45. A Revelation

Moash is transported to the occupied city of Revolar and enslaved along with other humans under Voidbringer rule. He discovers that the parshmen have established a rigid caste system where humans are forced labor, and encounters old caravan contacts and the lighteyed regent Paladar, who continues to exploit the hierarchy even in captivity. After a revelatory moment observing the corruption and weakness of both lighteyes and darkeyes alike, Moash volunteers for the hardest labor—pulling wagons for the Voidbringer army.

The Voidbringers transport Moash to Revolar and deposit him outside the city with other human captives. The parshmen, many now transformed to resemble Parshendi warriors, herd the humans into a large storm bunker on the city's outskirts and establish themselves as overlords. The parshmen announce job assignments: farming, basic labor, and hard labor pulling wagons. Moash learns that humans are enslaved and must work to eat, though they have limited choice in their assignments. The parshmen are preparing for war and have already conscripted skilled workers like smiths and armorers. Moash encounters old caravaneers he once knew and seeks out Guff, an elderly wheelwright, finding him among a hidden group in cloth tents. Guff leads Moash deeper into the enclosure where they encounter the highlord Paladar, the harsh regent of Revolar, who is now directing a small group of privileged lighteyes and favored servants. Paladar interrogates Moash about news from the Shattered Plains, then dismisses him when he remains silent. Moash is thrown out and Guff is beaten. As Moash observes the scene—privileged lighteyes eating abundantly while starving darkeyes serve them, even in enslavement—he experiences a revelation: the entire Alethi social structure is broken, not just himself. He recognizes that Kaladin is the rare exception, not the rule. Moash concludes there is no legitimate reason to obey lighteyes, and immediately volunteers for the most brutal labor assignment: pulling wagons for the Voidbringer army.