The Nightwatcher's Guest

[The Sibling she/her]

I've never really written fan fiction before but I've decided to give it a try. All I've written so far is a sort of introduction, but if anyone has advice it would very much appreciated. 

Intro (Stormlight spoilers)

Spoiler

Tai woke up in a field of grass. No, not a field, a valley. A valley filled with ferns and flowers and snaking vines. The corner’s of Tai’s vision were clouded with green, but when he turned, the faint haze seemed to fade. Not completely though. Just enough to make him feel as if it were waiting for something. He groaned, and lifted a hand to his head. His throat was raw, and he felt as if he had been screaming for what must have been a very long time. But he didn’t remember screaming. In fact, he didn’t remember much at all. He knew his name, Tai. Why did he know his name? Because someone was screaming it. A soft voice echoed throughout the valley.

“Tai! Tai please, wake up!” She was begging.

Tai stumbled to his feet, pushing through his exhaustion. He turned slowly and was able to make out the shape of a woman, reed thin with short, boyish hair. She stood in the center of the valley, clothed in a strange dress with a long and flowing left sleeve. Why was it longer than the right? Tai felt as if he should know, as if the facts were so close in the back of his mind, on the tip of his tongue, but just out of reach. And it pained him. It pained him to feel so empty. He ignored the woman, who had glowing, translucent blue skin. Why? He didn’t care. It was too much. Tai slumped to the stony ground, curling up into a tight ball and trying to ignore the light that seemed determined to break through his firmly shut eyelids. 

“No.”  Said a voice. A voice that Tai should have recognized, but didn’t. “No, this will not do.”

The haze returned, stronger now. It enveloped him. It pushed away the woman, the spren. Wait. How did he know what a spren was? And she was wearing a havah. He knew what a havah was. And just as Tai marveled at all the knowledge that was pouring back into him, the haze grew more determined, and covered him until everything went dark.

When Tai woke up again, he had forgotten all details of his meeting with the Nightwatcher.

Chapter One

Spoiler

Chapter One - The City of Bells

Tai awoke slowly. He was lying on the wooden floor of a ship which rocked gently in the waves. He groaned. Where was he? Had he gotten drunk? Was that why he couldn’t remember a thing? Well, he could remember some things. He had an extensive knowledge about the history of Roshar, spanning the Desolations, Aharietam, and the rise and fall of the Hierocracy. He seemed to know quite a bit about the composition of chouta and other Herdazien delicacies. Well that made sense, considering that he was Herdazien.

Wait, what? Tai glanced down at his fingernails, bluish gray and hard as rocks. Huh. And he was tall, with strawberry blond hair cut short. He ran his hand overr his face, feeling his sharp jawline and faint stubble. He could remember 8 different ways to cook flatbread, but he couldn’t remember a single fact about himself other than his name. How peculiar. Tai breathed in slowly, taking in the scents of the sea as he stood. Evidently, he was no sailor, for it took only a moment before he collapsed against the wall of the cabin, tossed aside by the rocking ship. 

“Ow.” Tai mumbled. 

He spun as he heard a groan behind him. He saw nothing but shadow, the room lit by a sphere which had nearly gone dun. The shadows seemed to move slightly in one corner of the room, but Tai forcefully convinced himself that it was just a trick of the light. He stepped out of the door deliberately, stumbling and crashing into a young man with unkempt hair and long, Thaylen eyebrows.

---

Yalb loved being captain. He loved the smell of the sea, the sound of the water slapping against the ship. His ship. Yalb knew that once, the ship had had a different name. First Dreams. But now it was his ship. And his ship was called the Radiant’s Blush. His captain's cord with colors of red and black was wound around the rigging, and a conical hat marked him as a merchant. He was proud of how much he’d grown since he’d been assigned to this storm cursed ghost ship. Times had been hard there, for a moment. But everyone said that the Nightwatcher could change a man, and Yalb was inclined to agree with them. 

Yalb wandered the ship in quiet contemplation, ignoring the shouting and the laughing that came from his rowdy crew. He had instructed his first mate to take charge today, for Yalb had a different task. A strange task, and one that worried him greatly. But the sun was shining and the wind was favorable. On a day like this, what could go wrong?

Yalb hummed soflty to himself as he wandered below decks. He fidgeted quietly with one of his eyebrows, spinning it between his fingers. A nervous habit he had picked up in the weeks after his discovery of First Dreams. The most agonizingly stressful weeks of his life. Yalb hopped down the last step and steeled himself before opening the door. His hand had hardly had time to wrap itself around the dorrknob when the door swung open and a lighteyed man with strawberry blond hair stumbled into his arms.

“Storms, Brightlord!” Yalb cursed in Thaylen.

The man took a step back and cocked his head in confusion. He looked half starved, dressed in ragged clothing. He blinked. 

“Gthlebn Thaylen?” Yalb asked, trying to gentle his voice.

The man stepped back, leaning against the wall for support. “What are you saying? Are you Thaylen?” He asked in Alethi.

Yalb steeled himself. As little as he knew about the strange situation that had befallen them, he had to assume that this was going to be a very awkward conversation.

