At Urithiru’s Oathgate platform, Dalinar studies the dizzying heights while wrestling with the memory of confronting Odium. Navani questions him about the vision; Dalinar insists Odium was real, and they suspend further visions to avoid risk. Taravangian, Adrotagia, and the Surgebinder Malata join them. Dalinar banters with his guard Rial, then leads the group into the control building marked with Dawnchant glyphs.

Navani coordinates by spanreed with Thaylen City, and moments later Kaladin and Shallan step through, having unlocked the Thaylen Oathgate. They confirm that transferring only the control buildings saves Stormlight, and with a Radiant they can now use the route reliably.

Dalinar orders Kaladin to ride the next highstorm to Kholinar with Adolin, to restrain Elhokar and open the city’s Oathgate. He unexpectedly grants Kaladin a Shardbearer’s landed title along the Deathbend River; Kaladin resists the burden, but accepts, planning to retrieve his family after the mission. Reports indicate the singers and Fused push through Alethkar, Relis Ruthar’s forces retreat toward Herdaz, and noncombatants are spared. Dalinar delays announcing Adolin as highprince until Kholinar is recovered.

Malata keys the mechanism with her Shardblade; the wall rotates, mosaics glow, and the party arrives in Thaylen City. From the lofty platform, Dalinar surveys catastrophic Everstorm damage: toppled loft wards and erased wooden docks, though later Everstorms proved milder. Queen Fen greets them with her attendants, including Prince Consort Kmakl. Fen reflects on their former comfort; Dalinar offers sympathy, and she proposes a tour of what remains standing.