9. Walking the Grave

Kaladin leads a group of bridgemen, including Teft and Rock, into the chasms beneath the Shattered Plains to scout a new training location and initiate forty recruits into their ranks. While Teft instructs the new soldiers, Kaladin explores the chasm with Syl and learns crucial information about his connection to her and the broader purpose of the Knights Radiant.

Kaladin descends into an untouched chasm with a new rope ladder, accompanied by Syl, Rock, and Teft. The chasm is filled with debris and bones from past battles—a grave where countless soldiers have been left to rot. Teft begins training forty potential sergeants using the chasm as a teaching ground about their origins as bridgemen. As Kaladin walks deeper into the chasm with Syl, gloryspren appear around him, signaling his pride in Teft's natural leadership. Kaladin reveals his concerns about protecting Dalinar and his family, and mentions the mysterious glyphs that appeared in Dalinar's rooms. He questions Syl about whether there are others like him and whether a spren could have created the glyphs. Syl admits she has seen dangerous spren—"red lightning"—in the distance, suggesting something dangerous is coming. When pressed, Syl reveals she doesn't know what a Cryptic is and admits her memories are incomplete. As they explore, Kaladin finds a violet glowing pool in a widened section of the chasm. Syl becomes more serious and discloses that other spren are attempting to reclaim what was lost, and that she is the only honorspren to have come to this realm, defying the Stormfather to find Kaladin. She describes her former existence among windspren and emphasizes that their bond is important. Standing on Kaladin's finger, she tells him he must become what Dalinar is looking for—a Knight Radiant. Kaladin expresses doubt, fearing that others will take Syl from him and that he is broken, but Syl insists he has the potential, reminding him of his heroism after Sadeas's betrayal. Rock arrives, having been sent by Sigzil to ask if Kaladin is ready to practice his abilities. Kaladin agrees, and Rock goes to fetch Sigzil.