214
edits
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}}
====
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}}
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}}
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, protect 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, around late {{date/sa|year=1173|month=8}}, 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}}
Bridge Four
Fighting through to reach Adolin, Kaladin convinced him to order a retreat, and then single-handedly rescued Dalinar, still dazed from his battle with [[Eshonai]]. In the end, Kaladin and Bridge Four managed to save Dalinar and over twenty-six hundred of his men.{{book ref|twok|68}} Dalinar, in his gratitude, bought all the slaves in the bridge crews from Sadeas for the price of his Shardblade and then immediately freed them.{{book ref|twok|69}} Kaladin accepted Dalinar's offer to become his bodyguard, with the rank of captain, and was charged with training the former bridgemen for Dalinar's army.{{book ref|twok|73}}
|
edits