31. The Stillness Before

Kaladin welcomes back a patrol of forty soldiers to Bridge Four's barracks, noting the men's transformation and preparing them to become sergeants. Meanwhile, Shallan and Tyn's caravan approaches the Alethi warcamps and learns of major political upheaval in Jah Keved, including the deaths of the king, his heir, and several highprinces, possibly at the hands of the Assassin in White.

Kaladin observes the forty patrolmen arriving at Bridge Four's barracks, where they are received warmly and offered stew. He notices an odd stillness in the evening air and reflects on the transformation these men have undergone. Pitt, one of the bridgemen, approaches Kaladin to apologize for his past resentment during their days as expendable bridge crew, recognizing that men can be reformed. Kaladin plans to use these forty soldiers as sergeants for their own bridge teams. He notices Teft has disappeared and an unusual ardent in a robe sketching nearby, but dismisses it. Sigzil warns him that a highstorm is approaching sooner than expected, prompting Kaladin to eat quickly and prepare for storm duty with Dalinar and the king. In a parallel narrative, Shallan travels with Tyn in a caravan wagon approaching the warcamps. She practices sleight-of-hand with spheres while Tyn smokes a mossy substance and discusses Shallan's need to overcome her modesty and develop skills for successful con work in different cultures. As they near the warcamps at sunset, Tyn reveals critical news: the Veden king and his heir are dead, along with six highprinces, apparently killed by the Assassin in White. Shallan is alarmed about her family and homeland's fate. Tyn promises to share information from her informants via spanreed that night. They decide to camp before the warcamps rather than arrive after dark, aware that a highstorm is approaching.