Aleksiel

It's interesting to note the name she chose when joining the Ardentia, resembels Pailiah's. Hers and Ishi's icons are in the beginning of the chapter. If she wasn't executed , I'd have speculated we might have seen one of the Heralds.

They are all bodyguards, hence protecting. They've protected each other in the bridgecrews, they protected Dalinar and his army at the Tower. All who have shown signs of squireship have been protecting for some time under Kaladin's lead. Even Lopen, he's been protecting his friends in a more subtle way, later on was involved in Elhokar's protection as well.

Oh, he tries. But it's either not hard enough or not very effective. I remember Adolin thinking how he prefers to know a little many people, but not to get too close to anyone. However, I don't understand the reason behind it. There are, of course, people who are like that, because that's who they are in their youth, but Adolin's old enough to be able to appreciate a few closer friendships. But he doesn't have close friends, not even in the Kholin's army. We've seen him to out with groups of people or a girls he's courting, but the only guy Adolin's put some efforts to know and get closer is Kaladin. Why nobody else before? It's another thing about Adolin that doesn't stand out at first, but puzzles me when I think about it. Nothing in Adolin's inner dialogue made me think he's been hurt and shuts people away as a result. Overall, I can't say we've seen Adolin trying to build a lasting relationship of any sort pre-WoR.

It wasn't just the duel. Kaladin has been disrespectful for a long time. Speaking when it wasn't his place, leaving the room without paying respect to the king (Adolin noted that after Szeth's assassination attempt), being overall not caring for the court etiquette. I was surprised Dalinar tolerated him that long, let alone Elhokar. Kaladin did something brave and amazing in WoK, that doesn't excuse him of all sorts of behavior. He was really pushing it too far. Also, the king can't just ignore some lowly darkeyed, who just publicly insulted him, despite what Adolin claimed. Can you really imagine any ruler doing that? Because I can't. Dalinar almost dueled Sadeas when he insulted Renarin, and Sadeas and Dalinar are equals, plus the insult wasn't a public one. What Kaladin did was worse in terms of etiquette. It's true Elhokar could have allowed Adolin to continue and have Kaladin imprisoned, but ignoring him wasn't an option for me.

Another thing that probably is part of what ruins Adolin's relationships, is the idea of the right person, with whom everything will magically be right. When you are still young and inexperienced, it's easy to fall into the trap of having the unrealistic expectations that with the right person everything will automatically be perfect, and if there's some issue you have to work on, then the said person wasn't the right one. So, when something in Adolin's current relationship drags, he immediately starts looking (may be unconsciously) for another girl. Adolin seems to me as the kind of person who naively believes good relationships just happen. Take a look at his so called friends, he hasn't put much effort into building strong and lasting friendships either. Despite his public image, he keeps away from other people and doesn't let them really know him.

I think it could also be a Cryptic and another spren. Unlikely, but possible. I am very curious as to why Elhokar sees them/it. The only reason for seeing a Nahel-bonding spren so far has been either forming a bond or whatever Rock is. We can rule out the latter for Elhokar, so why a spren is bonding with him remains a mystery to me. Not that I don't sympathize with the guy. I wish he finally gets to be a better king, but he doesn't give me a proto-KR impression. He's not dependable, neither resolute, wise, creative, loving or any of the other primary attributes. While he wishes to express such fine qualities, he's a moody, undependable person, who changes his mind too often and too easily. I can't even call him brave or protecting. I got nothing. May be there's another yet unknown explanation to why he sees KR spren.

I'll be all lazy and quote myself Also, being a squire for Adolin will be like he went from the Golden boy to being the family's disappointment. Just take a look at the Kholins: Elhokar - the king Dalinar - renowned warlord and KR Jasnah - renowned scholar and KR Renarin - KR Navani - renowned engineer and former queen Adolin - Shardbearer Adolin turning into a squire won't be an improvement when compared to the rest of his family. Adolin being only a Shardbearer or a squire would feel out of place to me, like Adolin would suddenly become just a supporting character, not a leading one.

I don't think Bondsmiths have squires, because their Order focuses on uniting without discriminating and having a squire bond seems like an out of place favoritism. Also, making Adolin a squire would feel like a step back for his character development. It would make sense for Adolin to become an anti-hero for the sake of further exploring the theme of journey before destination. That being sad, I want to emphasize on anti-hero, not villain. It would be interesting to read, certainly not what I've expected of him after WoK. However, WoR gave Adolin a new edge I hope he'll explore.

