Kaladin wakes in pain after the bridge run but refuses to give up, checking on the three wounded: Leyten clings to life, Hobber will recover with care, and Dabbid sits unresponsive from battle shock. Realizing they need antiseptic, he forces himself to train with a plank, drawing stares. Syl questions why men lie, while Kaladin’s bitterness toward lighteyes surfaces despite her mention of Dalinar’s honesty.

Gaz arrives with news: Lamaril wanted Kaladin executed for keeping wounded, but Sadeas overrules it and instead orders the wounded denied food and pay to make an example. Kaladin asks Bridge Four to pool resources for medicine and food; most laugh and refuse, with Moash preferring a quick death. Rock, however, offers some of his rations for Hobber, calls Kaladin “special,” and even sees Syl. Rock notes Bridge Four lost fewer men than usual, hinting at Kaladin’s improbable luck.

Needing medicine but lacking money, Kaladin approaches Gaz with a proposal. He volunteers Bridge Four for stone-gathering duty, accepting the men’s anger, to get outside the warcamp. Gaz agrees, assigning them to the western checkpoint at third bell and shifting Bridge Three to kitchen work.

Kaladin then recruits Teft. The older man, distrustful of loyalty and himself, is swayed when Kaladin argues that living is better than surrendering to death. Teft joins. After introductions—including Rock’s true name—Kaladin reveals his aim: while on stone detail, they will seek a reed that grows outside the camp to obtain medicine for the wounded.