A brief preface warns the reader that a soul claimed by a gemstone in a knife will soon die, chastising those who toy with powers they don’t understand.

Teft awakens from his coma convinced at first he has relapsed, then realizes he remained clean. He marks nearly seven months without moss, despite headaches and weakness. Kaladin looks hollow and has lost his spren’s presence, but still can draw Stormlight and use Adhesion. Phendorana, Teft’s spren, appears and explains Kaladin’s bond should be intact; returning to where he lost his spren may help. Lift must periodically heal Teft to keep him from slipping back under.

The group—Teft, Kaladin, Dabbid, Rlain, Lift, and Phendorana—takes stock: Fused occupy the tower, the queen is isolated, Radiants are down, and the Sibling is nearly silent. Rlain reports Navani has been kept alone for over two weeks. They debate the final suppression node: breaking it risks killing the tower; waiting risks the enemy doing the same. Kaladin, exhausted, questions whether continued fighting will only provoke worse consequences.

Teft answers with his past. He recounts the Envisagers in Talinar, his parents’ involvement, the dark practices that followed, and how—after he informed the citylord—his father was executed despite their social rank. Though haunted by guilt, Teft concludes their teachings helped him save Kaladin; one must act with best intent without knowing the future.

They set a new aim: rescue, not battle. Lift can wake the captive Radiants, though they will be weak and need food. Rlain proposes an escape through an infirmary window; outside the tower’s influence, Windrunners might fly. Teft volunteers to test, but Kaladin urges planning and recovery first and wants contact with Navani. Rlain will try to reach her by posing among food carriers. They agree to wait, prepare, and act deliberately, as Teft quietly affirms he is worth saving.