If Adolin looking around and courting other girls were the only problems, then he wouldn't be wondering how to keep a girl and why it all falls apart.

Most reader will either be glad to get rid of Elhokar or feel nothing. Elhokar's death won't have an impact on the reader. Unlike Adolin's. So, I revise my statement - Adolin is the likeliest to die because of the affect his death will have on both major characters and readers.

Adolin's death will move all other major characters, that's why I think he'll likely die. It's not a Desolation if most characters get to live! Not that I want Brandon to go all GRRM or anything....

Or Kaladin could just add Adolin to his list of people he failed. There are too few women as it is, so Navani and Janah stay for now. Elhokar has the possibility of achieving a great character growth and so does Renarin. Adolin's death will have a big impact on everyone and certainly won't be boring. Dalinar could also die, just not too soon.

I thought he was a completely new character added later on. Was Meridas a merchant, because it seem so to me, Dalenar refers to him as such, but then why would he be on the battlefield and have a spear?

The Kholins: Elhokar - the king Dalinar - renowned warlord and KR Jasnah - renowned scholar and KR Renarin - KR Navani - renowned engineer and former queen Adolin - Shardbearer He suddenly sound like the family disappointment Joke aside, Adolin is more likely to die than Elhokar, because his death will effect all major characters - Dalinar, Shallan, Renarin, even Kaladin. And the readers will feel their loss as well. So far, I see Adolin as the first Kholin who will die.

Eredor might be Adolin, but Renarin was there: He was present and on the battlefield. Edit: correction Eredor can't be Adolin, Dalenar had only one son in the prime. Adolin was created later to voice Dalinar's concern towards his visions.

Renarin didn't have a blood sickness and was fighting? Was Meridas a merchant or a spearman? It felt like reading a completely different book.

I'm not attacking him, I'm trying to see him through the eyes of the average Brightlady he courted and why she would dismiss him so easily. That's why the post sounds harsh, girls weren't nice to him, so I wasn't in order to get the feeling right.

I think Danlan isn't particularly bright. If she wanted to get closer to some of Adolin's ex gfs, she'd be the one to end the relationship, complaining he never listens, but is always ogling other girls. With Adolin breaking up with her, she's basically the only girl he ever ditched. That doesn't work in her favor, just makes her look stupid. I don't completely understand why Adolin's relationship don't last, but we only got his view point. He does't really have much offer, despite what Shallan thinks. To an alethi lighteyed girl, he's not a very good catch. The Kholins are mocked (if silently) for following the Codes, Adolin isn't known for his great fighting skills - he has declined every duel offer and that makes him seem weak, not honorable. Also, the Kholins aren't winning any gemhearts and their reluctance to enter battle is frowned upon. What is more, Adolin is impure, which is the Alethi society is a big flaw. Sure, he has spheres, but so do Brightladies (except Shallan). He has position, but so do they (except Shallan). Yeah, the Kholins are close to the king, but Elhokar can be easily manipulated and has little control over what's going on anyway . So why bother put up with a not very bright half-blood, who follows some ridiculous old-fashioned rules, isn't doing anything for his Calling and on top of that shamelessly looks at and flirt with other girls?

Oh, don't you dare touch Elhokar! I wrote you one essay in his defense, don't make me post another Hm, dying Adolin speaking an Oath and stormlight healing bringing him back? Sounds cool, but may be a bit over dramatic? Like, you know, Kal's third Oath I have this feeling Adolin will probably die. But I thought someone (anyone) from WoK will die in WoR, so I could be wrong. Adolin's death will be painful for both readers and other characters, forcing them to manage without him. Ren seems relatively save in the long run. Things between Shallan and Adolin falling apart, that will break his heart! Poor boy. However, I don't know if he loves her. Sure, it's a crush, but love? May be Adolin will end up a relationship for once? Shallan's family is really dislikable if you ask me. Adolin's relationship with both Ren and Shallan will suffer to some degree, but I don't think he'll run away. Rather he'll do something very reckless, may be endangering his life and Ren will come to the rescue? Brandon has this fail-fail-win pattern with his characters and so far Renarin has unsuccessfully tried to save Adolin twice (right?), so there has to be a third successful time.