“Yalb.” He said in thickly accented Alethi, bowing his head respectfully. “At your service, Brightlord” 

The man nodded slowly. “Tai.” He pushed past Yalb, making his way abovedeck. 

Yalb groaned and hurried after him. “Brightlord, wait!” Yalb cursed under his breath in Thaylen. 

Tai stopped midway up the stairs, turning back towards Yalb.

 “Who in Damnation are you?” He muttered. “And where am I?” And with that he stormed up the stairs. 

---

When Radiant’s Blush arrived in Kharbranth, it carried a solemn traveler who had discovered a few things about his past. Yalb had explained as much as he could to Tai, but there were still huge holes in his knowledge. He knew he had gone to the Nightwatcher, for that was clear. What he had asked for and what he had received were still mysteries. He had remained catatonic in the valley until Yalb had arrived, and received his boon in exchange for delivering Tai to Kharbranth. Which confused him. Because he was clearly Herdazien, although he spoke Alethi and Kharbranthian. Maybe he had moved to Kharbranth. 

There were other things that Yalb had explained too. About, well, Radiants. And Voidbringers. Fused, Regals, squires and spren. Tai knew a bit about world events, but he knew nothing about any of this. It was like his history lessons had come to life in front of his eyes. Well, not really. He hadn’t seen any of these so-called Voidbringers yet, and besides, Kharbranth was supposed to be neutral. Apparently some issue with Taravangian betraying Dalinar? Who was the king of some tower in the mountains? None of this made any sense to Tai, but Yalb had acted trustworthy so far.

“So, Herdie!” Said Yalb, jovially slapping Tai on the shoulder. “This is where we part ways. Good luck in the city!”

And Yalb began to lead Tai towards the docks. “Wait!” Tai protested. “You can’t just leave me here! What am I supposed to do! I’ve hardly any spheres, no contacts, I don't even know my last name!”

Yalb shrugged. “Well, pardon Brightlord, but that’s not really my responsibility. The Nightwatcher gave me a task, and I accomplished it. What more do you want from me?”

“Storms, man!” Tai cursed. “Maybe at least a little compassion? I don’t even know who I am!”

Yalb blushed. He hadn’t meant to cause a scene. The dockworkers were looking at them, and as a newly made captain Yalb had an image to uphold. “Fine!” He murmured, cursing in Thaylen. “Let's go. I’ll take you to a bakery run by an old friend of mine. He moved from Thaylenah after the storm smashed his home. I’m sure you can stay there for a day of two, to get your things in order.”

Tai let out a relieved sigh and followed Yalb down the docks. Yalb shouted instructions in Thaylen back to his first mate as they made their way into the city. Tai gasped as a skyeel flew over his head. He knew what Kharbranth looked like, but -of course- he had no memory of ever visiting there. The bells, the music, the smell of bread, it overwhelmed him. Tai grinned, stumbling forwards as wind twirled around him. The city was emptier than he thought it should have been. It made sense, considering the war. The Blackthorn’s blockade made it hard for ships to get through, and besides, the hospitals in Kharbranth were open to both sides. Which meant parshmen. Or Parshendi. Voidbringers. Whatever they were called. 

“Come on!” Said Yalb, leading Tai further into the city. 

They turned into a wide street with stone buildings decorated with bright colored sheets. There were signs written in Thaylen and a comfortable sense of business to the entire place. Yalb smiled as he walked, waving and nodding exageratedly to the people he passed. Tai hurried to keep up, as Yalb seemed more enrgized. Tai saw other people in similar vests, and a few with the same conical hats as Yalb wore. Finally, after thay had neared the end of the road, Yalb turned into a small building with a large window left of a small warped wooden door. 

Tai stepped in behind Yalb and was immediately struck by the welcoming air of the place. The smell of pastries and bread baking filled his nose as he glanced around. The store was bustling with people sitting at small tables on three legged stools. At the back of the room was a counter covered in sweets dusted with sugar. And behind that counter was a jovial, potbelled man who looked to be in his sixties. He smiled at Yalb and spoke some words in Thaylen, extricating himself from a conversation with a client. His apron was covered in flour as he marched through the room and shook hands with Yalb. They walked together into a side room, engaged in casual conversation. 

Tai followed, feeling awkward as he shadowed the pair. In the side room, which was filled with baking ingredients and drying herbs. Yalb spoke some final words in Thaylen, and the baker turned to Tai.

“Welcome!” Said the baker. “I am… sorry for your troubles” He spoke with a thick Thaylen accent, carefully and slowly enunciating each word. 

“This is Jthelbt” Yalb announced. “He would be happy to take you in for a few weeks while you settle in Kharbranth.”

Jthelbt nodded happily. “It is unfortunate that you were displaced by the war.”

Tai cocked his head, and Yalb elbowed him. “Right. Thank you. I won’t be here for long, I hope. Just long enough to hopefully find some family in the city.”

Jthelbt led Tai to a small apartment above the bakery. Tai slumped on the couch feeling exhausted, even after only an hour or so of being awake. He felt groggy, like he was moving through a fog.

