Buoyed by a successful moment with Shallan, Adolin prepares to continue the journey, mounting Maya on Gallant and considering how to approach the honorspren. Felt reports the shadowing Tukari have abruptly turned south. Adolin suddenly realizes they were never following his group—they were tracking Notum. He sprints after them; Radiant organizes the party to follow, recognizing the Tukari’s new course matches Notum’s route.

Adolin arrives to find the Tukari mob torturing a bound, glowing Notum while his Reacher attendants sit tied nearby. Lacking Plate and Stormlight, Adolin draws his greatsword and commits to stalling alone until help arrives. He charges, kills several quickly, and uses stances, reach, and intimidation to keep from being surrounded, but the numbers tell; he is eventually pressed hard and wounded by a spear to the side.

Gallant disobeys orders to linger, thundering nearby, and Maya joins Adolin, at first awkwardly holding a shortsword. Adolin cues their morning kata; Maya snaps into proper form and moves in sync behind him, watching his back. The spectacle—a deadeye fighting—rattles the Tukari, buying Adolin space and restoring his confidence despite the bleeding wound.

Adolin holds his ground, cutting down more attackers and wounding the Tukari leader as Gallant’s noise suggests reinforcements. The mob’s nerve breaks; they flee toward their supplies just as Felt and the others arrive. Adolin is found bloodied but upright, propping a badly injured yet living Notum, while the bound Reachers await release. The rescue preserves a fragile link to the honorspren and exposes the Tukari as a violent human force operating in Shadesmar.