Sigzil wakes among Bridge Four, remembering failed Azish exams and recognizing Kaladin’s return as Stormlight rekindles in him. Amid Lopen’s ceiling antics and the unit’s disorder, Sigzil dons his clerk role and brings Kaladin a backlog of issues: betrothals (Peet, Bisig), Punio’s secret marriage, and Drehy’s courtship of Dru. Concerned about religion, morals, and procedure, Sigzil fumbles a parable but asks to guide the men; Kaladin agrees, urging him to present his views as personal rather than unit doctrine.

They discuss recruitment—Bridge Four is down to twenty-eight—and whether new spren bonds would dissolve the crew. On the way to the quartermaster, Lyn delivers news of an “unusual request” fulfilled. Kaladin first assumes she wants scribe duties; Lyn instead seeks real Windrunner service. After her pushback, he invites her to future tryouts for the order proper, and Sigzil pointedly reminds Kaladin to consider others’ goals.

Sigzil raises core structural questions: Are the Windrunners Alethi soldiers or defenders of all mankind? What is their chain of command, societal rank, and who pays their wages? Kaladin acknowledges the gaps and praises Sigzil’s insight, countering Sigzil’s self-doubt about his past failures. Buoyed, Sigzil admits he wants to be “first into the sky,” not stuck behind ledgers.

At the quartermaster’s, guards protect two sacks of large emeralds: the royal emerald reserve. With paperwork complete, Kaladin borrows the infused gems—accepting some will go dun—to enable sustained Stormlight practice. Sigzil recognizes the plan: Bridge Four will train as Radiants in earnest, formalizing their next steps as Windrunners.