50. Shash Thirty-Seven

Dalinar and his party fly to his old warcamp via Kaladin's newfound Windrunner abilities, then investigate the mysteriously empty cell of a madman claiming to be a Herald. The cell has been breached by a Shardblade, and a poison dart is discovered inside, suggesting the Herald was either rescued or assassinated by another powerful force.

Dalinar experiences his first extended flight with Kaladin and ten Windrunner squires, along with Navani, Elhokar, and two ardents, traveling to Dalinar's warcamp on the Shattered Plains. The journey is exhilarating but unsettling; Kaladin maintains precise control while the others struggle with the winds. Upon arrival, Dalinar tours the warcamp with Brightness Jasalai and discusses logistics of dividing forces between Narak, the warcamp, and Urithiru. Navani sketches engineering concepts for what appears to be an airship while her scribe Rushu assists. A spanreed message arrives from Queen Fen of Thaylenah, who visited Aharietiam in a vision and responds with a single word: "Yes," indicating her willingness to join their cause.

Dalinar then slips away to the monastery, ostensibly searching for the Herald who was housed in Shash building, room thirty-seven. He finds Kadash packing records and spanreeds, learning that the ardent has been contacted by leaders of Vorinism across multiple nations discussing the Desolation and Everstorm. Kadash reveals he awaited scholarly translations of the Dawnchant before responding to these leaders, having already privately accepted that Dalinar's visions are genuine. The two debate the theological implications of a dead Almighty and whether the truth justifies disrupting established religious order.

Dalinar reaches the Herald's sealed cell and attempts to break in, but discovers someone has already cut through the stone wall from outside using a Shardblade. The cell is empty, with no sign of the patient. Inside, Dalinar finds a small green dart with yellow twine, tipped with blackbane poison. Kaladin identifies the poison and helps Dalinar retrieve the records from the ardent's office safe. Before departing, Dalinar orders Kaladin to fly to Thaylen City during the next highstorm to activate the Oathgate there, as Queen Fen has agreed to join their alliance.