Zahel  grinned.  It  looked  a  dangerous  expression  on  him.  He  stepped forward,  and  Kaladin  understood.  There  would  be  no  backing  away  andleading  him  off  this  time.  Kaladin  wouldn’t  have  that  option  if he were protecting a member of Dalinar’s family. Instead, he had to try his best to pretend to kill this man.

That meant an attack.

A prolonged, close-quarters fight would favor Zahel, as Kaladin couldn’t parry a Shardblade. Kaladin’s best bet was to strike fast and hope to score an early hit. Kaladin barreled forward, then threw himself to his knees, skidding on the sands underneath Zahel’s strike. That would get him close, and—

Zahel kicked Kaladin in the face. Vision swimming, Kaladin rammed his fake spear into Zahel’s leg. The man’s  Shardblade  came  down  a  second  later,  stopping  where  Kaladin’s shoulder met his neck.“You’re dead, son,” Zahel said