“I must go to cook.” Said Jthelbt. “You may stay here, sit, rest. You can explore the neighborhood?” He seemed unsure of what to say. 

Finally, Jthelbt just shrugged and walked downstairs, leaving Tai sitting in the dim room. He glanced out of a window to see Yalb wandering away down the street, chatting to a merchant as he walked.

Chapter Two

Spoiler

 

 

 

Chapter Two - Three Diamonds

Tai leaned awkwardly against a short, squat building. He glanced backwards down the long and winding road of the Thaylen district. It felt strange, to be wandering so aimlessly through the city, but he was quickly realizing the problem in which he found himself. He had nowhere to go. He knew no one. And he had no money except for a few dun spheres in his pocket. He kept searching for something that migt spark his memory, but he found nothing and eventually gave up, instead stepping into a dull bar off an alleyway. Out of the corner of his eye he saw once again something strange in the shadows. A form, like a person but inky black. It faded as he turned, but he continued to see it out of the corner of his eye. Tai groaned as he slumped into a shadowed booth at the bar. It was lit by a few spheres, but it was plenty dark to give him the privacy he desired.

Eventually, Tai found himself a drink. He spent his last spheres on some strong clear liquor with a name he couldn’t pronounce, and retreated to his booth to down the entire bottle. His head grew heavy and his vision blurred. He found himself leaning towards the table, and he sucked in a sharp breath right before his head smacked into the wood. And a sudden burst of alertness filled him. He felt energy coursing through his veins as he sat up and slowly looked around. His throat no longer burned, his head no longer ached. And the light from the lantern beside him had gone out.

“What on Roshar?” He mumbled, light leaking from his mouth.

The feeling faded. But it left a lasting impression. Tai had been gone for too long, and in his absence, legends had come to life. Things like Voidbringers. Thunderclasts. And Radiants. People who could draw Stormligh. Who could feed upon. Could he feed upon it? He tried again, breathing in slowly and deliberately, but nothing happened. Were the other lanterns too far away? Or had it just been a drunken illusion. His mind seemed to reject the idea of him being a Radiant. It seemed wrong in more ways than he could count. He slumped in his chair with a sigh, and felt himself weeping softly. For memories he didn’t have, faces he couldn't quite grasp, names right on the tip of his tongue. 

It was at that moment that a rough and calloused hand grabebd his shoulder and pulled him out of the booth. Tai cursed and attempted to free his arm, but a second hand snatched his wrist and tugged him through the bar. The barkeep hardly reacted, other than to step away. He was a tall, burly Horneater with a thick curly beard and a strange tattoo on his arm. Three diamonds. 

“Oh crem.” Muttered Tai. “Vev’s golden keys! I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead.” 

He wasn’t sure why the symbol had elicited such strong emotions, but he felt his stomach flip. “Shut it!” His assailant snapped, in Alethi. Tai continued to struggle as he was pulled to a starcase and shoved down. He stumbled to the basement, cursing in every language he knew, and by the bottom he felt himself bruised and bleeding in several places. The woman who had attacked him stared from the top of the staircase.

“Storms.” She murmured. ‘You really are useless. Here!” She tossed a bag of spheres at him. 

Tai reddened as he reached to snatch the bag out of the air, Spilling it open as the woman stepped down beside him. “Do it again.” She said harshly.

“I’m sorry?” Tai asked, scrambling to his feet and brushing off the dusk that covered his clothes. 

“Do it again!” she sounded angry. “Take in the Stormlight!”

Tai tried. He really did. He tried to breathe it in and drink it in and absorb it in and just about everything else he could think of. And nothing worked. The woman drew her sword. Wait, a sword? She was darkeyed. This fact distracted Tai as she slapped his arm with the flat side. 

“Ow!” he complained, stepping backwards and slipping on one of the spheres. His head hit the ground first, and it hit hard. 

The woman was on top of him in a moment, slicing his arms and his face with the sword.

“Ahhh!” Tai screamed, pushing her off of him and breathing deeply. Air went in, and so did light. The cuts healed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. So did the woman.

“Good.” She announced. “Another one.” 

She jogged quickly up the stairs, and he tried to follow, but she shoved him casually back down and shut the door. “Don’t go anywhere.” She commanded from the top, and Tai heard the sound of a lock clicking, and her feet tapping against the floor. He slumped onto the ground, angry and tired but mostly just confused. What in Damnation was happening?!

---

Foraltin sat on the floor of a large room, holding papers spread out all around them. They were sitting awkwardly, with their legs folded beneath their body, quietly inspecting their book. It was a terrible book. Some ridiculous romance intrigue that Foraltin never would have decided to read on their own. But Ellista had suggested it, weeks ago over spanreed, and Foraltin would never turn down Ellista. They smiled at the thought of her, and went back to the book with renewed vigor, determined to understand it well enough that they could discuss it. 

