Dalinar wakes from an unusually vivid dream of brilliant warmth with no highstorm blowing and resolves to reach Urithiru’s roof. Meanwhile, Adolin, uneasy amid the tower’s vastness and shifting politics, encounters Highprince Sadeas scouting. Sadeas insinuates Dalinar staged recent events and vows to seize Urithiru. Adolin snaps, tackles Sadeas, and kills him with a knife through the eye, then hides the Shardblade, removes traces, and rejoins his scouts.

Dalinar accesses the roof via a newly discovered fabrial lift and surveys the Oathgate platforms below, noting other gates remain locked. He challenges the storms and the Stormfather answers: the visions were mandated by the Almighty; the Everstorm now circles the world, will recur like highstorms, and will transform parshmen into Voidbringers with no known prevention.

Determined to lead, Dalinar declares the First Ideal and a second oath to unite rather than divide. The Stormfather accepts, naming him Bondsmith, but refuses to be a mere weapon and demands Dalinar abandon his Shardblade. When Dalinar summons it, screams force him to drop it, instantly severing the bond. The Stormfather denies sending the morning vision; Dalinar vows to find a way to defeat Odium.

Dalinar joins Kaladin and Shallan at the top-floor chamber. He breathes Stormlight, healing fully. Renarin steps from the shadows, confirms his eyes were healed, admits the screams from summoning a Shardblade crippled him in the arena, and reveals Glys has bonded him as a Truthwatcher.

Dalinar reports the Everstorm will change parshmen. Kaladin resolves to leave within the hour to protect his parents in Hearthstone and requests Stormlight; Dalinar orders Renarin to secure emerald broams from King Elhokar, who has arrived. With only four Radiants identified, Dalinar and Shallan brace for the coming losses, reaffirming “Life before death.”