Navani assembles Falilar, Kalami, and a team of ardents to engage the mysterious spanreed under controlled conditions. As the pen writes, the correspondent accuses Navani of ignoring instructions and committing “heresies” by imprisoning spren in fabrials, claiming humans kill and must stop their experiments tied to the storms.

Kalami notes the theological thrust of the accusation while Falilar’s scale reveals almost no decay, indicating the other pen is extremely near—likely within the tower. Navani probes the ethics claim, and the writer insists spren must be free, saying human religion is incomplete. After asking for time to consult ardents, Navani keeps the conversation open.

To triangulate, the team relocates to the plateau. The correspondent immediately notices the move, revealing a spy is watching. Navani presses for proof; the pen replies that humans cannot be trusted and that promises make the world function—“we make the world function”—and demands the release of captive spren. Falilar’s second measurement again points to a source inside Urithiru. Navani suspects a hidden spren, not an Unmade.

The link drops. Weighing the phrase “we make the world function,” Navani devises a trap. On the return to the tower, she “accidentally” kicks the spanreed over the cliff, then orders a recovery team with instructions to break the ruby and loudly spread word of the loss. She aims to confirm her suspicion and flush out the spren and its agent.