Wall Guard's Barracks

The Wall Guard's barracks in Kholinar smell like home to Kaladin. Not the home of his father, but his true home. His true home. Leather. Boiling stew. Crowded men. Weapon oil.
Spheres hang on the walls, white and blue. The place is big enough to house two platoons, a fact confirmed by the shoulder patches he sees. The large common room is filled with tables, and a few armorers work in the corner, sewing jerkins or uniforms. Others sharpen weapons, a rhythmic, calming sound. These are the noises and scents of an army well maintained.
Though the stew there doesn't smell anywhere near as good as that of Rock, when one of the men fetches him a bowl, Kaladin finds himself smiling. He instantly loves the place.
Some of the men in the barrack find Noromin's revelations about him curious, but not worrisome. Some even cheer.
Then, Kaladin picks out another undercurrent in the room. Men sharpening weapons that had chips in them. Armorers repairing cuts in leather - cuts made by lances in battle. Conspicuously empty seats at most of the tables, with cups set at them.
He acknowledges that the men there had suffered losses, though not huge ones yet. They can still laugh, but there remains tension in the room.
In the barracks, there is always a stew bubbling and bread baking. It is a Guard secret.
To Kaladin, it feels warm here, with a well-laid fire burning steadily in the corner. Warm and friendly.
Nevertheless, he realizes that all of the men herein are lighteyes. Every person in the room, from the cook to the armorers, to the soldiers doing dishes. That in a group like this, everyone has a secondary duty, like armoring or field surgery. He hadn't noticed their eyes. To him, the barracks had felt so natural, so comfortable, that he'd assumed they were all darkeyed like him.
Toward the back of the barrack, there is a room that only holds some supplies. Therein, Highmarshal Azure slips a small hook between two stones and throws a hidden latch. This lets her remove a stone, revealing a handle. She heaves, pulling open a doorway. The light of a few handheld spheres reveal a small corridor that runs down the middle of the city wall.
Battalionlord Hadinar tells Beard that this space has been there longer than any of them have been alive. Further, that it is a quick, secret way between posts, and that are even a few hidden stairwells up to the top.
==References==
Category:Locations