13th Month of the Year 396, Ice Dragon Emperor Calendar
This week is your fifth birthday, Son. On a whim, I purchased this notebook at the market and decided to start filling it out. I’m not sure what the plan for this thing is yet, but I want to address all of this to you. First, I figured I’d just write things down that happened or that might be interesting. Back in the day, writing things down always helped see the bigger picture and relieve so stress.
Ti sure has flown by, huh?
It seems like you were crawling around just yesterday, investigating everything and anything you could get your little hands on. But, you know, Son, you sure are different. I can never seem to place what you are thinking. What goes on inside that little head of yours I wonder? We were always told that kids were nothing but a handful, but you never really did cause us any problems.
Besides the one ti you almost died from casting magic… honestly… after you promised you wouldn’t try anything, you figure out how to do it anyway. And yes, of course, your mother and I knew. After all, this isn’t our first Orc bash, Son.
But what am I supposed to do with you now?
You are already walking down the path of a mage at such a young age. I fear what that might an in the future. I don’t want you to live the sa kind of life your mother, and I did. But then again, neither of us is so naive to think you would never have to fight.
That’s why I started training your body as well. This world is a cruel and dark place. There are plenty of people and things who would do you harm, and knowing how to defend yourself is essential, and considering our past, well… you never know. So it’s best to prepare for the coming darkness while you can still enjoy the warmth of the light.
Love you, Son.
1st Month of the Year 397, Ice Dragon Emperor Calendar
Well… I debated continuing this after recent events, but I always like to finish what I start. But let’s start today off with a positive.
I can say for sure that it was one hell of a fifth birthday… Seeing you at the party smiling was well… indescribablefor . When you opened that box, and your eyes sparkled while you looked at your bow, I was overwheld with happiness. I never knew such a simple act would bring such joy.
One day I hope you can experience that feeling too.
When your Mom gave you that cupcake, and you took that first bite. It was just too cute even for . It only made it that much better when you devoured it within seconds right after. You got your sweet tooth from your mother. But after all that, you went back to your usual self.
Your mother and I were worried about you. We never know how to treat you.
Sotis you seem years beyond your age, and other tis you seem so young. I bla our lack of parenting skills on that… maybe if we weren’t a bunch of weirdos ourselves, things would be easier… sorry about that.
I guess you really just are our child for better or worse. But, of course, it doesn’t matter. I can speak for both your mother and myself when I say we love you no matter what.
We talked to Dr. Jacobs about you, but you probably already knew that, huh? You seem very self-aware, after all. It seems you are a genius. I already knew that but… well.
I’m not a fan of filling a young child's head with such praise all the ti. I’ve seen firsthand what it does to children when you inflate their ego all the ti…. it ruins them, and very few ever change. I’ve seen plenty of good kids who had their heads filled with nonsense by their parents.
I just want you to know that I know you are incredible, but I definitely don’t want you to turn out like one of those little noble monsters. And rember, nobody is perfect, Son.
Not even ...
I’m so sorry, Son. I really did fail you on unimaginable levels. When I saw you laying against that tree bleeding and nearly dead I lost all control. If only I was a better father, I wouldn’t have even let you get into a situation like that. So I hope you can forgive us for our absolute failure.
But just know… there won’t be any more Shadowlings in this jungle. That’s a promise.
But sohow, soway, you fought against a monster, killed it, and survived to tell the tale. It’s probably weird to say this but… good job, Kaladin. You did the unthinkable, and you are so strong for not giving up. I’m so proud of you, and thank you for not dying… most people would thank a god or sothing but… no god would let a child die alone like that. You survived with your own hands, just know that.
Afterward, when you woke up, I’m not sure what happened in that jungle, but I know sothing did. I can tell that you ca to so kind of crossroads and made an important decision.
And whatever that decision was, I’m so thankful you chose it.
When I woke up and saw you crying in your mother’s arms, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I haven’t seen your mother so emotional in well… years. She hasn’t cried like that since she gave birth to you. And well, I’ve never seen you cry like that either.
The amount of emotion you were showing was unimaginable to , and you called Dad for the first ti as well. I almost started crying right then and there.
You are always so serious about everything, so it was a relief to know that you could still cry and that you finally called Dad. Also, I’m sorry that you couldn’t inherit my crying face. Your mother is an unimaginably beautiful woman, but she is one of the ugliest criers I’ve ever witnessed. But sohow, you seed to beat her, so please forgive for that.
The way you have been acting after has been nothing but a surprise. When your mom told you were the one apologizing and that you wanted to start over, I have to admit I was overjoyed.
I was way too happy honestly… you went through the depths of hell, and it changed you but… I was sowhat thankful for it. I hope you can forgive for thinking like that, but it’s the truth.
