In the Spiritual Realm, Navani reflects on her father and realizes she feels a mysterious Connection to someone watching from beyond the vision, though she cannot identify it or reach the Sibling. As refugees continue crossing into Roshar, Navani notices a new group of Shin arriving and studies the expanding portal itself. By observing Ishi’Elin sustaining it from the far side, Navani concludes the gate requires constant effort and seems to carry travelers through a short passage between worlds rather than acting like a simple doorway.

Navani moves closer to test the portal, drawing alarm from King Jezrien and his guards. Wit appears beside her in a faceless, unstable form and explains that this vision is only an approximation the Spiritual Realm can present to her mind; because of that limitation, Navani cannot actually pass through the gate to another world. Wit also reveals that Dalinar has refused the Stormfather’s offer to send them back, forcing Navani to think beyond an easy escape and focus on what they can learn from history.

Navani approaches Jezrien peacefully and wins enough trust that young Shalash takes her hand. Realizing that Shalash and Jezrien will later help found the Oathpact, Navani decides she needs a physical anchor to guide her toward that crucial future moment. Prompted by the Wind, Navani asks for Shalash’s ribbon, and the girl gives it to her just as the vision collapses into Stormlight. The ribbon remains in Navani’s hand, giving her a tangible link for whatever search comes next.

Elsewhere, Adolin wakes after a few hours of sleep, cleans up, and receives the latest military news from Azimir. The defenders have held off more assaults, but the singer bronze fortress still stands, and worse, the expected Azish reserve force has been delayed by a mysterious enemy raid. Because reinforcements are now at least two days away, Adolin turns his attention to morale and visits the field hospital, where he personally reassures wounded soldiers, praises their service, and helps ease their fears while the overburdened Truthwatcher Rahel treats only the most critical cases.

During the hospital rounds, Adolin discovers Shalash sitting with Talenel. Ash bitterly challenges whether the sacrifices Taln made were worth people like Adolin, underscoring the cost of humanity’s survival and the Heralds’ enduring grief. After encouraging Rahel, Adolin receives a new battlefield report and agrees with the assessment that the enemy is likely delaying its next attack to catch the defenders resting later than usual. He orders preparations for a probable strike in the coming hours, then heads off into the night to keep a promise to an imperial ally.