Chapter 7

Kaladin spends time with his family in the tower's new quarters, playing with his younger brother Oroden and conversing with his parents about the impending battle. He receives cryptic messages from the wind urging him to help, and learns from his father that fierce fighting is expected over the next nine days as both sides vie for territory in the Unclaimed Hills and Frostlands before a deadline arrives.

Kaladin is in his family's quarters when a loud noise startles him, revealing it to be his brother Oroden clapping. Syl appears in her new visible form with colored sleeves, and the two play with blocks while Oroden spins around them. Kaladin reflects on his uncertain role—no longer Dalinar's champion or Bridge Four's leader—when the wind's voice speaks to him, though he dismisses it as an internal thought resembling Teft's voice. His mother Hesina joins him and serves him food, and they discuss the tower's strange new properties: it is infused like a sphere, allowing control of water temperature and other elements. Syl adopts a more human-like posture, even wearing a glove on her safehand to appear more like a person than a force of nature. Hesina embarrasses Kaladin by recounting childhood stories, mentioning his childhood fascination with dungspren, which prompts Syl to joke about her lack of knowledge on the subject. Oroden comically misinterprets the conversation. Lirin arrives with papers detailing Dalinar's medical corps needs and the upcoming battle strategy. He and Hesina discuss the medical system's poor state and expected casualties. Kaladin asks about the battle, and Lirin explains that fighting will intensify over nine days as both sides compete to hold territory in the Unclaimed Hills and Frostlands—whatever is held when the deadline arrives belongs to that side. The wind's voice returns, speaking of something worse than a storm, asking Kaladin for help and directing him to listen to the Bondsmith. Kaladin recalls Dalinar's earlier mention of a duty in Shinovar involving the Herald Ishi. After a heartfelt embrace with his father, Kaladin decides to depart. Syl changes into a Bridge Four uniform, appearing more mature and composed. Kaladin leaves feeling a sense of agency and control for the first time in years.