In such a short amount of ti, you have been smiling more than you ever have. I finally feel like I’m your father. It’s not that I didn’t feel like that before.
It’s just different now, you know?
I guess only you know what you did, maybe one day you will tell what happened in that jungle.
I love you so much, Kaladin. I’m so happy that you were born and that I’m your father.
3rd Month of the Year 397, Ice Dragon Emperor Calendar
I thought I’d start this entry before I go to bed tonight. Tomorrow we are going hunting for the first ti together. I’m very excited to see the fruits of your labor. You’ve been working so hard in your training, so I know you are going to do great. You’ve only been practicing the bow for a little bit of ti but you are already pretty good at it. I’m sure tomorrow is going to be a great day.
Well, today sure was a blast. You might have only hit one target today, and you were definitely lucky, but that doesn’t matter. Your ability to track prey is already leagues above others, so your skill with the bow will co with ti and practice. I’m sure in a few years you will probably be better than .
I’ve also made a decision. I want to give you this book for your tenth birthday. I’m not sure why but I think it would make for an exciting gift to see the thoughts of your father.
But that’s five years away… it seems so long, yet these last five years have been a blur, so it’s best to prepare now.
So you might be wondering why I let you go alone to the market today. Well, I want you to have so freedom. Even if it doesn’t seem like much… I trust you, and I want you to trust .
You see, I didn't have a lot of freedom growing up. People expected a lot out of , and I didn’t have much ti to myself. It seems that might have rubbed off on you a little bit as well since you spend your days working so hard.
But I don’t think it’s the sa, at least that’s how I feel. I believe that you want to work hard in your studies and workouts since you always have a smile now when you do. I know that wasn’t the case for or your mother.
And besides, the people here are good people. I doubt anything is going to happen. Being the only two Dark Elves in the village makes us really stand out, but that’s a good thing at tis like this.
I like to think that I’ve left a positive impact on this little village and that people like enough that they would treat you with the sa amount of respect and kindness they show . Of course, I’m sure Whitehelm is going to give you a hard ti… he probably won’t even notice you are my son, honestly.
I swear… that Dwarf is such a damn athead. He has a son around your age as well. Part of hopes you will get a chance to et him too. I think it would be a good thing for you to make so friends.
I was almost tempted to end this entry after the last bit but man, am I glad that I didn’t. When I wished you would make a friend, I did not expect you to bring one back with you the sa day. I’m thrilled that you made a friend sohow, of course. I wish you didn’t have to fight people to make friends, but it is what it is. I couldn’t even really pretend to be mad at you after all.
I know for sure if it was in that alley, I would have done the sa thing. It’s hard being your Dad, you know that? I feel like I should have reprimanded you more, but I just know it’s wrong. You did the right thing, and I’m proud of you.
And for the future, please forgive your mother. If you haven’t figured it out yet, she has two weaknesses, sweets and cute animals. Unfortunately for your new friend, she fits into one of those categories. I’ll do my best to rein her in for you, but I can only do so much.
Stay vigilant, Kal. I love you.
7thMonth of the Year 397, Ice Dragon Emperor Calendar
I haven’t had much ti to write these last few months, so I apologize. As you know, work has been keeping busy.
But I decided I would vent a little today. Son, I love you but… how can you be so smart yet so dumb? In what world does shooting my arrows against your stone wall make sense?
I know you did it so you wouldn’t have to find the arrows afterward, but that doesn’t matter if you break twenty-four arrows in an evening… I swear, what am I supposed to do about that? As you can tell, we don’t have a silver mine, Kaladin. And arrows don’t grow on trees, well part of them does, but that doesn’t matter.
Sotis you think things through till the very end, and others, you just act on a whim. I’m not sure what decides your thought process but I guess I’ll never understand.
And you know what? I’m okay with that.
It’s honestly a relief to know you can make simple mistakes like breaking my arrows. I finally got to feel like a father while I scolded you, so that was sothing.
But today, when you fell out of that tree, I couldn’t help but laugh. I don’t know if you noticed but I broke the majority of your fall with a wind spell so you didn’t get seriously hurt. But, of course, that probably didn’t help your wounded pride. And when I saw your face when you realized you broke that old knife, I couldn’t contain myself.
Besides, I’m sure Padraic or his father will make you a fine knife. Yoman might be a athead trying to pretend to be a rchant, but he is definitely a master craftsman. It’s a sha he lacked the natural talent to be a runesmith. If Padraic becos even half as good as his father, they will make for a good team.
Enjoy your ti with your new friends. Love you, Son.
3rdMonth of the Year 398, Ice Dragon Emperor Calendar
Man, it sure has been a while since I’ve written, but I know you will understand. These last few months will probably be unforgettable for you. I’m sure when you are an old sage sitting atop a mountain sowhere, you won’t ever be able to forget about last year.
