Adolin enters a packed forum in Lasting Integrity to face a trial judged by Kelek. Sekeir frames the proceeding as judging humanity for the Recreance, but Adolin insists he should be tried for himself. Amuna testifies first, describing the total loss of honorspren to deadeye status and condemning renewed bonds, citing care for the betrayed and fear that Dalinar might kill the Stormfather.

Blended then testifies against humans, calling them fickle and suggesting bonds with singers—or even alignment with Odium’s forces—might be preferable. Adolin rejects serving Odium as evil. Kelek notes the unusual weight of an inkspren supporting honorspren arguments, and the crowd remains hostile.

Notum appears in uniform to testify but instead publicly declares that honor lives in the hearts of men, triggering a rare eruption of emotion and a brawl of words among honorspren. Officials drag Notum away, clear the forum, and even remove Shallan and Pattern. Afterward, Kelek vacillates between indifference and grave weariness, telling Adolin he cannot order spren back to a war that once destroyed them.

In a private exchange, Kelek warns that Adolin’s trial has become a focal point that might push honorspren toward defecting to Odium’s side, despite their dislike of highspren. Adolin remains resolute, aiming to persuade even a few spren to aid humanity, whatever the judgment.

About an hour later, Shallan climbs a real tree to test the planar boundary, then fakes a dangerous fall. Pattern plays along, convincing honorspren to rush her to their Stormlight stores. Inside, Shallan draws Stormlight to heal, then as Veil, executes a sleight-of-hand swap—planting a dun emerald and pocketing a perfect, infused gemstone—before being ushered out amid reprimands.