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{{quote | It’s not about Alethkar! It’s about you! Storm it, you’re supposed to be better than the others! | Kaladin to Amaram after his men were struck down for the Shardplate {{book ref|sa1|51}}}}
 
=== Slavery (1172–1173) ===
[[File:Kaladin's Brands.svg|150px|thumb|right|''Sas nahn'' and ''shash'']]
Kaladin spends the next eight months under at least six different slavemasters, suffering from constant beatings and squalid conditions. Initially, Kaladin is still defiant, making ten escape attempts; although several of them are successful, he always ends up re-captured. In his tenth escape attempt, he leads a group of twenty armed slaves, including a man named [[Goshel]]. However, they all die, leading Kaladin to believe that he has failed them. By the eighth month, Kaladin falls into despair and has stopped making any escape attempts.{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa1|43}}
 
Though he should have been killed for his tenth escape attempt, Kaladin's master finds him "intriguing," and brands his forehead with the ''shash'' [[glyph]], meaning dangerous, and sells him. Eventually Kaladin is bought by [[Tvlakv]]. By now, Kaladin is at his lowest point; he even finds and secretes away some poisonous [[blackbane]] leaves. Kaladin is unsure of whether he wants to use them to commit suicide, to kill his slavers, or for something else, but takes comfort in having options open to him. However, when a fellow slave is sick, his instinct to protect and heal re-emerges, and Kaladin attempts to save his life. His attempt fails as Tvlakv has the slave killed in order to avoid the infection spreading.{{book ref|twok|2}}{{book ref|sa1|4}}
 
It is during this time that Kaladin first notices [[Syl]]. Although Kaladin notices that Syl has been following him for several months, he believes it is nothing more than the average, though mischievous [[windspren]]. At this point, Syl acts much like a normal windspren, though Kaladin notes some oddities about her, such as the exceptionally long period of time that she has been following him. Just before Kaladin is sold to Sadeas, Syl begins talking to him and calls him by name, an unprecedented occurrence; although spren can mimic voices, Kaladin doesn't believe them to have intelligence or memory. Kaladin thinks he is insane at first, but eventually starts to converse with Syl.{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa1|4}}
 
=== Bridgeman (1173) ===
==== Becoming bridgeleader ====
In {{Rosharan date|1173}}, Tvlakv finally brings Kaladin to the [[Shattered Plains]] and sells him to [[Highprince]] [[Torol Sadeas|Sadeas]]'s army. Kaladin speaks up to [[Hashal]], the wife of the [[Matal|lighteyed officer]] in charge of slaves, and begs to be allowed to fight as a spearman in the army. However, due to his ''shash'' glyph, reputation as a deserter, and attitude during the exchange, he is sent to [[Bridge Four]], the bridge crew with the worst reputation and casualty rate, to work as a [[bridgeman]].{{book ref|twok|6}}
 
He is placed under the command of the bridge sergeant [[Gaz]] and is immediately forced to go on a bridge run. During this initial bridge run, Kaladin is sent out completely unprepared and unequipped as part of Bridge Four to carry a large bridge, allowing Sadeas's soldiers to cross the plateaus of the Shattered Plains and assault the [[Parshendi]]. During the assault, Parshendi archers target the bridge crews and inflict heavy casualties. Although Kaladin wishes to render aid to the men, he is unable to and falls unconscious. Kaladin is about to be left for dead by the retreating bridge crews, until Syl calls out his name and urges him to move.{{book ref|twok|6}}
 
[[File:Kaladin at Honor Chasm.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Kaladin sitting by the [[Honor Chasm]] by [[Coppermind:Artists/Maddi|Maddi]]]]
During this time in Bridge Four, Kaladin grows more and more depressed at his situation. Eventually, Syl is unable to bear seeing Kaladin's state and leaves Kaladin but promises to return. On the next bridge run, the last man that survived Kaladin's initial bridge run dies, leaving Kaladin as the senior member of Bridge Four.{{book ref|twok|9}} Faced with losing Syl, his only friend, and such a grim reality, Kaladin seriously contemplates suicide. He goes to the [[Honor Chasm]] at night, intending to jump off. Before he can do so, Syl returns, excitedly carrying a leaf of [[blackbane]] with her. Syl in her naivety, having seen Kaladin previously take heart in having the poisonous leaves with him, assumes they would make Kaladin feel better. This innocent gesture ironically gives Kaladin the will to live again. Kaladin leaves the chasm and, resolved to become bridgeleader, bribes and intimidates Gaz into giving him the position along with autonomy in running Bridge Four. That night, he learns the name of every men in Bridge Four and goes to sleep with a sense of purpose in protecting the men.{{book ref|twok|11}}
 
==== Reforming Bridge Four ====
All of the men in Bridge Four are resigned to die since Bridge Four has the worst reputation, even compared to the already-deplorable conditions of the other [[bridge crew]]s. Because of this, none of the men socialize with each other—in fact, they don't even know each other's names. The next morning, Kaladin announces to Bridge Four that the current state of affairs will change under his leadership. He first tries to get the members of Bridge Four into training for runs to increase their chances of survival, but is met with resistance and ridicule. Undeterred, he proceeds to do training by himself.{{book ref|twok|14}}
 
