108. Honor’s Path

Shallan and Kaladin work aboard the honorspren ship Honor's Path as it travels through Shadesmar toward the Oathgate near Kharbranth. Kaladin confronts Captain Notum about freeing Syl and reaching their allies, while Shallan practices manifesting beads and confronts her fractured sense of self. Their plans are complicated when Azure makes a deal with the honorspren to reach the perpendicularity independently, and when Kaladin's passionate declarations attract windspren—a rare phenomenon on this side that impresses even the captain. The chapter ends with the crew spotting eight Fused approaching their vessel.

The chapter opens with Shallan and Kaladin aboard Honor's Path, discussing their location and possible escape routes. After being released from confinement, they strategize about stealing back their Stormlight and jumping ship to reach the Oathgate near Thaylen City. Shallan requests beads from Captain Notum to practice her art, and he grants permission, revealing that beads' ties to physical objects operate through the Spiritual Realm and distance doesn't matter. Over subsequent days, Shallan practices visualizing and manifesting beads while struggling with her fractured identity—Veil, Radiant, and her core self all competing for control. Adolin finds her struggling with these divisions and confesses he killed Sadeas, seeking understanding from someone equally burdened by secrets. Shallan responds without moral judgment, recognizing kinship in their deception. Meanwhile, Azure negotiates with the honorspren first mate Borea to retrieve her Shardblade in exchange for information once they reach Lasting Integrity, infuriating Kaladin, who accuses her of abandoning their mission. Kaladin, increasingly desperate about Dalinar and frustrated with Syl's imprisonment, climbs to the forbidden high deck where he confronts Captain Notum. The captain explains that Syl is both ancient (created long ago) and young (recently awakened), making her unprepared for bonding. He argues that without Honor's checks, the Windrunner bond is dangerous. Kaladin appeals to the captain's sense of honor, revealing that Dalinar is a Bondsmith whose spren is the Stormfather—information that visibly shakes Notum. As Kaladin stands at the bow, windspren—rare on this side—manifest around him, leaving glowing trails that impress the honorspren crew. This display seems to move the captain, who tells Kaladin he will reconsider. At the chapter's end, crew members spot eight Fused approaching on the horizon.