Kaladin regains consciousness hanging upside down from Bridge Four’s barrack, battered and concussed after being beaten for using the bridge as a shield and ruining Sadeas’s assault. Syl informs him that soldiers were punished, Highprince Sadeas personally executed Lamaril under right of responsibility, and Gaz kept his post. Syl, disturbed, feels cold for the first time.

Kaladin realizes he is being left as an example to be judged by the highstorm, exposed and facing east into its path. Rock, Teft, and Moash sneak out to check on him. They report the battle was a disaster, with over two hundred bridgemen dead and only eleven bridges remaining. Speaking for Bridge Four, Rock promises they will keep the fires, laughter, and living that Kaladin started; they considered cutting him down, but Kaladin forbids it to spare them similar punishment.

Teft and Moash relay that Sadeas called Kaladin a selfish coward yet claimed to defer judgment to the Stormfather. Kaladin asks them to tell the men that after the storm he will open his eyes, giving them hope if he survives. Teft gives Kaladin a dun skymark—the only sphere saved from his pouch—before they retreat inside with Syl staying by Kaladin.

Kaladin explains to Syl his in for all gamble: if he dies, nothing changes, but if he lives, it becomes a miracle that can bind the crew. As darkness deepens and windspren flee, the immense stormwall sweeps over the lumberyard, and the highstorm slams into Kaladin.