AFTERWORD

Chapter 14

13. Another Hunt

Overview

Kaladin struggles with his removal from active duty as he returns to Urithiru with his squires. Despite his internal anguish, he maintains a facade until Adolin and Syl force him to spend the evening at Jez's Duty winehouse, where he encounters Veil (one of Shallan's personas) and learns troubling details about their recent missions. The chapter culminates in Rock's departure: the Horneater cook announces he must return to his people to face justice for his actions, leaving Kaladin to say goodbye to a close friend.

Summary

Kaladin returns to Urithiru with a hundred squires, mostly Second Ideal Windrunners who have bonded sprens. He is devastated by his recent removal from active duty by Dalinar but hides his distress behind a forced smile. Back in his empty quarters, he breaks down, plagued by despair and agonyspren, until Adolin and a complicit Syl force him to join them at Jez's Duty, a popular winehouse in the Ten Rings market.

At the tavern, Kaladin meets with Veil (Shallan's spy persona), who transitions to Radiant as the evening progresses. They discuss recent missions: Kaladin's successful rescue of the Mink from an occupied town, and Shallan's capture of Ialai Sadeas—though Veil reveals that someone murdered Ialai before they could deliver her to Dalinar, and this is being covered up as suicide. Pattern, Shallan's spren, manifests in the tabletop during their conversation.

Adolin and Veil attempt to set Kaladin up with various women, which he deflects. When they finally allow him privacy with Adolin, Kaladin reveals that Dalinar has relieved him of active duty due to recurring battle shock, a condition he acknowledges as legitimate. Adolin insists his father can be wrong and promises to find a way to help both Kaladin and Shallan, who despite appearing balanced, may be struggling with her condition. Their conversation is interrupted by the wedding celebration.

As the evening winds down, Rock approaches Kaladin privately and announces his intention to leave immediately to return to the Horneater Peaks to face justice from his people for his actions during the war. Despite Kaladin's protests about dangers from Moash and Kaladin's own desire to accompany him, Rock stands firm. He accepts Skar and Drehy as an honor guard and departs with his family, telling Kaladin this marks the end of their chapter together and that they will not meet again in this life. Kaladin embraces his friend farewell, left alone with the weight of another loss.

Characters

  • KaladinProtagonist struggling with removal from active duty; spends the evening at a winehouse with friends while processing his diminished role
  • Adolin KholinHighprince who intervenes to prevent Kaladin from isolating himself; insists on helping both Kaladin and Shallan; maintains a popular presence at the winehouse
  • SylKaladin's spren; fetches Adolin to help Kaladin and later takes interest in gambling
  • Rock (Numuhukumakaki)Horneater cook and former Bridge Four member; announces his departure to return to the Horneater Peaks to face justice from his people
  • VeilShallan's spy persona; discusses recent mission details including Ialai Sadeas's death and attempts to set Kaladin up with women
  • RadiantShallan's more formal persona; reveals concerns about half-formed alternative personas waiting to emerge if the three existing personas fail
  • PatternShallan's spren; manifests in the tavern tabletop and expresses curiosity about human reproduction and concern for Shallan's wellbeing
  • LopenWindrunner squire; attempts to cheer Kaladin with a bad joke during the return to Urithiru
  • SkarWindrunner squire who offers sparring; volunteers to escort Rock's family to the Horneater Peaks
  • SigzilWindrunner squire who offers to delay battle reports to give Kaladin space
  • LeytenWindrunner squire who asks Rock about stew upon arriving at Urithiru
  • KaraWindrunner squire who jokes about Rock's breath at Urithiru
  • TeftFormer Bridge Four member with his own squires; present at Urithiru but pulled away with his team
  • DabbidMember of Kaladin's crew with battle shock; helped deliver supplies on the recent mission
  • RlainWindrunner squire expected to bond a spren soon
  • Navani KholinMentioned via epigraph as having designed the Ten Rings market layout; referenced but does not appear
  • JorHouse bouncer and groom being celebrated at the wedding party
  • KrystJor's new bride introduced during the wedding celebration
  • MelBarmaid at Jez's Duty who serves the group and flirts with Adolin
  • DrehyWindrunner who volunteers to escort Rock's family to the Horneater Peaks
  • SongRock's wife; departing with him to the Horneater Peaks
  • CordRock's daughter; wants to stay in Urithiku to train rather than return home
  • GiftRock's child; wants to stay and fight despite Rock's concerns
  • Dalinar KholinMentioned as having relieved Kaladin of active duty; not present but central to Kaladin's emotional turmoil
  • Ialai SadeasMentioned as having been captured and murdered on Shallan's recent mission; does not appear
  • WitMentioned as possibly having knowledge to help with mental illness; Rock suggests he is a god
  • MoashMentioned as a threat; not present but his potential danger is discussed regarding Rock's departure