Unable to sleep, Dalinar stands on his balcony and reflects on how little time remains before his confrontation with Odium. He compares himself unfavorably to Gavilar, feels the same instinctive dread he once felt when a battlefield was starting to collapse, and recognizes that events are turning against him. That fear is confirmed when an urgent knock comes at his door.

Jasnah, also awake, thinks through the strain in her relationship with Wit. She realizes that his secrecy and small lies make true trust impossible, and that her own emotional distance has left the relationship unsatisfying in a different way. Her thoughts are interrupted when Wit suddenly panics, unleashes strange powers that affect metal and reveal a different underlying physical form, and discovers that three minutes and twenty-seven seconds have been removed from his memory. He explains that the missing time came from a meeting with Odium the day before, which means Odium manipulated him and let him leave believing he had won. Because Wit had believed Rayse would not act that way, he and Jasnah conclude that Odium has become more dangerous and less predictable than expected.

Jasnah and Wit immediately turn to the written terms of Dalinar’s agreement with Odium, fearing they may have missed something essential. Before they can do more, Hendit arrives with news that Shallan and Adolin have returned from Shadesmar and report enemy armies moving toward Azimir through Shadesmar, able to use the Oathgate there. Jasnah and Wit realize this is a larger offensive than the border pressure they had expected, and Wit decides they need expert help beyond his own knowledge.

Elsewhere in Urithiru, Navani explores hidden tower mechanisms while bonded to the Sibling, marveling at the ancient fabrials that run ventilation, water, heat, lights, lifts, and Towerlight throughout the city. The Sibling explains that Towerlight cannot be carried out for long and reveals two disturbing consequences of Navani’s bond: she will not need sleep as long as the tower does not, and she cannot remain away from Urithiru for more than a few weeks without weakening the bond. While Navani is still processing this, the Sibling interrupts her to warn that a Windrunner is delivering urgent news to her rooms.

At the same time, Queen Fen and her husband Kmakl are interrupted during a private moment by reports from Urithiru that enemy forces are poised to strike Azir through Shadesmar. Moments later Admiral Fladrn brings worse news: the blockade near Jah Keved has been broken, the Skybreakers have driven off the Windrunners and shattered much of the Thaylen fleet, and an assault force is now heading straight for Thaylen City. Fen understands that the enemy is not merely skirmishing but launching a coordinated attack on coalition capitals. In Azir, Yanagawn lies awake resenting his ceremonial helplessness until guards and his head vizier Noura arrive with news grave enough to break protocol and wake the emperor, extending the sense that the entire coalition has entered a sudden crisis.