So at the end of WoK we are introduced to Taln...there are some things that stand out as off.
1. Most importantly, Hoid refers to him as "confused."
2. Taln is wearing a sacklike cloth as a wrap.
3. He is dark skinned, dark eyed and has long tangled hair.
4. Slaves wear sacklike clothing.
5. Kaladin saves a dark skinned slave with long, tied-back hair in chapter 53.
6. The man Kaladin saved and the man claiming to be Taln both have no accent.
So I guess my question/theory is that the man is a Herald, but is not actually Taln or Taln respawned on the shattered plains were he had died and then, for some unknown reason, went all the way to Kholinar to announce the Desolation.
Tear it apart please :-)