They sat on the floor because that was where they had left the book, and by the time they had crouched down to get it, it seemed like far too much effort to get back up and walk all the way to the chair. Their chambers were too large, at least in their opinion. There were three rooms and a bathroom, with towering ceilings everywhere and not a single window in the place. Lavish tapestries and warm carpets covered every surface, but it was hardly as inviting as their sunlit home on the Reshi Isles, with stew always bubbling and a fire always burning in the hearth. 

Foraltin glanced at the clock fabrial on their arm, and slowly climbed to their feet. As always, their knees made a cracking sound and ached terribly, but Foraltin was used to it. So much so that the Edgedancers and Truthwatchers hadn’t been able to do anything about the chronic pain. Well, Foraltin could survive it. They had to. On their morning stroll, they were struck by how cold it was. The tower had been chilly before, but now with the Singer invasion in full swing, the floors were ice and the halls bitter winter. 

Foraltin went about the motions, like everyday. They fetched some water, washed their clothes, bathed, and returned to their rooms. They locked the door quietly and moved to their bedroom, pulling a long, thin box from under the bed. The box opened with a creak, and inside Foraltin saw four spanreeds. Spanreeds that worked in the tower. Mraize had delivered them, only days before, and they were connected, rather spectacularly, to Kharbranth. Their origin intrigued Foraltin, but there was no point getting into it, not now. Foraltin had one job, and that was to organize the recruitment of Radiants. A fairly unimportant piece of the Ghostbloods, but their search for workers would never be satisfied. 

There was minimal news that morning. A new subject was found, along with a list of possible radiants. A Thaylen scholar had published an essay, a man from Yeddaw had discovered something new about the nature of spren bonds. There was always something new, but the great discoveries, the ones that would change the world, Foraltin hoped to discover themself.

 

I hope you enjoy!

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by The Sibling

[Aeoryi she/her]

Cool! Nice! Writing can be a little scary with a public audience but maybe one day you will enjoy it. 

 

[The Sibling she/her]

On 7/22/2023 at 9:10 PM, Aeoliae said:

Cool! Nice! Writing can be a little scary with a public audience but maybe one day you will enjoy it. 

Thanks! I don't have a ton of time to write but I wrote part of the next chapter. Should I keep posting the chapters or just edit the first post?

(Stormlight Spoilers

Spoiler

Chapter One - The City of Bells

Tai awoke slowly. He was lying on the wooden floor of a ship which rocked gently in the waves. He groaned. Where was he? Had he gotten drunk? Was that why he couldn’t remember a thing? Well, he could remember some things. He had an extensive knowledge about the history of Roshar, spanning the Desolations, Aharietam, and the rise and fall of the Hierocracy. He seemed to know quite a bit about the composition of chouta and other Herdazien delicacies. Well that made sense, considering that he was Herdazien.

Wait, what? Tai glanced down at his fingernails, bluish gray and hard as rocks. Huh. And he was tall, with strawberry blond hair cut short. He ran his hand overr his face, feeling his sharp jawline and faint stubble. He could remember 8 different ways to cook flatbread, but he couldn’t remember a single fact about himself other than his name. How peculiar. Tai breathed in slowly, taking in the scents of the sea as he stood. Evidently, he was no sailor, for it took only a moment before he collapsed against the wall of the cabin, tossed aside by the rocking ship. 

“Ow.” Tai mumbled. 

He spun as he heard a groan behind him. He saw nothing but shadow, the room lit by a sphere which had nearly gone dun. The shadows seemed to move slightly in one corner of the room, but Tai forcefully convinced himself that it was just a trick of the light. He stepped out of the door deliberately, stumbling and crashing into a young man with unkempt hair and long, Thaylen eyebrows.

---

Yalb loved being captain. He loved the smell of the sea, the sound of the water slapping against the ship. His ship. Yalb knew that once, the ship had had a different name. First Dreams. But now it was his ship. And his ship was called the Radiant’s Blush. His captain's cord with colors of red and black was wound around the rigging, and a conical hat marked him as a merchant. He was proud of how much he’d grown since he’d been assigned to this storm cursed ghost ship. Times had been hard there, for a moment. But everyone said that the Nightwatcher could change a man, and Yalb was inclined to agree with them. 

Yalb wandered the ship in quiet contemplation, ignoring the shouting and the laughing that came from his rowdy crew. He had instructed his first mate to take charge today, for Yalb had a different task. A strange task, and one that worried him greatly. But the sun was shining and the wind was favorable. On a day like this, what could go wrong?

Yalb hummed soflty to himself as he wandered below decks. He fidgeted quietly with one of his eyebrows, spinning it between his fingers. A nervous habit he had picked up in the weeks after his discovery of First Dreams. The most agonizingly stressful weeks of his life. Yalb hopped down the last step and steeled himself before opening the door. His hand had hardly had time to wrap itself around the dorrknob when the door swung open and a lighteyed man with strawberry blond hair stumbled into his arms.

“Storms, Brightlord!” Yalb cursed in Thaylen.

The man took a step back and cocked his head in confusion. He looked half starved, dressed in ragged clothing. He blinked. 

“Gthlebn Thaylen?” Yalb asked, trying to gentle his voice.

The man stepped back, leaning against the wall for support. “What are you saying? Are you Thaylen?” He asked in Alethi.

