47. So Much Is Lost

Jasnah discovers written records of a Herald in Kholinar speaking words of prophecy and warning about the Desolation, which validates suspicions about the Heralds' return. She discusses with Ivory the implications of finding the Herald, her concerns about Shallan's instability and independence, and the troubling knowledge they gained from Wit about the ancient spren and the Recreance.

Jasnah reads fragmented, repetitive writings from a madman in Kholinar—identified as Talenel'Elin, Herald of War—who spoke of preparing humanity for the coming Desolation and training Surgebinders as guardians. The Herald's words are too specific to be coincidence, and Jasnah confirms with Ivory that the Heralds have indeed returned. Ivory suggests they search Shadesmar to locate the Herald, though Jasnah notes someone may know how to hide souls. Jasnah works with three rented spanreeds to back up her notes, which she fears have become common knowledge now that the parshmen-Voidbringer connection is widely known. She confides in Ivory about her fear of losing her sanity, reflecting on how the Heralds must suffer with their deteriorating minds. The conversation turns to Shallan, whom Ivory describes as troubling and unstable, bonded to a Cryptic spren. Jasnah acknowledges Shallan's rebellion against authority but worries about her impulses controlling her rather than the reverse. Ivory notes that all ten orders of Knights Radiant have returned, a significant development. The chapter closes with Jasnah insisting they must eventually reveal what they learned from Wit, though Ivory warns it could trigger another Recreance like the abandonment of the ancient bonds.