#szethposting

[blindradiant]

Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, wore white on the day he was to do the world a huge favor

[onlycosmere]

[probablycatastrophic]

*chokes on my oathstone*

[blindradiant]

It’s heartbreakingly beautiful that through everything Szeth went through in his life, he never fully let go of the eleven-year-old boy who loved to dance and found free time the most beautiful thing in the world. Even when he got broken and beaten down and ground into a weapon, that boy was still in the deepest parts of him, influencing his emotions and worldview. Even when he was alone and hurting, refusing to believe that he needed help or healing, that boy was inside him, yearning for comfort. And when Kaladin asked Szeth what he wanted and got an honest answer, it was the part of him that still clung to that child that said “I want to stop hurting people. I want to be done.” And when Szeth finally finds peace and a life away from killing and destruction, he can be reunited with that young version of himself again

Don’t mind me. I’m just going to go and cry about this now

[blindradiant]

Szeth: *Tells Kaladin three separate times in one day that he doesn’t want and won’t accept help*

Also Szeth: *Tells Kaladin parts of his story and explains some of what he’s thinking and feeling*

A part of me was worried that large pieces of the Shinovar roadtrip would just be awkward silence and lack of communication. There is some of that, but there’s also conversation and a back and forth between Kaladin and Szeth. The roadtrip part of WaT has barely started, and I’m already having so many emotions about the dynamic these two are developing

[blindradiant]

Szeth has become so harsh and cold over the years of his exile. He still follows his masters, even though he isn’t Truthless. He still clings to the white clothing and shaving his head, even though he has other options. He still doesn’t ask certain questions, because he believes it’s not his place.

And now, he doesn’t let himself feel or sit with his emotions, because his spren says it’s base. Szeth judges Kaladin for his gentleness, not thinking of the gentleness that he himself has lost.

Szeth is so locked in the thoughts and behaviors he’s surrounded himself with, and the prospect of letting go of any of that shakes him to the core. So he maintains that harsh, cold facade, because he believes it’s what he should do.

I’m so emotional over this man, y’all!!

[blindradiant]

I need to know what Szeth did during all the time he was in prison. We know that Navani interrogated him a few times, and that he never tried to escape. We also know that he was allowed to leave to get the anti-Voidlight sphere Gavilar gave him right before he died. That’s literally all we know though. Szeth was locked up for almost a year, which is 500 Rosharan days. What did he do???

I don’t think Szeth hated it the same way Kaladin would have. He probably thought it was the least of what he deserved. There’s also a place in OB where he wishes his life could keep being boring, and he definitely got that. He also probably saw it as doing his duty, since it was what Dalinar wanted him to do.

But what did he do with all that time? Did he just stare into the lights he asked for and think about “cleansing Shinovar”? Did he do stretches/anything to stay physically strong/ready to fight? I can’t see him asking for anything to help him pass the time. Did he have conversations with Nightblood? Did his spren ever talk to him? We know that Nale promised to come train him in Division, so did that ever happen?

I don’t know how many answers we’ll get in book 5, but I hope there are at least passing references, because there were none in RoW. Szeth never thought of it in his one POV chapter in that book.

I know this is a relatively small thing, but I think about it a lot. I just want to know what this man does when he’s not carrying out orders, fighting, doing Skybreaker training, or actively in crisis. I want to know as much as I can about him

[blindradiant]

Each time Szeth shows up in the preview chapters, I’m reminded that my grasp of his character is so solid. Over three years of brainrot will do that, I guess

I’m so excited to be learning more about him!!