Six years earlier in Hearthstone, Kaladin studies anatomical folios while Lirin drinks violet wine and urges his son to stay in Kharbranth once admitted, instead of returning to their small, hostile town. Lirin explains that Roshone has turned the townspeople against him, ending donations to the surgery, and refuses to spend the spheres reserved for Kaladin’s education—insisting Roshone wants to force that exact capitulation.

Lirin dissects the townsfolk’s behavior, calling Roshone “unappeasable,” someone who twists honest impulses into servility. Kaladin considers the hardship, the rejection of his early test request by Kharbranth, and the pressure on the family. He reflects on Tien’s gentle nature and new carpentry training, and privately contemplates becoming a spearman when he is old enough, believing anatomical knowledge could aid either path.

Thumps at the door interrupt them. Expecting a beast, Kaladin tenses, but Lirin opens the door to masked men demanding the spheres. Their voices reveal they are locals acting in Roshone’s shadow, claiming they will give the spheres to him. Lirin refuses and retrieves the covered goblet of spheres from the cabinet.

Unveiling the goblet, Lirin floods the square with Stormlight, revealing the thieves as familiar townsmen—Luten, Horl, Balsas among them. Lirin calls out their ingratitude and dares them to spill the blood of the man who healed their families. Shamed, the men retreat into the night. The confrontation crystallizes for Kaladin the community’s fear under Roshone, Lirin’s unwavering ethics, and the stark choices ahead.