Adin, a thirteen-year-old potter’s son in occupied Urithiru, is determined to become a Windrunner. He believes spren choose the brave, so he glares after passing singer warforms and notes others, like Shar, showing similar defiance. His father restrains him, reminding Adin to keep his head down. Adin admires his father’s quiet courage in tending fallen Radiants under the Fused’s gaze and senses his own chance to prove himself is approaching.

Maintaining normal routines as a form of resistance, Adin and his father report to Master Liganor’s pottery shop. Adin prepares crem and practices plate-making while his father emphasizes pride in diligent work as a measure of character. They worry about dwindling supplies with traders absent, but continue, using craft and composure to avoid drawing attention.

Master Liganor arrives, uneasy about activity in the atrium, and decides to shutter the shop for safety before retreating upstairs. As soon as he is gone, Adin’s father stops mid-pot and moves to leave, clearly intending to mark himself with a glyph and discreetly watch over the Radiants should trouble break out. Adin confronts him, eager to help.

Though concerned about Adin’s recently injured ankle, his father relents after Adin argues he can carry messages home and will be safer with him than alone in the market. Together they slip out, Adin convinced that this is the day he will seize a weapon, prove his courage, and begin the path that will earn him a spren.