In the ancient vision, Navani watches Tanavast appear in person before the future Heralds and argue that they cannot defeat Odium alone. Honor says Ishar’s plan can work if enough volunteers swear binding oaths to him, allowing him to reclaim and then regrant Surges under rules that will prevent another catastrophe. He explains that the pact will let them bind the immortal enemy away on Braize, and Vedel adds that the volunteers can be sealed into ageless rebirth through Honor’s power.

Ishar begins the process by drawing lines of light from Honor and creating the first bond. Jezrien swears first, followed by Nale, Chana, Vedel, Pralla, Shalash, Battar, and Dalinar acting in Kalak’s place, each oath increasing the room’s hum of power. When Jezrien asks Midius to join, Navani cannot make herself accept on Wit's behalf, so she refuses. Honor insists the last member must volunteer, and Nale says he knows someone else who should fill the final place.

Later in Shinovar, Kaladin and Szeth walk through a strangely gentle highstorm toward the Elsecaller monastery to confirm whether killing its Honorbearer freed the people there. Kaladin tries to connect with Szeth, reflects on Fleet and Tien, and pushes back against his own bitterness about Shinovar’s easier weather. Szeth unexpectedly admits that Kaladin’s advice about resisting destructive thoughts has helped him.

That apparent progress turns grim when Szeth explains what he means: Kaladin’s guidance has helped Szeth decide to judge himself and die by suicide after he finishes cleansing Shinovar. Kaladin is horrified, because Szeth has twisted self-examination into a plan for self-execution instead of healing. Syl also notices that almost no spren are present in the storm, says the Wind and her father seem to be wavering, and Kaladin hears a strange distant voice just before he and Szeth arrive at a monastery standing in the middle of a river.

Back in the vision, Renarin hears Glys warn that Shalash has spoken a line she did not say in the original event, revealing that the disguised figure is one of the intruders. Renarin confirms that it is Shallan, quietly feeds her the correct lines so she can stay hidden, and works with Rlain while counting who remains unaccounted for. After most of the group leaves to fetch Taln, Renarin concludes that the assassins are likely the three guards left in the tent. As Renarin prepares to move against them beside Shallan and Rlain, Honor suddenly attacks him.