On a Reacher ship in Shadesmar, Kaladin wakes to the metallic crew and their flying spren draft-beasts. Syl appears disguised via Lightweaving to avoid attention as an honorspren. Captain Ico leads Kaladin below, explaining Stormlight fades here and that Celebrant’s moneychangers use perfect gemstones to store light indefinitely, granting credit.

Ico retrieves a steel device and, using Kaladin’s Stormlight, manifests an ocean bead as unmelted ice. The chilled fabrial condenses water along its branches into a basin, providing the humans with drinkable water. Kaladin tests it and marvels at the process.

Syl, denied a ride on the flying spren, prods Kaladin to speak with Shallan, arguing it is her duty to keep him from being alone. Kaladin worries about Shallan’s betrothal to Adolin, but Syl insists he needs companionship.

Kaladin and Shallan share water and banter. Shallan notes the Reachers’ barefoot steps and copper lines that vibrate, likely used for communication. Azure clings uneasily to the rail. Shallan sketches and proposes that the arrowhead-headed mandras—akin to luckspren—enable creatures like skyeels and greatshells to defy mass limits; mandras sometimes “drop” into the Physical, and spren weaken far from human populations.

Reviewing her map, Shallan estimates two days to Celebrant. Kaladin urges a path to Thaylen City’s Oathgate, convinced Dalinar is in danger; Shallan is cautious about trusting his vision and defers a decision until they reach the city.

Lighthearted wordplay gives way to vulnerability. Kaladin asks how Shallan endures her past; she replies that she hides memories—“There. Gone.”—though it fragments her, echoing Jasnah’s claim that power is perception. Kaladin envies the relief even as Shallan grows quiet, the darkness and urgency lingering.