As the Fourth Bridge lifts from Hearthstone, Kaladin watches his abandoned hometown shrink below and wrestles with guilt, failure, and Moash’s recent psychological attack. Syl notes his worsening exhaustion and detachment, especially when his Stormlight fades. Teft confronts Kaladin, pressing him to congratulate Laran for swearing the Third Ideal and to warn the Windrunners that Moash is active. Kaladin performs his duties, then joins the group flying Dalinar and others toward the Shattered Plains.

Meanwhile, Navani contemplates contradictions in fabrial science while examining the captured Voidlight-suppressor. She notes its garnet array matches the gemstone pillar in Urithiru and ponders whether the tower once suppressed Fused rather than Radiants. Reflecting on Soulcasters—whose spren are held in Shadesmar—she contrasts ancient mechanisms with modern fabrials. Traveling in a Lashed capsule, she lands near the Plains, discovers a hidden spanreed ruby, and receives a message accusing her of monstrously imprisoning spren and warning her to stop making “this new kind of fabrial.”

With most Windrunners away, Shallan and Adolin go overland, handing off prisoners and riding by carriage toward Narak. They discuss her secrets and personas; Veil surfaces to speak plainly as they debate Ialai’s death and the line between justice and assassination. Veil denies killing Ialai, though both acknowledge Ialai feared capture more than death.

Shallan shares Ialai’s final hints about the Ghostbloods and reveals a hidden notebook she found. Together they review names and terms—including Nalathis, Scadarial, Tal Dain—and a repeated note that “Thaidakar” leads the Ghostbloods. Adolin urges caution and eventual involvement of Jasnah, while Shallan promises to consult him before acting.

Privately, Shallan realizes she still has not admitted her Ghostblood membership to Adolin. Anticipating contact from Mraize, she resolves to find a way to sever ties before her secrecy fuels the emergence of Formless.