46. Patriots

Kaladin inspects his bridgeman crews and finds most are progressing well, though Bridge Eighteen struggles with motivation. He is reluctant to join his men for an evening out, but agrees to go drinking at a tavern to maintain connection with them as their commander. There he is led by Moash to a private meeting with conspirators plotting to assassinate King Elhokar, with the stated goal of clearing the way for Dalinar to take the throne.

Kaladin conducts evening inspections of the bridgeman platoons, noting Bridge Seventeen's progress and Bridge Eighteen's continued problems with unity and motivation. He encounters Syl, who urges him to rest rather than overwork himself. Back at Bridge Four's barracks, Kaladin grants the parshman Shen a spear and full membership in the crew after securing permission from Dalinar, affirming that Bridge Four has no slaves. Moash pressures Kaladin to join the men for drinking at the Ornery Chull tavern, and Kaladin reluctantly agrees to maintain his connection with his soldiers. At the tavern, Rock entertains the group with the legend of how the Horneater people came to live in the Peaks by appealing to various spren-gods, and mentions meeting a powerful god named Lunu'anaki with white hair. Kaladin begins considering assassinating Sadeas, believing him deserving of death. Moash then leads Kaladin to a private room where he meets with assassins plotting to kill King Elhokar. The conspirators—a lighteyed man calling himself Graves who carries a Shardblade, a darkeyed mercenary named Rill, Danlan (one of Dalinar's clerks), and a cloaked guard—argue that Elhokar is destroying the kingdom and must be removed so Dalinar will take the throne. Graves appeals to Kaladin to provide an opening by controlling the King's Guard, framing the assassination as necessary surgery to save the realm. Kaladin says he will consider their proposal to make them release him, then returns to the common room. He tells Moash to cease contact with the conspirators and warns against further discussion of the matter, but remains deeply troubled by their arguments.