Summary:Words of Radiance/Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Walking the Grave
Words of Radiance Summary
Follows	Chapter 8: Knives in the Back - Soldiers on the Field
Precedes	Chapter 10: Red Carpet, Once White
Analytics
Viewpoint	Kaladin
Word Count	3,008

Epigraph

“I wish to think had I not been under sorrow's thumb, I would have seen earlier the approaching dangers. Yet in all honesty, I'm not certain anything could have been done. ”

—From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174

Plot Summary

Kaladin leads the way down into the chasms, accompanied by Rock, Teft, Sigzil, Sylphrena, and forty bridgemen from the reorganized crews, who are there to practice spears under Teft's guidance and become future sergeants. Kaladin and Syl stroll off, debating the laws of physics and Syl jokes about her ability to defy gravity. They discuss Dalinar's plan to refound the Knights Radiant, which Syl likes, and the mysterious countdown. Syl mentions dangerous red spren that she sees on occasion. Kaladin asks if there are other surgebinders and Syl says yes, and there are other spren of different types doing what she is, but that she is the only honorspren and that she defied the Stormfather to do so. Syl tells Kaladin to be what Dalinar is looking for, and he says that he will try, despite his painful past. Rock interrupts them, praising Syl and offering to build a shrine dedicated to her. Rock says that Teft moved their training to a different spot, and says the bridgemen are becoming less reticent. Kaladin agrees to allow Sigzil to do his testing now to determine the extent of Kaladin's abilities.

Characters

Present

• Kaladin (Point of view)
• Rock
• Syl
• Teft

Mentioned only

• Dalinar Kholin
• Moash
• Rind
• Sigzil
• Skar

Setting

In a chasm near the Kholin warcamp, Shattered Plains.

Chapter Header

Kholin Crest

Nalan wedge

See Also

• Tor.com Re-read

Notes

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