CHAPTER ONE - Pick me up

Navani frantically searched through the boxes in her study. She was sure she had placed the fabrial back after showing it to the sibling this morning. Ever since she'd bonded with the spren inside the tower she went to the pillar each morning to talk to her. It was a way to strengthen their bond. Navani wanted to show that she was working on making fabrials without trapping a spren inside.

But she also wanted to find a way to help the search for peace. The last year had made her realize that the Parshendi were a kind and peaceful people at heart and if it hadn't been for their ability to change forms this war could have been prevented. She did recognize that it had led to important, life changing insight about the Parshendi and the way the humans treated them. It was a source of shame and regret but also a source of hope. That they could do better. Acknowledge them for who they were. Find a way to live together. To end the fighting they had to stop the endless flow of new warriors. She knew Dalinar strived to reach peace but Odium had a very different goal. An idea had begun to form in the back of her mind as she'd been working with Light and Sound. And now that the Tower was safe she had time to explore that idea further.

What if she somehow could stop the Parshendi from changing into warform? Without an endless stream of soldiers this war would surely end. She knew she had to be careful. They had killed too many Parshendi already and Navani didn't want to add one more. First she had to find a way to imitate the transformation before she could figure out how to stop or reverse it. It hadn't been easy but she had created a fabrial that, in theory, came close. It had taken her days to find the right rhythms to fuse the gemstones. She still had to figure out a way to test it without potentially putting someone in danger. But now the fabrial was gone.

She sighed in frustration. Maybe she'd left it at the pillar even though the guards said it was nowhere to be found. Navani decided to check for herself. She hurried out of her room, trying not to think of what could happen if it would fall into the wrong hands.

…...

Adolin was on his way to his father when he crossed the floor where the pillar rose from the ground. He liked this space. Now that the sibling was restored it felt like the heart of the Tower. He could feel its pulse and the Light emitting from the pillar was beautiful. It always filled him with hope. When he walked past the pillar he noticed something on the floor, reflecting the Livelight. Curious, he picked it up and studied it. It was some sort of small fabrial but he'd never seen one like it. It was highly likely one of Navani's experiments. He considered handing it over to one of the guards but maybe they would accidentally activate it. Navani had made some very effective and very deadly traps before. He tucked it deep in one of his pockets and decided to return it to her himself.

When he entered Dalinar's room he found Kaladin talking to his father. Stormblessed had always had the presence of a natural leader but now that he'd taken the Fourth Oath the man was even more intimidating. Not to Adolin though. He liked the windrunner. And deeply admired his strength and resolve. The man never gave up. And that Shard plate was so beautiful. Much more fashionable than the one he had.

Dalinar turned to Adolin. "Son, we've received reports about movements on the Plains. I don't need any additional surprises. I want you and Kaladin to take a couple of windrunners and find out who they are and what they want."

Adolin still wasn't used to flying but after being locked up in Shadesmar for so long he welcomed the idea. "Of course father."

Dalinar gave Kaladin a nod. "Leave now. Don't take unnecessary risks."

"We won't, Brightlord." Kaladin gave Adolin a smile. He felt so much better these days and he valued Adolin's kindness during his times of struggle even more. "I feel a storm coming so it might get a little rough out there. Think you can handle that, Highprince?"

"Bring it on, Bridgeboy," Adolin grinned back at him.

Ten minutes later they took off, leaving the glowing Tower behind.

…..

Navani had checked every inch of the room and asked the sibling once more whether she'd seen the fabrial. Nothing. She headed to the library and asked the scholars once more if they'd found it. Still nothing. "Almighty, it can't just have vaporized." Or could it? She considered it for a moment but shook her head. No, although she wasn't sure yet if it would work she was sure it wouldn't just implode.

As she instructed her scholars to keep searching, her eyes kept glancing over the floors and tables, still hoping to catch a glimpse of the soft orange gemstone embedded in the fabrial.

…..

Kaladin and his windrunners found the source of the reports. It turned out to be a small group of Singers. After watching them for a while they were certain that nothing suspicious was going on and decided to go back. Maybe they could reach the Tower before the storm would hit. Not that Kaladin minded the storm but he knew Adolin had a tendency to get a little airsick and he didn't want the Highprince throwing up all over his Shardplate.

They almost made it. But just as the Tower appeared on the horizon the stormcloud caught up with them.

Adolin grunted and grabbed hold of Kaladin's arm. He tried not to look down but he did anyway and then his eyes caught a soft orange glow in the pocket of his coat. It took him a moment to realize what it was. Storms. The fabrial. As he felt the wind increase he saw the glow growing brighter. "Uh...Kal?"

"I know. You don't like storms. Don't worry, we're almost home."

"Yeah, that's not it."

Kaladin frowned at the tone of Adolin's voice. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Adolin reached in his pocket, which wasn't easy so high up in the air, the wind pushing him forward even faster. He pulled out the small fabrial that was now fully alight.

"What's that?" There was something strange about it. It was almost like Kaladin could hear it. Syl came closer and Looked at Kaladin with a worried look.

"Some sort of fabrial. I found it near the pillar this morning. No clue what it's for."

"Seriously? You just pick up an unknown fabrial? Have you gone insane? Drop it."

