Zahel wakes in the night, aware someone approaches his quarters. Outside, the training grounds are slick from a powerful, Invested storm. He opens the door to find Kaladin, the former bridgeman turned bodyguard, with torn, bloodied clothing and a missing sleeve. Zahel also senses the spren that constantly circles Kaladin.

Kaladin quietly reports a recent attempt on King Elhokar’s life and asks if Zahel’s offer to teach him to fight Shardbearers still stands. Irritated and exhausted, Zahel bluntly refuses and slams the door, unwilling to entertain training requests at this hour.

Kaladin pushes the door open again, pressing his request. Zahel answers with a gruff lecture about being two different men—one teachable by day and one intolerant by night—then tells Kaladin to return to speak with the former. He adds a curt instruction to leave his attitude behind, using an odd metaphor Kaladin does not understand, and the young man departs.

Zahel returns to his cot, reflecting on the language’s lack of fitting metaphors and the storm raging outside. As he settles, he notes that he had expected a voice to speak in his mind but realizes it has been absent for years. The encounter sets the stage for training to come and underscores Zahel’s awareness of Kaladin’s unusual nature.