Eshonai paces the circular plateau outside Narak, keeping busy to muffle a persistent inner scream. Around her, parshendi in stormform drill in ranks to the Rhythm of Fury. Eshonai divides them by experience, mindful that a new form does not make a soldier, and frames their transformation as a necessary part to play in a grand plan.

Venli joins her, reporting that the Alethi—spurred by Eshonai’s visit to the Blackthorn—plan a major push toward Narak. Eshonai judges this perfect for their purposes, but Venli presses to bring a highstorm immediately. Eshonai refuses, reasoning that an early storm would scare the humans away; their storm must be a weapon sprung when the enemy is upon them.

Suspicious of Venli’s confidence, Eshonai demands what Venli is hiding. Venli, smiling, claims the songs indicate the storm will blow a different way, implying their storm will be unique. The exchange unsettles Eshonai, who already notes that Venli seems unchanged by stormform while Eshonai herself feels profoundly altered.

Venli departs to teach and prepare their forces to use the storm, speaking to the Rhythm of Craving. Eshonai suppresses the inner screams once more and turns to ready another battalion. Though she hates generalship, she envisions being remembered as the warleader who finally crushes the Alethi—if their timed storm can catch the humans at Narak.