On the next bridge run, Kaladin leads from the front, demanding to switch with [[Rock]], taking the most dangerous center-front spot of the bridge for himself, a rarity for a bridgeleader. He also starts to provide medical care during this bridge run, purchasing medical supplies from an apothecary beforehand in order to tend to wounded bridgemen while still on the battlefield. Additionally, instead of leaving wounded bridgemen behind to die, Kaladin manages to recover three wounded bridgemen from the battlefield and takes them back to the warcamp.{{book ref|twok|17}}
 
Since the bridgemen are supposed to be expendable, Kaladin is told that he may keep tending to the wounded men, but they will not be fed or paid while they are unable to work. He asks the other members of Bridge Four to pitch in money and food to care for the men, but he is refused—only [[Rock]] offers to share food, and only to [[Hobber]] who is the least injured.{{book ref|twok|21}} Instead, Kaladin comes up with the idea of collecting [[knobweed]] sap, a valuable antiseptic that he can use to care for the injured and sell for money. Gaining the trust of Rock and [[Teft]], Kaladin has them help collect the knobweed sap. Syl helps as well, finding patches of knobweed and guiding Rock—who is mysteriously able to see her—to them. While working to extract the sap, Kaladin starts building camaraderie with the two men, managing to get Rock to open up and share some of his life story.{{book ref|twok|23}}
 
Kaladin returns to the apothecary and makes a deal for his bridge crew to gather knobweed sap in return for a [[spheres|skymark]] per bottle of sap. On returning from selling the sap, Gaz sends Bridge Four to do chasm duty, recovering valuables from the war dead who have fallen into the chasms. In the chasms, Kaladin continues building rapport with the men, getting more of them to open up about their pasts.{{book ref|twok|27}}
 
While working, Kaladin comes across a spear in the chasms and goes into a trance. He performs a practice kata with the spear, revealing his talent as a genius spearman to his men. During the display, Teft, along with some of the other men, notices an unknown spren—actually Syl—zipping around Kaladin.{{book ref|twok|27}}
 
The night culminates in Kaladin using the money he earned to purchase food and assigning Rock to cook a stew. Not a single person refuses to partake in eating around the fire. The next day, a majority of the men follow his orders to rise out of bed and practice.{{book ref|twok|27}}
 
==== Transforming Bridge Four into spearmen ====
Kaladin manages to get all of the men to submit to his authority and participate in his training. The training cuts down on their losses but Kaladin is unsatisfied. Realizing that the bridge itself can act as a shield, Kaladin starts training the men to shift the bridge and carry it on its side.{{book ref|twok|30}}
 
Before the next bridge run, Kaladin gains [[Lopen]] as a member from a new batch of recruits. They immediately go on a bridge run, where Kaladin orders Bridge Four to perform the side carry as they engage the Parshendi. The side carry is a success as it completely protects Kaladin's men, however, other bridge crews try to emulate the side carry. Not having trained the maneuver, the other bridge crews fail; lacking a sufficient number of bridges to cross the chasms and with the timing of the assault desynchronized, the battle is thrown into chaos and Sadeas loses.{{book ref|twok|32}}
 
As punishment for the failure, Sadeas demotes several officers and executes [[Lamaril]], the lighteyed officer directly in charge of the bridgemen. Sadeas declines to execute Kaladin directly; instead, he decides to let the [[Stormfather]] judge Kaladin—Kaladin will be freed if he can survive being tied to the side of a building during a [[highstorm]].{{book ref|twok|34}} During the highstorm, Kaladin meets the Stormfather in the form of a gigantic, inhuman, smiling face; immediately after, his [[Surgebinding]] abilities manifest, and he draws upon [[stormlight]] before falling unconscious.{{book ref|twok|35}}
 
Kaladin survives the highstorm, though he is severely injured. His men cut him down, care for him, and post a constant guard by his bed. While recovering, Kaladin unconsciously consumes stormlight in order to heal, causing Teft to suspect that he may be a member of the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|twok|38}} Ten days later, Kaladin makes a miraculous full recovery and his men, never having known of his previous army service, revive the name Kaladin Stormblessed.{{book ref|twok|40}}
 
After his recovery, Kaladin meets [[Matal]], his new commander, and is re-acquainted with his wife [[Hashal]]. Hashal informs Kaladin that their working conditions will become less lax and permanently assigns Bridge Four to work chasm duty. Kaladin realizes that training to be better bridgemen will be a futile endeavor. Instead, he proposes to begin training the men as spearmen in order to escape, which his men accept.{{book ref|twok|43}}
 
During a highstorm, Kaladin has a dream that he is the storm, traveling east to west, and sees the ground from the perspective of the storm itself. He passes over the [[Shattered Plains]], [[Kholinar]], [[Sesemalex Dar]], and many other cities. He comes across [[Szeth-son-son-Vallano|Szeth]] in the middle of an assassination. Finally, he meets the [[Stormfather]] once again, who leaves him with a cryptic message regarding the [[Oathpact]] being broken and [[Odium]] reigning. During this vision, Kaladin is in a trance and almost walks out into the highstorm, but his men restrain and wake him.{{book ref|twok|46}}
 
Later that day, Bridge Four is given the parshman [[Shen]] as a new recruit. Kaladin, still worried about his dream, asks Syl if she knows anything about Odium, which causes Syl to immediately flee to a nearby building. A moment later, Kaladin witnesses [[Adolin Kholin]] saving a prostitute from being beaten by a lighteyed officer. Choosing to escort the prostitute home, Adolin throws an [[Spheres|emerald chip]] to Kaladin, telling him to deliver the message that he can't make the meeting and will reschedule. Kaladin takes the money, but doesn't deliver the message due to his dislike of Adolin's attitude and lighteyes in general. Syl returns and is distressed at Kaladin's increasingly dark attitude and breach of the implicit agreement to deliver the message.{{book ref|twok|46}}
 