Yalb steeled himself. As little as he knew about the strange situation that had befallen them, he had to assume that this was going to be a very awkward conversation.

“Yalb.” He said in thickly accented Alethi, bowing his head respectfully. “At your service, Brightlord” 

The man nodded slowly. “Tai.” He pushed past Yalb, making his way abovedeck. 

Yalb groaned and hurried after him. “Brightlord, wait!” Yalb cursed under his breath in Thaylen. 

Tai stopped midway up the stairs, turning back towards Yalb.

 “Who in Damnation are you?” He muttered. “And where am I?” And with that he stormed up the stairs. 

Ugh I can't make the text un-bold. Also I kind of forgot what happened to Yalb so maybe this makes no sense but whatever. I'll fix it if I have to. 

[Aeoryi she/her]

1 minute ago, The Sibling said:

Thanks! I don't have a ton of time to write but I wrote part of the next chapter. Should I keep posting the chapters or just edit the first post?

(Stormlight Spoilers

  Reveal hidden contents

Chapter One - The City of Bells

Tai awoke slowly. He was lying on the wooden floor of a ship which rocked gently in the waves. He groaned. Where was he? Had he gotten drunk? Was that why he couldn’t remember a thing? Well, he could remember some things. He had an extensive knowledge about the history of Roshar, spanning the Desolations, Aharietam, and the rise and fall of the Hierocracy. He seemed to know quite a bit about the composition of chouta and other Herdazien delicacies. Well that made sense, considering that he was Herdazien.

Wait, what? Tai glanced down at his fingernails, bluish gray and hard as rocks. Huh. And he was tall, with strawberry blond hair cut short. He ran his hand overr his face, feeling his sharp jawline and faint stubble. He could remember 8 different ways to cook flatbread, but he couldn’t remember a single fact about himself other than his name. How peculiar. Tai breathed in slowly, taking in the scents of the sea as he stood. Evidently, he was no sailor, for it took only a moment before he collapsed against the wall of the cabin, tossed aside by the rocking ship. 

“Ow.” Tai mumbled. 

He spun as he heard a groan behind him. He saw nothing but shadow, the room lit by a sphere which had nearly gone dun. The shadows seemed to move slightly in one corner of the room, but Tai forcefully convinced himself that it was just a trick of the light. He stepped out of the door deliberately, stumbling and crashing into a young man with unkempt hair and long, Thaylen eyebrows.

---

Yalb loved being captain. He loved the smell of the sea, the sound of the water slapping against the ship. His ship. Yalb knew that once, the ship had had a different name. First Dreams. But now it was his ship. And his ship was called the Radiant’s Blush. His captain's cord with colors of red and black was wound around the rigging, and a conical hat marked him as a merchant. He was proud of how much he’d grown since he’d been assigned to this storm cursed ghost ship. Times had been hard there, for a moment. But everyone said that the Nightwatcher could change a man, and Yalb was inclined to agree with them. 

Yalb wandered the ship in quiet contemplation, ignoring the shouting and the laughing that came from his rowdy crew. He had instructed his first mate to take charge today, for Yalb had a different task. A strange task, and one that worried him greatly. But the sun was shining and the wind was favorable. On a day like this, what could go wrong?

Yalb hummed soflty to himself as he wandered below decks. He fidgeted quietly with one of his eyebrows, spinning it between his fingers. A nervous habit he had picked up in the weeks after his discovery of First Dreams. The most agonizingly stressful weeks of his life. Yalb hopped down the last step and steeled himself before opening the door. His hand had hardly had time to wrap itself around the dorrknob when the door swung open and a lighteyed man with strawberry blond hair stumbled into his arms.

“Storms, Brightlord!” Yalb cursed in Thaylen.

The man took a step back and cocked his head in confusion. He looked half starved, dressed in ragged clothing. He blinked. 

“Gthlebn Thaylen?” Yalb asked, trying to gentle his voice.

The man stepped back, leaning against the wall for support. “What are you saying? Are you Thaylen?” He asked in Alethi.

Yalb steeled himself. As little as he knew about the strange situation that had befallen them, he had to assume that this was going to be a very awkward conversation.

“Yalb.” He said in thickly accented Alethi, bowing his head respectfully. “At your service, Brightlord” 

The man nodded slowly. “Tai.” He pushed past Yalb, making his way abovedeck. 

Yalb groaned and hurried after him. “Brightlord, wait!” Yalb cursed under his breath in Thaylen. 

Tai stopped midway up the stairs, turning back towards Yalb.

 “Who in Damnation are you?” He muttered. “And where am I?” And with that he stormed up the stairs. 

Ugh I can't make the text un-bold. Also I kind of forgot what happened to Yalb so maybe this makes no sense but whatever. I'll fix it if I have to. 

This is really good! 

I think you can post multiple times. The context of it makes it justified.

Posting each chapter separately allows readers to know when the next chapter is.

[The Sibling she/her]

3 minutes ago, Aeoliae said:

Posting each chapter separately allows readers to know when the next chapter is.

Yeah that makes sense. 

