Chapter 64: Dunny
Spoiler Notice
This page contains spoilers for The Way of Kings and this chapter in particular. If you haven't read this far, proceed with caution.
Summary
During a chaotic bridge run, Kaladin leads Bridge Four under heavy Parshendi arrow fire. Miraculously, the crew suffers no fatal hits until young Dunny stumbles with an arrow in his shoulder. As Kaladin rushes to save him, another arrow strikes Dunny, and despite Kaladin’s attempt to reach him, Moash drags Kaladin to safety just before thundering cavalry trample the bridge. Dunny is killed instantly. After the run, Kaladin—visibly shaken but determined—orders Bridge Four to tend the wounded from other crews. He personally treats several injured men from Bridge Eight, defying his men’s protests about limited supplies and the disdain of other crews. In an impassioned speech, Kaladin declares that they must not look away as lighteyes do, but instead act with honor by helping their own. He invokes his father’s example as a true man of honor. As he works, he notices that the gash on his cheek from an arrow has vanished, healing completely—a mystery that unsettles him. Moash, who once despised Kaladin, admits he was wrong and offers his hand in genuine respect, marking a turning point in their relationship.
Key Events
- Bridge Four executes another bridge run under intense fire; Kaladin’s presence seems to deflect arrows.
- Dunny is struck by two arrows and trampled by cavalry before Kaladin can reach him.
- Kaladin orders his men to search for wounded bridgemen from other crews and give them medical aid.
- He delivers a fiery speech condemning the lighteyes’ empty honor and demanding that Bridge Four live up to his father’s example of true honor.
- Kaladin treats several wounded men, sewing wounds and cauterizing, though one dies.
- Kaladin discovers the arrow cut on his cheek has completely healed, leaving no scar.
- Moash admits he was wrong about Kaladin and shakes his hand, signaling newfound loyalty.
Character Development
- Kaladin: His drive to save everyone is both his strength and his torment. Dunny’s death triggers a crisis of purpose, but he channels grief into serving others. His mysterious healing hints at emerging Radiant abilities, even if he doesn’t understand them yet. His speech shows him weaponizing his father’s teachings to build a code of honor for Bridge Four.
- Moash: Moves from resentment to respect. His decision to pull Kaladin away from danger is pragmatic but painful; his later handshake is a meaningful surrender of his earlier scorn.
- Teft: His pointed remarks about Kaladin’s infused spheres and uncanny survival suggest he suspects something supernatural is at work, though he stops short of explaining.
- Bridge Four: The crew’s initial reluctance to help other bridgemen gives way to obedience under Kaladin’s leadership, solidifying their transformation into a cohesive unit that mirrors his values.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Honor vs. Empty Privilege: The chapter relentlessly contrasts the lighteyes’ feigned honor with the genuine honor of serving the forgotten. Kaladin echoes his father’s belief that true honor lies in helping even those who hate you.
Sacrifice and Complicity: Dunny’s death epitomizes the bridgemen as disposable tools. By refusing to look away, Kaladin fights passive complicity.
Healing and Stormlight: Kaladin’s mysteriously healed cheek is a physical manifestation of his latent bond with Syl and the power of Stormlight—though Teft’s cryptic comments imply he already suspects the truth.
Leadership as Service: Kaladin redefines leadership not as command but as caretaking, risking his resources and standing to save strangers.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a crucible for Bridge Four’s identity. Kaladin’s decision to aid other crews publicly defies the system that treats bridgemen as disposable, and his speech becomes a founding document of their new code. The growing rumor mill around Bridge Four’s survival rate and Kaladin’s odd behavior plants seeds for future alliances. Meanwhile, the healed wound is the clearest evidence yet that Kaladin is something more than a simple slave—a secret that will soon become impossible to hide. Moash’s turn from antagonist to loyal follower completes a critical emotional arc and sets the tone for the crew’s unwavering unity in the trials ahead.
Study Questions
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How does Kaladin’s reaction to Dunny’s death reveal both his strengths and his weaknesses as a leader?
Kaladin’s grief and fury drive him to save others, showcasing his empathy and determination. However, his inability to accept death as inevitable—even in the chaos of battle—nearly gets him killed, and the emotional burden may lead to despair if he cannot forgive himself for losses beyond his control. -
Why is Kaladin’s healed cheek significant in the context of the larger story?
The instantaneous healing, with no scar, is an unmistakable symptom of Stormlight infusion. It confirms that Kaladin is unconsciously tapping into the power that will eventually make him a Knight Radiant. For Bridge Four, it’s a miracle they cannot explain; for Teft, it’s a sign that his suspicions are correct. The event accelerates Kaladin’s mysterious reputation. -
What does Moash’s change of heart tell us about Kaladin’s influence on the bridgemen?
Moash started as one of Kaladin’s most vocal detractors. His admission that Kaladin is “an honest fool” and his offer of friendship show that consistent acts of selfless leadership can win over even hardened cynics. This shift foreshadows how deeply Kaladin’s example will reshape the entire crew’s morale and loyalty.