I would like to apologize, though. I didn’t put two and two together soon enough to understand who exactly Cerila was. I admit I am… not the best in social situations.
I tend to let my actions speak for rather than mingling with everyone. I also tend to stay out of any drama that may be floating around the village. It’s bad for your sanity.
So I didn’t realize who Cerila was. If I had known, I probably would have been more proactive. But what is done is done, and I can’t change the past.
Shortly after your sparring match, your mother and I had a talk. Once we pieced everything together we both decided that if and when the ti ca we would take Cerila in.
But, of course, your Grandpa was in on it too. We didn’t tell her or you since we wanted it to be her decision. You are probably too young to realize this now, but I'm sure you will understand when you read this book in a few years. You genuinely have had a profound impact on that girl’s life, Son.
Not many people can say they have helped sobody so much for nothing in return. Kal, you truly are a good boy, and I’m very proud to be your father. So just make sure you keep your promise to her and enjoy life to the fullest.
And even though it seems like I always ask for forgiveness from you, I’ll have to do it again. I know that you know your mother and I are keeping secrets from you.
It’s just that we don't feel ready to talk about it yet.
Once the bigger picture is revealed, I hope you can forgive your mother for being so… overzealous about certain things. She ans well, she really does.
I do wish she would let it be more organic but well, we don’t know how that goes. When I tell you how I t your mother, I'm sure you will be very surprised, but that is a story for another ti.
Stay strong and kind. I love you.
11thMonth of the Year 399, Ice Dragon Emperor Calendar
I am so sorry, Son. I’m the worst at keeping up on this little project, aren’t I? I might have to extend the deadline to your fifteenth birthday after all this slacking off I’m doing.
But let’s start on a good note.
Our little sparring match a few months ago was fun, wasn’t it? You sure have gotten stronger. In a few years, I doubt I’ll be able to take you on with a smile. That trick you did by splintering the boulder with a fireball was a great idea. If I was a regular person, I’m sure you would have beaten with just that alone. You are becoming a stronger boy with every passing day. But, of course, I’m not going to let you beat so soon. I have my own pride, after all.
I even told you a little about my past. You didn’t even seem all that surprised either! It was a little saddening, but you don’t know much about the outside world. You even promised you would keep your hair growing and would be looking forward to your fifteenth birthday… man your fifteenth birthday, huh? I an we have your tenth birthday first, but it seems so close it’s scary.
These years just keep going by faster and faster, but they have been the best years of my life. You know I think I’m turning one hundred and eighty five this year?
You see, Son, you stop counting after like sixty years. Apparently, ti just feels different to us Elves. It seems just like yesterday I was back in the Old Empire…
Anyways, your growth as a person just keeps going. I feel so happy yet so sad that you are growing up so fast. I know you will probably think your mother and I were disappointed in you for breaking your promise about the wards. But in reality, I’m thankful you did.
It ans you still have room to grow.
If you were perfect, I would be afraid sothing was wrong with you, so it’s such a relief to that you finally acted your age. Of course, it was dangerous, but well, you already know that. And you can protect yourselves. That’s why we train the way we do. So when you look back at that day, I hope it was a learning experience for you.
Be wise, Son. I love you dearly.
14thMonth of the Year 399, Ice Dragon Emperor Calendar
The end of the year has arrived. And I didn’t wait a whole year for another entry into this book! Am I amazing or what?
Next year is the start of a new Calendar as well. I think they decided it would be the Chaos Dragon Emperor Calendar next year. Haha! Now that’s a story! Oh man, I can’t wait to see the look on your face when your mother and I tell you about that.
Cerila’s tenth birthday is right around the corner, and your mother and I have big news! We want this party to be a big deal for her after all. You only turn ten once, after all!
She really has beco a part of this family, and I have to admit I’ve grown to see her as my own daughter. It was a little awkward at first, but that faded so ti ago.
It would feel weird at ho without her now. Seeing her smile and playing around with you has brought so much life to our little ho. You two really have grown close, huh?
Of course, she can be quite the queen sotis, but that’s okay. Honestly, you and your mother spoil her too much. Have you ever told her no before, Son?
I know it might be challenging, but you can’t let the woman in your life have absolutely everything she wants. Well… that’s what I wish for, at least. I guess I’m not one to talk.
But anyways, this announcent has been burning a hole in us for a long ti now! And the best part is, I know that you don’t know what it is! It seems I can’t hide most things from you but it looks like we finally got sothing past you!
I’m sure both of you will be surprised and happy. I know I am.
To think you would also go right back out into the jungle today. I thought you would at least wait a few months, but you just jumped right into it!
The determination on your little face this morning was adorable. Of course, I’m not slighting you. It’s just you are so handso when you try so hard, that’s all. I know this ans a lot to both of you, so I wish you nothing but luck today. And when you get ho today
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