4 minutes ago, Aeoliae said:

This is really good! 

Thanks! I didn't really mean for Yalb to be a main character but I actually kind of like him and I thought of a whole complex backstory that I don't want to waste.

[The Sibling she/her]

Well here's the finished chapter! I'll add it to the OP as well.

Spoiler

Chapter One - The City of Bells

Tai awoke slowly. He was lying on the wooden floor of a ship which rocked gently in the waves. He groaned. Where was he? Had he gotten drunk? Was that why he couldn’t remember a thing? Well, he could remember some things. He had an extensive knowledge about the history of Roshar, spanning the Desolations, Aharietam, and the rise and fall of the Hierocracy. He seemed to know quite a bit about the composition of chouta and other Herdazien delicacies. Well that made sense, considering that he was Herdazien.

Wait, what? Tai glanced down at his fingernails, bluish gray and hard as rocks. Huh. And he was tall, with strawberry blond hair cut short. He ran his hand overr his face, feeling his sharp jawline and faint stubble. He could remember 8 different ways to cook flatbread, but he couldn’t remember a single fact about himself other than his name. How peculiar. Tai breathed in slowly, taking in the scents of the sea as he stood. Evidently, he was no sailor, for it took only a moment before he collapsed against the wall of the cabin, tossed aside by the rocking ship. 

“Ow.” Tai mumbled. 

He spun as he heard a groan behind him. He saw nothing but shadow, the room lit by a sphere which had nearly gone dun. The shadows seemed to move slightly in one corner of the room, but Tai forcefully convinced himself that it was just a trick of the light. He stepped out of the door deliberately, stumbling and crashing into a young man with unkempt hair and long, Thaylen eyebrows.

---

Yalb loved being captain. He loved the smell of the sea, the sound of the water slapping against the ship. His ship. Yalb knew that once, the ship had had a different name. First Dreams. But now it was his ship. And his ship was called the Radiant’s Blush. His captain's cord with colors of red and black was wound around the rigging, and a conical hat marked him as a merchant. He was proud of how much he’d grown since he’d been assigned to this storm cursed ghost ship. Times had been hard there, for a moment. But everyone said that the Nightwatcher could change a man, and Yalb was inclined to agree with them. 

Yalb wandered the ship in quiet contemplation, ignoring the shouting and the laughing that came from his rowdy crew. He had instructed his first mate to take charge today, for Yalb had a different task. A strange task, and one that worried him greatly. But the sun was shining and the wind was favorable. On a day like this, what could go wrong?

Yalb hummed soflty to himself as he wandered below decks. He fidgeted quietly with one of his eyebrows, spinning it between his fingers. A nervous habit he had picked up in the weeks after his discovery of First Dreams. The most agonizingly stressful weeks of his life. Yalb hopped down the last step and steeled himself before opening the door. His hand had hardly had time to wrap itself around the dorrknob when the door swung open and a lighteyed man with strawberry blond hair stumbled into his arms.

“Storms, Brightlord!” Yalb cursed in Thaylen.

The man took a step back and cocked his head in confusion. He looked half starved, dressed in ragged clothing. He blinked. 

“Gthlebn Thaylen?” Yalb asked, trying to gentle his voice.

The man stepped back, leaning against the wall for support. “What are you saying? Are you Thaylen?” He asked in Alethi.

Yalb steeled himself. As little as he knew about the strange situation that had befallen them, he had to assume that this was going to be a very awkward conversation.

“Yalb.” He said in thickly accented Alethi, bowing his head respectfully. “At your service, Brightlord” 

The man nodded slowly. “Tai.” He pushed past Yalb, making his way abovedeck. 

Yalb groaned and hurried after him. “Brightlord, wait!” Yalb cursed under his breath in Thaylen. 

Tai stopped midway up the stairs, turning back towards Yalb.

 “Who in Damnation are you?” He muttered. “And where am I?” And with that he stormed up the stairs. 

---

When Radiant’s Blush arrived in Kharbranth, it carried a solemn traveler who had discovered a few things about his past. Yalb had explained as much as he could to Tai, but there were still huge holes in his knowledge. He knew he had gone to the Nightwatcher, for that was clear. What he had asked for and what he had received were still mysteries. He had remained catatonic in the valley until Yalb had arrived, and received his boon in exchange for delivering Tai to Kharbranth. Which confused him. Because he was clearly Herdazien, although he spoke Alethi and Kharbranthian. Maybe he had moved to Kharbranth. 

There were other things that Yalb had explained too. About well Radiants. And Voidbringers. Fused, Regals, squires and spren. Tai knew a bit about world events, but he knew nothing about any of this. It was like his history lessons had come to life in front of his eyes. Well, not really. He hadn’t seen any of these so-called Voidbringers yet, and besides, Kharbranth was supposed to be neutral. Apparently some issue with Taravangian betraying Dalinar? Who was the king of some tower in the mountains? None of this made any sense to Tai, but Yalb had acted trustworthy so far.

“So, Herdie!” Said Yalb, jovially slapping Tai on the shoulder. “This is where we part ways. Good luck in the city!”

