2. One Problem Solved

Adolin supervises supply organization in Urithiru's caverns while Dalinar discovers Torol Sadeas's murdered body in the tower corridors. The discovery triggers a tense confrontation between Dalinar's forces and Sadeas's soldiers, which Dalinar defuses before examining the corpse and reassessing his strategic position.

Adolin works in the vast cavern serving as Urithiru's storage and settlement area, redirecting misplaced supply wagons according to Navani's organizational directives while managing workers and their grievances. He deliberately throws himself into the supervisory work to avoid dwelling on his murder of Sadeas the previous day.

A runner summons Adolin to the third floor, where Dalinar arrives to find soldiers from both his forces and Sadeas's contingent facing off over a corpse. Dalinar intervenes forcefully to prevent violence. The body belongs to Highprince Torol Sadeas, discovered lying in dried blood with a fatal wound through the eye—the kind of battlefield kill used against armored opponents, yet Sadeas wore no armor. Dalinar orders the body moved to a side room.

In the examination room, Dalinar assembles a group including Navani, his sons Adolin and Renarin, Shallan, Bridge Four soldiers, Highprince Sebarial and his mistress Palona, Highprince Aladar and his daughter May, and scribe Kalami. Most present feel relieved at Sadeas's death given his betrayal at the Tower, though Dalinar expresses concern that they needed Sadeas's military capability. Dalinar leads the group to an outer balcony of the tower to address the larger strategic situation.

Dalinar speaks of the historical Desolations and the existential threat posed by returning Voidbringers, emphasizing that Urithiru's forces must become Roshar's stabilizing bastion. He appoints Aladar as Highprince of Information to establish order, Sebarial as Highprince of Commerce to organize supplies, and tasks Adolin with implementing a training regimen for all troops. He instructs Bridge Four to continue exploring Urithiru and await their captain Kaladin's return. Dalinar declares his ultimate goal: unifying all of Roshar to face the coming Desolation, a feat no ancestor accomplished. He charges Renarin and Shallan with training other emerging Radiants, though Renarin expresses doubt about his ability to lead.