AFTERWORD

Chapter 7

5. Ideals

Overview

Kaladin receives Dalinar's proclamation redistributing gemheart collection among highprinces, which sparks outrage in the warcamp. Dalinar then convenes a strategy meeting at the king's palace where he reveals his plan to consolidate power by having Adolin duel other Shardbearers for their Shards, while he and Navani work political channels. Most shockingly, Dalinar announces his intention to refound the Knights Radiant. The chapter ends with Dalinar tasking Kaladin with expanding his guard responsibilities to include the king and training a thousand bridgemen as soldiers.

Summary

The chapter opens with a crier reading Dalinar's proclamation that restructures gemheart collection and spoils distribution, which sparks unease among the highprinces. Kaladin oversees Bridge Four's expanded resources and responsibilities, though he remains troubled by signs of approaching danger—the mysterious glyphs on Dalinar's wall and his own sense of foreboding. He reflects on his choice to make his men soldiers rather than medical assistants, conflicted about following his father's ideals versus his current path. At the king's palace, Kaladin positions his men as guards and attends Dalinar's strategy meeting. Dalinar reveals that the proclamation is designed to provoke and test the highprinces, treating them like undisciplined recruits. His core plan involves having Adolin challenge other Shardbearers to duels to acquire their Shards, while Dalinar and Navani pursue political persuasion. The king expresses fear of civil war and assassination attempts, but Dalinar proceeds with resolve. When the king asks Dalinar's ultimate vision, he declares he will refound the Knights Radiant—a shocking statement that troubles everyone present except Kaladin, who recognizes the connection to the Five Ideals he himself unknowingly swears to. After the meeting, Dalinar assigns Kaladin significant new responsibilities: merging the King's Guard with his own men under Kaladin's command, training a thousand bridgemen for patrols and eventual roadway security, and coordinating family protection. Kaladin accepts these duties despite the overwhelming burden.

Characters

  • KaladinProtagonist; newly appointed bridge captain overseeing Bridge Four and now tasked with expanded guard duties for Dalinar, his sons, Navani, and the king
  • Dalinar KholinHighprince of War; issues proclamation restructuring gemheart distribution and reveals ambitious plan to consolidate power and refound the Knights Radiant
  • SylHonorspren companion to Kaladin; observes events and converses with Kaladin about his emotional state and the dangers ahead
  • The CrierLighteyed woman who reads Dalinar's proclamation multiple times to Kaladin and Bridge Four
  • RockHorneater member of Bridge Four; given responsibility to manage food supplies and train cooks for other barracks
  • SigzilBridge Four member; requests permission to conduct experiments measuring Kaladin's Stormlight abilities
  • MoashBridge Four soldier; confronts a lighteyed guard and accompanies Kaladin on palace duty, showing lingering anger toward lighteyes
  • Elhokar KholinThe king; nervous about highprince rebellion and assassination attempts, participates in Dalinar's strategy meeting
  • Navani KholinKing's mother and Dalinar's ally; collaborates on political strategy to persuade highprinces
  • Adolin KholinDalinar's son; will challenge other Shardbearers to duels for their Shards as part of the strategy
  • Renarin KholinDalinar's younger son; attends the strategy meeting but speaks little
  • General KhalSenior commander; expresses concerns about the political plan's viability during the meeting
  • Brightness TeshavKhal's wife; reports on highprince reactions to the proclamation and questions the strategy
  • Torol SadeasAntagonist highprince; lusts for conquest and plots against Dalinar, now possesses Oathbringer (Dalinar's Shardblade)
  • IalaiSadeas's wife; runs a spy network and advises her husband on political strategy
  • SkarBridge Four member; leads a guard team at the palace and is relieved of duty by Kaladin
  • DrehyBridge Four soldier; stationed on the palace balcony during the strategy meeting
  • MartBridge Four member; stands guard at the meeting chamber door
  • EthBridge Four soldier; stands guard at the meeting chamber door
  • DabbidBridge Four member; assigned to assist Rock with food preparation
  • ShenParshman member of Bridge Four; assists with food duties and shows increased integration with the group
  • LopenBridge Four member; mentioned returning for second helpings of food