And Yalb began to lead Tai towards the docks. “Wait!” Tai protested. “You can’t just leave me here! What am I supposed to do! I’ve no spheres, no contacts, I don't even know my last name!”

Yalb shrugged. “Well, pardon Brightlord, but that’s not really my responsibility. The Nightwatcher gave me a task, and I accomplished it. What more do you want from me?”

“Storms, man!” Tai cursed. “Maybe at least a little compassion? I don’t even know who I am!”

Yalb blushd. He hadn’t meant to cause a scene. The dockworkers were looking at them, and as a newly made captain Yalb had an image to uphold. “Fine!” He murmured, cursing in Thaylen. “Let's go. I’ll take you to a bakery run by an old friend of mine. He moved from Thaylenah after the storm smashed his home. I’m sure you can stay there for a day of two, to get your things in order.”

Tai let out a relieved sigh and followed Yalb down the docks. Yalb shouted instructions in Thaylen back to his first mate as they made their way into the city. Tai gasped as a skyeel flew over his head. He knew what Kharbranth looked like, but -of course- he had no memory of ever visiting there. The bells, the music, the smell of bread, it overwhelmed him. Tai grinned, stumbling forwards as wind twirled around him. The city was emptier than he thought it should have been. It made sense, considering the war. The Blackthorn’s blockade made it hard for ships to get through, and besides, the hospitals in Kharbranth were open to both sides. Which meant parshmen. Or Parshendi. Voidbringers. Whatever they were called. 

“Come on!” Said Yalb, leading Tai further into the city. 

They turned into a wide street with stone buildings decorated with bright colored sheets. There were signs written in Thaylen and a comfortable sense of business to the entire place. Yalb smiled as he walked, waving and nodding exageratedly to the people he passed. Tai hurried to keep up, as Yalb seemed more enrgized. Tai saw other people in similar vests, and a few with the same conical hats as Yalb wore. Finally, after thay had neared the end of the road, Yalb turned into a small building with a large window left of a small warped wooden door. 

Tai stepped in behind Yalb and was immediately struck by the welcoming air of the place. The smell of pastries and bread baking filled his nose as he glanced around. The store was bustling with people sitting at small tables on three legged stools. At the back of the room was a counter covered in sweets dusted with sugar. And behind that counter was a jovial, potbelled man who looked to be in his sixties. He smiled at Yalb and spoke some words in Thaylen, extricating himself from a conversation with a client. His apron was covered in flour as he marched through the room and shook hands with Yalb. They walked together into a side room, engaged in casual conversation. 

Tai followed, feeling awkward as he shadowed the pair. In the side room, which was filled with baking ingredients and drying herbs. Yalb spoke some final words in Thaylen, and the baker turned to Tai.

“Welcome!” Said the baker. “I am… sorry for your troubles” He spoke with a thick Thaylen accent, carefully and slowly enunciating each word. 

“This is Jthelbt” Yalb announced. “He would be happy to take you in for a few weeks while you settle in Kharbranth.”

Jthelbt nodded happily. “It is unfortunate that you were displaced by the war.”

Tai cocked his head, and Yalb elbowed him. “Right. Thank you. I won’t be here for long, I hope. Just long enough to hopefully find some family in the city.”

Jthelbt led Tai to a small apartment above the bakery. Tai slumped on the couch feeling exhausted, even after only an hour or so of being awake. He felt groggy, like he was moving through a fog.

“I must go to cook.” Said Jthelbt. “You may stay here, sit, rest. You can explore the neighborhood?” He seemed unsure of what to say. 

Finally, Jthelbt just shrugged and walked downstairs, leaving Tai sitting in the dim room. He glanced out of a window to see Yalb wandering away down the street, chatting to a merchant as he walked.

 

Edited July 25, 2023 by The Sibling

[The Sibling she/her]

Second chapter is up!

Spoiler

Chapter Two - Three Diamonds

 

Tai leaned awkwardly against a short, squat building. He glanced backwards down the long and winding road of the Thaylen district. It felt strange, to be wandering so aimlessly through the city, but he was quickly realizing the problem in which he found himself. He had nowhere to go. He knew no one. And he had no money except for a few dun spheres in his pocket. He kept searching for something that migt spark his memory, but he found nothing and eventually gave up, instead stepping into a dull bar off an alleyway. Out of the corner of his eye he saw once again something strange in the shadows. A form, like a person but inky black. It faded as he turned, but he continued to see it out of the corner of his eye. Tai groaned as he slumped into a shadowed booth at the bar. It was lit by a few spheres, but it was plenty dark to give him the privacy he desired.

 

Eventually, Tai found himself a drink. He spent his last spheres on some strong clear liquor with a name he couldn’t pronounce, and retreated to his booth to down the entire bottle. His head grew heavy and his vision blurred. He found himself leaning towards the table, and he sucked in a sharp breath right before his head smacked into the wood. And a sudden burst of alertness filled him. He felt energy coursing through his veins as he sat up and slowly looked around. His throat no longer burned, his head no longer ached. And the light from the lantern beside him had gone out.

