"...Aesudan is consorting with an Unmade. While I doubt she's in her right mind, she's not under some fairytale spell we can break. I don't know what this means for Kholinar, but we might need to retreat," Adolin said, finishing his recital of what he and Kelsier had learned at the palace with a lump in his throat. He had never been close to his sister-in-law, but in spite of her faults, she had been a good woman. He did not accuse her of working with the enemy lightly.
They were in the dining room, only Adolin, Elhokar, Shallan, and Kaladin were present. The Radiants had agreed to discuss the news with their squires later. Adolin wished desperately that he could have squires of his own (he still wasn't sure what type of spren Kelsier was, much less whether there were more of him. Did he even want more Kelsiers running around?) but didn't envy either Radiant the task.
Elhokar was a mess of emotions, tears for his wife, fear for his son, and an increasingly angry tint that was winning the battle for control of his face. "What I want to know is why you were even in the palace! Sneaking into hostile territory without backup or permission? I'd demote you, Dalinor's heir or not, if we weren't on a mission."
Kaladin didn't voice his concerns, but shot Adolin a dirty look.
"You'd be right to, but that doesn't change the fact that Kelsier and I uncovered important information. All of you are working on various investigations but me. Instead of arguing with Lighteyes and getting nowhere, I used my powers to help."
Elhokar stood up to unleash another tirade, but Shallan stopped him with a gesture. "Let's worry about discipline when the city isn't about to be attacked by Fused."
Adolin started to say,"Shallan is right–" but she cut him off.
"I'm not on your side." She gave him a withering stare. "I'm only concerned about our now useless plan to reclaim the city. If Aesudan really is compromised, our mission is hopeless. We need to send a small strike team inside the castle, rescue Gavinor if possible, and fly out of here."
"What about the people in the city? You're not suggesting we leave everyone to the Fused, are you?" Kaladin said with desperation. "The Oathgate platform isn't connected to the main palace; what if Shallan still tries to scare off the Heart of Revel and we open the gate? We could evacuate as many people as possible, then leave through there ourselves."
"No! I won't have this. My wife is not possessed or whatever it is you your spren saw. We're continuing with the original plan. She'll help us once Shallan scares off the Unmade," Elhokar said. He left the dining room with a slammed door.
Adolin said,"I'll talk to him later. For now, I think we should work on Kaladin's idea. If we can save anyone in the city, we need to try."
The three discussed some more, but couldn't come up with a better plan that didn't leave the city to fend for itself. Shallan was going to the cult party tonight and would gather more information. If she thought she could scare off the Heart of the Revel, the group would plan to attack within the next week.
Adolin pulled Kaladin along. The captain was in shock, barely coherent. The last of the Wall Guard held the Oathgate platform. He had gone with Elhokar to find Gavinor, and the mission had turned into a disaster. Elhokar was dead. Adolin had been separated from the squires with the child, but there was no more time to wait for them. Shallan was going to make a last ditch effort to take whoever she could through the Oathgate to escape. Kholinar had fallen.
With a burst of pewter, Adolin climbed the last few steps to the Oathgate. He stumbled inside, with Kaladin trailing behind. Azure was already there. Shallan had her hands on the pulsing Heart of the Revel, deep in concentration.
Adolin said,"We have to pull out, Shallan. Kaladin is in no state to fly and I can't carry more than one person. The Oathgate remains the best option. Can you activate the platform?"
"Almost have it," Shallan stuttered out, sweat dripping down her forehead. "Give me another minute."
Adolin stood in the center of the Oathgate platform, barely able to watch the edges of the battle. He hadn't felt this utterly useless since the Tower and if he counted all the lives thrown away today, he would collapse under the weight. Instead, he held a general's pose and tried to radiate certainty, like his father.
Azure stood still, watching the battle with numb horror. Kaladin sat, staring up at the ceiling, lost in another memory. Adolin was sure he didn't look any better, uniform ripped and soaked in sweat. All stood in heavy silence as Shallan concentrated, until the world disappeared.