An epigraph notes the Parshendi lingering after battles. In the aftermath of a highstorm, Kaladin reflects on breath, death, and equality in burial, then steps into daylight as a free man. Surveying emptied barracks and grieving scribes, he confronts the human cost of Sadeas’s betrayal and rekindles anger at both Sadeas and Amaram.

Kaladin, now captain, inspects nearly a thousand despondent ex-bridgemen. He outlines a plan: combine them into twenty crews, identify eager men, and seed training through forty selected recruits under Teft’s oversight. Prioritizing survival and freedom, he resolves to protect Dalinar—despite mistrust of lighteyes—citing the Assassin in White’s killings and Bridge Four’s precarious status. He appoints lieutenants: Teft (training), Rock (quartermaster, with Lopen as second), Sigzil (clerk), and Moash and Skar as field lieutenants alongside Kaladin to personally guard Dalinar.

At a tattooist’s tent, Hobber receives a “Freedom” glyph with date and patron, insists on adding “Bridge Four,” and others follow. The artist balks at inking Shen, a parshman, but Bridge Four demands it, and Shen receives the tattoo. Moash places his on his arm. When Kaladin attempts the same, Stormlight in his system causes the ink to wipe away; a second attempt initially takes, then melts as he unconsciously draws Light, revealing the branded scars beneath.

In the market, Kaladin notes parshmen laborers and a subdued camp, with soldiers quietly saluting Bridge Four. At the Kholin quartermaster, Rind issues Cobalt Guard uniforms and promises armor later. The men change eagerly. Teft presses Kaladin to acknowledge his Surgebinding publicly; Kaladin refuses, fearing it will be taken from him. The crew cuts off the Cobalt Guard patches, asserting they are Bridge Four; Kaladin orders a new insignia and removes the patch from his own captain’s coat.

Kaladin leaves determined: Bridge Four will protect the Blackthorn while training the former bridgemen into a cohesive, capable force. Their chosen identity, “Freedom, Bridge Four,” and rejection of old insignia mark a new beginning amid the lingering scars of slavery and betrayal.