adhesion, Gravitation). Protecting/Leading. Role: King.
The obvious reason for Jezrien is in Adin’s desire to become a Windrunner. There’s one small hint that, just maybe, his father might become one—but we’ll talk about that below. If we’re talking about Alalan, we could suggest that Jezrien represents his efforts to protect his son. If we’re talking about Adin, “protecting” isn’t really a focus right now—he’s more into the “leading” idea. Or at least the “fighting” idea… which isn’t really part of the iconography, but it’s the most visible thing the Windrunners do, and it’s pretty interesting to a boy of 13!
Icon: Double Eye of the Almighty, for a “minor character” POV. It’s interesting (especially in light of the introductory comments) that this is only the second time we’ve seen this icon in Rhythm of War; in other books it was on the vast majority of the Interludes, except for the “Interlude Novella” for each book. In Rhythm of War, the first time we saw it was the opening chapter, from Lirin’s POV, and this is the only Interlude to carry it. We’ll see it a lot more in Part Five, though, when we get those chapters where the scene-shifts flicker like lightning in a Nebraska tornado.
Chapter Recap
WHO: Adin
WHEN: 1175.4.10.4—Unlike last week, this time I’m pretty sure it really does take place just prior to the great battle!
WHERE: Urithiru
(Note: For the “when” notations, we are using this wonderful timeline provided by the folks at The 17th Shard.)
RECAP: Adin reflects on his desire to be a Windrunner and how he’s going to make it happen, showing bravery and the heart of a warrior. Reality sets in as he and his father begin their daily work in the pottery shop, but then takes a turn as the shop owner decides there’s too much unrest to keep the shop open. Once he’s locked up and left, Adin’s father abandons the potter’s wheel to go find out what’s happening; somewhat reluctantly, he allows himself to be persuaded to take Adin along.
Chapter Chat—Hopes and Dreams
Adin was going to be a Windrunner someday.
A: The first thing I have to mention is the name “Adin”—it’s impossible not to notice the resemblance to Kaladin. I can’t make the pieces of his name mean anything based on the information we have so far; maybe it’s not the same naming tradition as the ones we’ve heard so far. Not surprising, given that he’s darkeyed and they don’t generally use the same approach. The next question is whether he was named for a friend/family member of the Sandersons, or whether there’s an intentional significance that will be played out later.
Buy the Book
The Lost Metal
Next to that, it’s very fun to see this young guy holding on to his dream of becoming a Windrunner. As mentioned in the opening, we heard about that back before the invasion when he was in Lirin’s clinic for a sprained (I assume) ankle. Back then, it was a sunny sort of hope, and he had the opportunity to talk with at least one of the Windrunners (Lopen); there’s an even chance that he might have been able to go to them and at least become a squire, had the invasion not happened. As it is… well, who knows? I’m reasonably confident that Adolin’s trial will have triggered at least some more honorspren to bond with humans, though I still doubt that any will form a bond with one so young at this stage of things. I’d bet they’ll bond existing squires first, and the next choice would be trained soldiers, not barely-teen potter’s apprentices. Still, I do hope he achieves his dream some day.
P: It’s certainly a lofty dream for the kiddo. But who doesn’t want to be a hero at that age (I wanted to be like Spider-man)? And Adin has a lot of heroes to look up to in the tower. Especially Kaladin, of course.
But you know, I’m not sure if I even noticed the name similarity on my first read of the book. How clueless was I?
A: Meh. I don’t think I really noticed it the first time, either. I pronounce the two very differently in my head, so it wasn’t obvious… until I looked at it later and went, “Huh. Look at that.”
The spren didn’t just pick kings and queens. They watched everyone, looking for warriors.
So, as he followed his father through the halls of Urithiru, Adin found opportunities to glare at the invaders.
A: Of course it makes us chuckle! All it takes to impress the honorspren is to glare at the invaders… behind their backs, of course, because you don’t actually want to draw their attention, just the spren’s. Forgivable lack of logic in a 13-year-old, perhaps. And naturally, he has no idea that there are unfortunately no honorspren in the tower capable of being either impressed or amused by his “bravery” when he glares at the back of the passing warforms.
P: Nope, no spren currently seeking some time to bond. Even if there had been any before the invasion, they’d have beat feet as soon as the Fused showed up, I’d guess.
And yeah, glaring can totally be brave, but only if you do it where they can see you, Adin. I don’t recommend that.
You had to be brave … They didn’t care how old you were, if your eyes were dark, or if the bowls you made were lopsided.
A: Bahahaha! This last bit cracks me up—though it comes back around in a much more thoughtful way later.
P: I like that he knows spren don’t discriminate when it comes to eye color. Representation matters!
