54. The Future Become Dust

Venli learns that Kaladin Stormblessed is alive and conscious within the tower, having killed a singer soldier and rescued another Windrunner. She reports this to Leshwi and, moved by Timbre's compassion, warns that the Pursuer intends to execute Kaladin's captured family. Leshwi intervenes, taking the family into her custody and hiding them safely.

Venli ascends to the sixth floor to gather reports for Raboniel, internally reflecting on her past choice to hide the gemstone that bonded her to Timbre and made her a Radiant—a decision driven by fear of losing glory to her sister Eshonai rather than noble motives. On the sixth floor, scouts report that Kaladin Stormblessed killed a singer during investigations and escaped with an unconscious Windrunner; despite searches by the Pursuer, he remains at large in the upper floors. Venli learns that the Pursuer has captured Kaladin's family—a surgeon, his wife, and child—held in a clinic on the sixth floor, with plans to interrogate and execute them as revenge for the fallen soldier. Though Timbre objects to the brutality, Venli initially dismisses the concern. However, after Timbre continues to press her, Venli recalls Kaladin's kindness in a vision and recognizes the injustice. She travels to the fifteenth floor atrium to find Leshwi in meditation and breaks protocol to report Kaladin's presence and his family's danger. Leshwi, intrigued by Kaladin and seeing strategic value in his family as leverage, descends to the sixth floor. She returns an hour later having taken custody of the family and hidden them safely, using her authority to override the Pursuer's plans. Leshwi warns Venli not to reveal her compassion for humans to others, as it could be dangerous given her status as the child of traitors. Timbre pulses encouragingly as Venli acknowledges that despite being a false Radiant, today was a step in the right direction.