Later, during one of their chasm duty sessions, Kaladin secretly begins training Bridge Four, which has now dwindled to twenty-four members in total, as spearmen. To assist with the training, Kaladin tricks Teft into revealing that he had formerly been a sergeant and appoints him to oversee the men. To maintain their cover of working in the chasms, he assigns Lopen, Rock, [[Dabbid]], and Shen to do actual salvage work, with Syl's assistance. Kaladin is impressed at the men's progress after only a few hours, and remarks that thanks to their adverse conditions, they are ironically the most motivated and fit recruits that he has ever seen.{{book ref|sa1|49}}
 
==== Discovery of Surgebinding powers ====
 
In one of the next bridge runs, [[Dunny]] dies. Frustrated, Kaladin starts rescuing members of the other bridge crews and commands his men to carry them back to the barracks, even though he barely has enough resources for his own men. His actions cause Teft's suspicions about Kaladin being a Knight Radiant to grow stronger.{{book ref|twok|53}}
 
One week later, Bridge Four finds slightly more than two [[spheres|emerald broam]]'s worth of money, including an actual emerald broam. With this money, Bridge Four can feed the wounded bridgemen they have been caring for and advance their escape plan. Kaladin decides to turn over the emerald broam—an amount of money that no bridgeman could ever safely spend—but keep the rest. Rock, though an avowed pacifist, takes up a bow and attaches the pouch to the underside of one of the permanent bridges using an arrow.{{book ref|twok|55}}
 
Lopen covertly retrieves the money during one of the next bridge runs and turns the money over to Kaladin. During the run, Teft's suspicions about Kaladin come to a head, and he tricks Kaladin into unconsciously using his powers. Kaladin, now realizing that his powers are of the Knights Radiant, is scared and wants to be rid of them. He confronts Syl, and during the argument, Syl grows angry and runs away.{{book ref|twok|57}}
 
Later that evening, Kaladin comes across [[Hoid]], who tells him the story of [[Derethil]] and the ''[[Wandersail]]'', a story that Kaladin interprets as one about taking responsibility. Before Hoid leaves, he gives Kaladin a [[Trailman's flute]] and tells him to look after his apprentice Sigzil, leaving Kaladin to inform Sigzil that he is now a full [[Worldsinger]]. Syl, who was present for the story, returns to Kaladin and explains what she remembers and knows about Kaladin's powers. Syl offers to cut off their bond, leaving them both crippled, but Kaladin finally decides to take on the responsibility that Surgebinding represents and use the power to help others.{{book ref|twok|57}}
 
Kaladin spends a week with Teft unsuccessfully trying to learn how to use his Surgebinding powers while Bridge Four continues training to be spearmen. While trying to learn Surgebinding, Teft tells Kaladin what he knows about the Knights Radiant, teaching him the First Ideal of the [[Immortal Words]].{{book ref|twok|59}}
{{quote| Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination| First Ideal of the Knights Radiant}}
 
Since Bridge Four's performance is now excellent thanks to their training, Hashal informs Kaladin that Bridge Four will go on every bridge run, without the normal break between bridge runs, as further reprisal for the side carry incident. In response to the increased danger that this change brings, Kaladin comes up with a plan to use the skins of dead Parshendi found in the chasms as armor. In order to bring the armor out of the chasms, he successfully manages to access his powers to run up a wall to attach the armor to the underside of the permanent bridge that was used earlier for spheres.{{book ref|twok|59}}
 
During the next bridge run, Kaladin wears the carapace armor, drawing the attention of the Parshendi. The desecration of a Parshendi corpse enrages the Parshendi warriors who focus all of their attention on Kaladin, ignoring everyone else on the battlefield. Kaladin's Surgebinding, which has slowly grown, protects him from any harm, and the plan is a resounding success. While Bridge Four are resting, a group of Parshendi soldiers attempt to ambush Bridge Four but [[Dalinar Kholin]] comes to their rescue, and salutes them as he leaves.{{book ref|twok|62}}
 
Since the armor is so effective, Kaladin orders [[Leyten]] to make a set of armor for every man in Bridge Four, not just those running in front. Meanwhile, the training for the men is advancing rapidly, with [[Moash]] and [[Skar]] being the most skilled.{{book ref|twok|63}}
 
==== Battle of the Tower ====
Ten days later, on {{Rosharan date|1173|9|6|4}}, Bridge Four participates in the [[Battle of the Tower]], when the combined armies of Highprince Sadeas and Dalinar assault the [[Tower]]. By this time, they have not only perfected using the carapace armor, but have made enough sets to outfit the entire unit.{{book ref|sa2|64}} The battle begins well, with only [[Skar]] and Teft taking relatively minor injuries.{{book ref|sa2|65}}
 
Shortly after, Kaladin receives the order to retreat. Kaladin, on assessing the state of the army, quickly realizes that Sadeas has setup a trap, and has abandoned Dalinar on the Tower with no means of escape.{{book ref|twok|66}} While retreating, Kaladin comes up with the idea of using the chaos of battle to escape, allowing the army to think that the men have been killed. As Kaladin is working out the details of the escape, Syl urges Kaladin to save Dalinar's army, revealing that she has remembered that she is an [[honorspren]], spirit of oaths, promises, and nobility. After a moment of internal conflict, Kaladin orders his men to turn around and head back towards Dalinar's army.{{book ref|sa2|67}}
 