"Drop it? Now I'm wondering whether you've gone insane. It's Navani's. She'll kill me if I just drop it into the chasms."

"Navani's? That's hardly reassuring. Maybe it's one of the traps she left behind for Raboniel. Drop it! Now!"

Adolin hesitated. The fabrial started to vibrate and he could hear something. A song? He found himself entranced by it.

Syl backed away from it. "I don't like it, Kal. It's...alive."

Kaladin cursed and reached to grab it from Adolin's fingers. He hadn't survived all that overwhelming darkness just to be blown to pieces by some little fabrial.

The second his hand touched Adolin's fingers lightning struck and the fabrial burst open with a strange, almost longing sound, and for a brief moment they were both engulfed in a bright orange light.

Kaldin could hear Drehy behind him curse, immediately closing in, and he could hear Adolin gasp. For one heartstopping moment he thought the Highprince had died right then and there. But as the orange glow faded Adolin seemed fine. Dazed. But fine. "Adolin, are you okay?" When the man slowly nodded Kaladin gestured to Drehy and the rest of the windrunners that everything was okay.

The storm grew even more furious when they landed on a balcony on the sixth floor. Kaladin gently lowered Adolin on the ground. The man looked like he was drunk. "Are you sure you're okay? Maybe it's better that you see my father."

Adolin shook his head as he tried to gain his footing. "No, no, I'm okay." he looked at Kaladin and he smiled. "I'm always okay when you watch over me."

Kaladin frowned. That didn't sound like Adolin. At all. He ran his hands over the man's body to check for injuries and that made Adolin giggle. Kaladin's frown deepened. "I'm taking you to my father." The man might not have any visible injuries but something was definitely off.

"Whatever you want, Bridgeboy," Adolin smiled before passing out.

Kaladin cursed. He picked up Adolin and flew directly to his father's room. Lirin didn't ask questions; he knew better by now and instead checked the Highprince thoroughly. "I can't find anything wrong with him, Kal. Maybe he just got airsick from the storm. I'll keep a close eye on him but I'm pretty sure he'll wake up soon. I'll let you know when he does."

Kaladin took a deep breath and headed for Dalinar's room.

Syl still had a worried look on her face. "Adolin was acting really weird."

"My father is probably right. Just airsick. It makes people act strange. Just ask Rock."

She giggled. "He would have loved to tell the Highprince that he's an airsick lowlander."

That made Kaladin chuckle. "He would have." The guards stepped aside as he reached DalinaR's room.

The Bondsmith was relieved to hear that there seemed to be no threat on the Plains but his good mood vaporized when he heard what had happened. "Are you sure Adolin is okay?"

Kaladin nodded, a little hesitant. "He is. My father has checked everything twice. He thinks he just got a severe case of airsickness. Adolin is asleep now and my father is watching over him."

"Is that also what you think?"

"I trust my father's judgement. And he looks fine, Brightlord."

"And the fabrial. Where is it?"

Kaladin handed it to him. There wasn't even the tiniest spark left inside.

Dalinar turned it in his hand but the thing looked completely useless. "I'll talk to Navani. If it really is hers she'll know what happened. If it isn't she might be able to figure out what its intended purpose was. You may leave."

Kaladin saluted. "Yes, sir."

"Stormblessed?"

"Yes, Brightlord?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, sir. Whatever happened out there, it didn't affect me."

Dalinar felt a little better at that. Maybe his son really was just airsick.

He checked on Adolin first. His son was sleeping peacefully on a bed in the infirmary. He looked perfectly fine. And Lirin assured him all his vital signs indicated he was as healthy as ever. With a sigh of relief he went to find Navani.

She was back in her study, checking her boxes for the third time. When Dalinar stepped inside she turned, expecting one of the guards. "Did you find- " She paused when she saw it was Dalinar.

"Looking for this?" he asked as he held out the small fabrial.

Her eyes widened and she grabbed it from his hand. It had been activated. "Where did you find this? What happened to it?"

"You tell me. Apparently my son found it and took it with him when he left to inspect the Plains."

"Adolin? Oh no…" She looked out the window where the storm was still raging."Is he okay?"

"Yes. Airsick, according to Lirin. Passed out on a bed in the infirmary. But I'm not so sure. Navani, what is this? What happened to my son?"

"It's...Almighty, the storm must have activated it."

"Activated what?"

"The fabrial."

Dalinar barely managed to contain his irritation. "I get that. But what is it?"

She hesitated. "It was an experiment. Not meant to be activated without supervision. In a controlled environment."

"Woman, I love you but you're testing my patience. Should I be worried? Is my son in danger?"

She shook her head. "I don't believe so. I mean, he's human."

Dalinar let out a soft warning groan.

"It's a form changer." She explained what she'd been trying to do.

Dalinar stared at her incredulously. "Are you telling me that my son has been exposed to powers that might possibly change him into a Parshendi warrior?"

"No. No, of course not. I haven't focused on warform yet. Too dangerous. And like I said, he's human. It's highly unlikely it would affect him." But what if it had? "Was anyone close to him when the fabrial was activated?"

"Stormblessed. But he's fine."

"Kaladin? Oh dear…"

Dalinar frowned. "Why does that matter?"

She didn't dare to look at her husband. "Because I used mateform."