7. A Watcher at the Rim

Kaladin returns to his hometown of Hearthstone, punches the local brightlord Roshone, and reveals his Shardblade to establish authority. He learns the parshmen were transformed by the Everstorm and fled without attacking, and he decides to scout their movements. He reunites with his family, discovers he has a younger brother named Oroden, and makes contact with Dalinar via spanreed before departing on a mission to track the Voidbringers.

Kaladin arrives at Roshone's manor in Hearthstone and strikes the brightlord, an act he initially justifies but then regrets. He demonstrates restraint by ordering the guards to stand down and instead seeks information about the parshmen. The guards explain that the transformed parshmen, appearing as tall, skeletal creatures after the Everstorm, escaped through a ripped section of their confinement rather than attacking the town. Kaladin realizes their departure suggests a larger strategic purpose. He commands the soldiers to gather maps and supplies, then summons his Shardblade to assert authority over Roshone when questioned. He confronts Roshone directly, acknowledging his crimes but explaining that the immediate threat of the Voidbringers requires his leadership. Laral, Roshone's wife, appears and takes charge, revealing she is content in her position. She provides a spanreed connected to Tashikk, allowing Kaladin to communicate with Dalinar Kholin through Navani. Dalinar authorizes Kaladin's scouting mission and instructs him to send daily updates via spanreed. Kaladin reconnects with his father Lirin in the healing chamber, where they work together treating the wounded. Lirin expresses concern that Kaladin has become a killer rather than a surgeon, but accepts that war is inevitable. Kaladin's mother Hesina then reveals that Kaladin has a younger brother, Oroden, born to her despite her age. Moved to tears, Kaladin learns that Lirin refuses to leave Hearthstone, choosing instead to stay and help the townspeople. Kaladin collects infused spheres from the gathered refugees and his father, then prepares to depart. Before leaving, he publicly declares to the crowd in the manor that the Desolation has returned and that Dalinar Kholin has refounded the Knights Radiant, hovering in the air while glowing with Stormlight and wielding his Shardblade to inspire hope.