10. Distractions

Kaladin travels through the Akanny region investigating Voidbringer attacks, discovering a grain raid at Hornhollow and learning the attackers fled toward Kholinar. Meanwhile, Adolin visits his father's Ryshadium horse Gallant and encounters Renarin, who reveals he has created a new Shardblade as a Radiant and accidentally heals Adolin's wrist wound through their connection.

Kaladin Lashes himself across the rain-soaked landscape of Alethkar, moving between hilltops and valleys in search of Voidbringer activity. He banters with Syl about motherhood and relationships while reflecting on his joy at discovering his parents alive. Upon reaching the village of Hornhollow, he is greeted enthusiastically by locals who treat him as a symbol of hope. An ardent provides a report of an attack on the grain storage: approximately fifty parshmen in warform raided the building after first moonset, stealing most of the grain. The attackers were described as tall, armored figures with glowing red lights, and they fled in a direct line toward Kholinar. Kaladin takes the dropped cudgel as evidence and questions the ardent about details. He pays the village citylord to send runners with messages to neighboring villages, then departs immediately, Lashing himself skyward toward Kholinar.

In a separate scene, Adolin visits the livestock quarters of the tower to see his father's Ryshadium stallion Gallant. He reflects on his lost bonded horse Sureblood and the emotional toll of recent events. Renarin finds him there and suggests Shallan could draw Sureblood as a memorial. Renarin then reluctantly reveals he must return the dead Shardblade Adolin won for him, as Radiants cannot use such blades. He confesses that he has bonded with his spren Glys to create a new Radiant Shardblade instead. When Adolin takes his hand to reassure him, Renarin's power manifests in a moment of Radiance that briefly shows Adolin a perfected version of himself. As Renarin leaves, Adolin discovers his previously wounded wrist has been completely healed.