[[File:Kaladin charging the Parshendi.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Kaladin charging the [[Parshendi]] by [[Coppermind: Artist/Pam Hage|Pam Hage]]]]
Bridge Four charges the plateau to set their bridge and give Dalinar's army a chance to escape. During this charge, Kaladin overtly performs two great feats of Surgebinding ability: first, he draws over a hundred arrows to his shield. A few moments later, Kaladin speaks the [[Immortal Words|Second Ideal]] of the [[Windrunner]]s, progressing his path to becoming a member of the Knights Radiant and unlocking a new level of power. Upon speaking the Second Ideal, Kaladin generates a wave of stormlight powerful enough to throw back an entire enemy rank of Parshendi.{{book ref|twok|67}}
 
{{quote|I will protect those who cannot protect themselves| Second Ideal of the Windrunners}}
 
Kaladin fights with amazing prowess, his natural talents enhanced to unnatural levels by stormlight: Kaladin single-handedly engages and defeats dozens of Parshendi. Kaladin and his men hold the bridge until Dalinar's soldiers are able to fight their way to them. Kaladin organizes the retreat, but Highprince Dalinar is not with them and [[Adolin Kholin]] is still fighting nearby, forcing the [[Cobalt Guard]] to stay on the field as well. Kaladin convinces Adolin to order a retreat, while he goes to retrieve Dalinar. Kaladin finds Dalinar fighting with [[Eshonai]], both of whom are utilizing a full set of Shards. Fighting a Shardbearer for the second time, Kaladin rescues Dalinar and retreats with the remains of his army. While returning to the warcamps, Dalinar promises Kaladin that he will ensure their safety from Sadeas.{{book ref|twok|68}}
 
When they arrive back at the warcamps, Kaladin accompanies Dalinar to confront Sadeas. Dalinar offers to pay an exorbitant sum of money for the freedom of the bridgemen, but Sadeas refuses. Finally, Dalinar offers his Shardblade [[Oathbringer]] in exchange for the men, an offer which Sadeas cannot refuse.{{book ref|twok|69}} Later that night, Dalinar offers to make the bridgemen soldiers in his army, with Bridge Four becoming his personal guard. Kaladin accepts an appointment to the rank of captain and agrees after Dalinar promises him an extraordinary amount of authority and autonomy for a [[darkeyes]].{{book ref|twok|73}}
 
=== Kholin's Bodyguard (1173—) ===
[[File: Kaladin paint portrait.png|thumb|right|Kaladin wearing his Captain's uniform.]]
Kaladin promotes [[Moash]], [[Skar]], [[Teft]], [[Sigzil]] and [[Rock]] to lieutenants, a rank which is the equivalent of sergeant in companies made solely of lighteyes, because he needs a rank between squadleader and captain to form command structure for a thousand men.{{book ref|wor|2}}
Kaladin sets up a rotation to protect Dalinar, and his sons always using either himself or Moash or Skar for the Blackthorn. During this time he is encouraged to send some of his men to the king's guard to learn from them. After a small council, Dalinar wishes for Kaladin and his men to take on more duties extending to protecting Navani and then eventually protecting the King himself. Kaladin complains that his men are stretched thin, but Dalinar says that he is not alone in that problem.
 
====Preparing for the Assassin in White====
During the Highstorms Kaladin gathers all those who he is supposed to protect in one location to make it easier and blames himself for not stopping the numbers. After a highstorm the king is nearly killed after the balcony he is standing on breaks free. Kaladin and Dalinar conclude that the support was cut with a Shardblade and this was an assassination attempt. Kaladin later confronts Moash as he was the only one on the balcony after the storm and Moash admits to have been an accomplice. Kaladin forbids Moash from meeting with the Assassins again.
 
[[Zahel]], a swordmaster who has taught Adolin and other lighteyes, tries to convince Kaladin to be trained under him so that he can learn how to fight Shardbearers. Kaladin does not want to, as he still associates Shardblades with the [[Helaran Davar|shardbearer]] who killed his men while he was under Amaram. Zahel then goes after Adolin, pretending to be an enemy. Kaladin fights him, but is beaten, because he is not protecting anybody and his Radiant abilities do not help him.
 
Kaladin discusses [[Amaram]] with Dalinar, but Dalinar does nothing. He does not fully believe Kaladin, but says that he will look into it. Kaladin is unsatisfied and angry.
 
Dalinar wants Kaladin and his men to learn how to ride horses, as they might be useful in the future. The groom thinks that it is absurd for darkeyes to learn horseback riding, but she teaches them anyway. Kaladin does not want to ride horses, but does as he is told. He at first rides an old, mellow horse, but [[Adolin]] comes by, and taunts him for not riding a fast horse. He then finds Dreamstorm, the most wild, violent horse in the stables, and attempts to ride it. As it bucks him wildly, he is forced to stick himself on with stormlight. He is whipped around, until finally he runs out and flies several feet in the air, and lands across the stable. It hurts badly, because he is out of Stormlight. Adolin is very impressed, and apologizes for taunting him.
 
