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Kaladin returns to Narak after a flying mission and encounters Yunfah, an honorspren seeking a new bond. After ordering the spren to consider Rlain, Kaladin meets with Dalinar, who relieves him of active duty due to battle fatigue and psychological exhaustion, despite Kaladin's protests that the Windrunners need him.

Kaladin flies with his Windrunner team toward the Shattered Plains, feeling temporarily refreshed by the open air. He encounters the honorspren Yunfah, who has been considering potential new bonds after his previous Radiant's death. Using his authority as highmarshal, Kaladin orders Yunfah to seriously consider bonding Rlain, a Parshman who has been fighting alongside them, giving the spren ten days to comply. Upon arriving at Narak, Kaladin observes Navani's engineers constructing fortifications on the plateau. Dalinar receives a report from the battalionlord regarding the death of Brightness Ialai, whom he orders recorded as having taken her own life. Pulling Kaladin aside for a private conversation, Dalinar addresses reports of Windrunners and Fused exchanging wounded rather than pursuing kills, particularly Kaladin's practice of releasing wounded Heavenly Ones in exchange for mercy toward his own soldiers. Though Kaladin argues this serves their strategic interests, Dalinar reveals his true concern: Kaladin's deteriorating mental state. The king observes that Kaladin exhibits signs of severe battle fatigue—inability to sleep, emotional numbness, and a man no longer truly functional despite his protests. Despite Kaladin's desperate insistence that the Windrunners need him, Dalinar strips him of active duty, though not his rank. Kaladin erupts in anger, feeling betrayed, but Dalinar remains firm, explaining that Kaladin's presence on missions now poses a risk to others rather than protection. After a painful internal struggle, Kaladin accepts the order, recognizing the truth in Dalinar's assessment. Dalinar offers him ten days to decide on an alternative role—training, logistics, diplomacy, or battle planning—assuring him he will remain valuable. Kaladin leaves the conversation emotionally devastated, his sense of self and purpose fundamentally shattered.