Eshonai, a listener scout and interpreter, arrives in Kholinar for a treaty celebration, awed by human artistry yet unsettled by parshmen slavery. While her people unload drums below, she wanders the palace’s upper corridors, marveling at its wonders and pondering what forms might let her people create such works.

By chance, Eshonai discovers a private meeting with King Gavilar, who dismisses his attendants and shows her a warming fabrial, explaining that captured spren power such devices. He then pivots, declaring he can restore the listeners’ gods and needs the Five’s help, claiming only danger will unite humanity. He speaks of parshmen once being like the listeners, a way to reverse their dull state, and a coming storm to draw out hidden powers. He unveils a vast world map that humbles Eshonai and gives her a dark, faintly violet, light-drinking sphere to take to the Five.

Recognizing from songs that such dark light is tied to forbidden forms of power, Eshonai flees in terror. She drums to calm herself, then reports Gavilar’s claims and the sphere to the Five, who debate the risk of their gods’ return against the fragile peace they have with the Alethi.

Guided by fear and precedent—once embracing dullform to escape their gods—the Five choose a costly course: Klade’s enslaved man, secretly an assassin, will kill Gavilar. Venli was with Klade when the man confessed his skills. Eshonai votes to proceed despite dread, plays the drums as the assassin departs in white, and weeps for the king, her people, and the world as the music dies.