Kaladin then has a dream where he speaks to the [[Stormfather]]. The stormfather says that Kaladin will soon betray and kill Syl. When he wakes up, Syl tells Kaladin that [[Odium|The One Who Hates]] is coming, and Kaladin goes to Elhokar's room. Dalinar and Adolin are there, and so is [[Szeth]]. Kaladin defends them successfully, but has an arm wounded by Szeth's shardblade. He grows it back with stormlight. Szeth is shocked and angry that the [[Knights Radiant]] are returning when he sees Kaladin's surgebinding. (Their return somehow seems to exonerate him of whatever infraction resulted in his Truthless status, which destroys his ability to distance himself from the murders he was ordered to perform.) He then leaves Kaladin alone. Kaladin sees that he is barely able to fight a shardbearer, and takes Zahel up on his offer to train him.
 
Moash continues to be involved in the plot to kill Elhokar. Kaladin tells him to cease involvement with the conspiracy, but wishes that their arguments were less persuasive. Moash agrees to stop meeting with them.
 
Kaladin guards Adolin while he is meeting with Shallan. Adolin objects, but Kaladin refuses to leave him by himself. He meets Wit, who informs Kaladin that he is aware of his new surgebinding powers. Kaladin is shocked and angry at Wit, as he often is. Wit leaves when they are not looking, and convinces a bystander to take his place driving the wagon.
 
====Adolin's duel====
Adolin is having a difficult time getting people to duel him, so he tells [[Relis]] that he is allowed to bring "anyone else he wants', expecting him to bring one other person. However, Relis brings three others. Adolin is a skilled dueler, but not against four opponents, so Renarin goes in after him. Renarin is unskilled at fighting, so Kaladin jumps in after.
 
{{sidequote
| Honor is dead. But I'll see what I can do. If this goes poorly, take care of my men.
| Kaladin to Dalinar before jumping into the arena{{book ref|wor|56}}
|left|250px;}}
Kaladin tells Syl that this better end differently than when he saved Amaram, and Syl promises that it will. Relis ignores Kaladin and pays the price as he gets stabbed in a crack in his armor. Kaladin guards Adolin's back and says that Adolin will need to break their foes' shardplate for him. Adolin says for Kaladin to distract one foe and to watch out for Renarin while he fights the other two and Kaladin agrees. Kaladin draws Relis' attention while Adolin fights Elit and Jakamav. Relis fights Kaladin for a short time but then goes back to fight Adolin who is skillfully dueling his two foes, so Kaladin uses a lashing-enhanced kick to knock Relis down, breaking his own legs in process though he is able to heal them. Kaladin sees that he cracked some of Relis' shards. Adolin's own armor is mostly cracked but he gets a strong blow at Elit and cracks his chestplate, slowing Elit greatly. Kaladin sees Abrobadar waving his blade at the ground and Sylphrena exclaims about something mysterious and flies over toward Renarin. Kaladin uses his broken spear to strike Elit in his exposed armor and forces him to yield. The remaining three opponents gather to battle Adolin, leaving Renarin alone to sit in the sand. Kaladin asks for Elit's helm and is given it and puts it on his hand as an armored glove, and arms himself with a knife to help Adolin. Kaladin tricks Relis into backing away then he goes to help Adolin. Relis and Jakamav both try to attack Kaladin with Sylphrena circling around him, and he dodges their shardblades or blocks them with the helm until he runs out of stormlight, realizing the helm drained it from him. Kaladin is backed against a wall, but Adolin appears and grapples Jakamav to the ground. Kaladin sees that Abrobadar was just defeated. Relis who is the last man standing rushes toward Renarin and Kaladin follows, yelling at Renarin to yield but he only dismisses his blade and does nothing. Relis raises his blade toward Renarin but ends up swinging it at Kaladin, and Kaladin catches it then hears a scream that sounds like Sylphrena. Relis hears the scream and drops the blade and vacates the arena, forfeiting the duel. Jakamav yells at Adolin to fight him as he is held down and Kaladin walks up to him with his knife and places it by a crack in his armor and tells him to yield or else. Jakamav yields and Adolin is declared victor. Adolin laughs joyously at the spoils he won and asks Kaladin to help him remove his drained armor.
 
Elhokar announces how impressed he is by Adolin and offers him a boon. Kaladin notices Sadeas trying to leave the arena, but before he does, Adolin demands the right to duel Sadeas there and then. Kaladin also demands a boon to challenge Amaram there and then for the crimes of murder and obstruction of justice, causing Amaram to cower, Adolin to groan and the crowd to silence. Elhokar orders Kaladin to be arrested.
 
====In prison ====
Kaladin is furious at being put in prison again; for defending a lighteyes. He is treated better in the prison than he was as a slave, but still hates it. He is furious at Dalinar, and compares him to Amaram. Syl forces Kaladin to take it back, and he does. When Dalinar walks in, Kaladin jumps to attention, even though he currently hates him. Dalinar tells Kaladin that he is trying to convince Elhokar to free him, but Elhokar is worried that he will be seen as weak. Dalinar still does not believe that Amaram stole his plate and blade, and says that if Kaladin wants Darkeyes to be respected, he should be a good soldier, not challenge people like Amaram to duels. He thanks Kaladin for saving his sons, and leaves.
Later on, Wit comes. He brings a stringed instrument, and tells Kaladin the story of Fleet, the man who tried to race a highstorm from one end of Roshar to the other. He waits for Kaladin to prompt him, before playing his music and telling the rest. In the end, Fleet makes it to Shinovar, where no highstorms can blow, but then dies of exhaustion. His soul then races the wind forever. Wit claims that he didn't know at all about the story of Fleet, and that Kaladin told it and invented it.
Finally, Kaladin is set free. He sees that Adolin had locked himself in prison, to protest Kaladin's imprisonment. He has taken a few baths, shaved, and is wearing perfume, claiming that he didn't have to be completely barbaric, but is very thankful to Kaladin for saving his life. When he leaves the prison area, all of [[Bridge Four]] is there, celebrating his freedom. Adolin offers Kaladin Shardplate and a Shardblade, but he refuses. It reminds him of Amaram, and gives it to Moash. Kaladin can't find Syl, and is unable to use Stormlight. He does not know why.
 
