thegatorgirl00 she/her Posted February 26, 2019 Posted February 26, 2019 During my OB reread, this scene struck me as incredibly charged, to the point where my reaction reading it was "Are they about to kiss?" Quote Dalinar gritted his teeth and charged Kadash again. The ardent caught his sword, then grabbed his takama with his free hand, pulling him close, face to face. “The Almighty is not dead,” Kadash hissed. “Once, you’d have counseled me. Now you glare at me. What happened to the ardent I knew? A man who had lived a real life, not just watched the world from high towers and monasteries?” “He’s frightened,” Kadash said softly. “That he’s somehow failed in his most solemn duty to a man he deeply admires.” They met eyes, their swords still locked, but neither one actually trying to push the other. For a moment, Dalinar saw in Kadash the man he’d always been. The gentle, understanding model of everything good about the Vorin church. “Give me something to take back to the curates of the church,” Kadash pled. “Recant your insistence that the Almighty is dead. If you do that, I can make them accept the marriage. Kings have done worse and retained Vorin support.” Dalinar set his jaw, then shook his head. “Dalinar . . .” Reading over Kadash's scenes, I think you can make an argument that he has romantic feelings for Dalinar. Kadash doesn't have many lines from when he was a member of Dalinar's elites, but the ones he does have show him to have been very admiring and in awe of Dalinar. Quote “Thank you for the report. Now get out of here and post some storming guards at the front so I can rest. Don’t let anyone in, not even the Nightwatcher herself.” “Yes, sir.” Kadash crossed the tent to the flaps. “Um . . . sir, you were incredible out there. Like a tempest.” Kadash's words, to me, could indicate someone who has a bit of a crush on their commander. Kadash, despite knowing what Dalinar did to Evi and the people of Rathalas, chose to remain with Dalinar and always speaks highly of him. The two men actually grew closer together since the events at the Rift. Later, Dalinar's words actually begin to cause Kadash to question his faith, despite Vorinism and the Ardentia being the only things that gives him peace with what he's done. Kadash, a deeply religious man, questions his faith because of Dalinar's beliefs. Now, obviously it's possible to read these interactions as two close friends. And from Dalinar's side of things, that's certainly all there is. But I think there could potentially be more on Kadash's side. 7
HSuperLee Posted February 26, 2019 Posted February 26, 2019 I think you're underestimating the bond between people who have survived a war together, as well as the distress someone feels when they see a friend questioning their religious faith. 5
+Invocation Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Nah, that's just what happens when you fight a long war side-by-side with immense trust on both parties' behalf. Plus, I have no doubt that Kadash used to admire Dalinar supremely because of the Alethi fixation on warfare and that Blackthorn-Dalinar was practically a god on the battlefield at that time. When you place that much trust in someone with the battle-brother situation happening, while also confronted with a literal apocalypse that your religion said would never happen again, you're going to question anything the other person tells you to question, especially when it feels right. 2
Greywatch she/her Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 I love the idea! Hell, I'll ship it. Nice introduction to the Kadash/Dalinar, I'd never thought of it before!
Calderis he/him Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Considering we've been told outright that Vorinism doesn't have the attached stigma to homosexual relationships that our society is finally starting to overcome, I could absolutely see it. It would explain a bit. The events of the Rift drove Kadash to join the Ardentia. And yet, he stayed with Dalinar. The very man responsible for his need to flee combat and enter a role of service and faith, is also the man he chose to stay with. I buy it. 4
Sherlock Holmes he/him Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 I may be biased toward gay ships, but I’d definitely ship that. Kadashinar? 1
CrazyRioter she/her Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 I can see where you got your interpretation. I don't share it, but I can see where you're coming from.
Karger he/him Posted March 27, 2019 Posted March 27, 2019 I can't help but wonder if they ever actually had some kind of relationship in the past? Perhaps book 4 will give us a steamy flashback scene that answers this question. I would not put it past either of them even though Brandon does not write steamy scenes as a rule.
Zelly Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 I see it more as Hero worship, personally. Although there's definitely some overlapping, blurry lined, gray zones where different types of love are concerned.
+Invocation Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 12 minutes ago, Zelly said: I see it more as Hero worship, personally. Although there's definitely some overlapping, blurry lined, gray zones where different types of love are concerned. I agree with this. A little bit of hero worship from the man who could conquer nations on the battlefield and a little bit of battle-brother stuff happening, which would tend to make things a little gray.
Karger he/him Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 I see more of an old friendship or at least relationship. They have known each other for forever and so they understand each other quite deeply.
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