Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archive, #5)

by Brandon Sanderson

“Sometimes there is no path forward,” Dalinar said, “so you have to break one open.” Like you did with Elhokar? Pounding him into submission? You never knew he was seeing Cryptics because instead of asking why he was afraid, you burst in and attacked him! “I showed him I wasn’t a threat!” Dalinar said. By beating him near senseless, the Stormfather said. I should never have picked you, Dalinar. You are born of war, and trail blood like a shadow. The sole thing you know how to do is break. If you are told no, you just punch harder—because life has taught you that’s how to get what you want. But sometimes, deny it though you may, the world doesn’t need what you want. Dalinar let his fingers trail from the line of light. There was … there was too much truth in the Stormfather’s words. “What are you?” Dalinar asked, narrowing his eyes at the shimmer. “What are you really?” What I’ve always been, the Stormfather said. Perhaps if you hadn’t treated me like you did Elhokar and every other person in your life, we’d have made it further, Dalinar. I suppose the fault is mine. I knew what you were. This is the end. You will die in this realm—a worse death than your brother, and a worse one than you deserve. Goodbye.