Summary

Interlude 4 is in the first person narration of a new character named Rysn. She is the apprentice to the merchant Vstim as the pair and their caravan of wares enter Shinovar. Rysn is stunned by the grass and trees of Shinovar as the grass does not retreat like the grass in other countries around Roshar and the trees are able to grow straight upwards because they do not have to fight the fierce winds of the highstorms. The Misted Mountains protect Shinovar from the highstorms and allow the grass and trees to grow like this in soil, which is not found in other places around Roshar. The merchants wait for a while until a Shinovar farmer rides up with his soldiers. Vstim explains to Rysn that soldiers are of the lowest social class in Shinovar society and farmers are of the highest, unlike...