Adolin prepares alone for a formal duel, reflecting on his unnamed Shardblade, his belief in Dalinar’s cause, and the weight of risking both his Plate and Blade. In the staging area, Navani completes a glyphward and dismisses worries about Jasnah’s overdue ship, assuming her daughter is deliberately delayed. Adolin, anxious but resolute, frames the duel as service to Dalinar’s unification effort.

As armorers suit him up, Renarin playfully checks Adolin’s ritual “good luck” habits, which Navani calls superstition. Renarin reports the guards’ unease about protecting Adolin in a duel; Adolin admits he dislikes their captain who once saved Dalinar, sensing something off. He insists on facing the fight without minders.

In the arena before Dalinar and the king, Adolin faces Salinor—Thanadal’s Shardbearer—who wields only a Blade and borrowed Plate. Forced to stake both his own Plate and Blade against Salinor’s Blade, Adolin abandons showy form and shifts to a ruthless Ironstance assault. He smashes Salinor’s helm and breastplate, dismisses his own Blade, and kicks the armor apart until the highjudge protests. When told the bout is to three broken pieces, Adolin tears off and breaks a pauldron, then forces Salinor to yield. Salinor severs his bond, and Adolin claims the Blade.

Back inside, Adolin immediately gives the won Blade to Renarin, completing his brother’s Shards. Navani notes the tactic would fail against a better duelist but praises its political value: the crowd will attribute the win to trickery, letting her secure more challenges while opponents underestimate Adolin. He lets her believe it was calculated, despite his own uncertainty, as concern lingers over Jasnah’s missing ship.