====In the Chasm====
[[File: Kaladin and Shallan in Chasm.png|thumb|right|350px|Kaladin and Shallan by [[Coppermind: Artist/LittleGreyDragon|LittleGreyDragon]]]]
Kaladin goes out on an expedition to the Shattered Plains, so that Shallan can sketch a Chasmfiend pupa. A bridge engineer working undercover for Sadeas falls the bridge while Dalinar is crossing in an attempt to assassinate Dalinar, and Kaladin and Shallan both fall into the chasm. Each one has Radiant powers, but neither knows that the other does. They wander the chasms for a while, and begin to argue. Kaladin explains to Shallan that the world must seem wonderful to her, because she is rich and hasn't seen terrible things. She then explains to Kaladin that her [[Lin Davar|father]] was abusive, and she has experienced things just as terrible as he has. Kaladin asks her how she can be so cheerful, and she said that 'it help's if you are insane'. Then, a chasmfiend finds them. Kaladin fights it off by stabbing the top of his mouth, up into his brain, and Shallan helps by distracting it with large images of people. Neither see that the other is a radiant.
A highstorm comes, and they hide in a hole on the inside of the wall. Kaladin sees [[unmade|one large figure, and a smaller deformed one]] come by. He then sees the [[stormfather]]'s head, who tells him that he has betrayed and killed Syl.
When they leave the chasms, Bridge Four is there to greet them, and celebrate. Kaladin brings the Gemheart, but Shallan says that it was dead when it was found. Without Syl, it takes him just as long to heal as an ordinary person.
 
=== Windrunner (1174 -) ===
 
====Saving King Elhokar====
Kaladin sees that all the men guarding King Elhokar are rebels working with Moash, and want to kill the king. He is convinced that everything is okay, and goes back to his barracks. He then gets uneasy, comes back, and finds the king half asleep on his couch. The soldiers were saying terrible things about him to make him drink, and be less alert. Kaladin sees this, and tries to carry the king out. Moash and [[Graves]] are there, and try to kill him. Moash asks Kaladin to leave, and when he refuses, punches him with his plate enhanced strength. It breaks Kaladin's ribs. They stab the king, and Kaladin tries to fight them off. He is badly injured, and thinks that he is going to die, but is happy to die while doing something good. He then hears the Stormfather speaking with Syl. Syl wants to go to Kaladin, but the Stormfather says that Kaladin will kill her again. She tells Kaladin to say the Third Ideal of the Windrunners: {{quote| I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right | Third Ideal of the Windrunners}}.
Syl returns to him in the form of a Shardblade. Kaladin can use surges again, and he heals with stormlight. He is able to defeat the assassins, and leave the building with Elhokar alive.
 
====Fighting Szeth====
{{quote|The sky and the winds are mine, I claim them. Just as I now claim your life| Kaladin to Szeth}}
 
Dalinar allies with several other highprinces to attack on the Parshendi. They summon an [[Everstorm]], and Szeth comes to kill Dalinar. Syl tells Kaladin that something is wrong, and Kaladin uses his lashings to fly/fall towards the shattered plains. He sees Dalinar flying upwards, where Szeth has [[lashing|lashed]] him. He lashes Dalinar slightly more down than up, so that he floats slowly down. Kaladin then plummets down to Earth, leaving a sword shaped glyph in the ground where he lands, and tells Szeth that he claims his life.
Kaladin and Szeth battle in the sky, using lashings to maneuver back and forth as the two storms crash into each other below. Szeth says the Knights can't be back but Kaladin retorts that they are and will kill him. Szeth manages to stab Kaladin but he is able to heal it, though it takes a lot of stormlight. Szeth boasts that he will win due to his experience but Kaladin says that the sky is and was always his. Kaladin starts fighting instinctually and manages to strike Szeth as Syl changes forms while they fight, though Szeth dodges a killing blow. Kaladin sees the top of the plateau crest through the clouds, spinning slowly. The top is [[Urithiru]], and a [[fabrial]], and Shallan has activated it. Szeth lands on the surface, chased by Kaladin. Szeth again yells that the Voidbringers can't be back, and goes back toward Dalinar to try to kill him.
Kaladin follows Szeth into the storm as Syl warns Kaladin that the Stormfather hates him, and that although the winds are Kaladin's, the storms are the stormfather's. She warns him that a worse storm brews as well. Kaladin and Szeth both draw more stormlight from the storm. Szeth reaches the plateau before Kaladin but it is empty. Szeth screams at Kaladin as red spren zip around in the tempest. Szeth realizes that the armies went to Urithiru, and flies off toward the west, chased by Kal. Kaladin chases with difficulty and they both reach the stormfront and break through it, and Kaladin stabs Szeth in his foot. Kaladin manages to smash and stab Szeth further as they fight just ahead of the highstorm. As they fight, Szeth finally acknowledges the truth and says that he was right all along and never Truthless, and that he could have stopped murdering at any time. Szeth feints and Kaladin responds by stabbing the Shin through the chest, and grabs the shardblade at Syl's order from Szeth's falling corpse. Kaladin stays hovering surrounded by windspren, and Syl says she may keep Kaladin around. Syl demands compliments and a smile, which Kaladin gives.
 
