39. Notes

During a strategy meeting of Dalinar's Radiants in the tower basement, Shallan is tasked with taking notes while the group discusses the threat posed by the Fused and the Voidbringers. The meeting covers Kaladin's plan to infiltrate Kholinar, Jasnah's proposal to locate and possibly sacrifice the Heralds to restore their original pact, and broader plans to coordinate the kingdoms of Roshar against the enemy. After the meeting, Jasnah confronts Shallan about her distraction, wandering attention, and incomplete wardship duties, affirming that her training will continue despite Shallan's newfound Radiant powers. The chapter ends with Shallan discovering a mysterious letter in Veil's coat, rewarding her for investigating the Unmade and revealing information about her brother Helaran.

Dalinar convenes a meeting of his core Radiants—Jasnah, Renarin, Kaladin, Navani, and Shallan—in secured basement rooms of the tower to discuss strategy against the Voidbringers. Jasnah asks Shallan to take shorthand notes. Kaladin reports on the Fused and parshmen forces, expressing moral concern about collateral damage to common parshmen, though Dalinar argues that defense of Alethkar justifies the coming conflict. He authorizes Kaladin to lead a small strike team including Adolin and King Elhokar to Kholinar to activate the Oathgate. Jasnah proposes that they must think beyond immediate defense: they need to locate the Heralds and consider whether their original pact against the Voidbringers can be restored, even if it requires sacrificing one or more Heralds to Damnation. Dalinar approves searching for the Heralds as a priority. The group discusses coordinating Roshar's kingdoms and using Kaladin's flying squires to scout enemy movements. During the meeting, Shallan becomes distracted sketching Kaladin's face. When Jasnah notices and a creationspren appears, she calls for a break. After the meeting resumes, Jasnah pulls Shallan aside and rebukes her for poor note-taking, acknowledging her growth as a Radiant but refusing to release her from her wardship duties. Jasnah also hints at knowing Shallan keeps secrets. Shallan internally refuses to reveal anything about Veil and the Ghostbloods. Pattern mentions the room has 'memories' in Shadesmar; Shallan relays this to Jasnah, who thanks her and agrees to investigate. At the meeting's conclusion, Shallan presents poorly written notes with a glib excuse for a gap in her documentation, and Jasnah orders her to transcribe them in longhand and distribute copies. Later, in her rooms, Shallan discovers a letter pinned inside Veil's coat, praising her for investigating and frightening away the Unmade, and promising a reward: information about her brother Helaran's true identity as a Skybreaker acolyte.