Adolin takes the lone podium in the honorspren forum, determined to argue that humans and Radiants are worth trusting. With Kelek presiding in formal robes, Adolin begins a measured appeal to honor and growth, aiming to keep control of the exchange as Blended taught him.

Hostile honorspren immediately derail his statement with accusations about Dalinar forcing the Stormfather to manifest, and questions about Jasnah and Kaladin nearly killing their spren. Pressed to engage, Adolin defends Dalinar’s integrity and explains Kaladin’s confusion, but his control slips. When asked to swear that no modern Radiant has killed a spren, he hesitates, recalling a dead Cryptic he saw earlier.

Adolin calls out the ambush, but Amuna appears leading a wilted, broken-pattern Cryptic. She asserts only broken oaths make deadeyes and that this one died within the last decade. The crowd recoils, and the revelation overwhelms Adolin’s arguments. Kelek signals the end; Adolin withdraws under a barrage of questions, recognizing the day’s duel was rigged.

Hours later, in darkness, Shallan comforts Adolin as he anticipates imprisonment. She has hidden Stormlight, a communication cube, and a special knife, and proposes breaking him out with her agents and Godeke. Adolin wavers, wanting to persuade fearful, nonwarrior spren rather than coerce them, hoping to use his final rebuttal tomorrow.

Shallan considers Mraize’s plan to steal Kelek’s soul and impersonate him at the trial. Radiant rejects the idea, and Veil changes sides to agree. Something stirs within Shallan as Formless emerges, reassuring Adolin and hinting the Herald might still surprise them.