The chapter opens with an epigraph asserting that Odium seeks the destruction or Splintering of all other Shards, setting a dire cosmere-wide stake.

Kaladin embraces a new form of protection by addressing mental wounds. Following Lirin’s advice to start small, he focuses on six sanitarium patients—including Noril—with similar symptoms: battle fatigue, nightmares, melancholy, and suicidal ideation. Temporarily excused from other duties, he forms them into a supportive group rather than treating them individually.

On the clinic balcony, the men drink tea and speak about loss and darkness. Two remain mostly quiet, but their engagement grows as others share. Hesina observes and records notes, surprised that group interaction helps, contrary to prior ardent reports that patients feed one another’s despair. Kaladin explains that context matters: in darkness and confinement, hopelessness spirals, but with sunlight, structure, and a common purpose, the group strengthens one another, like a squad lifting a bridge together.

Hesina’s sympathy prompts a brief, painful moment as Kaladin deflects discussing his own darkest months. She insists that she and Lirin understand; Kaladin silently doubts they truly can and prefers to spare them his burden. He concludes that while group work will not fix everything, helping them feel seen and less alone is a meaningful start.