I don't see how this works. With the Parshendi it's easy - blame it on the Voidspren. But the Aimians? Did they one day just chose to not be Voidbringers anymore? Why didn't the remaining humans (and some Radiants) kill them to prevent them from fighting against humanity again?

Dalinar's Plate shone at one point in WoK and he had started bonding the Stormfather like Gavilar did. So, I think it's more of a bond-related matter. However, it's interesting to note this might mean Gavilar wasn't going against the Ideals, whereas Amaram's PoV suggested Gavilar wanted to bring a Desolation, which can't be the case if his bond was strong enough to make his Blade shine like a Radiant's.

WoR spoilers: edit: spelling, tagging spoilers Uh, also, sorry about the spoilers. Are we discussing post-WoR Adolin/Renarin dynamics or should I edit it with what I expected their relationship to be after WoK?

I thought Adolin was set for the Golden boy story line, but plot-twist. I also thought I knew what Kal would be doing (not that he didn't fulfill my expectations in the end, but in the middle of WoR I was very surprised by his choices). Eshonai, Ren, Rysn, Shallan - all of them went through things/made choices I didn't foresee. Overall, Brandon keeps surprising me. At this point Adolin's future seems more predictable to me - he will whine internally about his new position, feel uncomfortable, lost, even hurt, look for new ways to prove himself, his self-esteem will be pretty low for a while... Ren, now he could do anything. Will people go to him and will he accept or turn them away? Will he discover what broke the Radiants or Vargo's plans? Ren so far has been at the background of the story. All we know is he loves his brother and father unconditionally (so if things between Adoli and him fall apart for a while as I suspect, that'd be a huge stress and pain for Renarin), he also wants to prove himself worthy and be a warrior. At the moment, he's scholarly, which isn't masculine (will he refound the men of letters Nohadon spoke of? I'm so excited about this idea) and he has a blasphemous power.Will he explore it or shy away as far as possible? I'm also over-exited, because And I just can't wait to explore everything about them through Ren's eyes.

Oh, but I want Elhokar to become a better king than Gavilar! (Yeah, it's more likely for Deanerys to finally go to Westeros, but I don't care, me just wants ) He tries, he really does. He's just so... uh, preoccupied by his paranoia and desire to be like Gavilar, that he hasn't shown much of himself. I don't want him to be evil. He just tries too much to be liked by everyone (which leads him to occasionally snap and do impulsive stupid things, because he had suppressed so much for too long), he's crushed by Dalinar presence and everyone's expectations. He also seems too happy to be away from his wife, so there's something there, probably a forced marriage and may be more. His mother doesn't think well of him. His sister (warning: real huge spoiler, don't be tempted, just don't ) He has no friends. His uncle is a tyrant, who just has to have it his way. Elhokar doesn't have any wise adviser at his side, he doesn't trust his clerks much, so he probably hasn't asked any of them to read to him any books to improve himself. If, of course, any female scholars took interest in writing about good rulers, laws, government, etc. Elhokar is denied to wisdom of the past and has no present support, no good example, but his dead father. Remember how Jasnah told Shallan Vargo would have been praised in the old days for the peace he has provided his people, but in the age when war is valued, he's underestimated? Elhokar was able to keep the country, freshly founded, together. All those bloodthirsty, greedy, cunning, plotting, selfish and greedy highprinces stayed under his rule. He managed to survive for six years and keep Alethkar together. Dalinar has an army, spies, guards he assigned the king. But Elhokar doesn't have any of those things. His power is an illusion, a shadow on the wall. Yet he had managed to keep that illusion, demand some things (more and more as the books progress) from the highprinces and still be the only one they can agree to have on the throne. Sure, we see him moan and whine through Dalinar's eyes (and Kal being so judgmental, as if he's so much better in his whining, ugh), but don't let it blind you for what his accomplishments. He has potential and has achieved much. The guy with no real power manages to get his way in court. He has no army or way to make highprinces obey him, yet they don't go against him. Adolin is a very interesting character, I agree. But Ren's growth isn't that predictable. edit: spelling

It's ok. Shallan's denial moment get on my nerves (and some of her word-games). Not that I don't like her overall, but yeah, I get you. Brandon made WoR better than WoK (imo), so have no fear. It will be awesome. Also, you'll have the chance to really change your mind. Here I just pity him. And I also (dark confession incoming) like Elhokar just because he has so much potential for character growth. That's one of the reasons I like Ren, there are just so many possibilities infront of him, so many paths he could take.