46. The Weight of the Tower

A flashback chapter (nine years before the main timeline) showing young Eshonai's discovery of humans near the forest, and intercut scenes of her sister Venli seeking approval from their mother and the elders to pursue warform—a listener form not held in generations. Eshonai's momentous finding overshadows Venli's announcement.

The chapter alternates between two timelines nine years in the past. Eshonai scouts the forest alone despite family concerns, mapping its perimeter and marveling at its strength compared to the ruined ancient cities. While following a river through the forest, she hears strange, rhythmless shouts and discovers humans—a sight that fills her with wonder and terror. Meanwhile, in the listener camp, Venli practices reciting the Song of Forms under her mother Jaxlim's instruction, frustrating herself with imperfect memorization while envying Eshonai's freedom. Venli reveals to her mother that she has been experimenting with spren during storms to achieve warform, a form lost to the listeners for generations. Jaxlim supports this ambition and takes Venli to the Five elders, who gather by the firepit to hear Venli's proposal. As Venli steps forward to present herself with confidence, warning drums sound—a rare occurrence suggesting conflict. The elders rush to arm themselves and depart to investigate. Venli remains behind, later learning that Eshonai's discovery of humans has changed their world forever, completely overshadowing her own achievement.