“What on Roshar?” He mumbled, light leaking from his mouth.

 

The feeling faded. But it left a lasting impression. Tai had been gone for too long, and in his absence, legends had come to life. Things like Voidbringers. Thunderclasts. And Radiants. People who could draw Stormligh. Who could feed upon. Could he feed upon it? He tried again, breathing in slowly and deliberately, but nothing happened. Were the other lanterns too far away? Or had it just been a drunken illusion. His mind seemed to reject the idea of him being a Radiant. It seemed wrong in more ways than he could count. He slumped in his chair with a sigh, and felt himself weeping softly. For memories he didn’t have, faces he couldn't quite grasp, names right on the tip of his tongue. 

 

It was at that moment that a rough and calloused hand grabebd his shoulder and pulled him out of the booth. Tai cursed and attempted to free his arm, but a second hand snatched his wrist and tugged him through the bar. The barkeep hardly reacted, other than to step away. He was a tall, burly Horneater with a thick curly beard and a strange tattoo on his arm. Three diamonds. 

“Oh crem.” Muttered Tai. “Vev’s golden keys! I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead.” 

 

He wasn’t sure why the symbol had elicited such strong emotions, but he felt his stomach flip. “Shut it!” His assailant snapped, in Alethi. Tai continued to struggle as he was pulled to a starcase and shoved down. He stumbled to the basement, cursing in every language he knew, and by the bottom he felt himself bruised and bleeding in several places. The woman who had attacked him stared from the top of the staircase.

“Storms.” She murmured. ‘You really are useless. Here!” She tossed a bag of spheres at him. 

 

Tai reddened as he reached to snatch the bag out of the air, Spilling it open as the woman stepped down beside him. “Do it again.” She said harshly.

“I’m sorry?” Tai asked, scrambling to his feet and brushing off the dusk that covered his clothes. 

“Do it again!” she sounded angry. “Take in the Stormlight!”

 

Tai tried. He really did. He tried to breathe it in and drink it in and absorb it in and just about everything else he could think of. And nothing worked. The woman drew her sword. Wait, a sword? She was darkeyed. This fact distracted Tai as she slapped his arm with the flat side. 

“Ow!” he complained, stepping backwards and slipping on one of the spheres. His head hit the ground first, and it hit hard. 

 

The woman was on top of him in a moment, slicing his arms and his face with the sword.

“Ahhh!” Tai screamed, pushing her off of him and breathing deeply. Air went in, and so did light. The cuts healed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. So did the woman.

“Good.” She announced. “Another one.” 

 

She jogged quickly up the stairs, and he tried to follow, but she shoved him casually back down and shut the door. “Don’t go anywhere.” She commanded from the top, and Tai heard the sound of a lock clicking, and her feet tapping against the floor. He slumped onto the ground, angry and tired but mostly just confused. What in Damnation was happening?!

 

---

 

Foraltin sat on the floor of a large room, holding papers spread out all around them. They were sitting awkwardly, with their legs folded beneath their body, quietly inspecting their book. It was a terrible book. Some ridiculous romance intrigue that Foraltin never would have decided to read on their own. But Ellista had suggested it, weeks ago over spanreed, and Foraltin would never turn down Ellista. They smiled at the thought of her, and went back to the book with renewed vigor, determined to understand it well enough that they could discuss it. 

 

They sat on the floor because that was where they had left the book, and by the time they had crouched down to get it, it seemed like far too much effort to get back up and walk all the way to the chair. Their chambers were too large, at least in their opinion. There were three rooms and a bathroom, with towering ceilings everywhere and not a single window in the place. Lavish tapestries and warm carpets covered every surface, but it was hardly as inviting as their sunlit home on the Reshi Isles, with stew always bubbling and a fire always burning in the hearth. 

 

Foraltin glanced at the clock fabrial on their arm, and slowly climbed to their feet. As always, their knees made a cracking sound and ached terribly, but Foraltin was used to it. So much so that the Edgedancers and Truthwatchers hadn’t been able to do anything about the chronic pain. Well, Foraltin could survive it. They had to. On their morning stroll, they were struck by how cold it was. The tower had been chilly before, but now with the Singer invasion in full swing, the floors were ice and the halls bitter winter. 

 

Foraltin went about the motions, like everyday. They fetched some water, washed their clothes, bathed, and returned to their rooms. They locked the door quietly and moved to their bedroom, pulling a long, thin box from under the bed. The box opened with a creak, and inside Foraltin saw four spanreeds. Spanreeds that worked in the tower. Mraize had delivered them, only days before, and they were connected, rather spectacularly, to Kharbranth. Their origin intrigued Foraltin, but there was no point getting into it, not now. Foraltin had one job, and that was to organize the recruitment of Radiants. A fairly unimportant piece of the Ghostbloods, but their search for workers would never be satisfied. 

 

There was minimal news that morning. A new subject was found, along with a list of possible radiants. A Thaylen scholar had published an essay, a man from Yeddaw had discovered something new about the nature of spren bonds. There was always something new, but the great discoveries, the ones that would change the world, Foraltin hoped to discover themself.