Summary and Analysis of Chapter 66: An Emerald Broam

Spoiler Notice

This page contains spoilers for The Way of Kings. Proceed with caution.

Summary

After a joint battle with Dalinar Kholin's army against the Parshendi, Kaladin's Bridge Four is immediately sent scavenging in the chasms despite their exhaustion. There, they discover a dead lighteyed officer and his fortune, including a brilliant emerald broam—a sum that could change their lives. Kaladin decides to turn in the broam to appear honest, but secretly keeps the smaller spheres. He devises a plan with Rock to shoot an arrow with a pouch tied to it into the underside of a bridge for later retrieval. During the scavenging, Sigzil recounts details of Sesemalex Dar, a distant city, confirming the reality of Kaladin's strange dreams. Shen's protectiveness over Parshendi corpses reveals hidden depths to the parshmen. Through these events, Kaladin grapples with his growing supernatural abilities and his distrust of lighteyes, even as Dalinar's example challenges him. He begins to earn his men's trust and plans to arm them for escape.

Key Events

  • Dalinar Kholin's army arrives at a contested plateau and joins forces with Sadeas's troops, overwhelming the Parshendi through pincer tactics.
  • After the battle, Bridge Four is immediately sent into the chasms to scavenge, where they discover an emerald broam and additional spheres on a dead officer.
  • Kaladin decides to surrender the broam to avoid suspicion but secretly keeps the lesser spheres, planning to smuggle them out by arrow.
  • Sigzil tells the crew about Sesemalex Dar, a real city Kaladin previously saw in a dream, deepening the mystery of his powers.
  • Shen violently protects the bodies of fallen Parshendi, revealing a rare emotional depth in parshmen.
  • Rock reveals his skill with a bow (though he refuses to fight) and successfully embeds an arrow with a pouch of spheres under a bridge for later retrieval.

Character Development

  • Kaladin: Continues to struggle with trust in lighteyes, despite witnessing Dalinar's seemingly honorable conduct. His leadership grows as he makes pragmatic decisions about the spheres and reassures his men against suspicion. He acknowledges his strange healing and dream-visions but remains focused on survival.
  • Moash: Shows increasing loyalty to Kaladin, defending him against Skar's skepticism. His eagerness to use wealth for escape reflects a mix of desperation and hope.
  • Rock: Reveals an unexpected talent for archery, hinting at a hidden past. Maintains his strict refusal to fight, but willingly aids the crew through non-combat means.
  • Sigzil: Begins to share his Worldsinger knowledge, inadvertently validating Kaladin's supernatural experiences. His reluctance to be seen as a performer contrasts with his growing integration into Bridge Four.
  • Shen: Displays uncharacteristic passion for Parshendi dead, challenging assumptions about parshmen docility. This moment plants a seed for Kaladin's future plans.
  • Teft: Shows skepticism toward Shen and distrust of lighteyes, but follows Kaladin's orders.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Wealth vs. Worth: The emerald broam symbolizes the vast economic gulf between lighteyes and darkeyes. Despite its value, it is practically useless to the bridgemen, highlighting their constrained autonomy.
  • Trust and Solidarity: Kaladin refuses to spy on his own men, insisting on trust to maintain unity, even as the risk of betrayal looms. This act strengthens the crew's cohesion.
  • Honor Among Thieves: The decision to return the broam while stealing lesser spheres reflects a moral calculus—survival through cunning rather than brute honesty.
  • Supernatural Manifestations: Lifespren and Kaladin's confirmed dream-city (Sesemalex Dar) underscore the encroaching fantastical elements in his life, intertwining his destiny with larger cosmic forces.
  • The Bow as a Tool of Distance: Sigzil's cultural view of the bow as a noble weapon contrasts with Alethi norms, and Rock's use of the bow for a non-lethal purpose foreshadows its potential as a strategic equalizer.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 66 marks a turning point in Bridge Four's resourcefulness and unity. The successful scavenging operation and the arrow-smuggling plan demonstrate practical ingenuity, moving beyond mere survival toward proactive rebellion. Dalinar's battlefield cooperation hints at shifting Alethi politics, while Kaladin's internal conflict—between distrust of lighteyes and acknowledgment of Dalinar's honor—sets the stage for future alliances. The revelation that Sesemalex Dar is real deepens the mystery of Kaladin's powers, nudging him closer to accepting his role as something more than a bridgeman. Finally, the chapter solidifies the crew's trust in Kaladin, as he balances pragmatism with morality, and reveals Rock's hidden skill, adding a new dimension to the team's capabilities.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Kaladin decide to give up the emerald broam, and what does this decision reveal about his leadership? Kaladin recognizes that a bridgeman possessing a full broam would raise immediate suspicion, making it unusable. By turning it in, he protects the crew from punishment and establishes an appearance of honesty, which may earn them trust and small rewards. This pragmatic choice shows his ability to weigh long-term safety over short-term gain, reinforcing his role as a calculating protector rather than a reckless gambler.

  2. How does Sigzil's description of Sesemalex Dar affect Kaladin, and what does it suggest about the nature of Kaladin's dreams? Sigzil's detailed account confirms that the city Kaladin flew over in his dreams is a real place, proving that his visions are not mere fantasies. This realization forces Kaladin to confront the likelihood that something supernatural is happening to him—possibly connected to his rapid healing and the lifespren around him. It suggests that his bond with Syl and his emerging powers are part of a larger, ancient pattern.

  3. What does Rock's refusal to fight but willingness to shoot the arrow reveal about his personal code? Rock adamantly refuses to engage in combat, considering it not his place, yet he helps the crew by using his archery skill in a non-violent way. This distinction shows a nuanced moral stance: he will assist his friends in surviving and outwitting their oppressors, but he draws a line at taking life directly. His secret skill also hints at a complex past that he keeps guarded, adding mystery to his character.

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