An epigraph notes a wound upon the Spiritual Realm where Ambition, Mercy, and Odium clashed, leaving the planet Threnody disturbed. On Urithiru’s windswept platform, Navani watches banners crack as battalions cycle through the Oathgate to Azir. She and Dalinar discuss the risk of Taravangian’s betrayal; Dalinar plans to separate Taravangian’s forces and keep him under Alethi guard. Szeth, disguised by Lightweavers, secretly protects Dalinar while an illusion maintains the fiction of Szeth’s imprisonment.

Dalinar prepares to leave, bringing eager young Gav to observe strategy. Navani then bids farewell to Jasnah, who travels by palanquin. The two share an awkward but sincere moment as Jasnah affirms her regard and promises to keep Gav far from danger and watch Dalinar’s impulses to make up for past absences.

As the transfer proceeds, Sebarial joins Navani. They banter about Taravangian’s reliability and integrity, and Navani counsels Sebarial to show sincerity toward Palona. Inside the tower, Navani tasks Sebarial with restoring order to the warcamps—firmly but with a light touch—implicitly warning that failure would force martial law. He accepts, joking about keeping his graft minimal.

Considering crowd tensions and traffic flow in Urithiru, Navani visits the vast atrium. There, a Stoneward, Badali, has opened a previously sealed chamber. Inside, engineer Falilar reveals a sunlit room containing a fifteen-foot, split cross-section model of Urithiru, detailed even to the crystal pillar and nearby libraries. The model depicts this very room with an open doorway, suggesting some rooms open via hidden mechanisms; a gemstone was found in the stone, hinting at controls. Navani plans further inspections, including the outer mountain face.

As Navani departs, the young scholar Isabi rushes in with a blinking red spanreed: the unknown, hostile correspondent obsessed with fabrials has resumed contact. Navani sets aside routine reports to answer, sensing looming implications for the tower and her work.