Kaladin, Dalinar, Renarin, and Shallan meet in Urithiru. They are all finally aware that the others are Radiants. Kaladin plans to return to his hometown, and save his family from [[Roshone]].
 
===Returning to Hearthstone===
 
Kaladin traveled to Hearthstone to warn his parents about the approaching Everstorm, doing what he could to prepare other villages and towns as he went. However, he was too late as the Everstorm had already struck. Walking through the destruction, Kaladin was surprised to find light emanating from the manor house. Entering the house, Kaladin was stopped by one of Roshone's soldiers.{{book ref|sa3|5}}
 
The guard led Kaladin through the manor where the sounds of wounded led Kaladin to a makeshift triage room. There, he found his father, [[Lirin]], and his mother, [[Hesina]], attending to the wounded. After an emotional reunion, the soldiers insisted that Kaladin be taken to [[Roshone]]. Lirin offers to buy his writ of slavery, insisting that they will not take his son, lest they have to find themselves another surgeon. Kaladin observes the wounded, determining they were not signs of battle, but rather of natural disaster. The soldiers sent for Roshone who was surprised to see Kaladin alive and insistent on seeing his brands. Before the conversation went much further, Kaladin punched Roshone for his friend [[Moash]].{{book ref|sa3|6}}
 
Kaladin apologizes for his actions and promises not to hit the brightlord again, but rather that they need to talk. Roshone refused at first and insisted that his soldiers attack Kaladin, but they refuse after Kaladin summons [[Syl]]. The brightlord tells Kaladin that the parshmen escaped, but they fled instead of attacking the city. Kaladin asks what direction they went, but Roshone's soldiers do not know. Kaladin promises to tell Elhokar about the city's destroyed food supply. In return, he requests a horse to go hunt the parshmen and tells Roshone that he can't stay. He warns the brightlord that he must stand up and lead his people. [[Laral]] promises they will do it and arranges for Kaladin to use a spanreed. Kaladin questions whether or not she is truly happy and he is surprised to find she is content with her life in Hearthstone. Kaladin dropped the argument and returned to see his father. Lirin is happy that he returned and is well, but is concerned that he is caught up in war. Kaladin tells him that he is a "watcher at the rim" and must do what he can to protect others. His father understands and asks him to see his mother before he leaves. On his way, he runs into Laral who has the spanreed set up for Kaladin. He gives an update to [[Dalinar]], who encourages him to find out what the enemy is doing without taking any unnecessary risks. After their conversation, Kaladin goes to see Hesina who introduces him to his new brother, [[Oroden]]. Before leaving, Kaladin promises he will come back for Lirin, Hesina, and Oroden, but Lirin insists that he must stay if the [[Desolation]] is upon them. He assures them he will return and that Dalinar has refounded the [[Knights Radiant]] and this time, they will not fail them.{{book ref|sa3|7}}
 
===Finding the Parshmen===
 
====Hornhollow====
Upon his departure from Hearthstone, Kaladin pursued the Voidbringers. After two days, he arrived in the village of [[Hornhollow]]. There, the townspeople had gathered for a town meeting. Syl transformed herself into the shape of a Shardblade and he was welcomed by the crowd. A lighteyed man asked Kaladin if he'd rather rest and eat or attack the rogue parshmen. Kaladin ordered the man to take him to them.{{book ref|sa3|10}}
 
An ardent informs him that the parshmen, about fifty in number and presumably in warform, sought the grain out specifically. Two men were hurt during the attack, [[Khem]] and another man. Kaladin then seeks out the citylord who tells him that his scouts know which direction the parshmen went, towards Kholinar. The citylord offers to have his men escort Kaladin, but he departs alone, saying they would only slow him down.{{book ref|sa3|10}}
 
====Traveling with the Parshmen====
When Kaladin finally caught up to the [[Voidbringers]], he was surprised to find they not only were playing cards, but that they looked very different than what he expected. Rather than being red and black marbled like [[Rlain]], the parshmen's skin was marbled white and red. They were not wearing warform, nor did they have red eyes. Kaladin observed them for awhile and tells [[Syl]] they had been wrong. These parshmen weren't the destroyers they had been told about. One of their number noticed him, sounding the alarm. As they took up their cudgels, Kaladin hesitated. Though he knew he could easily defeat them, it didn't set right, so he surrendered instead.{{book ref|sa3|14}}
 
The parshmen bound Kaladin to a tree while they debated what to do with him. Against [[Khen]]'s wishes, they didn't kill him, but yet pulled him by a rope as they traveled. Kaladin talked up [[Sah]], his captor, explaining card game strategies to him. As they walked, Kaladin realized that the parshmen weren't monsters, they were just slaves, like him. Sah argued that Kaladin couldn't possibly understand what they had been through, but Kaladin felt he did understand a little. Continuing on, Syl panicked, worried that the parshmen could see her or at least the spren could. Syl explained that the spren leading the parshmen must be from him, a [[Voidspren]]. Syl stayed close to Kaladin, just in case he needed to summon her.{{book ref|sa3|17}}
 
