Characters names, phrases, settings, and themes are not mine! This is a short erotic fan fiction based on the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. This is not written with the knowledge, permission, or endorsement of Brandon Sanderson, TOR publishing, or Dragonsteel. I am in no way writing this work with the intention to draw any money in the form of sales, ad revenue, or commission from this work or the Stormlight Archive in any way.
---------------------------------------
Adolin fell into stone stance as the sword masters blade came at him.
He raised his own practice sword to deflect the blow, but his mind was elsewhere. On the battlefield, even a moment of distraction was enough to lose your life.
Zahels blade made contact with Adolins flesh and a brief flash of panic struck through him.
the blades are dulled, you fool
, he thought before his mind returned to events of the previous night,...
I can relate.
He had been so effective in the last battle. Swerving between blows and striking down singers and fused in the same breath. He didn't need the sudden powers EVERYONE seemed to be getting these days. He was the dueling champion of Alethkar! The Blackthorns son! The desire of every woman for storming MILES.
But then why wasn't it working?
Zahel pushed his advantage, and Adolin managed to deflect a few strikes before stumbling over himself - lost in thought - and falling to the ground.
"I yield" Adolin said, raising his fingers in the salute meant to convey the same meaning as Zahel's sword pressed against his throat.
"Where are ya, kid? Cause your mind ain't here with your opponent." The sword master coughed, sheathing his blade and extending a hand to Adolin.
He took it, and made his way to his feet.
"Just out of it I guess." Adolin said, sheathing his dull and useless sword.
"Shit, kid. You act as if I haven't seen this before. Tell me what the issue is, or the next time an opponent knocks you to the ground you won't get back up." The sword master raised an eyebrow and Adolin couldn't hold his gaze.
He knew Zahel was right. There was no use stewing in it. But... he'd felt so ashamed. Shallan put on a good front, but he knew it was beginning to gnaw at her. Adolin had been quite practiced in the bedroom. Being the most eligible bachelor in Roshar would do that to you.
He glanced towards the practice sword at his hip, the metaphor stung.
The sharpness he had brought to the bedroom. The dance of steel, the passion and excitement had been... dulled. Like a useless practice sword, he didn't penetrate like he used to. And last night he hadn't even been able to draw his 'weapon'.
Adolin sighed, rubbing his eyes.
"Don't know if you can help with this one Zahel. Been issues here and there, but last night with Shallan I wasn't able to..." He grimaced, summoning the words, "Perform."
"HA!", Zahel laughed, "That's all? It happens to the best of us kid. You're not a teenager anymore."
It felt like cremlings were wriggling in Adolins stomach. Generating a pulsing, frustrated, heat. Zahel didn't understand. Adolin went from accomplished swordsman and lover to NOTHING overnight. Over the course of a few weeks, the Radiants appeared and put his swordsmanship to shame.
His identity had been shaken to it's core. And that had some painful side effects. His world had been completely upended. No longer was he the most fearsome warrior in Alethkar. All that practice, miniscule in the shadow of the Radiants' power. That stung, of course, but the dissolving of his self-assured confidence had severe effects on his prowess in the bedroom.
And Shallan was ravenous.
Adolin had been with women who loved sex as much as he did. But Shallan was something else entirely. She had been a virgin before their wedding night, but once Adolin showed her the ropes she was like a caged axehound smelling blood in the air. Every free moment they had were spent together, experimenting. At first it was amazing, but her desperate need for more only made Adolin feel smaller and more shameful when he couldn't perform which had been happening more and more lately.
Adolin sighed, frustrated, and looked towards Zahel.
"What can I do? Swords are so much simpler. If I run into a situation I don't understand in a battle, I can train over and over until I understand it, but this? Sometimes it won't get up no matter how much I urge it!"
"Puttin' too much pressure on yourself. Just relax, maybe talk to someone about it. Someone besides me." Zahel gave a grim smile, "I ain't gonna be much help, but the bridgeboy has been pretty effective talking people out of battle shock, maybe see if he can help you"
God, that's the LAST person he wanted to talk to about it. Everything came so easy to Kaladin. Though, he seemed allergic to women, so Adolin doubted he would really be much help in this department. Still... what other options did he have?
"Thanks Zahel. I think I'm done for the day." Adolin said, removing his sword belt and placing it back on the wall with the others.
Frustrated and hanging his head, Adolin left to find the bridgeboy.
------SHALLAN------
Are you sure this is a good idea?
Radiant, ever the voice of reason, protested,
We've done this quite a few times now. Surely someone will notice,
Shallan had worn a lightweaving of a non-descript courier girl as she made her way through the Windrunner camp in search of Kaladins' chambers.
She knew the way by now. The first time she found herself in front of Kaladin, offering herself up to him with all the tact of a drunken chull, she'd still felt some guilt. Thankfully, she'd found a way around that.
Come on, don't pressure her, it's not Shallan's fault she has needs,
Veil responded, and Shallan felt her heart quicken as she allowed Veil to take full control.
Don't act like you don't enjoy it too
Veil thought,
I seem to recall a certain haughty Radiant quivering like a sky-eel when Kaladin slammed into us.
I DID NOT!
Radiant said, defiant,
I just... it was cold in his room.
See that's the difference between us. I'm honest enough to admit I like being treated like a slut, you two are all guilty and ashamed. Just give in. You'll enjoy it more,