73. Telling Which Stories

Kaladin patrols with his new Wall Guard squad, escorting a grain delivery through hostile refugee crowds while observing the cult's influence. When the Fused attack the wall, Kaladin and his squad form a pike defensive line and successfully hold their position, though the assault ends before their section engages.

Kaladin has officially joined the Wall Guard under Lieutenant Noro's command. While on patrol with his squad—including Beard, Ved, Alaward, and Vaceslv—they encounter Adolin in a colorful yellow suit and discuss the social hierarchies among lighteyes, with the tenner-rank soldiers dismissing middlers as useless. Kaladin struggles with witnessing their mockery of Adolin while concealing his own identity and maintaining his cover. During a grain delivery escort through the city streets, Kaladin observes a concerning cult in violet masks performing self-harm and claiming to receive blessings from strange spren that don't appear human. He convinces Lieutenant Noro to retreat when the crowd becomes hostile, and Velalant's troops take over the escort. Back at the wall, Kaladin learns that Azure had captured a Soulcaster at a monastery, which may explain how the city produces enough food without being discovered by the Fused. Beard reveals he lacks a glyphward and speaks cryptically about nobody watching over them, hinting at doubts about divine protection. When alarm drums sound an assault, Kaladin's squad forms a pike block defensive line. The Fused attack another section of the wall, and Kaladin struggles to restrain himself from giving orders as men die elsewhere. The attack ends without his section engaging. Lieutenant Noro praises Kaladin's eagerness and suggests he could advance to squadleader.