The Way of Kings
by Brandon Sanderson
Contents
43. The Wretch
Overview
Hashal and Matal take over the bridge crews, assigning Bridge Four to permanent chasm duty. Beaten and despondent, Kaladin spirals toward apathy until the Radiants’ creed inspires him. He rejects despair, proposing a dangerous escape plan: train the bridgemen as spearmen, strike a guard post, and flee.
Summary
Kaladin wakes in dread, convinced that training and endurance cannot change the bridgemen’s fate as bait. A palanquin arrives bearing Brightness Hashal, with Brightlord Matal silent at her side. Hashal declares stricter oversight, has a soldier strike Kaladin for insolence, and assigns Bridge Four to permanent chasm duty when not running bridges.
In the oppressive chasms, Kaladin wrestles with despair as Syl hints at hazy memories of aiding killers. The crew discovers a heap of rotting corpses and salvages gear. Pressed by Teft and overheard by the men, Kaladin admits he sees no hope. The bridgemen argue about the Lost Radiants and their creed, while Kaladin withdraws into darkness, haunted by past failures.
Alone, Kaladin meditates on “Life before death, Strength before weakness, Journey before destination,” realizing that the struggle itself matters. Rejecting the numb “wretch” he once became, he chooses to act despite likely failure and returns to the others with renewed purpose.
Kaladin proposes a perilous plan: train Bridge Four with salvaged spears, assault a guard post at night, and escape the warcamp, accepting that Sadeas will pursue them. Teft, Moash, and Sigzil volunteer; Rock pledges to support as cook, and Dunny joins, followed by others. Kaladin begins outlining training and the escape strategy.
Who Appears
- KaladinBridgeman leader; beaten, descends into despair, then resolves to train Bridge Four and attempt an escape.
- SylSpren companion; recalls faintly helping men kill, encourages Kaladin with the Radiants’ creed.
- Brightness HashalNew overseer; announces strict control, assigns Bridge Four permanent chasm duty, orders a soldier to strike Kaladin.
- Brightlord MatalNew bridge captain; silent, reputedly requested the assignment, accompanies Hashal.
- TeftVeteran bridgeman; challenges Kaladin, quotes Radiant ideals, first to volunteer for the escape.
- MoashCynical bridgeman; doubts hope yet eagerly volunteers to fight in the escape plan.
- SigzilAzish bridgeman; explains the Radiants’ creed and volunteers to fight.
- RockHorneater cook; buoyant support, refuses to fight but pledges to feed the men.
- GazBridge sergeant; subservient to Hashal, implements orders for chasm duty.
- SkarBridgeman; argues the Radiants betrayed humanity, voices the crew’s doubts.
- DunnyYoung bridgeman; volunteers to fight under Kaladin’s plan.
- PeetBridgeman; anxious about chasm duty after Hashal’s decree.
- HobberBridgeman; reacts to the new overseers and the assignment.
- MapsBridgeman; grimly accepts likely death, supports attempting the escape.
- Earless JaksBridgeman; worries about guarded exits and the risks of fleeing.