In Adolin’s command tent, Notum explains that after Adolin left Lasting Integrity, Notum decided that staying behind had been cowardice. Notum refused to become a Radiant spren, but still wanted to help the war. Notum says that on the first night after making that decision, a quiet feminine voice called him to arms, and he let human hopes and thoughts draw him into the Physical Realm. The speed of his transition surprises Colot and May, because spren normally need much longer to adjust, especially without a Nahel bond.

May explains that a Radiant bond gives humans Surges and gives spren stability in the Physical Realm, so Notum’s ease is unusual. Notum insists he does not need a bond and formally asks Adolin for a battlefield commission. Adolin gratefully accepts, placing Notum over the messenger corps with May’s approval. Notum promises to serve, Adolin names him a captain in the Cobalt Guard, and Notum’s arrival strengthens Adolin’s belief that spren may still aid the fight even without becoming Radiants.

After Notum leaves, Adolin reflects on the violence of the day and tells himself that he kills for a meaningful cause, not for its own sake. May and Adolin discuss reports from Urithiru: the coalition is still holding on the Shattered Plains but is worried about Stormlight shortages, and there is no new word about Shallan beyond Jasnah’s belief that Shallan and Renarin are doing important work. May remarks that Adolin and Shallan suit one another because they share whimsy, and Adolin leaves for his evening appointment with Yanagawn while privately fearing that Maya’s distant mission and his own strained defenses may not be enough to hold out five more days.

Elsewhere, Sigzil flies low through the chasms of the Shattered Plains with squires after Leyten reports that all the Heavenly Ones seem concentrated in one region. Using the enemy patrol pattern, Sigzil and his team infer that the Fused are guarding something near the northern edge of the Plains. Sigzil takes a smaller group forward through the chasms, then climbs alone toward the storm clouds to get a better view, trusting the lightning to hide him.

From above, Sigzil discovers a large enemy army of Regals gathered around a glowing violet pit. Vienta identifies the phenomenon as an Elsegate and says its existence would mean either Dai-Gonarthis has somehow been empowered again or the enemy has obtained the Elsecaller Honorblade. As Sigzil studies the scene, he sees a tall silvery Fused near the portal, then watches Moash emerge from the gate in a black uniform carrying a familiar Honorblade, with eyes that seem to glow violet with Voidlight. The discovery reveals that the enemy has found a new way to reinforce the battlefield and that Teft’s killer is directly involved.