98. Loopholes

Szeth participates in a Skybreaker training contest on the Purelake involving Lashing and throwing colored powder pouches. After his Stormlight runs out and he is defeated, Szeth discovers a loophole in the rules—his uniform was washed clean in the lake—and wins the contest. As he prepares to swear the Third Ideal of the Skybreakers, the Herald Nale suddenly appears and interrupts, declaring he has secrets to share and ordering the Skybreakers to prepare for immediate departure.

Szeth joins twenty Skybreaker squires for a martial training exercise led by Master Warren. The test involves grabbing colored powder pouches from poles planted in the Purelake while using Lashings to fly, with the goal of avoiding hits—the squire with the fewest colored marks on their white uniform wins. Szeth initially enjoys the exercise as a form of pure combat challenge, contrasting with his past as a tool of assassination. He quickly becomes a target for multiple squires working in formation. His Stormlight eventually depletes while he is airborne, and he falls into the lake, where he is hit repeatedly before the sun sets and Master Warren calls an end to the contest. Szeth then presents himself to be judged, but realizes the lake water has washed all the colored powder from his uniform, leaving him clean while others bear multiple marks. The masters confirm he has won by exploiting this loophole in the rules. Ki and Warren acknowledge his exceptional skill and note that two highspren are observing him approvingly. Szeth announces his intention to swear the Third Ideal immediately and become a full Skybreaker, but is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Nale, the Herald of Justice himself, who appears on the courtyard wall. Nale forbids Szeth from swearing the oath and declares he has secrets to reveal. He orders the Skybreakers to gather supplies and prepare to depart immediately, stating they have a long journey ahead and that most squires leak too much Stormlight to accompany them.