Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archive, #5)

by Brandon Sanderson

This long covered walkway led to a built-up location beside the palace. Kholinar’s Oathgate. “Navani?” Elhokar’s voice called after her. “Mother? Mother, help me!” Her blood turned cold as she heard Odium shifting his tone to mimic Elhokar’s. Pleading for help amid the screaming and fighting soldiers. Life before death. Gav was alive. Behind her was only death. She reached the Oathgate. Below, she knew the city was flooding with singers. This city was lost long ago. This is a vision. “Activate it,” she hissed at the simulacrum of Kaladin beside her. He hadn’t frozen in battle this time, as he’d followed her instead of staying to fight. “But…” “Do it!” she snapped. “Mother?” Elhokar’s voice. “Elhokar’s coming,” Kaladin said. “Navani, he’s limping across the Sunwalk. He’s wounded!” “Activate the Oathgate,” she said. “But…” “You aren’t real,” she whispered to Kaladin, refusing to turn toward Elhokar. “He isn’t real. But we are. Please. Help us. If there is anything of the real Stormblessed inside of you, summon it. Please.” The simulacrum looked to her, and something did seem to steel inside him. He ran for the Oathgate’s control building.