76. The Hidden Blade

Kaladin struggles with insomnia and the loss of his powers as the army prepares to march. Dalinar's forces gain unexpected support from Sebarial and Aladar, building a coalition to invade the Shattered Plains. In a confrontation with Amaram, Dalinar reveals he has discovered the truth about the stolen Shardblade and executes justice by stripping Amaram of his Radiant cloak, though he cannot imprison the Shardbearer. Sadeas watches from afar and resolves to let Dalinar's expedition proceed, expecting it will result in the highprince's death.

Kaladin wakes in his barracks unable to sleep, troubled by the thought that he has killed Shallan. Despite his leg wound requiring rest, he ventures out with Lopen's help to watch the army depart. He observes the grand spectacle of a full assembled army—something he once dreamed of as a youth—though he now understands the brutal reality of war. As the army gathers on the Shattered Plains, Dalinar is surprised when Sebarial arrives with his forces and mistress Palona, seeking opportunity. Shortly after, Aladar's considerably large army also appears, despite his previous opposition to Dalinar. When questioned, Aladar commits to the campaign, acknowledging that while Dalinar's ideals may be naive, the right thing to do is to avenge Gavilar and crush the Parshendi. Sadeas, meanwhile, observes the growing coalition with his wife Ialai and realizes he no longer needs to execute a coup, believing Dalinar will be destroyed on the Plains. Later, Kaladin reunites with Bridge Four as they prepare to depart. He watches Adolin and Shallan ride past together and feels the sting of unrequited feelings, though he acknowledges they are well-suited. When Dalinar and Amaram approach the bridgemen, Kaladin tenses at the sight of the man he believes murdered his enslaved soldiers. Dalinar then reveals his trap: he had secretly bonded a Shardblade before hiding it where Kaladin's madman double had carried another, allowing him to discover Amaram's guilt. Confronted, Amaram justifies his murders as necessary sacrifices for greater strategic goals. Dalinar orders Amaram to remove his Radiant cloak and dismisses him, unable to imprison a Shardbearer but stripped of his reputation. Kaladin is vindicated but left hollow by Amaram's unwavering conviction in his actions. Dalinar returns to his horse, revealing he now possesses a Shardblade himself, though he finds wielding it feels somehow wrong. The chapter concludes with Sadeas deciding to do nothing and let the four highprinces die on the Plains.