Chapter 43
Chapter 47
Overview
Adolin arrives at Azimir to defend the city against an impending Fused attack. He meets with Emperor Yanagawn and Commandant Kushkam to discuss defensive strategies, navigates Azish court politics, and prepares his volunteer force of over two thousand soldiers for the coming battle.
Summary
Adolin disembarks at Azimir where Emperor Yanagawn greets him warmly. Commandant Kushkam outlines defensive plans involving water, bronze Soulcasting, and fire in the Oathgate control building. Adolin objects, advocating instead for debris barriers and archer support, correctly reasoning that singers resist heat better than humans. Though Kushkam takes offense at being contradicted publicly in front of the emperor, Adolin diplomatically defers to the commandant's authority, earning respect from Yanagawn. Adolin discovers the young emperor has never learned the strategic game of towers and offers to teach him after the war. Adolin reconnects with Colot and notes his friend's lingering pain over being rejected by the Windrunners. May Aladar arrives as one of Adolin's scribes, creating awkward tension given their failed romantic entanglement. Highprince Aladar appears to brief Adolin on the volunteer force: three hundred Cobalt Guardsmen and seventeen hundred additional volunteers from Urithiru, all tested for competence. Aladar expresses pride in what the Kholin family has built and urges Adolin to help their Azish allies. The Oathgate will close after this transfer, trapping Adolin's force inside the dome. Adolin prepares for battle, knowing the attack will come within the hour.
Characters
- Adolin KholinVolunteer commander leading Alethi forces to defend Azimir; strategizes defenses with Azish leadership and prepares his troops for imminent attack
- Emperor YanagawnYoung Azish emperor who seeks Adolin's military counsel and accepts his offer to learn the game of towers after the war
- Commandant KushkamHead of Azish Imperial Guard who initially objects to Adolin's defensive suggestions but eventually considers his perspective on tactics
- NouraHead vizier who translates and conveys the emperor's wishes, introduces Adolin to Azish customs and language nuances
- ColotAdolin's second-in-command who confides his pain over being rejected by the Windrunners despite nearly achieving the rank
- May AladarSkilled archer and scribe sent by her father to assist Adolin; leads a group of eight female scribes and maintains professional but cool demeanor toward Adolin
- Highprince AladarSends three hundred Cobalt Guardsmen and seventeen hundred volunteers to support Adolin; expresses pride in what the Kholin family has built and encourages Adolin to help the Azish
- MayaSpren bonded to Adolin who communicates with him internally, commenting on his interactions and past romantic history
- ShallanMentioned as being elsewhere handling matters related to the fate of reality; absent from this scene