Chapter Text
Two months ago
Kaladin dashed across a forested valley, alight with Stormlight. Branches and vines shied away from him as he passed them in flight. He had left the rest of the battle behind him in the border town and chased a shadow into the lush wilderness. He only had eyes for a single target. But where did she go?
Kaladin slowed down, hovering above sparse shrubbery. The sun was setting, and the forest grew dimmer the deeper he went. The plant life here, in northern Jah Keved, was unfamiliar to him. Vines covered the rocky valley walls and hung between tall, spindly trees that threw long shadows, while lower plants fought for scraps of sunlight on the uneven stone ground.
Kaladin could admire the view later. He had his own battle to fight.
Do you see her? Kaladin asked Syl in his mind, not wanting to waste Stormlight.
No, not yet. I— watch out!
Kaladin whirled around and instinctively summoned Syl as a Blade right as Leshwi’s dark, blurry shape slammed into him from above, surrounded by whipping tassels of clothing. Finally.
Kaladin thrust the Sylblade forward, missing by only an inch as Leshwi dodged to the side. She flashed a smile as she knocked aside his next strike with her spear. Kaladin twisted in the air to dodge Leshwi’s next series of attacks, rapidly switching his lashings. He swooped down and came up behind Leshwi, but she spun in time to block his next attack. Leshwi retreated, opening more space between them.
Don’t let her get away! Syl said in his mind.
I’m not planning to.
Kaladin gave chase. His greater speed quickly closed the distance, but Leshwi flew masterfully, swerving in frequent sudden turns, always staying just out of reach. The flowing tail of her red and white garment fluttered and waved in her wake. Kaladin was forced to reduce his speed to keep up with her maneuvering, weaving between tree trunks. He got close and stabbed her in the shoulder, graying her skin, but she turned about just in time to prevent the blow from piercing her neck. Falling backwards, Leshwi curved around Kaladin, executing a similar maneuver to the one he pulled on her seconds ago. He spun to meet her and charged forward. Her dead arm healed just in time to match his blow. They clashed, the shafts of their weapons locking together.
Kaladin grunted with effort, Stormlight puffing from his lips as he pushed against Leshwi’s spear as hard as he could. In her deep red eyes he saw a mirroring look of effort and concentration. And that smile again. Leshwi seemed pleased that he managed to keep up with her.
Leshwi’s weapon slid dangerously along the Sylspear. Kaladin was forced to break away, shooting upward to gain the higher ground, if only momentarily. He struck down. Leshwi twisted clear of the blow, though a few of the tassels were sheared free of her train.
Leshwi swung herself around Kaladin in a wide loop and attacked again. Kaladin swatted away her attacks with his blade once, twice, three times, forced to dance and dodge. She was so storming fast.
The wind roared in Kaladin’s ears as he dismissed his Blade and lashed himself backwards, sculpting the air with his arms to slip between Leshwi’s attacks. Leshwi followed relentlessly, stabbing again and again, chasing him like a stormwall. He couldn’t last like this for much longer. Leshwi could keep flying forever, but Kaladin would eventually run out of Stormlight. It was time to disengage… or go all in.
The next time Leshwi thrust her spear forward, Kaladin swooped underneath it and pulled up close to her. In such close quarters, Leshwi’s advantage of reach became meaningless. Syl morphed into a dagger in Kaladin’s hand. Before Kaladin could stab Leshwi through the heart, something slammed into his back. Or rather, he slammed into it.
Kaladin realized with panic that his lashing hammered his body to a tree trunk. Before he could cancel it, another pain pierced him as Leshwi drove her spear into his side, eliciting a scream. His blood sprayed her face and chest, melding with the red swirls of her skin patterns. She inhaled sharply, red eyes widening.
Kaladin couldn’t move. He held his breath, feeling the silvery metal on Leshwi’s spear draining away his Stormlight. Darkness crowded the edges of his vision.
Leshwi opened her mouth as if to speak. She held Kaladin’s gaze as she darted out her tongue and licked the red blood that pooled on her upper lip. Humming softly, she bowed her head and yanked away her spear. Kaladin fell to the ground, seeing stars.
As the last of his Stormlight rushed to heal his wound, Leshwi turned her back on him and flew away.