Exhausted and trailing the retreat, Kaladin reaches the chasm after Sadeas abandons Dalinar at the Tower. Seeing a chance to vanish, Kaladin plans to lag behind and escape north, even offering to stay behind for the wounded in camp. Uneasy, he watches Dalinar’s army being crushed until Syl appears in humanlike form, reveals she is honorspren, and forces Kaladin to confront his oaths. Remembering his father’s creed, Kaladin rejects escape and orders Bridge Four to return.

On the Tower, Dalinar—his Plate leaking and strength fading—fights alongside Adolin as the Parshendi press in. Dalinar spots a lone bridge crew charging back and orders an all-out push, recognizing a single fragile chance of survival.

Kaladin leads the advance. Parshendi archers form; Bridge Four executes a side carry to block a flank volley. A massive volley follows from behind, and Kaladin pours Stormlight into his shield, pulling the arrows into it and surviving as the shield shatters. The stunned archers flee. Drained and bandaged, Kaladin watches as Bridge Four sets the bridge while Parshendi infantry mass to oppose them; even the wounded and Dabbid step in to help.

Kaladin collapses into memories of his third battle with Amaram: searching for Tien among the reserves, seeing Tien placed in the front as fodder by Varth, and watching a lighteyes cut Tien down. Numb and wounded, Kaladin held Tien’s body as Varth rationalized the tactic, searing Kaladin’s failure to protect.

Back on the plateau, Syl urges Kaladin to speak the Words. Kaladin rises, sprints onto the half-set bridge, and hurls himself across the chasm. He draws Stormlight from gemstones woven into Parshendi beards, lands renewed, and speaks the Second Ideal: he will protect those who cannot protect themselves. A thunderlike crack and a burst of light scatter the nearest Parshendi as Bridge Four completes the span and Dalinar’s force surges toward escape.