26. A Little Espionage

Kaladin and Teft search for a missing refugee named Noril at an ardent monastery dedicated to treating mental illness. They discover Noril locked in a dark cell under watch for suicide attempts, conditions Kaladin finds disturbing and counterproductive. Kaladin removes Noril from the monastery and brings him to the tower's rim, where conversation and sunlight begin to help the man; Kaladin then confronts the ardents about their treatment methods and declares he will take over care of Noril and other similar patients.

Kaladin and Teft track down Noril, a one-armed refugee whose niece Cressa is searching for him, to the Devotary of Mercy monastery on level four of Urithiru. The ardent receptionist initially refuses to share patient information but grants access when Teft manifests as a Windrunner Radiant. They learn Noril attempted suicide and is being kept in a dark, isolated cell as standard treatment for mental ailments. Upon seeing the conditions—many patients locked in dim rooms with minimal stimulation—Kaladin is horrified, reminiscent of his own time in prison. He removes Noril from the cell despite the ardent's protests. Teft accompanies them to the rim, where Syl rejoins Kaladin. On a balcony overlooking the mountains, Kaladin speaks with Noril, drawing on his own experience with depression and suicidal ideation. He explains that Noril needs connection and conversation, not isolation. Noril gradually opens up, speaking more than he has in the monastery. Kaladin then confronts the ardent about their uniform treatment approach, arguing that different mental ailments require different therapies, much like physical wounds. The ardent admits they have not empirically tested alternatives. Kaladin declares he will take Noril into his care and warns that he will remove other patients as well, backing his authority with the support of Brightness Navani.