A: It really is pretty cool to see the way this has penetrated the culture—at least in the tower—so quickly. It’s become obvious right away that everyone has opportunity, not just the lighteyes.
He caught Shar, the seamstress’s daughter, glaring too. Well, her uncle was a Windrunner, so maybe she figured she had a better chance than most—but surely the spren were more discerning than that. Shar was so bossy, you’d think she was lighteyed.
… Well, he could handle a little competition from Shar. And when he got his spren first, maybe he could give her a few tips.
A: LOL. Brandon channeling his inner 13-year-old quite successfully, here… (or perhaps reflecting his sons!) Seriously, I half expect to see Shar as a Windrunner and Adin as a… Lightweaver, or one of the other less-warrior-ish Orders, either in the next book or the back five. More likely, they’ll both be Windrunners, because this is Sanderson and he isn’t terribly prone to that kind of gotcha.
One way and another, though, I’m amused by his expectation that it’s a straight-up competition for a spren. Also, I’m strongly reminded that the hopes and dreams of a young teen rarely take into account the requirements to actually achieve the longed-for result. He just wants to get there first and be able to condescendingly “give her a few tips” to rub it in.
P: I love that he’s so gentlemanly that he’s going to give the bossy girl tips on bonding a spren. Too funny! Bet he’ll develop a crush before he bonds a spren, though.
A: Now that would be entertaining!
Adin’s father caught him glaring, unfortunately, and squeezed his shoulder. “Eyes down,” he hissed.
A: Well, that’s a real coincidence, isn’t it? Father telling son to keep his eyes down and not draw attention? Can’t recall anything like that recently…
P: Kind of eerie, isn’t it?
He hoped the spren would look at people’s parents when choosing their Radiants. Because Adin’s father was extremely brave. Oh, he didn’t glare at passing soldiers, but he didn’t need to. Adin’s father spent many afternoons tending the fallen Radiants. Directly beneath the gaze of the Fused. And every night he went out in secret, doing something.
A: First, heh. “He didn’t glare at passing soldiers, but he didn’t need to.” I’m a little amused, but also sympathetic. Adin (rightly) feels pretty impotent at the moment. The absolute most he can do by way of resistance is… glare. At their backs.
Second, the parallels are getting rather blatant up in here. Father tending the fallen Radiants, under the gaze of the Fused? Who else might be doing that? The more I think about it, the more I wonder if Adin’s name is all about Adin and Alalan mirroring Kaladin and Lirin, but in a less traumatized and dysfunctional relationship. Kaladin and Lirin as they might have been, and may yet become.
Third, and minor, what is Alalan doing at night? Do we find out later? I can’t remember.
P: I certainly don’t recall finding out what he was doing at night. But I love that Adin thinks his father is brave. It’s very heartwarming.
A: It’s such a delightful relationship. Adin is getting to the age where kids often decide their parents are completely useless, so it’s nice to see the admiration he has for his father. The more I think about it, the more I’m certain Sanderson wrote this Interlude to specifically provide the compare/contrast effect with the relationship we talked about last week.
It felt strange to keep following their normal routine. How could they continue making pottery at a time like this? How could Master Liganor open the shop for business like nothing was happening? Well, that was part of their bravery. Adin had figured it out.
A: Oddly insightful of him, that. While there’s obviously a time to set aside the daily routine and dig in to resistance, too many people mistake “panicking” for “doing something” when things get crazy. There’s a definite courage in just getting on with life—prepared for the eventualities, but keeping the necessities going.
P: It truly does take courage to continue living life under stressful (and, in their case, dangerous) conditions.
“Make another batch,” he said, putting the chunk onto his wheel. “We’ll practice your plates.”
“I won’t need to be able to make plates once I can fly,” Adin said.
“And what if it takes you until your twenties to become a Windrunner?” his father asked. “You’ll need to do something with your time until then. Might as well make plates.”
“Spren don’t care about plates.”
“They must. … Their Radiants have to eat, after all.”
A: I tell you—the older I get, the more I appreciate well-written parents! (Even the ones who are well-written and make mistakes.) As a kid, I’d have been all into Adin’s frustration, but as a parent I find him amusing and have much more respect for his father. (Side reference back to last week: While it’s obviously not true of every parent in the fandom, I think that being a parent is a lot of what has given me so much sympathy for Lirin’s situation. Everyone has failures in life, but feeling like you failed your children is one of the most painful ones. As human beings, we have to work through that feeling, and it takes time.)
Also, Alalan’s rationale is perfect for his son. Of course spren care about plates. The Radiants need plates to eat from! LOL.
P: I do love Alalan’s explanation for why spren care about plates. A good way to get Adin’s interest.
(As for me, being a parent has given me no sympathy for Lirin’s situation!)
