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| “ | Let me first assure you that the element is quite safe. I have found a good home for it. I protect its safety like I protect my own skin, you might say. | ” |
Point of view: Kaladin
Setting: Sadeas's warcamp, the Shattered Plains
Kaladin rises before any of the other bridgemen, resolved that he's going to fight for a better existence, even in his terrible circumstances. He attempts to rouse the rest of Bridge Four, but none come. After Kaladin physically carries Moash out of the barrack, however, the rest of the bridgemen reluctantly get up. Kaladin then informs the men of Bridge Four that instead of sleeping in each morning, they will be training, and that he intends to do everything he can to ensure that Bridge Four never loses another man.
The other bridgemen all refuse to participate in Kaladin's training once Gaz informs them that they don't have to do so. Kaladin goes to Gaz and gets his pay for the week, returning one of the five spheres he's received as a bribe. Gaz tells Kaladin that he has no authority and will be unable to sway the bridgemen, then leaves. Kaladin, worried that Gaz may decide Kaladin is more trouble than he's worth and kill him, asks Syl to watch over him at night and wake him if Gaz tries anything.
Kaladin then proceeds to spend his morning training, jogging back and forth across the lumberyard with a long board. He does this for several hours, before meeting several of the men from Bridge Four to dismiss them for lunch. Syl informs Kaladin that she is changing, becoming better at remembering things and understanding new concepts and abstract ideas. Kaladin realizes that she feels much the way about her new understanding of life as he does about his current position – afraid to continue, but sure that he can't go back.
Appearances[]
| Character | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kaladin | POV | Begins his training. Discusses his deal with Gaz. Talks of change with Syl. |
| Syl | Appeared | Admits to Kaladin she is happy he didn't lie. Begins to understand she is changing. |
| Moash | Appeared | Dragged out of bed by Kaladin for morning practice. |
| Dunny | Mentioned | Couldn't be used as an example as he was rather skinny. |
| Narm | Mentioned | Couldn't be used as an example as he was rather skinny. |
| Sigzil | Appeared | Challenges Kaladin about the new training regime. |
| Leyten | Appeared | Challenges Kaladin about the new training regime. |
| Rock | Appeared | Calls Kaladin crazy for trying to lead Bridge Four. |
| Gaz | Appeared | Informs Bridge Four they don't need to follow Kaladin outside of bridge runs. |
| Apprentice Carpenter | Appeared | Kaladin asks him for a plank to use for practice. |
| Teft | Mentioned | "Grizzled" about Kaladin practicing. |
| Tien | Mentioned | Kaladin draws on the frustration of failing his brother to keep practicing. |
| The Nightwatcher | Mentioned | Kaladin muses about the similarities between them. |