Adolin wakes on the glass shore of Shadesmar, haunted by killing Sadeas and feeling insignificant amid spren and alien landscapes. A fearspren lurks as he starts a familiar kata, which Azure then Kaladin join, steadying Adolin’s mood. Shallan watches and urges planning.

They inventory supplies: limited Stormlight, art tools, one jar of jam, Kaladin’s rations for three meals, and scant water—about a day’s worth. Their only true weapon is Azure’s Blade. Pattern and Syl warn the Oathgate spren are “bad,” making a return through Kholinar perilous.

Azure explains she once crossed Shadesmar from a distant land chasing a criminal. She entered Roshar via Cultivation’s Perpendicularity in the Horneater Peaks, noting another, erratic perpendicularity. She describes spren cities and ships—often guided by lightspren—and suggests reaching a port to trade Stormlight for passage. Shallan says Soulcasting here wouldn’t create usable food or water on this side.

Kaladin presses urgency for Alethkar and Dalinar, but Azure warns travel can take weeks. Their debate ends when metallic screeches echo across the bead sea. Recognizing the “wrong spren” have noticed them, Azure hastily packs their gear and urges immediate movement toward spren civilization.