Summary:Words of Radiance/Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Ironstance

Mateform meek, for love to share,
Given to life, it brings us joy.
To find this form, one must care.
True empathy one must employ.

—From the listener Song of Listing, 5th stanza

Characters

• Adolin Kholin (Point of view)
• Salinor Eved
• Istow
• Navani Kholin
• Renarin Kholin

Mentioned only

• Danlan
• Shallan Davar
• Jasnah Kholin
• Torol Sadeas
• Thanadal
• Tinalar

Plot summary

Tanatatah 1173

Adolin mentally prepares for his first duel under Dalinar's plan by speaking inspirationally to his shardblade. He leaves the preparation room and walks to a staging room, where Renarin and Navani are waiting, to equip his shardplate. Navani burns a prayer glyph for safety and glory. Adolin inquires about Jasnah, and Navani replies that her daughter has likely gone missing due to a change of plans, and would reappear at a later time. Renarin verifies that Adolin finished his lucky pre-duel rituals, and Navani scoffs at their superstitions. Adolin tells Renarin that he has suspicions about Kaladin.

Adolin enters the arena to duel Salinor. A large crowd attends as this is the first formal duel at the Shattered Plains for more than a year. Adolin begins in Windstance, but thinks of his father's words and switches to Ironstance and aggressively battles his opponent into submission, winning despite protests from the highjudge BrightLady Istow that Adolin did not follow proper duel protocols. Salinor protests that Adolin cheated and Adolin threatens to choke him until he surrenders his blade, which Salinor then does, and Istow proclaims Adolin as the official victor. Renarin praises Adolin's victory, and Adolin gifts his new weapon to Renarin, who reluctantly accepts it with a frown. Navani praises Adolin for winning without putting his full ability on display in order to deceive future opponents into underestimating him and accepting duels.

Notes

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