As night falls on Narak, Eshonai hears Thude’s report: he arranged a parley with the Alethi in seven days on a neutral plateau, but saw neither Dalinar the Blackthorn nor the rumored Surgebinder. Urged by urgency and Resolve, Eshonai leaves to seek a new form during the approaching highstorm.

Crossing chasms in warform, she reaches open ground and braces behind a stormshield. The storm slams into her, tearing away the shield and battering her as she clings to rocks. She focuses on the rhythms despite the chaos, determined to face the Rider of Storms directly.

As the rhythms align into a single heartbeat, the storm stills and Eshonai beholds the vast face of the Rider of Storms. The gemstone containing Venli’s captured spren flares. When she shatters it, the Stormfather’s voice asks if this is truly what she wants.

A strange red, lightning-cracking spren escapes and circles her. Realizing something is wrong, Eshonai panics and abandons Venli’s prepared steps. The spren streaks into her chest, spreading crimson tendrils as the Stormfather apologizes, unable to intervene. The rains return and the transformation overtakes Eshonai.