AFTERWORD

Chapter 128

I-14. Teft

Overview

Teft returns to Bridge Four barracks with his men to discover they have been attacked. Three bridgemen—Rock, Bisig, and Eth—have been brutally wounded or killed, and the Honorblade that Eth was carrying has been stolen. Teft realizes the attacker wore a Bridge Four officer's coat that he himself had sold weeks earlier.

Summary

Teft leads his men back to the barracks after crossing the Oathgate, noting the subdued atmosphere among the group. A blue-white spren appears to Teft, urging him to speak oaths he has sworn, but he dismisses her. The spren suddenly alerts Teft to danger ahead, sensing something very wrong. Teft rushes to the Bridge Four barracks and finds the common room in shambles with blood covering the floor. He discovers three bridgemen near the back: Rock, Bisig, and Eth. Quick checks reveal Rock and Bisig are still alive but badly wounded—Rock has multiple knife wounds and Bisig bears what appears to be a Shardblade wound, his arm turned grey. Eth is dead. The bridgemen realize the attackers came for the Honorblade that Eth had been carrying. Lyn sends Laran to contact the guard post and request Renarin's help for medical aid. Bisig, regaining consciousness, reports that the attacker wore a Bridge Four coat with lieutenant's knots and appeared to be a short Alethi man he didn't recognize. Teft realizes with horror that the coat matches one he had sold weeks ago in the marketplace for spheres. As the others tend to the wounded, Teft flees the barracks into the hallway.

Characters

  • TeftBridge Four sergeant who discovers the attack on the barracks and realizes his sold coat was used as a disguise by the attacker
  • MalataWorks the Oathgate; briefly seen as Teft and his men depart
  • The blue-white sprenAppears to Teft and alerts him to the danger in the barracks
  • RockBridge Four member found badly wounded with multiple knife cuts
  • BisigBridge Four member found wounded with a Shardblade wound; regains consciousness and describes the attacker
  • EthBridge Four member found dead; was carrying the Honorblade that was stolen
  • HuioBetter at field medicine; takes over treating Rock's wounds
  • PeetBridgeman who checks on the wounded and suggests fetching Renarin
  • LopenBridgeman who kneels beside Eth and notices the connection to Teft's sold coat
  • LynFormer messenger who directs Laran to contact the guard post
  • LaranFast former messenger sent to the guard post to contact the Oathgate
  • LeytenBridgeman present at the scene
  • RenarinReferenced as needed for his healing abilities; not physically present in the chapter