#bondsmith

Dalinar as a Bondsmith is worth some final consideration, I think. He has been tasked to "unite them" and unite them he did. At first it meant the High Princes of Alethkar to him. Then it meant the Knights Radiant. Then it meant all of Roshar. Then it meant the Realms, physical, cognitive and spiritual. Finally, it meant the two shards, Odium and Honor.

I love that we never learned what exactly it was he was supposed to unite in the first place. I love that he impulsively chose whatever was in front of him and that those things became increasingly grandiose, until his final efforts created a new God. I cannot explain why, exactly, but I find this in equal measures amazing and funny.

STORMLIGHT 5 THEORY, SPOLIERS FOR ROW

Okay, so. There's a missing Bondsmith. And What if... Crackpot theory... It's Kaladin.

Okay, So I might just be talking nonsense which would track since 90% of my experiences with Stormlight is fawning over how cool Kaladin is, but I think it makes sense.

Now keep in mind that I've only read through Stormlight once and finished a few months ago.

So first off, It is possible for someone to have a double Nahel Bond, it's confirmed through a WOB though it is described as difficult to juggle between orders.

Next, The evidence:

I'll split it up between books:

In TWoK:

Jezrien led the Heralds and not Ishar and yes this by itself is nothing but it is a weird choice for Brandon to make as he could have just made Jezrien the Bondsmith but didn't.

Kaladin turns the Bridgeman into Bridge 4, all people of different nationalities and ideals and he UNITES them into one group.

And at the end he gains control of the UNITED bridgemen.

WoR:

Kaladin's arc in this one is about being less racist to Lighteyes and at the end he becomes the starting point for equalization of Darkeyes which we see in affect later in the series. He UNITES the classes both in his mind and in the world. He also lets Renarin in, furthering this.

He also gives Rlain the weapon and treats him with respect, UNITING him with Bridge 4 and in a sense he UNITES humanity and the listeners.

Oathbringer:

This is the book Kaladin starts his sympathies to the Singers, furthering the UNITY between them in his mind.

He starts UNITING all of the Bridgemen into Windrunners.

ROW: At this point he is a UNITING symbol and leader of the Windrunners, and is at dismay when he thinks about how Bridge 4 no longer exists and is UNUNITED

He also UNITES the humans in the tower to fight the Singer Occupation.

And his respect for the Singers grows even more. If you subscibe to KalxLeswi or KalxVenli than he could even UNITE them like that in the next book.

Also he's going to Shinover next book which could put him near the Valley when starting the journey or even when/if coming back for the champion battle whether or not he ends up being the champion.

Bondbreaker & Stoneweaver <3

(Ty @2koboldsinatrenchcoat for the Bondbreaker suggestion!!!)