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| “ | Old friend, I hope this missive finds you well. Though, as you are now essentially immortal, I would guess that wellness on your part is something of a given. | ” |
Point of view: Adolin, Dalinar
Setting: The Shattered Plains
Adolin is on a hunt with Dalinar, Renarin, Elhokar, and Sadeas. He is troubled by his father Dalinar's increasingly strange behavior, especially during the highstorms, and worries that his father is going mad. Sadeas also continually taunts Dalinar over his lack of recent success in capturing gemhearts, which frustrates Adolin.
Meanwhile, Dalinar, riding up by Elhokar and Sadeas, tells Elhokar that if they had a proper vantage point, they could observe the progress of the soldiers crossing the chasms. Elhokar charges off to a nearby rock formation, betting Dalinar five broams that he can beat him there. Dalinar races after him, at first thinking only of Elhokar's safety, but eventually getting into the thrill of the contest. Just as Dalinar is about to win, he remembers the strange voice in his dreams, who he presumes to be the Almighty, telling him to "unite them." He hesitates, and Elhokar beats him to the top. When he sees how thrilled Elhokar is to have beaten him, Dalinar is glad to have waited. They watch the soldiers cross for a few minutes, then begin to return to the others. Adolin watches their return, all the while giving orders for his men to circle around to various plateaus, securing the area.
Dalinar and Elhokar return, and Adolin gives his report to them. Elhokar reluctantly agrees to wait for the rest of the soldiers to cross, setting up a small awning under which to wait, and converse with his courtiers. Adolin questions Dalinar about the purpose and the wisdom of their hunting expedition, particularly when it leaves Elhokar open to a potential Parshendi ambush. Dalinar replies that a victory such as a successful hunt, in a controlled, safe environment, will bolster the King's reputation and increase his self-confidence as well. Just as he gains Adolin's confidence, however, he voices a thought about how the Alethi should be in Alethkar, not on the Shattered Plains. This shocks and upsets Adolin.
After a brief conversation with the King's Wit, in which Wit tells Dalinar that Renarin is not as fragile as he thinks, Dalinar and Adolin meet again with Elhokar and Sadeas, making final preparations for the hunt. After only a few minutes conversing with Bashin, the hunt master, however, Dalinar and Adolin realize that something is wrong. At this point, the chasmfiend they are supposedly hunting appears, climbing onto the platform with all of the courtiers and scribes, rather than the smaller plateau on which the hunt was supposed to take place.
Appearances[]
| Character | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Elhokar | Appeared | Attending the hunt for a chasmfiend. |
| Sadeas | Appeared | Attending the hunt for a chasmfiend. |
| Adolin | POV | Attending the hunt for a chasmfiend. |
| Renarin | Appeared | Attending the hunt for a chasmfiend. |
| Dalinar | POV | Attending the hunt for a chasmfiend. |
| Vamah | Appeared | Attending the hunt for a chasmfiend. |
| Adolin's grandfather | Mentioned (unnamed) | Had visions in his old age of being back at war. |
| Gavilar | Mentioned (unnamed) | Dalinar has nightmares of the night of his brother's death. |
| Szeth | Mentioned (unnamed) | Dalinar has nightmares of the Assassin in White. |
| Janala | Mentioned | One of Adolin's many fleeting romances. |
| Rilla | Mentioned | One of Adolin's many fleeting romances. |
| Tarilar | Appeared | Scout-lord reports about Honor Guard placement. |
| Vartian | Appeared | Loudly discussing the failing of Dalinar. |
| Lomard | Appeared | Loudly discussing the failing of Dalinar. |
| Lustow | Mentioned | Father of Janala. |
| Deeli | Mentioned | One of Adolin's many fleeting romances. |
| Wit | Appeared | Decided to watch the day's hunt. |
| Bashin | Appeared | Huntmaster in charge of the day's hunt. |
| Navani | Mentioned | Credited for the creation of the Grandbows. |
| Jasnah | Mentioned | Credited for the creation of the Grandbows. |