Kaladin finds Szeth waiting to depart and proposes that they reach Shinovar by flying with the highstorm after it passes Azimir that night. Szeth agrees without comment, and Nightblood immediately interrupts to ask whether the trip will include snacks, explaining that Lift told the sword this was important. Kaladin promises to bring some, then arranges to meet Szeth at the Oathgate in two hours.

Kaladin retrieves Syl and his armor spren from the room where Navani is meeting with others, then flies to the Windrunner barracks to collect his gear. Quartermaster Leyten has already packed Kaladin’s travel rucksack with supplies, including rations, canteens, a medical kit, and uniforms. In Kaladin’s personal pocket are Wit’s flute, Tien’s toy horse, and an unexplained dull brown rock that Leyten says he did not pack.

While Leyten reviews the new mess kit, Dabbid passes through and embraces Kaladin goodbye. Kaladin then notices a small honorspren secretly following Dabbid. Leyten explains that the honorspren arrived alone the day before, despite earlier expectations that no more would come, and Syl identifies her as Lusintia. The moment makes Kaladin realize that more of his former squires may be attracting spren, and although Sigzil now commands the Windrunners, Kaladin feels responsible and uneasy. The Wind’s warning remains with him, and he thinks that a storm is coming.

Elsewhere, Shallan’s air journey with Adolin turns violent when Windrunners clash with eight Heavenly Ones above the beads. Because Shallan has been Lashed into place and has nothing to push against, she can barely control her position. Adolin, more stable in his saddle, tries to help by drawing weapons from his boxes and hurling them at the attackers. During the fight, one Heavenly One drives a lance through one of Drehy’s squires, badly wounding her and draining her Stormlight.

Shallan desperately uses Lightweaving to protect Adolin. One illusion of Adolin on Gallant briefly fools a Heavenly One, but the attacker quickly reorients, slips beneath the horse, and slams into the real Adolin. The blow knocks Adolin out of the saddle, and he falls toward the beads below. Shallan realizes he will suffocate if he sinks there, and because Drehy is the one who Lashed her, she understands how to free herself. Shallan draws in the Stormlight sustaining the Lashing, releases herself, and drops after Adolin.