49. To Care
Contains spoilersOverview
Kaladin launches disciplined training for Bridge Four, centering on purpose and stance, while forming a Syl-guided salvage team to protect their chasm duty and free practice time. Teft’s soldiering accelerates progress. Considering an eastern escape proves impractical, but Kaladin recognizes that Sadeas’s cruelty has unintentionally prepared his men to become fighters.
Summary
In the chasms after a highstorm, Kaladin weighs the risky idea of escaping east, noting flash floods, patrols, and chasmfiends. Teft probes Kaladin about feeling “light,” then Kaladin wrestles with fears of a curse and darker spren before refocusing on survival.
Kaladin addresses Bridge Four, refusing the usual humiliation and instead praising their toughness and resolve. Using a broken spear as a staff, he opens with purpose: “it’s all right to care,” then demonstrates that fighting begins with balance and stance, outmaneuvering Skar, Drehy, and Moash.
Teft reveals himself as a former soldier and runs drills while Kaladin assigns non-fighters to speed salvage: Rock (by Horneater custom not a warrior), Lopen, Dabbid, and Shen. Syl guides their searches to free training time, though Rock warns of chasmfiends and scouts; mapping side passages might reveal opportunities, but climbing out remains impractical.
Hours of stance work show unexpected progress. Moash, Drehy, and Skar quickly internalize resets and balance, and the crew’s determination outpaces normal recruits. Kaladin realizes Sadeas’s brutal regimen has forged the bridgemen into exceptionally fit, motivated trainees.
Who Appears
- Kaladin
Bridgeman leader; considers eastern escape, starts stance-focused training, insists it’s right to care, organizes Syl-led salvage.
- Teft
Hints at Stormlight awareness, reveals soldier past, and drills the men through stances and resets.
- Rock
Horneater cook; refuses to fight by custom, leads salvage and mapping, warns of chasmfiends and scouts.
- Syl
Spren companion; scouts swiftly for salvage, makes herself visible to Lopen, enabling efficient collection.
- Lopen
One-armed bridgeman; joins Syl-led salvage team to speed gathering and free training time.
- Dabbid
Traumatized bridgeman; largely vacant but included on the salvage crew.
- Shen
Parshman bridgeman; included in salvage group, Kaladin withholds a spear from him.
- Moash
Quick learner; excels at stance resets and early combat fundamentals.
- Skar
Participates in Kaladin’s balance demonstration; improves rapidly during stance drills.
- Drehy
Westerner bridgeman; helps test Kaladin, then quickly absorbs stance training.