Chapter Text
Kaladin shifted uncomfortably in his position at the corner of the room. The meeting was stretching longer than he had expected, and he was rather tired. The least few days had been difficult, and both his men and him were stretched thin. He’d gotten very little hours of sleep, pulling shift after shift, and he knew his men were likely in a similar state. Even when he wasn’t working, he had nightmares that woke him every time he managed to doze off. However, where he had stormlight to pull him along, his men didn’t. He’d have to ask Dalinar about more men to use.
“We need to follow the codes,” Dalinar argued.
“Fine, but it’s dangerous. Angry royals make reckless decisions,” Navani responded.
“So we’ll need to heighten security. The highprinces won’t be happy, but it’s time they learn.”
Kaladin suppressed a groan at that. His men were stretched thin enough. He would have to find a way to get more.
Finally, the meeting was adjourned. Kaladin motioned to Moash and Hobber, and they followed Dalinar out, escorting him to his rooms. A highstorm was predicted tonight, so Navani joined with her scribes. Kaladin stationed himself outside of the room. Tonight would be a long night. He sucked in a small amount of stormlight to weather his fatigue.
“Moash, Hobber. Go back to the barracks and send me another man, preferably one who’s slept.” Kaladin said.
“Kal, you should get some rest too.” Moash said, not moving from his spot. “How many shifts have you taken?”
“Not anymore than the rest of us. Go back to the barracks. I’ll be back after this shift,” he lied. He wouldn't, but hopefully, they would be asleep by then. They didn't have to know.
“Swear an oath.”
“I- Moash, I can’t.”
“Kaladin.”
“Moash. We’re stretched thin.”
“Then let us stay.”
“But I-” Kaladin dropped his voice to a whisper. “I have stormlight. I have an advantage.”
“Still. Kaladin. You have to rest.”
“Moash, go back.”
Moash sighed. “I’ll drop it. But you have to rest, Kal. You’re human too.”
“We’ll see, Moash.” Kaladin said. Moash looked indignant, but he walked away with Hobber. Kaladin leaned back against the wall, pinching his nose. A headache was starting to form, but that was expected. He would have to find the men for the heightened security.
“He’s right, you know,” Syl said, hovering in front of him. “You’re not invincible.”
“I know, Syl. But I have an advantage. I promise I’ll rest when I can.”
“Kaladin, you also say that and you never do.”
“I’m fine, Syl,” Kaladin said, standing up fully. He didn’t have the luxury to rest right now. Perhaps when he had more men. He would just have to push through.
“Gancho! You look exhausted. Surprised there aren’t exhaustionspren swarming around you,” Lopen said, walking towards him and taking a position on the other side of the door. “When was it you last slept?”
“Lopen, I do not have the energy to talk about this right now. Please. Let’s just guard and get this over with.”
“Alright, gancho. Just proving my point, but alright,” Lopen said, settling into place.
Kaladin cleared his throat and fixed his eyes ahead. Eventually, Navani exited the room, taking her scribes and guards with her. Dalinar joined, escorting her back to her room. Kaladin and Lopen followed. Kaladin breathed in stormlight, clearing his vision. He was starting to feel weak, his body finally feeling the effects of his lack of sleep. But the stormlight would help him pull through, at least for long enough. After they got back to Dalinar’s rooms, Kaladin paused him.
“Sir, I heard of the heightened security. I would like to request more men. My men are already stretched thin.”
Dalinar nodded.
“I’ll look for them, Captain. We don’t have many men to spare. Try training more of the bridgeboys.”
Kaladin nodded, clearing his throat again as Dalinar entered the room. More than his head hurt at this point. He leaned against the wall, sighing. He was out of stormlight at this point, but the highstorm would refill his spheres soon. In the meantime, he could perhaps take a moment to rest. Even if he fell asleep, Syl would likely wake him. Speaking of, where was Syl? Exploring? Whatever. He would just take a moment. Only a … moment…