Kaladin eventually spoke up, complimenting the parshmen and offering them assistance in their travels. Sah refuses and they continue their pace until they stop for a break. Sah's little girl, [[Vai]], brings Kaladin some water and she asks him why his people won't leave them alone. He struggles to figure out how to explain the war and her ancestors to a seven-year-old. She retreats as the parshmen make camp and Kaladin asks Syl to help cut his rope. Rather than summoning her as a blade, he dropped a rock alerting the parshmen to his freedom. He asked for his knife so he can build a fire and after a short conference, they allowed him to do just that.{{book ref|sa3|17}}
 
Over the next few days, Kaladin spent his time showing the parshmen how to cook food, bind wounds, and build equipment. Sah becomes frustrated though that he needs Kaladin's help at all, that he fled one master just to have to listen to him explain things that he should already know. Kaladin explained that "freedom" is a strange word and that despite serving another brightlord, he feels more free now than ever. Once Sah finished the hatchet, he asked Kaladin why he isn't afraid to show them these things. Kaladin explained that he has a choice and that it doesn't have to come to war. Despite his own words, Kaladin fears that the war is inevitable, so Syl encourages him to find the middle ground.{{book ref|sa3|20}}
 
====Revolar====
Kaladin secured a private storm bunker for the growing group of parshmen in the [[Vamah]] city of [[Revolar]] after Syl warned him of an approaching [[highstorm]]. Khen was pleased with Kaladin's work and the group hunkered down for the storm. While it raged outside and Kaladin debated how much longer he could delay returning to Urithiru, the yellow Voidspren appeared beside him. Kaladin told her he could see her and she replied that she wanted him to. She asked Kaladin why he was still there and after a lie, he admitted that the world is changing and he wanted to see which way it went. She asked Kaladin if he would fight them and he questioned if he would be allowed. She admitted that the final decision isn't with her, as she is just a messenger, but that he will find out once they reach their destination. She finally asked Kaladin how he knew of the approaching highstorm. He said he felt it in his bones and she said humans can't feel storms. She gave him a knowing smile and then disappeared.{{book ref|sa3|23}}
 
While in Revolar, the number of parshmen camping around the city continued to grow exponentially reaching at least 40,000-50,000 in number. Sah told Kaladin that the number was amazing, that he always imagined the parshmen having their own city and now they do. As they walked through the city, Kaladin saw not only signs of the Everstorm, but also of looting. He asked Sah is this what he wanted, to conquer a kingdom and destroy humankind. Sah confessed that he didn't know, but that he couldn't be a slave again. Kaladin countered that they are his people and that a war to exterminate one side or the other can't be the answer. Sah offered that maybe it doesn't have to be that way, but that he could fight alongside them in something bigger, oppressed against the oppressors. Once he passed where Syl was, she told him that there are a lot of yellow spren around and another highstorm is coming. As Khen's group approached the Parshendi leaders of the small town, the scribe evaluated them and asked about Kaladin's presence. Yixli spoke highly of him, but the scribe said that the [[Fused]] would have to label him free. He stepped out of line and saw a tall parshwoman with red eyes, like those of the [[Shattered Plains]]. Seeing the Fused, Kaladin knew it was time to go. He sucked in the [[Stormlight]] from Khen's pouch and took the pouch from her. He thanked Khen for her kindness, warned her of the impending storm, and said that no matter what she is told, he didn't wish to be her enemy.{{book ref|sa3|31}}
 
He launched himself into the air as the Fused began to scream. Once in the air, Kaladin looked over the scores of parshmen and he told Syl he can't help but feel a kinship to them. She argued that they're Voidbringers and they conquered the city, but Kaladin explained that they are people who are angry and have good reason to be. He reminds her of how he felt about [[Elhokar]], but she countered that he changed his mind. They continue to argue and Kaladin confessed that he just wanted an absolute right on this, not a moral code with exceptions. Kaladin looked down at the city once more and they both realized the parshmen guarding the humans had not done any preparations for the impending storm. Kaladin Lashed himself down to them and shouted warning of the highstorm. They just stared at him, so Kaladin summoned his blade and warned the people to take refuge wherever they did during the last storms. He charged the parshmen guards to do better and that if they wanted to claim moral superiority over the humans, they have to treat them better than they were treated.{{book ref|sa3|31}}
 
During the exchange with the guards, something crashed into Kaladin, tossing him backwards. As they grasped for his throat, Kaladin kicked them off and he Lashed himself into the air. The red-eyed parshman that attacked Kaladin glowed with what looked like dark Stormlight. Another creature appeared and Kaladin Lashed himself straight toward the stormwall. He pleaded with the [[Stormfather]] to show mercy and spare the people below. The Stormfather seemed to consider his request, but said it was something that could not be done. Kaladin zoomed to the ground hoping to find the people safe, but it was all for naught. He hit the ground and dropped Syl, seizing a young father, his son, and another woman. He led them to a group of two dozen people and walked with them. Consumed with pain, Kaladin sucked in Stormlight and deflected the storm while the battered people huddled behind him. He provided them with cover, diverting the storm long enough for the people to reach the bunker. Syl was impressed with what he had done, but Kaladin was dissatisfied that it wasn't enough. Kaladin pushed himself out of the stormwall and then rode in front of the storm for a good hour. Syl instructed Kaladin to follow the wind's nudging as the Stormfather's way of apologizing. He allowed the winds to channel him for hours and by the time the storm passed, he found himself outside of [[Urithiru]].{{book ref|sa3|31}}
 
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