“Never underestimate the value of a job well done, Adin. You want a spren to notice you? Take pride in every job you do. Men who make sloppy plates will be sloppy fighting Fused.”
A: ::applauds:: The man speaks truth. Get in the habit of doing sloppy work, and it will be harder to do anything else.
P: Oh, lawd, do I know this to be a fact.
How did his father know that? Was it merely another piece of wisdom drawn from his never-ending well of fatherly quips, or… was it from personal experience?
A: This is the small hint I mentioned earlier, implying that Alalan knows something more, or perhaps is being set up to become a Radiant. It’s a very sketchy basis for theorizing, because this bit of wisdom could just as easily be a wise father using an analogy that appeals to his son’s dreams. But also, this is Sanderson, who likes to drop in little comments that turn out to be big hints. So… we’ll have to see, I guess.
P: I wonder if anyone has ever asked him specifically about this. And I’m curious as to whether he would RAFO it.
“I think I’ll close the shop today. Just in case.”
Adin’s father nodded calmly, still shaping his current pot. When he was on a pot, nothing could shake him. …
Master Liganor closed and latched the wooden windows at the front of the small shop, then locked the door. Then he went upstairs to his rooms.
As soon as he was gone, Adin’s father stood up, leaving a pot half-finished on the wheel.
A: Heh. Well, if that isn’t a clue that Things Are Rolling, I don’t know what is!
P: I love that Adin is so gobsmacked that his father is leaving a pot half-finished. It speaks to Alalan’s work ethic and also to how important his other duties this day are to him.
A: Absolutely! Such a short sentence to carry so much meaning.
“You’re going to paint your head with the glyph,” Adin said, “and go watch over the Radiants. Just in case. I want to go with you. … If something does go wrong, you’ll need me to run home and tell Mother. Plus, if there’s trouble, there could be looting here in the market. I’ll be safer with you.”
A: I’ll give him this, the boy knows how to finagle his dad! But also, Alalan doesn’t deny the accuracy of the guess, so it seems safe to say that he is going to the infirmary to watch over—and if necessary try to defend—the Radiants. Beside Lirin. The Avalanche Begins.
P: And so it begins.
Today, he’d pick up a spear and earn his spren.
A: Well, sort of… maybe… or maybe not… But this is not the last we see of Adin, so we’ll leave that discussion for later. At the moment, he’s determined.
P: Boy knows what he wants, for sure. Too bad, as Alice pointed out earlier, there are currently no honorspren in the tower.
Oaths Spoken, Powers Awakened
Many might have said that at thirteen, he was too young to become a Radiant. But he knew for a fact that there was a girl who had been chosen when she was younger than him.
A: Heh. Hey, Lift, you’re being watched! And he’s right, of course; she was younger than 13 when she bonded Wyndle. What he doesn’t know, obviously, is that she was chosen because of her gift from Cultivation despite her extreme youth, and that she’s in an Order that doesn’t really imply being a warrior. I suspect that the Windrunners, being the most numerous and also the most obvious of the Orders in the tower, have created certain assumptions in the general population. Especially the young ones.
P: Yes, Lift is definitely a special case.
And them young ‘uns are susceptible to fan worshipping the Radiants.
He had seen her leaving food out for old Gavam, the widow who sometimes forgot to collect her rations.
A: Awww. There’s Lift, remembering those who have been forgotten. Also, food is important.
P: Our sweet little Edgedancer, looking after the elderly. Cultivation love our little Radiant.
Relationships and Romances
A: As noted above, I’m fascinated by the parallels between the two father-son relationships in these two Interludes. Like Adin, at 13 Kaladin also was his father’s apprentice, and greatly admired his father even though he didn’t always understand or agree with him. He went through a phase of thinking his father was a coward, before realizing that he was resisting tyranny in his own way—a way that would not compromise his most deeply held values. Adin, even though he seems to think it would be good if his father did glare at the singers and Regals, acknowledges that his father is resisting tyranny in ways that won’t get him killed uselessly, or get his family in trouble. I really would like to have heard a conversation between Lirin and Alalan in the hours following Interlude 10! I wonder if, father to father, it might have affected Lirin’s change of heart.
P: I’ve gotta say that I’d have loved a chat between these two dads, myself.
We’ll be leaving further speculation and discussion to you in the comments, and hope to join you there! Next week, we’ll be back with Interlude 12, in which Taravangian searches for ideas he barely understands, and has a most fascinating conversation.
Alice lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two kids. She is beginning an exciting new venture in editing, and is moderately terrified of what she’s getting into. But more excited than terrified. Also, Go Yankees!
Paige resides in New Mexico, of course. She’s currently celebrating the Yankees’ Division Series win and is looking forward to the AL Championship Series! Links to her other writing are available in her profile.
